HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 November 2024 – Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, a brand under the Merlin Entertainment Group, is set to announce that the wax figure of actor Ahn Hyo Seop, known for his rising popularity in Business Proposal, will be joining us soon. This presents a rare opportunity for fans to experience a “romantic proposal” with him up close.
Actor Ahn Hyo Seop’s new wax figure will be joining Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
The beloved actor had visited Hong Kong last year in his Asia tour and now is making a special comeback soon! Fans have eagerly awaited the chance to see their favourite star up close again.
Ahn Hyo Seop’s exceptional performances in dramas like Business Proposal, A Time Called You, Dr. Romantic Season 2, Dr. Romantic Season 3, and Lovers of the Red Sky have garnered global recognition and contributed significantly to his success. He is also set to star in the highly anticipated movie “The Prophet: Omniscient Reader”, based on a popular web novel with 200 million views since 2018. Fans are eagerly anticipating the surprise he is preparing for his upcoming 10th debut anniversary.
Wade Chang, General Manager of Merlin Entertainments Hong Kong, commented, “Whilst we only observe Ahn Hyo Seop’s versatile on-screen persona, we acknowledge the unseen efforts behind it. We are honoured to collaborate with this energetic celebrity and hope all guests will support the K-Wave Zone’s development in the forthcoming year.”
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is expected to fuel “Romantic Proposal” craze with Ahn Hyo Seop in the first half of 2025.
Anticipated to be unveiled in the first half of 2025, Ahn Hyo Seop’s new wax figure is poised to be Madame Tussauds Hong Kong’s first surprise for fans of Korean culture next year. To stay informed, follow us on social media for updates and details.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Madame Tussauds Hong Kong
Featuring 11 incredible Zones from glamourous Hollywood actors to your favourite K-pop stars, artists, musicians and sports heroes, the incredible Madame Tussauds Hong Kong houses over 100 wax figures! But this gallery of wonder is so much more than an exciting attraction Guests will marvel at our incredible immersive, interactive technology at every turn!
Originally opened in August 2000, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is the first permanent Madame Tussauds in Asia. We have over 24 unique locations around the globe, from New York to Shanghai, Amsterdam to Sydney – and of course London, where the story began. Throughout our 260+ year history, Madame Tussauds has brought to life thousands of celebrities, stars and heroes – in mind-blowingly accurate detail – giving visitors the opportunity to brush shoulders with their idols and LITERALLY reach for the stars!
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong welcomes guests from 10:30am to 9:30pm daily (last admission is at 8:30pm). For ticket enquiries, please call (852) 2849 6966 or visit https://www.madametussauds.com/hong-kong/.
About Merlin Entertainments
Merlin Entertainments is a global leader in location-based, family entertainment. As Europe’s Number 1 and the world’s second-largest visitor attraction operator, Merlin operates 140 attractions, 23 hotels and 6 holiday villages in 24 countries and across 4 continents. Merlin’s purpose is to deliver memorable experiences to its millions of guests around the world, through its iconic brands and multiple attraction formats, and the commitment and passion of its employees.
ABU DHABI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 November 2024 – The Zayed Sustainability Prize, the UAE’s pioneering award for sustainability and humanitarianism, has announced 33 finalists for innovative solutions to global challenges from 5,980 submissions across 156 countries. These innovators leverage AI and advanced tech to address carbon capture, sustainability, and essential access to clean energy, water, food, and healthcare.
Winners will be announced at the Zayed Sustainability Prize Awards on January 14, 2025, during Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week. Finalists span six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools, reflecting a 15% increase in entries from the previous year, including from SMEs, non-profit organisations, and high schools.
H.E. Dr. Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Director General of the Zayed Sustainability Prize, and COP28 President, highlighted that the finalists demonstrate exceptional innovation and impact.
“This cycle, we received an unprecedented number of submissions, with notable participation from the Global South and youth. In fact, this year’s submissions reflect the three megatrends shaping our future, namely the rise of the Global South, the pace of the energy transition and the growth of AI.
These changemakers are tackling urgent environmental challenges head-on, while simultaneously advancing economic progress through innovative solutions. By leveraging emerging technologies, such as AI, carbon capture and removal, tidal energy, precision agriculture, biomimicry, and climate analytics, they are addressing the needs of the moment while inspiring the next generation to innovate and drive sustainability in impactful ways.”
