26.9 C
Vientiane
Monday, July 7, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 1168

Dialogue on Urban Governance: Beijing’s Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints Open on December 18


BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2024On December 10, the Beijing Municipal Government Information Office held a press conference for the 2024 Beijing’s Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints. Scheduled for December 18-19 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing, the forum is themed “Modernizing for People-Centered Urban Governance.” The event aims to create a platform for exchange and mutual learning, inviting experts from the theoretical community both domestically and internationally, alongside leaders from central government departments, representatives from various regions, and grassroots workers to jointly explore the direction and path of modern urban governance.

Press Conference for the 2024 Beijing's Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints
Press Conference for the 2024 Beijing’s Forum on Swift Response to Public Complaints

Since 2019, Beijing has adhered to the principle of putting people at the center of its development philosophy, exploring a model of “Immediate Response” reform led by Party building, centered around the Citizen Service Hotline 12345—a platform that has innovated practices for modernizing the governance of megacities.

Mr. Shen Binhua, Deputy Secretary-General of the Beijing Municipal Government and Party Secretary and Director of the Beijing Municipal Administration of Government Services and Data Management, introduced at the press conference that the “Immediate Response” Reform has been ongoing for six years, during which a large number of urgent, difficult, and worrying issues raised by the public have been efficiently resolved. Over the past six years, the hotline has received 150 million requests from citizens and businesses, with the resolution rate increasing from an initial 53% to the present 97%, and satisfaction rate rising from 65% to 97%. This progress has significantly enhanced the people’s sense of gain, happiness, and security. The swift handling of citizen requests not only resolves key “small matters” close to the people but also addresses the “big challenges” of urban governance.

The forum will feature an opening ceremony, main sessions, six parallel forums, supporting activities, and a closing ceremony. It is expected to attract over 3,100 participants, including more than 160 international guests from over 40 countries, as well as leaders from central units, municipal and Party officials from cities such as Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, renowned scholars from universities like Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, and representatives from grassroots levels, citizens, and enterprises. During the forum, guests will also visit “Experience 12345,” experiencing the “Immediate Response” process in an immersive manner and feeling the warmth of “Beijing Service.”

A series of research outcomes on “Immediate Response” reform will be released during this session. Research teams from institutions like the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Tsinghua University, among others, will present analyses on theoretical innovation and practical reform in Chinese urban governance, enhancement of grassroots governance efficiency, and digital intelligence development. Furthermore, the forum will share 11 research outcomes presented in English, offering international participants insights into “Chinese Governance” practices.

Based on the discussion outcomes of the forum and incorporating international consensus, the “Beijing Declaration 2024 on the Modernization of Urban Governance” will be issued, contributing wisdom to building a global community of shared future for cities.

Hashtag: #beijingmunicipaladministrationofgovernmentservicesanddatamanagement

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

V-GREEN and Prime Group sign MOU to develop 100,000 VinFast EV charging stations in Indonesia


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2024 V-GREEN and Prime Group, a diversified conglomerate, through its UAE subsidiary, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a network of charging stations for VinFast electric vehicles in Indonesia. This MoU does not only signify a major step forward for V-GREEN in its global mission to expand the VinFast EV charging infrastructure, but also underscores the confidence of prominent international companies in V-GREEN and VinFast’s commitment to sustainable transportation.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong – CEO of V-GREEN (second from the left) and Mr. Mahmoud Farrag – Vice Chairman and CEO of Prime Group (third from the left) at the MOU signing ceremony.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong – CEO of V-GREEN (second from the left) and Mr. Mahmoud Farrag – Vice Chairman and CEO of Prime Group (third from the left) at the MOU signing ceremony.

This MoU reflects the mutual intent of both parties to engage in detailed discussions to explore and develop cooperation in building charging stations in Indonesia. The two companies envision the development of approximately 100,000 VinFast charging stations in Indonesia over the next three years, with a projected total investment of up to 1.2 billion USD.

V-GREEN will initially prioritize the development of VinFast charging stations in Jakarta, Surabaya, Bali, and surrounding areas, with plans to expand to other regions of Indonesia in subsequent phases. With an increasing adoption of electric vehicle, these regions are a strategic focus for V-GREEN’s expansion in the Indonesian market, leveraging VinFast’s diverse range of urban electric vehicles.

