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Agroecological Practices Empower Farmers in Xieng Khouang Province

Vegetable indoor farming (Photo supplied)

Xieng Khouang, the first province to embrace the Agroecological and Safe Food System Transitions (ASSET) program funded by the French Agency for Development (AFD) and the European Union (EU), is leading the way in transforming agriculture in Laos. 

Record 4 Million Robots on Factory Floors Worldwide

  • World Robotics 2024 Report by International Federation of Robotics released

FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 24 September 2024 – The new World Robotics report recorded 4,281,585 units operating in factories worldwide – an increase of 10%. Annual installations exceeded half a million units for the third consecutive year. By region, 70% of all newly deployed robots 2023 were installed in Asia, 17% in Europe and 10% in the Americas.

“The new World Robotics statistics show an all-time high in the number of industrial robots automating production around the world,” says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. / ©ABB

“The new World Robotics statistics show an all-time high in the number of industrial robots automating production around the world,” says Marina Bill, President of the International Federation of Robotics. “The annual installation figure of 541,302 units in 2023 is the second highest in history. It is only 2% lower than the record of 552,946 units installed in 2022.”

Asia, Europe and the Americas – overview

China is by far the world´s largest market. The 276,288 industrial robots installed in 2023 represent 51% of the global installations. This result is the second highest level ever recorded (2022: 290,144 units). The share of Chinese manufacturers in the domestic market has grown considerably since 2022, reaching 47% in 2023. It has fluctuated around 28% over the past decade. The operational stock was just shy of the 1.8-million-unit-mark in 2023, making China the first and only country in the world with such a large robot stock. Demand for robots is expected to accelerate in the second half of 2024, contributing to a more stable market by the end of the year. In the longer term, there is still a lot of growth potential in Chinese manufacturing, with the potential for 5-10% average annual growth until 2027.

Japan remained the second largest global market for industrial robots, behind China. Robot installations reached 46,106 units in 2023 – down 9%. This followed two strong years, peaking at 50,435 units in 2022 – the second-best result after 2018 (55,240 units). Demand for robots is expected to remain stagnant in 2024 but recover in 2025 and the following years to medium and upper single-digit rates.

The market in the Republic of Korea is trending sideways: Installations reached 31,444 units in 2023 – down 1% year-on-year. The country was the fourth largest robot market in the world in terms of annual installations, after the United States, Japan, and China.

India is one of the fastest growing emerging Asian economies. Robot installations increased by 59% to 8,510 units in 2023, a new high. Demand from the automotive industry soared to 3,551 units – an increase of 139%. Both car manufacturers and suppliers contributed to this development.

Europe

Industrial robot installations in Europe rose 9% to a new high of 92,393 units. In total, 80% of installations in 2023 could be attributed to destinations in the European Union (73,534 units, up by 2%). Delayed projects were completed, and the backlog was cleared in 2023. Robot demand in the region also benefited from the nearshoring trend. In 2023, growth was strongly driven by the automotive industry investing in traditionally strong car manufacturing countries such as Spain (5,053 units +31%) but also in smaller markets such as Slovakia (2,174 units, +48%) or Hungary (1,657 units, +31%).

Installations in Germany, the largest European market and the only European one in the global top five, were up 7% to 28,355 units. Installations in the second largest European market, Italy, declined by 9% to 10,412 units. The third largest European market, France, was down 13%, installing 6,386 units.

In the UK, industrial robot installations increased by 51% to 3,830 units in 2023. Investment was driven by installations in the automotive industry, mainly for assembly tasks.

The Americas

Robot installations in the Americas exceeded 50,000 units for the third year in a row: 55,389 units were installed in 2023, just 1% below the record level reached 2022.

The United States, the largest regional market, accounted for 68% of installations in the Americas in 2023. Robot installations were down by 5% to 37,587, this is the third highest record figure after 2022 and 2018. Demand from the automotive industry fell by 15% to 12,421 units. This was in line with the average for the past decade. Installations in the metal and machinery industry were up 8% to 4,171 units. Installations in the US electrical/electronics industry remained steady at 3,900 units (+1%).

In Canada, robot installations rose 37% to 4,311 units. Installation figures in Canada largely depend on automotive investment cycles. The share of the car industry was 58% in 2023.

Robot demand in Mexico is driven by the automotive industry, which accounts for 70% of the market: Installations from this sector fell by 5% to 4,087 units, showing the cyclical demand pattern well known in this customer segment. Total installations reached 5,832 units in 2023, a decrease of 3%.

