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Laos Explores Growth Opportunities in Wood Processing Industry through EU, Regional Cooperation

Only 40% of Forest Cover left in Laos, Says Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Deforestation in Ban Khangkao, Houameuang district. (Photo: SDNR-Asia)

As the wood processing industry in Laos is poised for significant growth in export value and economic development, the Lao government has been working with partners from the European Union and Southeast Asia to strengthen the regulatory and institutional framework of the forestry sector.

To this end, the Department of Forestry organized a workshop in collaboration with the EU-backed International Trade Centre’s Arise Plus project to outline the country’s priorities within the Lao Wood Processing Strategy and Export Roadmap. The discussions also delved into strategies for addressing challenges arising from the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation and its implications for the wood sector in Laos.

Under the EU Regulation, any trader who aims at putting on the EU market forest-sourced products such as soy, palm oil, wood, cocoa, coffee, rubber, and furniture, will need to prove that they “don’t originate from recently deforested land or have contributed to forest degradation.”

Laos, like other major exporters in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam, faces challenges under the EU Regulation requiring traders to demonstrate that forest-sourced products comply with deforestation standards before entering the EU market.

In a bid to fortify Laos’s wood processing industry and enhance its global competitiveness, a delegation from the country participated in a knowledge-sharing session with Indonesia’s Environment and Forestry (KLHK) Ministry on 23 October in Jakarta. The focus of the session was Indonesia’s effective implementation of the Legality and Sustainability Verification System (SVLK), showcasing its positive transformational impact on the forestry sector.

The now-mandatory SVLK, developed over a decade ago, involves Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) conducting audits of business units or wood products and requires all timber from state-owned and private forests to obtain verification of legality. This process is closely monitored by the community and non-governmental organizations, acting as independent watchdog groups. 

Agus Justianto, the director-general of sustainable forest management at the KLHK Ministry, highlighted the pivotal role this system has played in combating illegal logging in Indonesia, which was a significant threat across the country in the early 2000s. The system resulted in a 75 percent reduction in deforestation over the past three years, according to the minister.

Indonesia’s success story extends to its record-breaking export value of forestry products, reaching USD 14.21 billion in 2022 despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. This result led to the signing of a voluntary partnership agreement with the European Union to facilitate the issuance of licenses exempting Indonesian wood products from the due diligence process under the European timber regulation.

In the meeting with the Indonesian delegation in Jakarta, Director-general of the Forest Inspection Department of the Laotian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Khamphone Mounlamai, mentioned that Laos aspires to reach a similar partnership agreement with the EU in the near future.

As the Lao wood processing sector holds the potential to drive economic growth, the country is actively boosting its partnerships with the European Union and regional players, slowly thriving in the global wood market.

HKBU-led research discovers therapeutic potential of hyodeoxycholic acid for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – A research led by Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU) has discovered that hyodeoxycholic acid (HDCA), a bile acid generated in human intestine, can reduce fat accumulation and inflammation in the liver, demonstrating its strong therapeutic potential for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The research also found that HDCA’s intervention in NAFLD works by reshaping the population of beneficial gut bacteria, which affects the metabolic interactions between the gut and the liver. The result highlighted the critical role of gut health in liver disease.

A research led by Professor Jia Wei, Acting Dean and Chair Professor in Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, discovers that hyodeoxycholic acid offers promising potential as a pharmaceutical intervention for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
A research led by Professor Jia Wei, Acting Dean and Chair Professor in Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, discovers that hyodeoxycholic acid offers promising potential as a pharmaceutical intervention for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The research findings have been published in the renowned scientific journal Cell Metabolism. HKBU researchers will coordinate a phase I and II clinical trial in the Mainland to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HDCA for patients with fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes.

32% of adults suffer from NAFLD

NAFLD is a leading cause of chronic liver disease, characterised by the build-up of excessive fat in liver cells that is not caused by alcohol consumption. Its global prevalence has been increasing over time. A meta-analysis in 2022 estimated that 32% of the adult population is affected by NAFLD. Some people with NAFLD can develop non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, which is marked by liver inflammation and may progress to cirrhosis and liver failure. Currently, there are no therapeutic drugs available for sale on the market for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

A research led by Professor Jia Wei, Acting Dean and Chair Professor in Chinese Medicine and Systems Biology of the School of Chinese Medicine at HKBU, discovered that HDCA offers promising potential as a pharmaceutical intervention for NAFLD. “Our research is a significant stride forward in understanding the pathophysiology of NAFLD, and it offers a potential new avenue for therapeutic intervention,” he said.

