SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Money20/20, the world’s leading fintech show, and the place where money does business has together with Acrew Capital launched “ALL IN ON AI: Financial Services Adoption Index 2024showcasing that 167 out of 221 top financial services companies globally have initiated AI initiatives since January 2023.
Source: Money 20/20
Money20/20 and Acrew Capital’s analysis of publicly announced initiatives reveals a region that’s increasingly vying to set the pace. 32 Asian financial services companies were part of the global report and after more in-depth analysis of the Asian companies participating in the report, Money20/20 and Acrew Capital found a number of interesting findings.
North America Dominates, But Asia Rises
The state of AI adoption across regions delivers expected patterns and some surprising results. The leaderboard highlights this nuanced story: while North American firms command the top spots, Asian institutions are making their presence felt. Xero is the standout leader in Asia, its six initiatives also make it a global leader, punching above its weight relative to larger companies on the overall leaderboard. Japan’s financial giants—Rakuten, Mizuho, and Mitsubishi UFJ—along with India’s Paytm have each launched three significant AI initiatives, placing them among the global top performers. This is evidence that Asia’s leading financial institutions are pursuing AI with strategic aggression.
A global high of AI initiatives launched in Asia
Almost 80% of Asian companies have launched an AI initiative. In total, out of the 32 companies from Asia (including Oceania), 25 of those, or 78%, have announced initiatives publicly. This is a global high and a testament to the region’s ability to leapfrog traditional development cycles. These 25 companies have launched 44 initiatives, averaging 1.76 per company. This impressive number reflects strategic aggression rather than merely following the global AI playbook. Backed by proactive government policies and a digital-first economy, Asian financial institutions are transforming AI from a competitive advantage into a competitive requirement.
Generative AI
When it comes to Gen AI, Asian institutions have positioned themselves to rapidly close the gap with North America. The regional leaderboard of Gen AI leaders shows the ambition and momentum in the region. New Zealand’s Xero stands out with five Gen AI initiatives, placing it at the forefront not just in Asia but globally. What makes Xero’s leadership noteworthy is its relative size compared to the few companies that rank higher globally.
Japan’s financial giants are setting the pace in Asia. Mizuho Financial Group and Rakuten each have three Gen AI initiatives, illustrating Japan’s technology leadership. Other notable players include Paytm from India, Ant Group from China, Grab from Singapore, and Sapiens from Israel, each with two Gen AI initiatives, demonstrating the depth of regional adoption. In total 29 Gen AI initiatives were identified in Asia, showcasing the region’s remarkable momentum in Gen AI.
“Although our report shows that North America is leading the way in AI adoption in financial services, we are discovering that Asian companies are not far behind. The data, especially regarding generative AI, demonstrates significant investment and commitment in Asia. At Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok next April, the most influential leaders in AI and fintech will convene to discuss new AI initiatives, use cases, and products across our five stages. We can’t wait to share more insights in person with the industry,” said Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money20/20.
For a more in-depth analysis of the Asia-based companies, please email: man@midas-pr.com and we’ll email you the overview.
Hashtag: #money20/20
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Vinhomes Joint Stock Company has received the prestigious award for Best Residential Real Estate Developer in Vietnam for 2024 from Euromoney global financial magazine. The accolade acknowledges Vinhomes’ significant contributions to developing superior urban areas and advancing the quality and scale of Vietnam’s real estate sector to international levels.
Organized by Euromoney global magazine, the Euromoney Real Estate Awards represent one of the most established and respected ranking systems in the global real estate sector. These awards recognize businesses that make substantial contributions to urban development, enhance quality of life, and generate positive societal and economic value.
Vinhomes has been recognized for its exceptional reputation, strategic approach to project development and diverse product portfolio, as well as its commitment to providing superior service and enhancing the living standards of its residents, thereby playing a leading role in the development of the Vietnamese real estate sector.
Vinhomes’ significant land holdings provide a solid platform for sustained growth in the years ahead. The Company currently manages a portfolio of 30 urban developments situated in prime locations throughout Vietnam, including notable large-scale projects such as Vinhomes Ocean Park 1 (420ha), Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 (458ha), Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 (294ha), Vinhomes Grand Park (271ha), Vinhomes Royal Island (877ha), and Vinhomes Golden Avenue (116ha).
