Laos intends to replace its transportation system with electric vehicles by 2025 in order to reduce fuel imports.
Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Globe Telecom and IOI Corporation Berhad Announced as Winners of the 2022 ASEAN Tech for ESG Awards
Spotlight on ASEAN’s Largest Enterprises And Their Sustainability Journey in the Digital Age
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 10 June 2022 – The 3 winning entries of the inaugural ASEAN Tech for Environmental, Social, Governance Awards have been announced. The awards, hosted by AIBP and supported by Oracle, will be presented to the winners at the 2022 AIBP ASEAN Innovation Retreat to be held in Singapore on 4 July 2022.

In recent years, environmental, social and governance (ESG) priorities guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) have become a key aspect for business resilience and sustainable development in ASEAN.
As digitalisation takes centre stage as a key economic driver for ASEAN, there is increasing focus on how technology will support the sustainability agenda. A survey of enterprises in the region also found that the top 3 UNSDGs that ASEAN Enterprises believe will benefit most from technology are
- GOAL #9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- GOAL #11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- GOAL #7: Affordable and Clean Energy
These goals were addressed by the winning entries (in alphabetical order) of the 2022 ASEAN Tech for ESG Awards:
Aboitiz Equity Ventures: Accelerating pathways towards Sustainability through Data Science and AI
Aboitiz Equity Ventures (Philippines) drives operational eco(efficiency) and financial inclusion to balance the interests of people, planet and profit by leveraging frontier technologies within their business units. Leveraging Aboitiz Data Innovation’s data science and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities, UnionBank was able to promote financial inclusion, while Aboitiz Power and Republic cement managed to optimise resources and minimise wastage with AI & machine learning.
“We said, “Let’s have that entity and capability that knows data”, and actually (show) that sustainability, eco-friendliness and profit are not oxymorons, these goals can be achieved concurrently.”
– Dr. David R. Hardoon, Chief Data & Innovation Officer, Aboitiz Group
Globe Telecom: Using #Tech4Good and creating a #GlobeofGood
Globe Telecom (Philippines) makes use of predictive data analysis and machine learning technology to pre-empt effects of extreme weather conditions and natural disasters for the community. Through its Digital Thumbprint Programme(DTP), the company educates the public and promotes safe digital citizenry. In addition, the telecommunications provider supports donations to 13 partner humanitarian organisations with rewards points and money through its digital platform, Globe Rewards.
“Aside from just looking at it from an inclusivity perspective, there’s always a social, economic and environmental impact that technology can do”
– Apple Evangelista, Head, Sustainability & Social Responsibility, Globe Telecom Inc.
IOI Corporation Berhad: Strengthening & Enhancing Social Practices Through Digital Transformation
IOI Corporation Berhad embarked on a digital transformation journey to drive social inclusion and operational efficiency. Their enterprise resource planning (ERP) system enables wage monitoring that ensures prompt and fair wage disbursement, prevention of working hours manipulation, and easy access to headcount status. E-wallet system, Merchantrade, was also implemented for online salary disbursement to eliminate wage pilfering.
“With technology, our opportunities are endless. It actually helps our workers, gives women empowerment, allows children to be able to be educated. We can continue with that by improving connectivity, building capacity, and making sure that social inclusion is about everybody, not just those who are (fortunately) exposed to digital transformation.”
– Dr. Surina Ismail, Group Head of Sustainability, IOI Corporation Berhad
The awards were judged by the following esteemed panel of judges:
- Han Chung Heng, Senior Vice President, Systems and Alliances & Channels, JAPAC, Oracle
- Irza Suprapto, CFA, Chief Executive Officer, Industry Platform
- Milag San Jose- Ballesteros, Global South Diversity Lead, Regional Director for East, Southeast Asia and Oceania, C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group
- Ozzeir Khan, Director, Digital Innovation & Architecture Division, ADB & Principal IT Specialist for Technology Innovation, Asian Development Bank (ADB)
“It’s great that we’re putting a bigger spotlight on sustainability across Southeast Asia, as seen by all the finalists. The role of technology in achieving our sustainability goals cannot be denied. In fact, Oracle’s recent ‘No Planet B’ study revealed that 66% of people in Asia Pacific believe bots will succeed where humans have failed with corporate sustainability. The 9 projects by the finalists is a promising signal that we are on the right path to create a world where man and machine can co-exist to positively impact businesses, communities and the planet.”
