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HKSTP and Global Entrepreneurship Network Join Forces to Propel Innovators from 200 Markets to Success Across the World

HKSTP delegation to Australia unveils Innovation Mixer and Market Discovery initiatives in Melbourne to pave way for Asia’s growth opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), has joined forces with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) to lead aspiring innovators to global growth opportunities, and extend Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem to GEN’s 200 markets around the world. HKSTP led a delegation to Australia and attending the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2023 in Melbourne to explore collaboration opportunities and ignite market discovery initiatives.

Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP (first from left), shared his insight on the panel discussion of “Doing Business in China” during the GEN Congress.
Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP (first from left), shared his insight on the panel discussion of “Doing Business in China” during the GEN Congress.

GEN is a global community that fosters deeper cross-border collaboration and initiatives between entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, policy makers and entrepreneurial support organisations, to make it easier for anyone, anywhere to start and scale a business.

In July this year, John Lee, the Chief Executive of HKSAR, witnessed an MoU signed by Jonathan Ortmans, GEN Founder and President and Dr Sunny Chai, Chairman of HKSTP, committing the two parties to support entrepreneurship across ASEAN countries. To expedite the partnership, HKSTP joined GEC 2023 in Melbourne from 19-22 September with a delegation of fast-rising startups and business leaders from Hong Kong. The delegation highlighted Hong Kong’s world-class I&T ecosystem and potential for collaboration with their counterparts from GEN’s global network. The infusion of new talent and ventures will further boost Hong Kong’s mission towards an international I&T hub, creating opportunities for all innovators.

Ir Dr HL Yiu, Chief Corporate Development Officer of HKSTP, said, “HKSTP is committed to growing collaboration with the worldwide innovation community through our partnership with GEN. Entrepreneurs all face common challenges in the startup-to-scale-up journey and Hong Kong’s unique integrated innovation ecosystem provides funding, R&D, talent and go-to-market opportunities to the world. Both HKSTP and GEN share the same vision of fostering global innovation, collaborating and growing our respective ecosystems to reach new levels of success.”

The collaboration with GEN commits both parties to exchange programmes and activities to drive cross-border and cross-sector collaboration with a focus on Green Tech, Life Sciences, Advanced Manufacturing, SmartCity, Mobility, AI, and Fintech. GEN’s annual flagship events such as Global Entrepreneurship Week and the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, provide ideal platforms to expand Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem to new markets.

“GEN is committed to connecting entrepreneurs to opportunities that help them start and scale,” said Jonathan Ortmans, Founder and President of the Global Entrepreneurship Network. “We are proud to be deepening collaboration with the HKSTP to advance the interest of both local and global founders.”

The HKSTP Australia delegation leveraged the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, which featured three days of actionable intelligence from various sectors. It gathered thousands of voices, from 200+ countries to participate in creating an inclusive global ecosystem by networking, learning and sharing. The delegation also met with representatives from the startup community, universities, government bodies and investors in Australia to further explore business and collaboration opportunities. In addition, the delegation shared experiences and exchanged ideas with Australian tech ventures who are interested in learning and exploring the Hong Kong market.

HKSTP also introduced its Market Discovery Programme in Hong Kong and shared details with enterprises interested in expanding into Hong Kong, the GBA and mainland China markets. The two-day intensive Market Discovery Programme will be held in Hong Kong on 6-7 November 2023, packed with seminars, tours and networking opportunities to connect entrepreneurs with experts, investors, corporate leaders as well as entrepreneurs with past success in expanding their business within the region. The by-invitation programme is free-of-charge and participants can experience a stay at the Science Park’s InnoCell smart living co-creation space to spark collaboration with Science Park’s I&T talents.

For details, please visit: www.hkstp.org/our-community/events-and-happenings/expand-in-china-with-confidence/

Hashtag: #HKSTP

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

Youth Climate Action Conference Held in Vientiane Last Week

Youth Climate Action Conference in Vientiane
Students pose for a photo, holding their artwork (photo: Zero Waste Laos)

Zero Waste Laos, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable living in Laos, hosted the Youth Climate Action Conference at ICTC in Vientiane, with support from the European Union Delegation to Laos, World Vision, and the Norwegian People’s Aid.

Chinese Tourists Avoid Thailand Due to Social Media Rumors and Blockbuster Movie

Tourist visit the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, one of Bangkok’s most popular tourist attractions, in Bangkok, Thailand, Feb. 7, 2023. EPA/NARONG SANGNAK/IC

Thailand, a popular tourist destination for millions of Chinese travelers every year, has seen a decline in visitor numbers in recent months due to social media rumors and a blockbuster movie.

