Champion REIT Announces 2023 Annual Results

HONG KONG, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Champion Real Estate Investment Trust (stock code: 2778), the owner of Three Garden Road and Langham Place, announces its financial results for year ended 31 December 2023.

Summary of financial results

	FY 2023	FY 2022	Change
Total Rental Income (HK$ million)	2,312	2,359	-2.0%
Net Property Income (HK$ million)	1,946	2,031	-4.2%
Distributable Income (HK$ million)	1,122	1,298	-13.6%
Distribution per unit (HK$)	0.1683	0.1954	-13.9%

	31 Dec 2023	31 Dec 2022	Change
Gross Value of Portfolio (HK$ million)	62,950	63,555	-1.0%
Net Asset Value per unit (HK$)	7.72	7.91	-2.4%
Gearing Ratio	22.8%	22.5%	+0.3 pp

Overview

The return of tourists following full border reopening in 2023 helped revive the Hong Kong retail market. Although the overall tourism and consumer demand still lagged behind the pre-COVID levels, the Trust’s retail rental income has shown satisfactory growth due to improved footfall and tenants’ sales. However, Hong Kong office leasing remained sluggish as occupiers continued to be cost cautious. Rental income of the Trust slightly decreased by 2.0% to HK$2,312 million. Net property income of the Trust decreased by 4.2% to HK$1,946 million. The high interest rate environment resulted in a surge in cash finance costs by 41.3% to HK$590 million. The Trust recorded a drop in distributable income by 13.6 % to HK$1,122 million and distribution per unit (“DPU”) declined 13.9 % to HK$0.1683.

Three Garden Road

While we saw a rise in the number of enquiries after the full border reopening, the overall leasing momentum for the Central office market remained slow in 2023. Despite challenging market environment, occupancy of Three Garden Road maintained at stable level of 82.8% as at 31 December 2023. Rental income dropped to HK$1,222 million (2022: HK$1,346 million) as a result of negative rental reversion. In addition to the completion of a comprehensive lift modernisation project to improve the efficiency of elevators, new electric vehicle chargers were installed to further enhance amenities and accommodate an increasing number of electric vehicles in Hong Kong.

Langham Place Office Tower

Demand from the healthcare and beauty segments for establishing new operations in Langham Place Office Tower continued. Occupancy of the property remained stable at 93.3% as at 31 December 2023. Lifestyle tenants continued to be the major occupiers of the property, accounting for 74% of the area as at 31 December 2023. Rental income declined 3.7% to HK$350 million (2022: HK$363 million).

Langham Place Mall

The overall Hong Kong retail market recorded satisfactory recovery in the post pandemic era with total retail sales increased by 16.2% in 2023. Langham Place Mall achieved an above-market average performance with tenants’ sales growing significantly by 50.5%, thanks to the strong recovery in the beauty segment following the full border reopening. The total rental income of the mall increased by 13.9% to HK$740 million (2022: HK$650 million). Occupancy of the mall stood at 98.6% as at 31 December 2023 due to tenant turnover.

Distribution

Distributable income of the Trust dropped 13.6% to HK$1,122 million (2022: HK$1,298 million) and DPU dropped 13.9% to HK$0.1683 (2022: HK$0.1954). Based on the closing unit price of HK$2.45 recorded as at 29 December 2023, the total DPU represented a distribution yield of 6.9%.

Asset Value

The appraised value of the Trust’s property portfolio was HK$62.9 billion as at 31 December 2023, declining 1.0% from HK$63.6 billion as at 31 December 2022.

Sustainability

Our initiatives around climate resilience, stakeholder engagement and community well-being foster a strong and inclusive environment. Langham Place Office Tower’s attainment of BEAM Plus Existing Building Platinum Certification is another accomplishment in reaching our 2030 green building targets. During the year, we launched the first ESG Forum and encouraged our tenants to join the “Green Champion Challenge” in energy and waste reduction. We strive to promote a balanced and sustainable lifestyle among our staff, tenants and music lovers through engaging them in initiatives such as the waste-to-farm-to-table project, Christmas social enterprise pop-up market and the flagship “Musica del Cuore” classical concerts.

Outlook

Despite that the uncertainties in the outlook of the global economy in 2024 against the backdrop of geopolitical tensions and wars in certain regions, the moderation of inflation and potential interest rate cuts could ease the pressure on commercial real estate valuation and interest expenses. For the domestic retail market, the strong local currency may hinder the growth this year following a solid recovery in 2023. We will continue our efforts in optimising the rental income of the properties portfolio and managing the risks under the challenging market conditions.

