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Lao Authorities Seek Ways to Reduce Unregulated Fires, Tackle Air Pollution

Locals attempted to put out a forest fire in Borkeo Province in the evening of 7 April 2020. (Photo: Lao Youth Radio FM 90.0 Mhz)

As the dry season approaches, the annual forest and garbage burning issue looms large.

Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away at Age 66

Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang Passes Away at Age 66
Former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang speaking at the EU-China Summit in Brussels, Belgium in 2019. (photo: Thierry Monasse)

On the morning of 27 October, the world mourned the passing of former Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, a leader who navigated China through a complex period in history, who lost his life to a sudden heart attack in Shanghai, China.

Workshop on Canada-Laos Trade Policy Talks Indo-Pacific Strategy

Participants at the workshop on Canada-Laos Trade Policy. (Photo supplied)

On October 12, Canadian Chargé d’Affaires Bob Paquin and Director General of the Department of Foreign Trade Policy, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, Saysana Sayakone, co-chaired a workshop on Canada-Laos Trade Policy.

The workshop featured presentations by Ottawa-based senior Canadian officials on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, and an update from both Canada and Laos on the Canada-ASEAN FTA, which is currently being negotiated.

The workshop was moderated by Canadian Chamber of Commerce CEO Kevyn McGraw, and was attended by ministry and private sector representatives. It resulted in a vibrant discussion on Canada and Laos’ trade relationship and much greater understanding on the upcoming benefits of successfully concluded Canada-ASEAN FTA.

Chargé d’Affaires Paquin described the workshop as a “very useful and informative bilateral information sharing session on trade policy, especially with regard to the huge potential to improve trade and investment between Canada and ASEAN, and especially here in Laos.”

The workshop began with a presentation on Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy from Canadian Strategy Secretariat Head Christian DesRoches, who attended virtually. DesRoches explained that Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which was launched in November 2022, presents a comprehensive and integrated set of strategic priorities for the coming decade, spanning defense and security, trade and economic cooperation, people-to-people ties, international assistance, and environment and climate change.

Underpinning this Strategy is the recognition that Canada must expand its presence and strengthen its partnerships in the region. The Strategy has had immediate local impacts for Canada’s mission in Laos, which will be increasing in size with an additional Canadian diplomat arriving in Vientiane this October. Chargé d’Affaires Paquin also underscored that the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service is active across the ASEAN region, including in Laos. The Trade Commissioner Service helps companies navigate the complexities of international markets and make informed business decisions.

This year also saw the creation of a Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Laos. CanCham will work with partners, government agencies and the business community to promote responsible business practices and support sustainable economic growth and shared value for local and Canadian businesses.

Expanding Canada’s regional engagement is a key element of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and is rooted in a commitment to strengthening and diversifying Canada’s regional partnerships, including ASEAN. Canada and ASEAN benefit from decades of trust and engagement in development, security, and trade partnerships, as well as shared histories and cultures.

However, Chargé d’Affaires Paquin also reflected that, despite the Indo-Pacific Strategy and its focus on ASEAN, Canada-Laos bilateral trade was only USD 43 million in 2022, down from a high of USD 50 million in 2019, dropping mostly due to the Covid pandemic. Moreover, with Laos graduating from Least Developed Country status in 2026, Laos will lose some of its comparative advantages as a Canadian trading partner.

To help address trade barriers with Laos, and other ASEAN countries, and offset the impacts of the Covid pandemic and Laos’ graduation among other regional obstacles, Canada and ASEAN launched free trade negotiations in November 2021. The fifth round of negotiations recently concluded.

Paquin explained that success in establishing a mutually beneficial FTA “will bring many benefits to both parties,” such as reducing trade barriers. Laos-Canada trade is expected to increase by at least USD 5 million when the FTA is in place. Attending virtually, Canada’s Deputy Chief Negotiator, Alisha Somerville, reported on the status of negotiations, and described some of the capacity building Canada is planning to provide to the Lao negotiators.

Director General Saysana Sayakone also shared his thoughts on the benefits of an FTA, as well as progress on FTA negotiations. He commented that the Canada-ASEAN FTA would be beneficial for Laos, especially after the country graduates from Least Developed Country Status in 2026. Sayakone also noted that he and his team look forward to participating in FTA negotiations in Canada. Director General Sayakone reflected that the workshop was a useful learning opportunity for ministry staff and expressed his hope that more such workshops will be hosted by Canada in the future.

