27.7 C
Vientiane
Friday, May 16, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 2355

Laos Confirms 1,263 New Cases of Covid-19

Covid-19 update Oudomxay

Laos has recorded 1,263 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

Capella Hotel Group Wins Praise For New Commitment To Source Only Cage-Free Eggs

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 28 March 2022 – Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group won praise today from global NGO Lever Foundation for setting a new commitment to purchase only cage-free eggs for all its operations globally by 2024.

“The Capella Hotel Group places a high value on ethical and environmental standards in its operations and is aware of its customers’ concern about animal welfare,” said Eric Guth, the group’s Food & Beverage Corporate Director. “The goal to source only cage-free eggs for our global services by 2024 reflects our commitment to working toward a supply chain that is more compassionate to animals and safer for consumers.”

The leading luxury hospitality group, with locations in Singapore, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Maldives, will implement the shift at all locations for all eggs purchased by the Group, and will later extend the policy to cover all externally sourced food products. Despite the severe impact caused by the ongoing global outbreak of COVID-19, Capella Shanghai, along with its partnered Michelin-starred French fine dining restaurant Le Comptoir de Pierre Gagnaire and French café La Boulangerie, has already completed the shift to using only cage-free eggs in all operations.

“We applaud Capella Hotel Group’s commitment on this important animal welfare issue”, said Lily Tse, Sustainability Program Director at Lever Foundation, which worked with the group on its commitment. “The pledge to go cage-free reaffirms the Group’s commitment to providing the finest hospitality experience for all their guests and demonstrates their ethical business standard.”

An increasing number of international hospitality brands and hundreds of leading food companies have committed to using only cage-free eggs, which have dramatically lower risks of salmonella contamination than caged eggs, higher food quality, and are more humane to animals. Cage-free production improves animal welfare conditions by allowing laying hens to move around freely in their environment and engage in natural behaviors.

ABOUT LEVER FOUNDATION

Lever Foundation is a global NGO with staff operating across Asia, Europe, North America and Latin America. Lever Foundation works with leading companies to help them upgrade their protein sourcing for a more humane, safe and sustainable supply chain, with a focus on cage-free eggs and alternative protein.

About Capella Hotel Group

Capella Hotel Group is a leading hospitality management company specialising in luxury hotels, resorts, and serviced residence. Based in Singapore, the rapidly-expanding group has two brands under its portfolio and properties across eight destinations. The award-winning Capella Hotels and Resorts is renowned for its service excellence, crafted luxury design and immersive experiences celebrating the locale, while Patina Hotels and Resorts is the group’s sophisticated lifestyle brand, designed for progressive travellers with a creative mindset and penchant for sustainability.

Capella Hotel Group is also the founder of award-winning spa concept, Auriga, as well as Flow, which offers a refreshing, high-tech perspective to wellness.

#LeverFoundation

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

Korean Organization Donates Ambulances to Laos

Korean Organization Donates Ambulances to Laos.
Korean Organization Donates Ambulances to Laos.

Korean Organization Donates Ambulances to Laos

Korea’s ASA Foundation has donated a fleet of ambulances to Laos to assist in the country’s Covid-19 prevention efforts.

NCS completes quad of investments in Australia, accelerates digital regionalisation with acquisition of ARQ Group

  • Acquisition scales up NCS NEXT in Australia with compelling end-to-end digital transformation value proposition for clients
  • Completes quad of investments in Australia that transforms NCS into regional IT and digital powerhouse across Singapore and Australia
  • Increases in-market headcount to 1,900 and accelerates digital talent development

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 28 March 2022 – NCS today announced its acquisition of fast-growing digital services firm ARQ Group (ARQ) in Australia for A$290 million. The move brings to scale NCS NEXT in Australia, which now offers a compelling end-to-end digital transformation value proposition for clients. Headquartered in Melbourne, with offices in Sydney and Brisbane, ARQ has deep expertise in cloud, digital, data and analytics solutions, and is one of the fastest-growing digital services company in Australia.

