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Hong Kong Arts Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary with a global audience via an international line-up of online programmes

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 February 2022 – The year 2022 marks the 50th edition of the Hong Kong Arts Festival (HKAF), one of Asia’s premiere international cultural festivals. To celebrate this important milestone, the HKAF is presenting an array of online performances covering music, dance, theatre and more from late February through March for the enjoyment of a global audience.

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival features an eclectic host of online performances for a global audience, including Korngold's Die tote Stadt (The Dead City), by Germany's Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) (photo credit: W. Hösl)

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival features an eclectic host of online performances for a global audience, including Korngold’s Die tote Stadt (The Dead City), by Germany’s Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) (photo credit: W. Hösl)

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival features an eclectic host of online performances for a global audience, including and To Be A Machine (Version 1.0), by Irish theater company Dead Centre (photo credit: Ste Murray).

The 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival features an eclectic host of online performances for a global audience, including and To Be A Machine (Version 1.0), by Irish theater company Dead Centre (photo credit: Ste Murray).

Underpinning the significance of staying in touch with the world in the Covid era, this year’s HKAF uses “connections” and “arts and technology” as key themes. It continues to pivot to more online offerings, like last year, which should come as music to the ears of a global audience, as they can enjoy the specially curated performances regardless of geographical boundaries.

Highlights of the online performances include:

Opera

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series

Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) (Germany)

Korngold’s Die tote Stadt (The Dead City)

An epic psychological drama of love and obsession, composed by one of music’s greatest prodigies, now retold with superlative conducting by Kirill Petrenko and starring tenor Jonas Kaufmann and soprano Marlis Petersen.

Date: Feb 24 – Mar 3 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/dietotestadt-en

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series

Bayerische Staatsoper (Bavarian State Opera) (Germany)

Shostakovich’s The Nose

Acclaimed Russian director Kirill Serebrennikov’s brand-new interpretation of a classic comedic opera, exploding with surreal imagery and human absurdity.

Date: Mar 10 – 17 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/thenose-en (N/A in Russia)

National Theatre Brno (Czech Republic)

Martinů’s The Greek Passion

The 150-strong cast explores the universal themes of humanity and justice in this provocative four-act opera recorded live in Brno in November 2021.

Date: Mar 17 – Mar 24 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/the-greek-passion-en (N/A in Europe, the US and Korea)

Music

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra (Germany)

Three live-streamed concerts

Under the baton of Czech chief Jakub Hrůša, the concerts celebrate life, death and tradition with Smetana’s stirring Má Vlast and Bruckner’s and Mahler’s epic Ninth Symphonies.

Date: Mar 4, 9 & 12 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/bamberg-en

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Series

Bamberg Symphony Orchestra (Germany)

Family Concert

The perfect pastime for children (and the young at heart), featuring Saint-Saëns’s delightful The Carnival of the Animals and Haas’s Little I-Am-Me.

Date: Apr 11 – 25 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/bamberg-family-concert-en

Theatre

Ontroerend Goed (Belgium)

TM

A live interactive one-on-one experience exploring media manipulation, populist ideology and conspiracy theories.

Performed in English

Date: Feb 26 – Mar 27 (Every Sat and Sun, HK Time)

Tickets: https://go.hkaf.org/ontroerend-goed-tm-en

Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe (France)

Molière: Tartuffe and The School for Wives

Radical interpretations of two of the great French playwright’s major works in celebration of the 400th anniversary of his birth. Directed by Stéphane Braunschweig—renowned Molière specialist and Artistic Director of the Odéon-Théâtre de l’Europe—these landmark productions explore the depths of timeless human frailty and foolishness.

Date: Mar 18 – 25 (HK Time)

Free registration: https://go.hkaf.org/moliere-en

Dead Centre (Ireland)

To Be A Machine (Version 1.0)

A theatrical adaptation of a prize-winning non-fiction book of the same title to be live-streamed by Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson from a stage in Dublin.

Date: Mar 23 – 26 (HK Time)

Tickets: https://go.hkaf.org/to-be-a-machine-en


For details of the 50th Hong Kong Arts Festival, please visit https://go.hkaf.org/online-en.

#DiscoverHongKong

KWG Group Wins the “Best Investor Relations Award” at The 9th Top 100 Hong Kong Listed Companies Selection

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 February 2022 – KWG Group Holdings Limited (“KWG Group” or the “Group”; HKSE Stock Code: 1813. HK) was conferred the “Best Investor Relations Award” at the 9th Top 100 Hong Kong Listed Companies Selection, reaffirming the Group’s excellence in investor relations.

