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A Blooming Spectacle: The 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show and the 23rd World Orchid Conference will be held in Tainan, Taiwan


TAINAN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – The excitement is palpable as the 20th edition of the Taiwan International Orchid Show is set to bloom spectacularly alongside the 23rd World Orchid Conference. For the first time, this prestigious event will extend from the Taiwan Orchid Technology Park to the ICC TAINAN, forming an impressive exhibition layout of ‘5 Halls and 6 Zones’.

The 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show and the 23th World Orchid Conference
The 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show and the 23th World Orchid Conference

During the promotional press conference in Taipei, attendees were delighted by a slew of new attractions, including the enchanting ‘Pink Orchidsaur’, orchid-shaped egg pancakes, and the delightful ‘Orchidsaur Family Dolls’. These creative and engaging elements promise an experience that is eye-catching, fun and flavorful. The event will be held in Tainan, Taiwan from February 24th to March 10th.

The Orchidsaur, the two-story tall mascot, has already made a grand appearance in the main hall of Taipei Station. Artist Chen Pu’s dinosaur-themed creation symbolizes that the ancient origins of orchids possibly date back to 65 million years ago, the era of dinosaurs.

In addition to admiring the creatively designed installations, visitors can also savor the freshly baked egg pancakes. The organizing committee has specially created molds featuring the Orchidsaur, as well as many orchids, such as Oncidium, Phalaenopsis, Vanda, etc. The egg pancakes come in six shapes. Baked to a crispy exterior with soft interior, they’re bursting with irresistible aroma, and their deliciousness is matched only by their stunning visual appeal.

The 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show, in tandem with the 23rd World Orchid Conference, adopts the theme ‘2024 Orchid Together’. The five halls will demonstrate the versatile applications of orchids through thematic landscapes, lifestyle utilizations, digital interactions, live sales, and multi-billion-dollar orders. The six zones will focus on native orchid exhibits, floral competitions, expanded participation, cross-industry collaborations, a hundred conferences, and diverse industry integrations.

The Taiwan International Orchid Show builds on the foundation of Tainan 400, incorporating 7major themes, ‘culture, crafts, rituals, festivals, mythology, cuisine, and architecture’ to recreate the bustling atmosphere of Tainan 400. Starting from Tainan, this 16-day event will showcase the exquisite beauty of Taiwan’s orchids to the world, connecting dot, line and plane.

Those who want to attend the 20th Taiwan International Orchid Show and the 23rd World Orchid Conference can purchase tickets through ibon, Fami, KLOOK, and other ticketing platforms. For more information, please visit the official website of ‘2024 Taiwan International Orchid Show’ (https://tios.tw/) or ’23rd World Orchid Conference’ (https://www.woc23.com/)

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

Miyazaki City hit a homerun to the world, Welcoming International Visitors with Open Arms

MIYAZAKI, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – From the 24th to the 25th of this month in 2024, Miyazaki Prefecture will be the stage for a riveting international competition, featuring intense matchups among the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Taiwan’s Rakuten Monkeys, and the Orix Buffaloes. Renowned for its wealth of natural resources, geographical splendor, and a culinary scene that reflects its rich culture, Miyazaki Prefecture has been a magnet for various international events, including the Dunlop Phoenix Tournament, the International Aoshima Pacific Marathon, and the World Senior Championship. While extending a warm welcome to globetrotters, the Miyazaki City Tourism Association, in collaboration with Japan Airlines Miyazaki Branch, is orchestrating a series of events to showcase Miyazaki Prefecture’s intangible assets and foster new hubs for international camaraderie.

Miyazaki City hit a homerun to the world, Welcoming International Visitors with Open Arms

Miyazaki has earned acclaim as a sports tourism haven, serving as the preferred spring training grounds for professional baseball teams. Beyond the athletic pursuits, the region offers a kaleidoscope of water activities, golf courses, and hiking trails. Nestled in Kyushu, Miyazaki’s “Aoshima” is a haven for surf enthusiasts. Visitors are not only treated to the thrill of extreme sports but also have the chance to indulge in the delectable local cuisine, including the melt-in-your-mouth Miyazaki beef, succulent seafood, and an array of fruits such as mangoes and “Hyuganatsu,” accompanied by di
stinctive local libations.

