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AOC named as no.1 in Gaming Monitors worldwide in 2020

For a second consecutive year, AOC has been ranked no.1 in the increasingly competitive gaming-monitor market

 

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 5 March 2021 – Gaming monitor specialist AOC has again been named by IDC as the global market-share leader in gaming monitors*. This impressive achievement validates AOC’s ability to tune into the design, innovation, aesthetic and performance needs that are demanded by today’s and tomorrow’s gaming generation. In particular, it consolidates AOC’s strong and consistent brand alignment with the aspirations of a new generation of gaming enthusiasts, at all skill levels.

Meeting fierce industry competition, AOC has successfully developed and marketed monitor models that answer customer requirements at all levels, from casual gamers to full-blooded esports experts, from leisure to professional. Cutting-edge design, leading performance, and cleverly conceived features all play key roles in how AOC is leading the gaming monitor pack, whether it’s for entry-, medium-, or high-level gamers. Its 2020 collaboration with renowned Porsche Design to create the PD27 monitor, a perfect fusion of form and function, was a perfect illustration of this, while the striking AG273FXR ‘Pink Power‘ Agon monitor dared to challenge design boundaries while fostering empowerment among its gaming audience.

AOC’s drive to work in sync with current performance trends has resulted in higher refresh rates, now up to a whopping 360Hz, larger panel sizes, 1000R curvature, mini-LED backlighting, and, in answer to increasing demand, “Super Wide” and “Ultra Wide” (21:9 and 32:9) monitors. Add in all the benefits of the 240Hz refresh rates selected in many models and Nvidia G-SYNC Ultimate and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro anti-tearing technologies and it is clear to see users get the very best gaming experience. Positive peer reviews across the board in trade and consumer publications have been further evidence of the fundamental success of AOC’s market and product strategy. With AOC carrying off prestigious design awards such as RedDot Design Awards in 2020, the strategy is clearly working.

Said Kevin Wu, General Manager of MMD Singapore, “We feel this achievement is a significant recognition of the design and brand excellence that we strive to maintain, even in a situation where this high-growth sector has been given an unexpected boost by the pandemic. Populations worldwide looked for answers to the boredom of being forced to stay home, while many also needed to invest in new equipment for Working from Home (WFH). Going forward, we are determined to continue our leadership role in this hugely competitive field.”

As evidence of AOC’s success in meeting its audiences’ needs, the company launched its own highly popular ‘AOC Masters Tournament‘ esports event in Asia in 2020, quickly gaining an enthusiastic online following, with tens of thousands of participants and followers tracking the fortunes of the esports teams as they battled for the inaugural Masters crown. In this space, AOC further enhanced its brand recognition through collaborations with champion esports teams such as G2 and RNG as well as a long-term event partnership with Redbull and collaboration with the IeSF (International Esports Federation).

Continued Kevin Wu, “AOC’s ongoing advancements in monitor technologies have been key to our market successes, and we’re particularly proud of some of the high-end monitor ranges that we’ve launched, such as the premium Agon4, the Porsche Design collaboration, and the G3 Series. These will provide benchmark platforms for our efforts to consolidate our current market position in gaming monitors, with ongoing success a real goal, as we continue to listen and work with the gaming community, and in particular its new members, globally.”

*Source: IDC Quarterly Gaming Tracker – Gaming Monitor 2020Q4 (≥100Hz)

About Agon:

To match the increasing demand for a competitive edge and top-tier performance, AOC launched Agon — AOC’s specialist gaming monitor brand. Named after the Ancient Greek word for “struggle” or “contest”, the Agon brand represents AOC’s engagement with the world of gaming. In addition to embracing new technologies, we’ve put our money where our mouth is by sponsoring many leading eSports events and teams — actively driving the emergence of gaming as the global profession it has become today. Whether you’re an eSports professional or an aspiring home gamer, Agon’s performance-driven specifications and convenient features will eliminate any obstacle encountered on the path to glory.

About AOC:

Sold in over 120 countries, AOC is a market leader in electronic displays and is positioned to be one of the top global brands in providing the best display technology to users worldwide. With nearly 50 years of experience in market analysis and consumer feedback, AOC is dedicated to designing products that address rising technological trends, as well as the diverse and changing needs of different consumers. Our commitment is emphasized through AOC’s slogan: ‘Vision at Heart’ — at AOC, we’ve kept the hearts of our users in our vision, and we’ve kept their vision in our heart. Find out more about AOC at www.aocmonitorap.com

7-SELECT Collaborates with PABLO, the Cheese Tart Bakery from Japan, To Launch 5 Brand-New Cheese-Inspired Delights

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 5 March 2021 – Many of us are big cheese fans and cheese-based desserts are all the rage at the moment. In this update, 7-Eleven’s own brand 7-SELECT is collaborating with PABLO, the renowned cheese tart bakery from Shinsaibashi in Osaka, to launch a series of exclusive, limited-edition crossover items. We are proud to present five brand-new 7-SELECT x PABLO creations inspired by PABLO’s signature cheese tart including Cheese Bread, Cheese Swiss Roll Cake, Cheese and Mango Flavour Mousse Cake, Apricot Jelly and Cheese Cream Puff, and Apricot Jelly and Cheese Cream Roll Cake. You can now enjoy the unforgettable cream cheese taste of this must-try Japanese souvenir right on your doorstep anytime, anywhere at 7-Eleven!

