HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is visiting the United States (October 22-24), where he delivered keynote speeches at the Bloomberg Global Regulatory Forum on the topic of financial sustainability (October 22) and at a business luncheon (October 23) in New York.

At the Bloomberg Global Regulatory Forum, Mr Chan highlighted how Hong Kong’s robust regulatory regime and international connectivity can play a role in building a future-proof financial system for long-term sustainability.

“Our strong fundamentals continue to be internationally recognised. Hong Kong ranks once again among the top three global financial centres, behind only New York and London,” Mr Chan said, adding that Canada’s Fraser Institute has again ranked Hong Kong the world’s freest economy.

These commendations are echoed by the global investor community, said Mr Chan. “Total banking deposits in Hong Kong, for example, have grown 5%, or US$100 billion, this year to date, reaching more than US$2 trillion. Our asset-and-wealth-management sector is also growing. We are managing over US$4 trillion in assets, and over half of that value was sourced from investors outside Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.”

Under “one country, two systems”, Mr Chan said international investors could be confident in Hong Kong’s future, thanks to advantages including the common law tradition; a judiciary that exercises powers independently; the free flow of goods, capital, talent and information; a currency pegged to the US dollar and business practices that align with the best international standards.

Elaborating on the dual mandate of Hong Kong’s financial regulators as both regulators and market enablers, Mr Chan said: “This requires the regime to respond to market and economic changes, embrace and empower technological innovation, and create the conditions for markets to thrive.”

Noting that innovation was reshaping the future of finance, Mr Chan shared two key development directions for Hong Kong: continuing to deepen the Connect Schemes between Hong Kong and Mainland China and strengthen the links and regulatory co-operation with Mainland and global capital markets; and embracing innovation, which includes enabling the responsible and sustainable development of digital assets.

Mr Chan added that Hong Kong was strengthening connections with other markets in ASEAN, the Middle East and the Belt and Road countries.

The Financial Secretary also attended a luncheon co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade office in New York and the Hong Kong Association of New York (October 23). He told attendees from businesses, institutions, chambers of commerce and think tanks that Hong Kong would continue to play its unique role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”, linking capital markets and investors of Mainland China and the global community to create value and opportunities for all.

He also introduced Hong Kong’s latest development strategies, particularly new initiatives in key areas such as finance and innovation and technology, attracting businesses and talent, and the increasingly close co-operation and collaborative developments with sister cities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – EFT Solutions Holding Limited (“EFT Solutions” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”; stock code: 8062.HK), a leading electronic fund transfer point-of-sales (“EFT-POS”) solutions provider, is pleased to announce that it was accredited as “Asia Best Under A Billion” by Forbes, a renowned international financial magazine.

Forbes “Asia Best Under A Billion” aims to honor high-performing Asia-Pacific listed companies with sustainable long-term growth. The panel of judges evaluates over 20,000 listed companies across the region, selecting 200 standout enterprises based on their comprehensive scores. The evaluation encompasses the company’s performance metrics over the most recent fiscal year and the preceding three years. This includes an analysis of debt levels, revenue growth, and earnings per share growth.

Furthermore, the assessment also considers the strongest annual return on equity as well as the five-year average return on equity, ensuring a thorough and rigorous appraisal of each company’s financial health and performance.

Mr. Andrew Lo Chun-kit, Chairman and CEO of EFT Solutions, said, “We are honored to be recognized by Forbes as one of the enterprises in ‘Asia Best Under A Billion,’ which reflects the long-term development direction of our group and the confidence of our investors. The business landscape is rapidly evolving, particularly in the electronic payment sector. As a leading local provider of electronic payment terminal solutions, we are dedicated to delivering innovative and diverse electronic payment solutions to our clients over the years, thereby fully addressing their system integration needs.

