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Exporting Innovation to the World! Innolux Showcases Groundbreaking Software-Hardware Integration Capabilities


LAS VEGAS – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – Innolux will showcase its latest, most innovative product technologies in Las Vegas, U.S.A. from January 7 to 9 under the theme “Driving New Possibilities”. James Yang, President of Innolux, said that Innolux has added yet more value to its display field, created outstanding innovative technologies, and crafted comprehensive scenario-tailored service solutions, exporting these boons to overseas markets. Technology-wise, AI software and hardware come together to invent new solutions. Innolux products span multiple application fields like retail, healthcare, entertainment, mobility, and others, to comprehensively elevate convenience, safety, and fun, as well as embrace all-around smart technology in everyday life, leading us into the future.

Innolux exhibits smart dimming sun visor
Innolux exhibits smart dimming sun visor

Industry’s First Color-Conversion-Based AM MicroLED Technology Delivers New Value in Display Technology

Innolux has been deeply involved in forward-looking panel technology for many years and showcased the industry’s first 106″ Color-Conversion-Based AM-MicroLED Free Tiling Display with six main features: lifelike high resolution, high color saturation, wide color gamut, excellent ambient light contrast, seamless tiling, and low power consumption. Extremely small pixel pitch (≦P0.6mm) achieves a new level of ultra-high definition all across the screen. Its color-conversion-based microLED and flawless free tiling panel module comes in 12.3″ to 220″ based on customer needs. The limitations of traditional panels are transcended to realize an unparalleled high-end, high-definition, and ultra-large visual experience.

Innolux’s free tiling QD color-conversion-based MicroLED display technology employs an active TFT driving backplane and has a four-sided tileable design. It is also equipped with a full-color solution for color conversion technology powered via blue LED chips with quantum dots. It is able to overcome two major problems of RGB MicroLED technology architecture, including the lack of uniformity typical of green LED chips and the poor efficiency and reliability of red LED chips after miniaturization. It can also significantly reduce the number of massive transfers, thereby lowering costs and improving yields. Furthermore, the use of high-performance color conversion materials can also achieve a wide color gamut of BT2020 with 90% area ratio.

In addition, Innolux debuted its innovative 9.6″ AM-MicroLED Mirror Display, which features ultra-high brightness (1200 nits), ultra-high contrast (1,000,000:1), wide color gamut (NTSC 120%), and ultra-high reflectivity, and energy saving, among other astounding advantages. MicroLED Smart Mirror is an integrated multi-functional smart mirror display. It is equipped with automotive-grade RGB self-luminous MicroLED technology. Its tiny aperture area ratio can provide visuals with high reflectivity and ultra-high brightness while ensuring low power consumption. Similar in appearance to a 9.6″ mirror, the smart mirror display combines exclusive pioneering display technology to not only show product information, promotional messages, and personalized advertisements, but also enable consumers to enjoy an interactive VR experience. This emerging display technology will provide comprehensive system solutions for smart retail, smart cockpit, and other fields.

With its robust and forward-looking MicroLED technology, Innolux has obtained nearly 580 patents approved by the U.S.A. Its excellent display quality and market potential cannot be understated. Innolux has repeatedly garnered much technical praise and recognition at international expos and national display technology awards. Our products offer many excellent features such as high image quality, seamless and free tiling, fast response, low power consumption, and ultra-power saving. Application scenarios include smart education, high-end theaters, museums, and other 8K retina large-scale display markets, as well as smart mobile, smart retail, and many other diverse avenues for innovation. Innolux spares no effort to deliver new value in the display sector.

Next-Gen MiniLED display Technology Revolutionizes Outdoor Public Panel Market and Ushers in a New Visual Era

In view of increasing demand for smart cities and outdoor panels, Innolux is committed to delivering value-added innovation in panels, successfully revolutionizing next-gen miniLED technology and breaking through the limitations of traditional backlight panels. Innolux’s latest 17.3″ and 23.8″ miniLED Sunlight Readable Display leverages miniature, efficient LED dot matrix technology to not only achieve excellent outdoor visibility under the sun, but also maintain low power consumption while providing an excellent performance that ensures high brightness, high contrast, and wide color gamut.

