Lao food and drink producers are preparing to export their products tariff-free to the United Kingdom (UK) under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS). This initiative provides Lao exporters with access to the UK market without the burden of import tariffs, opening up new growth opportunities.
Lao Producers Gear Up for Duty-Free Exports to UK Under New Trade Scheme

Lao Government to Take Action Against Floodings, Economic Challenges

The Lao government has outlined plans to tackle national issues during its latest cabinet meeting. Taking place on 20 September, the meeting primarily focused on addressing continuous flooding across the country and economic challenges.
DHL Global Forwarding China introduces cross-border e-commerce solution ahead of peak season

- A variety of solutions will offer simple and affordable cross-border shipping with returns and integration with existing e-commerce platforms
- Provide end-to-end delivery service from China to Germany within 4-5 working days
- Expedited solution to Europe, United Kingdom and U.S.
SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media Outreach Newswire – 23 September 2024 – DHL Global Forwarding, the freight specialist of DHL Group, is introducing a variety of cross-border e-commerce solutions ahead of the year-end holiday shopping season globally. The solutions will offer cross-border shipping from China to the world with different service levels and features, as well as an integrated tracking platform for end-to-end visibility.

- End-2-End ONE DHL solution in all key markets
- Fast and Reliable transit time with full track and trace functionality
- Access to over ten thousand certified e-commerce specialists across the globe with local market expertise
- Simple IT integration options including APIs, web portals, major marketplaces and e-commerce platforms
- Different options to cater to the needs of large e-commerce platforms right down to local sellers/Direct-To-Consumer (DTC)(卖家/独立站)
- End-to-end fast delivery within 4-5 days from China to Germany
- Fully managed customs clearance
- Fast & reliable transit time and doorstep delivery with delivery confirmation
- End-to-end shipment visibility for senders and recipients via a 24/7 DHL customer portal
Hashtag: #DHL #DHLGlobalForwarding
https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/our-divisions/global-forwarding.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dhl-global-forwarding
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DHL – The logistics company for the world
China-Laos Railway Facilitates Regional Trade Surge, Handling Over 10 Million Tons of Goods
Since its launch on 3 December 2021, the China-Laos Railway has handled over 10 million tons of goods valued at CNY 40.77 billion (USD 5.74 billion) as of 16 September, according to local authorities.
Ascott expands flex-hybrid model dominance in Southeast Asia with a bumper crop of signings and openings
Secures 28 new signings year-to-date in Southeast Asia, with plans to open 28 properties across the region this year
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2024 – The Ascott Limited (Ascott), the lodging business unit wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment (CLI), today announced 28 new signings year-to-date in Southeast Asia, adding over 3,400 units across its various brands in key destinations. Accounting for more than half of Ascott’s global signings year-to-date, they will augment Ascott’s portfolio in Southeast Asia to over 360 properties – both operational and in the pipeline – across 86 cities in nine countries: Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

This development reflects Ascott’s notable growth trajectory in Southeast Asia, with its portfolio increasing more than fivefold over the past decade, from 13,000 units in 2015 to more than 67,000 today. Additionally, the new signings will mark Ascott’s entry into new cities such as Purwakarta in Indonesia and Kulim in Malaysia.
Ms Serena Lim, Chief Growth Officer for Ascott, said: “Ascott’s flex-hybrid hotel-in-residence model is designed to meet every travel intent and accommodate various lengths of stay, appealing to property owners and developers across different asset classes and locations. This model has shown remarkable resilience during and after the pandemic, establishing itself as the preferred choice in the lodging industry. Our recent signings in Southeast Asia underscore the confidence property owners and developers have in us, reinforcing the dominance of Ascott’s flex-hybrid model in the region. By employing a ‘glocal’ approach, we effectively broaden our reach with Ascott’s global brands while also delving deeper into the local destinations through our regional offerings. This strategy enables us to capture not only inbound travel to Southeast Asia but also intraregional and domestic travel, further enhancing Ascott’s market performance.”
“Ascott was recognised by hospitality research firm STR as one of the top three global hospitality companies with the largest active pipeline in the region at the Southeast Asian edition of the Asian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition 2024 in February. We will continue to build on this momentum to strengthen Ascott’s leadership in Southeast Asia by offering tailored solutions. Our deep cultural understanding and strong relationships with local owners provide us with a strategic advantage, fuelling our growth within the region and supporting our expansion in markets like the United Kingdom and Australia, where our Southeast Asia-based owners also hold valuable assets. Backed by our experienced global teams with extensive local expertise, we are well positioned to drive Ascott’s global expansion,” added Ms Lim.
Ms Wong Kar Ling, Chief Strategy Officer and Managing Director of Southeast Asia for Ascott, said: “Ascott’s journey as a global hospitality leader began in Singapore 40 years ago, and our continued growth in Southeast Asia highlights the region’s importance as both our home base and a key strategic market. Contributing over 30% of our total revenue, this region remains central to Ascott’s global expansion strategy.”
“Leveraging our experienced local teams and their deep market insights, along with a robust conversion framework that enhances our speed-to-market, we are on track to open 28 new properties in Southeast Asia this year, with 12 already completed. Our diverse new offerings, which include beach resorts, boutique heritage hotels, full-service city hotels and premium serviced residences, will cater to a wide range of guest preferences. We remain dedicated to strong execution and operational excellence to drive Ascott’s performance in Southeast Asia,” added Ms Wong.
Ascott’s expansion comes amid strong growth prospects in Southeast Asia, as the region’s hotels market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.78% to achieve US$16.41 billion in revenue by 2029[1]. Destinations in Southeast Asia are likely to reach pre-pandemic levels in terms of tourism arrivals by the end of 2024[2].
Ascott’s Global Brands Propel Its Expansion Across Southeast Asia
Seven of Ascott’s newly signed properties in Southeast Asia are under Oakwood, which continues its strong momentum as one of Ascott’s fastest growing global brands. Oakwood will open in Cambodia, and expand across several Indonesian cities with properties including Oakwood Serpong, Oakwood Yogyakarta, Oakwood Merdeka Bandung, Oakwood Palm Hill Semarang and Oakwood Slipi Jakarta. The seventh addition, an Oakwood Premier property in Singapore, will mark the first Oakwood Premier branded property in Southeast Asia since the brand’s refresh earlier this year.
The new signings also feature four Somerset properties and three Citadines properties, highlighting the continued appeal of these global brands. Additionally, The Unlimited Collection has expanded with two new properties, both in Penang, Malaysia. The lyf brand has also made notable strides, adding two new properties in Singapore – lyf Bugis Singapore, which opened in August 2024, and lyf Chinatown Singapore, currently under development.