For more details, please refer to the below table:

Lusciously Creamy

7-SELECT x PABLO Cheese Bread

($10)

This soft and fluffy bun is made using 100% Japanese flour. With every bite, you’ll love its smooth and rich cream cheese filling. It tastes even better warmed up!

Made in Japan

7-SELECT x PABLO Cheese Swiss Roll Cake

($13)

A swirl of cream cheese runs through this featherlight swiss roll cake that is made using 100% Japanese flour. Savour the combination of the sponge’s buttery flavour and the slightly salty taste of cream cheese.

Tastes as Good as it Looks!

7-SELECT x PABLO Cheese & Mango Flavour Mousse Cake ($23)

This adorably cute mousse cake is shaped just like a cartoonish chunk of cheese. Totally Instaworthy, it boasts perfectly balanced mango and rich cream cheese flavours that are a pure delight to the senses!

Made in Japan

7-SELECT x PABLO Apricot Jelly and Cheese Cream Puff

($15)

These custardy puffs are filled with PABLO’s signature cream cheese and a sweet yet slightly sharp apricot jelly – a simply sensational combination of flavours!

Made in Japan

7-SELECT x PABLO Apricot Jelly and Cheese Cream Roll Cake ($15)

The appearance of this soft and custardy dessert takes inspiration from PABLO’s iconic cheese tart. The rich and smooth cheese-flavoured cake is topped off with apricot jelly, so both mouth-wateringly sweet and tangy.

The above prices are valid from 3 – 16 Mar 2021. Prices may change without prior notice. The product price at the store shall prevail.

4 in 5 Businesses Affirm That Workflow Automation Enhances Employees’ Work Rather Than Replace Them, But a Knowledge Gap Persists

  • 81% of employers say that workflow automation will enhance employees’ work instead of replacing them, though 63% highlighted lack of background knowledge to utilise workflow automation being a major challenge.
  • They highlight the reasons for adopting Workflow Automation being ‘better utilisation of resources’ (74%), ‘carrying out mundane or tedious tasks’ (70%), ‘reducing operational risks’ (58%) and ‘improving company’s business performance’ (53%).
  • 75% of Singapore employers say their organisations have experience with workflow automation while 25% of survey respondents plan to adopt workflow automation in the next 12 months.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 5 March 2021 – Despite four in five (81%) employers saying that workflow automation will enhance employees’ work instead of replacing them, a number of challenges are still holding these organisations back. About two in three of them highlighted obstacles related to knowledge gaps such as ‘a lack of background knowledge to utilise workflow automation technologies’ (63%), and ‘the inability to establish the correct workflow’ (62%).

These are some of the key findings from the recently launched NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB) Industry Insights Report on Workflow Automation in Singapore. The report is based on in-depth interviews with industry experts, UiPath and NTUC LHUB, and a survey involving 300 business decision-makers across industries in Singapore.

In addition, while a majority of businesses (75%) say their organisations have experience with workflow automation, almost half (43%) of them say that they lack buy-in from employees to adopt these technologies. In the job market, more than half (56%) of employers are willing to offer a premium to hire talent in workflow automation, but three in five (58%) employers highlight that there is inadequate interest among job seekers.

The contrast between employers’ positive attitudes towards workflow automation and employees’ ambivalent views highlights the need to showcase to the public a different perspective about how such technologies benefit both organisations and staff members, such as achieving ‘better utilisation of resources’ (74%), ‘carrying out mundane or tedious tasks’ (70%), and ‘reducing operational risks’ (58%).

Anthony Chew, Director of ICT Product Division at NTUC LHUB says, “In a turbulent COVID-19 environment, the imperative for a company to invest in efficiency and productivity is as weighty as educating its workforce. With that in mind, it is key that business leaders assuage any anxiety their workers might have of new technologies so that they can truly harness the power of automated systems. Employees must also see the adoption of workflow automation as an opportunity to thrive in areas involving critical thinking and decision-making — skills which are irreplaceable by machines. This is why we urge workers to learn about workflow automation in order to fully understand and best utilise it, rather than to fear it.”

