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Cushman & Wakefield 2023/24 Policy Address Response

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 October 2023 –

Response to the Policy Address 2023/24 by KK Chiu International Director Chief Executive Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield:

Land Supply

Cushman & Wakefield welcomes the government’s multi-pronged approach to increasing land supply, demonstrating a strong commitment to addressing the housing needs of the citizens. In addition to the designated areas in the Northern Metropolis, we recommend that the government promptly establish a comprehensive development blueprint and comprehensive infrastructure for the new town development areas. We are pleased to see the government is promoting new projects for the two railway lines and one road, which will contribute to the development of new towns in the eastern part of the Northern Metropolis. These measures will facilitate private developers in accelerating the development of the area, expediting new town development, and further enhancing the surrounding facilities.

Housing Supply

Cushman & Wakefield acknowledges the government’s proposal to enhance the quality and expedite the Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) as the innovative building technologies for public housing. However, the current demand for public housing still far outweighs the supply. We recommend that the government reevaluate the overall public housing policy. For instance, in the rental housing sector, the income and asset limits for eligibility to reside in public housing should be lowered to prevent the misuse of public housing and ensure that resources are allocated to those truly in need.

Furthermore, regarding subsidized sale housing, it is suggested that in the future, the sale of Home Ownership Scheme (HOS) flats should only be allowed in the secondary market at prices agreed upon by the owners, exclusively for buyers nominated by the Housing Authority. They should not be sold on the open market through land premium subsidies to maintain an adequate supply of HOS flats for eligible applicants.

International Hub for Post-secondary Education

The government’s proposal in the Policy Address to shape Hong Kong into an International Hub for Post-secondary Education by increasing the quota for non-local students in the eight subsidized universities to 40% is recognized by Cushman & Wakefield as a measure that contributes to the development of new industries and the cultivation of future talent. However, the current number of student dormitories falls far short of meeting the accommodation needs of students. Some tertiary institutions even face a situation where an average of six students compete for one dormitory place. Moreover, some students are unable to afford the high rental costs and struggle to find suitable housing units.

Therefore, we recommend that the government review and plan for long-term local dormitory supply. This could be achieved by considering the incorporation of provisions in land leases to support the construction or renovation of private student dormitories. Additionally, reserving land in the northern New Territories for educational use and engaging with educational institutions to improve related facilities would facilitate the future study experience of non-local students in Hong Kong.

Response to Policy Address 2023/24 by John Siu Managing Director Cushman & Wakefield Hong Kong

Data centre

The government is determined to transform Hong Kong into an international I&T centre. In line with “Hong Kong Innovation and Technology Development Blueprint”, the government is expediting the establishment of a supercomputing centre to foster AI development. From next year onwards, Cyberport will establish an AI supercomputing centre in phases, with a view to supporting the huge demand for computing power from R&D and relevant sectors and promoting industry development.

Hong Kong possesses a comprehensive and reliable network infrastructure, a robust demand, and a wide range of cloud service providers. It has always enjoyed a favourable business environment and a low tax rate structure, making it highly conducive for the development of the data centre industry.

However, the medium to long-term supply will be constrained by land scarcity, lengthy and complex approval procedures, and limitations in power supply. To promote Hong Kong as a world-class I&T centre hub, Cushman & Wakefield suggests the government to increase suitable land supply in popular areas such as Sha Tin, Tsuen Wan, Kwai Chung, and Faling, in streamlining the approval process for infrastructure and collaborating with power companies to enhance power allocation. These measures will attract more I&T centre operators to establish their presence in Hong Kong and drive its transformation into an international I&T centre.

Logistic Land Use

Cushman& Wakefield welcome the Government’s proposal in the Policy Address for the Action Agenda on the Northern Metropolis, which will closely align with the planning of Shenzhen and other cities in the Greater Bay Area. Such related planning undoubtedly contributes to Hong Kong’s development as a vital logistics hub connecting the mainland, particularly in the Hung Shui Kiu, in leveraging its advantages as a port to establish a modern logistics center. We recommend the government promptly implement the development plan and propel Hong Kong to become an important base for diversified logistics and supply chain operations.

