GNMI: Update on Discloseable Transaction Deemed Disposal of Equity Interest in Chesir Luzhai

HONG KONG, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – On December 6, 2023, Global New Material International Holdings Limited (the “Company”, or “GNMI”, Stock Code: 06616.HK) disclosed the latest progress of the Capital Increase Agreement in Chesir Luzhai.

The Board is pleased to announce that, as at the date hereof, all of the conditions precedent to the Capital Increase Agreement have been fulfilled, and the total consideration for the Capital Increase in the amount of RMB1 billion in cash has been received by Chesir Luzhai from the Investor.

According to the announcement of GNMI dated 20 November 2023 (the “Announcement”), Chesir Luzhai, an indirect non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Investor entered into the Capital Increase Agreement, pursuant to which the Investor has conditionally agreed to inject RMB1 billion in cash into Chesir Luzhai. Upon Completion, Chesir Luzhai will remain as the core subsidiary of the Company and its financial results will continue to be consolidated in the Group’s accounts.

GNMI has made significant progress towards its goals and maintained a steady momentum of business development. Simultaneously, the Company has been actively seeking international acquisition opportunities with strong foundations and advanced technology to further enhance its core competitiveness. In August 2023, GNMI successfully completed the acquisition of CQV, a famous pearlescent pigment manufacturer in Korea and a renowned brand in the global pearlescent pigment industry, which marks a milestone in the Group’s international expansion plans.

The Company has also announced its intention to seize opportunities and expand its business presence in the international pearlescent pigments industry. It will continue to follow the strategy of “Endogenous Development and Outward Expansion” to accelerate the Group’s various strategic plans. The completion of the Capital Increase Agreement will provide the Company with additional working capital for future developments.

About Global New Material International Holdings Limited

Global New Material International specializes in the manufacturing and sale of pearlescent pigment products and synthetic mica. Leveraging the unique materials, the Company offers an expansive range of over 1000 distinct product variations catering to diverse industrial, exterior, and cosmetic applications. The company is known as the largest pearlescent pigment producer in China and the third largest globally.

About the Investor

The Investor is wholly-owned by Tonglu Technology and Innovation Industry Development and Investment Company Limited, which in turn is wholly-owned by Tonglu County State-owned Asset Management Committee, being the ultimate beneficial owner of the Investor.

BIP Asia Forum and Entrepreneur Day open today

HONG KONG, Dec 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The 13th Business of IP Asia Forum (BIP Asia Forum), jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government (HKSAR Government), along with the 15th Entrepreneur Day (E-Day) hosted by HKTDC, open today.

This is the first time both events are being held concurrently for two consecutive days at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, offering a mix of forums, exhibitions, competitions, workshops, and business matching sessions.

The two events bring together more than 140 industry leaders specialising in intellectual property (IP), innovation and technology (I&T) and sustainability, along with international IP experts. They will exchange insights on start-up trends, IP applications and brand strategy as well as explore business opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and international markets. The events will showcase an array of products and technologies from over 350 start-ups and innovative projects.

Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC; Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR; Dr Lu Pengqi, Deputy Commissioner of the China National Intellectual Property Organization; and Daren Tang, Director General of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), delivered remarks at the opening session this morning.

Ms Fong said: “A robust IP infrastructure needs to serve as the backbone for innovations, giving enterprises the confidence and capital to create. Hong Kong is a centre for innovation. It has world-class R&D and IP infrastructure, coupled with top-notch academic research and strong government support. The development of the GBA strengthens interconnectivity and cooperation among its cities across industries, including IP and innovation. This offers arising opportunities for businesses and fosters economic growth in the region and beyond.”

IP & Innovation steering new economic growth

The BIP Asia Forum, themed IP & Innovation: Steering New Economic Growth, gathers over 90 industry leaders to share their valuable insights.

At the Policy Dialogue – Powering Economic Growth through a Future-Ready IP Policy, Mr Tang said: “With COVID behind us, the world now needs to look forward and build new engines of growth for the future. This is why WIPO is focusing on IP’s role as a powerful catalyst for creating jobs, supporting business growth, giving hope to entrepreneurs, catalysing the creative economy and driving economic growth and development everywhere. Hong Kong, and the Greater Bay Area as a whole, is extremely well positioned to be a key global leader in this conversation. It is a centre of IP trade and innovation as well as a global platform for sharing ideas and perspectives for growth, not just in the region but also across the world.”

One of the first day’s highlights is the plenary session Underpinning Brand Success: IP Strategies in the Digital Era. It features Mayeul Dastugue, Legal Director of Global IP Enforcement of Christian Louboutin; Laurence Morel-Chevillet, IP and Brand Protection Director of Bulgari; and Mayank Vaid, Intellectual Property Director of Asia Pacific & China (Civil) of Louis Vuitton Pacific Limited. They will share their brands’ IP strategies for the digital economy and how they are utilising technology to reinvent their brands.

There are more in-depth sessions in the afternoon, including “IPHatch Asia – Empowering Innovation and Entrepreneurship with IP”, “Constructing a Renowned Greater Bay Area with IP”, “IP Collaboration and Competition in the Biomedical Industry in the Greater Bay Area”, and “Leading the Global Exchange of Digital Content and Intellectual Property Protection Development”. Speakers will delve into and exchange ideas on the latest trends and future development of intellectual property in various fields.

Global Tech Summit gathers renowned tech firms

At the Global Tech Summit on the Forum’s second day, Olivier Klein, Chief Technologist of Amazon Web Services Asia Pacific; Shing Lee, Cloud Solution Strategist (Data & AI) of Microsoft Hong Kong; and Dr Ginny Wong, Data Scientist of NVIDIA AI Technology Center Hong Kong, discuss the generative artificial intelligence (AI) trend and its impact on IP rights.

