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Cityneon Expands its Presence in Middle East at Qatar Free Zones, Enhancing the Region’s Entertainment Technology Industry

  • New facility in Ras Bufontas Free Zone will cater to growing entertainment technology markets in the EMEA region
  • Facility to include an international experience and entertainment technology centre, innovation lab and a large-scale production workshop

DOHA, QATAR – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Cityneon Holdings, a global entertainment company based in Singapore that specializes in unique, immersive, and large-scale experiences, signed in Doha a strategic partnership agreement with Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) to establish a facility in Qatar Free Zones. The facility will cater to growing entertainment technology and experience markets in the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.

QFZA and Cityneon Holdings officials during the signing ceremony held on 8th December 2021

Artist impression of Cityneon’s new facility spanning 15,000 square meters in Ras Bufontas Free Zone

The agreement was signed during a ceremony at Ras Bufontas Free Zone in the presence of H.E. Ahmad Al-Sayed, Minister of State and Chairman of QFZA, H.E. Akbar Al Baker, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive and Secretary-General of Qatar’s National Tourism Council and H.E. Jai S Sohan, Singapore’s Ambassador to Qatar, as well as QFZA senior management. It was signed by QFZA CEO Lim Meng Hui and Cityneon General Manager of Middle East Feroz Siddiqui. Cityneon’s senior management team, including Executive Chairman and Group CEO Ron Tan, joined virtually from Singapore.

Cityneon’s new facility will be built across 15,000 square meters in Ras Bufontas Free Zone, and will include an international experience and entertainment technology centre, an innovation lab focused on R&D in animatronics and robotics, and a large-scale production workshop. Cityneon will produce large-scale experiences in Qatar as they have done around the world, such as their Jurassic World: The Movie Exhibition in Chengdu, China, and their Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. exhibition in Las Vegas and many more.

Lim Meng Hui, CEO of QFZA, said, “We are delighted to welcome Cityneon, a leading entertainment technology company that designs and manufactures equipment and robotics for the sector. Cityneon’s decision to open its first such facility in the Middle East at Qatar Free Zones is testament to the strength of our offering and the exciting trajectory of the entertainment technology industry and the tourism sector in Qatar and across the region, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030. Qatar Free Zones provide an ideal environment for international and local companies with the skills and innovation to help build a better future.”

Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO Ron Tan said, “We are pleased to be working closely with QFZA to fast-track our expansion plans in the EMEA region, which is a strategic and important market for the company. We see immense potential for our IP business in the EMEA region and the strategic location of our new facility in Qatar will be pivotal in addressing the markets that we plan to serve, as well as for us to reach out to potential partners and collaborators for the Group.”

Feroz Siddiqui, who will lead the new facility as General Manager – Middle East, added, “With this new office we embark on our middle eastern journey in bringing cheer, joy, laughter and smiles to awe our audiences with our large, immersive and technologically advanced entertainment assets to the region.”

Singapore’s ambassador to Qatar H.E. Jai S Sohan, who witnessed the ceremony, added, “It is my delight to see Cityneon set up base in Qatar Free Zones, a leading hub for innovation in the region, as the latest of many Singaporean companies with operations in Qatar. The new facility will not only boost tourism across the region but also attract a new talent pool to the developing entertainment technology industry.”

The new venture is expected to bring varied benefits to Qatar. Cityneon is a global leader in immersive experiences and will help develop the regional entertainment technology and Intellectual Property (IP) industry to generate new jobs in robotics and animatronics, costume design and fabrication, and sculpting and moulding, among others. Qatar Free Zones’ technology and research ecosystem will enable Cityneon to enhance its IP business operations for the region and benefit from a growing community of like-minded organizations, dedicated research and innovation facilities, and partnership opportunities.

The partnership between QFZA and Cityneon will also support Qatar’s National Vision 2030, which aims to create a knowledge-based economy and promote economic diversification. It will expand the significant skilled labour pool in Qatar and support the ongoing digital transformation of the country.

About Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA)

Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZA) started its operations in 2019 and it oversees and regulates world-class free zones in Qatar and secures fixed investments within the zones. QFZA offers outstanding opportunities and benefits for businesses seeking to establish operations and expand regionally and globally, providing quality infrastructure, a skilled workforce, 100% foreign ownership, access to investment funds, tax exemptions and partnership opportunities with Qatari entities.

For more information on QFZA, visit https://qfz.gov.qa/.