In a bid to acquaint the world with Miyazaki, Miyazaki City, and Japan Airlines Miyazaki Branch are collaborating to host a cultural exchange lecture and an international youth community exchange meeting. The inaugural lecture delves into understanding national disparities, encouraging participants to share nuances in culinary and expressive forms. Beyond language, the session underscores the efficacy of gestures and facial expressions as potent tools for emotional communication, urging everyone to embrace experimentation without fear of communication barriers.

The second segment of the international youth exchange focuses on students hailing from institutions like the Miyazaki Comprehensive Institute, Hong Kong, Myanmar, and Central Asian countries. Through interactions between locals and international youth, a cross-cultural understanding is nurtured. A student from Central Asia, touched by the familial warmth extended by local residents, shares that this warmth prompted her return for a second chapter of life in this enchanting land.

Dedicated to fashioning a more immigrant-friendly and internationally infused urban space, Miyazaki City invites individuals from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan to bask in the familial warmth it offers. Everyone is encouraged to partake in the Miyazaki experience, a captivating city that seamlessly amalgamates its titles as the baseball capital, mythical realm, and gastronomic haven.

Miyazaki City hit a homerun to the world, Welcoming International Visitors with Open Arms

More Information:
【Miyazaki City Tourist Association Website】
https://www.miyazaki-city.tourism.or.jp/

【Miyazaki Information Business Medical College Japanese Course】
https://www.msg-japanese.jp/

【Access to Miyazaki Prefecture(by air)】
https://www.miyazaki-airport.co.jp/flight/dom_dep

Hashtag: #JapanAirlinesMiyazakiBranch

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

Celebrating 9 Years of Healing at Lao Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang

Children are playing at the LFHC at the hospital's 9th anniversary event in Luang Prabang on 16 February, 2024. (Photo supplied/Adri Berger)

Just a decade ago, children in northern Laos grappling with thalassemia faced a grim reality, lacking proper care and support. Medical professionals were inadequately trained to address such deadly diseases, and essential equipment was scarce.

Today, things look a bit different. The Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) in Luang Prabang stands as a lifeline for thousands of children every year. Recognized as Northern Laos’ referral hospital, LFHC can now offer vital care to severely ill children with its High Acuity Unit, and neonatal and developmental clinics.

Dr. Annkham Thammaseng, the hospital’s Medical Education Director and a dedicated Lao pediatrician, expresses optimism about the evolution of child healthcare in Laos over the past decade and the ones to come. 

“The introduction of the High Acuity Unit has been crucial in saving the lives of young patients in need of ventilation,” she said. 

“Our long-term goal is a full transition to Lao management and direction,” Annkham added. “Now we are already transitioning, for example, I am Lao, and our medical director is Lao, as are other managers in the hospital.”

Since its establishment in 2015, LFHC has served over 200,000 children with essential medical care that was previously inaccessible in the northern regions. Annually, the hospital treats approximately 38,000 children, a number that continues to grow steadily.

However, as the number of young patients continues to grow, ensuring free access to pediatric healthcare at LFHC becomes increasingly challenging. But despite these hurdles, nine years since its inception, the hospital has persistently expanded its human and technical capacity, remaining the sole free children’s hospital in northern Laos, LFHC fills a critical gap in the region’s healthcare landscape.

Kenro Izu, LFHC’s Founder and Honorary President, gave a speech at the 9th anniversary event in Luang Prabang on 16 February, 2024. (Photo supplied/Adri Berger)

According to Kenro Izu, LFHC’s founder and honorary president, speaking at the 9th anniversary event on 16 February, the hospital’s success stems from its comprehensive healthcare approach, which extends beyond mere treatment to serving as a hub for training and capacity-building among healthcare professionals across the northern regions. 

