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Webinar Level Up With Algorand: Revealing interesting information about the hackathon with a prize of up to $200,000

Recently, Algorand Vietnam organized a webinar “Level Up With Algorand” to guide programmers nationwide on the fastest and simplest way to program on Algorand. In addition, information about Algorand’s biggest hackathon of the year – Build-A-Bull Hackathon with prizes up to $200,000 (nearly 5 billion VND) was also shared in detail by the speakers.

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – On October 13, Algorand Vietnam organized a webinar “Level Up With Algorand” to guide information technology students as well as programmers nationwide on the fastest and simplest way to program on Algorand. In addition, information about Algorand’s biggest hackathon of the year – Build-A-Bull Hackathon with prizes up to $200,000 (nearly 5 billion VND) was also shared in detail by the speakers and received the attention of the crowd of attendees.

Participating in this webinar are two famous speakers in the Vietnamese dev community: Mr. Pham Vu Cuong (Henry Pham), Representative of Algorand Foundation in Vietnam and Mr. Pham Hong Thai (Leo Pham), Lecturer at Lac University Pink. They shared about Algorand, Build-A-Bull Hackathon, secrets to participating in hackathons successfully as well as secrets to programming on Algorand quickly and effectively.

Algorand has long been known as the world’s leading Layer-1 blockchain with Pure Proof-of-Stake (PPoS) consensus mechanism along with high speed and security, low cost, and popular with many users. Not only that but through this webinar, Mr. Henry Pham brought many interesting perspectives and information about Algorand to help participants better understand this blockchain network. He also shared complete information about the Build-A-Build Hackathon with extremely attractive prizes. Accordingly, this year’s contest includes 5 tracks for contestants to freely choose: Defi, Consumer, Interoperability, Impact and Gaming. Build-A-Bull’s prize is also considered the largest in scale compared to other hackathons taking place at the same time. In addition to the $200,000 prize from the Algorand Foundation, the winning teams in each track have the opportunity to participate in the offline Demo round to win an additional $10,000 USDC, $25,000 AWS credits and 3 tickets to attend Decipher 2024 in Barcelona, Spain. Students participating in the hackathon also have a prize fund of up to $5000 USDC.

Not stopping there, Algorand Vietnam also spent an additional $1,000 for hackathon teams from Vietnam. To be eligible to receive prizes, teams only need to follow two steps before November 1:

1. The team fills out Algorand Vietnam’s registration form to confirm their information at: https://bit.ly/3M7kKUx

2. The team registers directly on the Algorand Foundation website and submits their work on time on: https://www.algorand.foundation/build-a-bull-hackathon

With many years of experience participating in prestigious hackathons and winning large and small prizes, Mr. Henry has many useful tips for contestants on forming teams, and how to come up with ideas and implement projects most effectively. Mr. Leo Pham also guided webinar attendees to write smart contracts on Algorand simply and quickly. After only 15-20 minutes, viewers can understand and successfully deploy their first smart contract. Not only that, the two speakers will jointly organize an online Vietnamese Bootcamp course starting on October 30 to help students and developers learn and learn more about programming on Algorand from the most basic step-by-step. They also received enthusiastic responses and attention from the audience with many questions raised during the webinar.

The sharing session ended with an interesting minigame from the organizers with the large and enthusiastic participation of players.

The webinar “Level Up With Algorand” is like a breath of fresh air, bringing a lot of useful information to the Vietnamese dev community in general and the Algorand community in particular. In the coming time, the Vietnamese community promises to explode with what Algorand and competitions like the Build-A-Bull Hackathon bring.

Hashtag: #AlgorandVietnam

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

Namewee Donates “Millions of Me” Song to Pionex Brave Fund

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Malaysia’s distinguished songwriter and one of the country’s top ten outstanding young people, Namewee, has announced his generous donation of the new song “Millions of Me” to the Pionex Brave Fund.