– Han Chung Heng, Senior Vice President, Systems and Alliances & Channels, JAPAC, Oracle
A compilation of all winning nominations, along with a survey of ASEAN stakeholders on their sentiments around the UNSDGs and their organisation’s priorities is available. For any queries, please contact Valerie Tan, Sustainability Program Lead, via email at valerie@industry-platform.com
About the ASEAN Tech for Environmental, Social, Governance Awards
The ASEAN Tech for Environmental, Social, Governance Awards is held with the key objective of recognising organisations who have embarked on ESG projects, utilising digital tools and innovative technologies, with proven impact and results in their sustainability and ESG efforts. For additional information on the Award, please visit https://iotbusiness-platform.com/award/.
About AIBP
AIBP serves as an avenue for public and private organisations in Southeast Asia to access and exchange information about growth and innovation. With a current network of over 30,000 stakeholders in Southeast Asia, AIBP continues to develop ecosystems by engaging in activities which create value-adding information for our stakeholders seeking to make transformative impacts within their organisations. For additional information about AIBP, please visit https://iotbusiness-platform.com/.
#AIBP
Mead Johnson Nutrition HK’s “We CAN Protect the Future” Formula Cans Recycling Program Returns
Mobilizes parents to adopt recycling to build a sustainable future for the next generation and simultaneously earn shopping vouchers.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 10 June 2022 – Mead Johnson Nutrition Hong Kong (“Mead Johnson”) is bringing back the “We CAN Protect the Future” Formula Cans Recycling Program together with the 24-hour online shopping mall HKTVmall (“HKTVmall”) and the World Green Organization (“WGO”) from 15 June to 31 July 2022. The rewarding program encourages parents to make recycling a part of their lives at the same time earning shopping vouchers and taking measures to build a sustainable future for the next generation in a convenient way.

“At Mead Johnson, we are committed to helping parents give their children the best start in life. A green and sustainable future is an inevitable part of this promise,” said Mr. Pankaj Agarwal, General Manager, Hong Kong, Taiwan & Cross-Border of Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited. “We launched the program last year and successfully recycled around 5,800 used formula cans and reduce environmental burden. We also encouraged parents to lead a greener life. We hope the new phase of the program can motivate more parents to join hands in taking action for a sustainable future.”

The third phase of “We CAN Protect the Future” will be held from 15 June until 31 July 2022, and it will be executed in two parts[1]. Parents can bring clean formula cans for recycling to 35 designated HKTVmall O2O shops every Monday and Wednesday before 4pm, and redeem e-vouchers[2] for online shopping. To further encourage more families to develop a recycling habit and build a greener and cleaner future with the next generation, the new phase has included collection points at districts with more families concentrated to meet the needs of parents.
Ms. Jelly Zhou, Chief Executive Officer (Hong Kong) at Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited, said, “HKTVmall is dedicated to raising Hong Kong citizens’ quality of life by taking care of their daily needs. We are delighted to partner with Mead Johnson again and utilize our extensive O2O network to enhance parents’ environmental awareness in a convenient way for them. This time, there are 35 collection points, with nine new O2O shops added to the list including four HKTVmall Supermarkets. We hope that the extensive network of collection points will encourage more parents to join the formula can recycling force.”
WGO continues to provide professional advice on the recycling process as the supporting organization. Dr. William Yu, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of the World Green Organization, said, “We are grateful to partner with two of Hong Kong’s favorite brands to enhance the public’s environmental awareness. We look forward to encouraging more citizens to participate in the recycling program and adopt a greener lifestyle.”
[1] The first e-vouchers distribution period begins from 15 to 27 June 2022, and the vouchers are valid from 15 to 30 June 2022. The second distribution period will commence from 28 June to 31 July 2022, and the vouchers will be valid from 28 June to 3 August 2022.
[2] From 15 June to 31 July, participants will receive one e-voucher (HK$300 discount on HK$900 spending on select Mead Johnson’s products) upon returning one cleaned formula can. They can use the e-voucher at the HKTVmall Mead Johnson Nutrition Official Store. Each person can redeem at most 4 vouchers per day. The voucher will be distributed on a first come first served basis while quantities last. For further details please check with the on-duty staff. All offers are subject to relevant terms and conditions. All e-vouchers are not applicable to stage 1 infant formula. Terms and conditions: https://bit.ly/3Myg7QN
About Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited
Mead Johnson Nutrition has been established for more than a century. Since its founding in 1905, the renowned infant and child nutrition brand has led the way in developing science-based pediatric nutrition products, guided by the mission to nourish the world’s children for the best start in life. Currently, Mead Johnson Nutrition provides more than 70 products in over 50 countries.