WRISE Group Appoints Group COO and Group Head of Risk & Compliance to Strengthen Commitment to Core Business Fundamentals

Appointments of Helen Lam and Gaven Koh will bolster the Group’s operational excellence and regulatory compliance initiatives

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – WRISE Group today announced the appointments of Helen Lam as Group Chief Operating Officer (“COO”), and Gaven Koh as Group Head of Risk and Compliance of WRISE Group. Both positions are effective immediately.

The appointments come amidst a pivotal juncture for the Group, aligning with its regional expansion strategy, while reinforcing WRISE’s dedication to building core fundamentals such as governance, risk management, and compliance.

Both roles will enhance the Group’s operational effectiveness and its ability to meet regulatory compliance standards, further bolstering the organisation’s efficient and effective day-to-day operations amidst continued growth across Asia.

Control and governance of the WRISE Group, alongside the implementation of robust risk management measures, are crucial in WRISE’s growth plans and strategy as we continue to serve clients and expand across markets. Ms. Lam will ensure oversight of the governance and operations of the Group, and Mr Koh will manage all compliance-related requirements of internal and external stakeholders such as risk assessments, frameworks, policies and guidelines. Both report to Derrick Tan, Chairman, WRISE Group.

“Helen and Gaven possess extensive experience and deep industry knowledge that will boost WRISE’s growth momentum. I am confident that they will play vital roles in strengthening WRISE’s capabilities and elevating the services we provide for clients globally. The appointment of such key roles within WRISE also reflect our commitment to investing in core principles and strong fundamentals to build our business,” said Derrick Tan, Chairman, WRISE Group.

“I am excited to join the team at WRISE, and I look forward to working with WRISE’s leadership team to contribute to the continued success of the company. With Asia’s growing wealth management market, there is no better time to help ultra-high net worth individuals and family offices navigate market complexities with WRISE’s unique platform and offerings,” said Ms. Lam.

“I look forward to working closely with Derrick, Helen and the team at WRISE to cultivate a strong culture of compliance and risk resilience. It is not just corporate responsibility, but also an opportunity to fortify our foundation and empower WRISE Group’s growth journey,” said Mr. Koh.

Ms. Lam brings over 20 years of experience as a veteran in the wealth management industry, having assumed leadership responsibilities at prominent financial institutions in Hong Kong. Prior to joining WRISE, Ms. Lam spearheaded strategic business operations at the Bank of Singapore Hong Kong branch, responsible for overall control and governance of the business, including managing audit reviews and front-office compliance matters. She also held high-level management positions and drove transformative efforts across compliance, controls and risk management for financial institutions including Citi Private Bank Asia Pacific and Deutsche Bank A.G. Hong Kong.

Mr. Koh has over 12 years of experience in the private banking industry, with a proven track record in risk control, compliance, transactions monitoring and investigations. Prior to joining WRISE, he led a team at Credit Suisse AG of 30 compliance analysts across Asia Pacific. Mr Koh has held leadership positions at various financial institutions in Singapore, managing teams across client review and monitoring, and anti-money laundering functions. Before joining the financial sector, Mr Koh was formerly an investigation officer with the Commercial Affairs Department under the Singapore Police Force.

Hashtag: #WRISEGroup

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

About WRISE Group

The WRISE Group is a global multi-family office that offers a full suite of wealth solutions for Ultra High Net Worth Individuals (UHNWIs) to help them grow, protect and manage their wealth. With deep expertise, an international network and trusted advisory services, we help clients to pioneer the new era of wealth for generations to come. ​

Our proprietary digital platform, TREX, empowers clients with transparency, control, and access to their wealth portfolios for real time visibility, supported by personalised advice and expertise from a leading team of truly trusted wealth management experts. ​

WRISE is headquartered in Singapore with branch offices in financial hubs of Hong Kong, and Dubai. Our global presence is supported by extensive nexus of partners with the world’s leading financial institutions.​ WRISE Group of Companies include WRISE Wealth Management (Singapore), WeWrise Services, and Voo Technologies and affiliated companies WRISE Wealth Management (Hong Kong), WRISE Wealth Management (Middle East).

