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Accelerating forward Thailand’s cement roadmap, Dr. Chana Poomee, TCMA Chairman, is set to strengthen tie with global green funds boosting Thai industry competitiveness and effort to achieve the Net Zero 2050


“Dr. Chana Poomee” Chairman of Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), announced the vision of ‘TCMA Synergizing the Actions toward Net Zero 2050, to drive the cement industry, join forces in all sectors, upgrade industry energy transition with innovation, connect global green funds to realize Net Zero Goal, increase Thailand’s industrial capacity, and respond to climate change megatrend.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Dr. Chana Poomee, as being continued the leadership position of Thai Cement Manufactures Association for another term, presented a vision statement ‘TCMA Synergizing the Actions toward Net Zero 2050’, focuses on several key missions of accelerating the Thai cement industry, transitioning to clean energy, achieving Net Zero by 2050, integrating cooperation with all sectors, elevating TCMA’s role on the international forum to connect green funds in helping Thai industry to cope with the green economy megatrend and sustainable growth.

TCMA

Dr. Chana Poomee, along with the TCMA Board, outlined the long-term direction of TCMA, which is a collaboration nexus of leading Thai cement producers. TCMA, over the next two years, 2024-2026 will accelerate its efforts to join forces with all sectors to achieve the key missions in four areas:

1. Research and development of new low-carbon cement such as calcined clay cement This mission will resume immediately after a successful transition to hydraulic cement as a primary cement in Thailand since January 1, 2024, marking Thailand’s New Era of Low Carbon Cement.

2. Accelerating the expansion of maximize resource-efficiency mining practices according to the Minerals Act B.E. 2560 (2017) The intent of this mission is for the mining industry contributing to the sustainable economic development of the country, for example; joint development mining area ‘Khao Wong Model’ in accordance with the green mining practices, reducing environmental and health impacts from mining through innovation and technology, rehabilitate old mining areas into community water sources and learning centers, and contributing to a low-carbon society.

3. Building an integrated ecosystem and turning waste to value through the cement production process according to the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Currently, the cement industry uses waste from the industrial, community, and agricultural sectors (after 3R process-reduce-reuse-recycle) as fuel in co-processing kilns. This initiative maximizes resource efficiency, reduces PM2.5, contributes to the zero-landfill, and most importantly, lowers greenhouse gas emissions. TCMA, with this action aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions not less than 6.9 million tons of carbon dioxide in 2030.

4. Leveraging innovation for industry’s transition to clean energy This mission requires a synergy of government policies, appropriate technology, and global green funds to support Thailand in transitioning to clean energy and boosting competitiveness. TCMA will work closely with partner agencies, such as Thailand Fellowship Cement Manufacturers, Federation of Thai Industries, Board of Trade of Thailand, Thai Bankers Association, and etc.

Furthermore, “PPP-Saraburi Sandbox: A Low Carbon City” will be accelerated. This project is the partnership among public, private and people by using 3C approach: Communication-Collaborative action- Conclusion(step-by-step). Saraburi Province is selected as pilot area for several prototype GHG reduction approaches and projects, which respect different cooperation framework of each sector and align with Thailand NDC Roadmap. To achieve a concrete result, the pilot project has been implement:- 1) Energy Transition, such as a solar energy project, Napier grass cultivation as energy crop, the grid modernization project, and the CCUS research project; 2) Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU) such as produce hydraulic cement and develop new types of low-carbon cement; 3) Waste management such as turning waste into Alternative Fuels (AF) and Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF); 4) Agriculture such as promoting alternate wetting and drying at rice paddle field and 5) Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF)

“The implementation of this project will result in a win-win-win situation for all parties. This success however, would not have been possible without the concerted effort and support of all sectors, in particular regarding regulations that must be revised to enable the project to proceed. As these prototype projects are rolling out, we are also learning and understanding pathways to work forward. Some success project can be extended to other provinces and some failure will find solutions, such as proposing to relevant agencies, in local and central governments, to amend regulation roadblocks,” said Dr. Chana Poomee.

Dr. Chana concluded that “With the strong determination and clear policy, TCMA will synergize its actions in implementing the abovementioned policies to support the government and other relevant sectors, including those at the regional level, such as the ASEAN cement collaboration towards decarbonization, and at the global level, such as continued attending COP27 and COP28, and working closely with Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), in collaboration with the UNFCCC and the World Economic Forum. TCMA will build networks to foster synergy, connect funding to Thailand, sharpen the competitiveness of the industry, and support transition Thailand to a low-carbon society as intended.”

