Following unsustainable external debt ratios and challenging future debt repayments, Credendo, a European credit insurance group, has downgraded Laos from category 6/7 to the highest category of 7/7 for MLT (Medium and Long-term) political risk rating.
Traveloka Joins UNWTO to Boost Sustainable Tourism Efforts
Traveloka is the only travel platform in Southeast Asia with UNWTO membership, charting a path for the tourism industry’s recovery
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 June 2023 – Traveloka has officially joined the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as an affiliate member, marking another milestone as Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform. This prestigious membership is recognition for the company’s commitment to develop the region’s tourism industry by fostering responsible and sustainable travel. The announcement was made during the UNWTO Conference held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, from 15 to 17 June 2023.

As the only travel platform in Southeast Asia to become an affiliate member of UNWTO, Traveloka’s finger is on the pulse when assessing challenges and highlighting opportunities as travel recovers. The company emphasizes strategic collaborations within the ecosystem, such as partnerships with local and regional governments, which will open new doors for the tourism industry and allow players to understand their consumers, partners, and stakeholders better. With presence in six Southeast Asian countries, Traveloka aims to accelerate the sustainable revitalization of the region’s tourism industry.
Albert, Co-Founder of Traveloka, explained: “As our company continues to grow, we are focused on delivering a positive impact to the global travel sector. Technology is a powerful tool that can turbocharge our partnerships with various stakeholders to advocate for responsible and sustainable tourism. Joining UNWTO as an affiliate member and participating in high-level international forums, such as the UNWTO Conference, is testament to our dedication.”
At the conference, nearly 200 participants ranging from ministerial to executive level, from over 30 countries, commemorated the remarkable rebound in global tourism. According to the UNWTO, international travel significantly increased in the first quarter of 2023, with 235 million people crossing borders – double compared to the same period in 2022 and reaching 80% of pre-pandemic tourist numbers, indicating a promising recovery trend. Closer to home, Southeast Asia saw international arrivals skyrocket by 1,706% in 2022 compared to 2021.
Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General of the UNWTO, warmly welcomed Traveloka’s affiliation: “Joining UNWTO as an affiliate member is a remarkable step for Traveloka and the tourism industry. Having the private sector’s support is crucial in promoting sustainable tourism and achieving Agenda 2030 for sustainable development. We firmly believe collaborating with Traveloka will significantly contribute to developing a more sustainable global tourism sector.”
Traveloka will have the opportunity to engage directly with other affiliate members, advocate alongside tourism leaders and representatives from other member countries on the world stage, participate in high-level regional and international dialogues, and gain access to UNWTO’s insights on global tourism trends.
“We are a platform that consistently prioritizes innovation and strategic partnerships, and we believe we can drive sustainable tourism growth through technological breakthroughs and global collaborations. We hope that this initiative will also inspire tourism stakeholders in Southeast Asia to contribute to the sustainable growth of international tourism,” Albert added.
Hashtag: #Traveloka #UNWTO #Sustainabletourism
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Traveloka
Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel platform, enables consumers to access, discover and purchase a wide range of travel, local services, and financial services products. Traveloka’s comprehensive product portfolio includes transport booking services such as flight tickets, bus, trains, car rental, airport transfer. It also offers access to the largest accommodation inventory in Southeast Asia, including hotels, apartments, guest houses, homestays, resorts, and villas.
Traveloka is a key player offering local services (currently specific to certain markets), and reservations for a wide range of local attractions, activities, as well as wellness and beauty clinics. Traveloka also offers financing, payment, and insurance products to help Southeast Asian consumers fulfill their aspirations. Traveloka provides 24/7 customer service in local languages as well as more than 30 different local payment methods. The Traveloka app has been downloaded more than 100 million times, making it the most popular travel platform in Southeast Asia.
For more information, please visit: https://www.traveloka.com
Laos Starts Emergency Assistance Programs to Help Families With Food Shortage
Multiple projects have been launched recently to provide food security to disadvantaged families across Laos with support from the World Food Program (WFP).
Hyundai Motor Group and Vodafone Business Expand Partnership, Bringing New In-car Infotainment Services to Customers in Europe
- Multi-year extension covers more than 40 countries in Europe
- Agreement brings in-car Infotainment features to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models sold in Europe for the first time, starting with in-car Audio Streaming Service
- Partnership to explore other areas such as Video Streaming, Wi-Fi Hotspot and more interactive in-car features
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 June 2023 – Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) and Vodafone Business today announced a multi-year extension of their existing strategic partnership to provide customers with advanced in-car connected streaming and infotainment services in more than 40 countries across Europe.

