Hong Kong International Licensing Show creates cross-industry business opportunities

The Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Asian Licensing Conference concluded today, having drawn some 320 exhibitors bringing more than 550 brands and licensing projects.
At the Asian Licensing Conference, some 30 representatives from the global licensing sector engaged in profound discussions on industry hot topics
Issues raised included the ever-evolving global industry trends, sustainable development, the empowering potential of generative AI, the emergence of new forces in licensing, and innovative marketing strategies.
Young brands featured through the Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme, while MS FATTY maker Plastic Thing Limited was showcased

HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The curtains fell on the annual flagship event of Asia’s licensing industry, Hong Kong International Licensing Show (HKILS), today after the three-day event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), drawing over 320 exhibitors and showcasing an extensive array of more than 550 brands and licensing projects.

At the concurrent Asian Licensing Conference (ALC), some 30 esteemed global licensing leaders engaged in profound discussions on industry hot topics, including the ever-evolving global industry trends, sustainable development, the empowering potential of generative AI, the emergence of new forces in licensing, and innovative marketing strategies. The two events provided a platform for business development across regions and industries, creating business opportunities for participants and promoting the development of IP trading in the region.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Dr Patrick Lau said: “Under the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong has been supported by the Central Government to develop into a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre. As an international business hub and sourcing platform, Hong Kong has been a trading centre for all types of IPs for many years, helping to promote the development of IP trading in the region. Licensing is an important part of IP trading and Hong Kong is one of the most developed and mature licensing markets in Asia. We are pleased to see that licensing has a wide range of applications and product categories, including not only the traditional characters, but also different areas such as arts, cultural and creative industries, sports and lifestyle sectors. Development of AI technologies will expand the quantity of creative digital content and generate enormous demand for and supply of branded, licensed content, further accelerating the already rapid growth of the industry.”

This year ALC focused on legal risks brought by generative AI and the sustainable development of IP licensing.

HKILS launched a new initiative “Reimagining The Classics”, which mesmerised attendees with the harmonious fusion of creative IP projects and renowned Hong Kong brands. Dr Lau emphasised that classic brands hold profound cultural value, and through strategic licensing partnerships, vitality can be injected into these iconic entities. “Reimagining The Classics” aimed to reignite boundless imagination for these timeless brands.

Hong Kong as a key brand licensing platform

The Design Licensing and Business (DLAB) Support Scheme also returned to HKILS this year, featuring 45 local brands with creative designs. On the other hand, Plastic Thing Limited, a Hong Kong-based company specialising in IP licensing, showcased their unique perspective as vibrant young brands. Their acclaimed IP MS FATTY has frequently collaborated with renowned institutions and shopping malls. Yip Kim Kwan, Director of Plastic Thing Limited, said: “HKILS provides a cost effective platform for young local brands to showcase their works to the world. These young brands have made significant contributions to the licensing industry in Hong Kong, and in recent years, there has been a growing number of creators entering the industry.” During the three-day exhibition, Mr Yip said they have received numerous inquiries from potential buyers and are already in discussions for collaborations. “The responses from buyers have been very positive, and we are currently following up on the details.”

Hong Kong serves as a bridge for the licensing industry in the world. Witnessing a surge in local brand development and licensing projects, the city has also attracted numerous international licensors and licensing agents to set up offices in Hong Kong. Moreover, renowned global licensors have been keen to partner with Hong Kong-based licensing agents, leveraging their expertise to unlock business opportunities across Asia.

Prominent HKILS exhibitor CAA Brand Management specialises in facilitating the expansion of diverse brands across various consumer-product categories and geographic regions. Elaine Chiu, Executive Vice President of the group, said: “Hong Kong provides an effective platform for licensing professionals and clients from diverse Asian countries to connect and foster meaningful exchanges. This exhibition has been instrumental in our exploration of diverse business opportunities, which are currently in the negotiation phase. These opportunities span various sectors, including trendy collectible models and experiential activities, which align closely with the primary target audience of CAA.”

Shusaku Watanabe, Manager of Chocolate Inc., a buyer from Japan appreciated the business platform HKILS creates. He said: “Through business matching services arranged by HKTDC, I met and identified a variety of new IPs from Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. I am going to explore collaboration with them for the Japanese market.”

Art and cultural Licensing continue to expand

This year’s HKILS once again welcomed Raistlin Lau, Hong Kong SAR Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, as the guest of honour at the opening ceremony. During his address, he stated: “With our proximity to the Mainland, and strategic location at the heart of Asia, Hong Kong has been affirmed by many international licensors, and licensing as the strategic base for expanding their businesses in Asia and a launch pad to tap into the Mainland market. We welcome all licensing professionals to utilise the business expansion platform offered by the HKILS to not only establish contacts but also exchange ideas and thoughts behind innovation.”

The importance of art and cultural licensing continues to rise and become an undeniable global trend. Museum-inspired creative products utilising cultural assets have become significant business opportunities globally in recent years.

