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HDBank outstanding loans to property sector, corporate bond holdings among industry lowest

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 4 April 2023 – The Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank has announced its 2022 results audited by PwC, which shows profit before tax of nearly VNĐ10.27 trillion (US$437.18 million), its highest ever and up 27.2 per cent from the previous year and 105 per cent of the target approved by shareholders.

The non-performing loans (NPL) ratio was low, while operational safety indicators were among the best in the industry.

The operating income for the year topped VNĐ22 trillion ($936.39 million), up 31.1 per cent.

Its credit, services, card, and digital banking businesses all saw high growth. The total number of credit cards it issued quadrupled while their transaction value nearly tripled, and the number of e-banking transactions doubled with their value growing by six times to VNĐ761 trillion ($$32.39 million).

The return on equity and return on assets were 23.5 per cent and 2.1 per cent, both higher than last year.

The bank’s standalone NPL ratio was only 1.3 per cent while the consolidated rate was 1.67 per cent, lower levels compared to industry average thanks to its selective credit policies and effective risk management.

Its capital adequacy ratio (stipulated under Basel II) was 13.4 per cent, among the highest in the sector.

As of December 31 last year, its total consolidated assets were worth nearly VNĐ416.3 trillion ($17.74 million), 11.1 per cent up from 12 months earlier.

Outstanding loans topped VNĐ268 trillion ($11.41 billion), up 25.6 per cent. HDBank’s lending portfolio focuses on priority sectors and those that are key contributors to economic growth such as agriculture and rural development, SMEs, supply and distribution chains, green financing, and small business households.

HDBank owns only VNĐ4.3 trillion ($183.19 million) worth of corporate bonds, equivalent to just 1.6 per cent of total outstanding loans.

The bonds all have mortgaged assets backing them and have been paid on time and fully. HDBank also has a low real estate loan rate of 7.9 per cent of total outstanding loans.

As of last year, HDBank had 347 branches and transaction offices and nearly 24,500 financial transaction points, and 16,326 employees, excluding around 2,000 security guards, with average earnings of VNĐ26.7 million a month, 37.6 per cent higher than a year earlier.

The total remuneration for directors decreased to VNĐ8.4 billion from VNĐ10.9 billion as took voluntary cuts or used their remuneration for social activities.

Last year, HDBank received 24 prestigious awards and titles from domestic and international organisations, including the Top 5 Most Prestigious Banks in Việt Nam from Vietnam Report and Top 50 Listed Companies from Forbes magazine. Forbes also named HDBank among the top financial institutions in Việt Nam.

In addition, the bank received the Certificate of Merit of the Prime Minister, the Emulation Flag of the State Bank of Vietnam, the Certificate of Merit of the HCM City People’s Committee for its contributions to the State budget.

Despite market fluctuations, such positive business results once again affirmed HDBank’s ability to maintain high growth in what was a pivotal year with its new development strategy in terms of both scale and quality in the 2021-25 period.Hashtag: #HDBank

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

Weekly Weather Forecast Predicts Extreme Heat and Light Rain for Laos

Central, South of Laos to Continue Experience Extreme Heat With Rain in Some Regions
Sunlight shines down on a street in Luang Prabang (photo: Discover Laos Today)

The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a weekly weather forecast for Laos, warning of scorching temperatures in the south and central regions this week due to a hot weather low pressure covering the entire country.

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise launches new Partner Programme for worldwide network of 3,400 partners

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 4 April 2023 – Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise, a leading provider of communications, cloud and networking solutions tailored to customers’ industries, has announced the launch of its new global partner programme, the 360 Partner Experience (360PX) that delivers a unique partner journey tailored to each organisation.

The programme was developed to support ALE’s worldwide network of 3,400 partners and accelerate their proficiency and growth on the company’s end-to-end (E2E) portfolio spanning communications, network and CCaaS sold as on-premise, hybrid, or cloud (either public or private).

A key component of the programme is accompanying partners as they increasingly transition their offer towards “as a service” (XaaS) or subscription-based solutions, while continuing to support their Capex activities. The company also plans to attract new business partners, particularly those with vertical expertise.

An important innovation in the 360PX is the new “à la carte” accreditation framework that supports partners who wish to specialise in either sales or services for any or all of the following solutions: XaaS, Capex or strategic verticals including healthcare, education, government, transportation, and energy and utilities. 360PX offers a level of flexibility and modularity that allows partners to focus on their strengths, including leveraging either their sales or services competencies, or being experts in both.

