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Laos Confirms 1,209 New Cases of Covid-19

Covid-19 Update for Laos
Covid-19 Update for Laos

Laos has recorded 1,209 cases of Covid-19 across the country today.

CPA Australia: Hong Kong SMEs confident in overcoming fifth wave of COVID

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 12 April 2022 – Most small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong are confident they will overcome the city’s fifth wave of the pandemic. However, to take advantage of expected improvements in conditions, small businesses may need to increase their investment in technology and innovation, and reset their business strategy. That’s according to dual studies by CPA Australia on the impact of the fifth wave on local SMEs and a broader survey of Asia-Pacific small businesses.

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In light of the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, CPA Australia conducted a poll of SMEs in mid-March on their current and expected performance. This was a follow-up to a more in-depth survey of Asia-Pacific small businesses in November and December, which focused on the characteristics of high growth small businesses, business confidence and access to finance.

Fifty-five per cent of respondents to the March poll were confident that their business or employer will overcome the fifth wave, with 57 per cent expecting revenue will largely remain the same as normal or grow in the next three months.

Forty-two per cent of respondents believe that the relaxation of social distancing restrictions will have the most positive impact on their SME in the next three months, followed by the Employment Support Scheme (18 per cent) and Consumption Voucher Scheme (12 per cent).

When asked which areas of their business were most negatively impacted by the fifth wave, over one-third (35 per cent) nominated business operations, followed by cash flow (26 per cent).

Mr. Janssen Chan, Chairperson of CPA Australia’s SME Committee – Greater China said, “We are aware that many small businesses are suffering during the fifth wave of COVID-19, but they are also demonstrating resilience and adaptability during this period.

“The pandemic is a major catalyst for transforming business models and consumer spending patterns. In Hong Kong, more consumers are purchasing online and using digital payments. With social distancing restrictions set to relax from mid-April and the roll-out of stimulus measures such as the e-consumption vouchers, small businesses should continue innovating, digitalising and updating their business plans to ensure they are best placed to rebound in the second half of 2022.”

CPA Australia’s November/December survey of Asia-Pacific small businesses showed that while the percentage of Hong Kong small businesses that grew in 2021 was below the survey average of 47 percent, it rebounded strongly from 16 per cent in 2020 to 36 per cent in 2021, the same level recorded in 2019. Hong Kong was the only market of the 11 surveyed where small business performed better than expected in 2021.

Helping drive this improvement was an increase in the number of local businesses that found their investment in technology in 2021 improved their profitability (40 per cent in 2021 compared with 25 per cent in 2020). Revenue generated from e-commerce also increased. Over half (53 per cent) generated more than 10 per cent of their revenue from e-commerce in 2021, the highest result for the city since 2017.

Chan explained, “Although Hong Kong small businesses overall may still fall short of the survey average in technology adoption, another positive to emerge from the 2021 results was that more small businesses embraced digital transformation. This bodes well for the future with the survey results showing that high growth small businesses are significantly more likely to be using digital technologies in many aspects of their business.

“Over the past two years, the pandemic has adversely impacted all surveyed markets. Our survey findings indicate that those that innovate and digitalise were more likely to outperform other businesses. I’m delighted to see that nearly seven in ten Hong Kong small businesses will or may innovate in 2022, the highest result since 2017.”

Based on the characteristics of high growth small businesses from the survey results, we recommend that Hong Kong businesses:

  • increase their focus on online sales and new payment technologies
  • identify and adopt suitable technologies into their business
  • innovate through the introduction of new products, services or processes
  • explore expanding sales into overseas markets
  • seek professional advice such as IT and financial consultants.

“The SAR government offers a range of support mechanisms to small business such as the Anti-epidemic Fund, Employment Support Scheme and incentives to innovate and digitalise. We encourage businesses to consider these as they should increase the chances of your business succeeding,” says Chan.

About the research

In light of the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Hong Kong, CPA Australia polled SMEs on their current and expected performance in mid-March. Nearly 300 Hong Kong-based accounting and finance professionals who provide services to or are working in SMEs participated in the poll. CPA Australia’s 13th Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey surveyed 4,252 small business owners or managers, including 310 from Hong Kong, across 11 Asia-Pacific markets. The survey was conducted to understand their business conditions and confidence, and was conducted from November to December 2021.

About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 170,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 22,200 members in Greater China. CPA Australia has been operating in Hong Kong since 1955 and opened our Hong Kong office in 1989. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at
#CPAAustralia

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

Increased security for Pacific region digital payments: Bank South Pacific and Netcetera team up

  • Swiss payment expert Netcetera is securing online transactions for over 650,000 business banking customers in the Pacific Islands.
  • This means improved conversions, optimized checkout processes, reduced fraud, and protection from fraudulent chargeback liability.
  • The 3DS server is supported by the global schemes: VISA, Mastercard, UnionPay, AMEX, Diners, and JCB

ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND – EQS Newswire – 12 April 2022 – 2022 started with full steam ahead for the Swiss payment expert Netcetera, as they teamed up with Platform Pacific Limited (Platformpac), a homegrown fintech subsidiary of Bank South Pacific Financial Group Limited (BSPFGL).

