On 6 March, the Government of Laos and the United Nations country representative signed off on a project aiming to strengthen large-scale food fortification in Laos.
HAUTON RD CHILDCARE PTY LTD ANNOUNCES OFFERING OF AUD 6,454,165 SENIOR SECURED LOAN NOTE OFFER
MELBOURNE, Australia, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Hauton Rd Childcare Pty Ltd ACN 681 910 707 is seeking to raise a total of AUD 6,454,165 in funds by the issue of loan notes, according to an announcement today by the underwriter Banner Capital Management Limited (the Arranger/Underwriter). The issue comprises progressively drawn notes as detailed below.
The following is a text of the announcement:
Banner Capital Management Limited as Arranger and Underwriter has announced today that the Issuer is seeking to raise AUD 6,454,165 through an offer of a series of debentures (in the form of loan notes) for the purposes set out below.
The loan notes (the Notes) to the issued represent a loan commitment of up to AUD 6,454,165.
The offer is made to investors who are qualified as ‘wholesale investors’ as defined in the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth). The Underwriter has agreed to initially subscribe for the issued Notes on 28 February 2025 and will underwrite the issue for progressive draws.
This open letter constitutes an offer of the Notes for the purposes of the ‘public offer test’ in section 128F(3)(d) of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 (Cth), for exemption from Australian interest withholding tax.
Financiers and those in the business of dealing in debentures, or the buying and selling of loan notes or other debt interests and who are interested in subscribing for the Notes will be required to give customary representations, warranties and information about their status, to assist the Issuer to demonstrate compliance with section 128F of the Income Tax Assessment Act (Cth).
KEY FEATURES OF THE OFFER
Issuer/Borrower |
Hauton Rd Childcare Pty Ltd ACN 681 910 707 |
Financier/Underwriter and Arranger |
Banner Capital Management Limited ACN 600 738 181 as trustee of the Banner Wholesale Real Estate Credit Fund |
The Offer |
An offer to subscribe for Loan Notes on the terms described in the transaction documents. The general terms of the transaction documents are set out in this Term Sheet. |
Security and Ranking |
|
Purpose |
The proceeds of the issue of the Loan Notes will be used by the Issuer to settle the purchase of the Property and to fund construction draws. |
Settlement Date |
28 February 2025 |
Term |
18 months from the settlement date (with a 12 month minimum term) |
Type of Instrument |
Senior Loan Notes |
Issue amount |
AUD 6,454,165 (noting the Facility Limit will reduce to $4,693,340 unless a permit for 121 places is issued) |
Interest Rate |
7.5% coupon per annum capitalising monthly and a 13% IRR per annum |
Transferability |
The Notes are freely transferable without the consent of the Issuer |
Governing Law |
Queensland, Australia |
The Issuer reserves the right in its absolute discretion to vary the terms set out above and accept or reject any offer. This offer will expire on 7 May 2025.
For further information please contact Brett Macgillivray at Banner Capital Management Limited – on +61 (3) 9929 6400 Email: enquiries@bannerassetmanagement.com
Restrictions in certain jurisdictions, including Australia
The distribution of this announcement and the offering and sale of the Notes in certain jurisdictions may be restricted by law. This message does not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to participate in the offer and be issued Notes in any jurisdiction where, or to any person or entity to whom, it would be unlawful to make such an offer, invitation or solicitation.
This message is not a prospectus or disclosure document and it has not been lodged with the Australian Securities & Investments Commission under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (Corporations Act). The offer of Notes is only available to domestic and foreign investors who are qualified as “professional investors” or “sophisticated investors” as defined under the Corporations Act (Wholesale Investors). By accepting the offer, an offeree represents that the offeree is a Wholesale Investor. No Notes will be issued or sold in circumstances that would require the giving of a disclosure document under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.
The Notes referred to in this message have not been nor will they be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (Securities Act), or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered, sold or delivered within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons (as defined in Regulation S under the Securities Act) except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. There will be no public offering of the Notes referred to in this message in the United States.
