Teacher at a rural school in Laos. (Photo/World Vision)
In the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos is facing a challenge that many developing nations share: a need to improve its education system.
To this end, Asia-Potash International, a Chinese corporation, has recently partnered with the Lao Ministry of Education and Sports to establish the country’s first-ever education fund.
With an initial disbursement of USD 700,000, the fund can become a beacon of hope for Lao teachers and students alike, according to the corporation representatives.
The fund will support educators, financially disadvantaged students in impoverished regions, as well as the training of skilled professionals in those areas. The goal is to help to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Laos’s education sector, such as teacher shortages, lack of resources, and high dropout rates.
Three key assistance programs to support education in Laos have been drafted in the Memorandum of Understanding between private and government parties involved in the project.
A Teacher Assistance Fund will help teachers in impoverished regions and those who contribute to education but do not receive a monthly salary, while a Scholarship Fund aims to support financially disadvantaged students enrolled in regular schools, colleges, or universities across the country. And a Vocational Education Fund will aid technical personnel and research projects in vocational schools.
The initial disbursement of assistance funds is focused on six provinces in the central, northern, and southern regions as pilot areas addressing the needs of 1,436 individuals, including volunteer teachers, regular-education students, vocational-education students, and university students.
A staff member shows freeze-dried durian products at a fruit products company in Chanthaburi Province, Thailand, on17 August 2023. (Photo: Xinhua)
Thailand issued an official notice that set new fees for inspections and work permits for foreign workers from Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam to promote legal employment and address the issue of illegal immigration.
The new visa fee is THB 500 (approximately USD 13.84), down from THB 2,000 ( USD 55.36). The fee for applying for a temporary stay has also been reduced from THB 1,900 (USD 52.60) to THB 500.
The move, introduced in a ministerial order on 27 October, will take effect on November 10 for foreign workers from these four countries who enter Thailand to work based on an employment contract or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in connection with the recruitment of workers, and it will be valid for four years.
The measure is aimed at promoting legal employment and addressing problems related to illegal immigration and labor market stability. It will also ease the financial burden on both workers and employers.
The Thai government hopes that the reduced fees will encourage more foreign workers to legalize their employment when entering the country, ensuring that they are protected under Thai labor laws and that they contribute to the country’s social security system.
“This ministry regulation is in line with the government’s approach to regulating the employment of foreign workers to strengthen the country’s competitiveness and support economic recovery after COVID-19. Reducing fees is a means to ease the financial burden on both workers and employers,” Khaosod stated.
Thailand has a total of 2,593,439 foreign workers as of September. There are still approximately 1 million workers in the process of submitting work permit applications.
Thailand, along with South Korea and Japan, is a popular destination for Lao residents seeking better career opportunities, as the country continues to face high inflation, an increased cost of living, and low minimum wages.
Accelerating Hong Kong’s $250 Million USD market opportunity in digitisation services with the use of AI
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 31 October 2023 – CaptureTM Hong Kong, a leading service provider of analogue media digitisation, is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Law as the company’s Chief Product Officer. This strategic hire comes as Capture.HK seeks to capitalise on the rapidly expanding market opportunity with the design and development of product and services which use AI and machine learning. Capture projects that the Hong Kong market will require $250 million USD in digitisation services in the next ten years.
A Visionary Leader in Product Development
Jason Law, Chief Product Officer at Capture.HK, is a product visionary known for his strategic foresight and user-centric design principles. With a strong track record in product development, Jason has focused on attacked large markets where a new consumer experience and technology could solve scale issues.
@MelloMoney tackling the global issue of teaching 5-13 year old children how to develop healthy financial habits.
@Automate addressing the $7.7 billion USD insurance industry in Hong Kong using app engagement and AI based bots to dramatically speed up the insurance quotation process by 3X and offering it 24/7.
“The only way to scale and to provide products and services to delight customer is with the use of AI.” Says Jason Law, Capture.HK Chief Product Officer. “My fascination as a designer is to build products that can scale and showcase a brand’s value. There is an opportunity in every industry to harness the Golden Age of AI that we are experiencing, especially in consumer services.”
