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TDCX Recognized by Financial Times as one of the Best Employers in Asia-Pacific 2025


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 November 2024 – TDCX, an award-winning digital customer experience (CX) solutions provider for technology and blue-chip companies, has been honored by the Financial Times (FT) as one of the Best Employers in Asia-Pacific (APAC) 2025. This inaugural award, conducted in partnership with Statista, recognizes TDCX’s commitment to creating an exceptional work environment for its employees.

TDCX Recognized by Financial Times as one of the Best Employers in Asia-Pacific 2025

TDCX’s strong workplace practices have received various industry recognition, with more than 550 awards to-date. Some of these include the Great Place To Work® certification and the Employee Experience Award (EXA) from Human Resources Online.

Ms. Angie Tay, Group Chief Operating Officer and EVP, said, “Employee engagement has always been a key thrust in our operations at TDCX. We firmly believe in creating a positive, uplifting and welcoming culture where people feel at home and motivated to do their best every day. This award from the Financial Times award reaffirms our commitment to fostering a deeply engaging employee culture that is characterized by open communication and structured career development pathways. My heartfelt thanks go to all our TDCX colleagues for their trust and support as we continue to drive new breakthroughs for employees.”

TDCX prioritizes employee well-being, professional growth, and career development in its employee value proposition. Some of the range of initiatives offered by TDCX include mentoring sessions, leadership development, and career coaching.

The company’s early investments in technology have also enabled it to create an empowering and productive culture. An example is TDCX’s proprietary, AI-powered FLASH suite. Through the human capital and experience management suite, TDCX has ongoing insights on employee sentiment, enabling it to better understand and address the needs of employees.

These initiatives have contributed to TDCX enjoying high employee engagement levels. The company achieved scores above 75 per cent in its internal employee sentiment survey, known as FLASH Pulse, among its APAC employees over the last two years.

The selection process for the Best Employers in Asia-Pacific 2025 involved surveying company employees who were asked if they would recommend their company to others and to rate it based on various criteria, including salary, talent development, and working conditions. The evaluation process consists of two stages: first, FT readers nominate companies for inclusion, which are then reviewed for eligibility. In the second stage, employees from nominated companies complete an independent survey, rating their own and other companies based on their experiences.

For more information about TDCX’s recognition and to access the full list of Best Employers in Asia-Pacific 2025, please visit Financial Times.

Hashtag: #tdcx




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

TDCX

Singapore-headquartered TDCX provides transformative digital CX solutions, enabling world-leading and disruptive brands to acquire new customers, to build customer loyalty and to protect their online communities.

TDCX helps clients achieve their customer experience aspirations by harnessing technology, human intelligence, and its global footprint. It serves clients in fintech, gaming, technology, travel and hospitality, digital advertising and social media, streaming and e-commerce. TDCX’s expertise and strong footprint in Asia has made it a trusted partner for clients, particularly high-growth, new economy companies, looking to tap the region’s growth potential.

TDCX’s commitment to delivering positive outcomes for our clients extends to its role as a responsible corporate citizen. Its Corporate Social Responsibility program focuses on positively transforming the lives of its people, its communities, and the environment.

TDCX employs more than 17,800 employees across 30 campuses globally, specifically in Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mainland China, Philippines, Türkiye, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Thailand, Türkiye, and Vietnam. For more information, please visit www.tdcx.com.

Woh Hup Celebrates 88 Years of Bringing Asian Flavours to the World


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 November 2024 – Woh Hup, an esteemed name in the world of Asian sauces, proudly marks its 88th anniversary this year. Known for its delicious sauces, concentrated stocks, and instant noodles, Woh Hup has embarked on a remarkable journey fueled by a passion for crafting recipes that have stood the test of time, beloved by both professional chefs and homemakers. Founded in 1936 in Singapore, Woh Hup embarked on a culinary mission fueled by a passion for Asian flavours: to curate a collection of Asia’s most revered sauces and condiments. Their goal is to transform these time-honoured flavours into modern classics, elevating everyday meals in every home.

