28.4 C
Vientiane
Thursday, May 15, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 2478

Laos Confirms 1,358 New Cases of Covid-19, No New Deaths

Luang Namtha Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded 1,358 cases of Covid-19 across the country today, with no new deaths confirmed.

Carousell Hong Kong partners with GOGOX and Atome to build ecosystem for small local businesses to flourish

Merchants will be able to solve their logistics challenges with diversified logistics solutions by GOGOX and have the flexibility to pay by deferred payments with Atome to enable better cash management to run their businesses

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 December 2021 – Carousell, one of the world’s largest and fastest growing classifieds marketplaces, today announced new partnerships with GOGOX, the pioneer app-based logistics platform in Asia, and Atome, Asia’s leading buy now pay later brand to help small local businesses via Carousell for Business (CarouBiz). Combining Carousell’s reach of 1 in 5 Hong Kongers as active users with ready buyer intent, and the established expertise of partners, Carousell aims to build an ecosystem that enables small local businesses to succeed.

 

Many small businesses continue to face  high cost challenges, such as rent, cash flow, resource management and data security, even before the pandemic. These challenges are even more severe currently. Although the Hong Kong Government has been actively encouraging digitalisation and ecommerce, small businesses still struggle to adapt to new technology and business models compared to large-scale enterprises.

 

Growing demand for more support

The Trade and Industry Department estimates about 340,000 SMEs in Hong Kong, of which 13% are in retail[1]. There is increasing impetus to go online, as online retail sales grow in Hong Kong. While online sales only accounted for 8% of total retail sales in October, when comparing the first ten months of 2021 with the same period in 2020, Censtatd estimated that the value of online retail sales increased by 41.7%[2].

 

Unlike large corporations who can hire the necessary talent, smaller merchants need easy-to-use, affordable tools and “plug-and-play” services that allow them to scale at low cost and without a lot of training. Demand for CarouBiz subscriptions of premium seller tools have increased sharply in Hong Kong in 2021 compared to last year. In Q4 2021, Carousell also rolled out a self-serve version of CarouBiz for tech-savvier merchants who do not require a dedicated Client Success Manager to advise on marketing strategies.

 

“Carousell has been enhancing our CarouBiz offerings this year to further strengthen support for small businesses. We have seen double digit percentage growth in our CarouBiz subscribers this year, which shows growing demand for such tools. As a one-stop platform where users can find anything they want at any time of the day, Carousell is privileged to be able to use our platform to help SMEs find ecommerce success. Besides initiatives such as the CarouBiz Booster Fund, we are also building an ecosystem of partners that address the pain points of our users and meet the needs of merchants while ensuring win-win for all,” said Mr Kevin Huang, Managing Director, Carousell Hong Kong.

 

Embracing e-commerce  with GOGOX

As online shopping takes off, merchants have to adapt to additional workflows such as logistics and express delivery. Smaller merchants do not have the economies of scale to run their own logistical operations in a cost and time efficient manner.  Meanwhile, casual sellers prefer not to meet up buyers due to public health safety concerns, and are in search of a reliable and flexible delivery method. Since September 2021, Carousell has partnered with GOGOX to provide diversified logistics services to casual sellers via GOGOX’s platform services, GOGOVan and GOGODelivery, in addition to offering targeted logistics solutions to merchants through GOGOX’s GOGOBusiness service, hoping to enable consumers and merchants to enjoy contract free and convenient logistics services.

 

Reeve Kwan, Co-founder of GOGOX said, “As a leading logistics platform in Hong Kong, GOGOX transforms the industry with advanced technology, redefining everyday delivery and user experience. We connect with driver-partners to provide agile and efficient logistics solutions to the community, in particular merchants. The partnership with Carousell is strategically important to facilitate the development of e-commerce. Throughout the partnership, we are committed to supporting SMEs as they embark on the digital transformation journey. We look forward to working closely with Carousell, driving the process of digitalisation and equip merchants with logistics capacity in the digital economy.”

 

“The growth of ecommerce in Hong Kong in the past two years have shown Hong Kongers the convenience it brings. There is no need to leave work or home to shop, and this is made possible by a robust logistics system. GOGOX has many affordable delivery options tailored to different needs, whether you are an individual selling preloved items or a small merchant. This aligns well with the variety of users on our platform, and allows us to provide value-added services,” said Mr Huang.