Almost a decade after its first operations, the hospital still offers vital healthcare services often inaccessible elsewhere, including thalassemia, nephrology, and orthopedic clinics. It also boasts one of the nation’s finest neonatal units with 24 beds available and the only specified development clinic catering to children with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and other developmental conditions. 

Dr. Annkham also emphasized the hospital’s commitment to nurturing local talents, with a long-term vision of transitioning to Lao management and direction.

“We have implemented a robust education system where every clinical staff member receives foundational training in pediatric care and specialized training in their respective clinical areas,” Annkham added. “The hospital’s support extends to training Lao doctors to become pediatricians; six of them have returned to work at LFHC, bolstering the confidence of local staff and reducing the dependence on volunteer healthcare workers.”

Despite its remarkable achievements, LFHC faces significant challenges, with child malnutrition being the chief among them. Laos grapples with the highest rate of child malnutrition in Southeast Asia, affecting approximately 40 percent of its young population. LFHC has taken proactive steps to address this issue, designated as the leading provider of malnutrition management in Laos in 2023. 

Collaborating with partners like UNICEF, LFHC spearheads prevention programs aimed at combating malnutrition in underserved districts, providing support, education, diagnosis, and referrals to at-risk communities.

These projects, however, have not only transformed individual lives but have also laid the groundwork for a healthier community.

Rakuten Kobo expands digital reading offering in Hong Kong and Taiwan with Kobo Plus, join all-you-can-read and listen subscription with HK$49 monthly


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – Leading digital reading retailer and publisher Rakuten Kobo announces the expansion of its Kobo Plus subscription service to Hong Kong and Taiwan, following its launch in European and American countries. Booklovers now only need to download the latest Kobo Books App on their smartphones or tablets to enjoy unlimited access to over 1.5 million e-books and over 150,000 audiobooks, enabling them to enjoy the pleasure of reading anytime, anywhere.

Dive into a new field of interest

Kobo offers over 1.5 million books, covering a wide range of genres including popular novels, essays, economics, magazines, comics, and more from around the world. The Kobo Plus catalogue is ever-growing, with more titles being added to the collection each month. Hong Kong booklovers can now conveniently access the Kobo Plus subscription service directly through the Kobo Books App for iOS or Android or Kobo eReaders to begin discovering new authors and genres.

The Kobo Plus eBook and audiobook collection features a breadth of stories, including《剛剛好的優雅》by 林志玲,《看見你,聽見我,遇見愛:米米與白雪.佩岑沉浸式為愛朗讀》by 侯佩岑 and “Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference” by Jane Burbank, Frederick Cooper.

Book Recommendations
Audiobook
  • How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
  • “The Secret Sister” by M. M. DeLuca
  • 《剛剛好的優雅》by 林志玲 (Chinese Version only)
  • 《看見你,聽見我,遇見愛:米米與白雪.佩岑沉浸式為愛朗讀》by 侯佩岑(Chinese Version only)
  • 《傲慢佮偏見─台語版》by珍.奧斯汀Jane Austen (Chinese Version only)
  • 《世界古文明之旅:來一場有趣的歷史大冒險吧!》by 宋彥陞 (Chinese Version only)
eBook
  • “Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference” by Jane Burbank, Frederick Cooper
  • “Empires in World History: Power and the Politics of Difference” by Jane Burbank, Frederick Cooper
  • “The Librarian of Crooked Lane” by C.J. Archer
  • 《倒數五秒月牙》by李琴峰 (Chinese Version only)
  • 《別忘了你的暴龍!》by琳賽.華德, Lindsay Ward (Chinese Version only)
  • 《疑案辦:血色芙蓉》by唐嘉邦
  • 《6年存到300張股票2022修訂版》by 陳重銘 (Chinese Version only)
  • 《新多益滿分講師授課》by徐培恩 (Chinese Version only)
  • 《厭女:日本的女性嫌惡(全新增訂版)》by上野千鶴子(Chinese Version only)
  • 《主廚也想知道的美味密技:4大工法、22堂實戰課程、40道應用食譜,烹調祕訣都在科學中》by章致綱 (Chinese Version only)