This breakthrough technology allows the panel to remain clearly visible even in outdoor environments with strong light. It can accurately perform real-time dynamic zoning adjustments based on the content shown, rendering deeper dark hues and outstanding contrast to present vibrant images with rich, detailed layers. Embrace the ultimate visual enjoyment with the most dynamic, exhilarating image quality. Innolux’s miniLED panels are widely used in various outdoor sports events, commercial retail, cultural events and shows, and other domains. In the future, we plan to further expand into special application scenarios such as digital signage, charging piles, large department stores, shopping malls, and navigation. Our panels can also deliver unparalleled visibility and functionality while meeting the needs of different environments.

In addition, Innolux also showcased the 14″ QHD+ Ultra-Thin Display, which combines a lightweight body with vivid color rendering. In addition to reducing module weight, it is equipped with 100% DCI-P3 wide color gamut technology, tailormade for the mobile commerce market to perfectly satisfy the needs of students and business people in mobile offices. Innolux has also actively launched the 14″ and 16″ FHD+ Touchscreens that support finger touch operations and can be integrated with the latest AI technology to realize participatory and interactive learning courses, significantly enhancing the interactivity and creative expression in education scenarios. These touchscreens make the learning process more interesting, effectively lower the learning threshold through multi-sensory engagement, and stimulate students’ creativity and passion for learning. Pupils are assisted to understand lessons more deeply and they’re even able also to draw, sketch, or take notes conveniently to become more motivated and enhance their learning outcomes.

Exclusive LC Dimming Technology to Seize Smart Car Market and Achieve Environmental Sustainability for a Green Future

Carbon reduction and the goal of net zero are about more than sustainability: they are an essential requirement for global corporations to transform and create competitive value. Global warming is a challenge that all sectors and nations must tackle jointly. Cities, in particular, are some of the main arenas for implementing carbon reduction and accomplishing net zero. Innolux is committed to implementing value transformation through the guiding principle “More than Panel”, actively engaging in non-panel application fields. By harnessing our exclusive liquid crystal film technology and glass integration process capabilities, Innolux is pioneering advanced applications for Smart LC Windows. Innolux’s smart city solution, Smart LC Windows, is equipped with the advantages of high transparency, energy saving and consumption reduction, fast response time, intelligent network connection, and more. It can not only cater to sustainable smart green buildings, but also suits applications in the wider automotive field. We actively integrate LC dimming technology in automotive component products such as smart dimming windows, smart dimming rear-view mirrors, and smart dimming sun visors to foster green business opportunities, create new industry possibilities, and practice environmental sustainability, thereby pursuing a green future.

Innolux’s groundbreaking smart dimming window effectively solves window tint’s limitation of only allowing one type of light transmission. Moreover, the smart dimming rear-view mirror automatically senses light intensity in the surroundings and adjusts reflectivity according to the driver’s requirements to ensure that they can clearly observe traffic conditions in the rearview under different lighting, thereby greatly improving driving safety and comfort. Last but not least, the smart dimming sun visor also dynamically adjusts the light transmittance of the sun visor in real time based on the intensity of external light. Besides protecting the driver’s vision from strong light, this innovative design also prevents blind spots caused by traditional sun visors, thus providing a safer and more comfortable driving experience.

Next-Gen Immersive 3D Experience

As the AI wave drives up the demand for new-generation 3D stereoscopic panels, Innolux is committed to converting flat display into stereoscopic immersive 3D screens. Our 27″ N3D Eyetracking adopts the world’s unique N3D display technology and its low-crosstalk algorithm delivers a high-quality 3D visual experience, greatly ameliorating the pain point of dizziness caused by long-term use. The exclusive algorithm renders 3D in real time without taking up computational resources. Its excellent display technology brings e-sports players marvelous 3D visual enjoyment as if they were transported to their favorite scenes.

Innolux’s N3D technology not only delivers the best immersive experience to users in the fields of videogames and entertainment. In terms of medical and educational applications, its excellent light field 3D technology, eye tracking technology, low latency, and other advantages can offer a comprehensive solution for medical imaging, providing a more efficient and intuitive interactive teaching experience in preoperative planning, lesion assessment, minimally invasive surgery, and even medical teaching.

