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Singapore SMEs Benefit From Customized Skilling And Talent Development With Microsoft’s Let’s Skill Up Program

Microsoft and SkillsFuture Singapore partner to help local small and medium enterprises close skills gap by tailoring skills paths and transforming workplace learning practices

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 12 October 2021 – Since the launch of the Let’s Skill Up program earlier this year, Microsoft Singapore has enabled more than 30 local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in their partner ecosystem to uplift skills capabilities and strengthen workplace learning practices.

Identifying skills gap and delivering curated training for SMEs

As reported in a study by ASME-Microsoft, many SMEs find themselves facing delays in their digital transformation plans due to COVID-19, in addition to challenges in manpower and skilling. In addressing the issue, Microsoft Singapore partnered SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) to create the Microsoft Let’s Skill Up Program as part of the SkillsFuture Queen Bee initiative to reach out to the SMEs directly, and work with them to identify skills gaps in their businesses and curate customized training programs for their employees. SMEs can also enjoy enhanced absentee payroll support funding to help them defray their manpower costs when they send employees for training courses supported by SSG. 

 

The program has seen great success to date and exceeded expectations. Since its launch, more than 30 SMEs have joined the Microsoft Let’s Skill Up program with at least 79 employees from these SMEs undergoing upskilling in IT, in areas such as Microsoft Azure, security, modern workplace, business applications.

 

“As a distributor, we feel the Let’s Skill Up Program is a meaningful and timely program for our partners as they are able to access tailored skills advisory from Microsoft and fast-track the skilling pathways for their employees. This is a great relief in the midst of our busyness and we are glad that there is finally someone who is thinking of and taking care of our skills development needs. We highly recommend this program for those looking to upskill their staff.” said Adrian Heng, Business Development Manager, Rhipe.

 

Vinc Tan, Director, VGC Technology shares how the business has benefitted from the program. “As an IT outsourcing company, we are committed to helping our clients migrate to the Microsoft Azure Cloud as they power hybrid work. Microsoft’s Let’s Skill Up program has provided us access to a pool of skilling resources such as HelpDesk/IT Support , which has been essential in helping our employees support our customers on their digital transformation journey.

 

Strengthening workplace learning practices through inculcating a culture of innovation

A hallmark of the Microsoft Let’s Skill Up Program is the introduction of workplace learning to the SMEs.  A huge amount of time is spent learning on the job, and workplace learning has been shown to be effective in optimizing work performance and improving employee engagement and retention. By applying workplace practices to learn, unlearn, relearn, and reimagine innovation, business leaders can chart a course for themselves and their employees to embrace tech intensity and foster more collaborative learning.

 

Oh Kwang Leong, Managing Director, Nanyang Tech shares, “Human resources have always been the most valuable asset in our company and Microsoft’s Let’s Skill Up Program has shown us how we could further upskill our workforce and create a structure to harness learning at the workplace.  We are very appreciative of their support”.

 

“With analytics and professional services as our core businesses, our people have always been our priority. Microsoft’s Let’s Skill Up Program has given us valuable exposure to deepen our learning and development expertise and create opportunities to accelerate a culture of innovation through people development,” said Matthew Choo, co-founder, ClayOps.

 

To further meet the SMEs’ hiring needs, Microsoft has taken on the additional role to facilitate job placements through the SGUnited Mid-Career Pathways Program, SGUnited Skills Program, SkillsFuture Work-Study Program.

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.

China Oil Gangran Announces Two Strategic Agreements

Plans to Acquire 51% Equity Interest in Shandong Pan-Asia

To Invest in State Key Projects – Yantai Xigang LNG Projects

 

Enters into Potential Financing Agreement with Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing

 

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 12 October 2021 – China Oil Gangran Energy Group Holdings Limited (“China Oil Gangran” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, SEHK stock code: 8132), which has received shareholder approval to be renamed “Century Energy International Holdings Limited”, announces two strategic cooperation agreements in relation to business development and financing arrangement. With respect to business development, on 10 October 2021, the Group entered into a non-legally binding strategic cooperation framework agreement (the “Framework Agreement”) with Yantai Yindu Industry Co., Ltd. (“Yantai Yindu”) and Shandong Pan-Asia International Energy Distribution Center Co., Ltd. (“Shandong Pan-Asia”) which will result in the acquisition of a 51% equity interest in Shandong Pan-Asia. Through this agreement, the Group will be able to invest in Yantai Xigang liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) receiving terminal and gas pipelines projects. Subsequently on 11 October 2021, the Group entered into a non-legally binding strategic cooperation agreement (the “Cooperation Agreement”) with Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing Asset Management Co., Ltd (“Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing”), under which the two parties may establish funds or joint venture companies to provide funding, if needed, to support the Group’s future business development needs.

