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Spielwarenmesse recognises outstanding innovations with highly coveted ToyAward

  • Prizewinning toys in six product categories
  • All finalists on display at ToyAward stand in Hall 3A

NUREMBERG, Germany, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Day 2 of the Spielwarenmesse started off in celebratory mood as six particularly innovative product ideas were honoured with the highly coveted ToyAward on the Wednesday of the fair. In the Baby & Infant segment, first place was taken by Geomag Magicube Blocks Stacking Safari from Geomagworld. Buitenspeel/BS Toys won the PreSchool category with its 3 Shape Memo game, while RC Football Set – Bundesliga from Carrera Toys took first place in the SchoolKids category. Abfun came out top in the Teenager & Adults segment with its Moon Acrylic Jigsaw Puzzle. The sound box Qubitunes from Qubs took the prize in the Startup section. Finally, Plan Creations/PlanToys won in the Sustainability category with Wave Stacker.

These are the lucky winners of the ToyAward at the Spielwarenmesse 2025.
These are the lucky winners of the ToyAward at the Spielwarenmesse 2025.

This year’s prizewinners were selected by a 14-member international jury which included experts from the fields of retail, industry, market research, toy safety, sustainability and education. Jury members evaluated the new products entered for the prize according to the criteria of originality, safety, play enjoyment, potential for commercial success, comprehensibility of the product concept, production and quality. Exhibitors had submitted a total of 629 innovations for the Spielwarenmesse ToyAward. The prize is one of the toy industry’s most important awards and enjoys global recognition by toy retailers as a seal of quality. All of the finalists can be viewed during the Spielwarenmesse at the dedicated ToyAward Special Area in Hall 3A. Overview of the winners:

Category: Baby & Infant (0-3 years)
Geomag Magicube Blocks Stacking Safari, Geomagworld

With magical magnetic power, the ten-piece Geomag Magicube Blocks Stacking Safari set will inspire even the youngest builders. The magnetic building blocks consist of five cubes with colourful animal motifs, including an elephant, a lion, a hippo, a crocodile and a zebra. Five hemispheres increase the difficulty and develop dexterity when stacking. The jury’s judgement: “A cute, beautiful baby toy that does without technology or plush.”

Category: PreSchool (3-6 years)
3 Shape Memo, Buitenspeel/BS Toys

The innovative 3 Shape Memo game consists of easy-to-grip cards of different shapes and colours. If you place three inside each other, the result is a unique combination. All the cards are laid out face down so that the players still have to find the pair for the figure placed. Simple 3D shapes are turned into a complex game idea that teaches hand-eye coordination and strategic thinking. “This is a great, completely new memory game that awakens children’s ambition”, according to the jury members.

Category: SchoolKids (6-10 years)
RC Football Set – Bundesliga, Carrera Toys

Soccer meets remote-controlled cars: The RC Football Set brings the soccer feeling into the home. Two players use their remote-controlled cars to push a miniature soccer ball into the opponent’s goal within a set-up field. Each car can be decorated with the logo of your favourite club. The jury commented in its summary: “The successful combination of soccer and remote-controlled racing car, the attractive price and long-lasting fun promise the perfect family competition.”

Category: Teenager & Adults (10+ years)
Moon Acrylic Jigsaw Puzzle, Abfun

The Moon Acrylic Jigsaw Puzzle from Abfun is a tricky challenge for all puzzle lovers. A breathtaking depiction of the moon is created from 50 subtle acrylic pieces. Some of the puzzle pieces have special shapes. Among them is a small star, a telescope and Saturn with its characteristic moons. “The puzzle is unique, creative and can even be used as a decoration after solving it”, enthuses the expert jury.

Category: Startup
Qubitunes, Qubs

The round Qubitunes sound box transforms into an interactive audio adventure with matching figures. Whether conducting their own orchestra or discovering numbers, the box promotes children’s listening and creativity through play. Each of the lovingly designed cassettes opens up a new thematic world. “This versatile toy can easily be extended and appeals to kinaesthetic and auditory learners”, emphasises the jury in its conclusion.

