The Japanese government donated USD 63,000 to build a fence and install outdoor lights at the Lao-Japan Friendship Cherry Blossom Garden at a ceremony in Viengxay District, Houaphanh province on Tuesday.
Laos to Benefit From Singapore’s Renewable Energy Shift
As ASEAN countries ink deals to move away from fossil fuel consumption and toward renewable energy sources, Laos is set to benefit from this environment-friendly trend.
A Step Towards a Greener Hong Kong: TÜV Rheinland Launches First-ever Hydrogen Safety Training Courses in Hong Kong
The Chief Executive announced in his 2022 Policy Address to commence trials on Hydrogen Fuel Cell double-deck buses and heavy vehicles in 2023 and formulate the long-term strategies for the application of hydrogen energy in road transport by 2025. The Inter-departmental Working Group on Using Hydrogen as Fuel, led by the Environment and Ecology Bureau (EEB), has approved six trial projects on hydrogen fuel technology in Hong Kong involving transport and energy sectors , in preparation for the technology’s local application and the development of supporting facilities.
The Hydrogen Safety Training Courses directly responds to this shift towards renewable energy sources and will address the knowledge and skill gap prevalent in the industry. The training courses on hydrogen design, application and carrier safety will encompass a broad curriculum, including general hydrogen safety, risk assessment, design safety, and operational safety. Participants will gain valuable insights into the nuances of working with hydrogen-based technologies and learn best practices for ensuring safety at all levels of operation.
The Hydrogen Safety Training Courses have been duly approved under the Reindustrialisation and Technology Training Programme (RTTP). The RTTP offers a 2:1 matching subsidy to local companies to train their staff in advanced technologies. These courses will provide crucial training and education to engineers, technicians, and professionals who are set to drive the hydrogen energy revolution in Hong Kong.
“With our extensive experience and expertise in technical and safety training, we are thrilled to bring this industry-first initiative to Hong Kong,” said Mr. Rory Meng, Leader of Hydrogen Competence Centerof TÜV Rheinland, Greater China. “As a global leader in testing, inspection, and certification services, we believe it’s our responsibility to promote the safe, effective and innovative use of hydrogen energy.” With its rich experience in international projects in the field of hydrogen energy, TÜV Rheinland offers one-stop professional technical services from hydrogen production to application, covering water electrolysis hydrogen, storage facilities, transportation, filling station, fuel cell vehicles, etc.
The Hong Kong government’s commitment to a green and sustainable future through policies promoting the hydrogen economy aligns perfectly with TÜV Rheinland’s mission. As TÜV Rheinland pioneers this crucial training in Hong Kong, we continue our longstanding commitment to safety and innovation, driving growth, and aiding in the swift and safe adoption of new technologies. Through these courses, TÜV Rheinland aims to support the hydrogen industry in Hong Kong, bringing about a safer, greener, and more sustainable future.
For more information on TÜV Rheinland’s Hydrogen Safety Training Courses, please visit https://event.gc.tuv.com/index.php?r=site%2Fview&id=2900&language=en-US
Hashtag: #TÜVRheinland
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Appier elevates Hotel Monterey’s personalized ‘Omotenashi’ hospitality with AI
Empowering enhanced hotel marketing and customer engagement with AI-driven strategies
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach – 20 September 2023 – Appier is pleased to announce its strategic collaboration with Hotel Monterey Co., Ltd. (“Hotel Monterey”), aimed at enriching the hotel’s customer experience through the power of AI. Hotel Monterey has chosen to implement a trio of cutting-edge Appier solutions, including the AI-driven Customer Data Platform, AIRIS, to expedite seamless data integration. Additionally, Hotel Monterey will leverage the AI Personalization Cloud, AIQUA, and the AI Conversational Marketing Platform, BotBonnie, to facilitate individually tailored customer interactions and dynamic marketing strategies. These three innovative solutions will collectively enable Hotel Monterey to deliver unparalleled service, meeting the unique needs of every guest.

With a surging influx of travel enthusiasts, both existing and potential, Hotel Monterey has embarked on a journey of digital transformation. The primary objective is to harness the power of digital marketing to gain deeper insights into customer preferences, foster enhanced engagement, and cultivate unwavering customer loyalty. To this end, the hotel has pinpointed two critical goals: first, to comprehensively merge dispersed customer data from across the organization, and second, to deliver personalized and optimized services.
