Singapore-headquartered ChainUp sets up a new office in Seoul, South Korea as part of its ongoing expansion plans to harness new market potential.

SINGAPORE – News Direct – 17 August 2022 – ChainUp, a global blockchain technology solutions provider, announced its expansion with a new office opening in Seoul, South Korea. While they are headquartered in Singapore, ChainUp currently has offices in Hong Kong, Japan, Canada, and the United States. With its office in South Korea, the company plans to strengthen its presence in the region and harness the market’s potential.

ChainUp provides businesses with a complete suite of blockchain solutions all within one platform. Its comprehensive solutions include digital asset exchange systems, NFT trading systems, wallet solutions, liquidity solutions, and digital assets custody and management. Since its founding in 2017, ChainUp has served more than 1,000 clients in 30 countries and regions, reaching over 60 billion end-users.

Mr. Lee Sangwook, Head of Korea Office of ChainUp said, “The Web3.0 and blockchain industry in Korea is fast-growing and backed by strong government support. With our new office in South Korea, we aim to bring our comprehensive solutions to businesses in the region while fostering close partnerships with relevant stakeholders in the ecosystem to promote technological advancements and industry developments.”

Mr. Sailor Zhong, Founder & CEO of ChainUp said, “To fulfil our vision of making blockchain technology more accessible for businesses around the world, we aspire to consistently grow our footprint to facilitate blockchain adoption and support businesses across different industries in their blockchain journeys to stay ahead of the technological curve.”Hashtag: #ChainUp

About ChainUp Group

Founded in 2017, ChainUp is a leading end-to-end blockchain technology solutions provider covering infrastructure development and ecosystem support. Built on the mission to empower businesses through blockchain technology, ChainUp’s innovative and all-around compliant solutions include digital asset exchange systems, NFT trading systems, wallet solutions, liquidity solutions, and digital assets custody and management. Headquartered in Singapore and with offices around the world, the company has served more than 1,000 clients in 30 countries, reaching over 60 million end-users.

For more information, please visit: www.chainup.com.

Industry Suppliers and Buyers to gather from 14-16 September 2022 for networking, sourcing and learning opportunities in the Asian Market

PORTLAND, USA – Media OutReach – 17 August 2022 – Seafood Expo Asia, The Seafood Marketplace for Asia, produced by Diversified Communications, organizer of the world’s leading seafood trade events, is bringing the industry back together for three-day of in-person networking, sourcing and knowledge sharing. The 10^th edition of Seafood Expo Asia is taking place in Singapore from 14-16 September 2022 at Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre.

“After three years of doing business online, buyers from across Asia are ready for the face-to-face networking, product sampling and meeting opportunities that only in-person events can provide,” said Ms. Iris Kwan, Event Director, Diversified Communications.

Industry professionals attending the Expo will be able to find the latest seafood products, equipment and services from over 200 exhibiting companies representing more than 38 countries. New countries to the event include Bangladesh, Latvia, New Zealand, Norway, Peru, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom and Yemen. In addition, 18 regional and national pavilions will participate in the 10^th edition of the Expo including new pavilions from Argentina, Ecuador, India, Latvia, Japan, Papua New Guinea and Turkey.

“There is strong interest from worldwide suppliers to enter or expand their business in the Asian market,” added Ms. Kwan. “The exhibit hall is close to being sold out and welcoming companies from so many countries shows the importance of the seafood market in this part of the world.”

During the three-day event, international suppliers of fresh, chilled, frozen, canned and value-added seafood products will showcase their offerings to buyers from across Asia, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, catering services, importers, distributors, seafood market and other retail and foodservice companies. In addition, companies with equipment and services will feature solutions for the seafood industry value chain. The list of exhibiting companies can be viewed on the event’s website.

Seafood Expo Asia brings back its Business Matchmaking Program, which matches exhibiting seafood suppliers with high-volume seafood buyers and importers. The business matchmaking and meeting scheduling program is designed to facilitate buyers and suppliers’ trading, sourcing and networking needs. Meetings will take place face-to-face in a dedicated location at the Expo.