Namewee’s decision to donate stems from his deep resonance with the “Be Brave” campaign initiated by the Pionex Brave Fund. Taking to his Facebook account on October 14th, Namewee expressed his alignment with the campaign’s message and subsequently revealed his intention to donate the lead song “Millions of Me” from his upcoming album to the Pionex Brave Fund.

The song “Millions of Me” encompasses the theme of bravery, perfectly aligning with the “Be Brave to Be Yourself” campaign. Namewee has graciously donated the song to both the Pionex Brave Fund and to all courageous individuals.

Welcoming Namewee’s contribution, the Pionex Brave Fund’s official spokesperson responded to media inquiries, stating, “We hope that this collaboration will serve as an inspiration to many. Regardless of the challenges we face, it is crucial to persevere and exhibit bravery. Furthermore, the proceeds from the new song’s copyright will be dedicated to advancing Web3 technology and providing blockchain education opportunities for marginalized communities worldwide.”

As of October 16th, Namewee’s donation announcement on Facebook has garnered over 100,000 likes, indicating a positive reception from the public.

The Pionex Brave Fund, initiated by Pionex, the world’s largest cryptocurrency trading robot platform, was established with an initial investment of $10 million. Its mission is to support Web3 innovation projects and promote blockchain education for minority groups worldwide.
Hashtag: #Pionex

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

QKEx: Building an Exchange+Community Economy Ecosystem

VICTORIA, SEYCHELLES – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – QKEx, the cryptocurrency trading platform, has recently announced its plans to invest more resources and financial support in the decentralized social sector. The platform aims to create an “exchange+community economy” ecosystem, enabling the financialization of social ecology and online user community behavior.

Exchange+Community Economy

QKEx has introduced the concept of a community economic ecology, which focuses on the financialization of community behavior and the profitability of social value. The platform aims to establish a COMMUNALFI ecosystem that integrates the entire community system onto the blockchain.

QKEx, also known as QK Exchange, is a comprehensive global crypto asset service platform developed by QK Group since 2020. QK Group, the parent company, operates in various sectors such as QK Mining, QK Hot and Cold Wallet, and risk control. In 2017, the group received the prestigious “Best International Service Provider for Russian Mines” award.

QKEX has extensive regional cryptocurrency resources worldwide and operates independent centers in multiple countries, including the United States, Canada, Russia, Australia, Estonia, Indonesia, and Thailand. Its community resources are global in scope, potentially enabling the widespread implementation of decentralized social networks.

Two-Step Plan for the Community Economy Sector

Step 1: Addition of Independent Social Media Sections

QKEx will introduce independent social media sections and invite numerous trading communities to join. The platform plans to organize community competitions periodically and display monthly community rankings on the exchange. Higher-ranking communities will enjoy increased value and team leader rights.

Step 2: Listing of COMMUNALFI Function Block

QKEx will allow community team leaders to issue personalized benefits based on their social value. These benefits will be presented in the form of limited edition NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens). Users can acquire community admission qualifications by purchasing NFTs related to community team leader benefits.

Hashtag: #QKEx

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

Laos Becomes Top Destination for Dispersed Tourism as Authentic Alternative to Overpopular Neighbors

Laos Becomes Top Destination for Dispersed Tourism as Authentic Alternative to Overpopular Neighbors
Nam-Ou River, Luang Prabang (photo: Adventure Asia Travel)

In the heart of Southeast Asia, Laos quietly emerges as a tranquil alternative to bustling tourism destinations that often steal the spotlight. 

Colgate is combating Smile Shame in The Land of Smiles where 98 percent of Thais wish they could smile freely

Colgate launches its #FreeYourSmile campaign by adapting its logo to celebrate all smiles in conjunction with World Smile Day®

BANGKOK, THAILAND Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Global personal and home care brand Colgate-Palmolive (“Colgate”) is taking a stand against Smile Shaming, underscoring the beauty and importance of all smiles through its #FreeYourSmile campaign. This comes on the back of World Smile Day which took place on 6 October 2023. This is especially significant given the proven benefits smiles bring to society’s health, mental wellbeing and social bonding. The region-wide campaign kickstarts Colgate’s efforts to tackle this complex topic for society and drive real positive change.