About Banner
Banner Capital Management Limited is an Australian based alternate asset manager specialising in actively managed property debt and has provided attractive risk-adjusted returns to its investors since 2012.
Xinjiang’s efforts to advance opening-up bear fruit
Xinjiang: Region ‘filled with changes and vitality’
BEIJING, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from Chinadaily.com.cn
The Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region has made “unprecedented” efforts in expanding multilevel practical cooperation with Central Asian countries in recent years, as part of China’s efforts to boost high-level opening-up, the chairman of the region said.
Under the framework of jointly building the Belt and Road, Xinjiang, as a frontier area of China neighboring Central Asia, has adopted a more proactive opening-up strategy with the countries in that region by developing itself as the core area of the Belt and Road Initiative and the China (Xinjiang) Pilot Free Trade Zone, said Erkin Tuniyaz, chairman of Xinjiang, in an exclusive interview with China Daily.
“We have been pushing forward multilevel exchanges and practical cooperation with Central Asian countries with unprecedented efforts,” he said, adding that the region will continue to strengthen in-depth cooperation in key areas including economic and trade investment, energy resources and cultural tourism.
By enhancing such cooperation, Xinjiang has committed to building itself into a golden corridor linking Asia and Europe and to serving as a gateway for opening-up efforts in western China, he said.
In particular, the Xinjiang pilot FTZ, established in November 2023, has become a hub for reform and opening-up in the region, which has strengthened top-level design and promoted the high-standard development of the pilot FTZ, Erkin Tuniyaz said.
“By continuously releasing policy dividends, it has effectively promoted the high-quality development of Xinjiang’s economy and society,” he added.
The Xinjiang pilot FTZ encompasses three iconic areas — Urumqi, Kashgar and Horgos — and is the first FTZ in China’s northwestern border region.
From 2022 to 2024, the annual total import and export volume in Xinjiang reached 246.36 billion yuan ($34 billion), 357.33 billion yuan and 435.11 billion yuan, respectively. Furthermore, the import and export volume of the Xinjiang pilot FTZ reached about 189.98 billion yuan last year, accounting for 43.66 percent of Xinjiang’s total volume.
Besides continuing to develop the Xinjiang pilot FTZ, the region will also accelerate the process of developing itself as the core area of the BRI, Erkin Tuniyaz said.
“We will step up efforts to build the regional capital of Urumqi into a regional center for international trade and logistics, an international inbound cargo distribution center, and a multifunctional international aviation hub geared toward Central and West Asia,” he said.
The economy of the region has continued to develop rapidly, and social undertakings have progressed comprehensively, he said.
“Xinjiang has embarked on a great journey from backwardness to progress, from poverty to prosperity, and from isolation to openness. The vast land of over 1.6 million square kilometers is filled with changes and vitality,” said Erkin Tuniyaz.
In particular, since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2012, efforts have been made to vigorously promote high-quality development, expand high-level opening-up, create a high-quality life for the people, adopt efficient governance, ensure high-level security, and drive historic changes in all undertakings in Xinjiang, he said.
He added that the region, which this year is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its establishment, enjoys a good situation of social stability and people living and working in peace and contentment, while China’s modernization has made solid new strides in Xinjiang.
The region’s GDP has increased from 930.69 billion yuan in 2015 to 2.05 trillion yuan in 2024, with an average annual growth rate of 6.1 percent. The average annual per capita disposable income of residents increased from 16,859 yuan to 30,899 yuan in that same period, with an average annual growth rate of 7 percent.
Meanwhile, the construction of transportation infrastructure in the region has been comprehensively accelerated, with the total operating mileage of railways reaching 9,092 kilometers and the total mileage of first-class expressways reaching 12,400 km. The region also has 27 civil airports.
The improved transportation network has made traveling to and within Xinjiang easier and faster than ever, Erkin Tuniyaz said.
