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Lao Government Approves Tax Reduction on Diesel for Farmers

A farmer in Bolikhamxay Province plowing a rice paddy.

The Government of Laos has agreed to abolish the excise tax on diesel, which was previously levied at 15%, in an effort to reduce the retail price of fuel and lessen the impact of high energy prices on farmers.

uFinance launches the first “Lowest Interest Rate Guarantee” University Tuition Fee Loan in Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 9 August 2022 – Following the summer holidays, the school year is just around the corner. The main challenge for university students at this time is to prepare for the big tuition fees. The 12-year free education in Hong Kong only covers the primary and secondary levels. After entering tertiary institutions, students have to pay their own tuition fees, which can be costly for students of modest means. If they need financial assistance or loans to pay for their tuition fees, the preferred method for many students is to apply for the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (“Grant Loan”) and the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (“Non means”) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency. However, there are complicated procedures involved in applying for tuition fees such as Grant Loans, and students who fail to apply for financial assistance or loans provided by WFSFAA in a timely manner may also be required to pay additional penalties for failure to pay tuition fees on time. To solve the problem of tuition fee payment, uFinance has launched the “University Student Tuition Fee Loan” to provide the most suitable financial support for university students. All students need to do is provide three documents and register for the loan online. Students can also choose to repay the remaining principal amount at any time after receiving the government assistance without paying any service charge.

Features of the uFinance Tuition Fee Loan for University Students

1) The first ” Lowest Interest Guarantee ” in Hong Kong
uFinance offers Hong Kong university students a low-interest university tuition fee loan of HKD$21,050 at the best interest rate in the Hong Kong market (6% p.a.), spread over 6 to 48 months, with an average monthly interest rate of HKD$56.7.

2) Easy application process
Applicants can simply fill in the online form and upload 3 documents (ID card, student card and tuition fee statement) to complete the application process. After successful application, students can also choose to sign the contract online and pay off the tuition fees to solve their financial difficulties.

3) No service charge for immediate repayment
Students can choose to repay their loan in different lengths of time from 6 to 48 months, and they can also repay the loan in advance if they wish. uFinance does not charge any service fees and there are no hidden charges.

4) Paying tuition fees for students
uFinance understands that students may have an urgent need for a loan to pay their tuition fees. uFinance can complete the approval process as soon as three documents are submitted, and the money will be deposited directly into the school account without the need to pass through the loan, so that students can pay their tuition fees as soon as possible.

Case Sharing of University Student Tuition Fee Loan

As he was unable to obtain financial assistance from the WFSFAA in time for the start of his studies, Chan chose to apply for a tuition fee loan from uFinance to pay the Semester 1 tuition fee (HKD$21,050). He opted for the 48 instalment loan plan and only had to repay about HKD$494 per month afterwards, which was a relatively low financial burden. Two months after the start of the academic year, Chan passed the financial assessment by the SFAA and received the loan, so he chose to pay off the uFinance loan early. At this point, Chan only had to repay the remaining principal without paying extra interests and penalty charged by the school. uFinance hopes that the tuition fee loan will reduce the impact of not paying tuition fees on time, and allow students to get through their four-year university career with less financial stress.

uFinance Student Loans – making campus life better for students

Besides tuition fee loans, students can also apply for student loans. Different from tuition fee loans, students can apply for student loans directly to their student bank accounts, which can be used for Hall fees, exchange fees, computer purchases or even FYP without any restrictions. This allows non-degree tertiary students to enjoy a stress-free campus life.

Information Loan Platform for Tertiary Students – Preparing yourself for the challenges of society

As well as helping students with their financial burden during their studies, uFinance hopes that students will be able to access insightful information on their platform that will help them for their future life planning, such as internship recruitments, lifestyle tips and financial management knowledge. uFinance believes that the tertiary life will have a great impact on students’ future development, and therefore hopes that students will be well-equipped for the challenges ahead before entering the society.

Moreover, uFinance hopes that students can enjoy their campus life without being constrained by financial pressure. Therefore, uFinance offers campus sponsorship throughout the year, providing products and financial support to various institutions and societies so that students do not have to worry about money when organising different activities such as Ocamp, Oday and Welfare Week.