The development of the charging stations will commence in January 2025, with a number of stations expected to be operational within the year.

Leveraging its strong financial potential and global network of partners, Prime Group, a diversified conglomerate with operations across the Middle East and Africa, is responsible for arranging fundings to develop the VinFast EV charging infrastructure.

Meanwhile, V-GREEN will proactively research the market, identify strategic locations, and build and operate a network of charging stations to meet the growing demand of electric vehicle users in Indonesia.

Mr. Tamer Wagih Salem, Chairman of Prime Group shared: “Leveraging our expertise across various industries, we are proud to partner with V-GREEN to capitalize on the immense potential of Indonesia’s green transportation sector as one of Southeast Asia’s most promising markets. We are confident that this collaboration, fueled by V-GREEN’s strong reputation and execution capabilities, will not only benefit both companies but also significantly contribute to the growth of Southeast Asia’s electric vehicle market. This partnership with V-GREEN will take us to explore more opportunities globally, starting with Indonesia then expanding to the Middle East, Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States. Together, we will create exceptional value for society and the global community.”

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Duong, CEO of V-GREEN shared: “Partnering with a strategic Middle Eastern partner opens up exciting new opportunities for V-GREEN to expand our global electric vehicle charging network. Together, we will create a comprehensive electric vehicle ecosystem, reducing environmental impact and enhancing quality of life. This collaboration will yield significant benefits for both our companies, consumers, and the community. Together with VinFast and GSM, we will strongly promote the “For a Green Future” campaign in Indonesia.”

V-GREEN was founded by VinFast’s Founder, Mr. Pham Nhat Vuong, with a 90% stake. Separated from VinFast’s charging station development department, V-GREEN is dedicated to investing in the entire electric vehicle infrastructure. This aligns with the company’s mission to foster a green ecosystem and accelerate the electric transportation revolution.

The MoU with Prime Group marks a pivotal moment for V-GREEN as a key partner in VinFast’s global expansion. By developing a robust charging infrastructure, V-GREEN is paving the way for VinFast to successfully penetrate the dynamic Indonesian market.

Since its official launch in Indonesia, VinFast has delivered two EV models, the VF e34 and VF 5. The company is actively expanding its dealer network, implementing attractive sales policies, and has broken ground on an assembly plant in Subang, West Java to enhance its global production capacity.

Hashtag: #V-GREEN #VinFast #EV

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

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC, one of Vietnam’s largest conglomerates, is a pure-play electric vehicle (“EV”) manufacturer with the mission of making EVs accessible to everyone. VinFast’s product lineup today includes a wide range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, and e-buses. VinFast is currently embarking on its next growth phase through rapid expansion of its distribution and dealership network globally and increasing its manufacturing capacities with a focus on key markets across North America, Europe and Asia. Learn more at: .

About Prime Group

Prime Group is a highly diversified business conglomerate with an extensive network spanning the Middle East and Africa region. Established in 1995, the group operates across a broad spectrum of industries and has built a reputation for excellence and innovation. Prime Group is committed to fostering international partnerships with leading global entities seeking to establish a presence in the MENA region across its core sectors. The group also actively pursues collaborations in emerging and thriving markets worldwide, striving for win-win solutions that prioritize sustainability, business continuity, and due diligence. Guided by a forward-thinking vision, Prime Group ensures that every partnership aligns with its values of long-term growth, mutual benefit, and responsible business practices. Learn more at:

Luang Prabang Launches Startup Ecosystem Initiative with South Korea

Luang Prabang Launches Startup Ecosystem Initiative with South Korea

Luang Prabang Province in Laos is making strides to boost its startup ecosystem through a collaboration with Sejong City and the Hannam University Consortium from South Korea.

Bokeo to Build Laos’ Largest Seated Buddha Statue

Simulation Image of Building Laos' Largest Seated Buddha Statue in Bokeo (Photo: Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone)

The Ministry of Planning and Investment, in partnership with Bokeo provincial officials, convened on 28 November to discuss plans for the construction of the Suvannakhomkham Buddha statue, which will become Laos’ largest seated Buddha statue.