Looking ahead, we will continue to develop and provide various technological support to create more cashless payment scenarios for consumers. Additionally, we are actively exploring opportunities to export our electronic payment solutions to overseas markets, aiding in the establishment of relevant ecosystems in different regions, as well as ensuring stable growth and deliver optimal returns to shareholders in a volatile economic environment. ”

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Hashtag: #EFTSolutions #Forbes #AsiaBestUnderABillion

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EFT Solutions Holdings Limited

EFT Solutions Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 8062.HK) has been committed to providing a full range of “EFT-POS” electronic payment solutions, including supporting software, terminals and peripheral devices, to bring convenience to people and improve their quality of life. It aims at providing the most suitable electronic payment solutions for different customers, as well as providing value added functions for EFT-POS terminals, and coordinating terminal installation and maintenance services. Its EFT-POS terminal services cover renowned restaurant group, banks, major chain stores and department stores in Hong Kong, and will be deployed across various APAC countries.

Strategy game combining traditional chess and a magic system in a decentralized framework further expands presence in Southeast Asia

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – Anichess, the progressive chess-based online strategy game from Animoca Brands, developed in partnership with Chess.com and five-time World Chess Champion Magnus Carlsen, announced today that it has launched the public alpha version of its game. Additionally, Anichess has partnered with Yield Guild Games (YGG) to distribute the game in Southeast Asia, which represents one of Anichess’ top three regions in terms of registered players. The launch and partnership underscore Anichess’ commitment to advancing Web3 gaming in the region through its novel interpretation of one of the world’s oldest and most popular games.

The public alpha version of Anichess introduces players to a unique blend of traditional chess and innovative spell mechanics, delivering an immersive gaming experience. Following the release of player-versus-environment (PvE) spell chess puzzles earlier this year, Anichess players can now engage in player-versus-player (PvP) matches, train against AI-controlled opponents, and unlock new spells through game progression. Anichess now offers players four new game modes: ranked match, quick match, friend match, and bot match. Players can climb the ranks and earn points on the leaderboard based on their performance.

By partnering with YGG, Anichess aims to enhance distribution and onboarding efforts across Southeast Asia, targeting chess players, gaming enthusiasts, and students from schools and universities. To kickstart the partnership and showcase the new PvP functionalities, Anichess and YGG will organize a tournament with qualifying rounds starting in October and culminating in a final to be held during the YGG Play Summit in November in Manila, Philippines. The partnership also involves collaborations with guilds, institutions, and content creators to foster greater engagement and community building throughout the region.

Brian Chan, head of Anichess, said: “We’re excited to launch the next phase of Anichess and invite players to the new player-versus-player experience. Our partnership with YGG expands our reach to a diverse audience across Southeast Asia, a region that is strategically important due to its vibrant gaming and chess communities. Engaging these audiences will help us realize our vision of delivering an engaging, community-centric and decentralized experience to a wide global audience.”

Gabby Dizon, co-founder of Yield Guild Games, added: “The Philippines has always had a very active competitive gaming community. Of course, that includes chess. We’re excited to see the YGG community dive into this new take on one of the world’s oldest competitive games.”

Since January 2024, Anichess has welcomed over one million registered wallets while maintaining a player base of 30,000 monthly active players. These players have collectively solved over 50 million puzzles and recorded more than 14 million minutes of total game time.

Anichess can be played for free at www.anichess.com. Fans can follow Anichess on X and join its Discordserver to stay updated on future developments.

Hashtag: #Anichess

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

About Anichess

Anichess is a subsidiary of Animoca Brands focused on developing and advancing decentralized chess through its distinctive spell-chess gameplay. Anichess brings new energy and innovation to one of the world’s oldest and most widely played games, modernizing and tokenizing it to take advantage of opportunities presented by Web3 technologies and communities. Anichess is a completely free-to-play game that combines the core values of traditional chess with an additional layer of strategy provided by new features that include an innovative spell mechanic and special challenges. Anichess boasts a strong focus on powerful visuals and skill-based gameplay to deliver a captivating, esport-like experience for fans of chess and novices alike. For more information visit https://www.anichess.com.