At another panel discussion tomorrow, legal experts share their insights on legal issues related to AI-generated content and third-party IP rights, and provide practical advice on how to manage such IP issues.

The Forum’s Innovation & IP Market brings together some 50 exhibitors and showcases more than 30 innovative projects from tertiary institutions, R&D centres and start-ups.

Furthermore, the ASEAN Secretariat and the HKSAR Government’s Intellectual Property Department have co-organised an ASEAN Session in collaboration with the World Intellectual Property Organization, which features experts from the ASEAN and Hong Kong IP industries.

Several authorised agents and international brand holders are also featured, including fashion brand MCM Group; S2O Factory, the organiser of the S2O Songkran Music Festival; B.Duck Semk Holdings International Limited and others. They discuss how to apply effective strategies to maximise the value of trademarks in today’s rapidly changing global business environment.

Entrepreneur Day: Innovation trends and opportunities in focus

Themed Building Resilience, Boosting Collaboration, E-Day showcases over 300 start-ups, invention projects and support services from 11 countries and regions.

The exhibition also provides opportunities for networking and business matching, while also offering I&T insights that enable start-ups and SMEs to seize new opportunities. It features cutting-edge projects, such as Hong Kong company IG INNO Limited’s painting robot, which applies 3D point or line laser technology to ensure painting precision. In addition, Zhejiang Flectothink Technology from Mainland China showcases its wearable EEG sleep monitoring device, with precision levels comparable to sleep monitor devices used in the medical field.

Separately, Investment NSW takes part in the event for the first time and brings along nine start-ups from Australia to demonstrate health tech, green tech and smart city tech.

This year’s E-Day sees participation from incubators from the GBA, who share all that start-ups need to know about establishing businesses in the area.

50 local start-ups under the Funding Scheme for Youth Entrepreneurship in the GBA, supported by the HKSAR Government’s Home and Youth Affairs Bureau, also join the event.

The first seminar of E-Day was T-Chat – Cooling the Cloud: Igniting Sustainable Innovation for a Resilient Future featuring Serge Conesa, Founder and CEO of Swiss start-up Immersion4. He received the Most Innovative Use of ICT Award from the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 2019.

He said: “Innovation means nothing without effective implementation. Even the smallest steps could make a difference in creating a sustainable data centre management system. Save energy as much as we can. It’s important that we at least try.”

The HKTDC is co-organising the Global Dialogue on Women Entrepreneurship session with The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, which brings together three outstanding female entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the United States, including Tonya McNeal-Weary, Founder and Managing Director of IBS Global Consulting, Inc.; Jenny Shen, Co-founder and CEO of Foodplus; and Chan Ming Wai, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Audiologist of Tandle Limited.

Mrs McNeal-Weary said: “Women entrepreneurs face the same challenges no matter how physically far apart we are. E-Day is a great platform that allows us to connect with the world. To all the men, if you have a company, hire women. Don’t be afraid to let women aboard. We can bring a lot of different creations and more insights to the table, as we are different.”

10 global start-ups selected for Start-up Express International

Following the success of last year’s event, the second edition of Start-up Express International is being held again during this year’s E-Day. Eight out of the ten award-winning global start-ups have gathered at the Start-up Express International – Meet the Global Winners event to share their industry perspectives and entrepreneurial experiences.

InnoClub holds inaugural InnoClub Award Presentation Ceremony

InnoClub, co-developed by the HKTDC and Hang Seng Bank, features the inaugural InnoClub Award Presentation Ceremony at E-Day to recognise outstanding achievements of the awardees in I&T.

Websites

Business of IP Asia Forum website: https://bipasia.hktdc.com/en/

HKTDC Entrepreneur Day: https://portal.hktdc.com/eday/en

Start-up Express International: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/s/start-up-express-international

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3Raa0pV

The 13th BIP Asia Forum, jointly organised by the HKTDC and the HKSAR Government, opens today

(From left to right) Mr David Wong, Director of Intellectual Property, HKSAR; Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of HKTDC; Mr Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary, HKSAR; and Mr Simon Cheung, Managing Director of Nestle Hong Kong Co., Ltd took picture at the Nestle Eagle Brand photo booth. Since becoming the first registered trademark in Hong Kong in 1874, the Nestle Eagle Brand has secured the company’s growth for over 140 years.

Michael Wong, Deputy Financial Secretary, HKSAR

Dr Lu Pengqi, Deputy Commissioner, China National Intellectual Property Organization

Daren Tang, Director General, World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

The first seminar of E-Day was T-Chat – Cooling the Cloud: Igniting Sustainable Innovation for a Resilient Future featuring Serge Conesa, Founder and CEO of Swiss start-up Immersion4. He is also the recipient of the Most Innovative Use of ICT Award from the UN International Telecommunications Union (ITU) in 2019.

The Global Dialogue on Women Entrepreneurship brings together three outstanding female entrepreneurs from Hong Kong and the United States, including (far left) Tonya McNeal-Weary, Founder and Managing Director of IBS Global Consulting, Inc.; (second left) Jenny Shen, Co-founder and CEO of Foodplus; and (second right) Chan Ming Wai, Co-Founder and Chief Clinical Audiologist of Tandle Limited

Following last year’s success, the second edition of Start-up Express International is being held again during this year’s E-Day

About HKTDC

The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on Twitter @hktdc and LinkedIn

Media enquires

Please contact Hill & Knowlton:

Rachel Zhu, Tel: (852) 6816 5846, Email: rachel.zhu@hillandknowlton.com

Grace Chiu, Tel: (852) 6432 3549, Email: grace.chiu@hillandknowlton.com

HKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:

Jane Cheung, Tel: (852) 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

Janet Chan, Tel: (852) 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

How to Apply for a Citibank Mortgage?