Response to Policy Address 2023/24 by Kevin Lam Head of Retail Services Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

Cushman & Wakefield welcome the Government’s proposal in the Policy Address today, promote proactively on large-scale events such as artistic performances, exhibitions and local cultural tourism. With an innovative approach, it certainly can leverage Hong Kong’s strengths being an international hub for major events, thereby enhance the local competitiveness.

We anticipate the series of newly proposed activities will synergize, and can build upon last year’s proposal on urban sports and other local sports events, to attract both domestic and regional participants, resulting in supporting the growth of tourism, hospitality, retail, and food and beverage businesses, mitigating the dilution of local consumer spending power while travelling abroad.

Response to the Policy Address 2023/24 by Rosanna Tang Executive Director Head of Research Hong Kong of Cushman & Wakefield:

Talent Hosuing

In this year’s Policy Address, Cushman & Wakefield recognizes the Government’s commitment to expanding the talent pool through the introduction of a series of “attract and retain talent” policies. According to the policy address, as of the end of September, approximately 160,000 talent scheme applications have been received, with over 100,000 approved and around 60,000 talents have arrived in Hong Kong. As mentioned in our earlier published research report titled “Hong Kong Talent Housing: A New Niche Sector “, it is expected that the number of overseas talents and students settling in Hong Kong will continue to grow in the coming years. This indicates investment opportunities for rental apartment properties such as co-living, multi-families, and student housing. In fact, there have been recent plans by tertiary education institutions to acquire hotels for use as student dormitories. We expect an increase in investment opportunities in serviced apartments and hotel properties, as the demand for such rental accommodation rises with the influx of overseas talents and students. properties, as the demand for such accommodations increases with the arrival of more oversea talents and students.

Stamp Duty & Residential Market Forecast

Cushman & Wakefield welcomes the Government’s proposal in the Policy Address to adjust various stamp duty policies in response to market demands. Specifically, the application period for the Special Stamp Duty (SSD) has been shortened from three years to two years; Buyer’s Stamp Duty (BSD) and New Residential Stamp Duty (NRSD) have been reduced by half, from 15% to 7.5%. We believed these adjustment will help alleviate the costs for Hong Kong permanent residents when purchasing the second residential properties and for non-permanent residents to acquire properties, thereby improving market sentiment and restoring confidence among potential buyers and upgraders. Furthermore, these changes are expected to increase the supply and turnover of the secondary property market.

Moreover, Cushman & Wakefield is pleased to see that the government has accepted industry feedback and implemented the stamp duty suspension arrangement for incoming talents’ acquisition of residential properties. This policy is expected to align more effectively with the government’s efforts to attract and retain talents, removing barriers for prospective talents looking to develop their careers in Hong Kong. It will contribute to Hong Kong’s ability to attract and retain talents, thus building a diverse talent pool.

The various stamp duty policies will indeed have a positive impact to the residential market. It is hoped that the government will continue to pragmatically review its policies by collecting and studying real-time changes and data from the market from multiple perspectives, and make proactive policy adjustments without waiting for the next Policy Address.

Looking ahead, it is anticipated that residential property transactions will rebound by 20% to 30% following the government’s stamp duty reduction. However, the current housing market in Hong Kong is still affected by factors such as high interest rates, stock market fluctuations, and global economic uncertainties. Additionally, developers hold a significant amount of unsold inventory, resulting in a relatively high level of housing supply. As a result, it is unlikely that there will be an immediate and significant V-shaped rebound in property prices. Nevertheless, in the long run, the adjustments and relaxation of stamp duty measures will contribute to the stable development of the property market.