Laos Considers Raising VAT Rate to Boost Revenue

(Photo from Ministry of Finance)

The Lao Ministry of Finance is considering raising the value-added tax (VAT) rate from 7 to 10 percent in an effort to boost government revenue and support the economy.

IMPORTANT DEADLINE: ROSEN, A RANKED AND LEADING FIRM, Encourages AeroVironment, Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important October 30 Deadline in Securities Class Action – AVAV

New York, New York – Newsfile Corp. – October 26, 2023 – WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) between June 29, 2021 and December 7, 2021, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important October 30, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased AeroVironment securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the AeroVironment class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18820 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than October 30, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the defendants made false and/or materially misleading statements by creating the false impression that they possessed reliable information pertaining to the Company’s projected growth and record backlog and also minimized any risk from COVID-19 (coronavirus), specifically explaining they were monitoring supply chain issues and affirmed their record backlog would provide a basis for strong growth. However, according to the lawsuit, AeroVironment had been experiencing a decline in sales in all of their core businesses. According to the lawsuit, defendants misled investors by providing the public with materially flawed revenue guidance for fiscal 2022. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the AeroVironment class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=18820 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————-

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

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

ROSEN, GLOBAL INVESTOR COUNSEL, Encourages Kenvue Inc. Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action Initiated by the Firm – KVUE

New York, New York – Newsfile Corp. – October 26, 2023 – WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Kenvue Inc. (NYSE: KVUE) pursuant and/or traceable to the registration statement and prospectus (collectively, the “Registration Statement”) issued in connection with the Company’s May 2023 initial public offering (“IPO” or the “Offering”), of the important December 8, 2023 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Kenvue securities you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Kenvue class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=19241 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than December 8, 2023. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs’ Bar. Many of the firm’s attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, the Registration Statement contained false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Kenvue faces potential headwinds as a result of confirmed concerns about the efficacy of phenylephrine (or “PE”) , which it knew or should have known; (2) Kenvue did not discuss risks relating to the efficacy of phenylephrine in its IPO, the utility of which had been questioned since at least 2007; (3) while Kenvue disclosed risks relating to litigation, it did not disclose specific risks relating to potential litigation arising from adverse findings on the efficacy of phenylephrine; and (4) as a result, defendants’ public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times and negligently prepared. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Kenvue class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=19241 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor’s ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

——————————-

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.
Phillip Kim, Esq.
The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor
New York, NY 10016
Tel: (212) 686-1060
Toll Free: (866) 767-3653
Fax: (212) 202-3827
lrosen@rosenlegal.com
pkim@rosenlegal.com
cases@rosenlegal.com
www.rosenlegal.com

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

Arup celebrates 20 years of transforming Macau

MACAU – Media OutReach – 27 October 2023 – Arup marks its 20th anniversary in Macau with a cocktail reception, highlighting collaboration and envisioning a more sustainable future for the city within the Greater Bay Area (GBA).

The event, held at MGM Cotai, gathered 180 esteemed guests from Macau and other major cities in the GBA. Speakers and attendees explored Macau’s strategic position in the GBA and the vital role of the built environment industry in further driving the city’s socio-economic progress and unlocking GBA’s potential. The event provided an invaluable platform for the industry to engage in thought-provoking discussions and establish partnerships that will propel Macau’s further development and GBA integration.

“From world-class resorts to critical infrastructure and masterplanning, over the past two decades, Arup’s technical and advisory expertise has played a pivotal role in Macau’s transformation into an international tourist destination. The GBA blueprint opens new horizons. With our well-established office and expertise network in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Guangzhou, our Macau office is instrumental in leveraging our synergistic strengths to drive long-term prosperity of the region.”

—— Andy Lee, East Asia Region Chair

Arup’s journey in Macau started with Sands Macao, the city’s first foreign entertainment development. Since then, our services and project portfolios have expanded and diversified significantly including strategic infrastructure projects such as the 4th Macau-Taipa Bridge, LRT Seac Pai Van Line and East Line. As a catalyst for the city’s sustainable urban development, our visionary masterplan for the whole Macau aims to foster its transformation into a happy, smart, sustainable, and resilient city in the coming decades.