Caption

Colgate first commissioned an independent study across Asia-Pacific to gain insights and inform initiatives to propel this movement to eradicate Smile Shame for society to fully gain the benefits of smiling.

The Colgate Smile Study 2023 found that a resounding 94 per cent of people across Asia-Pacific would like the ability to smile more freely. Thailand jointly tops the list alongside Taiwan and Philippines where an overwhelming 98 per cent indicated their desire to smile without reservations.

The study also revealed that 95 per cent of Thais feel like they have the freedom to smile whenever they like – on par with the Asia-Pacific average – 62 per cent have experienced instances where they were made to feel bad about their smile.

WSD Thailand Infographic EN.jpg

The inaugural study, conducted by research company Pureprofile in August – September 2023, surveyed more than 4,000 individuals aged 16 to 55 years old across eight Asia-Pacific markets namely Thailand, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines and India. 500 individuals were surveyed in Thailand.

To commemorate World Smile Day®, Colgate is celebrating all smiles by adapting its iconic logo to represent the many different and beautiful smiles that surround us daily. Colgate is also collaborating with influencers across the region to further champion the cause. This includes Thailand’s beauty blogger Suzie Wadee, TikToker Titipan Pantu (@dreambarcodeza), and lifestyle influencer Pupé Jiradapa, who all have experienced Smile Shame but are now embracing the smiles that perfectly reflect each of their unique selves.

Additionally, as part of #FreeYourSmile, Colgate is introducing a Smile Generator AI tool at colgate.com/yourcolgatesmile, encouraging everyone to create their personalised Colgate smile on TikTok and Instagram, and spread the message to celebrate all smiles.

Yves Briantais, Executive Vice President, Marketing Asia-Pacific, Colgate-Palmolive said, “Smile Shame is especially prevalent in Asia-Pacific and this must change. At Colgate, we are on a mission to free people from the constraints of Smile Shame to truly embrace their own unique smiles. We believe brands have the power to challenge unrealistic beauty standards and promote authenticity. Colgate is leading the charge by celebrating all smiles.”

A notable 86 per cent of Thais believe that brands should have a role to play in tackling the issue of Smile Shame, according to the Colgate Smile Study 2023.

Advocating for the Benefits of Smiling

When able to smile freely, Thais report feeling more comfortable with themselves, with more males (50 per cent) than females (37 per cent) indicating this sentiment. In fact, scientific research supports the idea that smiling positively impacts mental health, acting as natural anti-depressants and pain relievers[1]. Smiling is also good for the heart, aiding in lowering blood pressure and expediting recovery after stressful events[2].

A key health benefit of smiling includes strengthening the immune system by increasing white blood cell counts, providing protection against infections[3]. Socially, smiling is a powerful tool to foster bonds and building trust by making a lasting positive impression on others[4].

Standing against Smile Shame

Smile Shame may not be a familiar term to many. It encapsulates the feelings of embarrassment, self-consciousness, or insecurity regarding one’s smile. The Colgate Smile Study 2023 revealed that a significant 62 percent of Thais relate to the concept of Smile Shame.

Parul Patel Desai, Vice President Marketing, Greater Indochina Hub, Colgate-Palmolive, “It comes as no surprise that as The Land Of Smiles, almost all of Thailand feels empowered to smile whenever they like. While we are heartened by this, our survey findings also clearly indicate that there are many who still feel insecure about their smile, and have been impacted by the negative effects of Smile Shame. We hope that our initiative today will start breaking these barriers, and brightening Thailand with every individual’s own unique smile.”