Vinhomes is a pioneer in developing fully serviced urban environments with top-tier infrastructure, creating some of Vietnam’s most desirable places to live. Adhering to timely handover schedules and offering exclusive resident programs, Vinhomes projects consistently achieve impressive occupancy rates shortly after commencement of operations. Notably, the low-rise developments of Vinhomes Ocean Park 2 and 3 have attracted tens of thousands of residents and fostered a robust business community within just over two years of handover, emerging as prominent destinations on the Northern Vietnam tourism, entertainment, and culinary landscape due to their large scale and innovative programming.
Vinhomes demonstrates its prominent market position through robust sales performance, contributing to enhanced market liquidity and providing positive momentum to the broader real estate sector, even during periods of market headwinds. The Company’s ongoing diversification of its product portfolio, encompassing commercial housing, social housing, and industrial real estate, facilitates flexible adaptation to evolving market conditions.
Consequently, both the brand equity and real estate assets of Vinhomes have demonstrated consistent appreciation. Furthermore, the Company has maintained positive business performance over the years, including navigating the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Prior to this Euromoney recognition, Vinhomes was awarded “Real Estate Developer of the Year 2024” at the Dot Property Vietnam Awards 2024 and was also recognized by Brand Finance as one of the top 10 most valuable brands in Vietnam. These successive accolades from prominent international organizations underscore Vinhomes’ leading position and its ongoing commitment to innovation, contributing significantly to the advancement of the Vietnamese real estate market and the broader national economy.
Over 13,000 Participants Engaged in Diverse Empowering Educational Activities and Competitions – New Carbon Neutral Living Culture Emerges in Hong Kong
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign organized by the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA) held its Awards Presentation Ceremony this afternoon at the HKPC Building, with Mr. Wong Chuen-fai, JP, Commissioner for Climate Change, and Dr. Cheng Kam-chung, SBS, MH, OStJ, JP, Chairman of the Environment and Conservation Fund Committee as officiating guests. Close to 300 participants and guests joined and celebrated with the award winners.
The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competition Award Presentation Ceremony recognise magnificent crowd of carbon reduction winners.
Ms. Julianne Doe, President of the Hong Kong Women Professionals & Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA), stated, “The year-long Carbon Neutrality Campaign successfully attracted over 13,000 people registering to participate, which is truly encouraging. This reflects our society’s strong support and active engagement in environmental initiatives, confirming that Hong Kong’s sustainability culture is already in place. The competitions participants collectively reduced a total of 150 tonnes of carbon, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by over 6,500 trees in one year. If expanded to the entire population of Hong Kong, this saving ratio could lead to over 84,000 tonnes of carbon reduction annually.” Ms. Doe urged fellow Hong Kong people to continue to protect the environment and work in concert towards carbon neutrality.
Mr. Wong Chuen-fai, Commissioner for Climate Change said, “Hong Kong is striving to achieve carbon neutrality before 2050, through measures on net-zero electricity generation, energy saving and green buildings, green transport and waste reduction. This Carbon Neutrality Campaign supported by the Environment and Conservation Fund serves as a pivotal force in mobilizing community engagement across different sectors, enhancing public awareness and participation, and driving behavioural change towards the carbon neutrality goals of the city.”
Mr. Leung Wing-mo, Ambassador of the Carbon Neutrality Campaign, remarked, “Becoming a ‘Zero Carbon Champion’ as the ambassador of the Campaign enables me to convey the critical message of carbon neutrality to friends across all ages and sectors. I am deeply touched by the efforts of every participant. Let us expand and sustain together the vision of zero carbon living—for ourselves, our future generations, and our only home, the Earth.”