New three subscription plans with 14-day trial period

Kobo Plus offers three budget-friendly subscription plans, allowing booklovers to choose the one that best aligns with their personal preferences and reading habits. Quick start to enjoy a complimentary 14-day trial period to experience the service:

Kobo Plus Read

(HK$49/month)

  • Access over 1.5 million eBooks
  • Read on any Kobo eReader or with the Kobo App
Kobo Plus Listen

(HK$49/month)

  • Access over 150,000 audiobooks
  • Listen with the Kobo App or select Kobo eReaders
Kobo Plus Read and Listen

(HK$65/month)

  • Access over 1.5 million eBooks and over 150,000 audiobooks
  • Read on any Kobo eReader or with the Kobo App. Listen with the Kobo App or select Kobo eReaders.

Kobo Plus is now available: https://bit.ly/3ODnMAS
Hashtag: #Rakuten

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

About Rakuten Kobo:

Rakuten Kobo, the top-2 eBook platform, provides more than 7-million Chinese and foreign languages eBooks and magazines, including over 250,000 Traditional Chinese eBooks, and several eReaders. It is the biggest market share eReader brand in Taiwan.

Rakuten Kobo has served over 63 million readers globally so far, offering book lovers reading fun with any book, anytime, anywhere, by any device, as long as they turn on the smartphone, tablet or eReader. Rakuten Kobo is owned by Tokyo-based Rakuten and headquartered in Toronto. For more information, please visit:

Climate Change Intensifies Heatwaves across Southeast Asia

Laos Still Doesn’t Have a Heat Action Plan to Combat Heat Waves
Man wipes his sweat with cloth.

Amidst a climate of confusion, Laos finds itself grappling with the unpredictable extremes of heatwaves and cold snaps. This trend is not isolated to Laos alone but is a sign of the larger global challenge posed by climate change.

Anya Hindmarch’s Chubby Hearts Capture the Smile and Love of Hong Kong

ComplexCon and DIOR Fashion Show are the next big hits to soon arrive in town


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – Love is in the air, literally, in Hong Kong. Chubby Hearts Hong Kong, curated and presented by the Hong Kong Design Centre, featuring a giant inflatable red heart designed by the award-winning British designer Anya Hindmarch, was launched in the city in February with great fanfare. As Anya Hindmarch’s giant chubby heart balloons fly over Hong Kong, infused a positive atmosphere, they are also spreading love throughout the urban landscape.

Chubby Hearts

Following hot on the heels of Louis Vuitton Men’s Pre-Fall 2024 show at Hong Kong’s Avenue of Stars, the city is introducing a stellar lineup of crowd-drawing world-class art and cultural events this year. These include the “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong”, Dior’s global unveil of the Dior Fall 2024 men’s show, world-renowned pop culture convention “ComplexCon”, and the centennial celebration of late Hong Kong literary icon Jin Yong.

As part of “Chubby Hearts Hong Kong” event, giant inflatable red hearts are popping up across Hong Kong, filling the entire city with love and smiles. The Chubby Hearts project was conceived by Anya Hindmarch in 2018, and it swiftly became a global design sensation. This marks the first time that the Chubby Hearts project is being showcased outside London, UK.

‘I am thrilled to be able to fly the Chubby Hearts over Hong Kong, one of my favourite cities in the world. I hope the installation brings a fun surprise to this vibrant, creative city, while spreading a little joy.’ Hindmarch said. “Hong Kong has always felt like a second ‘home’ to me, as the site of my first store back in 1993 and as such it has a special place deep in my heart”.

Chubby Hearts Hong Kong has kicked off the lineup of cultural and arts events this year, promising to charm visitors and locals alike. In the Hong Kong version, a Chubby Hearts centerpiece, the biggest in its collection with a diameter of approximately 12 meters, and surprise pop-up Chubby Hearts with a diameter of approximately 3 meters, appear at various iconic landmarks and scenic spots across the city.

