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UnaBiz Closes Series B at over US$50M with Extension Round Led by SPARX Group

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 8 December 2022 – UnaBiz, Massive Internet of Things (IoT) service provider, closes Series B at over US$50M in an extension round led by SPARX Group and followed by G K Goh Holdings and Optimal Investment. The new financing is reserved for existing investors.

Earlier this year, the company acquired the Sigfox 0G technology that powers the global public 0G Network and connects over 10 million sensors for 1,500+ B2B customers through 70+ national 0G operators worldwide.

After 6 months of successful integration, the company is ready to invest in sustainable product innovation, and strengthen its four key verticals: Utilities, Security, Facilities Management, and Supply Chain & Logistics, across LATAM, APAC and EMEA.

Sparx Group, which also led the initial Series B supported the acquisition.

“UnaBiz acquisition of the 0G technology significantly enhances and cements the group’s position as the global leader of Massive IoT. As the technology owner of the most energy-efficient LPWAN technology available on the market, UnaBiz is in a prime position to champion the convergence of Massive IoT communication technologies (from 0G to 5G) to help enterprises achieve their digitalisation and sustainability goals,” Shuhei Abe, President and CEO of SPARX Group said.

SPARX Group is an independent investment company based in Tokyo, Japan, that manages over US$15 billion worth of assets. It is listed on Tokyo Stock Exchange.

“We are encouraged by the trust and confidence of our investors in this extension round despite the current economic climate,” said Henri Bong, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of UnaBiz Group. “With their strong support and the newly energised team that consists of key executives with deep expertise in technology, operations, sales and marketing, the UnaBiz team will work closely with and through our global partners and 0G Operators around the world to drive Massive IoT.”

Founded in 2016, the company operates with sales offices in Tokyo, Paris, Madrid and Rotterdam, and has two R&D centres in Taiwan Taipei and France Labège. Post-acquisition, UnaBiz doubled its office locations and tripled in headcount. The company currently employs over 240 employees worldwide.

Goh Yew Lin, Managing Director, G. K. Goh Holdings, a Singapore-based investment company, says, “We are happy to increase our investment in UnaBiz as it accelerates its geographical reach following the acquisition of Sigfox. The company’s team has demonstrated focus, foresight and entrepreneurial energy, and we look forward to the next phases of its growth story.”

“Aside from the investments already planned to support business development in strategic markets, we will also use the fresh funds in research and development to further enhance the core low-power 0G capabilities as well as enable cost-effective long-range connectivity dedicated to very low-value assets. Our product portfolio will also be expanded to integrate more LPWAN and satellite technologies, ultimately providing aggregated and clean data through UnaConnect service. The proliferation of new solutions aimed at a broader market will allow our customers to enjoy economies of scale, and the freedom of choice when it comes to means of collecting data from physical assets – that is what the Technology Convergence movement is about.” Philippe Chiu, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of UnaBiz Group commented.

For more information, visit www.unabiz.com

Hashtag: #UnaBiz

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

About SPARX Group

SPARX is an independent asset management firm that was founded in 1989. It practices a consistent investment philosophy and regular asset management processes in the development of its four core businesses: One Asia (Asian equities), real assets, Mirai Creation, and Japanese equities. It excels due to its bottom-up approach to research through which it engages with individual companies. Listing on the JASDAQ market in 2001, SPARX became the first independent Japanese asset management firm to list on the TSE First Section in 2019.

About UnaBiz

UnaBiz is a proven global Massive IoT service provider that specialises in solution design, manufacturing, connectivity and data platform services across a hybrid of low-power wide-area (LPWA) technologies such as Sigfox 0G, LTE-M, NB-IoT and LoRa, to power sustainable business growth. Founded in 2016, the company is headquartered in Singapore, with R&D centres in Taipei and Labège, and sales offices in Tokyo, Paris, Madrid and Rotterdam.

UnaBiz owns the Sigfox 0G technology that connects over 10 million sensors for 1500 B2B customers on the global 0G Network, owned and commercialised by 70+ national Operators worldwide. The company focuses on Utilities, Supply Chain & Logistics, Security and Facilities & Building Management.

New UN Report Reveals Cracks in Region’s Health Sector Investments

Chinese medical experts assist Lao Ministry of Health

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical cracks in health sector investments in Asia and the Pacific, with the sector’s foreign direct investments (FDI) dropping by 45 percent from 2019 to 2020 and continuing to decline to 34 percent in the first three quarters of 2022.