 

Supporting business growth with Atome

While banks have been simplifying or relaxing SME lending to help small business[3], many businesses in the ecommerce and retail sector find it challenging to meet the required documentation[4]. The partnership between Carousell and Atome will enable seamless buy now pay later (BNPL) acceptance for Carousell’s merchants, especially for businesses who are starting out, providing a flexible and transparent payment option for Carousell’s merchants.

 

Since the end of November 2021, interested merchants can also sign up for an exclusive Carousell x Atome CarouBiz plan, which includes HK$110,000 worth of in-app advertising and other business support. With Atome, merchants can split their bills into three, zero-interest deferred payments upon checkout via credit card, debit card or Apple Pay. This reduces the time and paperwork needed in applications, especially for smaller sums, and provides more flexibility for merchants to manage their cash flow.

 

“We are excited to integrate Atome as a buy now pay later flexible payment option on Carousell for CarouBiz. This payment option will provide SMEs and new businesses in Hong Kong with a secure, seamless and flexible way to grow their business while managing their cash flow. The introduction of the Carousell x Atome revolving store plan will also provide these merchants with other crucial marketing and business support. We are glad to play our part in helping merchants scale their business and contribute to the Hong Kong economy. Shoppers can also look forward to our upcoming recommerce partnership with Carousell in Singapore,” said Jonathan Cai, Head of Regional Partnerships, Atome. 

 

“Our merchants have been sharing feedback about challenges faced with running their businesses, and the team has been reviewing how we can better support them. This partnership will enable us to extend more flexible and affordable payment options for our merchants. By partnering with a leading and established brand like Atome, our merchants can rest assured with the guarantee of a reliable and trusted payment service,” said Mr Huang.


About Carousell

Carousell is the leading classifieds group in Greater Southeast Asia on a mission to inspire the world to start selling, and to make secondhand the first choice. Founded in August 2012 in Singapore, the group has a leading presence in eight markets under the brands Carousell, Mudah.my, Cho Tot, OneKyat and Ox Street, serving tens of millions of monthly active users. Carousell is backed by leading investors, including Telenor Group, Rakuten Ventures, Naver, STIC Investments and Sequoia Capital India. In Hong Kong, Carousell has a diverse range of products in over 30 categories, including property, autos, electronics, home and furniture, and fashion. Download the app for iOS or Android, and visit www.carousell.com.hk for more information.

About GOGOX

Established in 2013, GOGOX is one of the first mobile app-based logistics platforms in Asia committed to providing extensive logistics services through innovative technology. Formerly known as GOGOVAN, the company has a competitive and diverse business portfolio, from van-hailing and instant delivery to customised logistics solutions. GOGOX instantly connects individuals and businesses with millions of logistics partners to fulfill all sorts of delivery needs, redefining the delivery experience by providing speedy, agile and convenient logistics services.

Over the years, GOGOX has expanded its businesses from Hong Kong to Singapore, mainland China, South Korea, India and Vietnam. Following a merger with 58 Suyun in August 2017, GOGOX has increased its presence to over 340 cities, with 4.5 million registered drivers under its network.

About Atome

Atome is a leading buy now pay later platform in Asia, partnering online and offline retailers to increase conversions and grow average orders and customer segments. It currently partners over 5,000 online and offline retailers in nine markets (Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam, Philippines, Thailand and mainland China). Key merchant partners include Sephora, Agoda, ZALORA, SHEIN, Zara, Marks & Spencer, Charles & Keith, Aldo and Pandora. For consumers, Atome offers choice, convenience and flexibility in how they choose to shop and pay. Atome is part of Advance Intelligence Group, one of the largest independent technology startups based in Singapore. Founded in 2016, the Group has presence across South and Southeast Asia, Latin America and Greater China. The Group is backed by top tier investors SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Warburg Pincus, Northstar, Vision Plus Capital, Gaorong Capital, Pavilion Capital, GSR Ventures and EDBI.

#Carousell #GOGOX #Atome

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

Yuexiu Transport’s Publicly Offered Infrastructure REIT “CAMC-Yuexiu Expressway Close-end Infrastructure Securities Investment Fund” Successfully Listed on Shenzhen Stock Exchange

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 December 2021 – Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Limited (“Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure” or the “Company”, which, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as the “Group”; stock code: 1052) announced that its publicly offered infrastructure REIT, “CAMC-Yuexiu Expressway Close-end Infrastructure Securities Investment Fund” (“Yuexiu Expressway REIT”, fund code: 180202), is successfully listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange today.

