32 C
Vientiane
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
spot_img
Home Blog Page 2055

Laos Government Allows Foreign Legal Businesses to Survey Land

Empty lands in Vientiane Capital.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has issued a Decision allowing foreign land businesses to provide land survey and land evaluation services.

Hong Kong Life’s Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan safeguards your family by extending Cancer Benefit to your loved ones

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – Comprehensive protection provides customers and their family members with extra peace of mind against any unexpected events. Hong Kong Life innovates life insurance products by introducing “One Policy for Three Generations” to meet customers’ family needs.

Following the Family Fortune Savings Insurance Plan launched last year, Hong Kong Life’s Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan safeguards customers’ family by offering Family Cancer Benefit to the Policyowner’s parents, spouse, and children (Covered Family Members). To help customers embrace a healthier life journey, the Plan also takes care of health issues beyond dread diseases by providing ICU Benefit and Health Checkup Service, etc.

Ms. Micky Cho, Chief Marketing Officer of Hong Kong Life, said: “Having a full protection for yourself and your family is an indispensable element of family planning. Following the Family Fortune Savings Insurance Plan launched last year, we continue to demonstrate the family protection approach by presenting Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan to customers. The Plan extends the coverage to Policyowner’s parent, spouse and children with Family Cancer Benefits which meets the health protection needs of customers and further safeguard their family members.”

Key Features of Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan :

  • Flexible Premium Payment Term1 with Whole Life Protection

The Plan provides 2 choices of Premium Payment Term1, i.e. 10 years1 and 20 years1, with whole life protection until age 100 of the Life Insured.

  • Broad Cover for 118 Illnesses2 without Worries

The Plan covers 60 Major Dread Diseases2 and 46 Early Stage Dread Diseases2, as well as 12 Severe Juvenile Diseases2 to safeguard your health comprehensively. If the Life Insured is diagnosed with covered Dread Diseases, the Dread Disease Benefit of the Plan will be paid. For details of covered Dread Diseases and benefit, please refer to List of Covered Dread Disease and Dread Disease Benefit Schedule.

  • ICU Benefit3 to Extend Protection

The Plan provides ICU Benefit3 which extends its coverage to health issues beyond dread diseases. If the Life Insured is required for a Qualified ICU Stay4 for a total of consecutive 3 days or more due to Sickness or Accident, a payment which is equal to 20% of Sum Assured, less Indebtedness (if any) will be paid as ICU Benefit3. Such benefit will only be paid once.

  • Family Cancer Benefit5 for Extra Peace of Mind

The Plan specially offers Family Cancer Benefit5 to the Policyowner’s parents, spouse and children (except the Life Insured). No medical examination and health questions are required for the Covered Family Members. If the parents, spouse or children is diagnosed with Cancer during the benefit term of the Family Cancer Benefit5, for each Covered Family Member, the Family Cancer Benefit5 of the Plan which is equal to up to 20% (applicable for 10 Years Premium Payment Term) or 40% (applicable for 20 Years Premium Payment Term) of Total Initial Annual Premium will be payable to the Policyowner. Family Cancer Benefit5 could be claimed a maximum of 4 times and in which a maximum of 1 time for each of the Covered Family Member, and limited to one payment for one spouse only. The policy value and coverage of the Life Insured will not be changed due to the claim of Family Cancer Benefit5.

Family Cancer Benefit5 Parents Spouse Children
Maximum no. of Covered Family Members 2 1 No Limit
Benefit Term* Before age 85 of Parents/Spouse Before age 18 of Children
Benefit Amount Covered Family Members who are under age 66 on the date of endorsement:

20% (applicable for 10 Years Premium Payment Term) / 40% (applicable for 20 Years Premium Payment Term) of the Total Initial Annual Premium

Covered Family Members who are at or above age 66 on the date of endorsement:

10% (applicable for 10 Years Premium Payment Term) / 20% (applicable for 20 Years Premium Payment Term) of the Total Initial Annual Premium

(maximum of 4 times and in which a maximum of 1 time for each of the Covered Family Member, and limited to one payment for one spouse only)

*The Family Cancer Benefit for each Covered Family Member will be effective 2 years after (i) the endorsement date of such Covered Family Member or (ii) date of any reinstatement, whichever is later.