The giant heart-shaped display is presented at Statue Square Gardens in Central from Valentine’s Day to the Chinese Valentine’s Lantern Festival (February 14 to February 24). Pop-up Chubby Hearts make surprise appearances at various landmarks and tourist spots in Hong Kong every day. For instance, they can be found in Sham Shui Po, one of the coolest neighborhoods in Hong Kong, as well as at The Peak, the highest point on Hong Kong Island, and the Flower Market, an urban oasis in the city. The event aims to encourage visitors and locals to explore Hong Kong’s hidden corners and showcase the city’s romantic landscapes.

Chubby Hearts

Furthermore, to foster design and cultural exchange while celebrating the city’s East-meets-West heritage throughout Valentine’s Day to the Chinese Valentine’s Lantern Festival, Chubby Hearts Hong Kong collaborates with cross-disciplinary local creative units. The creative line-up includes composer Leon Ko, who creates original music for the project; new media designer Nelson Ng, who creates a Chubby Hearts animation for Hong Kong; award-winning photographer Dr. Victor Wong, who captures the beauty of Hong Kong with the flying Chubby Hearts; travel photographer Derek Tang, who produces a creative short reel; and artist Tommy Fung of SurrealHK, who creates his signature surreal image.

Hong Kong has long been hosting major arts events such as Art Basel Hong Kong, and bi-annual auctions by the likes of Sotheby’s and Christie’s, all thanks to world-class exhibition facilities. It is also home to the Hong Kong Sevens, a highly respected annual sporting event that generates tremendous economy value for the city every year.

Last month, the Hong Kong government also shared an update on its world-class event ambition – it is set to host some 80 grand events in the first half of 2024, including a host of Asian premieres, such as ComplexCon, a highly popular festival on pop culture that was originated from Los Angeles. It is believed that these mega events also bring intangible benefits, such as creating positive impressions for visitors and promoting a positive image of Hong Kong.

Below is an overview of other upcoming world-class arts and cultural events:

ComplexCon to Make its Hong Kong Debut, Breaking Out from its Home Court in the US
The world-renowned pop culture event ComplexCon will be held outside of the US for the first time this year. From March 22 to 24, “ComplexCon Hong Kong 2024” will take place at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorld-Expo, featuring many exciting experiences in music, fashion, sports, art, food, and a wide range of limited-edition collaborations. The lineup for the live music performances includes 21 Savage, 3Cornerz, Simon Dominic, GRAY, Loco, Woo Won-Jae, Coogie, SHOU, Lexie Liu, and Novel Fregus.

A Global Spectacle – Dior Men’s Show Lands in Hong Kong
Following the success of the Louis Vuitton fashion show late last year, Dior will also unveil its Fall 2024 men’s show on March 23 in Hong Kong, marking the House’s global unveil of the collection in the city.

Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial Event, Introducing Hong Kong’s Cultural Classics to Young Tourists
To commemorate the centennial of the late Jin Yong (Louis Cha), the Hong Kong literary titan, the “A Path to Glory – Jin Yong’s Centennial Memorial” event will be held at Edinburgh Place in Central from March 15 to July 2. The exhibition will feature 10 sculptures created by famous Chinese sculptor Ren Zhe, depicting iconic characters from Jin Yong’s novels. Visitors can also experience a recreation of the Mongolian yurts from Jin Yong’s “The Legend of the Condor Heroes”. It will incorporate digital creative technology to bring to life Jin Yong’s martial arts characters.

Hashtag: #HongKong #ChubbyHearts #AnyaHindmarch #ComplexCon #JinYong

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

BOL Policy Mandates Foreign Investors to Open FDI Account

BOL Mandates Foreign Investors to Open Local Bank Accounts in Kip Currency
[FILE] this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: freepik)

Updated on 23 January at 4:40 pm

The Bank of Laos (BOL) has implemented a new regulation mandating foreign investors to open a Foreign Direct Investment Bank account (FDI) either in Lao Kip or a convertible foreign currency with a commercial bank within 15 days upon obtaining a business license.