Response to the Policy Address 2023/24 by Alva To Vice President Greater China & Head of Consulting Greater China of Cushman & Wakefield:

Northern Metropolis

Cushman & Wakefield welcome the Government’s proposal in the Policy Address to accelerate the development of the Northern Metropolis. Building upon the foundation of the four major zones, the government will further consolidate and position land in various regions by providing a more focused and practical direction for the overall development of the Northern Metropolis. It is crucial to emphasize that the focus should not solely be on residential supply, but rather on industrial development and transportation networks. The former statement can generate substantial employment opportunities and act as an engine for driving economic growth, while the latter serves as a catalyst for regional and industrial development, facilitating external connectivity and sustainable growth.

The Innovation and Technology Center holds crucial significance as the San Tin Technopole and Shenzhen Innovation and Technology Zone determine the industrial positioning of the entire Northern Metropolis. Therefore, we suggest the government to expedite the development of the Innovation and Technology Zone in order to enhance the execution capabilities of various departments, and promptly implement the action details outlined in the policy address. This will align with the rapid progress in Shenzhen and maintain Hong Kong’s competitiveness with a synergistic effect.

Adjustment of Measures in the Hong Kong Property Market in Accordance with Market Positioning

Hong Kong’s current economic situation and the positioning and industrial development, have undergone significant changes since the implementation of stamp duty measures. Today, Hong Kong has become an internationalized world-class city, driven by the Greater Bay Area and One Belt and Road initiatives. It has also become a vital strategic hub connecting Mainland China with the rest of the world. Therefore, Hong Kong must provide the most stable, efficient, safe, and free business environment to effectively support the operations of international enterprises and investors. It should also minimize restrictive policies, including the current stamp duty measures. It is hoped that the government will pragmatically continue to review the stamp duty adjustment policy to facilitate Hong Kong’s future development.

(Click here for high-res pictures)

Hashtag: #CushmanandWakefield

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

Global Content Industry Professionals Gather in Taipei for TCCF 2023

Asia’s Largest Pitching Sessions Return with International Projects for the First Time

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 25 October 2023 – This October 25 the Taiwan Creative Content Agency (TAICCA) hosted a press conference at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei to announce the 2023 edition of the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF). This year’s event will take place from November 7 to 12 bringing together content industry professionals from renowned international media companies (Warner Bros. Discovery, CJ ENM, etc.) as well as international filmmakers and creators. TCCF 2023 features a full schedule of activities divided in three main sections: PITCHING, MARKET, and INNOVATIONS.

與會者合照(由左至右)夢想動畫創辦人林家齊、文策院副院長張文櫻、文化部文創發展司司長江清松、法國在台協會學術合作暨文化處處長雷詩雅、文策院董事長蔡嘉駿、中華電信個人家庭分

Among TCCF 2023’s goals are the promotion of copyright licensing and co-production opportunities while matchmaking global IP proposals with potential investors. Additionally, the event will feature exhibitions and panels to foster the exchange of ideas and experiences among professionals in the industry, as well as connect Taiwanese talent with international resources. During the press conference TAICCA’s Chairperson, Homme Tsai, highlighted that “recently announced policies by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture have greatly stimulated private investment in Taiwanese content. Yet, TAICCA’s most important goal goes beyond funding, our priority is to connect corporations, businesses and other funding sources around the world with the right talents, technologies, and content.”

TCCF’s PITCHING has become the largest pitching event in all of Asia with 539 submitted projects from 29 regions around the world and surpassing the US$160,000 mark in prizes. For the first time, it has welcomed international projects into its Project to Screen sessions, following high-quality film and television proposals across all formats: feature films, series, animation, and documentaries. Furthermore, TCCF has announced a new Story to Screen session looking into Taiwanese IPs with potential to be adapted into audiovisual works. All prize winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on November 10. Phil Tang, president of Greener Grass Culture, the production house behind the recent Taiwanese Netflix hit such as The Killing Game, explained the criteria during the project selection: “The most important factor is the IP sustainability, IP projects with long-term development potential, which is especially valuable in the rapidly changing media landscape in Taiwan. (…) Secondly, I prefer projects that follow current society trends in Taiwan or the world, this aspect always attracts international audiences.”

