Rapid Evolution in Philippines’ BFSI Sector: BFSI IT Summit 2024 to Illuminate Transformation

MANILA, Apr 19, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) sector in the Philippines are undergoing a profound transformation, fueled by a surge in mobile penetration, the proliferation of Fintech solutions, and accelerated technology adoption. Notably, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) forecasts a substantial uptick in the banking system’s total assets, soaring from PHP 23.7 trillion in 2021 to PHP 26.5 trillion by the conclusion of 2023. As the BSP actively champions digitalization initiatives within the banking industry, including advancements in digital payments and the establishment of the Digital Banking Transformation Office, the landscape of BFSI in the Philippines is primed for innovation and growth.

In light of these dynamic shifts, the stage is set for the 23rd Edition of the BFSI IT Summit. This invitation-only, in-person event is exclusively designed for technology and innovation leaders within the BFSI community in the Philippines. Bringing together over 150 distinguished attendees, including CIOs, CTOs, CISOs, Heads of Digital Transformation, Heads of IT and Innovation, IT Infrastructure experts, and other luminaries in this domain, the summit promises to be a transformative experience.

About the 23rd Edition of BFSI Summit:

The 23rd Edition of the BFSI Summit which will be held on May 24, 2024 at Sofitel, Manila, Philippines, stands as a pivotal moment in the advancement of the banking, financial services, and insurance sector in the Philippines. This prestigious event serves as a gathering point for esteemed technology and innovation leaders within the BFSI community, offering an exclusive opportunity to explore the current trends, confront challenges, and seize emerging opportunities that define the industry’s trajectory. By prioritising the imperative of digital transformation and leveraging cutting-edge technology, the summit is poised to empower attendees with indispensable resources and perspectives essential for navigating the dynamic landscape of BFSI in the Philippines.

VIP Keynote speakers:

1. Benjamin E. Diokno, Monetary Board Member,Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas,Republic of the Philippines
2. Joselito R Basilio, Principal Economist,Department of Budget & Management,Republic of the Philippines

Other Distinguished Speakers:

Aubin Arn Nieva: Director of the Data Security and Compliance Office at the National Privacy Commission, Republic of the Philippines.Albert Tinio: Co-Chief Executive Officer at GoTyme Bank, contributing insights on digital banking and fintech innovations.Melvin M. Ramis: Chief Technology Officer at Tonik, offering expertise in technology-driven banking solutions.JC Principe: Chief Information and Transformation Officer at FWD Insurance, providing strategic perspectives on digital transformation in insurance.Samir Khare: Chief Information Officer at UNO Digital Bank, sharing insights on digital banking strategies and technological advancements.Dan Villaroman Ramirez: Senior Vice President – Head of Transformation Office at ING, offering valuable insights into organizational transformation and innovation.Amaneci Grace De Silva: SVP, ETO Change The Bank – Shared Services Technology Head at Security Bank, contributing expertise in technological advancements and shared services.Paolo Salcedo: Head of Virtual Banking, Maybank.

About Exito

Exito, meaning success in Spanish, is committed to the success of its customers. Hosting over 240 virtual and in-person conferences globally each year, Exito brings together audiences with world-class thought leaders and C-level executives across industries. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and based on extensive research and industry insights, Exito’s conferences facilitate business, knowledge transfer, deal flow, and impactful messaging for brands.

For more information on the BFSI Summit, Philippines, visit here.

For Media Enquiries, contact:
Kasturi Nayak (Sr. Marketing Executive)
Email: Kasturi.nayak@exito-e.com
Enquiry@exito-e.com
Exito Media Concepts

e& life joins Dubai FinTech Summit as a Powered By sponsor

DUBAI, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – e& life, the business pillar of e& that brings the next-generation digital world to the consumer’s fingertips, has joined the Dubai FinTech Summit (DFS), organised by Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), the leading global Financial Centre in the MEASA region. As a Powered By sponsor, e& life is dedicated to supporting innovative and future-thinking businesses on a global scale.

e& life leverages cutting-edge technologies to offer fintech, entertainment, retail, and mobility services through its smart platforms and apps. Their fintech arm, e& money, has become a regional powerhouse, known for its user-friendly mobile financial services and its position as the UAE’s fastest-growing issuer of Mastercard debit cards.

Mohammad Alblooshi, Chief Executive Officer at DIFC Innovation Hub, said, “The path to true innovation lies in collaboration and the Dubai FinTech Summit strives to bring together global leaders, innovators and disruptive start-ups to shape the future of finance. The alliance between the summit and e& life demonstrates our mutual commitment to fostering a dynamic FinTech ecosystem to strengthen Dubai’s existing reputation as a leading business destination. Transforming challenges into opportunities, our goal is to create the most advanced, inclusive and technologically empowered financial community.”