Excellent quality has helped Mead Johnson Nutrition earn the trust of nutritionists and parents. Its dedicated and rigorous approach, continuous innovation, tireless pursuit of excellence, and caring feedback to the community have also helped establish a good brand image.
Mead Johnson Nutrition (Hong Kong) Limited has been in Hong Kong for half a century. It provides Hong Kong parents with high-quality, science-based products, various parenting information, and professional advice, gaining trust and support from parents.
Mead Johnson Nutrition’s scientists and healthcare professionals are focusing their efforts on the formula for children with special nutrition needs. Mead Johnson Nutrition is one of the very few brands that insists on producing the formula for children with metabolic disorders, giving them hope.
For more information, visit http://www.meadjohnson.com.hk/
#MeadJohnsonNutrition
About HKTVmall
HKTVmall is the largest 24-hour online shopping mall in Hong Kong and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Hong Kong Technology Venture Company Limited (SEHK: 1137). HKTVmall provides one-stop shop services including online shopping, marketing & digital advertising, big data analysis, smart logistics & fulfilment as well as physical O2O stores, and to transform all business operation, trading, retail, finance and daily life onto a single digital online platform to establish a unique digital ecosystem. For more information, visit www.hktv.com.hk.
About World Green Organisation
The World Green Organisation (WGO) is an independent non-governmental organization concerned with environmental conservation and environmentally related livelihood and economic affairs. It provides a holistic approach to a fully integrated three-pronged solution that combines social, environmental, and economic dimensions for a paradigm shift towards low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways.
Through science-based policy research and community projects, the WGO aims to enhance the quality of the environment, promote a greener economy, and improve people’s livelihoods. In particular, it will focus on the social concerns of underprivileged groups and on the creation of a green economy to help realize its vision of sustainable development.
For more information, visit www.thewgo.org/website/eng/.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
60% of managers in Singapore say company leadership is out of touch with employee expectations

The 2022 Work Trend Index outlines five locally relevant trends from an external study of 31,000 people in 31 countries, including Singapore, along with an analysis of trillions of productivity signals in Microsoft 365 and labor trends on LinkedIn:
- Employees are redefining what’s “worth it”. 52% of employees in Singapore are more likely to prioritize their health and wellbeing over work than before the pandemic. 23% employees left their jobs last year, but the Great Reshuffle isn’t over: 63% of Gen Z and Millennials in Singapore are likely to consider changing employers in the year ahead.
- Managers feel wedged between leadership and employee expectations. While more than half (51%) of leaders in Singapore plan on bringing full-time in-person work, but employees feel otherwise. More than half (53%) of workers in Singapore are considering a switch to remote or hybrid. As a result, the differences in expectations left managers feeling like they don’t have the power to drive change in their team.
- Leaders need to make the office worth the commute. 38% of hybrid employees in Singapore say their biggest challenge is knowing when and why to come into the office. Yet, only 30% of leaders have created team agreements to define these new norms.
- Rebuilding social capital looks different in a hybrid world. 49% of leaders in Singapore say relationship-building is the greatest challenge of having employees work hybrid or remote. However, with workers in Singapore considering a shift to remote or hybrid in the year ahead, companies cannot rely solely on the office as they rebuild social capital.
- Flexibility doesn’t have to mean “always on.” Hybrid work has opened the doors for more flexible work, but the digital overload has caused people to spend more time engaging with work. Our global data showed that the workday span for average Microsoft Teams user has increased by 13% or 46 minutes. After-hours work and weekend work have also increased 28% and 14% respectively.
Lee Hui Li, Managing Director of Microsoft Singapore shared, “The past two years prompted many of us to review our priorities and how we navigate work, especially when flexibility and well-being become non-negotiables for our people. Today, we are not the same people who went home to work in early 2020. Hence, leaders must embrace these new expectations with the right tools and reciprocal policies in place, so they can set their people and their business up for long-term success, as they build a resilient, digitally inclusive economy”
Making hybrid work work for everyone will require intentional leadership around how, when and where to work — and technology has a key role to play. Today, Microsoft is introducing new features across its suite of solutions designed to improve the hybrid work experience.