Therapeutic effects of HDCA

Professor Jia’s team found that individuals with NAFLD have lower levels of HDCA compared to those without NAFLD. In a cohort consisting of 178 patients with NAFLD and 73 healthy individuals, hyocholic acid species, including HDCA and its major metabolite glycohyodeoxycholic acid, comprises 0.5% of the bile acids in NAFLD patients, which is significantly lower than the 2% in healthy individuals. This observation led the team to explore HDCA’s potential therapeutic role.

A series of controlled experiments were conducted to evaluate the therapeutic effect of HDCA. The team orally fed HDCA to mouse models with NAFLD for eight weeks. The results showed that HDCA markedly reduced excessive lipid droplets, and improved hepatic inflammation, oral glucose tolerance (i.e. the blood glucose level after oral intake of glucose), and insulin sensitivity (i.e. the sensitivity of the body to the effects of insulin which helps the glucose to enter into the cells for use) compared to the control group. The results revealed that HDCA alleviated NAFLD conditions and the risk factors of NAFLD such as type 2 diabetes and insulin resistance.

Interestingly, the researchers found that HDCA did not exert its therapeutic effects on NAFLD by directly targeting liver cells. They evaluated the potential direct effect of HDCA on lipid accumulation in a mouse model. The results showed that lipid accumulation was barely affected by the HDCA. They hypothesised that HDCA induced gut microbiota alterations, which might contribute to the alleviation of NAFLD.

HDCA reshapes gut microbiota

The researchers observed that HDCA could improve the population of beneficial gut bacteria. Parabacteroides distasonis (P. distasonis), a member of the core microbiome in the human gut, sharply increased in the mouse model fed with high-fat food and administered with HDCA, compared with the control group fed with high-fat food only. The results revealed that HDCA provided a favorable environment for the thriving of P. distasonis, which regulates fatty acid metabolism as well as the hepatic bile acid synthesis pathways.

“The study underscores the crucial role of the gut-liver metabolic axis in disease management. We hope that the research findings on HDCA and the clinical trial to be conducted in the Mainland will provide more insights into the treatment of fatty liver disease and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis,” said Professor Jia.

Professor Jia has also led a research project investigating the molecular connections between metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus, with a specific focus on host-gut microbiota interactions. The project has been awarded over HK$7.2 million in research funding from the Theme-based Research Scheme (13th round) under the Research Grants Council.

Hashtag: #fattyliverdisease

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

pCloud, the leading cloud storage service, unveils the exclusive Lifetime 3in1 Plan for Singles Day Only

ZUG, SWITZERLAND – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – The cloud storage company made its debut in September 2013. Driven by the increasing demand for cybersecurity, the forward-thinking pCloud team entered the rapidly expanding IT market with a mission to offer a seamless cloud storage solution for individuals and businesses alike.

In addition to its intelligent file security measures and a wide array of file management options, the company has been a trailblazer in the industry with its innovative Lifetime plan. This unique pricing model grants users the opportunity to obtain a lifelong account with a single payment.

For pCloud users in Asia, there’s even more cause for excitement. The cloud storage provider has recently unveiled its new Singles Day Promotion.

Between November 8th and 14th, users can enjoy a 53% discount on storage, with the opportunity to receive up to 10 TB, and a 56% discount on the New Lifetime 3in1 Bundle.

The dynamic pCloud team’s progress has been marked by the introduction of fresh features, products, and offerings, including the pCloud Pass password manager and the innovative 3in1 Bundle.

The 3in1 Lifetime Bundle is the key to transforming how you store, protect, and access your data.

What’s Inside the 3in1 Bundle?
Inside this game-changing Bundle, users will receive:

  • 5TB Lifetime Storage: This spacious storage allocation accommodates various digital needs. Preserve memories, work, and important files securely in the cloud without recurring fees.
  • Lifetime pCloud Encryption: Utilize state-of-the-art encryption technology to safeguard sensitive data and ensure personal and professional information’s exclusivity.
  • Lifetime pCloud Pass: Access premium benefits for fast, secure, and user-friendly file sharing and collaboration, streamlining digital operations for enhanced productivity.


Securing the Digital Tomorrow

The pCloud Exclusive 3in1 Lifetime Bundle doesn’t merely store data; it safeguards, encrypts, and grants accessibility from anywhere, at any time.