Final Number of Homes Handed Over to Attapeu Flood Victims

Some of the 700 houses granted to victims of the Attapeu flood disaster | Photo credit: Lao National Radio.

Attapeu officials held a ceremony on Wednesday to hand over all 700 houses to victims of the Xe-Pian-Xenam Noy dam collapse after a four-year construction period.

SOLARR Inks Strategic Partnerships with UKIIC Accelerator and MRM Family in UK and EU Expansion

Partnerships and Funding Accelerates Cross-Border Web3 Collaboration in Virtual Economy

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 December 2022 – SOLARR today announced new partnerships with UKIIC Accelerator and MRM Family Office. The recently sealed partnerships will accelerate SOLARR’s global ecosystem expansion efforts into the United Kingdom and European Union as the company taps into cross-border collaborative opportunities to advance the growth of Web3 and the virtual economy.

Left: SOLARR’s Founder & CEO, Alex Lee addressing an audience of lawmakers, philanthropists, business leaders, and innovators at the UK Parliament’s House of Lords.
Right: SOLARR showcases Web3 use cases at TOKEN2049 London.

“We see significant synergy between UKIIC’s expertise and SOLARR’s Web3 ambitions,” said Professor Yu Xiong, President of UKIIC Accelerator and Director of the newly established Surrey Academy for Blockchain and Metaverse Applications. “SOLARR’s distinctive Web3 commerce and finance platform forms an integral part in UKIIC’s robust ecosystem in accelerating the on-going digital transformation initiatives in the UK, while UKIIC’s expertise in fostering startups and supporting entrepreneurs will be beneficial in helping SOLARR establish new business foothold in the UK.”

Increasing Ground in the EU

MRM Family actively invests in impact initiatives in the EU and Africa and is looking to leverage Web3 technologies like NFT, DAO, and metaverse to achieve a more economically-viable, inclusive, and scalable impact. Through its partnership with SOLARR, MRM will both invest directly in SOLARR and extend to SOLARR its EU portfolio companies and partnership network for enabling Web3 adoption and transformation.

Lee and key executives from SOLARR were in London recently to participate in TOKEN2049 London, a premier digital asset event featuring leading Web3 companies and thought leaders in the global development of blockchain and digital assets.

Accelerating the World’s Transition into the Decentralised Digital Economy

SOLARR is building the infrastructure and paving the way to accelerate the world’s transition into the decentralised digital economy. The company is charting the next frontier in Web3 by bridging the combined power of decentralisation and Web3 technologies through commerce, finance, and the metaverse virtual economy.

“We are thrilled to expand our portfolio with the addition of SOLARR who will play a major role in numerous digital transformation projects we are currently supporting,” said Maria Milford, Founding Partner and CEO of MRM Family (Europe and Asia).

Building the Case for Web3 and Digital Transformation

This news comes following SOLARR’s recent attendance at the UK Parliament’s House of Lords, which plays a crucial role in reviewing legislation and investigating public policy. Under the invitation of Baroness Manzila Uddin, Co-Chair of the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Metaverse and Web 3.0, and UKIIC Accelerator, SOLARR’s Founder & CEO, Alex Lee represented the voice of Hong Kong’s Web3 practitioners and industry frontrunners to showcase the latest Web3 use cases across different industries.

Addressing an audience of lawmakers, philanthropists, business leaders, and innovators at the House of Lords, Lee said, “Digital transformation is not only fundamentally changing how businesses operate, generate profits, and interact with their customers, but is also leading the world towards a ‘new era’ of global unity. The transformation effectively breaks barriers by enabling faster, secured, frictionless cross-border interactions and a scalable global peer-to-peer network.”

Hashtag: #NFTs #NFT #Web3 #DeFi #INO #InitialNFTOffering #Metaverse #launchpad #SOLARR #SOLARRLaunchpad #NFTProject #CreatorsEconomy #DigitalArtist #Blockchain #NFTMarketplace

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

About SOLARR

SOLARR is a DeFi-integrated Web3 commerce platform, empowering users to increase utility, unlock value, and liquify NFTs within a secure decentralized digital commerce platform connected to the metaverse virtual economy. SOLARR’s mission is to accelerate NFT mass-adoption with utility, accessibility, and liquidity. Ultimately, SOLARR’s vision is to facilitate the world’s transition into the decentralised digital economy.