Woh Hup's Shiitake Mushroom Vegetarian Oyster Flavoured Sauce: A pantry favourite, packed with savoury mushroom goodness
Woh Hup’s Shiitake Mushroom Vegetarian Oyster Flavoured Sauce: A pantry favourite, packed with savoury mushroom goodness

Leong Chee Kang, Chief Executive Officer, Woh Hup Singapore shared his excitement about this milestone: “Celebrating 88 years is a remarkable achievement for Woh Hup. Our journey from a noodle maker in Chinatown, Singapore has evolved into creating a recognised brand known for oyster sauce and convenient sauces. This transformation is a testament to our dedication, innovation, and passion for delivering the highest quality products. We are proud of our heritage and committed to continuing our legacy of excellence, bringing the classic flavours of Asian cuisine to kitchens around the world.”

A Legacy of Quality and Innovation

Woh Hup initially focused on crafting delectable food sauces that captured the rich and diverse flavours of Asian cuisine. By the 1980s, Woh Hup had established itself as the leading producer of oyster sauce in Singapore, a testament to its dedication and expertise. Today, Woh Hup sauces are enjoyed in over 20 countries across continents, including India, Europe, America, Australia, and the Middle East.

Recognition of Heritage and Excellence

Woh Hup’s legacy was further solidified when its Oyster Sauce and Dried Noodles were featured at the prestigious “50 Made in Singapore Products” exhibition in 2015, organised by the National Heritage Board (NHB). This national showcase celebrated Singapore’s manufacturing achievements in its 50th anniversary year, highlighting Woh Hup’s significant contribution to Singapore’s culinary heritage. Woh Hup was also awarded the Top Influential Brand in Singapore in 2018 and 2023 in the Sauces category. This prestigious accolade underscores the brand’s status as a key player in the market and a trusted name among consumers.

Looking Ahead: Woh Hup innovates while preserving traditions

Woh Hup is dedicated to developing new products that align with emerging market trends and modern consumer demands. Homemakers and professional chefs increasingly prefer healthier yet delicious options and seek easy ingredients that allow them to prepare traditional recipes while simplifying their cooking process.

For instance, Woh Hup non-fried instant noodle is a favourite of many and is a healthier option without compromising on flavour, enabling you to enjoy your favourite noodles guilt-free. Catering to diverse palates, Woh Hup offers a variety of vegetarian-friendly options, including Shiitake Mushroom Vegetarian Oyster Flavoured Sauce, regional-inspired soup stocks, convenient sauces, chilli sauces and cooking ingredients.

Woh Hup maintains an unwavering commitment to quality, strictly adhering to international food safety regulations and standards to ensure all products meet global market requirements. Having already expanded globally, Woh Hup’s widespread acceptance and success demonstrate its ability to enrich lives and satisfy diverse palates worldwide.

Hashtag: #WohHup #HeritageFoods

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

About Heritage Foods

WINNING OVER THE WORLD ON HERITAGE
As a global corporate citizen, Heritage Foods Group shares the responsibility to identify and respect what the world demands in terms of taste and flavour.

Our products have gone beyond their home shores and are now used in kitchens around the world from the UK to Australia and from Singapore to Scandinavia.

About Woh Hup

Since 1936, Woh Hup has pioneered the crafting of high-quality Asian sauces, bringing the classic flavours of Asian cuisine to kitchens worldwide. With a legacy of dedication and a passion for delicious food, Woh Hup remains a trusted name in culinary excellence.

Specialising in Asian classic sauces, Woh Hup Food offers a signature range that includes traditional Southeast Asian favourites such as Shiitake Mushroom Vegetarian Oyster Flavoured Sauce, Oyster Sauce, Hainanese Chicken Rice Paste and Dried Chilli Shrimp Instant Noodles. These localised products empower both home cooks and professional chefs to prepare familiar classics or explore new culinary creations with ease.

