Ms. Phoutmany Thammavong announcing the release of the mosquitos (photo: Pathedlao)
Mosquitoes carrying Wolbachia bacteria will be released in Vientiane Capital’s Saysettha and Chanthabouly districts between late April and September to prevent the growth and transmission of viruses that cause dengue fever.
Ms. Pany Yathotu observing how the rice planting machine works (photo: media laos)
Vice President of Laos, Ms. Pany Yathotou visited a rice factory in Champasack’s Mounlapamok district on Tuesday where they utilize modern machinery to grow rice.
Also recognized in 10 Asia Pacific countries and territories, this is the company’s ninth consecutive year to secure the certification for the entire region
2022 also saw DHL Express win a total of 53 workplace recognitions in Asia Pacific
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 20 January 2023 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has started 2023 on a positive note with the achievement of Asia Pacific Top Employer 2023 for the ninth consecutive year. Additionally, the Top Employer Institute also awarded 10 countries and territories across the region the Top Employer certification. These include Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
DHL Express is a Top Employer in Asia Pacific
The Top Employers Institute certifies organizations on their people practices so that these companies can assess and improve their workplace environment. To be a certified top employer, companies participate in an independently audited HR Best Practices Survey, and are evaluated in 20 categories, ranging from business and people strategy, digitalization, employee wellbeing, career and learning opportunities to diversity and inclusion as well as sustainability.
Furthermore, DHL Express also wrapped up 2022 with more than 50 HR awards won by individual national companies. These include recognitions for workplaces celebrating diversity while creating a positive and happy environment. The accolades are also aligned with the company’s annual Employee Opinion Survey. Employees gave a score of 97 out of 100 for “Employee Engagement”, indicating their overall satisfaction with the company.
“This is great news to start the new year,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “The Top Employer recognition is a massive pat on the back for all of us. I am also incredibly proud of our team and the number of awards they have won. We’ve always focused on our people’s well-being and will continue to do so.”
Investing in people and providing development opportunities
Each year, DHL Express invests more than EUR300 per employee to ensure they have access to learning and career development opportunities. To foster a sense of belonging and enable leadership development is the internal training initiative “Certified”, where employees gain the knowledge and skills needed to perform their job competently.
The investment also goes to taking care of people’s well-being and needs. For example, the company organizes yoga and meditation workshops to help employees manage their physical and mental health. Employees can also dial a 24-hour employee assistance hotline hosted by professional counselors whenever they need a listening ear.
“We are honored to be the Top Employer as it shows that we have robust policies and initiatives. As we navigate the changing workplace landscape, we continue to make things right and treat people with respect,” said Mateen Thiruselvaam, Human Resources Senior Vice President for Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “Awards may be important, but our people are an indispensable asset. Our employees see us as an HR trusted partner. We must continue to find ways to engage our people in open and meaningful conversations, to drive positive change across the organization.”
As a global company with an international network, DHL Express employs about 120,000 specialists worldwide, covering hundreds of professions such as parcel delivery, hub operators, aircraft maintenance, network planning, IT, and more. Last year, 27% of females in Asia Pacific (excluding China) are in middle and upper management. The aim is to increase the share of women in leadership positions to 30% by 2025.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 380,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 81 billion euros in 2021. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. Deutsche Post DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
Over 70% of Chinese consumers plan to head overseas once Chinese Mainland’s quarantine policy is lifted
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 20 January 2023 – The Chinese Mainland’s rapid urbanisation and economic development has led to a booming luxury market, and purchasing habits of consumers have become more complex than ever. Chinese consumers are eager to purchase luxury as a means of social advancement and self-differentiation. They are also highly accustomed to shopping during their travels, with over 70% of Chinese consumers planning to travel overseas after the lifting of the Chinese Mainland’s quarantine requirements.