Health finalists this year provide quality healthcare to underserved, remote communities.
The Health finalists are: · Periwinkle Technologies (India): Portable AI-enabled cervical cancer screening with 30-second results. · Rology (Egypt): 24/7 AI-assisted teleradiology for quick, accurate diagnoses. · Telemedan (Chad): Solar-powered medical kiosks for affordable healthcare in remote areas.
Food finalists aim to empower small-scale producers, support sustainable food preservation, and convert arid land into productive farms.
The Food finalists are: · ABALOBI (South Africa): Mobile app and marketplace for small-scale fishers to log catches and sell directly. · Nafarm Foods (Nigeria): Hybrid solar food dryers to preserve food and reduce CO2 emissions. · Xinjiang Shawan Oasis Institute (China): Solar-powered smart greenhouses transforming desert land into farms.
Energy finalists provide solutions to boost energy efficiency and expand access to clean energy and transportation.
The Energy finalists are: · D-Olivette Global Enterprise (Nigeria): IoT and AI-driven smart waste management, boosting efficiency by 40%. · Palki Motors Limited (Bangladesh): Low-cost electric cars with solar-powered battery swap stations. · Turbulent (Belgium): Eco-friendly vortex hydropower turbines with 60% efficiency.
Water finalists focus on optimising water use and enhancing access to clean drinking water.
The Water finalists are: · Elman Teknoloji Ltd (Türkiye): Sensor-based water optimization in irrigation, reducing labor costs by 80%. · High Atlas Foundation (Morocco): Solar-powered water pumping for optimized groundwater extraction. · SkyJuice Foundation Inc. (Australia): Affordable, easy-to-deploy water filters requiring no chemicals or external energy.
Climate Action finalists are advancing carbon capture, ecosystem restoration, and climate resilience.
The Climate Action finalists are: · Distant Imagery (UAE): AI-powered drones for environmental monitoring, seed planting, and habitat restoration. · Hyera Inc. (USA): Carbon capture technology converting waste into activated carbon to remove water pollutants. · OpenMap Development Tanzania (Tanzania): Flood management solution integrating indigenous knowledge with geospatial data
The Global High Schools’ finalists presented project-based, student-led sustainability solutions, with finalists divided into six regions. The regional finalists include:
The Americas: Centro de Estudios Tecnológicos del Mar 07, Mexico Institución Educativa San Nicolás de Tolentino, Colombia Mulgrave School, Canada
Sub-Saharan Africa: Mpesa Foundation Academy, Kenya Sakafia Islamic Senior High School, Ghana St Kizito High School Namugongo, Uganda
Middle East & North Africa: Benlahrech Said High School, Algeria Merryland International School Abu Dhabi, UAE Obour STEM School, Egypt
Europe & Central Asia: Baku Modern Educational Complex, Azerbaijan Gebze Bahçeehr Science & Technology High School, Türkiye Presidential School in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
South Asia: Faafu Atoll Education Centre, Maldives Girls Higher Secondary School Khaplu, Pakistan Janamaitri Multiple Campus, Nepal
East Asia & the Pacific: Beijing World Youth Academy, China Te Pā o Rākaihautū, New Zealand Votualevu College, Fiji
In the Health, Food, Energy, Water and Climate Action categories, each winner receives US $1 million. Each of the six winning Global High Schools receives up to US $150,000.
Hashtag: #ZayedSustainabilityPrize
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2024 – The first baijiu company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, ZJLD Group Inc. (“ZJLD” or the “Company”, SEHK stock code: 06979. HK), is pleased to announce that the Group has been awarded the Excellence Award for First-Year Listed Companies and the Best New Entry in “General” Category at the 2024 Best Annual Reports Awards (the “Awards”) organized by the Hong Kong Management Association (HKMA). This is the first time ZJLD Group has participated in the HKMA Annual Reports awards, and these outstanding achievements fully demonstrate the Group’s exceptional strengths in disclosure transparency and corporate governance.
Mr. Paul Ng (in the middle), the Executive Director and Head of International Operations of ZJLD Group and Mr. Patrick Wu (first from right), Chairman of the panel of adjudicators.
