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AOS Bath Launches Water Heater Disinfection Services for Homes Amidst Rising Concerns of Viruses

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 16 March 2022 Water heater tank disinfection is growing in popularity amidst rising concerns of viruses. Water heater specialist AOS Bath (AOS) offers periodic prompts for these maintenance services. Lately, more requests for tank flushing come from outside their regular clientele. Amanda, an Executive at AOS commented: “Singaporeans are now more tech savvy and aware. Their standards for clean water are getting higher with news of each covid variant.”

With demand on the rise, AOS has upgraded their tank cleaning techniques. From May this year, expect improved chlorination treatments for a more thorough cleanse. These improvements aim to remove an even higher percentage of bacteria and viruses. Each service session comes with routine safety checks on the water heater.

AOS performs hundreds of anti-bacterial maintenance works for households each year. Since the onset of covid, clients have become more aware of water hygiene and upkeep. Moezuddin, a Senior Technician from AOS said: “I see brown water from heaters only after three years of use.”

PUB requires water storage tanks in high-rise buildings to undergo an inspection every year. A Licensed Plumber must certify the tank is clean and disinfected before it is suitable for use. Failing which, tanks will become a potential source of contamination for the public. Authorities conduct random checks to clamp down on negligent maintenance. Failing which, tanks will become a potential source of contamination for the public. End users are innocent victims as residue and bacteria are invisible to the naked eye.

The same principles of tank maintenance apply to household water storage heaters. Enterprise Singapore issues similar guidelines for homeowners, advising regular maintenance every three years. As the home unit is smaller, these guidelines are not enforced. A specialist water heater cleanse costs between $150 to $350.

Those with a higher standard for water cleanliness may opt for a pre-filter. Pre-filters allow homeowners to flush out visible sediments every few weeks. There is no need to wait for the full disinfection every three years. Pre-filters are also commonly used in the kitchen for food preparation.

About AOS Bath

AOS Bath (AOS) is the sole distributor of A. O. Smith Water Heaters in Singapore, the #1 Water Heater company in the USA. An industry specialist, AOS aims to raise the water heater standards in Singapore. They make choosing a water heater easy with relevant technologies and concise explanations. AOS clients enjoy the longest water heater warranties in Singapore. They are also protected with a full return policy.

#AOSBath

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

Thai Snap Election Proposed for November

Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.
Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.

Elections could be held in Thailand later this year as a result of a proposed dissolution of the Thai parliament.

CITIC Telecom Announces 2021 Annual Results

Reports stability and progress in overall performance with record high business results

Profit attributable to equity shareholders reaches HK$1,076 million

Total dividends per share rises by 7.1% yoy to HK22.5 cents

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2022 – CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (“CITIC Telecom” or the “Group”; stock code: 1883), Asia-leading multinational internet-oriented telecommunications enterprise providing comprehensive services, reported profit attributable to equity shareholders of HK$1,076 million for the year ended 31 December 2021, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.2%, or a 2.0% increase if the effect of investment property valuation is excluded.

The Group’s total revenue amounted to HK$9,486 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.3% compared to the previous year. The Group reported HK$7,905 million in revenue from its telecommunications services, similar to that of the previous year. Basic earnings per share was up 5.0% to HK29.3 cents.

The Board has recommended a final dividend of HK17.0 cents per share for 2021. Together with the 2021 interim dividend of HK5.5 cents per share, total dividends per share for 2021 amounted to HK22.5 cents, representing a 7.1% growth over the previous year.

Mr. XIN Yue Jiang, Chairman of CITIC Telecom, said, “In 2021, the Company faced a lot of challenges in the business environment, as the global economic conditions remained austere and complicated, while the society and the economy continued to be subject to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The management team and all employees remained cool-headed and focused on innovative development, maintaining stable development of existing business, accelerating the achievement of new breakthroughs and driving new growth. The Group continued to build a strong team and demonstrated a spirit of striving for progress by promoting the corporate culture of ‘solidarity, coordination, inclusivity and charity’. The Group increased technological innovation, improved its operations management, fulfilled its social responsibility and vigorously planned for the future. The Group reported great achievements in business development, product research and development, network quality and epidemic prevention and control. In 2021, its overall operation grew steadily and achieved record high business results, delivering greater returns to shareholders.