Khalifa Al Shamsi, Chief Executive Officer at e& life, said, “The Middle East is at the forefront of a major transformation in financial services delivery, driven by technology shifting from traditional to innovative solutions. As a pioneer in the region’s flourishing FinTech sector, e& is driven by a bold vision to lead this change.

“Through strategic partnerships, we aim to fast-track progress and take the region’s FinTech potential to new heights. This partnership represents a valuable opportunity for both e& and its FinTech portfolio under the business pillar e& life to collectively imagine new possibilities, inspire breakthrough ideas, and catalyse impactful innovations. By bringing together the talent and resources within our ecosystems, we can accelerate the journey toward a future where financial services truly empower people across societies. We look forward to contributing our expertise to shaping discussions that will steer the direction of the industry and play a role in realising the UAE’s aspiration to become a global hub for financial innovation.”

In line with the Dubai Economic Agenda (D33) to position Dubai as the top four global financial hub by 2033, the 2nd edition of the Dubai FinTech Summit is designed to encourage cross-border collaboration and innovation, pivotal to transforming the global FinTech sector. It presents a unique opportunity to explore emerging FinTech trends and their potential to drive financial progress in the MEASA region.

The Dubai FinTech Summit, scheduled for May 6-7, 2024, at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, will see an unprecedented gathering of over 8,000 decision-makers, over 300 thought leaders and over 200 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge technologies.

Visitors can purchase tickets for the Dubai FinTech Summit 2024, with early bird prices ending soon.

About e& life

e& life is the business pillar of e& that brings the next-generation digital world to the consumer’s fingertips, utilising the latest technologies, smart platforms and apps in fintech, entertainment, retail and mobility services. As a leading consumer ecosystem player, it boasts of superior next-gen technology and service offerings that drive a seamless and ‘larger-than-life’ customer experience.

e& life seeks to personalise the consumer experience to suit each segment in order to create new opportunities for business growth, amplifying innovative digital offerings for consumers in all areas.

evision is the largest and most trusted content aggregator in the MENAP region and the media and entertainment division of e& life. evision has expanded its services across its operating companies with cloud-based content and platform solutions and multiscreen, mobile and streaming service platforms. evision holds a majority stake in STARZPLAY, a leading provider of subscription video-on-demand and streaming services in the MENA region, through the consortium led by evision with ADQ.

e& money, the fintech arm of e& life, is one of the strongest fintech platforms in the region, aiming to remove the barriers customers face when accessing mobile financial services. The financial super app offers secure, convenient and fast payment solutions. Formerly known as eWallet, the first wallet licensed by the UAE Central Bank ushered in a new era of digital payments in the country. e& money offers a range of services such as international and local transfers, payments and gifts.

To learn more about e& life, please visit: https://www.eand.com/en/e-and-life.html.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Samia Ahmad
Assistant Manager, Marketing at DIFC Innovation Hub
M: +971529980096
E: samia.ahmad@difc.ae

DC Healthcare Rides the Wave of Success with New Openings at Publika and Bukit Indah

KUALA LUMPUR, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – DC Healthcare Holdings Berhad (“DC Healthcare” or the “Group”), an aesthetic medical services provider specialising in the provision of non-invasive and minimally invasive procedures, is pleased to announce the opening of one Dr. Chong Clinic and one DC Body in KL Publika Shopping Gallery as well as one DC Body Johor Bahru Bukit Indah following the successful launch of multiple Dr. Chong Clinics and DC Body outlets across Malaysia. These additions aim to enhance the availability of DC Healthcare’s top-quality wellness and aesthetic services.

Dr Chong Clinic – KL Publika Shopping Gallery continues the Group’s offering of premier aesthetic services, building on the reputation of excellence that DC Healthcare has established. Meanwhile, DC Body – KL Publika Shopping Gallery and Johor Bahru Bukit Indah represent an innovative leap for DC Healthcare, extending the Group’s offerings into specialised weight management, personalised nutrition counselling and body contouring.

Dr. Chong Tze Sheng, Managing Director of DC Healthcare said, “The positive feedback from our customers from the recent outlets openings of Dr Chong Clinic and DC Body in Ipoh, Johor, Penang and Selangor has inspired us to continue growing. Our new facilities at Publika and Bukit Indah reinforce our commitment to meet the demand for professional wellness and beauty services. We look forward to serving more customers in these new locations.”

He added, “The selection of Publika aligns with the Group’s strategy to integrate into areas that support the lifestyle preferences of our clients. Both new establishments are designed to meet the high standards of care and professionalism expected from DC Healthcare.”