OneConnect Releases Q3 2024 Results with Net Profit attributable to Parent Company Reaching RMB110 million


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 November 2024 – OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd (“OneConnect” or the “Company”, NYSE: OCFT, HKSE: 6638), a business technology service provider for financial institutions, announced its results for the first three quarters ending September 30, 2024.

2024 is a pivotal year for OneConnect as it advanced the second phase of its strategy, focusing on “product upgrades, deepening customer relationships, and overseas expansion.” OneConnect continued to accelerate the output of Ping An’s technology and its own product development, concentrating resources to create high-value, high-barrier products. In the meantime, the Company has been actively expanding in overseas markets, tailoring products to address local market demands and institutional pain points while exploring innovative collaboration models to meet the increasingly diverse needs of the global digital finance landscape.

Net Profit attributable to the Parent Company reached RMB110 Million in First Nine Months

Throughout this year, OneConnect’s profitability has further improved, and its overseas business has maintained robust growth.

In the third quarter of 2024, OneConnect’s continuing operations (excluding the virtual banking business) generated revenue of RMB417 million. The net loss attributable to the parent company improved to RMB30 million, compared to RMB51 million in the same period last year, representing a 41.9% year-over-year reduction. Gross margin and adjusted gross margin reached 32.7% and 35.6%, respectively. For the first nine months of 2024, OneConnect’s continuing and discontinued operations achieved a net profit attributable to the parent company of RMB110 million, a 138.9% year-over-year increase, with a net profit margin of 6.0%, up 16.7 percentage points. Furthermore, revenue from third-party overseas customers grew by 23.4% year-over-year during the first nine months.

Mr. Shen Chongfeng, OneConnect’s Chairman of the Board and CEO, stated that since 2024, the Company’s overseas business has maintained strong growth momentum, and profitability has further improved. These achievements are attributed to the Company’s active adjustment of its product portfolio, deepening customer relationships, expansion in domestic and overseas markets, and continued to implement strict cost control, which laid a solid foundation for mid-term profitability.

“In the future, OneConnect will focus on increasing product standardization rates and deliver more high-value products to further enhance gross margin levels. The Company will continue to optimize its cost structure, engage in overseas business expansion, invest in targeted and strategic R&D for high-value products, and deepen collaborations with high-quality customers. We believe these measures will fuel OneConnect’s high-quality growth and create more value for customers and shareholders” Lin Rubo, OneConnect’s CFO, said.

Overseas Business as a Strong Growth Engine

In the first three quarters of 2024, OneConnect’s third-party overseas customers revenue rose 23.4% year-on-year, with its share in total revenue increased to 22.8% (excluding virtual banking business), up by seven percentage points year-on-year.

In the third quarter, OneConnect successfully launched the upgraded SLP (Smart Loan Platform) project, which empowered overseas customers to enhance their business expansion capabilities and improved their operational efficiency. The SLP project showcases OneConnect’s technological strength and product value, which received high recognition from multiple institutions. Currently, the Company’s products have materialized applications across a wide range of sectors overseas, including regional banks, digital banks, and financial companies. Moving forward, OneConnect aims to expand its presence in six ASEAN countries—Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Brunei—leveraging its product capabilities and technological prowess to further enhance its overseas influence.

As of the end of the third quarter, OneConnect’s business has spanned over 20 countries and regions, including South Africa, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the UAE, the Philippines, and Vietnam, serving a total of 192 overseas financial institutions, including the top three regional banks in Southeast Asia and two of the top ten global insurance companies.

Shen Chongfeng pointed out that, OneConnect’s smart credit solution is well-received among overseas bank customers, which reflected the increasing recognition of its products and services. This is the result of the Company’s commitment to product integration and upgrades, deepening customer relationships, and innovative partnership models. Looking ahead, OneConnect will continue to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance product competitiveness and capitalize on opportunities in overseas markets.