The Group has maintained a healthy financial position and a strong cash flow. As at 31 December 2021, the Group recorded cash and deposits of approximately HK$1,793 million, sufficient to meet its financial obligations and contractual capital commitments in the coming 12 months.

Business Highlights

Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau, S.A.R.L. (“CTM”) completed the second phase of 5G network construction to become the first carrier in Macau achieving full indoor and outdoor 5G signal coverage. CTM actively introduced 5G products and 5G roaming tests were conducted and 5G roaming agreements were reached with carriers from different countries and regions in a bid to ensure full preparation for the 5G era. CTM grasped market demand, sales of mobile handsets and equipment surged 67.3% year-on-year to HK$1,581 million. The continuing pandemic adversely impacted the Group’s roaming related services revenue. The Group’s mobile services revenue dropped 10.3% to HK$858 million when compared to the previous year. The Macau City Smart Database (Big Data Platform) developed by CTM on a proprietary basis has been commissioned for commercial application to provide data analysis and policy support for relevant departments of the Macau SAR Government, and application will be further extended to more industries.

Revenue from internet business increased as driven by rising business internet requirements. The Group’s internet services revenue amounted to HK$1,243 million for the year which represented a year-on-year increase of 10.7%. The increase was mainly driven by business internet requirements and the increase in revenue from fibre broadband service as a result of the service upgrade by existing customers and around 1.8% increase in the average number of broadband users to approximately 200,000 subscribers when compared to the previous year. Moreover, revenue from the Group’s data centre continued to grow. The construction of CITIC Telecom Tower Data Centre Phase III (B) was smoothly completed in June 2021 with Tier III accreditation for data centre infrastructure issued by Uptime Institute, a standardisation organisation for data centres.

Growth momentum sustained in messaging services revenue by seizing market opportunities. Revenue from international telecommunications services amounted to HK$2,461 million, similar to that of last year. Due to increasing demand from enterprise messaging delivery, messaging services revenue surged 33.4% to HK$1,678 million when compared to the previous year.

Bolstering the enterprise solutions market in line with customer requirements. The Group maintained its existing business strengths, empowered its cloud, network and security products through intelligence enablement, and vigorously expanded its innovative business. CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CPC”), a subsidiary of the Group, expanded its internet access business and SD-WAN solutions business to help corporate customers meet the challenges of mobility and digitalisation with innovative services. The Group continued to experience encouraging growth in its enterprise solutions services in Mainland China. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, the progress of the Group’s projects in Macau and Southeast Asia was delayed, resulting in a 1.9% decrease in enterprise solutions revenue to HK$3,165 million when compared to the previous year.

Optimised structure of Southeast Asian subsidiaries in an ongoing full effort to expand in the regional market. During the year, the Group further enhanced the efficiency of its Southeast Asian subsidiaries following a structural optimisation and reorganisation exercise in order to seek expansion in the Southeast Asian market with full force. The Group’ s subsidiary in the Philippines has become operational and contributed to additional revenue to the Group. The Group’ s subsidiary in Indonesia has commenced the process of applying for a local ISP license in a bid to explore new business frontiers.

Development Strategies

In Year 2022, the development of the global pandemic will remain subject to many uncertainties and the economic outlook will remain grim and complicated. The Group will seize the opportunities for development created by the new engine of the digital economy and actively participate in the construction of the digital economy with innovative products, services, models and ecosystems.

According to its policy address, the Macau SAR Government will issue 5G licenses in 2022. CTM will continue to optimise and improve its 5G network and ancillary systems to ensure the prompt launch of 5G services ahead of its peers in the market. CTM will actively commence the research and development of 5G+ cloud applications and continue to invest in the construction of “Digital Macau”, working in close collaboration with various sectors in the community to drive the development of smart city in Macau.