In 2024, DC Healthcare has expanded its reach by opening four Dr. Chong Clinics located in Taman Molek (Johor Bahru), Bandar Seri Botani (Ipoh), Auto City (Pulau Pinang), and Publika (Kuala Lumpur), as well as four DC Body outlets in USJ Taipan (Selangor), Auto City (Pulau Pinang), Publika (Kuala Lumpur), and Bukit Indah (Johor Bahru). With these latest additions, DC Healthcare now operates a total of 17 medical aesthetic clinics and 4 DC Body outlets nationwide, significantly enhancing the accessibility and availability of its premium wellness and aesthetic services to a broader audience.

Managing Director of DC Healthcare, Dr. Chong Tze Sheng

Crown Digital Spearheads the Future of AI in F&B with Ella the Robobarista at AIM Global

Ella, Singapore’s first AI-led robot barista by Crown Digital, showcased its partnership versatility at the Palm & Lauric Oils Price Outlook Conference & Exhibition and Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, and looks to participate in further industry conferences across the Asia Pacific region.
Crown Digital proudly announces its participation in AIM Global, the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing, reflecting its commitment to advancing the safe, sustainable, and inclusive use of AI.

SINGAPORE, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Crown Digital, Singapore’s first full-stacked F&B tech startup and the creator of Ella the Robot Barista, has joined AIM Global, the Global Alliance on Artificial Intelligence for Industry and Manufacturing.

Crown Digital joins AIM Global as the first Singaporean company together with a diverse range of companies and institutions globally to support its ultimate goal of “progress by innovation” globally by harnessing the possibilities of frontier technologies. This strategic collaboration reflects its commitment to advancing safe, sustainable, and inclusive use of AI in industry and manufacturing.

On being part of AIM Global, Keith Tan, CEO and Founder of Crown Digital shared “This partnership affirms Crown Digital’s belief in responsible adoption of AI technologies for industrial development globally. We are proud of Ella’s recognition as a positive use case in driving the autonomous future of F&B, especially with the recent resurgence of AI and Robotics. We look forward to the opportunity to drive AIM Global’s vision, priorities and key initiatives related to AI with international stakeholders in both private and public sectors,” Keith Tan, CEO and Founder of Crown Digital

Guided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), AIM Global promotes the responsible development and deployment of AI and frontier technologies. Aligned with the UN Secretary-General’s Our Common Agenda, AIM Global shapes a digital future that is open, secure, and beneficial to all.

AI technologies are transforming industry and manufacturing, offering unprecedented opportunities for increased efficiency, productivity, and sustainability. However, the adoption of these technologies also brings ethical considerations, privacy concerns, and the imperative for inclusivity. As a new member, Crown Digital is excited to contribute to AIM Global’s mission of unlocking the full potential of AI for industry.

Continuing its support to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and recognising the importance of sustainability and responsible consumption, Crown Digital has also partnered with Terrascope, a global decarbonisation SaaS platform that supports enterprises in their green transformation. As part of their collaboration, Crown Digital worked closely with Terrascope to measure the carbon footprint of six coffees featured on their Ella menu, encompassing both cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-grave analysis.

Crown Digital, a Singaporean start-up aimed to propel the future of F&B through its autonomous solutions, has since grown to establish itself as a tech-driven enterprise to bring gourmet coffee to lovers of the aromatic beans globally through partnerships with Ella the Robot Barista across multiple industries.

At the 35th Palm & Lauric Oils Price Outlook Conference & Exhibition that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, conference attendees were served with a special blend of hot chocolate and mocha infused with MCT (medium-chain triglyceride) oils. This innovative pairing showcased the potential for combining advanced technology with health products and the endless possibilities to such partnerships in elevating brand experiences.

Crown Digital continued to elevate its partnership versatility when it demonstrated successes of payment gateway integration at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, through a collaboration with e&, one of the largest telecommunications and digital services providers in the Middle East, Africa and Asia. Conference attendees got to witness the swift and seamless process and integration from ordering, payment to receiving their customised order of the high-quality caffeine beverage made by Ella.

Singaporeans can also conveniently experience a cup of Ella’s brew by paying using DBS Paylah! or PayNow. This is powered by Crown Digital’s integration with DBS MAX, DBS Bank’s end-to-end cashless collection solution for businesses.

There is no rest planned for Ella just yet as Crown Digital sets its sights on participating in various industry conferences around the Asia Pacific region, including major cities such as Bangkok, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Osaka, as it continues to establish itself as a trailblazer in the emerging robotics and automation space and not just a F&B startup.

About Crown Digital

Full-stack start-up Crown Digital began with the goal of delivering a contactless coffee experience gourmet experience to the world’s growing community of grab-and-go commuters. Its creation, ELLA, the one of world’s first successful robot barista, humanised technology and demonstrated the potential of robotics and AI to re-invent the commuter lifestyle experience and re-energize urban retail. As ELLA deploys across major Asian transit hubs and retail locations, Crown Digital brings its expertise and insights to find new ways to create social value through robotics. The company strives to re-imagine and re-invent consumer-facing robotics to become the leading inventor, operator, and distributor of future-ready solutions.