Photo 1 – (Left) Ms. Christina Hau, Chief Executive Officer & (Right) Ms. Amy Luk, Investment and Investor Relations Director

Photo 2 – Ms. Christina Hau, Chief Executive Officer

About Champion REIT (stock code: 2778)

Champion Real Estate Investment Trust is a trust formed to own and invest in income producing office and retail properties. The Trust focuses on Grade A commercial properties in prime locations. It currently offers investors direct exposure to nearly 3 million sq. ft. of prime office and retail floor area. These include two Hong Kong landmark properties, Three Garden Road and Langham Place, as well as a joint venture stake in 66 Shoe Lane in Central London.

Website: www.championreit.com

HKTDC’s major focus areas promote Hong Kong’s advantages

HONG KONG, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today announced its major focus areas for 2024-2025, which strengthen Hong Kong’s status as a leading global business and investment hub and convention and exhibition (C&E) centre. The HKTDC is committed to promoting Hong Kong’s advantages internationally and creating opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.

HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam said: “With the record-breaking attendance at our Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in January, it is clear that international business leaders and investors have returned to Hong Kong. Looking ahead, we will further consolidate Hong Kong’s status as an international financial, trade and international C&E centre and promote Hong Kong’s strengths internationally. We will redouble our efforts to highlight Hong Kong’s unique role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and further integrate into the overall development of Mainland China, while actively exploring other rapidly growing markets, such as ASEAN and the Middle East. We will also continue to focus on the key growth drivers of innovation, sustainability and wellness.”

Since full reopening in March 2023, the HKTDC has stepped up efforts to attract business people across the globe to return to Hong Kong, and the Council’s trade events have welcomed visitors from Asia, the Middle East to Africa and Europe to the Americas, reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a business and investment hub.

Last year, we staged some 40 major events, attracting over 22,000 exhibitors and over 430,000 physical buyers and participants from Hong Kong, the mainland and around the world, with particularly notable growth in visitors from Mainland China, ASEAN and the Middle East. Indeed, exhibitor and buyer participation at last year’s HKTDC trade fairs has returned to 70-80% of pre-pandemic levels, with some even reaching 90%. Our anchor conferences, such as the AFF and the Belt and Road Summit, also attracted record-breaking attendance and strong international participation.

HKTDC’s 2024-2025 major work focus is:

1. Strengthen Hong Kong’s position within the GBA and its integration into national development

The HKTDC will open two new GBA business support centres in Huizhou and Zhaoqing in March. With these additional centres, we will have a physical presence in all mainland GBA cities to provide stronger on-the-ground support to businesses that are interested in tapping GBA opportunities.
Version 2.0 of the HKTDC’s offline and online business support programme GoGBA will be launched to provide more comprehensive support for businesses keen to access the GBA. It will include a five-in-one support plan for different industries, comprising seminars, group and one-on-one consultations, GBA business visits and industry information kits.
We will enhance the promotion of infrastructure and real estate services (IRES), legal and other professional services and arrange trade delegations to mainland GBA cities to facilitate collaboration.
We will stage SmartHK in Nanjing to boost collaboration between Hong Kong and Yangtze River Delta in trade, innovation and green finance.
The HKTDC will launch a new innovation and technology (I&T) zone at the Hong Kong Services Pavilion at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai to promote Hong Kong’s I&T strengths.
We will expand product offerings at the Hong Kong Pavilion at the China International Consumer Goods Expo in Hainan to cover niche sectors in high demand.

2. Connect Hong Kong with opportunities in RCEP and beyond to reinforce Hong Kong’s status as a resilient and connected business hub

HKTDC’s mega promotion Think Business, Think Hong Kong will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia to showcase Hong Kong’s world-class services.
We will launch a Hong Kong Professional Plus campaign to help local service providers understand the ASEAN market and seize opportunities.
A fundraising roadshow to ASEAN or the Middle East will be organised to connect corporates with imminent fundraising needs and reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a fundraising hub.
We will also lead a delegation to the Middle East to help Hong Kong IRES providers strengthen ties with their Middle Eastern counterparts.
The HKTDC will launch the New Market Navigator Series, which consists of exploratory study missions and participation in trade fairs in targeted regions to highlight Hong Kong’s competitive edge across industries.
In terms of the ASEAN market, we will stage a Hong Kong product showcase at the FHA-HoReCa in Singapore, one of the largest events in Asia in the sector. For the Middle East market, we will participate in regional trade fairs, such as Gifts & Lifestyle Middle East. Partnerships with relevant industry associations will be explored to arrange missions consisting of company visits, business matching meetings and networking.