In the third quarter of 2024, OneConnect received several awards from third-party institutions and authoritative media, including the “IDC China Top 50 Emerging FinTech”, “Forbes China Top 50 FinTech Influential Enterprises,” “Forbes China Top 10 FinTech ESG Practice Enterprises,” and the “4th NIFD-DCITS FinTech Innovation Case” by the National Institution for Finance & Development, accumulating a total of 318 awards to date. These accolades underscore the recognition from the industry and the society, regarding the technological prowess of OneConnect’s products and its industry influence.

Continued Product Integration to Serve Core Customers

Shen Chongfeng said that OneConnect is now in the crucial phase of its 2.0 strategy of “deepening customer relationships.” The Company will continue to focus on financial institution customers by integrating and optimizing products and services, prioritizing three core business segments: Digital Banking, Digital Insurance, and the Gamma Platform. This approach will enhance product capabilities, empowering financial institutions to improve efficiency and achieve successful digital transformation.

For the retail segment of digital banking, OneConnect continued to promote digital transformation by focusing on comprehensive customer management, precise product recommendations, and smart channel operations; to assist the retail segment of digital banking to implement smart operations.

For the credit segment, OneConnect has established a lightweight smart credit management system and an inclusive finance platform to build smart credit management capabilities and enable financial institutions to advance in inclusive finance. The Company has also formed partnerships with several foreign banks in digital lending, including a longstanding collaboration with Commerce International Merchant Bank (CIMB), which focused on co-developing customized products to enhance the customer experience.

For digital insurance, OneConnect has implemented several end-to-end SaaS deployment benchmarks, including a project with a major state-owned property insurance company that addresses pain points in claims, underwriting, and service processes; helping customers to enhance risk control in claims and improve underwriting quality. In the Hong Kong market, OneConnect has fully implemented an ePOS platform for a medium-sized Hong Kong insurance company, it has been widely adopted by over 100 brokerage firms and over 1,000 agents, which has significantly expanded its market reach and drove effective growth. That ePOS platform now has an average usage rate of over 80% across all channels.

In addition, OneConnect leveraged the smart solutions of the Gamma Platform to continue to focus on the financial, government, and large corporate customers while aggressively expanding in overseas markets to empower digital decision-making, operations, and management. For instance, its upgraded smart visual risk control platform integrated advanced AI technologies such as fingerprint recognition and micro-expression analysis, which enhanced fraud prevention capabilities. Furthermore, OneConnect launched an HKID eKYC solution in Hong Kong, reducing user operating time by 50% by optimizing user workflows.

Shen Chongfeng stated that financial institutions are facing numerous challenges in view of the digitalization trend. OneConnect will closely follow policy developments and market changes, leverages its unique “technology + business” advantage to continue enhancing its capabilities across digital banking, digital insurance, and Gamma Platform business segments, empowering financial institutions and enterprises to transform digitally and driving the development of new quality of productive forces in the financial sector.
Hashtag: #OneConnect

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

OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd.

OneConnect Financial Technology Co., Ltd. is a Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) provider for financial institutions and a national high-tech enterprise in China. As an associate of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (Ping An Group), OneConnect leverages Ping An Group’s over 30 years of extensive experience in financial services and its own research capabilities to provide clients with integrated products featuring “horizontal integration and vertical full coverage”—including Digital Banking, Digital Insurance, and Gamma Platform, a digital financial infrastructure platform. With our unique “technology + business” competency, we help clients improve efficiency, enhance services, reduce costs and risks, and achieve digital transformation.

· OneConnect listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in December 2019.

· According to CIC, OneConnect ranked second among listed TaaS providers in China in terms of 2020 financial software and services revenue.

· In September 2021, the Company put forward the upgraded “Unite the Core, Empower the Wings” strategy, focusing on serving the digital transformation of financial institutions as the core, while simultaneously expanding its ecosystem and overseas presence as the “wings” to actively promote the overall digital transformation of the financial services ecosystem.

· OneConnect listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX) in July 2022.