Outlook

The OECD expects global growth to stabilize. However, geopolitical headwinds are still perceived as a major risk and uncertainty factor. Recent crises have raised political awareness of domestic production capacity in strategic industries. Automation allows manufacturers to locate production in developed economies without sacrificing cost efficiency. By 2024, the global economic downturn will have bottomed out. Global robot installations are expected to level off at 541,000 units. Growth is expected to accelerate in 2025 and continue in 2026 and 2027. There are no signs that the overall long-term growth trend will end in the near future.

Orders for World Robotics 2024 Industrial Robots and Service Robots reports can be placed online. Further downloads on the content are available here.

Downloads

IFR graphs, market presentation and press releases on selected markets in Chinese, German, and Japanese language are available at: https://ifr.org/ifr-press-releases/record-of-4-million-robots-working-in-factories-worldwide

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

About IFR

The International Federation of Robotics is the voice of the global robotics industry. IFR represents national robot associations, academia, and manufacturers of industrial and service robots from over twenty countries:

The IFR Statistical Department provides data for two annual robotics studies:

World Robotics – Industrial Robots: This unique report provides global statistics on industrial robots in standardized tables and enables national comparisons to be made. It presents statistical data for around 40 countries broken down into areas of application, customer industries, types of robots and other technical and economic aspects. Production, export and import data is listed for selected countries. It also offers robot density, i.e. the number of robots per 10,000 employees, as a measure for the degree of automation.

World Robotics – Service Robots: This unique report describes marketable products, tasks, challenges and new developments by service robots application. The report includes the results of the annual IFR service robot survey* on global sales of professional and consumer service robots and an industry structure analysis including a full list of all service robot producers known to the IFR. The study is jointly prepared with the robotics experts of Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart.

Follow IFR on and

Trend Micro Retains #1 Ranking in Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform 2023 Market Share

Data reveals 11% revenue increase in Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform market


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 – Trend Micro Incorporated (TYO: 4704; TSE: 4704) a global cybersecurity leader, today celebrated that it has retained its #1 ranking for worldwide cloud-native application protection platform market share in the IDC, Worldwide Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform Market Shares, 2023: A Bull Market (doc # US52472324, September 2024).

Philip Bues, Senior Research Manager, Cloud Security, IDC: “CNAPP is becoming essential for securing organizations. Organizations realize that cloud risk is business risk. IDC research shows that IT spending on security, risk, and compliance is the most resilient to downward trends or cutbacks.”

The worldwide CNAPP market grew 31.5% in 2023, to reach a total valuation of $3.5 billion, according to IDC.

As organizations invest in multi- and hybrid cloud infrastructure to support their business growth plans, their attack surface continues to expand. With cybercriminals exploiting in-house skills shortages, IT complexity and the security gaps created by point solutions, CNAPP is an increasingly popular option.

According to the IDC report, Trend recorded global CNAPP revenue of $457.9 million in 2023, marking an 11.3% year-over-year increase.

Kevin Simzer, COO at Trend: “In the last few years, Trend has been pivotal in shaping the CNAPP market as we know it. And we continue to lead by example, solving customer pain points with robust security solutions.”

Trend’s market leadership is driven by the unmatched attack surface management capabilities of the Trend Vision OneTM platform, which delivers enhanced cloud risk management, agentless detection and real-time monitoring. This platform is designed to continuously assess the cloud attack surface, alert teams to security and compliance gaps, and auto-remediate where possible.

Trend delivers centralized visibility, control, powerful scanning, profiling, and discovery from a single platform, enabling customers to seamlessly manage their cloud security as part of their broader cybersecurity strategy. This aligns with IDC’s opinion that “the market wants consolidation of tools and vendors: it wants simplicity to manage risk.”

IDC also notes in its report that, with compromised credentials now the leading cause of breaches, the security perimeter is increasingly identity focused.

Robert Miller, VP of Corporate Security, Sierra Cedar: “Trend expands our security wheelhouse and makes our jobs a lot easier. Trend Micro solutions just work out of the box. By the time we hear about a threat most times, Trend has already implemented the functionality or added the alert. That’s the kind of partner we have in Trend.”

To stay ahead of this demand, Trend has developed new data security posture management (DSPM) and cloud infrastructure entitlement management (CIEM) tools. These additions enhance Trend Micro’s CNAPP strategy with Trend Vision One™ – Cloud Security, offering organizations a more comprehensive, proactive platform for better risk management across multi-cloud environments.