Hashtag: #Innolux

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

Melco is honored with a collective total of six diamonds from Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2025


MACAU SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – Melco Resorts & Entertainment has been honored a collective total of six diamonds from Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2025. The recognition from the esteemed annual culinary guide is presented to the Company’s signature Chinese restaurants Jade Dragon and Yí, iconic French fine dining restaurant, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus, and Japanese restaurant Sushi Kinetsu.

Jade Dragon at City of Dreams, Macau
Jade Dragon at City of Dreams, Macau

Melco’s signature Cantonese fine-dining restaurant Jade Dragon at City of Dreams has been awarded the coveted three diamonds award, marking its sixth consecutive year of receiving the Guide’s highest distinction, thus maintaining the status of being Macau’s one and only three diamond Chinese restaurant. Contemporary Chinese restaurant at City of Dreams’ Morpheus was honored with one diamond, marking its sixth year of achieving the accolade. Redefining fine dining with a contemporary vision through gastronomy that pays homage to the great traditions and savoir-faire of French cuisine, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus is again honored with one diamond for the second year running. The tranquil omakase restaurant Sushi Kinetsu located at City of Dreams’ Nüwa is also awarded one diamond by the Black Pearl Restaurant Guide with one diamond for the second consecutive year.

Mr. Lawrence Ho, Chairman & CEO of Melco, said, “Thank you to Black Pearl Restaurant Guide for these wonderful honors. They are a testament to Melco’s dedication to contributing to Macau’s economic diversification as we aim to strengthen its standing as a world center of tourism and leisure, and further highlight the city’s status as a UNESCO-designated Creative City of Gastronomy. Congratulations to our team on their achievements in offering our guests with the most memorable culinary experiences as we strive to continue in our pursuit of service excellence.”

Jade Dragon – Three Diamonds
Three-diamond Cantonese restaurant Jade Dragon showcases exquisite culinary masterpieces created with the freshest seasonal ingredients and delectable delicacies. With spectacular designer décor and superlative personalized service, Jade Dragon sets the benchmark for fine dining in Macau. Honors and awards include:

· Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2018, 2020 – 2025 (Three Diamonds)
· Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2019 (Two Diamonds)
· MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019 – 2024 (Three Stars)
· Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards 2014 – 2024
· Golden Phoenix Tree China Restaurant Guide 2024 (Three Stars)
· Trip.Best Gourmet Awards 2024 (Diamond)
· Tatler Best 2024 (Top 100 Restaurants)
· Tatler Dining Awards 2024
· SCMP 100 Top Tables 2014 – 2024
· Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2014 – 2024

Yí – One Diamond
One-diamond award winner , located on the 21st floor Sky Bridge of Morpheus, offers the very heights of innovative fine dining and Chinese cuisine served in a modern seasonal tasting menu format. Its degustation menu is inspired by the 24 Solar Terms of the Traditional Chinese Calendar (Jie Qi), changes 12 times a year and highlights many of the restaurant’s signature dishes. ‘s honors and awards include:

· Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2020 – 2025 (One Diamond)
· Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Awards 2020 – 2024
· Trip.Best Gourmet Awards 2024 (Platinum)
· Tatler Dining Awards 2024
· SCMP 100 Top Tables 2019 – 2024
· Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2022 – 2024
· Wine Spectator Award of Excellence 2019 – 2021

Alain Ducasse at Morpheus – One Diamond
Awarded one diamond, Alain Ducasse at Morpheus redefines French gastronomy with a contemporary vision. The restaurant at City of Dreams sources produce from the best regions which is harvested at its optimal time, highlighting a deep appreciation for nature and an intimate understanding of the seasons. Sourcing from small-scale farms and line-caught fish, the restaurant ensures unparalleled quality and a distinctive tasting experience. Honors and awards include:

· Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2024 – 2025 (One Diamond)
· MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau 2019 – 2024 (Two Stars)
· Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Award 2020 – 2024
· Trip.Best Gourmet Awards 2024 (Diamond)
·
Tatler Dining Awards 2024
· SCMP 100 Top Tables 2020 – 2024
· Wine Spectator Best of Award of Excellence 2019 – 2024

