Indonesia Investment Forum 2023: Sustainable projects attract English Investors

LONDON, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Indonesia Investment Promotion Center (IIPC) London, in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) and the local representation of Bank Indonesia, once again hosted the Indonesia Investment Forum (IIF) 2023 in London, UK, on October 5, 2023.

Thirteen sustainable investment projects in sectors such as energy, industry, electric vehicles, tourism, infrastructure, transportation, mining, and digitization were presented during the business matching session at IIF 2023. These projects managed to pique the interest of approximately 20 investors from London and the surrounding regions.

Participating virtually, Minister of Investment/Head of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia recognized the global economic uncertainty and slowdown, emphasizing Indonesia has maintained positive economic growth of 5.31% in the second quarter of 2023, with inflation remaining below 4%. This achievement is attributable to the significant contribution of investments, making Indonesia the second-largest investment destination in Southeast Asia.

“I invite our friends from the U.K. to be part of this development process. You have the technology, markets, and financial capabilities, while Indonesia possesses abundant natural resources, extensive territory, and market penetration potential worldwide. Come to Indonesia, bring your technology, and we will handle the licensing,” said Bahlil in his address.

Nurul Ichwan, Deputy for Investment Promotion at the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, participated as a panelist in a discussion titled ‘Powering Up: Advancing Sustainable Infrastructure, Financial Sustainability, and Investment in Indonesia.’ She discussed the progress and efforts of the Ministry of Investment/BKPM in advancing investment projects, especially in renewable energy, sustainable investment, and the development of the electric vehicle ecosystem in Indonesia.

“The IIPC London office serves as the main contact point for our British and European investor friends interested in our sustainable projects,” Nurul emphasized.

Several ready-to-offer sustainable investment projects presented by the Ministry of Investment/BKPM include the Electric Motor Industry for Electric Vehicles in Bekasi, West Java; Integrated Charging Station Facility in South Jakarta, DKI Jakarta; Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, and Lebak, Banten; as well as the Bioethanol Industry in Bojonegoro, East Java, with a total estimated investment value of USD 276 million.

Additionally, the project for the development of the Super Priority Tourism Destination (DPSP) Toba Caldera Resort by the Lake Toba Authority Implementation Agency (BPODT) was offered with an estimated investment value of USD 1.7 billion. Indonesian Ambassador Desra Percaya, Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo, and Minister of State for the Investment Security Unit Nusrat Ghani were also present and delivered speeches at the opening of IIF 2023, with the theme “Fostering Sustainable Growth Through Green Investment and Digital Transformation.”

Prominent speakers from both Indonesia and the UK discussed potential economic cooperation between the two countries, including Richard Graham, the UK Trade Envoy to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and ASEAN; Lord Vaizey of Didcot, Chairman of the UK ASEAN Business Council; and Rino Donosepoetro, Chairman of the British Chamber of Commerce Indonesia. IIF 2023 was conducted in a hybrid format at the KBRI London office and was attended by more than 200 participants, including business leaders as well as senior banking and investment representatives.

According to data from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, the UK has been the second-largest European investor in Indonesia in the last five years after the Netherlands, for food crops, plantations, and livestock (24%); mining (20%); food industry (9%); chemical and pharmaceutical industry (8%); and hotels and restaurants (7%), with a total investment realization of more than USD 1.75 billion.

Further information is available via https://iif2023.indonesianembassy.org.uk/

Source: Ministry of Investment/BKPM

Hong Kong Electronics fairs raise curtain on Autumn tech bonanza

HONG KONG, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and electronicAsia, organised by the HKTDC and MMI Asia Pte Ltd, open today and will run till 16 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC). Industry professionals and buyers are welcome to visit and source at the fairs.

Prof Dong SUN, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, HKSAR Government, delivered opening remarks at the Symposium on Innovation & Technology

As businesses worldwide boost their application of innovation and technology, the fairs gather nearly 3,200 exhibitors from 22 countries and regions, generating global business opportunities. In addition to Hong Kong, the fairs also feature exhibitors from Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan and Korea as well as Southeast Asian countries such as Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore. European exhibitors include those from Denmark, France, Germany and Switzerland, as well as the United States. The extensive geographical reach of the shows demonstrates the industry’s enthusiasm for expanding opportunities through exhibition platforms and cements Hong Kong’s position as an international trade-fair hub.

The Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition) and electronicAsia opened today and will run till 16 October at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre

Themed New Tech. New Trend. New Lifestyle, the fair draws high-potential cutting-edge innovators such as Reefan International Limited (booth number: 1C-B02), which focuses on smart health-tech products; and Roadrover Technology (Hong Kong) Co., Limited (booth number: 1CON-016), a company that develops smart driving and automotive electronic solutions.

Start-up Zone gathers nearly 90 entrepreneurial firms, presenting innovative and promising products and solutions

The two fairs feature a plethora of exhibits. The old wing of the HKCEC showcases mainly technology products and services, including solutions utilising deep tech. Featured areas include the Tech Hall and Start-up Zone, which gathers nearly 90 start-up companies. The new wing of HKCEC will primarily showcase high-growth consumer electronic products. Highlight zones include the Hall of Fame and the debut Energy Storage Zone.