Category: Sustainability
Wave Stacker, Plan Creations/PlanToys

The beautifully shaped Wave Stacker building block game has an appealing colour scheme and an unusual wave design. The special wave shape makes the blocks easy to grip, so that they fit perfectly in the hands of small children. The building blocks are made from a special wood compound and consist of rubber-tree wood chips, organic water-based pigments and harmless, formaldehyde-free glue. The jury members regard this as “a well-integrated application of waste management”.

Spielwarenmesse®

The world’s leading event for the sector – that’s the Spielwarenmesse®. At this B2B event, key players as well as startups present their innovations and trends to retailers from all over the globe, live in Nuremberg. Alongside the extensive range of products, participants also gain a wealth of inspiration for day-to-day business together with valuable knowledge and useful guidance on the market, at what is for them the most significant industry gathering. The event is complemented by year-round coverage of themes, analyses and insights from the multifunctional platform Spielwarenmesse® Digital and the e-journal ‘Spirit of Play’. Since 2013, the term Spielwarenmesse® has been a protected word mark in Germany.

Fair date: Spielwarenmesse®, Tuesday to Saturday, 28 Jan – 1 Feb 2025

 

 

 

Foreign Students in Chengdu Visit the Inaugural “Nihao Chengdu” Global Salon

CHENGDU, China, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In celebration of the upcoming Spring Festival, marking the first since it was inscribed on the Representative List of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, GoChengdu invited folk culture experts and international students in Chengdu to visit a Haidilao hotpot restaurant. As the first partner of the “Nihao Chengdu” Global Salon, Haidilao offered a genuine taste of Chengdu’s festive flavors. During the event, journalists connected with guests in Singapore and Malaysia to discuss the upcoming Year of the Snake.

In December 2024, the Spring Festival’s successful inclusion on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list marked the recognition of this beloved Chinese tradition as a cultural treasure for all of humanity—celebrated and cherished by people of diverse races and cultures. A foreign student in Chengdu shared with reporters, “I deeply appreciate the spirit of reunion and happiness that the Spring Festival represents. Regardless of where we are, the desire for love and togetherness is universal.”

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmFB1GutjpY

U Power and Ezzy Transporter Establish Joint Venture to Bring UOTTA Battery-Swapping Solutions to Thailand

Joint venture will facilitate customized production and sales of battery swapping vehicles to take advantage of Thailand’s booming EV market

SHANGHAI, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — U Power Limited (Nasdaq: UCAR) (the “Company” or “U Power”), a vehicle sourcing services provider with a vision to becoming a comprehensive EV battery power solution provider in China, today announced that it has signed a cooperation agreement with Ezzy Transporter (Thailand) Company Limited (“Ezzy Transporter”) to establish Greendrive Tech Co. Ltd., (“Greendrive” or the “Joint Venture”), a joint venture company dedicated to the market expansion and sale of electric vehicles in Thailand. Per the agreement, Greendrive will work to integrate U Power’s innovative UOTTA battery-swapping technology into a diverse fleet of custom vehicles in Thailand, including taxis, ride-sharing vehicles, and multipurpose pickup trucks.

The Joint Venture will have a strategic focus on three core areas. First, it will specialize in customizing battery-swapping electric vehicles to meet specific customer requirements. Second, it will develop and implement comprehensive market strategies for the battery-swapping ecosystem within the taxi and ride-sharing sectors, including vehicle sales, battery-swapping station operations, and end-of-life vehicle recycling programs. Third, the Joint Venture will lead marketing initiatives for battery-swapping pickup trucks while establishing and expanding a robust dealer network within Thailand. These complementary business segments will position Greendrive to deliver integrated solutions across the electric vehicle value chain.

