HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024 – Generali Hong Kong has been crowned to the Grand Award winner of the “Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility” category at the prestigious Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2024, demonstrating the company’s exceptional commitment as a Responsible Corporate Citizen. This recognition underscores Generali Hong Kong’s dedication to making a positive and lasting social impact through meaningful and sustained CSR efforts, with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I), as well as community support.
Generali Hong Kong has been crowned to the Grand Award winner of the “Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility” category at the prestigious Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2024.
Ms. Cecilia Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Hong Kong, said, “We are deeply honored to be recognized as the winner for the ‘Outstanding Corporate Social Responsibility Award’ at the Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2024. This acknowledgment is a testament to our strong commitment to making a positive and long-term impact in the communities we serve. Through The Human Safety Net and other CSR initiatives, we aim to create lasting social impact by unlocking the potential of people in vulnerable circumstances, empowering them to transform their lives and thrive. We will continue to uphold our promise to be a Lifetime Partner for our customers, employees, and the broader community.”
A key part of Generali Hong Kong’s commitment is its efforts to support and empower vulnerable families and children through The Human Safety Net, a global movement of people helping people, initiated by the Generali Group. In Hong Kong, we are committed to providing quality early education and support for marginalized children aged 0 to 6, helping them reach their full potential. Generali Hong Kong is also committed to promoting DE&I to create a more inclusive society, encompassing a wide range of initiatives, including LGBTQI+ inclusion, women’s empowerment, neurodiversity, and disability support.
The Hong Kong Insurance Awards 2024, co-organized by the Hong Kong Federation of Insurers and the South China Morning Post, is one of the most respected awards in the industry. It recognizes excellence across various categories, spotlighting the top achievements of insurance practitioners in Hong Kong.
Hashtag: #generali
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Generali Hong Kong
In 1981, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. was first registered as an authorised insurer in Hong Kong, with the business extending into the life insurance sector in 2016 with Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited. With a combination of local knowledge and Generali Group’s global expertise, we develop unique and innovative life insurance, general insurance, specialty insurance, and employee benefits solutions to meet the needs of our customers.
Generali Group
Generali is one of the largest global insurance and asset management providers. Established in 1831, it is present in over 50 countries in the world, with a total premium income of € 82.5 billion in 2023. With around 82,000 employees serving 70 million customers, the Group has a leading position in Europe and a growing presence in Asia and Latin America. At the heart of Generali’s strategy is its Lifetime Partner commitment to customers, achieved through innovative and personalised solutions, best-in-class customer experience and its digitalised global distribution capabilities. The Group has fully embedded sustainability into all strategic choices, with the aim to create value for all stakeholders while building a fairer and more resilient society.
A team of Lao traditional dance performs in front of the festival's art sculptures (photo credit: Sofitel Luang Prabang)
On 16 October, Sofitel Luang Prabang, a luxury hotel known for blending French colonial style with Lao heritage, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Sofitel hotel chain with a special “Festival of Light” event held in its gardens.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024– International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) successfully hosted a Cocktail Reception and Research Paper Presentation on Friday, October 25, 2024, at the United Conference Centre, Admiralty. The event, attended by more than 100 participants, focused on motivating small-cap companies to improve their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reporting practices in Hong Kong. This event was supported by World Green Organisation and Hong Kong Institute of Circular Economy.
Dr. Angus Yip (first author), Dr. William Yu (second author) and Professor Peter Fong (Editor-in-Chief of Public Administration and Policy)
The event featured the presentation of a research paper* titled “Motivating Small and Medium-sized Listed Companies for Better ESG Reporting in Hong Kong”. By using grounded theory, this study highlighted the significant drivers and barriers small-cap companies face in their ESG reporting efforts.