Under the partnership extension, Vodafone Business will bring its Global Internet of Things (IoT) Connectivity for Connected Car Service to millions of Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis models sold in Europe. Last year saw HMG record its highest annual sales in Europe to date, with nearly 1.1 million units sold, and today’s announcement underlines the Group’s determination to position itself as a leader in innovative mobility solutions.
“The driving experience as we know it will continue to change and we want to be at the forefront of that shift. Vodafone is a trusted partner for Hyundai Motor Group and has been instrumental in connecting drivers of our vehicles with real-time and relevant information at the wheel,” said Haeyoung Kwon, Vice President, Infotainment Development Center at Hyundai Motor Group. “Thanks to our continued partnership, we will be able to make our vision for the automotive world of the future a reality. We are looking forward to seeing this partnership evolve so we can realize the true mobility of Hyundai Motor Group.”
Erik Brenneis, Director, IoT, Vodafone Business, added: “In-vehicle connectivity is becoming universal. As a leader in IoT, Vodafone Business can offer unique and innovative solutions that drive the adoption of the technology. Vodafone and Hyundai have been shaping the future of vehicle mobility since 2018, and the extension of our partnership means we can enhance the experience of millions more customers across Europe.”
With Vodafone Business’s IoT Connectivity, Hyundai, Kia and Genesis customers in Europe will benefit from fast and reliable access to features such as audio/video streaming and Wi-Fi hotspots. By drawing on the strength and geographical scale of Vodafone Business’s leading global IoT platform, which already supports 160 million connections, HMG will also provide motorists with a more consistent experience and greater level of cross-border mobility.
Hashtag: #VodafoneBusiness
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vodafone
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hyundai Motor Group
Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.
For more information about Hyundai Motor Group, please see: www.hyundaimotorgroup.com
About Vodafone
Vodafone is the largest pan-European and African telecoms company. Our purpose is to connect for a better future by using technology to improve lives, digitalise critical sectors and enable inclusive and sustainable digital societies.
We provide mobile and fixed services to over 300 million customers in 17 countries, partner with mobile networks in 46 more and are also a world leader in the Internet of Things (IoT), connecting over 160 million devices and platforms. With Vodacom Financial Services and M-Pesa, we have the largest financial technology platform in Africa, serving more than 56 million people across six countries.
We are committed to reducing our environmental impact to reach net zero emissions by 2040, while helping our customers reduce their own carbon emissions by 350 million tonnes by 2030. We are driving action to reduce device waste and achieve our target to reuse, resell or recycle 100% of our network waste.
GEODIS Hong Kong achieves CEIV Lithium Battery certification
IATA accreditation demonstrates logistics provider’s commitment to safety and operational excellence
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 June 2023 – GEODIS, a world leader in transport and logistics, has secured International Air Transport Association (IATA) Center of Excellence for Independent Validators Lithium Batteries (CEIV Li-batt) certification in Hong Kong, as part of its continuous efforts to provide the best-in-class service and be the valued growth partner of choice for their clients.