For more information, visit:
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Govt. Inaugurates New Train to Transport Bananas to China

Photo credit: ຂ່າວສານກະສິກຳ,ປ່າໄມ້ ແລະ ພັດທະນາ ຊົນນະບົດ

The Department of Agriculture and Forestry, alongside Xuanye (Laos) Co., Ltd., held a ceremony on 5 December in Vientiane Capital, to inaugurate a new freight train transporting bananas from Laos to China.

Reckitt’s brand Dettol sponsors the 2022 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, continuing to support mega events with enhanced hygiene protection

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 December 2022 – Reckitt’s brand Dettol announces to be Product Sponsor of the 2022 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon (“Hong Kong Cyclothon”). The partnership aims to enhance hygiene protection of thousands of cyclists at this major sports event held through the diverse cityscape of Hong Kong, featuring a spectacular route that passes through the Tsing Ma Bridge, Ting Kau Bridge, Stonecutters Bridge, Cheung Tsing Tunnel, Nam Wan Tunnel and Eagle’s Nest Tunnel.

Dettol-x-HK-Cyclothon-EN.jpg


Through this sponsorship, Dettol will work to ensure personal hygiene protection among the participants and the helpers are undertaken to top standards at the Hong Kong Cyclothon to be held on 18 December 2022. Health and hygiene practices that are essential for the safety of all will be promoted throughout the event. Furthermore, 25 sets of Dettol hand sanitising dispensers will be deployed at several locations in the event venues and Dettol Disinfectant Spray will be provided to keep the public facilities clean. All cyclists will receive a rider pack that includes Dettol hand sanitizer.

This sporting event offers a unique opportunity for thousands of cyclists to ride through some of Hong Kong’s most iconic landmarks. As one of the product sponsors, Dettol is honoured to be part of such an exhilarating event, making sure all participants are protected and enjoy the journey.

“We are excited to partner with Hong Kong Tourism Board for the first time to prepare for the return of more physical sports events and safeguard the health of cyclists at the 2022 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon,” said Boudewijn Feith, Reckitt General Manager Hong Kong/Taiwan. “At Reckitt, it is at the heart of our guiding principle to put consumers and people first, and we are determined to bring Our Purpose to life – to protect, heal and nurture, in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. Through this sponsorship, we will continue to be the enabler and protector of the community’s best moments with Dettol, the world’s most trusted disinfectant brand, dedicated to the overall protection of our health.”

Globally, Dettol has partnered with many leading organizations and supported major events worldwide, including the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, the English Football Association (FA), Cricket Australia, Hilton Hotels, and British Airways, to deliver its brand purpose of protecting what people love — be that families, sports, or day-to-day life moments.

For details on 2022 Sun Hung Kai Properties Hong Kong Cyclothon, please visit: www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/what-s-new/events/cyclothon.html

Hashtag: #Reckitt #Dettol

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

About Reckitt

Reckitt* exists to protect, heal and nurture in the relentless pursuit of a cleaner, healthier world. We believe that access to the highest-quality hygiene, wellness and nourishment is a right, not a privilege.

Reckitt is the company behind some of the world’s most recognisable and trusted consumer brands in Hygiene, Health and Nutrition, including Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang, Clearasil, Dettol, Durex, Enfamil, Finish, Gaviscon, Harpic, Lysol, Mortein, Mucinex, Nurofen, Nutramigen, Strepsils, Vanish, Veet, Woolite and more.

Every day, more than 20 million Reckitt products are bought globally. We always put consumers and people first, seek out new opportunities, strive for excellence in all that we do and build shared success with all our partners. We aim to do the right thing, always.

We are a diverse global team of close to 40,000 colleagues. We draw on our collective energy to meet our ambitions of purpose-led brands, a healthier planet and a fairer society.

Find out more, or get in touch with us, at

* Reckitt is the trading name of the Reckitt Benckiser group of companies

About Dettol

The brand first started in hospitals 80 years ago, where Dettol Antiseptic Liquid was first used for the cleaning and disinfection of skin during surgical procedures. As a trusted brand by doctors, Dettol was also used to protect mothers from illness after childbirth.

Ever since then, Dettol has been trusted around the world to help prevent wounds from infection, prevent sickness and help mums protect their families by killing harmful germs and helping to create safe environments for them to thrive in.

The brand continues to be one of the most trusted protectors of health. It’s still valued today as a reliable and effective product which is safe to use on skin but also powerful enough to use for environmental germ-killing tasks. For more information, please visit:

Thai Company to Build ASEAN’s Largest Wind Farm in Laos

The Thai BCPG Public Company will begin the construction of the largest wind farm in ASEAN in Laos.

