TasteAtlas, an experiential travel online guide for traditional food, has ranked Larb among the 50 best-rated salads in the world.
Recent GEODIS investments and new certification underlines its growth in the Chinese market
Certification of regional headquarters in Shanghai coincides with redevelopment of GEODIS’ Center of Excellence in Shenzhen and an award for performance at Zhengzhou Airport.
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach – 21 April 2023 – A global leader in the provision of logistics services, GEODIS has been growing its capabilities in Asia-Pacific recently, and in China particularly. As an economic powerhouse, the Chinese market is of critical strategic importance to GEODIS and will continue to be a lynchpin of the logistic Group’s expansion in the most important locations globally.

GEODIS’ continued development in China was underlined last month when its Shanghai headquarters were certified officially by the local Government as one of twenty newly recognised ‘Regional Headquarters of a Multinational Company, the only one in the Jing’an district of the city. This status will afford GEODIS local government assistance in terms of trade facilitation, talent introduction and service support.
In highlighting the advantages that this recognition brings to its customers, Onno Boots, Regional President and CEO, Asia Pacific and Middle East emphasises, “As a result of the good standing GEODIS has in China, our customers’ business continues to benefit from the increased ease of doing business with us there. A further advantage is GEODIS having Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) status granted by the local Shanghai customs department, which certainly enables us to deliver a further expedited service to our customers, for contract logistics.”
The Group’s commitment to the Chinese market was further proven by the redevelopment of its Center of Excellence (CoE) in Shenzhen. To better support customers in managing their end-to-end supply chains from one centralized location, the Shenzhen facility, part of GEODIS | Supply Chain Optimization (SCO) offering, will provide the required overall visibility.
Established in 2009 in South China, the GEODIS | SCO Line of Business helps global customers in various sectors such as high-tech, retail and healthcare, with manufacturing locations or hubs in mainland China, to optimize their operational processes, control their supply chain, improve their resiliency, and accelerate decision-making.
The upgrading of the Center of Excellence in Shenzhen is justified in part by the city being a magnet for talent. An immediate goal is to ensure the continued attraction of passionate and diverse groups of supply chain professionals to accommodate customers’ growing demands and achieve GEODIS’ own growth ambitions. The aim is not just to attract, but also to retain these skilled people by improving the collaborative workspace in which teams can exchange great new ideas that can benefit all customers in the present and future.
To round out the good news, further north in the province of Henan, GEODIS was celebrated by the Zhengzhou Airport Authority with an award for performance excellence in 2022. The airport was utilized throughout the year to transport significant tonnages via GEODIS’ branded freighter operation there.
Hashtag: #GEODIS #SupplyChain #Logistics #APAC #China
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GEODIS
GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in five lines of business: Supply Chain Optimization, Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and more than 49,400 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 6 in its sector across the world. In 2022, GEODIS generated €13.7 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.
RUSAL confirms its leadership status in the world sustainable suppliers rating EcoVadis
The Company has got an integral score corresponding with “silver” level and associating the Company with a top-8% of the best global suppliers in terms of their Environment, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) maturity. In 2023, RUSAL got overall 68 out of 100 maximum scores in the rating, which is 10 scores higher than the previous year. It got possible due to palpable improvements in such areas as environment, labor and human rights, ethics (with each area being rated at 70 scores, or at the “advanced” level), and sustainable procurement (60 scores, or “good” level).
As part of the EcoVadis assessment this year, RUSAL’s carbon footprint management system has been also rated as ‘Advanced’. The rating’s experts have appreciated comprehensive elements of the Company’s GHG management system and its advanced decarbonization commitment, actions and reporting capabilities. The Company is recommended to seek to use life cycle analysis as a tool for planning climate action, consider developing a time-bound action plan to transform into a low-carbon business model, and aim at engaging suppliers in climate action.
“RUSAL’s customers in the European Union, Latin America and the Asia-Pacific region are increasingly focusing not only on ‘green’ attributes of the products they purchase, but also on the overall assessment of the so-called ‘ESG maturity’ or sustainability of companies that manufacture and supply such products on the market. They monitor dynamic of their suppliers as rated by this, perhaps, the most trustworthy rating, and it is very important for us that the Company’s efforts to embed the best sustainability standards and practices, have already brought us much closer to the “golden” status and have once again confirmed RUSAL’s strong leadership not only in the global aluminium industry, but also across all the non-ferrous metal sectors”, commented Irina Bakhtina, RUSAL’s Chief Sustainability Officer.