HONG KONG, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – A mortgage loan is a type of secured loan you can apply for when you want to purchase a home or property but do not have sufficient funds to pay for it upfront. Citibank offers multiple mortgage options to cater to your diverse mortgage-related requirements. You can explore these options and apply for mortgage loans from Citibank to enjoy a host of benefits, such as competitive interest rates and faster repayment options.

Keep reading to find out how to apply for a Citibank mortgage loan and experience a seamless loan disbursal process.

Steps to Apply for a Citibank Mortgage

Here are the steps to apply for a Citibank Mortgage:

Step 1: Submit an online enquiry

First, you need to submit the online enquiry form. Upon submission of the form, Citibank’s mortgage sales manager will contact you within 1 business day to learn more about your query.

Step 2: Loan application

Next, you need to fill up the mortgage application form and submit the required documents to Citibank to initiate the mortgage process.

Step 3: Property valuation

Upon receipt of the mortgage loan application, Citibank will arrange for a valuation of the property you wish to purchase.

Step 4: Loan assessment

Next, Citibank will assess the property valuation result, along with your repayment ability, and prepare your mortgage terms accordingly.

Step 5: Loan approval, disbursement and repayment

Upon successful approval of your mortgage, Citibank will then initiate the following steps:

The confirmation letter with the mortgage is signed, and then Citibank sends the instruction letter to the corresponding solicitor firm to prepare the mortgage deeds.
Once the signing of the necessary contracts is completed, the solicitor firm notifies Citibank.
Citibank then transfers the approved mortgage amount to the seller’s solicitor firm to complete the transaction.
Finally, Citibank will share a copy of the repayment schedule with you. The repayment schedule will contain information on loan details such as monthly instalments, interest and the outstanding balance.

Final Thoughts

Before applying for a Citibank mortgage , you can check your eligibility criteria and use various tools, such as the Online Property Valuation tool and the Mortgage Calculator. The Online Property Valuation tool offers up-to-date market and mortgage information when you enter the desired property details so you can know your property’s approximate value. The Mortgage Calculator helps you get an estimate of your monthly payment and interest expense. To learn more about the mortgage loan and its terms and conditions, you can visit the official Citibank Hong Kong website.

Citibank Hong Kong

Citibank Hong Kong offers consumers and institutions a range of financial products and services, including consumer and investment banking, credit cards, and personal loans. Citibank Hong Kong aims to deliver holistic and innovative solutions to clients and meet the increasingly complex strategies of its regional client base in the APAC in an ever-changing financial landscape.

The content reflects the view of the article’s author and does not necessarily reflect the views of Citi or its employees. Please read the products and offers on Citibank Hong Kong’s website for accuracy or completeness of the information presented in the article.

Contact Information
Sonakshi Murze
Manager
sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com

HKTDC and Hang Seng Bank’s InnoClub celebrate exceptional local entrepreneurs

HONG KONG, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – InnoClub, a platform co-created by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hang Seng Bank for start-ups and SMEs in Hong Kong and the wider Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), is pleased to announce the three winners of the inaugural InnoClub Awards.

Hong Kong’s leading online medical platform iMeddy, F&B industry game changer DimOrder and fast-growing biotech start-up Decode Cure have been recognised for their ground-breaking achievements in healthcare, F&B and biotech, respectively, with the awards given on the final day of HKTDC’s annual Entrepreneur Day.

Established in 2021, InnoClub supports more than 1,000 start-ups and SMEs in Hong Kong and the GBA with their digital transformation and competitiveness, while promoting Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit and innovation and technology (I&T) development. Aside from business matching, InnoClub organises gatherings, seminars and innovation showcases to facilitate the exchange of ideas and collaboration among its members. Coinciding with the platform’s second anniversary, the Awards recognise the achievements of InnoClub members.

Mr Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC, said, “The HKTDC provides comprehensive year-round support to SMEs and start-ups, helping them transform and grow and seize arising opportunities. InnoClub recognises the tremendous advances Hong Kong has been making in I&T and contributes to the sector’s continued growth. The inaugural InnoClub Awards recipients iMeddy, DimOrder and Decode Cure represent the latest generation of innovators in Hong Kong, reflecting our city’s status as a regional I&T hub.”

Mr Gilbert Lee, Head of Strategy & Planning and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank said: “With our long-standing presence in the local market and a strong network in the GBA, Hang Seng Bank is dedicated to supporting the growth of start-ups and SMEs. InnoClub, which we established in partnership with HKTDC, provides a unique platform to drive the growth of its members. We offer comprehensive support, including networking, business matching, tailored banking services and marketing. The award winners exemplify the ways in which InnoClub enables their growth. We aspire to further enhance InnoClub and drive more success stories, similar to those of the award winners.”

Spotlighting rising talent

iMeddy has been awarded the InnoClub GBA Innovator Award, which recognises a start-up that has made significant contributions to I&T in the GBA, developing new and innovative products, services or technologies positively impacting the region.

As more young entrepreneurs from Hong Kong venture into the GBA, which has seen an increasing number of retirees choose to spend their retirement in the region, iMeddy seized the opportunity to address their medical needs.

The company has launched an online hospital in Nansha, Guangzhou. Their innovative digital platform enables Hong Kong doctors to serve as paramedics at their hospital. It also enables the seamless transport of medicine that are legally registered in Hong Kong to the GBA, providing reassurance and familiarity to patients accustomed to receiving care from Hong Kong doctors. With the Hong Kong SAR Government’s robust support of GBA entrepreneurs, iMeddy aims to expand its services to include Chinese medicine.

Mr Stephen Tsoi, Co-Founder and Marketing Director of iMeddy, said, “We are grateful to have benefited from InnoClub’s hands-on and direct support, which sets it apart from other start-up organisations. With InnoClub’s sponsorship and network, iMeddy was able to provide online Chinese medicine consultations to assist the elderly through community organisations. In the coming years, we aspire to expand our services in the GBA and extend our reach to Southeast Asia, with the continued support of InnoClub.”

