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Spackman Media Group Artist Son Ye-Jin’s New K-Drama, 39, Ranked 8th Top Netflix TV Shows Worldwide

  • Iconic Korean actress Son Ye-jin’s JTBC’s drama, 39, ranked 8th top Netflix TV shows worldwide based on Flix Patrol, an online content service ranking site
  • The JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards
  • Represented by MSteam of Spackman Media Group, Son Ye-jin previously starred in tvN’s drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU, which achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and Japan


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Son Ye-jin of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“MSteam“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited (“Spackman Media Group“), stars in JTBC’s new drama, 39, which ranked as the 8th top Netflix TV shows worldwide on 26th February based on Flix Patrol, an online content service ranking site. Son Ye-jin is one of the flagship artists of Spackman Media Group.

According to Flix Patrol, the JTBC K-drama, 39, ranked first in five regions namely Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Taiwan. Previously, the JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards.

Directed by Kim Sang-ho of RUN ON (2020) and written by Yoo Young-ah of ENCOUNTER (2018) & KIM JI YOUNG, BORN IN 1982 (2019), 39 is a 12-episode drama about the romance and everyday lives of three friends who are on the verge of turning 40. Son Ye-jin plays the role of a 39 year-old dermatologist, who was born and raised by wealthy parents and presently works at her own clinic in Gangnam, Seoul.

Son Ye-jin’s previous tvN K-drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019), achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and became a top hit in Japan, attaining #1 on Japan’s Netflix for four months. The K-drama was one of the top 10 Most Watched Netflix Shows in the United States. Son Ye-jin was awarded the Hallyu Drama Best Actress Award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards for her role in CRASH LANDING ON YOU.

Her recent films include BE WITH YOU (2018), THE NEGOTIATION (2018) and THE LAST PRINCESS (2016), all of which were invested by the Group and/or Spackman Media Group.

In 2018, Son Ye-jin’s performance in BE WITH YOU, which broke the all-time first week box office historical record for romance film in Korea, clinched her the Best Actress Award at the Seoul Awards. Son Ye-jin also received the Prime Minister’s Commendations at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards and won the Best Actress for Hallyu Dramas at the 2018 Seoul International Drama Awards, underscoring her international status as an iconic Korean actress.

Previously, Son Ye-jin was selected as the brand ambassador for US skin care brand Skinceuticals and as luxury fashion brand Valentino’s muse. She was also the face of Crocodile’s woman apparel and Smart Communications Inc., a leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines.

Other than Son Ye-jin, MSteam also represents internationally recognized actor Wi Ha-jun of SQUID GAME and top actress Lee Min-jung, who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea.

The Company was founded in 2011 by media and technology investor Charles Spackman who served as the Company’s Executive Chairman until 2017. For the past two decades, Mr. Charles Spackman has been a powerhouse in the Korean entertainment industry starting in the early 2000’s with the pioneering success of Sidus Pictures, the largest movie production company at the time and the first to be listed in Korea. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. For more information, please visit http://www.charlesspackman.com

Since its founding, SEGL had produced more than 30 major motion pictures including a number of the highest grossing and award-winning films in Korea, namely #ALIVE (2020), CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), SNOWPIERCER (2013), COLD EYES (2013) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012).

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

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

Production Labels

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

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

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2022 tentatively.

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

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

Talent Representation

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

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

Strategic Businesses

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

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

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

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

Gaw Capital Partners Recognized as ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the PERE Awards 2021

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Gaw Capital Partners is delighted to announce that it was named ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the PERE Awards 2021 after receiving the largest number of votes in a public ballot of the real estate industry.

Gaw Capital Partners was highlighted for raising its first $430m commingled growth equity fund, Gaw Growth Equity Fund I, to invest in proptech companies. The firm was also highlighted for launching two data center platforms in China and one in pan-Asia.

Ms. Christina Gaw, Managing Principal, Global Head of Capital Markets and Co-Chair of Alternative Investments of Gaw Capital Partners, said, “We are honored to be recognized as the winner of ‘Alternatives Investor of the Year: Asia’ at the Global PERE Awards 2021 and we would like to express our sincere thanks to our investors, partners, our dedicated team and PERE magazine.”