Capture.HK Products and the Use of AI
Photo Modernisation With Capture’s AI technology, the beauty and nostalgia of old photographs are meticulously preserved for generations to come. Through advanced algorithms and machine learning, the AI system intelligently analyses and modernises each image, effectively bringing faded and yellowed photos back to present day.
A customer had previously digitised 25 photo albums, digitising the photos into digital format. She was highly satisfied with Capture.HK’s service and mentioned that the digitised photos by Capture.HK were of better quality than the original ones.
Photo Album Image Cropping – extracting the value from an album With the use of machine learning, Capture.HK is now able to scan entire albums in high quality and extract just the most important parts of a photo album. Customers can of course manually remove each photo and scan them, but this is a time-consuming process that 95% of customers will never do.
Facial Recognition and Organisation Through a partnership with Google, one of the eminent AI and Cloud company in the world all of Capture.HK’s digitised photos and videos are uploaded to Google Photos. Using AI, Google Photos will identify organise collections based on customers’ faces. This functionality allows you to easily organise and search for photos based on the people present in them. Future Capture.HK products are being developed to take advantage of this powerful organisational tool.
Preserving Memories in the Digital Age with Capture.HK
Capture.HK is dedicated to safeguarding cherished memories in the digital era. With a comprehensive range of analogue media digitisation services includes photo albums, photographs, videotapes, digital media, and slides. Since its launch in 2022, Capture.HK has successfully fulfilled 100’s of orders, experiencing a remarkable growth rate of 139% in the number of orders Q/Q. This growth is a testament to the trust and satisfaction of our customers who have entrusted us with their invaluable memories.
“Jason’s exceptional product vision will play a critical role in driving our AI product development efforts, ensuring that we continue to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of our customers and enhance our operational productivity especially on photo album pre-cropping,” says Michael Chang, CEO of Capture.HK.
Capture.HK ensures that every analogue media is digitised into high-quality digital format, safeguarding them from deterioration and loss. Our team of memory specialists will utilise AI technology and advanced modernisation techniques to revive the true essence of your memories.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Capture Limited
Capture.HK is the leading analogue media digitisation service provider in Hong Kong. We digitise analogue media (photo albums, photographs, videotapes, digital media like USB Flash Drive, Compact Flash, DVD, etc) and slides, using our proprietary technology. Capture.HK is the only service that saves memories directly to Google Photos through secure Google authentication. In the USA, we have cooperated with Fujifilm, Google and retail giants like Walmart and Costco, to help more than 12 million families and organisations to safeguard their memories.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 31 October 2023 – Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, electronic access solutions and hinges/ positioning technology has expanded its line of electronic rotary latches with a new version that facilitates equipment security upgrades. Southco’s new R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch is designed to be used with a mechanical multipoint latching system or other combination of swinghandles and flat, round or hex rod solutions commonly used to drive multiple latching points to secure large cabinet doors.
With the rollout of 5G technology, Telecom operators are increasing the value and quantity of their equipment, which is often added to existing network enclosures located in remote outdoor areas. The R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch can be easily added to existing systems in the field without having to disassemble the mechanical latching system, allowing operators to retrofit existing hardware in the field and enhance security with minimal effort. Constructed of corrosion resistant stainless steel, the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch is sealed to IP67 and suitable for outdoor use.
The R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch combines a mechanical rotary latch with an electronic actuator for enhanced security and remote access control. It can be easily integrated with an existing mechanical multipoint latching system by installing the R4-05 latch on the door, next to the rod. When the striker is engaged with the lock, the rods cannot move, preventing operators from actuating the latch from outside of the enclosure. To access the door, a signal is sent to the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch from either an existing access control system or a standalone access controller, like a Bluetooth or RFID card reader. It then releases the striker, but remains in a closed, but unlocked position until the latch is operated normally from the outside of the enclosure. If the latch is not opened from the outside of the door, it moves back to the locked state, providing an added layer of security.
