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Backbase again named leader in Omdia Digital Banking Platform Report

Backbase achieved highest overall ratings for solution capability and customer experience

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 March 2023 – Backbase, the Engagement Banking leader, was again ranked as a leader in the Omdia Universe: Digital Banking Platforms, 2023. The report recommends Backbase as a candidate in all digital banking vendor shortlists, particularly for financial institutions seeking a wide-ranging platform that can be co-innovated for specific business goals. Backbase has continued to receive strong recognition by the analyst community as the innovation partner to help banks win in the platform era.

Consumers in APAC have high expectations towards banking services rendered to them, with leading banks continuously upgrading their banking technology to offer advanced banking and beyond banking experience to retain their customers. Built as one unified platform to engage and orchestrate frictionless experiences across all touchpoints at every stage of the customer lifecycle across retail banking, business banking, digital lending, and wealth management, Backbase has helped 150+ banks around the globe and in APAC rearchitect banking around their customers.

Backbase scored consistently strongly across all areas of the evaluation and achieved the highest overall ratings for solution capability and customer experience, according to report authors, Philip Benton and Ouliana Smith. The report credits Backbase retaining its leadership status to its strong solution capabilities and breadth of out-of-the-box journeys, combined with the ability to further customize. The breadth of the Engagement Banking Platform has increased significantly through investment in its off-the-shelf capabilities and its partner ecosystem, they further noted.

“From analyst evaluations, it is clear that all digital banking platforms are not made equal. The Backbase Engagement Banking Platform has been instrumental in modernizing the customer experience for our banking customers in Asia Pacific, launching them into banks of the future. Techcombank for instance comes up often in discussions as a bank which is leading in digital banking transformation, and that, to us, is success, “Riddhi Dutta, Regional Vice President, Asia, Backbase said. “The value Backbase brings is to provide efficiencies and innovation beyond basic digitalization of banking products, in order for banks to differentiate their digital banking services whether deployed on-premise, hybrid or in the cloud. We offer banks the power to hyper-personalize and secure a 360-degree unified view of customers across all lines of business and channels for a truly digital-first experience.”

Omdia recognizes the uniqueness of the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform, as it has been “designed on a single omnichannel banking platform architecture, as opposed to being built through acquisitions. The platform was created specifically for digital banking and as a facilitator to enable strong customization.”

The report cited banks’ prioritization of enhancing platform functionality to aid self-service and integrating digital banking with other channels to improve sales productivity. For most financial institutions, the authors added, it is not just about choosing the best off-the-shelf product; it’s also necessary to consider a vendor’s ability to enable and drive innovation, offer strong user experience, and provide advice on how to launch new products and services quickly and effectively.

To read the Omdia Universe: Digital Banking Platforms, 2023 report, click here.Hashtag: #Backbase #digitalbanking #engagementbanking #apac

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

Backbase

is on a mission to re-architect banking around the customer.

Backbase created the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform – a unified platform with the customer at the center, empowering banks to accelerate their digital transformation. From customer onboarding, to servicing, loyalty, and loan origination, our single platform — open and frictionless, with ready-to-go apps — improves every aspect of the customer experience. Built from the ground up with the customer at the heart, our Engagement Banking Platform easily plugs into existing core banking systems and comes pre-integrated with the latest fintechs so financial institutions can innovate at scale.

Industry analysts Gartner, Omdia, and IDC continuously recognize Backbase’s category leadership position. Over 150 financials around the world have embraced the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform. In APAC, the customers we serve include ABBANK, BDO Unibank, Bank of the Philippine Islands, EastWest Bank, HDFC, IDFC First, JudoBank, Techcombank, TPBank, and UBank.

Backbase is a privately funded fintech company, founded in 2003 in Amsterdam (global HQ), with regional offices in Singapore (APAC HQ), Atlanta (Americas HQ), and operations in Australia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Latin America, and the UK.

“No Driving on Footpath” Sign Goes Viral in Thailand

No Riding on Footpath Traffic Sign Photo Goes Viral in Thailand
The viral photo featuring the new footpath traffic sign (photo: Pravit Rojanaphruk)

A photo of a new traffic sign noticed in Bangkok went viral this week after a social media user posted it online.