She added, “2021 has been another tough year with Covid restrictions in place especially throughout Asia, but we continue to see great opportunities in alternatives asset class such as data centres and logistics demand, due to people and tenants behavioral change during pandemic time and the increasing reliant on digital connectivity. The increasing focus by global investors, corporations, government policy makers focus in ESG, further creates new opportunities in the proptech industry. Global institutional investors’ commitments to our Gaw Growth Equity Fund I and IDC sector reflect their readiness to allocate more of their capital towards proptech, IDC and ESG related investments, given the attractive market opportunity and rapid growth of the sector. We are excited with these new trends and opportunities that will continue to deliver strong results and maximize returns for our investors.”

The Global PERE Awards recognize significant achievements in the global real estate industry and is highly respected across the global real estate private equity industry.

About Gaw Capital Partners

Gaw Capital Partners is a uniquely positioned private equity fund management company focusing on real estate markets in Asia Pacific and other high barrier-to-entry markets globally.

Specializing in adding strategic value to under-utilized real estate through redesign and repositioning, Gaw Capital runs an integrated business model with its own in-house asset management operating platforms in commercial, hospitality, property development, logistics, IDC and Education. The firm’s investments span the entire spectrum of real estate sectors, including residential development, offices, retail malls, serviced apartments, hotels, logistics warehouses and IDC projects.

Gaw Capital has raised seven commingled funds targeting the Greater China and APAC regions since 2005. The firm also manages value-add/opportunistic funds in Vietnam and the US, a Pan-Asia Hospitality Fund, a European Hospitality Fund, a Growth Equity Fund and provides services for separate account direct investments globally.

Since 2005, Gaw Capital has commanded assets of US$32.6 billion under management as of Q3 2021.

#GawCapitalPartners

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

Spackman Media Group Artist Son Ye-Jin’s New K-Drama, 39, Ranked #1 Most Watched Content On OTT In Korea

  • Spackman Media Group flagship artist Son Ye-jin’s JTBC’s drama, 39, ranked #1 most watched content on OTT in Korea based on Kinolights, an OTT search platform
  • The JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards
  • Represented by MSteam of Spackman Media Group, Son Ye-jin previously starred in tvN’s drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU, which achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and Japan


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (the “Group“), one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups founded in 2011 by media & technology investor Charles Spackman, wishes to announce that Son Ye-jin of MSteam Entertainment Co., Ltd. (“MSteam“), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s associated company, Spackman Media Group Limited (“Spackman Media Group“), stars in JTBC’s new drama, 39, which ranked as the #1 most watched content on over-the-top (“OTT“) in Korea in the last week of February based on Kinolights, an OTT integrated search and content recommendation platform. Son Ye-jin is one of the flagship artists of Spackman Media Group.

Previously, the JTBC K-drama recorded its highest audience rating of 8.7% for its fourth episode, based on Nielson Korea’s nationwide household standards. 39 is also released on Netflix internationally.

Directed by Kim Sang-ho of RUN ON (2020) and written by Yoo Young-ah of ENCOUNTER (2018) & KIM JI YOUNG, BORN IN 1982 (2019), 39 is a 12-episode drama about the romance and everyday lives of three friends who are on the verge of turning 40. Son Ye-jin plays the role of a 39 year-old dermatologist, who was born and raised by wealthy parents and presently works at her own clinic in Gangnam, Seoul.

Son Ye-jin’s previous tvN K-drama, CRASH LANDING ON YOU (2019), achieved massive record-breaking viewership success in Korea and became a top hit in Japan, attaining #1 on Japan’s Netflix for four months. The K-drama was one of the top 10 Most Watched Netflix Shows in the United States. Son Ye-jin was awarded the Hallyu Drama Best Actress Award at the 15th Seoul International Drama Awards for her role in CRASH LANDING ON YOU.