To read the IDC report, Worldwide Cloud-Native Application Protection Platform Market Shares, 2023: A Bull Market, please visit: https://www.trendmicro.com/explore/idc-cnapp-market-shares-report
Hashtag: #trendmicro #trendvisionone #visionone #cybersecurity




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

Trend Micro

Trend Micro, a global cybersecurity leader, helps make the world safe for exchanging digital information. Fueled by decades of security expertise, global threat research, and continuous innovation, Trend Micro’s AI-powered cybersecurity platform protects hundreds of thousands of organizations and millions of individuals across clouds, networks, devices, and endpoints. As a leader in cloud and enterprise cybersecurity, Trend’s platform delivers a powerful range of advanced threat defense techniques optimized for environments like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, and central visibility for better, faster detection and response. With 7,000 employees across 70 countries, Trend Micro enables organizations to simplify and secure their connected world.

The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival Citizens Experience Intangible Cultural Heritage Chinese Medicine Pill-Rolling Balancing Chinese Culture and Entertainment

Embracing a Healthy Lifestyle Together


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 -The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival will be held on September 21-22, 2024, Saturday and Sunday, at the Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre Piazza. Through a series of exciting activities, citizens will learn more about Traditional Chinese Medicine and its National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage while experiencing traditional medicine-making techniques, including hands-on traditional medicine pill-rolling! Tong Ren Tang also extends blessings of health to the public through its Baizi Cabinet, symbolizing a shared embrace of a healthy lifestyle.

Citizens take part in the
Citizens take part in the “Traditional Medicine Ball-Making Experience Workshop”.

A crowd of citizens gathered to witness the start of The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival, creating a lively atmosphere. The opening ceremony was officiated by several distinguished guests, including Mr. Tsang Yok-sing, Independent Non-Executive Director of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Mr. Zeng Shendian, Vice President of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprise Association, Mr. Yim Kong, JP, Legislative Council Member, Mr. Wang Chi, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., Mr. Yi Li, General Manager of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd., marking the beginning of the carnival. This also signals the upcoming 9th series of activities titled “Tong Ren Cares Prevention of Stroke,” which includes health seminars and free medical consultations.

Bronze boy, ambassador for Hong Kong Beijing Tong Ren Tang, showcasing Traditional Chinese Medicine culture.
Bronze boy, ambassador for Hong Kong Beijing Tong Ren Tang, showcasing Traditional Chinese Medicine culture.

Mr. Tsang Yok-sing, Independent Non-Executive Director of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd. expressed during his speech: “I can say that I have been an old friend of Beijing Tong Ren Tang. Over the years, as a friend and a citizen, I have witnessed my friend’s growth and achievements, as well as the company’s efforts to share the benefits of development with the public. Beijing Tong Ren Tang is not only preserving Traditional Chinese Medicine culture and health but also upholding the traditional virtues of humanity and the social advocacy of public welfare and charity in Hong Kong.” He also shared that he had an eye surgery, “I am feeling much better after switching to Traditional Chinese Medicine. Chinese Medicine always treats the root cause, and is very efficient.”

Mr. Zeng Shendian, Vice President of the Hong Kong Chinese Enterprise Association stated: “Beijing Tong Ren Tang integrates its development with the well-being of citizens, using bright and unique approaches to promote a healthy lifestyle to the public. It has provided care and support to tens of thousands of elderly people, reflecting the responsibilities and commitment of a pharmaceutical, health, and Chinese enterprise.” Mr. Wang Chi, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd. said: “The reason we are holding a carnival themed around Traditional Chinese Medicine culture this year, is to promote a health concept as advocates and contributors of a Chinese healthy lifestyle—because health leads to happiness, and by learning to be happy can one be healthier. Tong Ren Tang always hopes to ensure the health of more citizens through high-quality products and services.”

The highlight of the day featured Master Wang Bo Wei, a representative inheritor of the “An Gong Niu Huang Wan Production Technique,” demonstrating the pill-rolling process! This important step in Traditional Chinese Medicine production opened the eyes of citizens, showcasing Tong Ren Tang’s rigorous standards in medicine-making.