Meanwhile, the growth of Ascott’s regional brands in Southeast Asia is led by HARRIS with two signings, and one each for Preference and Fox.
Ascott Expands Significantly in Penang and Batam
In terms of geographical expansion, Ascott has significantly boosted its presence in Penang, Malaysia by signing nine new properties in 2024 to date. This is almost double the number of signings in 2023, increasing Ascott’s portfolio in the state by more than 20%. Following the introduction of Oakwood, lyf, The Crest Collection and HARRIS brands in 2023, Ascott has further enriched its Penang portfolio with new signings under the Somerset and The Unlimited Collection brands. Among these, the latest addition, 1926 Heritage Hotel by The Unlimited Collection, is slated to open by mid-2026. This former residence of British colonial officials will be transformed into a stunning 78-unit property while preserving its Anglo-Malay architectural essence.
In Batam, Indonesia, Ascott has continued its positive signing momentum into 2024, doubling its portfolio in the city to 14 properties over the past two years. This growth includes the debut of Ascott’s global brands such as The Unlimited Collection, Citadines and Somerset. Please refer to the Annex for more highlights of Ascott’s new signings.
New Property Openings Amid Travel Rebound
Amid the travel resurgence in Southeast Asia, Ascott’s new property openings in 2024 have ushered the Oakwood brand into popular resort destinations. The opening of Oakwood Ha Long in Ha Long, Vietnam in January 2024, marked one of the first resorts in the portfolio. This was followed by the opening of Oakwood Hotel & Apartments Grand Batam in Batam, Indonesia in July 2024.