Greendrive’s initial production run, scheduled for completion in 2025, will deliver 2,000 custom-built taxis and multipurpose pickup trucks equipped with UOTTA technology. Going forward, U Power plans to collaborate with other strategic partners to invest in UOTTA battery swapping stations in Thailand, fully promoting the commercial operation of the UOTTA battery swapping model in the country. The Company’s efforts will take advantage of the significant transition towards electric vehicles which is expected to occur in Thailand over the next several years.

“As a Nasdaq-listed company, U Power has demonstrated exceptional innovation and reach with its UOTTA battery-swapping technology, offering an integrated vehicle and infrastructure solution perfectly suited for Thailand’s unique market needs,” said Wasan Pornpaisansak, Director of Ezzy Transporter. “With the total number of taxis and ride hailing services in Thailand exceeding 300,000 vehicles, and projections indicating that 50% of these will transition to electric vehicles in the next five years, we are looking at a huge market potential. However, the current charging infrastructure, primarily consisting of AC slow-charging stations, faces significant challenges including uneven distribution, parking space misuse, and reliability issues. These limitations severely impact the operational efficiency of commercial passenger and freight vehicles. We believe battery-swapping technology is the breakthrough solution to these challenges, and our partnership with U Power will significantly strengthen our position in Thailand’s evolving electric vehicle landscape.”

“We believe that Thailand represents a strategic cornerstone of U Power’s global expansion,” said Li Jia, Chairman and CEO of U Power. “Our deep-rooted connections in the region, including our relationship with Xie Zhan of CP Group, have created a strong foundation for growth. Our partnership with Ezzy Transporter validates the increasing recognition of UOTTA’s battery-swapping technology in the Thai market. Through our joint venture, we plan to deploy our universal battery-swapping stations and deliver customized electric vehicles across multiple segments, including taxis, ride-sharing services, and pickup trucks.”

“With Thailand’s EV3.5 policy expected to drive 30-40% annual growth in electric vehicle adoption, we are perfectly positioned to address a critical market challenge,” Jia continued. “The country’s current infrastructure cannot adequately support the charging demands of commercial vehicles requiring multiple daily charges. Battery-swapping technology emerges as the most cost-effective and practical solution. We are confident this joint venture will generate significant interest in Thailand, and we are optimistic about the impact it will have on our business.”

About U Power Limited

U Power Limited is a vehicle sourcing services provider, with a vision to becoming an EV market player primarily focused on its proprietary battery-swapping technology, or UOTTA technology, which is an intelligent modular battery-swapping technology designed to provide a comprehensive battery power solution for EVs. Since its operation in 2013, the Company has established a vehicle sourcing network in China’s lower-tier cities. The Company has developed two types of battery-swapping stations for compatible EVs and is operating one manufacturing factory in Zibo City, Shandong Province, China. For more information, please visit the Company’s website: http://ir.upincar.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains “forward-looking statements”. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current view about future events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “could,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “propose,” “potential,” “continue” or similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statement and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact
U Power Limited
Investor Relations Department
Email: ir@upincar.com

Robin Yang, Partner
ICR, LLC
Email: UPower.IR@icrinc.com
Phone: +1 (212) 475-0415

Infosys and Siemens AG to Accelerate Digital Learning with Generative AI

Collaboration provides lifelong learners at Siemens with new and personalized learning experiences

BENGALURU, India, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Infosys (NSE: INFY) (BSE: INFY) (NYSE: INFY), a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting, today announced the expansion of its collaboration with Siemens AG, a leading technology company, to accelerate its digital learning initiatives with generative AI. The collaboration aims to provide over 250,000 Siemens’ people globally with upskilling opportunities, and a personalized learning and growth experience. As part of the collaboration, Siemens’ My Learning World, a digital learning platform that is accessible from anywhere anytime, will leverage Infosys Topaz, an AI-first offering using generative AI technologies, and Infosys Wingspan, an AI-powered next-gen enterprise learning experience platform.