As Card Not Present (CNP) transactions become more relevant in the pandemic payment landscape, so does the need for enhanced online payment security. Through innovative technology and a team of skilled developers, Platformpac supports BSPFGL with an enabling route to extend these services to customers and merchants.

Netcetera’s 3-D Secure offering provides an extra level of security to BSPFLG’s core infrastructure, enabling it to extend the same level of protection to its customers and merchants such as Air Nuigini, Pacific Adventist University, Shopsmart PNG Ltd. And GoFood Ltd, to name a few.

“Given Netcetera’s global reach and reputation, it was easy to decide that they are the perfect partner to help us secure the digital payments throughout our operations. This exciting collaboration opens up new advances in payment around the Pacific,” said Belinda Manning, Head of Digital – Design, Development & Operations at BSPFGL.

Through the usage of Netcetera’s 3DS server, BSPFLG enjoys and provides end customers compelling business benefits such as improved conversions, optimized checkout processes, reduced fraud, and protection from fraudulent chargeback liability.

Ivan Ong, Senior Business Development Executive at Netcetera stated, “In the case of Bank South Pacific, our goal is to guarantee secure online payments for over 650,000 business banking customers. Our 3DS server means service availability of 99.95%, measured and reported monthly, and supporting the needs of the bank 24/7.”

3-D Secure is a globally trusted protocol for securing online transactions. It involves links between various components to ensures communication between merchants, issuers and acquiring banks during a CNP transaction. The 3DS server is the final piece in the puzzle. The customer’s code or OTP is sent back to the acquiring bank, the data is secured, and the transaction is completed.

Netcetera’s 3DS Server supports all new protocol versions and card network requirements, including some of the biggest scheme names, like VISA Secure, Mastercard ID Check, AMEX Safekey, Diners ProtectBuy, UnionPay UPOP/3-D secure and JCB J/Secure. Being hosted on Netcetera Payment platform in a highly secured PCI 3DS/DSS certified data, it enables strong exemptions strategy and supports configuration of multiple acquirers and merchants.

Netcetera provides continuous upgrades and updates to support all new trends and clients’ requirements in the payment industry. The payment platform is constantly being upgraded to offer the best solution to its customers on how to overcome challenges, improve their conversion and grow their overall fintech business.

About Netcetera

Netcetera is a global software company with cutting-edge IT products and individual digital solutions in the areas of secure digital payment, financial technologies, media, transport, healthcare and insurance. More than 500 banks and issuers, and 160,000 merchants rely on the digital payment solutions and globally certified 3-D Secure products of the market leader for payment security. The owner-managed company covers the entire IT lifecycle, from ideation and strategy to implementation and operation. The balanced combination of the latest technologies and proven standards ensures investment security, from large-scale projects to innovative start-ups. Founded in 1996, Netcetera is a holding company with around 800 employees and is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, with locations across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Further information:

#Netcetera

About Bank South Pacific:

BSP is the largest bank in Papua New Guinea, with 35 branches throughout the country and present in 6 countries. BSP currently services over 650,000 business banking customers throughout the Pacific, in Fiji, the Solomon Islands, Samoa, Tonga, Cooks Island

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

VENI, VIDI, VICI – Mitch Evans Conquers Rome For Jaguar TCS Racing

Mitch Evans makes history for Jaguar TCS Racing as the first driver to win both races in a double-header weekend in Rome.

Ackenting Group Shifts Accounting Services In Singapore Online

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 12 April 2022 – In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolving landscape of business operations, accounting firm in Singapore, Ackenting Group, has announced that they are shifting their accounting services online to serve and meet their clients’ evolving needs for digital strategies.

To remain competitive and relevant in the post-COVID business environment, Ackenting Group recognises that technology is strategically important as a vital component of the industry. Before the pandemic, many corporate accounting functions and services take place manually. However, with certain COVID-19 restrictions set in place for the workplace, Ackenting Group had to shift their services and operations online to cater to the shift in working environment, allowing both the firm and their clients access to the accounting system anytime and anywhere. This will be achieved with the implementation of effective and well-tested accounting software such as Optical Character Recognition that automates specific accounting procedures to minimise human error and boost efficiency.

Many SMEs lack the necessary training and do not have the fundamental IT knowledge. Furthermore, cost has always been the key factor that impedes the implementation and training of IT solutions. By going online, small businesses can now tap into the knowledge and expertise of Ackenting Group’s consultants without having to come up with additional resources and increasing their budget.

AG is a mid-tier audit and accounting firm in Singapore that provides affordable accounting services in Singapore. Their services also extend to company incorporation, secretarial, GST and tax filing services, among others. With two offices in Singapore and Malaysia and over ten years of experience under their belt, Ackenting Group is also part of the IR Global Professional Services Network, which is made up of more than 1,000 professional corporations across the globe.