When combined with the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch, Southco Multi-Point Latch Systems provide a comprehensive solution for large door security applications. A simple handle turn of the multipoint locking system can secure multiple latch points along large doors. A wide range of locking security and handle styles, along with optional sealing features, make them suitable for most large door applications. When used as a standalone latch, the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch provides a concealed, push-to-close access control solution for a wide variety of industry applications where space is at a premium and remote access is needed.
Commercial Product Manager Todd Schwanger adds, “The R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch makes it easy to upgrade the security of Telecom enclosures and other valuable equipment. With a drop in assembly designed to fit most cabinet types and rod styles, the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch is ideal for quick field retrofits.”
For more information about the R4-05 Electronic Rotary Latch, please visit www.southco.com/R4-05 or email the 24/7 customer service at info@southco.com.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Southco
Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 70 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.
TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 31 October 2023 –Asian Automobile & Motorcycle Parts & Accessories Online Exhibition (AAMPA 2023) is a virtual and physical integration targeting Asian suppliers, importers, and exporters. It will be exhibited from October 31, 2023, to January 31, 2024, and will be an excellent opportunity for exhibitors to expose their brands. This transnational trade event, jointly organized by AsianNet and TradeAsia (www.e-tradeasia.com), be held once a year starting in 2022. In terms of quality and quantity, there are satisfactory results. In 2023, we will expand the scale. During the three-month extension period, there will be in line with the show schedule of the AAPEX and the SEMA to create group momentum. It is convenient for international buyers to visit and compare in one purchase.
Manufacturers and product categories have covered Auto Accessory, Auto Electrical System, Auto Electronic, Auto Parts, Motorcycle Parts, Vehicle Equipment & Tool with thousands of latest products, tools, and equipment on display. It can be said to be rich and professional.
Although the Covid-19 epidemic is slowing down, global countries have gradually unblocked. However, the international flow of people still needs to recover. At this time, online activities can make up for this deficiency by expand marketing. The Asian Automobile & Motorcycle Parts & Accessories Show (AAMPA 2023) provides a variety of online exhibition solutions, including exhibition pages, electronic catalogs, or virtual exhibition halls, and connects products and exhibitor information with TradeAsia, so that even if international buyers are thousands of miles away, they can easily visit and visit. They can further see the manufacturer’s particular page and leave information at the same time.
TradeAsia (www.e-tradeasia.com) has provided B2B international trade services for buyers and sellers since 1997. It is the most experienced and professional trade platform in the world. We currently have millions of global members, over 600,000 suppliers, and millions of the latest products. Thousands of professional buyers worldwide find products and contact sellers daily for business cooperation. TradeAsia is a significant trade promotion channel in Asia.
TradeAsia also partners with hundreds of trading entities worldwide to exchange marketing and promotion exposure. Therefore, the suppliers who go online on the TradeAsia will have the opportunity to be synchronized to the publicity pages of multiple trade platforms or exhibition entities worldwide, significantly increasing their international marketing power. During this time, AAMPA 2023 will also simultaneously broadcast promotional messages globally.
Hashtag: #AAMPA2023
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 31 October 2023 – THXNET, a Japan-based Web3-as-a-Service Blockchain Infrastructure firm, and AsiaTokenFund Group, a leading web3 conglomerate based in Asia today announced a strategic partnership with a focus on extending the reach of THXNET’s ground-breaking blockchain technology infrastructure services into the broader Asian market.
Founded just four years ago, THXNET has made significant strides in the blockchain realm. a pioneer in blockchain technology, proudly unveils its offering centered around its own dedicated Layer 1 (L1) infrastructure, meticulously empowered by the robust THXNET Layer 0 (L0) Rootchain. This innovative foundation is underpinned by the state-of-the-art Substrate framework, refined to perfection by the seasoned experts at THXLAB, the development company behind THXNET.
Its Layer 1 Blockchain achieved a pivotal milestone by going main-net this past June. Crafted with a singular vision to act as a bridge between the traditional digital landscape (web2) and the decentralized web3 future, THXNET serves as a Web3-As-A-Service provider. This approach offers web2 companies a hassle-free gateway to tap into the burgeoning world of web3.