About Animoca Brands

Animoca Brands (ACN: 122 921 813), a Deloitte Tech Fast winner, a Fortune Crypto 40 company, one of the Top 50 Blockchain Game Companies 2024, and one of the Financial Times’ High Growth Companies Asia-Pacific 2023, is a Web3 leader that leverages blockchain to deliver digital property rights to consumers around the world to help to establish the open metaverse. The company develops and publishes a broad portfolio of products including original games such as Anichess, The Sandbox, PHANTOM GALAXIES™, Life Beyond, and Crazy Defense Heroes, and products utilizing popular intellectual properties from the worlds of sports and entertainment, such as The Walking Dead, Power Rangers, MotoGP™, and Formula E. One of Animoca Brands’ flagship projects is Mocaverse, a platform that enables consumers to maximize their Web3 exposure to experiences and rewards with a single login entry point. Animoca Brands It has multiple subsidiaries, including The Sandbox, Blowfish Studios, Quidd, GAMEE, nWay, Pixowl, Forj, Lympo, Animoca Brands Japan, Grease Monkey Games, Eden Games, Darewise Entertainment, Notre Game, TinyTap, SPORTPASS, PIXELYNX, WePlay Media, Gryfyn, and Azarus. Animoca Brands is one of the most active investors in Web3, with a portfolio of over 540 Web3 investments, both directly and through Animoca Ventures, including Yuga Labs, Axie Infinity, Polygon, Consensys, Magic Eden, OpenSea, Dapper Labs, Yield Guild Games, and many more. For more information visit www.animocabrands.com or follow on X (Twitter), YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.

Call for Submissions from Tertiary, Secondary and Primary School Students Showcase their Ideal Green and Smart City

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – To enhance public understanding and awareness of green buildings, the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) has established “My Green Space” Student Competition since 2011. This Competition encourages students to apply creative ideas related to green building concepts in their living environments, developing an ideal green space. Now in its tenth edition, the HKGBC is privileged to have the Chinachem Group as the Sole Sponsor for this edition, collaborating to educate the younger generation about green building knowledge and nurture them to become pioneers in promoting green building concepts through this year’s theme “My Ideal Green and Smart City“.

Echo the UN’s Blueprint for Sustainable Development to Create an Ideal Green and Smart City

As sustainability development has become a global concern, the United Nations Summit on Sustainable Development adopted “The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) to establish a global blueprint for fostering peace, prosperity, and sustainable development. To achieve the goals of sustainable development, all sectors of society must take action to accelerate the development of cities through green and innovative solutions across various strategies.

Hence, the theme for this edition is “My Ideal Green and Smart City“, encouraging participants to unleash their creativity and imagination. Through different perspectives such as design, planning, and adoption of green technologies and innovations, entrants can showcase their vision of a liveable, sustainable, carbon-neutral, ecologically balanced and people-centric city.

Call for Local and Greater Bay Area Students to Showcase their Creativity and Compete for Cash Prizes of up to HK$8,000

To foster connections and exchanges among students from local and Greater Bay Area, and to bring together young minds from different backgrounds, the Competition welcomes the participation of students from Greater Bay Area tertiary institutions, to share their diverse perspectives and innovative ideas on creating an ideal green and smart city, working together to drive a sustainable future.

The Competition comprises five divisions, including Tertiary, Senior Secondary, Junior Secondary, Senior Primary and Junior Primary. Entry formats include 2D entries, 3D models, multimedia entries and proposals. All entries must include at least one building, regardless of its building type.

The Judging Panel will assess the entries based on four aspects: Application of Sustainability and/or Green Building Concepts; Originality, Creativity and Innovation; Effectiveness of Presentation and Consideration for Implementation. Each division will have a Champion, 1st Runner-up, 2nd Runner-up and Merit Award, with cash prizes of up to HK$8,000, along with a Trophy and Certificate. The “Innovative Idea Award” is specially established in each division, offering a cash prizes of HK$3,000 and a certificate to encourage students to fully demonstrate their innovative ideas in their entries.

Registration is now open until 31 December 2024. The deadline for entry submissions will be 31 March 2025. The Assessments will be conducted from May to June 2025. Winners will be invited to attend the Award Presentation Ceremony cum Exhibition in August 2025.

Tailor-made Activity: Green Building Tours cum Training Workshops and Companion Scheme to Support Entrants

To encourage experiential learning among entrants regarding local green building designs, the HKGBC will organise Green Building Tours cum Training Workshops. Each Tour will include a Training Workshop to impart green building knowledge and introduce Competition guidelines. To further promote the concept and importance of green building, the Tour will also welcome the participation of entrants’ families, friends and teachers, or anyone who is interested in the Competition. Entrants will receive bonus points for joining the activity.