Sichuan Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism brought more than 30 intangible cultural heritage, and cultural and creativity unit from across the province to the HKILS, showcasing more than 100 IP licensing projects and exchanging with exhibitors and buyers from all over the world. Some exhibitors have reached licensing deals with an amount of more than RMB3 million

In the ever-evolving realm of creativity, visionary creators not only revolutionise the licensing industry with their innovative ideas and forms but also strive to unravel the secrets to commercialise and market their creative endeavours. Anita Tantasirin, Director and Co-founder of Arwama Company Limited, shared her invaluable insights during the Licensing Academy session of ALC, shedding light on how licensing can unlock a plethora of business opportunities. With conviction, she stated: “We have encountered various potential clients at the exhibition, primarily from Asia. We have engaged with chain stores and malls and are also open to collaborations with hotels, theme parks and exhibitions. Although we expect the industry future will be challenging, passion is the key to the IP’s success”

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3QL7Fmf

Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (centre) and Raistlin Lau, Hong Kong SAR Under Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism (second from right) officiated the opening ceremony of the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and the Asian Licensing Conference on Saturday (27 April).

This year’s Hong Kong International Licensing Show showcased more than 550 brands and licensing projects, featuring top global licensors and licensing agents

Plastic Thing Limited participated in the Hong Kong International Licensing Show and Director Yip Kim Kwan together with the operators of rising Asian IPs spoke at the Asian Licensing Conference to discuss strategies for unlocking opportunities through licensing.

The Asian Licensing Conference session China Opportunity centred around mutually beneficial developments between China and the world, while exploring the potential and licensing opportunities in the cultural industry.

The Hong Kong International Licensing Show featured pavilions from different countries and regions, including the Japan Pavilion.

Websites
Hong Kong International Licensing Show:
https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en
Asian Licensing Conference: https://www.hktdc.com/event/hklicensingshow/en/programme?category=all&date=all
HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en

Media enquiries
For more information, please contact Raconteur:
Molisa Lau, Tel: (852) 6187 7786, Email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: (852) 9742 7338, Email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

The HKTDC’s Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong, Tel: (852) 2584 4524, Email: katy.ky.wong@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

INNIO Group’s 2023 Sustainability Report: Progress in Implementing Corporate Sustainability Goals

Total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions further decreased amid rising sales and production increases
80% of INNIO Group’s top 200 suppliers commit to halving greenhouse gas emissions by 2030
External independent verification of compliance with GRI standards (Global Reporting Initiative)

JENBACH, AUSTRIA, Apr 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – INNIO Group has published its Sustainability Report for 2023. Making progress together is the fourth annual non-financial report from INNIO Group.

INNIO Group Employees

The report documents INNIO Group’s progress since defining its baseline goals in 2020, providing information on sustainability initiatives, projects, and metrics. In 2023, INNIO Group’s total greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1, 2, and 3) decreased by 1.3% or 76,340 metric tons of CO2 equivalents compared to the previous year.

Significant progress also was made in the supply chain, with 80% of the top 200 suppliers committing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.

At the same time, the company continues to work towards creating a diverse and inclusive work environment. The proportion of female employees in INNIO Group increased by almost 4% compared to 2022 and by 7.5% over the last three years, reaching 18.1% at the end of 2023.

This highlights INNIO Group’s progress in all three defined core areas of sustainability:

Low-carbon and circular products – supporting customers in their biggest challenges by providing innovative solutions that benefit people and the planet
Supply chain and production resilience – incorporating ESG aspects of environment, social, and governance into INNIO Group’s business activities, including transparent reporting on the company’s performance
Responsible operations and social responsibility – employing a diverse, inclusive, and engaged workforce that is committed to the community and improving their quality of life

“Sustainability is key to a future-proof economy. Our entire INNIO team can be proud of last year’s achievements,” said Dr. Olaf Berlien, president and CEO of INNIO Group. “Initiatives like our ‘Ready for H2’ technology are a central part of our corporate strategy. We promote sustainable solutions and drive the hydrogen economy and decarbonization in the energy sector.”

Marcin Kawa, VP Sustainability at INNIO Group, emphasized INNIO Group’s comprehensive approach to sustainability. “With the introduction of the ESG hub software last year, we can systematize processes around sustainability controls,” said Kawa. “We are well positioned to significantly intensify projects for CO2 reduction, circular economy, and efficient resource use.”

In the “Progress and Performance” chapter and in an overview of the 2023 Sustainability Report’s key performance indicators, INNIO Group illustrates its collaborative approach to advancing the energy transition and decarbonization. Additionally, a separate section of the report addresses activities, initiatives, programs, and the concrete implementation of decarbonizing the energy sector while fostering employee growth.

About INNIO Group

INNIO Group is a leading energy solution and service provider that empowers industries and communities to make sustainable energy work today. With its Jenbacher and Waukesha product brands and its AI-powered myPlant digital platform, INNIO Group offers innovative solutions for the power generation and compression segments that help industries and communities generate and manage energy sustainably while navigating the fast-changing landscape of traditional and green energy sources. INNIO Group is individual in scope, but global in scale. With its flexible, scalable, and resilient energy solutions and services, INNIO Group enables its customers to manage the energy transition along the energy value chain wherever they are in their transition journey.

INNIO Group is headquartered in Jenbach (Austria), with other primary operations in Waukesha (Wisconsin, U.S.) and Welland (Ontario, Canada). Through a service network in more than 100 countries, a team of more than 4,000 experts provides life-cycle support to the more than 57,000 engines that INNIO Group has delivered globally.