Hashtag: #RUSAL
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About EcoVadis
EcoVadis provides the leading solution for monitoring sustainability in global supply chains. Its mission is to reliably assess companies’ sustainability performance, providing them with comprehensive feedback, benchmarking and tools allowing them to embark upon a journey of continuous improvement. The team of international sustainability experts analyze and crosscheck companies’ data (supporting documents, 360° Watch Findings, etc.) in order to create reliable ratings, taking into account each company’s industry, size and geographic location.
The rating’s participants are offered access to highly secure web-based solutions which guarantee the safety of users’ data, and may share the results of their EcoVadis assessment with their customers in all countries of the world where they can access the EcoVadis Scorecard and share information. The EcoVadis methodology is based on international sustainability standards (Global Reporting Initiative, United Nations Global Compact, ISO 26000), and supervised by a scientific committee of sustainability and supply chain experts, to ensure reliable third party sustainability assessments.
Over 700 multinational companies use EcoVadis to monitor the sustainability performance of their trading partners, and thousands of companies use the EcoVadis Ratings platform every month to respond to sustainability assessment requests from customers, set and maintain corrective action plans and centralize sustainability-related documents.
About RUSAL
RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is a leader in the global aluminium industry and a leading low-carbon aluminium producer. In 2022, the Company accounted for 5.6% of the global aluminium production and 4.5% of alumina. RUSAL operates in 20 countries on 5 continents. Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Hong Kong Exchange (stock code 486). Ordinary shares of RUSAL are traded on the Moscow Exchange (stock code RUAL).
Disclaimer
The information contained in this press release is for media advice only. The contents are true and accurate at the time of publishing, however, may change over time.
OctaFX is named the broker with the fastest withdrawals and most secure trading platform in Singapore
International Business Magazine and World Business Outlook awarded OctaFX with two industry awards, ‘Broker with the Fastest Withdrawal Singapore 2023’ and ‘Most Secure Trading Platform Singapore 2023’.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 21 April 2023 – In April 2023, two global financial publications recognised OctaFX’s efforts in Singapore with their awards.

International Business Magazine awarded global broker OctaFX its ‘Broker with the Fastest Withdrawal Singapore 2023’ award, acknowledging the speed and variety of withdrawal options available with the broker.
Since 2018, International Business Magazine has distinguished itself as an excellent news and analytics hub in financial services and technologies. Its expert team’s scrutiny in evaluating each of the yearly nominations made the publication a significant contributor to the transparency, security, and reliability of the industry.
The ‘Most Secure Trading Platform Singapore 2023’ award from World Business Outlook highlighted the safety and security of OctaFX’s trading platform. Over the years, it has proved to possess qualities most sought after by beginners and professional traders alike.
In the award announcement, World Business Outlook validated the broker’s performance from 2022: ‘OctaFX has been consistently upgrading its technology solutions with the innovative implementation of secure environment features in its trading platform. By maintaining some of the lowest spreads in the industry along with the fastest execution rates, OctaFX continues to impress us all, becoming the most secure and one of the best online brokers across the world.’
World Business Outlook is a print and online magazine offering comprehensive coverage and analysis in the financial domain. In the industry, the publication has made a name for itself as an unbiased gatherer of top financial profiles, always focused on identifying the industry’s very best and most innovative players.
‘It’s a great honour for us to be awarded two prestigious awards in such a highly developed financial centre as Singapore. We’ve made a particular effort in terms of reducing withdrawal time since we know how important it is for our clients. As for the trading platform, we maintain a constant focus on enhancing the security of all internal operations in line with the latest security standards. We are glad that our efforts were recognised by such reputable publications,’ the OctaFX press office commented.
Hashtag: #OctaFX
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About OctaFX
OctaFX is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and a variety of services already utilised by clients from 180 countries with more than 21 million trading accounts. Free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools they provide help clients reach their investment goals.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
OctaFX has also won more than 60 awards since its foundation, including the ‘Best Online Broker Global 2022’ award from World Business Outlook and the ‘Best Global Broker Asia 2022’ award from International Business Magazine.
CPA Australia: Mainland China small businesses predicted to recover steadily
- New survey shows over half of small businesses expect to grow this year.
- Over 90 per cent of small businesses in Mainland China plan to innovate.
- Technology investments boost profits for the majority.