Innovative products and solutions featured at the fair include:

Wireless Charging Technology

Portable Wireless Phone Charging Case (iii Hong Kong Limited; booth number CH-D15): Weighing just 80 grams, this portable device allows for easy charging of phones and Bluetooth earphones through public USB ports while safeguarding against data theft. Importers of mobile phone products in the US and Singapore will soon start to manufacture this innovative product. Buyers from Dubai, the Czech Republic and Japan have reached out to the company through the HKTDC’s Click2Match smart business matching platform to schedule collaboration meetings during the fair.

Network Technology

Remote Control Machinery and Vehicle Solutions (eSIX Limited; booth number CH-A06): This network technology solution enables more efficient remote monitoring and control of machine operations. The related technological solutions have already been implemented in container terminals in Hong Kong and Shenzhen and a pilot project in Guangzhou is testing the remote control of autonomous vehicles.

Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT)

Fire Alarm System (FireAlert Limited; booth number CH-D01): Utilising thermal imaging cameras and wireless sensors, this system detects fire and smoke within buildings and pinpoints the fire.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI Detection Camera (CY Technology [International] Limited; booth number 5F-G05): The vision system detects pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in areas around the vehicle outside the driver’s line of sight. It provides real-time visual and audio alerts, notifying the driver of potential risks.

Robotics Technology

Underground Pipeline Robot (Bonbon-X Limited; booth number CH-C14): Equipped with infrared cameras, the robot is designed to replace workers in accessing underground pipelines to detect cracks and document the condition. It can also monitor gas concentration, temperature and humidity levels.

The concurrent electronicAsia presents featured zones with a wide range of exhibits, such as electronics parts and components, keyboards and switches, power supplies, printed circuit boards and EMS, display technology, test and inspection equipment and more. The fair has also attracted leading technology companies, including Guangdong Fenghua Advanced Technology Holding Co., Ltd (booth number 5B-A20), a production base of high-end components and electronic materials; and Chily Precision Industrial Co., Ltd (booth number 5B-F02), manufacturer of power switches and power sockets from Taiwan.

The organisers and partners are hosting more than 80 events and forums during the shows. The Symposium on Innovation & Technology, jointly organised by the HKTDC and Hong Kong Electronics & Technologies Association, was held today, with officiating guest Prof Dong SUN, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry delivering opening remarks. Themed Unlocking Possibilities: Harnessing AI for Innovation in Consumer Electronics, the symposium featured heavyweight speakers who shared insights on industry-related topics and explored applications and opportunities brought about by AI. The event garnered enthusiastic participation from experienced technology experts and industry professionals.

The Hong Kong Electronic Forum, organised by the HKTDC, MMI Asia Pte Ltd and the Hong Kong Electronic Industries Association, will be held tomorrow to explore multiple hot issues such as microelectronics ecosystem. The Reliability and Prognostics Health Management of Microelectronics Forum will be held on the closing day of the fairs.

Start-ups will promote innovative ideas at other events, including the Investment Matchmaking and Hong Kong Value Creation for Technology: Pitching Competition to invite support from investors. Additionally, they will seek advice from experts on business development at the Meet the Mentors event.

Under the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, exhibitors and buyers can meet online through the Click2Match smart business matching platform in addition to attending the physical fair, and participants from all industries and buyers are welcome to join.

Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3QgU7Pa

Websites

Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition): https://hkelectronicsfairae.hktdc.com electronicAsia: http://www.electronicasia.com Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition): https://hklightingfairae.hktdc.com Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo: https://hkotlexpo.hktdc.com

Media enquiries

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition)
electronicAsia
Frankie Leung, Tel: (852) 2584 4298, Email: frankie.cy.leung@hktdc.org
Janet Chan, Tel: (852) 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

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

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Was Selected As One Of The First Echelon Of Enterprises In The list of China’s Top 100 Pharmaceutical Innovative Enterprises in 2023

Hong Kong, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. (the “Company” or “Sihuan Pharmaceutical”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”, HKEX stock code: 0460) is pleased to announce that, Huisheng Biopharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. (“Huisheng Biopharmaceutical”), a non-wholly owned subsidiary of the Group, was selected as one of the first echelon of enterprises in The list of China’s Top 100 Pharmaceutical Innovative Enterprises in 2023.

The list of China’s Top 100 Pharmaceutical Innovative Enterprises in 2023 was released recently. The list is created by E Medicine Manager based on the patent data of Derwent Innovation of Clarivate Analytics and Cortellis(TM) competitive intelligence and clinical trial data, screening, integrating and analyzing the data through the selection system of “three dimensions and four indicators”. The list aims to explore innovation power for the industry, disseminate innovative experiences, and deeply analyze the innovation ability and sustainability of China’s pharmaceutical industry.