Thai cement industry outlook in 2024, estimated will rebound compared to the year before. Thanks to enabling factors from the recovering tourism and related services sectors, growing exports which will in turn stimulate private construction sector, together with the ongoing government’s mega projects and a positive outlook after the Annual Budget Act came into effect. However, with the rising cost of living and high levels of household debt, the purchasing power of residential consumers is hard hit. In addition, inflation, interest rates, and the overall economic slowdown are also negatively affecting private sector investment (commercial) as well as the health of the Thai economy.

Hashtag: #TCMA #NetZero2050

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HKIH Elite Awards 2024 Reveals Jury Panel Composition


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Housing (“HKIH”), the HKIH Elite Awards 2024 is open for nomination by 8 March 2024. The nomination period will close at 12:00 noon, 28 June 2024.

Ms Patricia Chang, President of the HKIH, said, “Composition of the HKIH Elite Awards’ jury panel is always our top concern over the years, with a view to ensure impartiality and professionalism for all nominations received. This year, we are honored to have invited a diversified mix of jurors, who will offer their expert views during the judging process. As always, we are grateful for their contributions. Together, we will foster healthy industry growth by giving recognition to high-performing individuals and teams at large.”

Housing management professionals have been working hard to enhance harmonious, well-managed living and working environments for all citizens over the years. Their contribution and outstanding performance should be recognised and made known to a wider public. With social unrests and pandemic challenges, housing management professionals’ dedicated efforts were especially profound and important for the community. Thus, HKIH launched the first HKIH Elite Awards in 2020 to reward the outstanding contributions of members and industry practitioners. By bringing together leading corporate executives, professionals, and academic institutions, as well as industry leaders, the HKIH Elite Awards offers an excellent opportunity for local housing management individuals and teams to be recognised for their professionalism and achievement.

HKIH Elite Awards 2024 – Jury Panel

Head Juror
The Hon. Tony TSE Wai-chuen, BBS, JP Legislative Council Member, Architectural, Surveying, Planning and Landscape, The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Jurors (in alphabetical order)
Mr CHAN Pak-cheung Deputy Director/Regulatory Services, Electrical and Mechanical Services Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Mr James CHAN Yum-min Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director, Hong Kong Housing Society
Ms CHANG Yuk Kam, Patricia President, The Hong Kong Institute of Housing
Dr CHENG Kam Wah, Edmond President, The Hong Kong Association of Property Management Companies Limited
Dr CHEUNG Tin-cheung, SBS Chairman, Hong Kong Green Building Council
Professor Rebecca L.H. CHIU MH, JP Honorary Professor of Faculty of Architecture and Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong
Mr CHOW Chun Ling, Kenny Chairman, Housing Managers Registration Board
Mr FUNG Hao Yin, Vincent, JP Deputy Commissioner (Occupational Safety and Health), Labour Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Mr Alex HO Director, Industry Development, Construction Industry Council
Ir C. S. HO Chairman, Hong Kong Quality Assurance Agency
Prof Eddie Chi Man HUI, MH, JP Chair Professor and Head, Department of Public and International Affairs, City University of Hong Kong
Ms Filla MAK Chief Operations Officer, The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Mr James WONG Kong Tin, BBS, JP Chairperson, Property Management Services Authority
Ms WONG Po Chun, Rosita Chairlady of Organising Committee, HKIH Elite Awards 2024
Mr WONG Ying Kit, Romulus Chairman, Chartered Institute of Housing Asian Pacific Branch
Ir Prof Michael C.H. YAM Head of Department and Professor, Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Mr YEUNG Yiu Fai, Ricky, JP Deputy Director (Estate Management) of Housing, Housing Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Ms YU Po Mei, Clarice, JP

Director of Buildings, Buildings Department, The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region

Key Dates

Date Key Milestone
8 March 2024 Nominations open
28 June 2024 at 12:00 noon Nominations close
31 July 2024 Finalists Announcement
7 and 14 September 2024 Finalists Presentation to Jury Panel
November 2024 HKIH Elite Awards 2024 Award Presentation Ceremony

*Future notice will be made if there are any changes on the above dates.