However, the hotel’s customer data was consolidated within a single CRM system, requiring substantial time investments for data registration and integration across diverse platforms, including the incorporation of new member data. This presented a challenge to the hotel’s mission of swiftly gleaning customer insights and promptly tailoring its services accordingly. Furthermore, the practice of uniformly dispatching direct mailings to the entire customer base resulted in an approach that lacked the finesse of individual optimization.
In partnership with Appier, Hotel Monterey is dedicated to enhancing customer loyalty by implementing a marketing strategy that is tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Facilitated by Appier’s AIRIS and AIQUA, Hotel Monterey is poised to redefine customer engagement. With the aid of BotBonnie, the hotel can craft personalized and interactive service encounters that adapt to the customer’s on-site behavior, irrespective of the multitude of customer touchpoints. By seamlessly merging data from various channels, Hotel Monterey has gleaned invaluable customer insights, enabling the provision of services that are precise, adaptable, and perfectly aligned with customer requirements.
“We are delighted to collaborate with Appier in driving our digital transformation through data-powered decision-making,” expressed Atsushi Hasebe, Director of Planning and Administration at Hotel Monterey. “With Appier’s suite of AI enterprise solutions, including AIRIS, AIQUA, and BotBonnie, we’ve achieved real-time integration and analysis of user profiles across offline, online, and social platforms. This not only enhances our precision in reaching our target audience but also elevates our member experience, nurtures customer loyalty, and empowers us to craft an effective marketing strategy, optimizing sales during this period of post-pandemic travel resurgence.”
AIRIS: This AI-powered Customer Data Platform (CDP) boasts exceptional precision in AI analysis and user-friendly visualization features, enabling instant data comprehension and real-time insights. Leveraging first-party data, it constructs a comprehensive 360-degree customer profile, allowing easy visualization and evaluation of the “impact” of diverse customer touchpoints. This facilitates informed investment decisions, predicated on user behavior analysis.
AIQUA: AIQUA empowers the generation and automated delivery of individually tailored messages and recommendations at the optimal timing and through the most fitting customer channels. These channels encompass websites, apps, push notifications, email, SMS, and social media, ensuring companies can elevate their customer engagement strategies significantly.
BotBonnie: An omni-channel-compatible AI conversational marketing tool that seamlessly integrates into platforms like LINE, Messenger, Instagram, and web chat. By streamlining intricate customer journeys and implementing interactive marketing approaches, businesses can unlock the full potential of customer loyalty maximization.

Hashtag: #Appier #HotelMonterey #Omnichannel #MarTech #Hospitality #customerengagement
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About Appier
Appier (TSE: 4180) is a software-as-a-service (SaaS) company that uses artificial intelligence to power business decision-making. Founded in 2012 with a vision of democratizing AI, Appier now has 17 offices across APAC, Europe and US, and is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. (TSE Prime Code: 4180).
About Hotel Monterey
Hotel Monterey is a distinguished hospitality group in Japan renowned for its commitment to providing exceptional and culturally immersive experiences to travelers. With a rich history dating back to its establishment in 1986, Hotel Monterey has consistently set the standard for luxury and comfort in Japan’s hospitality industry.
Each Hotel Monterey property showcases a unique blend of timeless elegance and modern amenities, capturing the essence of Japan’s rich heritage while embracing contemporary comforts. From the heart of bustling cities to scenic resort destinations, its hotels offer an array of accommodation options, exquisite dining experiences, and world-class services to cater to the diverse needs of its guests. For more information about Hotel Monterey, please visit:
https://www.hotelmonterey.co.jp/en/
TWP Redefines Sydney’s Workspace Landscape With Two New Cutting-edge Centres In Q1, 2024
Elevating Professional Workspaces Outside Sydney’s Core CBD
TWP will introduce a total of 1,600 square metres of flexible workspace across the lower ground and 10th floors of 100 Arthur Street in North Sydney. Visitors will be greeted at the grand entrance leading into a spacious business lounge, complete with luxurious sofas, work booths, hot desks, collaboration zones and meeting rooms. The 10th-floor office suites boast panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the CBD.
Noeleen Goh, Head of Real Estate at TWP, expressed her confidence in the prime location of the new workspace: “With Victoria Cross Sydney Metro set to open in 2024, North Sydney is poised for significant growth. The new metro will significantly reduce the time to get between North Sydney and the City, and will add to the vibrancy of the entire North Sydney CBD. 100 Arthur Street will be well-positioned to meet the rising demand for flexible small and medium offices. The lower ground lounge and collaborative spaces will also foster networking and idea exchange among tenants and members, nurturing a community of like-minded professionals.”
