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MCIS Life Strengthens Relationship With Merchantrade

Life insurer acquires stake in Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd, fortifies collaboration

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021  MCIS Insurance Berhad (MCIS Life) has taken up a 4.99% stake in Merchantrade Asia Sdn Bhd, the leading e-money player and the country’s largest Money Services Business operator, through the acquisition of new ordinary shares of an undisclosed amount.

The two companies kicked-off a marketing distribution arrangement in 2019 where MCIS Life provided a life insurance protection plan for Merchantrade’s customers which includes Malaysians as well as migrant workers.

 

In August 2021, they teamed up again to provide a product targeted at underserved communities such as Malaysians eligible for the Perlindungan Tenang Voucher (PTV) scheme.

 

The strategic collaboration has come at an opportune time as the value of life insurance and other relevant financial products have magnified amidst the pandemic. The combined strength and synergy between both companies are poised to unlock more innovative, personalised, digital insurance solutions to meet the protection needs of customers from all walks of life.

 

This strategic acquisition is set to accelerate MCIS Life’s digital transformation journey and leverage on Merchantrade’s digital capabilities, access to extensive network of over 1,000 physical touchpoints throughout the country and their three million customers.

 

MCIS Life CEO and Managing Director Mr. Prasheem Seebran said Merchantrade is a fast-growing fin-tech company constantly at the forefront of digitisation and driving innovation in financial services thereby allowing the former to pivot on their expertise in pursuing the company’s ambition to be a digitally focused life insurer.

 

Mr.Ramasamy Veeran, Founder and Managing Director of Merchantrade said: “Having an established brand like MCIS Life with us resonates with our goals of expanding our insurance offerings as it allows us to better develop next-generation products and services that continue to add positive value to customers and communities around us as we make the future convenient, easier and more secure for generations to come.”

 

“Building from our core businesses with strategic partnerships and collaborations, we will continue to accelerate the rollout of innovative financial services and strengthen our comprehensive ecosystem of interconnected technologies, such as global remittance, payments, e-wallet solution, foreign currency exchange, micro-insurance, tele-health, micro-loans, telco services and more. All with aspirations of giving customers a dependable digital first experience and elevate financial access across all walks of life,” added Ramasamy.

 

“Forging this partnership with Merchantrade provides MCIS Life with significant upside potential. It allows us to break away from the traditional bancassurance model which often incurs exorbitant fees and simultaneously strengthens our position as the sole life insurance partner within the Merchantrade eco-system,” Prasheem elaborated.

 

Prasheem added that MCIS Life’s strategy is focused on enhancing customer experience through innovative product solutions and digitised service offerings. The synergies between the two companies will be further supported by Merchantrade’s technology solutions as well as its foray into the payment space.

 

“We aim to achieve our targets by rolling out more products to suit Merchantrade’s target market and this strategic alliance is expected to contribute over 25% of MCIS Life’s non-agency new business contributions by 2025.”

 

The acquisition forms a bold step forward, further strengthening the existing ties between both companies since 2019 and MCIS Life see tremendous value in Merchantrade’s mobile e-wallet application and nationwide on ground touchpoints allowing access to the underserved communities.

 

“Currently MCIS Life is the exclusive life insurance partner of Merchantrade. Considering the potential of the company and various opportunities to collaborate and create value for existing and prospective customers, this investment is expected to bring significant value to us,” Prasheem explained.

 

In line with its brand promise – “People Helping People” – MCIS Life also aims to roll out more inclusive, simple and affordable solutions to Merchantrade’s underserved customer base such as Malaysia’s B40 segment and migrant workers. It will also expand its offerings on employee benefits and bespoke products for corporate clients, high end products for the remittance market and online products for the technology savvy.

About MCIS Life

MCIS Insurance Berhad (MCIS Life) is a pioneer life insurer in Malaysia since 1954, regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia, and a proud member of the Sanlam Group, one of the world’s biggest internationally active insurance groups, since 2014.

#PeopleHelpingPeople

About Sanlam Group

Sanlam is a pan-African financial services group listed on the Johannesburg, Namibian and A2X stock exchanges. Through its five business clusters – Sanlam Personal Finance, Sanlam Emerging Markets, Sanlam Investment Group, Sanlam Corporate and Santam – the Group provides comprehensive and bespoke financial solutions to institutional clients and consumers across all market segments. Sanlam’s areas of expertise include life and general insurance, financial planning, retirement, investments and wealth.