In 2018, an authoritative data released that China’s contribution to global pharmaceutical research and development increased to 4%-8%, second only to the United States and Japan, and entered the second echelon, indicating that China’s pharmaceutical innovation has entered the golden age.

Taking this as an opportunity, E Medicine Manager has selected the “China’s Top 100 Pharmaceutical Innovative Enterprises” representing the innovation strength of China’s pharmaceutical industry every year since 2019 through model building, data collection and sorting, starting from the current situation of pharmaceutical innovation, with the enterprise as the main body and the hard data as the support, evaluating the enterprises based on four indicators, namely the number of authorized patents, the total number of patents applied, the number of clinical trials and the number of innovative drugs approved and launched through the three dimensions of innovation foundation, innovation process and innovation achievements, so far this selection has been conducted for 5 years.

The Top 100 innovative enterprises are the first-tier enterprises that represent the pharmaceutical innovation capability of China and the core competitiveness of the industry, the backbone to promote the transformation and upgrading of China’s pharmaceutical industry. The listing of Sihuan Pharmaceutical as one of the first echelon of enterprises is the recognition of the Company’s innovation strength, technical reserve and sustainable innovation ability, and the affirmation of the Company’s outstanding contribution in the development of the pharmaceutical industry.

This year, Sihuan Pharmaceutical and its subsidiaries have received good news constantly. A number of its products have been approved for marketing, and clinical study has made significant progress and the research results have been selected into authoritative international academic conferences. In the future, we hope that Sihuan Pharmaceutical can continuously innovate and develop more and better Chinese drugs, promoting the development and growth of the pharmaceutical industry and serving the benefit of people’s health.

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd.

Founded in 2001 and listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited in 2010, Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group Ltd. (“Sihuan Pharmaceutical” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (HKEX: 0460) is an international medical aesthetic and biopharmaceutical company led and driven by innovation, with a leading independent production, and R&D technology platform, a rich global product pipeline and a mature and excellent sales system. Focusing on high-growth therapeutic areas such as medical aesthetics, oncology, metabolism, diabetes, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular, modern Chinese medicine and industrial hemp, it adheres to its overall strategic objective of “Adhering to the full-speed promotion of a two-wheeled strategy of Sihuan medical aesthetics and biopharmaceuticals” to build a leading medical aesthetics and biopharmaceutical company in China.

For more information about Sihuan Pharmaceutical, please visit the Company’s website at https://www.sihuanpharm.com/

Cornerstone Robotics Shines Bright at ELSA2023, Latest Robotics Technology Captivates Attention

Hong Kong, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Cornerstone Robotics (CSR or the Company) is a leading company in Chinese surgical robotics industry. We are delighted to share that the Founder and CEO of CSR, Professor Samuel Au, was invited to participate and deliver a speech at the 16th Asia-Pacific Congress of Endoscopic & Laparoscopic Surgeons of Asia 2023 (ELSA 2023) in Istanbul on 5-7th October.

Prof. Samuel Au delivered a speech on Surgical Robotics in the Future: Forging Accessibility in Robotic Surgery. With the rapid development of AI, imaging, and robotic technologies, robotic-assisted surgery has reshaped the landscape of medical diagnosis and treatment solutions. These technological breakthroughs allow better visualization, higher precision, and greater accessibility for minimally invasive surgery. In other words, robotic surgery has become increasingly accessible to more surgeons, benefiting patients worldwide.

Prof. Samuel Au is also the Director of Multi-Scale Medical Robotics Center (MRC), a world-class research hub standing at the forefront of global innovation. “MRC brings the worlds of medicine and robotics together, with a focus on technological innovation and a strong emphasis on clinical translation and direct patient benefits”, he remarked. The Center supports three research programs, namely endoluminal multi-scale robotic platforms for diagnostics and therapeutics, magnetic-guided endoluminal robotic platforms, and image-guided robotic interventions.

Founded in 2019, Cornerstone Robotics is committed to developing, producing, and distributing high-quality surgical robots. The company has assembled an international team of surgical robotics experts and clinical professionals from a diverse range of disciplines. To accelerate growth, CSR has established key innovation hubs in Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Boston.

In his speech, Prof. Samuel Au introduced the C1000 Endoscopic Surgical System, which was developed entirely in-house. Fitted with articulating instruments, the C1000 system enables operations to be performed with precision and dexterity. With the lightweight surgeon controls, tremor filtration, and motion smoothing techniques, surgeons can perform delicate and complex surgeries in confined spaces.

CSR and its cutting-edge technology have captivated attention and earned recognition among international experts. CSR aspires to be a global supplier of safe and efficient surgical robots. Fueled by its vision, the company is committed to forging accessibility in robotic surgeries and benefiting surgeons and patients worldwide.

The Future of Thai Content Shines Brightly with Thai Soft Power Enabling it to Travel the World

BANGKOK, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Over 150 industry leaders gathered in Bangkok for the Asia Video Industry Association’s (AVIA) Thailand in View conference, for a day of discussions centered around the State of Video in Thailand, the Supremacy of Content and Boosting Advertising Revenue, before closing off with a keynote address on the Big Picture.