OneConnect possesses strong capabilities in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Big Data, and Blockchain. The Company has been included in KPMG’s “China Leading Fintech 50” list for six consecutive years (2018-2023) and the IDC FinTech Rankings Top 100 list (rising to 59th in 2021). OneConnect has garnered the prestigious Wu Wen Jun AI Science and Technology Progress Award, the 2023 National May Day Labor Certificate, and 78 other international professional awards, and has also obtained CMMI5 international certification.

Sheffield Green Opens Offshore Wind Training Centre in Taiwan Chiayi


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 November 2024 – Singapore-headquartered and SGX-listed Sheffield Green held the inauguration ceremony for its first training centre under Wind Asia Training on October 23, 2024 in Machohou Industrial Park in Chiayi County, Taiwan. This marks a significant milestone for the company’s global training business. The training centre operates by leveraging on the synergy of funding, technology, and expertise from Singapore, the UK, and Taiwan, offering Global Wind Organisation- (GWO) certified wind power courses in Chinese, English, and Japanese. It plans to gradually introduce more advanced and customised training programmes to cultivate skilled professionals for the offshore wind power industry.

The inauguration ceremony attracted over a hundred guests, including government officials, industry professionals, developers, supply chain partners, and international investors. The event was graced by the presence of central government officials, such as Minister at Executive Yuan/Trade Representative at Office of Trade Negotiations, Mr Jen-ni Yang, and Director at Energy Administration, Mr Chung-Hsien Chen, along with several distinguished guests from the Chiayi County Government, who participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony. The day’s activities included facility tours and demonstrations of high-altitude work courses, as well as the latest virtual reality (VR) training equipment from the UK for guests to experience, all of which received high praise.

Taiwan will have nearly 3GW of offshore wind power installed capacity by the end of 2024. According to the government’s renewable energy policy goals, this is expected to reach 20.5GW by 2035, creating a substantial number of job opportunities. Mr Kee Boo Chye, CEO of Sheffield Green, commented: “Sheffield Green has cultivated the Taiwan market for many years, and we look forward to assisting Taiwan in training more professionals for the wind power industry through this training centre. This is in line with our goal to promote the sustainable development of renewable energy.” Non-executive director Mr James Wu added, “We are pleased that Wind Asia Training’s first training centre is launching in Chiayi, the hometown of Director Chen and me. In addition to clients from Taiwan and abroad, we will actively collaborate with local schools and organisations to open doors and prepare young people in the Yunlin, Chiayi, and Tainan regions who aspire to join the international wind power industry.”

Looking ahead, Sheffield Green’s next step is to replicate Taiwan’s successful experience in neighbouring markets, including Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines, to support the global renewable energy industry’s demand for skilled professionals. Additionally, the company is in the process of acquiring a training facility in Gran Canaria, Spain, to expand its market presence in Europe. Mr Kee confidently declared: “The acquisition plan will enable us to meet growing demand for wind energy professionals in Europe, further enhancing our competitiveness in the global renewable energy market.”

The Asia Wind Training Centre in Chiayi will officially begin full commercial operations in January 2025, providing comprehensive GWO training courses for corporate organisations and individuals.

Hashtag: #SheffieldGreen

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

About Sheffield Green

Sheffield Green Ltd. is a human resource services provider for the renewable energy industry headquartered in Singapore, with subsidiaries incorporated in Singapore, Japan, Poland, South Korea and a branch office registered in Taiwan. The Group provides human resource services for Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Installation (“EPCI“) works in the renewable energy industry, which includes onshore wind, offshore wind, solar and green hydrogen.

Most of the Group’s business consists of projects from the offshore wind sector, and the Group specialises in providing human resource services along the entire renewable energy value chain.

For more information on Sheffield Green, please visit:

Eude Technology Establishes Strategic AI Research Partnership with Nanyang Technological University

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 November 2024 – Eude Technology PTE. LTD. (Eude Technology) is proud to announce a strategic research partnership with Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) College of Computing and Data Science, Division of Artificial Intelligence. This collaboration will focus on groundbreaking research in frontier AI technologies, with an emphasis on developing next-generation Large Language Models (LLMs).