Capturing Demand in Sydney’s Midtown Precinct
Situated on the 9th floor, the new TWP coworking centre att 66 Goulburn Street will comprise mainly private office suites and meeting rooms. The design will seamlessly fuse modern aesthetics with functional excellence. Conveniently located in the Midtown Precinct of Sydney’s CBD, members will benefit from the unparalleled connectivity to the transportation network via the Light Rail, Museum and Central Stations and the plethora of dining options.
Brandon Chua, TWP Australia Country Head, elaborated on the appeal of Goulburn Street: “The Midtown Precinct, with its proximity to major court buildings such as Downing Centre Courts and Family Court, is ideal for meeting the demands of legal and financial professionals. We are excited to offer a meticulously crafted premium workspace that blends inspirational design, ergonomic furniture and cutting-edge technology infrastructure to support seamless communication and productivity.”
With this expansion, TWP’s total flexible workspace in Sydney will encompass 7,000 square metres across three distinct locations.
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About TWP
TWP is a global workspace provider setting new standards in ways of working. It currently operates award-winning workspaces at twelve locations in Singapore, Sydney and Hong Kong, that enables today’s business executives to work, meet and host in beautifully designed spaces. Since its inception in 2016, its timeless and inspiring designs have already been included in Forbes’ list of “5 Most Beautiful Co-Working Spaces in the World” and Huffington Post’s list of “20 Best Co-Working Spaces Across the Globe”. Its mission is to create workspaces that are beautiful in form and high-performance in function. Find out more at
www.theworkproject.com.
Major Automotive Themed Event in Town International MotorXpo (IMXpo) 2023 Returning in December
IMXpo 2023 endeavours to promote automotive culture, history, education and the latest technology, providing an unparalleled opportunity for industry leaders, manufacturers, and consumers to connect and engage in a comprehensive exposition.
Under the theme of “Mobility+”, the year’s event will offer a diverse range of activities and exhibits, including the “Chinese EV Pavilion” where the most significant EV models of Mainland China will be presented, “Hong Kong Autofest”, a car culture festival area featuring JDM cars and collector cars, the “Supercar Zone” showcasing stunning car art and design, and the fun-filled “IMX CARnival”. There will also be exhibitors of international motor brands as well as auto products and services.
According to Carmen Au Yeung, Co-founder of IMSML, “We are excited to bring back our highly anticipated automotive event, which will once again offer visitors a diverse range of activities and exhibits to enjoy. With the ‘Mobility +’ theme, we aim to build an auto-themed event which is unlike any other car shows in the region. We focus on presenting the very unique car culture of the city, which has been heavily influenced by Japanese and Western car history and trends.”
She also extended her warmest welcome to CAAM and CCI as this year’s Co-organisers this year. IMXpo 2023 marks the first-ever motor show outside Mainland China to involve CAAM as a co-organiser. Fu Bingfeng, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of CAAM, stated, “With its extensive overseas network and well-established financial system, Hong Kong plays a key role in promoting trade and financing of electric vehicles of the Mainland. As a platform with unique value for technology display, brand promotion and business exchanges, IMXpo will help position Hong Kong as a bridgehead for car manufacturers of Mainland China to open up the Southeast Asian, Belt and Road and European markets. We believe that Hong Kong can contribute to bringing Chinese electric vehicles to the world.”
As part of IMXpo this year, an international forum on “Exports and Investment Hotspots of New Energy Vehicles” will be held, exploring the strategic functions and positioning of Hong Kong in supporting Chinese new energy vehicles “going global”. The forum will be attended by senior Government officials, influential industry players, scholars and business leaders.
Jiang Zenghe, President of CCI, expressed his high expectation for the three-party-partnership, stating that Hong Kong’s status as an international financial centre would be further strengthened through this new role. “Overseas buyers and potential business partners could come to Hong Kong to witness the development of Chinese electric vehicles. Hong Kong should also take pride in the progress of vehicle electrification in Mainland China and explore any possible cooperation opportunities,” he added.
In addition to the B2B elements, IMXpo is an annual iconic event for car lovers and families. The exciting highlights of IMXpo 2023 include:
- Supercar Zone: Showcasing some of the world’s most luxurious and high-performance vehicles;
- Hong Kong Autofest: Featuring a classic MINI show, Unprohibited! for Japanese modified cars, and a Car Part Museum.