For media enquiries, please contact ella@preciouscomms.com.

To acquire stake in Hangzhou Bizike, Phoenitron Holdings has eye on trillion-dollar e-commerce market

HONG KONG, Apr 17, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Beijing Tecsun Venus Technology Limited, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Phoenitron Holdings Limited (8066.HK), has entered into a capital injection agreement with Hangzhou Bizike Intelligence Technology Company Limited stating its intention to subscribe registered capital of Hangzhou Bizike. When the transaction is completed, Beijing Tecsun Venus will hold 20% of the enlarged registered capital of Hangzhou Bizike. It will mark the Group’s formal entry into the trillion-dollar e-commerce market in the PRC, as well as enable it to expand its business and broaden its income sources.

The e-commerce market in the PRC has continued to grow over the past few years. That and the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic have driven consumers to shop online and in turn speeded up growth of the country’s e-commerce market, short video platforms and live stream commerce, encouraging businesses to pursue offline-to-online transformation, with success hinging on online marketing and sales through online KOL livestreaming. According to the market research company eMarketer, the retail e-commerce market of the PRC is expected to continue its growth and reach approximately RMB28.8 trillion in 2027, indicative of its huge development potential.

To Phoenitron, the thriving e-commerce market presents it with an important opportunity that agrees with its growth strategy and aim to diversity business. Thus, the decision to acquire Hangzhou Bizike, which is in e-commerce business, to support the Group in attaining strong growth of its business in the future and of its ability to generate revenue. Hangzhou Bizike’s main business is to market and sell merchandises via livestreaming, and it also provides short video marketing and creates IP for KOLs. It started preparations for its livestreaming business at the end of 2022, focusing on three main highest ROI (Return-on-Investment) product categories, namely womenswear, health products and beauty products, and started to record revenue in 2023. In just 10 months between June 2023 and March 2024, the transaction value generated through livestreaming exceeded RMB90 million, which was rather remarkable.

At present, Hangzhou Bizike is serving a famous Chinese women’s clothing brands, while also actively expanding its own brands and already has the brand LULU OCEAN registered. The brand specializes in women’s sportswear for all seasons, such as yoga wear. Hangzhou Bizike plans to use funds from the transaction on livestreaming of its own proprietary brands to promote product sales. What’s noteworthy is the company’s senior management is made up of former senior personnel of e-commerce platforms such as “Alibaba” and the leading short-video platform “douyin”. Bringing with them profound relevant experience, they have seen Hangzhou Bizike claim the top spot among livestreaming platforms on the Tencent Video streaming website.

The capital injection will allow Phoenitron to make Hangzhou Bizike’s livestreaming capability its own, foray into e-commerce business, build its own proprietary brand and capitalize on the growth momentum of the retail e-commerce market of the PRC. It is clear that the Group, via pursuing its active business development plan, is continuously exploring growth opportunities in different fields and such efforts will open more room for growth to it in the future.

The Group has recently announced its 2023 results, with revenue up by a notable 35.3% to approximately HK$79.1 million, and turning around from net loss last year to net profit of approximately HK$4.3 million. Such results plus the capital injection will prompt the market to re-evaluate Phoenitron’s worth, acting as an important catalyst to the Group’s market performance in the short term. In the long run, at its continuous effort to expand business and enhance profitability, the Group will have a solid foundation for future development and its long-term value will continue to show and catch eyes.

The Executive Centre Announces Record Revenue in FY2023 Annual Results

HONG KONG, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Executive Centre (TEC), the leading premium workspace provider that serves more than 47,000 Members in 34 cities across Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, announced its annual results today for fiscal year 2023. Achieving a record-breaking revenue of USD 315 million representing a 11.2% YoY growth, these exceptional results come on the back of a series of strategic expansions and TEC’s consistency in delivering unparalleled workspace solutions and service to its customers.

TEC’s focus on the high growth regions of Greater China, South Asia and the Middle East has been a cornerstone of the company’s success. In 2023, Greater China accounted for 47% of TEC’s total revenue while South Asia and the Middle East collectively contributed 22%, reflecting robust demand for premium flexible workspaces in these markets. In terms of adjusted EBITDA, TEC witnessed a healthy YoY increase of 12%, reaching USD 56 million. Greater China, with South Asia and the Middle East collectively, were also the most significant contributors at 37% and 34% respectively. In terms of contribution by city, Singapore emerged at the top, contributing 14% to overall adjusted EBITDA.