Artist Candice Yu and Candy Lo were invited to present awards on the occasion. Previously, alongside Leung Wing Mo, Campaign ambassador “Zero Carbon Champion”, the former Assistant Director of the Hong Kong Observatory, they filmed clips in an online video series to share carbon reduction tips in an easy-to-understand manner. “Gourmet Carbon Reduction” expert Candice Yu stated that choosing local, organic, and seasonal ingredients in daily meals can reduce transportation and carbon emissions, while properly planning food portions helps avoid waste. Candy Lo’s “Eco-Friendly Living” tips, on the other hand, include selecting energy-efficient and environmentally friendly home appliances, minimizing household waste, reducing waste at source, and supporting clean recycling.
The Carbon Neutrality Campaign Competition attracted over 13,000 people who registered to participate and achieved an impressive reduction of 150 tonnes of carbon among qualified contestants. Top-performing teams were honored at the ceremony with practical and meaningful prizes, including carbon credits, local hotel stays, and theme park tickets. In addition, special awards were presented to property management companies and schools to recognise their efforts in driving carbon reduction among tenants, building occupiers and students.
Winners of the grand prize, titled “Carbon Reduction Champion”, not only achieved significant carbon reduction but also provided creative low-carbon living tips across clothing, food, housing, and transport such as:
Clothing: Consider the necessity for new purchases before buying or upcycle materials like fabric from broken umbrellas into reusable handbags.
Food: Bring your own containers for takeout, support local agricultural products, or even grow your own food.
Housing: Create eco-friendly cleaning agents, use bamboo mats, or enhance natural ventilation by opening windows to reduce reliance on air conditioning.
Transport: Walk or cycle more to minimize car usage and promote sustainable travel habits.
Let’s embrace zero carbon in clothing, food, housing, and transport.
Hashtag: #EasyZeroCarbonLiving
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About the Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutral Campaign
The Environment and Conservation Fund Carbon Neutral Campaign is a comprehensive effort aimed at promoting carbon neutrality across various sectors. Our campaign seeks to raise public awareness and encourage community involvement in carbon neutrality, with the ultimate goal of fostering persistent behavioral changes. To achieve this, we provide guidance and resources for individuals and organizations to implement sustainable practices and reduce their carbon emissions. Additionally, we strive to foster a culture of sustainability and inspire collective action towards carbon neutrality. Through this campaign, we hope to build a more sustainable future and contribute to the global effort to mitigate climate change.
During the 10-month contest period, eight major seminars, three experiential activities, and multiple lectures for schools and businesses were held, attracting over 4,000 participants. The seminars invited experts from various fields to share knowledge on climate change and carbon neutrality, while the experiential activities allowed participants to learn how easy it is to practice a low-carbon lifestyle. Additionally, the Carbon Neutrality Campaign launched an eight-episode series hosted by Ambassador Leung Wing-mo, featuring many celebrities recording “One Minute Low Carbon Tips”.
About The Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association
The Hong Kong Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association (HKWPEA) was established as a non-profit organisation in September 1996 by a group of local women professionals and entrepreneurs. The association aims to develop and inspire leadership skills in young women; to provide support for women professionals and executives in achieving their full career potential; to promote the well-being and healthy aging of women; and to liaise with the HKSAR government to formulate policies for achieving these goals. For more information, please visit https://www.hkwpea.org/
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – 2024 has been a year of contradictory events, significant economic changes, and major political shifts. On a positive note, it was the year when global central banks finally managed to tackle inflation, partly induced by the negative and far-reaching effects of the COVID pandemic and partly by the more recent geopolitical events.
After holding borrowing costs near record highs for most of 2023, almost all major central banks started to cut rates in 2024. However, the pace of interest rate reductions varied, leading to a divergence in monetary policy expectations between different economies, which, in turn, resulted in notable exchange rate fluctuations among major currencies.
On a negative note, however, 2024 has been a year of lingering political uncertainty and geopolitical instability. Although investors learned to coexist with the simmering conflicts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, a sense of underlying unease persisted. Adding to this sense of anxiety is the changing political landscape.
Indeed, numerous elections took place in tens of countries around the world in 2024. Investors were particularly concerned about the parliamentary elections in France, the general elections in the United Kingdom, and the presidential and congressional elections in the United States. The market still feels the effect of these elections, with traders and investors anticipating major changes in economic policies and trying to front-run their impact on global assets.