Furthermore, the region has continuously increased investment in people’s livelihoods, with over 77 percent of the regional government’s financial expenditure being used for that purpose, he said.
He added that developing new quality productive forces has become an important focus for promoting high-quality development, and the region has made plans to further develop in areas such as new and clean energy as well as computing power.
Thailand Repatriates Hundreds More Chinese Scam Center Workers

Bangkok, Thailand
AFP-Hundreds of Chinese nationals freed from Myanmar online scam centers flew home through Thailand on 6 March, as the kingdom said it aimed to repatriate 1,500 such workers a week.
Thailand, Myanmar and China have been making efforts in recent weeks to clear out illegal cyberscam compounds on the Thai-Myanmar border where thousands of foreigners, mostly Chinese nationals, have been working.
Under pressure from key ally Beijing, Myanmar has cracked down on some of the compounds, freeing around 7,000 workers from more than two dozen countries.
Around 600 Chinese nationals were returned from Myanmar through Thailand two weeks ago, and last week the three countries held talks in Bangkok to arrange further transferrals.
Thai media broadcast footage on Thursday of coaches bringing hundreds of Chinese workers from Myanmar and offloading them on to planes destined for China at Mae Sot airport.
The Thai border force later said that 456 Chinese nationals were sent back on six China Southern chartered aircraft.
Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters that the government plans to repatriate 1,500 people per week, or 300 each weekday, with “regular repatriations of Chinese nationals every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.”
Mondays and Tuesdays would see other foreign nationals including Africans repatriated, he said, with the ministry coordinating with foreign embassies to help with “immediate” repatriations.
The remaining freed workers have been languishing for weeks in sometimes squalid conditions in holding camps near the Thai border while officials organise their repatriation.
Many workers say they were lured or tricked into taking the work, defrauding strangers online with investment, romance and gambling scams, and suffered beatings and abuse.
A Rwandan scam centre worker who asked to remain anonymous told AFP on Wednesday that he had been trafficked into one of the compounds where he was tortured and had his money taken from him.
“It’s a big challenge. If I get home I will have a big challenge also,” he said.
Unsanitary conditions at the overcrowded makeshift encampments have raised concerns about possible disease outbreaks.
“There are sick people… they need be repatriated onto the Thai side as early as possible,” Nikorndej said.
© Agence France-Presse
China’s Demographic Crossroads: Can High-Quality Development Offset an Ageing Population?
BEIJING, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from People’s Daily: China stands at a pivotal juncture as its demographic landscape shifts: birth rates continue to fall while the proportion of citizens aged 60 or older has surpassed 20% of the total population, according to its National Bureau of Statistics. This “silver wave” coincides with the nation’s push toward common prosperity, yet it raises a pressing paradox—how to reconcile rapid ageing with the challenge of achieving widespread affluence.
Does this demographic transition signal the erosion of China’s famed population dividend? Or can evolving definitions of productivity and innovation redefine its economic trajectory?
The answer lies in untangling the interplay between demographic trends, policy frameworks, and economic resilience. While China’s meteoric rise since the 1980s was undeniably fueled by its vast labor pool, analysts argue that institutional strengths—from socialist governance with Chinese characteristics to decades of reform and opening-up—unleashed an economic miracle no less critical than sheer workforce size.
Quantity alone no longer dictates prosperity. Even as the working-age population contracts, policymakers emphasize that technology investment, upskilling initiatives, and capital inflows can mitigate labour shortages. A case in point is China’s burgeoning talent reservoir: over 240 million citizens now hold higher education qualifications, fostering a skilled workforce driving sectors from AI to green energy.
This pivot from “population dividend” to “talent dividend” underscores a strategic bet—that quality, not just numbers, will sustain China’s modernization. As automation and innovation hubs like the Greater Bay Area expand, the narrative shifts from demographic anxiety to human capital’s transformative potential. The ultimate test? Whether high-quality development can turn an ageing society into an engine of sustainable progress.