To complement the halls packed with innovative products and exhibits, the event will host informative and thought-provoking conference sessions led by industry experts. Through speaker presentations and panel discussions, the conference program will provide insights on the latest seafood market trends including sustainability, traceability, innovation, aquaculture, logistics and financing, topics on meeting consumers’ needs and more. The complete conference program can be viewed at: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/asia/conference-agenda/.

Special events, organized during the three-day expo, will enhance attendees’ experience and product knowledge. Culinary demonstrations will feature Chefs’ best way to handle and prepare seafood products through their favorite recipes. The Product Showcase will highlight the latest market-ready offerings from exhibiting companies and buyers will be able to taste some of the products in the Tasty Kitchen. The “Knowing Your Fish” educational presentations will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of unique market seafood species.

Seafood industry professionals can learn more about Seafood Expo Asia and register to attend for free by visiting www.seafoodexpo.com/asia.

Note: Member of the press can register for free here.

Hashtag: #SeafoodExpoAsia

About Seafood Expo Asia

Seafood Expo Asia is a trade event where buyers and suppliers of seafood from around the world come together to network and conduct business in the lucrative Asian market. The event is produced by Diversified Communications and takes place annually in Asia. SeafoodSource is the exposition’s official media covering industry news year-round. www.seafoodexpo.com/asia.

About Diversified Communications

Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.

The vast majority of the 108 Malaysian respondents (94 per cent) expect their business to increase technology use over the next 12 months, as the findings show a positive link between technology use and higher profit margins.

CPA Australia’s Malaysian Digital Transformation Committee Chairman Bryan Chung FCPA (Aust.) said it is apparent that most Malaysian businesses are taking action to improve technology adoption.

“Over the next 12 months, a higher percentage of Malaysian businesses compared to the survey average are planning to improve technology adoption by increasing technology training for employees, increasing investment or upgrading technology and implementing a digital transformation strategy.

“One key finding from this year’s survey is that big data has become a focus point when making business decisions. Not only are businesses hiring staff with this expertise, they are also investing in software that will help them in the area of data analytics for the future,” he said.

Operational efficiency is a leading reason for the take-up of new technology among respondents (62 per cent), Bryan said. This corresponds with findings of an expected increase in use of data analytics and visualisation software, robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence.

“The uptake of RPA in Malaysia is particularly exciting. Thirty-nine per cent of Malaysian respondents said their business plans to increase use of this technology to drive operational efficiency in the next 12 months. This is 15 percentage points higher than the survey average,” he said.

The findings from this survey coincide with the findings of the CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey 2021-2022, which found business owners are motivated to pursue technological innovations for long-term growth as opposed to short-term survival.

Bryan said it is important that businesses develop and implement a long-term digital transformation strategy to ensure business longevity.

“There are quite a few national initiatives that empower businesses with an injection of capital to increase technology adoption and digitalisation. This aligns with the national aspiration of achieving a ‘high technology nation’ status by 2030.

“Professionals can also look at upskilling themselves to be more data proficient to meet the changing focus of the business sector. There are many incentives or programs available to facilitate this change. Respondents also are investing in human capital, which is promising,” he said.

The Business Technology Survey 2022 was conducted from 28 May to 12 July 2022. The findings came from 820 accounting and finance professionals working in Australia, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and Vietnam.

In Malaysia, the 108 respondents came from a wide variety of industries, with consulting (15 per cent), education and training (13 per cent) and public practice/CPA firm (11 per cent) having the largest representation.

Forty-seven per cent of the Malaysian respondents (51 people) worked in a company with 500 or more employees and 53 per cent (57 people) worked in a company with fewer than 500 employees.

Read the full results from CPA Australia’s Business Technology Survey 2022

Hashtag: #CPAAustralia

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

About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 170,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 10,500 members in Malaysia. CPA Australia has been operating in Malaysia since 1956 and opened our Malaysian office in 1994. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au

F&B brands need to take a strategic approach to their SEO efforts so that they can achieve impactful results fast.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 17 August 2022 – Stridec Worldwide (“Stridec”), named by Clutch as a top SEO Singapore agency, is helping more food and beverage (F&B) businesses get found online to generate more traffic, customers and revenue, by recommending the top 3 SEO strategies that they should implement as part of their ongoing search optimisation efforts.