The Group will closely monitor new requirements of corporate customers in industrial digitalisation and maintain its existing strength in services, while improving its SD-WAN and cloud servicing regime and enhancing development of capabilities in data centre, cloud service centre and information security service centre. The Group will drive the development of intelligent innovation to facilitate intelligence enablement for cloud, network and security products, while enhancing abilities in industrial digitalisation such as service industry applications and smart city construction, in order to fulfil new requirements in cloud migration, data tool application and intelligence enablement.

The Group will continue to enhance strategic cooperation with Chinese and international telecoms carriers, internet enterprises or other key major customers and procure development of the functions and business of “cross-border mobile communication service platform”, “enterprise messaging service platform” and “global data volume trading platform”, while making major efforts to explore new businesses and sectors such as IPX and the Internet of Things.

Also, the Group will vigorously seize development opportunities in Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia. The Group will maintain close communication with pertinent government authorities on the national “Master Plan for the Construction of Hengqin Guangdong Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone” to identify and explore opportunities for development in Hengqin Guangdong Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone and contribute to the integrated development of Zhuhai and Macau. For Southeast Asia, the Group will seize opportunities for development presented by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in close tandem with the requirements of multinational corporations that seek to establish their presence in Southeast Asia, and to identify market potential and expand in the Southeast Asian market with full effort.

Mr. CAI Dawei, Chief Executive Officer of CITIC Telecom, said, “In 2022, the Group will seize new opportunities for the development of the digital economy based on high-quality services, and implement the ‘ICT-MiiND’ development strategy with a special focus on innovation targeted at new frontiers such as cloud-net integration, digital transformation and industry application in a full effort to develop a ‘cloud, network, intelligence and security’ platform. We will facilitate the development of a research and development regime across Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Zhuhai (Macau), in line with the positioning of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a ‘talent centre and command post for innovation’. The Group will increase investment in research and development continuously to enhance its competence in proprietary technology research and development, and make technological contributions to digital economic development, actively positioning itself in major national development plans such as ‘Belt and Road’ and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an enterprise based in Hong Kong and Macau, and accelerate development with innovation and synergies to deliver new value to shareholders.”

About CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (stock code: 1883)

CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited was established in 1997 in Hong Kong, and it was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 3 April 2007. As one of the largest international telecommunications hubs in Asia Pacific, the Group provides full-scale international telecommunications services to carrier clients around the globe, and integrated enterprise services in Southeast Asia through its wholly-owned subsidiary Acclivis Technologies and Solutions Pte. Ltd. CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CPC”), the Group’s other wholly-owned subsidiary, provides end-to-end information and communications technology solutions to international corporate clients and business clients. CPC is one of the most trusted partners of these clients in the Asia-Pacific region and provides a full range of ICT services to major enterprises and multinational corporate clients in Mainland China through its subsidiary China Enterprise ICT Solutions Limited (“China Entercom”). The Group holds 99% equity interest in Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau, S.A.R.L. (“CTM”). CTM is one of the leading integrated telecommunications services providers in Macau, and is the only full telecommunications services and ICT services provider in Macau. With a leading position in the market, CTM plays an important role in the ongoing development of Macau. As at the end of 2021, the Group has established branch organisations in 22 countries and regions, the number of staff is 2,500 with over 160 PoPs and business serving more than 150 countries and regions, connecting to over 600 operators globally, and serving more than 3,000 multinational corporations and 40,000 local companies around the globe. CITIC Group Corporation, a large multinational conglomerate headquartered in the People’s Republic of China, is the ultimate holding company of CITIC Telecom.

For more information, please visit: www.citictel.com

#CITICTelecom

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

Laos Confirms 722 New Cases of Covid-19

Savannakhet Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded 722 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

Luang Prabang’s Reconstructed Island Ready for New Year Celebrations

Moung khoun Island in the middle of Mekong river.
Moung khoun Island in the middle of the Mekong River.

