Laos has fully demarcated borders with three countries, with only two countries remaining incomplete.
Miss Grand Laos 2021 Arrives in Thailand for Pageant
Miss Grand Laos 2021, Ms. Daomixay Pachansitti, arrived in Phuket, Thailand on Tuesday to compete at the 9th Miss Grand International pageant early next month.
Laos Confirms 999 New Cases of Covid-19
Laos has recorded 999 new cases of Covid-19 across the country today.
SEACAD Helps Businesses Move Towards Digital Transformation, as an Industry Process Solutions Partner of Dassault Systèmes
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021 – SEACAD Technologies has been an Industry Process Solutions partner to Dassault Systèmes since 2020—a venture done in light of the global digital transformation trend. In the latter part of 2020, SEACAD has officially become a Customer Process Experience partner of Dassault Systèmes, a French corporation and a leading provider in the Product Lifecycle Management or PLM market. As an Industry Process Partner, the company is able to address, firsthand, the challenges being encountered by companies in multiple sectors. SEACAD now offers a robust portfolio comprised of 3D modeling applications, simulation applications that create virtual twins of products or production systems, social and collaborative applications, as well as information intelligence applications. With this goal and intent, SEACAD is inclined to support businesses of all sizes in their journey towards digital transformation.
With proven credibility and expertise in delivering smart and efficient design to manufacturing solutions to companies in various industries over the past 2 decades and counting, SEACAD Technologies Pte Ltd – SOLIDWORKS Singapore, is aiming high to be the leading industry solutions provider in Singapore for their key target markets – Medical Equipment, Industrial Equipment and High-Tech Industries, in the next few years.
CATIA, SIMULIA, and ENOVIA are amongst the most powerful solutions offered by SEACAD. The company helps by simplifying the process of product development and ideation, and by making the overall cycle achievable. Every business is unique, hence, SEACAD’s approach varies, ensuring a customized solution suitable to your business needs and challenges is provided.
Since its venture with the French software giant, SEACAD has been scaling new heights—opening new opportunities to businesses and bringing them into an ecosystem that fosters game-changing ideas and accelerates innovation. The features and capabilities made available by these solutions allow teams to complete product assessment seamlessly through a virtual universe that is accessible to all contributors in the working party. Not only do these offerings solve design challenges, but it also helps minimize cost while increasing productivity and efficiency.
Here are SEACAD’s offered solutions that bring success to companies’ PLM:
- CATIA – CATIA is a very powerful 3D Modeling software and it is more than just that. It is a multi-platform software suite for computer-aided design (CAD), computer-aided manufacturing (CAM), computer-aided engineering (CAE) and PLM. With CATIA, the client can create a mock product through a smart model that will mimic its real-life behavior. System architects, engineers, designers, and construction experts can experience a design process that is more defined, imaginative, and closely shaped to the real world.
- SIMULIA – The technology foundation of SIMULIA, began with the Abaqus acquisition in 2005, combining it with the original CATIA Analysis features.
- Since then, SIMULIA’s portfolio has accelerated, incorporating best-in-class technologies, from structures to multi-body dynamics to electromagnetics, computational fluid dynamics, vibro-acoustics, and more. SIMULIA applications make the process of performance evaluation smoother, cost-efficient, and more accurate. With its smart features, one can determine and validate the reliability and safety of any product, even in the most complex scenarios, real-time without having to commit and spend on physical prototypes right away.
- ENOVIA – ENOVIA revolutionizes product life cycle management itself. It enables secure collaboration with a broad portfolio of technical and business applications for all users across an enterprise. This allows for real-time progress tracking and continuous optimization with compliance to standards and regulations so that businesses can provide transformational products and magical experiences to their customers.
- This solution is most suited to businesses in disciplines that profit from creating product variants with fewer parts. Those that that deal with construction equipment and machinery will benefit well from the software. ENOVIA also detects trends that are crucial to every business in varying sectors.
Today, SEACAD adds significant value to these software solutions by rendering a follow-through of their distinct services: technical support, on-boarding training, integration, implémentation, and consultation services, all of which are backed by decades of experience from operating as a leading SOLIDWORKS Business Partner in Singapore. SEACAD addresses industry-specific hurdles by integrating tools that transform businesses for the best.