Sushi Kinetsu – One Diamond
Bestowed one diamond, Sushi Kinetsu at City of Dreams offers authentic Edomae sushi across a beautiful, centuries old Hinoki wood sushi bar. The tranquil restaurant serves seasonal delicacies using only the finest ingredients, crafted by Japanese master chefs. Honors and awards include:

· Black Pearl Restaurant Guide 2024 – 2025 (One Diamond)
· MICHELIN Guide Hong Kong Macau 2024 (One Star)
· Trip.Best Gourmet Awards 2024 (Diamond)
Hashtag: #melco #cityofdreams #jadedragon #Yi #alainducasseatmorpheus #sushikinetsu #morpheus #blackpearlrestaurantguide





Wechat: 新濠博亚娱乐

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

About Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, with its American depositary shares listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ: MLCO), is a developer, owner and operator of integrated resort facilities in Asia and Europe. The Company currently operates Altira Macau (), an integrated resort located at Taipa, Macau and City of Dreams (www.cityofdreamsmacau.com), an integrated resort located in Cotai, Macau. Its business also includes the Mocha Clubs (), which comprise the largest non-casino based operations of electronic gaming machines in Macau. The Company also majority owns and operates Studio City (), a cinematically-themed integrated resort in Cotai, Macau. In the Philippines, a Philippine subsidiary of the Company currently operates and manages City of Dreams Manila (), an integrated resort in the Entertainment City complex in Manila. In Europe, the Company operates City of Dreams Mediterranean in Limassol in the Republic of Cyprus (). The Company also continues to operate three satellite casinos in other cities in Cyprus (the “Cyprus Casinos”). For more information about the Company, please visit .

Melco Resorts & Entertainment is majority owned by Melco International Development Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited, which is in turn majority owned and led by Mr. Lawrence Ho, who is the Chairman, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

SNP expands partnership with SAP

  • Long-standing partnership as strong foundation for extended collaboration
  • Expanded cooperation in global RISE with SAP transformation projects
  • Joint initiative to develop data migration and conversion scenarios for public cloud solutions

HEIDELBERG, GERMANY – Newsaktuell – 6 January 2025 – SNP SE, a leading software provider for digital transformation, automated data migration, and data management in SAP environments, is expanding its long-standing partnership with SAP, the global leader in enterprise applications and Business AI. SNP is a founding member of SAP’s Selective Data Transition Engagement community and a customer for RISE with SAP for many years. In addition, SNP is one of SAP’s leading services partners in the area of Cloud Application Lifecycle Management. Now, both companies are strengthening their partnership in the field of transformations to RISE with SAP and are exploring the potential collaboration in the space of data management in SAP S/4HANA Public Cloud.

Based on a successful track record with joint customers like BMW, Pfizer, E.ON or TE Connectivity, SNP is now intensifying its collaboration with SAP to accelerate the move of customers to RISE with SAP in a fast, compliant and efficient way with minimum risks and near-zero downtime. With SNP’s Bluefield methodology, companies can get the benefits of a transformative process redesign while retaining historical data aligned to a new business reality.

In addition, SNP is also expanding its collaboration with SAP in the Public Cloud space, leveraging the strengths of both companies to develop data migration and conversion scenarios within SAP’s public cloud offerings for a global customer base.

Stefan Steinle, Executive Vice President, Global Head of Customer Support & Cloud Lifecycle Management at SAP, says: “Data migration is a critical element in all cloud transformations, and our partners play a key role here. With its Bluefield methodology, SNP is a long-standing partner with a strong track record in SAP S/4HANA Cloud and RISE with SAP projects. We are now strengthening the collaboration with a clear focus on customer success and aligning on future migration solutions for the Public Cloud. We are looking forward to expanding our partnership with SNP to drive the adoption of Cloud and Business AI.”

Jens Amail, CEO at SNP, adds: “We are very thankful for the trust our clients and partners put in us. SAP and SNP share objectives and successfully collaborate in many customer transformation projects globally. With our new software platform SNP Kyano, we are now also migrating data from 3rd-party sources to SAP, and we are investing in the next generation of Bluefield for the Public Cloud. So now is the perfect time to double down on our collaboration with SAP, focusing on winning together with our customers and our joint ecosystem.”