A project to reconstruct the sacred Moung Khoun Island in Chomphet District, Luang Prabang, has been completed in time for Lao New Year celebrations.

Asia Pacific Transaction Volumes Expected to Record Double-Digit Volume Growth in 2022 and 2023

  • Global transaction activity hit a new record level in 2021
  • Greater China 2021 investment volume up 40% on 2020 performance


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2022 – Global real estate market recovery is expected to hit the fast lane, with Q4 2021 volumes driving an annual increase of 55%. According to Cushman & Wakefield’s The Signal Report: Global Guide to CRE Investing In 2022, demand will be just as strong this year, and while finding the right opportunities will remain an issue, activity in the first half of the year is expected to exceed 2021, with a 3% uplift forecast for the year overall. Asia Pacific has been leading the recovery to date, with an earlier return of growth and pre-pandemic levels of investment activity in most markets. This momentum looks set to remain despite a COVID-led easing in Q1, and it will be strengthened by a deeper and wider level of occupier demand later in the year.

Greater China Investment Landscape

Across Greater China, investment transactions in 2021 totaled over RMB380 billion (US$60 billion), approximately 40% above the 2020 volume. Despite the challenging situation in Hong Kong, the city witnessed a return to positive leasing absorption over the second half of 2021, with the second highest investment volume in Greater China at more than HKD64.3 billion (US$8.2 billion) for the year, behind only Shanghai’s total of RMB106 billion (US$16.8 billion). In the mainland market, despite ongoing travel restrictions, inbound investment managed to command an impressive 28% share of the total transaction volume.

“We’ve seen alternative asset classes, such as logistics, data center, multi-family and life science facilities in high demand in the last two years due to the impact of the pandemic. However, with expected relaxations of travel restrictions in various countries and cities, we now start to see office building transactions coming back to the market. Especially, office end-users taking the opportunity to acquire their own office buildings to meet their long-term occupational needs in China. We forecast that this trend may spill over to Hong Kong as mainland China corporations start to look for office space once the border is reopened,” said Francis Li, International Director and Head of Capital Markets, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield.

Greater China Office Market Dynamics

“Total net absorption of prime office premises in Greater China markets in 2021 reached an annual record of 5.3 million square meters,” added James Shepherd, Head of Business Development Services, Greater China, Cushman & Wakefield. “This impressive ramp up in leasing activity, commencing a year and a half ago and running through 2021, pushed the Greater China office market back into a commanding position in terms of leasing activity in Asia Pacific. Looking ahead, given the short lease terms of typically three years prevalent in China, we should be on the lookout for another boom in activity in two to three years’ time, as those lease agreements signed during the boom period of the last one and a half years come up for expiry.”

Asia Pacific Outlook

Transaction activity followed the earlier economic recovery of the APAC region, with 2021 investment volume exceeding pre-Covid levels following a comparatively mild 10% drop in 2020. This momentum will be maintained with both 2022 and 2023 expected to record double-digit volume growth as the economic recovery invigorates the occupier sector. Availability of stock is a potential headwind facing investors, but with interest rate increases expected to be gradual, this should maintain investor confidence.

“Asia Pacific enters 2022 with strong underlying momentum but greater than expected short-term headwinds from the spread of Omicron. However, the momentum will assert itself in Q2, building upon the region’s re-emergence from prolonged lockdowns,” said Dr. Dominic Brown, Head of Insight & Analysis, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield. “The regional economy will regain the top spot in terms of the pace of economic growth in the second half of 2022, extending into 2023. Occupier markets are therefore forecast to strengthen in the year ahead, with demand more widely spread across the region.”