BEIJING, CHINA – Media OutReach – 21 April 2023 – More than half (56 per cent) of Mainland China’s small businesses expect to grow in 2023. Meanwhile, their investments in technology and innovation will pay dividends, according to a new survey by one of the world’s largest accounting organisations.

CPA Australia’s Asia-Pacific Small Business Survey reveals over one-third of small businesses (35 per cent) in Mainland China are planning to increase their employee headcount this year. The result was a slight increase from 2022.
Mainland China’s small businesses have consistently outstripped their Asia-Pacific peers for technology use over the past five years. This includes earning revenue from e-commerce, adopting digital payment technologies and using social media for business purposes.
“In Mainland China, 87 per cent respondents come from businesses older than five years. These businesses demonstrated strong resilience during the pandemic and overcame many challenges,” said Mr Lloyd Peng, President of CPA Australia’s North China Committee.
“Businesses are using the experience gained from the past few years to strive for growth in 2023. For example, by adopting cutting-edge technology, innovating and improving their customers’ experience.
“The government has announced a series of timely policies to support micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. These measures aim to improve businesses competitive edge, ease financing conditions, stabilise raw material prices and promote innovation.
“If these policy supports are implemented in a consistent and predictable way, it could further unleash the potential of small businesses to achieve high-quality growth.”
Mainland Chinese respondents were more likely (41 per cent) to have sought professional advice from IT consultants last year than survey average (29 per cent). They also intend to innovate strongly. Ninety-three per cent of Mainland Chinese respondents plan to innovate in 2023, the highest in the Asia-Pacific.
“Mainland Chinese small businesses are reaping rewards from their focus on technology. The majority (61 per cent) found technology investments last year boosted profits,” Mr Raymond Zhu, President of CPA Australia’s East and Central China Committee said.
“Supported by government policies such as the 14th Five-Year Plan and extra tax deductions for research and development, we expect this tech focus to continue.”
“To make the commercialisation of new products or services a success, we recommend businesses start by focusing on understanding changes in customer behaviour. We also encourage them to explore opportunities in markets such as the Greater Bay Area, ASEAN and Belt and Road markets.”
“Policymakers should review and improve individual income tax policies for businesses from key industries. This will help attract more science, technology, engineering and mathematics talent to the small business sector.”
Easing of financing conditions is essential for business success in 2023. The survey found that 90 per cent of Mainland Chinese small businesses expect to seek external funds this year. Forty per cent reported their main reason to seek funds is for survival, while 46 per cent intend to use funds for growth. However, one-third expect it to be tough to access funds.
“Small businesses typically have a low credit rating and insufficient collateral. Hence, it may be difficult to obtain finance from traditional sources such as banks,” said Mr William Huang, member of CPA Australia’s South China Committee.
“The survey shows small businesses in Mainland China have diverse funding sources. This includes banks (29 per cent), investors, venture capital or angel funds (30 per cent) and non-bank financial institutions (18 per cent).
“Small businesses with unique advantages, especially those that have capacity to introduce novel and specialised products, are more likely to attract investment from investors. We recommend small businesses pay close attention to their cash flow, forecast their financial needs and optimise their business models.”
Hashtag: #CPAAustralia #SME #Economics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 172,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 22,200 members in Greater China. We have offices in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au
MoneyHero Launches Free Credit Score-Checking MoneyHero App Set to Popularise Consumer- initiated Credit Enquiries

Revolutionising “soft” credit enquiries
Unbeknownst to many, “hard” enquiries initiated by credit providers upon receiving a credit application from an individual remain on the individual’s credit report for up to two years and may negatively impact the individual’s credit score if these enquiries are made on a frequent basis. Whereas an individual checking their own credit score and/or report through MoneyHero App is a “soft” enquiry, which has no impact on the individual’s credit score. With its partnership with TransUnion, MoneyHero strives to empower Hong Kong consumers with clarity, control, and confidence over their financial decisions via its new app.
- a breakdown of credit score impact factors,
- credit usage summary, and
- credit alert services (an alert service to notify users of the possibility of identity theft), all of which aid in making smart financial decisions and maintaining credit health.
Popularising credit score checks
A credit score is a reflection of one’s financial well-being, regardless of identity, profession, or wealth. However, credit checks have not been widespread in Hong Kong, with over 70% of respondents have never checked their credit scores, according to an online survey conducted with MoneyHero website users in 2021. In promulgating the importance of credit health and popularising personal credit checks, MoneyHero has created a one-stop credit check solution free of charge to the public via its new MoneyHero App, where detailed analysis of credit scores and reports as well as suggestions for improvement are just a few taps away.