Besides, a Companion Scheme will be launched to support the entrants throughout the Competition. A group of young green building experts, Green Building Young Leaders (GBYLs), will assist entrants with technical issues related to green building and smart cities. The Scheme also offers entrants a valuable opportunity to connect with young green building professionals, providing guidance for their learning and personal development while inspiring them in their pursuits.

Details of “My Green Space” Student Competition 2024-2025:

Registration Period: From now until 31 December 2024 6:00pm
Entry Submission Deadline: 31 March 2025 6:00pm
Online Registration: https://competition.hkgbc.org.hk/en/register_form.php

Eligibility:
1. The Competition is open to students from local and Greater Bay Area Tertiary Institutions or local Secondary and Primary School for the academic year 2024/25.
2. Students may participate either individually or in a group of up to 6 students.
3. Each entrant is only allowed to submit 1 competition entry, either individually or in group.

Divisions:

Primary Divisions	Junior Primary (P1 – P3) Senior Primary (P4 – P6)
Secondary Divisions	Junior Secondary (S1 – S3) Senior Secondary (S4 – S6)
Tertiary Division	Students from Local and Greater Bay Area Tertiary Institutions

Judging Criteria:

Application of Sustainability from the Environment, Economics and Social Aspects / Green Building Concepts	40%
Originality, Creativity and Innovation	20%
Effectiveness of Presentation	20%
Consideration for Implementation	20%

Prizes:

Champion	Cash HK$8,000, Trophy & Certificate (1 individual / 1 group)
1st Runner-up	Cash HK$4,000 & Certificate (1 individual / 1 group)
2nd Runner-up	Cash HK$3,000 & Certificate (1 individual / 1 group)
Merit Award	Cash HK$1,000 & Certificate (3 individuals / 3 groups)
Special Prize: “Innovative Idea Award”	Cash HK$3,000 & Certificate (1 awardee each in Primary School Divisions, Secondary School Divisions and Tertiary Division / 3 in Total)

For details of the Competition, please visit the Competition website:
www.hkgbc.org.hk/studentcompetition
Hashtag: #HongKongGreenBuildingCouncil #Chinachemgroup #MyGreenSpace #MyGreenSpaceStudentCompetition #studentcompetition #GreenAndSmartCity #Sustainable #greenbuilding #greentechnology

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

About the Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC)

The Hong Kong Green Building Council (HKGBC) is a non-profit, member-led organisation established in 2009 and has become a public body under the Prevention of Bribery Ordinance since 2016. The HKGBC strives to promote the standard and development of sustainable buildings in Hong Kong. The HKGBC also aims to raise green building awareness by engaging the government, the industry and the public, and to develop practical solutions for Hong Kong’s unique, subtropical built environment of high-rise, high density urban area, leading Hong Kong to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and to become a world’s exemplar of green building development. The Founding Members of the HKGBC include the Construction Industry Council (CIC), the Business Environment Council (BEC), the BEAM Society Limited (BSL) and the Professional Green Building Council (PGBC).

To learn more about the HKGBC, please visit www.hkgbc.org.hk.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – Brighton College is delighted to announce the launch of their second international school in Bangkok, Vibhavadi for boys and girls aged 2 – 18.

This exciting venture builds upon the terrific success of Brighton College Bangkok, which has operated successfully in Thailand for the last decade. Due to exceptional demand at this award-winning school, Brighton College will be opening the doors to its second school in Bangkok in August 2025.

The school will deliver a world-class education in iconic, brand-new, purpose-built facilities, inspiring a lifelong love of learning in children, underpinned by the pillars of curiosity, confidence and kindness.

Brighton College Bangkok has had incredible success over the last decade, with some of the best examination results in Asia, securing pupil admissions to prestigious universities such as Cambridge University, Imperial College London, and Emory University. Just 2 weeks ago, the school was named ‘British International School of the Year’ at the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2024.