Ackenting Group currently provides comprehensive accounting and corporate advisory solutions to clients from a wide range of industries including Oil & Gas, Marine, Printing, Manufacturing, Logistics, Construction & Engineering, F&B, and more. With Ackenting Group’s services, the firm hopes to provide quick, affordable, and practical solutions to both small and large businesses.

For more information on Ackenting Group and their extensive range of corporate solutions, do visit https://ag-singapore.com/.

#AckentingGroup

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

DHL Global Forwarding delivers Covid-19 antiviral pills to Thailand

BANGKOK, THAILAND Media OutReach – 12 April 2022 DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist arm of Deutsche Post DHL Group, managed the transport of the newly approved Covid-19 antiviral pills from the production site in Italy to its destination in Thailand. The delivery of vaccine pills follows DHL’s commitment to vaccine deliveries. Globally, the Group has shipped over 2.3 billion shipments of vaccines across 176 countries.

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“In Thailand, we worked with our sister division, DHL Express, to transport Covid-19 vaccines last year. We are pleased to support Thailand’s next phase of managing the pandemic and returning to normalcy by delivering the Covid-19 antiviral pills,” said Thomas Tieber, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding Southeast Asia. “The transportation of the antiviral pills is similar to regular pharmaceutical goods transported at a range of 15-25 degree Celsius, without the need for ultra-cold temperature control used for shipping Covid-19 vaccines.”

“It is a privilege to be part of a global effort to provide access to Covid-19 vaccines worldwide, and now we are doing the same with the antiviral pills. Since 2020, we have transported the urgently needed vaccines to the Asia Pacific region, including remote areas, to ensure that people have access to it. We continued that effort by bringing in the Covid-19 antiviral pills to South Korea, the first country in Asia Pacific to receive the treatment, and to Singapore this year,” said Kelvin Leung, Chief Executive Officer, DHL Global Forwarding Asia Pacific.

More than 9,000 life sciences and healthcare specialists work across DHL’s dedicated global network so that pharmaceutical, medical devices, clinical trials and research organizations, wholesalers and distributors, as well as hospitals and healthcare providers are connected across the value chain and through digitalization, from clinical trials to point of care, and every step in between.

DHL’s portfolio for the healthcare industry includes 150+ pharmacists, 20+ clinical trials depots, 100+ certified stations, 160+ GDP-qualified warehouses, 15+ GMP-certified sites, 135+ medical express sites, and a time-definite international express network covering over 220 countries and territories.

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81 billion euros in 2021. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve zero-emissions logistics by 2050.

#DHL

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

Eureka Translations Expands Their Services To South Korea

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 12 April 2022 – Eureka Translations is delighted to announce its expansion overseas, with its first branch office being located at 431 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. As part of Eureka Translations’ growth strategy, this helps the company extend its role as a critical player in the language industry.

As an Asian language specialist company, Eureka Translations aims to become a significant part of the translation industry in the Korean market by offering prompt, precise and professional translation services. By combining their primary translation services with other services such as graphic design and video editing, they hope to provide unrivalled services, especially in both cost and quality.

After taking the first step of expanding to Korea, Eureka Translations will form a strategic partnership with agencies such as KILSA Korea, a subsidiary of KILSA Global. With this partnership, both parties will be able to synergise their contributions to assist local Korean companies planning to expand overseas and vice versa.

Mr Eric Tan, Branch Director of Eureka Translations Korea, shared that what makes Korea unique is its globalisation, language and culture that can be thoroughly felt and experienced worldwide. He also expressed his appreciation for the privilege of working with numerous clients including local SMEs, major law firms, and government agencies in Singapore and Korea.

Mr Tan also stated that the new branch office would be their first overseas milestone towards their goal of deeper engagement towards expanding in the Asian market. He believes that their first physical foray into the overseas market is well-timed with the world currently re-emerging from the COVID-19 aftermath.

Eureka Translations is a one-stop translation service provider located in Singapore. Founded in 2014, they engage only native language professionals of specific languages as part of their professional translation services in Singapore. Their translation consultants follow the five Ps in their services: Prompt, Precise, Peerless, Prized and Progressive.

Whether you need assistance with the official translation of documents, hire a linguist for international meetings or even engage video editing or graphic design services to market to the public, Eureka Translations is here to lend a hand.

As part of their growing portfolio, some of Eureka Translations’ clients include Audemars Piguet, Drew & Napier, HP, Microsoft, Nintendo, P&G, J&J, Google, KOGAS (Korea Gas Corporation), etc.

To learn more about Eureka Translations and their range of services, visit their website at https://www.eurekatranslations.com/.

#EurekaTranslations

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

Thai Police Investigate Bomb Thrown at PM Prayut’s House

Prayut's residential compound
Prayut's residential compound (Photo: Matichon).

Thai police are investigating an incident on Sunday night during which a home-made explosive device was thrown into the residential compound of Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha.