Multiple projects have been launched recently to provide food security to disadvantaged families across Laos with support from the World Food Program (WFP).
Hyundai Motor Group and Vodafone Business Expand Partnership, Bringing New In-car Infotainment Services to Customers in Europe
- Multi-year extension covers more than 40 countries in Europe
- Agreement brings in-car Infotainment features to Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models sold in Europe for the first time, starting with in-car Audio Streaming Service
- Partnership to explore other areas such as Video Streaming, Wi-Fi Hotspot and more interactive in-car features
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 15 June 2023 – Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) and Vodafone Business today announced a multi-year extension of their existing strategic partnership to provide customers with advanced in-car connected streaming and infotainment services in more than 40 countries across Europe.

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

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

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

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

During the 6th Plenary Session of the 11th Party Central Committee held last week, President Thongloun Sisoulith addressed the committee, asking them to focus on several key tasks to overcome the current economic situation in Laos.
Arrow Electronics Offers Engineering Expertise to Help Pingspace Develop Robotics-As-A-Service Solutions for Warehouse Operation Efficiency

Accelerating e-commerce growth has prompted commercial and logistics companies to adopt robotics and advanced electronic technologies for achieving fulfilment productivity and gaining competitive advantages. One of the most deployed warehouse automation technologies is automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS). The global ASRS market is expected to reach US$ 24 billion by 20301.
Founded in 2018 by Chuah Di Ken, CEO, Pingspace has set out on a mission to simplify, digitalize, and automate the warehouse and logistics industry. Specialized in building robotic storage systems, Pingspace aims to offer robust robotics-as-a-service supply chain solutions that deliver benefits of increased fulfilment rates, more productive labor, and safer warehouse environment.
“Our robotic storage systems are designed to be customizable and versatile, automating the movement of inventory around warehouses while also providing high-density storage capabilities. We hope to push the current industry standard of three to five days to next-day and then to same-day delivery,” said Chuah Di Ken, CEO, Pingspace. “Arrow’s engineering team has provided us with everything we need from product knowledge, technical insights, to turnkey solutions which enable us to jump-start and scale up the design, building, deployment, and management of our robotics-as-a-service supply chain solutions.”
Like many other technology start-ups, Pingspace faced technical challenges as they continue to develop and differentiate their solution offerings. Arrow’s engineering team has assisted them with proof-of concept, product prototyping, PCB design, and feasibility assessment.
“Today’s robotic innovations require comprehensive technology capabilities span from product design and engineering to manufacturing and supply chain. With our global network of technology suppliers and industry-leading services, Arrow is well positioned to help Pringspace as well as many other tech companies as they strive to bring ideas to life and get end products to market faster,” said Natarajan MM, Arrow Electronics’ vice president of South Asia. “Our best-in-class design tools and resources, engineering expertise, and supply chain services provide Pingspace with the kind of technology capability and flexibility it takes to break industry barriers and bring warehouse operation efficiency to the next level.”
With a comprehensive technology portfolio, Arrow has provided Pingspace team with prototype samples and technical insights for designing a power management system that not only reduces the weight and footprint, but also enables better energy efficiency of their robotic storage system.
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1 https://www.factmr.com/report/1869/automated-storage-and-retrieval-systems-market
Hashtag: #ArrowElectronics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Arrow Electronics
Arrow Electronics guides innovation forward for over 210,000 leading technology manufacturers and service providers. With 2022 sales of $37 billion, Arrow develops technology solutions that improve business and daily life.
Learn more at fiveyearsout.com.
Macau-Based Developers to Sell Savan Legend Casino in Laos for USD 45 Million
The gaming and hotel service firm Macau Legend Development Ltd, owner of the Macau Fisherman’s Wharf precinct and operator of satellite casino Legend Palace, has signed a letter of intent to sell its Savan Legend casino and resort in Savannakhet, Laos for USD 45 million.