The second winner DimOrder is the recipient of the InnoClub Industry Impact Award. This recognition is given to a start-up that has made significant contributions to an industry through their innovations, demonstrating leadership, creativity and expertise in their field.

DimOrder has developed a system that covers everything from meal ordering and check-out to restaurant management and ingredient procurement. With the support of AI and big data, it is helping restaurants realise their business expansion plans, automate their marketing strategies and supply chain management.

Mr Tim Lee, Co-Founder of DimOrder, said, “As the F&B industry is indispensable to our daily lives, it is crucial for us to address persistent pain-points that are common among many restaurants, so that the F&B industry can level up collectively. DimOrder is excited to create noticeable social impact in Hong Kong with over 1,500 customers currently. In addition, we hope to expand to Southeast Asia’s emerging markets, with the aim to not only be a service provider, but also build a landmark F&B ecosystem.”

The third and final award, InnoClub Rising Star Award, recognises an up-and-coming start-up that has shown exceptional promise and the makings of a future leader in their field by demonstrating creativity, leadership and a commitment to innovation.

Award recipient Decode Cure aims to develop a precise, rapid and user-friendly diagnostic solution to identify pathogens, using combined techniques of bioinformatic and big data analytics. Nearing the end of its four-year R&D phase, the biotech firm’s advanced technology detects pathogens causing complex disease, such as pneumonia and Alzheimer’s in under 24 hours. During the pandemic, it contributed to the Hong Kong SAR Government’s sewage surveillance programme, a cost-effective measure that allows the monitoring of variants, leading to the lowest possible impact on the community. The technology shortens the time to get results by 10 days, compared with clinical data.

Dr Bin Ye, Founder of Decode Cure, said: “In InnoClub, there are a lot of companies in the early development stages. They have great technologies and I believe our company can utilise some of the techniques of these companies for our commercial and marketing use. As we are pushing our product to the market, we can reach out directly to more potential customers thanks to InnoClub and Hang Seng’s large membership and clientele, which make this a great vehicle and opportunity.”

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3RyFBTF

(from left to right) Nancy Cheng, Principal, Strategic Planning and Corporate Development, Hang Seng Bank; Alex Wong, Head of Sales and Client Coverage of Business Banking, Hang Seng Bank; Stephen Tsoi, Co-Founder and Marketing Director, iMeddy; Gilbert Lee, Head of Strategy & Planning and Chief of Staff to the Chief Executive of Hang Seng Bank; Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC; GBA Innovator Award Awardee, Industry Impact Award Awardee Tim Lee, Co-founder, DimOrder; Rising Star Award Awardee Dr Ye Bin, Founder, Decode Cure; Smilely Lam, Director, Merchandise Trade and Innovation and Director, External Relations, celebrate exceptional achievements of awardees at the InnoClub Awards

The InnoClub GBA Innovator Award goes to iMeddy, which has launched an online hospital in Nansha, Guangzhou to cater to medical needs of young entrepreneurs and retirees in the GBA, providing reassurance and familiarity to patients accustomed to receiving care from Hong Kong doctors

DimOrder is the recipient of the InnoClub Industry Impact Award. Their system incorporates AI and big data, helping restaurants realise their business expansion plans. With 1,500 customers, the company’s ultimate aim is to build a landmark F&B ecosystem

InnoClub Rising Star Award goes to Decode Cure, which uses bioinformatic and big data analytics to detect pathogens that cause complex disease, such as pneumonia and Alzheimer’s in under 24 hours. It contributed to the Hong Kong SAR Government’s sewage surveillance programme, shortening the time to detect variants by 10 days

Media enquiries
Hill & Knowlton:
Ada Leung, Tel: (852) 9280 3822, Email: ada.leung@hillandknowlton.com
Sharon Abratique, Tel: (852) 6324 8499, Email: sharon.abratique@hillandknowlton.com

HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: (852) 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

About HKTDC

About Hang Seng Bank

Hang Seng is celebrating its 90th anniversary this year. Founded in 1933, Hang Seng has continually innovated to provide best-in-class, customer-centric banking, investment and wealth management services for individuals and businesses. It is widely recognised as the leading domestic bank in Hong Kong, currently serving more than 3.9 million customers.

Combining its award-winning mobile app and strong digital capabilities with a vast network of over 260 service outlets in Hong Kong, Hang Seng offers a seamless omni-channel experience for customers to take care of their banking and financial needs anytime, anywhere.

Its wholly owned subsidiary, Hang Seng Bank (China) Limited, operates a strategic network of outlets in almost 20 major cities in Mainland China to serve a growing base of Mainland customers locally and those with cross-boundary banking needs. The Bank also operates branches in Macau and Singapore, and a representative office in Taipei.

As a homegrown financial institution, Hang Seng is closely tied to the Hong Kong community. It supports the community with a dedicated programme of social and environmental initiatives focused on future skills for the younger generation, sustainable finance and financial literacy, addressing climate change and caring for the community.

Hang Seng is a principal member of the HSBC Group, one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. More information on Hang Seng is available at www.hangseng.com .

Spritzer Clinches 9th Consecutive at the World Branding Award

KUALA LUMPUR & TAIPING, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – SPRITZER Bhd is proud to announce its ninth consecutive win in the national beverage division, water category, at the World Branding Awards – Brand of the Year 2023. The prestigious award, presented at Kensington Palace, London last night, recognises Spritzer’s commitment to excellence, quality and sustainability.

The World Branding Awards – Brand of the Year 2023-2024 showcased the excellence of over 3,500 brands representing more than 45 countries. Among these, only 250 brands declared as winners, spanning various categories at three distinguished levels – global, regional and, national.