Award Categories

Category Subcategory Award Type
Individual Awards
Outstanding Manager
  • Private Housing
    • Residential
    • Non-residential
  • Public Housing
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards
Outstanding Officer
Team Awards
Outstanding Team
  • Private Housing
    • Residential
    • Non-residential
  • Public Housing
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards
Best Crisis Management Team
Best ESG Team (New in 2024)
Best Safety Team (New in 2024)
Innovative Awards
Best Innovative Idea
  • Grand Award
  • Excellence Awards
  • Merit Awards


For more details of HKIH Elite Awards 2024, please visit the HKIH website housing.org.hk or Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/HKIHprofessionals.

Hashtag: #HKIH

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Housing

The Hong Kong Institute of Housing (“HKIH”) was incorporated in Hong Kong on 29 November 1988 under the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong) as a company limited by guarantee. Effective from 9 May 1997, HKIH has become a body corporate under The Hong Kong Institute of Housing Ordinance (Cap. 507, originally 34 of 1997). HKIH has been announced as one of the first batch Recognised Professional Bodies (RPBs) of PMSA since 2020.

Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat Supports Caregivers of Children with Soap Pack Thermometers and Access to Doctor Services

Lifebuoy collaborates with Halodoc and Bandung Health Polytechnic to introduce compact thermometers with complimentary access to doctor consultations as the first line of response when children fall ill.


JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Lifebuoy, the world’s number one hygiene soap brand, in collaboration with telehealth service Halodoc and the Bandung Health Polytechnic, today unveiled Sentuhan Sehat. This innovative campaign aims to fortify parents and caregivers across Indonesia with tools for pre-emptive health management, marking a significant stride in accessible healthcare. At the heart of this initiative are groundbreaking, reusable thermometers and seamless access to Halodoc’s teleconsultation services, offering a vital lifeline for early detection of fever symptoms tied to common, yet preventable, ailments like diarrhoea.

Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat soap packs with reusable thermometer
Lifebuoy’s Sentuhan Sehat soap packs with reusable thermometer

Sentuhan Sehat sees Lifebuoy reaching communities in Bandung, West Java, to distribute more than 2,000 specially designed soap packs, impacting 6,000 Indonesians and counting, for use by parents for children and families at home. Each soap pack comes integrated with a reusable thermometer and a QR code affixed to its packaging. This code serves as a key to unlock complimentary health consultations with Halodoc’s reputable medical professionals, effectively placing invaluable healthcare advice within arm’s reach.

More than 2,000 Lifebuoy Sentuhan Sehat soap packs have been distributed to families in Bandung, Indonesia
More than 2,000 Lifebuoy Sentuhan Sehat soap packs have been distributed to families in Bandung, Indonesia

Indonesians are more prone to diarrhoea during the monsoon season, especially or children. Indonesia’s 2020 Health Profile[1] data shows that diarrhoea is the second leading cause of death in infants aged 29 days – 11 months at 9.8% and in the group of toddlers aged 12-59 months, amounting to 4.5% of total deaths. A common symptom of diarrhoea is fever, which usually spikes as children become more ill. In West Java only, the area has recorded thousands of diarrhoea cases in the last year.

In collaboration with Bandung Health Polytechnic as a distribution partner, Lifebuoy introduces a reusable thermometer to families across various locations in West Java such as Cibiru, Sukajadi, Kiaracondong, Batununggal, Kasomalang, and Cibeunying, where fever related to diarrhoea is prevalent and early medical interventions are essential.

Erfan Hidayat, as the Head of Skin Cleansing at Unilever Indonesia said, “Sentuhan Sehat is fully aligned with Lifebuoy’s commitment to protect the health of Indonesian families. Through the collaboration between Lifebuoy, Halodoc, and Bandung Health Polytechnic as distribution partners, we aim to educate parents to be more attentive to the health of their children and families and not hesitate to consult with doctors. The convenience of telehealth services is believed to address the high anxiety of parents regarding their children’s health, which ultimately leads to self-medication behaviors. Hopefully, this collaboration can make people realize that disease prevention is just as important as treatment and open access for more people to obtain accurate health information and care.”