Laos-Thailand Partnership Achieves Kidney Transplant Milestone

Dr. Chanmaly Keomany, Head of Mittaphab Hospital's Kidney Department (Photo: Lao National Radio)

Laos’s Mittaphab Hospital and Thailand’s Ramathibodi Hospital from Mahidol University achieved a medical milestone by successfully performing their first kidney transplant surgery on 18 November.

Lao Launches Project to Combat HIV, Tuberculosis, Malaria in Bokeo

New Health Project Launched to Combat HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Bokeo
New Health Project Launched to Combat HIV, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in Bokeo

On 6 December, the Ministry of Health in Laos launched a EUR 3 million (approximately USD 3.17 million)  health initiative in Bokeo Province to tackle HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria. 

Supported by the French government through L’Initiative and Expertise France, and implemented by the French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development with backing from the French Agency for Development , the three-year project also spans Thailand. It aims to enhance disease prevention, food security, and livelihoods, particularly for vulnerable groups in Bokeo.

The French Ambassador to Laos, Siv-Leng Chhuor, highlighted that EUR 2 million (about USD 2.11 million) from L’Initiative would focus on improving healthcare access and training public health workers in collaboration with civil society groups like CHIAS. The project seeks to integrate services for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria while promoting shared governance and inclusive data monitoring.

Minister of Health,  Bounfeng Phommalaysith, emphasized the province’s unique challenges, including high infection rates, ethnic diversity, and its geographic setting, as reasons for prioritizing disease control in the region. The initiative is aligned with Laos’ goal to eliminate these diseases by 2030.

Meanwhile, Lao Deputy Minister of Health, Phayvanh Keopaseuth, reported that from January to September this year, 1,523 people in Laos were identified as living with HIV. Notably, 53 percent of these cases involved individuals aged 15 to 29.

The United Nations (UN) projects that the HIV infection rate in Laos will increase to 0.42 percent in 2024, compared to 0.39 percent in 2023. Since 1990, an estimated 20,000 people in the country, primarily aged 15-49, have contracted the virus. Currently, 12,803 individuals nationwide are receiving antiretroviral treatment.

EXIMBANK & VISA Officially Launch Visa Direct Service


HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2024 – On December 10, 2024, Eximbank proudly joined hands with Visa to officially launch the Visa Direct service, a transformative step in redefining cross-border financial transactions. Held at Eximbank’s Head Office, this prestigious event brought together Eximbank’s leadership, Visa representatives, and distinguished guests to celebrate this innovative milestone.

Photo

Visa Direct offers an exceptional opportunity for Eximbank customers, enabling fast and secure international money transfers in real-time through Visa’s global network. This service not only meets the increasing demands of both individual and business clients but also reaffirms Eximbank’s commitment to providing modern, efficient, and customer-centric financial solutions. With Visa Direct, customers can send funds directly to Visa cards in more than 190 countries and territories, with processing times as quick as 30 minutes in countries and territories supporting Fast Funds. The service simplifies the transfer process, requiring only the recipient’s Visa card information, while ensuring high security through advanced encryption technology and competitive fees. With transfer limits of up to $25,000 per transaction, $50,000 per day, and $200,000 per month, Visa Direct offers an optimal financial solution for fast, secure, and cost-effective international transfers, built on Visa’s reliable payment platform, making it the ideal choice for Eximbank customers.

Photo

In his keynote speech, Mr. Nguyen Canh Anh, Chairman of Eximbank, emphasized:

“The launch of Visa Direct reflects our steadfast commitment to innovation and customer-centricity. Partnering with Visa, a global leader in digital payments, empowers us to provide unparalleled financial convenience and connectivity for our customers, setting a new benchmark in seamless global transactions.”

Representing Visa, Ms. Dang Tuyet Dung, Visa Country Manager of Vietnam and Laos, highlighted:

“We are delighted to collaborate with Eximbank to introduce Visa Direct service in Vietnam. This collaboration leverages Visa’s secure network and Eximbank’s strong customer base, delivering fast, safe, and borderless money transfer solutions. Together, we aim to drive financial innovation and contribute to a thriving digital economy.”