3. Accelerate the development of Hong Kong’s pillar and new sectors with a focus on I&T, sustainability and wellness

The HKTDC will continue to facilitate international cooperation through signature events, such as Think Business, Think Hong Kong in overseas markets and AFF, Belt and Road Summit and Eco Expo Asia, to highlight Hong Kong’s role as an international centre for green finance and greentech.
An ESG seminar series will be launched at our anchor fairs to address the needs of different industries transitioning towards a more sustainable, low-carbon future.
The HKTDC will strengthen deal-making at AFF and target projects related to agritech, food tech, greentech, renewable energy and climate change mitigation, working closely with the Hong Kong Green Finance Association.
We will deepen collaboration with R&D and innovation centres of Hong Kong-based universities to promote technology commercialisation with a focus on healthtech.
The HKTDC will collaborate with start-up communities across Asia to position the Start-up Zone at HKTDC’s exhibitions as the ideal launchpad for start-ups to showcase their products and solutions.
Following last year’s introduction of a new ESG stream within the HKTDC’s Transformation Sandbox (T-box) business support programme, we will continue to expand T-box’s partnerships with global technology companies to support SMEs’ digital transformation.

4. Reinforce Hong Kong’s role as a global business hub and a C&E centre

The HKTDC will stage some 40 large-scale international exhibitions and conferences, ranging from Eco Expo Asia and InnoEx to AFF and Asia Summit on Global Health.
We will enrich the experience of business visitors by working with partner organisations to organise mega events around our anchor trade exhibitions and conferences. The linking of the Asian Financial Forum and the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon in January this year was a good example.
We will debut two new trade fairs, DeLuxe PrintPack Hong Kong and Smart Lighting Expo, in April to meet market demand and facilitate opportunities in these industries.
We will continue to enhance the digital offerings of our exhibitions and conferences to provide a seamless online-to-offline experience for our participants and champion Hong Kong as a leader in innovation and digital transformation in the C&E industry.

Media enquiries
HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Agnes Wat, Tel: (852) 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org
Sam Ho, Tel: (852) 2584 4569, Email: sam.sy.ho@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

Motwani Jadeja Foundation Launches the Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India

NEW DELHI, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – In a pioneering collaboration, the Motwani Jadeja Foundation is proud to announce the establishment of the “Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India” in partnership with the esteemed Atlantic Council. This delegation comprises six distinguished experts deeply immersed in India’s dynamic narrative across various sectors, including economic development, foreign policy, security, culture, and innovation.

Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India

Motwani Jadeja Foundation Launches the Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India

The Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India is poised to play a pivotal role in the upcoming ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue, a prestigious event jointly organized by the Ananta Centre and the Ministry of External Affairs, India. Scheduled from Feb. 21-23, 2024, at the Imperial Hotel in New Delhi, this forum is a significant platform for fostering bilateral dialogue and cooperation between India and the United States.

Asha Jadeja Motwani, the visionary force behind this initiative, emphasizes the importance of catalyzing collaborations among diverse stakeholders to propel India’s growth. As a prolific venture capitalist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, Asha Jadeja Motwani envisions this delegation as a critical step toward advancing India’s global ambitions.

“I am honored to lead the Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India, a platform that seeks to harness global leaders’ collective expertise and passion towards shaping India’s trajectory on the world stage. We will strive to catalyze impactful collaborations and drive positive change, advancing India’s position as a global leader in the 21st century,” said Asha Jadeja Motwani.

Building upon the success of the Global India Dialogues launched by Asha Jadeja Motwani at Davos 2024, the Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India aims to translate the mission of fostering a deeper understanding of India’s global aspirations and challenges into actionable initiatives. This initiative seeks to promote inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous collaborations globally.

The Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India will feature discussions on various topics including the Quad, I2U2, iCET, the future of warfare, supply chains, global health systems, balancing innovation and accountability in AI, global south partnerships, combating extreme weather events, building trust for R&D and tech collaborations, critical minerals, and the next decade of the India-U.S. partnership.