Established in 1918 as a life insurance company, Sanlam has evolved into the largest non- banking financial services group in Africa through its diversification strategy.

Headquartered in South Africa, Sanlam has a direct stake in financial services entities in Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Mauritius, Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria. The Group owns Saham Finances, thereby having a footprint of insurance operations in Morocco, Angola, Algeria, Tunisia, Ghana, Niger, Mali, Senegal, Guinea, Burkina Faso, Cote D’Ivoire, Togo, Benin, Cameroon, Gabon, Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Burundi, and Lesotho.

Sanlam also has insurance business interests in India, Malaysia and the United Kingdom and has business interests in the USA, Australia, the Philippines, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia.

For further information on Sanlam, please visit us at www.sanlam.com

About Merchantrade Asia

Merchantrade Asia Sdn. Bhd. is a leading fintech company and Malaysia’s largest Money Services Business operator and fast-growing e-Money issuer.

Merchantrade operates 98 branches, 2 main wholesale banknote trading hubs, has more than 1,000 agent locations and cash-in cash-out merchants throughout Malaysia. Its award-winning digital platforms such as eRemit mobile money transfer app, available in both Malaysia and Singapore allows for seamless worldwide personal money transfers, and Merchantrade Money an app and card-based digital wallet that offers a range of digital financial services, including multi-currency wallet solution, digital payments, remittance services, currency exchange, micro-insurance, mobile reloads and more.

For more information, please visit www.mtradeasia.com

#MCISLife

A New Hope for Children in Laos with the Reopening of Schools

Ms. Roslyn Hanson Gabriel, Country Programme Director for World Vision International in Lao PDR, visiting the FAST Project in Luang Prabang Province, where World Vision helps children to stay in school and transition to lower-secondary school, back in January 2021.
Ms. Roslyn Hanson Gabriel, Country Programme Director for World Vision International in Lao PDR, visiting the FAST Project in Luang Prabang Province, where World Vision helps children to stay in school and transition to lower-secondary school, back in January 2021.


Over the weekend, Universal Children’s Day was celebrated all over the world, commemorating the Declaration and Convention of the Rights of the Child adopted by the United Nations General Assembly many decades ago.

Hiramino Soy Peptide: A Locally-Made Supplement That Aims To Keep Blood Sugar Levels in Check

Hiramino Soy Peptide is produced in Malaysia and is 100% plant-based. The product is also HALAL (JAKIM), MeSTI (KKM), HACCP (KKM) & GMP (KKM) Certified.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021 – Meridien Trading introduced Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide, a homegrown product aimed at supporting adults of all ages, to control and manage their high blood sugar levels. 

These days, it is fairly common to observe and practice unhealthy habits in our diet and lifestyle such as binge-eating, under-eating, and physical inactivity. An unhealthy diet and lifestyle is a leading cause of high sugar level spikes which could potentially lead to adverse health effects.

What is classed as having a high blood sugar level? Adequate care must be taken when an unusual high spike in sugar level is observed before the first meal of the day, which is also known as Fasting Blood Sugar level. A Fasting Blood Sugar level of up to 6 mmol/L is considered normal while anything higher than 7 mmol/L is considered as high sugar levels.

Many have struggled to control and manage their high blood sugar levels. When blood sugar levels increase, the body launches into overdrive to compensate for the rise. In the absence of sufficient insulin, or if the body fails to respond to insulin properly, the body will draw energy from fat for energy. Hence, individuals with high blood sugar levels often feel lethargic, regardless of how well-rested they are.

It can be challenging to manage this condition, however, blood sugar management is possible to lower as well as regulate blood sugar to a healthy level with the proper lifestyle and routine. 

“This is the main driver of founding Hiramino. We have heard stories of friends and family struggling with high blood sugar levels, constantly feeling lethargic. So, we decided to manufacture small quantities of soy peptide to try ourselves after hearing from a friend with a background in food formulation. That was the start of Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide,” said Khoo Ghim Eu, Marketing Manager of Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide.

Packed with all 20 Amino Acids that are required by the human body, Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide is 100% plant-based and made without any addition of artificial flavourings, colouring, stabilisers or preservatives making it a supplement suitable for vegetarians and vegans. Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide is certified Halal by JAKIM.

 

Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Isoleucine, Leucine, Lysine, and Valine in Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide formulation help to potentially regulate blood sugar levels by slowing down the digestion of sugars and starches allowing cells to absorb excess sugar from our bloodstream, resulting in optimum blood sugar levels. 

