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Laos Extends Lockdown Measures For Further 15 Days

Covid-19 lockdown measures extended in Laos until July
Government Spokesperson and Minister to the Prime Minister's Office, Madame Thippakone Chanthavongsa.

Laos has extended its lockdown Covid-19 prevention measures across the country for a further 15 days as the community spread of Covid-19 in the nation’s capital continues.

Easy Health plans to introduce five new Eco-friendly packaging technologies

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 18 June 2021 – The concept of environmental protection has attracted more and more public attention. As a result, Easy Health packaging company has focused on developing green packaging designs in recent years. Easy Health is planning to introduce five product packaging technologies that can change the landscape of the industry.

1. Water-soluble packaging

This kind of packaging is made of water-soluble materials, completely soluble in water, compostable, biodegradable, non-toxic and harmless to the environment, and helps reduce the amount of garbage. It is a new alternative to traditional plastic packaging. Water-soluble packaging is different from traditional plastic bags. The main ingredient is water-soluble material Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA). Natural materials such as cornflour, glycerine and water are also added. PVA is a water-soluble synthetic plastic. It can also be degraded by microorganisms in a full water environment, in composting facilities, and in soil, and decomposed into carbon dioxide and water. It returns to the ecosystem without generating microplastics. Just pour hot water above 80 degrees on the water-soluble package, and it will be completely dissolved in the water after a few minutes. After being dissolved in hot water, it can be poured directly into the sink. At the same time, it can be slowly decomposed in cold water or room temperature water.

2. Smart packaging

Smart food packaging has gradually received more and more attention, and its application in the meat industry is booming, including sensors, indicator tags, wireless frequency identification tags, and so on. However, there are still many challenges to be overcome for the actual application and commercialization of technology in food packaging.

In terms of technology, smart packaging can also be subdivided into sensors, wireless frequency identification tags (RFID), and indicator tags. At present, these three parts have many related technologies or research publications, but the actual applications in commercial food packaging are still few. This is mainly because smart packaging needs to seek lower cost and easier technology, as well as contextual applications that can be accepted by consumers and producers, in order to truly open the market for smart packaging. At present, the most practical technology that can be applied to food smart packaging is mainly the indicator, and a few products have been actually applied. This kind of products are mainly small product labels, which are based on the colour change technology that is visible to the naked eye. Today’s applications are almost all time-temperature indicator labels (Time-Temperature Indicator; TTI), which mainly monitor the temperature and time during transportation and storage. The impact of changes on the content, there are other indicators for the freshness of fruits and vegetables, pH change labels, etc.

3. Edible packaging

Edible packaging ingredients contain starch (C6H10O5)n, gelatine, a small amount of lecithin, are edible ingredients. And the human body eat rice paper, the enzymes in the mouth will immediately break down rice paper. The main functions of edible films are: (i) isolating bacteria from entering food (ii) Preventing food from being exposed to moisture in the air (iii) Preventing food from melting and sticking to the product packaging at high temperatures.

4. Self-cooling & Self-heating packaging

Just press the button on the package, and the liquid in the self-cooling tank can be cooled in a few minutes. It is equipped with a small compressed container. When it is opened, the volume of CO expands rapidly, and the temperature of the beverage can be reduced to 4.4°C within 9 seconds. Self-heating packaging can heat the food in the packaging to the temperature you need within a few minutes.

5. Adaptive packaging

Adaptive packaging technology is to simulate the environmental parameters required by food, and automatically adjust the environmental changes in food storage and transfer, so that the environment in the packaging service can maximize the storage and quality of food. In adaptive packaging, the food environmental parameters to be adjusted or adapted mainly include temperature, humidity, pressure, gas composition and so on. This is also an intelligent processing and packaging technology. This technology consists of two parts: materials and processes. Some environmental parameters rely on chemical adjustment, some rely on biological adjustment, and some rely on physical adjustment. Therefore, this technology is currently the most complete packaging technology, and it is also the most difficult technology to achieve and control.

About Easy Health

Easy Health relies on more than 20 years of excellent track record, coupled with strong food packaging production capacity and expertise, unique product packaging design, excellent logistics service/delivery service capabilities, and perfect storage service/warehouse management We are committed to creating better value for customers with automated processes such as import and export and a loyal customer service team. The company’s health care product packaging service has won positive reviews from the industry, and it all depends on the trust and support of customers. In the future, we will continue to uphold the service tenet, pursue higher quality and innovative technology, with tailor-made solutions, rigorously manage every step such as filling, box packaging, vacuum packaging/vacuum packaging services, processing packaging , Cellophane packaging/heat shrink packaging, cosmetic packaging/care product packaging, health food packaging, and combination packaging to ensure stable product quality, maximize cost-effectiveness, and become a reliable partner for customers.