Hashtag: #SNP

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

About SNP

SNP (ticker: SHF.DE) is the global technology platform leader and trusted partner for companies seeking unparalleled data-enabled transformation capabilities and business agility. SNP’s Kyano platform integrates all necessary capabilities and partner offerings to provide a comprehensive software-based experience in data migration and management. Combined with the BLUEFIELD approach, Kyano sets a comprehensive industry standard for restructuring and modernizing SAP-centric IT landscapes faster and more securely while harnessing data-driven innovations.

The company works around the world with more than 3,000 customers of all sizes and in all industries, including 20 of the DAX 40 and more than 100 of the Fortune 500. The SNP Group has more than 1,500 employees worldwide at over 35 locations in 20 countries. The company is headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, and generated revenues of EUR 203.4 million in the 2023 fiscal year.

More information is available at

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.

FLAIR Debuts CES 2025 Showcasing Cutting-Edge Industrial AI Solutions and Hong Kong’s Innovation Prowess


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – The Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre (FLAIR), specialising in AI and robotics application R&D, will make its debut at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, USA, from 7 to 10 January.

FLAIR Debuts CES 2025 Showcasing Cutting-Edge Industrial AI Solutions and Hong Kong's Innovation Prowess

CES 2025: A Hub for Global Tech Innovation

CES, the world’s most influential technology event, connects global brands, industry leaders, and innovators to explore the future of technology. The theme for CES 2025 is “CONNECT | SOLVE | DISCOVER – DIVE IN” and compared to the 2024 focus on AI, this year’s event will explore AI technologies in a more accessible and understandable way.

CES provides a platform for global brands to forge partnerships, industry leaders to unveil groundbreaking innovations, and the brightest minds to collaborate on solutions for global challenges. With over 300 Fortune 500 companies representing over 160 countries, territories, and regions, CES unites the brightest tech luminaries to pioneer the future.

FLAIR’s Strategic Presence at CES: A Leap Forward for Industrial AI
FLAIR’s participation at CES underscores its commitment to advancing Industrial AI on a global scale. Recognising CES as a pivotal platform for showcasing market-ready solutions, FLAIR will demonstrate its practical approach to addressing real-world industrial challenges. This overseas exhibition marks a significant milestone in FLAIR’s international expansion strategy, highlighting its global ambitions and commitment to bringing its expertise to a wider audience.

Along with its five spin-off companies, FLAIR will present platform solutions addressing key industry needs in visual inspection, industrial product creation, next-generation warehouse logistics, low-code robotics, and sustainable green technologies.

(Detailed information is provided in the appendix.)

FLAIR’s First Foray Outside Asia
Building on an established track record of developing market-ready AI solutions, FLAIR is expanding its global presence through a strong international R&D team and strategic participation in leading technology exhibitions. FLAIR’s debut at CES, its first major technology event outside of Asia, marks a pivotal step in this international expansion strategy, signifying the company’s global ambitions and commitment to bringing cutting-edge industrial AI solutions to a wider audience.

“FLAIR’s debut at CES 2025 marks a pivotal moment in our journey to revolutionise industries through the power of Industrial AI,” said Dr-Ing Benny DRESCHER, Chief Technology Officer of FLAIR. “We are not just showcasing cutting-edge technologies; we are presenting practical solutions to address critical challenges facing businesses today, such as improving production efficiency, optimising supply chains, and driving sustainable development. FLAIR has developed numerous technology solutions ready for commercial deployment and is prepared to collaborate with global partners to empower real-world industrial applications.”

FLAIR has garnered widespread recognition for its innovative technologies, receiving numerous prestigious awards and patents. These accolades include the Hong Kong ICT Awards 2024 Gold Award for ICT Startup (Hardware and Devices), the APEC INPUT2 Start-Up Award, the TechConnect Global Innovation Award, and a win at the APICTA Awards 2024, solidifying FLAIR’s position as a leader in industrial AI.

Visit FLAIR at CES 2025
To learn more about FLAIR and its groundbreaking Industrial AI solutions, visit us at booth 63001-03 (under “AI and Data” in the Hong Kong Pavilion) from 7 – 10 January.