Partners become part of an ecosystem where they work in partnership to offer solutions that fully meet the evolving needs of customers. ALE facilitates this ecosystem to encourage partners to easily collaborate with each other and combine their complementary strengths.

A unique real-time Business Relationship Management platform enhances collaboration between ALE and each of its partners with strategic planning and efficient execution to ensure mutual success.

According to Claudio Soland, SVP of Alliances and Global partner programme at ALE:

“Our 360 Partner Experience programme allows our partners, existing and new, to do both Capex and XaaS business with Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise within a single framework. The enhanced support will help them flourish, especially for those transitioning to a subscription model. In addition, the collaborative ecosystem we are promoting will benefit all our partners around the world.”

“Today, customers are asking for more complete and complex solutions, which requires the combined skills of diverse experts. By facilitating this, the 360PX partner ecosystem ensures that end-users receive optimal solutions with best-in-class service, as they migrate to increasingly integrated platforms”, adds Rukmini Glanard, Executive Vice President, Global Sales, Services & Marketing at Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise.
Hashtag: #AlcatelLucentEnterprise

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

About Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise

Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise delivers the customised technology experiences enterprises need to make everything connect.

ALE provides digital-age networking, communications and cloud solutions with services tailored to ensure customers’ success, with flexible business models in the cloud, on premises, and hybrid. All solutions have built-in security and limited environmental impact.

Over 100 years of innovation have made Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise a trusted advisor to more than a million customers all over the world.

With headquarters in France and 3,400 business partners worldwide, Alcatel-Lucent Enterprise achieves an effective global reach with a local focus.

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Thai Authorities Detain 63 Chinese Asylum Seekers in Pattaya

Thai Authorities Detain 63 Chinese Asylum Seekers Fleeing Persecution in Pattaya
Chinese Asylum seekers walking out of a police station in Thailand (photo: ABC News)

Last week, Thai authorities apprehended 63 religious refugees from China, including 28 adults and 35 children from 16 families, for overstaying their visas at the Long Lake Hillside Resort in the Bang Lamung district in Pattaya.

MRC Secretariat Chief Cites Progress Amid Troubling Trends in Annual Address

Dr. Anoulak Kittikhoun, CEO of the MRC Secretariat speaking at the MRC Summit.

On Monday, in his second State of the Mekong Address, the top executive of the Mekong River Commission described how – despite meaningful progress to better protect Southeast Asia’s largest river – it faces “alarming” trends in five critical areas: water flow regime, nourishing sediment, salinity intrusion, plastics pollution, and climate change-driven flood and drought.

GEODIS honored by Arkema China at its Annual Carrier Conference

Partnerships underscore the collaboration between industry and supply chain provider as trade flows stabilise

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 4 April 2023 – GEODIS, a global leading transport and logistics services provider, has been named “Strategic Carrier of Arkema China” in recognition of its concerted efforts to reinforce Arkema’s supply chain strategy in the region in 2022. This marks the third consecutive year in which GEODIS has been honored at the Arkema China Annual Carrier Conference, having also received the same award in 2021, as well as the “Core Carrier of Arkema China” award in the 2020.

Didier LEBLANC – Regional President Acrylic Monomers Asia presenting the award to GEODIS head of sales and marketing of (Central) China Sally ZHOU (left) and Elva CHEN (GEODIS regional key account manager for the Arkema account in APAC & ME) (right)
Didier LEBLANC – Regional President Acrylic Monomers Asia presenting the award to GEODIS head of sales and marketing of (Central) China Sally ZHOU (left) and Elva CHEN (GEODIS regional key account manager for the Arkema account in APAC & ME) (right)

While much of the last three year period has ushered in a slew of challenges for the maritime industry, the successful partnership has tapped into GEODIS’ extensive network of transport suppliers and comprehensive auditing strategies to ensure the seamless processing of Arkema’s general cargo across shipping lanes, custom clearances as well as both pre- and on-carriage procedures. This, in spite of port congestions and limited container capacities stemming from unparalleled surges in global economic activity.

The Annual Conference also set in motion promising roadmaps to continue the partnership’s ongoing momentum in 2023. Successfully implemented plans included the smooth integration of electronic data interchanges (EDI) into Arkema’s transportation management system to reinforce real-time tracking tools, on top of advancing operational agility through private charter and priority loading services. All of which will further support Arkema’s growing presence in the region.

“We are delighted to continue our strong collaboration with Arkema and look forward to playing a key role in the next chapter of their growth,” said Onno Boots, GEODIS’ Regional President and CEO, Asia Pacific and Middle East. “Innovation and a collaborative spirit have and will continue to form the center of all our projects. This award serves as a testament of our commitment to supporting our partners’ growth with resilient and nimble services that can withstand all the changes in a rapidly evolving supply chain ecosystem.”