Left, Winnie Chin, Head of PR of Spritzer Bhd and Right, Richard Rowles, Chairman of World Branding Forum (Image Link)

Ms. Winnie Chin, Head of PR of Spritzer, said, “This award stands as a testament to the exceptional quality of our silica-rich mineral water. It is a tribute made possible by the unwavering support of our loyal consumers, reliable suppliers, and valued business partners.”

The award’s meticulous assessment process comprises brand valuation (30%), public online voting (30%) and consumer market research (40%). A single national award is bestowed upon a brand in each product or service category, representing participating countries.

The World Branding Forum is a registered global non-profit organisation dedicated to producing, managing and supporting a wide range of programmes covering research, development, education, recognition, networking and outreach.

Spritzer’s silica-rich natural mineral water originates from underground aquifers in a pristine 400-acre site in Taiping, Perak, Malaysia, adjacent to a tropical rainforest. The Company is committed to delivering the utmost quality to consumers and also actively champions community initiatives.

Countdown to the World Blockchain Summit Bangkok begins

BANGKOK, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The 28th Global edition of the World Blockchain Summit, organized by Trescon, is calling the curtains over the year by returning to Bangkok on 13th and 14th December 2023. Held at the prestigious Royal Orchid Sheraton Hotel and Towers, this event will be a global hub for blockchain innovation, uniting industry experts, innovators, and web3 enthusiasts. They will gather under one roof to discuss how blockchain is contributing to Thailand’s digital transformation journey.

With a vision to position itself as Southeast Asia’s Blockchain innovation hub, Thailand is swiftly driving blockchain innovation and adoption of transformative blockchain solutions in the critical sectors of its economy. The country’s favourable regulatory landscape coupled with its advantageous investment and innovation ecosystem are attracting global blockchain-based startups and established players from the industry to play a central part in its economy.

With the government’s push for the adoption of digital assets further solidifying the pivotal role that blockchain will play in the Thailand 4.0 vision, the summit offers an exclusive opportunity for blockchain entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators to showcase their solutions and innovations, aiming to attract potential investors and collaborators.

#WBSBangkok puts the spotlight on fascinating topics and trends that are driving the market through captivating keynote discussions, engaging panel discussions and insightful use-case presentations by some of the leading innovators and experts from the blockchain domain. The agenda will cover several topics including:

What web3 means for enterprises
Bear and bull market trends
Bridging DeFi and CeFi
Blockchain interoperability
Digital assets solutions for businesses and more

The summit unites over 600+ web3 decision makers, 100+ investors to listen to over 30+ speakers and experts from the blockchain space. The summit also hosts the regional finale of the Startup World Cup, organized by the renowned US-based venture capital firm, Pegasus Ventures. The winner earns an opportunity to pitch at the global finals in San Francisco, with the chance to secure the funding prize of US$1 million.

Amongst the notable speakers at the event are:

Eeshaan Sachatheva, Partner, Ethereal Ventures
Shogo Ishida, Co-CEO, Middle East and Africa, EMURGO
Danilo S. Carlucci, Co-Founder and CEO, Morningstar Ventures
Darius A, Managing Partner, Vary’s Capital
Kanyarat Saengsawang, Country Head – Thailand, The Sandbox
Cecelia Wong, CEO & Founder, YourPRStrategist
Bogdan C. Stanache, President, Innes Global

“As Bangkok’s innovation and tech landscape surges forward, blockchain-based solutions are poised to be a key driver in Thailand’s digital transformation journey. At Trescon, we’re committed to empowering global entrepreneurs, startups, and innovators, by connecting them with accredited investors and industry authorities. The World Blockchain Summit is the ideal platform where blockchain trailblazers share groundbreaking insights and innovations.” – Sharath Kumar, Commercial Director, Trescon

The registration for the World Blockchain Summit Bangkok is now open. Don’t miss the opportunity to book the early bird tickets today and gear up for yet another exciting blockchain and crypto event of the year.

The 28th edition of the World Blockchain Summit is presented by:

Silver Sponsor: Polluxcoin
Bronze Sponsors: INNES Worldwide
Pitch Partner: MeAI, Secured Finance
Exhibitor: DWF Labs, RedotPay, Mountain Capital Fund
Association Partner: Access Blockchain Association
Community Partner: APAC DAO

About World Blockchain Summit (WBS)

World Blockchain Summit (WBS) is an event by Trescon that supports the growth of the blockchain, crypto and Web3 ecosystem globally.

WBS is the world’s longest-running blockchain, crypto, and web 3-focused summit series. Since our inception in 2017, we have hosted more than 20 editions in 11 countries as we strived to create the ultimate networking and deal flow platform for the Web3 ecosystem. Each edition brings together global leaders and emerging startups in the space, including investors, developers, IT leaders, entrepreneurs, government authorities, and others.

About Trescon

Trescon is a pioneering force in the global business events and services sector, driving the adoption of emerging technologies while promoting sustainability and inclusive leadership. With a deep understanding of the realities and requirements of the growth markets we operate in – we strive to deliver innovative and high-quality business platforms for our clients.

To book your tickets, visit: https://bit.ly/wbs23-bkk-dec-pr

For inquiries, Contact: comms@worldblockchainsummit.com

For further details about the announcement, please contact:
Nupur Aswani
Head – Media, PR and Corporate Communications, Trescon
+91 95559 15156 | media@tresconglobal.com

All You Need to Know about Citibank Personal Loan

SINGAPORE, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Personal Loans can come in handy for various purposes. Whether you are in need of funds to cover unexpected expenses, plan your wedding, renovate your house, or finance your child’s education, Citi Personal Loans offer you convenient financial assistance for your unique needs. Additionally, enjoy benefits such as competitive interest rates, flexible repayment options, a straightforward application process, and more when you apply for a personal loan with Citi.