About Cityneon Holdings

With its global reach and international partnerships, Cityneon has the capability to serve its clients anywhere in the world. Cityneon was listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2005, and was privatized on February 2019 by West Knighton Limited, a company wholly owned by Cityneon’s Executive Chairman and Group CEO, Ron Tan, together with Hong Kong veteran entrepreneur and investor, Johnson Ko Chun Shun. Johnson is a capital markets veteran and has held controlling interests and directorships in many listed companies. In May 2019, Cityneon welcomed CITIC Capital as a new shareholder, who holds approximately 9% shares in Cityneon. CITIC Capital is part of CITIC Group, one of China’s largest conglomerates, and has over US$29B of assets under its management across 100 funds and investment products globally. Other institutional shareholders of the Group include EDBI – a Singapore government-linked global investor, and Pavilion Capital – a Singapore-based investment institution which focuses on private equity investments, that made strategic investments to the Group in August and October 2019 respectively. In April 2021, Cityneon welcomed new investors Seatown Holdings International, Qatar’s Doha Venture Capital, which will now own approximately 4% of the Group, and other financial institutions and family offices in Singapore and China, joining the already strong stable of shareholders to support the Group’s further expansion globally.

For more information, please visit www.cityneongroup.com.

#Cityneon

Miss India Crowned Miss Universe 2021

Miss India wins Miss Universe global pageant.
Miss India wins Miss Universe global pageant.

Harnaaz Sandheu, AKA Miss India, has officially been crowned the new Miss Universe 2021.

The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival: The coziest place in Taiwan starting at the end of 2021

TAITUNG, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Taitung County, Taiwan, topped Booking.com’s most welcoming regions list in 2021 because of its slow pace of life. As winter approaches, the Taitung County Government will launch The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival in mid-December. The festival will showcase the warmth of Taitung in three ways, through the intellect, emotions and nature.

 

The Taitung County Government will launch The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival in mid-December.

The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival has classified Taitung’s diverse hot springs into three types. The first type centers around refined hot spring hotels and showcases the intellectual warmth of these exquisitely elegant spaces. The second type centers around boutique B&Bs that feature the emotional warmth of Taitung’s many interesting and varied facets. The third type centers around free wild hot springs that exhibit the natural warmth of unrestrained freedom. These three different types allow all kinds of visitors to experience the variety of Taitung’s warmth during their visits.

Taitung County Magistrate April Yao stated that Taitung has 128 hot spring areas making it rich in hot spring assets. Most of the hot springs here are bicarbonate, which are known as Beauty Springs. They are not only colorless and odorless, but their water stimulates metabolism. These springs can be found from Luye of the East Rift Valley to the South Link. Located on Green Island, Taitung County, the Zhaori Hot Springs, also known as the “Sunrise” hot spring, is one of the only three saltwater hot springs in the world. What astonishes you most when travelling in Taitung is that you can have different hot spring experiences wherever you are; in the mountains, under a starry night sky or even besides the ocean.

Have a stress-relieving railway tour to the hot springs of Taitung on the Future Express Train, the Formosa Express, which is decked out with Hello Kitty, or the Breezy Blue. Leisurely railway travel meshes perfectly with tours of Taitung’s tribes that showcase the charm of a land filled with hot springs. The Taitung Cozy Hot Spring Festival welcomes you to enjoy the slow economy of Taitung and create treasured memories while enjoying the springs. This is something visitors find themselves doing again and again all year long.

Kunming Sees Renewed Interest in Train Travel Following Laos-China Railway Opening

A Chinese train along the Laos-China Railway
A Chinese train along the Laos-China Railway.

Residents of Kunming are taking a keener interest in train travel following the historic launch of the Laos-China Railway.

The Knot and De Beers Group Engagement Expectations Study Reveals What Women Really Want in a Marriage Proposal

Findings, from not-yet engaged women highlight a post-COVID shift in attitudes on engagement

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Just ahead of “engagement season,” the period between Thanksgiving and Valentine’s Day, De Beers Group and The Knots “Engagement Expectations” study reveals new insights around marriage proposals in a post-COVID environment. Nearly 300 women in a serious relationship were surveyed about expectations related to the proposal process, from where and how it takes place to the selection of the engagement ring. The findings highlight an increased interest in intimacy and connection when it comes to the proposal itself, and an almost universal desire among women to have some involvement in the selection of their engagement ring.

According to a study conducted by De Beers Group and The Knots on “Engagement Expectations” in a post-COVID environment, 96% of respondents would like to have some involvement in the selection of their engagement ring.