 

“We intend to prioritise supporting individuals in regaining their quality in life by managing and controlling blood sugar levels better,” said Khoo. He added: “Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide is made from carefully sourced soy with strict quality controls to ensure all individuals can safely consume our supplement, which includes vegetarians, vegans, and anyone who may have dietary restrictions”.

 

Soy will go through a hydrolysis process to remove all fat, sugars, and fibre leaving only the protein. After, the protein is broken down into smaller, more easily digestible components called Amino Acids. These components then make up the final product – Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide.

 

Hiramino Soy Peptide is available in 5g sachets and is easily dissolved in any warm or room temperature water, making it convenient for individuals to have it on the go. Individuals consuming this product are advised to maintain their regular blood sugar management plan and routine.

 

“Today, with Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide in the market, coupled with good lifestyle management, individuals with high blood sugar levels can remain active and lead a productive life. So, we hope to be able to continue to produce safe products of quality and, most importantly, able to help consumers effectively manage their blood sugar levels,” said Khoo.

 

In collaboration with Home Tester Club Malaysia, a nationwide test was conducted between September 2020 and November 2020. The Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide was distributed to one hundred forty-eight (148) Malaysians to be tested out.  9 out of 10 consumers agree that Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide has helped them to manage their high blood sugar to a healthy level within 30 days of consumption.

 

“After I received the product and started consuming Hiramino as suggested, I was quite surprised by the result. Merely after one week, my sugar reading reduced from 11.8 before taking this product and after one month of consumption, dropped to the lowest ever at 5.8. I am feeling more energised and confident. Furthermore, the product is easy to carry, convenient, and ready to consume,” said Elias, Tester from Home Tester Club Malaysia

 

Take matters into your own hands to manage your blood sugar levels now.  Find out more about Hiramino Soy Peptide on the website: https://hiramino.com/pages/benefits

About Hiramino Small Molecule Soy Peptide

At Hiramino, we are committed to promoting health and wellness by providing our customers with high-quality food supplements. We believe in an integrated approach of lifestyle management coupled with products that have been scientifically proven to aid in controlling blood sugar levels.

Maintaining a healthy sugar level does not have to be a struggle. We are committed to only put forth products that will benefit our consumers and provide them a better quality of life.

Our Belief

Every consumer is a priority to us and we plan on embarking on this journey of wellness with each and every one of them. Knowing that our consumers have succeeded in managing their blood sugar levels with the help of our products drives us and inspires us even more towards our goal of providing high-quality food supplements for all.

Safe, Effective & Convenient

We ensure our products are safe for everyone to consume. We have registered and received Halal certification from JAKIM. Our products are also registered for MeSTI, HACCP & GMP compliance under the Ministry of Health Malaysia.

For more information, please visit www.hiramino.com

Find us on Facebook (HirmainoPeptide), Instagram (@hiraminopeptide) and YouTube (Hiramino Peptide).

#Hiramino

Okta Selected as Identity Management Partner by SK Inc. C&C

SK Inc. C&C and Okta to provide innovative IT Security Technology in Korea

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021 – Okta, the leading independent provider of identity, world IAM and SSO leader, announced its partnership with SK Inc. C&C to provide UD (Universal Directory), SSO (Single Sign-On) and MFA (Multi-factor Authentication) to Korean enterprise customers.  Okta is a world leader in IAM (identity and access management) and SSO, and its IT security services maximize enterprise productivity with higher security and frictionless application access.

Okta and SK Inc. C&C have started and have plans to complete an internal SK Identity Project by the end of 2021. SK Inc. C&C will provide Okta Identity Management solutions and services to not only SK and its subsidiaries but also numerous local enterprises, adding to SK Inc. C&C’s digital technologies including AI (Artificial Intelligence), Cloud, and Big Data. 

Okta has been named by Gartner as a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for Access Management for five consecutive years. Also, SK Inc. C&C believes in the strengths of Okta’s End-to-End Identity Engine Platform for user access experience and convenient development environment. Furthermore, SK Inc. C&C and Okta will provide adaptive MFA (Multi-factor Authentication), ASA (Advanced Server Access solutions) and CIAM (Customer Identity and Access Management) solutions for various industries.

SK Inc. C&C ICT Digital Division Vice President Sangkuk Lee says: “SK Inc. C&C is the leader helping enterprise customers establish digital infrastructure with business innovations. Okta has been chosen after extensive search and reviews for various identity solutions in the market.”