The delegation includes:

Jenna Ben-Yehuda, Executive Vice President of the Atlantic Council
Paula Dobriansky, Vice Chair of the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Former Under Secretary of State for Global Affairs, and Board Member of the Atlantic Council
Joshua Lipsky, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center
Kapil Sharma, Acting Senior Director and Senior Fellow of the Atlantic Council’s South Asia Center
William Wechsler, Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Middle East Programs
Matthew Kroening, Vice President and Senior Director of the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

The Motwani Atlantic Council Delegation to India represents a significant milestone in fostering collaborative efforts toward shaping the future of India-U.S. relations and global prosperity.

Contact Information
Vrushali Malpekar
Marketing
info@mjf.world
408 645 4286

SOURCE: Motwani Jadeja Family Foundation

View the original press release on newswire.com.

HKIRA 10th IR Awards 2024 now open for nomination

HONG KONG, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (HKIRA) is pleased to announce that public nomination is now open for the HKIRA 10th IR Awards 2024 (the ‘Awards’). This will be the tenth consecutive year of the Awards at which best IR and corporate governance practices are recognized among Hong Kong listed companies.

Dr Eva Chan, Founding Chairman of HKIRA, said, “This is the 10th year of the IR Awards launched since 2015. The IR professionals is facing with a high inflation, high interest rate and volatile geopolitical environment, which is a challenging year for financial markets around the world. During such times is when effective communication between companies and its stakeholders becomes increasingly important. Rising concerns over ESG, health and wellness issues have also been changing the ways in which investors value listed companies. We look forward to recognizing IR professionals that have been dedicating immense efforts in adapting to these changes and excelling in such challenging environment at this year’s IR Awards.”

Last year, 126 award entries were received from listed companies, over 740 eligible voters and over 290 voting institutions participated in the voting. 41 winners from various categories were recognized at the Awards. Among the winners, China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (stock code: 00291) and Xtep International Holdings Limited (stock code: 01368) were awarded Overall Best IR Company by company size – Large Cap and Mid Cap – respectively. The Judging Panel concurred to withhold the Overall Best IR Company Award for Small Cap last year, and looked forward to ongoing efforts in the adoption of IR best practices by Small Cap listed companies in Hong Kong.

The HKIRA 10th IR Awards 2024 is once again honoured to have Professor Louis Cheng, Dr. S H Ho Professor of Banking and Finance and the Director of Research Centre for ESG at The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, as the Chairman of the Judging Panel. Being an advocate and a researcher of best practice of IR, Professor Cheng has in recent years been promoting the idea of integrating ESG into investors’ decisions. ESG-related awards have been added to the HKIRA IR Award categories since 2020. In addition, Professor Cheng has been working with HKIRA to continuously fine-tune the award criteria and categories to better recognise the latest development of IR activities and strategies in Hong Kong and Asia.

Public nomination for the HKIRA 10th IR Awards 2024 is now open to Hong Kong-listed companies. Nominated individuals and companies will be placed on the online voting list upon confirmation of their participation. The investment community, including buy-side and sell-side analysts, and fund managers, are eligible to vote. Nominees with the highest votes (weighted) in each award category will be shortlisted and then undergo a final assessment by the judging panel. Finally, the Most Progress in IR, IR Committed Company, Overall Best IR Company and Grand ESG Awards will be selected by the judging panel. Facilitating a fair and balanced evaluation, the judging panel comprises academics, representatives from professional associations and the investment community.

The HKIRA 10th IR Awards 2024 scheme has a total of 16 award categories honouring best IR practices of individuals and companies. Among these awards, 12 categories are open for nomination and voting, while the other 4 awards are selected by the judging panel. The award winners are to be announced at a ceremony to be held in Hong Kong in June/July 2024. For more information, please visit www.hkira.com/awards.

Strategic Public Relations Group is once again proud to be the Official Public Relations Partner and the Diamond Sponsor for the HKIRA IR Awards this year. Please find key dates relating to the Awards with its categories and criteria for selection listed in the Appendix.

Professor Louis Cheng, Dr. S H Ho Professor of Banking and Finance and the Director of Research Centre for ESG, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Chairman of the Judging Panel; Dr Eva Chan, Founding Chairman of HKIRA; and Mr Kevin Leung, Investor Relations Director & Company Secretary of China Resources Beer (Holdings) Company Limited (From left to right).

About HKIRA

Hong Kong Investor Relations Association (HKIRA) is a non-profit professional association comprising investor relations practitioners and corporate officers responsible for communication between corporate management and the investment community. HKIRA advocates the setting of international standards in IR education, advances the best IR practices and meets the professional development needs of those interested in pursuing the investor relations profession.