This certification demonstrates GEODIS’ commitment to safety, security and compliance, and positions it well to serve the growing demand of lithium batteries, which are increasingly being used in a wide variety of consumer goods, ranging from laptops, mobile phones to watches, vehicles and other devices.
With its strategic location, Hong Kong is a critical hub for GEODIS and serves as a key gateway into Asia Pacific and Mainland China. Hong Kong’s proximity and ease of cross-border transportation makes it an ideal hub enabling the logistics provider to meet its clients’ requirement for flexibility, convenience, and speed for their global shipments in or out of China.
In 2021, GEODIS Hong Kong was accredited as an Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) by the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department. AEO status recognizes the application of excellent security and safety procedures within the supply chain industry. GEODIS in Hong Kong provides logistical support to businesses across key verticals such as High-Tech, Retail, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods and Industrial Goods.
“GEODIS’ strategy is built on business and operational excellence. With the IATA CEIV Lithium Battery certification, our customers can be assured that their lithium battery shipments will be handled with the utmost care and adhere to the highest industry and security standards,” said Christopher Cahill, Sub-Regional Managing Director, North Asia, “This certification also demonstrates our unwavering commitment to health, safety and security. The rigorous assessment required by this certification gives us the opportunity to continually review and ensure a safe environment for our people and operations.”
The certification process included training for employees, on-site assessments of operations and validation of documentation to stringent standards.
Hashtag: #GEODIS
https://www.linkedin.com/company/geodis
https://www.facebook.com/GeodisGroup
https://www.instagram.com/geodisgroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GEODIS – www.geodis.com
GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.
Edison Lab Partners with Searching C to Launch Smart Bag SchuBELT with Retractable Straps in Hong Kong and Taiwan
Backpack, shoulder bag, and handbag all at once, with expandable storage
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 June 2023 – Edison Lab from Japan today announces its partnership with leading e-commerce platform Searching C to launch the smart bag SchuBELT in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Equipped with unique retractable straps, SchuBELT is a backpack, shoulder bag, and handbag all at once. Unobtrusive design with hyper-functionality, the bag was overfunded by 180 times on crowdfunding site Kickstarter.

With borders opening up, travelling and business trips have become more frequent than ever. Travellers have encountered one common obstacle when travelling with their backpack – backpack straps tend to be in the way when they are not carrying it on the back. SchuBELT is an all-in-one bag for on-the-move. The straps are sucked inside the bag and out of the way by a special mechanism when users put it down. To top it off, the length of the straps can easily be adjusted with one push of a button, an ingenious mechanism that keeps the chosen length in memory as users release the button.
In addition, the SchuBelt is now available in a larger model with expandable storage space. The bag is equipped with a laptop compartment that can hold A4 documents, Macbook Air, Ipad, wallet, charger, keyboard, earphones etc, and a main compartment with a 180° opening for a water bottle or umbrella, and even change of clothes.
Starting today, SchuBELT is available for purchase on Hong Kong e-commerce platform Searching C, retailing at SGD 129 (early-bird price).
For more details, please visit: https://sg.searchingc.com/products/schubelt-the-smart-bag-with-retractable-straps
Hashtag: #SearchingC
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Inventor
Kota Ogawa (Representative of Edison Lab, Inc.) is the inventor of flick input, etc. and is also a patent attorney. His great-grandfather, Kunihiko Iwadare, was a disciple of Thomas Edison and founder of Nippon Electric Co. Ltd. He is also a composer for AKB48 and Momoiro Clover Z, and the vocalist of “Kota Ogawa & Tomason”. He regularly appears on FM Yokohama’s weekly “SHONAN by the Sea”. He is also the founder of the invention-driven product brand “EDISON LAB” and will continue to introduce new products to the world.
About Searching C
Searching C is a leading e-commerce platform with a focus on assisting quality brands to launch their innovative products in the Asia-Pacific areas. Upholding the principle of curating products from elite brands, the platform aims to bring the most innovative products created from worldwide designers to its users. With a belief in “every product tells a story”, the platform is also on a mission to facilitate the exchange of culture and innovative ideas.
Based in Hong Kong, Searching C possesses an integrated product launching channel which covers both online and offline in Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Malaysia and Singapore.
Website: https://sg.searchingc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SearchingC
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/searchingc/
Fierce Fighting in Myanmar Between Army, Resistance Fighters Kills At Least 26, Groups Say

BANGKOK (AP) — Recent fierce fighting between Myanmar’s army and resistance fighters has killed at least 26 civilians, including six children, in an area east of the capital, according to reports Wednesday by a resident, a rights group, and a medical assistance group.
Lao Govt Looks at Manufacturing, Tourism Industries to Help Overcome Economic Turmoil

During the 6th Plenary Session of the 11th Party Central Committee held last week, President Thongloun Sisoulith addressed the committee, asking them to focus on several key tasks to overcome the current economic situation in Laos.