The 13th multilateral meeting between the Bank of Laos and the National Bank of Cambodia was held in Vientiane Capital last Friday to discuss future cooperation efforts and establish a cross-border QR Code payment system.
Laos, Cambodia Launch Cross-Border QR Code Payment System

Elevating Imaging Quality to a New Height: HKU Physicists Employ Synthetic Complex Frequency Waves to Overcome Optical Loss in Superlenses

Imaging plays an important role in many fields, including biology, medicine and material science. Optical microscopes use light to obtain imaging of miniscule objects. However, conventional microscopes can only resolve feature sizes in the order of the optical wavelength at best, known as the diffraction limit.
To overcome the diffraction limit, Sir John Pendry from Imperial College London introduced the concept of superlenses, which can be constructed from negative index media or noble metals like silver. Subsequently, Professor Xiang ZHANG, the current President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, along with his then team at the University of California, Berkeley, experimentally demonstrated superimaging using both a silver thin film and a silver/dielectric multilayer stack. These works have extensively promoted the development and application of superlens technology. Unfortunately, all superlenses suffer from inevitable optical loss, which converts optical energy into heat. This significantly affects the performance of optical devices, such as superimaging lenses, which rely on the faithful delivery of information carried by light waves.
Optical loss has been the main limiting factor that has constrained the development of nanophotonics for the past three decades. Many applications, including sensing, superimaging, and nanophotonic circuits, would greatly benefit if this problem could be solved.
Professor Shuang Zhang, corresponding author of the paper and also Interim Head of HKU Department of Physics, explained the research foci, ‘To solve the optical loss problem in some important applications, we have proposed a practical solution — using a novel synthetic complex wave excitation to obtain virtual gain, and then offset the intrinsic loss of the optical system. As a verification, we applied this approach to the superlens imaging mechanism and theoretically improved imaging resolution significantly.’
‘We further demonstrated our theory by conducting experiments using hyperlenses made of hyperbolic metamaterials in the microwave frequency range and polariton metamaterials in the optical frequency range. As expected, we obtained excellent imaging results consistent with our theoretical predictions,’ added Dr Fuxin GUAN, the paper’s first author and a Postdoctoral Fellow at HKU.
Multi-frequency approach to overcome optical loss
In this study, the researchers introduced a novel multiple-frequency approach to overcome negative impacts of loss on superimaging. Complex frequency waves can be used to provide virtual gain to compensate for the loss in an optical system. What does complex frequency mean? Frequency of a wave refers to how fast it oscillates in time. It is natural to consider frequency a real number. Interestingly, the concept of frequency can be extended into the complex domain, where the imaginary part of the frequency also has a well-defined physical meaning, i.e., how fast a wave amplifies or decays in time. Hence, for a complex frequency wave, both oscillation and amplification of the wave occurs simultaneously. For a complex frequency with negative (positive) imaginary part, the wave decays (amplifies) in time. Of course, an ideal complex wave is not physical because it would diverge when time goes to either positive or negative infinity, depending on the sign of its imaginary part. Hence, any realistic implementation of complex frequency waves needs to be truncated in time to avoid the divergence. The optical measurement directly based on complex frequency waves needs to be performed in the time domain and it would involve complicated time-gated measurements and therefore it has not been experimentally realised thus far.
The team utilised mathematical tool Fourier Transformation to break down a truncated CFW into many components of different real frequencies, greatly facilitating the implementation of CFWs for various applications, such as superimaging. By carrying out optical measurements at multiple real frequencies at a fixed interval, it is possible to construct the optical response of the system at a complex frequency by mathematically combining that of real frequencies.
As a proof of concept, the team started with superimaging at microwave frequencies using a hyperbolic metamaterial. The hyperbolic metamaterial can carry waves with very large wavevectors (or equivalently very small wavelengths), that are capable of transmitting the information of very small feature sizes. However, the larger the wavevector, the more sensitive the waves are to optical loss. Therefore, in the presence of loss, the information of those small feature sizes gets lost during the propagation inside the hyperbolic metamaterial. The researchers showed that, by appropriately combining the blurred images measured at different real frequencies, a clear image at a complex frequency was formed with a deep-subwavelength resolution.
The team further extended the principle to optical frequencies, employing an optical superlens made of a phononic crystal called silicon carbide, which operates at the far-infrared wavelength of around 10 micrometers. In a phononic crystal, the lattice vibration can couple with light to create the superimaging effect. However, the loss is still a limiting factor in the spatial resolution. Although the spatial resolutions of imaging at all the real frequencies were limited by the loss, as shown by the blurred images of the nano-scale holes, ultrahigh-resolution imaging can be obtained with synthesised CFWs that consist of multiple frequency components.
‘The work has provided a solution to overcome optical loss in optical systems, a long-standing problem in nanophotonics. The synthesised complex-frequency method can be readily extended to other applications, including molecular sensing and nanophotonic integrated circuits,’ said Professor Xiang ZHANG, another corresponding author of the paper, the President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU, and also Chair of Physics and Engineering. He hailed this as a remarkable and universally applicable method, ‘This can be leveraged to tackle loss in other wave systems, including sound waves, elastic waves, and quantum waves, elevating imaging quality to a new height.’
This work was supported by the New Cornerstone Science Foundation, the Research Grants Council of Hong Kong.
Journal paper: ‘Overcoming losses in superlenses with synthetic waves of complex frequency’, Science.
The journal can be accessed here: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adi1267
More information about Professor Shuang Zhang: https://shorturl.at/efCN1
Hashtag: #HKU
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Over 300 Animals Confiscated in Wildlife Trafficking Crackdown
In a two-day operation supported by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Laos last week, authorities in Dak Cheung District, Sekong Province, seized over 300 animals as part of efforts to combat wildlife trafficking and the sale of endangered and protected species.
New Faces in Cambodia’s Parliament as King Welcomes Incoming Lawmakers