The partnership brings together Eude Technology’s entrepreneurial vision and NTU’s academic excellence in AI research, aiming to pioneer advancements that push the boundaries of artificial intelligence. The collaborative effort seeks to not only advance the theoretical foundations of AI but also explore practical applications that can address industry challenges and opportunities across Asia and the U.S.

Speaking on the collaboration, Professor Bo An, Head of NTU’s Division of Artificial Intelligence, shared his enthusiasm: “We are excited to partner with young AI entrepreneurs like Mr. Gong from Eude Technology. Although we cannot disclose our research theme yet, I can say we are doing some advanced AI topics that nobody has ever done before.” With a stellar track record in the field, Professor Bo An is renowned for his contributions to artificial intelligence, particularly in areas like reinforcement learning and multi-agent systems. NTU’s AI division has become a global hub for cutting-edge AI research.

Mr. Jian Gong, CEO of Eude Technology, expressed his confidence in the collaboration: “Professor Bo An’s team is one of the best in frontier AI research across Asia and the U.S. We look forward to developing new AI technologies and applying them to industry use cases in both markets. This partnership represents a significant milestone for Eude Technology as we work towards creating transformative solutions powered by advanced AI.”

The partnership underscores Eude Technology’s commitment to innovation and its role as a driving force in the AI landscape. By joining forces with NTU, a university consistently ranked among the top in the world for AI research, Eude Technology is poised to leverage academic insights and translate them into practical technologies with real-world impact.

The focus on next-generation LLMs positions the partnership at the heart of the AI revolution. Large Language Models, such as GPT and its successors, have transformed industries ranging from healthcare to finance, and this collaboration aims to take these capabilities to new heights. The research will explore uncharted territories of AI, addressing challenges like ethical AI development, multilingual capabilities, and domain-specific optimizations.

In addition to advancing AI research, the partnership highlights the importance of collaboration between academia and industry. By fostering such alliances, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between theoretical research and practical implementation, ensuring that innovations are not only groundbreaking but also widely accessible and impactful.

As the collaboration takes shape, both Eude Technology and NTU envision their joint efforts contributing significantly to the global AI ecosystem. With a shared commitment to excellence and innovation, the partnership is expected to deliver breakthroughs that will set new benchmarks in the field.

This announcement marks the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey for both organizations. Together, Eude Technology and NTU are ready to chart new paths in artificial intelligence, paving the way for a future defined by intelligent, ethical, and impactful AI solutions.

Hashtag: #EudeTechnology #NanyangTechnologicalUniversity

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

Five Overseas Cities Win This Year’s Shanghai Award for Sustainability

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 November 2024 – Morocco’s Agadir, India’s Trivandrum, Qatar’s Doha, Mexico’s Iztapalapa, and Australia’s Melbourne have won the 2024 Global Award for Sustainable Development in Cities, also known as the Shanghai Award, in recognition of their achievements in advancing sustainability.

Agadir was recognized for initiatives that enhance residents’ well-being through energy and water conservation, as well as an increase in green spaces per capita, according to a report released on World Cities Day, October 31.

The city in southern Morocco has introduced innovative programs, including a cultural participation initiative, smart city technology development, public engagement enhancements, and improved citizen services and living conditions.

Established in 2022, the Shanghai Award is a global initiative led by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme, also known as UN-Habitat, and the municipality of the eastern Chinese city. The award aims to advance the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and promote the local implementation of the UN’s New Urban Agenda which envisions cities as engines of prosperity.

Trivandrum, the capital of Kerala in India, received recognition for its 2030 Development Plan which focuses on building a knowledge-driven economy. The city has created jobs, improved transport efficiency, provided safe housing, and implemented environmental information systems, becoming a model of sustainable development through public-private partnerships and renewable energy sources such as solar power.

Doha was awarded for its respect for cultural heritage and efforts to reduce environmental impact through green building practices, the Doha Metro, and economic diversification. The city has also made strides in healthcare and in fostering an inclusive, thriving community.