The Hong Kong Management Association is one of the most authoritative management professional organizations in Hong Kong. It has been hosting the “Best Annual Reports Awards” competition annually since 1973, intending to recognize listed companies and non-profit organizations that have produced exemplary annual reports regarding comprehensive content, readability, and attractive design. The evaluation criteria include compliance with the international accounting standards and the governing rules issued by Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited as well as the Hong Kong companies ordinance, ESG disclosure, overall design, readability and conciseness, performance summary and insights, management discussion and analysis (MD&A), development prospects, sustainability, and timeliness of the annual report. The purpose of the Awards is to encourage the publication of timely, accurate, informative and well-presented annual reports for shareholders, stakeholders, employees and others interested in the Company and to recognize and honor the organizations for their exemplary achievement in producing such reports.
ZJLD Group’s annual report stood out for its comprehensive content, detailed disclosure, and excellent demonstration of business operations, capital operations, and corporate governance. The report also effectively conveyed the Group’s commitment to information disclosure and sincere communication with its stakeholders. The clean and concise design, coupled with the extensive use of charts and multimedia elements, made the report highly readable and enabled investors to easily understand the Company’s business, development strategies, and prospects, earning high praise from the judging panel.
Mr. Paul Ng, the Executive Director and Head of International Operations of ZJLD Group, stated, “We are honored to have achieved such remarkable results in our first participation in the HKMA Best Annual Reports Awards. This not only affirms the Group’s unwavering efforts in corporate governance and information disclosure but also highlights our firm commitment to protecting shareholders’ interests and enhancing the Company’s transparency. We want to thank all our colleagues and partners for their dedicated efforts and contributions. Building on this award, we will continue to uphold our excellence in corporate governance, further optimize the content and presentation of our annual report, and continuously enhance the Group’s transparency and disclosure to solidify our industry-leading position and create great value for our shareholders.”
Hashtag: #ZJLD
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About ZJLD Group Inc.
Zhen Jiu was established in 1975 in Zunyi, Guizhou, China’s primary production area of sauce-aroma baijiu. In 1988, it was honored with the National Quality Award at the 5th National Wine Appreciation Conference. In the same year, it was announced by the Protocol Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Economy and Trade, and the Great Hall of the People Management Bureau as one of the two sauce-aroma baijiu served at state banquets. It is also well received as one of the “Three Most Representative Baijiu Brands in Guizhou”.
ZJLD Group Inc. is a leading baijiu group in China that is devoted to offering premium baijiu products, including sauce-aroma, mixed-aroma, and strong-aroma. In terms of revenue in 2023, the Company was the third-largest private baijiu company in China, according to Frost & Sullivan statistics. The Company operates four baijiu brands in China, including two national brands, Zhen Jiu and Li Du, and two regional brands, Xiangjiao and Kaikouxiao. ZJLD prides itself on inheriting the time-honored baijiu-brewing techniques and reinvigorating them to develop iconic products. It strives to create a wide variety of aromatic and mellow baijiu products to meet the diverse preferences of consumers, seize broader market opportunities, and promote traditional Chinese baijiu culture.
Current developments and key facts As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, most data providers, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, projected that Donald Trump would become the next president of the United States. However, even as Trump’s victory looks almost guaranteed at this point, it is the balance of power in the U.S. Congress that will determine how successfully and effectively the next president will be able to govern. So far, Republicans have won an extra seat in the Senate, but neither of the parties has a clear advantage in the battle for the House of Representatives. Overall, the counting of votes is still at a relatively early stage, and it could be hours or even days before a final outcome is known. The contest will come down to seven swing states, only three of which (North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania) have been most likely won by Trump so far. Still, judging by the latest market reaction, it appears reasonable to infer that global investors are pricing in a decisive victory by Donald Trump.
Initial market impact and reactions As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, the global markets were positioned for Donald Trump’s victory. U.S. Treasury yields and U.S. stock benchmark indices rallied sharply, pushing the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) higher. Given that, it is no wonder other major fiat currencies plunged, with EURUSD and GBPUSD down 1.82% and 1.32%, respectively, while bitcoin hit a new all-time high of $75,410, as per Coinbase.
‘Such a dramatic shift in market sentiment is explained by Trump’s official policies, or more precisely by the possible effect these policies are likely to have,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. ‘Generally, it all boils down to Trump’s tax, immigration, and trade policies, which differ greatly from what Harris proposed. The market perceives them as inflationary, which is why we are seeing a bullish impact in the U.S. dollar.’
