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U-MONEY Receives SME Innovation Excellence Award

Star Fintech Sole Co., Ltd. has once again won the national award: The SME Innovation Excellence Award from the announcement of the ASEAN Business Excellence Award of Lao PDR 2021, which was organized by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry.  The awards ceremony is held every year with a large number of local companies participating and U-MONEY recently received an award: The Top LNCCI Business Leader for the Year 2021 Covid 19 Response Awards.

Also in the year 2020 u-money has received international awards such as Silver Stevie in the topic Award for Innovation in Consumer Products & Services The Mobile Services-Finance Center in Lao PDR announced the award by Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards 2020. Also awarded by IT world Awards 2020 that organized by Network Product Guide in the partIT Products & Services for Finance, Banking, and Insurance.

With the results of research, innovation, creativity, with the aim of providing the best services to the society with the goal of booking mobile financial services in all regions across the country, to help people gain access to state-of-the-art digital finance

To improve the living standards of the people, for the value of service over the past 3 years, u-money has won up to 4 awards at the national and international levels. This is a precious reward, the pride of all staff.

With the current situation of the Covid 19, People need to adapt to a new way of life (New Normal) Of course, the use of technology in sisterhood is very important nowadays.  For example, in the field of finance, the U-MONEY service is another service that is most suitable in this era. Because U-MONEY is an e-wallet service, you can transfer money – withdraw money in cash, Payment of telecommunication services, insurance, water supply, and credit leasing via the mobile system, Including links to leading banks, and in three years, U-MONEY has expanded its registration number to 1.6 million, expanded to more than 10,000 representative stores, expanded payment stores via QR code to more than 70,000 stores nationwide.

u-money will not stop product development taking into account the maximum benefit to the people, Serving people, and serving society, for example, people living in remote areas have easy access to financial-banking services to push people to know how to use and access digital financial transactions. This will strengthen the foundation for the development of a more prosperous community economy.

Laos Confirms 324 New Cases of Covid-19, Three Deaths

Houaphanh Covid Update

The downward trend continues with Laos has recording 324 cases of Covid-19 across the country today, as well as three deaths.

4ARTechnologies launches its unique NFT+ marketplace for physical and digital artworks with next generation features

ZUG, SWITZERLAND – NEWSAKTUELL – 8 February 2022 – At the launch of the 4ART Marketplace on January 26, a total of 2,179 authentic NFT+ had already been minted with the highest possible security standard via the 4ART App. Within a few hours, NFTs worth $355,766.56 were sold. Currently, the marketplace offers high quality fine art NFT+ worth $1.172.024,52. (https://4artmarketplace.com). 

To provide authenticity during trading and full security like nowhere else, all users are required to be KYC (bank-customary standard) authenticated. The NFT+ standard introduces much needed security enhancements with an included on-chain legal rights document, providing collectors with unparalleled protection of their copyrights against possible forgeries. 

4ARTechnologies has made its secure and curated NFT+ marketplace available to all creators and collectors. It combines next generation features, such as enhanced NFT security, multi-chain support, and the ability to create, sell and purchase NFT+ without cryptocurrencies or an existing wallet. 

The exhibited NFTs are topped by exclusive and curated high-quality drops of internationally renowned artists, which have been met with great interest from investors and collectors.

For the first time, users can choose from a variety of blockchain protocols for their NFT+ minting, including Ethereum, Tezos, Binance Smart Chain or Palm (which previously supported the NFT drop by Damian Hirst) and ecological and low-cost alternatives. Solana and Polygon will also be available soon. Thanks to 4ARTechnologies patented digital fingerprint and the application of forensic watermarking, NFT+ can be minted for physical and digital artworks.

#4ARTechnologies


Incomlend Invoice Financing Programme Strengthens Production Capacity of India-Based Bulk Bag Manufacturer SafeFlex

Quick turnaround facility enables the company to solidify its operations and manufacturing output to capture new revenue opportunities with potential and existing customers

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 February 2022 – Global invoice financing marketplace, Incomlend, announced a multi-million invoice financing programme for SafeFlex International Limited (SafeFlex), a leading India-based manufacturer of Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers (FIBC), poly-wovens and poly-knits, with four manufacturing plants across the country. The working capital solution enables the company to finance and increase the production capacity of its pharma and food-grade industrial container and bulk bags to capture new business opportunities with potential and existing buyers.