Different Types of Citibank Personal Loans to Fulfil your Lifestyle Needs

Citi offers a range of diverse Personal Loan options designed to match the various financial requirements of applicants. Here are some Citi Personal Loan options to consider:

Citi Quick Cash: With Citi Quick Cash, you can convert the unused credit on your Citi Credit Card/Ready Credit into cash with competitive interest rates and affordable monthly repayments. If you are a new customer, you may be granted a personal loan of up to 4x your monthly income or 8x your monthly income if you are drawing an annual income of S$120,000 and above.

Ready Credit: Citibank Ready Credit provides a flexible line of credit to address your urgent liquidity needs. With Citibank Ready Credit, you can look forward to benefits such as attractive interest rates, easy access to cash from over two million ATMs across the globe, interest savings with balance transfers, and seamless fund transfers and bill payments. Additionally, you may repay your Citibank Ready Credit statement balance in manageable instalments.

Balance Transfer : Citibank Balance Transfer allows you to easily transfer outstanding balances from other credit cards and accounts to your Citi Credit Cards or Ready Credit accounts. With balance transfers, you can maximize interest savings and reduce your overall monthly repayments. What’s more, you can enjoy the benefits of Citibank Balance Transfer with low processing fees and flexible repayment options. New Citibank customers who apply for the Citibank Ready Credit account with a minimum loan amount of S$500 can also look forward to a welcome offer of 0% p.a. interest for 6 months with a 1.58% service fee.

Citi PayLite: Citi PayLite allows Citi Credit Cardholders to convert unbilled retail transactions from S$50 into manageable instalment payments over up to 36 months. If you are an existing Citi Credit Cardholder, you may apply for Citi PayLite via Citi Mobile® App, Citibank Online, or SMS sent to your registered mobile number. With instant approval and low processing fees, Citi PayLite allows you to manage significant purchases with ease.

Citi FlexiBill: Citi FlexiBill allows customers to instantly convert their Citi Credit Card and Citi Ready Credit statement balances into manageable instalments with a few taps on the Citi Mobile® App. With Citi FlexiBill, you can manage significant bill payments without compromising financial flexibility.

In short, the Conclusion of the whole Blog

Citi’s Personal Loan options offer convenient solutions to your diverse financial needs. Whether you require emergency cash or access to flexible credit lines, Citi offers many options to fulfil your specific financial needs. Do take time to understand your personal loan options to ensure that you make an informed decision. For more information on our personal loan products, feel free to contact a Citi representative.

Citi Singapore

Citi Singapore is a full-service bank offering consumers, corporations, governments and institutions in Singapore a broad range of financial products and services. It is one of the largest foreign banking employers in Singapore and a significant hub for Citi globally.

The content reflects the view of the author of the article and does not necessarily reflect the views of Citi or its employees. Please read the products and offers on the Citi Singapore website for accuracy or completeness of the information presented in the article.

Contact Information
Sonakshi Murze
Manager
sonakshi.murze@iquanti.com

U.S. Polo Assn. Supports Star-Studded ‘Boo-Yah’ Night for The V Foundation for Cancer Research

West Palm Beach, FL, Dec 7, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – U.S. Polo Assn., the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), proudly sponsored the V Foundation for Cancer Research®’s 30th Anniversary through the “Boo-Yah, A Celebration of Stuart Scott” cancer research event, which was attended by professional athletes, celebrities and other influencers. The V Foundation is named for legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano and was created with one goal in mind – Victory Over Cancer®.

As a Silver Sponsor, U.S. Polo Assn. provided financial support for the the V Foundation’s signature event as well as one of only a few high-profile live auction items, to help fund game-changing research and all-star scientists to accelerate Victory Over Cancer® and save lives. U.S. Polo Assn.’s strategic partner, ESPN, the sports media entertainment brand, is a founding member of the V Foundation, which has a long-standing commitment to resolving cancer health inequities by investing in extraordinary people and cutting-edge research.

U.S. Polo Assn.’s luxury auction item included an all-inclusive trip to the prestigious U.S. Open Polo Championship® in April 2024 with two first-class, round-trip tickets to Palm Beach County, home of the winter equestrian capital of the world, a two-night hotel stay at the iconic Ben Hotel, and two VIP tickets to the Champagne Brunch and VIP Championship After Party at the USPA National Polo Center. In addition, the auction lot included a one-of-a-kind private chef’s dining experience at the Vérité Estate in Sonoma County, California, for six people, which features a multi-course pairing of Vérité wines and delicious seasonal dishes prepared by the esteemed in-house chef at The Estate. The auction lot also included 18 bottles of 2007 Vérité wines, with each wine rated a perfect 100 Points by Rober Parker Wine Advocate.

“Boo-Yah, A Celebration of Stuart Scott” raised nearly $2.4 million, bringing the three-year total to over $5 million for game-changing cancer research. Several of the top live auction items were the U.S. Open Championship weekend in Palm Beach County presented by U.S. Polo Assn., a VIP Weekend for the Superbowl in Las Vegas, and an F1 Experience in Miami.

“The Boo-Yah event and the V Foundation for Cancer Research are perfectly aligned with U.S. Polo Assn.’s core values as well as our authentic connection to sport and inspiration,” said J. Michael Prince, President and CEO of USPA Global, the company that manages and oversees the multi- billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand. “I’ve admired Jimmy Valvano as a coach, known for one of the biggest upsets in college basketball history when he was with North Carolina State. Not to mention, we are extremely proud to support cancer research with the V Foundation and to have access to this incredible sponsorship opportunity through our strategic partnership with ESPN.”

The “Boo-Yah!, A Celebration of Stuart Scott” cancer research event was held at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City on December 4, 2023. Hosted by Sage Steele, the event honored the legacy of Stuart Scott, former ESPN SportsCenter anchor who passed away of cancer in 2015.