Bronze boy, ambassador for Hong Kong Beijing Tong Ren Tang, adheres to the mission of promoting Traditional Chinese Medicine culture. Bronze boy will be shuttling through several key exhibits, including the “Beijing Tong Ren Tang Historical Culture Zone”, “Chinese Medicine Culture Corridor”, and “Traditional Medicine Ball-Making Experience Workshop”, showcasing images and information from Tong Ren Tang’s 355-year history, as well as related content on National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Image 3

After the opening ceremony, a large number of citizens continued to enjoy The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival. Many stayed after the pill-rolling demonstration to participate in the “Traditional Medicine Pill-Rolling Experience Workshop,” while others joined the “Chinese medicine sachet workshop” or engaged in “six interactive games,” all having a great time and receiving bronze boy gifts. Numerous photo spots were set up, including 3D signboards and a bronze boy inflatable, attracting everyone to take pictures for memories!

At the carnival, attendees could see the Traditional Chinese Medicine Cabinet, Baizi Cabinet, which represents a blessing of health and longevity within Chinese medicine culture. The name Baizi Cabinet means “having lots of descendants”, conveys well-wishes for health and longevity. Baizi Cabinet represents the richness and completeness of traditional Chinese medicine knowledge, and is the material carrier of Chinese medicine cultural wisdom. Having lots of descendants is Chinese culture’s pursuit of family continuity and harmony between nature and man. This is also the fundamental purpose of traditional Chinese medicine in pursuing the unity of nature and man. The two are closely related. Tong Ren Tang wants to share the blessing of health and longevity to everyone.

The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival also serves as the kickoff for this year’s major events by Beijing Tong Ren Tang. From September to October, Beijing Tong Ren Tang has prepared a series of health-themed activities for citizens, including health seminars, exhibitions, and games. These activities aim to educate the public on preventing or managing hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, as well as raising awareness about preventing urban diseases and strokes, and focusing on cardiovascular health. Bronze boy will also make surprise appearances to accompany everyone in their daily health maintenance, so stay tuned!

The Beijing Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Culture Carnival

Date: September 21-22, 2024 (Saturday & Sunday)
Time: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Venue: Tsim Sha Tsui Cultural Centre Piazza
Activities: Traditional Chinese medicine culture exhibition, Chinese cultural performances, prize-winning booth games, Hands-on experience workshop for traditional Chinese medicine pill-rolling, Chinese medicine sachet workshop

Hashtag: #BeijingTongRenTang

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

About Beijing Tong Ren Tang

Tong Ren Tang was founded in 1669 (the eighth year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign in the Qing Dynasty). It has a history of over 350 years, adhering to the mission of “Cultivate both noble morality and benevolence to do good to society and to keep people healthy”. Since 1723,the 1st Qing Yongzheng reign, the emperor granted Tong Ren Tang’s imperial supply of medications, over the eight reigns for 188 years. Tong Ren Tang adheres to the principle of “Though the processing of medicines was complicated, we must not save labors; though the medicinal materials were expensive, we must not reduce any of them.”

About the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Beijing Tong Ren Tang

1. Chinese medicine culture of Tong Ren Tang

The Chinese medicine culture of Tong Ren Tang integrates the essence of traditional Chinese medicine with the medicine standards for Chinese imperial family. Through 355 years of inheritance and innovation, Tong Ren Tang combines Chinese medical practices and medicines, tradition and modernity as well as domestic and overseas development, forming a unique integration of traditional techniques, preparation methods, cultures of benevolence and quality, business philosophy, brand image and team spirit.

2. Chinese medicine culture of Tong Ren Tang (traditional Chinese medicine processing technology)

Tong Ren Tang’s special processing technology for traditional Chinese medicine is of great importance to facilitate the development of Tong Ren Tang. By fully adopting the authentic traditional techniques and ensuring the preservation and inheritance of core techniques, Tong Ren Tang continuously improves the intrinsic quality of traditional products, establishes a good reputation among general public.

3. Production techniques of Angong Niuhuang Pills

Angong Niuhuang Pills were invented by Wu Tang and documented in his work Wenbingtiaobian in 1798. Tong Ren Tang Angong Niuhuang Pills have a documented history of 150 years. In 1870, Le Pingquan, the tenth generation of the Le family, firstly included the category of epidemic diseases in his amendment to the Tong Ren Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine Prescription and considered the Angong Niuhuang Pills as the preferred medicine for this category. Tong Ren Tang integrated its owned medicine production techniques with the medicine production standards for the imperial family of Qing Dynasty, traditional Chinese medicine culture and Chinese culture, forming its owned traditional production techniques of Angong Nihuang Pills.

About Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd.

In 2004, Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd. was established in Hong Kong. In 2013, Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd. were listed in Growth Enterprise Market of Hong Kong Stock Exchange. In 2018, it was transferred to the Main Board of the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. This move marked an important step in international business development and is committed to promoting the corporate mission “Healthy Life, Global Choice”

At present, Beijing Tong Ren Tang Chinese Medicine Co., Ltd. has established over 160 retail terminals, traditional Chinese medicine clinics, health centers and cultural centers in 26 overseas countries and regions. Tong Ren Tang trademarks are registered in more than 100 countries and regions. Tong Ren Tang products are marketed in over 40 countries and regions worldwide, more than 1,000 drug specifications registered. The company has served more than 50 million overseas people, contributing to the widespread of traditional Chinese medicine culture worldwide.

AS Watson Celebrates World Pharmacists Day with Over 3,000 Pharmacists Driving Health and Wellness


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 – World Pharmacists Day is on 25 September, and it’s an annual opportunity to call out the great work pharmacists do every day.

Download Photos: https://bit.ly/3XE82S7

“On this special day, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to more than 3,000 pharmacists and over 9,000 health professionals who work with AS Watson around the world, making our retail network a preferred destination for trusted health advice, health services and products,” said Dr. Malina Ngai, Group CEO of AS Watson.

“Our pharmacists play a vital role in the shopping experience, offering the human interaction that instills confidence and reassurance in customers seeking health solutions,” Malina continued.

Based on the company’s global insights, customers who shop health and wellness products spend three times more than non-health shoppers. Notably, there’s a remarkable year-on-year growth of over 20% in the young customer segment seeking health products. While the vitamins and dietary supplements (VDS) sector alone has experienced over 10% sales growth, the increasing demand for medicated skincare solutions delivered over 20% growth.

Malina explained how the company addresses the increasing customer needs in health, “We are witnessing sustainable growth in our health and wellness retail sales over multiple years. In response to this global demand, we expanded our health product range by nearly 20%. Besides we have introduced new digital enabled services in many markets.”

Tech-empowered AS Watson International Pharmacist Network

Malina is excited to announce, “To mark the significance of our pharmacists and our commitment to empowering them to serve our customers to lead healthier lives, we are launching a global network app exclusively for the AS Watson International Pharmacists Network. The app serves as an exchange platform for our health professionals from around the world to acquire new knowledge, exchange best practices and to support each other across our markets.”

Personalised O+O Health Services

AS Watson’s dedication extends beyond products, offering comprehensive O+O health services, including consultations and health checks, facilitated by our global network of pharmacists.

In an era where technology plays a crucial role in health decision-making, AS Watson is enhancing its offerings with offline and online health consultations, including the innovative e-Doctor service. For example, the “Watsons eDr” app enables customers to connect with healthcare professionals for online consultations, with same-day medication delivery. Additionally, Superdrug’s “Video GP” service provides rapid access to General Practitioners via video calls.

Across regions – including Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia – customers can access one-on-one health consultations with pharmacists, receiving personalized advice and recommendations that have garnered positive feedback.

Hashtag: #ASWatson



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

Broken Traffic Lights Continue to Plague Vientiane

Broken Traffic Lights Continue to Plague Vientiane
malfunctioning traffic lights ( Photo credit: Mike Morse Law Firm)

Several traffic light locations across Vientiane Capital have been out of service for over a month, leaving road users frustrated and worried about safety.

ONESIAM Curates a Spectacular Lineup of World-Class Fashion Events This October


BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 – ONESIAM, the ultimate guest experience program initiated by Siam Piwat unites the strengths of premier global destinations in the heart of Bangkok: Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, and ICONSIAM. Partnering with fashion industry experts, top Thai designers, and renowned designers from across Asia, ONESIAM showcases Thailand’s potential as a top-tier global fashion hub and luxury destination. Together, they are set to create Fashion Revolution, Thailand’s premier fashion week phenomenon, featuring two grand stages in the heart of Bangkok and at a world-class landmark along the Chao Phraya River. This groundbreaking event also includes Southeast Asia’s first world-class fashion seminar. All of these events will unfold throughout October 2024.

Caption

The Fashion Revolution mega phenomenon is driven by the visionary leadership of Siam Piwat, a pioneer in elevating Thailand’s fashion industry for over 40 years. With a commitment to creating positive impacts, Siam Piwat strengthens the entire Thai fashion ecosystem by generating significant economic value and growth. This effort not only fuels wide-scale economic activities linked to various stakeholders in the fashion sector but also provides a promising platform for Thai designers to showcase their talent and design works, propelling Thai fashion onto the global stage.