Book your personalised tour of the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion now: CLICK HERE

Event Details of “CES 2025 – FLAIR’s Booth”
Date: 7 January (Tue) to 10 January (Fri) 2025
Time:
  • 7 January (Tue): 10:00am – 6:00pm
  • 8 – 9 January (Wed – Thu): 9:00am – 6:00pm
  • 10 January (Fri): 9:00am – 4:00pm
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center

3150 Paradise Rd Las Vegas, NV 89109

FLAIR Booth No.: EUREKA PARK – Booth #63001-03, Level 1, Hall G, Venetian Expo
Language: English
FLAIR’s Representative: Dr-Ing. Benny DRESCHER, Chief Technology Officer of FLAIR
Public Registration: https://hkstp.wufoo.com/forms/wtlsy301fqd4ah/

Appendix – Highlights of FLAIR’s Five Platforms:
(For Full Introduction, please CLICK HERE)
Vision Inspection Platform: A one-stop, no-code online platform for building AI vision inspection models, drastically reducing inspection costs and improving product quality across manufacturing, logistics, and other industries.
Product Creation Platform: Automates assembly sequence planning, shortening product development cycles, reducing design iterations, and improving assembly efficiency for faster response to market needs.
Logistics Platform: One of the first tools on the market to offer real-time bottleneck analysis. AI-powered insights and decision support improve logistics planning and operations efficiency, reducing operating costs.
Robotics Platform: Exclusive features to provide a holistic approach and cyber-physical experience. Simplifies robot system development and deployment, and reduces development time and cost, making robotics accessible to more businesses to enhance automation.
Sustainability Platform: Optimises waste management with AI-powered solutions such as intelligent waste sorting system (“ULTRASORT”). Improves recycling efficiency, reduces pollution, and integrates with industrial control systems (SCADA) to optimise production processes and reduce energy consumption, driving towards sustainable development.

Hashtag: #FLAIR




www.youtube.com/@flair1551

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

About Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre (FLAIR)

Hong Kong Industrial Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Centre (FLAIR) is committed to being the pioneer of applied R&D and applications of AI and robotics technologies in Hong Kong and addressing major R&D problems encountered by the industries in relevant adoption. As the sole founder of FLAIR, Hong Kong Productivity Council joins forces with RWTH Aachen Campus from Germany as the major collaborator. With headquarters in Hong Kong Science Park, FLAIR has R&D presence in Germany, Hong Kong and Shenzhen. By focusing on AI and robotics technologies, FLAIR aims at supporting Hong Kong in developing into an international I&T hub. FLAIR is part of AIR@InnoHK, which is one of the two world-class research clusters being established by InnoHK Clusters of the HKSAR Government, to focus on AI and robotics technologies and support Hong Kong in developing into an international innovation and technology hub.

Laos Ends Visa Special Exemption Policy After Visit Laos Year 2024

Laos Ends Visa Special Exemption Policy After Visit Laos Year 2024

Laos has officially ended its visa exemption and extended stay policy for several countries, which were specifically introduced during Visit Laos Year 2024. Starting 1 January, tourists will need to follow standard visa regulations. 

HDBank successfully issues $118m in green bonds for eco-friendly projects


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – The Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank, stock code: HDB) has issued VND3 trillion (US$118 million) in green bonds, becoming Viet Nam’s first private bank to do so.

Customers conduct transactions at an HDBank branch in HCM City. The private lender has issued VND3 trillion (US$118 million) in green bonds to fund eco-friendly projects and promote green economy. — Photo courtesy of HDBank
Customers conduct transactions at an HDBank branch in HCM City. The private lender has issued VND3 trillion (US$118 million) in green bonds to fund eco-friendly projects and promote green economy. — Photo courtesy of HDBank

The green bonds aim to finance environmentally sustainable projects and promote green economic development with maturities of two, three, and five years, aligning with International Capital Market Association (ICMA) and Loan Market Association (LMA) compliance standards.

The green bonds have attracted considerable interest from prominent institutional investors, achieving full order volume within a remarkably short timeframe.

The capital raised from these green bonds will be allocated to projects that align with the criteria outlined in HDBank’s “Sustainable Finance Framework,” with the aim of contributing to environmental protection and advancing green economic development.

Prior to the issuance, HDBank was already among the first banks in Viet Nam to announce a “Sustainable Finance Framework” in accordance with the standards of ICMA and LMA.

Developed with help from the IFC, a member of the World Bank (WB), this framework received a “very good” rating from Moody’s.