Iztapalapa, a borough of Mexico City, has launched a comprehensive strategy combining spatial innovations with social programs to foster transformational communities, with an emphasis on gender equality and youth empowerment to build a people-centered sustainable future.

Melbourne has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 76 percent since 2016, developed renewable energy procurement models, increased biodiversity, revitalized central areas, and prioritized equity and inclusion in its sustainability initiatives.

Hashtag: #ShanghaiAwardforSustainability

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

amfori Asia Sustainability Summit 2024

Shaping Responsible Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 November 2024 – Organised by amfori, a leading global business association for sustainable trade, its highly anticipated flagship event “amfori Asia Sustainability Summit” was concluded with great success yesterday at Hotel ICON in Hong Kong SAR, China. Attracting over a hundred participants from across Asia, this event highlighted the significant role Asia plays in driving a resilient and sustainable supply chain in global trade. Under the theme Shaping Responsible Supply Chains for a Sustainable Future,” the Summit brought together sustainability practitioners and advocates, policymakers, business leaders and key stakeholders from multiple countries in Asia and Europe. The Summit has offered a vital platform to exchange insights and strategies on how to comprehend and tackle some of the most pressing ESG challenges and opportunities in supply chains with an Asian perspective. Particularly with the adoption of the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), the Summit participants had in-depth discussions on how businesses navigate the evolving regulatory landscape and align the sustainability requirements in Europe and Asia.

Ms Linda Kromjong, President of amfori

In her welcome remarks, Ms Linda Kromjong, President of amfori, said, “Asia is not just a key player; it is the driving force of many best practices in the global supply chain.” amfori provides environmental, social and governance (ESG) actionable solutions to improve the sustainability performance of companies’ supply chain. ESG Due Diligence is a shared responsibility that requires every actor – from producers to suppliers, buyers, governments, CSOs, and international organisations – to take part. Shared responsibility will also translate into shared business opportunities. With Asia housing the top sourcing countries, there is no doubt that it will be a key actor in driving sustainable trade efforts in the world.

During her keynote speech, Ms Panudda Boonpala, Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization (ILO), emphasized the importance of sustainable supply chains within Asia. She stressed that building resilience into our supply chain is not only about protecting workers’ right, but it is essential for long-term economic stability and growth. She also emphasized that collaboration across governments, businesses, and worker organisations is the key to fostering a system that prioritises human rights, fair wages and safe working conditions.

Ms Panudda Boonpala, Deputy Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific, International Labour Organization (ILO)

The keynote speech was followed by a plenary panel discussion themed “Win-Win Collaborations in Driving ESG Performance in Asian Supply Chains.” Moderated by Mr Martin Kroenig, Director, Schwarz Asia Pacific Sourcing Ltd and Chair of the amfori Greater China Network, the session gathered leading buyer members and business partner including Mr Sebastien Pivet, Chief Sustainability Officer and QA Director of AS Watson, Mr Satte Tsao, Head of Vendor Compliance, Li & Fung Trading Ltd, Ms Jean Tai, Global Sourcing Director, Delsey Paris and Mr Kevin Chen, Vice General Manager, Wanxinda (Guangzhou) Technology Product Co. Ltd., who explored how supply chain collaborations in Asia have overcome challenges and created win-win solutions that enhance sustainability practices.

The Summit also featured four breakout sessions to discuss key issues relating to workers’ rights, as well as responsible purchasing and sustainable trade. In a session themed “Supporting Migrant Workers: Challenges and Solutions”, a distinguished panel of speakers including Ms Myriam Mwizerwa, Head of Office, Hong Kong SAR, China, IOM – UN Migration, Mr Matt Friedman, CEO and Founder, Mekong Club, and Ms Phoebe Ewen, Senior Human Rights & Responsible Sourcing Manager – Trade, Woolworths Group, engaged in a vibrant interactive dialogue on the challenges around migrant workers’ protection and provided viable solutions to support migrant workers across the supply chain in Asia.