Press conference brand show from from Siam Paragon
Press conference brand show from from Siam Paragon

WWD x SIAM PIWAT GLOBAL FASHION SPOTLIGHT world-class fashion forum October 4, 2024, at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon

Siam Piwat reaffirms its position as the leading developer of global destinations and a pioneer in fashion and luxury retail in collaboration with Women’s Wear Daily (WWD), a globally renowned media powerhouse in the fashion industry by hosting the world-class fashion seminar, WWD X SIAM PIWAT GLOBAL FASHION SPOTLIGHT, under the theme SOUTHEAST ASIA – LUXURY’S NEW FUTURE, marking the first event of its kind in Thailand and Southeast Asia.

As part of a global event series organized by Siam Piwat. Also partnered with KASIKORNBANK Public Company Limited, the event will bring together prominent figures, industry experts, luxury brand entrepreneurs, leading global brands, and influential personalities in fashion to discuss the potential of Thailand’s fashion business as one of the world’s fashion hubs. The event is set to take place on Friday, October 4, 2024, at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.

SIAM PARAGON BANGKOK INTERNATIONAL FASHION WEEK 2024 (BIFW2024): Thailand’s Premier Fashion Week event will take place from October 2-6, 2024, at Parc Paragon, Siam Paragon.

Siam Paragon, together with Siam Center and Siam Discovery, as trailblazers and ongoing advocates for the Thai fashion industry, has partnered with various partners to showcase Thailand’s potential as a global fashion hub. They are launching the ultimate “Siam Paragon Bangkok International Fashion Week 2024” (BIFW2024), set to take place from October 2-6, 2024, under the theme “Envision the Future. This event aims to propel Thai fashion into a bright future and create an unparalleled platform of opportunities.

Siam Paragon repeats its position as a World Class Fashion Destination, offering an extraordinary experience that exceeds expectations. One of the highlights will be the grand runway at its Parc Paragon, featuring 15 fashion shows featuring the latest collections from prominent Thai brands and leading designers across Asia. Participating brands include Absolute Siam x Dry Clean Only x AJOBYAJO, ASAVA, FLYNOW, 27FRIDAY, ISSUE presented by GC, KLOSET, Leisure Projects presented by CITIZEN, MOO Bangkok, NAGARA, PAINKILLER Atelier, POEM presented by MERZ AESTHETICS, TandT presented by TAT, and VICKTEERUT. Additionally, the event will spotlight international talents and brands, including the legendary Korean designer LIE SANGBONG and Friends of SHANGHAI TANG Collection by the iconic Hong Kong fashion brand Shanghai Tang, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year in collaboration with renowned designer Joe Li.

Siam Center – The Ideaopolis presents the Siam Center Visionary Stage, a platform designed for emerging designers and fashion students from top institutions across the country to showcase their creativity on a national fashion stage that will enable them to expand their reach internationally. They will present innovative works that blend creativity with technology, reflecting the future direction of the fashion industry. These young designers represent a diverse array of institutions, including Bangkok University, Khon Kaen University, Chulalongkorn University, Chanapatana International Design Institute (CIDI), Chiang Mai University, Thammasat University, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Mahasarakham University, Suan Sunandha Rajabhat University, Srinakharinwirot University, and Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya in Songkhla. Fashion shows featuring the trendiest brands in Siam Center, including FRANK GARÇON and FUNDAO, will also take place at Atrium 2 on the G Floor.

Siam Discovery The Exploratorium strengthens its position as a leader in cutting-edge creativity with the campaign “Siam Discovery: The Revolutionary 2024.” This initiative invites everyone to discover their distinctive style and enjoy unique experiences with numerous leading brands. Highlights include CLUB21 showcasing the JACQUEMUS LA CASA collection, along with COMME des GARÇONS SHIRT as part of its Autumn/Winter 2024 collection under the themes of “Live Free, Strong Will,” among others.

Siam Discovery also features the Discovery Selection zone, showcasing renowned clothing brands from around the world that cater to diverse styles for both women and men. Available exclusively at Siam Discovery, the line-up includes ADER ERROR, ANDERSSON BELL, SECOND FEMALE, Open YY, AMOMENTO, The North Face, EVISU and ECOTOPIA. Fashion enthusiasts can also explore new brands, such as Marimekko presenting its Fall-Winter 2024 collection, offering unique and special experiences.