Please click here to download HD images

Hashtag: #uFinance #StudentLoan #UniversityStudent

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

About uFinance

uFinance Hong Kong Limited (“uFinance”) was established in 2018 to provide the most suitable financial support for tertiary students in Hong Kong, enabling them to manage their own finances and take advantage of every learning opportunity. Compared to traditional financial institutions, uFinance does not require income proof as an approval criterion, nor does it require students to provide proof of address. Students are required to upload 2 documents (ID card and student car) to apply for the offered by uFinance. Since its inception, uFinance has served more than 10,000 students and has worked with over 200 societies from tertiary institutions.

Beyond financial support, uFinance also provides a one-stop information platform for tertiary students, including information on job hunting, internships, sponsorship and further studies, so that they can have a solid foundation to face different challenges before starting their careers. uFinance, Right After You!

For more information, please visit the uFinance website:

LaoSafe Launches Destination Video

VIENTIANE, LAOS – Media OutReach – 9 August 2022 – LaoSafe has launched a new video showcasing the wonders of Laos as the country works on their post-Covid-19 revival of tourism.

Exploring several of Laos’ most popular tourist hotspots, the video highlights the benefits of the LaoSafe certification to business, leisure, and adventure travellers alike. Restaurants, hotels, indoor and outdoor activities are all featured in the video, alongside the expertise of LaoSafe-certified tourism professionals.

Implemented by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism, and approved by the Ministry of Health, LaoSafe is a nationwide initiative designed to create a world-class health and hygiene system within the tourism and hospitality industry. Sector-specific standards have been developed for accommodation, food and beverage, tour guides, and drivers, to raise the benchmark of hygiene provision throughout the country and build international confidence in the Laos as a safe tourist destination.

To further this goal, LaoSafe has launched this English-language destination video highlighting the range of tourist experiences in Laos while focussing on the skills, knowledge, and contemporary hygiene practices of the tour guides, drivers, and service professionals who deliver them.

Set against the backdrop of Laos’ stunning scenery and cultural heritage, the video follows a couple as they journey through some of the most popular attractions of this singular destination; a morning workout in a luxury 5-star gym, the tranquillity of a visit to the Buddhist temples, the adventure of zip lining and kayaking through karst rock formations, and, finally, relaxation with a cup of freshly brewed Lao coffee in nature.

At each stage of the trip, they are greeted and guided by certified staff following LaoSafe protocols, including offering face masks and hand sanitiser, practicing thorough cleaning techniques, wearing personal protective equipment, and encouraging visitors to undergo temperature checks.

The video ends with the slogan “You’re Safe Here”, a motto that underscores the overriding goal of the LaoSafe initiative.

“The LaoSafe certification program has been instrumental in restoring confidence in the Lao tourism sector among visitors. This video allows the sector to build awareness and increase certification efforts beyond Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang,” said Mme Darany Phommavongsa, Director General of the Tourism Management Department, under the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

Regarding the launch of the video, Mme Darany Phommavongsa said, “This destination video is an important contribution to ensuring visitors are aware not only of the safety measures and guidelines in place by the LaoSafe program, but also serves to showcase the beautiful tourism sites that Laos has to offer.”

“We will continue to build on the momentum of the LaoSafe initiative to ensure that Laos remains a safe and clean country that is attractive for both foreign and domestic visitors in line with the government’s green growth and sustainable development goals,” she added.

The LaoSafe program is supported by the Skills for Tourism Project (LAO/029), which is co-financed by the governments of the Lao PDR, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg and Switzerland, and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Sports of the Lao PDR and LuxDev, the Luxembourg Development Cooperation Agency.