Also, the Family Cancer Benefit5 provides conversion privilege to the Policyowner’s children to suit their needs. Within 30 days of the Covered Family Member reaches age 18, if no Family Cancer Benefit5 has ever been paid for such Covered Family Member, such Covered Family Member may apply for a new permanent life plan as defined by Hong Kong Life from time to time for an amount up to 100% of Sum Assured of the Plan without further evidence of insurability, subject to the specific terms and conditions, and the then administrative rules as determined by Hong Kong Life from time to time.

  • Extra Services for a Continuum of Health Care

Health Checkup Service6

During the first 10 Policy Years, the Plan provides one time of health checkup service to the Life Insured or Covered Family Members to enjoy every two consecutive Policy Years starting from the 2nd Policy Anniversary.

Second Medical Opinion from Overseas Expert Service7

If the Life Insured has been diagnosed with the dread disease covered by the service, through its professional medical network, the service enables the Life Insured to seek second medical opinion from overseas experts7.

  • Life Protection and Flexible Settlement Option

Apart from Dread Disease Benefit, the Plan also offers whole life protection. If the Life Insured dies while the Plan is in force, the Total Death Benefit which is equal to 100% of Sum Assured, less Dread Disease Benefit8 already paid, plus Terminal Dividend (non-guaranteed)9 (if any), less Indebtedness (if any) will be paid to the Policy Beneficiary.

In addition, the Plan provides flexible Death Benefit Settlement Options10 instead of receiving the Death Benefit in a lump sum payment, Policyowner can designate other settlement options including Installment Payments (Fixed Amount) or Installment Payments (Fixed Period) while the Plan is in force and the Life Insured is alive to settle the Death Benefit to the Policy Beneficiary.

  • Additional Return

The Plan not only provides Guaranteed Cash Value, a Terminal Dividend (non-guaranteed)9 may be payable on or after the end of 12th Policy Year upon the death of the Life Insured, when the Policy is surrendered by the Policyowner, the Major Dread Disease Benefit is fully paid or upon Policy Maturity, whichever is the earliest.

Client Incentive11Up to 25% First Year Premium Discount
Promotion PeriodFrom now till 31 December 2022

  • Successful applications to the Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan may enjoy up to 15% First Year Premium Discount. Designated client type may even enjoy up to 25% First Year Premium Discount.
  • With successful applications of Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan and Family Fortune Savings Insurance Plan submitted together, all policies of Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan(s) may enjoy Extra 5% First Year Premium Discount.

Details of Family Care Dread Disease Protection Plan:

https://www.hklife.com.hk/en/products/personal-insurance/medical-dread-disease-plan/family-care-dread-disease-protection-plan/index.html

Terms and Conditions apply. For enquiries, please contact our Customer Service Hotline at 2290 2882 or visit Hong Kong Life website www.hklife.com.hk.