MARKET, the B2B content marketplace, extends its duration from 3 to 4 days and, with more than 100 companies attending, breaks its participation record. International media juggernauts such as Fuji Television, TVBI or Mediacorp TV will all set up booths at TCCF. In addition, MARKET will also feature Taiwanese film commissions, innovative technology companies and, for the first time, national pavilions, with South Korea, Japan and France as the first invited countries. On the stage, Cécile Renault, head of culture, university cooperation and education of the French office in Taipei recognized that “France and Taiwan share many common values, such as democracy and freedom of speech. I have high hopes for French-Taiwanese collaboration and anticipate the creation of internationally acclaimed films and television series in the future.”

The third section, focused on the intersection between content and technology, INNOVATIONS, will present 21 immersive artworks including installations and MR/AR experiences. TCCF will also host a series of workshops, panels and masterclasses with trailblazers in the industry from local and international institutions such as Venice International Film Festival, Ars Electronica or KKCompany. The founder of the participating VFX company MOONSHINE Studio, Chia Chi Lin, hopes that “by gradually introducing new technologies into content creation through events like TCCF, we can expand the imagination of creators and showcase Taiwan’s cultural technology.”

Concurrently with the events at the three main sections, TCCF will also introduce an Industry Stage hosting keynotes, panels and spotlight presentations on diversity and future opportunities in the content industries. Among the speakers are filmmakers Adele Lim, writer of Crazy Rich Asians and director of Joy Ride, and Felipe Gálvez Haberle whose debut film, The Settlers, was awarded the FIPRESCI prize at Cannes 2023; key international players like Takeshi Natsuno, CEO of Kadokawa Corporation, and Janice Chua, vice president at Imagine International, production company founded by Ron Howard and Brian Glazer; and representatives from technology leaders such as Peter Wu, CEO of ASUS Cloud and Taiwan Web Service Corporation, and Eric Kang, senior manager, solution architect at NVIDIA.

Taiwan Creative Content Fest 2023 takes place from November 7 to 12 at Songshan Cultural and Creative Park and Taipei New Horizon. Professional badges are now available to purchase until October 31st at TCCF’s official website or on-site during the event.

For more information on TCCF 2023 check the official press kit.
Hashtag: #TCCF

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

Mysterious Glowing Orbs to Emerge from Mekong River in Annual Spectacle

Mysterious Glowing Orbs to Emerge from Mekong River in Annual Spectacle
FILE: this image is used only for representational purpose (photo: Curious Historian)

In a mesmerizing annual spectacle known as the “Naga Fireball phenomenon”, mysterious glowing orbs emerge from the depths of the Mekong River, where its waters draw a natural border between Laos and Thailand.

ARTE M Hong Kong Celebrates First Anniversary with 4 New Exhibits

“Ephemeral Moment, Eternal Nature” Photo and Short Film Contest in Which First Prize Winners Will Win Round-trip Flight to Seoul and ARTE Museum Valley Gangneung Tickets

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 25 October 2023 – It was a year ago in October 2022 when ARTE M HONG KONG – part of the “ARTE MUSEUM” global exhibition brand launched by acclaimed Korean design company d’strict – opened its doors to the public in Hong Kong. Since then, the immersive media art exhibition space has provided art lovers with a one-of-a-kind art-tech experience in a world of compelling visuals, complemented by sounds and scents.

ARTE M - media outreach.jpeg

To celebrate its first anniversary, ARTE M HONG KONG will not only present a new series of exhibits starting from today, but also organize the “Ephemeral Moment, Eternal Nature” photo and short film contest, the first prize winners of which will win two Hong Kong-Seoul round-trip flight tickets and two tickets to ARTE Museum Valley Gangneung.