The strategic outlook of SEACAD is connected to its core: its clients and partners. Through the 3DEXPERIENCE platform that the company offers, SEACAD aims to provide a sustainable solution that will ultimately target and end challenges that majority of companies in the ecosystem struggle with. From design and engineering, to manufacturing, production, simulation, governance, and collaboration, SEACAD presents as a one-stop provider of perceptive business solutions in the market.
About SEACAD
Founded in 1998, SEACAD Technologies first launched SOLIDWORKS in Singapore, quickly becoming the marketplace leader in 3D Mechanical Engineering Design–a position which we still hold today. Over the last 20 years, we have carefully expanded our SOLIDWORKS and Partner Products portfolio. Today, SEACAD‘s customers are provided with the most comprehensive and fully integrated solutions. With our experience and expertise, we are able to ensure that the products we provide meet and exceed client expectations.
Our SOLIDWORKS and Partner Solutions encompass a wide range of Engineering disciplines including 3D Mechanical and Electrical & Electronic Design, Piping, Finite Element Analysis, CNC Manufacturing, Additive Manufacturing, Documentation, Data Management, and many more.
Transform your business today. Contact SEACAD for a free business consultation at www.seacadtech.com
#SEACAD
Amazon Fresh to deliver frozen & chilled products with 100% recyclable drinking water bottles
- Frozen recyclable water bottles replace gel packs to maintain the freshness of frozen & chilled Amazon Fresh products
- Singapore will be the first country in Asia where Amazon will deploy this packaging innovation
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 22 November 2021 – Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) today announced that it will deliver all frozen & chilled products ordered on Amazon Fresh with recyclable frozen water bottles in Singapore. The island will be the first country in Asia where Amazon will introduce this packaging innovation as it continues to improve the overall customer packaging experience by minimizing waste.
All orders which include frozen & chilled products such as meat, seafood, ice cream and more, will be accompanied by a frozen water bottle instead of a gel pack used to maintain the freshness of these products. The 100% recyclable bottles contain packaged drinking water that can be used to drink, cook and water plants. After consuming the water, these bottles can be dropped in blue recycle bins found conveniently across the country.
As demand for recycling options continue to grow, the replacement of gel packs with 100% curbside recyclable frozen water bottles will be a more convenient solution for Amazon customers. At scale, these small enablers will go a long way in contributing to Singapore’s sustainability efforts.
“We know that Singaporeans are increasingly incorporating more sustainable measures in their day-to-day lives. The switch to frozen water bottles underwent extensive testing and research to create the right solution for Singapore’s hot & humid weather. They have proven to provide the same cooling effectiveness as the original gel packs. On top of that, frozen water bottles have also been tested extensively through the entire last mile journey to ensure that the integrity of the packaging and freshness of products are not compromised. As conscious corporate citizens, we are cognizant of the need to continuously work on our processes to use more sustainable packaging and this is a step in that direction. It has been humbling to create a solution that enables customers to easily recycle a part of their Amazon package” said Manuel Berbuer, General Manager – Operations, Amazon Singapore.
Playing a significant role in helping to reduce the sources of human-induced climate change is an important commitment for Amazon. In its 2020 sustainability report, Amazon revealed that it was the world’s largest corporate purchaser of renewable energy, taking another step in its journey to power global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2025. As part of its efforts to create more sustainable packaging, the company is working with vendors and suppliers to enable ‘Ship in its own container’ solutions and reduce the volume of packaging used to deliver products.
Over 200 organizations have signed The Climate Pledge, a commitment co-founded in 2019 by Amazon and Global Optimism for signatories to be net zero carbon across their businesses by 2040 – a decade ahead of the Paris Agreement’s goal of 2050. The Climate Pledge builds on Amazon’s long-term commitment to sustainability, through existing programmes like Shipment Zero, its vision to make all Amazon shipments net zero carbon, with 50% of all shipments net zero by 2030. More information here.
Click here to download & use videos on this packaging innovation.
About Amazon
Amazon is guided by four principles: customer obsession rather than competitor focus, passion for invention, commitment to operational excellence, and long-term thinking. Amazon strives to be Earth’s Most Customer-Centric Company, Earth’s Best Employer, and Earth’s Safest Place to Work. Customer reviews, 1-Click shopping, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, Kindle, and The Climate Pledge are some of the things pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit Amazon.sg.
#Amazon
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

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