The United States controls the world’s primary reserve currency, the U.S. dollar, so only a few countries will not feel the effect of the latest U.S. presidential and congressional elections. Major currencies are already experiencing the initial impact. ‘Major currencies are falling predominantly because the U.S. dollar is rising, but there is also a fear that Trump’s policy on tariffs may hit their domestic economies,’ Kar said.
Indeed, the primary reason for such a dramatic decline in EURUSD, for example, is that investors fear that Trump’s policies on immigration and taxes will spur inflation and force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to tighten its monetary policy. This could widen the difference in interest rates between the U.S. and the Eurozone, making the U.S. dollar more attractive to investors. Additionally, Trump has previously mentioned the possibility of imposing tariffs on European goods such as automobiles and chemicals, which adds to economic concerns. According to some analysts, Trump’s proposed 10% universal tariff on all U.S. imports may erode Europe’s GDP by up to 1.5% or about €260bn. A similar kind of impact may await the United Kingdom, where Trump’s blanket tariffs would hit billions of pounds of U.K. automotive, pharmaceutical, and liquor exports. It stands to logic that GBPUSD was down more than 1.3% today.
For similar reasons, CNYUSD (Chinese renminbi / U.S. dollar spot rate) hit a 3-month high. ‘For the Chinese economy, the risks are even greater, as Trump promised to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods. On top of that, under his administration, tensions are likely to grow over the CNYUSD exchange rate,’ comments Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Although the currency policy of the future Trump Administration is unclear, in his interview with Bloomberg, he had this to say: ‘We have a big currency problem because the depth of the currency now in terms of strong dollar / weak yen, weak yuan, is massive.’
Interestingly, the impact on the gold market has been relatively muted so far. As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, XAUUSD was down 1.2%, but historically, it is not a significant swing, especially given how much the U.S. dollar has strengthened. ‘Because Trump’s victory appears to be decisive, it lowers the probability of social tensions in the U.S., which is not a minor factor considering how fractious U.S. politics has become lately. Thus, XAUUSD is selling off, but I think there are bullish risks ahead as relations between China and the U.S. turn bitter,’ comments Kar Yong Ang. Analysts suggest that Donald Trump’s policies could escalate trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which may increase the appeal of gold as a safe-haven asset. Additionally, his proposed large-scale tax cuts could potentially widen the U.S. fiscal deficit, prompting some strategic investors to move away from the U.S. dollar and into alternative assets like gold and bitcoin. Notably, BTCUSD reached a new all-time high following the news of Trump’s projected victory, as he is generally perceived to be more supportive of cryptocurrencies compared to Harris.
In the short term, all the bullish dollar trades may temporarily reverse as traders buy the dips in EURUSD and GBPUSD in hope of a technical rebound. In the long term, however, the bearish pressure on these pairs will likely persist. Hashtag: #octa #trump
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.
Current developments and key facts As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, most data providers, including ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN, projected that Donald Trump would become the next president of the United States. However, even as Trump’s victory looks almost guaranteed at this point, it is the balance of power in the U.S. Congress that will determine how successfully and effectively the next president will be able to govern. So far, Republicans have won an extra seat in the Senate, but neither of the parties has a clear advantage in the battle for the House of Representatives. Overall, the counting of votes is still at a relatively early stage, and it could be hours or even days before a final outcome is known. The contest will come down to seven swing states, only three of which (North Carolina, Georgia, and Pennsylvania) have been most likely won by Trump so far. Still, judging by the latest market reaction, it appears reasonable to infer that global investors are pricing in a decisive victory by Donald Trump.
Initial market impact and reactions As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, the global markets were positioned for Donald Trump’s victory. U.S. Treasury yields and U.S. stock benchmark indices rallied sharply, pushing the U.S. Dollar Index (DXY) higher. Given that, it is no wonder other major fiat currencies plunged, with EURUSD and GBPUSD down 1.82% and 1.32%, respectively, while bitcoin hit a new all-time high of $75,410, as per Coinbase.
‘Such a dramatic shift in market sentiment is explained by Trump’s official policies, or more precisely by the possible effect these policies are likely to have,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. ‘Generally, it all boils down to Trump’s tax, immigration, and trade policies, which differ greatly from what Harris proposed. The market perceives them as inflationary, which is why we are seeing a bullish impact in the U.S. dollar.’