“I would like to offer my tremendous thanks to J. Michael Prince and U.S. Polo Assn. for putting together such a special auction item,” said CEO, Shane Jacobson, V Foundation. “It’s very generous contributions like these that help us invest in the best and brightest scientists who are working on cancer treatments of the future and saving lives.”

To learn more about The Boo-Yah! and the V Foundation, please visit: v.org

About U.S. Polo Assn. & USPA Global

U.S. Polo Assn. is the official brand of the United States Polo Association (USPA), the non-profit governing body for the sport of polo in the United States and one of the oldest sports governing bodies, having been founded in 1890. With a multi-billion-dollar global footprint and worldwide distribution through over 1,200 U.S. Polo Assn. retail stores and thousands of department stores, sporting goods channels, independent retailers, and e-commerce, U.S. Polo Assn. offers apparel for men, women, and children, as well as accessories and footwear in more than 190 countries worldwide. U.S. Polo Assn. was named as one of the top global sports licensors alongside the NBA, NFL, and MLB, according to License Global. Visit uspoloassnglobal.com and follow @uspoloassn.

USPA Global is the for-profit subsidiary of the USPA and manages the global, multi-billion-dollar U.S. Polo Assn. brand, providing the sport with a long-term source of revenue. Through its subsidiary, Global Polo Entertainment (GPE), USPA Global also manages Global Polo TV, which provides sports and lifestyle content. A historic, multi-year, global arrangement between USPA Global and ESPN, now showcases many of the top championship polo games in the U.S., enabling millions of sports fans and consumers to enjoy the sport across ESPN’s broadcast and streaming platforms. For more sport content, visit globalpolo.com.

About the V Foundation for Cancer Research

The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. The V Foundation has funded over $353 million in game-changing cancer research grants nationwide through a competitive process strictly supervised by a world-class Scientific Advisory Committee. Because the V Foundation has an endowment to cover administrative expenses, 100% of direct donations are awarded to cancer research and programs. The V team is committed to accelerating Victory Over Cancer®. To learn more, visit v.org.

Contact Information

Stacey Kovalsky

VP Global PR and Communications

skovalsky@uspagl.com

+001.561.790.8036

Shannon Stilson

VP, Sports Marketing & Media

sstilson@uspagl.com

+001.561.227.6994

Samurai 2K Aerosol Selected for Forbes Asia Under a Billion List

SINGAPORE, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited (the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (SGX: Y8E), a manufacturer of automotive aerosol paints and aerosol solution specialist, today announced that it has been selected for inclusion in the list of best 200 companies in Forbes Asia’s annual “Best Under a Billion Dollars Award” for 2021. The event for winners to receive the award was only just recently held in Manila, The Philippines due to travel restrictions imposed during the Covid-19 pandemic. In its annual survey, companies are scored based on several financial performance metrics and chosen from a list of 20,000 firms. This list recognizes the top 200 publicly listed companies in the Asia Pacific region with sales between US$10 million to US$1 billion.

(L-R) Henry T. Sy Jr., Vice Chairperson of SM Investments Corporation, Ian Ong, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited, and Christopher Forbes, Vice Chairman of Forbes Media.

The list, which is unranked, measures the long-term performance of companies based on full- year annual results, and firms are scored based on their track record in debt, sales, earnings per share growth and average returns on equity. Selection criteria included quantitative as well as qualitative factors. Companies with serious governance issues, questionable accounting, environmental concerns, management issues or legal troubles were excluded.

In its financial results for the six months ended 30 September 2023, the Group recorded all-round improvement in its financials as compared with the same period last year.

(See: Financial Statements and Related Announcement::Half Yearly Results (sgx.com))

This was despite a challenging business environment dominated by international trade tensions, global geopolitics, and general slowdown in global economies.

One factor for the Company’s inclusion in the list is its low leverage and prudent financial discipline. The high-interest rate environment has resulted in increased costs for operations and finance, but the Company’s financial position remains robust even as it sticks to its strategy of creating shareholder value through R&D and technology innovations. The Company’s Total Debt /Equity Ratio for the past 3 years has remained below 1 and is accompanied by healthy Current Ratio and Cash Ratio.

Table 1 Samurai 2K Aerosol Liquidity and Leverage*

*Source: SI Station data

	FY2023	FY2022	FY2021
Total Debt/Equity	0.44	0.23	0.23

Current Ratio	2.35	2.39	2.58

Cash Ratio	1.11	1.54	1.84

Meanwhile, its groundbreaking 2K Technology for aerosol paints is approaching a take-off point as marketing footprints have been established in the large markets of USA, UK and India. Additionally, it has a slew of products and services based on proprietary technology that are coming into the market soon. Tintatek, a unique color-matching and color-mixing technology will be launched in First Quarter of Financial Year 2025.

The Company’s aerosol paints enable professional standard spray painting results to be achieved with great convenience. This has resulted in the sprouting of a new service: onsite professional spray painting services where users are optimally matched from a list of certified professional Samurai 2K aerosol painters on an online platform. Professional spray painting courses with certification recognized by the Malaysian government are also being conducted presenting a new revenue stream.

Ian Ong, Founder, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer of Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited

Ian Ong Yoke En, Founder, Executive Director & Chief Executive Officer sums up the investment merits of Samurai best when he says, “We are a creator of long-term shareholder value and our strong commitment to R & D brings forth a continuous stream of innovative products. At the same time, our complete digital transformation enables us to achieve scalability and economies of scale, and to move with great speed and efficiency to capture new business opportunities in the e-commerce world where geographical borders do not exist”

Mr Ong added, “But we always exercise financial discipline so that we can ride the ups and downs of the market while remaining focused on our spirit of Innovation.”

Issued by Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited

This press release has been reviewed by UOB Kay Hian Private Limited (the “Sponsor”).