 

De Beers Forevermark Engagement Rings

From Left to Right

Forevermark Setting™ Three-stone Ring

Forevermark Icon® Collection Classic Solitaire Ring

Forevermark Icon® Collection Solitaire Pavé Ring

While most pre-engaged women still want their partner to propose to them, they want the experience to be more personal and unique. Grand gestures and elaborate public displays were less appealing to respondents, with a solid majority saying the ideal way to pop the question would be one person proposing to the other (98%), planned ahead of time (66%), and in a private place (66%)

 

The pressure may be off when it comes to staging a grandiose ask, but nearly every woman surveyed (96%) said she wanted to have some involvement in the selection of her engagement ring, and would not want it to be a total surprise. Three-fourths of pre-engaged females have thought a lot or some about their engagement rings and most are increasingly preferring more personalized and unique engagement rings. The primary choice for an engagement ring remains a diamond, with the majority citing this as their first choice.  But contrary to popular opinion, pre-engaged women are less focused on how big the diamond is than on the shape, style and setting of the stone.  When it comes to purchasing the ring, about 2 in 10 respondents expect both partners to contribute to the cost; most women (76%) expect their partner will pay.    

    

While females desire more intimate proposals, the majority (85%) feel there is more pressure on their partners to plan a unique proposal than in their parents’ generation. Additionally, the majority (68%) also believe that ring designs today are more unique than in their parents’ generation, and one in five feel the exchange of rings has more meaning and significance today.

 

Methodology


The Knot and De Beers Engagement Expectations Study was fielded on Instagram in October 2021 among 296 females in a serious relationship. A majority of female respondents (77%) participating in the survey believe they will be engaged in the next two years. Most were between the ages of 18 and 34.

About The Knot

The Knot is the nation’s leading digital wedding resource offering a seamless, all-in-one planning experience—from finding inspiration and local vendors to creating and managing all guest experiences, wedding registries and more. The trusted brand reaches a majority of engaged couples in the US through the #1 wedding planning website TheKnot.com and #1 iOS and Android mobile app The Knot Wedding Planner, The Knot national wedding magazine, and The Knot book series. Since its inception, The Knot has inspired approximately 25 million couples to plan a wedding that’s uniquely them. Visit The Knot online at TheKnot.com and follow on social media: Facebook.com/TheKnot and @TheKnot on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram.

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

#DeBeersGroup

Yue Zi Le Introduces New Menu Catered For Postnatal Nutrition

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Yue Zi Le Confinement Catering welcomes the new year with a revamped confinement food menu set to launch on 1st February 2022 and will be delivering another delicious and healthy catering for new mothers in Singapore. Customers can look forward to a slew of dishes ranging from improved recipes of the caterer’s signature items to the debut of highly nutritious menu items.

With a total of ten new dishes, such as Pan-Seared Salmon In Garlic Lemon Butter Sauce (蒜柠黄油三文鱼), Lemon Drumlets With Beetroot (香柠小腿) and many more, the wide variety of options offered by the caterer aims to support the recovery of almost every postpartum woman as they ease into new life chapters. Additionally, the enhanced and improved recipe of existing signature items, such as the Signature Pork Trotter Vinegar (双料招牌猪脚醋), Black Garlic Truffle Chicken Steak (香煎黑蒜松露鸡扒) and others, further depicts Yue Zi Le Confinement Catering’s commitment to present a chock-full of nutrients, contentment, and comfort to every new mother.

As the caterer welcomes a revamped menu, it also signifies their veteran expertise in incorporating fresh and high-quality Traditional Chinese Medicine herbs to nurse new mothers back into the pink of health during a crucial phase. Over the years, the experienced chefs at Yue Zi Le Confinement Catering have brought about an exclusive curation of nourishing confinement meals and a delectable union of international cuisine and traditional ingredients.

 

New mothers can look forward to an accelerated recovery, a well-balanced and smoother postpartum journey, and more freedom in their meal choices with the enhanced menu in the new year. Reservation for the new packages will be made available on Yue Zi Le’s official website. From 1st February 2022 onwards, any existing customers will be automatically registered in the new and enhanced menu.

 

For more information, please visit: https://www.yuezileconfinement.com/


#YueZiLe

Dataxet Expands in Asia with Thailand Acquisition

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 13 December 2021 – Dataxet has acquired InfoQuest, Thailand’s largest provider of media monitoring services. InfoQuest joins Dataxet’s network of market-leading media intelligence companies which include Sonar Platform in Indonesia, NAMA in Malaysia and Truescope in Singapore.

Dataxet was launched in 2020 with the vision to create the first Asia-based CommsTech group. In their first 18 months of operation they have become a category leader and fastest growing media intelligence network in the region, providing best-in-class services for over 300 blue-chip enterprise and public sector clients.