For further information, visit https://laosafe.gov.la/

For all media enquiries, additional comment and request for interview please contact media@laosafe.gov.la

Hashtag: #LaoSafe

SYLTARE Set to Launch NFT Trading Card Game on August 18th

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach – 9 August 2022 – In a move that shook the NFT-based Trade Card Game (TCG) ecosystem, SYLTARE announced its global launch on August 18th.

sylta.jpg

With Vietnam being SYLTARE’s first global debut, following South Korea as its initial playground, the Philippines and Brazil are next in line for this innovative new game. Vietnam, the Philippines, and Brazil only marks the starting point of SYLTARE’s grand expansion into the global market.

Targeting the Global Market

Today, SYLTARE announced that their NFT Trading Card Game would launch on August 18th. The game has already garnered much attention in South Korea, with over 9,500 cards minted in under 1 second. The game has already reached the top of the trading cards section on Opensea across all chains and raised $7.6 million worth of cryptocurrency to fund the project.

The CEO of SYLTARE, Duhee Lee, has a Ph.D. in Computer Science and is renowned for his software engineering skills. He has assembled a team of top strategists and game designers. The team includes Jinho Hong and Youhyun, both who took part in “The Genius”, a South Korean reality game show, alongside CEO Duhee lee, who are renowned competitive poker players with several championship titles under their belts. Jin Ho Hong’s past career as one of the nation’s leading Starcraft professional gamer adds further context to the strategic nature of SYLTARE game. Backed by such talents, SYLTARE will be among the most exciting and innovative games on the market, with seamless user experience enriched by its deep storyline and high-quality artwork.

Endorsed by several major investment groups in South Korea, SYLTARE now seeks to expand its reach into the global market. Representatives of the company quoted the Philippines and Brazil will be two of the three top-priority markets, following their successful launch in Vietnam.

Re-Designing the NFT-Based TCG Ecosystem

SYLTARE explained that the game offers two modes, Normal and Sit & Go. The Normal mode targets casual users, while the Sit & Go aims to attract competitive players.

The Sit & Go mode made its international launch on the 5th of August, marking a 7-day growth of 400% rise in the daily play match metrics. Followed by a strong initial global presence, the team will launch the Normal mode on August 18th.

The team at SYLTARE has not only invested utmost effort in creating an enticing gaming environment, but also put endless thought into ensuring the sustainability of the SYL token economy. Unlike many other NFT-based games, SYLTARE has a burn rate similar to poker tournaments. This means that the SYL token will constantly be in demand, helping to ensure its stability.

In addition to its strong economy, Syltare also offers updates that will keep players engaged. These updates include ranking systems and various event mechanisms. This combination of features will create a solid player base and help drive the growth of the NFT-based TCG ecosystem.

Hashtag: #SYLTARE

About SYLTARE

SYLTARE is a collectible card game that uses non-fungible tokens (NFTs) to represent cards and ownership.

This eagerly awaited trading card game will launch on August 18th. The game will be available in a free-to-play mode, and some players will receive Karma Points (KP). The KP system will allow players to join the game.

Anyone interested in learning more about SYLTARE can refer to its and social media links below.
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Tourism Sees Slow Start in Laos but Jump in July May Tip the Scales

Thai tourists participate in a morning almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang (Photo - Ven. Bounhao Panyasouk)
Thai tourists participate in a morning almsgiving ceremony in Luang Prabang (Photo - Ven. Bounhao Panyasouk)

Laos has seen just over 42,000 arrivals in the first six months of this year, but experts predict the numbers to increase by a large margin by the end of the year.

Asian University for Women in Bangladesh, the region’s premier liberal arts university, is offering full scholarships to high-potential students from India’s Dalit and minority communities

CHATTOGRAM, BANGLADESH – Media OutReach – 9 August 2022 – Asian University for Women (AUW) has announced new scholarships for outstanding Indian women who are first in their family to attend university. The scholarships will be fully funded from the general resources of the University, and while a student from any state in India (or, across the region or the world) may apply for admission to AUW, these scholarships are specifically intended for high-potential students from oppressed communities from the following states of India: (I) Bihar; (ii) Jharkhand; (iii) Orissa; and (iv) Assam. AUW currently have more than 20 students from Assam, Jharkhand, Kashmir, Mizoram, Nagaland and Odisha. A communication to this effect has already been transmitted to the Chief Secretaries of each of these states through His Excellency the High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh. The University exercises a preferential option for members of the Dalit and other ethnic or religious minority communities as. well as others who are unjustly treated by the Indian state or the communities at large.