This press release has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (“SGX-ST”) and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr Lance Tan, Senior Vice President, who can be contacted at 8 Anthony Road #01-01, Singapore 229957, telephone (65) 6590 6881

Reference:

https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Samurai%20Annoucement%20-%20ForbesAsia.ashx?App=Announcement&FileID=780254

About Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited (SGX: Y8E)

Samurai 2K Aerosol Ltd (“SAMURAI®”) has been listed on the Catalist Board of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”) since January 2017. SAMURAI® is a fully integrated aerosol specialist that focuses on the repainting business as well as aftermarket for the automotive refinishing and refurbishing industry.

SAMURAI® aims to be the world’s most respected innovative aerosol system provider and offer the most innovative aerosol systems with the best user enjoyment and to create more job opportunities for all the sprayers in the world.

SAMURAI® regional office is situated in Singapore while research, product development, branding and manufacturing are conducted in Malaysia. Samurai’s products are distributed worldwide to throughout Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Vietnam, Cambodia, UK, USA, Singapore, and India. Its range of products includes Truck Bed Liner, Epoxy Marine Surface Primer, Marine Coating, Boat Deck Granular Textured Epoxy Primer, Automobile Body Epoxy Primer etc. For more information, please visit our official website at www.samurai2kaerosol.com.

Media and Analysts Contact:
Samurai 2K Aerosol Limited
Ms. Saveena Prabakaran
Legal Cum Relation Executive
Email: saveena@samuraipaint.jp

Waterbrooks Consultants Pte Ltd
Mr. Wayne Koo
Tel: +65 9338 8166
Email: wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg
Email: query@waterbrooks.com.sg

AsiaPresswire Launches GTP-PRHelper AI Tool to Boost Hong Kong Crypto, DeFi Sector Productivity

HONG KONG, Dec 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – AsiaPresswire has introduced its new GTP-PRHelper AI writing, translation and distribution assistant aimed at supercharging productivity for press release distribution of Hong Kong‘s rapidly expanding cryptocurrency and decentralized finance (DeFi) space.

At the launch event in Hong Kong, AsiaPresswire Chief Technology Officer Bruce Wong demonstrated how GTP-PRHelper’s advanced natural language generation capacity can help local crypto firms, blockchain projects and other players boost efficiency and amplify global reach.

“As a prime gateway between East and West, Hong Kong has nurtured a thriving ecosystem of cryptocurrency exchanges, investors, tech startups and blockchain organizations over the past few years,” said Wong. “GTP-PRHelper provides the powerful automation these players need for more effective worldwide communications.”

GTP-PRHelper allows users to instantly create high-quality English, Chinese and multilingual press release drafts simply by inputting a desired headline and keywords. The AI writing assistant has been extensively optimized on millions of top-tier press releases to generate human-like content that meets global media publishing standards out-of-the-box.

“By automatically producing polished press release drafts within seconds, GTP-PRHelper frees up significant time for Hong Kong’s crypto and DeFi companies to focus resources on core business strategy rather than repetitive, manual content creation,” explained Wong. “It delivers a huge leap in productivity.”

Wong highlighted that GTP-PRHelper’s ability to instantly translate press releases into 21 languages makes it invaluable for reaching worldwide audiences in today’s globalized crypto and DeFi sector.

“GTP-PRHelper enables even early-stage startups in Hong Kong’s blockchain scene to efficiently distribute news and updates to media, investors and communities everywhere without language barriers,” he said. “The tool essentially levels the playing field for smaller firms looking to build global profile and recognition.”

The advanced natural language model behind GTP-PRHelper actually improves continuously by learning from real-world usage. “The more clients utilize our AI assistant for their press release needs, the more adept it becomes at accurately capturing specific brand voices and communication styles,” he said.

Wong added that GTP-PRHelper has built-in quality assurance capabilities to check and polish drafts for formatting, spelling, grammar and wordiness issues before distribution. “It provides an end-to-end solution for producing flawless, submission-ready press releases in a streamlined automated workflow,” he explained.

Preliminary feedback from crypto and DeFi companies testing GTP-PRHelper has been overwhelmingly positive. “The response we received from initial users is very encouraging, with practitioners praising the tool’s ability to completely eliminate repetitive manual tasks and infinitely scale high-quality output,” said Wong.

“One venture capital firm told us that GTP-PRHelper enabled them to increase press release output by up to 8 times while significantly enhancing consistency,” he revealed. “They plan to utilize the AI assistant to accelerate publicity cycles for their portfolio companies, which is fantastic validation.”

Looking ahead, Wong believes GTP-PRHelper has enormous potential for opening up public relations opportunities to a wider segment of Hong Kong’s booming crypto and blockchain community. “By drastically slashing the time and cost barriers of professional content production, our AI assistant makes PR more operationally and financially accessible for early-stage startups and lesser-known industry players,” he said.

Summing up the Hong Kong launch, Wong reiterated that GTP-PRHelper is set to bring transformative changes to workflows for crypto public relations, marketing and communications professionals based in the city. “We are excited to see how this innovation can shape earned media outcomes and amplify global perception of Hong Kong as Asia’s premier crypto and blockchain hub,” he concluded.

About AsiaPresswire

AsiaPresswire provides press release distribution solutions for PR firms, agencies, organizations and corporations. Their team of PR, SEO and linking experts help clients use online communications strategically to achieve business goals through planned PR programs. They advise clients on online communication issues affecting reputation and prospects. AsiaPresswire distributes news to media, clipping services, news aggregators and social networks worldwide. They utilize creative communication tools, talent, expertise and resources to deliver value. To learn more about GPT-PRHelper and how it will help Hong Kong’s Crypto and DeFi firms in PR distribution, visit https://www.asiapresswire.com

Media Contact

Alex Austin, head of support team

support@asiapresswire.com

https://www.asiapresswire.com