Phạm Quoc Thanh, CEO of HDBank, said, “The launch of the Sustainable Finance Framework and green bonds demonstrates the bank’s commitment to sustainable development.

“This initiative promotes green growth and mobilizes long-term capital for projects that reduce CO2 emissions and support the government’s carbon neutrality goal by 2050.”

HDBank is also one of the first banks in Viet Nam to establish an environmental and social risk management system aimed at promoting green credit and sustainable finance.

For several years, the lender has received accolades from international institutions like IFC, ADB, DEG, and Proparco for its climate finance and gender equality initiatives.

The bank was also the first in Viet Nam to form an ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) Committee to oversee sustainable development.

In 2024, it published a report on Vietnamese sustainable development.

In 2024, it was recognised for the fifth consecutive year as one of the Top 20 in the Vietnam Sustainable Development Index (VNSI) by the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange (HoSE).

Hashtag: #HDBank

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

Bupa Hong Kong Partners with Mannings to Launch Bupa x Mannings PharmaCare Programme

First insurance provider in Hong Kong to empower members with accessible pharmacy consultations for minor ailments


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – Bupa Hong Kong, the leading health insurance specialist, is proud to announce the launch of the Bupa x Mannings PharmaCare Programme (“PharmaCare Programme”) in partnership with Mannings, Hong Kong’s largest health and beauty chain. This initiative makes Bupa the first insurer in Hong Kong to offer members cashless consultations for minor ailments (please refer to the below) at over 60 Mannings pharmacy locations across the city.

From left: Carlos Fernando Chang, Operations & Customer Excellence Director, Bupa Hong Kong, Alex Liu, Managing Director, Mannings Hong Kong, Macau & China
From left: Carlos Fernando Chang, Operations & Customer Excellence Director, Bupa Hong Kong, Alex Liu, Managing Director, Mannings Hong Kong, Macau & China

The PharmaCare Programme provides Bupa members with a convenient alternative to clinic visits for general health concerns. Members can receive on-the-spot consultations from registered pharmacists at designated Mannings pharmacies by simply presenting their Bupa medical card and ID card. Pharmacists can give advice for managing minor ailments and dispense appropriate medications if needed. A pharmacists’ note can be provided upon request. All dispensed medications are covered under cashless services for eligible members, offering a quick and efficient solution for minor health needs.

“We are thrilled to partner with Mannings to offer our members accessible care and peace-of-mind through the PharmaCare Programme,” said Yuman Chan, General Manager of the Bupa Insurance Business in Hong Kong. “As the first insurance provider in Hong Kong to offer cashless pharmacy consultations, Bupa is dedicated to delivering exceptional healthcare experiences through innovative solutions while prioritising our customers’ needs. This initiative will empower over 150,000 Bupa members to manage their health by leveraging their insurance coverage, further reinforcing our commitment to helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world.”

Alex Liu, Managing Director, Mannings Hong Kong, Macau & China noted, “As a community pharmacy, Mannings introduced the first-of-its-kind PharmaCare Programme to address the emerging healthcare needs in 2023.We aim to support our business partners and their members by providing convenient and efficient community healthcare services through our network of over 60 Mannings stores, all staffed by registered pharmacists and without the need for appointments. It is designed to ensure members to receive timely treatment and more recovery time.

We are excited to collaborate with Bupa on the PharmaCare Programme which is a pioneer initiative in Hong Kong and hope to raise the awareness about employee wellbeing. Together with the public, we aim to safeguard people’s health and create a win-win outcome.”

When covered by Bupa’s insurance policy, members can enjoy seamless access to consultations and medications. The PharmaCare Programme is designed to enhance healthcare accessibility for Bupa members, allowing them to promptly and effectively address common health concerns including:

  • Cold and flu
  • Allergies
  • Pain and aches
  • Gastrointestinal conditions
  • Minor skin conditions (Including Athlete’s foot, Eczema, minor burns, and skin allergies)

For more information about the Bupa x Mannings PharmaCare Programme or to locate a designated pharmacy near you, please visit myBupa customer service portal.