Her recent films include BE WITH YOU (2018), THE NEGOTIATION (2018) and THE LAST PRINCESS (2016), all of which were invested by the Group and/or Spackman Media Group.

In 2018, Son Ye-jin’s performance in BE WITH YOU, which broke the all-time first week box office historical record for romance film in Korea, clinched her the Best Actress Award at the Seoul Awards. Son Ye-jin also received the Prime Minister’s Commendations at the 2018 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards and won the Best Actress for Hallyu Dramas at the 2018 Seoul International Drama Awards, underscoring her international status as an iconic Korean actress.

Previously, Son Ye-jin was selected as the brand ambassador for US skin care brand Skinceuticals and as luxury fashion brand Valentino’s muse. She was also the face of Crocodile’s woman apparel and Smart Communications Inc., a leading telecommunications service provider in the Philippines.

Other than Son Ye-jin, MSteam also represents internationally recognized actor Wi Ha-jun of SQUID GAME and top actress Lee Min-jung, who won the Top Excellence Award at the 2020 APAN Star Awards.

About Spackman Entertainment Group Limited

Spackman Entertainment Group Limited (“SEGL” or the “Company“), and together with its subsidiaries, (the “Group“), is one of Korea’s leading entertainment production groups. SEGL is primarily engaged in the independent development, production, presentation, and financing of theatrical motion pictures in Korea.

The Company was founded in 2011 by media and technology investor Charles Spackman who served as the Company’s Executive Chairman until 2017. For the past two decades, Mr. Charles Spackman has been a powerhouse in the Korean entertainment industry starting in the early 2000’s with the pioneering success of Sidus Pictures, the largest movie production company at the time and the first to be listed in Korea. Mr. Spackman is also the Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the global investment firm, Spackman Group. For more information, please visit http://www.charlesspackman.com

Since its founding, SEGL had produced more than 30 major motion pictures including a number of the highest grossing and award-winning films in Korea, namely #ALIVE (2020), CRAZY ROMANCE (2019), DEFAULT (2018), MASTER (2016), THE PRIESTS (2015), SNOWPIERCER (2013), COLD EYES (2013) and ALL ABOUT MY WIFE (2012).

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

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

Production Labels

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

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

The Company owns a 100% equity interest in Take Pictures Pte. Ltd. (“Take Pictures“) which produced STONE SKIPPING (2020) and THE BOX (2021), and shall release GUARDIAN (working title) in 2022 tentatively.

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

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

Talent Representation

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

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

Strategic Businesses

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

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

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

#SpackmanEntertainmentGroup

Laos to Trial Electric Garbage Trucks, Distribute Bins in Vientiane Capital

Laos receives electric mini garbage trucks
Laos receives electric mini garbage trucks.

Authorities in Vientiane Capital are trialing the use of electric garbage trucks and will distribute over a thousand waste collection bins in target villages.

Global Blockchain Leader R3 Establishes Innovation Lab at Cyberport to Help Hong Kong FinTechs Seize CBDC Opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Enterprise technology and services firm R3 has established an official presence in Hong Kong, opening its “Innovation Lab” at Cyberport. Cyberport has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with R3 to provide Hong Kong’s financial services and FinTech sectors with blockchain technology innovation resources relating to Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs).The collaboration will bring R3’s suite of trust technology – Corda, its distributed ledger platform, and Conclave, its confidential computing platforms, closer to Hong Kong’s FinTech start-ups and enterprises to support the creation of next-generation software applications based on digital trust technologies.

Cyberport-.jpg
International commercial blockchain platform R3 has opened its R3 Innovation Lab at Cyberport to provide complete blockchain platform solutions for Hong Kong’s FinTech companies and start-ups.

The two parties, via R3 Sandbox for Digital Currencies will launch a series of blockchain training programme for technical developers later this year to help all companies within the Cyberport community to seize the transformative opportunities offered by blockchain and CBDCs, as outlined within the FinTech Vision 2025 by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Through R3’s sandbox, companies could experiment with CBDCs and interact with a global and a diverse pool of participants to explore how they could incorporate certain forms of CBDCs development within their own businesses.