 

SafeFlex has seen considerable revenue growth over the years, and it plans to expand its production capacity further. The company’s portfolio of over 500 global buyers comprises long-time buyers who are distributors and manufacturers based in developed nations such as the US, UK, and Europe.

 

Incomlend Invoice Financing Programme will play a key role in SafeFlex’s expansion plans to double production capacity and increase revenue. It allows the company to capitalise on the opportunities in the growing global bulk bags market, which is expected to reach nearly US$5 billion in value by 2023.

 

Traditionally, it takes SafeFlex up to 90 days to cash in an invoice. However, the extended payment terms can undermine their financial agility and limit their operations and manufacturing output. With the quick turnaround facility provided by Incomlend, the manufacturer can cash in an invoice as early as three days after the goods are shipped to its buyers. It provides them with the cash flow needed to fund their next production cycle and effectively expand their capacity to meet new or increased orders from their buyers.

 

Founded in Singapore and with offices in Europe, India, and Southeast Asia, Incomlend connects small and medium enterprises (SMEs), like SafeFlex globally, with communities of investors. It enables them to buy and sell individual invoices via a proprietary tech-enabled and secure invoice exchange platform.

 

SafeFlex International Limited CEO and President Jitesh Agrawal said:

“SafeFlex is excited to form this long-term partnership with Incomlend. Its Invoice Financing Programme’s quick turnaround model provides us with the cash flow we need to expand our business and operations. This will place our company in a stronger position for growth as economies start to recover and the demand for our products continues to surge.”

 

Incomlend CEO and Co-founder Morgan Terigi commented:

“The appetite for FIBCs and bulk bags are expected to rise in the coming months as economies globally reopen, and global trade becomes increasingly active. With India being one of the world’s largest FIBC and bulk bags suppliers, manufacturers have a tremendous growth opportunity. As a company with a strong foothold in the Indian manufacturing industry, Incomlend has an unwavering commitment to supporting SafeFlex and SMEs worldwide with their business and production growth. Our quick turnaround solutions will provide them with the financial means to bolster their export capacity and capture new revenue streams.”

 

For more information on Incomlend, please visit https://www.incomlend.com/.

 

About Incomlend

Incomlend is a global invoice financing marketplace for businesses and private capital. Founded in 2016, the Singapore-based company has processed more than 2,300 transactions and provides invoice finance services in over 50 countries worldwide. As one of the first alternative cross-border trade finance platforms globally, Incomlend enables companies to finance their export invoices by selling them to institutional investors at a discount. For more information, visit www.incomlend.com.

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#Incomlend

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

Atradius: Rising oil prices bring welcome post-recession cash injection to oil producing nations

Atradius‘ latest economic report on the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) acknowledges the importance of the growth in oil prices for the energy-exporting economies of the region. However, it also notes the limits to growth presented by an underdeveloped private sector and the ongoing downside risks to the economic outlook caused by the pandemic.

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach – 8 February 2022 – Rising oil prices are boosting economic growth throughout the oil producing economies of the MENA region, with predictions that GDP will largely return to pre-pandemic levels during the course of 2022. Oil prices are expected to level out at about USD70 per barrel, with global demand for oil picking up. In the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) oil activity is expected to grow by up to 8% in 2022, a huge increase on the 0.5% recorded last year.

 

Many of the energy-exporting nations have also enacted strong vaccine strategies, which in turn has enabled them to lift lockdown measures and reopen domestic sectors such as retail and tourism.

 

However, despite a brief role when they led the economic recovery during the oil price shock, several non-energy exporting nations have now slipped behind their GCC neighbours when it comes to short-term growth predictions. For Jordan and Lebanon, in particular, ongoing high Covid-19 infection rates are negatively impacting their economic rebounds and contributing to weak economic growth.