“THXNET’s success is not just theoretical. We have two operational Layer 1 chains running on our main-net, demonstrating real-world viability and adoption,” says Aro Kondo, the CEO & Co-Founder of THXNET. At present, THXNET has already amassed multiple use-cases and clients building on top of its framework including gaming, digital asset wallet, lifestyle application etc.
Furthermore , adding to its portfolio of successes, its parent company BANQ has established a joint venture in Japan with a financial media company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, specializing in Web3 business. Leveraging THXNET as a platform, they are concurrently working on Web3 marketing, sports-related and carbon credit trading projects. The joint venture is also in discussions with several major group companies focused on finance and e-commerce.
It’s worth highlighting that THXNET’s innovative approach has already begun generating revenue from its Layer 0 and Layer 1 chain users. This revenue stream has positioned the firm as a self-sustaining entity in the competitive blockchain market.
But the innovations don’t stop there. THXNET is on the cusp of launching its new mobile application – the world’s first super-app designed specifically for developers. This ground-breaking app offers developers the unique ability to create, connect, build, and explore functionalities of the THXNET blockchain all within a singular interface.
“We recognize the challenges developers face in navigating the decentralized world. Our super-app is not just a tool; it’s a comprehensive solution, bringing all the functionalities they need to their fingertips, simplifying their journey in the blockchain space,” elaborates Aro.
Figure 1 – Mock-up of THXNET Mobile Application Super-App For Developers target to launch early Q4 2023. More info will be revealed on its launch.
The alliance with AsiaTokenFund Group is poised to be a game-changer. “This partnership melds our technical expertise with AsiaTokenFund’s deep market insights and presence. Together, we are not just aiming to make waves but to reshape the digital landscape across Asia,” comments Ken Nizam, the Co-Founder of AsiaTokenFund Group. This strategic partnership also sees the appointment and onboarding of Ken Nizam as THXNET Advisor and CMO, leading the go-to-market strategies in the Asian markets.
The collaboration between these two giants promises to push the boundaries of what’s achievable in the web3 realm, ensuring that the transition from web2 to web3 for companies is not just possible, but seamless and efficient.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About THXNET
At THXNEX, we pride ourselves on being at the forefront of Web3 technology, offering a comprehensive suite of services tailored to meet the demands of the modern digital landscape. Our core proposition revolves around the concept of Web3-as-a-Service (Web3aaS), embodying the next evolution in online experiences. Central to our offering is a dedicated Layer 1 (L1) infrastructure, meticulously facilitated by the robust THXNET Layer 0 (L0) Rootchain. This foundation is powered by the cutting-edge Substrate framework, fine-tuned to perfection by the experts at THXLAB.
About AsiaTokenFund Group
AsiaTokenFund Group (ATF) is an Asia-based powerhouse with a global reach, dedicated to championing the web3 ecosystem. Originating in 2017 as a blockchain media entity, ATF has magnificently evolved into a dominant Southeast Asian blockchain media source. Its metamorphosis encompasses a web3 marketing agency, technical development prowess, event mastery, an accelerator for web3 startups, while investing fervently in the web3 frontier. ATF’s core mission extends beyond innovation; it seeks to orchestrate a complete web3 ecosystem that draws in the next billion participants.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 31 October 2023 – Octa analyses the likelihood of the BNM keeping the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) unchanged at 3% at the upcoming Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting on 1 – 2 November. Learn about the potential impact on the Malaysian ringgit.
Key Takeaways
Headline inflation in Malaysia declined to 1.9% in September.
The Overnight Policy Rate (OPR) is unlikely to be raised at the next meeting, given the recent decline in headline inflation to below 2%.
The pause in the OPR change will continue to hurt the ringgit, and the probability of USDMYR rising above 5.0000 remains high.
The Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will meet on 1 – 2 November to decide on monetary policy. An overnight policy rate (OPR) increase may no longer be relevant, given the recent decline in headline inflation.