Hashtag: #pCloud



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

pCloud

With over 19M users worldwide pCloud is one of the most advanced and easy-to-use cloud storage on the market. Founded ten years ago by a group of IT specialists and entrepreneurs, the company provides innovative, fast and secure cloud storage for individuals and businesses. Today, the service is one of the top 5 cloud storage services and is in competition with top providers such as Google and Dropbox. With unique features such as pCloud Drive, branded download links, upload links, and synchronizing multiple folders, pCloud delivers unmatched versatility, security, and sharing capabilities. With pCloud Drive, files can be completely stored in the cloud, freeing up local hard drive space. This also improves the upload and download speed of files of any size that can be accessed anytime, anywhere. pCloud is the first cloud storage provider to offer two types of encryption methods for easy access and collaboration, and another one for sensible data storage that is not intended for collaboration and sharing. With pCloud’s unique client-side encryption functionality users’ files are safely hidden from any unauthorized access.

FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2023 Empowers Nearly 300 Teen Girls to ‘Discover Their Purpose, Unleash Their Potential’

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – Building on the tremendous success of last year’s inaugural FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit, the second FutureGEN Girls Leadership Summit 2023 (“FGG Summit”) organized by the JYC Girls Impact Foundation (“JYCGIF“) was held on November 4, 2023 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Guest of Honour, Miss. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), officiated at the Opening Ceremony of the Summit, alongside Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng, Founder of JYCGIF, and Ms. Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank.

Empowering Teen Girls through Leadership Development and STEM Learning

This year’s FGG Summit, supported by The Home and Youth Affairs Bureau of HKSAR, Hang Seng Bank, and other 19 organizations, dedicated its theme to “Discover Your Purpose, Unleash Your Potential.”

Guest of Honour, Miss. Alice Mak, SBS, JP, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of HKSAR said: “The Summit is one of vision, specifically upskilling our teens to cater the future needs of society. I hope that students will take this opportunity to contemplate their position in the future society and I am very eager to witness their transformation into a female leader in different areas.”

The FGG Summit drew nearly 300 teen girls from over 40 schools. At the Summit, teen girls took their first steps toward developing their education and career pathways through unique leadership development and STEM learning opportunities, and by networking with peers.

In her Opening Remarks, Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng said: “We are living in the information age, a time when the world is changing at a rapid rate but also there are infinite new possibilities. The FGG Summit is just the beginning of teen girl’s journey – to empower them to take a leap forward, to explore possibilities and unleash their boundless potential to pursue their own unique goals. It is my hope that students will leave the FGG Summit inspired, embraced, and supported enough to fly wherever their purpose takes them, and to continue to make meaningful contributions to the lives of others around them.”

Ms. Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said: “Hang Seng Bank believes in the power and potential of young talent. It’s crucial for the younger generation to embrace the unknown, strive to excel, and don’t fear mistakes. We will continue to promote a worldly perspective and a constructive mindset, enabling them to gear up effectively for what’s ahead.”

Discover Your Purpose, Unleash Your Potential

The FGG Summit 2023 featured: a Future Readiness Lab and New Technology Interactive Zone, inspirational panels led by industry leaders and trailblazers, as well as future workplace skill-building workshops. The Summit presented diverse opportunities for young people’s well-rounded development.

  • Preparing for the future: New Technology Interactive Zone (AI, Robotic, 3D Printing technology)
  • Career exposure: Keynote speech by Mrs. Diana Cesar, Executive Director and Chief Executive. Panel discussions by Mr. Terry Tsang, Chief Executive Officer of Madhead, Dr. Shannon Chan, Médecins Sans Frontières International mobile staff and Ten Outstanding Young People Awardee 2022, Angel Cheung, General Manager, Head of Motor Related Business & Yachts (HK & Overseas) of Dah Chong Hong Holdings Limited, and Christina Ho, Airline Pilot and Creator of #christina_meow, with Ms. Secy Cheung, Legal and Compliance Advisor of JYCGIF as moderator
  • Well-rounded development: Future Readiness Lab including Design Thinking Introductory Workshop, AI and Digital Academy, Chinese Culture and A.I. Artistry, as well as Hang Seng Fireside Chat (Passion to Profession: Nurturing Your Dreams).
  • Contributions to society: The HKSTP-JYCGIF IdeaGO Ideathon 2023

The IdeaGO Ideathon: Contributing to Society through I&T

The Finale of the IdeaGO Ideathlon 2023 (the ‘Ideathon’), jointly organized by the JYCGIF and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), was also held at the Summit this year, with the ion of empowering teen girls to gain a deeper understanding of and appreciation for innovation and technology (I&T) fields.