Inspired by the theme “ETERNAL NATURE”, ARTE MUSEUM reinterprets elements and spaces in nature through immersive media art. As a continuation of the theme, four new media art exhibits are being introduced at ARTE M HONG KONG to offer visitors a novel experience: STARRY BEACH, a spectacle of splashing waves on a dark ocean night that resemble stars in the night sky; UNDERWATER, a fantastic journey under the sea with giant egrets as company; PINK LAGOON, a pink-hued space that represents the dreamy color of the sea at sunset in our imagination; and FLOWER COSMOS, which embodies nature in its orderly, ever-renewing state. Each exhibit has been thoughtfully designed to integrate into the unique space of ARTE M HONG KONG to offer the strongest possible visual impact. Aided by sounds and fragrances, the moving images are meant to create a new reality.

Riding on its one-year anniversary, ARTE M HONG KONG is also rolling out a variety of programs to engage the public, including a mask making workshop during Halloween, open to the public for free. The highlight will be the “Ephemeral Moment, Eternal Nature” photo and short film contest, which features two categories, namely photo and short film. To take part, interested parties simply need to share their original works of photography or short videos of the new media art exhibits at ARTE M HONG KONG on their own social media accounts between now and 18 December 2023. Prizes include:

First prize (one winner for each category)

  • Two Hong Kong-Seoul round-trip flight tickets and two tickets to ARTE Museum Valley Gangneung (worth over HK$10,000)

First runner-up (two winners for each category)

  • ARTE M fragrance (worth over HK$1,000)

Second runner-up (four winners for each category)

  • ARTE M souvenirs (worth over HK$500)

For more information, please refer to the social media pages of ARTE M HONG KONG:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/ARTEM.HONGKONG
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/artem_hongkong/

Sean Lee, CEO of d’strict, said: “We are grateful to the visitors who have visited ARTE M over the past year, traveling to and from Hong Kong, after inaugurating ARTE M on October 7th last year.” said Sean Lee, CEO of d’strict, producer of ARTE M. He also said ” ARTE M, through a multitude of new artworks, anticipates becoming a space that brings joy and tranquility to even more visitors in Hong Kong, the central hub of culture, arts, and tourism, through its renewal.”

Four new media art exhibits at ARTE M HONG KONG:

STARRY BEACH As soon as you step into the exhibition space, the sound of splashing water and the faint smell of the sea intrigue your senses.

You find yourself transported to the STARRY BEACH as waves undulate in front of your eyes. Under the shiny stars, the sea glimmers gently in the dark. Take a romantic stroll, and if the waves inspire you, play an ode to mother nature on the piano.

UNDERWATER As you leave the STARRY BEACH, playful tunes will lead you into the UNDERWATER world. Schools of fish swim nonchalantly by when giant egrets suddenly appear. One moment the social birds are motionless, and the next they start strolling, sometimes poking their heads into the water to explore the undersea world with you.
PINK LAGOON In the flicker of an eye the egrets have disappeared, replaced by another long-legged bird – the flamingos. The sunset has painted the sea a radiant pink. Under the exotic trees, the flamingos walk around elegantly, as if giving you a ballet performance. Curiosity prompts them to move closer until shyness makes them step back. Or perhaps they want to invite you for a game of hide-and-seek?
FLOWER ‘COSMO’ The sea soon fades away and garden cosmos bloom with vigor. The wind blows, sending petals flying and floral fragrance into your nose while a soothing melody plays. Sit on the ground carpeted by fallen petals, relax your mind and body, and let the harmony and beauty of nature engulf you. The universe pulses in rhythm and life begins anew.

Hashtag: #ARTEMHK #FREEAIRTICKET #ARTEMPHOTO #ARTEMVIDEO


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

ARTE M HONG KONG

ARTE M is a special exhibition space showcasing selected highlights from the d’strict’s ARTE MUSEUM, an immersive media art exhibition space. Here at K11 HACC, you can experience the best of ARTE MUSEUM, which reinterprets the subject and space of nature as media art under the theme of ETERNAL NATURE, in the heart of Hong Kong. Breathtaking visuals, sensuous sounds, and elegant fragrances harmonize to create a spectacularly immersive experience.