INNIO Group’s ESG strategy has been recognized and awarded by esteemed rating agencies such as Sustainalytics and EcoVadis. Additionally, the company’s near-term climate targets until 2030 have been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

For more information, visit INNIO Group’s website at www.innio.com. Follow INNIO Group and its brands on X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn.

INNIO, Jenbacher, myPlant, Waukesha are trademarks in the European Union or elsewhere owned by INNIO Jenbacher GmbH & Co OG or one of its affiliates. All other trademarks and company names are property of their respective owners.

In general, “Ready for H2” Jenbacher units can be converted to operate on up to 100% hydrogen in the future. Details on the cost and timeline for a future conversion may vary and need to be clarified individually.

Contact Information
Susanne Reichelt
INNIO Media Relations
susanne.reichelt@innio.com
+43 664 80833 2382

SOURCE: INNIO Group

View the original press release on newswire.com.

FTLife Pre-Announces Name Change to Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited

HONG KONG, Apr 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – FTLife Insurance Company Limited (“FTLife”) announced today that it will change its company name to Chow Tai Fook Life Insurance Company Limited (“CTF Life”) and launch the new brand in the third quarter of this year, strengthening FTLife’s collaboration with the diverse conglomerate of Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (“the Group”). With the new brand, FTLife will further leverage the Group’s robust financial strength and strategic investments across the globe. With its unique positioning, FTLife is committed to creating value beyond insurance for customers and their loved ones by navigating life’s journey with personalised planning solutions, lifelong protection and diverse lifestyle experiences.

Man Kit Ip, Chief Executive Officer of FTLife, said: “The Group is a trusted and highly recognised brand with strong financial standing. The upcoming name change to FTLife signifies the close association with the ‘Chow Tai Fook’ brand, further bolstering customer confidence and solidifying our reliable brand image. With the launch of the new brand in the third quarter, we aspire to harness our refreshed corporate identity to open up more strategic collaboration opportunities within and beyond the Group. This move is set to create more opportunities for our Life Artisans, business partners, and the Group as a whole, as well as unlock greater potential for development, fuel business growth, and offer more quality products to serve diverse customers while continuously creating value beyond insurance.”

FTLife’s business operations remain consistent. The forthcoming name change and brand elevation will not affect the collaboration model with business partners and day-to-day management and operation of existing policies, including protection, benefits, fees and returns. FTLife will gradually roll out brand refresh promotions and will announce the details of the new trademark and brand story in due time.

About Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited

Chow Tai Fook Enterprises Limited (“CTFE”) is the flagship private investment holding company of the Cheng Family and is part of the “Chow Tai Fook” group of companies founded by the Cheng Family in 1929. CTFE is a premier family investor with strategic investments in energy, infrastructure, healthcare, insurance, education and media; marquee investments in prime real estate and hospitality services; private equity investments in quality growth companies mainly in the technology sector and a liquid portfolio of equities and bonds. CTFE, together with its subsidiaries and jointly controlled entities, has operations in 27 countries globally.

About FTLife Insurance Company Limited

FTLife Insurance Company Limited (Incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability; “FTLife”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of NWS Holdings Limited (Hong Kong Stock Code: 659). With a heritage of providing insurance services in Hong Kong for more than 30 years, FTLife’s Life Artisans leverage the Group’s ecosystem to curate life chapters of customers and their loved ones with comprehensive planning solutions and lifelong protection, embracing wealth management and succession, health and well-being, and quality of life. Backed by the Group’s financial strength and advanced customer-focused digital technology, FTLife aspires to become the leading insurance brand in the Greater Bay Area, while also maximising shared value beyond traditional insurance for a sustainable future.

Media enquiries
FTLife Insurance Company Limited
Suki Kwong
+852 2591 8504 / 6012 3298
suki.kwong@ftlife.com.hk

Formerra and AFC Ecoplastics Forge New Path in Compostable Materials

ROMEOVILLE, IL, May 2, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Formerra, a leader in performance materials distribution, announces a partnership with AFC Ecoplastics to distribute its compostable products across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. This collaboration aims to equip consumer and medical packaging applications with eco-friendly alternatives that meet stringent environmental standards and that consumers prefer.

AFC Ecoplastics compostable polymers

Formerra, a leader in performance materials distribution, announces a partnership with AFC Ecoplastics to distribute its compostable products across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Formerra will distribute a range of AFC’s compostable resins, compounds, and colorants, including PBAT (polybutylene co-adipate co-terephthalate) and PBS (polybutylene succinate) resins. These materials are particularly suited for consumer packaged goods (CPG) applications, both rigid and film, as well as medical packaging and labware, responding to the demand for sustainable alternatives in these sectors. They have also received Health Canada and FDA approvals.

“AFC has always been at the forefront of sustainable material innovation,” said Ha Le, CEO of AFC Ecoplastics. “Partnering with Formerra was a natural step in our journey to expand our reach and impact. Their robust distribution network, extensive technical support, and stellar reputation among packaging customers provide the ultimate platform for our compostable solutions.”

Demand for compostable packaging is growing. Regulations such as California’s SB154 are in the works in several states in the U.S. and will require single-use plastics to be either recyclable or compostable within the next several years. Produce bags and bin liners are already under regulation for compostability in California. Formerra and AFC Ecoplastics are poised to lead the market in providing viable, sustainable solutions that address regulatory and societal needs.