DHL Global Forwarding opens facility in Brisbane to meet surging demand for perishable goods export

  • DHL Global Forwarding is investing 17 million AUD (11 million EUR) over ten years for the new 4,880sqm facility
  • It houses the largest international cold chain services in Brisbane
  • A green facility to help customers achieve a greener supply chain

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach – 2 March 2023 – DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group, opens its newest facility in Brisbane to meet the surging demand for Australian perishable goods export, with an investment of AU$17 million (11 million EUR) over ten years.

New facility in Brisbane to meet the surging demand for Australian perishable goods export
New facility in Brisbane to meet the surging demand for Australian perishable goods export

Queensland’s total agricultural and food exports hit AU$10.72 billion in 2022, a steep 25.5% increase from the previous year. To cater to this growing demand, the newly launched 4,880sqm facility houses the largest international cold chain services in Brisbane at 1,700sqm, offering complete cold chain services for goods such as high-quality meat, fresh produce and seafood. It is at Brisbane airport with airside access, the first and only freight forwarder to have such access, and is close to the Port of Brisbane.

George Lawson, Managing Director, DHL Global Forwarding Australia said, “We built the new Brisbane facility to meet the fast-growing demand for perishables. The agricultural and fisheries sector is a key foundation of Queensland’s economy, and it has remained robust despite the disruptions caused by the pandemic. Queensland’s total agricultural and food export has seen a 16% increase from the average of the past five years and is set to continue rising in the foreseeable future. Expanding our facilities will help cater to this rising demand and help our customers transport these time and temperature-sensitive perishable goods quickly and efficiently. The new facility will also support general cargo growth in Queensland.”

Lachlan Elliott, Station Manager – Queensland, DHL Global Forwarding Australia added, “Queensland’s agricultural produce is renowned for being high quality, safe and nutritious, which makes it very popular among global consumers. In fact, Queensland exports more than half of its agricultural output. The right supply chain solutions are critical to ensuring that these perishables can reach consumers in pristine condition. Our new facility in Brisbane will do exactly that, especially in our environmentally sustainable offerings, to help customers achieve a greener supply chain.”

The new facility is aligned with the principles of Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 5 star Greenstar. A combination of green practices will allow the facility to reduce yearly carbon emissions by 458 tonnes, equivalent to taking almost 100 passenger vehicles off the roads for a year. It features solar panels, which allow for 35% annual energy offset and batteries to store excess solar energy for night operations. The facility also utilizes energy-efficient lighting with motion sensors, rainwater harvesting and EV charging points.

In addition, the facility boasts an open design to facilitate collaboration and hybrid working, and large areas of natural light indoors with various green spaces for recreation, to create a more comfortable workplace for employees.

Note to Editor:

Read more about the soaring global popularity of Australia’s produce such as avocados and salmon on DHL’s Logistics of Things.

Hashtag: #DHL

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

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 66 billion euros in 2020. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

Cambodia Removed From FATF Financial Crimes Gray List

Cambodia Taken Off Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring List
Picture of confiscated illegal money from drug cartel in Los Angeles. ( Photo : ice.gov )

Cambodia was taken off the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) “gray list” last week due to concentrated efforts by authorities to crack down on financial crimes, especially money laundering in the country.

Young people demand healthier food environments in East Asia and the Pacific

Young people co-create and launch a campaign to support UNICEF’s ‘Fix My Food’ initiative for healthier food environments for children in the region

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach – 2 March 2023 – The food systems in East Asia and the Pacific, known for its diverse and vibrant food culture is changing rapidly. Traditional healthy fresh food diets are being replaced by an increasing consumption of highly processed ‘junk’ food and drink full of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.

7 Fix My Food Group Photo .jpg

Children across the region, are growing up in food environments that promote the sale and consumption of these ‘junk’ foods and drinks, rather than healthier alternatives. As a result, more than one in three adolescents are drinking at least one sugary drink a day; more than half consume a fast-food once or more a week; and less than half, are eating enough fruit and vegetables every day.

“Today, children and young people are surrounded by junk-food marketing wherever they go: online, on their way to school, college or university, on television, and even while standing in the checkout-line of the grocery store. The result is that too many children in East Asia and the Pacific have poor, unhealthy diets that are having a devastating impact on their health and well-being. It is about time that we change this.” shared Ms. Debora Comini, Regional Director, UNICEF East Asia and Pacific.