ARTE M HONG KONG
Address 2/F, K11 HACC, K11 ATELIER, 728 King’s Road, Quarry Bay
Opening hours Monday to Friday

11am to 7pm (Last admission: 6pm)

Saturdays, Sundays & public holidays

10am to 7pm (Last admission: 6pm)

Ticket price

(limited-time offer)

  • Adult (ages 18 to 64)

$88 (Mon to Fri) / $98 (Sat, Sun & public holidays)

  • Concessions – children (ages 3 to 11), students, seniors (aged 65 and above)

$68 (Mon to Fri) / $78 (Sat, Sun & public holidays)

  • Infants (aged 3 or below)

Free admission

* Concession ticket holders must present valid proof (student ID/personal ID) on site

Official website

National Assembly Set to Address Critical Issues in Upcoming Session

Constituents Raise Pressing Issues in Laos at National Assembly Session
The Fifth Ordinary of the Ninth National Assembly Legislature. (Photo: Phouthen Pasaxon News)

Lawmakers are gearing up for the 6th Ordinary Session of the 9th National Assembly, where they will tackle pressing issues and explore solutions for promoting development in the country. The session is scheduled to run from 31 October to 22 November and will be a critical platform for discussing the nation’s most pressing challenges.

Luang Prabang Takes Stand Against Non-Compliant Signs to Improve City’s Appearance

Signs with more of the Chinese language (Photo: Pathed Lao)

In recent months, the Information, Culture, and Tourism Office in Luang Prabang has been actively taking steps to remove illegal advertising signs from the city. 

Software AG redefines enterprise integration to manage growing chaos of connectivity in hybrid multi-cloud environments

New category of integration platform is necessary to help manage sprawling tech infrastructure. Re-positions Software AG as an enterprise integration company

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 25 October 2023 – Software AG (Frankfurt TecDAX: SOW), is re-defining enterprise integration with the launch of the ‘Super iPaaS’ – a new category of integration platform necessary to meet the changing needs of large, modern businesses. The ‘Super iPaaS’ will help manage the chaos of connectivity caused by rapid digital expansion: a growing and formidable challenge for today’s businesses that current integration tools cannot tackle because they are too focused on only one or two relevant capabilities and cannot handle hybrid multi-cloud environments.

Software AG Headquarters View from Germany
Software AG Headquarters View from Germany

A Super iPaaS helps large enterprises maintain good IT governance while giving them ways to become more agile and productive. In order to do this, it must have five key components, the inclusion of which is what makes the Super iPaaS different from all integration tools that came before. The five capabilities are:

  1. Integrates Applications + Data + APIs + B2B + Event streams.
  2. Enterprise end-to-end hybrid integration: mainframe to cloud.
  3. Global to meet data sovereignty laws yet managed centrally to assure governance.
  4. A common user-interface across all aspects of the platform.
  5. Leverages the power of generative AI to drive agility and productivity.

Software AG fulfils the criteria for the Super iPaaS with its webMethods.io and StreamSets products.

Sanjay Brahmawar, CEO of Software AG commented: “Every company wants to innovate; but every company feels some kind of pain when they try. We are more reliant on data and insight than ever before and yet even the largest organizations in the world are forced to use old-gen tools to try and unlock the true value in their data. We’re here to change that. We’re here with an enterprise integration proposition that doesn’t exist anywhere else. Integrate anything. Anywhere. Anyhow. Businesses don’t have this freedom to operate as they need to today. But they will now, with the Super iPaaS.”

Nicolas Betbeder, Senior Vice President, Asia Pacific Japan, shared insights on the impact of the Super iPaaS in the region, stating: “Integration helps Enterprises become more productive and innovative by tying their modern and legacy systems like in the case of Komatsu. Our hyprid integration platform brings capabilities that address current enterprise integration challenges. Super iPaaS will facilitate organizations’ long-term objectives of providing delightful experiences to their customers, employees and partners, driving digital transformation and fostering a more connected digital future.”