HKIRA is dedicated to advancing the practice of IR as well as the professional competency and status of its members. To date, HKIRA has over 1,300 members most of whom are working for companies primarily listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong. About 68 of the Hang Seng Index Constituent Stock companies are currently members of HKIRA. HKIRA’s members are from a wide spectrum of professions including IR, finance, accounting, company secretarial to corporate investment and hold positions at different corporate levels, including top executives responsible for IR and management of listed companies. For more information about HKIRA details, please visit our website http://www.hkira.com.

About the IR Awards

The HKIRA Investor Relations Awards (the “IR Awards”) is an annual campaign that aims to encourage, recognize and reward the excellence in investor relations practices by individuals and companies listed in Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Since the launch in 2015, each year the Awards seeks out and highlights the incredible achievements of individuals and companies with high standards in investor relations through their role modelling to the investment community.

The Awards ceremony, consisting of a conference in the morning and presentation in the afternoon, is a spectacular gathering of IR specialists and industry professionals that applauds and publicizes the year’s achievements in investor relations. For details of the Awards and online nominations, please visit http://www.hkira.com/awards.

Media enquiries:

Strategic Public Relations Group

Cindy Lung Tel: +852 2864 4867 Email: cindy.lung@sprg.com.hk

Holly Szeto Tel: +852 2864 4859 Email: holly.szeto@sprg.com.hk

Michelle Shiu Tel: +852 2864 4861 Email: michelle.shiu@sprg.com.hk

Website: www.sprg.asia

Hong Kong Investor Relations Association

Scarlet Cheng Tel: +852 2117 1846 Email: irawards@hkira.com

Website: www.hkira.com

Appendix

Key Dates

Nomination period: 21 February to 26 March 2024

Online voting period: 8 April – 15 May 2024

Judging Panel Meeting: Second half of May 2024

Award Presentation: June /July 2024

Award Categories

Award Categories	Recognition	Selection Method
Best IR Company	Company’s Achievements	Open for nomination and online voting
Best IR Team
Best ESG (E)
Best ESG (S)
Best ESG (G)
Best Investor Meeting
Best Investor Presentation Material
Best Annual Report
Best IR Company for an IPO*
Best IR by Chairman/CEO	Individual’s Achievements
Best IR by CFO
Best IRO (Investor Relations Officer)
Most Progress in IR	Demonstration of the most progress in IR in the above areas during 2023	Selected by Judging Panel
IR Committed Company	Demonstration of substantial efforts and allocated valuable resources towards enhancing their IR functions
Overall Best IR Company Awards	Outstanding and all-round excellence in the above areas
Grand ESG Award	Overall excellence in all the three areas across ESG

* Companies which were listed on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong in 2022 and 2023 are eligible to be nominated for this award.

Remarks: All awards will be further categorised by company market capitalisation into Large Cap, Mid Cap, and Small Cap, except Best IR Company for an IPO, Most Progress in IR and IR Committed Company Awards.

Judging Panel (Arranged in alphabetical order of last name)

Name	Title	Firms / Organizations
Professor Louis Cheng (Chairman of Judging Panel)	Dr. S H Ho Professor of Banking and Finance, Director of the Research Centre for ESG	The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Dato’ Seri CHEAH Cheng Hye MAoF	Co-Chairman And Co-Chief Investment Officer	Value Partners Group
Mrs Amy Donati	Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer	EDICO Holdings Limited
Ms Ashley Khoo, CFA, CPA	Ex- Board Director	CFA Society Hong Kong
Mr Stephen Law	Vice-President	Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Mr Andrew Look	Independent Non-Executive Director	CITIC Resources Holdings Limited
Ms Victoria Mio, CFA, FRM	Portfolio Manager, Head of Greater China Equities	Janus Henderson Investors
Dr Maurice Ngai	General Committee and the Chairman of Membership Services of the Sub-Committees	The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies

NACIFIC Announce Debut ATEEZ Special Collaboration Product Launch

SEOUL, S.KOREA, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – NACIFIC, a k-beauty cosmetic brand famous for natural components, has announced the first collaboration products with brand ambassador ATEEZ are to be released on February 20th.

In celebration of selecting ATEEZ as brand ambassadors, the collaboration offers two group member individualized series: a set of eight hand cream and eight lip tints. Reflecting the unique personalities of the eight ATEEZ members, the packaging captures an array of moods. Additionally, the event has a special feature of incorporating the members’ signatures and handwriting, enhancing the uniqueness of the collaboration.