62 per cent of Thais feel that it is safe to talk about Smile Shame, thanks to having empathetic friends and family, and the perception of societal acceptance in openly discussing the effects of such behaviours.

Celebrating the Diversity of Smiles

Smile Shame is associated with different attributes across markets, reflecting diverse perceptions of what makes a beautiful smile. In Thailand, Smile Shame is typically associated with the colour and structure of teeth.

The Colgate Smile Study 2023 also revealed that the key factor making Thais worry about their smile is their own feeling of self-doubt. This is followed by concerns about comments made about their smiles from others including family, friends, and even strangers. Indeed, for the aforementioned 62 per cent who have personally been made to feel bad about their smiles, top sources came from family and friends’ comments, followed by social media influence making them feel like they need to have perfect teeth to smile confidently.

#FreeYourSmile is the first step in Colgate’s mission to celebrate all smiles and combat Smile Shame, with more initiatives planned. This movement represents Colgate’s goal to inspire individuals to express themselves freely and proudly, regardless of perceived imperfections.

For more information, please visit colgate.com/yourcolgatesmile


1 ‘Good reasons to Smile’ (2023) John Hopkins Medicine. John Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Available at: https://www.hopkinsallchildrens.org/Patients-Families/Health-Library/HealthDocNew/Good-Reasons-to-Smile

2 Smile! It’s Good for Your Heart’ (Sep 2012) Greater Good Science Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Available at: https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/smile_its_good_for_your_heart


3 ’11 Benefits of Smlling’ (Oct 2021) Delaware Psychological Services. Available at: https://www.delawarepsychologicalservices.com/post/11-benefits-of-smiling ’11 Benefits of Smlling’ (Oct 2021) Delaware Psychological Services. Available at: https://www.delawarepsychologicalservices.com/post/11-benefits-of-smiling

Hashtag: #Colgate

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

About Colgate-Palmolive Company

Colgate-Palmolive Company is a caring, innovative growth company reimagining a healthier future for all people, their pets and our planet. Focused on Oral Care, Personal Care, Home Care and Pet Nutrition, they sell their products in more than 200 countries and territories under brands such as Colgate, Palmolive, elmex, hello, meridol, Sorriso, Tom’s of Maine, EltaMD, Filorga, Irish Spring, PCA SKIN, Protex, Sanex, Softsoap, Speed Stick, Ajax, Axion, Fabuloso, Soupline and Suavitel, as well as Hill’s Science Diet and Hill’s Prescription Diet. We are recognized for our leadership and innovation in promoting sustainability and community well-being, including our achievements in decreasing plastic waste and promoting recyclability, saving water, conserving natural resources and improving children’s oral health through the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures program, which has reached more than 1.4 billion children since 1991. Our range of products are for everyone to find a way to get the smile they want.

For more information about Colgate’s global business and how we are building a future to smile about, visit .

Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Corporation and Infineon sign multi-year supply agreement for power semiconductors

MUNICH, GERMANY – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Infineon Technologies AG (FSE: IFX / OTCQX: IFNNY) and Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have signed a multi-year supply agreement for silicon carbide (SiC) and silicon (Si) power semiconductors. Infineon will build and reserve manufacturing capacity to supply SiC as well as Si power modules and chips to Hyundai/Kia until 2030. Hyundai/Kia will support the capacity build-up and capacity reservation with financial contributions.

From left to right: Mr. Jason Chae (Vice President of the Semicon Strategy Group at Hyundai Motor Company), Mr. Heung Soo Kim (Executive Vice President and Head of Global Strategy Office at Hyundai Motor Group), Mr. Peter Schiefer (President of Infineon's Automotive Division), Mr. Peter Schaefer (Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Distribution of Infineon's Automotive Division)
From left to right: Mr. Jason Chae (Vice President of the Semicon Strategy Group at Hyundai Motor Company), Mr. Heung Soo Kim (Executive Vice President and Head of Global Strategy Office at Hyundai Motor Group), Mr. Peter Schiefer (President of Infineon’s Automotive Division), Mr. Peter Schaefer (Executive Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Distribution of Infineon’s Automotive Division)

“Infineon stands as a valued strategic partner, boasting steadfast production capabilities and distinct technological prowess within the power semiconductor market,” said Heung Soo Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Strategy Office (GSO) at Hyundai Motor Group. “This partnership not only empowers Hyundai Motor and Kia to stabilize its semiconductor supply but also positions us to solidify our leadership in the global EV market, underpinned by our competitive product lineups.”