ARQ’s revenue is projected to reach A$118M by end 2022 representing a year-on-year increase of 38%, while EBITDA is projected to increase to A$18.4M. The acquisition price represents an EV/EBITDA multiple of 15.7 times[1], reflecting NCS’ confidence in the prospects of ARQ and expected synergies with the rest of its operations.

This investment is NCS’ fourth in Australia in the past 15 months as it expands its footprint in a market strategic to its regionalisation plans. NCS recently acquired Australia’s largest privately-owned IT services company, The Dialog Group (Dialog) following 2 previous investments: cloud consultancy Riley that specialises in Google cloud applications and a majority investment in cloud transformation specialist Eighty20 Solutions that has unique capabilities across Microsoft platforms.

Mr Ng Kuo Pin, CEO of NCS, said, “This latest acquisition completes a jigsaw of strategic investments in Australia, ramping up our presence in a market that is critical to our regional expansion. Combined with Dialog’s core IT capabilities and extensive reach across 8 Australian cities, ARQ brings on board the right digital competencies that help create a highly compelling end-to-end digital transformation value proposition. Taken together, our four investments to date have given us the necessary scale, capabilities and credibility to compete as a regional digital powerhouse as we help governments and enterprises in Singapore and Australia achieve their digital transformation goals.”

Accelerating digital sector growth in Australia

As one of the largest fast-growing digital services providers in Australia, ARQ has a strong client coverage and serves half of ASX’s top 20 companies across diverse sectors in financial services, utilities, retail, healthcare, travel and government. This includes ANZ bank, AustralianSuper, Domino’s, Qantas, Transurban, nib, NAB, The Coffee Club, NSW Rural Fire Services, Queensland Government – Department of Education, Victoria State Government – Department of Transport, and more.

ARQ has a strong partnership ecosystem across major cloud hyperscalers in Australia and its expertise in delivering tailored tech innovation at scale through its 560-strong team will bolster NCS NEXT capabilities in digital, cloud, data and platforms to fulfill growing digital transformation demand in Australia’s large addressable market.

IDC expects that Digital services in APAC will grow at a CAGR of 14.6% from 2020 to 2025, reaching US$170.6 billion in 2025. In Australia, Digital services are expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2020 to 2025 to US$12.1 billion in 2025.[2]

Mr Tristan Sternson, CEO of ARQ, said, “Joining the NCS family is a tremendous opportunity to continue growing the business as it now allows us to go international and serve regional clients besides capturing more domestic market share by leveraging synergies within NCS. We are well primed for expansion, having grown our government footprint to over a third of our business, acquired many new customers and hired 300 new talents on board. We intend to keep optimising NCS’ world-class IT and digital capabilities to keep building innovative solutions for our clients.”

NCS NEXT as a regional digital powerhouse

As part of its transformational growth plan, NCS has been scaling its presence in Australia since December 2020 to serve Australian clients through NCS NEXT, its digital innovation and services arm – which supports enterprises’ growing demand for digital transformation solutions.

Ms Wynthia Goh, Senior Partner of NCS NEXT, said, “We look forward to welcoming ARQ into the NCS NEXT family. ARQ’s highly experienced and scalable agile teams will become part of NEXT as one regional digital team to serve clients across the region in the post-pandemic era. Together, we will unlock more synergies between Australia and Singapore and enable cross-pollination of tech innovation.”

Spurs digital talent development

ARQ’s 560-strong team will increase NCS’ headcount in Australia to 1,900 and build a robust tech talent pipeline to support the growing digital transformation needs of clients in the region. With increased workforce mobility, employees and future talents will be able to explore diverse and exciting career opportunities across various geographies and industries to serve clients through a hybrid delivery model.

ARQ embraces a strong people culture and its talents adopt an innovation-first mindset to design and develop solutions – evident in their 572 technical certifications, 62 design awards and 17 certified partnerships. NCS’ focus on an apprenticeship-based learning culture is similar to ARQ Academy’s emphasis on self-learning and innovation, and the combination of both teams will reinvent talent development and answers the tech talent crunch in both Australia and Singapore.