The United States controls the world’s primary reserve currency, the U.S. dollar, so only a few countries will not feel the effect of the latest U.S. presidential and congressional elections. Major currencies are already experiencing the initial impact. ‘Major currencies are falling predominantly because the U.S. dollar is rising, but there is also a fear that Trump’s policy on tariffs may hit their domestic economies,’ Kar said.
Indeed, the primary reason for such a dramatic decline in EURUSD, for example, is that investors fear that Trump’s policies on immigration and taxes will spur inflation and force the Federal Reserve (Fed) to tighten its monetary policy. This could widen the difference in interest rates between the U.S. and the Eurozone, making the U.S. dollar more attractive to investors. Additionally, Trump has previously mentioned the possibility of imposing tariffs on European goods such as automobiles and chemicals, which adds to economic concerns. According to some analysts, Trump’s proposed 10% universal tariff on all U.S. imports may erode Europe’s GDP by up to 1.5% or about €260bn. A similar kind of impact may await the United Kingdom, where Trump’s blanket tariffs would hit billions of pounds of U.K. automotive, pharmaceutical, and liquor exports. It stands to logic that GBPUSD was down more than 1.3% today.
For similar reasons, CNYUSD (Chinese renminbi / U.S. dollar spot rate) hit a 3-month high. ‘For the Chinese economy, the risks are even greater, as Trump promised to impose higher tariffs on Chinese goods. On top of that, under his administration, tensions are likely to grow over the CNYUSD exchange rate,’ comments Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Although the currency policy of the future Trump Administration is unclear, in his interview with Bloomberg, he had this to say: ‘We have a big currency problem because the depth of the currency now in terms of strong dollar / weak yen, weak yuan, is massive.’
Interestingly, the impact on the gold market has been relatively muted so far. As of 7:00 a.m. UTC, XAUUSD was down 1.2%, but historically, it is not a significant swing, especially given how much the U.S. dollar has strengthened. ‘Because Trump’s victory appears to be decisive, it lowers the probability of social tensions in the U.S., which is not a minor factor considering how fractious U.S. politics has become lately. Thus, XAUUSD is selling off, but I think there are bullish risks ahead as relations between China and the U.S. turn bitter,’ comments Kar Yong Ang. Analysts suggest that Donald Trump’s policies could escalate trade tensions between the U.S. and China, which may increase the appeal of gold as a safe-haven asset. Additionally, his proposed large-scale tax cuts could potentially widen the U.S. fiscal deficit, prompting some strategic investors to move away from the U.S. dollar and into alternative assets like gold and bitcoin. Notably, BTCUSD reached a new all-time high following the news of Trump’s projected victory, as he is generally perceived to be more supportive of cryptocurrencies compared to Harris.
In the short term, all the bullish dollar trades may temporarily reverse as traders buy the dips in EURUSD and GBPUSD in hope of a technical rebound. In the long term, however, the bearish pressure on these pairs will likely persist. Hashtag: #octa #trump
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.
Strengthening Ties in Innovation and Investment with the Middle East
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2024 – At the Future Investment Initiative Institute 8th Edition (FII8), held from 29th October to 31st October in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) made significant strides in bridging Hong Kong and the Middle East’s innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystems and capital investment.
Witnessed by the HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan (first from right) and FII Institute’s CEO Richard Attias (first from left), Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (second from right) and Rakan Tarabzoni, COO of FII Institute (second from left) signed a strategic partnership.
Witnessed by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s (HKSAR) Financial Secretary Paul Chan and FII Institute’s CEO Richard Attias, HKSTP’s CEO Albert Wong signed a strategic partnership with FII Institute’s COO Rakan Tarabzoni, making FII Institute a Global Strategic Partner of HKSTP’s Global Connect programme, which will connect 20 high-potential Middle Eastern companies annually to Hong Kong, and vice versa. HKSTP has also been recognised as part of FII Institute’s Investment Ecosystem.
Richard Attias, CEO of the FII Institute, applauded this partnership stating, “Today, we proudly welcome HKSTP into FII Institute’s Investment Ecosystem. Together, we will foster an environment where ideas flourish, investments thrive, and a new era of growth is realised, paving the way for a sustainable future.”
In addition, HKSTP also signed a partnership agreement with Beta Lab, where HKSTP will introduce its Park companies to the venture capital firm, providing them an opportunity to access Beta Lab’s new US$300 million investment fund.