In 2023, TEC expanded its footprint exponentially with an addition of 26 new Centres across its network. Driven by strong client demand, South Asia and the Middle East saw the most significant growth with 12 new Centre openings, effectively doubling TEC’s footprint in the region since the pre-pandemic period. There were also new Centres opening in Mainland China, North Asia, Southeast Asia and Australia, spearheaded by high demand and TEC’s commitment to understanding and servicing the unique needs of local businesses.

TEC maintained an impressive global average occupancy rate of 88% across its network in 2023, reflecting strong customer satisfaction and the growing trend towards flexible workspaces globally.

Central to TEC’s success is also its agility in adapting to the evolving needs of the modern economy and workforce. A notable highlight of the year was the growth of the Coworking & Virtual Office segment, which saw a YoY revenue increase of 15% globally. This was a result of significant growth from key markets of Southeast Asia and the Middle East with YoY increases of 35% and 37% respectively. With a comprehensive inhouse suite of professional business and operations support, the Coworking & Virtual Office offering empowers business owners and entrepreneurs to enter new markets and scale rapidly without the need to commit long-term investments in inflexible office infrastructure.

Diving into data on revenue by service, TEC’s insights revealed an uptrend in the use of physical meeting and event spaces. The segment saw a global growth rate of 39% YoY, with high levels of usage in Hong Kong, and cities such as Singapore and Tokyo. In terms of markets, notable growth rates were recorded in Greater China, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, achieving YoY increases of 55%, 57% and 65% respectively, pointing to a resurgence of in-person collaboration and the importance of continued availability of flexible event spaces and solutions for businesses to fulfil networking and operational needs.

TEC Founder and CEO, Paul Salnikow, said: “Our unwavering commitment to service excellence and our ability to anticipate market trends have allowed us to not only meet but exceed our goals amidst a rapidly changing global business environment. We are excited to continue on this trajectory, fostering innovation and expanding our presence strategically to support our clients’ growth and success.”

With its strong financial results and a proven business model, The Executive Centre is poised to maintain its leadership in the premium workspace sector as it celebrates 30 years of excellence this year. TEC remains committed to its mission of providing exceptional service and facilities to its global members as it looks to the future with a clear vision for continued expansion and success.

About The Executive Centre

The Executive Centre (TEC) is Asia’s premium flexible workspace provider, opened its doors in Hong Kong in 1994 and today boasts over 200+ Centres in 34 cities and 15 markets. It is the third largest serviced office business in Asia.

The Executive Centre caters to ambitious professionals and industry leaders looking for more than just an office space – they are looking for a place for their organisation to thrive. TEC has cultivated an environment designed for success with a global network spanning Greater China, Southeast Asia, North Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Australia, with sights to go further and grow faster. Each Executive Centre offers a prestigious address with the advanced infrastructure to pre-empt, meet, and exceed the needs of its Members. Walking with Members through every milestone and achievement, The Executive Centre empowers ambitious professionals and organisations to succeed.

Privately owned and headquartered in Hong Kong, TEC provides first class Private and Shared Workspaces, Business Concierge Services, and Meeting & Events facilities to suit any business’ needs.

www.executivecentre.com

Press Enquiries
FGS Global
Crystal Chow / Kitty Lam
Crystal.Chow@fgsglobal.com / +852 3166 9838
Kitty.Lam@fgsglobal.com / +852 6306 8851

The Executive Centre
Pebble Lee
Pebble_lee@executivecentre.com / +852 3951 9888

The Rapidly Evolving Real Estate Landscape: Redefine Real Estate Summit Connects Key Players in South East Asia

JAKARTA, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Rapidly Evolving Real Estate Landscape: Redefine Real Estate Summit Connects Key Players in South East Asia.

The real estate sector’s dynamic growth, coupled with constant innovation and ever-changing market dynamics, has spurred a growing demand for global collaboration and understanding of emerging trends. In response to this need, industry professionals are seeking opportunities to forge strong networks and capitalize on the latest developments in the field.

To address this demand, the highly-anticipated Redefine Real Estate Summit – South East Asia Edition is set to take place on May 17th at Le Meridien in Jakarta, Indonesia. The summit will host 60 carefully selected Solution Providers from around the globe, alongside 100 Project Holders from South East Asia. This premier event will highlight personalized face-to-face meetings, purposeful networking, impactful knowledge-sharing sessions, and insightful panel discussions, fostering a collaborative environment for attendees.

The Redefine Real Estate Summit serves as a melting pot of professionals from various industry sectors, ensuring that one-to-one meetings occur between C-level executives and key decision-makers well-versed in the most up-to-date real estate development trends. Participants will gain valuable market insights to help make informed decisions that increase efficiency and drive success.