Some of the salient features of the improved platform include: an AI-powered knowledge assistant, which acts as a learning companion and provides instant answers and personalized recommendations for the user. The platform also has an AI-assisted content authoring feature that generates tailored content in multiple languages. An AI chatbot assists learners in real-time – navigating courses, explaining complex concepts, and leads them to additional study resources if needed. There’s also a virtual tutor that streamlines content with features like summary generation, content translation, and learning style selection.

Jenny Lin, Global Head of Learning & Growth at Siemens AG, said, “A thriving learning and growth environment is essential for Siemens to maintain our competitive edge and foster innovation. By providing our people with the tools, resources, and support they need to continuously develop their skills, we empower our people to meet the challenges of the future. Infosys’ expertise in digital transformation and AI is very valuable in creating a more engaging and effective learning experience for everyone. By leveraging GenAI on Siemens’ digital learning platform we can foster a culture of lifelong learning and empower our teams to reach their full potential.”

Jasmeet Singh, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Manufacturing, Infosys, said, “Generative AI is a game-changer in the world of learning and development. By harnessing the power of AI, organizations can create personalized, engaging, and effective learning experiences that drive development and innovation. Our collaboration with Siemens to help integrate Infosys Wingspan’s generative AI capabilities, powered by Infosys Topaz, into My Learning World is a testament to Siemens’ commitment to providing their people with the best possible learning and growth opportunities. Our platform’s unique features, tailored to Siemens’ specific context, will empower their people to learn and upskill more effectively, develop at their own pace, and contribute more meaningfully to the organization’s success.”

The long-standing collaboration between Siemens and Infosys Wingspan has resulted in a robust and engaging platform for learners. By combining Siemens’ deep understanding of its learners’ needs with Infosys Wingspan’s latest learning technologies, the platform is poised to deliver exceptional upskilling opportunities. Currently, the Siemens My Learning World platform has 216,000 active users who can access over 178,000 learning materials. The digital learning platform is also available to people working in Siemens’ factories, with 27,000 people on the shopfloor already leveraging its resources. Additionally, 65,000 users are actively utilizing the My Skills feature of the platform for skill-based learning. My Skills is an innovative skill-based framework that empowers employees to take charge of their professional development. By identifying skill gaps and recommending relevant courses, My Skills helps individuals align their learning with organizational goals. Through personalized learning paths, self-assessment, and peer endorsements, employees can unlock their full potential and drive business success. In addition, a new customer-facing platform based on Wingspan is being developed together with Infosys, which includes over 300 different technical courses, for around 50,000 external participants worldwide, among them, system integrators in the Siemens ecosystem.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE, BSE, NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance, are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the ‘safe harbor’ under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, increased competition for talent, our ability to attract and retain personnel, increase in wages, investments to reskill our employees, our ability to effectively implement a hybrid work model, economic uncertainties and geo-political situations, technological disruptions and innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, our corporate actions including acquisitions, and cybersecurity matters. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/infosys_logo-3.jpg

 

Thailand BOI Approves Investments Worth A Total of US$5 Billion, Including TikTok’s Data Hosting Project; Green Lights Revised Incentives for the Bioeconomy

BANGKOK, Jan. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) today approved investment privileges for projects worth a combined 170.5 billion baht (ca. US$5 Billion) in value, including a digital infrastructure project by leading global video content platform TikTok. The board also approved revised promotion measures for the bioeconomy, such as promotion of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Mixed SAF.

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), at a meeting chaired today by Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, granted promotion benefits to a total of 170.5 billion baht (US$5 Billion) in investments, including a 126.8 billion baht data hosting project by TikTok, and a 3.25 billion baht cloud services project by Siam AI. The board also approved investment incentives for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI), at a meeting chaired today by Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira, granted promotion benefits to a total of 170.5 billion baht (US$5 Billion) in investments, including a 126.8 billion baht data hosting project by TikTok, and a 3.25 billion baht cloud services project by Siam AI. The board also approved investment incentives for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

TikTok Pte. Ltd., the Singapore-based unit of the Chinese company, received approval for a 126.8 billion baht investment in data hosting services to support the activities of affiliated companies, with operations expected to start in 2026. TikTok has over 1 billion users around the world.