R3 is a leading enterprise software firm known for its Corda blockchain platform and the Conclave confidential computing platform that are widely adopted by companies from the regulated space of banking, capital markets, trade finance and central bank entities. As part of the launch of the “R3 Innovation Lab”, R3 is proud to welcome several high-profile technology partners including Red Date Technology, which drives the global Blockchain-based Service Network (BSN), HK’s home-grown technology transformative giant Cherrypicks, and The Hong Kong Polytechnic University in joining the lab as the inaugural “Innovation Partners” to foster collaborations in co-researching and co-creating possible new technology solutions based on blockchain and confidential computing.

The R3 Innovation Lab will serve as an agile transformative space where Cyberport, R3 and all the Innovation Partners will come together to offer support resources, training curriculum, technology comprehension, industry expertise; and work closely with ecosystem stakeholders to co-create more fintech innovations within Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area to contribute to Hong Kong’s long-term success as a prominent global leader in technology innovations.

Peter Yan, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, said, “The Central Government has been striving to promote e-CNY. By the end of last year, the usage of e-CNY had reached 87.5 billion yuan of transactions with 261 million individual wallets set up. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority is actively studying CBDC payment and settlement in Hong Kong to help promote mutual access in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and support the consolidation of Hong Kong’s status as a global offshore RMB business hub. CBDC will drive demand for blockchain applications and create huge opportunity. With blockchain is one of the key technology clusters, Cyberport and its Cyberport Academy organised various seminars workshops and competitions to promote blockchain applications. This collaboration with R3 will further nurture and gather talents of blockchain and relevant technologies and consolidate Hong Kong’s edges in advanced technology.”

Amit Ghosh, Chief Information & Services Officer for R3 said, “The advent of the CBDC will reshape the financial industry. Both central banks and financial institutions will need to build new systems, and even review the financial system’s operating processes. The related financial innovation cannot rely solely on promotion by the government and the financial industry. As Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community, Cyberport is an important asset in promoting the application of Hong Kong’s Central Bank digital currency. R3 is delighted to establish an innovation lab at Cyberport in order to allow outstanding FinTech start-ups and the wider enterprise community to better grasp blockchain and confidential computing technologies, while providing them with convenient tools to develop more advanced CBDC-related applications and other blockchain technology applications.”

R3 collaborated with Cyberport as early as 2020 to launch the “Block AdVenture” challenge to help start-ups build on Corda as well as its global Venture Development program for HK’s local technology community, where it offers a variety of resources and support for every stage of the blockchain journey – from office hours, workshops and educational content to access to an ecosystem of over 200 industry experts, mentors and investors.

About Cyberport

Cyberport is an innovative digital community with around 800 on-site start-ups and technology companies. It is managed by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, wholly owned by the Hong Kong SAR Government. With a vision to be the hub for digital technology, thereby creating a new economic driver for Hong Kong, Cyberport is committed to nurturing a vibrant tech ecosystem by cultivating talent, promoting entrepreneurship among youth, supporting start-ups, fostering industry development by promoting strategic collaboration with local and international partners, and integrating new and traditional economies by accelerating digital transformation in public and private sectors.

For more information, please visit www.cyberport.hk

About R3
R3 is a leading provider of enterprise technology and services that enable direct, digital collaboration in regulated industries where trust is critical. Multi-party solutions developed on our platforms harness the “Power of 3″— R3’s trust technology, connected networks and regulated markets expertise—to drive market innovation and improve processes in banking, capital markets, global trade and insurance.

