32.7 C
Vientiane
Friday, May 23, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 2716

Covid Restrictions Extended as Laos Records 250 New Cases of Covid-19

Lockdown measures extended in Laos

Laos has extended Covid restriction measures until 18 August after confirming a further 250 cases of Covid-19 today.

Headline Asia Announces the Close of Fund 4 at Over $100 Million

TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 3 August 2021 – On July 31, 2021, early-stage venture capital firm Headline Asia (formerly known as Infinity Ventures) has announced they will close their fourth fund at over $100 Million. In May 2021, Infinity Ventures and e.ventures rebranded as a single firm, Headline, to invest together globally in innovative internet technology companies. 

 

A number of previous institutional investors returned for Fund 4, including the National Development Fund of Taiwan, Abico Group, and Otto Group of Germany. 

 

Our new rebrand as Headline cemented our decade-long partnership with our global fund teams in the US, Europe, and Latin America for a combined AUM of over USD $2 Billion,” says Headline Asia Founder and Partner, Akio Tanaka, We hope to deliver a unique global perspective to local investments in Asia, and look forward to growing with the next generation of great entrepreneurs.”

 

Headline Asia invests globally across the internet technology sector at Seed and Series A stages with a focus on e-commerce, logistics, and FinTech, including unicorns they supported from the Seed Stage, such as freee k.k., Yeahka, and WealthNavi. The fund backs entrepreneurs who are addressing consumer pain points, disrupting the market, and shifting the paradigm in the internet technology sector.

 

“With the new fund, we are joined by experienced, world class partners and advisors who led the first investment in Alibaba, have managed a FinTech fund for Japans largest corporate bank, or been behind most of the major tech IPOs in Japan,” says Headline Asia Partner Joseph Huang. With the expanded team capacity and our proprietary deal sourcing software, we are finding great investment opportunities at a breakneck speed.”

 

Headline Asia Partners include Akihiko Okamoto, former Chief Investment Officer of MUFG Innovation Partners and Hong Lu, founding chairman at SoftBank China Venture Capital. Koichi Maruo joined this year as advisor; Kochis past experience includes acting as the former Senior Executive Managing Director in Charge of Corporate Banking and Corporate Planning at Daiwa Securities.  

About Headline

Headline is an international venture capital firm with offices in Beijing, Berlin, Paris, São Paolo, San Francisco, Taipei, and Tokyo with a combined AUM of over USD $2 Billion. Headline Asia is focused on early stage internet companies, with investments in more than 100 startups and nine IPOs. Since its founding, Headline Asia has grown alongside its portfolio companies to build category-leading innovators and unicorns including Groupon, Farfetch, freee k.k., Yeahka, WealthNavi, and 17LIVE.

#Headline

Bokeo Locks Down Golden Triangle SEZ

Golden Triangle

The Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) went into lockdown on Friday after four people who had spent time in the area tested positive for Covid-19.

Seven Thais Detained for Illegally Entering Laos While Foraging for Mushrooms

Seven Thais detained in Laos after foraging for mushrooms

Authorities in Laos have detained seven Thai citizens who illegally entered Lao territory while foraging for mushrooms.

OctaFX partners with Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI) to distribute charity dinners during Eid al-Adha

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 3 Aug 2021 – On 20 July, OctaFX supported charitable organisation Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI) in the distribution of meals to people in need during the Eid al-Adha season.

On 20 July, OctaFX joined efforts with charitable organisation Pertubuhan Tindakan Wanita Islam (PERTIWI) to organise food distribution for those in need. This special dinner for 400 beneficiaries took place in Kuala Lumpur in commemoration of Eid al-Adha. Overall, 1,145 meals were distributed to the poor and homeless in shelters and dedicated centres. OctaFX sponsored 350 portions of biryani and 1,600 sticks of satay.

 

The people in need could enjoy special dishes usually cooked for and served to family members and guests. PERTIWI President Munirah Hamid noted how this dinner became a quiet yet fulfilling celebration where everyone could enjoy two or more tasty dishes:

 

‘There is no simple solution to end poverty. It is multi-faceted. Each person, each family, each community, has complex issues and challenges. The Pandemic has made it worse. We may merely be putting a band-aid over a deep wound, but if it helps to make each person feel better for the day, I think we should do it. Let us come together to put a smile on someone’s face so that it becomes a bearable and better day.’