In recent years, our involvement in cross-boundary facilities and cooperation zones, such as Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and Hengqin New Area urban design, has facilitated Macau’s integration into the GBA, unleashing opportunities for regional synergy and cooperation.

We look forward to continued collaboration with our clients and partners to capture the enormous opportunities presented by the GBA development, particularly in the fields of transport, city planning and design, digital innovation, climate resilience and sustainability. Together, we will realise the full potential of the GBA, and lead Macau’s next phase of development.”

—— Philip Wong, Director, Macau Office Leader

Hashtag: #Arup

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

About Arup

Dedicated to sustainable development, Arup is a collective of 20,000 designers, advisors and experts working across 140 countries. Founded to strive for humanity and excellence in everything that we do, we collaborate with our clients and partners, using imagination, technology and rigour to shape a better world.

From Humble Beginnings to Global Impact: Eber Announces Strategic Expansion

SINGAPORE Media OutReach 27 October 2023 – Eber, a Loyalty Marketing Program Platform, has undergone substantial growth and adaptation to cater to businesses of all sizes, from local enterprises to global corporations. Founded in 2016, Eber has shifted from their initial focus on gift card services to become a significant player in the loyalty marketing industry.

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Eber’s Strategic Expansion: A Growing Team and Office Upgrade
In the dynamic world of business, adaptability is often the key to success. Eber has recently embarked on a strategic expansion journey to position itself for future growth and success.

  • A More Spacious Environment

Eber recognises the need for a skilled and dedicated team, and has been on a recruitment drive to bring in top talent. To support this growing team and facilitate seamless collaboration, the company invested in an office upgrade designed to foster creativity and provide an environment where employees can thrive. This is a strategic move that aligns with Eber’s vision to provide the highest quality services to their clients.

  • Enhanced Facilities

The new office location has been carefully chosen to provide an upgraded environment for Eber’s dedicated team. Modern amenities and facilities are designed to enhance productivity and overall well-being. These improvements include improved meeting spaces and ergonomically designed workstations.

  • Business Growth

Eber’s new office space represents their commitment to scale up their operations and accommodate future growth. This move is pivotal in ensuring that the company can continue to offer its esteemed clientele exceptional services while harnessing the potential of a growing workforce.

Growing Team for Greater Innovation

Complementing the office relocation is the addition of team members. Eber, as a leading loyalty marketing programme platform in Asia, is well aware of the fast-growing needs of the industry and the evolving dynamics of the market. Hence, they have boosted their efforts in enhancing their capabilities to continue exceeding the expectations of clients and partners.

  • Market Dynamics and Flexibility

Industries and markets evolve at an unprecedented pace. As such, Eber recognises the importance of staying ahead of the curve and has increased their team size, enabling them to be better equipped to closely monitor these changes and adapt their strategies in real-time. This has empowered the company to allocate resources effectively, as well as tackle unforeseen challenges and emerging opportunities, fully maximising its current pool of talents.

  • Specialisation

Specialised skills and expertise are required to efficiently address client needs. Employing more employees has enabled Eber to form a team of professionals who excel in specific areas, guaranteeing tailored solutions that will meet each client’s unique requirements.

  • Long-Term Sustainability

Eber’s decision to expand its existing team goes beyond meeting immediate needs; it’s about ensuring long-term sustainability and success. A bigger team is set to support ongoing development, innovation, and adaptation to changing market dynamics, helping the brand to strive for sustained excellence.

How Eber Emerges in the Industry Race

Eber’s loyalty programmes and marketing solutions revolve around the core objective of improving every touchpoint in the ecosystem’s journey. The company’s seamless integration capability extends to a diverse range of point-of-sale (POS) systems and external software and hardware integrations, allowing businesses to manage their own loyalty programmes with embedded features.
Hashtag: #Eber


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

About Eber

Established in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, Eber is dedicated to assisting businesses, both large and small, in their growth journeys through intelligent loyalty marketing platforms. Their goal lies in building long-term business-customer relationships with stellar results. In late July, Eber and their client Lalamove were honoured with ‘Best Membership Programme’ and ‘Best Use of Rewards and Incentives’ at the Loyalty and Engagement Awards Singapore 2023, held by MARKETING-INTERACTIVE.