Over the last few months, Ideathon participants learned and adopted design thinking and I&T to formulate solutions and mockups/prototypes to address issues related to health and wellbeing, sustainability (low carbon & green living), and challenges faced by women in society. Industry professionals from renowned technology companies offered mentorship and workshops in 3D printing, AI applications and Robotics to the teams. Participants also visited Science Park and its InnoPark to gain knowledge of the I&T ecosystem and new industrialization.

At the Summit, the Finale presented 12 outstanding projects developed by participating schools and teen girls.:

The Champion and Team Spirit Awards – Empower Me (Carmel Pak U Secondary School): A groundbreaking AI platform revolutionizing career development for mothers. By offering AI-generated CVs and skill matching services, Empower Me empowers mothers to maximize their spare time and unlock their professional potential.

1st Runner-up and the Most Popular Award – (True Light Middle School of Hong Kong): An innovative social project making purchasing menstrual products such as sanitary pads, disposable panties and black skirts, easy and accessible, with the aim of destigmatizing menstruation and normalizing associated purchases and learning, promoting correct health knowledge and concept.

2nd Runner-up Winner – Your Way Home (Marymount Secondary School): Harnesses the power of 3D printing to create personalized tracking devices for the elderly. This device, equipped with AI GPS devices and imprinted with images of their loved ones (such as grandchildren), encourages individuals with dementia to wear them, protecting their safety.

Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, said, “HKSTP is dedicated to nurturing future talent and empowering young people as influential figures in the I&T ecosystem. In this golden era of I&T, there are infinite possibilities for youth to grow and thrive. Through the collaboration with JYCGIF, we look forward to enhancing the interest in I&T and entrepreneurial spirit among teen girls, motivating them to contribute to Hong Kong’s development into an international I&T hub.”

Under the partnership between HKSTP and JYCGIF, an array of activities including the IdeaGO Ideathon were organised for female secondary school students from local schools to experience first-hand opportunities in the I&T sector, spurring more young women to pursue a career in the industry.

Looking forward, “JYCGIF is committed to continuing to work closely with local and global community leaders to create diverse opportunities that empower teen girls regardless of their backgrounds to become next generation leaders and contributors,” said Mrs. Jennifer Yu Cheng.

For more information about the Summit, please visit: https://www.jycgirlsimpact.org/programs-fgg/

Schools, youth groups, and other organizations interested in learning more about JYCGIF are invited to visit: https://www.jycgirlsimpact.org/ or follow JYCGIF IG or Facebook for more updates about events and activities.

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jyc.girlsimpact/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/jyc.girlsimpact/
Hashtag: #JenniferYuChengGirlsImpactFoundation

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

About JYC Girls Impact Foundation

JYC Girls Impact Foundation (“JYCGIF”) is a non-profit charitable organization focused on educating, inspiring, and empowering teenage girls to become “future ready leaders” – proactive, digitally savvy decision makers who leave a major local and global footprint. JYCGIF is on a unique ion to uplift the status of women in society and in the workplace by building the strongest pipeline of teenage girls who are both inspired and equipped with the future ready resources, skills and mindset to become tomorrow’s leaders. For over a year now, JYCGIF has been providing teen girls with a variety of STEM learning and leadership development opportunities that rest on three pillars: Future Ready Leadership Development, STEM Exposure and Skills, and Education Access. JYCGIF’s signature programs include “10,000 Girls4Girls Coding+” and “CareerXplorer.”

Flala latest data shows the number of female users rise to more than 40 percent, and the post-1995 youth group is the main force

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – According to the latest internal data of Flala, female users have exceeded the total number of users, with the average daily usage of 54.6 minutes. The proportion of users active for more than 15 days increased to 62.8%, among which generation Z after 1995 aged 18-24 are the main users of Flala. Flala’s intelligent matching mechanism and various functional gameplay enable more young people to make new friends and even find partners through common hobbies and similar topics.

Flala has been analyzing the users’ interests and characters through intelligent algorithms and recommending fitter choices for them to make friends, establish friendship through 1V1 chats, and mitigate the sense of loneliness. What’s more, it creates a social space for deep communication through video chatting, group chatting, livestreaming broadcast, and games. So diversified social modes give Flala a real, friendly communication atmosphere, and attract thousands of users to interact on the platform, thus hugely expanding their reach to acquaintance and enhancing their success rate. Also it refines the social experience for female users, allowing them an active and deep interaction. At present, females account for over 40% of the total users. The interest-based social trend renders more female users willing to proactively and frequently showcase their talents and share their life on the platform, and boosts their chance to have emotional resonance and find a soulmate.