There was much optimism on the future of video and content, with many speakers agreeing that it was indeed Thailand’s time on the world stage. In his welcome address, Sompan Charumilinda, Executive Vice Chairman, True Visions Group, said that in a world where content was resonating and spreading across borders, we’ve now seen the success of Asian, and Thai content, with its heritage of content production second to none.

Commissioner Pirongrong Ramasoota of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC), Thailand, expanded on the potential for Thailand, sharing that soft power was now a major national strategy, to address the lack of unified regulations and the lack of a strategic database of its creative and content centre, for effective policy execution. With 11 sectors to focus on, from film and gaming to fashion, although it was too early to predict its success, it was certainly a welcome direction. Commissioner Pirongrong also added that its key role was to regulate as well as promote the audio and video landscape, to make it fit for purpose in the digital age, economically, socially and culturally. With the strength of the Thai industry lying in the diversity of its content, the NBTC was also looking to promote content that reflected diversity and cultural uniqueness, and with the potential to be coproduced with other countries as well.

Content was also a key focus for the streaming platforms. Kanokporn-Jay Prachayaset, Country Manager, WeTV Thailand, Tencent Thailand, shared that while growth has slowed down post pandemic, WeTV remained optimistic, pursuing local originals more aggressively, and taking another step into producing original variety content. And for both iQIYI and WeTV, AI was already in play, increasing efficiencies and cost reductions, with Parnsuk (Poppy) Tongrob, Country Director for Thailand, iQIYI, adding that “iQIYI is AI presented by creative talent.”

Winradit (Win) Kolasastraseni, President, Digital Media, True Digital Group, also said that production was not just for the Thai audience, but for a global audience. However, what you do next after investing in local content was key, with a need to increase the value creation upstream to further downstream in distribution and monetization. “People are now recognizing that Thai can be a Korean option, or even a better version,” said Win.

For Danny Chung, Head of Talent and Content Development, THEBLACKSEA, there were technical hurdles that needed to be overcome such as infrastructure and government assistance, which was essential to the growth of Korean content and culture to the world. While there was no lack of content, there also needed to be the exchange of opportunity. “Neighbours within Asia have their own strengths and weaknesses, we can help each other, and give our pool of talent global visibility and the platform to access the rest of the world,” said Chung.

However, with piracy remaining a scourge in Thailand, Sirapat Vajraphai, Director of Copyright Office, Department of Intellectual Property (DIP), Thailand, placed emphasis on public awareness to understand the importance of copyright to reduce copyright theft. The general population has to understand that it is illegal and hurting the ecosystem and the creative economy, and ultimately hurting the consumer. And with creative content changing at a very fast rate and moving into streaming, what the DIP is doing is to enhance the fundamentals to match what is changing, and trying to change the law to place special emphasis on the rights of actors and how they can be better protected for streaming and online.

Expanding on the topic of Showcasing Thai Soft Power to the World, Surin Krittayaphongphun, President of TV Business and Executive Director, BEC World, said that soft power was very important for the entertainment industry and for its content to travel the world, and soft power was the weapon to bring more visitors in and showcase the country as well. For Birathon Kasemsri Na Ayudhaya, Chief Content Strategy, Investment & Partnership Officer, CP Group and True Corporation, soft power was about building brand love for Thailand. “Soft power is created by emotional value and emotional connection and video is the intersection of every form of emotional communication,” he added.

However not all video was perceived equally, as shown in the results of AVIA’s Thailand consumer research on usage and attitudes towards mass and premium OTT platforms, presented by AVIA CEO, Louis Boswell. Although mass platforms, such as social media and user-generated content, marginally outperformed premium OTT at the category level in terms of having high quality content, this result was driven mainly by two high volume UGC platforms. When looked at as individual services, 7 of the top 10 platforms ranked as having the highest quality content were premium OTT. Furthermore, when it came to the highest attention levels, 6 of the top 10 services were premium OTT. And for video platforms that Thai consumers would recommend, 7 of the top 10 platforms were premium OTT.

For Rathakorn Surbsuk, Head of Addressable TV Solution – Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam Cluster, GroupM Nexus, premium was not just talking about the price, but also the quality of content, and a safe environment for brands, with content produced by professionals. Said Surbsuk, “Clients can open their stores anywhere, but they would choose the right environment and the premium location that offers quality. . . in order to differentiate themselves from competitors and position themselves in the right place that reflects positively for the brand.” He also predicted that in 3 years’ time, the level of spending on premium OTT will grow five-fold.