Thai electric power distribution company BCPG Public will begin the construction of ASEAN’s largest wind farm in Laos at an estimated cost of development of USD 1.5 billion.

UOB Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Palace Museum jointly present the inaugural Art in Ink Festival

Showcasing the beauty of the multi-faceted Chinese culture to the local and global audience through Chinese Ink Art

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 7 December 2022 – UOB Hong Kong has joined hands with the Hong Kong Palace Museum (HKPM), Hong Kong’s newest cultural landmark in West Kowloon Cultural District, to present the inaugural Art in Ink Festival (the Festival) from 17 December 2022 through 30 December 2022. The Festival brings a unique and versatile experience of Chinese ink art to audiences, offering an Augmented Reality interactive experience, panel discussions, documentary screenings, art workshops and pop-up art stalls in the HKPM, allowing visitors to be inspired by the dynamic interpretations of Chinese ink art.

With the full support from the Central Government and as highlighted in the National 14th Five Year Plan, Hong Kong is poised to become a vibrant East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. The Art in Ink Festival extends both UOB and the HKPM’s vision to foster long-term appreciation for Chinese ink art as one of the oldest art practices in the world, thereby solidifying its global presence. It also demonstrates the commitment of the two partners to nurture local artists and advance Chinese culture through Chinese ink art, helping to strengthen Hong Kong’s position as an international hub for grooming future leaders in the arts and culture arena.

Mrs Christine Ip, CEO – Greater China, UOB, said, “We are honoured to partner with the Hong Kong Palace Museum given its unparalleled historic roots with Chinese culture and history. Through this partnership, we showcase not just Chinese ink art, but the inherent beauty and sophistication of Chinese culture. As the leading patron of the arts in Asia, UOB is dedicated to forging a sustainable future by providing opportunities for the discovery of art, the uncovering of artistic talents and the rejuvenation of our cultural heritage. This year, we amplify our efforts by presenting the versatility of Chinese ink through the Festival. It is a significant milestone for us as we work towards our vision to tell Hong Kong stories in Chinese ink to the audience in the local community, the region and the world, and to enable the medium to earn its deserving attention and recognition.”

Dr Louis Ng, Museum Director of the HKPM, said, “The Hong Kong Palace Museum is thrilled to partner with UOB to launch the inaugural Art in Ink Festival. Since the official opening of the Museum in July 2022, we have been building cultural momentum in this dynamic city by presenting not only high-quality exhibitions, but also a diverse range of innovative arts and cultural education programmes to the public, which is a testimonial to the Museum’s mission of facilitating cultural exchanges and promoting the inheritance of Chinese culture, especially for future generations. We look forward to welcoming our visitors to experience and enjoy the multi-faceted perspectives of Chinese ink art.”

The Art in Ink Festival at a glance

The two-week Art in Ink Festival will take place at the Palace Academy of the HKPM with free admission, featuring an extensive programme line-up that enables visitors to indulge in a holistic Chinese ink art atmosphere and to be inspired by the dynamic interpretations of the medium. One key highlight is an immersive 3D-mapping video with the 18 winning artworks of the 2022 UOB Art in Ink Awards, and visitors will also be able to interact with a selection of Augmented Reality-enabled winning artworks. Another compelling activity is the Augmented Reality Art in Ink Interactive Zone at the foyer of the Palace Academy, where visitors can virtually interact and take photos with curated ink animation featuring various elements of the winning artworks.

A series of Art in Ink workshops will be led by distinguished artists such as Dr Chui Pui-Chee, calligrapher and ink artist; Ms Rebecca Hon, winner of the 2021 UOB Ink Art of the Year Award; Ms Rainbow Leung, art educator; Ms Ling Pui Sze, experimental ink painting and collage expert; Mr Tony Ng, experimental ink painting specialist; Mr Frank Tang, who is well renowned for his creative use of technologies and platforms in his imaginative art projects showing the power of art, and gongbi specialist Mr Jacky Tao.

Supplementing these workshops are the handcraft workshops in seal carving and printmaking. The countless aspects of the medium ranging from gongbi painting, to experimental ink painting, collage and beyond are set to inspire visitors to unleash their creativity and art skills. Those interested in joining these various workshops, talks and documentary screenings may register on HKPM’s website: www.hkpm.org.hk, from today.