 

The Framework Agreement about the Yantai Xigang LNG Project is the first major project the Group has pursued in the field of energy and environment following its appointment of a new management team comprising industry heavyweights, marking an important step on the path of business transformation.

 

According to the Framework Agreement, the Group proposes to acquire from Yantai Yindu a 51% equity interest in Shandong Pan-Asia, through which the Group will invest in the Yantai Xigang LNG receiving terminal and the LNG gas pipelines projects, as well as obtaining the access rights and operation and management rights of both projects. After the completion of the acquisition, the Group plans to develop and operate LNG import and trading business domestically and internationally where appropriate, and downstream sales and marketing of LNG in China through Shandong Pan-Asia or its subsidiaries.

 

Furthermore, in order to broaden the channels of financing and further reduce financing costs, the Group has entered into a Cooperation Agreement with Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing, under which the two parties may establish funds or joint venture companies to source funding in support of the business development and investment projects of the Group. Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing may further develop and expand its business by leveraging its expertise in the financial services business and business connections, to assist the potential acquisitions and resources integration of the Group. Beijing Qinglu Zhongbing was established in the PRC in 2017. It obtained the qualification of private equity investment fund manager as approved by the Asset Management Association of China in the same year.

 

Mr. Cheung Yip-sang, the Chief Executive Officer of the Group said, “We are pleased to announce the two strategic cooperation agreements which mark a major step in our business development and financing. It is with much excitement that we will be able to invest in the construction and operation of Yantai Xigang LNG terminal, a State key project, to capture opportunities from the “Belt and Road” initiative and the National 14th Five-Year energy strategic plan. The funding arrangement we have entered into with Beijing Qinglu will provide us access to new investors and lower cost of capital when the need arises.  These two major strides are expected to benefit our business development and accelerate our business transformation.”

About Shandong Pan-Asia International Energy Distribution Center Co., Ltd.

Shandong Pan-Asia is a company established in the People’s Republic of China in 2016, principally engaged in port terminals and warehouse management. As the major shareholder, Shandong Pan-Asia involved in the preparation, development and construction of Yantai Xigang LNG receiving terminal project and the LNG gas pipelines project. Phase I of Yantai Xigang LNG receiving terminal developed a LNG receiving berth and auxiliary storage tank facilities, with processing capability of 6 million tonnes per year in aggregate. It has commenced construction in 2020, and it is expected to put into operation by the end of 2023. LNG gas pipelines run 537 kilometers across the main natural gas consumption regions in Shandong province, with a diameter of 1,219mm. Its designed transmission capacity is 23 billion cubic kilometres per year, and it is expected to put into operation in 2023.

About China Oil Gangran Energy Group Holdings Limited (SEHK stock code: 8132)

China Oil Gangran Energy Group Holdings Limited, to be renamed “Century Energy International Holdings Limited”, is an emerging energy company with a corporate mission to “Benefit People’s Livelihood with Clean Energy and Technology and Innovation”. The Company focuses on the development of the clean energy industry chain and adeptly utilises the R&D results of frontier technology in order to explore and advance industrialisation in energy technology and to connect and integrate with quality projects and resources in China and overseas. The Company aims to create substantial synergy between capital, technology, business and operational management and strives to establish its core competitiveness in the fields of new energy materials, energy saving and environmental protection and digital technologies for energy safety, developing into a respected technological energy corporation with influence across the industry.

#ChinaOilGangran

Thailand to Reopen for Vaccinated Visitors from 10 Countries in November

Thailand to reopen in November

Thailand has announced it will lift Covid-19 quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated tourists from ten low-risk countries this November.