Closing off the conference with his view on the future of content was Group Chief Executive Officer of The One Enterprise, Takonkiet Viravan. For Viravan, each project had to have a different balance between commercial and art to be successful, and it was becoming more and more important today, as you could no longer depend just on local advertising. With the need to go international, the content should be Thai as the selling point, but the execution and the style of storytelling needed to skew more towards western and international preferences, as a good balance. Although it was more of a challenge, it also gave more opportunities to tell different stories that appealed to different people, he said. “You have to know your product and know which demographic it will appeal to. You have to put it where the viewers are,” added Viravan. And with the strong ecosystem that One Enterprise had as a content creator and distribution channel, coupled with the launch of their own OTT platform, OneD, producing their own originals to attract the streaming audience, Viravan remained cautiously optimistic for the future.

Thailand in View is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors True Visions and True Visions Now, and Silver SponsorsA+E Networks Asia, Akamai, NAGRA and PubMatic

Link here for a selection of photos from the event. Visit the event website for more details and photos.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:

Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia | Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

Embracing the True Spirit of Decentralization: Shiba Classic – Your New Haven!

NEW YORK, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The idea of decentralization has taken front stage in the fast-paced world of cryptocurrencies, promising a more equitable, inclusive, and transparent financial environment. Not all projects, nevertheless, have adhered to these guidelines. Enter Shiba Classic (SHIBC), a game-changer with a team that has a track record of success taking projects from $0 to $100 million. Shiba Classic is an example of what decentralization stands for. The Shiba Classic crew is now all in and prepared to cause a stir in the DeFi community.

Unveiling Shiba Classic – A True Beacon of Hope

Shiba Classic is more than just another cryptocurrency; it’s a symbol of our unwavering commitment to the core principles of decentralization. We’ve assembled a highly successful development team, known for their astounding achievement in taking $PAW to $100 million, and they’ve chosen Shiba Classic as their new playground. With this accomplished team on board, we are ready to lead the charge for a DeFi revolution.

Fighting Deception and Championing Integrity

In recent times, the crypto space has witnessed some projects deviate from the fundamental values of decentralization, falling prey to personal gain. The Shiba Classic is here to turn the tide. We stand united against deception, committed to upholding what is right.

With Shiba Classic, you can place your trust in a project that embodies the very essence of decentralization. We encourage each and every individual to make the wise choice, aligning themselves with a genuine movement dedicated to empowering the people and safeguarding their rights.

The Power of Community and Transparency

At Shiba Classic, we firmly believe that we are at our strongest when we stand together. Our community is built upon a rock-solid foundation rooted in the heart of DeFi. We are steadfast in our commitment to transparency and fairness, ensuring that every participant has an equal opportunity to thrive.

We invite you to be a part of this thrilling journey toward the true spirit of decentralization. Together, we will bring trust and integrity back to the DeFi space.

In a cryptocurrency landscape where trust has been tested, Shiba Classic emerges as the beacon of hope, standing firmly on the principles of decentralization and the interests of the people. Unlike its predecessor, where some investors experienced financial setbacks, Shiba Classic (SHIBC) is here to protect and empower the community. With a commitment to transparency, integrity, and community-driven progress, $SHIBC shines as the new haven designed for the people, by the people, inviting all to partake in a brighter and more secure decentralized future.

Tokenomics

Shiba Classic’s tokenomics speak to our unwavering commitment to the cause. We’ve taken the step of burning LP and implementing a tax-free system, ensuring that our community members can maximize their investments.

In a world where actions speak louder than words, Shiba Classic stands poised to lead the way toward a more decentralized future for all. Choose wisely, align yourself with a project that champions the people and their empowerment.

Join Shiba Classic and become a part of the decentralized revolution!

About Shiba Classic

Shiba Classic (SHIBC) is a decentralized cryptocurrency project committed to upholding the true principles of decentralization. With a track record of successful development, we’re a beacon of hope in the world of DeFi. Our mission is to empower the community and restore trust and integrity to the DeFi space.

Website: https://classicshib.com/

Contact Details:
Zoina Shaikh
zoina@hodlpr.com

WARC Digital Commerce introduces Category Insights series with new Beauty & Personal Care report

LONDON, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The $430bn global beauty market is at the vanguard of innovation in e-commerce. From experimenting with video content to addressing consumer concerns about wellness, sustainability and diversity, brands are becoming skilled at selling personalized products in a virtual world.

Debuting with a report on Beauty & Personal Care published today, Category Insights is a new series from WARC Digital Commerce exploring the current state of a category from the perspective of the retailer, the consumer and the brand.

Gregory Grudzinski, Report Editor, WARC Digital Commerce, says: “In the virtual world of digital commerce, the Beauty & Personal Care category is a hotbed of marketing innovation. Successful brands are going beyond helping consumers improve their appearances to helping them discover and reveal their authentic selves.

“In this report we shed light on trends in this space, such as premiumization and the outsized influence Gen Z shoppers have on the category. We also look at top performers and share gainers to help understand how the top brands plan to stay on top, and how challenger brands are looking to unseat them.”

Beauty & Personal Care category is recession resistant and growing

In 2022, the global beauty market, encompassing beauty, personal care and fragrance, generated $430bn in revenue, and is forecast to grow 6% annually to reach $580bn worldwide by 2027, according to McKinsey. Largely resistant to inflationary pressures, only 13% of US consumers have reduced spending on personal care items in the past 12 months.