Mike Balasko, Director of Sustainability and Business Development at Formerra, said, “Our collaboration with AFC is a significant step forward in our sustainability initiative. These compostable materials will help our customers navigate the shifting regulatory landscape and enhance their product offerings for environmentally conscious consumers. We are committed to aiding brands in achieving both compliance and their own sustainability goals.”

AFC materials are BPI certified and have also received the TÜV OK Compost industrial certification (EN 13432). Materials featuring this label are guaranteed to be biodegradable in an industrial composting plant.

Formerra will exhibit at NPE 2024 in Orlando, Florida, next week in booth S39025.

About Formerra

Formerra is a preeminent distributor of engineered materials, connecting the world’s leading polymer producers with thousands of OEMs and brand owners across healthcare, consumer, industrial, and mobility markets. Powered by technical and commercial expertise, it brings a distinctive combination of portfolio depth, supply chain strength, industry knowledge, service, leading e-commerce capabilities, and ingenuity. The experienced Formerra team helps customers across multiple industries to design, select, process, and develop products in new and better ways – driving improved performance, productivity, reliability, and sustainability. To learn more, visit www.formerra.com.

Contact Information

Jackie Morris
Marketing Communications Manager, Formerra
jackie.morris@formerra.com
+1 630-972-3144

SOURCE: Formerra

View the original press release on newswire.com.

SDAI Limited: Positive Outcomes Since New Board took over in June 2023

S$4.0 million of interest-free loan secured when new directors took over in June 2023
Foo Kon Tan LLP appointed as the statutory auditor in November 2023
A second interest-free loan of S$4.0 million was obtained in March 2024
Completed audit for 18-month financial period from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022
Annual General Meeting for FP2022 scheduled to be held on 10 May 2024
Preparation for quarterly and full year results announcements as well as audit for financial year ended 31 December 2023 initiated
Significant progress made to rectify, restore and rejuvenate the Company
Company is well placed to work towards resumption of trading of the Company’s shares

SINGAPORE, May 2, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The board of directors (the “Board”) of SDAI Limited (the “Company” or “SDAI”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) today announced that its statutory auditor, Foo Kon Tan LLP (“FKT”), had in April 2024 completed the Group’s audit for the 18-month financial period from 1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022 (“FP2022”). The notice of annual general meeting of the Company (“AGM”) and the Company’s annual report for FP2022 were despatched to shareholders of the Company (“Shareholders”) on 25 April 2024 and the AGM for FP2022 will be held on 10 May 2024 at the Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel. The preparation for quarterly and full- year results announcements as well as the audit work for the 12-month financial year ended 31 December 2023 (“FY2023”) is currently underway, and the Board will announce the Group’s quarterly and full-year results for FY2023 and hold the next AGM for FY2023 as soon as possible. This is a significant step in working towards the Company’s compliance with reporting requirements for 2024 onwards.

(Seated L-R) Mdm Hao Dongting (Executive Chairperson), Mr James Beeland Rogers, Jr. (Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director), Mr Yip Kean Mun (Executive Director) (Standing L-R) Mr Lam Kwong Fai (Lead Independent Director), Mr Cheung Wai Man (Independent Director), Mr Tan Meng Shern (Independent Director)

(Seated L-R) Mdm Hao Dongting (Executive Chairperson), Mr James Beeland Rogers, Jr. (Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director), Mr Yip Kean Mun (Executive Director)(Standing L-R) Mr Lam Kwong Fai (Lead Independent Director), Mr Cheung Wai Man (Independent Director), Mr Tan Meng Shern (Independent Director)

Madam Hao Dongting, Executive Chairperson of the Board, said, “Through the effective stewardship of the new Board, we have now completed the FP2022 audit, a significant step in fulfilling our statutory and reporting responsibilities. While non-compliance issues still need to be rectified, we will continue to work on addressing these to the best of our ability to fulfil all statutory and reporting requirements.”

“I have recently extended an interest-free loan of S$4.0 million to the Company for 18 months starting March 2024 and obtained an extension on the repayment of the first interest-free loan of S$4.0 million, which had originally been due this year, to September 2025. This will address ongoing concerns and ensure adequate working capital for the Group.

We want to reassure Shareholders that the new management and Board are making significant headway in rectifying the missteps and lapses of the past, restoring processes and structures that either did not exist or were broken down and working on rejuvenating the Company by exploring new strategies and businesses to create long-term value. We thank Shareholders for their unwavering and continued trust in our efforts thus far, and the Board is firmly committed to the rebuilding process to right the ship and work towards the resumption of trading and a brighter future for the Company.” added Madam Hao.

Progress since June 2023

Since taking over the reins of the Company on 26 June 2023, the new Board, consisting of qualified and motivated individuals, has left no stone unturned in addressing the multitude of issues that the Company has been beset with over recent years that resulted in numerous non-compliance issues and systemic shortcomings, which finally led to its share suspension in July 2021.

The commitment to rectify and restore in this initial stage repays the trust and confidence of Shareholders placed in the new Board and the firm belief that a new dawn is coming for the Company following severe challenges and shortcomings.