Veronica Utami, as the Chief Operating Officer of Halodoc, stated, “Through the provision of free doctor consultation services on Halodoc, we hope that parents will become more proactive when their children experience fever as it serves as an early symptom of various diseases such as dengue fever or other infections. We welcome the positive collaboration with Lifebuoy, which has been running very well so far. At Halodoc, we actively introduce various initiatives that educate the public on maintaining health and support Indonesian families when experiencing fever, such as providing Home Lab services for fever checks and Dengue Fever vaccinations.”

Yonan Heriyanto, M. Kes., Head of the Dental Health Department at the Bandung Health Polytechnic added, “We want to emphasize the importance of reaching out to parents who have limited access to healthcare services and sharing knowledge about good hygiene principles—including ways to keep babies and young children safe from preventable diseases. It is hoped that this will help them avoid the risk of worsening conditions.”

Sentuhan Sehat reflects Lifebuoy’s support toward the collective effort to achieve the vision of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages in Indonesia. Lifebuoy aims to support the government’s programs in reducing mortality due to diarrhoea under the age of five, as stated by the Ministry of Health in the National Action Plan for 2023–2030.

From 2022 to early 2024, Lifebuoy’s free health consultation service in collaboration with Halodoc has offered about 185,000 consultations to Indonesian families. Lifebuoy is always committed to making an even bigger impact in the years to come by developing better handwashing habits, improving hygiene, protecting against preventable diseases, and helping to prevent children get sick less often.

“We hope Sentuhan Sehat can empower parents and caregivers to protect their children from preventable diseases such as diarrhea and create healthier futures for Indonesian children,” concluded Erfan.


Hashtag: #Lifebuoy #SentuhanSehat

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Lifebuoy

Lifebuoy is the world’s number one hygiene soap brand, sold in over 100 countries. Through the Lifebuoy brand, we aim to make a difference by creating quality, affordable products and promoting healthy hygiene habits. Since 2010, we have reached over 1 billion people through our handwashing programs.

Since the launch of the Lifebuoy brand in 1894, we have supported people in their quest for better personal hygiene. The classic red bar of soap and its distinctive medicated carbolic scent was synonymous with cleanliness throughout the twentieth century. Today, the brand is so much more. With its many soap variants and specially designed body washes. These, along with the range of liquid hand washes and hand hygiene gel, ensure daily hygiene and freshness for the entire family. For more information, please visit:

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world’s leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of €60.1 billion in 2022. Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose-led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business. The Unilever Compass, our global sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while aiming to:
– improve the health of the planet;
– improve people’s health, confidence and wellbeing;
– and contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.

For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit .

Tough choice: a 2024 overview of the most profitable investment options – Octa


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – The need for higher income and a better work-life balance forces more and more people to look for supplementary sources of income. Among those, investing stands out as a legal and potentially profitable way to accrue wealth, safeguard personal savings against inflation, or achieve immediate financial gains to address daily needs. In this article, the experts at Octa provide a brief overview of the most profitable investing opportunities as of now.

Octa

Whether we like it or not, the world is changing rapidly. With the deluge of tech innovations, many aspects of our lives that seemed unalterable just a decade ago have transformed beyond recognition. A perfect example of this is the employment market. Nowadays, a stable full-time job, more often than not, falls short of providing an income sufficient to ensure even basic living standards. Given that supporting your family and relatives or making retirement savings has become almost a privilege, it is only natural that most people actively seek supplementary sources of income.

A 2024 research shows that the rising living costs compels more than three-quarters of professionals in Asia to consider taking new jobs. According to another survey conducted in 2023, “almost 60% of people in Asia-Pacific have a side job, with the majority saying they do so to make ends meet.”

However, there are some less demanding ways to outpace the rising costs. A much more appealing wealth management option for many, investing has seen significant growth in popularity in recent years—and for a good reason. Investing doesn’t require as much time and physical effort as a second job while opening a whole gamut of financial opportunities to those seeking additional income sources.

Below, the experts at Octa, a global investing platform offering a wide variety of tradable assets, list the pros and cons of some of the most popular investment choices in 2024.

Forex

The foreign exchange market (Forex) is a highly dynamic investment choice offering unparalleled liquidity, which translates into ample profit opportunities for retail players. The advantages of Forex also include low starting capital requirements, around-the-clock trading, and the amount of leverage the participants enjoy.