The acquisition is subject to the receipt of the relevant regulatory approvals and is expected to complete by May 2022.


[1]Based on ARQ’s forecast revenue and EBITDA (adjusted for non-recurring items) of A$118M and A$18.4M for the financial year ending 31 December 2022

[2] Source: IDC Worldwide Black Book: 3rd Platform Edition (March 2022 Release)

About NCS

NCS, a subsidiary of Singtel Group, is a leading technology services firm with presence in Asia Pacific and partners with governments and enterprises to advance communities through technology. Combining the experience and expertise of its 10,000-strong team across 55 specialisations, NCS provides differentiated and end-to-end technology services to clients with its NEXT capabilities in digital, cloud and platforms, as well as core offerings in application, infrastructure, engineering and cybersecurity. NCS also believes in building a strong partner ecosystem with leading technology players, research institutions and start-ups to support open innovation and co-creation. For more information, visit ncs.co.

#NCS

About ARQ

ARQ Group is a multi-award-winning digital and tech services firm with a client base spanning Government, enterprise, and more than half of Australia’s top 20 ASX-listed companies. A local company with a 26-year heritage of technological innovation, ARQ also delivers advisory, design and managed services of digital solutions. As part of its transformation since 2019 and under the leadership of Australian tech pioneer and CEO Tristan Sternson, the company launched education programs ARQademy, TDx, and ARQ Bootcamp, designed to provide meaningful impact on the local skills shortage. For more information, visit arq.group.

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

Carbon Neutrality Solutions Provider, NEFIN Group, Joins Forces with Global Snacking Giant, Mondelēz International, to Create a Sustainable Future for the Industry

  • Industry-leading NEFIN Group bolsters snacking giant Mondelēz International sustainability efforts with solar panel installation project at the company’s plants in Shah Alam and Prai.
  • The manufacturing plant’s rooftop solar panel installation aims to offset close to 29,000 tons of CO2 gas emissions over the next 25 years.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 March 2022 – Carbon neutrality solutions provider, NEFIN Group today announced its partnership with global snacking giant, Mondelēz International (Malaysia) to install solar panels on the roof of its manufacturing plants in Shah Alam, Selangor and Prai, Pulau Pinang. Having pioneered several industrial rooftop solar systems for multinational companies across Asia Pacific, the partnership is set to accelerate Mondelēz’s sustainability efforts by reducing its environmental impact through renewable energy.

“These manufacturing plants in Shah Alam and Prai are NEFIN’s first two photovoltaic installation projects with Mondelēz International in Malaysia, after our first successful partnership with Mondelēz International (Thailand) in Lad Krabang. Talks for other similar projects in Southeast Asia are under way, and we are working closely with Mondelēz to achieve sustainability in their manufacturing plants,” says Mr. Chong Bor Hung, NEFIN Group’s Head of Business Development and Managing Director (Malaysia).

Ms. Narmeen Khan, Managing Director of Mondelēz International for Malaysia and Singapore, commented, “We have transparent sustainability goals to achieve by 2025, and are committed to scaling up our sustainability efforts to deliver meaningful change. Following the project at the Shah Alam plant, we have also just awarded the solar panel installation project for our manufacturing plant in Prai to NEFIN for the next phase in Malaysia. This partnership with NEFIN is progress towards our goal of creating a sustainable future for snacking and will help us reduce our end-to-end absolute CO2 emissions.”

As a global leader in snacking with operations in more than 150 countries, Mondelēz International is paving the way to a new more sustainable future, by creating snacks the right way for both people and the planet to love. In Malaysia, it owns two manufacturing plants – a chocolate plant in Shah Alam manufacturing Cadbury Dairy Milk, and biscuits and salty snacks plant in Prai manufacturing Twisties, Jacob’s, and Chipsmore.