The market is getting more competitive than ever, and with rising inflation, material and logistic costs, businesses with thin margins such as those in the food and beverage industry are among those most hard hit by the current market conditions.

It is therefore extremely critical that F&B businesses make the most out of every marketing dollar they spend, whether on paid advertising such as ppc ads or organic searchability to capture more attention from consumers.

These businesses definitely can’t afford to waste unnecessary time and money on “spray and pray” methods that yield little to no customer acquisition or sales.

While F&B brands have traditionally looked to social media as the go-to marketing channel, many are realising that investing in getting their website found on search engines yields a higher return on their marketing investment.

However, search engine optimisation as a marketing channel has always been shrouded in myths, half-truths and misconceptions; and it is easy for food businesses to be distracted by fancy techniques or “hacks” and spend their energies on activities that don’t move the needle on their searchability goals.

To help food and beverage brands stay focused on the key elements that drive the most significant impact on their search engine rankings, Stridec recommends the top 3 SEO strategies as follows:

1. Use simple language on the website

The primary purpose of a search engine such as Google is to return the most relevant results to a user’s query and this is no different for food-related queries, which are largely centred around searching for a particular type of food or cuisine, or looking for recommendations or “best” food options to explore.

Most F&B brands however tend to overlook or forgo simple language in favour of more flowery and abstract-sounding copy to try and sell a certain mood. However, it wouldn’t matter at all if the website fails to be searchable and found in the first place.

Because this is actually quite a prevalent phenomenon with a lot of food and beverage websites, whichever brand that makes the effort to implement this adjustment to their content will see a noticeable bump to their search rankings fairly quickly.

This is an effective quick-win method that produces results fast and is a cornerstone of the overall SEO strategy that Stridec recommends to any business right at the start of their SEO journey.

Using this strategy, Stridec was able to help an Italian restaurant in Singapore get indexed by Google for a range of keywords related to Italian food or cuisine and start ranking just days after implementation.

2. Optimise the product category pages

For F&B businesses that are e-commerce enabled, the online sale channel is definitely one that cannot be ignored, as more and more consumers are getting comfortable with placing orders online for food items, especially more so post-pandemic.

Creating and optimising product category pages to be highly tuned for searchability is a key success factor in this and has a direct impact on the potential sales that the business can achieve.

Key optimisation areas to address include: the title and main heading of the product category page, having meaningful descriptions of the products presented on the page, as well as a question and answer section that addresses the typical concerns that a consumer would have when buying such food products online.

It is recommended that the main keyword related to the product category should be included in the title and main heading text, and placed as close to the start as possible. The keyword and its variations should be included throughout the rest of the text on the category page, in a natural manner. Otherwise, suspicion of keyword stuffing can arise, which will earn a frown from Google and result in a potential ranking decline of the website.

By implementing this, Stridec helped a Singapore cake shop gain massive search exposure and traffic to its website for its birthday cake and cake delivery offerings.

3. Build backlinks to the website

Backlinks, which are links from other websites that point back to one’s own, have been and continue to be one of the most essential criteria for ranking well on Google.

In general, the more links pointing back to a website, the more likely it is to rank higher and above the competition for its target keywords.

However, not all backlinks are created equal, and some can even cause more harm than good.

How effective the backlinks are in pushing a website’s search rankings are influenced affected by a few factors, including whether the backlink comes from a website in a similar or relevant industry, an authoritative and well-regarded site, or a popular and well-trafficked blog.

Success in link-building hinges on thorough research and preparation, as well as a clear and actionable acquisition plan. However, most businesses including the F&B ones, generally lack the knowledge, skills and resources to do it on their own in a precise and sustainable manner.

As such, it is recommended that food and beverage brands leave this aspect of SEO to the specialists and engaged experienced SEO agencies like Stridec to handle it on their behalf.

This strategy was instrumental in pushing Qwang, a new Singapore Vietnamese food brand onto top positions on the first page of Google search results for its target keywords within 4 months of launching its website.

Play it smart, play it strategically

“There are many factors that influence how well a website performs in SEO, but not all factors create significant impact,” explained Mr. Alva Chew, lead SEO consultant at Stridec.

“It is important that food and beverage businesses understand this and play smart to focus their energies and resources on only those factors that make an actual difference to their search visibility so that they can achieve their goals in the most effective and efficient manner possible”.