The correlation between population structures and economic dividends defies reductionist arithmetic. It demands the analytical rigour of multivariate calculus, where shifting age coefficients interact with technological vectors and institutional constants. This complexity necessitates a systems-level perspective to truly decipher the demographic dividend equation.
Contemporary economic modelling reveals a paradigm shift: the dividend manifests not merely through crude growth metrics, but through strategic activation of latent human capital. While youth demographics remain crucial, a silent revolution is emerging from an unexpected quadrant – silver-haired populations redefining post-retirement economic agency.
Historical anxieties about elderly technological alienation now confront empirical contradictions. The digital metamorphosis of China’s elderly cohort has become a socioeconomic epiphany. Where pundits once predicted generational obsolescence, silver-haired netizens now dominate Douyin livestreams, orchestrate Taobao storefronts, and curate Xiaohongshu tutorials with the acuity of digital natives.
China’s silver wave of 170 million senior netizens is reinvigorating the digital ecosystem, proving the nation’s demographic dividend maintains potent socioeconomic currency.
This cohort’s renaissance extends far beyond screens. From mist-shrouded Huangshan peaks where septuagenarians clad in Arc’teryx gear deploy DSLR rigs, to Beijing’s frost-kissed ski slopes where grandmothers carve parallel turns, their vitality mirrors youth culture’s intensity. The lifelong learning revolution sees retired accountants mastering Python through digital lecture while former teachers monetize calligraphy tutorials – wisdom economies thriving.
Official metrics quantify the movement: China’s post-retirement cohort channels over 700 billion yuan ($96.31 billion) yearly into cultural pursuits and wanderlust, with 35 million silver-haired scholars crowding digital academies and marathon finish lines witnessing a surge of septuagenarian sprinters – concrete manifestations of a nation where sunset years glow brightest.
China’s sunset years fuel economic engines rather than brake them, as evidenced by the phenomenon achieving statecraft recognition. The codified “silver economy” now anchors national policy blueprints, while its lexical zeitgeist cousin “silver power” penetrated mainstream discourse through annual buzzword rankings. Concurrently, medical chaperone services and biographical scribing emerge as legitimate professions among youth entrepreneurs – tangible proof that demographic shifts birth new economic ecosystems.
China has unveiled a national geriatric framework blueprint, mandating creation of multi-tiered, equitable geriatric care apparatus spanning megacities to agrarian counties. The policy white paper prioritizes market-driven eldercare industrialization to address China’s “grey wave” – the coalescing demands of pensioners seeking tailored retirement ecosystems.
By tapping into the potential of an aging society, China aims to generate new economic dividends. The country’s top-level policy design is providing clear direction for future development.
A broader perspective reveals that addressing both the declining birth rate and population aging requires a balanced approach. Further deepening reforms and expanding opening up will provide fresh momentum for Chinese modernization, even amid demographic shifts.
In today’s China, whether young or old, the common goal is to move forward with confidence and live a better life.
Wildberries Identifies the Most Popular Gifts for International Women’s Day
Over 80% of customers in all countries where Wildberries operates celebrate 8 March and plan to buy gifts for women, the survey found. According to respondents, the holiday is associated with femininity, respect for women, positive emotions and gift-giving.
The survey included over 13,400 respondents in six countries – Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan. The most desired gifts among women respondents include cosmetics and perfumes, flowers and jewelry. In Armenia, women have preferences for shoes and clothes. Most male respondents plan to spend up to $50 on a gift for 8 March, while in Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan men are willing to spend over $100.
The survey revealed that men typically buy gifts on International Women’s Day for their wives/partners and their mothers. Women, on the other hand, celebrate the occasion by gifting their mothers, sisters, friends and colleagues—spending less per gift but covering a wider circle of recipients.
In Russia, 26% of surveyed women plan to buy themselves a gift for 8 March. This points to a growing trend towards financial independence among women, as well as a shift in the holiday’s meaning towards personal well-being and self-appreciation. Wildberries responds to these evolving customer needs by offering a wide variety of gifts to suit all tastes and budgets.