The summit’s primary focus is to identify the challenges faced by Project Holders in sourcing appropriate materials, services, and solutions, while connecting local business owners with handpicked global market leaders who possess decades of accumulated industry experience.

Attending the Redefine Real Estate Summit – South East Asia is not only an opportunity to maximize networking potential but also adds some variety to your professional life. Participants can look forward to meeting new people, exploring uncharted territories, and enjoying social engagements with like-minded peers.

For more information and to register, visit https://rresummit.com/ or contact us here https://rresummit.com/#contact

About RRE Venture

RRE Venture is a company specializing in business solutions, dedicated to creating tailor-made solutions and environments through the development of innovative platforms that open up new business prospects for our clients in various sectors and domains. They specialize in delivering B2B Events, Conferences, Expos, and Webinar Solutions.

Media Contact:
Tania D’Souza
RRE Summit
tania@rresummit.com

Prestigious titles for top developers at the 14th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore)

SINGAPORE, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Organisers of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) have announced their call for entries ahead of this year’s highly anticipated gala celebration.

The 14th Annual PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore), supported by Mitsubishi Electric Asia, are now open for entries until 30 August 2024.

The 14th Annual PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore), supported by Mitsubishi Electric Asia, are now accepting submissions from the industry and the public via asiapropertyawards.com/nominations until 30 August 2024.

Bringing the city-state’s finest developers together, the black-tie gala dinner and presentation of the Awards are now scheduled for Friday, 8 November 2024 at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore.

Key dates for the 2024 edition:
30 August 2024 – Entries close
23 September-4 October 2024 – Site Inspections
7 October 2024 – Final Judging
8 November 2024 – Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony in Singapore
13 December 2024 – Regional Grand Final Gala Presentation in Bangkok, Singapore

Raising standards

Almost 90 categories are in the latest edition of the Awards, raising the Gold Standard of real estate higher in Singapore for 2024.

Newly added categories include the never-before-presented ESG awards, recognising excellence in the spheres of sustainable design, sustainable construction, energy efficiency, and social impact. Other new categories include awards for the country’s finest investment properties.

An independent panel of judges, composed of seasoned professionals from diverse segments within the real estate realm, ensures a fair and transparent selection process. HLB, the worldwide network of independent advisory and accounting firms, supervises the entirety of the judging process.

Kristin Thorsteins, chairperson of the panel of judges and head of partnerships – growth for APAC at IWG PLC, said: “Joining the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards is a valuable investment for Singaporean property developers, offering independent validation of their projects, boosting brand recognition, and generating wide-reaching media exposure. This recognition translates to increased trust from buyers and investors, differentiating the developer in a competitive market. Additionally, the awards offer networking opportunities with leading industry players, provide an avenue to benchmark quality, and can lead to increased sales and the ability to command premium pricing.”

Resilience of demand

The enhanced, diversified categories point to the continual resilience of demand for residential properties in Singapore.

Seven in 10 Singaporeans intend to buy a property, with more than half planning to buy it within the next five years, according to the PropertyGuru Singapore Consumer Sentiment Study (CSS) H1 2024.

The study further revealed that the overall Sentiment Index has remained stable at 44 points, a slight increase from the last wave in the H2 2023 report at 43 points.

Jules Kay, general manager of PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards and Events, said: “With its inherent stability, Singapore continues to offer attractive options for property buyers and investors in the Asia Pacific region. We look forward to honouring the finest real estate in Southeast Asia’s most resilient market as it continues to set the highest standards in urban development. The latest edition of these Awards is also an opportunity to showcase the superior built spaces that make Singapore a city of tomorrow and a future-ready destination to live, work, and thrive.”

Top representation

Top developers successfully represented Singapore at the 18th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final in December 2023.

GuocoLand won Best Developer (Asia) for the third time in the history of the Grand Final, also known as the culmination of the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series. Other winning developers included Frasers Property Singapore, recipient of the Best Mixed Use Developer (Asia) award, and UOL Group Limited and Pan Pacific Hotels Group, recipients of the Best Hospitality Developer (Asia) award. UOL Group Limited also won the Best Sustainable Developer (Asia) award while EL Development Pte Ltd won the Best Hospitality Interior Design (Asia) award.

The PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) are part of the regional PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards series, marking its 19th year in 2024. The series covers key markets across the region, spanning Southeast Asia, East Asia, South Asia, and Oceania, with exclusive gala dinners and ceremonies that represent the most anticipated property events of the year.

Organised by PropertyGuru Group (NYSE:PGRU), the 14th PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards (Singapore) are supported by gold sponsor Mitsubishi Electric Asia; official portal partner PropertyGuru.com.sg; official magazine Property Report by PropertyGuru; media partner Top 10 Singapore; and official supervisor HLB.