The U.S. Dollar (USD) has been the best-performing currency in 2024 among the 20 global currencies that Octa Broker tracks. From 29 December 2023 to 13 December 2024, the U.S. dollar index (DXY), which measures the value of the greenback against the basket of six foreign currencies (the euro, Japanese yen, British pound, Canadian dollar, Swedish krona, and Swiss franc) rose by almost 6%. However, the index has undergone substantial fluctuations over the course of the year. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, explains: ‘The dollar index has been on a rollercoaster ride in 2024, soaring to new multi-month heights and plummeting to fresh multi-month lows. Although the greenback looks like the best-performing currency in 2024 so far, the lion’s share of its appreciation occurred during the latter part of the year and has been mostly driven by expectations for a major shift in U.S. trade policy.’
Top 20 currencies performance in 2024
Source: Octa Broker calculations
Indeed, the market is concerned that Donald Trump’s proposed immigration and trade policies could have inflationary consequences, prompting the Federal Reserve (Fed) to adopt a less dovish monetary policy. As a result, the divergence in investors’ monetary policy expectations between the Fed and other major central banks has widened, leading to higher capital inflows into the U.S. dollar. Furthermore, the U.S. economy has been outperforming other advanced economies in 2024 and is expected to continue to do better than the rest in 2025 as well. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), real gross domestic product (GDP) growth of advanced economies in 2024 will average just 1.8%, whereas the U.S. GDP is projected to expand by 2.8%.
Because the dollar advanced higher, most major currencies are poised to conclude the year with negative performance. The only exception is the British pound, which is anticipated to finish the year virtually unchanged compared to 2023. ‘The relative strength of the U.S. dollar is only one of many reasons why most other major currencies underperformed in 2024. Other factors, however, are specific to individual countries and a major bearish factor this year specifically has been the lack of political certainty, which currencies do not like,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, EURUSD, the most liquid and widely traded foreign exchange (Forex) pair in the world, has been weakened by political uncertainty in the eurozone’s largest economies—France and Germany—where political stalemate led to high-profile resignations and early elections. Likewise, when the U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak called a snap parliamentary election, GBPUSD experienced one of the biggest one-day declines of 2024. Moreover, the sluggish growth in the eurozone and the U.K. has prompted investors to anticipate additional rate cuts from both the European Central Bank (ECB) and the Bank of England (BoE). In contrast, the Fed is expected to slow down its easing cycle, further widening the interest rate differential between the U.S. dollar on the one hand and the euro and sterling on the other.
Despite its safe-haven status, the Japanese yen (JPY) was the most volatile currency among the majors. Three-month implied options volatility for the yen, a measure of trader hedging demand, averaged around 9.73% in 2024, whereas the total average across seven major currencies was 7.46%. ‘USDJPY traders have had a wild ride in 2024. It has been a total rollercoaster, to be honest. I think fortunes were made and lost here very quickly. This outgoing year has been truly historical for the JPY,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, during the year’s first half, the bullish dollar momentum has propelled the pair to a multi-decade high. Then, as rumours of potential intervention by Japanese authorities to bolster the yen began to spread, the USDJPY pair started to decline. A massive sell-off accelerated in late July after the Bank of Japan (BoJ) raised interest rates to 15-year highs and announced details on how it will reduce its huge bond buying. Kar Yong Ang explains: ‘At that time, it looked like BoJ was taking a surprisingly hawkish stance. Its decision really shook the markets and caused investors to reassess popular JPY carry-trades.’
The commodities’ performance varied greatly, and each deserves a separate story to tell, but coffee, lithium, gold, and silver have certainly been the biggest stories in 2024.
Just recently, the prompt-month futures contract of arabica coffee traded on Intercontinental Exchange (ICE) hit an all-time high. It is up some 70% year-over-year (y-o-y), which makes it the best-performing commodity in 2024 among 20 other commodities that Octa Broker tracks. ‘Like many other soft commodities, both arabica and robusta coffee futures are almost entirely driven by the whims of the weather. This year, Brazil, [the world’s largest coffee producer], experienced its worst drought in 70 years, whereas Vietnam, [another key producer] was faced with both drought and heavy rainfall,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. Indeed, according to official customs data, Vietnam’s coffee exports in the first half of this year were 893,820 metric tons, down 11.4% from a year earlier. Traders are very much concerned about the 2025 global crop outlook, and prices have reflected these worries.