“The pandemic has reinforced the importance of building agility and resilience and Singaporean companies are seeing the cost benefits and versatility that automation solutions such as RPA (Robotic Process Automation) provide,” says Chris Loo, Managing Director, Southeast Asia, UiPath. “This will continue as more companies digitise and Singapore attracts companies from high-growth sectors such as fintech, biotechnology, renewable energy and others. Employees who are skilled in deep tech areas such as RPA, AI/ML and cybersecurity will add significant value, and be in high demand.”

To download the Industry Insights: Workflow Automation report, visit https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/workflow-automation-2021.

About UiPath

UiPath has a vision to deliver the Fully Automated Enterprise™, one where companies use automation to unlock their greatest potential. UiPath offers an end-to-end platform for automation, combining the leading Robotic Process Automation (RPA) solution with a full suite of capabilities that enable every organization to rapidly scale digital business operations. Visit www.uipath.com

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 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 2.5 million training places across more than 500 courses with a pool of over 460 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.

Working together, the Akita Shirakami area rethinks tourism in the age of Covid-19 through new PR video and grassroots project

AKITA PREFECTURE, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 5 March 2021 – Focusing on community collaboration, DMO Akita Shirakami Tourism announced two new projects to promote safe travel to the Akita Shirakami area. Their newest PR video highlighted the safety of the area’s vast wilderness, and their Kamashi Meshi project mobilized restaurants committed to Covid-19 safety precautions, to create new menu items that concentrated on local ingredients to attract new visitors amidst a pandemic that has greatly affected small business.

New PR video shows how travel in Akita is safe:

Akita prefecture has some of the lowest numbers of Covid-19 cases in Japan. The small population and boundless natural setting are reflected in the newest PR video which shows that travelers to the Akita Shirakami area are guaranteed a safe and authentic Japan experience all to themselves. Watch here: https://visitshirakami.com/news/4424/    

Kamashi Meshi Project helps small businesses affected by the pandemic through new menu items and Covid-19 safety:

In addition to the UNESCO recognized nature, travelers can taste the bounties of the Akita Shirakami area and support small businesses that have been affected by the pandemic through the Kamashi Meshi project. Restaurants got together to create a series of menu items that followed criteria such as using over four local ingredients. In the Akita dialect, kamashi means “to mix.” Paired with meshi (food), the hearty dishes are packed with flavors that meld together and can be transformed with original toppings. Dishes feature luxury ingredients like abalone, watershield, and a local beef called Tsurugata-gyu. All restaurants have adjusted their spaces to ensure safe dining. Learn more: https://visitshirakami.com/news/4223/

The Akita Shirakami area is a hidden gem for adventurous nature and food lovers. For travel inspiration, the Visit Shirakami Facebook page run by Akita Shirakami Tourism frequently posts the area’s charming attractions.

About Akita Shirakami Tourism

Akita Shirakami Tourism is a Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) that was created by locals in 2019 to revitalize Noshiro city and the surrounding towns of Fujisato, Mitane, and Happo through inbound tourism. Home to UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Shirakami Sanchi, they promote authentic travel experiences for travelers through their partnership with community businesses, and use of online platforms. Their Facebook page has over 10,000 followers!

Amazon Singapore empowers women-owned small businesses this International Women’s Day

Amazon Singapore encourages consumers to shop from small businesses and bolsters support for sellers by shining the spotlight on women entrepreneurs, including founders of maternity needs brand Hegen, social enterprise HoneySpree, and skincare label Porcelain

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 5 March 2021 – This International Women’s Day (IWD), Amazon Singapore is celebrating women who are the driving force behind successful homegrown small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). From creating jobs and enabling financial independence in their communities to championing eco-friendly business practices, the founders have been persevering through challenges to create a better future for all. By sharing their inspirational stories and unique product offerings on a dedicated storefront, Amazon Singapore hopes to inspire more entrepreneurs and consumers to #ChooseToChallenge gender stereotypes and empower local business owners, regardless of their gender, to sell online and scale globally.

Amazon Singapore has long been supportive of Singapore’s journey to become a global e-commerce hub. While local businesses continue to play a central role in the company’s DNA and success, Amazon recognizes that empowering women and supporting their businesses is the key to maximizing Singapore’s economic potential, with research showing that increasing gender equality in the workforce could add up to S$26 billion to the country’s GDP by 2025[1].

The dedicated storefront on Amazon.sg will showcase stories and products offered by 12 women-owned businesses over the next 4 weeks — from craft supplies to baby and maternity essentials. Starting today, customers can read more about the journey and motivations of the featured entrepreneurs, shop their offerings on Amazon.sg and enjoy promotions on selected products as part of the IWD celebration.