While trading Forex requires knowledge and experience, it presents a highly lucrative option for earning extra income here and now without having to wait for long-term returns. Offering a high level of control over investment in conjunction with one of the lowest minimum starting budgets, Forex is a much less challenging investment choice for retail players than stock or indices and a much more dynamic option than savings accounts or the commodities market.

Cryptocurrencies

With Bitcoin reaching an all-time high in March and crypto traders worldwide still waiting for Ethereum ETFs to receive approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission, the crypto market looks vibrant after a sluggish beginning of the year.

The upcoming Bitcoin ‘hard fork,’ or a radical change in the coin’s blockchain that effectively results in the creation of a new cryptocurrency may also create some positive market dynamics. However, the volatile regulatory landscape in this field of investment and a significant probability of local governments imposing restrictions makes crypto trading a high-risk zone, if not a no-go area, for those looking for immediate and relatively easy returns.

Gold

Regarding commodities in general and gold in particular, no central bank regulator sets the rules of the game. Here, the law of supply and demand determines the price—a shortage of a particular commodity naturally raises the rate of return.

Many investors use commodities to protect their savings against inflation since rise in real asset prices often triggers an increase in the cost of living.

While most commodities prices dropped in 2023, gold was in high demand and rose by more than 13% by the end of the year, reaching a record high of $2,135 per ounce. Some experts say this trend will continue in 2024, but based on the historical market dynamics, peak values often indicate that a shift in trend is just around the corner. In 2024, buying gold may prove to be a reasonable choice, but you need to keep in mind that even in the best of times, it doesn’t deliver sufficient immediate returns to cover your daily needs unless you have a significant starting capital at your disposal.

Stocks and stock indices

A stock market index comprises equities from similar companies or those that match a predetermined set of criteria. For long-term investments, stocks and stock indices have proven to be a vital source of annualised return. However, the level of expert knowledge required of a successful stock investor is quite high, and the significant risks involved make it a challenging way for retail investors to earn additional income.

Energy futures

A futures contract is a financial instrument through which a buyer and seller agree to deliver an asset and pay for it at a fixed price at a future date. The asset bought or sold is usually a commodity or financial instrument. The futures market attracts investors thanks to its high liquidity, almost around-the-clock trading schedule, and nearly limitless portfolio diversification opportunities. On the other hand, engaging in futures trading requires a lot of time and effort, which, along with the many inherent intricacies, makes for a very demanding investment option.

Fixed-income equities (deposits and bonds)

A deposit is money transferred to a bank or some other financial institution. A bond, on the other hand, is a fixed-income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a company or governmental institution. As a rule, both offer a modest return while maintaining a low-risk profile and comparatively high level of control over investment. In other words, this is another investment option for those who do not expect immediate returns and have significant expertise and starting capital.

Hashtag: #Octa

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Octa

is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.

The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.

Octa has also won more than 60 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best Educational Broker 2023’ award from Global Forex Awards and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.

HKFYG Presents “HSBC x HKFYG Vocal Vibrato @ Shenzhen”


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – With its commitment to cross cultural collaboration, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups (HKFYG), supported by The Hongkong Bank Foundation, organised an exciting musical extravaganza.

Supported by The Hongkong Bank Foundation, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups organised an exciting musical extravaganza
Supported by The Hongkong Bank Foundation, the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups organised an exciting musical extravaganza “HSBC x HKFYG Vocal Vibrato @ Shenzhen,” presented a series of a cappella performances brought together young a cappella singers from around the world, along with mainland and Hong Kong singers to showcase their talents.

“HSBC x HKFYG Vocal Vibrato @ Shenzhen,” presented a series of a cappella performances brought together young a cappella singers from around the world, along with mainland and Hong Kong singers to showcase their talents, while also fostering cultural exchanges between the performers.

Shenzhen played host to this captivating display of melodies, thanks to the support of the Qianhai Authority, Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub and AISL Harrow Schools. The performances took place at the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub, One Avenue, and Harrow International School Shenzhen.

Deputy Executive Director of the HKFYG, Alice Lui, along with other distinguished guests, attended the event to show their support to this passionate youth community involved in music. Alice Lui expressed her deep appreciation to all the singers, not only for their exceptional musical performances, but also for their engagement which the audiences, which she believed will have a lasting impact. She hoped that this musical gathering would inspire more young people to develop an interest and passion for music, while fostering communication and collaboration within the field.