 

The development of the region’s private sector is also likely to have an impact on the size and speed of the region’s economic recovery. As the report outlines, without private sector reform, economic growth will slow. This is true of most GCC countries where the share of the state-owned hydrocarbon sector dwarfs their various private sectors, but also in Algeria and Egypt where restrictions on imports and foreign investment, and a preferential treatment of state-owned companies over private companies in public tenders are additional factors that are stifling business.

 

Although vaccine programmes and the development of the private sectors are important for the region’s economy, growth is still heavily dependent on oil. Niels de Hoog, Senior Economist, Atradius, acknowledged that the world economy will still require energy from fossil fuels on a large scale for several decades. However, he noted that despite plans to expand the capacity of hydrocarbon production, many GCC nations are also investing in renewable energy. He said: “Investments in renewable projects are being stepped up simultaneously to increase the share of domestic energy consumption that comes from renewable sources. The additional fossil fuel production will mainly be destined for exports.” At the same time, the rise in home-grown renewables is also changing the economic prospects of the region’s non-hydrocarbon producers for the better as they become less dependent on imported energy.

 

Schuyler D’Souza, Managing Director Middle East, Atradius said: “The Atradius Regional Economic Outlook for the Middle East and North Africa paints a varied picture. On the one hand we are seeing a rebound from the economic crises of the pandemic downturn and the oil price shock. However, on the other hand, additional factors are impacting projected growth in the region. Primary among these are the slow rate of vaccine roll-out in some of the economies and heavy dependence on state-owned hydrocarbon businesses. This picture may change over the next few years as some of the region’s countries expand investment in renewable energy and enable growth among the private sector.”

 

Get the Atradius Economic Research Report here: https://atradius.com.hk/en/publications/economic-research-petrodollars-boost-mena-private-sector.html

 

About Atradius

Atradius is a global provider of credit insurance, bond and surety, collections and information services, with a strategic presence in over 50 countries. The products offered by Atradius protect companies around the world against the default risks associated with selling goods and services on credit. Atradius is a member of Grupo Catalana Occidente (GCO.MC), one of the largest insurers in Spain and one of the largest credit insurers in the world. You can find more information online at www.atradius.com.hk

Connect with Atradius on Social Media

Twitter

https://twitter.com/atradius

LinkedIn

https://linkedin.com/company/atradiusasia

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/user/atradiusgroup

#Atradius

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

Singapore is ready for Biometric Payment Cards

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 February 2022 – Zwipe, a biometric fintech pioneer, conducted a comprehensive consumer investigation in Singapore during Q4 2021 to study 150+ consumers’ payment preferences and feedback on biometric payment cards. Consumers’ feedback on biometric payment cards was extremely positive, indicating a strong demand for biometric payment cards.

Below are some interesting facts from the survey:

  • 88% of consumers would prefer their next payment card to be biometric
  • 70% of consumers are ready to switch to a new bank for a safer way to pay
  • 80% of consumers have concerns on the risk of infection when paying in-store and touching the POS

The survey’s findings are consistent with data available from other worldwide studies undertaken in the Nordics, Canada, USA, UK, Germany and South Africa. Consumers across the world, just as in Singapore, want a payment solution that delivers world-class security and user experience and ensures 100% touch-less check out at all times.

 

Zwipe: A biometric fintech pioneer

Founded in 2009 with the mission to make “convenience safe and secure” through the use of biometric technologies, Zwipe has today emerged as a pioneer in NxtGen payment solutions. The company believes that the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. Zwipe works across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to bring biometric payment solutions globally.

 

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, Zwipe’s growing team is represented by 14 different nationalities in nine countries across five time zones – from Colorado Springs to Singapore.

Strong demand for Biometric Payment Cards

According to Claus Hansen, Zwipe’s newly appointed VP of Sales for APAC, “The payments market in Singapore is mature and sophisticated, with banks and fintechs offering highly digital services for retail, e-commerce and mobile financial services. The more-traditional smart card segment is the area where Singaporean consumers are now expecting card issuers to step up. The Zwipe Pay platform, which includes a single silicon biometric system on the card, is a game-changer in the payments sector as it has dramatically reduced the unit costs and improved the biometric performance ensuring an excellent user experience.”