Note

  1. The Policy will be terminated if the Policyowner cannot settle the premium payment before the end of the Grace Period during the Premium Payment Term, subject to the Automatic Premium Loan, Non-forfeiture Option and other relevant provisions of the Policy. For detailed terms and conditions, please refer to the policy document issued by Hong Kong Life. If the Policy is terminated before the Policy Maturity, the Total Surrender Value (if applicable) received by the Policyowner may be less than the Total Premiums Paid.
  2. For the definition of covered Dread Disease, please refer to the policy document.
  3. The aggregate amount of the ICU Benefit paid under the Plan and payable under other policies issued by Hong Kong Life in respect of the Life Insured’s confinement in ICU within the meaning of the Qualified ICU Stay shall not exceed HKD400,000/ USD50,000 under any circumstances.
  4. “Qualified ICU Stay” means a stay in an ICU of a Hospital where all of the following criteria must be met: (i) the stay in ICU of a Hospital must be a confinement in the ICU for a total of consecutive 3 days or more in one Hospital admission; (ii) the stay in ICU of a Hospital must be a confinement for Medically Necessary treatment or service as recommended and certified by a Registered Medical Practitioner; (iii) the Company will not consider the stay in ICU of a Hospital as Medically Necessary if the Life Insured can be safely and adequately treated in any other medical facility; and (iv) the stay in ICU of a Hospital must not be caused directly, or indirectly, wholly or partly, by any one of the following occurrences: (a) cosmetic treatment performed on the Life Insured unless necessitated by Injury caused by an Accident and the Life Insured sustains the Injury and the cosmetic treatment is approved by Hong Kong Life in advance within 90 days of the Accident; or (b) the Life Insured’s pregnancy, surrogacy, childbirth or termination of pregnancy, birth control, infertility or human assisted reproduction, or sterilisation of either sexes; or (c) mental disorder, psychological or psychiatric conditions, behavioral problems or personality disorder of the Life Insured; or (d) stay in ICU of a Hospital primarily for physiotherapy or for the investigation of signs and/or symptoms with diagnostic imaging, laboratory investigation or other diagnostic procedures; or (e) experimental and/or unconventional medical technology /procedure /therapy performed on the Life Insured; or novel drugs/ medicines /stem cell therapy not yet approved by the government, relevant authorities and recognised medical association in the locality.
  5. Family Cancer Benefit for each Policyowner’s natural parents, spouse or natural children, except the Life Insured (Covered Family Members) is only available if such parents, spouse or children is accepted and approved by Hong Kong Life. The Family Cancer Benefit for each Covered Family Member will be effective 2 years after (i) the endorsement date of such Covered Family Member or (ii) date of any reinstatement, whichever is later. The aggregate amount of the Family Cancer Benefit paid under the Plan and the same benefits paid under other policies issued with Hong Kong Life in respect of each Covered Family Member shall not exceed HKD200,000/ USD25,000 (if the Covered Family Member is under the age of 66 on the date of endorsement) or HKD100,000/ USD12,500 (if the Covered Family Member is at or above the age of 66 on the date of endorsement). In addition, the payment of Family Cancer Benefit should be payable in the event of the Covered Family Member’s survival of 14 days following the Diagnosis of a Cancer. For detailed terms and conditions, please refer to relevant form and the policy document issued by Hong Kong Life.
  6. Health Checkup Service is provided by the third party service provider designated by Hong Kong Life. Such service is not part of the product features. The terms and conditions of the service will be issued together with the relevant service document. The availability of the service is not guaranteed. Hong Kong Life reserves the right to cancel or amend the said service at its sole discretion. In addition, Hong Kong Life will not be responsible for any services or opinions provided by the third party service provider. Hong Kong Life reserves the right of final decision in case of any dispute.
  7. Second Medical Opinion from Overseas Expert Service is provided by third party service provider. Such service is not part of the product features. The availability of the service is not guaranteed. The details of the service will be provided along with the policy document or please refer to the company website of Hong Kong Life. Hong Kong Life reserves the right to cancel or amend the said service at its sole discretion. In addition, Hong Kong Life will not be responsible for any services or opinions provided by the third party service provider. Hong Kong Life reserves the right of final decision in case of any dispute.
  8. Dread Disease Benefit includes Major Dread Disease Benefit, Early Stage Dread Disease Benefit, Severe Juvenile Disease Benefit and ICU Benefit.
  9. Terminal Dividend is not guaranteed and may be changed from time to time. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. The actual amount payable may be higher or lower than those illustrated in the Insurance Proposal. Hong Kong Life reserves the right to change it from time to time.
  10. Death Benefit Settlement Options are only applicable in the event of the death of the Life Insured after the Premium Payment Term and all premiums due have been paid, and subject to the terms and conditions, and the then administrative rules as determined by Hong Kong Life from time to time. For detailed terms and conditions, please refer to the policy document issued by Hong Kong Life.
  11. Client incentive is subject to the terms and conditions of “Fortune Evergrow 2022” Client Promotion Incentive. For details about client promotion incentive, please refer to the follows:

General Client: www.hklife.com.hk/en/promotions/index-id-17.html
Corporate & Bank VIP: www.hklife.com.hk/en/promotions/index-id-18.html

Hashtag: #HongKongLife

About Hong Kong Life

Established in 2001, Hong Kong Life Insurance Limited (“Hong Kong Life”) was founded by five local financial institutions including Asia Insurance Company Limited, Chong Hing Bank Limited, CMB Wing Lung Bank Limited, OCBC Wing Hang Bank Limited and Shanghai Commercial Bank Limited, which laid their foundations and have been serving people in Hong Kong for more than 50 years in average. Through our extensive network of around 150 distribution points comprising Chong Hing Bank, CMB Wing Lung Bank, OCBC Wing Hang and Shanghai Commercial Bank, we provide a comprehensive range of insurance services.