- Parts, Accessories, and Services Avenue: Providing a platform for manufacturers and suppliers to showcase their after-sales products and services.
- IMX CARnival: Offering a range of exciting activities, such as the Toycar Salon, International E-sports Race, Remote Car Competition, and the presence of three hand-made wooden supercars from Vietnam.
- Chinese EV Pavilion: Showcasing the latest developments in electric vehicle models and technology;
- International Show Room: Featuring a variety of vehicles from around the world;
- Fete Two Wheels: Presenting a wide variety of motorbikes.
IMXPO 2023 promises to be an unforgettable experience for automotive enthusiasts, industry professionals, and families alike. With its diverse range of activities and exhibitions, the event offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out this automotive extravaganza! We invite you to join us and experience IMXpo 2023.
Hashtag: #IMXpo
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International Motor Show (HK) Management Limited
International Motor Show (HK) Management Limited is comprised of members from a wide range of backgrounds. Senior personnel are experts in exhibitions and conventions, mega show and auto sports management, marketing, and promotions, from all over the world. They have extensive experience in organising international mega-events, including the famous Bologna Motor Show in Italy, Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, regional large-scale celebratory activities and auto-related races. Some had also taken up senior positions at the headquarters of famous car manufacturers, and possess close connections with famous designer brands.
China Association of Automobile Manufacturers
Founded in Beijing in the May of 1987, China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) was registered in the Ministry of Civil Affairs on Nov. 28, 1991. CAAM is a self-discipline and non-profit social organisation formed based on the principle of equality and voluntariness, which consisting of enterprises and institutions as well as organizations engaged in production and management of automobiles, auto parts and vehicle-related industries founded within the boundaries of the People’s Republic of China.
CAAM is a permanent council member of the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA). As a national industry organisation, CAAM is committed to providing support and services to the Government, industry and enterprises, serving as a bridge and link to promote the sustainable development of the automotive industry.
Chinese Culture Institute
The Chinese Culture Institute was established in Hong Kong by China Peaceful Development General Summit of Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan Diaspora Co. Ltd. Its Board of Directors is composed of elites from the overseas Chinese community as well as political and business elites. Lo Man-tuen, Grand Bauhinia Medal Awardee and Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors. CCI adheres to its founding purpose and provides professional training, high-end think tanks, and cultural, economic, and trade education exchange services. At the same time, it also assists local governments, state-owned enterprises, and private enterprises to gain an in-depth understanding of the national conditions of other countries, especially countries along the “Belt and Road”, and actively build bridges for Chinese enterprises to “go global.”
De Beers Research Insights Highlight Opportunities for Long-Term Diamond Jewellery Demand Growth In China
While consumer demand for diamond jewellery in China has softened in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent macroeconomic challenges, the report highlights the potential for greater demand as the economic outlook improves – with up to 200 million Chinese consumers set to enter the middle class by 2030 and an expected rise in household disposable income of more than a third over the same period – as well as how best to cater to the needs of different Chinese consumer groups.
The report reveals that while desirability for natural diamonds remains strong among Chinese end clients, ranking among the top three most desired luxury purchases, there is a gap between intent to acquire and actual acquisition rates. This gap represents an opportunity for the diamond industry which can be captured by responding to the consumer insights contained in the report.
The report identifies several specific opportunities for the diamond trade in relation to different consumer groups, geographies and retail approaches in China. Key insights include:
Millennials:
- Millennials are the generation that spends disproportionately more than others on diamond jewellery. Younger Millennials prize quality/purity as the most important feature they seek from diamond jewellery, followed by the size and cost of the piece. Design and colour also play a significant role in their decision-making. For older Millennials, design and size take priority, closely followed by purity and price. For both groups, the uniqueness of a piece and the ethical responsibility of the brand are also factors. Retailers should therefore focus on a strong design ethos with top-quality diamonds and competitive pricing, while ensuring they communicate their commitment to ethical practices.
Gen Z:
- The share of market value Gen Z represents almost doubled between 2020 and 2022, from five per cent to nine per cent of sales. Gen Z are characterised by greater use of digital media, heightened interest in sustainability considerations, a continuing journey to financial maturity and a propensity to purchase diamonds to mark birthdays. Retailers can maximise the potential of the Gen Z demographic by establishing strong digital touchpoints, showing their alignment to Gen Z values, launching flexible payment options or offering lower-priced entry-level pieces, and offering special birthday promotions or personalised pieces that make for unique birthday gifts.