Featured sellers include Yvon Bock, founder of baby and maternity lifestyle brand Hegen; Beth Candice Wu, founder of local gift company and social enterprise HoneySpree; Pauline Ng, founder of cult-premium skincare brand Porcelain; Suzanne Vetillart, CEO of sustainable handcrafted jewelry brand Boma Jewelry; Trimongsowati Sekarpantjawati, founder of holistic wellness brand Botanica Culture; Connie Tan, founder of creative craft supplies shop Glittery Garden; and Sarah Jean Rodrigues, founder of local wine company Wine with Us.

Bernard Tay, Country Leader, Amazon.sg Seller Services and Head of Amazon Global Selling Southeast Asia, said: “Women are a critical force for Singapore’s economic progress and the growth of their businesses fuels our collective success. At Amazon, we are committed to offering equal opportunities for all sellers to help them unleash their entrepreneurial potential, regardless of their gender and background. Amazon is proud to mark this year’s International Women’s Day by celebrating the resilience of women entrepreneurs and showcasing their success stories. We hope that their experiences will resonate with other entrepreneurs, encouraging them to #ChooseToChallenge gender conventions and grow their businesses globally with us.”

“As an advocate for women upliftment and a mother myself, my mission has been to empower stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) to achieve financial independence while caring for their children,” said Beth Wu, founder of HoneySpree.

Founded by Beth Candice Wu, HoneySpree is a social enterprise specializing in customizable mini honey jars. The company employs stay-at-home moms (SAHMs) to ease their financial burden, giving back 30 cents to their network of SAHMs for every mini honey jar sold. To keep operational costs low and focus on growing her business by reaching more consumers, Beth decided to sell online and turned to Amazon for her logistics and order fulfillment needs.

In addition to the dedicated storefront, Amazon is teaming up with Enterprise Singapore to help local retailers, including women-run businesses, sell online and scale globally. Enterprise Singapore will support these efforts through the Market Readiness Assistance (MRA) scheme, offering S$100,000 maximum per new country, for up to 70% of eligible costs for overseas promotion, overseas business development and overseas country set up. Female entrepreneurs can thus avail tools and resources to sell online with Amazon.sg, expand their business across Amazon’s 20 stores worldwide, and reach more customers anywhere.

Check out Amazon.sg’s storefront featuring women-owned SMBs here. To find out more about how SMBs can sell on Amazon, visit https://www.amazon.sg/sell.

Appendix

Other women entrepreneurs featured on Amazon.sg’s dedicated storefront include:

Boma Jewelry

Jewelry

In 1981, Boma Jewelry was founded by the parents of current-day CEO Suzanne Vetillart in Seattle, Washington, offering customers accessible, sustainable, and ethically-made fine jewelry. Suzanne aims to continuously improve the brand’s supply chain and champion environmentally-friendly practices.

In addition, she founded the Boma Girl Fund in 2016 to donate proceeds to community programs for the company’s workers and their families.

Boma Jewelry started selling on Amazon.sg in 2020 to gain access to the local consumer market and leverage Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to reduce operational costs and expand on a global scale.

Botanica Culture

Personal Care

Botanica Culture is a holistic wellness brand founded in Singapore in 2011, offering organic and cruelty-free personal care products such as organic toothpaste and skincare oils. Founder Trimongsowati Sekarpantjawati leaned on her expertise as a chemist for 25 years to develop safe and effective products.

The brand aims to empower women by employing single mothers in a village in Indonesia so they can provide their children with a better education.

Botanica Culture has recently started selling on Amazon.sg to broaden their customer reach and tap on the local seller community. The brand also plans to expand the business internationally with the help of Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA).

Glittery Garden

Arts & Craft

Glittery Garden is an online craft supplies store that designs, produces and sells creative and budget-friendly party and DIY craft items.

Founder Connie Tan turned her passion for crafts into a small business when she noticed the lack of party decoration options in the market.

Since 2016, within a year of selling internationally on Amazon, business sales grew by 400% and with Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), Glittery Garden expanded from the US marketplace to Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia and Singapore.

Hegen

Baby & Maternity

Launched in 2015, Hegen is a baby and maternity brand that offers multifunctional and revolutionary baby products to enhance the breastfeeding experience for mothers.

Founder Yvon Bock aims to support working mums and make a difference in their lives by positively impacting their breastfeeding journey.

In 2016, Hegen began selling on Amazon.com and has since expanded to Amazon.uk and Amazon.sg after finding success in the US market. Selling on Amazon has opened the brand to marketing and selling globally — allowing Hegen to reach mummies around the world.

Porcelain

Skincare

Porcelain is a cult-premium skincare brand from Singapore established in 2009, with the vision to marry craftsmanship and technology to create the future of skincare. 