Appointment of Statutory Auditor and FP2022 Audit

SDAI was without a statutory auditor as the last auditor did not seek re-appointment at the AGM held in March 2022 for the financial year ended on 30 June 2021. The Company was thus unable to complete its annual statutory audit for the subsequent periods. The new Board engaged FKT when it assumed office in June 2023 to fulfil the role of a statutory auditor. Due to a multitude of issues arising, amongst others, lapses in financial record keeping, outstanding legal and regulatory issues, non-compliance, risks of economic mismanagement, internal control failure and concerns on the special audits by Deloitte & Touche Financial Advisory Services Pte. Ltd. (“Deloitte”), FKT agreed in late July 2023 to commence the onboarding process.

This onboarding process took 4 months, much longer than anticipated, because of the issues that needed addressing. The Board eventually convened an extraordinary general meeting on 17 November 2023 to obtain Shareholders’ approval to appoint FKT as the statutory auditors of the Company to kick-start the audit for FP2022.

During the recently completed FP2022 audit, FKT uncovered numerous issues at risk and material differences between audited and unaudited financial statements, including, amongst other things, incomplete and inconsistent financial records and other lapses. While the Board and management have sought to address a significant portion of these issues, some of these legacy issues remain substantive. As a result, the auditor has raised various disclaimers on financial statements disclosed in the Independent Auditor’s Report for FP2022, which was announced by the Company on 25 April 2024 under the title, “Disclaimer of Opinion by Independent Auditor on the Audited Financial Statements for the Financial Period Ended 31 December 2022”.

With the issuance of the FP2022 audited financial statements, a line has now been drawn underneath the past, and the Board looks to rejuvenate the Company in the days ahead.

Special Audit Phase 2 by Deloitte

The Company had announced in July 2023 the receipt of the executive summary of the Special Audit Report (Phase 1) detailing issues with certain payroll matters and unauthorised transactions. The closure of Phase 1 is a significant step towards finalising the special audit since the appointment of Deloitte as special auditor in September 2021. The Board is now focused on finalising Phase 2 of the independent special audit with Deloitte, which relates primarily to the deviation of usage of around S$19.3 million previously raised by the Company that were fully disbursed for purposes other than the intended usage for new businesses to turn the Company around.

Loans of S$8.0 million Secured

On 27 March 2024, SDAI announced that it had obtained a second interest-free loan of S$4.0 million from Madam Hao, its Executive Chairperson, for 18 months. For the first S$4.0 million interest-free loan secured in June 2023 from Asian Accounts Receivable Exchange Pte. Ltd., SDAI has obtained an 18-month extension to 26 September 2025. The new loan of S$4.0 million and the extension of the previous S$4.0 million loan will preserve the Company’s going concern status and pave the way for the Company towards a turnaround.

The Future

The Company has also been working assiduously to accelerate the process of completing Phase 2 of the independent special audit conducted by Deloitte in compliance with statutory requirements, which will be another key factor in the resumption of trading of the Company’s shares.

In addition, the Board is working on securing new businesses and collaborations to give the Company a new lease of life. With the above positive developments, the Company is well-placed to work towards trade resumption of the Company’s shares.

Reference:
https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/24YECQDTI3MV9XZL/10de220d34c06e821dac1c0ba01cbbdc233ed42accf83c5c8766d8851b3dc29d

About SDAI Limited

SDAI Limited (formerly known as Kitchen Culture Holdings Ltd.) was listed on the Catalist board of the SGX-ST on 22 July 2011. The Company has been suspended from trading since July 2021 after responding to the SGX- ST’s queries.

On 26 June 2023, SDAI announced changes to the Board composition, resulting in the constitution of a new Board. The immediate tasks for the Board are to resolve all the outstanding legacy issues, including settling long overdue liabilities, completing the special audit, and strengthening the internal controls so as to elevate the Company to the position of pursuing new businesses.

The Group’s principal business of distributing high-end kitchen systems, kitchen appliances, wardrobe systems, bathroom furniture, household furniture and kitchen accessories from Europe reduced significantly after its principal wholly-owned subsidiary, KHL Marketing Asia-Pacific Pte. Ltd., entered into a compulsory liquidation on 5 April 2022 from the winding up application filed by Kim Hup Lee & Co. (Private) Limited.

ISSUED BY SDAI LIMITED:

This media release has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company’s sponsor, ZICO Capital Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”), in accordance with Rule 226(2)(b) of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”) Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist.

This media release has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this media release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this media release.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms Goh Mei Xian, Director, ZICO Capital Pte. Ltd. at 77 Robinson Road, #06-03 Robinson 77, Singapore 068896, telephone (65) 6636 4201.

For media queries, please reach out to: Waterbrooks Consultants
Wayne Koo – wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg +65 9338-8166
Derek Yeo – derek@waterbrooks.com.sg +65 9791-4707

Proud Investor Relations partner: https://www.waterbrooks.com.sg/ https://www.alphainvestholdings.com/

Rockbird media Presents HR Leaders & HR Tech Strategy Meeting 2024: ‘Rehumanizing Work with Emerging Technologies’ in Manila

MANILA, Apr 29, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – As technology continues to evolve rapidly across various industries, there remains an essential focus on the humans driving these advancements. Striking a harmonious balance between leveraging emerging technologies and human expertise is crucial in navigating the evolving challenges of the industry.

In continuation of last year’s successful HR Leaders & HR Tech Strategy Meeting, which was held across Southeast Asia, Rockbird Media unveils the upcoming edition with this quarter’s theme being “Rehumanizing Work with Emerging Technologies.”