China’s Gutian County successfully held the Forum on Master Yuanying and the Sinicization of Religion following its debut on the NASDAQ screen

Showcased on NASDAQ screen, Gutian County shined a spotlight on the radiant Chinese civilization as the birthplace of the revered Master Yuanying and the largest edible fungi production county in China.

GUTIAN, CHINA – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – In a continued effort to promote the integration and development of Chinese and world civilizations, Gutian County is proud to host the Forum on Master Yuanying and the Sinicization of Religion from September 25 to 27.

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Set against the scenic backdrop of Cuiping Lake, this event with the “Wisdom Mutual Learning · Harmony and Integration” theme has participants from all corners of the globe. Representatives of governments, Chinese compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, overseas Chinese, and prominent monks and scholars studying the Sinicization of Buddhism from around the world, and enthusiasts of Yuanying culture, gathered in Gutian to actively engage in cultural exchanges and enhance mutual learning among civilizations.

Master Yuan Ying is a patriotic monk and Buddhist leader in modern China. He always adheres to the spirit of ” compassion, fearlessness, and selflessness” and has made many contributions to the development of Buddhist culture around the world. As the birthplace of Master Yuanying, Gutian relies on the forum activities of Master Yuanying and the Sinicization of Religion to fully inherit and promote Yuanying culture. While polishing the cultural card of “Patriotic Monk Yuanying’s Hometown”, it promotes Buddhist cultural exchange and enhances mutual learning among world civilizations.

Having recently showcased its cultural and historical gems on the NASDAQ screen in Times Square, New York, Gutian County continues to receive international attention. The promotional video displayed in Times Square before the beginning of the forum not only celebrated Gutian’s legacy as the “capital of edible fungi in China” and the “hometown of Hydropower” but also highlighted its deep-rooted cultural significance.

The video encapsulated the spirit and essence of Gutian County, shining a spotlight on the radiant Chinese civilization. As Gutian intertwined its majestic landscapes with its rich history, it stood as a testament to the deep-seated culture, ultimately allowing the unique charm of Oriental culture to unfurl to the world. With Gutian’s debut on the NASDAQ screen, the brilliance of Chinese civilization took center stage on a global platform. It is regarded as the preface of the forum.

This forum is yet another step forward in sharing its profound wisdom and inviting harmony and integration with the world.

Hashtag: #GutianCounty

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

GROW with Singlife and BlackRock Launch Innovative Investment Trio to Bolster Investor Wealth Amid Economic Volatility

The Trio offers investors access to liquid alternative solutions from S$200, alongside unique equity and fixed income investment funds

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – GROW with Singlife, the integrated investment platform under homegrown financial services company Singlife, today announces the launch of GROW x BlackRock Trio, a suite of three unique investment products designed to help investors grow their wealth in a challenging market.

The GROW x BlackRock Trio is a timely launch amid global economic volatility. Rising inflation, interest rates, and geopolitical tensions are creating headwinds for investors. In this uncertain environment, investors are looking for investment products that can help them to preserve their capital while aiming to generate sustainable returns to achieve their long-term financial goals. The products within GROW x BlackRock Trio are designed to meet these needs by offering investors targeted exposure to various asset classes.

GROW customers will be able to access all three funds in the GROW x BlackRock Trio portfolio through an exclusive offering.

The investment options in the Trio are:

  • BlackRock Strategic Funds – Systematic Asia Pacific Equity Absolute Return Fund A2 SGD-Hedged, an alternatives fund that invests broadly across Asian equity markets that seeks to deliver consistent, low-volatility positive returns, regardless of market fluctuations. This fund offers access to a liquid alternative strategy with a minimum investment of just S$200.
  • BlackRock Global Funds US Dollar Short Duration Bond Fund A10 SGD-Hedged, a fixed-income fund which invests in high-quality short-term USD bonds, offering investors diversified income sources and overall portfolio resilience. The fund seeks to offer investors a stable monthly distribution.
  • BlackRock Circular Economy Fund A5G SGD, a global cross-sector thematic equity fund that invests in companies at the forefront of the net-zero carbon transition. The fund’s sustainability thematic exposure is expected to complement earnings growth over the long run. The fund provides a quarterly distributing share class, in addition to capital appreciation from equity investments.

“Given the complexity of today’s macroeconomic conditions, safeguarding and nurturing investments has never been more vital,” said Akhil Doegar, Chief Executive Officer, GROW with Singlife. “Diversification is always the key. Leveraging BlackRock’s leadership in investment solutions, we are delighted to introduce a robust trio of financial products. Rather than attempting to time the market – a high-risk strategy – the GROW x BlackRock Trio offers investors the opportunity to construct a diversified portfolio with resilience and long-term growth as the primary objectives.”