UNICEF has been working closely with governments and partners to introduce policies and legislation to curb the increase in marketing of unhealthy food and drink, such as bans on advertising and sale of unhealthy foods in and around schools, clear front-of-pack nutrition labelling, and taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages amongst others.

To further promote the need for healthier food environments, UNICEF is supporting the “Fix My Food” campaign led by young people to raise awareness of the need to create healthier food environments in China, Cambodia, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Mongolia, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

Young people, together with celebrities and influencers from these eight countries were part of a two-day co-creation “Fix My Food” workshop in Bangkok – brainstorming ideas and identifying potential partners to help roll out the campaign in their respective countries.

Chef Nak, Ms. Ros Rotanak, Cambodia’s first female celebrity chef, and Miss World Vietnam 2019, Ms. Luong Thuy Linh were also part of the co-creation workshop and launch event.

Sharing her thoughts, Chef Nak said “I strongly believe in preserving, developing and promoting traditional Khmer cuisine as one of the world’s most remarkable culinary traditions. Food is much more than just what we eat. It is an essential part of our culture, our families and our communities. I am happy to support these young champions, to preserve, protect and ensure that our food environment is equally accessible to and benefits all.”

“I strongly believe in healthy eating and healthy lifestyles and have joined this campaign with the hope that together we will be able to change our failing food system. We need to ensure that people, especially children and young people, have the opportunity and the right to make healthy food choices, wherever they are, at home, in and around schools, and in their communities,” stated Ms. Linh, Miss World Vietnam 2019.

With the young people leading the Fix My Food” campaign and support from celebrities and influencers, UNICEF hopes to create awareness on the impact of the changing food environment in the lives of girls and boys and the urgent need for governments, the private sector and civil society to take collective action to build a healthier food environment across the region.

Speaking at the event, 24-year-old Mr. Ricardo Valente, from Timor-Leste said “This campaign is unique, it is designed and led by us and will be implemented by each of us, back in our own countries. We are excited about being part of this movement to make the food environment healthier and more accessible for every child and every young person in East Asia and the Pacific.”

As part of UNICEF’s work to mobilize and empower young people to take action, this initiative will be implemented in the eight participating countries and will be supported by UNICEF country offices and partners.

For more details and latest updates on the ‘Fix My Food’ initiative, please visit: Fix My Food UNICEF East Asia and Pacific

Hashtag: #UNICEFEAP #FixMyFood

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

About UNICEF

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. Across more than 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, to build a better world for everyone. For more information about UNICEF East Asia & Pacific and its work for children, visit

Follow UNICEF East Asia & Pacific on , , , and

Swiss Food Conglomerate Nestle Halts Operations In Myanmar

Swiss Food Conglomerate Nestle Halts Operations In Myanmar
Nestle's factory at an industrial park in Yangon, Myanmar. ( Photo : Nikkei )

The Swiss food company Nestle has decided to halt all production in Myanmar’s commercial capital, Yangon, a spokesperson from the company said.

Uni-Asia Group More than Doubles Dividend Per Share on Record FY2022 Profit

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 2 March 2023 – Uni-Asia Group Ltd. (SGX:CHJ) an investment management group specialising in alternative assets, including shipping and real estate in Japan, Hong Kong and China, is pleased to announce its financial results for the six months and 12 months ended 31 December 2022 (“2H2022” and “FY2022” respectively). FY2022 net profit jumped more than 50% y-o-y to a record high of US$27.9 million, driven by a 24% increase in total income and expansion in net profit margins. Following the strong performance in FY2022, the Group proposed a dividend of S$0.08/share. Together with the interim dividend of S$0.065/share (which was paid in September 2022), the Group has more than doubled its dividend payout from a year ago to S$0.145/share for FY2022.

With the positive performance, the Group generated operating cash flow of US$34.9 million, which further strengthened its financial position. Net debt1 fell to US$25.6 million, while net debt to equity2 fell from 35.5% a year ago to 17.0% as of 31 December 2022. As of 31 December 2022, the Group has net asset value of US$1.92/share.