Founder Pauline Ng was inspired by her mother’s passion for helping others achieve healthy skin and decided to turn her family knowledge into a full-time business.

Last year, Porcelain began selling on Amazon.sg to extend its reach online, grow its customer base and leverage Amazon’s onsite solutions to manage business accounts easily.

Wine With Us

Wine & Spirits

Wine With Us is a local wine company that offers high-quality imported wine at affordable prices.

Founder Sarah Jean Rodrigues saw a glaring lack of selection in the local wine industry and decided to start her company ‘Wine With Us’ to offer consumers a bigger portfolio of quality wine.

Last year, Wine With Us started selling on Amazon.sg to reduce operational costs, reach a wider customer base online, and gain more exposure for their product offerings.



[1] McKinsey Global Institute: The power of parity: Advancing women’s equality in Asia Pacific

https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/gender-equality/the-power-of-parity-advancing-womens-equality-in-asia-pacific

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. Customer reviews, personalized recommendations, Prime, Fulfillment by Amazon, AWS, and Kindle are some of the products and services pioneered by Amazon. For more information, visit Amazon.sg.

New Electricity Rates Set This Month

Electricity rate increase alarms Lao residents

Authorities have set new electricity rates for households, organizations, and businesses this month throughout the country.

Yuexiu REIT Announces 2020 Annual Results

Guangzhou IFC sees rapid recovery in 2H2020 and revenue up 31% compared to 1H2020;Yuexiu REIT’s overall performance strongly rebounded

 

The overall operation remained with end-of-period occupancy grew higher

  • Revenue and net property income for 2020 were RMB1.759 billion and RMB1.323 billion respectively.
  • Total assets wasRMB36.260 billion, and property valuation reached RMB34.488 billion.
  • The overall end-of-period property occupancy rate was approximately 92.8%, up by 0.2 percentage points from 92.6% in 2019 despite adverse market conditions. Of which, 91.3% was for office, 98.0% for retail and 94.0% for wholesale.

Guangzhou IFC continued to play key role in business, with a rapid rebound in 2H2020

  • Revenue of Guangzhou IFC was RMB931 million, accounting for 53% of total income, and revenue in 2H2020 increased by 31% compared to 1H. Guangzhou IFC’s office operation team mitigated the pressure from substantial tenancy early termination, and offices maintained a 29% premium over comparable market rental price, of which the unit rental price of renewed leases increased by 6.3% year on year. The operation of Guangzhou IFC shopping mall restored to the pre-pandemic level, with revenue growth of 12.2% in 2H2020, as compared with first half of the year. Performance of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou rebounded in 2H2020, with revenue increasing by 157.7% compared with 1H. The average occupancy rate of Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou was 80.1% in 2H2020, representing an increase of 45.9 percentage points. Its average annual occupancy rate that was 2.4 percentage points higher than its competitors, and an average daily room rate 40% higher than its competitors. Ascott Serviced Apartment recorded revenue growth of 12.4% in 2H2020 compared with 1H2020. The average occupancy rate in 2H2020 was 86.7%, representing an increase of 9.2 percentage points from 1H2020. Its annual occupancy rate was 13 percentage points higher than its competitors, and the average daily room rate was 44.7% higher than its competitors. Ascott Serviced Apartment ranked first both in operating revenue and GOP in Ascott China for five consecutive years.

Remarkable performance of growth properties in consecutive three years

  • Wuhan Properties and Hangzhou Victory are the growth properties of the REIT. Operating income of Wuhan Properties was RMB179.3 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.7%. In which, the end-of-period occupancy rate of Wuhan Yuexiu Fortune Centre was 87.1%, representing a year-on-year increase of 12.1 percentage points. Rental price was RMB96.3 per sq.m., up 1.0% year on year.
  • Revenue of Hangzhou Victory separately was RMB32.5 million, up by 1.6% year on year. The end-of-period occupancy rate increased 3.8 percentage points year on year to 95.9%. Rental price was RMB119.6 per sq.m., up 1.5% year on year.

Effective cost controls from operation and taxation

  • Operating and management cost of hotel and apartments decreased 22% year on year.
  • Through active and effective tax management, tax expenses decreased 28% year on year.

Sufficient financial resources to ensure the needs of operating and distributions

  • As at 31 December 2020, the Group’s cash and cash equivalents and short-term bank deposits amounted to approximately RMB1.8256 billion, demonstrating that the Group has sufficient financial resources to satisfy its financial commitments and working capital requirements.

Optimized the structure of long- and short-term debt refinancing and active refinancing plan persued

  • The Group enjoyed the benefit of low financing costs by maintaining appropriate exposure to floating interest rate. As at the end of 2020, the overall average financing interest rate was 3.01%, a decrease of 119 basis points from 4.20% at the beginning of the year.
  • Successfully issued USD400 million 5-year corporate bond with a coupon rate of 2.65% in January 2021. The issuance was well received by the market and was oversubscribed by more than 8 times. The Group effectively reduced its financing costs and optimized its debt structure.