Also in 2022, e-commerce became the beauty category’s leading channel, claiming nearly a quarter (21%) of sales.

Category leaders increase paid retail media investment to stay ahead of competition

Analysis of WARC’s dComm Index, in conjunction with Perpetua’s sales estimates, found that in the US, brands including Maybelline New York, Lume and Versace are among the top category performers on Amazon. Their success has been underpinned by investment in retail media to increase paid share of voice (SOV) to stay ahead of their competitors.

In makeup and fragrance, 60% of the top selling brands increased paid SOV, with an average increase of 1.7% and 0.9%. The paid investment fueled an increase in organic share-of-voice in both makeup and fragrance of 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively.

Enhanced product content is key

Content, a core constituent of the WARC dComm Index, is key to driving sales. In its ‘2023 Consumer Research’ report, Salsify found 55% of surveyed consumers won’t purchase items with bad product content. Top brands have responded with the use of “enhanced product content”, which provides a more immersive and informative experience for online shoppers.

Following improvements to its product display pages (PDP), Amazon is set to overtake Walmart as the top US beauty retailer by 2025, with a 14.5% share of a market that could hit $180bn in value by 2025, according to analysis by Morgan Stanley.

Premiumization, social selling and the rising importance of sustainability and diversity are key consumer trends in the Beauty & Personal Care category

One of the biggest trends in Beauty & Personal Care is the emergence of “premiumization” – promoting unique product attributes to enhance the perceived value of a brand. Products marketed as “premium” are projected to grow annually by 8% between 2022 and 2027, according to McKinsey. By comparison, mass market beauty products are growing at 5% annually.

TikTok has become instrumental in elevating the premiumization concept, particularly among younger consumers. According to Voyado 73% of Gen Z are prepared to spend more on premium products.

A surge of new beauty brands that cater specifically to communities of color have raised expectations for all brands to create inclusive shade ranges. Kate Palmer, Insights Manager at Edge by Ascential, comments: “In the e-commerce space, I think there is still room to grow in helping customers find the right shade match for their skin. This is notoriously difficult to do online.”

Gen Z’s heightened sustainability awareness, where overconsumption is avoided, means younger consumers may be looking more toward consolidated beauty routines composed of brands and products they feel ethically connected to.

Category Insights is a new series of reports exclusive to WARC Digital Commerce subscribers. Published twice quarterly, they explore the current state of a product category and brand performance using proprietary WARC Digital Commerce dComm Index data. Each report includes actionable insights supported with evidence, examples and expert opinion.

A complimentary sample of Category Insights: Beauty & Personal Care is available to all here.

About WARC – The global authority on marketing effectiveness

For over 35 years, WARC has been powering the marketing segment by providing rigorous and unbiased evidence, expertise and guidance to make marketers more effective. Across four pillars – WARC Strategy, WARC Creative, WARC Media, WARC Digital Commerce – its services include 100,000+ case studies, best practice guides, research papers, special reports, advertising trend data, news & opinion articles, as well as awards, events and advisory services. WARC operates out of London, New York, Singapore and Shanghai, servicing a community of over 75,000 marketers in more than 1,300 companies across 100+ markets and collaborates with 50+ industry partners.

WARC is an Ascential company. Ascential delivers specialist information, analytics, events and eCommerce optimisation to the world’s leading consumer brands and their ecosystems. Our world-class businesses improve performance and solve customer problems by delivering immediately actionable information and visionary longer-term thinking across Digital Commerce, Product Design, Marketing and Retail & Financial Services.

With more than 3,800 employees across five continents, we combine local expertise with a global footprint for clients in over 120 countries. Ascential is listed on the London Stock Exchange.

About WARC Digital Commerce

WARC Digital Commerce uncovers what works in the rapidly-changing world of retail media and e-commerce with examples, evidence and expertise to inform strategic planning and improve business outcomes.

For further information, please contact:
Amanda Benfell
Head of PR & Press, WARC
amanda.benfell@warc.com
www.warc.com

JustMarkets Unveils Upgraded Introducing Broker (IB) Program

NEW YORK, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – JustMarkets, a globally recognized brokerage firm, has proudly launched its upgraded Introducing Broker (IB) program. This program has been recently distinguished as the Best IB program 2023 by Money Expo and signifies JustMarkets’ unyielding commitment to innovation and beneficial partnerships.

The refreshed IB Program is a continuation of JustMarkets’ decade-long promise: reliability, global excellence, and ongoing expansion. At the heart of this program is a six-level structure, ranging from ‘Partner’ to the exclusive ‘Brilliant Partner’. As partners climb these levels, they unlock remarkable benefits such as enhanced commissions, access to the innovative Subpartner Program, and personal Key Account Management (KAM) services.

A partner’s level is defined by the trading volume generated by their referrals over a three-month span. Achieving the next level’s criteria means partners are automatically upgraded the very next day. Furthermore, every month starts with JustMarkets diligently reviewing and adjusting partner tiers.