APAC Nations Shine in Kearney’s 2023 Global Retail Development Index, Revealing Strategic Opportunities in Emerging Markets


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 February 2024 – In a year that has witnessed a reshuffle of emerging market potentials, global consultancy Kearney‘s 2023 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI) captures the core of a retail landscape at a crossroads. The report, a bi-yearly survey of the most promising retail markets worldwide, underscores the agility and dynamism of retail economies adapting to a reshaped world.

Asia Pacific (APAC) nations make a strong showing in global ranking

While the obvious candidates – China and India – continue to show an enduring appeal to global investors due to their market size and rapid consumer base growth, a host of other compelling opportunities emerge among their Asia Pacific neighbors. Across the region, APAC countries have displayed remarkable retail growth trajectories, with five APAC nations (India, China, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Bangladesh) securing positions among the top 15 economies for retailers to prioritize establishing a presence in, based on the GRDI.

In China, innovative technologies, experiential retail concepts and a highly digitized retail market continue to drive consumer spending. India’s retail sector thrives from a large working population, rapid urbanization, and government initiatives like Digital India, propelling e-commerce and modern retail formats.

Looking at emerging markets in Southeast Asia, Indonesia, for instance, benefits from a growing middle class, expanding infrastructure, and increasing urbanization, fostering a vibrant market for both traditional and modern retail players. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Cambodia demonstrate significant potential for catching up, fueled again by growing middle-class populations and urbanization, as well as favorable government policies attracting foreign investment.

Bangladesh, as another notable example of an emerging market experiencing high growth in the retail sector, has been propelled by its strong ready-made garment export industry, attracting major international brands and contributing significantly to its economic growth.

Overall, APAC nations serve as pillars of strength in the growing retail sector. The global retail e-commerce sector is projected to show a strong increase in sales, adding an absolute value of $1.4 trillion from 2022 to 2027. Of this growth, 64% is expected to come from emerging markets. APAC nations, in particular, are expected to lead the digital charge due to rapid growth anticipated in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand and India.

Six key trends emerge in this year’s GRDI

Globally, as retail growth extends beyond traditional powerhouses, the GRDI report identifies six pivotal trends shaping the retail landscape in emerging markets:

  • Macroeconomic uncertainty remains high, with global economic recovery being gradual and varying across developing economies.
  • Consumers are trading down to less expensive, local, and private label items due to inflationary pressure.
  • eCommerce growth continues unabated, with expectations to grow at twice the rate of brick & mortar retail by 2027.
  • Omnichannel strategies are becoming increasingly critical, with retailers in developing markets investing in omnichannel capabilities.
  • The rise in e-payments and BNPL options is reshaping consumer behavior, with rapid adoption in the APAC and MEA regions.
  • Retail AI and technological innovations are being leveraged to create new, experiential marketing approaches to attract and service consumers.

Siddharth Pathak, Asia Pacific Co-Lead, Consumer and Retail Practice, Kearney said:

This year’s GRDI reflects the diverse retail potential among emerging economies in Asia. From established powerhouses like China and India to rising stars such as Indonesia and Vietnam, each nation offers distinct opportunities and challenges for retail investment in the region.”

Success in this dynamic market hinges on retailers’ ability to adapt, innovate, and strategically navigate the diverse retail landscapes,” he added.

As global retail players strive to navigate a landscape marked by shifts in consumer behavior, technology adoption, and competitive activity, the 2023 GRDI provides an indispensable roadmap for developing sustainable strategic responses and forging winning value propositions.

Please find a link to the full report here: The 2023 Global Retail Development Index
Hashtag: #Kearney #GlobalRetailDevelopmentIndex #GRDI

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

Kearney

Kearney is a leading global management consulting firm with deep-rooted expertise in strategic transformation. We work with more than three-quarters of the Fortune Global 500, as well as with government bodies and non-profit organizations. As a global consulting partnership in more than 40 countries, our people make us who we are. We’re individuals who take as much joy from those we work with as the work itself. Driven to be the difference between a big idea and making it happen. We work alongside our clients to regenerate their businesses to create a future that works for everyone. To learn more about Kearney, please visit .