In contrast, lithium has been the worst-performing commodity in 2024 as the sale of electric vehicles (EV) started to level off while capital investments from previous years boosted production capacity and led to oversupply. According to Refinitiv, the price of Lithium Hydroxide futures contracts traded on the Commodity Exchange (COMEX) was down 42.3% y-o-y as of December 13, 2024.
As for precious metals, 2024 has been a record-setting year, especially for gold. The price for the yellow metal has been setting a new all-time high essentially every month in 2024. Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker, outlines three main factors that have contributed to such a meteoric rise in gold prices. ‘It all boils down to three sources of demand: safe-haven demand due to intensifying geopolitical tensions, investor demand due to less tight monetary policy globally, and structural demand from global central banks as part of de-dollarization and diversification efforts.’ As many times before, gold has once again proved its underlying value as a protective asset during times of uncertainty and may continue to shine in the months ahead. Although the price of silver did not set any new records, its y-o-y performance was even more impressive than that of gold: +28.6% (as of December 13).
‘Perhaps surprisingly, but despite growing geopolitical tensions, crude oil prices went down annually. This is mostly because non-OPEC members—notably, the U.S.—have managed to increase production but also because investors were worrying about the health of the Chinese economy, the main importer of crude oil,’ says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker.
Top 20 commodities performance in 2024
Source: Octa Broker calculations
2024 also witnessed significant developments in the cryptocurrency market, particularly for Bitcoin. On March 8, its price set a new all-time high of $70,000. On 5 December, it finally managed to achieve another key milestone of $100,000 per coin. However, Bitcoin was not the best-performing digital coin of 2024. The price of Doge has increased four-fold. Most of the gains in the crypto sphere were in response to Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential elections. Such a favourable market reaction to Trump’s victory stems from investors’ belief that his Administration, coupled with a friendly Congress, will effectively deregulate the crypto industry, facilitate its expansion, and implement a coherent regulatory framework that will serve investors and consumers for years to come. ‘It should be said, argues Kar Yong Ang, that this belief is not without foundation. Trump has managed to lure many crypto fans to his side with his bold moves, clear views, and a strong focus on deregulation.’
Top 5 crypto coins performance in 2024
Source: Octa Broker calculations
Overall, 2024 has been a year of uneven economic growth and significant political shifts. While central banks successfully addressed inflationary pressures globally, diverging monetary policies led to notable currency fluctuations. At the same time, geopolitical tensions have been on the rise, while political uncertainty persisted.
The U.S. dollar emerged as the strongest currency, driven by a strong U.S. economy, a tightening monetary policy stance, and expectations of potential policy shifts. Other major currencies, such as the euro and the British pound, faced headwinds from economic sluggishness and political instability.
In the commodity markets, 2024 was a year of extremes. While arabica coffee prices soared to record highs due to supply shortages, lithium prices plummeted as oversupply concerns mounted. Precious metals, particularly gold, experienced a remarkable surge, driven by safe-haven demand, easing monetary conditions, and central bank buying.
Meanwhile, the main crypto coins broke new records and seem to be poised for major transformations in 2025. Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including the improvement of educational infrastructure and short-notice relief projects supporting local communities.
In the APAC region, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.
The new app delivers a highly personalised user experience and includes new features, content and services to enhance the working lives of professionals in the Central Portfolio
The launch comes as Centricity celebrates five years of innovation in Central community building
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – Hongkong Land announced the launch of Centricity App 2.0. The new and improved digital gateway provides office tenants and their staff with more personalised and seamless access to Hongkong Land services, spaces, privileges and experiences in the Hongkong Land’s Central portfolio, all in the palm of one’s hand.
The new app features a customised homepage displaying your building and personalised greetings, offering quick access to preferred functions and services for a seamless and efficient workday.