The continuously increasing daily and monthly activity of App users reflects that the majority of young people can continue to meet new friends on Flala, obtain valuable information and growth, and accumulate relationship network and social assets, thus generating a sense of belonging and trust in Flala.

In the era of Internet, socializing has become one of the basic needs of humanity. As an open socializing platform favored by youngsters, Flala concentrates its focus back on socializing to continuously innovate the gameplay, so as to bring users a genuine sense of belonging and happiness. On Flala, the young can enjoy love or a single life; chat on their work or study; draw, sing or communicate the niche hobbies. Whatever you take interest in, you can always find the like minds.

Flala resolves to offer a diversified, friendly and fun social platform, allowing everyone to demonstrate his/her true self and have an enjoyable social experience.
Hashtag: #Flala #Social #friendship



APP download link:

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

Senoko Energy teams up with The Straits Times to keep businesses updated on the latest ESG news

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – Looking to lead the charge towards achieving net-zero emissions, Senoko Energy is collaborating with The Straits Times (ST) to inspire and empower businesses to #TakeCharge in their sustainability journeys.

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With the upcoming alterations to ESG reporting regulations, it has become increasingly critical for businesses to adopt and embrace sustainability, a mission that poses significant hurdles. Businesses, especially small-medium enterprises (SMEs), might not have easy access to necessary information and resources such as financing, technology, and expertise that are required to initiate and sustain their ESG journeys.

In a partnership between Senoko Energy and ST, businesses will have the opportunity to access essential information via a monthly e-newsletter curated by ST, featuring the top 10 ESG-related news for the month. The #TakeCharge newsletter will be accessible to selected Senoko Energy’s clients and up to 100 members of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF) who choose to subscribe. Additionally, selected business customers of Senoko Energy will enjoy a six-month complimentary access to ST’s premium digital content worth $59.40.

The curated news in the e-newsletter will encompass key ESG trends and updates concerning regulatory shifts in ESG reporting; green financing; innovations in smart energy management; renewable energy solutions; corporate fleet electrification; carbon markets; waste management; data security and privacy; among other pertinent topics.

On the collaboration, Mr James Chong, Senior Vice President, Commercial of Senoko Energy said, “We recognise that the constantly changing sustainability landscape and its evolving demands can appear challenging and complex for businesses to navigate and comprehend. Our partnership with The Straits Times is aimed at assisting businesses to stay closely connected to the pulse of ESG, empowering them to identify significant concerns and #TakeCharge proactively of their ESG journeys.”

Ms Eunice Shen, Chief Customer Officer, SPH Media, said: “This collaboration with Senoko Energy shows our unwavering commitment to delivering bespoke solutions for our corporate clients. It not only showcases our capabilities in tailoring offerings to meet the diverse needs of our partners but also underscores ST’s excellence in ESG reporting. We look forward to a shared journey of empowering businesses with the knowledge and information they need to thrive in an increasingly ESG-focused world.”

Mr Dennis Mark, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), said, “I congratulate Senoko Energy and The Straits Times on this collaboration that pioneers a vital step forward in ESG engagement. The #TakeCharge initiative, promising to enrich 100 of our members with curated, essential ESG insights, exemplifies the kind of support SMEs need to navigate the complexities of sustainability. This collaboration is more than just a resource — it’s a beacon guiding SMEs towards a future where sustainability is not just a goal, but a key driver for business success. We urge SMF members to take a step forward towards sustainability and future-proof their business.”

For more information about this initiative, please visit www.senokoenergy.com.
Hashtag: #SenokoEnergy

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

About Senoko Energy

Senoko Energy Pte Ltd provides energy for life to generations of Singaporeans, delivering safe, innovative, and efficient energy supply to customers since 1977. Integral to Singapore’s development, it is a pioneer in power generation and energy solutions, serving Singapore’s energy needs with proven reliable performance. As one of the largest power generation companies by installed capacity in Singapore, Senoko Energy has a registered capacity of 2,644 megawatts (MW), providing about one-fifth of the nation’s electricity needs. It is owned by a consortium comprising Marubeni Corporation, ENGIE, The Kansai Electric Power Co. Inc., Kyushu Electric Power Co. Inc. and Japan Bank for International Cooperation. Visit for more information.