The event’s highlight was the ceremonial launch of Visa Direct, symbolizing the boundless potential of this collaboration. Attendees witnessed captivating presentations that showcased Visa Direct’s advanced features and its impact on enhancing cross-border payment experiences for individuals and businesses alike.

The event concluded with heartfelt gratitude from the organizers and an inspiring vision for the future. Eximbank and Visa envision expanding Visa Direct’s applications to include additional use cases like B2C and C2B payments and new endpoints, such as account and wallet transfers. Together, they aim to lead the way in innovation, advancing Vietnam’s digital transformation and financial inclusion.

As one of the pioneers in financial innovation, Eximbank continues to set the standard for excellence in international trade and financial services. The introduction of Visa Direct solidifies Eximbank’s position as a trusted partner, empowering customers on their global financial journeys.

Hashtag: #VISA #VisaDirect

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

About Eximbank

Vietnam Export-Import Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Eximbank), established on January 17, 1990, is one of the first joint-stock commercial banks in Vietnam. With 215 branches and a network of over 600 financial institutions across 70 countries, Eximbank has firmly established its position in the banking and finance industry for over 34 years. Constantly innovating and being a pioneer in the application of modern technology, Eximbank offers reliable, high-quality financial products and services that meet the diverse needs of its customers.

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions, and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable, and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses, and economies to thrive. We believe economies that include everyone uplifts everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at .

NetApp’s 2024 Data Complexity Report Reveals AI’s Make or Break Year Ahead

Organizations Worldwide Brace for a Year of AI Transformation, Security Challenges, and Sustainability Imperatives


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 December 2024 – NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the intelligent data infrastructure company, released its second annual Data Complexity Report, which examines how global organizations are navigating the increasing complexity of managing their data for AI. This year’s report provides a global view into how AI will impact organizations in 2025 and beyond, offering insights to help businesses leverage AI’s potential while navigating the complexities and risks that accompany this transformative technology.

“2025 is shaping up to be a defining year for AI, as organizations transition from experimentation to scaling their AI capabilities,” said Gabie Boko, Chief Marketing Officer, NetApp. “This year’s Data Complexity Report shows that businesses are making significant investments to drive innovation and efficiency, but these efforts will succeed only if global tech executives can address the mounting challenges of data complexity, security, and sustainability. Intelligent data infrastructure, with unified data storage at its core, will be key to unlocking AI’s potential.”

AI Investment: Will AI Break the Bank?

Two-thirds of companies worldwide report that their data is either fully or mostly optimized for AI. However, despite this progress, 2025 will still demand investment in AI and data management. In fact, 40% of global technology executives believe that unprecedented investment in AI and data management will be required for their companies in 2025. While companies have made strides in optimizing data for AI, achieving future breakthroughs will demand even greater commitment and resources.

The study classified the surveyed markets into AI leading and AI lagging countries. The four APAC markets of India, Japan, Singapore and Australia & New Zealand (A/NZ) all fall into the leading bucket, with the overall proportion of APAC respondents saying that their business’s data is fully or mostly optimized for AI averaging 73%, slightly above the global number.

Data Silos: Will Your Data Impede AI Success?

Data unification is emerging as a critical driver of AI success, with 79% of global tech executives recognizing the importance of unifying data to achieve optimal AI outcomes. Companies that prioritize unifying data are more likely to reach their AI goals in 2025, with only 23% of companies that prioritize unifying data saying they won’t reach their goals, versus 30% of companies that don’t prioritize unifying data. Investing in data management and infrastructure has become the top priority for organizations, with executives emphasizing it twice as much as other AI-related initiatives – a trend set to grow. Looking to the future, organizations that embrace data unification will be better positioned to fully harness the transformative power of AI, ensuring they stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.

In APAC, 85% of tech executives recognized the importance of unifying data to achieve optimal AI outcomes in 2025. Every country is increasing their data management or infrastructure investments except India, reflecting India’s previous investments and lead in AI adoption. In India, 44% of tech executives see data management or infrastructure as their current top priority, with a lower 37% seeing it as a future top priority. In the other parts of APAC, tech executives in Japan (42%), Singapore (49%) and A/NZ (43%) see data management and infrastructure investments as their top future investment priority – which are higher than their current top priority.