Hashtag: #Stridec

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

About Stridec Worldwide

Stridec is a digital marketing agency that specialises in SEO and Ecommerce solutions with a mission to help brands Get Found Online. Using its proprietary “Awesome in B.E.D.” framework, Stridec helps businesses acquire more traffic, customers and revenue to stay ahead of the competition and dominate their markets.

Stridec focuses on helping clients build long-term, strategic online assets that deliver sustainable Return on Investment (ROI) for years to come.

For more information on Stridec, visit https://www.stridec.com/.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 17 August 2022 – CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (“CITIC Telecom” or the “Group”; stock code: 1883), Asia-Pacific leading multinational internet-oriented telecommunications enterprise providing comprehensive services, reported profit attributable to equity shareholders of HK$572 million for the six months ended 30 June 2022, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.1%, or 7.6% if excluding the effect of investment property valuation.

The Group reported HK$4,393 million in revenue from its principle telecommunications services business, representing a year-on-year increase of 10.0% compared to the corresponding period of last year. Total revenue amounted to HK$4,977 million, an increase of 3.8% year-on-year. Basic earnings per share was up 6.9% to HK15.5 cents.

The Board declared an interim dividend of HK6.0 cents per share for 2022, an increase of 9.1% as compared to the corresponding period of last year.

Mr. XIN Yue Jiang, Chairman of CITIC Telecom, said, “During the first half of 2022, against the manifold challenges posed by complicated and austere international situations and the impact of the pandemic, staff members of the company strived forward against adverse conditions in a united effort with confidence and diligence in fulfilment of its mission. We seized opportunities for development with an unwavering focus to explore new markets, businesses and customers with our full force. Meanwhile, the Group has continued to enhance its technological innovation and our technology and innovation regime has been fortified with an increase in R&D investment. The Group has enhanced its platform capability, broadened its scope of service as we took our overall corporate development to a new height and reported yet again record-high operating results.”

The Group has maintained a healthy financial position and a stable cash flow. As at 30 June 2022, the Group recorded cash and deposits of approximately HK$1,721 million, sufficient to meet its financial obligations and contractual capital commitments in the coming 12 months.

Business Highlights

Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau, S.A.R.L. (“CTM”) completed 5G roaming tests with overseas network carriers in full preparation for the launch of 5G service. As at the end of June 2022, CTM had an approximate 46.4% share of Macau’s mobile market, and 47.5% share of the 4G market in Macau, as it continued to uphold its leading position in the Macau market. During the period, stable progress has been made in 5G development, as the Group completed 5G roaming tests with 68 overseas network carriers.

Revenue from internet business increased as driven by rising business internet requirements and an increase in revenue from fiber broadband service. The Group’s internet services revenue amounted to HK$649 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 7.5%, mainly driven by rising business internet requirements and the service upgrade by existing customers and the year-on-year increase of around 2.1% in the number of broadband users to over 200,600 subscribers. Moreover, the Group has seized the development opportunity for data centres, as Phase III (B) of CITIC Telecom Tower Data Centre has launched its service in the market and smoothly commenced business, while the data centre businesses in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdong have also reported sound progress.

International telecommunications business recorded a substantial growth due to a surge in revenue from messaging services. Revenue from international telecommunications services amounted to HK$1,715 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 33.3% as compared to the corresponding period of last year. Due to the continued increase in demand from corporate messaging delivery, messaging services revenue surged 44.3% to HK$1,206 million when compared to the corresponding period of last year, and voice services revenue increased by 14.8% to HK$496 million, as compared to the corresponding period of 2021.

Continuing to drive digital and intelligent development of corporations, and deeply cultivate the enterprise service market. CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CPC”), a subsidiary of the Group, has optimised the deployment of its global network and infrastructure facilities to build a safe and stable global network, as CPC now operates more than 160 PoPs in the global network, with the services covering more than 150 countries and regions, having added new PoPs in Wuhu, Anhui and Zhaoqing, Guangdong. Moreover, CPC has enhanced its competitiveness in the cloud computing market with the commencement of the public cloud MSP business and the launch of the SmartCLOUD™ Container Services. While 19 cloud computing service centres supported by the 10 leading cloud computing solutions, the Group has formed a cross-regional, global operating network for cloud computing services.