ELLE FASION WEEK 2024

October 9-12, 2024 at River Park, ICONSIAM

Don’t miss the highly anticipated “ELLE Fashion Week 2024” at ICONSIAM, a world-class landmark along the Chao Phraya River. This spectacular event, taking place from October 9-12, 2024, is co-organized by ICONSIAM and Mass Digital Company Limited, the copyright holder of the renowned magazines ELLE and ELLE MEN Thailand. The show reaffirms ELLE Thailand’s commitment to being a platform for sharing diverse stories from the fashion world, inspiring audiences, and driving the Thai fashion industry toward becoming a leading fashion hub in Asia.

The event will be spectacularly staged on a magnificent riverside runway at River Park, ICONSIAM, under the theme “YOUTH ENERGY.” This concept will showcase the creative power of fresh fashion works through 13 shows by 15 designers, including prominent Thai names such as HOOK’S PRESENTED BY ZEEKR, SRETSIS, LA BOUTIQUE, VVON SUGUNNASIL, ANURUQ, SIRAPOP, BEENET CORSET, WACAY, PETCHPLOY, NICHp and a special show from ICONCRAFT. Additionally, new-generation Thai designers will take the stage in the “THE ONE TO WATCH” show, featuring three standout brands: Larobe8, O.D.C X BBMP, and YUNCHANNY.

Moreover, there will be an exclusive fashion show debuting in Thailand for the first time from TONY WARD Couture, a world-renowned couture brand founded by Tony Ward, famously known as “The Architect of Detail.”

In addition, Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok celebrates the Fashion Month with special privileges for international tourists with Gift Card Extraordinary Deals from 10 September – 31 October 2024 at Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok.

The “Fashion Revolution” phenomenon happening throughout October is yet another testament to ONESIAM’s commitment to providing exceptional, unique experiences beyond expectations to Siam Piwat customers. This event restates the status of Siam Paragon, Siam Center, Siam Discovery, and ICONSIAM as premier world-class fashion destinations. Fashion enthusiasts eager to witness this ultimate fashion spectacle in Thailand can stay updated at https://tourist.onesiam.com/en/happening/5604/fashion-revolution and watch the live runway shows on Facebook at ONESIAM.

Hashtag: #ONESIAM #FashionRevolution #BIFW2024 #Elle2024

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

About ONESIAM

ONESIAM is the ultimate guest experience program initiated by Siam Piwat – one of Asia’s leading luxury retail developer and operator – which aims to showcase a collective of extraordinary experiences across six world-class experiential destinations in the heart of Bangkok, namely Siam Paragon, Siam Center and Siam Discovery, ICONSIAM – the global landmark by the Chao Phraya River, ICS, Siam Premium Outlets Bangkok – the only premium luxury outlet in Thailand, as well as ONESIAM SuperApp – the smart digital platform. ONESIAM aims to share the breadth of the collective destinations while promising to amaze, inspire and revolutionize visitors through exceptional and enriching experiences, ultimately offering a comprehensive journey, unmatched anywhere else in the world.

Younger Singaporeans Aim for Early Retirement, Projecting Monthly Expenses Below S$6000

Majority of millennials and Gen Z anticipate retiring in their 50s but only start planning in their 30s


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2024 – Most Singaporeans (81%) aspire to retire between the ages of 50 and 70, with younger generations, including millennials (71%) and Gen Z (71%), aiming for retirement at 60. 75% of Singaporeans have prioritised planning for retirement, typically starting at age 35, according to the Etiqa Insurance Singapore Retirement Insights Report 2024.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Retirement Insights Report 2024
Etiqa Insurance Singapore Retirement Insights Report 2024

Among younger Singaporeans, most millennials (75%) and Gen Z (69%) are confident that they will achieve their retirement goals. These generations anticipate requiring less than S$6,000 per month to sustain their retirement plans, with 57% of millennials and 74% of Gen Z expressing this sentiment.

These findings highlight Singaporeans’ awareness of the need for a robust retirement plan, as the cost of living and inflation rates continue to rise. However, with many starting later in life and underestimating the funds needed to achieve their goals, there is a need to balance early retirement with the realities of financial planning.