CSG Acquires DGIT Systems, Enhances Ease of Delivery and Monetization of Digital Ecosystems

Enhanced quote and order capabilities enable communication service providers to quickly bring dynamic content ecosystems to market, boosting customer acquisition, loyalty and satisfaction

DENVER, US – News Direct – 11 October 2021 – CSG® (NASDAQ: CSGS) is transforming the way companies engage with their customers by arming today’s leading brands with future-ready, innovative solutions that drive extraordinary customer experiences. Today the company announced the acquisition of DGIT Systems, a provider of configure, price and quote (CPQ) and order management solutions for the telecoms industry. The acquisition brings together industry leading solutions specifically designed to streamline the complexities of commercializing the next era of multi-party digital offerings that will drive business growth for communications service providers (CSPs).

Order processing and management is often the root of frustration for CSPs when delivering complex data and digital services to B2B and multi-play B2C customers. As CSPs push to leverage the massive bandwidth and low latency of 5G and edge architectures, order processing demands will continue to rise alongside customer service expectations. By extending CSG’s solution footprint with DGIT’s CPQ and order management capabilities, CSG is primed to help operators tackle one of their greatest challenges and enable them to easily deliver multi-party digital offerings through an ecosystem of partners to all customers so that they can increase customer acquisition, loyalty and satisfaction.

“CSG’s acquisition of DGIT Systems uniquely positions us to help CSPs win in their quest to deliver next-gen, 5G digital offerings that will excite both consumers and enterprises,” said Ken Kennedy, COO and president of revenue management and digital monetization, CSG. “With consumer services at the peak of commoditization, the greatest opportunity now lies in the B2B and B2B2X sectors. This paradigm shift means operators need integrated technologies, like CSG’s monetization suite, that can ease the complexities of delivering dynamic, interoperable ecosystems across a multitude of partners. With this acquisition, CSPs can easily deploy CSG’s end-to-end solutions to seamlessly deliver multi-party digital offerings to all customer segments and, in parallel, automate onboarding, innovation and settlement with a rich network of partners.”

The combined CSG and DGIT solution provides a TM Forum Conformance Certified, modern, open and decoupled architecture that provides the flexibility for CSPs to innovate and implement new digital services. Additional capabilities include:

  • Catalog: An active, rules-driven catalog based on TM Forum’s Open APIs that visually builds offers from components in design time, including service and resource layers, then drives system behavior at run time.
  • Configure, price and quote: A powerful CPQ solution completely automates configuration, pricing and quote management for the most complex products and services, including live pricing, pricing policies, discounts and workflow driven approval processes.
  • Order management: A catalog-driven order management system with reusable processes and visual configuration provides proactive communication, transparent fulfillment, trouble-free activation and order orchestration that includes manual and third-party system hand-offs, jeopardy management and automated escalation processes.
  • Monetization: Sophisticated monetization processes simplify the management of complex rating, charging, payments and settlements.

“As the market places greater focus on B2B and B2B2x service models, robust CPQ and order management solutions can greatly reduce provisioning and billing errors, which are two of the leading causes of customer dissatisfaction for communications service providers today,” said Karl Whitelock, IDC research vice president, communications service provider operations and monetization. “CSPs are starting to invest in solutions that can help them to monetize these complex business relationships along with empowering them to manage the various parts of their digital ecosystems, especially partner resource accountability and settlement. Technology suppliers, such as CSG, who are building out comprehensive ecosystem commercialization solutions, play a pivotal role in the ongoing transformation of their CSP customers.”

“DGIT’s strategic partnership with CSG highlights the value of our combined portfolio to the communications market,” said Greg Tilton, founder and CEO, DGIT. “This acquisition brings the advantages of global scale and a world leading monetization portfolio to both DGIT and our customers. Together with CSG, we can help CSPs thrive in today’s digital-first world.”

CSG is a leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Integrated Revenue and Customer Management, helping companies around the world digitally transform their business to monetize and create extraordinary customer experiences. For more information on CSG’s configure, price, quote and order management solutions, visit https://www.csgi.com/capabilities/revenue-and-customer-management/configure-price-quote-and-order/.