Commitment to data privacy and security
As a user-centric company, MoneyHero emphasises privacy and information security and has been granted an ISO 27001 certification. All user data is kept strictly confidential and protected with the highest international encryption standards – using 256-bit encryption technology and Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol.
App download link: http://bit.ly/3K05hET
Hashtag: #moneyhero #moneyheroapp
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About MoneyHero
MoneyHero is Hong Kong’s largest and most popular digital personal finance platform, on a mission to empower and connect the Hong Kong public to a better financial future. We realise this mission by giving users more clarity, control, and confidence over their financial decisions through comprehensive comparison, insightful content, exclusive rewards, and personalised solutions to find and apply for the right personal finance product.
Nong Khang Airport Sees its First Successful Aircraft Landing
Nong Khang Airport in the Samnuea district of Houaphanh province successfully tested its landing guide system for flights on Wednesday.
Arta TechFin and GFO-X partner to enhance global liquidity and trading services of regulated digital asset derivatives
Agreement to collaborate on the creation of product and provision of services relating to digital asset derivatives.
HONG KONG SAR and LONDON, UK – Media OutReach – 20 April 2023 – Arta TechFin Corporation Limited (“ARTA”) and Global Futures and Options Limited (“GFO-X”) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding and announce a strategic collaboration to create new and innovative digital asset derivative products tailored for both an Asian and UK/European customer base. GFO-X brings a regulated venue to grow the global liquidity pool for digital asset derivatives. ARTA will bring Asian-based client flow via regulated, cash-settled, derivatives solutions. The combination of GFO-X and Arta, which brings together a regulated institutional platform seeded with global liquidity, solves for the key gap between Asian and US trading hours, resolving client’s pain points and expediting institutional and family office’s adoption of digital assets in both regions.
In 2022 ARTA invested in GFO-X alongside other institutional investors and family offices.
Authorised and regulated by the UK FCA (Financial Conduct Authority), GFO-X is the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. GFO-X recently announced a partnership with London Stock Exchange Group’s LCH SA. Subject to LCH SA’s regulatory approvals and requirements, GFO-X strives to ensure digital asset derivatives’ trading and clearing requirements and growing demand can be met within a secure, highly regulated environment.
Arnab Sen CEO of GFO-X said:
“We are delighted to announce this collaboration with ARTA. We look forward to working together to leverage each other’s geographical expertise to enhance our service offering to a significant and differentiated Asian customer base. GFO-X is regulated in the UK but has strong roots in Asia with our significant presence and heritage in Hong Kong. We see great potential in the growth and appetite for regulated digital asset derivative products in Asia.”
Eddie Lau, CEO of ARTA said:
“We are excited to partner with GFO-X in creating innovative digital asset solutions and offering the best global products to our clients. We bridge the gap between Asian and European flows and enable clients to take advantage of structural trading opportunities. Furthermore, our strategic investment in GFO-X shows our commitment in building up regulated digital asset ecosystem with leading global players.”
Hashtag: #ArtaTechFin
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About GFO-X
GFO-X is the UK’s first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. UK FCA authorised and regulated to operate a Multilateral Trading Facility (MTF), GFO-X is connected to the world’s largest financial institutions and has partnered with a leading clearing house LCH, solving for counterparty and credit risk.
Evolving regulation will bring digital assets into mainstream finance. This transition demands traditional market structures, supported by new technologies, to solve the multiple risks currently associated with the digital asset market.
GFO-X services the significant unmet need of large global institutional participants who require a highly regulated, institutional-grade trading venue for digital asset derivatives.
Our mission is to deliver enhanced liquidity, institutional connectivity and risk mitigation through high-performance technology and optimised contract specifications.
Further information can be found at www.gfo-x.com
About ARTA
Arta TechFin is a hybrid financial (HyFi) platform bridging traditional finance with blockchain-based financial system via technology innovations. Our regulated one-stop solution enables corporates, financial institutions, and family offices to access traditional assets and digital assets.
ARTA, through its various subsidiaries, are licensed under Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Other licenses include Hong Kong Stock Exchange participant, insurance brokerage license, trustee license and money lending license in Hong Kong as well as Eurex participant in Germany.
Further information can be found at www.artatechfin.com