For more information, email awards@propertyguru.com or visit the official website: AsiaPropertyAwards.com.

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU ASIA PROPERTY AWARDS

PropertyGuru’s Asia Property Awards, established in 2005, are the region’s most exclusive and prestigious real estate awards programme. The Asia Property Awards are recognised as the ultimate hallmark of excellence in the Asian property sector. Boasting an independent panel of industry experts and trusted supervisors, the Awards have an unparalleled reputation for being credible, ethical, fair, and transparent.

In 2024, the Awards series is open to key property markets around the region. The exciting gala events welcome senior industry leaders and top media, as well as reach property agents and consumers via live streaming. Recognising excellence within each Asian market with a variety of categories, including green and sustainable development, each local awards programme will culminate in the PropertyGuru Asia Property Awards Grand Final, which takes place after the PropertyGuru Asia Real Estate Summit during ‘PropertyGuru Week’ in December 2024.

For more information, please visit AsiaPropertyAwards.com

ABOUT PROPERTYGURU GROUP

PropertyGuru is Southeast Asia’s leading(1) PropTech company, and the preferred destination for over 34 million property seekers(2) to connect with almost 55,000 agents monthly(3) to find their dream home. PropertyGuru empowers property seekers with more than 2.8 million real estate listings(4), in-depth insights, and solutions that enable them to make confident property decisions across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.

PropertyGuru.com.sg was launched in Singapore in 2007 and since then, PropertyGuru Group has made the property journey a transparent one for property seekers in Southeast Asia. In the last 16 years, PropertyGuru has grown into a high-growth PropTech company with a robust portfolio including leading property marketplaces and award-winning mobile apps across its core markets; mortgage marketplace, PropertyGuru Finance; home services platform, Sendhelper; a host of proprietary enterprise solutions under PropertyGuru For Business including DataSense, ValueNet, Awards, events and publications across Asia.

For more information, please visit: PropertyGuruGroup.com; PropertyGuru Group on LinkedIn

(1) Based on SimilarWeb data between July 2023 and December 2023.
(2) Based on Google Analytics data between July 2023 and December 2023.
(3) Based on data between October 2023 and December 2023.
(4) Based on data between October 2023 and December 2023.

PROPERTYGURU CONTACTS:

General Enquiries:
Richard Allan Aquino, Head of Brand & Marketing Services
M: +66 92 954 4154
E: allan@propertyguru.com

Media & Partnerships:
Piyachanok Raungpaka, Media Relations & Marketing Services Executive
M: +66 94 887 5163
E: piyachanok@propertyguru.com

Sales & Nominations:Alicia Loh, Awards Manager (Singapore)
M: +65 8382 0078
E: alicia@propertyguru.com.sg

Eesee Implements Blockpass for Compliance in Digital Assets Marketplace

HONG KONG, Apr 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Blockpass, the compliance solution provider, and eesee, the next-gen digital asset trading platform, are proud to announce their new partnership which will see eesee using Blockpass’ enterprise-grade for KYC, AML and other regulatory compliance measures.

The platform eesee is a gamified digital asset marketplace designed to accelerate sales, improve liquidity, reduce costs and nurture a vibrant community which will empower users with opportunities that they previously could not access. The platform allows buyers and sellers to benefit from being a part of a collective network and benefit from increased demand, better prices, improved savings and diverse trading, alongside a rewards system. The company is focused on safety and security, using blockchain technology to ensure sales are properly managed and executed, and holds the escrow account as an added layer of surety.

Blockpass, known as “Web3’s OG Identity Verifier,” has pioneered reusable identities and crypto-native KYC/AML solutions. Its turnkey suite of compliance tools is designed to lower onboarding costs, automate remediation, prove humanity and protect against malicious actors, fraudulent activities, bots, and AI. Businesses can set up services quickly, test them for free, and start verifying users. With around one million verified identity profiles, Blockpass facilitates instant onboarding, and to date over a thousand businesses have taken advantage of this opportunity to benefit from Blockpass’ compliant network.

“The safety and security of our customers and marketplace as a whole ranks among our top priorities, so ensuring regulatory compliance to the highest standards with Blockpass was an essential step for us.” said Vova Sadkov, eesee CEO. “eesee is dedicated to accelerating sales and lowering the cost barrier to enter the Web3 market, making it accessible for everyone, and we made sure to partner with a company that fit these qualities.”

“We’re always keen to work with a company that values safety and security so highly as it improves the way people interact with digital assets.” said Adam Vaziri, Blockpass CEO. “The gamification of the system makes it more accessible to a wider audience and we’re delighted to ensure that the users are protected by regulatory standards as they explore this world.”