“The future car will be clean, safe and smart and semiconductors are at the heart of this transformation. As a trusted partner, we are proud to advance our long-term partnership with Hyundai/Kia,” said Peter Schiefer, President of Infineon’s Automotive Division. “We contribute premium products of high quality, our system knowledge and application understanding combined with continued investments in manufacturing capacity to address the increasing demand for automotive power electronics.”

Infineon’s power semiconductors are key enablers for the transition to electromobility. This transition will lead to strong market growth for power semiconductors, especially those based on wide bandgap materials like SiC. With the significant expansion of its Kulim fab, Infineon will build the world’s largest 200-millimeter SiC power fab and further strengthen its market-leading role as a high-quality, high-volume supplier to the automotive industry. In line with Infineon’s multi-site strategy, the Kulim facility will complement Infineon’s current manufacturing capacity in Villach, Austria, and further capacity expansions in Dresden, Germany.

Hashtag: #infineon #Hyundai #siliconcarbide #SiC #Kulim


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

About Infineon

Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The company has around 56,200 employees worldwide and generated revenue of about €14.2 billion in the 2022 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

Infineon is at the core of the transformation of the automotive industry towards sustainable mobility. Further information on Infineon’s mobility solutions is available at

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan introduces hormone-free Moisturising Cream and Moisturising Cremolum, clinically proven to soothe vaginal dryness

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Many woman experiencing menopause are troubled by vaginal dryness. It can cause discomfort when sitting, standing, exercising, during urinating and even working, and can greatly impact their quality of life. In Hong Kong, every 2 out of 3 women has experienced symptoms of Vaginal Dryness1. Yet, it remains a taboo topic, making it difficult for women to discuss their intimate health concerns with family, friends, or doctors, resulting in only one-quarter of affected woman seeking treatment2.

Vaginal secretions gradually decrease as a woman ages, resulting in decreased lubrication and elasticity of the vaginal tissue. This can result in vaginal dryness and associated symptoms such as dryness, itching, burning, and pain3. Given that these symptoms closely resemble those associated with other vaginal flora issues, many women have been perplexed and resorted to over-the-counter remedies, which may exacerbate the situation2.

Symptoms of vaginal dryness can also be mistaken for poor hygiene. In fact, excessive cleansing of the intimate area with conventional soaps and vaginal douching, may risk irritating the vaginal skin and disrupt the vaginal flora, leading to worsening of the condition.

Soothing Vaginal Dryness with the right products

Vagisan-01.03.218126c.jpg

Dr Dawn Harper, a general practitioner in United Kingdom known for her expertise on menopause, emphasises on the importance for women suffering from vaginal dryness to use a moisturising cream with high water content and lipids which can provide lasting soothing relief for women experiencing Vaginal Dryness.

Introducing Hormone-Free Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cream and Moisturising Cremolum

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cream

  • Effectively relieves dryness, itching, burning and pain associated with vaginal dryness
  • Contains high water content and soothing lipids, keeps skin of intimate area soft and supple
  • Contains lactic acid and is thus adjusted to the healthy pH level in the vagina
  • Hormone-free and can be applied intravaginally and to the external genital area

Clinically proven to relieve symptoms of vaginal dryness

Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cream can not only moisturises the internal and external skin of the vagina, but also supplies it with nourishing lipids, leaving the skin of the intimate area supple and soft.