*Yip, A.W.H., Yu, W.Y.P. and Ip, Q.W.T. (2024), “Motivating small and medium-sized listed companies for better Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting in Hong Kong”, Public Administration and Policy: An Asia-Pacific Journal, Vol. 27 No. 2, pp. 220-234. https://doi.org/10.1108/PAP-05-2024-0068
Key Research Findings: The research, based on interviews with 22 ESG reporting personnel in SMEs, identified regulations and management support as critical motivators, while lack of management support and expertise were found to be significant obstacles. The study emphasized the importance of mobilizing various stakeholders—such as regulators, investors, bankers, customers, NGOs, and employees—to influence and encourage SMEs to adopt better ESG practices. Though regulations can effectively push small-cap companies to report, but usually in a perfunctory manner. By leveraging the influence of stakeholders, small-cap companies can gain tangible benefits and greater management support, creating a more sustainable future for their businesses and the broader economy.
Speakers:
Dr. Angus Yip, Founding Chairman of ICSD
Dr. William Yu, CEO of World Green Organisation
Both Dr. Yip and Dr. Yu provided insightful commentary on the challenges faced by small-cap companies in ESG reporting and offered practical recommendations for overcoming these challenges. They stressed the role of collaborative efforts between policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders in driving meaningful progress.
Audience attentively listens to an ESG research presentation at the ICSD event.
Event Highlights: The event fostered meaningful discussions on the need for enhanced ESG reporting among small-cap companies and provided a platform for participants to share insights on the evolving landscape of corporate sustainability. Attendees, ranging from industry professionals to sustainability advocates, expressed their appreciation for the research and its practical implications for improving ESG practices in SMEs.
As a comprehensive investigation into the motivational factors affecting ESG reporting in small-cap companies, this research paper lays the groundwork for future policy recommendations and stakeholder-driven initiatives.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD)
International Chamber of Sustainable Development (ICSD) is an NGO and a learned society. ICSD’s mission is to promote ESG through education. Its activities focus on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN 17 SDGs) to support international recognition of sustainable development ideologies among both individuals and corporations. ICSD also has chapters in Geneva, Switzerland, and London, U.K. Currently, ICSD has over 3,000 members, all Certified ESG Planners (CEP®) from various industries. (Website: www.icsd-global.org)
This image is used only for representational purpose (photo credit: Mac99/IStock)
To address smoking-related issues and ensure the health and safety of citizens in Laos, Vientiane Capital is launching a competition among its nine districts. While the details of the competition are yet to be disclosed, the winning district will have the chance to participate in the Smoke-Free ASEAN City program in 2026, according to the Department of Health.
LOUDI, HUNAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024 – On the evening of October 25, the 3rd Loudi Tourism Development Conference opened at the Shuangfeng County Sports Center’s main venue, bringing together more than 400 guests from various sectors. Under the themes “Hometown of Chiyou, Gem of Central Hunan” and “For Home and Country, Prosperous Shuangfeng,” attendees shared friendships, discussed cooperation, and collaboratively planned cultural tourism projects, including the red tourism development of the Cai Hesen and Cai Chang Former Residence. This event aimed to foster high-quality growth in the cultural and tourism sectors.
The two-day conference has meticulously organized a “3+2+N” event structure. The three main activities include the “Explore Loudi – Heartfelt Journey” featuring in-depth tours of key cultural and tourism sites, the conference’s opening ceremony and tourism promotion, and the 2024 Loudi Cultural Tourism Industry Development and Investment Conference. During the event, 16 projects were signed, totaling RMB 3.13 billion, and 50 investment projects were unveiled, amounting to a total investment of RMB 27.61 billion.
In recent years, Loudi has continued to strengthen its brand as the “Gem of Central Hunan and Hometown of Chiyou,” driving high-quality cultural and tourism development. This central Hunan city, known for its industrial roots, has made significant strides in ecological restoration and protection. Through scientific planning and balanced development, Loudi has cultivated a new “Eco + Cultural Tourism” model, invigorating tourism amidst its picturesque landscapes.
Lanshan Mountain in Lengshuijiang, known as the “Antimony Capital of the World,” has been transformed through ecological restoration into a popular camping destination. The Gaodeng River area in Shanshan Town, Louxing District, has seen major water quality improvements through comprehensive management, turning it into an inviting “urban backyard.” Meanwhile, visitors to Meijiang National Geopark in Lianyuan City are treated to the enchanting experience of a lawn concert amidst scenic mountains and rivers.