Since its listing in 2007, the Group has maintained close communication with various stakeholders to update the Group’s business status, strategic planning and organisational structure in a timely manner in a bid to enhance the transparency of the Group. During the pandemic, the Group has been actively communicating with the capital market through various means such as online and offline roadshows and company research. The Group has participated in over 350 investor-sharing sessions in 2021, enabling stakeholders to keep abreast of the Group’s latest developments and increasing analyst coverage. Moreover, in May 2021, the Group officially launched the “Green Financing Framework” and successfully received overseas financing, which was the first step towards the implementation of green finance. Its efforts continue to be widely recognised by the capital market.

KWG Group’s Investor Relations Team said, “We are honoured to receive the ‘Best Investor Relations Award’ from the Top 100 Listed Hong Kong Companies Selection. The award is strong proof of the recognition and encouragement of the team’s efforts in the areas of investor relations over the years. In the future, we will remain committed to improving the Group’s corporate governance and investor relations management as well as enhancing the corporate governance and transparency of the Group, in order to strengthen the Group’s ability to achieve high-quality development and create greater value for our shareholders.”

The 9th “Top 100 Hong Kong Listed Companies Selection” is organised by the Top 100 Hong Kong Listed Companies Research Centre and co-organised by Finet, Hong Kong Investor Relations Association and Farseer Technology. Since its inauguration in 2012, the event has become one of the annual events for the financial and economic sectors in Hong Kong. The selection has been vetted and approved by an expert judging panel of financial, accounting and legal professionals from Mainland China and Hong Kong, and the accuracy and objectivity of the results are well recognised and trusted by professional institutions and investors. The “Best Investor Relations Award” recognises the Group’s investor relations efforts and sets an example of good investor relations practices to elevate the quality of investor relations in the capital market.

About KWG Group Holdings Limited (HKSE stock code: 1813)

Established in 1995, KWG Group has been focusing on mid- to high-end premium properties with the core value of “build home with heart, create future with aspiration”. After 27 years of development, the Group has established a diversified property development regime and a balanced portfolio which includes mid- to high-end residential properties, serviced apartments, villas, office buildings, hotels, and shopping malls. In recent years, the Group has actively expanded its national footprint with a comprehensive development layout. In the Greater-Bay-Area, the Group’s development focus covers Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Foshan and Hong Kong; in Yangtze-River-Delta Area, it focuses on Shanghai, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Hefei, while in the Pan Bohai Rim Region, it centres in Beijing and Tianjin which complements the development in Chengdu, Chongqing, Nanning and other local divisions.

#KWGGroup

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

Kenanga Investment Bank Announces Second Consecutive Best Performing Year

RM118.8 Million Net Profit and 10.5 sen dividend declared – highest since becoming an investment bank

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

FY2021 vs FY2020

· Net Profit at RM118.8 million, up by 16.2%
· Net Income at RM784.5 million, down by 5.1%
· Operating Expense at RM648.5 million, down by 7.4%
· Return on Equity at 11.5%, up from 10.7%
· Earnings Per Share at 16.3 sen, up by 11.9%
· Net Equity Trading Investment Income at RM65.8 million, up by 0.5%
· Market Share of Retail Stockbroking at 24.2%, up from 22.2%
· Asset Under Administration (AUA) at RM18.8 billion up by 35.8%

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 25 February 2022 – Malaysia’s leading independent investment bank, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga” or the “Group”) delivered a new all-time high performance with its full year results ended 31 December 2021, surpassing its record performance from the year before.

Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad

Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad

Profit Before Tax (“PBT”) increased to RM148.2 million, up from RM134.7 million the year before, while Profit After Tax (“PAT”) increased to RM118.8 million, a 16.2% increase from the corresponding period. Revenue stood at RM891.5 million.

Annualised Return on Equity (ROE) stood at 11.5%, up from 10.7% and Earnings Per Share rose by 11.9% to 16.3 sen compared to 14.6 sen the year before.

The Board of Directors has declared a dividend of 10.5 sen per share, highest since becoming an investment bank.

“The year 2021 was a year of two halves for the Malaysian capital markets. The first half was largely shaped by the same robust momentum that fuelled our bumper year in 2020. The retail-driven strong trading volumes on Bursa Malaysia led to the excellent performance in our stockbroking business,” commented Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.

“However, this momentum moderated sharply in the second half of the year, as the country was hit by multiple headwinds, including the reintroduction of lockdown measures in the middle of the year due to surging COVID-19 cases. The FBM KLCI which hovered above 1,600 points at the start of the year, slipped below 1,500 points during second half. Daily average trading value weakened to RM4.1 billion in December from a high of RM10.6 billion in February,”

“Despite the tumultuous year, our stockbroking business continued to contribute the lion’s share of our 2021 bottom line that was further reinforced by the significant strides made by both our asset management and private equity businesses. This enabled us to thrive through the volatilities to deliver a stellar performance that beat the odds – a testimony to the strength of our diversified strategy,” added Datuk Chay added.