Scheduled to take place on June 26-27, 2024, at Shangri-La The Fort, BGC, Manila, this two-day strategy meeting will serve as a convergence point for CHROs and HR leaders across various industries. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in insightful discussions, sharing the latest trends, strategies, innovations, and best practices that are shaping the dynamic landscape of human resources.

The event will feature an array of engaging activities designed to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of best practices and adaptable strategies for HR transformation. Highlights include keynote presentations, interactive panel discussions, one-to-one meetings, breakout sessions, and the opportunity to explore booths from solution providers offering cutting-edge HR solutions and technologies.

Beyond the enriching professional insights and learning opportunities, the strategy meeting offers a conducive environment for networking and relationship-building. Attendees will have ample opportunities to connect, share knowledge, and forge meaningful relationships with over 150+ CHROs and HR leaders from various industries.

For more information, including registration details, the in-depth agenda, speaker updates, pricing, and more, please visit https://hrleaders.rockbirdmedia.com/

About rockbird media

Rockbird media is an international business media company that produces B2B events and offers business solutions.

Whether it is through online media and content, must-have business intelligence and analytics, effective networking, and partnering solutions, we help businesses and professionals learn more about the latest trends, and know more about their customers, peers, and competition, to make that decision that allows them to grow.

For more information, contact lyra@rockbirdmedia.com.

CleverTap launches Clever.AI, the AI-Driven Edge for Customer Engagement & Retention

San Francisco, Calif. & Mumbai, India, May 2, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – CleverTap, one of the leading all-in-one customer engagement and retention platforms, today announced the launch of Clever.AI, its AI engine. With Clever.AI, CleverTap seeks to enable brands with the next generation of AI capabilities required to build human-like understanding of customers and deliver personalized experiences efficiently that resonate with them, ultimately maximizing customer lifetime value.

Clever.AI is built on the foundation of three core AI pillars – Predictive, Generative, and Prescriptive. Clever.AI propels these three pillars to transform the way brands engage with customers and make customer interactions more intelligent, and efficient.

Clever.AI enables brands to become:

Insightful: With Predictive AI capabilities, it forecasts precise business outcomes, helping brands to anticipate customer needs. Clever.AI’s insights are powered by CleverTap’s proprietary TesseractDB™ which ensures data granularity with an extended lookback period, making predictions more accurate, and enabling brands to make informed decisions, resulting in improved marketing ROI
Empathetic: Taking GenAI forward, Clever.AI merges creativity with emotional intelligence, crafting content that resonates on a human level. This empathetic approach helps brands drive higher conversions and engages customers with hyper-personalized experiences
Actionable: Leveraging Prescriptive AI capabilities, it provides actionable recommendations to maximize conversions throughout the customer journey by helping brands identify the optimal engagement strategies in real-time

Peter Takacs, Digital Product Manager, Burger King said, “I would rate it 10 for its ease of use and numerous possible use cases. We uplifted our marketing campaigns by easily experimenting with multiple possibilities and quickly converging on the optimum one. It opens up a new era of continuous experimentation for us.”

Anand Jain, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, CleverTap said, “We’re thrilled to unveil Clever.AI, a testament of our pursuit over the last several years in leading the way in adopting the latest tech to transform customer engagement. We will continue to innovate CleverTap’s All-in-One engagement platform with Clever.AI enhancing its precision in predictions, its ability to prescribe intelligent customer experiences strengthened by advanced product analytics and deeper persona profiling to ensure brands can build highly personalized experiences, and campaigns more effectively, ensuring every customer interaction is personalized and outcome driven.”

With Clever.AI, brands have already experienced a boost in conversion with significantly higher operational efficiency. They witnessed a 66 percent increase in conversion rates, 35% boost in operational efficiency and a 3x improvement in click-through rates (CTRs), with an increase across metrics such as purchases, and average order values (AOVs). Moreover, Clever.AI enhanced operational efficiency by simplifying campaign roll-outs, content creation, and experimentation at scale. Clever.AI has helped leading brands like TouchnGo, Swiggy, Burger King add efficiency to their campaigns.

CleverTap will unveil its new AI capabilities through its Spring Release ‘24 event slated from 6th May to 9th May, through a series of thought-provoking sessions on how AI can make campaigns more intelligent, efficient, and engaging for brands.

About CleverTap

CleverTap is the all-in-one engagement platform that helps brands unlock limitless customer lifetime value by helping them create personalized experiences to retain their most valuable customers. The platform empowers businesses to orchestrate experiences for individuals across their lifecycles and design personalized journeys that span a lifetime. It offers analytics that encompasses every aspect of the lifecycle, enabling businesses to measure and optimize each experience in real-time. Its unique AI capability is insightful, empathetic, and prescriptive, facilitating smarter and faster decisions. The all-in-one platform unifies experiences from every touchpoint, paving the way for a new era of customer engagement.

The platform is powered by TesseractDB™ – the world’s first purpose-built database for customer engagement, offering both speed and economies of scale.

CleverTap is trusted by 2000 customers, including Electronic Arts, TiltingPoint, Gamebasics, Big Fish, MobilityWare, TED, English Premier League, TD Bank, Carousell, AirAsia, Papa John’s, and Tesco.

Backed by leading investors such as Peak XV Partners, Tiger Global, Accel, CDPQ, and 360 One, the company is headquartered in San Francisco, California, with presence in New York, São Paulo, Bogota, London, Amsterdam, Sofia, Dubai, Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Singapore, Jakarta, and Ho Chi Minh.