Appendix 1: Programme Line-up for the Inaugural Art in Ink Festival

Activities Date & Time Venue Featured Artists and Speakers
“2022 UOB Art in Ink Awards Winners” Showcase 17-30 December 2022 (except 20 December 2022) Palace Academy NA
Augmented Reality Art in Ink Interactive Zone 17-30 December 2022 (except 20 December 2022) Foyer NA
Film Screenings Unsung Heroes of Ink

17 and 24 December 2022 (11:00am-11:30am)

23 December 2022 (3:00pm – 4:00pm including a sharing)

24, 26, 27 and 30 December 2022 (4:00pm – 4:30pm)

Auditorium Sharing – Ms Olivia Wang, Dr Sarah Ng
Immersive Ink Animation Screenings 17 and 23 December 2022

(12:00pm – 1:00pm and 5:00pm –6:00pm)

24 December 2022 (12:00pm – 1:00pm)

Auditorium NA
Talk Contemporary Reinterpretation of Ink Art

17 December 2022 (3:00pm – 4:00pm)

Auditorium Ms Grace Cheng (Guest Curator), Mr Chris Cheung, Mr Hung Keung and Mr Ng Tsz Kwan (Artists)
Pop-up Ink Art Stall Pop-Up Chinese Calligraphy

17 and 24 December 2022 (1:00pm – 3:00pm)

Pop-up Christmas Card Calligraphy

18 and 25 December 2022 (1:00pm – 3:00pm)

Merit Hall Ms Chan Oi Ying

18 December – Whale Whispers and Dyelicious

25 December – Erica and Dyelicious

Art in Ink Workshops Experimenting Abstract Ink Art Workshop

17 December 2022 (11:00am – 1:00pm)

26 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

“My City, My Landscape” Ink Art Workshop

17 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

22 December 2022 (11:00am – 1:00pm)

24 December 2022 (11:00am -1:00pm)

Chinese Ink Christmas Card Workshop

19 and 21 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Experimental Ink Workshop

23 December 2022 (11:00am – 1:00pm)

24 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Classical Chinese Landscape Painting Workshop

28 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Abstract Ink Art Workshop

29 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Workshop on Chinese Traditional Gongbi Painting in Blue-and-white Porcelain Style on Gold Paper

30 December 2022 (11:00am – 1:00pm)

Merit Hall Ms Rebecca Hon

Ms Rainbow Leung

Mr Frank Tang

Ms Ling Pui Sze

Dr Chui Pui-chee

Mr Tong Ng

Mr Jacky Tao

Handcraft Workshops Auspicious Seal Engraving Workshop

18 December 2022 (11:00am -1:00pm and 3:00pm – 5:00pm)

30 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Screen Print Taster Workshop

23 December 2022 (3:00pm – 5:00pm)

25 December 2022 (11:00am -1:00pm and 3:00pm – 5:00pm)

Merit Hall Mr Harrison Tso

Marble Print Clay

Art in Ink Workshops (Teachers Sessions) Classical Chinese Landscape Painting Workshop (Teacher Session)

28 December 2022 (10:30am – 1:30pm)

Abstract Ink Art Workshop (Teacher Session)

29 December 2022 (10:30am – 1:30pm)

Merit Hall Dr Chui Pui-chee

Mr Tony Ng

Hashtag: #UOBHongKong

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

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. In Asia, UOB operates through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, as well as branches and representative offices across the region.

Over more than eight decades, generations of UOB employees have carried through the entrepreneurial spirit, the focus on long-term value creation and an unwavering commitment to do what is right for our customers and our colleagues.

We believe in being a responsible financial services provider and we are committed to making a difference in the lives of our stakeholders and in the communities in which we operate. Just as we are dedicated to helping our customers manage their finances wisely and grow their businesses, UOB is steadfast in our support of social development, particularly in the areas of art, children and education.

About the Hong Kong Palace Museum

The Hong Kong Palace Museum aspires to become a leading cultural institution committed to the study and appreciation of Chinese art and culture, while advancing dialogue among world civilisations. The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a collaborative project between the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority and the Palace Museum, which is funded by The Hong Kong Jockey Club Charities Trust with a donation of HK$3.5 billion for its establishment.

Embracing new curatorial approaches, the Museum offers a Hong Kong perspective and a global vision, presenting the finest objects from the Palace Museum and other important cultural institutions around the world. Through research, exhibitions, and educational and professional exchange programmes, the Museum will build international partnerships and help position Hong Kong as a global hub for art and culture. At heart a resource that belongs to the community of Hong Kong, the Museum will inspire community engagement, foster dialogue, and promote creativity and interdisciplinary collaboration.