Among the 12 properties that have turned operational year-to-date are lyf Cebu City in the Philippines, Citadines Waterfront Kota Kinabalu in Malaysia and Somerset Kencana Jakarta in Indonesia. In the last quarter of this year, Ascott expects to open the first HARRIS property outside of Indonesia, HARRIS Hotel Sunshine Penang, in Penang, Malaysia. Penang will also welcome its first lyf property, the 144-unit lyf Georgetown Penang, which will exemplify the brand’s signature experience-led social living concept through its range of creative accommodation options targeted at the next-generation traveller.
Ascott Privilege Signatures: Enhancing Exclusive Member Experiences in Southeast Asia
Demonstrating its dedication to the Southeast Asian market, Ascott recently held the second edition of its prestigious Ascott Privilege Signatures programme in Singapore. This exclusive event invited top-tier Ascott Star Rewards (ASR) loyalty members and VIP guests to immerse themselves in the excitement of the night race from the Ascott Privilege Signatures Lounge at the Singapore Flyer, which offered prime views of the race action, complemented by a gourmet selection of food and beverages.
Launched earlier this year, Ascott Privilege Signatures is an integral part of Ascott Star Rewards’ brand promise to ‘Stay Rewarded’. The programme caters to the growing demand for experiential travel by offering unique, ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences. The inaugural event in London in July 2024 featured an afternoon of fine dining at Le Gavroche with renowned chef Michel Roux Jr., alongside VIP access to the Wimbledon finals. Upcoming Ascott Privilege Signatures events include exclusive experiences with Chelsea Football Club, following Ascott’s recent appointment as the club’s Official Global Hotels Partner.
ANNEX – HIGHLIGHTS OF NEW SIGNINGS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA YEAR-TO-DATE 2024
Hashtag: #TheAscottLimited #SoutheastAsia #Growth
https://www.discoverasr.com/en
https://linkedin.com/company/the-ascott-limited
https://www.facebook.com/discoverasr/
https://www.instagram.com/discoverasr
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About The Ascott Limited
Since pioneering Asia Pacific’s first international-class serviced residence with the opening of The Ascott Singapore in 1984, Ascott has grown to be a trusted hospitality company with over 950 properties globally. Headquartered in Singapore, Ascott’s presence extends across more than 230 cities in over 40 countries in Asia Pacific, Central Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the USA.
Ascott’s diversified accommodation offerings span serviced residences, coliving properties, hotels and independent senior living apartments, as well as student accommodation and rental housing. Its award-winning hospitality brands include Ascott,
Citadines,
lyf,
Oakwood,
Somerset,
The Crest Collection,
The Unlimited Collection,
Fox,
Harris,
POP!,
Preference,
Quest,
Vertu and
Yello. Through Ascott Star Rewards (ASR), Ascott’s loyalty programme, members enjoy exclusive privileges and offers at participating properties.
A wholly owned business unit of CapitaLand Investment Limited, Ascott is a leading vertically-integrated lodging operator. Harnessing its extensive network of third-party owners and in-market expertise, Ascott grows fee-related earnings through its hospitality management and investment management capabilities. Ascott also expands its funds under management by growing its sponsored CapitaLand Ascott Trust and private funds.
This year, Ascott marks 40 years in hospitality service with the launch of Ascott Unlimited, a full year campaign that will offer Unlimited Opportunities, Unlimited Choices, Unlimited Freedom, and Unlimited Good. Navigating a future of unlimited possibilities against a backdrop of global change and evolving perspectives of travel, Ascott Unlimited marks Ascott’s ambitions to break new ground, and springboard to its next chapter of growth as a global hospitality company. Find out more about Ascott Unlimited at www.discoverasr.com/ascottunlimited.
For more information on Ascott and its sustainability programme, please visit www.discoverasr.com/the-ascott-limited. Alternatively, connect with us on
Facebook,
Instagram,
TikTok and
LinkedIn.
About CapitaLand Investment Limited
Headquartered and listed in Singapore, CapitaLand Investment Limited (CLI) is a leading global real asset manager with a strong Asia foothold. As at 30 June 2024, CLI had S$134 billion of assets under management, as well as S$100 billion of funds under management held via six listed real estate investment trusts and business trusts and a suite of private real asset vehicles that invest in thematic and tactical strategies. Its diversified real estate asset classes include retail, office, lodging, industrial, logistics, business parks, wellness, self-storage and data centres.
CLI aims to scale its fund management, lodging management and commercial management businesses globally and maintain effective capital management. As the investment management arm of CapitaLand Group, CLI has access to the development capabilities of and pipeline investment opportunities from CapitaLand’s development arm.
As a responsible company, CLI places sustainability at the core of what it does and has committed to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions for Scope 1 and 2 by 2050. CLI contributes to the environmental and social well-being of the communities where it operates, as it delivers long-term economic value to its stakeholders.
www.capitalandinvest.com
Tropical Depression Brings Heavy Rain, Flooding in Houaphan
From 21 to 22 September, a tropical depression brought heavy rainfall across northern, central, and southern Laos, resulting in flooding in some areas. Samnuea, the capital of Houaphan Province in northern Laos, was particularly affected, while other regions experienced more moderate impacts.
Pentair Showcases Latest Water Filtration Technologies and PFAS Solutions at FHA-HoReCa 2024 in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media Outreach Newswire – 23 September 2024 – Pentair (the “Company”), a leading global water solutions purveyor, is excited to announce its participation in the upcoming FHA-HoReCa 2024 in Singapore from October 22-25. Pentair’s booth number is 4D1-01, located at the entrance of Hall 4. At the event, Pentair will showcase its latest innovations in water filtration technologies, including solutions to address the growing concern over PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals”.
Pentair to unveil its two captivating new technology
The first offering is the advanced PFAS Filter Cartridges, which leverages cutting-edge filtration media that has been certified to reduce up to 99.8% of PFOA/PFOS (part of a large group of lab-made chemicals known as PFAS), chlorine, taste and odor, microplastics, and particulates as small as 0.5 microns in size by mechanical means. This specialized filtration system directly addresses the growing concerns surrounding “forever chemicals” and microplastics in water, ensuring the delivery of safe and fresh drinking water quality. Designed for reliable and long-lasting performance, these filter cartridges can help maintain the optimal operation of water treatment equipment and are suitable for fountain beverages, office coffee service, and low-volume ice machines.
Another star, Pentair’s Everpure MDRO Series uses multi-layer membrane RO filter cartridges to deliver stable and effective water desalination at a large processing capacity of up to 2-4 liters per minute, efficiently handling peak usage while protecting equipment by removing heavy metals, organic compounds, and residual chlorine. By employing advanced RO technology, this filtration system effectively removes a wide range of contaminants, including dissolved salts, minerals, and other impurities, providing users with a consistent supply of high-quality, purified water. It meets Level 1 water efficiency standards, saving water and operating costs.
What is PFAS, and why is it harmful and “forever”?
PFAS, the “forever chemicals”, are a growing concern across many parts of Asia. These synthetic compounds do not easily break down in the environment and can persist for long. They are found in a wide range of everyday products, from non-stick cookware to firefighting foams, and they can easily contaminate water sources when these products are disposed of or used. Prolonged exposure to PFAS has been linked to various adverse health effects, such as reduced fertility, weakened immune systems, weight management issues, and even leading to the development of certain cancers. Given these pollutants’ alarming prevalence and tendency to linger indefinitely in the environment, Pentair’s filtration solutions are engineered to address this challenge, providing customers access to reliable, high-quality water.
Everpure[1] and Manitowoc Ice
In addition to showcasing its latest water filtration technologies, Pentair will highlight the synergies between its Everpure and Manitowoc Ice brands. Acquired by Pentair two years ago, Manitowoc Ice will be featured at the Everpure booth, showcasing its CHOICE ice machines tailored for the Asian market. Likewise, Manitowoc will display Everpure’s filtration systems designed for use with ice machines, demonstrating the close collaboration between these two renowned foodservice brands. This integration will provide hotel, restaurant, and café customers with comprehensive solutions to meet their water quality and ice-making needs in multiple scenarios.
Visitors to the Pentair booth can expect to learn more about the Company’s water purifier, water filter for home, commercial water filtration system, hotel water filtration, and water filter for restaurant solutions, all designed to deliver clean, safe, and great-tasting water.
Hashtag: #pentair #pentairsea #waterfilter #FHAHoReCa #FHA #FHAHoReCa2024
https://pentair.asia/
https://www.facebook.com/PentairTH/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Pentair
Pentair is a leading global water treatment company committed to delivering innovative, sustainable water solutions that help people, businesses, and industries thrive. With a focus on innovation and a dedication to advancing water quality, Pentair offers a wide range of products and services for residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
For more information, please visit:
SEA site: https://www.pentair.asia
Global site: www.pentair.com
About FHA-HoReCa 2024
FHA-HoReCa 2024 is the leading hospitality trade show in Singapore. Evolved from the highly successful Food&HotelAsia (FHA), FHA-HoReCa brings together the most extensive line-up of leading global suppliers in Asia, showcasing the latest innovations and intelligent technologies catered to the region’s fast-growing foodservice & hospitality industry.
Keelung Showcases the Charm of Its Mountain and Coastal Highlights at Tourism Expo Japan 2024