The project with NEFIN in Malaysia further builds on Mondelēz International’s existing targets set in 2020, developed to contribute to combatting climate change. The installation of 1,266 solar panels at the Shah Alam plant and 1,754 solar panels in Prai aims to offset 29,000 tons of CO2 over the next 25 years, equivalent to planting around 146,800 trees. Accumulatively, the plants are estimated to produce 1.8 million kWh of energy in the first year alone, with the company potentially saving up to RM11.18 million over the 25 years period.

In addition to their energy-saving initiatives, Mondelēz International (Malaysia) is also a founding member of the Malaysia Recycling Alliance (MAREA) who have collectively pledged to recycle a minimum of 25% of their members’ packaging volumes by 2025. Through both of its manufacturing plants in Malaysia, Mondelēz also reported a combined reduction of water consumption by 18.6% and waste by 11.3% in 2021 over the previous year.

For multinational companies with a presence across the Asia Pacific region, NEFIN’s broad network of local partners across the region is positioned to simplify the process of delivering solutions across borders. This has contributed to their success in delivering over 3,000MW of utility-scale, commercial, and industrial rooftop solar systems regionally in its combined portfolio.

About NEFIN Group

NEFIN Group is a regional renowned carbon neutrality solutions provider and investor with a bespoke unified energy management platform committed to achieve carbon neutrality for organizations and is backed by AC Energy. Founded by a core management team of DuPont Solar Business, the management team has grown into a well-rounded team of engineers, legal experts, investment bankers and techno-commercial experts with the combined experience of over 40+ years of project development in Asia and 50+ years of engineering experience. NEFIN Group has over 3000MW of utility-scale, commercial, and industrial rooftop solar systems in its combined portfolio regionally. As a strong cohesive team, NEFIN Group is able to offer a comprehensive 360-degree assessment and full-suite of services on socially responsible and commercially viable projects through innovative approaches to technology under its unified energy management platform. NEFIN believes the future of the world is everyone’s responsibility and strives to redefine energy boundaries towards a sustainable future.

Please refer to NEFIN’s website for more information and follow us at .

About Mondelēz International (Malaysia)

Mondelēz International (Malaysia) is part of the Mondelēz International group of companies which empowers people to snack right in over 150 countries around the world, with a strong presence in Southeast Asia. With 2020 net revenues of approximately USD 27 billion, Mondelēz International is a member of the Standard and Poor’s 500, Nasdaq 100 and Dow Jones Sustainability Index.

Mondelēz International is leading the future of snacking with iconic global and local brands such as Cadbury Dairy Milk chocolate, Cadbury Zip chocolate wafer, Cadbury 5 Star chocolate, Toblerone chocolate, OREO cookies, Chipsmore cookies, Jacob’s biscuits, Tiger biscuits, Philadelphia cheese, Kraft cheese, Chachos chips, Chipster chips, Twisties snacks and many more. We’ve been part of Southeast Asia for more than 70 years, with operations in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Our 7,000+ colleagues work across our ten manufacturing locations – including the plants in Shah Alam and Prai – two research and development technical centers and our sales and marketing network to create products that people can truly love and feel good about. From indulgent treats to wholesome bites, consumers can enjoy the right snack, for the right moment, made the right way.

Visit and follow us on social media , , and
#NEFIN #MondelēzInternational

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

AXA offers free additional ‘Cleaning and Sanitising Benefit’ to home contents insurance and SME customers

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 28 March 2022 – In light of the ongoing outbreak of COVID-19, AXA Hong Kong (AXA) takes another step to safeguard our customers. From today until 30 April 2022, AXA’s designated home contents insurance and small and medium enterprise (SME) customers are entitled to a free additional ‘Cleaning and Sanitising Benefit’ to ensure a safe and healthy environment for themselves, their loves ones as well as their employees.

A free ‘Cleaning and Sanitising Benefit’ for designated customers

Home contents insurance customers

During the coverage period, if the policyholders of AXA’s home content insurance plans[1] or anyone living with the policyholders at the insured address is tested positive for COVID-19, AXA will reimburse the home cleaning and sanitising expense up to HKD800, to provide a safe living environment for customers.

