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Kishida Says Japan Is Ready to Lead Asia in Achieving Decarbonization and Energy Security

Kishida Says Japan Is Ready to Lead Asia in Achieving Decarbonization and Energy Security
 Indonesia's President Joko Widodo, third left, and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, fourth left, pose for a photo following the announcement of their joint statement to support meetings of the Asian Zero Energy Carbon (AZEC), at the prime minister's office in Tokyo, Monday, Dec. 18, 2023. The AZEC summit is held in Tokyo in conjunction with the ASEAN-Japan 50th anniversary Commemorative Summit. Other officials are Vice Chairman and Secretary-General of KEIDANREN (Japan Business Federation) Masakazu Kubota, from left, President of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia Tetsuya Watanabe, Economy Minister Saito Ken and Vice Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council Bernardino Moningka Vega. (David Mareuil/Pool Photo via AP)

TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida pledged to lead efforts to simultaneously achieve decarbonization, economic growth, and energy security in Asia, an ambitious goal he set Monday at a regional climate summit attended by Southeast Asian leaders.

Tracing Toll of Covid-19 Pandemic on Tourism Industry in Laos

Tracing the Toll of Covid-19 on Laos' Tourism
Tourism in Luang Prabang Province, Laos. (Photo: Nu)

A new report by the World Bank indicates the impact on the tourism industry in Laos of the Covid-19 pandemic.

FORESTAR Brokerage Co., Ltd. Presented with Corporate Excellence and Inspirational Brand Awards at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2023 Taiwan

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2023 – The Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2023 is pleased to honor Taiwan’s outstanding business leaders and enterprises who have played instrumental roles in spearheading Asia’s resurgence on the global stage. Presented by leading regional NGO Enterprise Asia, the APEA is the most reputable award recognition program recognizing entrepreneurial excellence across Asia. The APEA aims to congregate exemplary business leaders and enterprises across Asia into one unparalleled platform for fostering the continuity of sustainable entrepreneurial growth in Asian economies.

FORESTAR Brokerage Co., Ltd. (FORESTAR Brokerage) is among the award recipients under the Corporate Excellence and Inspirational Brand categories in the Financial Services industry. Founded in 2007 by President Dominick Liang and Chairman Liao Hsueh-Mao, brings together a team of outstanding industry veterans. FORESTAR Brokerage is dedicated to creating a sustainable life insurance platform where everyone can achieve their insurance goals and, together, convey the value of insurance.

For its Corporate Excellence Award, the company has noted 3 areas of success: personnel training, annual growth, and customer service.

FORESTAR Brokerage places great importance on the training of its personnel. The FORESTAR University was established to provide comprehensive training through a systematic curriculum structure comprising five colleges and three research institutes, catering to colleagues of different ranks.

Despite the Taiwanese economy being impacted by Covid-19, FORESTAR Brokerage’s business revenue has seen substantial annual growth. In fact, the company experienced a growth rate of 12.08% in 2022 which is the result of its commitment to education and training. Furthermore, FORESTAR Brokerage is dedicated to offering customers a comprehensive selection of insurance products and serving as the best bridge between insurance companies and clients. Currently, it represents 32 major life and property insurance companies. It strives to find the right products, tailor insurance plans to each customer’s needs, and leverage the strengths of each insurance product.

For its Inspirational Brand Award, FORESTAR Brokerage has won consumer trust with high professionalism and warm-hearted service, building a strong brand reputation and maintaining high growth rates in performance every year. In the first half of 2023, the company achieved its First Year Commission which grew by approximately 75% compared to the same period last year, and a 22% growth in the quantity of new policies.

Professionalism, integrity, and responsibility are the core values of FORESTAR Brokerage, which form the cornerstone of its success. With 17 years of company history, FORESTAR Brokerage has consistently maintained its commitment to excellence and innovation, adapting flexibly to the rapidly changing financial environment.

FORESTAR Brokerage has, thus far, collaborated with 32 life insurance companies, representing a vast array of insurance products, with up to a thousand different coverage combinations. This enables the company to stand on the side of its customers with objectivity and fairness, selecting reputable insurance companies and products that suit their needs.

The company also established the “Five Colleges and Three Research Institutes”. This system delivers professional knowledge systematically, inviting industry experts to cover topics ranging from insurance marketing to in-depth analysis and planning. This foundation equips the company’s business partners with insurance expertise and sales skills, propelling them toward becoming well-rounded professionals. Even in the midst of a volatile financial environment, it allows FORESTAR Brokerage to fulfill the function of risk transfer effectively.

The success of FORESTAR Brokerage lies not only in providing a livelihood for all colleagues within the company but, more importantly, in enabling each individual to flourish. As a role model in the industry, FORESTAR Brokerage tailors insurance solutions to meet the specific needs of its customers. In the future, it will continue to uphold the spirit of proactive innovation and sincere service, crafting each insurance policy with care to realize the true value of risk transfer for its customers.

Hashtag: #EnterpriseAsia

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

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are an investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplift the economic status of people across Asia, and ensure a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit www.enterpriseasia.org for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit .

Gourmet One Food Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd.’s Padchcharrin Heimeaungkloon Shines as Master Entrepreneur at Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2023 Thailand

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2023 – Enterprise Asia is pleased to honor Padchcharrin Heimeaungkloon, Managing Director of Gourmet One Food Service (Thailand) Co.,Ltd. (Gourmet One), with the prestigious Master Entrepreneur title at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards (APEA) 2023 Thailand. The APEA is a highly regarded platform that celebrates the exemplary achievements of business leaders and enterprises across Asia. This esteemed accolade is a testament to Padchcharrin’s outstanding leadership, dedication, and innovative approach to the food & beverage industry, which had ultimately led Gourmet One to become a prominent player in Thailand’s food & beverage service sector.