The launch of the new digital engagement service, the most comprehensive of its kind in the Hong Kong market, comes as Hongkong Land’s Centricity platform – an exclusive collection of spaces and services designed to enhance the working lives of tenants – celebrates its fifth anniversary with strong growth in usage. Since its inception in 2019, Centricity has become a vibrant community-building platform in Central, offering an extensive blend of online and offline amenities for businesses, their employees, non-profit organisations and luxury brands.
Neil Anderson, Director and Head of Office, Commercial Property, Hongkong Land, said: “Centricity is an unmatched tenant engagement platform in Hong Kong and we are delighted by its success as it marks its fifth anniversary. As well as providing tenants and their employees with convenient and flexible access to a broad range of services, amenities and spaces in the heart of Central, it curates exclusive privileges and experiences that meet their diverse needs. In short, it embodies our newly introduced brand promise – “Experience is central.”
“The launch of our next generation tenant service, Centricity App 2.0, exemplifies the Company’s core values. This innovative, highly personalised service anticipates what our tenants want from the workplace ecosystem of the future and underscores our focus on collaborating across multiple touch points in their working lives.”
The new digital service is the culmination of years of analysing tenant behaviours and usage data and anticipating their future needs. The new app sports a significantly refreshed look, enhanced features and exciting new content, elevating the user experience. Key highlights include a personalised and customisable landing screen, access to curated privileges and events and improved information sharing, with new real-time public transport arrival information in the core Central area.
Tenants will also benefit from more seamless access to workplace services provided by Hongkong Land. This will include temperature control in offices[1], indoor air quality monitoring, enhanced visitor access management and more convenient meeting rooms and hot desk booking at Centricity.
Leveraging the original Centricity App’s 22,000 registered users, the 2.0 app is expected to strengthen the professional community within Central by facilitating connections through events and information sharing among tenants and customers.
On the events side, it will complement Centricity’s Concentric Event Space in Chater House, a dynamic 7,000 sq. ft multi-purpose space for corporate and luxury customers. In 2024, Concentric received 230 bookings, a significant increase on the near-50 in its first full year of operation. A record 66% of bookings were by Central Portfolio tenants, highlighting the strong integration of Centricity within the Hongkong Land ecosystem.
Ms Iris Chan, Assistant General Manager, Hongkong Land, said: “Centricity is a focal point for the business and luxury lifestyle community in Central, Hong Kong. From Sotheby’s auctions and luxury brand fashion shows to wellness workshops and corporate functions, Centricity delivers exceptional experiences that enrich the working day lives of our more than 400 tenants and their guests.”
Centricity places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and has hosted more than 270 wellness-related events including yoga and meditation classes. Its wellbeing focus, coupled with innovations such as the app and Concentric’s ongoing success, reinforces Hongkong Land’s leadership in creating dynamic and engaging workspaces at the heart of the Central business district.
[1] Varies depending on access rights.
Hashtag: #HongkongLand
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Centricity
Launched in 2019, Centricity is an exclusive collection of spaces and services created to enhance working life for Hongkong Land tenants and their staff in Central, Hong Kong.
Centricity blends all-day dining (Catchic Bar & Restaurant), elegant event spaces (Concentric Event Space), a premium flexible office solution (Flex) and members’ privileges, all digitally linked through the Centricity App.
First launched in mid-2019, the Centricity App has enhanced tenants’ daily experiences within Hongkong Land’s Central Portfolio. App users can make restaurant bookings, order takeaways, monitor taxi queue times, check members’ events, book workplace services, arrange concierge services such as umbrella lending and shower room bookings, and receive privileges including select discounts at luxury stores and F&B outlets, among other features.
Hongkong Land
Hongkong Land is a major listed property investment, management and development group. The Group focuses on developing, owning and managing ultra-premium mixed-use real estate in Asian gateway cities, featuring Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products. Its mixed-use real estate footprint spans more than 850,000 sq. m., with flagship projects in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Its properties hold industry-leading green building certifications and attract the world’s foremost companies and luxury brands. The Group’s Hong Kong Central portfolio represents some 450,000 sq. m. of prime property. The Group has a further 165,000 sq. m. of prestigious office space in Singapore mainly held through joint ventures and five retail centres on the Chinese mainland, including a luxury retail centre at Wangfujing in Beijing. In Shanghai, the Group owns a 43% interest in a 1.1 million sq. m. mixed-use project in West Bund, which is due to be completed in 2028. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited is incorporated in Bermuda and has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Bermuda and Singapore. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.