About Singapore Manufacturing Federation

Established since 1932, the SMF represents the interest of the manufacturing community in Singapore, driving its competitiveness and sustainable growth through serving industry-specific needs. Supported by 10 industry groups and its Associated Services, the SMF enhances the competitiveness of the industry by encouraging capacity development and capability building, innovation and productivity. The SMF provides opportunities for companies to collaborate, network, and to grow and expand both locally and internationally. Current membership stands at about 5,000 members comprising SMEs, MNCs and Affiliate members. For more information, please visit www.smfederation.org.sg.

Yedpay collaborates with Mastercard to lead the future of payment technology

Paytech Empower All

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – Yedpay, Hong Kong’s leading payment technology company, collaborates with Mastercard to break tradition and pioneer the innovation of the next-generation payment industry with ‘One Touch’ technology. This technology aims to optimize the sequence of cash flow from collection, payment to settlement for businesses, providing a new experience for real-time cash flow.

Hong Kong Fintech Week
Hong Kong Fintech Week

In the past, payment and settlement were separately managed. Due to the cash flow transfer of acquirers, settlement institutions and banks, the cash flow from payment transactions was considerably delayed after a lengthy process of circulation and advance payment. With the ‘One Touch’ payment technology, the boundary between cash and electronic payments is foreseen to disappear. Collection, payment and settlement can be achieved in just one step, making it easy for businesses to manage their funds.

Breaking barriers and innovating to achieve real-time cash flow

On November 3, at the 8th Hong Kong FinTech Week event themed “Fintech Redefined”, Yedpay and Mastercard officially announced their innovative collaboration that will change the outlook of payment technology development. Leo Ngan, Yedpay’s General Manager and Victor Cheng, Vice President of Commercial Payment and New Payment Platforms at Mastercard, introduced the innovation and breakthrough of this payment technology to the industry insiders in attendance. They also highlighted the domino effect this technology is set to have on the operation of funds for businesses and retailers.
Leo mentioned that Yedpay has employed Tap on Phone payment technology in the ‘One Touch’ payment product. This technology cloudifies credit card payment processing encryption, breaking through the traditional POS machine’s fixed hardware encryption format. By using a mobile phone, it is compatible with mainstream payment methods. Business enterprises or retailers only need to download an application to activate ‘mobile phone induction collection’ and use their smartphones to flexibly collect payments anytime and anywhere. Moreover, this technology is not subject to the traditional T+2 cash flow time difference, prompting full settlement to arrive instantly.
Pioneering the innovation of the global payment settlement industry and making inroads into Belt and Road markets

According to the 2022 McKinsey Global Payments Report¹, in emerging markets in Africa, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, the pandemic accelerated shifts to contactless payments and e-commerce, and low banking penetration affords opportunities for payments providers to capture untapped potential and reach underserved populations.

According to the “2022 Southeast Asia Digital Economy Report”, Southeast Asia’s booming digital payment market is expected to hit US$2 trillion by transaction value in 2030².

In the future, Yedpay will continue to be Hong Kong-centric with ASEAN as its core growth point and will launch diversified financial products from collection to remittance of merchant electronic wallets, aiming to build the ASEAN Payment Hub. With openness and practicality, Yedpay will conduct technological innovation and make more forward-looking explorations and breakthroughs in the field of mobile payments.

The cashless society promoted by Yedpay can make finance more inclusive and business more intelligent, which drives financial innovation while saving the overall social cost and accelerating the operation of the economy. From a business perspective, this provides companies with new opportunities to explore new financial management models, especially the new breakthrough of Yedpay’s instant payment and settlement, which improves the efficiency of large enterprises’ fund settlement, increases the flexibility of funds and can instantly control the operation and reduce operational risks. In addition, through the analysis of electronic payment data, companies can further understand consumers’ wants and needs, actively adjust their operational strategies and forecast market direction. In retail, hotels, mobile services or even newsstands, instant payment technology solutions lead towards revolutionizing traditional payment methods.

As a leader in Hong Kong’s payment technology industry, Yedpay is committed to providing a low-threshold and secure electronic payment system, enhancing competitiveness with efficiency and liquidity and relying on technological power to transition the traditional sales industry’s landscape to a more universal and sustainable future.

¹https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/financial-services/our-insights/the-2022-mckinsey-global-payments-report

²https://economysea.withgoogle.com/report/

Hashtag: #Yedpay #Mastercard #Payment #Taponphone


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

About Yedpay

In the early days of its establishment, Yedpay developed a payment platform in Cyberport, Hong Kong. It was launched in 2017. It is committed to developing a financial technology brand that revolutionizes the payment industry. Its open payment platform assists merchants with an APP to process credit card transactions and e-wallet payments in physical stores and online.