GEODIS’ continued partnership with Arkema is a prime example of the organisation’s growing strength in China, assisting companies as their business normalise into pre-2019 levels while trade flows between countries continue to strengthen.

Hashtag: #GEODIS

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

GEODIS – www.geodis.com

GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Freight Forwarding, Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and Road Transport. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked world no. 6 in its sector. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.

Wechat ID: GEODIS_China
LinkedIn:
Twitter: @geodis_group
Facebook:
Instagram: @geodisgroup

Malaysia Parliament Votes to Scrap Mandatory Death Sentences

Malaysia Parliament Votes to Scrap Mandatory Death Sentences
Malaysia's lower house parliament building is seen in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 13 July, 2020. ( Photo : AP )

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Malaysia’s Parliament on Monday approved a bill that would scrap mandatory death penalties and limit capital punishment to serious crimes as part of wide-ranging reforms, bringing possible reprieves to more than 1,300 prisoners on death row.

New Philips Monitor is Released with SuperWide Docking Monitor with Noise-Canceling 5MP Webcam

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 4 April 2023 – This monitor combines two desktops and a webcam in one setup.

On [4th April 2023], the new Philips monitor, 45B1U6900CH, will be available to the public with an aim to facilitate workflow. The Philips 45B1U6900CH is equipped with a large, 44.5-inch (113 cm. diagonal) screen with 5120 x 1440 resolution and several other features that are designed to aid professionals’ multitasking, such as: a 5MP webcam, USB-C docking with RJ45, a 32:9 SuperWide screen, and a curved display with viewing angles of 178/178 degrees.

Increasing Workflow Productivity
Instead of having two separate monitors, the Philips 45B1U6900CH’s 44.5-inch screen and 32:9 SuperWide ratio allows professionals to easily open multiple windows and have an extra-wide perspective for viewing video content. In addition, the monitor’s Curved VA Display produces wide, 178/178-degree viewing angles and 1500R curvature for crisp, high-contrast imagery and an overall more immersive experience.

“We are very happy to announce the release of the Philips 45B1U6900CH,” Kevin Wu, General Manager of MMD Singapore, said. “The screen’s size and ratio together with the additional features, like docking and the noise-canceling webcam, make it an ideal choice for those who have really high expectations of their monitor.”

A 5MP Webcam for a Better Video Conferencing Experience
In addition to its large screen, another key asset for optimal productivity is the Philips 45B1U6900CH’s pop-up 5MP webcam. Optimized for a better video experience, the monitor is equipped with a noise-canceling microphone and a built-in 5MP webcam for high-quality meeting calls.

In addition to a better experience, the pop-up 5MP webcam also aids individual productivity with Windows Hello™; the advanced sensors for facial recognition logs each user into their Windows accounts within seconds.

Additional Features for Philips 45B1U6900CH
Another important feature to note for making your workspace better is the USB-C Docking with RJ45. With this docking system, professionals are able to connect to the network with RJ45, set up USB-C 100W power delivery to their connected device, experience high-resolution video output, and connect an external device for high-speed data transfer.

In addition to USB-C docking, the Philips 45B1U6900CH also has many other features that can help professionals complete their daily tasks. These include, but are not limited to: Display HDR 400 for VESA certified, high-quality coloring on screen, a headphone hook for easy stowage, and MultiClient Integrated KVM for controlling a two PC setup on the same monitor. Not to mention, the monitor’s TUV Rheinland Eyesafe RPF 50 certification ensures protection against blue light-induced eye strain with its ever-present blue light filter on the display.

Philips 45B1U6900CH Availability
For professionals aiming to boost workflow productivity, the Philips 45B1U6900CH monitor is ideal for meeting those needs.

The monitor will be available for purchase starting April and product availability may vary by country.

For additional information on Philips Evnia models:
https://www.evnia.philips

Hashtag: #philipsmonitors

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

About Evnia

Philips’ new gaming brand, Evnia, plans to “Reinvent the rules”. Designed for the modern gamer, Philips Evnia monitors slash stereotypes by providing more than just technical advantages, but also a sleek design that molds into any modern home environment.

At Philips Evnia, the goal is to make a monitor designed for everyone and anyone that aspires to be a gamer. With immersive features including the exclusive Ambiglow, gamers can personalize their surroundings and feel at ease when it’s time to game.

As new Philips Evnia models begin to launch throughout 2023, the only thing left for us to say is “Game on”.