HO CHI MINH, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – LiveIn, Southeast Asia’s leading long-stay provider dedicated to converting surplus properties into modern homes for young people, has formed a strategic alliance with JinJoo Home, Vietnam’s pioneer in co-living for young professionals. Together, they aim to unify and strengthen Vietnam’s co-living market by offering solutions for local operators that blend international standards and local relevance.
Keek Wen Khai, CEO & Co-founder of LiveIn (left), and Jason Wong, CEO & Founder of JinJoo Home (right), at the alliance signing ceremony.
Vietnam’s urbanization rate is expected to surpass 50% by 2025, and with over 50% of the population being millennials and Gen Z, the demand for co-living spaces in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City is set to rise. However, the market remains fragmented, and local operators face challenges, such as high vacancies, maintenance costs, and inconsistent service.
Keek Wen Khai, CEO & Co-founder of LiveIn, said: “Vietnam’s long-stay market remains highly fragmented, but we see great potential in driving sustainable growth through collaboration. By forming a strategic alliance with JinJoo Home, we aim to bring operators together, address their challenges, and elevate standards to deliver a better living experience for the next generation.”
Jason Wong, CEO & Founder of JinJoo Home, said: “We’re excited to join forces with LiveIn, a leading player in Southeast Asia. Our shared passion for improving young people’s living experience makes this alliance a natural fit. Together, we can combine our strengths and create a more dynamic and high-quality co-living market in Vietnam.”
The strategic alliance comes at a time when Vietnam’s residential real estate market is projected to reach USD 45.62 billion by 2029, with co-living playing a pivotal role. As many fragmented operators struggle to scale due to limited resources, LiveIn and JinJoo Home are focused on helping them seize this growth opportunity by combining LiveIn’s international standards with JinJoo Home’s extensive local expertise. LiveIn continually refines its product standards to address changing consumer preferences and ensure compliance with local regulatory requirements.
With 10,500 rooms across 200 buildings in 4 Southeast Asian countries, LiveIn brings its proven regional expertise in technology, operational management, and demand generation. Meanwhile, JinJoo Home’s deep local knowledge and strong presence in Ho Chi Minh City will help consolidate and support operators in adopting these best practices, tailored to meet the unique needs of the Vietnamese market.
The strategic alliance with JinJoo Home builds on LiveIn’s earlier strategic alliance with Hive, a regional leader in co-living renovations, to establish the LiveIn Global Renovation Division. Through this new division, LiveIn delivers thoughtfully designed homes that inspire growth and new experiences across all the markets it serves, including Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Both synergies further cement LiveIn’s position as a leading flexible housing provider in Southeast Asia. Hashtag: #LiveIn #AffordableHousing
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
LiveIn
LiveIn is dedicated to converting surplus properties into affordable, modern homes for young people across Southeast Asia. Driven by a mission to shift the fundamental way young people live and empower them to dream boldly, LiveIn operates close to 10,500 rooms in four countries, fostering vibrant communities for urban youth. Visit www.livein.com for more details.
JinJoo Home
JinJoo Home, a leading co-living provider in Ho Chi Minh City under Pearlcoin Group, offers premium long-term rental apartments. We create vibrant co-living communities with affordable, cozy design spaces, as well as maintenance, customer service, and more, providing young people with flexible living solutions. Visit www.jinjoohome.com for more details.
JustMarkets Best Broker for Leverage Trading in Vietnam
Retail traders in Vietnam can take advantage of exceptional leverage options, including up to 1:3000 for forex and metals trading, 1:500 for indices, and 1:200 for energies. These high-leverage opportunities are available for traders with net equity below $1,000, making them particularly accessible.