 

Since its foundation in 1967, PERTIWI has been providing various forms of aid such as lobbying for women’s rights, educating and empowering women, providing medical aid to remote villages, and educating foster children. In 2010, PERTIWI launched its mobile soup kitchen to provide free meals to the poor and homeless people. The Eid al-Adha dinner was part of this initiative.

 

Following the tradition of Eid al-Adha to give meat to people in need, OctaFX was happy to contribute to this special occasion.

About OctaFX

OctaFX is a global broker that provides online trading services since 2011. It offers a state-of-the-art trading experience to over 7 million trading accounts globally. OctaFX has won more than 40 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best ECN Broker 2021’ award from World Finance and the ‘Best Forex Broker Asia 2021‘ award from Global Banking & Finance Review. The company is well-known for its social and charity activities. In the past, OctaFX sponsored projects to support children’s education, help those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, and provide food to those in need, among others.


#OctaFX

PMI Asia Pacific partners with CBRE to train & upskill high performers to achieve PMP® certification

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 3 August 2021 – Project Management Institute (PMI), the world’s leading association for project professionals and CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, today announced a new business arrangement, whereby PMI, through its authorized training partner program, will support learning and development initiatives at CBRE and provide opportunities for collaboration. The first initiative involves connecting high-performing CBRE employees based in Asia Pacific with exam preparation training to successfully earn the Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification.  

 

The first cohort of high performers from the Asia Pacific region began the rigorous seven-week long training for PMI’s PMP® certification exam in June this year. They will study the skills and activities required in effectively leading a project team, managing the technical aspects of a project, and developing a greater understanding of the connection between projects and organizational strategy.

 

PMI has partnered with CBRE to offer PMP® exam bundles and following successful completion of the examinations due to take place in October, the high performers will join the ranks of over one million PMP®-certified professionals  worldwide. Both organizations are exploring the extension of training and other upskilling initiatives with PMI for more employees following the training completion of this pioneering batch.

 

In fact, PMI is also developing a certification specifically for the Built Environment, which CBRE has been assisting in reviewing the beta version. This will be released in the coming months. Designed to provide innovative learning methods and practices designed by experts, this new offering by PMI is anticipated to include a variety of online courses, along with multiple micro-credential opportunities and an overarching certification for professionals in the construction industry.

 

Commenting on the partnership, Ben Breen, Managing Director, Asia Pacific and Global Head of Construction, PMI said, “Research indicates that to close the talent gap that exists today, 2.3 million people will need to enter project management-oriented employment (PMOE) every year just to keep up with demand – this includes project managers and all changemakers. Manufacturing and construction will remain the largest sector requiring project management talent in Asia Pacific. Partnerships with globally leading organizations like CBRE is the way forward to equip project professionals with the right skills to drive transformation and change. It is an endeavor to upskill existing talent and make it future-ready.”

 

He further added, “Apart from empowering the workforce with the necessary skills to excel, the partnership between both organizations is also intended at forging new alliances to enable changemakers in the region to successfully run projects in the new work ecosystem, especially in the construction industry.”

 

PMI’s Project Management Professional (PMP)® certification is recognized as the world’s leading project management certification. In a recent survey, respondents with a PMP certification reported 22% higher median salaries than project professionals without one, according to the 2020 Earning Power: Project Management Salary Survey.

 

Peter Trollope, Senior Managing Director, CBRE Project Management, Asia Pacific, said, “This latest investment in talent and learning provides a structured development pathway for CBRE employees to continue their professional development journey and shows our clients that we are elevating our core project management capabilities.”

 

“CBRE provides integrated services and solutions to clients, and our vision is to be the leading provider of project management. This partnership with PMI gives our employees access to a global network formed around the goal of project management excellence across industries and ensures CBRE is ready to support our clients and drive successful project outcomes every time.”

About Project Management Institute

Project Management Institute (PMI) is the world’s leading professional association for a growing community of millions of project professionals and changemakers worldwide.

As the world’s leading authority on project management, PMI empowers people to make ideas a reality. Through global advocacy, networking, collaboration, research, and education, PMI prepares organizations and individuals to work smarter so they can drive success in a world of change.