Local Start-Up Wada Bento Achieved a Fresh Round of Funding Accumulated More Than HK$22 Million

Using Asia’s First Hot-Chain Bento Machine with the HaaS Model to Create A “Decentralised Catering Service Platform”
Leverage the Power of HaaS to Expand Business in the Catering Sector

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – A Hong Kong start-up with a new decentralised foodservice platform, “Wada Bento” announced the successful conclusion of a fresh round of Pre-A funding, landed over HK$22 million since seed funding. Investors include Golden Resources Development Limited, Cyberport Macro Fund, EthAum Capitals in Singapore, Hong Kong Tech300, Gravity Capital Partners and angel investors. Wada Bento’s patented bento machine with hot-chain technology provides quick meal delivery in 17 seconds and touch-free food pickup. It also employs the HaaS (Hardware-as-a-Service) model as its business strategy, offering a one-stop solution for quick expansion in the catering industry. Wada Bento is dedicated to changing the conventional restaurant-oriented service model in the catering industry by expanding its sales channels in a new way at a lower cost. Meanwhile, providing consumers with hygienic, environmentally friendly, hot bentos accessibly.

Wada Bento's brand new hot-chain bento machine with lifting user interface. (From right to left, Wada Bento CEO & Co-Founder Jason Chen, Head of Engineering Dr. Stephen Chan, Chief Engineer Eric Ng)
Wada Bento’s brand new hot-chain bento machine with lifting user interface.
(From right to left, Wada Bento CEO & Co-Founder Jason Chen, Head of Engineering Dr. Stephen Chan, Chief Engineer Eric Ng)

Seize the Opportunity in the Face of Adversity within the Catering Sector to Expand Business Models using HaaS

People’s lifestyles have altered as a result of the worldwide pandemic, with more people opting for takeout meals, reducing demand for dine-in restaurants and putting them under intense operational pressure. In view of this, Wada Bento expands its business model by introducing HaaS, which includes hot-chain bento machines, hot-chain logistics technologies and an IoT backend. Wada Bento handles most of the duties, leaving the restaurant to focus entirely on preparing meals. One-stop service enables caterers to widen their distribution networks and offer food directly in institutions including offices, hospitals and schools. The bento machine completely adheres to the current trend of environmental protection and sustainable development. It is designed to be low-energy consumption, in which the power consumption during heat preservation is less than that of a household 1 HP air conditioner. Additionally, Wada Bento’s lunch boxes are composed of bagasse, a biodegradable substance. The bento machine not only significantly expands the availability of restaurant catering services and boosts revenue, but it also gives customers more convenient and hygienic options. Wada Bento has added F&B brands such as Café de Coral, Cafe de Beans and Lazy Pot as HaaS partners, moreover, received the MTR’s machine certification for the distribution of bento machines and will be entering the MTR stations soon to continuously expand the network of sales points.

Wada Bento’s Brand New World’s First Hot-Chain Bento Machine with Lifting User Interface

The Wada Bento team has finished the research and development of a new generation of bento machines after introducing the first authorised hot-chain bento machine in Asia. The company has filed for a patent and this year, they will launch the first hot-chain bento machine in the world with lifting user interface which is user-friendly for everyone of different heights. The new bento machine integrates artificial intelligence (AI) and employs non-personal recognition techniques to automatically track and evaluate customer purchasing behaviour. This provides consumers with the most personalised service and optimises the demand forecasts for users while protecting their privacy. Furthermore, the new bento machine features 5G technology, which enables remote monitoring and preventive maintenance, significantly reducing failure rate and boosting customer satisfaction.

Actively Establishing Massive Global Business Possibilities after Pre-A Funding Completed

Investor interest in Wada Bento’s innovative technology advancements remains significant. Currently, Pre-A funding was accomplished with accumulative funding of more than HK$22 million. Wada Bento will actively develop further international markets in addition to continuing to expand its Hong Kong business. According to Jason Chen, CEO and Co-Founder of Wada Bento, “Decentralised catering services will emerge as a new trend in the global catering business. Wada Bento is dedicated to decentralising the traditional catering sector, which concentrated on restaurant sites. Leveraging our patents, the hot-chain bento robot converts office buildings, schools and hospitals into mini-restaurants, allowing consumers to purchase fresh, appetising, hygienic and hot meals in 17 seconds.” Wada Bento has now landed in Circle K in Vietnam. In the fourth quarter of this year, a Japanese bento chain group will also implement Wada Bento’s proprietary hot-chain technology. Besides, Wada Bento has also opened a branch in Hengqin, Zhuhai and is prepared to expand into the active market in the Greater Bay Area.