The Yedpay system uses cloud technology and ensures data security. It has obtained the PCI DSS payment industry security standard level 1 certificate since 2017, and obtained the ISO/IEC 27001:2013 information security management system certification international standard since 2018.

Yedpay integrates electronic payment technology into traditional culture, including created the first cashless market in Hong Kong, changed the payment mode of the Taxi industry to go digital, and organised the Cheung Chau Bun Festival for the first time to enable more than 100 merchants on the island to accept digital payments. The whole process is connected with Yedpay, and it is the first time to electronically transform Fa Yuen Street merchants in the form of full digital payment, etc.

From 2023 onwards, Yedpay will focus on ASEAN, with Thailand as the leader, and radiate ASEAN. Yedpay will also launch diversified financial products, merchant e-wallets from collection to remittance, and strive to build an ASEAN Payment Hub to implement ASEAN, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China with the same pace for digital.

The Sustainable Restaurant Association Announce #EatForTomorrow Campaign

The global campaign celebrates the efforts of individuals, restaurants and change-makers who are paving the way towards a more resilient, sustainable food system. Including five impactful stories from Hong Kong.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 8 November 2023 – The Sustainable Restaurant Association – the global not-for-profit organisation setting the Standard for sustainable food and drink businesses around the world – announce #EatForTomorrow campaign. This global awareness campaign asks diners and hospitality businesses around the world a crucial question – ‘How can we eat differently today to build a better tomorrow?’.

The Sustainable Restaurant Association #EatForTomorrow Campaign

#EatForTomorrow shares inspirational stories and future-proofing innovative solutions from restaurants and businesses who are already impacting the future of our food systems. In Hong Kong, The Sustainable Restaurant Association has joined forces with five change-making organisations, businesses and spokespeople to tell the story of how they are impacting the future of food. The campaign features Chef Vicky Lau, founder of Michelin Green-Starred restaurant Mora and Two-Michelin-Starred restaurant Tate Dining Room, Zero Foodprint Asia in collaboration with Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, Rooftop Republic in collaboration with Something Wild restaurant and Farmacy in collaboration with Le Meridien Cyberport.

The campaign looks at the future of food through four lenses: ‘A Better Future for Farming’, ‘Preserving Biodiversity’, ‘Eating More Plants’ and ‘Sourcing Sustainable Seafood’. Sharing 20 incredible stories from Hong Kong, Singapore, UK & UAE encouraging more people, policy makers and businesses to get on board with protecting our food systems for the future.

By 2050, the global population is projected to reach 9.7 billion.* The challenge we face now is building a resilient food system for the future, finding clever, sustainable ways to increase, fortify and rebalance food production and distribution in ways that don’t harm the environment or exacerbate the climate crisis.

With decisive action, there is no doubt that we can play a role in feeding the growing global population. The good news is that the world is full of visionaries: farmers, entrepreneurs, chefs and activists who are already busy building a food system that works in tandem with nature, considers the climate, inspires consumers and shows the way forward. Transforming food systems is a complex task – but changing our eating habits now is the first step forward. The four key themes of the campaign distil down the actions that we can take to best impact the system:

A Better Future for Farming: How can we feed a growing population while also safeguarding and nourishing the natural environment? The journey begins in the fields, where the transformation of farming is crucial for the health of our planet. Sharing how farmers are offering solutions like regenerative, vertical and urban farming to feed the planet and restore the environment.

Taking a closer look at regenerative farming, a practice that puts nature first by mimicking natural cycles, building healthy soil, restoring biodiversity and sequestering carbon. In fact, the World Economic Forum estimates that greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture could be 6% lower each year by 2030 if even one-fifth of farmers adopted “climate-smart” agriculture such as regenerative farming. In Hong Kong, we will tell the story of Zero Foodprint Asia and their partnership with a farm in the Northern Territories.

Zero Foodprint Asia (ZFPA) is a registered charitable organization in Hong Kong, mobilizing the food world around agricultural climate solutions by ‘closing the loop’ within Asia’s food and hospitality sector. Through its Restore Fund grant program, ZFPA enables smallholder farmers to grow food alongside nature-positive, biodiverse ways; while allowing chefs, restaurant owners and diners to contribute to preserving indigenous cultivation practices, improving soil health, and restoring our climate.