Led by CEO Albert Wong, HKSTP’s unprecedented delegation of 25 tech ventures explored new business and investment opportunities at FII8, which is part of HKSTP’s “Innovation Mixer” initiative. Seven of them secured partnerships with Middle Eastern partners to drive meaningful impact on humanity and economic growth. HKSTP also hosted the “Hong Kong Tech Disrupt” reception on the sidelines of FII8 to introduce the capabilities of HKSTP’s robust I&T ecosystem and showcase Park companies’ world-class innovations to the broader community of Middle Eastern investors and business partners.
The nine partnership agreements mark a milestone in the Hong Kong government’s broader initiative to strengthen ties with the Middle East in technological advancement, economic development and investment opportunities between the two regions — priorities outlined in Hong Kong’s latest Policy Address in mid-October. This also aligns with HKSTP’s Go Global vision and commitment to advancing Hong Kong into an international I&T hub.
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP said, “These groundbreaking collaborations reflect a shared commitment to strengthening our collaboration in creating opportunities for tech ventures from both regions to reach their highest potential. It also demonstrates our bold vision to drive progress in scientific, economic, and technological development for a better future. As a cradle and springboard for world-class innovation, HKSTP will continue to support our Park companies in unlocking the boundless potential of technology through cross-border collaboration with our Middle Eastern partners.”
Seven HKSTP Park companies signed MoUs with Middle Eastern organisations under the witness of the HKSAR Financial Secretary Paul Chan (middle of back row), Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (left of back row) and Nicholas Ho, HKSAR Commissioner for Belt & Road (right of back row)
Key highlights of the seven partnerships signed between HKSTP’s and Middle Eastern enterprises or organisations:
In logistics and connectivity, Westwell is partnering with Ports Services & Storages, to integratesmart technology in logistics, container yard and supply chain activities in the Middle East and North Africa.Furthermore,Kian Alraqmiah Company’s introduction of Altai’s industrial-grade Wi-Fi solutions into Saudi Arabian container terminals and industrial zones will bring cutting-edge automation and connectivity to streamline regional trade.
In AI and robotics, FJ Dynamics, aleading robotics and automation solutions provider for industries like agriculture, construction, and landscaping, is partnering with Saudi-based Sintechs to enhance robotics technology and marketing perspectives across critical industries, aligning with the Gulf region’s tech-forward vision. Manifold Tech’s AI-powered spatial intelligence solution will empower Geo Tech to collect, manage, and analyse large amount of real-time geospatial data more efficiently, raising industry standards. Nasla Tourism will deploy XKool’s AI-powered construction management solution in its latest sport-themed park.
In sustainability and green tech, the MoU between Volar Air Mobility and Aeronautica Aviation exchange knowledge and optimise both of their expertise to advance electrical aircraft operation in the Middle East.
In wellness and health tech, innovative health wearable devices company Ninenovo will leverage Techmart Corporate’s distribution network to expand in the UAE, Oman, Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait, enriching consumer options for the Middle East fast-growing wellness-focused market.
Park company Archireef, a global pioneer of 3D-printed terracotta reef tiles for ocean restoration, was also voted “Audience Choice Award” at the FII8 Innovators Pitch Competition, competing against five up-and-coming startups from around the world. Hashtag: #hkstp #FII8
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2024 – Stamford Catering, a halal catering provider in Singapore, is delighted to unveil its highly anticipated Christmas Feast 2024. This year’s offerings feature a variety of festive menus and dishes, designed to cater to gatherings of all sizes and occasions. With three distinct feast menus — Full Buffet, Mini Buffet, and Party Sets — Stamford Catering’s services aim to provide premium catering solutions for everyone, whether you’re hosting a small intimate party or a large festive celebration.
“We’ve always believed that great food brings people together, and this year’s Christmas Feast is designed to do just that — elevating festive gatherings with dishes that are crafted with care, creativity, and quality,” said Dennis Ng, General Manager of Stamford Catering. “Our team is excited to help families and businesses celebrate the season and enjoy a memorable dining experience through our catering services.”
Feast Menus and Portions
The Christmas Feast 2024 comes in three formats, designed to cater to different group sizes:
Full Buffet (30 pax & up)
Catering services ideal for large gatherings with a large portion of dishes.
Mini Buffet (15 pax & up)
Perfect for smaller gatherings that still want the full festive experience.
Party Sets (8-10 pax)
A convenient option for intimate gatherings, with the same delicious menu in a more compact size.