The line-up for “HSBC x HKFYG Vocal Vibrato @ Shenzhen” included:

The Sons of Pitches from London, United Kingdom, specialising in beatbox a cappella and Champions of the BBC 2 television series.

Beat Poetry Club from Vienna, Austria, an all-female performing group.

Rabbit Cat from Tokyo, Japan, who made their overseas debut and boasts a following of over 300 thousand on YouTube.

3H from Hong Kong, who is the winner of Chinese Beatbox Championship, also achieved a remarkable feat to the top 16 in the World Beatbox Championship in 2023.

Lash Vocals from Hong Kong, winners of multiple awards at last year’s “Hong Kong International a cappella Festival.”

The Vienna-based all-female a cappella group, Beat Poetry Club, expressed their immense excitement about this performance opportunity, especially since it marked the first visit to China for most of them. They cherished the chance to meet and collaborate with a cappella musicians of diverse styles, finding inspiration in each other’s performances.

The Japanese a cappella performing group Rabbit Cat expressed their joy and excitement as they performed overseas for the first time. They were really nervous for the first overseas performance but at the end they were thrilled to witness the Chinese young audience enthusiastically singing along and showering them with resounding applause during their performance.

Collaborating with the HKFYG for the second time, The five-man a cappella group from the UK, The Son of Pitches, thoroughly enjoyed their performances in Shenzhen and the opportunity to harmonise with other talented groups. A standout moment for them was when they joined forces with other a cappella musicians and students to sing “We Are the World.” They wholeheartedly encourage young people to embrace a cappella as a means of self-expression, emphasising the freedom to choose any instrument and the value of experimenting with every new idea.

Chinese Champion beatboxer 3H expressed his delight in interacting with fellow musicians during the event, emphasising the enjoyable experience it provided. He also acknowledged the abundance of beatbox talent present in China.

HKFYG’s Cultural Services Unit has been devoted to promoting the development of the local a cappella scene and creating more opportunities and spaces for young people to engage in cultural and arts activities. With over 500 a cappella training sessions and events organized annually, the HKFYG has involved more than 300 secondary schools and over 370,000 individuals in its a cappella activities. In recognition of its efforts, the association received the “Arts Education Award (Non-school Category)” from the Hong Kong Arts Development Council in 2016. The “Hong Kong International a cappella Festival,” “a cappella Education Programme,” and “HKFYG Hong Kong Melody Makers” all contribute to youth appreciation and learning of music from various angles, as well as nurturing numerous a cappella groups, thereby enriching the local cultural landscape. For more information about the choral festival, please visit the website https://csu.hkfyg.org.hk.

Hashtag: #HSBC #HBF #Community #HKFYG #ACappellaFestival #Shenzhen2024 #MusicMagic

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

City I&T Grand Challenge invites innovative solutions for Hong Kong’s future


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – To promote an innovation and technology (I&T) culture and enhance the application of I&T in the community, the second City I&T Grand Challenge, organised by the Innovation and Technology Commission together with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC), was launched on March 16. The theme of the competition this year is “Hong Kong’s Got I&T”. All sectors of the community are invited to put forward I&T solutions focusing on two subjects, namely “I&T for Nature (Yama)” and “I&T for Community (Community Wellness)”, to enhance the experience of nature and create a caring society in Hong Kong. A series of workshops and other activities will also be held to promote a positive I&T atmosphere in the community.

Officiating at the launching ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, said that teams participating in the inaugural City I&T Grand Challenge had skilfully applied technology to propose practical and considerate solutions to tackle problems and pain points in people’s lives. He encouraged students and the public to actively participate in the competition to contribute for better living and the future of I&T in Hong Kong.

Mr Chan added that the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has been committed to investing in I&T development in recent years to bring new impetus to the city’s social and economic development, to enhance its competitiveness, as well as to create more quality employment opportunities for people in Hong Kong. He stated that President Xi Jinping’s proposal of developing new quality productive forces by adapting measures to local conditions in which factors of production being transformed towards digitalisation and intelligentisation, has also been the direction for the Budget this year. As Hong Kong possesses unique advantages in artificial intelligence, data industry, biomedicine and green technology, the Government will develop these key areas in the future, so as to further create room for the I&T development.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said in his welcoming remarks that, the winning solutions of the first City I&T Grand Challenge serves as a testament of strong creativity, observation and operability of the people in Hong Kong. He was pleased to learn that some projects have been successfully applied into community for benefit of the general public with the use of technology, while some winners even joined the incubation programmes offered by the HKSTPC and Cyberport to continue their journeys in research and development. Professor Sun also invited the community to participate in the competition and to achieve the “I&T for all” target.