His Excellency High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Mrs. Doraiswani with AUW students at the AUW Library.

His Excellency High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami and Mrs. Doraiswani with AUW students at the AUW Library.

AUW seeks students with high academic potential and an undeterred commitment to leadership and social change as exemplified by a demonstration of courage; outrage at injustice; and empathy.

Since its founding in 2008, AUW has offered close to 150 fully funded scholarships for Indian nationals covering all costs of room, board, tuition, travel, books and supplies and health care. One graduate, Savitri Kumari, has ranked first this year in Jharjhand Civil Service Exams.

His Excellency High Commissioner Vikram Doraiswami the Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh has visited AUW’s campus in Chittagong several times. In encouraging more Indian nationals to take advantage of the excellent educational opportunities offered at AUW, His Excellency High Commissioner Doraiswami commented:

The Asian University for Women is a unique and pioneering project that is as outstanding as it is inspiring. It is developed in the simple but effective concept of giving every deserving young woman a chance to break out of both the age-old shackles of patriarchy and social constraints as well as the restrictions of cost and access that are the limitations of our modern age. I have had the good fortune to see the transformative impact that this University has exercised upon so many brilliant and committed young women, in a brief period of around a decade, and I have no hesitation in saying that this is a project that deserves our fullest attention and support. For us in India, the project delivers on the very goals that our Government has itself adopted, of “beti bachao, beti padhao”–save a girl, educate a girl–that has been instrumental in sparking a remarkable evolution in our approach to empowerment of women.

I have no hesitation in inviting attention and consideration for this University, its faculty, and above all, its remarkable group of resilient and committed young women, who deserve the best that life can offer them.

AUW Vice Chancellor, Dr. Rubana Huq said:

AUW seeks to facilitate, expand and promote educational opportunities for women in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Assam. We hope that the outreach assistance from the Indian government will lead to recruitment of talented women who will later serve their communities with excellence and passion.

AUW’s founder Kamal Ahmad said in announcing these scholarships:

AUW’s vision is to create a society that is not separated by religion, caste or creed. We deplore political pogroms against the weakest of our societies and call upon all civilized elements in society to oppose such degradation of values so valiantly championed by Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Suhrawardi and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and other leaders of integrity at the creation of our independence. By bringing young women of diverse backgrounds who have the courage to speak truth to power, AUW hopes to make its own small contribution in resisting the tyranny of prejudice and repression that is attempting to burn down our dreams of a different world. It is only logical that these efforts are rooted in Chittagong for it was the “Free State of Bengal” that resisted even at the time of Partition the forced divide of our nations on the basis of religion instead of recognizing our common humanity.

Hashtag: #AsianUniversityforWomen #AUW

About Asian University for Women (AUW):

Founded in 2008 and located in Chittagong, Bangladesh, AUW is the first of its kind: a regional institution dedicated to women’s education and leadership development through liberal arts and sciences education. It is international in outlook but rooted in the contexts and aspirations of the people of Asia. Chartered by the Parliament of Bangladesh, AUW exists solely to support a rising network of women leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers from across the region. It seeks out women who show significant academic achievement and potential, demonstrate courage and a sense of outrage at injustice, and are empathic to the woes of other people.

1160 students from 17 countries currently attend AUW: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Syria, Timor Leste, Vietnam, and Yemen. More than 85% of AUW students are on full or near-full scholarships funded by supporters from around the world. The University has graduated over a thousand students to date. A majority of AUW graduates secure employment in the private and public sectors in their home countries while about 25% go on to pursue graduate studies at other institutions of higher learning including Oxford, Cambridge, Johns Hopkins, Stanford, Columbia, Duke, Brandeis and Tufts, among others. To learn more about Asian University for Women, please visit .

Korea’s LegalTech Virtual Data Room provides essential technological security for diversification of business, including M&A and attracting investment

LegalTech VDR supports maximum business efficiency through a secure virtual data room environment optimized for sharing confidential documents.