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia’s king congratulated the country’s new lawmakers on Monday, urging them in his traditional speech to the National Assembly on its first day following elections to promote economic growth and equality.
Kenanga Investment Bank Wins ‘Energy-Efficient Retrofitted Building’ at the Prestigious National Energy Awards
To Represent Malaysia at the ASEAN Energy Awards 2023
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 21 August 2023 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is proud to announce that it has been named ‘Winner’ in Energy-Efficient Building in Retrofitted Building, at the prestigious National Energy Awards (NEA). The award recognises initiatives that adopt sustainable energy practices in either new or retrofitted buildings.
Initiated by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment, and Climate Change and the Malaysian Green Technology and Climate Change Corporation, the NEA has been held on a yearly basis since 2018. Its purpose is to identify and honour leading Malaysian corporations and institutions that adopt revolutionary sustainability initiatives, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s pursuit of a Just Energy Transition, Net Zero goals, and the advancement of sustainable development.
From a pool of 114 submissions encompassing Malaysian residents, businesses, and organisations, Kenanga Investment Bank has been selected together with 22 other entries from various categories, to proudly go on to represent Malaysia at the forthcoming ASEAN Energy Awards 2023.
Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad said, “We are proud to be part of the line-up of winners at this coveted event and to have the opportunity to represent the country for such a meaningful and crucial agenda. Central to Kenanga’s decarbonising programme is the deployment of innovative technology, and we are pleased that through piloting an AI-powered predictive cooling control solution, we are able to leapfrog the energy efficiency of our headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. We are guided by the urgent need to step up climate action and will continue to prioritise and promote sustainable practices throughout the organisation.”
The implementation of a cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) solution within the centralised air conditioning system – the most significant contributor to Kenanga Tower’s energy usage – had yielded approximately 50% reduction in its air conditioning energy consumption.
The successful transformation of its Air Conditioning (‘AC’) system and Air Handling Unit (‘AHU’), was complemented by the installation of energy-efficient lighting solutions throughout its premises, resulting in overall energy reduction of 25% at the end of December 2022, and continues to achieve substantial reduction into this year.
YB Nik Nazmi Nik Ahmad, the Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change of Malaysia stated, “Aligning with Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable economic growth, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change organises NEA annually to raise awareness, acceptance and adoption of sustainable energy practices across all industries. I applaud the strong participation by the entrants this year and believe they are all truly winners for championing sustainable energy practices.”
The collection of the 114 submissions showcased an impressive combined energy reduction of over 1.34 GW, resulting in significant electricity savings. This achievement translates to a substantial reduction of carbon emissions, equivalent to more than 23,000 metric tonnes per annum.
Hashtag: #KenangaInvestmentBank
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Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))
Established for almost 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group“) is a financial group in Malaysia with extensive experience in equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending and trade financing.
An innovative and established home-grown brand, the Group’s digital ambition includes building a robust digital ecosystem that meets the needs of its clients and businesses. Some of its game-changing products include Malaysia’s fully online digital stockbroking platform Rakuten Trade and a fully A.I. robo-advisor, Kenanga Digital Investing. The Group also launched Malaysia’s first securities broking e-wallet, Kenanga Money, paved the way in AI-led Quan and algorithmic trading, kick-started a revolutionary supply chain financing solution for SMEs and made inroads into the digital assets space through its investment in Tokenize Technology (M) Sdn.Bhd.
The Group has garnered a host of awards and accolades reflecting its strong market position. It was awarded Highest Returns to Shareholder Over Three Years, Highest Growth in Profit After Tax Over Three Years and Highest Return on Equity Over Three Years by The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club in the Financial Services Category, Best Overall Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), Best Retail Equities Participating Organisation (Champion), and Best Online Retail Participating Organisation (Champion), as well as Best Institutional Derivatives Trading Participant (Champion) and Best Overall Derivatives Trading Participant (1st Runner Up) in the Bursa Excellence Awards 2022. The Group was also accorded the title of Best House, South and Southeast Asia Award in the SRP Asia Pacific Awards 2022.
The Group continues to be a regular and repeat recipient of distinguished industry accolades, such as the Lipper, Fundsupermart and Morningstar awards. Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital securities broker in 2017 via a joint venture with Japanese fintech giant Rakuten Securities Inc was also named Malaysia’s Digital Experience of the Year – Brokerage at the Asian Experience Awards 2022. For its continued efforts towards community outreach and employee volunteerism, the Group was awarded the coveted Bank of the Year Award for Environmental, Social & Governance Excellence, as well as Long-Standing Excellence in Sustainability at Sustainability & CSR Malaysia Awards 2022. The Group is also a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact and adheres to its principle-based approach to responsible business.
Today, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad is an award-winning leading independent investment bank in the country with a continuous commitment towards driving collaboration, innovation, digitalisation and sustainability in the marketplace.
From Startup to Powerhouse: Respond.io Unveils New Headquarters to Facilitate Rapid Growth