Since the beginning of the year, Loudi has received 40.73 million domestic and international visitors, generating RMB 41.475 billion in tourism revenue, up 10.27% year-on-year. Attractions with an emphasis on ecological, wellness, and rural experiences have particularly excelled. “Eco + Cultural Tourism” has become a bright symbol of Loudi’s tourism industry. Hashtag: #LoudiTourismDevelopment
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
More coins, more cash prizes, more features and a gold coin worth S$500,000 await the most accomplished hunters
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024 – From 10th October to 9th November 2024, Singapore will be the hunting ground for the world’s simplest million-dollar cash hunt, #HuntTheMouse. Boasting the biggest cash prize pool to date, #HuntTheMouse, in this fifth iteration, raises its stakes from total prize money of S$100,000 in 2023 to S$1,000,000 this year, with a grand prize of S$500,000.
#HuntTheMouse – The World’s Simplest S$1m Cash Hunt in Singapore
The number of silver coins will also increase from 100 in 2023 to 300 this year to amplify the level of thrill and participation. In this 30-day event, one S$500,000 gold coin, and 300 silver coins of two values – S$2,500 and S$500, will be hidden in various spots across Singapore progressively. The breakdown of the coins is as follows: • 1 x S$500,000 gold coin • 175 x S$2,500 silver coins • 125 x S$500 silver coins
#HuntTheMouse is free to play and open to Singapore residents and tourists. Players, better known as hunters, are recommended to follow the hints, and the real-time map on the game website to be the first to locate these coins and redeem its corresponding cash value.
This year, the game launches four new power-up features on top of the existing Crystals to help hunters get ahead:
Coin Sonar – This power-up feature allows hunters to scan the area around them to zoom in to a more precise location for a silver coin, and provides instant feedback on whether the silver coin is within their selected range.
Metal Detector – In beta, hunters can activate this power-up feature when inside any silver coin circle to turn their phone into a metal detector. This feature scans the surrounding vicinity for one minute and provides visual feedback on the proximity to the coin as the hunter moves around.
Beacon – Any player can unlock this feature by completing specific brand actions. The Beacon can then be placed anywhere on the map, allowing all players within one kilometre radius to enjoy discounted power-up usage for ten minutes.
Pedometer – Promoting active lifestyle and healthy living, the pedometer tracks step count while on the hunt! Players will also be rewarded with Crystals for hitting specific step counts through daily missions.
“This year’s #HuntTheMouse marks a significant milestone and we are immensely proud of how the game has grown from what began at Nanyang Technological University with a S$800 prize for a single winner,” shares Mr Kenny Choy, CEO & co-founder of Sqkii, the gamification company behind #HuntTheMouse.
HOW TO PLAY
First to find the coin gets to redeem cash of corresponding value.
Hints
Hunters can get visual hints on a real-time map on the game website to locate the coins. Hints for the gold coin will be posted daily on Sqkii’s Facebook, Instagram, and Telegram channels from day one. Circles on the in-game map, which indicate possible silver coin locations, will shrink between 15 to 60 minutes intervals. The real-time map will also eliminate improbable gold coin locations three times a day at 10am, 2pm, and 6pm daily.
Getting Ahead in the Game
Hunters can also perform brand actions by partners and participating merchants listed on the game website to earn Crystals and make use of the new power-up features to get ahead in the game. For those hunting for the gold coin, these Crystals can be used to obtain more gold coin hints and eliminate gold coin locations. As for the silver coins, the Crystals can also be used to shrink silver coin circles and activate the Coin Sonar or the Metal Detector to narrow down selected silver coin location to give them a competitive advantage over others.