A spokesperson for Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure said the successful listing of the Yuexiu Expressway REIT on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange today has marked an important milestone for the Company. The offering was widely supported by investors and received overwhelming subscription. The public offering of the expressway REIT will facilitate a complementary interaction between the two capital platforms of the Group and open up the circulation of capital between the two platforms. It not only provides investors in the secondary market with the opportunity to invest in infrastructure projects, but also provides infrastructure companies with new financing channels other than equity and bond. Looking ahead, the Group will be able to offer its existing expressway assets through the REIT platform as appropriate to realize future earnings in advance, recoup upfront capital, and provide financial support for the expansion of its core business. As a fund unit holder, Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure will continue to benefit from the development of the high-quality expressway projects as it receives REIT dividends.

With the establishment of the capital platform of publicly offered infrastructure REIT, Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure will be able to open up the capital cycle of “investing, financing, asset management, and withdrawal” and optimize its development model, which is essential for further expanding and strengthening its core transport infrastructure business and achieving mid- to long-term sustainable development. The successful listing of the Yuexiu Expressway REIT is an important step for Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure to implement the strategic “14th Five-Year Plan”. The Group’s business structure will be further optimized, and it will continue to create greater value for its shareholders and the society.

About Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Limited

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure Limited is principally engaged in investment, operation and management of toll expressways, bridges and port in Guangdong Province and other high-growth provinces in mainland China. With a series of mergers and acquisitions of quality projects since 2009, the Company’s strategic layout of “establishing a foothold in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, expanding into central region of China” has begun to take shape step by step. In terms of its asset portfolio, mature projects in Guangdong Province are the main and stable sources of the Group’s profit, while new projects acquired in recent years have given new impetus to the Group. At present, the Company controls or invests in a total of 16 toll roads, bridges and port, including 9 in which the Group has controlling equity stakes and 7 that the Group has invested in through associates and joint ventures.

#YuexiuTransportInfrastructureLimited

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

Thailand Proposes “One Day Go” Scheme for Short Trips to Nong Khai Province

The Asawann Shopping Complex in Nong Khai Thailand
The Asawann Shopping Complex in Nong Khai, Thailand.


Authorities in Nong Khai Province, Thailand are preparing to reopen the border to arrivals from Laos via the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge.

“Coronation”, NFT listed on OpenSea sold at 2.5 ETH

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 December 2021 – “Coronation”, a digital illustration minted by A_Moore for mocking Summit for Democracy, was sold at 2.5 ETH(10,017 dollars on Dec. 12th)on OpenSea, the largest NFT market. He might be inspired by Alan Moore, author of V for Vendetta.

 

“Coronation” follows the composition of the famous painting “The School of Athens” (completed between 1510 and 1511​). Raphael used “The Academy of Athens” to embody the humanitarian and liberalism of the Renaissance. And this famous work also expresses Raphael’s admiration for ancient Greek culture.

 

“Coronation” is a good reference to the composition of Raphael’s “School of Athens”. The whole work adopts a single-point perspective composition. In order to highlight the theme, there is a character in the center of the picture, held the torch so high that the reader’s first attention will be focused on the center of the picture. The buildings of Athens, which were built thousands of years ago, are located at the top of the picture.   At the horizon of the picture, there are several groups of interactive people, which are painted on both sides of the central figure, some people are talking about something, some people are observing something, and some people seem to be expressing something by holding a blue flag. People in each group, from all directions of the picture, are established not only independently, but also fully interact with each other,

 

The accurate application of perspective method, the beautiful and clear structure, the skilled control of spatial sense and the clear priorities of the frame, all these superb skills brought people unparalleled visual experience. On the other side of the picture is the modern society, which is painted full of riots. The distinction between the top and bottom in this picture creates an era contrast of millennium history. And the sharp contrast also made much impact on character interaction…

 

NFTs, or non-fungible tokens, are irreplaceable files on blockchain, and it can verify the ownership of digital art works. Normally, buyers own limited rights of displaying the digital artwork they represent. In March this year, An NFT made by Mike Winkelmann (known as Beeple) was sold for $69 million at Christie’s. With over 90% market share value, OpenSea tops the NFC market.

About Hong Kong International New Eco. Research Institute (INERI)

INERI is dedicated to providing a new financial economy, the popularisation and related solutions of blockchain technology, and the “chain energy economy” theoretical system to government’s regulatory authorities and traditional Chinese enterprises.