Hashtag: #WadaBento

About Wada Bento

Wada Bento is a Decentralized Foodservice Platform empowering foodservice operators to expand their sales channels extensively using our hot-chain bento robot technology. For end users, they can enjoy hot and fresh meal boxes from our bento robots within just 17 seconds. For foodservice operators, they can expand sales channels extensively with low upfront and operational costs using our HaaS (Hardware-as-a-Service). The technology and the HaaS have been verified by over 250,000 bentos sold and have been deployed by Hong Kong’s top restaurant chains.

Wada Bento is recognized as Forbes Asia 100 to Watch, Japan Innovation Leaders Summit T-100 Top Company, and HKTDC Startup-express Winning Startup.

Laos Not a Top Contender for Indians Planning Diwali Vacations

Thailand in travel bubble talks with China and Malaysia
Thailand in travel bubble talks with China and Malaysia.

Diwali is one of the most popular Indian festivals which is celebrated across the country and among the South Asian community globally. An incumbent holiday is always a reason to plan one’s next vacation and most people are already thinking of ways they could best utilize the upcoming long weekend.

This year Diwali falls on October 24 (Monday) and Indians are eyeing that one quick getaway either locally or to foreign destinations which are located nearby. Travel+Leisure India recently published an article on this topic and Lao neighbors Vietnam and Thailand both made it to the list.

One of the reasons Laos didn’t feature on this list is because there is no direct flight Indians can book to visit the country. Most travel options include layovers for several hours in Bangkok which can be quite time-consuming for people planning a short trip. Although Laos offers visa-on-arrival to Indian citizens, the long travel potentially discourages many tourists from availing this option.

Before COVID-19 around 200,000 Indians had visited Vietnam in 2019 and with the resuming of direct flights the country is waiting to welcome more people this year. Compared to this, Laos saw the arrival of only 8,152 Indian tourists in the same year, according to a report by Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Thailand is also a long-time favorite for for Indian tourists thanks to its pristine beaches and easy accessibility. Just this year, 337,282 Indian tourists arrived in Thailand until July, including an average of 4,000 per day since 1 July when Thailand fully reopened its borders. The Thai-Indian Wedding Association (TWA) also said that it expects Thailand to host around 400 Indian weddings, leading to a footfall of around 500,000 people by the end of the year.

In 2019, Chinese tourists formed a majority of international travelers visiting Laos, but with the country’s zero-Covid policy in place, Laos needs to look at other sources to fill in the gap. To attract Indian tourists with considerable spending power, Laos needs to not just focus on flights, but also work on strengthening its public transport system and infrastructures within the country. It needs to market itself and highlight its popular destinations to potential travelers because a steady volume of Indian tourists can definitely help in reviving the tourism sector.

As an Indian lawyer who recently relocated here for work says, “Right now most Indians might not be able to even locate Laos on a map. The country needs to make a concerted effort to brand and promote itself in a way that it appeals to everyone from backpackers to luxury travelers.”

Prudential launches mobile app to provide SME employees with easy access to medical and company benefits

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) has launched a mobile app, Business@Pulse, to help SME employees manage their group insurance[1] conveniently and seamlessly. They will be able to view their medical and employee benefits as well as submit claims through the mobile app, at any time, and from anywhere.

Through the app, the human resources (HR) teams and business owners can also manage their group insurance and process employees’ claims more easily. The app is available to Prudential’s enterprise customers, from multinational companies to small businesses with at least 3 employees.

Mr Dennis Tan, CEO, Prudential Singapore, said the life insurer is committed to supporting SMEs with their employee benefits and digital transformation journey.

According to a poll[2] commissioned by Prudential in April 2022, one in three SME employees said that their companies do not have a dedicated HR team to take care of medical and employee benefits. SME employees also shared that they cannot easily find information about their benefits, with one in four saying that their company manages their benefits through email.

“Simplifying group insurance and making it easily available to employees through digital solutions such as Business@Pulse will encourage more companies to address the protection gap. This will go a long way in engaging a hybrid and digital-first workforce while providing the necessary protection for employees, which are important in view of Singapore’s ageing workforce and rising healthcare costs,” said Mr Tan.

Meeting the needs of SMEs and their employees

SMEs account for more than 99 per cent of businesses in Singapore and 70 per cent of the workforce,[3] but many do not provide medical and employee benefits. Some do not see the need due to their small company size, while others lack the resources to build or procure their own digital solutions to manage their employees’ insurance needs and benefits effectively. However, nine in 10 SME employees polled say that they want their employers to provide healthcare coverage, and 60 per cent said that they are more willing to join a company that provides medical benefits.