PARTICIPATING PARTNERS:
Tiger Brokers, National Crime Prevention Council, Burger King, Lendlease, Nestlé Professional, myVillage, TADA, Etiqa, SF Juice, SaladStop!, amps tea, GOPIZZA, Kith Café, Tuk Tuk Cha, COCA, Kakurega, Kanada-Ya, Kind Kones, Eater’s Market, The Fragment Room, The JellyHearts and more.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Sqkii Pte Ltd
Sqkii is a gamification company in Singapore that helps brands achieve incremental revenue and other business objectives using games. Its award-winning viral games have driven outstanding return on investment for brands, including more than 300,000 incremental rides in Grab’s #GrabRewardsville, and over 200,000 cashless payments in DBS Bank’s #HuntYourZodiac. Most known for #HuntTheMouse, their signature cash hunt that gives away cash to players, Sqkii has recorded more than 1,000,000 players over their hunts and generated over S$3,000,000 in incremental revenue for participating brands. Plans are in the pipeline to progressively expand #HuntTheMouse beyond the shores of Singapore to cities across Asia-Pacific.
At the recent BRICS summit held in Kazan, Russia, from 22 to 24 October Laos formally expressed its interest in joining the group of emerging economies—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. During the BRICS Plus/Outreach session, President Thongloun Sisoulith highlighted Laos’s commitment to multilateral cooperation and voiced hopes for support in the application process.
Laos sees joining BRICS as a way to enhance collaboration in trade, investment, green energy, and sustainable development, according to President Thongloun. He emphasized the importance of collective efforts to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and called for enhanced partnerships that would benefit not only Laos but the entire region.
The summit aimed to highlight BRICS’ growing role on the global stage, with discussions among leaders from over 80 nations, including Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
In a bilateral meeting on 24 October, President Thongloun also met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to strengthen the strategic partnership between Laos and Russia. Both leaders acknowledged their countries’ longstanding ties, emphasizing achievements in defense, education, and peacekeeping. They agreed to deepen cooperation in trade, energy, transportation, and tourism, as well as to support each other in international forums.
While the summit focused on economic cooperation and geopolitical strategies, concerns regarding cultural appropriation were raised, particularly by smaller countries with strong traditional ties.
Laos aims to join the BRICS alliance as the country looks forward to leveraging the platform to advance its development goals and strengthen its role in the international community.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 October 2024– The Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) is bringing 25 Park companies focusing on green tech, biotech, AI & Robotics, etc. to Saudi Arabia’s Future Investment Initiative Institute 8th Edition (FII8) for the first time, joining the delegation led by Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR)’s Financial Secretary Paul Chan.
HKSTP is bringing 25 Park companies to the Future Investment Initiative Institute 8th Edition (FII8) for the first time, with the aim to foster collaboration in I&T between Hong Kong and the Middle East, as well as supporting tech ventures from Hong Kong to secure investment and explore business opportunities.
FII is an annual international conference which brings together world leaders, policymakers, investors and entrepreneurs to discuss and explore investment opportunities in combatting the world’s most pressing issues with one agenda: “Impact on Humanity”. This year’s edition: “Infinite Horizons: Investing Today, Shaping Tomorrow” will be held in Riyadh from 29 to 31 October 2024.
The HKSTP delegation aims to foster collaboration in innovation and technology (I&T) between Hong Kong and the Middle East, as well as supporting tech ventures from Hong Kong in securing investment and exploring business opportunities. The Gulf region’s strategic geographic position, serving as a gateway between Europe, Asia and Africa, along with its growing consumer and corporate markets and increasing demand for innovative solutions, positions the Middle East as a key strategic partner for Hong Kong.
Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “This represents an exciting step in strengthening the ties between Hong Kong and the Middle East in I&T. By connecting Hong Kong’s dynamic tech companies with new opportunities in the region, we are creating a powerful synergy that supports investment, fosters knowledge exchange, and drives growth in high-demand tech sectors. Together, we’re opening doors to new markets and fueling global progress in I&T.”
The Middle East’s vibrant I&T ecosystem and capital market have created strong momentum for tech ventures seeking to expand beyond Asia. At FII8, HKSTP and seven Park companies will be signing collaboration agreements with various Middle East partners. In addition, nine Park companies have been invited by the event organiser of FII8 to pitch their innovations to global investors and business partners at the “Global Startup Showcase” dedicated stage as their solutions are addressing the pressing agenda of FII “Impact on Humanity”. Archireef, a HKSTP-bred global pioneer of the world’s first 3D-printed terracotta reef tiles for ocean restoration, will also take part in FII8’s “Innovators Pitch Competition”, competing against five up-and-coming startups from around the world.