Founded by the entrepreneur Tatyana Kim while she was on maternity leave, Wildberries actively supports women’s entrepreneurship in the countries where it operates. The company empowers women to join its community of more than one million marketplace sellers and offers educational programs to help women launch their careers in IT. Wildberries is also a proud partner of the global Women in Tech initiative in Kyrgyzstan.
Hashtag: #wildberries
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Wildberries
Established in 2004 in Russia, Wildberries is a leading e-commerce platform operating in Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia and Uzbekistan, while also partnering with sellers in China. Wildberries provides a state-of-the-art IT infrastructure to support customers and sellers, along with a developed logistics network spanning more than 130 facilities and 58,000 pick-up points across its markets. As of 2024, Wildberries serves over 75 million customers and processes more than 20 million orders per day.
How China’s legislature weaves public voices into law
BEIJING, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from People’s Daily: As China convenes its annual “two sessions” – the gatherings of the National People’s Congress (NPC) and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), the country’s legislative process has once again come under the spotlight.
In China’s legislative system, the NPC and its Standing Committee serve not only as the lawmakers but also as conduits for public sentiment. But how are these voices channeled into the heart of law-making?
The answer is found in a meticulously designed institutional framework that ensures public sentiment is woven into every stage of the law-making process.
Proposing legislation
During the second session of the 14th NPC in 2024, deputies submitted 298 motions, with 292 directly addressing legislative issues ranging from the formulation and revision of laws to their repeal and interpretation.
When formulating its legislative plan, the NPC Standing Committee carefully reviews deputies’ motions and suggestions alongside expert analysis and public feedback. Since NPC deputies come from all walks of life, this process allows public voices to directly contribute to the legislative process.
Drafting law
Many might be surprised to learn that even high school students’ recommendations can influence Chinese national legislation. A 2020 proposal from teenagers at the High School Affiliated to East China University of Political Science and Law was relayed through a local legislative outreach office. It later appeared in revisions to China’s Minor Protection Law.
Such outreach offices was first launched in 2015. Since then, over 90 percent of laws drafted or amended by the NPC and its Standing Committee have incorporated feedback from these offices, which collect opinions from businesses, villages, and schools. Officials describe them as “direct hotlines” for democracy.
The process was tested during the drafting of China’s Civil Code, a landmark law enacted in 2020. Over 425,000 people made 1.02 million recommendations online. The final text added the “Personality Rights” section – a win for advocates who emphasized the need for enhanced protection of personal information, privacy, and reputation in the digital age.
Adopting law
Draft legislation generally undergoes several rounds of scrutiny by the NPC Standing Committee, and in some cases, is also examined during an NPC session.
Even technical provisions can ignite fierce discussions. In 2015, for instance, deputies clashed over a single sentence in draft revisions to China’s Legislation Law, as they discovered that the third reading had removed the clause requiring tax rates to be established by law.
Why did this detail matter?
Some deputies argued that tax rates are an essential element of taxation – without a statutory mandate, the principle of statutory taxation would be compromised. In response, the NPC’s specialized committees meticulously examined each suggested revision and ultimately restored the provision mandating that tax rates be set by law.
The Legislation Law, which governs how laws are made, stipulates that legislation shall uphold and develop whole-process people’s democracy, respect and protect human rights, and safeguard and promote social fairness and justice.
From the initial proposal of a legislative project to the drafting and deliberation of bills, the input of public voices is actively sought and integrated – a clear demonstration of whole-process people’s democracy.
Legislative power is lies at the heart of national governance. Through science-based and effective institutional arrangements, China ensures that the people exercise state power through the system of people’s congresses, firmly placing the country’s future firmly in the hands of its people.
Telkomsel and Tencent Cloud Develop AI and Cloud Solutions to Enhance Customer Experience
- Telkomsel and Tencent Cloud signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on AI and cloud-based solutions at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona on March 5 2025.