Notably, Malaysia’s current OPR currently stands at 3%, while Malaysia’s headline inflation, as measured by the consumer price index (CPI), eased to a 1.9% increase in September 2023, the lowest over the last two and a half years. The inflation rate for September 2023 was slightly below the consensus forecast of economists polled by Reuters and Bloomberg, at 2.2% and 2.1%, respectively. The forecast number considers significant external and internal risks to domestic inflation that should be monitored closely in the near term, namely rising energy prices and the ringgit falling.
‘In a low inflation environment, the decision to change the OPR is no longer relevant’, said Kar Yong Ang, the Octa financial market analyst. ‘This situation will continue to hurt the ringgit, which may eventually provoke a return to the monetary tightening strategy’, he added.
The ringgit depreciation is also affected by such factors as expectations that the U.S. federal funds rate remains high without clear signals of its decline. In addition, Chinese economic indicators were weaker than expected, and the easing of the People’s Bank of China’s monetary policy negatively impacted investor sentiment in the region. The probability of USDMYR growth above 5.0000 remains high. Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 42 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
HONG KONG SAR – EQS Newswire – 31 October 2023 – Global lifestyle brand MINISO recently opened three new stores in Hong Kong, including its current biggest store in the city at TKO Plaza, marking another milestone in its ongoing expansion. The store at TKO Plaza, plus the new Ma On Shan Plaza and Yuen Long Castle Peak Road locations, bring the brand’s upgraded shopping experience and fun, affordable, useful products to an even larger audience.
As part of MINISO’s brand upgrade, the new stores all feature an upgraded layout. Characterized with a clean and modern design, along with various distinct zones, these stores also emphasize popular product categories, including fragrances, blind boxes, plush toys and electrical appliances, all of which are top-performing categories for MINISO in the Hong Kong market.
Each of the three new stores also houses an exclusive IP zone, showcasing MINISO’s exciting array of co-branded products developed in collaboration with some of the world’s leading names, such as Barbie, Disney Toy Story, Snoopy, and more. As part of its strategic category optimization, MINISO will continue to attach great importance to IP products, with Pokémon, Mikko, Dundun Chicken, and other IP product ranges set to launch in the coming months.
MINISO’s new store openings come amidst the backdrop of strong financial performance from the 2023 fiscal year, ended June 30. The brand achieved global revenue of US$1,582.2 million, a 14% year-over-year increase, while overseas revenue for the year totaled US$521.7 million, a year-over-year increase of 45%. MINISO’s rapid expansion also continued during the fiscal year, with the opening of 214 new overseas stores, bring the total number to 2,187 overseas and 5,791 globally.
Bella Tu, Vice president and General Manager of MINISO Overseas Operations, said: “Our outstanding results from the 2023 fiscal year were fueled partly by our ongoing expansion overseas and continuously refined store model. Significantly, we achieved breakthroughs in both revenue and profitability during the June quarter. These three new stores in our directly operated Hong Kong market offer a further boost to our overseas expansion, and another step on our journey to making MINISO a global lifestyle super-brand.”
MINISO currently has stores in Hong Kong from Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, to New Territories East and West. As one of its important strategic markets in Asia, the brand hopes to reach a total of 100 stores in the city within next few years, with the opening of the TKO Plaza store marking a new beginning. New stores will include more high-potential locations, larger stores, and more IP-themed stores, such as the Sanrio-themed and Disney Pixar Food Collection-themed stores recently opened in other Asian markets. In doing so, MINISO aims to consistently bring new surprises to consumers every year, convey the brand’s ‘joy philosophy’, and bring more high-quality lifestyle products, and more joy, to Hong Kong consumers. Hashtag: #MINISO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About MINISO
MINISO Group is a global lifestyle brand offering a variety of design-led lifestyle products. The Company serves consumers primarily through its large network of MINISO stores, and promotes a relaxing, treasure-hunting and engaging shopping experience full of delightful surprises that appeals to all demographics. Aesthetically pleasing design, quality and affordability are at the core of every product in MINISO’s wide product portfolio, and the Company continually and frequently rolls out products with these qualities. Since the opening of its first store in China in 2013, the Company has built its flagship brand “MINISO” as a globally recognized retail brand and established a massive store network worldwide.