“While it is heartening to see more Singaporeans take proactive steps towards preparing for retirement, many still underestimate the time horizon and funds needed to sustain their desired lifestyle. This could lead to a potential retirement gap,” said Raymond Ong, CEO of Etiqa Insurance Singapore.

“It is key that Singaporeans start saving early and invest wisely. They should factor in the impact of inflation on their retirement savings, make necessary adjustments over time and ensure they have protection in place for unexpected events, such as accidents and medical issues, that could derail their plans. This proactive approach is essential to help them maintain their desired standard of living in their golden years,” added Mr. Ong.

Evolving Financial Priorities Amongst Younger Singaporeans

Younger Singaporeans, including millennials and Gen Z, also adopt a conservative approach to retirement planning, with the survey also revealing their preference for low-risk financial instruments, with savings accounts (Gen Z: 61%/Millennials: 65%), CPF contributions (Gen Z: 56%/Millennials: 54%), and fixed deposits/savings bonds (Gen Z: 44%/Millennials: 52%) as their top financial tools to fund their retirement.

While this cautious approach might have been useful in capitalising on the high-interest rate environment of recent years, younger Singaporeans are encouraged to rethink their retirement strategy in today’s uncertain economic environment to grow potential investment returns, increase their ability to accumulate sufficient retirement funds and leverage the power of compounding over time.

The report reveals that 1 in 3 seniors wish they had saved more consistently and aggressively. By learning from the experiences of older generations, younger Singaporeans can consider adopting a more proactive and growth-oriented investment approach to better secure their financial future.

The desire to secure the next generation’s financial future is evident among younger Singaporeans, with 78% of millennials and 68% of Gen Z prioritising wealth transfer as part of their financial goals. While this desire to secure both their financial future and that of the next generation is good, it can inadvertently exacerbate the retirement gap for younger Singaporeans should it take precedence over their own financial security.

Other key findings of the survey include:

  • 25% of Singaporeans have yet to start retirement planning. Top reasons include prioritising immediate financial needs (38%), reliance on CPF savings (34%), and insufficient savings (30%).
  • 33% of seniors and 30% of Gen X acknowledge that consistent and aggressive saving could have significantly increased their retirement funds over time.
  • 41% of Singaporeans consider investment as a key retirement strategy, but a third of those who invest lack confidence in their approach. Those lacking confidence in investing cite fear of losing money (57%), insufficient financial knowledge (53%), and high risk (45%) as their main concerns.
  • Healthcare needs and expenses remain a key focus in Singaporeans’ retirement planning, particularly for seniors (63%) and Gen X (51%), who are acutely aware of the costs associated with ageing. Additionally, insurance coverage is becoming a significant focus in retirement planning, with about 38% of Singaporeans prioritising it.

“It is important to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to retirement planning. Seeking professional advice from a financial advisor can provide invaluable guidance in creating a retirement plan that aligns with your specific goals and risk tolerance. By understanding your unique needs and preferences, you can develop a retirement strategy that ensures a comfortable and fulfilling future,” added Mr. Ong.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Retirement Sentiment Study Report Methodology

The Etiqa Insurance Singapore Retirement Sentiment Study Report was conducted in collaboration with Kantar in June 2024, surveying 1,009 individuals across four age groups: Gen Z (18 to 28 years old), Millennials (29 to 43 years old), Gen X (44 to 59 years old), and Seniors (60 and above). This study delves into the attitudes and preparedness of Singaporeans towards retirement, providing valuable insights and guidance to help individuals unlock their retirement potential.Hashtag: #EtiqaSingapore

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

Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd.

Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (EIPL) is a life and general insurance company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and governed by the Insurance Act 1966. Having protected customers in Singapore since 1961 under the name United General Insurance Co. Sdn. Bhd., the company transitioned into the Singapore branch of Etiqa Insurance Berhad in 2009. Today, EIPL in Singapore stands as the pivotal operating entity of Etiqa Insurance Group, a leading insurance and takaful provider in ASEAN.

EIPL offers a comprehensive range of life and general insurance products accessible through its diverse distribution channels, including bancassurance, agents, brokers, financial advisers, partnerships, direct and online sales via Tiq by Etiqa. Etiqa is rated ‘A’ by credit rating agency Fitch for the group’s ‘Favourable’ business profile. EIPL is owned by Maybank Ageas Holdings Berhad, a joint venture combining local market expertise with international insurance knowledge, with 69% ownership by Maybank, the fourth largest banking group in Southeast Asia, and 31% by Ageas, an international insurance group operating across 13 countries.