A standout feature for newcomers is the 3-month boost period. In this phase, the trading volume from referrals is tripled, letting new partners scale the levels at triple the speed. This booster initiates as soon as their first client comes on board.

Key Highlights of the Program:

– Enhanced Commission: Partners can earn up to a remarkable $25 per lot.

– Additional Monthly Rewards: Potential to gain up to $2,000 monthly for onboarding new clients and enhancing trading volumes of existing clients.

– Automated Rebate System: Seamless sharing of rewards with referrals.

– Competitive Spreads: Low and stable spreads, particularly on sought-after instruments like gold.

– Swap-free Trading: This feature has been democratized for all traders, irrespective of their religious beliefs.

– Gap Protection: A cutting-edge feature to prevent slippages.

As always, JustMarkets remains committed to clarity and convenience. The Partner Area allows partners to effortlessly manage accounts, view revenue stats, handle rebates, and customize partner links. Their mission remains unchanged: “To create a convenient and transparent trading environment so that everyone can reach their full investment potential.”

To delve deeper into the myriad of offerings in the updated IB program by JustMarkets, kindly visit their official website.

About JustMarkets

JustMarkets has not only etched its name as a globally celebrated brokerage but has also garnered significant accolades such as Best Broker in Asia for 2022 and 2023, Best Broker in Africa 2023, and Best Forex Trading Platform 2022. Their relentless commitment to partner growth, unwavering dedication, and consistent excellence set them apart. Furthermore, JustMarkets champions the ethos of transparent operations and prioritizes every partner’s growth journey. Ensuring utmost trust and reliability, JustMarkets is fully regulated and licensed by leading authorities including FSA, CySEC, FSC, and FSCA.

Social Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JustMarketsCom
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/justmarketsofficial/
Telegram: https://t.me/JustMarketsOfficial
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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustMarketsComOfficial

Media Contact
JustMarkets
Media team
Email: support@justmarkets.com
Website: https://justmarkets.com/

ASEAN Disability Forum 2023 produces Makassar Recommendations for Persons with Disabilities

Makassar, Indonesia, Oct 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The ASEAN Disability Forum has produced the “Makassar Recommendations” to strengthen commitment to empowering persons, realizing inclusivity, and elevating the dignity of persons with disabilities. These Recommendations waere produced at the ASEAN High Level Forum on Disability Inclusive Development and Partnership beyond 2025 in Makassar on 10-12 October 2023.

The Recommendations were submitted after the participating ASEAN member countries led by Indonesia formulated a draft recommendation. The forum attended by around 200 participants, was one of a series of ASEAN Summits under the chairmanship of Indonesia. Apart from ASEAN member countries, there were also participants from the United States, England, Australia, as well as from the ASEAN Secretariat, various organizations for persons with disabilities, the ASEAN Disability Forum and various other partners.

The participants jointly formulated innovative strategies to realize socio-regional inclusiveness, empower persons with disabilities, and strengthen partnerships. The Forum hopes that ASEAN will become the epicentrum of sustainable growth of inclusiveness.

Following two days of deliberations, 10 recommendations were finally produced and named the “Makassar Recommendations”. These recommendations were read out by Commissioner of the National Commission on Disabilities (KND) Eka Pratama before the closing of the forum on Wednesday, 11 October 2023.

The Makassar Recommendations (10):

First, accelerating the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterplan 2025 by mainstreaming the rights of persons with disabilities in ASEAN cooperation.

Second, further support the review and report on the implementation of the ASEAN Enabling Masterpan 2025 by including the participation of persons with disabilities.

Third, ensuring disability inclusive development as a fundamental part of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.

Fourth, encouraging ASEAN Dialogue Partners to mainstream empowerment and rights of persons with disabilities through collaboration with ASEAN, including in providing disability inclusive infrastructure.

Fifth, provide more innovative social welfare and development policies to empower and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.

Sixth, increase joint efforts to ensure equal participation and access for persons with disabilities in public services and eliminate barriers to stigma and discrimination such as education, health, employment.

Seventh, strengthen efforts to provide better and more inclusive disability data.

Eighth, strengthening access to supporting technology based on appropriate needs to increase access to inclusive education, health interventions, employment, and entrepreneurship.

Ninth, strengthens public understanding and awareness regarding persons with disabilities and their rights, as well as countering negative perceptions, and encouraging mutual respect and understanding.

Tenth, encourages the business sector to commit to promoting and implementing disability-inclusive business models and value chains, as well as supporting better access for persons with disabilities to employment, including as entrepreneurs.

Besides conveying 10 recommendations, participants from ASEAN countries also expressed their appreciation to Indonesian government, especially Ministry of Social Affairs for conducting ASEAN High Level Forum.

Disability Inclusive

In her closing speech, Minister of Social Affairs Tri Rismaharini said that disability inclusion is an approach, a perspective that needs to become mainstream in all sectors, including education, health, employment, political-security, trade and investment.