“We are delighted to collaborate alongside GROW with Singlife, leveraging BlackRock’s integrated platform, to serve the holistic needs of their clients,” said Deborah Ho, Country Head of Singapore and Head of Southeast Asia, BlackRock. “This collaboration underscores our fiduciary commitment to provide investors access to innovative products, global insights, and risk management capabilities – and to ultimately empower them to achieve better portfolio outcomes.”

The GROW x BlackRock Trio commenced its initial public offering on 18 September 2023 and is set to officially launch on 11 October 2023.

On 11 August 2023, both companies announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce a diverse range of investment solutions tailored to the needs of a wide-ranging investor base. The GROW x BlackRock Trio is the first of many investment solutions that GROW and BlackRock have in the pipeline in the coming months.

Hashtag: #GROWwithSinglife #Singlife #BlackRock #GROWxBlackRockTrio #Investment

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

GROW with Singlife

is an integrated investment platform under the Singlife Group, a leading homegrown financial services company. GROW’s platform offers an integrated investment solution that combines intuitive technology with tailored services, and a progressive range of products, alongside insights, tools, and support, to enable advisers to provide more meaningful and impactful advice to their clients. We are committed to supporting our employees, financial advisers, and end clients with care, consideration, and compassion at every step of their financial life journey.

Singlife

is a leading homegrown financial services company offering consumers a better way to financial freedom. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and a wide range of products and services, Singlife provides consumers control over their financial wellbeing at every stage of their lives.

In addition to a comprehensive suite of insurance plans, employee benefits, partnerships with financial adviser channels and bancassurance, Singlife offers investment and advisory solutions through its platform. It also offers the Singlife Account, a mobile-first insurance savings plan.

Singlife is the exclusive insurance provider for the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs and Public Officers Group Insurance Scheme. Singlife is also an official signatory of the United Nations Principles for Sustainable Insurance and the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment, affirming its commitment to finding a better way to sustainability.

First announced in September 2020 and valued at S$3.2 billion, the merger of Aviva Singapore and Singlife was the largest insurance deal in Singapore then and created one of the largest homegrown financial services companies in the republic.

SIBUR among leaders in ESG rating of Russian companies

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Media OutReach – 26 September 2023 – Moscow. According to an ESG rating of Russian companies published by the rating agency NCR and RBC, SIBUR was among the top-ranked companies, with a rating in the highest-possible category.

Andrey Piskunov, NCR’s Managing Director, said: “SIBUR is once again among the leading companies in our ESG rating. We improved our methodology this year based on our experience from last year. For companies that are not in the financial sector, the weight of the environmental component depends on the company’s impact on the environment. The environmental component also takes into account the company’s environmental conservation efforts as well as its investments in environmental projects and environmental technologies. Participation in the rating enables companies to highlight their commitment to ESG principles and to demonstrate their openness to all stakeholders.”

Maxim Remchukov, SIBUR’s Sustainability Director, said: “Our leading position in the ESG rating shows that we have not slowed down when it comes to implementation of the sustainability agenda. In the spring of this year, we updated our sustainability strategy, as we were able to achieve a number of our stated goals ahead of schedule – notably, to reduce the environmental impact of our production facilities. We have taken on additional obligations, with due regard for all of the Company’s assets. All our key results, including quantitative metrics, are publicly available on our website, in our integrated annual report. Strategic oversight is carried out at the level of the Board of Directors, which also speaks to the fact that this subject is a priority for shareholders.”

Hashtag: #SIBUR

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

About SIBUR

SIBUR is Russia’s largest integrated petrochemical company and one of the fastest growing global petrochemical players, with approximately 50,000 employees. The Company’s unique vertically integrated business model enables it to deliver highly competitive products used in the consumer goods and automotive industries, as well as construction, energy, chemistry and other industries across 100 countries.

SIBUR helps to reduce CO2 emissions stemming from the burning of oil and gas extraction by-products by processing them into valuable petrochemical products.

Learn more at:

Lao Deputy PM Urges Global Community to Work Together, Warns Against Unilateralism

Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday 23 September 2023 (Photo: UN)

During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Saturday, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith urged the international community to work together to address global challenges and warned against unilateralism.