For more information, visit clevertap.com or follow us on:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clevertap/
X: https://twitter.com/CleverTap

Forward-Looking Statements

Some of the statements in this press release may represent CleverTap’s belief in connection with future events and may be forward-looking statements, or statements of future expectations based on currently available information. CleverTap cautions that such statements are naturally subject to risks and uncertainties that could result in the actual outcome being absolutely different from the results anticipated by the statements mentioned in the press release.

Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any

representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction.

For more information:
SONY SHETTY
Director, Public Relations, CleverTap
+91 9820900036
sony@clevertap.com

IPSHITA BALU
Consultant
Archetype
+91 9590111798
ipshita.balu@archetype.co

CyberSecID Conference 2024 – Zero Trust for Today, Zero Worries for Tomorrow

JAKARTA, May 2, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Immerse yourself in the forefront of technological innovation at the CyberSecAsia – Indonesia Summit 2024, hosted in the vibrant landscape of Jakarta, Indonesia. Scheduled for July 18, 2024, this summit marks a pivotal moment in the realm of cybersecurity within the diverse sectors.

In a landscape where challenges intersect with resilience, industries across the board find themselves at the leading edge of digital transformation. Embrace the future of cybersecurity—where agile methodology intertwines seamlessly with robust fortification against evolving threats.

What awaits you at this pioneering event?

– Insightful Presentations: Engage in thought-provoking presentations uncovering the depths of cybersecurity, innovation, regulatory compliance, digital risk management, and the convergence of technology. Esteemed experts and technologists from diverse backgrounds will share invaluable insights and practical strategies, providing actionable takeaways and case studies.

– Dynamic Panel Discussions: Participate in vibrant discussions led by industry visionaries, where pressing issues shaping cybersecurity will be explored, analyzed, and demystified.

– Innovative Showcase: Immerse yourself in a world of cutting-edge technology with an exhibition featuring top-tier cybersecurity firms and pioneering fintech solutions that redefine industry benchmarks.

– Networking Galore: Connect with a diverse community of senior security professionals, tech enthusiasts, and leaders. Share insights, experiences, and innovative strategies that drive digital transformation.

Brought to you in collaboration with prominent industry leaders and supported by leading cybersecurity associations, CyberSecID promises to be a milestone in the tech landscape. Join us as we explore, innovate, and sculpt the future of secure technology.

Save the date for July 18, 2024 and mark your presence in this transformative event shaping the next chapter of cybersecurity. Indonesia beckons your participation—seize the opportunity to lead the evolution of the cybersecurity domain.

For event updates and exclusive details, stay tuned, and prepare to be part of a summit that shapes the future of cybersecurity.

For more details on sponsorship or attendance, please reach out to the event producer, Bede Uwalaka – bede.uwalaka@escom-events.com

World Blockchain Summit: Pioneering Insights and Strategic Partnerships Ignite in Dubai

DUBAI, Apr 30, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Dubai Building on the momentum from a successful first day of the World Blockchain Summit (#WBS), organized by Trescon, Day 2 concluded with thought-provoking discussions, cutting-edge innovations, and actionable insights at the JW Marriott Hotel Marina in Dubai. Held on April 22nd and 23rd, the event gathered leading industry experts, blockchain innovators, government stakeholders, and investors, collectively spotlighting the practical applications of next-generation blockchain solutions.

The World Blockchain Summit outdid expectations drawing over 2000+ C-Suite, 300+ investors, 100+ sponsors, and 50+ speakers. The event fostered a dynamic environment for learning, networking, and innovation. Filled with rich discussions and insightful keynotes, the Summit focused on enhancing the adoption of blockchain across crucial sectors such as finance, food industries and more.

Some of the notable highlights from the event was the panel discussion on “The Investor’s Perspective of Digital Assets: Challenges and Promises of the Digital Age”, moderated by Juliet Su, Partner, NewTribe Capital, examined the role of developing economies in embracing digital assets as a means for financial inclusion and economic growth. The panellists, Richard Muirhead, Managing Partner, Fabric Ventures; Diana Biggs, Partner, 1kx; Amit Grover, General Partner and Managing Partner, Koinonos Capital and Grover & Company, shared their insights on how the digital asset landscape is evolving.

Another noteworthy session was the keynote presentation on “Unleashing the Power of Blockchain: A Journey Beyond Transactions”, by Rizwan Shaikh, Chief Technology Officer at White Shark Blockchain Solutions DMCC.

One standout moment was the panel discussion on “Enterprise Adoption: Opportunities, Challenges, and Emerging Trends in the Blockchain ecosystem”. Moderated by Maha Al-Saadi, Head of Regulatory Affairs, QFC Financial Services Sector, the panel explored the unique challenges and barriers in blockchain adoption. The panellists, George Gvazava, Chief Crypto Officer, Bank of Georgia; Maher Al Kaabi, Advisor to Chairman & Independent Board, Alserkal Group; Aditya Tallapragada, CEO, Medifakt; Wolfgang Grabher, Founder, CEO and Chairman, SUN AG; Kiruthik Raaj, Co-founder & Head of Engineering, Hedgeblock, deliberated on the successful blockchain use-cases and spoke about the educational initiatives to bridge the knowledge gap and drive mainstream blockchain adoption.