 

David Liu, Founder & CEO of Dataxet, said: “InfoQuest is a great addition to our family of companies and furthers our position as a leading media intelligence service provider. We continue to gain traction and delight customers by combining robust technology platforms with world class talent. The caliber of companies and clients joining our network demonstrates how our disruptive model is adding new value to marketing and communications professionals.”

 

Jalthong Patamapongs, Founder and Chairman of InfoQuest, said: “We’re excited about joining Dataxet Group and the considerable prospects for future growth. With their technology and people, Dataxet has proven their ability to fully integrate media intelligence data into actionable insights and help clients in Asia to better communicate to their customers and audiences. Given our dominant position in Thailand, we are well placed to expand our offering and deliver new revenue streams.”

Dataxet will also announce their planned expansion into Vietnam early 2022, where they have already identified another best-in-class partner in the market. This will further solidify the leadership position of Dataxet Group in the CommsTech industry in SE Asia. 

About Dataxet

Dataxet Pte Ltd is a leading integrated data intelligence holding company operating in Asia. Its branded networks provide best-in-class media monitoring services along with localised research and data analytics expertise to deliver accurate, applicable and actionable data insights. https://www.dataxet.com/

#Dataxet

About InfoQuest

InfoQuest is a leading media intelligence organization and news agency in Thailand. InfoQuest offers various media intelligence services ranging from media monitoring of newspapers, magazines, websites, and social media to online, real-time news aggregator from more than 100 sources. News archives can be accessed as far back 20 years, satisfying the needs and goals of every organization for both domestic and international press release distribution. https://www.infoquest.co.th/company/en

CSG SaaS Platform Earns Frost & Sullivan Product Leadership Award for Innovative Technology and Unparalleled Customer Experiences

Brisbane, Australia – News Direct – 13 December 2021 – CSG ® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with their customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready technologies that drive extraordinary customer experiences. Today, Frost & Sullivan recognized CSG’s agile, end-to-end revenue management suite with the 2021 Asia-Pacific OSS/BSS Product Leadership Award. The recognition is a testament to CSG’s continuous innovation, providing companies with flexible and configurable solutions that help them digitally monetize and enhance their customers’ experiences.


“CSG’s future-ready technologies ease the complexities of creating dynamic ecosystems and deliver more impactful value to consumers, enterprises, and partners,” said Ian Watterson, head of CSG’s Asia-Pacific business. “Being consistently recognized by Frost & Sullivan for our next-generation SaaS platform in the Asia-Pacific market and around the globe is truly a great honor. We are thankful for the recognition of our industry-leading technologies and innovation for communications service providers in the Asia Pacific OSS/BSS market.”


Frost & Sullivan awarded CSG with the 2021 Asia-Pacific OSS/BSS Product Leadership Award for its leadership in enabling telco operators to monetize new revenue streams efficiently across various locations and channels, optimize business costs, improve service delivery, and leverage data and insights to understand their customers better and deliver exceptional experiences.


“CSG exhibits design mastery in producing unparalleled innovations that turn customer benchmarks for customer experience into award-winning experiences,” said Frost & Sullivan’s associate director of ICT, Mei Lee Quah. “CSG is known within the industry as a collaborative partner who helps customers solve their toughest business challenges. The company’s increased footprint in the Asia-Pacific market is evidence that customers see CSG as a valuable resource and partner and more than just a technical vendor.”


Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development.


For more information on CSG’s globally recognized and award-winning revenue management suite, visit https://www.csgi.com/capabilities/revenue-and-customer-management/.

About CSG

CSG is a leader in innovative customer engagement, revenue management and payments solutions that make ordinary customer experiences extraordinary. Our cloud-first architecture and customer-obsessed mindset help companies around the world launch new digital services, expand into new markets, and create dynamic experiences that capture new customers and build brand loyalty. For nearly 40 years, CSG’s technologies and people have helped some of the world’s most recognizable brands solve their toughest business challenges and evolve to meet the demands of today’s digital economy with future-ready solutions that drive exceptional customer experiences. With 5,000 employees in over 20 countries, CSG is the trusted technology provider for leading global brands in telecommunications, retail, financial services, and healthcare. Our solutions deliver real world outcomes to more than 900 customers in over 120 countries.

To learn more, visit us at csgi.com and connect with us on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Copyright © 2021 CSG Systems International, Inc. and/or its affiliates (“CSG”). All rights reserved. CSG® is a registered trademark of CSG Systems International, Inc. All third-party trademarks, service marks, and/or product names which are referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners, and all rights therein are reserved.