The Prudential poll also found that one in five SME employees are more willing to stay in a company that prioritises digitalisation, while 79 per cent agreed that digital transformation is essential for business survival. With Business@Pulse, employees can get a summary of their benefits, submit and track claims on a mobile app for a seamless experience. These are features that the polled SME employees had said were important in a tool for managing their benefits.

The following are available on Business@Pulse at launch.

  • Group Policy View – Employees can use the mobile app to get a consolidated view of their group insurance policy details (e.g. types of coverage that you are entitled to), benefits and their coverage for specific items (e.g. annual limits for surgery and hospitalisation).
  • Make and View Claims – Employees can submit claims on-the-go by uploading a photo of their medical bill on the mobile app. They can also track their claims status.

The following features will also be made available on the app.

  • Medical E-card An in-app electronic card available for employees to enjoy cashless visits to panel clinics and medical providers.
  • Clinic locator – A list of clinics that will help employees to find panel clinics that are located near their homes or wherever they are.

Helping SMEs and their employees be healthier and financially ready

Through Business@Pulse, employees of Prudential’s corporate customers will be able to utilise the existing health and financial wellness resources on the Pulse by Prudential (“Pulse”) app (see below for more information on Pulse).

Business@Pulse complements other wellness initiatives by Prudential to help SMEs enhance employee wellness. This includes WorkPLAYce – Prudential’s corporate wellness programme that offers a variety of activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being, such as, fitness and meditation classes, as well as health screenings.

Prudential is also supporting SMEs in their business growth through partnerships. For example, the SME Skills Accelerator programme, a collaboration between Prudential and SkillsFuture Singapore which aims to equip SMEs with the skills and resources to grow and innovate, upskill employees to boost their career progression, and improve employee retention.[4] Prudential has also established tie-ups with Ngee Ann Polytechnic and ST Engineering to boost SMEs’ digitalisation efforts and business growth. These partnerships will deliver trainings and webinars on digitalisation and cyber security to help SMEs in their business transformation.[5]

About Pulse
Pulse by Prudential (Pulse) is an all-in-one app that offers holistic health and wealth management solutions to consumers.

The app was launched in Singapore on 23 April 2020[6] and includes health features such as an AI-powered symptom checker, health assessment, and online doctor consultation service. Users can also purchase bite-sized insurance plans on the app to get coverage for dengue, breast cancer, and prostate cancer and get complimentary coverage for side effects from a COVID-19 vaccination. Wealth features such as Ruby, an AI digital assistant, were added to Pulse in July 2021[7] to support users in their financial planning journey.

Pulse has been downloaded more than 300,000 times in Singapore as of 31 August 2022 and is available to Singapore residents aged 18 and above. Users do not have to pay a subscription fee when they download the app and register themselves.


[1] This refers to corporate medical coverage such as in-patient and outpatient medical expenses.

[2] For more information, please refer to the media release “9 in 10 SME employees want employers to provide medical benefits” https://www.prudential.com.sg/about/newsroom/press-release/2022/9-in-10-sme-employees-want-employers-to-provide-medical-benefits

[4] For more information, please refer to the media release “Skills support programme by Prudential Singapore and SkillsFuture Singapore to accelerate SMEs’ business transformation and growth” https://www.prudential.com.sg/about/newsroom/press-release/2020/skills-support-programme

[5] For more information, please refer to the media release “Prudential Singapore boosts support for SMEs in their digitalisation efforts and business growth” https://www.prudential.com.sg/about/newsroom/press-release/2022/prudential-singapore-boosts-support-for-smes

[6] For more information, please refer to the media release “Prudential launches digital health app, Pulse by Prudential, to make healthcare more accessible and affordable to everyone amid COVID-19 spread” https://www.prudential.com.sg/about/newsroom/press-release/2020/prudential-launches-digital-health-app

[7] For more information, please refer to the media release “Prudential takes the complexity out of planning for longer lives with new wealth solutions on its health and wellness app, Pulse” https://www.prudential.com.sg/about/newsroom/press-release/2021/prudential-takes-the-complexity-out-of-planning-for-longer-lives

Notes to the editor:

  • For more information on Pulse by Prudential, please visit the website here and view the launch press release here.
  • For more information on microinsurance products available on Pulse by Prudential, please click here.

Hashtag: #Prudential

About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)

Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country’s citizens for 91 years. The company has an AA- Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s, with S$53.3 billion funds under management as at 31 December 2021. It delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of more than 5,000 financial consultants.