Corporate customers will appreciate the four festive bento options, which provide a convenient, individualised way to enjoy Stamford Catering’s signature Christmas dishes. These include bento versions of the feast menus and a vegan bento, catering to a range of dietary preferences.
Festive Bundles and Side Orders For more intimate gatherings, Stamford Catering is offering four cost-saving festive bundles, each thoughtfully curated to include must-have dishes from the Christmas feast. Highlights include the Prancer’s Deluxe Bundle and Rudolph’s Family Favourites Bundle, which feature dishes like Truffle Cheese Turkey, Braised Beef Cheeks with Mashed Potatoes, and Parmesan Sun-Dried Tomato Crusted Salmon with Citrus Dip.
Customers who prefer to create their own holiday spread can select from 29 side orders, ranging from festive mains to indulgent desserts. These sides can be added to existing buffet or bundle orders or used to create a customised bundle of your own. A minimum order of $300 ($324 w/ GST) is required for all bundles and side orders, excluding delivery charges and additional GST.
Commitment to Quality Stamford Catering places a deep commitment to culinary excellence at the core of its catering services. From selecting premium ingredients to ensuring each dish is prepared with meticulous care, every meal reflects the company’s focus on quality. Customers can enjoy complete peace of mind, knowing that their Christmas catering packages are prepared to meet the highest standards of food safety and culinary expertise.
Looking Ahead As Stamford Catering evolves to meet the ever-changing needs of its clients, the company continues to innovate and elevate its catering food services in Singapore. Whether by introducing new halal Christmas catering options or enhancing festive classics, Stamford Catering is committed to making every occasion truly memorable. Hashtag: #StamfordCatering #christmascatering #christmasfeast #christmas
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Stamford Catering
With more than two decades of experience in the catering industry, Stamford Catering has established itself as a premier halal catering service in Singapore. Known for delivering high-quality food and service, Stamford Catering offers a wide range of menu options designed to cater to both household and corporate clients.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 November 2024 – Asian financial markets are experiencing increased interest from novice traders. In Southeast Asia, online trading has expanded rapidly, driven by growing internet access and an increasingly digital-savvy population. In Indonesia, active online traders grew by 18%, supported by a thriving e-commerce sector and rising financial literacy. Across Southeast Asia, the digital economy is projected to reach $1 trillion by 2030, highlighting the region’s fast-paced growth and the broadening appeal of financial trading as a means to diversify income streams and improve financial security.
While the trend for trading is obvious, beginners often find themselves lost in the whirlpool of markets, assets, graphs, and tools. To facilitate entry for novice traders, Octa, a broker with globally recognised licences, explains how to get started and what assets to consider for first trades, offering vital tips on diversification and risk management.
Three assets for beginner traders For those just starting their trading journey, selecting the right assets is crucial. Beginners should focus on stable, liquid, and widely traded instruments that offer enough volatility for profit opportunities but not too much unpredictability. In this guide, Octa explores three assets that meet these criteria.
Gold Gold’s historical stability makes it an excellent choice for beginner traders. It is less volatile than other financial instruments, and its liquidity ensures that traders can always find buyers or sellers when they need to close a position. Additionally, gold is well-supported by fundamental factors like inflation and geopolitical tensions, offering traders steady opportunities over the long term.
In 2024, with global markets facing heightened volatility and currencies in key Asian economies, including India and China, experiencing depreciation pressures, gold’s appeal has strengthened. According to the OECD Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China, and India 2024, currency fluctuations and rising inflation in these regions have prompted investors to seek more stable assets, making gold an increasingly attractive option.
Gold demand in Asia has surged to notable levels in 2024, driven by increased investments in gold bars and jewellery across the region. Thailand, for instance, saw consumer gold demand soar by 20% to 9 tonnes in Q2 2024, marking the highest growth rate in Southeast Asia. With the festive season approaching in countries like India, the World Gold Council anticipates further boosts in gold demand, which, combined with global inflationary pressures, has pushed gold prices higher. For beginner traders, these stable and growing trends make gold an attractive asset in terms of stability and long-term growth potential.
For beginners, trading gold is fairly straightforward. They can either take long positions (buy gold when they believe prices will rise) or short positions (sell when they expect prices to fall). For example, those who opened long positions at $2,604 per ounce see gains of $116 per ounce. With a 1,000-ounce trade, this translates into a profit of $116,000.