With this new partnership, Blockpass and eesee will open up digital asset trading opportunities in a manner that all can enjoy, protected from the actions of fraudsters and other criminals who may otherwise seek to exploit the ecosystem. In providing this opportunity, the companies hope many more will be able to find new ways to interact and engage with the opportunities that digital assets and NFTs can bring.

About Blockpass

Ditch tedious onboarding and say hello to seamless compliance with Blockpass, the ultimate turnkey solution for KYC, KYB, and AML. Experience the market’s most efficient and cost-effective compliance suite, built by seasoned compliance veterans and crypto-natives. Automate compliance processes, eradicate fraud, and onboard globally with confidence. Verify businesses worldwide, launch bank-grade verification for your organization, and instantly activate compliant KYC/AML for DeFi, exchanges, token launchpads, NFT mintings and beyond. Through Blockpass’ decentralized network of a million pre-verified crypto-enthusiasts and a thousand pre-verified businesses, you can expand your reach effortlessly. Leverage Advanced KYC BotTM for intelligent remediation, On-Chain KYC® for data-free anonymity, and Unhosted Wallet KYCTM to meet Crypto Travel Rule regulations. Join Animoca Brands, Cardano, Polygon, Chainlink, Delta Exchange, National Geographic, TinyTap, Seedify, ChainGPT, Iskra and many more in partnering with Blockpass for compliance you can trust, growth you can accelerate and an experience you can enjoy. Join the cutting edge of secure, streamlined onboardings.

Learn more and engage the Blockpass team:
Website: http://www.blockpass.org
Email: sales@blockpass.org

About EESEE

eesee is a gamified marketplace and a liquidity solution that accelerates sales, provides additional trading volume and lowers cost barriers to enter the market. Tailored for digital assets, tokens and RWAs.

Platform: http://eesee.io/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/eesee_io

A new spin on materials analysis

TSUKUBA, Japan, Apr 17, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Researchers Koichiro Yaji and Shunsuke Tsuda at the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan have developed an improved type of microscope that can visualize key aspects of electron spin states in materials. The quantum mechanical property of electrons called spin is more complex than the spin of objects in our everyday world but is related to it as a measure of an electron’s angular momentum. The spin states of electrons can have a significant impact on the electronic and magnetic behavior of the materials they are part of.

Schematic diagram of the iSPEM and the images it can obtain

The technology developed by Yaji and Tsuda is known as imaging-type spin-resolved photoemission microscopy (iSPEM). It uses the interaction of light with the electrons in a material to detect the relative alignment of the electron spins. It is particularly focused on electron spin polarization – the extent to which electron spins are collectively aligned in a specific direction.

The team’s iSPEM machine consists of three interconnected ultra-high vacuum chambers for preparing and analyzing the sample. Electrons are emitted from the sample by absorbing light energy, accelerated through the apparatus, and then analyzed by interaction with a spin filter crystal. The results are displayed as images which experts can use to glean the necessary information about the electron spin states in the sample.

“Compared to conventional machines, our iSPEM machine drastically improves the data acquisition efficiency by ten-thousand times, with a more than ten-times improvement in spatial resolution, ” says Yaji. “This offers tremendous opportunities for characterizing the electronic structure of microscopic materials and devices at previously inaccessible levels in the sub-micrometer region.”

This advance could promote improvements in using electron spin states in information processing and other electronic devices, as part of the fast-developing field know as spintronics. In spintronics applications, the spin state of electrons is utilized to store and process information, in addition to the traditional use of electric charge.

“This could lead to more energy-efficient and faster electronic devices, including quantum computers” says Yaji. Applying the subtleties of quantum mechanical behavior to computing is at the forefront of efforts to take computing powers to another level, but until now most advances have been restricted to arcane demonstrations rather than practical applications. Mastering the understanding, control and visualization of electron spin could be a significant step forward.

“We now plan to use our machine to investigate the possibilities for developing a new generation of electron spin-based devices, because it will let us look into the properties of tiny and structurally complex samples previously hidden from view,” Yaji concludes.

Further information
Name: Koichiro Yaji
National Institute for Materials Science
Email: yaji.koichiro@nims.go.jp

Paper: https://doi.org/10.1080/27660400.2024.2328206

About Science and Technology of Advanced Materials: Methods (STAM-M)

STAM Methods is an open access sister journal of Science and Technology of Advanced Materials (STAM), and focuses on emergent methods and tools for improving and/or accelerating materials developments, such as methodology, apparatus, instrumentation, modeling, high-through put data collection, materials/process informatics, databases, and programming. https://www.tandfonline.com/STAM-M

Dr Yasufumi Nakamichi
STAM Publishing Director
Email: NAKAMICHI.Yasufumi@nims.go.jp

Press release distributed by Asia Research News for Science and Technology of Advanced Materials.