Chinachem Group Confirms with Helical The Purchase of a London Office Building at £158.5 million

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – Chinachem Group (the “Group”) today announces that the Group has confirmed with Helical Plc for the purchase of the 150-year long leasehold interest of Kaleidoscope, an office property situated in an emerging new tech cluster in London, at £158.5 million, reflecting a capital value of £1,789 psf. The lease from Transport for London was granted in 2018 and has a head rent geared to 10% of contracted rents. Completion is due to take place in ten days. This transaction marks the Group’s first overseas acquisition, which will help drive its portfolio diversification and sustainable growth.

Newly completed in 2019, this six-storey 88,580 sq. ft. office building sits above the Farringdon East Crossrail Station. This well-connected area has attracted many tech companies to settle there, while the UK headquarters of Amazon and Snapchat are nearby.

Situated at Lindsey Street, EC1, Kaleidoscope is currently fully occupied by Tiktok, the popular short form video hosting service owned by ByteDance, who took a 15-year lease in March 2021 at £7,633,053 per annum (an average rent in excess of £86 psf). The PLP designed scheme is accredited BREEAM Excellent, WiredScore Platinum and provides a 5,000 sq. ft. roof terrace together with spa quality end of journey facilities and features integrated artwork by Dutch artists De Makers Van.

Donald Choi, Executive Director and CEO of Chinachem Group, said: “We’re delighted to have acquired Kaleidoscope successfully as it is located in a prime position in one of London’s most dynamic, vibrant and culturally rich sub-markets with impressive rental growth. We intend to hold this property for long-term investment.”

He added: “Having now made our London entrance, we will incrementally increase our exposure in gateway cities of other major developed markets in order to move further forward our diversification objectives and build a long-term resilient income stream. However, Hong Kong still remains our home and the core market of our business operations.”

Matthew Bonning-Snook, Property Director at Helical, commented: “Kaleidoscope was the first over station development to complete on the Elizabeth Line and we were able to attract one of the world’s fastest growing tech businesses due to its striking design, highly accessible location, excellent amenities and strong environmental credentials. We will now seek to recycle the proceeds from the sale into delivering new highly sustainable ‘best-in-class’ Central London office schemes, where occupier demand remains strong.”

Click here for high-resolution image

Hashtag: #ChinachemGroup #Helical

About Chinachem Group

Since 1960, Chinachem Group has been a leading property developer in Hong Kong, with a portfolio covering residential, commercial, retail and industrial buildings for sales and investment, in addition to operating hotels and property management services. The Group actively seeks to make a positive contribution to society through its adherence to the ‘Triple Bottom Line’, a commitment that its activities will benefit People, bring Prosperity to the community and preserve the Planet. Please visit

CP Foods Thailand’s CP, MEAT ZERO and Benja Chicken Products Win at Superior Taste Award 2022, Which Is Hosted by the Prestigious International Institute of Taste

MEAT ZERO’s Nuggets, Cooked Patty (Garlic & Herb) and Benja Chicken are among the products to receive stars and available in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 7 September 2022 – CP Foods Thailand has bagged accolades for six of its products at the Superior Taste Award 2022, which is hosted by the prestigious International Institute of Taste. Three of the products are currently retailing in Singapore, which are as follows: MEAT ZERO’s Nuggets and Cooked Patty (Garlic & Herb) as well as Benja Chicken, the world’s first brown rice-fed chicken. The other three products are for CP sausages, which are not in Singapore currently.

The prestigious Superior Taste Award 2022 is an annual event held in Brussels, Belgium. The awards are certified by a jury of over 200 professional taste experts, who are members of esteemed chef and sommelier associations Le Guide Michelin and Gault & Milau. The awards mark the first time Thailand has won for its chicken meat and sausage products. They are also CP Foods Thailand’s first-ever wins, with Benja Chicken bagging two stars under the meat category as well as MEAT ZERO’s Nugget attaining three stars and Cooked Patty (Garlic & Herb) getting one star in the alternative meat category. The scoring tiers are as follows:

  • 3 stars (Exceptional): Scoring above 90%
  • 2 stars (Remarkable): Scoring between 80% and 90%
  • 1 star (Notable): Scoring between 70% and 80%

Below are more information about the products available in Singapore.