Hashtag: #BupaHK #Mannings #PharmaCareProgramme #保柏香港 #萬寧 #藥健保障計劃

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

Bupa – A health insurance specialist

Bupa is an international healthcare group dedicated to helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives and making a better world for over 70 years. We serve more than 38 million customers worldwide. With no shareholders, we reinvest our profits into enhancing healthcare for the benefit of current and future customers.

Bupa has been a health insurance specialist in Hong Kong since 1976, offering one-stop solutions across domestic and international health insurance, and healthcare services. Our comprehensive medical insurance schemes are tailored to meet individual needs, and we provide health solutions for companies of all sizes. We also have a team of registered nurses, health management professionals, and doctors who provide various expert healthcare support.

Our healthcare provision arm, Quality HealthCare Medical Services (QHMS), became part of Bupa in October 2013. QHMS offers Western Medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Diagnostics & Imaging, Dental, Physiotherapy, Mental Health and Wellness services via a network of over 1,650 provider service points in Hong Kong.

For more information, visit .

About Mannings

Mannings is Hong Kong’s largest health and beauty products chain store with over 300 outlets and over 60 in-store pharmacies operating in Hong Kong and Macau, providing a wide range of quality health care, personal care, skin care and baby products to customers. Our team of community healthcare professionals are available at many of our stores, offering expert advice and free consultations from registered pharmacists, dieticians, beauty and health advisors. Mannings Plus has been awarded by the Hong Kong Retail Management Association (HKRMA) as “Quality Service Retailer of the Year – Personal Care Products Category” for 12 consecutive years (2011 to 2022). Mannings Baby was awarded the same recognition in 2023. Mannings has also been recognised as the “No.1 Most Preferred Brand” in online surveys conducted by global market research company Ipsos in Hong Kong for 3 consecutive years (2021 to 2023).

Thailand’s Luxury Real Estate Market Hits New Heights as Botanica Luxury Villas Unveils Portfolio Expansion


PHUKET, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 January 2025 – Amid booming demand in Thailand’s luxury real estate market, Phuket-based developer Botanica Luxury Villas has announced plans for significant portfolio expansion following record-breaking sales of THB1.2 billion in a single month in 2024. This comes as Phuket’s villa market reaches a historic THB160-170 billion, with villa launches surpassing condominium launches for the first time in 15 years. Demand continues to surge, particularly from Russian and European buyers seeking second homes and investment properties.

Botanica Luxury Villas
Botanica Luxury Villas

Botanica Luxury Villas has already extended its reach beyond Phuket, with successful developments in Krabi and Hua Hin. Both locations attract growing interest from European, Australian, and Chinese buyers seeking high-end vacation homes. These areas offer rental yields of 6-8% annually, reflecting Thailand’s growing position in the luxury real estate sector.

“The luxury villa market in Thailand, particularly in resort destinations, continues to show remarkable resilience and growth,” said Attasit Intarachooti, CEO of Botanica Luxury Phuket Co., Ltd. “Data from Colliers Thailand shows significant price appreciation in prime areas, with top villas in Kamala and Bang Tao reaching THB296.2 million and THB270 million, respectively.”

The company’s portfolio includes 27 projects across three major tourist destinations. Its 2025 pipeline features several mixed-use developments designed to elevate the region’s luxury offerings. A key highlight is “Botanica Grand Avenue,” a THB12-billion mega-project near Phuket’s Bang Tao Beach, which includes “HYTHE by Botanica,” the company’s first luxury condominium project, already securing 40% of pre-launch sales.

Additionally, a THB18-billion high-end condominium project is under development in Cherng Talay, just 500 meters from Bang Tao Beach. This landmark project will feature an art-inspired walking street and upscale retail spaces, positioning the area as a luxury lifestyle hub.

These expansions align with Thailand’s broader strategy to establish its resort destinations as global luxury hotspots. Recent data reveals the Phuket villa segment launched 1,285 new units across 65 projects in the first half of 2024 alone, valued at THB36 billion.

To support this growth, Botanica Luxury Villas has unveiled a new 1,885-square-meter headquarters, which will serve as a one-stop service center for international clients and investors. For a limited time, it is offering exclusive opportunities in its premium projects, available until January 31, 2025.

For more information: botanicaluxuryvilla.com
Hashtag: #BotanicaLuxuryVillas


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