Affluent consumers:
- Affluent consumers are more likely to buy diamond jewellery to celebrate significant relationship milestones, particularly wedding anniversaries. However, they are selective in their choices, with design playing a pivotal role. One in four of those who did not purchase diamond jewellery in 2022 stated that they couldn’t find a design they liked. This may help explain the gap between the strong desire for diamond jewellery among affluent consumers and their actual acquisition – as such, a greater focus on designs that reflect this group’s preferences can present an area of opportunity.
Further growth opportunities:
- The 55-65 age group:
- The 55-65 age group is an important and growing cohort, contributing approximately nine per cent of the total market value in Tier 1-3 cities. The self-purchase behaviour of the 55-65 age group is particularly noteworthy. This demographic does not shy away from rewarding themselves with diamond jewellery (29 per cent vs 17 per cent for 18-54). In terms of product preference, this group shows a clear inclination towards necklaces and non-bridal rings.
- Tier 4 cities:
- The estimated market value of Tier 4 cities stands represented about 10 per cent of total demand for diamond jewellery in 2022. Diamond jewellery acquisitions in Tier 4 cities are more likely to be non-bridal (85 per cent of pieces) and gifted (88 per cent of pieces), with more than a third of acquisitions (35 per cent) being for wedding anniversaries, compared with a quarter in Tiers 1-3.
Al Cook, CEO, De Beers Group, said: “De Beers Diamond Insight Reports draw on our unique understanding of diamonds, developed over our long history. And there is no country where history has moved as fast as China. From being a relatively small player on the world diamond stage at the end of the last century, China now represents the largest market for diamond jewellery outside the United States. So, our aim for this, our tenth Diamond Insight Report, is to focus on China. We aim to look at its development, to cut through short-term volatility, to understand evolving customer desire for jewellery and to identify opportunities for the future.”
The report also includes the annual diamond value chain dashboard, containing authoritative data on the performance of the diamond industry’s upstream, midstream and downstream segments in 2022.
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Website: www.debeersgroup.com
Hashtag: #DeBeers #naturaldiamonds
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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 mining operations in Botswana, Canada, Namibia and South Africa. Innovation sits at the heart of the De Beers Group strategy as it develops its portfolio of brands, including De Beers Jewellers and Forevermark, and other pioneering solutions, such as recently launched diamond sourcing and traceability initiatives GemFair and Tracr. De Beers Group employees are committed to ‘Building Forever,’ a holistic and integrated approach for creating a better future – one that is fairer, safer, cleaner and healthier; where safety, human rights and ethical integrity continue to be paramount; and where communities thrive and the environment is protected. De Beers Group is a member of the Anglo American plc group. For further information, visit
www.debeersgroup.com.
Bybit and Paradigm Launch Promotion Offering Pro5 Fees for New Options Traders
The collaboration between Bybit and Paradigm aims to attract new professional options traders to Bybit’s platform, as part of the exchange’s efforts to enhance its offerings for institutional participants. Traders will benefit from Paradigm’s block trading expertise and Bybit’s seamless trading environment.
The promotion focuses on accessibility and competitive fee structures. New users need only complete one trade of any size to participate. Eligible traders will enjoy Bybit’s most competitive ‘Pro5’ fee rate across options, perpetual contracts, and spot trading until October 11. Additionally, traders achieving $10 million in options taker volume via Paradigm by October 11 will be eligible for an extended discounted fee period.
Bybit’s options market provides flexibility with daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly expiries on BTC and ETH. Its trading platform delivers robust functionality, world-class infrastructure, and deep liquidity.
“We are excited to collaborate with Paradigm to introduce this exclusive promotion for institutional option traders.” said Ben Zhou, co-founder and CEO of Bybit. “We remain committed to powering innovation and offering sophisticated trading tools for institutions. This collaboration further strengthens our position as a leading player in the crypto derivatives market.”
“Bybit and Paradigm share an unwavering commitment to serving our institutional customers over the long haul,” said Anand Gomes, co-founder and CEO of Paradigm. “Our collaboration is a testament to our dedication to simplifying the path for institutions venturing into the world of crypto. Together, we pave the way for a future where accessibility and innovation converge.”
Hashtag: #Bybit #TheCryptoArk
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Bybit
Bybit is a cryptocurrency exchange established in 2018 that offers a professional platform where crypto traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, excellent customer service and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One’s reigning Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions, the Oracle Red Bull Racing team, esports teams NAVI, Astralis, Alliance, Made in Brazil (MIBR), and Oracle Red Bull Racing Esports.
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