MEAT ZERO — Affordable and Incredible-tasting Plant-based Meat Products

MEAT ZERO is one of Thailand’s best-selling plant-based meat products. It took more than two years to produce MEAT ZERO’s plant-based meat products and 2,000 experiments helmed by hundreds of researchers and teams from CPF Food Research and Development Centre. MEAT ZERO obtained the intellectual property right to the Plant-Tec innovation by partnering with world-class plant-based product manufacturer Fuji Oil from Japan and experts from the U.S and Taiwan.

Traditionally, low-moisture extrusion is used to texturise protein into meat analogue. For MEAT ZERO, the high-moisture meat analogue process is used to texturise vegetable proteins into a product with a fibrous texture akin to animal meat. The appearances, mouthfeel and texture of the products are similar to those of real meat. They are of equal nutritional value. High-fibre, non-GMO soy — which keeps cholesterol levels in check — as well as pea, wheat and corn, are the key ingredients.

Nuggets 200g ($4.50): When deep- or air-fried to a golden-brown perfection, the nuggets have an airy crisp and a bite that is indistinguishable from the meat version. Pair it with roasted sweet potato fries for a guilt-free western-style meal!

Cooked Patty (Garlic & Herb) 240g ($4.50): With this offering, making katsu burger at home is a cinch. The crunchy crumb is infused with the sharp note of garlic and the fragrance of herbs. The cooked patty is high in protein and free of trans fat.

Benja Chicken — The World’s First Brown Rice-fed Chicken

Hailing from Thailand, this 100% natural product boasts a rich flavour profile, and is more tender and juicier than the market’s chicken meat by up to 55%. The brand’s offerings are wildly popular in Thailand and are preferred by chefs of Michelin-starred restaurants such as Saneh Jaan, Siam Wisdom and Paste.

Benja Chicken uses an innovative animal feed to raise its chickens. The formula comprises specially selected brown rice grains, which are rich in Gamma-Aminobutyric acid, antioxidants and vitamins B3, B6 and B9. It also helps to strengthen the chickens’ muscle structure. No growth hormone or antibiotic is added to the feed, which has been certified by the American NSF International.

An ethical company that is also a proponent of sustainability, Benja Chicken adheres to the Five Freedoms for Animal Welfare. The brand believes in cage-free farming — the chickens wander and roam freely around the farms, where the air and temperature are carefully controlled. The temperature is kept at 25 degrees Celsius, the optimal temperature for chickens of all ages. They are also raised with clean water that has been purified by a filtering system. Periodically, the chickens undergo health checks to ensure they are in the pink of health. All these factors help contribute to the wonderful taste and high quality of the meat.

Products available in Singapore include Chicken Skin-on Boneless Leg ($11.50), Chicken Skinless Boneless Leg ($10.50), and Chicken Skinless Boneless Breast ($12.90).

PROMOTION

To celebrate this achievement, CP Singapore will be running a special 50% off promotion. Enjoy Meat Zero Nuggets promotion 2 packs for $6.50 (UP$4.50 per pack) from September to October 2022 at all major supermarkets.

Facebook: @CPSingapore (https://www.facebook.com/CPSingapore/?ref=br_rs)
Instagram: @cpfoodssg
Website: https://www.cpfworldwide.com/en

Hashtag: #cpfoodssg #cpfoods

About CP Foods (CPF)

Being one of Asia’s leading agro-industrial and foods conglomerates, CPF Group strives to maintain its leading position in the industry and successfully compete in the international arena (U.S.A., Europe and Asia). The Company is determined to fulfill its vision of becoming the “Kitchen of the World”, placing significant importance on research and development to improve production quality, safety and efficiency.

CPF’s success story is tied closely to the company’s fully integrated farming and production process. CPF controls every single process from the first step of breeding to the eventual branding and marketing of its food products. It pays close attention to the freshness of ingredients at every stage to ensure customers get the best quality products.

The Company is dedicated to providing food products, which are high in quality, nutritious, hygienic and safe. Its world-class plants meet many international regulations, requirements and certifications including HACCP, GMP, BRC, OSHAS, ISO and Animal Welfare Standard. Every step of the farming and production process is based on the practice of good animal welfare and concern for the environment, by being safe and drug-residual free. CP Foods shrimp farms also practice the green shrimp technology that prohibits the use of antibiotic medicines. Instead, friendly microbes for the growth of healthy shrimp are used.

UN Experts Denounce Gender-Discriminatory Citizenship Law in Malaysia

Photo used for representational purposes only.

UN experts denounced a recent court decision in Malaysia on Monday that denied women the same rights as men to automatically confer citizenship to their children, saying affected women are less likely to leave abusive relationships and their children risk statelessness.