Projects approved today by the board also include a 3.25 billion baht investment by Siam AI Corporation, a Thai company, in cloud services focusing on artificial intelligence applications.

“TikTok’s and Siam AI’s investments mark a significant step in enhancing Thailand’s digital and AI infrastructure and supporting the national goal of becoming a digital innovation hub in ASEAN,” Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the BOI, said after the meeting, chaired by Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.

TikTok’s investment follows the setup in Thailand of a string of large data centers and cloud services projects by companies such as Amazon Web Services and Google (Alphabet) from the U.S., Australia’s NextDC, India’s CtrlS Datacenters, and Singapore-based GDS IDC Services PTE Ltd.

Thailand’s total applications for investment promotion in 2024 soared 35% in value to a 10-year high of 1.14 trillion baht, led by the digital sector, mainly large foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in data centers and cloud services.

Incentives for Sustainable Aviation Fuel Production

In line with the BOI’s existing policies to promote Thailand as a bioeconomy hub and to stimulate investment that add value to agricultural raw materials and agricultural waste, the Board approved granting investment promotion privileges to the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) and Mixed SAF, a ready to use fuel which mixes pure bio SAF with fossil jet fuel to meet industry sustainability requirements and allows use of the mixed fuel without engine modification.

For more information, please contact:
Thailand Board of Investment
Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111
Website: www.boi.go.th
YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand

TCMA joins Saraburi Province to mark one year anniversary of progress “SARABURI SANDBOX” Thailand’s first low-carbon city


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 January 2025 – Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) and cement manufacturers with fully support to Saraburi Province, government agencies, private sectors, and civil society to present the one-year anniversary of progress of SARABURI SANDBOX, Thailand’s first low-carbon city. The initiative is set to advance efforts in clean energy transition, green industry, and value creation for carbon with support from all stakeholders and international cooperation, advanced technologies, and green financing.

IMG 5791

SARABURI SANDBOX is an area-based collaborative effort, driven by the Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP) approach, comprising three key stakeholders: Saraburi Province, TCMA, and FTI Saraburi Provincial Chapter. Led by the Governor of Saraburi Province and supported by domestic and international partners, aiming at transforming Saraburi into a low-carbon city by fostering collaboration among the government sector, the private sector, civil society, and related industries for various pilot projects of CO2 reduction.

A year of action since the joint declaration of commitment on August 15, 2023, the tangible and significant progress has been made across five key focus areas: 1) clean energy transition, 2) green industry promotion, 3) waste to value, 4) low-carbon agriculture, and 5) green space expansion. The project still continues with collaborative effort of all sectors, including to seek additional green funding to achieve a target reduction of 5 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2027.

Mr. Bancha Chaowarin, Governor of Saraburi Province emphasized the collaborative approach, outlining four key working principles: 1) immediate action, 2) trial-and-error, flexibility and adaptability, 3) respectful dialogue and consensus-building, and 4) maintaining a positive working atmosphere. The Saraburi Governor affirmed Saraburi’s readiness to serve as a lab city for new technologies and innovations, with the goal of replicating successful models across other provinces, leading to tangible greenhouse gas reduction outcomes, and spreading economic and social benefits to the locals of Saraburi. The Saraburi Governor stressed that the next phase requires continued cooperation, particularly policy support from the government to achieve the Thailand Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) goals.

Dr. Chana Poomee, Chairman of Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA) and Vice Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries stated that TCMA, as a representative of Thailand’s leading cement manufacturers and a key manufacturing sector in Saraburi, TCMA plays a pivotal role in this project, is committed to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, in alignment with the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap. TCMA’s contributions to building Saraburi as the first low-carbon city of Thailand include optimizing cement production processes, fostering collaboration among stakeholders, and seeking green fund and opportunities for international cooperation.