Its Stockbroking division maintained a PBT of RM86.4 million for the year ended 2021, similar to the PBT of year before. Its retail market share grew to 24.2%, from 22.2% driven by the continuous expansion of its joint venture Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stocktrading platform.

Its Investment Management division surged by almost three folds, to a record PBT contribution of RM34.9 million. This is due to the higher performance fee and management fee income generated from increased asset under administration (“AUA”) to RM18.8 billion and a 60% growth in sales agency force. Meanwhile, Kenanga’s private equity arm had an exceptional year in 2021, with Fund I vintages maturing and in the harvesting period. RM24.6 million gains were recognised during the year.

“Looking forward, digital which has been central in shaping our growth journey, will continue to play a pivotal role in powering our next phase of advancement,” explained Datuk Chay.

Kenanga Investment Bank recently launched Malaysia’s latest robo-advisor, Kenanga Digital Investing (KDI). This follows the successful introduction of Rakuten Trade, which recently launched stock trading in the US markets at the same competitive commissions as trading on the local bourse.

For more information on Kenanga, please visit www.kenanga.com.my

About Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))

Established for more than 45 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (the Group) is a financial group in Malaysia with extensive experience in equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending and trade financing.

The Group’s digital ambition includes building a robust digital ecosystem that meets the needs of its clients and businesses. Some of its game-changing products includes Malaysia’s fully online digital stockbroking platform Rakuten Trade and a fully A.I. robo-advisor, Kenanga Digital Investing.

The Group has garnered a host of awards and accolades reflecting its strong market position. It was awarded under the categories of Highest Returns to Shareholder Over Three Years, Best Overall Equities Participating Organisation by Bursa Malaysia, Best Overall Derivatives Trading Participant, Best Structured Warrant Issuer, Best Retail Equities Participating Organisation, Best Institutional Equities Participating Organisation Investment Bank; along with Best Trading Participant and Best Institutional Equities Participating Organisation and for Equity and Financial Derivatives for 18 consecutive years. The Group was also accorded the title of Best Institutional Derivatives Trading category by Bursa Malaysia.

The Group continues to be a regular and repeat recipient of distinguished industry accolades, such as the Lipper, Fundsupermart and Morningstar awards. For its continued efforts towards community outreach and employee volunteerism, the Group was awarded the coveted Company of the Year award for environmental and sustainability at Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2021. The Group is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principle-based approach to responsible business.

Today, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is an award-winning leading independent investment bank in the country with a continuous commitment towards driving collaboration, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability in the marketplace.

#Kenanga

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

Peak Hour Gridlock Returns to Vientiane Capital

Traffic jam in Vientiane Capital
Large numbers of vehicles on the roads in Vientiane Capital (Photo: Security News)

With the reopening of schools and businesses as Covid cases fall, Vientiane Capital is once again experiencing crippling traffic jams during peak hours.

Hongkong Land joins Science Based Targets initiative as part of global effort to limit temperature rise to 1.5°C

  • Commitment to SBTi accelerates the Group’s long-standing contribution to climate action, which has led to carbon emissions reduction in its Central Portfolio by 38% since 2008.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 February 2022 – Hongkong Land is proud to commit to the Science Based Targets initiative (“SBTi”) campaign to set emissions reductions and net-zero targets in line with climate science consistent with the Paris Agreement which aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C.

Joining other leaders in the private sector to support climate action, Hongkong Land has set itself ambitious emission reduction targets covering its operations across the region. This includes targeting a 46% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 22% reduction in carbon intensity for Scope 3 emissions by 2030 from 2019 levels. Measures include continuing to retrofit and deploy smart green technologies in existing portfolios to drive efficiencies, increasing the use of renewable energy, and focusing on low carbon construction to reduce emissions in development projects.

The SBTi was established in 2015 as part of a partnership between CDP (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), the United Nations Global Compact, the World Resources Institute and the World Wide Fund for Nature to provide businesses with a clear plan to reduce emissions in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement to combat climate change.

“Climate change is an issue we have attached great importance to for many years and is a business priority for the Group. We are proud to be strengthening this dedication by committing to this initiative,” said Mr Ben Keswick, Chairman of Hongkong Land. “Sustainability is fully integrated into all of our operations, with strong backing from the Board.”

“Hongkong Land has an established track record of adopting green building standards and innovating to deliver long-term value to stakeholders. This commitment, which works towards independent and clearly defined goals for carbon emissions reductions, is a natural next step in Hongkong Land’s sustainability journey,” he concluded.