About DGIT Systems

DGIT Systems is a provider of software and services to digital and communications service providers, including catalog, configure, price and quote (CPQ), order capture, provisioning, and inventory management. Our cutting-edge technologies create intuitive, flexible and highly customizable solutions that can seamlessly automate and effortlessly manage the complete, end-to-end, opportunity-to-operate journey for digital and communications services. Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, DGIT operates globally with approximately 70 service provider customers in 18 countries.

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.

#CSG

Post-Pandemic: Sino-French Brand Consultancy Agency PLTFRM Leading Global Brands Localization in China

China based, global minded, a decade long of international brand management in China

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 11 October 2021 – PLTFRM, Sino-French brand management agency specialized in the localization of global brands in China, has upgraded its company image to better convey its strategic development. The new logo symbolizes each of the company’s five main departments: strategy, branding, communication, marketing and e-commerce. It translates the agency’s commitment to creative and business logic for the commercial success of international brand in China.

2022 marks the agency’s 10th anniversary, after years of solution driven projects, PLTFRM’s unique methodological approach grew. Over the past decade, the agency has built a crossover between rapid local execution methods and consistent international brand perspectives. Thanks to its many years of experience and a mix of international and Chinese teams, the agency adapts rapidly to the market change to help global companies seize business opportunities in China.

 

“Since 2012, PLTFRM has executed projects in the FMCG, wines and spirit, cosmetic, finance and luxury industries with a wide range of brands such as Wines of Chile association, Italian luxury sport equipment Technogym, Financial institution ICBC, German coffee maker Melitta etc, and built close partnerships with major e-commerce platforms and channels. The business world is in constant motion, bringing both challenges and opportunities. Our agility in understanding and surfing the market is made through a constant exchange with the main social media and e-commerce actors.

There are many elements for overseas brands to achieve commercial success in China, among which it is very important to find local partners. We have a diverse and integrated international team, that allowing deep understanding yet respecting overseas brands and eliminating cultural gaps. Our tailored localization strategies are formulated based on full understanding and therefore we could select suitable promotion channels in the rapidly changing domestic market. We know as a partner, we need to have two key abilities, namely cognition and mental power.

 

The level of cognition determines whether the strategy formulated when serving clients is correct. At the company level, the mental effort can be understood as continuous and stable efficient execution. In short, only by continuously improving the cognition and execution ability of oneself and the entire team, constantly maintaining communication, and establishing close relationships with major mainstream platforms and channels, we could obtain forward-looking thinking ability, and therefore provide full service for the localization of overseas brands in China. We understand there is a long way to go, and there is still a lot of work to do in the future.” said Qian Dejun, PLTFRM Founder and CEO.

 

“Being a creative agency means always trying something new and exploring new ter- ritories. That also means critiquing what we have done these last 10 years. We have made our share of mistakes and failures, and we all strived to learn from them and thrive. We will continue to explore new promotion and sales channels. For example, we have already innovated our video production capabilities with in-house 3D motion capture and a livestream AR integration studio. These new tools are enhancing our approach to e-commerce. PLTFRM keeps on finding new method to do what we do best: conversion for brand market share growth,” said Alexandre Ouairy, PLTFRM Founder and Director.

 

Since the beginning of 2020, the market faces the reality of a global pandemic, fluctuating international relations, and the rapid changes in the domestic consumer environment.

Furthermore, new marketing model, merging E-commerce and social media video emerged. The e-commerce landscape in China is convoluted. The three most prominent players (Tmall, JD, and Pinduoduo) are fiercely competing, while smaller or new actors, like TikTok, innovate and compose within the scattered landscape, and stood out in the industry. This shows the future of China’s e-commerce is bright with limitless development potential.

 

According to South China Morning Post and eMarkerter, the pandemic is a catalyst rather than the direct cause of e-commerce’s rapid growth, and the e-commerce boom will continue long after coronavirus pandemic ends. In 2022, e-commerce will grow by 11.0%, and e-commerce sales will breach the $3 trillion (forecast $3.085 trillion for 2022) threshold in China.

 

With a methodic combination of creativity and data analytic, PLTFRM provide brands with unique solutions for positioning and effective promotion plan, to deeply interact with the target audience in China to achieve effective conversion. For instance, in 2020, supported by Cherries from Chile, PLTFRM joined forces with a total of 18 major e-commerce platforms and offline channels, including Tmall, JD and Pinduoduo, executeed a common promotion for the Cherries from Chile. The interactive campaign was conceptualised and launched within 3 days, reached 700 million views and helped in achieving a 44% year-on-years growth.