Okta’s industry leading digital identity technology secures the complex operations of the world’s largest organizations.

 

Okta Asia Pacific General Manager Graham Sowden says: “The world’s largest companies choose Okta to manage their identity requirements and secure their most complex operations. We are very proud of this successful partnership with SK C&C Inc. to contribute to the Korea IT industry with convenient and safe access solutions and services.”

About Okta

Okta is the leading independent identity provider. The Okta Identity Cloud enables organizations to securely connect the right people to the right technologies at the right time. With more than 7,000 pre-built integrations to applications and infrastructure providers, Okta provides simple and secure access to people and organizations everywhere, giving them the confidence to reach their full potential. More than 13,050 organizations, including JetBlue, Nordstrom, Siemens, Slack, Takeda, Teach for America, and Twilio, trust Okta to help protect the identities of their workforces and customers.

#Okta

German Sportswear Brand Gym Aesthetics Black Friday Deals;Quantum Mirac – Compression Leggings to Improve Your Overall Performance

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021 – Renowned German sportswear brand Gym Aesthetics is currently promoting Black Friday deals! Customers may purchase the latest and most popular products: sports underwear, vest, T-shirt, hoodies, jacket, long pants, short pants and leggings for up to 40% off. Customers may receive free shipping upon purchase of $300 and a free reusable facial mask (powered by airDefender®) upon purchase of any two items.

During the promotional period, customers will receive exclusive freebies upon various amount of cumulative spending:

●      Receive a day pass from Anytime Fitness upon purchase of HK$388

●      Receive Gym Aesthetics Gym Towel upon purchase of HK$888

●      Receive a Gym Aesthetics Waterproof Backpack upon purchase of HK$1,588

●      Receive a Theragun Mini Massage Gun upon purchase of HK$5,888

Since ancient times, women of all ages have been yearning for toned legs and bubble buttock. The latest compression leggings produced by Gym Aesthetics; Quantum Mirac, perfectly provides the greatest opportunities for every woman.

Gym Aesthetics Quantum Mirac high-efficiency reversible compression leggings are strategically designed with a matrix of silicone dots in 6 different densities placed all around generating targeted acupressure, while promoting blood circulation and sweat production. The first of its kind to hit the market, the Quantum Mirac collection elevates any workout in both efficiency and style. The butt lifting and leg shaping designed Quantum Mirac leggings deliver the most comfortable and functional bodybuilding journey to sports enthusiasts. 

 

Quantum Mirac Reversible Compression Leggings Retail Price:

Solid Color: HKD $698

Patterned Color: HKD $798

Quantum Mirac: https://asia.gymaesthetics.com/zh-tw/collections/quantum-mirac

Gym Aesthetics Hong Kong Online Store:https://asia.gymaesthetics.com/
Gym Aesthetics Asia facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gymaestheticsasia
Gym Aesthetics Asia Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/gymaesthetics.asia/

About Gym Aesthetics

Gym Aesthetics is a fashionable and dynamic fitness and athleisure brand based in Germany, serving a worldwide clientele. Founded in 2013 by two Bosch engineers, Phil and Aleks, and two professional YouTubers and athletes, Karl and Ralf; Gym Aesthetics is more than a sports fashion, it is always about lifestyle – a sporty attitude to life that feeds off fighting spirit, discipline, health, pride, self-presentation and a sense of belonging. Featuring men, women, and unisex styles, Gym Aesthetics is dedicated to bridging the gap between innovation and access within the worldwide fitness community.

For more photos:https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1svYK9wSG XL0sQ8qdrHOfL0R2CDTyWSe8?usp=sharing

#GymAesthetics

Health Officials Urge Government to Increase Cigarette Pricing in Laos

Smoking cigarettes

Health officials have asked the government of Laos to boost the price of cigarettes by ten percent to try to reduce the number of smokers in the country.

Laos to Produce Molnupravir Antiviral Medication to Treat Covid-19

Merck to allow Molnupiravir to be produced by developing nations
Merck to allow Molnupiravir to be produced by developing nations.

 

The Ministry of Health has given the green light to produce Molnupravir for the treatment of Covid-19 in Laos.

Germany provides additional EUR 1.45 million to Mekong River Commission

Germany pledges funding for MRC

 

Germany is allocating a further EUR 1.45 million to the Mekong River Commission (MRC) to tackle development and management challenges in the Lower Mekong Basin.