The Super iPaaS helps organizations find benefits in three key areas:

  • It enables organizations to be more agile: Organizations become able to adapt as quickly as the technology landscape changes and work the way they want. With a unified platform across data and application integration, they get a seamless flow of data so they can make decisions using their data and put them into action immediately. They can develop integrations anyway and anyhow their teams prefer, and then deploy them in any cloud or region in a click.
  • It lets organizations be more productive and get more done: With a unified integration platform, teams need to learn less and can collaborate more. They can build applications and experiences and deploy them as APIs in one motion. It lets business technologists automate workflows using generative AI but manage them centrally to avoid shadow integrations.
  • It gives organizations control to reduce their risk: With centralized control and distributed execution, integrations can run anywhere. With a “single pane of glass” across their integrations, APIs and data pipelines for end-to-end visibility across transactions, organizations have a unified experience for all integrations that delivers complete observability and offers compliance without adding chaos.

Hashtag: #SoftwareAG #SuperiPaaS #iPaaS

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

About Software AG

Software AG helps companies create effortlessly connected experiences for their customers, employees and partners. Its enterprise-grade iPaaS integrates anything, anywhere, any way users want by bringing application, data, B2B, API and event integration together in the same generative AI-enabled platform.

Trusted by the world’s best brands for more than 50 years, Software AG enables end-to-end visibility and governance across geographies, IT environments, and complex business ecosystems, with hybrid multi-cloud connectivity, and enterprise-grade security relied on by banks, governments, and corporations around the world.

Software AG is majority owned by Silver Lake, the global technology investment firm. For more information, visit . And follow on and .

Swiss-Belhotel International Continues Expansion in Africa with Second Property in Nairobi

NAIROBI, KENYA – Media OutReach – 25 October 2023 – Swiss-Belhotel International, has announced the signing of its second property in Nairobi, further establishing its presence in the Kenyan capital. This exciting development comes less than a month after the signing of its previous hotel in the city.

Clare Njeri Githunguri and Lilian Joy Nyagaki Githunguri with Laurent Voivenel
Clare Njeri Githunguri and Lilian Joy Nyagaki Githunguri with Laurent Voivenel

The renowned Nairobi Safari Club will be rebranded as ‘Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel’. The transition, culminating in a full takeover, is slated for 1st March 2024. Initially, the focus will be on embedding Swiss-Belhotel International’s standards and minimal branding, with subsequent plans to refine the property’s offerings.

Built in 1984, Nairobi Safari Club is Nairobi’s only all-suite hotel and stands as a landmark in the city’s central area. The 4-star property boasts 146 rooms, ranging from studio, panorama rooms to executive and presidential suites. The hotel offers extensive conferencing facilities, including exclusive private rooms on the top floor.

The hotel is owned by Mukawa (Hotels) Holdings Limited.

The Directors of Mukawa (Hotels) Holdings Limited, Clare Njeri Githunguri and Lilian Joy Nyagaki Githunguri, expressing their delight, stated, “Joining forces with Swiss-Belhotel International is not just a business decision, but a commitment to elevating the Nairobi Safari Club experience and setting new hospitality benchmarks. The fusion of our legacy with Swiss-Belhotel International’s global expertise will craft a distinctive hospitality experience for travellers in Nairobi.”

This strategic signing by Swiss-Belhotel International not only amplifies its presence in the African continent but also aligns with its broader vision of capitalizing on emerging markets with robust potential.

Mr. Gavin M. Faull, Chairman and President of Swiss-Belhotel International, stated, “As the tourism industry continues to grow in Africa, we are seeing an increased appetite for our world-class brands from hotel owners in the continent. Our accelerated growth trajectory in Nairobi reflects our confidence in the Kenyan market.”

Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEA & India, and Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources & Talent Development at Swiss-Belhotel International, added: “This is a significant milestone for us. With an eye on the changing market dynamics, we are strategically building our portfolio to inspire more guests to experience our brands and hotels. Nairobi Safari Club’s iconic status combined with Swiss-Belhotel’s operational excellence will undoubtedly create a unique hospitality offering in the heart of Nairobi.”

Hashtag: #swissbelhotel #swissbelhotelinternational #africahotel #nairobisafariclub #hospitality #nairobihotel #nairobitourism #swissbelafrica



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