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – 4 March 2021 – Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust (“Yuexiu REIT “, which together with Yuexiu REIT Asset Management Limited, is referred to as the “Fund”, HKEX stock code: 00405) announced its annual results ended 31 December 2020.

Effective response to the impact of COVID-19 to maintain stable overall operation

The year 2020 is an unprecedent year in which China is the only major economy in the world which recorded a positive growth amid adversities. The year 2020 also marked the 15th anniversary of the listing of Yuexiu REIT. By successfully overcoming the impact at the onset of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and leveraging on its excellent operating capacity and good underlying assets, the Manager delivered a highly commendable results to the unitholders with a stable recovery in operating results in the second half of the year and a high occupancy rate of office buildings. Yuexiu REIT has demonstrated its strong operating resilience and vitality. Meanwhile, in order to maintain the momentum, stabilize existing tenants and introduce quality brands, the Manager rolled out a plan to renovate some of the properties for the purpose of value preservation and asset appreciation. As at 31 December 2020, the valuation of Yuexiu REIT’s portfolio amounted to approximately RMB34.488 billion. Distribution to each unitholder for the year of 2020 was RMB0.1985 which is equivalent to HK$0.2293 per unit, representing a yield of approximately 6.07% based on the closing price of HK$3.78 per unit as at 31 December 2020 (2019: 5.14%).

Guangzhou IFC

Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, rental demand for Grade A offices shrank conspicuously and tenants’ ability to afford high rentals diminished, which led to an ongoing high risk of lease termination and a reduced willingness in tenants to expand their leased area. GZIFC’s office operation team made flexible adjustments in business solicitation strategies to acquire tenants, endeavored to build up a reputation for its effective property management service in pandemic prevention to increase tenants’ viscosity and actively explored the demand of existing tenants to expand their office area. Meanwhile, through the introduction of quality tenants via multiple channels, the operation team effectively mitigated the vacancy pressure from tenancy termination and ensured a long-term and stable existing tenant base. In 2020, GZIFC successfully brought in an array of renowned enterprises such as CCB Fintech, Hyundai Insurance and Mango TV, and the unit rent as at the end of 2020 of GZIFC maintained a 29% premium over comparable market rental level, among which, the unit rental price of renewed leases increased by 6.3% year on year. GZIFC shopping mall conducted intensive themed activities and introduced differentiated commercial resources to vigorously facilitate customer flow recovery and boost operating income. As a result, the footfall in 2020 rebounded to nearly 80% of that in the previous year. The sales amount in 2020 restored to over 80% of that in the last year.

Hotel and serviced apartment were the two sectors that were the most impacted by COVID-19 pandemic. In this context, various measures were taken to control cost, explore customer sources and optimize catering, with an aim to speed up operation recovery and enhance performance. As a result, in 2020, Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou recorded an average annual occupancy rate that was 2.4 percentage points higher than its competitors, and an average daily room rate 40% higher than that of the peers, while the RevPAR index of the hotel reached 145.9. An occupancy rate of 83.3%, and daily room rate of RMB1,930 was recorded by the Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou in December 2020. Four Seasons Hotel Guangzhou was awarded, for six consecutive years, “Forbes Travel Guide 2020 Five-star Hotel Award” by Forbes Travel Guide. Ascott Serviced Apartment Guangzhou demonstrated a strong risk resistance capacity during the pandemic, and adopted the operation strategies targeted to stabilize long-term tenants and increase short-term tenants throughout the year. The occupancy rate of apartment was 82.2%, 13 percentage points higher than its competitors. The average daily room rent stood at RMB979, and approximately 44.7% higher than its competitors. The RevPAR index hit a record high of 171.8.

Wuhan Properties

Yuexiu Fortune Center successfully overcame the predicament in the post-pandemic period by strengthening tenants acquisition, reinforcing online marketing, responding to customers’ needs efficiently and proactively managing risky tenants. Yuexiu Fortune Center achieved newly contracted area of 41,000 sq.m. in 2020, and successfully brought in tenants such as China Resources Snow Breweries and Taikang Life Insurance, both being in the Fortune Global 500 enterprises, as well as ten other industry-leading enterprises. Yue Xiu Fortune Center’s occupancy rate in 2020 increased by 12 percentage points to a record high of 87.1%, making it on the first league in Wuhan.