The 2023 KPMG China and DLG (Digital Luxury Group) Luxury Redefined: Building trust with Chinese consumers through authenticity and integrity report is based on a survey of 2,653 consumers living in the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. In this study, KPMG identified key takeaways for luxury brands to consider in targeting the evolving Chinese consumer, including being purpose-driven, respecting local culture, leveraging digitalisation, understanding the new luxury concept and capitalising on Gen Z growth. The report also draws upon insights from in-depth interviews with executives from the luxury industry to supplement the findings.
Willi Sun, Head of Advisory, Consumer & Retail, KPMG China, says: “Given the rapid development of the country throughout the years, Chinese consumers are evolving fast and have developed a global perspective within a relatively short period of time compared with other mature economies. The definition of luxury among Chinese consumers may not always be the same as how the West views luxury.”
Purchasing power is a critical factor in the ability to buy luxury items and drives the development of consumer mentality. According to the survey, Chinese consumers were found to have the confidence to spend, with increased income and economic development allowing for greater purchasing power and thus a growing appetite for luxury goods. They are eager to purchase luxury as a means of social advancement and the expression of personality, and highly influenced by media content in their purchasing decisions.
Gen Z is rapidly becoming the largest consumer base for luxury brands, and their propensity to consume is quite strong. Based on the survey, 21% of Gen Z survey respondents are willing to spend more than 16% of their income on luxury – a relatively large proportion for individuals who have just completed their first degree or recently entered the job market. Their preferred channels for purchasing are key e-commerce platforms and brand official channels.
Following nearly three years in relative isolation, massive shifts in the global luxury market are to be expected once leisure travel for Chinese shoppers resumes as well. A couple of phases can be expected during this reopening process: The first phase will be a period of transition where actual travel might be slow to pick up, and a second phase is expected to kick in when travel truly resumes. COVID-19 has irrevocably impacted the shopping patterns of Chinese consumers, and an immediate rebound in spending and return to old habits is unlikely. However, an adjustment in the proportion of domestic and international luxury spending can be expected. At the same time, when international travel resumes for Chinese shoppers, additional questions related to consumer data collection and the reactivation of these shoppers when they return to China will also resurface.
While WeChat has been the most appealing platform in China for CRM because of its advanced data collection capabilities that allow for better consumer segmentation and more effective life cycle communications, international brands in the market do not always have the right infrastructure in place.
Pablo Mauron, Partner and Managing Director of China, DLG (Digital Luxury Group), says: “Global brands have been able to get by with a somewhat extended version of their global CRM infrastructure in China until the Personal Information Protection Law (PIPL) came into effect in 2021. With these new regulations, brands now have to completely rethink their consumer data infrastructure to both meet local regulations and maximise performance – something that is exceedingly important at a time when customer retention and life cycles have become a growing focus for brands.”
Young people are also increasingly adopting an environmentally friendly lifestyle. This trend is reflected in the increased demand for sustainable travel, with the consumer survey indicating that 90% of Chinese Mainland respondents agreed to put more effort into achieving sustainable travel. According to the survey, the younger generation places a higher importance on sustainability and corporate responsibility when making luxury purchases: 30% of surveyed consumers aged 18 to 24 think it is a key consideration, compared with only 16% for those aged between 45 to 54.
Jennifer Weng, Head of Tax, Consumer & Retail, KPMG China, says: “Mindsets of Chinese consumers may change due to external factors such as relevant policies on ESG and brands’ initiatives around consumer education. Some of these top-down actions are pushing consumers to think and act differently than they would have without this influence, leading to higher awareness and different purchasing behaviours.”
The definition of luxury is changing. The study found that corporate responsibility was the second most important factor in potentially changing consumers’ purchasing habits and mentality. In addition, when preferred brands are found to conflict with a consumer’s personal beliefs or values, more than 40% of respondents will stop purchasing from those brands, and even persuade others to do the same.
Hashtag: #KPMG
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About KPMG China
KPMG China has offices located in 31 cities with over 15,000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Working collaboratively across all these offices, KPMG China can deploy experienced professionals efficiently, wherever our client is located.