Padchcharrin established Gourmet One to cater to luxury hotels and high-end restaurants seeking premium culinary offerings upon recognizing the burgeoning demand for fine food products and ingredients within Thailand’s thriving tourism industry in 2007. Over the years, Padchcharrin’s dedication and expertise have propelled Gourmet One to the forefront of Thailand’s importers, distributors, and suppliers of premium food products from all corners of the globe.

After the company’s establishment, Padchcharrin successfully paved the way for some of the world’s leading, oldest, and biggest fine food product brands, such as De Cecco, Valrhona, Rougie, Westholm, Tartufi Morra Tartufalba, to enter the Thai market. The resulting sales volumes that exceeded set targets have led to esteemed brands appointing Gourmet One as their exclusive distributor in Thailand ever since. Over the years, Gourmet One has earned a solid reputation for delivering top-notch products and dependable services, backed by a dedicated team of 250 hardworking staff and a fleet of 60 temperature-controlled trucks. Holding HACCP certifications, the company further demonstrates its commitment to quality and safety. From humble beginnings, Gourmet One’s remarkable growth is evident in its current market share and assets, valued at over THB 1,700 million.

In 2016, Gourmet One expanded its operations into the food retail business with Gourmet & Beverage One (Thailand), also known as GB1, and successfully launched the retail brand “Sooooo Goood” on a digital platform. In 2018, GB1 added a sausage and smokehouse unit to its operation, as well as expanded its fresh produce supply network to wholesale markets in Bangkok by acquiring “Be Good Marketing”—a fruit import company.

In 2019, Gourmet One faced significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic. However, Padchcharrin saw an opportunity amidst the crisis. Leveraging the company’s access to imported fine food materials and a strong digital marketing platform, Gourmet One ventured into food delivery services, achieving success in a short period.

Gourmet One ventured into the restaurant business by opening “Sooooo Goood Gourmet”, a Spanish & Mediterranean casual fine dining restaurant located in the rapidly developing suburban area of Bangkok in 2021. The restaurant quickly gained popularity and became a resounding success. In the following year, Gourmet One invested over THB 300 million to establish two additional outlets: “La Brace”, a Mediterranean Grill House & Wine Bar, and “Bijour de Beurre Echire”, a contemporary French-style bakery and café. These new establishments firmly established Gourmet One’s presence in Bangkok’s competitive food landscape.

Under Padchcharrin’s guidance, Gourmet One’s vision is to be recognized as Thailand’s leading choice for food suppliers. Over the years, this vision has been embodied in its “mission with passion” to source and deliver the highest quality fresh produce, fine food products, and premium ingredients from global brands directly to customers’ doorsteps. The company aims to meet all customer requirements and provide an exceptional experience that surpasses expectations while staying up-to-date with the latest food industry trends.

Looking ahead, Gourmet One plans to expand its fine food service operations to neighboring countries, focusing on Cambodia and Laos initially. In the restaurant business, Gourmet One aims to support local agriculture by sourcing more high-quality organic ingredients, based on seasonal availability while also reducing food waste. Furthermore, Padchcharrin envisions a franchising opportunity for the company’s bakery-cum-café in Bangkok and other key tourist destinations like Pattaya, Phuket, and Chiang Mai.

Hashtag: #EnterpriseAsia

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

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise Asia is a non-governmental organization in pursuit of creating an Asia that is rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two pillars of existence are an investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship. Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs, and other organizations to promote competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, uplift the economic status of people across Asia, and ensure a legacy of hope, innovation, and courage for future generations. Please visit for more information.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious award for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation, and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform for companies and governments to recognize entrepreneurial excellence, hence spurring greater innovation, fair business practices, and growth in entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups leading entrepreneurs as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation-only networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 16 countries/ regions and markets all over Asia. For further information, please visit.

Diplomacy Meets Runway in US Embassy-Backed Fashion Show on Lao Traditional Clothing

Diplomacy Meets Runway in US Embassy-Backed Fashion Show on Lao Traditional Clothing
The US Chargée d'affaires Michelle Y. Outlaw along with the Lao modals performing a parade at the runway

Against the canvas of a vivid mural crafted by local Lao artists, Saturday evening unfolded as a testament to the power of Lao fashion in bridging cultures. The United States (US) Embassy and SANE’ Fashion staged a fashion show on 16 December at the American Center in Vientiane Capital to promote traditional Lao textiles and clothes through models and celebrities.

Cambodia Welcomes Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Plan to Return Looted Antiquities

Cambodia Welcomes Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Plan to Return Looted Antiquities
Two sculptures titled "Standing Shiva" and "The Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Seated in Royal Ease" at the Metropolitan Museum Art in New York

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia has welcomed the announcement that New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art will return more than a dozen pieces of ancient artwork to Cambodia and Thailand that were tied to an art dealer and collector accused of running a huge antiquities trafficking network out of Southeast Asia.

Laos Grapples with Surge in Abandoned Infants Amid Economic Turmoil

Laos Grapples with Surge in Abandoned Infants Amid Economic Turmoil
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Pexels)

Laos is grappling with a concerning rise in baby abandonment cases, with two incidents reported this month igniting public outrage and shedding light on the post-Covid challenges and the growing economic crisis.

High-Speed Rail Linking Nong Khai, Vientiane Expected to Complete in 2028

The Fuxing Hao CR300 train made by China's CRRC, which will run between Bangkok and Nakhon Ratchasima. (Photo: State Railway of Thailand)

The Nong Khai-Vientiane stretch of the Thai-China high-speed rail (HSR) project is anticipated to conclude construction in 2028, revealed Thai Deputy Transport Minister Surapong Piyachote on 14 December.