#EasyHealth

Push For Tech Reskilling Opens Up New Prospects For Workers in Singapore

  • Job seekers and career switchers ride the digitalisation wave to land new roles and more opportunities with acquired skills
  • 58% increase in tech training places since the start of the pandemic

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 June 2021 – When the pandemic hit, 57-year old Muhamed Ibrahim Mohd Salleh found himself unemployed and not being able secure a job. Having only offline sales experience and zero background in tech, he found himself facing unfamiliar changes. He realised that the ‘new norm’ would be more tech-driven, prompting him to take a leap of faith to enrol himself in the SG United Skills Digital Marketing and E-Commerce Specialist Programme by NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB).

Despite the steep learning curve, he pressed on and four months into the nine-month programme, he decided to set up his own barber shop with his son. Confident of his newly acquired tech skills and knowledge, Ibrahim is now promoting his shop through social media marketing and managing online appointment bookings.

The course is just one out of many programmes under NTUC LHUB’s training offerings in Infocomm Technology (ICT). The leading training provider saw a 58% increase in training places for ICT courses from 2019 to 2020[1]. Workers are now upskilling to ride the wave of digitalisation, which offers new jobs and business opportunities. As the pandemic has accelerated the adoption of digital transformation across industries, businesses are looking for workers to fill new tech roles.

The top courses include those in Agile Skills, Data Analytics and User Experience. NTUC LHUB observes that many of its trainees are looking to either advance in their careers or make a career switch in the tech space.

NTUC LHUB’s Head of ICT Isa Nasser says, “COVID-19 has changed business needs and there is now a pressing demand for Singapore to build a strong local talent pool in tech. The time to upskill in tech is now, even for those who may have little to no knowledge in tech. Keen job seekers or even entrepreneurs can start small, through bite-sized learning offered through platforms such as our LHUB GO Infinity online learning platform. Learners can search for any tech topics they may be interested in and acquire the basics through introductory videos as short as 10 minutes.”

“Learning can be done anytime, anywhere and at their own pace. They can then delve deeper, sharpen their skills and level up in areas where they want to specialise in. And after learning, they can join a community of practice to keep up to date with the ever-evolving tech landscape. This will ensure that learners remain employable,” Isa adds.

Upskilling to progress into new roles

As a former wealth manager in the finance sector, NTUC LHUB trainee Kun Da experienced a downturn in sales volume when the pandemic hit. The 25-year-old Singaporean knew that he needed to upskill to make a career switch. Taking more than 20 courses at NTUC LHUB in 2020, he upskilled in areas such as Data Analytics Fundamentals using Microsoft Excel, Blockchain for Capital Markets, and Machine Learning and Advanced Analytics. Kun Da’s efforts paid off as he managed to secure a new job as an associate analyst at an international firm, where he currently works on investment research and strategic consulting for asset management across Asian markets.

Another trainee, Lim See Teo, returned from Hong Kong after stepping down from his job in the semi-conductor industry two years ago. He heard from his friends that opportunities abound in the Information Technology sector which motivated him to take up the Digital Workplace and Microsoft Azure Fundamental courses. The 63-year-old is now a Digital Sales Coordinator in a start-up company.

Despite not coming from a tech background or having prior experience, these are examples of workers who have pivoted by empowering themselves with new skills to enter the industry. Challenges due to a lack of experience, expertise or age have been overcome in the quest for better opportunities.

“I haven’t studied in ages, so it was a challenge for me to go back into that, and especially sitting in a virtual class now, instead of a physical classroom like how we all did in the past. But the engaging trainers have made it easier for me to adapt to this new mode of learning,” says Ibrahim.

To find out more about tech courses offered by NTUC LHUB, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com/it-academy or www.ntuclearninghub.com/lhub-go.



[1] The total number of training places for ICT courses from January 2020 to December 2020, increased by 58% as compared to January 2019 to December 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.

About NTUC LearningHub

NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Cloud, Infocomm Technology, Healthcare, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources and Foreign Worker Training.

To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 25,000 organisations and achieved over 2.6 million training places across more than 500 courses with a pool of over 600 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships and offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training solutions and work constantly to improve our training quality and delivery. In 2020, we have accelerated our foray into online learning with our Virtual Live Classes and, through working with best-in-class partners such as IBM, DuPont Sustainable Solutions and GO1, asynchronous online courses.