Urban farming is a clever approach that brings food production into cities. Not only does this reduce food miles and transportation costs, but it can also improve local air quality, make better use of urban space and bring economic and social benefits to the surrounding communities. We delve into a story on urban farming with Hong Kong’s Rooftop Republic, highlighting their thriving micro-greens farm at Something Wild. Plus, looking at the work Farmacy do with many restaurants and hotels in the city.

Preserving Biodiversity: Of the nearly 300,000 known edible species across the planet, only 150-200 are eaten by humans; nearly 60% of all human calories from plants come from just three sources. We need to diversify our diets to protect species from extinction, and to reduce the need for intensive farming. To address this, we’re celebrating provenance and honouring our food heritage, speaking to chefs who are increasing biodiversity through initiatives like seed saving, the revival of ancient grains, rearing heritage breeds and respecting indigenous food practices. In Hong Kong we take a look at Lai Chi Wo community and farm. Nestled in the northeast New Territories of Hong Kong, Lai Chi Wo is one of the oldest, largest and best-preserved Hakka walled villages, set in an area of great natural beauty and rich biodiversity. For centuries, the indigenous community here worked in tandem with the natural surroundings of Lai Chi Wo, using traditional agricultural practices and food systems. Working with the locals, Centre for Civil Society and Governance at The University of Hong Kong initiated the village revitalisation and resumed the traditional practices with sustainable farming approach that nourishes the soils, protect biodiversity and produce nutrient-rich crops for the villagers.

Eating More Plants: The narrative will centre around how consumers can make a real difference simply by embracing a shift towards more plant-focused eating. Discover the diversity and benefits of nutritious veggies, as well as looking at plant-based meat substitutes and alternative protein sources. We tell the story of Vicky Lau and her restaurant Mora where the entire menu is based around tofu.

Vicky Lau is an acclaimed chef, and the founder and chef-proprietor of Mora restaurant, which is nestled into the historic street of Upper Lascar Row. The restaurant’s hyper-seasonal menu is defined by the versatility of soy – a pinnacle ingredient that is pillar to Asian culinary tradition. Stemming from Chef Vicky Lau’s French x Chinese cooking roots, Mora’s dishes are categorised by texture with recipes that highlight precious ingredients through the manipulation of soy.

Sustainable Seafood: Highlighting improvements in how we source seafood to better protect our marine environment, preserve biodiversity and maintain the health of our oceans. Discovering what restaurants should look for in seafood suppliers and how diners can help. We will showcase this in several ways, including delving into the work at Cornwall’s environmentally positive Westcountry Mussels, a supplier to many Food Made Good accredited restaurants, and the UAE’s Dibba Bay Oysters.

Juliane Caillouette Noble, Managing Director of The SRA, said: “Climate change and food insecurity means we are faced with a big-picture challenge: how can we build a resilient food system for the future, finding clever, sustainable ways to increase food production in ways that don’t harm the environment or exacerbate the climate crisis? To protect tomorrow’s resources, we need to make a shift in what we eat, where it comes from and how it is produced. Food choices matter – and farmers, fishers, suppliers, chefs, diners and citizens all over the world have a role to play in driving change for a better food future. There is no better moment: this is a pivotal time to build momentum for this discussion and eat our way to a better future.”

For more information please visit: https://thesra.org/

*9.7 billion on Earth by 2050, but growth rate slowing, says new UN population report | UN News
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About The Sustainable Restaurant Association

Since 2010, The Sustainable Restaurant Association (The SRA) has set the Standard for sustainable food and drink businesses around the world. The SRA connects businesses across the globe to accelerate change toward a hospitality sector that is socially progressive and environmentally restorative through the world’s largest sustainability certification tailored for the sector: Food Made Good.

Designed specifically to support businesses serving food to tackle the urgent and complex problems facing the global hospitality sector and wider food system, Food Made Good consists of three distinct and complementary elements: the Food Made Good Framework, which clearly defines what sustainability means for the sector; the Food Made Good Standard, the only 360-degree, holistic assessment for measuring progress tailored for foodservice businesses; and the Food Made Good Community, an online global network of hospitality professionals sharing challenges, ideas, resources and solutions to fuel progress within the industry.

The SRA’s new global Food Made Good Standard launched in June 2023 with support from global hospitality experts and is the only global sustainability accreditation designed specifically for the hospitality industry. Businesses wishing to begin the journey to sustainability can find out more information via. Those ready to sign up should visit .