“Disability inclusive development requires collaboration and not working separately. The government, private sector and organizations of persons with disabilities must synergize and work together,” said the Minister.

The Minister also emphasized the need to strengthen the availability of disability data, so that appropriate policies and interventions can be made. Minister of Social Affairs also emphasized that entrepreneurship and advancing technology and innovation are real efforts to empower persons with disabilities and increase their independence.

No less important, the Minister emphasized, “All parties must work together to increase public awareness so that people do not see disability as a handicap. Society will see that persons with disabilities can also contribute and play an important role in society.”

Tendi Gunawan of the International Labor Organization (ILO) Jakarta said that currently there is still employment discrimination against persons with disabilities. However, if given the opportunity, persons with disabilities also have the same abilities.

Angkie Yudistia, Special Staff to the President of the Republic of Indonesia, said that all persons with disabilities can live independently. “It remains for all parties to work together to provide opportunities and trust for persons with disabilities to work,” she said.

Source: Minister of Social Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia

Society Pass Inc (Nasdaq: SOPA) Announces Equity Line of up to $40 Million to Invest into Operating Subsidiaries Projected to Go Public in 2024

NEW YORK, Oct 12, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Society Pass Inc. (Nasdaq: SOPA) (“SoPa” or the “Company”), Southeast Asia’s (SEA) next generation, data-driven, loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem, announced that it entered into a structured financing agreement for an equity line of credit with Strattners FZCO (“Strattners”) to efficiently access capital.

SoPa shall have the right, but not the obligation, to sell to Strattners up to $40,000,000 of SoPa’s common stock at SoPa’s request over the next 36 months, subject to certain limitations. For instance, the amount that may be sold under the agreement will be subject to Instruction I.B.6 to Form S-3, which is referred to as the “baby shelf rules”. When the Company’s public float is less than $75,000,000, it may not sell more than the equivalent of one-third of its public float during any twelve consecutive months pursuant to the baby shelf rules. The shares of the Company’s common stock will be issued at a 6% discount to the lowest volume-weighted average price during the three trading days following the date of the Company’s request.

Raynauld Liang, CEO of SoPa, explained, “By raising this capital from Strattners, without paying large commissions and fees, we will generate shareholder value by efficiently deploying such capital into our operating subsidiaries, such as our spinout candidates, Thoughtful Media Group Inc and NusaTrip Inc.” Mr. Liang continued, “This financing strategy also allows us to opportunistically invest in acquisitions as well as bolster our working capital and shall be used judiciously when market conditions for our common stock are favorable.”

About Society Pass Inc.

Founded in 2018 as a data-driven loyalty, fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) is an acquisition-focused holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its signature Society Pass fintech platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa’s data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.6 million registered consumers and over 650,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; VLeisure, Vietnam’s leading provider of hotel management and payment solutions; Gorilla Global, a Singapore-based, mobile network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam’s leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; and NextGen Retail, a Indonesia-based e-commerce platform.

For more information on Society Pass, please visit:
Website at https://www.thesocietypass.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/societypass or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thesocietypass or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/society_pass or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/societypass/.

About Thoughtful Media Group Inc.

Founded in 2010, Thoughtful Media Group is the leading digital advertising platform in SEA. Through our network of more than 10,000 talented creators across multiple industries in Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Philippines, we help brands maximise marketing budgets and achieve business objectives through some of the most innovative marketing campaigns in the region.

In July 2022, Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA), the next generation acquisition-focused fintech and e-commerce ecosystem in SEA, acquired Thoughtful Media Group Inc. Since then, TMG has fully evolved into a digital-first and fully integrated advertising powerhouse, servicing creators and advertisers in SEA.

For more information on TMG, please visit:
Website at www.thoughtfulmedia.com or
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/thoughtful-media-group-inc or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thoughtfulmedia/ or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/thoughtfulmediaasia or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/ThoughtfulMedia.

About NusaTrip

Founded in 2013, NusaTrip is a Jakarta, Indonesia-based, IATA-licensed online travel agency that serves both local and global customers and partners by optimizing cutting-edge technology and providing 24/7 customer-centric support team-as-a-service. With its first mover advantage, NusaTrip has onboarded +1.2 million registered users, +500 airlines and +650,000 hotels around the world as well as connected with over 80 million unique visitors.

NusaTrip is now an integral member of Society Pass (Nasdaq: SoPa) ecosystem.

For more information on NusaTrip, please visit:
Website at https://www.nusatrip.com.
LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/nusatrip/ or
Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/nusatrip/ or
Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/nusatrip.travel or
Twitter at https://twitter.com/nusatrip.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this press release are forward-looking statements. When used in this press release, words such as “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “intend” and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management team, identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs of management, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, the Company’s management. Actual results could differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of certain factors detailed in the Company’s filings with the SEC. All subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are qualified in their entirety by this paragraph. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company’s registration statement and prospectus relating to the Company’s initial public offering filed with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

Media Contact:
Rokas Sidlauskas
Chief Marketing Officer
rokas@thesocietypass.com