Brighton College UK, awarded ‘School of the Decade’ by The Sunday Times, is consistently recognised as the UK’s leading co-educational independent school. In 2024, Brighton College secured the best examination results of any independent school in the UK. In addition, Brighton College has achieved numerous other accolades, such as ‘Top School in Britain for STEM’ and ‘Best Sixth Form in Britain’

Khun Nusara (Assakul) Banyatpiyaphod, Chair of the Brighton College Bangkok Board of Governors, shared her excitement:

“The partnership of two great educational organisations is truly exciting for our children. All the values we hold dear – kindness, nurturing a child’s natural curiosity and developing their confidence to grow and make a difference in the world – will only be strengthened by becoming part of the Brighton College Family of Schools. I am delighted now, to announce the arrival of Brighton College Bangkok, Vibhavadi, a school that not only continues to build a community of academic excellence, but one that develops a love of learning and provides our pupils with the greatest opportunities to become the best version of themselves.”

The Brighton College ethos of nurturing curiosity, confidence, and kindness will ensure that pupils at the new school at Vibhavadi are prepared for a bright global future.

Richard Cairns, Principal of Brighton College Group commented:

“Alongside our established school in Bangkok, I have every confidence that Brighton College Bangkok Vibhavadi will become what Tatler described as one of the ‘hottest tickets in education.’ This will be a school rooted in inspiring children to be the very best versions of themselves – children who are kind, respectful, academically ambitious, and self-confident, ready to play their part in making a better world for future generations.”

Join Brighton College Bangkok, Vibavadi Campus, as it embarks on this exciting journey to bring a premier educational experience to more students in Bangkok!

Contact for more information:
Website : https://bit.ly/BCBV-008
Tel: +66 (84) 676 0616
Email: admissions-vibha@brightoncollege.ac.th
Line: @brightonvibhavadi
Hashtag: #BrightonCollege #Internationalschool #BrightonCollegeBangkok #britishcurriculum

https://bit.ly/BCBV-008

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

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2024 – ROSHI, a leading fintech company reshaping digital lending across Southeast Asia, today released a comprehensive report on the Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) market in Singapore and its implications for the broader region. The study reveals a seismic shift in consumer credit preferences, with Millennials and Gen Z at the forefront of BNPL adoption.

Key findings from the ROSHI report include:

1. Singapore’s BNPL market is projected to grow from US$1.2 billion in 2022 to US$3.7 billion by 2032, representing a paradigm shift in consumer financing.
2. BNPL transactions are 70% larger than average credit card purchases, indicating a significant impact on spending patterns.
3. 42.1% of consumers choose BNPL for better terms, compared to only 17.5% for credit cards, showing a clear shift away from traditional credit options.
4. BNPL user base has expanded to 1.9 million Singaporeans by 2022, with market share expected to increase by 3% from 2022 to 2027.
5. Under-35 consumers represent the majority of BNPL users, signaling a generational shift in credit preferences.

“Our research clearly shows that BNPL is not just a trend, but a fundamental shift in how younger generations approach credit and spending,” said Amir Nada, CEO of ROSHI. “As a fintech leader in Southeast Asia, we’re at the forefront of this revolution, developing innovative solutions that cater to the evolving needs of Millennials and Gen Z.”

The report highlights that younger consumers prefer BNPL due to easier access, minimal credit checks, and an aversion to traditional credit card debt. This shift presents both challenges and opportunities for traditional financial institutions and emerging fintechs alike.

“The BNPL boom in Singapore is just the beginning,” added Trịnh Mai Thanh, Lead Researcher at ROSHI. “We’re seeing similar trends across Southeast Asia, indicating a broader regional shift in consumer financing preferences.”

ROSHI’s report also examines the potential risks and benefits of BNPL for consumers and the wider economy. While BNPL offers increased purchasing flexibility, the report emphasizes the need for responsible lending practices and financial literacy programs to ensure sustainable growth in the sector.

The full report, is available at https://www.roshi.sg/buy-now-pay-later-in-singapore-report/
Hashtag: #ROSHI

https://www.roshi.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/roshi-marketplace/
https://www.facebook.com/ROSHI.Smart.Lending/

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

About ROSHI

ROSHI is a Singapore-based fintech transforming digital lending across Southeast Asia. Since launching its proprietary automated platform in March 2022, ROSHI instantly provides personalised loan options to borrowers by leveraging AI algorithms and machine learning. Currently facilitating home and personal loans through partnerships with various lenders, ROSHI has assisted hundreds of consumers in obtaining loan approvals while providing valuable market insights.