- The language interpretation feature in Teams enables live interpreters to convert what the speaker says into another language in near real time. The meeting organizer can assign interpreters and select up to 16 source and target language combinations, while attendees will hear the translation.
- Microsoft Whiteboard in Teams offers a rich set of new capabilities that bring visual collaboration to life, including collaboration cursors, more than 50 new templates, contextual reactions, and the ability to open existing boards and collaborate with external colleagues in Teams meetings.
- To improve hybrid brainstorming, completion of action items and making decisions together without having to switch context or apps, Microsoft is introducing Loop components in Outlook mail.
- In Singapore, Microsoft is introducing a new offering in Microsoft Teams Phone called Operator Connect, in partnership with Singtel. This assigns a single business-provided mobile phone number for desktop and mobile devices, making it seamless to move calls across networks and devices with no interruptions.
- To support flexible work styles, two PowerPoint experiences, cameo and recording studio, are being brought together. This will make it possible for presenters to deliver presentations with PowerPoint Live in Teams, whether or not they attend the meeting.
To learn more, visit the Singapore News Center, Official Microsoft Blog, Microsoft 365 Blog and the new Work Trend Index report.
Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
Note to editors: For more information, news and perspectives from Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft News Center at http://news.microsoft.com. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at https://news.microsoft.com/microsoft-public-relations-contacts.
#Microsoft
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hang Lung Mathematics Awards Fosters Mathematics and Research Talents for Two Decades Experts share how mathematics and big data science help create a more sustainable way of life for humanity and the planet


With sustainability as one of its core values, Hang Lung is committed to promoting sustainability in society and the environment. A highlight of the evening was a panel discussion titled “Mathematics to the Rescue: Quantifying a Path towards Sustainability”, where experts across disciplines from economics to engineering and complex systems discussed the present challenges and opportunities faced by the world in sustainable development. Mr. John Haffner, General Manager – Sustainability of Hang Lung Properties, moderated the discussion with Ms. Bernise Ang, Chief Alchemist at Zeroth Labs, a systems innovation laboratory; Dr. Keith Chan, Assistant Professor of the Division of Environment and Sustainability, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; and Mr. Rumen Yordanov, Co-founder and CEO of EnergyGlare, a consultancy in building systems and environmental engineering. They also explored how mathematics and big data can help create a better and more sustainable way of life for humanity and the planet.

Mr. Ronnie Chan, co-founder of HLMA and Chair of Hang Lung Properties, said, “The Hang Lung Mathematics Awards has been nurturing mathematics talents in Hong Kong for nearly two decades. We are delighted to set the stage for a tantalizing discussion on how mathematics can play a vital role in forging a path towards sustainability. I hope that our young winners would be inspired by the dialogue and play their part in a more sustainable future.”
Hang Lung has consistently adhered to its commitment to sustainable development. In addition to the sustainability goals and targets, announced in December 2020 and to be achieved by 2030, the Company, at the end of last year, set out another 25 sustainability targets to be achieved by the end of 2025. It has also become one of the first Asian real estate developers to join the global initiative to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050, aiming to become a world-leading sustainable real estate company.
Hang Lung Mathematics Awards is a biennial mathematics research competition for secondary school students in Hong Kong, encouraging students to realize their creative potential in mathematics and sciences, and stimulating their passion for intellectual discovery. Since its inception in 2004, HLMA has welcomed the participation of over 2,400 students, making a profound impact in nurturing a cadre of young mathematics and research talents for Hong Kong. Among the earlier winners, many have completed their studies from top universities around the world and are now working in various sectors, such as academia and other professions, and making meaningful contributions to the society.
The 10th Hang Lung Mathematics Awards will be held in 2023. Details will be announced toward the end of this year. For more information, please visit:
Official website: https://hlma.hanglung.com/en/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hkhlma
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hanglungmathematicsawards/
About Hang Lung Properties Limited
Hang Lung Properties Limited (SEHK Stock Code: 00101) creates compelling spaces that enrich lives. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Hang Lung Properties develops and manages a diversified portfolio of world-class properties in Hong Kong and nine Mainland cities of Shanghai, Shenyang, Jinan, Wuxi, Tianjin, Dalian, Kunming, Wuhan, and Hangzhou. With its luxury positioning under the “66” brand, the company’s Mainland portfolio has established its leading position as the “Pulse of the City”. Hang Lung Properties is recognized for leading the way through enhanced sustainability initiatives in real estate as it pursues sustainable growth by connecting customers and communities.