Global Investment Landscape

“Uncertainty will remain high due to the virus, inflation, and geopolitical tensions, but most indicators point to a steady improvement in confidence at a social and business level globally as 2022 progresses. This will lead to a rising cycle of performance for most markets despite differing structural headwinds,” said David Bitner, Head of Capital Markets Insights, Global Research at Cushman & Wakefield.

The virus will continue to dominate in early 2022, but increased global immunity and greater knowledge about the virus will allow for a slow improvement and for return-to-work strategies to get back on course. This suggests better economic growth before the summer, which will feed occupier and investor confidence, though this could be undercut by rate volatility and geopolitical risk. In the second half of 2022, improving economic growth will hopefully be accompanied by better news on inflation and COVID-19. With government subsidies being reduced, the private sector will take over as the driver of expansion, and occupier markets will grow more confident.

Note: For more investor insights, please refer to Cushman & Wakefield’s The Signal Report: Global Guide to CRE Investing In 2022.

Please download the image here.

About Cushman & Wakefield

Cushman & Wakefield (NYSE: CWK) is a leading global real estate services firm that delivers exceptional value for real estate occupiers and owners. Cushman & Wakefield is among the largest real estate services firms with approximately 50,000 employees in over 400 offices and 60 countries. Across Greater China, 22 offices are servicing the local market. The company won four of the top awards in the Euromoney Survey 2017, 2018 and 2020 in the categories of Overall, Agency Letting/Sales, Valuation and Research in China. In 2021, the firm had revenue of $9.4 billion across core services of property, facilities and project management, leasing, capital markets, valuation and other services. To learn more, visit www.cushmanwakefield.com.hk or follow us on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/cushman-&-wakefield-greater-china).


#Cushman&Wakefield

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

Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre Introduces the Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization Training Method

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 15 March 2022 – Due to the impact of the current epidemic, people are paying more attention to the importance of health. Given this, Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre introduces the dynamic neuromuscular stabilization function training method, to debunk the misunderstanding of physiotherapy, and to provide a practical and effective radical solution for ‘superficial’ health treatments. This training method enables athletes to find the roots of physical exertion problems, to eliminate the chance of injury and strain.

Dynamic neuromuscular stabilization is an innovative trend in rehabilitation therapy and sports training. It is a set of neurodevelopmental system-based assessments and remodeling of the motor system invented by Professor Pavel Kolar of the Prague School. The professional physiotherapists of the ‘Rehabilitation Square’ also have expertise in sports physiotherapy training.

Through dynamic analysis and nervous system tests, physiotherapists analyze and explore the large and small muscles with exertion problems, to find the roots of the problem. This method can effectively prevent and treat neuromuscular pain, improve the state of athletes, correct and improve exercise postures through exercise therapy.

As the epidemic is raging, the public spends most of their time at home. Given this, ‘Rehabilitation Square’ will regularly provide several mild to moderate training for their customers in addition to the introduction of new physiotherapy techniques. By doing so, customers can conveniently participate in exercises at home. Stretching exercises can relieve neck and arm pain from long-term exposure to electronic products, meanwhile strengthening the body. Furthermore, the ‘Rehabilitation Workshop’ also provides effective home treatment and inquiries for patients who suffer from “injection site pain” after vaccination.

Moreover, the Rehabilitation Workshop also provides on-site physiotherapy services and on-site physiotherapy consultation services to help patients who need regular physiotherapy to begin the road to recovery.

About Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre

Neuron Physiotherapy & Sports Injury Centre a Hong Kong physiotherapy platform that integrates Chinese and Western medical concepts as a consultation direction for the treatment of various pain disorders and diseases, such as frozen shoulders, and high & low shoulders. In physiotherapy, exercise therapy is also a commonly used method. Rehabilitation Square also provides exercise therapy such as sports massage and stretching therapy. All physiotherapists and sports physiotherapists have internationally recognized professional qualifications.

#Neuron

Government of Laos May Move to Weekly Fuel Price Adjustments

Petrol pump

The government of Laos may begin making fuel price adjustments every five to seven days, rather than every two weeks.