With the growing recognition and advocacy for gender equality and inclusion around the world, the session themed “Gender Equality and Inclusivity: Pathways to Progress” brought together a diverse group of experts including Mr Namit Agarwal, Social Transformation Lead, World Benchmarking Alliance, Ms Luoqi Li, Financing for Gender Equity Analyst, UN Women, and Mr Roland Meng, Senior Trainer, Timeline Consultancy, who offered their insights into the business benefits of advancing gender equality and how to build a gender-sensitive Social Management System.

Different stakeholders including Ms Elif Kalan, Senior Product Operations Expert, amfori, Mr Brian Wong, Data Protection Officer & Assistant Sustainability Director, GP Batteries International Limited and Mr Vincent Lam, Supply Chain Sustainability Manager, Fruit of the Loom, joined the “Promoting and Advancing Responsible Purchasing Practices” breakout session, featuring the best practices of Responsible Purchasing Practices (RPPs) to drive sustainable trade.

Another highlight of the Summit was a workshop themed “Bridging Sustainable Trade Practices and Regulations between Europe and Asia”, led by experts and stakeholders from key sourcing countries including Dr Swati Singh, Director, International Trade Policy Division, Confederation of Indian Industries, Ms Gina Fu, Chairlady, Hong Kong Myanmar Manufacturers’ Association, and Ms Ines Kaempfer, CEO, The Centre for Child Rights & Business. The session was also an opportunity to organise group discussions among participants and explore how businesses can stay ahead of evolving regulations whilst achieving sustainable supply chains between Europe and Asia.

In parallel, the event also included a closed-door high level legislation roundtable discussion on “Bridging the Gap of Multiple Due Diligence Laws and Regulations in the EU and Asia”, in which leading sustainability experts from around Asia and Europe shared their views on the evolving regulations in the EU and Asia and how to align these due diligence frameworks in fostering regional cooperation. Key takeaways and recommendations from this session will contribute to amfori’s advocacy communications with multi-stakeholders and policy makers.

Towards the end of the summit, Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office for Hong Kong and Macao, shared the importance Europe attributes to green economy and sustainable trade, flagging many legislations underpinning this ambition such as the EU green policies, trade agreements with sustainable chapters; ESPR, CSDDD, CSRD, etc. and their impact for Asia. He started his intervention with the following quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe “Life belongs to the living and he who lives must be prepared for changes.” Changes initiated by this new legislative framework are designed to create a level playing field for business in- and outside Europe, offering opportunities for business to become more competitive, more resilient, more transparent, gain better access to finance and trade with the 27 European countries.

Ambassador Harvey Rouse, Head of the European Union Office for Hong Kong and Macao

Concluding the Summit, Ms Linda Kromjong, President of amfori, re-affirmed Asia’s role in shaping the future of sustainable trade and sustainable best practices, stating that, “Today, we heard how Asia holds its potential to bridge gaps in legislations, trade practices, and collaborations for a sustainable future. Together, let us drive Asia’s influence in making positive change for all!”

For other event photos: please check here.

Hashtag: #amfori

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

About amfori

amfori advocates for a world in which trade serves a purpose: delivering social, environmental and economic benefits for everyone. As a global business association, amfori supports its members at every step of their due diligence journey, offering a comprehensive range of ESG products and services. From supply chain mapping and assessment to reporting, from capacity building to facilitating stakeholder engagement, amfori provides a holistic approach to responsible business practices. Founded in 1977, and recognised for its flagship product amfori BSCI, amfori leverages decades of expertise and close collaboration with more than 2400 member companies as well as auditing companies, producers, factories, and other stakeholders such as policymakers. Representing a diverse array of industries in over 50 countries, that cover trade streams in over 100 countries, amfori continues to have a positive impact on fostering sustainable trade.

Lao Drug Smuggler Arrested in Cambodia with Over 1 Million Methamphetamine Pills

The police officers are working on the case (Photo: The Phnom Penh Post)

Cambodia officers seized a Lao national for possessing over 1 million meth pills while transporting them at the Trapeang Kriel International Border Checkpoint on 9 November.