With seven diverse account types, JustMarkets caters to a wide range of trading preferences, offering commission-free, raw-spread, and swap-free options. Traders can access over 260 CFDs on popular platforms MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5 and on JustMarkets mobile app.
In their assessment, FXEmpire’s experts highlighted JustMarkets’ appeal for both casual and advanced traders:
“We determined that JustMarkets is a smart choice for casual traders because of its low minimum deposit requirement and reliable customer support. Meanwhile, advanced traders can benefit from its favorable trading fees and fast execution speeds.”
As a client-focused broker, JustMarkets is committed to providing tailored services for traders in Vietnam. The company offers a localized website, customer support, and trading platforms in Vietnamese. Clients can also use the Vietnamese Dong (VND) as a base account currency and enjoy seamless deposit and withdrawal options via local banks in VND.
JustMarkets continues to prioritize convenience and innovation, solidifying its position as a trusted broker for Vietnamese traders. Hashtag: #JustMarkets
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
JustMarkets
JustMarkets is a globally recognized multi-asset broker providing reliable and transparent trading services since 2012. The company has earned over 50 industry awards, highlighting its excellence in the financial sector. JustMarkets offers a diverse array of trading instruments, including forex, stocks, commodities, indices, metals, energies, and cryptocurrencies, serving clients in over 160 countries.
MACAO SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2024 – The 19th Annual PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final revealed the region’s finest real estate and outstanding developers at The Bangkok. Hotel Central Macau, with its renovation and revitalization led by Lek Hang Group, was honored with two prestigious titles: “Best Heritage Development (Asia)” and “Best Heritage Hotel Restoration Development (Hong Kong and Macau).”
Mr. Simon Sio, Founder and Chairman of Lek Hang Group, proudly presented the Hotel Central Macau project to the Hong Kong and Macau judges of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards.
Simon Sio, the Founder and Chairman of Lek Hang Group, expressed his immense honor as the group’s first participation in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards reached the final stage and achieved remarkable results. Lek Hang Group emerged as the sole enterprise and so far the only in Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau to win the “Best Heritage Development (Asia)” award in the development awards. This prestigious distinction is not only an international recognition of the group’s and hotel’s efforts in cultural heritage protection and inheritance, but also a testament to the dedication and excellence of the group’s team.
He also highlighted that the success of the Hotel Central Macau project stems not only from its meticulous restoration and protection of historical buildings but also from its seamless integration of traditional culture with modern technology. This fusion breathes new life into cultural heritage and offers guests a truly unique and enriching cultural experience.
Mr. James Wong, Marketing Director and Senior Assistant to the Chairman of Lek Hang Group, proudly accepted the award.
In addition to the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards, the Hotel Central Macau project has garnered several prestigious accolades. These include:
· Annual Designer’s Boutique Hotel for the year 2024 at the 19th China Tourism and Culture Starlight Awards · Best Hotel of the Year and Best Design Hotel of the Year at the 13th CHA China Hotel Awards ceremony hosted by “Lifestyle Magazine” · China’s Most Charming Hotel at the Golden Pearl Awards organized by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Hotel General Managers Society · Best Newly Opened Hotel and TheMost Popular Check-in Destination Hotel at the 17th China’s Best Hotel Awards. · Style Star at the Travel Excellence Awards held by Southeast Asia’s leading culture and travel inspiration platform TripZilla · Best Luxury Historical Hotel in East Asia at the World Luxury Hotel Awards
These honors reflect Lek Hang Group and Hotel Central Macau unwavering dedication to excellence in heritage conservation and modern hospitality.
The Lek Hang Group’s Hotel Central Macau project has garnered significant acclaim, securing top honors in prestigious domestic and international competitions.
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About Lek Hang Group
Established in 1991, Lek Hang Group has become a pillar of Macau’s business landscape, adhering to a philosophy of “Diligence and Focus, Grounded in action” and growing alongside the region. Over three decades, the group has diversified into real estate, construction, hotel management, dining, mall operations, and advertising planning, all while actively engaging in corporate social responsibilities. These efforts include revitalizing old districts and contributing to the community, reflecting the group’s commitment to long-term strategic planning and the stable development of its businesses.