About PLTFRM

PLTFRM is a Sino-French brand management agency specialized in the localization of global brands in China. Founded in 2012, it grows it services to better accompany brands in facing the market. PLTFRM provides one-stop branding solutions for companies: from market researches, analysis and strategy, brand positioning, marketing strategy and execution, digital communication, to e-commerce operations.

The company was co-founded by Qian Dejun and Alexandre Ouairy. Two men with different background, one is Chinese, the other is French. Two men with different experiences, one a seasoned business manager, the other a senior advertising agency creative director. But two men with a common vision and goals, which build PLTFRM’s distinctive culture right from the start. Under their leadership, the agency grew an international creative team which blends worlds, cultures, creativity and business. It became an incubator of ideas to link international brands and local markets.

For more information, please visit www.pltfrm.cn, follow them on Wechat and Weibo.

#PLTFRM

Vientiane Residents Left in the Dark Due to Faulty Streetlights

Streetlights

Residents of Vientiane Capital have been left in the dark after street lights have stopped working in several districts.

Vietnam – Austria cooperate towards the “Green” economy

The ceremony celebrating the National Day of Viet Nam has been formally organised in Vienna, Austria in conjunction with Viet Nam’s commitment to pursuing sustainable development. At the event, the Circular Economy Model that revolves around the coffee tree has drawn international participants’ attention.

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – Media OutReach – 11 October 2021 – On October 8, 2021,  the Embassy of Viet Nam in Austria organised the 76th Vietnamese National Day in Vienna along with the participation of representatives from Austria’s Ministry of European and International Affairs, local administrations as well as leaders of international organisations in Vienna, international friends and overseas Vietnamese in Austria.

H.E. Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien to host the ceremony

At the Ceremony, the Embassy of Viet Nam collaborated with Minh Tien Group to introduce the implementation of the Circular Economy Model in Viet Nam, in order to inspire the idea of developing sustainable agriculture, preventing climate change, and reducing waste – especially plastic debris. The circular economic principles implemented by Minh Tien are regarded as “breakthrough” developments of the Vietnamese coffee industry which would raise a number of opportunities for properly appreciating the full value of a coffee tree.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien stressed that: “Despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Viet Nam and Austria maintain and strengthen their friendly relationship. Viet Nam wishes to receive the support from Austria, especially in the context where both states are looking forward to the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations in 2022.”

“Austria’s Ministry of European and International Affairs will continue to cooperate with Viet Nam towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries,” Ambassador Enno Drofenik of the Austria Foreign Ministry said.

H.E. Ambassador Enno Drofenik addresses the ceremony

“Viet Nam should be considered as a successful state in applying nuclear technology for peaceful purposes and responding to global issues in agriculture, environment or healthcare. Viet Nam has been collaborating with the IAEA in projects for controlling plastic debris,” Dr. Najat Mokhtar, Deputy Director-General of the IAEA, said.

Within the Ceremony’s framework, Minh Tien Group proudly presented and exchanged views with international participants on its Circular Economy Model derived from Viet Nam’s coffee tree. Such a story would bring a different and fresh viewpoint on modern and sustainable agriculture in Viet Nam.

Minh Tien Group’s representative said: “For Minh Tien, the Circular Economy Model is a breakthrough solution. In the future, we aim to put our resources into research and development toward innovative technology. That would diversify our environmentally-friendly products with practical value when placed in everyday lives.”

Viet Nam and Austria established diplomatic relations in 1972 and the two states have always maintained cooperation in various fields, especially in trade and investment, science and technology, and capacity building. Additionally, they cooperate and mutually support at international forums and organisations.

Viet Nam is a member state of international organisations and always actively contributes to international forums in Vienna. In September 2021, IAEA’s member states consented to elect Viet Nam to the Agency’s Board of Governors, for the 2021 – 2023 term. As reported, Viet Nam was a member of the Board for several terms and was the President of this body from 2013 to 2014. 

#MinhTienGroup

Laos Records Four New Deaths from Covid-19

Savannakhet Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded four new deaths today among 309 new cases of Covid-19 across the country.