Also speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the HKSTPC, Dr Sunny Chai, said that the HKSTPC was delighted to be the co-organising partner of the City I&T Grand Challenge once again. The previous cohort saw a highly enthusiastic response despite the pandemic, with a number of innovations already being trialed in public organisations, including the internationally-recognised “Smart Belt” which transformed navigation for the visually impaired and enhanced their independence while travelling. He looked forward to unearthing more innovative ideas in the competition to solve critical societal issues through I&T.

In addition, the winners of the first City I&T Grand Challenge shared their experiences of the initial competition at the launching ceremony. They believe that the competition provided an ideal platform and resources for them to realise their I&T solutions to bring convenience to daily lives. Through the sharing, it is hoped to inspire society to join this year’s competition and promote social progress through innovation.

The City I&T Grand Challenge is open for submission from April 5 to May 16. Primary and secondary school students, local and non-local university and tertiary students as well as all sectors of the community are invited to participate. Winners in all groups will receive a cash prize and a trophy. Winners of the University/Tertiary Institute and Open groups will also have the opportunity to receive funding of up to HK$1 million for research and development and training to refine their I&T solutions for trials at designated venues such as government departments or public organisations.

The competition calls for innovative solutions for daily life issues under two sub-themes, namely “I&T for Nature” and “I&T for Community”. “I&T for Nature” revolves around improving the operation and management of country parks and campsites, and enhancing hikers’ experiences in nature with the use of I&T. “I&T for Community” is about enhancing support for carers through the application of I&T.

A series of workshops, seminars and trainings will be organised on sub-themes of the competition and I&T related knowledge. All activities are free of charge and members of the public are welcome to join. Details are available on the City I&T Grand Challenge website (citytechgc.hk).

Hashtag: #CityI&TGrandChallenge

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Cathay Cargo resumes freighter service from Ho Chi Minh City

The weekly freighter flight will supplement the current six freighter flights per week operating between Hong Kong and Hanoi.


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – Cathay Cargo welcomed its first freighter flight to Ho Chi Minh City on 4 April 2024 after four years, following its suspension in December 2019 due to the pandemic. The weekly flight, CX3148, will operate from Ho Chi Minh City every Thursday, with the freighter first originating from Hong Kong to Hanoi, then routing to Ho Chi Minh City before returning to Hong Kong. This will supplement Cathay Cargo’s current six freighter flights per week from Hanoi to Hong Kong.

Cathay Cargo Freighter Resumption
Cathay Cargo Freighter Resumption

Decades of presence in Vietnam

Cathay Pacific has been operating passenger services between Vietnam and Hong Kong since 1949. The very first flight carried a significant amount of cargo, including diplomatic mail as well as seafood and vegetables. Testament to the significance of the Vietnam market to its global freighter network, Cathay Cargo commenced full freighter services from Ho Chi Minh City and then Hanoi in March 2008.

In 2023, Cathay Cargo shipped an average of almost 2,000 tonnes of cargo from Vietnam every month, of which about 600 tonnes were carried on Cathay Pacific’s twice-daily passenger flights from Ho Chi Minh City. These comprised mainly garments, footwear, fruits, and live and frozen seafood, headed to key destinations such as Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, North East Asia, Australia and North America.

More choices for shippers

In addition to greater cargo capacity, the resumption of the freighter service will give shippers in Ho Chi Minh City access to Cathay Cargo’s main-deck solutions, namely Cathay Expert[1] for odd-sized shipments, as well as freight designated as Cargo-Aircraft-Only, such as certain dangerous goods.