Building on a proud legacy dating to 1969, PMI is a “for-purpose” organization working in nearly every country around the world to advance careers, strengthen organizational success, and enable changemakers with new skills and ways of working to maximize their impact. PMI offerings include globally recognized standards, certifications, online courses, thought leadership, tools, digital publications, and professional communities. Visit us at https://www.pmi.org/, www.projectmanagement.com, https://www.linkedin.com/company/pminstitute, www.facebook.com/PMInstitute, and on Twitter.

#ProjectManagementInstitute #PMI

Authorities Suspend Johnson & Johnson Vaccinations in Champasack

Laos To Receive AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson Vaccines This Month

Authorities have ordered the suspension of Johnson & Johnson vaccinations across  Champasack Province following unexpected side effects.

GEODIS in New Zealand gears up for major expansion with new facility at Auckland Airport

Twice the size of the current facility, the new site will provide best-in-class logistical offerings to GEODIS’ customer base

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Media OutReach – 3 August 2021 – GEODIS, a leading global transport and logistics operator, has announced a strategic move to a new facility at Auckland Airport, following strong and sustained growth in the New Zealand market. The 5700 sqm facility – with its prime location, advanced enterprise-grade systems, and extensive storage space – will offer GEODIS’ expanding client base the capacity needed to ensure seamless end-to-end supply chain support across both local and cross-border markets.



GEODIS in New Zealand gears up for major expansion with new facility at Auckland Airport 


The unprecedented surge in consumer demand brought about by the pandemic, has heightened the need for resilient supply chain strategies, particularly within the healthcare industry, with pharmaceutical companies forced to reinforce their logistical requirements. Keeping these needs in mind, GEODIS’ new site will feature specially designed temperature-controlled areas to facilitate the optimal storage of pharmaceutical products at +15-25 degrees as well as +4 degrees Celsius.

 

The growing demand will also be addressed by the site’s high productivity storage solution, which consists of two-metre wide aisle racking that affords 5,000 pallet locations. There is a tier one Warehouse Management System (WMS) that offers automated operating systems to support the thriving e-commerce fulfillment business. The purpose-built facility is located at one of Auckland’s most prominent industrial hubs at Auckland Airport with connections to the main arterial routes used for distribution. It will also house GEODIS’ international container freight station (CFS), contract logistics and last mile distribution set-up to enable full-service supply chain management under one roof.

 

“Significantly, this new facility is in harmony with our commitment to being a strong growth partner to our customers. As GEODIS continues to expand, we will also continue to enhance our infrastructure and processes to align our evolution with our customers’ development ambitions,” said Stuart Asplet, Sub-Regional Managing Director, Pacific & Regional Director Sea Freight, Asia Pacific. “The supply chain industry has certainly been disrupted by the pandemic, yet GEODIS’ passion to stay ahead of the curve has continuously pushed us to deliver industry-leading solutions that add value to our customers’ business goals. Our core belief to make a tangible impact on our clients’ goals, has allowed us to remain one of the fastest-growing logistics operators globally”.

 

The move further emphasises GEODIS’ focus on the APAC market and follows a series of investments and advancements made in the region over the past few months. The consolidation of the company’s operations from multiple sites to a single site will also boost efficiencies. The logistics provider has signed a long-term lease for the Auckland facility, encouraged by a healthy growth trajectory in the market.

 

“We’re confident that the facility at Auckland Airport will be a gamechanger for our customers. Features like the increased capacity, temperature control rooms, state-of-the-art technology, and advanced security measures ensure more precise and cost-efficient warehousing,” said Hugh Mackay, Managing Director, New Zealand. “This new site reflects the scale of things to come for our operations in New Zealand. Our laser sharp focus on providing a robust set of solutions and unmatched service to our customers holds the key to strengthening our presence in a competitive marketplace.”

 

The move will take place in October 2021 and is slated to amplify GEODIS’ offerings to more businesses including key verticals such as pharmaceuticals, retail, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG).

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a top-rated, global supply chain operator recognized for its commitment to helping clients overcome their logistical constraints. GEODIS’ growth-focused offerings (Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport) coupled with the company’s truly global reach thanks to a direct presence in 67 countries, and a global network spanning 120 countries, translates in top business rankings, #1 in France, #6 in Europe and #7 worldwide. In 2020, GEODIS accounted for over 41,000 employees globally and generated €8.4 billion in sales.

#GEODIS