Several clinical studies have been performed with Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cream, proving its efficacy and tolerability. Not only did the cream show superior efficacy as well as tolerability as compared to a water-based non-hormonal gel4, but it was statistically significantly non-inferior to a hormone-containing cream (estriol 0.1%) in terms of improvement on subjective symptoms of vaginal dryness5.

Also available as an innovative pessary for greater convenience without the use of an applicator: Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cremolum

  • Smooth melting pessary, forms into a cream in the vagina together with vaginal fluids
  • Individually wrapped for more hygiene and convenience
  • Hormone-free and can be applied intravaginally
  • Free from preservatives

A Dr.Wolff’s clinical study6 also found that the Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan Moisturising Cremolum provided a long-lasting soothing effect that lasted 3 days or longer for majority of participants. It significantly improves the symptoms of dryness, itching, burning, and pain associated with vaginal dryness and provides relief from first application, allowing these women to achieve a better quality of life. Furthermore, 90% of test participants rated the moisturising cremolum as very easy or simple to use.

For more questions on the products mentioned above, please refer to Dr. Wolff’s Vagisan official site: https://www.vagisan.hk/

1 Survey Aug 2016, Vaginal Dryness, n=400 Hong Kong women (aged 41-55), conducted by AIP Global, Singapore

2 Womens’s Health Concern (2022,) https://www.womens-health-concern.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/25-WHC-FACTSHEET-VaginalDryness-NOV2022-B.pdf

3 Family Health Service (2022, February) https://www.fhs.gov.hk/english/health_info/woman/14768.html

4 Stute, P., May, T. W., Masur, C., & Schmidts-Winkler, I. M. (2015). Efficacy and safety of non-hormonal remedies for vaginal dryness: open, prospective, randomized trial. Climacteric : the journal of the International Menopause Society, 18(4), 582–589. https://doi.org/10.3109/13697137.2015.1036854

5Garcia de Arriba, S., Grüntkemeier, L., Häuser, M., May, T. W., Masur, C., & Stute, P. (2022). Vaginal hormone-free moisturising cream is not inferior to an estriol cream for treating symptoms of vulvovaginal atrophy: Prospective, randomised study. PloS one, 17(5), e0266633. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0266633

6Clinical trial over 6 weeks with n=79 postmenopausal women with vaginal dryness (https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05211505?intr=cremolum&rank=1&tab=table)
Hashtag: #Vagisan #vagisanforvaginaldryness

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

About Dr. Wolff

Founded in 1905, Dr. Wolff is one of the largest medium-sized family-owned businesses in the Germany.

The Dr. Wolff Group consists of the owner-managed companies Dr. Kurt Wolff, Dr. August Wolff and their international subsidiaries. Distinguished by the development and creative marketing of real innovations for more than 100 years, the company concentrates on products which embody verifiable advantages for consumers.

For more information, please visit: Dr. Wolff Group ()

Malaysia releases Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide for SMEs in Supply Chains

First-of-its-kind guidance developed to support SMEs within supply chains in tracking and reporting their sustainability disclosures to remain relevant and competitive.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 18 October 2023 – Capital Markets Malaysia (“CMM“), an affiliate of the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC“), today launched a Simplified ESG Disclosure Guide (“SEDG“), making Malaysia the first country globally to provide small-to-medium enterprises (“SMEs“) within global supply chains with a streamlined and standardised set of guidelines in relation to environment, social and governance (“ESG“) disclosures.

SEDG Image.png
From Left to Right: Brahmal Vasudevan (Board Member, Capital Markets Malaysia), Datin Azalina Adham (Board Member, Capital Markets Malaysia), Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin (Chairman, Capital Markets Malaysia & Executive Chairman, Securities Commission Malaysia) and Navina Balasingam (General Manager, Capital Markets Malaysia)

The SEDG consolidates and simplifies the many complex global and local ESG-related frameworks to improve the availability of ESG data and information by SMEs.