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach – 9 August 2022 – In recent years, companies have been actively engaged in short-term expansion and business restructuring through M&A. For example, global pharmaceutical and bio companies’ aggressive mergers and acquisitions (M&A) are rising. In 2018, the size of M&A in related fields totaled KRW 400 trillion and is expected to reach around KRW 1.6 quadrillion by 2022. They are proactively diversifying their business by merging with different industries following the growth of the online drug market.

During such intricate M&A processes, management and security of legal, accounting, and other confidential business data are important tasks for negotiations and the prevention of leakage of information. In such a scenario, Virtual data room (VDR) solutions with specialized functions for information sharing and collaboration with external experts are becoming increasingly popular. They are highly secure, convenient, and efficient for in-out technology licensing and contactless collaboration with global clinical trial data partners.

Korea’s Legaltech VDR is a cloud-based solution optimized for sharing confidential documents and managing information. It is possible to effectively manage the vast amount of research and experimental data accumulated during the R&D period. As a virtual data room solution, it guarantees fast upload and download speeds and offers a reasonable price as a feature – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hr7phYKXvEk .

VDR is a service that provides a highly secure environment for multilateral collaboration and sharing of confidential data. Although it was mainly used in M&A due diligence processes, recently, VDR has been used for a wider variety of applications as a collaboration solution for sharing confidential information such as technical data during an IPO, investment attraction, in-out licensing, and corporate due diligence.

A cloud-based solution optimized for confidential document sharing and information management, Legaltech VDR can effectively manage vast amounts of data. While other VDR solutions have a capacity limit of 500MB to 1GB, Legaltech VDR offers up to 2GB and takes less than 10 minutes to upload and download.

Legaltech VDR’s unique features are:

– Secure permission level management, such as folder access levels and download restrictions, can be managed in detail for each individual user.

– Security features, such as watermarks and disabling screen capture and printing, are applied to prevent external leakage of confidential data.

– The secondary authentication feature allows specific IP access, watermarks, and disabling screen capture.

Legaltech VDR also provides up to 83 file viewers, including MS Office, so users do not need to install additional programs; supports drag-and-drop of large-sized folders while maintaining their structure; and offers personalization functions for marking important files, attaching tags, and managing subscriptions. It improves the convenience of work and serves as an efficient collaboration tool with document request and comment functions.

Currently, there are 190 companies that use Legaltech VDR, with a majority of those companies in the pharmaceutical, bio, accounting, law, investment, and finance fields.

Legaltech VDR’s plans to expand its service to Singapore & other countries

With the increasing use of virtual data rooms worldwide, this industry is also growing rapidly. Experts predict that the market size of virtual data rooms will grow from $ 1.4 billion in 2020 to $ 2.7 billion in 2025.

Legaltech VDR (https://www.legaltech.kr/ ) is gradually increasing its market share in Korea, where it was developed, and is also turning its attention abroad. Legaltech VDR is expanding globally with its partners by attracting a strategic investment of $2 million in Japan in recognition of the technology and growth potential of its unique big data search engine.

In particular, the company has its eyes on Singapore, an active business environment for global companies. The country is rapidly growing as a digital business hub, with many global IT companies, such as Facebook and Twitter, already in business and a significant influx of Chinese IT companies.

Beyond security [SA1] and efficiency, there’s a growing demand for ESG solutions. Jeong In-ho, CEO of Legaltech, explains, “As ESG management has emerged as a global trend, companies are increasingly trying to apply eco-friendly elements throughout their business, with virtual data rooms becoming one of the key solutions to drive the change.”

He added – “We are expanding our efforts to ensure that virtual data rooms are used widely in today’s active business dealings with non-performing loans and are also planning to promote the paperless environment for businesses.”

Hashtag: #LegalTechVDR

Tmark Resort Vang Vieng Awarded Five Stars

Tmark Resort in Vang Vieng became the first resort in Vang Vieng to receive a five-star rating from the Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism on August 5.