 

He further highlights, “Consumers value convenience, security, and safety when selecting and using a payment method. As such, Zwipe is well positioned to provide cutting-edge card-based solutions that enable our clients in APAC to respond to market demands, while also establishing ourselves as the strategic technology partner of choice.”

 

Hansen has worked in payment technologies, cybersecurity, fintech, and smart cards for over 25 years. In the APAC region, he has held senior executive management positions with Entrust, NXP Semiconductors, Gemalto, dzcard, and Kona I.

 

About Zwipe:

Zwipe believes the inherent uniqueness of every person is the key to a safer future. We work with great passion across networks of international organizations, industries and cultures to make convenience safe and secure. We are pioneering next-generation biometric card and wearables technology for payment and physical & logical access control and identification solutions. We promise our customers and partners deep insight and frictionless solutions, ensuring a seamless user experience with our innovative biometric products and services.

Founded and headquartered in Oslo, Norway our growing team is represented by 14 different nationalities in nine countries across five time zones – from Colorado Springs to Singapore.

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

More Than 70,000 People Affected by Natural Disasters in Laos in 2021

Widespread floods in Laos after tropical storm Koguma
The Nam Song River bursts its banks in Vang Vieng.

More than 70,000 people in Laos were affected by floods and other natural disasters in 2021, with 17 injured and 19 dead.

Chubb Offers No-Questions-Asked-Policy-Cancellation and Refund for All Chubb-Underwritten Travel Policies in Singapore

SINGAPORE  – Media OutReach  8 February 2022 – Chubb announced today the launch of a No-Questions-Asked-Policy-Cancellation and Refund campaign in Singapore for all Chubb-underwritten individual Single-Trip travel policies, issued from 16 December 2021 to 31 March 20221.

 

This service promise is also supported by partners who distribute Chubb’s travel products, like American Express, DBS Bank Ltd, and GrabInsure Insurance Agency (S) Pte Ltd, and more.

 

“Recognising the uncertainty surrounding international travel, this campaign was introduced to provide our customers a straightforward experience to cancel and refund their travel insurance policy, in the event of changes to travel plans, due to COVID-19.  As consumers ourselves, we understand that with the changing requirements/circumstances, planning for international travel can be stressful and our insurance policy shouldn’t add to that stress. By allowing our customers to cancel and refund their policies with no questions asked, we hope to provide them with greater confidence, and the relevant protection required, as they resume travels,” said Serene Neo, Division Head of Accident & Health for Chubb in Singapore.

 

In addition to providing cancellation and refund benefits, Chubb’s travel policies distributed by partners also provide cover for2:

 

COVID-19 Benefits

  • Overseas medical expenses
  • Overseas hospital confinement benefit
  • Overseas quarantine benefit
  • Emergency medical evacuation & repatriation
  • Journey cancellation and curtailment

Travel Inconveniences

  • Trip delay coverage
  • Baggage delay coverage
  • Loss or damage to personal belongings (including baggage) coverage


Other Benefits

  • Credit card indemnity
  • Emergency mobile phone expenses
  • Personal liability coverage
  • 24-Hour emergency assistance



1 Terms and conditions apply. For more information, visit chubb.com/leisuretravelcampaign 

2 For full terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions, please refer to your Chubb-underwritten individual Single-Trip travel policy.

About Chubb Singapore

Chubb is the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurer. Chubb Insurance Singapore Limited, via acquisitions by its predecessor companies, has been present in Singapore since 1948. Chubb in Singapore provides underwriting and risk management expertise for all major classes of general insurance. The company’s product offerings include Financial Lines, Casualty, Property, Marine, Industry Practices as well as Group insurance solutions for large corporates, multinationals, small and medium-sized businesses. In addition, to meet the evolving needs of consumers, it also offers a suite of tailored Accident & Health and Personal & Specialty insurance options through a multitude of distribution channels including bancassurance, independent distribution partners and affinity partnerships.

Over the years, Chubb in Singapore has established strong client relationships by delivering responsive service, developing innovative products and providing market leadership built on financial strength.

More information can be found at www.chubb.com/sg.

#Chubb

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