Website: www.ineri.net

#INERI

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

ParticleX PropTech Global Challenge 2022 Open for Applications

Matching PropTech Startups with Corporates, Investors and Incubators

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 December 2021 – Organised and hosted by Hong Kong’s ParticleX, the second edition of ParticleX PropTech Global Challenge (PPGC) is now open for applications. The deadline of the first batch of applications is the 5th January, 2022.

 

The PPGC is a strategic matching initiative tailor-made for startups in early to mid-stages. It aims at cultivating and facilitating innovative technology solutions to real-world challenges in the property and real estate industries, which will contribute to achieving ESG goals ultimately.

 

The initiative uses a multidisciplinary matching approach that seamlessly bridges the gap between startups, corporates, angel investors and incubators, as well as government resources.

 

The PPGC offers a one-of-a-kind networking model for startups: 1) one that transcends the limitations of physical locations and the pandemic through the use of online meetings; and 2) Selected startups will be directly invited to participate in the online investment committee meeting. No commuting, training, and fees are required – which helps to lower operational costs and enhance effectiveness in communication.

 

The initiative would not be possible without the support of the following organisations: Chinachem Group, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), StartmeupHK, the Hong Kong Business Angel Network, MIT Hong Kong Innovation Node, Smart City Consortium, Asia PropTech.

 

PPGC is an ongoing project that accepts applications in three batches every year. Do not miss out on the limitless opportunities this initiative offers. If you are a PropTech startup or have a great solution for an ESG issue, apply now through the following link!

 

1st Batch Deadline: 5 January 2022, 6pm (Hong Kong time)

Apply Now: www.particlex.com/ppgc2022

 

Benefits & Opportunities

Direct Investment & Business Matching

By participating in the PPGC, startups could be entitled to direct investment and business matching opportunities. Outstanding startups will be chosen by ParticleX, Chinachem Group, the Hong Kong Business Angel Network, HKSTP and other co-investment partners based on their financing plan. The chosen startups will also have the opportunity to be matched with potential clients in Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Incubation & Onboarding Support

In collaboration with HKSTP and HKAI Lab, the PPGC also offers participating startups incubation, onboarding support, and acceleration programme opportunities. StartmeupHK, a government division of InvestHK, will provide assistance to overseas startups in setting up their business in Hong Kong. Asia PropTech offers onboarding support and advisory services, while Smart City Consortium provides a resourceful platform to connect with various PropTech industry stakeholders from China and Hong Kong.

 

Startups interested in participating in this edition’s PPGC are required to provide advanced solutions to issues surrounding the property life cycle.  These could range from solutions to the promotion of technical innovation that helps enhance efficiency, visibility, experience, flexibility, and productivity, to ones that tackle ESG and sustainability issues. With an aim to reach the goals of peak carbon emission in 2030 and carbon neutralisation in 2060, the focus of this edition’s PPGC is on green energy and low carbon development; and together with efforts from the PropTech startups, the idea is to create a world where man and nature live in harmony.

 

The first edition of ParticleX PropTech Global Challenge was a resounding success. Out of the 130 startups from 33 different countries, 70% startups companies were founded in or before 2018; 74% of startups were in seed or early stage; 50% of startups were seeking investment funding; and 40% were looking for business opportunities.

 

Nearly 41% of startups came up with technology or solutions that can help lower costs for corporates, and more than 37% of the solutions can assist in increasing customer engagement, improving customer relationships, raising revenue and market share; and 22% of the solutions addressed environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues, which effectively married their solutions and their impact on the environment and the society.

 

Two of the outstanding startups, Alpha’a from the United States and viAct from Hong Kong, have received ParticleX investment support and are exploring more collaborations with corporates and business partners.

 

Alpha’a

Alpha’a is a community-oriented PropTech and art technology company that offers an online trading platform for tailor-made art collections. The clients are from, but not limited to, the real estate industry such as hotels, office buildings, co-working and co-living spaces. Alpha’a strives to address the complex challenges that arise from the purchase of art pieces for property owners.

 

Alpha’a holds no inventory, reducing overhead costs that are usually included in charges to the client. Additionally, the crowd-sourced and pre-curated platform provides artwork directly to the customers.

 

viAct

viAct develops and applies its renowned proprietary Scenario-Based AI vision technologies to improve workplace safety and increase productivity in the construction industry. The platform uses computer vision to detect potential safety hazards, construction progress and the location of machinery and materials. viAct’s cloud facilities could create in-depth detection reports from real-time data analysis based on videos and photos generated by cameras and mobile applications, thereby automating the process of on-site monitoring and management.