For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com.

#NTUCLearningHub

Son Suk-ku Of SBD Entertainment, Wholly-Owned By Spackman Entertainment Group’s Associated Company, Spackman Media Group, Stars In Upcoming Sequel Film, THE OUTLAWS 2

  • Son Suk-ku of SBD Entertainment headlines alongside Ma Dong-seok in THE OUTLAWS 2, a sequel to the 2017 box office hit THE OUTLAWS, also directed by Kang Yoon-sung
  • Group’s subsidiary, Novus Mediacorp, was the co-presenter of THE OUTLAWS which was the all-time #1 film in VOD sales in Korea, breaking the historic record five times faster than Disney’s FROZEN
  • Son Suk-ku to participate in OTT media service Watcha’s original content, UNFRAMED PROJECT, set to carry out filming throughout the year and release exclusively on Watcha in December 2021 as an original series

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 18 June 2021 Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“Spackman Entertainment Group” or the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups, wishes to announce that Son Suk-ku of SBD Entertainment Inc. (“SBD Entertainment“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited, stars alongside Ma Dong-seok in THE OUTLAWS 2, a sequel to the 2017 box office hit.

THE OUTLAWS 2, also directed by Kang Yoon-sung of the first sequel, had completed filming. Son Suk-ku takes on the role of extreme villain Kang Hae-sang in the film where he confronts Detective Ma Suk-do, played by Ma Dong-seok.

The Group’s 51%-owned subsidiary Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“) co-presented THE OUTLAWS which broke the VOD sales records in Korea five times faster than Disney’s FROZEN. Novus Mediacorp owns the distribution rights of the film for the ancillary market in Korea.

Son Suk-ku of SBD Entertainment shall participate in OTT media service Watcha’s original content, UNFRAMED PROJECT, which is scheduled to carry out filming throughout the year and release exclusively on Watcha in December 2021. Previously, Son Suk-ku starred in K-drama MATRIMONIAL CHAOS (2018) and DESIGNATED SURVIVOR: 60 DAYS (2019).

Other than Son Suk-ku, SBD Entertainment also represents one of Korea’s rapidly-rising young actors, Han Ji-hyun, who won the Best Rookie Female Actor in the 2021 Brand Customer Loyalty Awards in Korea.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), founded in 2011 by Charles Spackman, is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea. According to Variety, Korea was the world’s fourth largest box office market in 2019, behind only North America, China and Japan.

The Group also invests into and produces Korean television dramas. In addition to our content business, we also own equity stakes in entertainment-related companies and film funds that can financially and strategically complement our existing core operations. SEGL is listed on the Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited under the ticker 40E.

Production Labels

SEGL’s wholly-owned Zip Cinema Co., Ltd. (“Zip Cinema“) is one of the most recognised film production labels in Korea and has originated and produced some of Korea’s most commercially successful theatrical films, consecutively producing 10 profitable movies since 2009 representing an industry leading track record. Recent theatrical releases of Zip Cinema’s motion pictures include some of Korea’s highest grossing and award-winning films such as CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), COLD EYES (2013), and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012). For more information on Zip Cinema, do visit http://zipcine.com

SEGL also owns Novus Mediacorp Co., Ltd. (“Novus Mediacorp“), an investor, presenter, and/or post-theatrical distributor for a total of 79 films (58 Korean and 21 foreign) including ROSE OF BETRAYAL, THE OUTLAWS and SECRETLY, GREATLY, which was one of the biggest box office hits of 2013 starring Kim Soo-hyun of MY LOVE FROM THE STARS, as well as FRIEND 2: THE GREAT LEGACY. In 2012, Novus Mediacorp was also the post-theatrical rights distributor of ALL ABOUT MY WIFE, a top-grossing romantic comedy produced by Zip Cinema. In 2018, THE OUTLAWS, co-presented by Novus Mediacorp broke the all-time highest Video On Demand (“VOD“) sales records in Korea. For more information on Novus Mediacorp, do visit http://novusmediacorp.com.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Simplex Films Limited (“Simplex Films“) which is an early stage film production firm. The maiden film of Simplex Films, JESTERS: THE GAME CHANGERS (2019), was released in Korea on 21 August 2019. Simplex Films has several line-up of films including HURRICANE BROTHERS (working title).

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2021 tentatively.