Key sustainability initiatives across the portfolios in recent years include the consistent retrofitting of existing assets to drive energy efficiency – with annual reinvestment in the Central Portfolio in Hong Kong totalling more than US$50 million – and increasing renewable energy generation onsite. The Group has also implemented a robust green building certification programme, with all buildings in Hong Kong and Singapore achieving BEAM Plus Platinum and Green Mark Platinum certifications. Energy consumption in the Central Portfolio has been reduced by 30% when compared to the baseline year of 2008.

At a Group level, Hongkong Land has issued green bonds and sustainability-linked loans amounting to US$548 million and US$2.1 billion, respectively.

Mr Robert Wong, Chief Executive of Hongkong Land, added “Developers must take responsibility for mitigating their impact on the environment and pushing the sustainability agenda forward on behalf of the community they serve, including their tenants who are increasingly prioritising greener buildings and services.

“We have made considerable investment into our existing portfolios and new developments to reduce our carbon footprint, and committing to the SBTi targets is the latest step in our journey as we seek to accelerate our efforts,” he said.

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land is a major listed property investment, management and development group. Founded in 1889, Hongkong Land’s business is built on excellence, integrity and partnership.

The Group owns and manages more than 850,000 sq. m. of prime office and luxury retail property in key Asian cities, principally in Hong Kong, Singapore, Beijing and Jakarta. Its properties attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands.

The Group’s Central Hong Kong portfolio represents some 450,000 sq. m. of prime property. It has a further 165,000 sq. m. of prestigious office space in Singapore mainly held through joint ventures, four retail centres on the Chinese mainland, including a luxury retail centre at Wangfujing in Beijing, and a 50% interest in a leading office complex in Central Jakarta. The Group also has a number of high quality residential, commercial and mixed-use projects under development in cities across China and Southeast Asia, including a 43% interest in a 1.1 million sq. m. mixed-use project in West Bund, Shanghai. In Singapore, its subsidiary, MCL Land, is a well-established residential developer.

Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. The Group’s assets and investments are managed from Hong Kong by Hongkong Land Limited. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

#HongkongLand

About the Science Based Targets initiative

The Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) is a global body enabling businesses to set ambitious emissions reductions targets in line with the latest climate science. It is focused on accelerating companies across the world to halve emissions before 2030 and achieve net-zero emissions before 2050.

The initiative is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact, World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments. The SBTi defines and promotes best practice in science-based target setting, offers resources and guidance to reduce barriers to adoption, and independently assesses and approves companies’ targets. www.sciencebasedtargets.org @sciencetargets

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

CEIBS in top tier of FT MBA ranking for sixth straight year

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 25 February 2022 – CEIBS has once again placed in the top tier of schools in the world in the Financial Times‘ annual ranking of MBA programmes released today. The school secured the #16 spot in the latest ranking, making it the only non-US/non-European school to appear in the FT‘s top tier in 2022. It also marks the sixth consecutive year CEIBS has finished both in the top tier and as the top school in Asia.

20220214mabranking-cover.jpg
CEIBS in top tier of FT MBA ranking for sixth straight year

The FT‘s ranking is widely considered to be the most influential of its kind in the world and takes into consideration a range of factors such as career progress, diversity, research and ESG (Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance) efforts. In compiling the ranking, the FT divides 100 short-listed business schools into four major tiers according to their scores.

The twelve months leading up to today’s ranking proved to be a bounce-back time for both the world economy and business schools following the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many US and European business schools fared well according to the FT‘s employment and salary indicators.

As China’s economy has matured, it has created a more dynamic labour market and steadily raised the bar for MBA prospects, many of whom now bring professional degrees and both China and international work experience to the programme.

CEIBS MBAs have remained highly sought-after in the job market, with the most recent graduating cohort achieving job offer received and accepted rates of more than 95%. Meanwhile, the salary percentage increase of CEIBS MBA graduates was the highest amongst top tier schools in the FT‘s ranking.

Interested in pursuing an MBA at CEIBS? The admissions window for our October 2022 intake is now open! For more information about life on the programme in Shanghai, available scholarships and our upcoming Beyond Borders MBA Experience Day, click here.

#CEIBS

Controversial Plastic Amulets Inspire Recycling in Thailand

Thais make amulets from plastic waste
Amulets made from plastic waste in Thailand (Reuters).

Two Thai companies have partnered to produce Buddhist amulets from recycled plastic, rather than from traditional materials like metal or wood, in hopes of motivating wearers to be mindful of the environment.

Thailand Knocks Laos Out of AFF U23 Championship 2-0

Thailand knocks Laos out of AFF U23 Championship
Thailand knocks Laos out of AFF U23 Championship

Thailand proceeded to the final of the AFF U23 Championship after beating Laos 2-0 at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Cambodia on Thursday afternoon.