 

Suitable candidates:

Startups 

  • With a primary business focus on providing PropTech solutions
  • With a solid foundation for exponential growth, developing new business opportunities, or seeking next round of funding
  • At the current fundraising stage from Seed to Series A

1st Batch Deadline: 5 January 2022, 6pm (Hong Kong time)

Apply Now: www.particlex.com/ppgc2022

About ParticleX

ParticleX, a tech-based startup investor and innovation enabler based in Hong Kong. ParticleX combines network, capital and research resources, accelerating the pace of innovative technology and helping the early-stage startups to win cross-border opportunities across Asia.

For more information, please visit our website. Follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook.

#ParticleX #Startups #AngelInvestor #VC #InvestmentFunding #PropTech #ESG

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

Artist Mulaika Nordin continues reflective commentary on contemporary issues in Asia

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 14 December 2021 – Art exhibition “I Know You’re Somewhere So Far” comprising of 63 works of art completed in four years by one of Malaysia’s leading young abstract artists, Mulaika Nordin, was officially launched by Nori Abdullah Badawi at KEN Gallery in Kuala Lumpur.  

 

In her second solo exhibition, Mulaika explores concepts of disconnect and isolation from the lens of an empathic teenage artist as she navigated a constantly changing environment culminating in the period of the global COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. The young artist, who turns 18 in the middle of the show, paid homage to her teenage years as she enters adulthood and begins to venture into the real world.

 

Despite the show’s overarching dark themes, it acts as an ode and a closure to Mulaika’s childhood, creating an optimistic nod towards the experiences from this chapter of her life.

 

Nori Abdullah Badawi said, “I hope everyone takes something away from the show; give yourselves permission to feel. Maybe ask yourself what would these situations look like for you if you could paint? What is ‘Semangat‘ to you? What about darkness in this pandemic? Take the time to feel – after all it is all of Mulaika’s feelings that have brought all of this to life. Now it’s your turn.”

 

“As an art lover, I’ve been so fortunate to have attended many shows; we have such captivating, stunning and heart-stirring works right here in Malaysia, a country continuing (though sometimes only just about), but nevertheless continuing, to embrace its DNA of diversity. From the roots of its people all the way to the mix of just about anything you can think of today, our differences have brought difficulty, but more importantly richness, beauty, and growth,” stated Nori, when speaking at the launch.

 

A striking component of this exhibition is how Mulaika depicts the light and dark side of human nature and modern-day society in Asia. The works provide an insight into not only the young artists’ thoughts on the matter at hand but is the output of the collective consciousness that rings true on a societal level especially as COVID-19 has impacted how society deals with issues.

 

Mulaika said, “I Know You’re Somewhere So Far is a mirror. I made these works as a way to express myself but also as an observation of the world around me.”

 

There has been a dramatic increase of the prevalence of mental health and psychosocial problems globally since the COVID-19 pandemic started, due to many reasons including lockdowns causing physical disconnect and isolation, on top of the emotional strains caused by financial and economic problems. This especially paints the current socio-economic landscape of Asia.

 

The youth today, remains highly connected over social media, which juxtaposes the way the pandemic is dealt with – to physically isolate people as a shield from the virus – that naturally creates a disconnect and the unfortunate consequence of suicide. This highlights the importance of conversations, awareness and resolutions surrounding this topic, especially to remove the stigma and taboo around mental health and suicide in many Asian societies.

 

Mulaika’s artwork expresses issues of mental health, with works such as ‘Every 40 Seconds‘, which is a commentary on suicide rates; and ‘Homosapiens‘ and ‘Slave of the 21st Century‘ that touches on the realities of the society as we know it today.

 

I Know You’re Somewhere So Far” exhibition is hosted by the Malaysia Global Business Forum (MGBF) and runs until 19 December 2021 at the KEN Gallery in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. Admission is free. For more information visit www.mulaika.com

 

#MulaikaNordin

Vaccine Hesitancy Higher in Rural Communities Across Laos

Vaccine hesitancy remains an issue in rural areas
An elderly patient receives a vaccine in rural Laos (Photo: Center of Information and Education for Health).


Health authorities in Laos have said that vaccine hesitancy remains an issue in rural areas of the country, slowing the national vaccination program.