As one of the first companies to deliver both a private, distributed ledger technology (DLT) application platform and confidential computing technology, R3 empowers institutions to realize the full potential of direct digital collaboration. We maintain one of the largest DLT production ecosystems in the world connecting over 400 institutions, including global systems integrators, cloud providers, technology firms, software vendors, corporates, regulators, and financial institutions from the public and private sectors. For more information, visit www.r3.com or connect with us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

#Cyberport

Ariana DeBose, Jessica Chastain and Alexandra Daddario Shine in De Beers Jewellers at the 2022 Screen Actors Guild Awards

LOS ANGELES, US – Media OuReach – 1 March 2022 – De Beers Jewellers natural & responsibly sourced diamonds shined on SAG Award winners Ariana DeBose, Jessica Chastain and Hannah Waddingham and SAG Award Ambassador Alexandra Daddario at the 28th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Dancer-turned-actor Ariana DeBose triumphantly won her first Screen Actors Guild Award for her portrayal of Anita in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story. She looked radiant in a sensationally beautiful diamond necklace and bracelet paired perfectly with classic diamond studs and a selection of rings.

“When I saw the jewellery from De Beers, I knew they were the perfect pieces for this big night. Sustainability is as important to me as the design of the jewellery, so wearing natural diamonds that are both beautiful and responsibly sourced is a dream scenario,” Ariana said of her De Beers Jewellers look for the evening.

Ariana’s styling duo Zadrian + Sarah said of the look, “For Ariana’s incredible SAG look, we wanted jewellery that felt fresh and modern while leaning into the glamour of her gown and De Beers Jewellers had the perfect pieces. The radiance of the natural diamonds and intricate details of the jewellery – from the statement necklace to the ring – popped against Ariana’s hot-pink gown. Her look perfectly embodied a new generation’s take on old-Hollywood glamour.”

Actor, presenter, and SAG Award winner for her role as Tammy in The Eyes of Tammy Faye, Jessica Chastain looked stunning in a metallic suit pared with pieces from one of jewellery house’s latest high jewellery collections, Reflections of Nature. The Namib Wonder diamond climber earrings were perfectly paired alongside two complementary rings.

Actor and SAG Award Ambassador Alexandra Daddario walked the red carpet in a glamourous gold ensemble accented by natural De Beers diamonds. Alexandra’s look included a pair of dazzling floral statement earrings paired with a matching ring to complete her look.

About De Beers Jewellers

Founded in London, with a flagship store on Old Bond Street and a presence in the most exclusive locations around the world, De Beers Jewellers is the pinnacle of luxury diamond jewellery. Building on De Beers’ 130 years of expertise, the House glorifies the world’s most beautiful diamonds through creativity and craftsmanship in bold, distinctive designs.

De Beers is committed to ensuring all the diamonds it discovers create a lasting positive impact for people and the places where they are found. This comes with a pledge to build a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier, in which communities thrive, ethical practices are maintained, and the natural environment is protected.

De Beers Jewellers has 30 stores globally and ships to 15 markets via www.debeers.com.

FB: @DeBeers
IG: @debeersofficial
https://www.debeers.hk/

About De Beers Group

Established in 1888, De Beers Group is the world’s leading diamond company with expertise in the exploration, mining and marketing of diamonds. Together with its joint venture partners, De Beers Group employs more than 20,000 people across the diamond pipeline and is the world’s largest diamond producer by value, with diamond mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops a portfolio of offers, including its jewellery houses, De Beers Jewellers and De Beers Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group is committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; where communities thrive and the environment is protected; and where there are equal opportunities for all. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit www.debeersgroup.com.

#DeBeers #ADiamondIsForever

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

Refinitiv Celebrates Achievements of Vietnam’s FX Community

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – Refinitiv, an LSEG business , has announced the winners of its FX Trading Awards 2022 for Vietnam’s trading community. The FX Awards aim to promote transparency and liquidity in the Vietnamese foreign exchange market and to recognize its importance to the broader economy. Award winners were determined based on trading activity on Refinitiv’s FX trading platforms.

Refinitiv launched its leading global electronic trading Matching service in Vietnam in 2019, as emerging markets in the Asia region continue to develop their financial markets and digitise FX trading capabilities. The launch represented Vietnam’s first electronic marketplace for the trading of VND.

Foreign exchange remains one of the world’s most actively traded asset classes. The average daily volume (ADV) of foreign exchange trading across Refinitiv’s FX platforms globally totaled $491 billion in January 2022, with the average daily volume for spot trading at $97 billion.