Starry Victoria Shopping Centre has proposed differentiated lease restructuring schemes to its 49 premium tenants. Taking into account the consumer vouchers issued by the government and the actual operation of the tenants, it offered targeted assistance with an aim to unleash the rental value of principal tenants. During the year, eight additional categories including new energy vehicles were introduced. Through a sustained structural optimization in products operation, the second floor in Mall B attained a year-on-year increase of 41% in operating results and a 163% year-on-year increase in sales amount of new brands, making the shopping mall increasingly attractive to customers. With regard to marketing and promotion, it fully managed the online and offline activities to promote sales of tenants, and the sales amount at year end restored to 97.3%.

White Horse Building

The management team of White Horse Building actively explored customer resources and made vigorous efforts in acquiring potential tenants and transformation of premium brands, which accumulated a reserve of 981 potential tenants, among them, a number of strong brands became the tenants of White Horse Building. As a result, at the end of 2020, it recorded an occupancy rate of 94% which was higher than the market average and a unit rental price of RMB535 per sq. m. which continued to rank first in this business district. It also implemented differentiated leasing policies to support tenants’ operation, and effectively stabilized the key premium tenants. Besides, it smoothly carried out the optimization and adjustment in lease renewals on the sixth floor and strategic lease extension on the second floor, which led to an optimization in brands on the sixth floor by phasing out the brands not in line with the floor positioning, ensured a stable operation and laid down a good foundation for future optimization of tenant mix.

Shanghai Yue Xiu Tower

Shanghai office leasing market continued its downward trend, with a continued rise in vacancy rate and a fall in rental rate in Small Lujiazui Area and Zhuyuan Area. In this context, Yue Xiu Tower attempted to ensure good operation and stabilize occupancy rate through enhancement in four aspects including channel, product, price and property management, the occupancy rate climbed from 81.1%, the lowest point during the pandemic, to 92.6%, continuing to lead in Zhuyuan Area.

Fortune Plaza, City Development Plaza

Fortune Plaza successfully introduced premium customers with high net worth such as Guangdong Nanyue Bank and China Guangfa Bank, and the newly contracted area for the year was over 10,000 sq.m.. In addition, it also conducted proactive screening for existing risky customers, aimed at striving for new opportunities for a better position in acquiring future tenants and building up the customer reserve. City Development Plaza successfully introduced well-known enterprises as its tenants such as Covance, Spectris and China Audit Asia Pacific CPA, which rapidly filled up the vacant area. Furthermore, it also completed the lease renewal of approximately 8,000 sq. m. for a visa centre on its podium, thus stabilizing the occupancy rate of the building.

Victory Plaza

The Victory management team conducted a quick survey on post-epidemic consumption and brand expansion needs, formulated timely adjustment strategies and measures, and precisely and efficiently attracted targeted potential tenants. Victory Plaza introduced a number of top brands of diverse business formats, so as to achieve the enrichment of business formats and the optimization of brands on the first two floors, as well as the re-positioning and brand promotion of the food & beverage outlets on the fifth and sixth floor in the mall. A total of approximately 7,000 sq. m. of newly contracted area was accomplished during the year, and the renewal rent for expiring area increased by approximately 4%.

Hangzhou Victory

Hangzhou Victory made great effort in expanding its customer resources. Through utilizing the favorable opportunity arising from the presence of Hangzhou Customs as its significant tenant, it also rapidly renewed the lease with Qiantang Wisevalley, its first anchor tenant, and successfully introduced two Fortune 500 companies, China Railway Construction and China Communications Water Conservancy, and a number of high-quality enterprises. The newly signed and renewed lease area was approximately 9,000 square meters for the year, and retained multiple core tenants of the building.

Active promotion of asset appreciation projects to achieve value preservation and appreciation of properties

In the year of 2020, the Manager continued to invest in a number of asset renovation and upgrading projects, which included carrying out the unit decoration of GZIFC office buildings of about 4,300 sq.m. in total, upgrading projects on the image of Ascott Serviced Apartment, replacing fresh air ventilators and upgrading video surveillance system of City Development Plaza, the generator refitting project of White House Building, upgrading video surveillance system and renovating washrooms in Shanghai Yue Xiu Tower and decorating its leasing units of about 4,800 square meters, decorating the office area around 2,000 square meters at Wuhan Yuexiu Fortune Center. Total investment was approximately RMB47 million. The vacancy periods for the renovated office units of each projects were effectively shortened and increased the level of rent, which improved the operating efficiency and business environment of the projects on a continuous basis.

Mr. Lin Deliang, Chairman, Executive Director and CEO of Yuexiu REIT said, “In 2021, China will continue to lead the world in economic recovery. The after-effect of the pandemic will gradually abate. The market can expect to improve. Yuexiu REIT will capitalize on the recovery in both consumption and the market as well as the economic restructuring by continuously taking the initiative in management, adjusting its property rental strategy flexibly and fully unlocking the potential value. Yuexiu REIT is committed to triggering off a second wave of growth in its business. Meanwhile, Yuexiu REIT will continue to seek for quality projects that fit in with its investment strategy, grasp opportunities for investment with growth potential, optimize its asset structure and improve the quality of its assets with a view to generating returns consistently for the unitholders.