KEELUNG, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 September 2024 – The Keelung City Culture and Tourism Bureau has announced its participation in the upcoming and highly prestigious “Tourism EXPO Japan” from Sep 26 to 29. With a dedicated booth, the bureau aims to introduce Keelung as a new travel destination in Taiwan for Japanese tourists. Visitors to the Keelung booth can engage in surveys and virtual reality experiences, with the opportunity to receive unique and practical souvenirs that embody the spirit of Keelung. The Bureau invites everyone to explore this beautiful coastal city at the Keelung booth.

This year, Keelung has earned accolades from the globally acclaimed Harper’s Bazaar as one of the “12 Must-Visit Cities Around the World”. Featured attractions include the Heping Island Geopark, celebrated among the world’s top 21 sunrise locations, and historic sites like the Qing’an Temple. The city’s latest landmark, the Keelung Tower, offers breathtaking and panoramic views of the port and surrounding mountainscape, making Keelung a treasure trove of historical and natural beauty. Japan has always been a key tourism market for Keelung, and the Bureau is eager to introduce this city—hailed as Asia’s best home port for cruise ships—to Japanese travelers. For those who love Taiwanese cuisine, Keelung’s Miaokou Night Market offers a one-stop culinary experience featuring all of Taiwan’s famed street foods, providing a rich and diverse quintessential travel experience in Taiwan.
During the expo period, the Keelung City Culture and Tourism Bureau will distribute various Japanese-language tourism brochures, enhancing visitor engagement and knowledge about Keelung. The Bureau extends a warm invitation to all Japanese tourists to discover the captivating coastal allure of Keelung.
Hashtag: #KeelungCity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.