Data Security: Will Cyber Threats Scale Along with AI?

Global tech executives are bracing for a significant rise in security threats alongside AI adoption, with 41% predicting a sharp increase in 2025. Data privacy and security concerns have remained top challenges globally year-over-year, with AI leading countries like India, Japan, Singapore and A/NZ and the United States (whom are farther ahead in their AI journey) facing nearly twice the number of security issues compared to AI-lagging countries like Germany, France and Spain. As much as 72% of APAC respondents said the rise in AI adoption has led to an increase in security challenges for their businesses.

AI-driven security challenges are weighing heavily on the minds of global tech leaders, with 59% identifying these threats as a leading global stressor. Likewise in APAC, over half of the surveyed respondents (54%) have recognized AI-driven security challenges as their top stressor. This heightened focus reflects the growing complexity of cyber risks. Executives at the board and C-suite levels continue to prioritize cybersecurity and ransomware protection, with 38% ranking it as a top priority. However, there’s a silver lining: the strategic measures organizations have implemented appear to be paying off. The focus on cybersecurity as a top priority has decreased by 17% since 2023 — a promising sign that progress is being made in combating these ever-evolving threats.

Data Sustainability: Is AI Putting the Planet at Risk?

As AI adoption accelerates, 34% of global tech executives anticipate major shifts in corporate sustainability processes, and 33% expect new government energy policies and investments. AI-driven data growth is seen as a key contributor to sustainability efforts, with AI-leading countries experiencing a greater impact than AI-lagging countries. Carbon footprint reduction remains a top priority, especially in regions with high AI adoption, though its focus has declined year over year, from 84% of companies in 2023 to 72% in 2024. The challenge moving forward will be managing the environmental costs of AI while maximizing its potential for innovation.

In APAC, three-quarters of respondents indicated the importance of carbon footprint reduction – slightly above the global average. Increased data and computation due to the rise of AI have brought significant contributions to their companies’ sustainability initiatives, with 57% of the respondents indicating “high” or “extremely high” impacts.

This year’s Data Complexity Report highlights a pivotal shift: businesses that invest in intelligent data infrastructure and prioritize security are not only future-proofing their operations but also gaining a significant competitive advantage in the AI-driven landscape.

“AI’s transformative potential hinges on secure, scalable, and sustainable data strategies,” said Krish Vitaldevara, Senior Vice President and General Manager, NetApp. “The organizations leading in advanced analytics and AI are those that have unified and well-cataloged data, robust security for sensitive information, and a clear understanding of how data evolves. By tackling these challenges, they can drive innovation while ensuring resilience, responsibility, and timely insights in the new AI era.”

“We are at an exciting point in AI innovation, and it’s encouraging to see APAC organizations leading the charge in data readiness for AI,” said Dhruv Dhumatkar, Chief Technology Officer, NetApp Asia Pacific and Japan. “Data holds the key to AI’s success. For organizations to capitalize on their lead, intelligent data management capabilities are essential to unify and make data a strategic asset for positive business outcomes.”

To learn more, read the full report here: www.netapp.com/pdf.html?item=/media/120560-2024-data-complexity-survey-report.pdf

Methodology

NetApp partnered with Wakefield Research to conduct a quantitative research study during November 2024, among 1,300+ IT executives in 9 markets: US, EMEA (UK, France, Germany, Spain) and APAC (Australia/New Zealand, Singapore, India and Japan).
Hashtag: #NetApp, #datacomplexityreport

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

About NetApp

NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data services, and CloudOps solutions to turn a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry’s best data management. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world’s biggest clouds, our data storage delivers seamless flexibility. In addition, our data services create a data advantage through superior cyber resilience, governance, and application agility. Our CloudOps solutions provide continuous optimization of performance and efficiency through observability and AI. No matter the data type, workload, or environment, with NetApp you can transform your data infrastructure to realize your business possibilities. Learn more at or follow us on , , , and .

NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.