The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Greenlight Content Limited (“Greenlight Content“) which is mainly involved in the business of investing into dramas and movies, as well as providing consulting services for the production of Korean content. Through the acquisition of Greenlight Content, the Group’s first co-produced drama, MY SECRET TERRIUS, starring top Korean star, So Ji Sub, achieved #1 in drama viewership ratings for its time slot and recorded double digits for its highest viewership ratings. Greenlight Content was one of the main investors of MY SECRET TERRIUS.


The Company owns a 20% equity interest in The Makers Studio Co. Ltd., which plans to produce and release four upcoming films, the first of which will be THE ISLAND OF THE GHOST’S WAIL, a comedy horror film.

Our films are theatrically distributed and released in Korea and overseas markets, as well as for subsequent post-theatrical worldwide release in other forms of media, including online streaming, cable TV, broadcast TV, IPTV, video-on-demand, and home video/DVD, etc. We release all of our motion pictures into wide-theatrical exhibition initially in Korea, and then in overseas and ancillary markets.

Talent Representation

The Company holds an effective shareholding interest of 43.88% in Spackman Media Group Limited (“SMGL“). SMGL, a company incorporated in Hong Kong, together with its subsidiaries, is collectively one of the largest entertainment talent agencies in Korea in terms of the number of artists under management, including some of the top names in the Korean entertainment industry. SMGL operates its talent management business through renowned agencies such as MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (Son Ye-jin, Lee Min-jung, Ko Sung-hee), UAA&CO Inc. (Song Hye-kyo, Yoo Ah-in, Park Hyung-sik), Fiftyone K Inc. (So Ji Sub, Ok Taec-yeon), SBD Entertainment Inc. (Son Suk-ku), and Kook Entertainment Co., Ltd. Through these full-service talent agencies in Korea, SMGL represents and guides the professional careers of a leading roster of award-winning actors/actresses in the practice areas of motion pictures, television, commercial endorsements, and branded entertainment. SMGL leverages its unparalleled portfolio of artists as a platform to develop, produce, finance and own the highest quality of entertainment content projects, including theatrical motion pictures, variety shows and TV dramas. This platform also creates and derives opportunities for SMGL to make strategic investments in development stage businesses that can collaborate with SMGL artists. SMGL is an associated company of the Company.

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Constellation Agency Pte. Ltd. (“Constellation Agency“). Constellation Agency, which owns The P Factory Co., Ltd. (“The P Factory“) and Platform Media Group Co., Ltd. (“PMG“), is primarily involved in the business of overseas agency for Korean artists venturing into the overseas market. The P Factory is an innovative marketing solutions provider specializing in event and branded content production. PMG is a talent management agency which represents and manages the careers of major artists in film, television, commercial endorsements and branded entertainment.

Strategic Businesses

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Frame Pictures Co., Ltd. (“Frame Pictures“). Frame Pictures is a leader in the movie/drama equipment leasing business in Korea. Established in 2014, Frame Pictures has worked with over 25 top directors and provided the camera and lighting equipment some of Korea’s most notable drama and movie projects including ITAEWON CLASS (2020), HOW TO BUY A FRIEND (2020), KIM JI-YOUNG, BORN 1982 (2019), FOUR MEN (2019) and ASADAL CHRONICLES (2019).

We also operate a café-lounge called Upper West, in the Gangnam district of Seoul and own a professional photography studio, noon pictures Co., Ltd.

For more details, do visit http://www.spackmanentertainmentgroup.com/

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

Mekong River Water Levels See Big Jump Due to Torrential Rain

Horses chew on grass by the Mekong River in Vientiane Capital (Photo: Jason Rolan)
Horses chew on grass by the Mekong River in Vientiane Capital (Photo: Jason Rolan)

Lower Mekong River Basin (LMB) water levels have increased significantly over the last seven days but some sections will see a slight dip over the next five days, the Mekong River Commission (MRC) Secretariat says.

Laos Records 13 New Cases of Covid-19

Laotian Times Covid-19 Update

Laos has recorded another 13 cases of Covid-19, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 2,047.

New Houaphan Airport 92% Complete

New Houaphan Airport 92% Complete

The construction project of the Nong Khang Airport in Houaphan Province is 92% complete but has suffered delays due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Tad Fah Waterfall Eco-Tourism Project 30 Percent Complete

Tat Fah Waterfall Eco-Tourism Development Project

The Tad Fah waterfall eco-tourism development project in Khounkham District, ​Khammouane Province, is now 30 percent complete.