At Hang Lung Properties – We Do It Well.
For more information, please visit www.hanglung.com.
#HangLungPropertiesLimited
Police Arrest Suspected Gunmen for Contract Shooting
Four men were apprehended in connection with the shooting of a Chinese national who was commuting home by motorcycle in Vientiane Capital in September, 2021.
Hardman & Co Life Sciences Research: Long-term pharmaceutical industry cost and EBIT analysis
Although some of the companies are multi-divisional, another key differentiator is the extraction and analysis of data for the pharmaceutical segment only. This product is unique because it analyses the individual cost components of each company over time and generates pharma industry weighted averages, allowing peer and industry comparisons to be made. It also generates individual company and industry-wide underlying operating profit (EBIT), both pre-R&D and post R&D.
Historically, data from over 100 companies has been accumulated, but industry consolidation means that just 40 are included currently, which command an estimated 76% of the global drug industry. The main exceptions are the Chinese companies where insufficient data are available on a consistent basis.
Current companies included in dataset:

Click here to find out more:
https://hardmanandco.com/2021-pharma-statistics-long-term-cost-underlying-ebit-analysis/
Hardman Research Ltd, trading as Hardman & Co, is an appointed representative of Capital Markets Strategy Ltd and is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority; our FCA registration number is 600843. Hardman Research Ltd is registered at Companies House with number 8256259. Attention is drawn to the important disclaimers at the end of the report.
Brand-new concept of Mini storage – No deposit required, U SPACE has opened 2 new branches in Hong Kong
Therefore, U SPACE, the brand under Apple Storage Group, has opened two new branches in both Hung Hom and Tai Kok Tsui. Today, the total branches of U SPACE have expanded to 8. The goal of U SPACE is to provide an extra storage space to customers nearby, helping them to maximize their space of home and office.
Different from other traditional mini storage provider, no deposit is required for U SPACE, which lighten the financial pressure of customer. Moreover, as the mobile storage has been stored in central warehouse, security is safer than traditional mini storage.
U SPACE has provided a brand-new mini storage service experience, the storage services included:
Mobile Mini Storage
As its name implies, mobile mini storage differs from many other traditional mini storages’ companies. U SPACE users could make the reservations to access their belongings through Self-Service Online Platform reducing the queuing time. Moreover, the Hong Kong first-ever “cross-store pickup service”, which delivers users’ mobile mini storage to their assigned branch. This service breaks over the geographical limit compared to traditional mini storage, users would not need to be worried about the trouble of canceling leases or transferring warehouses when they moving to other regions.
Mini Storage Box – Door-to-Door Delivery Service
The mini storage box service process is simple which provides users a new storage experience without leaving your home. The easy one-stop door-to-door mini box storage service to storing items by make reservation through online platform and the staff team will deliver the storage box to anywhere you want. Moreover, the flexible storage plan allows users to change the rental period and the number of storage box according to their needs.
New branches require only few-minute walk from MTR Stations
U SPACE strives to set up more branches all around Hong Kong, there are two new branches open in Hung Hom and Tai Kok Tsui which the locations are transportation friendly. The features and services includes automatic fire protection system, 24/7 CCTV security system, climate & humidity control, self-serviced packing area, recreational area (with charging services, free WIFI & water dispensers provided) and pest control which customers could keep their belongings in a comfort and safety storage environment.
High compatible service in low entry
In comparison to tradition mini storage, U SPACE provides vary size of mobile mini storage at affordable pricing to benefit the users who often pickup their stuff.
For more information about U SPACE, please visit www.uspace.com.hk
About U SPACE
U SPACE, the branch brand under Apple Storage Group, aiming to provide professional storing and moving services to customers. The idea of “24-hour online self-service platform” facilitates customers to manage their storage stuff and make reservation for pickup service with flexible and friendly offer. The two main services, mobile mini storage and mini storage box, smashing the concept of tradition mini storage which customers no need to visit the appointed store location to pick up their stuff, adhering to the Group principle of “To win your heart – We serve with heart” that aiming to provide safe, quality and secure storage services to customers.
U SPACE mobile mini storage would keep setting up more stores all over Hong Kong, providing secure and convenient self-storage experience to every user in different district in the future.
#USPACE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.