KPMG is a global organization of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”) operate and provide professional services. “KPMG” is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organization or to one or more member firms collectively.
KPMG firms operate in 143 countries and territories with more than 265,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.
KPMG International Limited is a private English company limited by guarantee. KPMG International Limited and its related entities do not provide services to clients.
In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. KPMG was also the first among the Big Four in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership, as of 1 August 2012. Additionally, the Hong Kong firm can trace its origins to 1945. This early commitment to this market, together with an unwavering focus on quality, has been the foundation for accumulated industry experience, and is reflected in KPMG’s appointment for multidisciplinary services (including audit, tax and advisory) by some of China’s most prestigious companies
About DLG (Digital Luxury Group) DLG (Digital Luxury Group) is an international agency with offices in Geneva, Shanghai and New York that offers social media, e-commerce, CRM, consulting and creative services to luxury brands. It has developed a unique expertise in defining and implementing impactful digital strategies that target sophisticated consumers through a combination of technological know-how, creativity and luxury savoir-faire.
Mr. Thor Yang, Chairman of ACU Group Hong Kong (left) and Mr. Terry Liang, CEO of HSG (right) signed Certificate of Partnership in recognition of commitments and collaboration.
Thailand is one of 60 countries where ACU Group is trademarked, the location is of great importance. ACUPAY Thailand aims to provide customers with the utmost quality, convenience, innovation, and security.
ACU Group has chosen HSG toprovide customers with the following features for its payment service:
Convenient top-up
Flexible and easy payments
Consumer-friendly operations
Straightforward account opening
Customer migration assistance
The ACUPAY project started in September 2022, targeting to roll out in Thailand by end of February 2023. Both teams are collaborating to complete a unified effort, once the Thai version is up and running, the project will be replicated in Malaysia and other African countries.
“We are very excited to collaborate with HSG on this project because it aligns with our strategic vision of improving our customer experience and offering our payment services to more countries in Asia and Africa. It is key to our effort to contribute to and support the country’s digital evolution.” said Mr. Thor Yang, Chairman of ACU Group Hong Kong.
This project–which was a rousing success–has set ACUPAY Thailand up for a long-term stronghold in the FinTech space. It also marks the beginning of our lucrative business partnership.
Central Bank Digital Currency: FinTech At The Highest Level
Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) is a digital currency issued by a central bank and tied to the country’s national currency. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has been performing in-depth research on this subject since 2017.
Also, the Bank of England opened supplier applications last December for CBDC sample digital wallets. The goal of this project is to enable CBDC ledgers to interface with the private sector.
“Consumers can own a CBDC in a wallet or account and use it for payments. This would serve as a public digital banking option that anyone can use. It could be especially helpful for consumers who can’t access traditional banking services.” said Terry Liang, CEO of HSG, an award-winning FinTech solution provider serving major banks in China and APAC for the last 25 years.
Delving Into ACU Group And HSG’s Joint CBDC Initiative
While CBDC is undoubtedly filled with potential on a massive scale, it’s in its infancy. Established institutions are curious, but they’re also slow to adopt all facets of FinTech.
Features–like a digital wallet or currency–aren’t new to these high-level organisations. Still, the institutions in question haven’t dived headfirst into the FinTech revolution.
However, that hesitancy will change. Soon, CBDC–and other FinTech facets–will be the norm for central banks.
The ACUPAY APP developed jointly by ACU Group and HSG will ultimately allow a user to make consecutive digital payments with immediate settlement. The wallet user can initiate payments using any channel: contactless, QR Code, and the same terminals and standards currently used for card payments.
The aim is to provide customers with high-convenience, high-quality, highly secure, and innovative payment services.
The mounds of research and development ACU and HSG have compiled on Central Bank Digital Currency will put us far ahead of the pack. To that point, our joint digital wallet system has entered the testing stage, and the results–thus far–have filled us with excitement for the future.
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