- Under the collaboration, Telkomsel will harness B2B and B2C solutions such as AI Generated Content (AIGC), AI Translation, and eKYC solutions like Palm Verification, and other AI capabilities.
- Tencent Cloud will support the cloud cost optimization for Telkomsel, including public and hybrid cloud collaborations with Telkomsel.
JAKARTA, Indonesia, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Telkomsel and Tencent Cloud signed a strategic partnership on AI and cloud-based solutions development at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2025 in Barcelona on 5 March 2025.
The partnership between Indonesia’s leading digital telecommunications service provider company and one of the world’s leading cloud companies will see Telkomsel harnessing various B2B and B2C solutions such as AI Generated Content (AIGC), AI Translation, and electronic know-your-customer (e-KYC) solutions like Palm Verification, and other AI capabilities. Tencent Cloud will also support cloud cost optimization for Telkomsel, including public and hybrid cloud collaborations with Telkomsel.
Wong Soon Nam, Director of Planning and Transformation of Telkomsel, said, “The partnership demonstrates Telkomsel’s commitment to optimizing our business operations and enhancing customer experiences through innovative digital solutions. It also aligns with our vision to accelerate Indonesia’s digital transformation and improve its technology sector.”
Poshu Yeung, Senior Vice President, Tencent Cloud International, added, “We are excited to expand our partnership with Telkomsel in the area of AI, cloud, and eKYC solutions. We hope the partnership will accelerate the adoption of more efficient and secure digital solutions to support digital transformation across various use cases.”
The Telkomsel-Tencent Cloud partnership covers three main items:
1. eKYC solution development in the form of Palm Verification for B2B segment
Telkomsel and Tencent Cloud now provide Palm Verification technology for the B2B segment that can improve the security and reliability of their digital identification systems.
2. AI-Generated Content (AIGC) and AI Translation Development
Both companies are developing AI-Generated Content (AIGC), AI Translation, and other AI-based capabilities for B2B and B2C segments.
3. Cloud Cost Optimization
Tencent Cloud will support cloud cost optimization for Telkomsel, including public and hybrid cloud collaborations with Telkomsel. This partnership allows Telkomsel to improve its operational efficiency and digital infrastructure scalability to provide faster, more stable, and cost-effective services.
The partnership is a continuation of their previous digital innovation efforts. Telkomsel and Tencent Cloud previously succeeded in pilot testing the Palm Verification technology for B2C customers at Telkomsel’s GraPARI outlets in 2024. Today’s partnership will see this technology extended to the B2B enterprise segment as part of Telkomsel’s business solutions strategy.
By leveraging the expertise and technology of both companies, the partnership is expected to provide efficient, intelligent, and value-added services for Indonesian customers.
About Tencent Cloud:
Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT, and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.
About Telkomsel (www.telkomsel.com)
Telkomsel is the leading digital telecommunications service provider in the region, empowering Indonesians to make better today and excellent tomorrow by delivering innovative and superior connectivity, services, and solutions for everyone, every household, and every business, to achieve more. Aligned with Indonesia’s spirit for digitalizing the nation, Telkomsel plays a pivotal role as the largest provider of convergence services, consistently expanding its 4G network coverage, developing 5G technology, and implementing the latest fixed broadband technology to enhance customer experience quality. Additionally, Telkomsel is evolving its digital services portfolio, encompassing Digital Lifestyle, Digital Advertising, Digital Enterprise Solutions, and Internet of Things. With 29 years of establishment, Telkomsel operates with support from over 269,000 BTS and serves more than 158.4 million mobile customers and over 9.4 million fixed broadband customers (IndiHome-B2C) across the nation. In pursuit of sustainable corporate operations, Telkomsel also upholds ESG principles to generate positive impacts on the corporate ecosystem. More information and customer services are available through the website: www.telkomsel.com, Facebook.com/Telkomsel, Twitter @telkomsel, Instagram @telkomsel, and Telkomsel’s virtual assistant on the MyTelkomsel application