SME customers

To ensure a COVID-free workplace for our SME clients, AXA ‘SmartPlan Office’ and ‘SmartPlan Shop’ customers can enjoy a maximum reimbursement amount of HKD1,500 for the professional cleaning and sanitising service, when current employee(s) of the insured company at the insured premises is/are tested positive for COVID-19.

The claims must be submitted along with positive COVID-19 test report[2], receipt of the professional cleaning and sanitising service and the address proof[3] or the attendance record[4] of the COVID-19 case within one month since their diagnosis.

At AXA, our Purpose is to “Act for human progress by protecting what matters”. Last year, we launched “Post-Vaccination Protection” Progrmme and were the first insurer to make “Benefits for Hospital Income (COVID-19)” a standard policy provision for Employee Benefits customers, giving our customers a peace of mind and supporting the community amid the pandemic. This year, we also launched the “Free AXA SportCare Programme” to encourage the public to maintain an exercise routine for a healthy life amid the pandemic with sports protection.

The above coverage is subject to the relevant terms and conditions. To know more about the COVID-19 policy coverage and services, please visit: https://www.axa.com.hk/en/axa-novel-coronavirus-outbreak.


[1] Eligible in force home content insurance plans include Aon Home Care, Family Protection Plan, JLT Home Insurance, SmartHome Essential, SmartHome Optimum, SmartHome Plus, Supreme Home – Executive Plan, Supreme Home Package, Executive Staff Insurance, HomeSurance, HomeSurance (Government Home Ownership Scheme and Tenants Purchase Scheme), HomeSurancePlus, HomeSurance Super, HSBC Premier – Home Contents, Personal Insurance Package and ResidenceSurance.
[2] COVID-19 test report issued by a hospital, a registered doctor or a Community Tests Centre, or isolation order/quarantine order issued by HKSAR Government after registration at HKSAR Government Rapid Antigen Test Positive online registration platform: http://www.chp.gov.hk/ratp with complete document upload, for the person residing at the insured address or employed at the insured premises.
[3] For AXA’s home contents insurance customers only.
[4] Proof of the confirmed case who was employed under the insured company and had reported duty at the insured premises within 7 days before COVID-19 was diagnosed. For AXA’s SME customers only.

About AXA Hong Kong and Macau

AXA Hong Kong and Macau is a member of the AXA Group, a leading global insurer with presence in 50 markets and serving 95 million customers worldwide. Our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters.

As one of the most diversified insurers offering integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance, our goal is to be the insurance and holistic wellness partner to the individuals, businesses and community we serve.

At the core of our service commitment is continuous product innovation and customer experience enrichment, which is achieved through actively listening to our customers and leveraging technology and digital transformation.

We embrace our responsibility to be a force for good to create shared value for our community. We are proud to be the first insurer in Hong Kong and Macau to address the important need of mental health through different products and services. For example, the Mind Charger function on our holistic wellness platform “AXA BetterMe”, which is available via our mobile app Emma by AXA, is open to not just our customers, but the community at large. We will continue to foster social progress through our product offerings and community investment to support the sustainable development of Hong Kong and Macau.

THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA’S WEBSITE:

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause AXA’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Part 4 – “Risk factors and risk management” of AXA’s Universal Registration Document for the year ended December 31, 2019, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect AXA’s business, and/or results of operations. AXA undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as part of applicable regulatory or legal obligations.

#AXA

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

Bodies of Two Men Discovered Buried in Vientiane Forest

Forest

The unidentified bodies of two men were discovered buried in a forested area on the outskirts of Vientiane Capital.

Vientiane Rescue 1623 Teams Up with International Partners to Raise Awareness on The “Power of No” when Drinking and Driving

The Power of No road safety campaign

Cross-market awareness campaign aims to promote responsible behaviors around drink driving in Southeast Asia to help reduce the incidence of road crashes, the #1 killer amongst young adults.