EURUSD The EURUSD pair is among the most popular and liquid in the Forex market, making it perfect for beginners. Liquidity is key here, as it promotes tight spreads and allows traders to enter and exit positions without facing significant slippage. Furthermore, EURUSD trading volumes are among the highest globally, allowing beginners to buy and sell easily, even with small amounts of capital.
Moreover, this currency pair is preferable for beginners due to the wide availability of market information. Anyone can easily find analyses, forecasts, and educational resources online, making it simpler to understand how the asset behaves. The EURUSD pair is also relatively stable, meaning that wild price swings are less common, allowing beginners to learn the market without excessive volatility. For example, traders who sold EURUSD at $1.12 and closed at $1.08 can earn $333 from a 0.1-lot trade. This illustrates that even small trades can bring tangible profits.
Beginners can start by analysing key economic data from the U.S. and the Eurozone. The pair reacts to major announcements like GDP figures, interest rate changes, and employment reports. However, it’s advised to avoid trading when news is released to protect the capital allocated for trading from unexpected volatility.
Brent and WTI Brent and WTI (West Texas Intermediate) crude oil are two of the most significant commodities traded worldwide, often referred to as ‘black gold’. They are attractive assets for beginners because of their liquidity and frequent price movements, allowing for opportunities to profit in both rising and falling markets.
Oil is a highly liquid commodity, meaning that traders can easily buy and sell contracts without much risk of slippage. Furthermore, oil prices are strongly influenced by global factors such as geopolitical events, supply chain disruptions, and shifts in energy policies. This gives traders clear cues to watch for when planning their trades. One of the most common strategies for trading oil is to follow geopolitical events and OPEC’s (The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) decisions, which can influence prices dramatically. However, traders should also keep in mind that such events may provoke increased volatility.
Beginners can easily enter oil trading as a rather small deposit is enough. For example, traders who opened a sell order on Brent at $79 and closed it at $69 can earn a $1,000 profit from just a $100 capital investment.
Diversification as the #1 rule for beginners Diversification is spreading investments across different asset classes to reduce risk. If one asset underperforms, others in the portfolio may still do well, helping to protect the trader’s capital.
For beginner traders, diversification is an essential risk management strategy. Instead of putting their whole capital into one asset, such as gold or oil, they can spread their investment across multiple assets, reducing the risk of significant losses. Diversifying also allows traders to take advantage of different market conditions. For instance, when gold prices rise during times of uncertainty, oil may experience price drops due to falling demand.
Kar Yong Ang, financial market analyst at Octa broker, notes: ‘Diversification isn’t just a strategy—it‘s a necessity for new traders. By allocating funds across multiple assets, traders can protect their portfolios from unexpected market movements, ensuring that no single downturn significantly impacts trading results.’ He adds that a well-diversified portfolio might allocate 40% to gold, 30% to EURUSD, and 30% to Brent crude oil.
Five tips for beginner traders
Learning the market basics: new traders can improve their chances of success by first learning the financial markets’ fundamentals. This includes the understanding of what drives asset prices and how market events, like geopolitical changes or central bank announcements, affect asset prices.
Practising on a demo account: traders should use a demo account to trade in simulated conditions before risking real money. This gives newcomers a valuable chance to familiarise themselves with the platform, learn the ropes, and refine their strategies without financial risk.
Limiting exposure to 5% of the total deposit amount: one of the biggest mistakes beginners make is over-leveraging. Less experienced traders should never risk more than 5% of their total deposit on any single trade. This way, even if a trade goes wrong, the impact on the account balance will be more manageable.
Diversifying the portfolio: more often than not, it’a good strategy to spread investments across different assets. Diversification allows traders to reduce risk and make their portfolios more resilient to market fluctuations.
Committing to continuous learning: financial markets are constantly changing, and successful traders never stop learning. To stay ahead, traders follow market news, attend webinars, and continuously study new strategies.
For beginner traders in Asia, starting with reliable assets such as gold, the EURUSD currency pair, and oil provides a solid foundation. Trading offers the opportunity to create additional income but requires careful planning, strategic diversification, and continuous learning.
By following these tips and focusing on stable, widely traded assets, new traders can build a profitable trading strategy while managing risk effectively. Emerging traders will profit tremendously from remembering that patience and discipline are key. With the right approach, trading can become a valuable source of income.
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Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.