Regional Head of Cargo, Southeast Asia Ashish Kapur said: “We are very excited to welcome our freighter back to Ho Chi Minh City again. With factory activities resuming and air cargo demand picking up, it is timely for us to resume our freighter service from the economic heart of Vietnam. Together with our existing twice daily passenger flights serving the city, the addition of our freighter service will give local businesses more choices, especially in terms of our specialised solutions that can be tailored to suit their needs. Whether it is the latest fashion wear from the factories, fresh dragon fruit from the farms or live seafood from the ocean, we are committed to partnering with them on their journey to bring the best of Vietnam to Hong Kong and the rest of the world.”

Country Manager for Vietnam and Cambodia Nicolas Masse said: “Our dedicated team in Ho Chi Minh City has been eagerly awaiting the resumption of our freighter service. We have been working hard to ensure we are operationally ready on the ground and able to respond quickly to our customers’ needs, whatever they may be. Our team of experts are certainly looking forward to working with our cargo handling agents to deliver the best service to our customers.”

Customer centricity at the forefront

With an aim to become the world’s most customer-centric air cargo services brand, Cathay Cargo continues to invest in building its air-cargo expertise to deliver what customers want and to set it and the Hong Kong international aviation hub apart from competitors. Recent investments include Ultra Track, a next-generation track-and-trace tool; putting purchase and confirmation into customers’ hands with Click & Ship; revamping the range of specialist handling solutions; infrastructural upgrades including the Pharma Handling Centre at the Cathay Cargo Terminal; and digitalising processes and using data to benchmark and measure performance.


[1] Cathay Expert is a customised freight service that provides personalised logistical support for the storage, transportation and delivery of unusual cargo. More details can be found here.

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DrukAsia’s Unveils New Neykor Tour Featuring Khedrupchen Rinpoche


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 April 2024 – DrukAsia is thrilled to announce the launch of the Neykor Tour, a groundbreaking 9 day expedition led by His Eminence Khedrupchen Rinpoche, set in the breathtaking landscapes of Bhutan. Eminence Khedrupchen Rinpoche is a revered Tibetan Buddhist master, recognised as a tulku (a reincarnated lama or teacher), and known for his teachings and humanitarian efforts in promoting Buddhism and spiritual well-being around the world.

This unique tour is designed for those who seek to integrate spiritual wisdom with practical business strategies, offering a transformative experience that promises to redefine the conventional pathways to success.

The first tour is scheduled to begin on May 5 to 15, 2024 and another tour on October 3 to 12, 2024, the Neykor Tour invites participants on a journey to the Land of the Thunder Dragon, where compassion and mindful business ethics converge amidst the mystical serenity of Bhutan’s natural wonders. Guided by the profound teachings and mindful meditation practices of His Eminence Khedrupchen Rinpoche, travellers will have the rare opportunity to explore sacred sites and immerse themselves in the spiritual heritage of Bhutan.

This once-in-a-lifetime expedition is more than a mere retreat; it is an immersive experience that empowers participants to embody the art of compassionate leadership in their professional and personal lives. By bridging the gap between spirituality and business, the Neykor Tour paves the way for innovative approaches to success, underpinned by the principles of mindfulness and empathy.

DrukAsia, as the leading purveyor of spiritual and wellbeing holidays to Bhutan, is proud to facilitate this journey, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all. As the official representative of Bhutan’s national carrier and a licensed tour operator across several countries, DrukAsia is committed to offering unparalleled access to the Kingdom’s most sacred and inspiring destinations.

The Neykor Tour is a testament to DrukAsia’s mission to showcase the best of Bhutan while promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing and success. Participants can look forward to a journey that not only enriches their lives but also inspires a deeper connection to the values that shape a more compassionate and sustainable world.

For more information about the Neykor Tour and to reserve your place on this extraordinary journey, please visit DrukAsia’s Neykor Tour sign up page for more information.
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Druk Asia

Travellers from around the globe choose Druk Asia to experience the spiritual magic of Bhutan. As the official representative of Bhutan’s national carrier, Royal Bhutan Airlines (Drukair) is a licensed tour operator in Bhutan, Singapore, Malaysia and offers a seamless travel journey by organising all travel logistics from ticketing, Visa application to itinerary arrangements. With offices in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia, and strong partnership around the world, Druk Asia specialises in curating transformative and wellbeing holidays to Bhutan. With a deep commitment to showcasing the best of Bhutan, DrukAsia ensures every journey is unforgettable, reflecting their dedication to excellence and passion for the kingdom they call home.