“We would like to extend our congratulations to all the winners recognised at the award ceremony . This marks the second year of our FX Awards in Vietnam and we are delighted to celebrate the strong support we have seen from the local trading community. As one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure, Refinitiv is committed to the further development of FX markets in Vietnam. We are making significant investments in our trading venues as well as our new generation desktop platform called ‘Workspace for FX Trading’ to help with this journey,” said Nigel Fuller, Sales Director, FX Trading, Asia at Refinitiv.

The 2022 Vietnam FX Award Winners are as follows:

  • Best Market Maker: Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank
  • Most Active Bank: Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank
  • Most Volume Traded: Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank
  • Best Newcomer (new): BNP Paribas – Ho Chi Minh City Branch Vietnam
  • Best FXall Taker (new): Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam
  • Top 5 Volume Traded:
1

Vietnam Maritime Commercial Joint Stock Bank

2

Vietnam Export Import Bank

3

Vietnam Technological and Commercial Joint Stock Bank

4

Ho Chi Minh Development Commercial Joint Stock Bank

5

Tien Phong Commercial Joint Stock Bank

For further information on Refinitiv’s FX solutions, visit here.

About Refinitiv, an LSEG business

Refinitiv, an LSEG (London Stock Exchange Group) business, is one of the world’s largest providers of financial markets data and infrastructure. With more than 40,000 customers and 400,000 end users in approximately 190 countries, Refinitiv is powering participants across the global financial marketplace. Refinitiv provides information, insights, and technology that enable customers to execute critical investing, trading and risk decisions with confidence. By combining a unique open platform with best-in-class data and expertise, Refinitiv connects people with choice and opportunity – driving performance, innovation and growth for its customers and partners. www.lseg.com

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Philippine Bureau of Customs Adopts Hytera BWC Solution to Improve Border Protection and Trade Facilitation

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach – 1 March 2022 – The Philippine Bureau of Customs (BOC) integrated Hytera Body-Worn Camera (BWC) Solution to their daily operation to modernize and strengthen its enforcement and border protection capabilities, while at the same time further enhancing trade facilitation and improving the collection of the country’s lawful revenues.

A Philippine customs officer is carrying a Hytera body-worn camera during an inspection
A Philippine customs officer is carrying a Hytera body-worn camera during an inspection

The BOC is a Philippine government agency under the Department of Finance. Its main function is to assess and collect customs revenues from imported goods and other dues, fees, charges, and penalties. It is tasked with implementing border control to prevent smuggling and other customs fraud. It also supervises and controls the clearance of vessels and aircraft engaged in foreign commerce.

According to a report made by the BOC, during the year 2000, it dealt with over 566,212 thousand entries and facilitated more than six million arriving and departing travelers. With such a heavy workload, modernization of its workforce became one of the BOC’s top priorities.

Hytera BWC solution was selected by the BOC for its complete process of evidence collection, data storage and management as well as its GPS positioning and voice features which enable real-time monitoring, dispatching and coordination.

“Having a robust design, powerful audiovisual data recording capabilities and a lot of other features.” praised SpCapt. Rodolfo Gonda, ESS-QRT Head Officer,” Hytera VM780 is easily the best overall body-worn camera available.”

Equipped with Hytera BWC solution, recorded data is transferred through the docking stations deployed in the 17 BOC offices and can be monitored remotely by the Customs Operation Center (COC). Thus, transparency and efficiency of law enforcement are enhanced.

As international trade increases, customs offices worldwide are faced with issues brought by diversified duties and mounting workloads. BWCs that are capable of fast evidence collection, live video streaming and voice dispatching can be a powerful addition for the customs industry and law enforcement agencies alike.

About Hytera

Hytera Communications Corporation Limited (SZSE: 002583) is a leading global provider of professional communications technologies and solutions. With voice, video and data capabilities, we provide faster, safer, and more versatile connectivity for business and mission critical users. We enable our customers to achieve more in both daily operations and emergency response to make the world more efficient and safer.

Official website: https://bit.ly/3M7bgHgWebsite

#Hytera

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