To connect with Middle East investors and business partners, HKSTP will host the “Hong Kong Tech Disrupt” Reception with the presence of the Financial Secretary Paul Chan. Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP will introduce the HKSTP ecosystem and highlight the I&T opportunities in Hong Kong. Distinguished speakers will share their insights into investment opportunities emerging from the Middle East, while HKSTP Park companies will showcase their disruptive technological solutions.
Earlier this month, the Future Investment Institute published the white paper “Hong Kong’s Dual Focus on Sustainable Investment and Green Innovation” written by HKSTP. It highlights the city’s robust efforts in enhancing its green finance ecosystem. As HKSTP accelerates its role as a catalyst for innovation and collaboration, these efforts promise to raise Hong Kong’s position in the global I&T ecosystem, driving success and creating new opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.
Below is HKSTP’s key agenda at FII8:
Future Investment Initiative Institute 8th Edition (FII8) Date: 29 – 31 October 2024 Venue: King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Hong Kong Tech Disrupt: Exclusive Reception for Investors Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2024 Time: 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Saudi Arabian time) Venue: Golf Outdoor Lawn, InterContinental Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Event highlights:
Opening remarks by Mr Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of HKSAR Government
Introducing of HKSTP by Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP
Keynote Speech “Unlocking Middle East’s Capital” by Dr Abdulrahman Alolayan, Founder & Managing Partner of Beta Lab
Keynote Speech “East Meets MENA: Cross Border Investments” by Ms Jessica Wong, Founder & Managing Partner of ewpartners
Archireef is a nature-tech company which pioneered the world’s first 3D-printed terracotta reef tiles for ocean restoration. It aims to restore 125 hectares of marine ecosystems by 2030. The company is also pioneering the development of biodiversity credits derived from marine ecosystem restoration.
“Global Startup Showcase” dedicated stage
2.
Altai Technologies Limited
A global leader in industrial-grade Wi-Fi solutions, with a strong presence in over 100 countries.
3.
AusMed Global Limited
Afast-growing life science company specialising in developing novel non-invasive medical devices and solutions for home and point-of-care uses in response to the global challenges in diabetes, overweight, and obesity.
4.
BioMap
A pioneering company at the intersection of AI and the life sciences sector, integrates cutting-edge AI with biotech to accelerate research and development and design novel proteins in areas such as pharmaceuticals and enzymes.
5
FJDynamics
A global leader in robotics and automation, delivering AI-driven solutions for industries like agriculture, construction, and landscaping.
6.
Manifold Tech Limited
A high-tech 3D scanning and modeling, robotics, and algorithm company.
7.
PanopticAI Limited
A deep tech company that powers the next era of high-performance solutions through scientific breakthroughs backed by academic and clinical research.
8.
Westwell Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited
The company develops and deploys smart NEVs (new-energy vehicles) and AI-driven intelligent industrial solutions and systems for multiple logistic scenes, including seaports, air cargo terminals, manufacturing hubs, railway logistics, cross-border transportation, road freight and supply chain platforms.
9.
WomenX Biotech Limited
The company aims to revolutionize disease screening with PadX-HPV, a sanitary pad that detects HPV from menstrual blood with 99.2% accuracy, revealing the risk of cervical cancer.
10.
Yuanhua Robotics, Perception and AI Technologies Ltd
This company is focusing on innovative R&D and manufacturing of original and intelligent state-of-the-art medical devices and equipment.
Other HKSTP Park Companies Participating in the FII8:
Park Company
1.
Absolute Pure EnviroSci Limited
2.
Alcarbo Technologies Limited
3.
Climind Limited
4.
Dayta AI Limited
5
Full Nature Farms (Hong Kong) Limited
6.
GogoChart
7.
Imsight Technology Co. Ltd.
8.
Insilico Medicine
9.
Kodifly Limited
10.
Lalamove
11.
Ninenovo Technology (Hong Kong) Limited
12.
Novelte Robotic Solutions
13.
Okosix
14.
One Energy Group
15.
Volar Air Mobility Limited
16.
XKool Technology
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,000 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.
Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.
Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.