About Yuexiu REIT

Yuexiu Real Estate Investment Trust (“Yuexiu REIT”, HKEX stock code: 00405) was listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited on 21 December 2005. It is the first listed real estate investment trust in the world investing in properties on the mainland of the People’s Republic of China. Yuexiu REIT’s properties portfolio consists of eight high-quality properties including Guangzhou International Finance Center, White Horse Building, Fortune Plaza, City Development Plaza, Victory Plaza, Shanghai Yue Xiu Tower, and Wuhan Properties (including “Wuhan Yuexiu Fortune Centre”, “Starry Victoria Shopping Centre” and certain Carpark Spaces) and Hangzhou Victory, with a total area of ownership of approximately 973,000 square meters.

Cryptology Asset Group: Leads $30 Million Series B Funding Round of Neobroker nextmarkets

The Alan Howard and Peter Thiel-backed fintech has grown at an average rate of 207% (CAGR) since its launch in 2018.

 

VALLETTA, MALTA – EQS Newswire – 4 March 2021 – Cryptology Asset Group (ISIN: MT0001770107; Ticker: 4UD), a leading European investment company for blockchain- and crypto-related business models, announced it has led a $30 million Series B funding round of nextmarkets, alongside Alan Howard. Since going live in 2018, the innovative FinTech company from Cologne has grown at an average rate of 207% (CAGR), executing well over one million securities transactions in its second full financial year. Nextmarkets is also one of the easiest ways for European retail investors to trade Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

As a major shareholder in nextmarkets, the closing of the Series B fundraise has a positive effect on Cryptology’s NAV/share of €7.85, demonstrating how quickly the innovative fintech has grown. Cryptology announced today that overall NAV, as of February 28th, 2021, is estimated to be €172.54, well above the price/share it is currently trading at.

The additional capital is intended to further accelerate the European expansion of nextmarkets, founded in Cologne in 2014, and establish the growing fintech as the leading neobroker in Europe. In addition to Germany and Austria, six further countries – the United Kingdom, Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Spain and Italy – were launched at the end of 2020. The financing round seals a successful 2020 financial year in which the company was able to multiply all key KPIs such as the number of executed transactions, customer deposits, as well as the number of customers.

Cryptology’s founding investor, Christian Angermayer, said “We are just at the very beginning of a new retail boom on stock markets. However, the crisis of confidence towards other neobrokers in connection with the Gamestop phenomenon has shown how important it is to choose the right partner. Nextmarkets is 100% transparent, stands completely on its own two feet including its own banking license, and offers true zero-commission trading in stocks, with no hidden fees or limited investment universe. And investors can also trade Bitcoin easily and conveniently with nextmarkets.”

“The closing of this fundraise shows our commitment to empower the most innovative crypto-related companies in the world,” said Patrick Lowry, Cryptology’s newly appointed CEO. “Less than two weeks on the job and we have already made two new investments in amazing companies, with many more in the pipeline. The sleeping giant that is Cryptology is waking!”

Earlier this year, Cryptology shares started trading on several German exchanges including Börse Düsseldorf, Gettex and Tradegate. In order to increase trading liquidity and open up to new shareholder groups, Cryptology is exploring an international listing.

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

About Cryptology Asset Group p.l.c.

Cryptology is a leading European crypto asset and blockchain-related business model investment company. Founded by Christian Angermayer’s family office, Apeiron Investment Group and crypto-legend Mike Novogratz, Cryptology is the largest publicly traded holding company for blockchain- and crypto-based business models in Europe. Noteworthy portfolio companies include crypto-giant and EOS publisher block.one, leading HPC provider Northern Data, commission-free online neobroker nextmarkets, and crypto asset management group Iconic Holding.

About Nextmarkets:

Nextmarkets is Europe’s commission-free neobroker. In addition to truly commission-free trading of shares and ETFs for €0 via the stock exchange, the Fintech company boasts an advanced, highly flexible proprietary technology platform, as well as an extensive set of hard-to-get licenses and regulatory approvals, giving it full control over its own product and flexibility to innovate in ways that other online brokers cannot. The platform also hosts professional investors who generate up to 300 curated investment ideas for users every month – free of charge and in real time. Nextmarkets, with offices in Cologne, Lisbon and Malta, currently employs a team of 39 and is backed by leading venture capitalists such as Peter Thiel, Christian Angermayer, Founders Fund, Axel Springer, Falk Strascheg and the publicly listed FinLab AG.