Over the past year, the cement industry has made significant contributions to the SARABURI SANDBOX across several areas: 1) Industrial Process and Product Use (IPPU): research and development of clinker substitution, leveraging nanotechnology to enhance cement properties. Collaboration among stakeholders is essential for knowledge development, machinery upgrades, investment incentives, and regulatory adjustments to promote the adoption of hydraulic cement-a low carbon cement. These actions can contribute CO2 reduction by over 1 million tons in 2023-2024. 2) Green and Smart Mining: efficient resource utilization, coupled with sustainable land rehabilitation to benefit local communities and the environment. 3) Clean Energy Transition: implementation of waste heat recovery (WHR) systems, increased use of renewable energy sources such as solar power, and adoption of biomass and refuse derived fuel (RDF) to replace coal through the co-processing in cement kilns. These measures are expected to cut carbon emissions by approximately 9-12 million tons per year and mitigate PM 2.5 pollution from agricultural burning, while generating additional income for farmers and promoting efficient waste management to zero landfill. 4) Carbon Value Creation: researching carbon utilization methods, including CO2-to-Methanol. Notably, SARABURI SANDBOX has become the first industrial cluster in Thailand accepted into the Transitioning Industrial Clusters Initiative of the World Economic Forum.

Dr. Chana Poomee highlighted that while significant progress has been made, achieving the goal of establishing a low-carbon city requires innovative approaches, strong leadership across sectors, strong local administration, and substantial international support. Moving forward, increased collaboration with organizations such as the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the German International Cooperation Organization (GIZ), and other global entities will be crucial in supporting energy transition and carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) efforts. Dr. Chana emphasized the need for government policies to provide essential support, including knowledge sharing, technological integration, and funding to facilitate meaningful change.

***********************************************

The “SARABURI SANDBOX: Joining Forces to Create Thailand’s First Low-Carbon City” event was held on January 22, 2025, the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy (NKRAFA), Muak Lek District, Saraburi Province. The event aimed to raise public awareness, extract key lessons from the past year, and brainstorming to gather input from various sectors to shape the future strategies of SARABURI SANDBOX. More than 700 participants from different sectors attended the event.
Hashtag: #TCMA #ThaiCementManufacturersAssociation

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

Laos Welcomes Over 4 Million Tourists in 2024

Laos Welcomes Over 4 Million Tourists in 2024
Laos Welcomes Over 4 Million Tourists in 2024

In 2024, Laos welcomed more than 4 million tourists, with an increase of almost one million visitors compared to 2023.

According to data provided to the Laotian Times by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, in 2024 a total of 4,120,832 tourists visited Laos

The top 10 countries contributing to this success with the highest number of visitors were Thailand, Vietnam, China, Korea, France, Russia, the United States,  and the United Kingdom .

Thailand led the way with 1,215,553 tourists, followed by Vietnam with 1,054,204, and China with 1,048,034. 

The rise in visitor numbers to Laos is attributed to the country’s increased exposure on several international travel websites as well as the success of the 2024 Visit Laos Year campaign. As part of this initiative, Laos granted special visa exemptions to more than 30 countries, including China, the United States, and eight European countries.

In October, Laos was ranked fourth on the list of the Top 30 Best Places to Visit in 2025 by the travel guidebook “Lonely Planet.” The top five destinations include Cameroon, Lithuania, Fiji, Laos, and Kazakhstan.

 

APT. Song Hits Billiboard Hot 100, Wins Lao Fans

APT. Song Hits Billiboard Hot 100, Wins Lao Fans
Rosé and Bruno Mars on set of their music video (photo credit: John V.Esparza)

Popular Korean singer Rosé has reached another milestone with her song APT. secured the third place on the latest Billboard Hot 100 ranking.