In formulating the Guide, public and market consultations were conducted with multiple stakeholder groups — including large multinational and public listed companies (“PLCs”), SMEs, and regulatory and policy stakeholders — to better understand the disclosure challenges, needs and expectations of SMEs within the supply chain.

Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek Hussin, Executive Chairman of SC, and Chairman of CMM said, “As the global sustainability movement forges ahead amid heightened regulatory scrutiny and investor demand for more deliberate company action towards net zero goals, the SC is committed to ensuring that our companies, both large and small, are prepared to meet global ESG requirements.”

“Recognising that SMEs are particularly exposed to risks from supply chain vulnerabilities, the SC welcomes the release of the SEDG which will help SMEs get ahead of the curve and remain relevant in a constantly evolving global marketplace,” he said.

“As we collectively transform and elevate Malaysia’s economic system through the adoption of international standards and best practices, it is important to ensure that no SME is left behind. To support inclusive and extensive adoption, CMM will launch the Bahasa Malaysia and Simplified Mandarin versions of the SEDG by end 2023,” Dato’ Seri Dr. Awang Adek added.

The release of the SEDG is aligned with recent national policy initiatives aimed at elevating business in Malaysia towards a synergy in commercial success and sustainability, particularly in the manufacturing sector, as the nation steps up its net zero commitments. These include the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2023, as well as the Industry Environmental, Social, and Governance (i-ESG) Framework and National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR).

The SEDG comprises 35 priority disclosures that are aligned with local and global sustainability guidelines which will enable SMEs to respond to disclosure requests from multiple stakeholders, including but not limited to customers, investors, banks and regulators.

It is further categorised into Basic, Intermediate and Advanced, to cater to the different levels of sustainability maturity of each SME. The disclosures are applicable across all industries with different levels of priority, and SMEs are encouraged to determine the significance and relevance of these disclosures to their companies.

“The journey of adopting sustainable practices can be daunting for SMEs. As such, our goal is to empower them with a framework that provides straightforward guidance that is structured and practical for SMEs to navigate the process of tracking and reporting their ESG data,” said Navina Balasingam, the General Manager of CMM. “Beyond the Guide, CMM has also launched our SEDG Adopter Programme to support supply chain actors.”

The Adopter Programme will provide SMEs with access to in-person training, tutorials, and workshops nationwide to guide SMEs in disclosing ESG data. The programme aims to facilitate learning and sharing of experiences from a community of practitioners facing similar successes and challenges in implementing ESG reporting.

“We are encouraged by the overwhelming reception to the SEDG Adopter Programme which includes major multinational supply chain players, SMEs, numerous financial institutions, government agencies and NGOs, as well as several local chambers of commerce. Their commitment to encourage and support SMEs within their networks to develop ESG reporting practices is highly commendable,” Navina added.

The early adopters of the SEDG from the various categories include CIMB Bank, Credit Guarantee Corporation, Generali, Hong Leong Bank, Malaysia Venture Capital Management (MAVCAP), Maybank, Nestlé Malaysia, PANTAS, Penjana Kapital, Thoughts in Gear (TIG), UOB Bank and Volvo Trucks Malaysia.

The rest include Dewan Perniagaan Melayu Malaysia (DPMM), The Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM), The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI), Small and Medium Enterprises Association (SAMENTA), SME Association of Malaysia, Malaysian Dutch Business Council (MDBC), Business Finland and UN Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei.

The SEDG is aligned to global, local and government frameworks and reporting standards including the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”), the International Sustainability Standards Board (“ISSB”), the Bursa Malaysia (“Bursa”) Listing Requirements, Bursa’s Sustainability Reporting Guide as well as the Malaysian Code on Corporate Governance (“MCCG”). CMM also plans to launch specialised sectoral disclosure guidance in early 2024.

For more information, visit https://sedg.capitalmarketsmalaysia.com/
Hashtag: #CapitalMarketsMalaysia #CMM #SEDG


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