Since its inception in 2017, respond.io has quickly established itself as a key industry player with 10,000 companies from 86 countries using the software. In the last two years, the company’s workforce has grown by 300%, prompting the decision to move from WeWork’s co-working space to its own dedicated office in Permata Sapura Tower.
The location is no coincidence. The tower’s architectural design, inspired by the peak of Mount Kinabalu, mirrors respond.io‘s scaling to new heights.
By setting up its headquarters in central Kuala Lumpur, with a view overlooking the iconic Petronas Twin Towers, respond.io demonstrates its commitment to strengthening its presence in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.
The strategic move to the heart of the city’s dynamic business hub also empowers respond.io to attract top-tier talent from around the world, including the nation’s best and brightest minds.
“This marks a significant milestone in our journey. With our rapid growth, we’ve come to understand the importance of having a workspace that allows our team to thrive. That’s why we’ve invested in creating an exceptional environment that encourages innovation and creativity.”— Gerardo Salandra, CEO of respond.io
Respond.io partnered with award-winning luxury coworking operator Colony to create a workspace that fosters productivity, collaboration and growth. Designed to embody respond.io‘s youthful, vibrant and diverse culture while prioritizing employee well-being, the office facilities strike a perfect balance between work and leisure.
Within the workspace, ergonomic furniture, intelligently designed meeting rooms and private call booths create a conducive environment for deep work and collaboration.
Meanwhile, a dedicated leisure area offers amenities such as a pool table, game consoles, massage chairs, snacks and free-flowing coffee, inviting employees to unwind, socialize and recharge.
Hashtag: #respondio #techstartup #workspace
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About respond.io
Respond.io is a customer conversation management software that enables companies to respond to messages from any channel from one centralized dashboard by teams of all sizes, thus making communication with customers easier, faster and more satisfactory.
Over 10,000 companies from 86 countries, including British Airways, Klook, Decathlon, Roche and Bigo use respond.io. The platform processes 120 million messages per month, beating three of its main competitors combined.
In 2022, respond.io raised $7 million in Series A funding, led by Headline Asia with participation from AltaIR Capital, Smart Partnership Capital, Sterling Oak Group and Calendula Ventures. In April 2023, the company achieved the prestigious status of a WhatsApp Business Solution Provider (BSP). The company is headquartered in Malaysia.
About Colony
Colony is a luxury coworking space and serviced office provider with plans and pricing curated to eliminate hefty set-up costs, maintenance hassle and long-term rental contracts.
With 12 locations and over 160k sqft under its operation, each Colony location carries a different concept in the interior with distinctive design elements giving each a unique personality of its own. Some of these spaces have also been accredited as one of the best office interiors in the Asia Pacific by the renowned International Property Award (IPA).
Australia Delivers Humanitarian Relief Supplies for Emergency Response in Laos

On Monday, 21 August, Mr. Paul Kelly, Australian Ambassador to Laos, handed over 13 tonnes of humanitarian relief supplies to Mr. Leepao Yang, Lao Vice Minister of Labour and Social Welfare, at Wattay International Airport.
Lao Govt Issues Loan Policy of USD 128 Million to Boost Economy
The government of Laos has rolled out a credit policy of about LAK 2.5 trillion (USD 128 million) for some industries to enhance the economy and promote the use of domestic products in the country from 2023 to 2025.