Charter income increased by 37% y-o-y to US$65.3 million in FY2022, driven mainly by higher average daily charter rates for the Group’s portfolio of dry bulk carriers during the year. The average daily charter rate for the Group’s 10 consolidated dry bulk carriers was US$18,841/day for FY2022 as compared to US$13,561/day in FY2021, and was 2.5 times that in FY2020. Fee income rose 15% y-o-y to US$6.6 million, driven primarily by an increase in arrangement and agency fees as well as brokerage commissions, as the Group closed more arrangement and brokerage commission deals during the year. Recurring asset management, administration fee income and incentive fees remained relatively stable versus a year ago. The increase in charter income and fee income was partially offset by a decrease in sale of properties under development and lower investment returns. Sale of properties under development was lower due to a weakening of JPY vis-à-vis USD in FY2022, as the properties under development are projects in Japan.

Commenting on the results, Chief Executive Officer of Uni-Asia Group, Mr Kenji Fukuyado said, “FY2022 has been a stellar year for the Group, as we benefitted from a robust bulk carrier market. The positive performance has strengthened our financial position and fundamentals, providing the Group with reserves to capture new growth opportunities and allowing us to reward our loyal investors with the highest dividend in the Group’s history.” Business Outlook While the bulk carrier market started to weaken in 2H2022 due to the softening of seaborne dry bulk trade demand and easing of port congestion, industry experts are cautiously optimistic of an improvement in the bulk carrier market through 2023. One of the key factors include the opening up and an improvement in the Chinese economy, which will help to boost demand for seaborne trade, including the bulk carrier market. In addition, supply-demand factors driving dry bulk shipping are expected to be positive, with dry bulk tonne-miles trade demand projected to grow by 2.0% and 2.2% in 2023 and 2024 respectively, while handysize dry bulk ship supply projected to decline by 0.2% in 2023 and 1.7% in 20243 . New emissions regulations could also further reduce supply in the market through slower speeds and retrofit time.

On the property front, the Group’s investments consist of mainly industrial and commercial projects in Hong Kong, as well as small residential property projects in Tokyo, Japan. While Hong Kong’s property market has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong remains a major financial hub in Asia and is home to a large number of multinational corporations. The Tokyo property market has been robust, driven by a combination of factors including a strong economy and low interest rates. Despite the impact of the pandemic, Tokyo’s property market has remained resilient. “While the bulk carrier market started on a soft note for 2023, the group is cautiously optimistic that our shipping portfolio’s performance will improve through the year, underpinned by the favourable supply dynamics for handysize dry bulk ships. For our property investments, as Hong Kong eases its border controls, we are confident that the commercial/industrial property market could also stabilise in 2023. For the Tokyo real estate market, the Group’s trademark small residential property projects – the “ALERO” series, as well as property asset management and related property operations, will continue to anchor the bottomline of the Group’s Japan property business.” Mr Fukuyado added.

Hashtag: #UniAsiaGroup



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

Uni-Asia Group Limited.

UNI-ASIA GROUP LIMITED and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) is an alternative investment group specialising in creating alternative investment opportunities and providing integrated services relating to such investments. The Group’s alternative investment targets are mainly handy dry bulk ships and properties. The Group also has extensive know-how and networks relating to such alternative investments and provides services relating these investments. The two main alternative asset classes the Group focuses on are Shipping and Property.

The business strategy for shipping employed by the Group is to offer one-stop, integrated ship-related service solutions for clients, including ship investments, ship asset management services, ship chartering, ship management, ship brokerage and ship finance arrangement solutions. The strategy of offering a wide array of maritime-related services ensures the Group remains resilient regardless of market conditions and allows for growth in the long term. The Group currently owns 10 wholly-owned ships and eight joint-investment ships.

The Group’s property investment business enhances its asset base as well as asset management business. Outside of Japan, the Group focuses on investments in Hong Kong office development projects and office assets in Guangzhou, China. Within Japan, the Group has a Japan-licensed property asset management subsidiary which specialises in property asset management as well as development of trademark small residential properties, the “ALERO” series.

Listed on the Mainboard of Singapore Exchange in August 2007, Uni-Asia’s offices are located in Hong Kong, Singapore, Tokyo, Shanghai and Guangzhou.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at

Fake Auto Parts Worth THB 10 Million Confiscated by Thai Authorities

Fake Auto Parts Worth THB 10 Million Confiscated by Thai Authorities
Thai authorities searching through the warehouse in Nakhon Chaisi ( Photo : Lao Phatthana )

Officers from the Department of Intellectual Property, Ministry of Commerce along with other relevant authorities raided and seized THB 10 million (USD 286,916) worth of fake auto parts in Thailand’s Nakhon Chaisi district on Wednesday.