Engaging in a full effort to explore new markets in Southeast Asia, and reported steady increase in the number of customers served. During the period, Acclivis Technologies and Solutions Pte. Ltd., a subsidiary of the Group, successfully secured a new contract for the construction of ICT facilities in Malaysia, rendering robust support for the expansion of the Group’s business scale in Southeast Asian new markets. Moreover, in the continuous effort to expand into the regional market, the Group successfully secured an ISP license in Indonesia.

Development Strategies

Looking forward, the Group will drive commercialisation of the digital sector and digitalisation of the industrial sector for vigorous engagement in the development of the digital economy in active response to market changes, playing a more significant role in the process of allowing enterprises to “reach out” and “bring in”. Meanwhile, the Group will also strengthen cooperation with strategic partners, and seek global expansion with full force to fortify the position as an international hub for telecoms services.

As for the 5G construction, the Macau SAR Government published the 5G tender announcement on 30 June 2022. CTM will support the SAR Government with full force and vigorously participate in the 5G tender to ensure the instantaneous launch of 5G commercial services, expedite customer upgrades and improve customer experience to maintain its leading position in Macau’s communication industry.

The Group will enhance regional expansion and the promotion of smart-city applications by actively extending the reach to Guangdong-Macao In-depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. The Group will also seize the opportunity presented by the gradual resumption of business and travel in the Southeast Asian countries, striving to expand the customer base, increase the recurring revenue from telecoms services and management services, and explore large-scale ICT projects to further expand the Group’s business scale.

The Group will also step up with development in technology and innovation. The Group will construct a technology research and development regime based on “ICT-MiiND” development strategy with a special focus on innovation in new frontiers such as cloud-net integration, digital transformation and industry applications to enhance the cloudification, internet-based operation and intelligentisation of the corporation through digital transformation, in a full effort to develop a “cloud, network, smart and security” platform and accelerate the deployment and development in corporate digital transformation and economic digitalisation.

Mr. XIN Yue Jiang, Chairman of CITIC Telecom, said, “The Group will continue driving technological innovation and ensure quality remains its priority. It will support the construction of ‘Digital Macau’ with the 5G network, broaden the smart city capabilities with 5G applications, expand into international markets with high-quality cross-border services, accelerate the digital transformation with the ‘cloud, network, smart and security’, and create new core competitive edges through technological innovation. In addition, it will solidify its foundation in the Chinese mainland market, using Hong Kong and Macau as a base and connection, accelerate the expansion and coverage of the international market, and strive to transition from Asia-Pacific leading to world-leading position, so as to create better returns for shareholders.”

Hashtag: #CITICTelecom

About CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited (stock code: 1883)

CITIC Telecom International Holdings Limited was established in 1997 in Hong Kong, and it was listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 3 April 2007. As one of the largest international telecommunications hubs in Asia Pacific, the Group provides full-scale international telecommunications services to carrier clients around the globe, and integrated enterprise services in Southeast Asia through its wholly-owned subsidiary Acclivis Technologies and Solutions Pte. Ltd. CITIC Telecom International CPC Limited (“CPC”), the Group’s other wholly-owned subsidiary, provides end-to-end information and communications technology solutions to international corporate clients and business clients. CPC is one of the most trusted partners of these clients in the Asia-Pacific region and provides a full range of ICT services to major enterprises and multinational corporate clients in Mainland China through its subsidiary China Enterprise ICT Solutions Limited. The Group holds 99% equity interest in Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau, S.A.R.L. (“CTM”). CTM is one of the leading integrated telecommunications services providers in Macau, and is the only full telecommunications services and ICT services provider in Macau. With a leading position in the market, CTM plays an important role in the ongoing development of Macau. As at the end of June 30, 2022, the Group has established branch organisations in 22 countries and regions, the number of staff is close to 2,500 with over 160 PoPs and business serving more than 150 countries and regions, connecting to over 600 operators globally, and serving around 3,000 multinational corporations and 40,000 local companies around the globe. CITIC Group Corporation, a large multinational conglomerate headquartered in the People’s Republic of China, is the ultimate holding company of CITIC Telecom.

For more information, please visit: www.citictel.com