Sharing his experience, Thomas Bleimuth, Chief Asset Management Officer at Anbruggen Capital, remarked, “I appreciate the opportunity to speak at the WBS panel. It was very well-organized and a truly memorable experience.”

Sharath Kumar, Business Director, Trescon, expressed his enthusiasm about assembling global blockchain pioneers and innovators in Dubai, noting, “The Summit showcased Dubai’s strategic emergence as a global hub for cryptocurrency, accentuating its significant role within the regional and worldwide innovation ecosystems that drive blockchain adoption forward.”

The event also hosted the Dubai regionals of the Startup World Cup by Pegasus Tech Ventures, offering startups a stage to present their innovations to global investors. Among the competitors, Pentagon Games emerged victorious, leading the rapidly evolving gaming industry by integrating XR Metaverse for innovative content distribution and employing Web3 and AI as the foundation for their GameFi initiatives.

Following the remarkable success of the World Blockchain Summit in Dubai, we are grateful to CNBC for their invaluable partnership. Their support has been instrumental in reinforcing our commitment to advancing global blockchain innovation and collaboration.

The 29th edition of the World Blockchain Summit is supported by:

Strategic Partners – DIFC Innovation Hub , Dubai AI & Web3 Campus
Co-Host – Sun Minimeal
After Party Sponsor – Floxypay
Gold Sponsors – Cardano Foundation , Medifakt, Crypto2Cash, Anbruggen, Bitflex
Silver Sponsors- Kreation, Coingames, Reat Capital, ACM Finance , Website AI, Vision Chain
Lanyard Sponsor- M2
Badge Sponsor – Ledn
Lunch Sponsor – Payper
Bronze Sponsor- BitGo, M2 , Block Convey, Genesis Digital Assets , Hedge , Golfin, Build-AI
Pitch Partners – Reat Capital , soukcola , MeAI , Zherpa , FidesInnova Labs, Pentagon Games
Exhibitors- DSQ Solutions , Reltime, Qoneqt , C# Corner , Islamic Dinar, Technoloader, Verichains, Vault, Ecotrader.io, Ideofuzion, NuChain, LCX
Official Accommodation Partner- HotelPlanner
Ecosystem Partner – Entrepreneur Media
Business Broadcast Partner – CNBC Arabia
Official Newspaper Partner- The Fintech Times
Official Digital PR Distribution Partner – ZEX PR Wire
ABM Partner- Demandify
Association Partners- Crypto and Blockchain Association, Blockchain Council, Asia Web3 Alliance Japan, European Blockchain Association
Prime Media Partner- Demandteq
Community Partner – Hyperledger Foundation, The Digital Chamber

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.For media Inquiries or partnerships please get in touch with:Shadi Dawi

PR & Partnerships Director
shadi@tresconglobal.com
+971 55 498 4989

Future of Video in India Sees Much Optimism for Growth with Technology as the Enabler for the Consumer

MUMBAI, INDIA, Apr 30, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Future of Video India conference welcomed over 130 senior government and industry leaders in Mumbai for a day of discussions centered around one of the most vibrant and burgeoning video markets in the world.

Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairman of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)and Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), opened the conference with optimism about the industry. The MIB hopes to see the current $30bn industry grow to $100bn in the next 4-5 years. Both senior officials talked of the need to create a level playing field and balance the interests of the different sectors of the industry to encourage growth and investment.

For Kiran Mani, CEO – Digital, Viacom18, technology was enabling as many Indians as possible to access content. “People are doing more with content than ever before. It’s not doing more content,” said Mani. With the IPL on both streaming and pay TV now, Viacom18 had democratized sports, which had gone from 100mn to 500mn screens, and with this move, they had also made sports a ‘lean forward’ experience by enabling the content to be watched over mobile devices and enabling a whole new level of engagement and interactivity with the content.

Similarly, Sajith Sivanandan, Head, Disney+ Hotstar, India, shared that ‘the best businesses happen at the intersection of people and technology… finding and operating in that intersection is the gold mine right there.’ However, serving the consumers remained critical for a consumer first company like Disney, and that was through telling great stories that were both relevant as well as personalized for the consumer, and serving the right content at the right point in time, added Sivanandan.

Beyond reaching and engaging consumers, content too had the power to influence and change perceptions, with Aparna Purohit, Head of Originals, India & SEA, Prime Video India, sharing during her session on ‘Inspiring and Empowering the Next Generation of Women Leaders’, that diversity was key to greenlighting any projects at Amazon Prime Video, and that there must be a woman in every writer’s room. Sanjog Gupta, Head – Sports, Disney Star, too shared that sports over the last 5 years had seen women more visible than ever before.

With Indian content more accessible than ever, India was becoming less exotic and more real in western minds, resulting in greater success and recognition, said Sai Abishek, Head of Factual & Lifestyle Cluster, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery. However, it was important to focus first on an Indian market and get an audience there, to build the chances of international success, added Rishi Negi, Group Chief Operating Officer, Banijay Asia and Endemol Shine India. But with many more stories to be mined, India was barely scratching the surface in its journey to making its mark globally, concluded Abishek.

Future of Video India is proudly sponsored by Gold Sponsors Akamai and MEASAT.

Please click here for a selection of photos from the event.

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