The ‘Vegan Hand Butter’ contains natural moisturizing ingredients such as shea butter and allantoin, providing a moist and soft texture upon application. Additionally, functioning as a perfumed hand cream, it offers a subtly pleasant scent that lingers for an extended period, serving as an alternative to perfume. Moreover, the ATEEZ Special Edition, comprising eight fragrance names inspired by the members’ birth flowers, adds significance to the collaboration.

The ‘Shine Mood Slick’ tint, formulated with a water-based texture rich in moisture, has garnered positive feedback since its launch due to its light and moist feel upon application. In the ‘Shine Mood Slick’ Special Edition as well, the colors are inspired by the moods of the ATEEZ members.

A NACIFIC representative stated, “We are launching collaborative products to celebrate the appointment of ATEEZ as our brand ambassadors,” adding, “We plan to continue various marketing activities with ATEEZ in the future.”

Meanwhile, NACIFIC will host an event marking its first collaboration with ATEEZ starting from February 20th at 11:00AM(KST). Customers who purchase a set of collaboration products can choose to receive either a set of eight ATEEZ ID photos or one ATEEZ 4-cut photos or get both sets with purchasing tint and hand cream collaboration sets.

Search NACIFIC official shops on Shopee (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Mexico, Brazil, Indonesia), Lazada (Malaysia, Singapore), Amazon (US, German, France, Italy, Japan), Ebay (US, Brunei, France, Chile, Colombia), Walmart (US), Joom (CIS, Europe), Qoo10 (Japan), Rakuten (Japan), HKTVmall (Hong Kong), Tmall (China), Allegro (Poland) etc.

Media Contact

Brand: NACIFIC

Contact: Global Sales Team

HK: https://www.hktvmall.com/hktv/zh/main/nacifichk/s/U0005001

SG: https://shopee.tw/nacific_official.tw

PH: https://shopee.ph/nacificofficial.ph

MY: https://shopee.com.my/nacific.os

TW: https://shopee.tw/nacific_official.tw

US: https://www.walmart.com/c/brand/nacific

https://www.amazon.com/nacific

MX: https://shopee.com.mx/nacificofficial.mx

TH: https://www.lazada.co.th/shop/nacific-official-store/

BR: https://shopee.com.br/nacificofficial.br

SOURCE: NACIFIC

E Fund & Saudi Riyad Capital Enter Partnership to Share Local Investment Expertise, Enhancing Mutual Investment Capabilities

HONG KONG, Feb 21, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – On February 20, 2024, E Fund Management Co., Ltd. (“E Fund”) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Riyad Capital, to enter into an agreement to collaborate on sharing local investment expertise. The MoU was signed at the Saudi Capital Market Forum 2024 in Riyadh.

E Fund, the largest fund manager in China, is pleased to announce a new cooperation with Riyad Capital, a leading asset manager in Saudi Arabia. This collaboration aims to combine the strengths and expertise of both organizations to enhance investment opportunities and create long-term, sustainable value for clients.

The cooperation will leverage both firms’ extensive knowledge of respective local markets and investment strategies. Through this cooperation, clients of both E Fund and Riyad Capital will have access to a broader range of investment products and services.

Xiaoyan Liu, Co-Chairman of the Board and CEO of E Fund stated, “The high level of openness of China’s capital market provides opportunities for the international development of Chinese fund management companies. E Fund has been consistently advancing its global development strategy, and this partnership with Riyad Capital represents a significant step forward. With this partnership, we will enhance our investment capabilities in Saudi Arabia and the broader region and expand our product offerings and services, while also establishing a bridge for investors in Saudi to understand and allocate to China.”

“We are pleased to partner with E Fund Management,” said Abdullah Alshwer, Riyad Capital’s CEO. “This collaboration allows us to tap into their extensive Asia network and access to their products, while also sharing our local investment expertise. In line with the KSA Vision 2030 through the Financial Sector Development Program we will be able to offer global investors access to Saudi capital markets and similarly offer our local clients a wider range of investment opportunities in different global markets.”

Both companies are confident that this cooperation will foster financial innovation, strengthen investment capabilities, and ultimately benefit their clients, who will gain access to a more comprehensive suite of investment solutions. By combining their local expertise and presence, E Fund and Riyad Capital are poised to create a mutually beneficial relationship.

John Mattone Selected as World’s Top Professional Coach for the Fifth Time

SANFORD, FL, Feb 20, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – John Mattone has been selected as the World’s #1 Executive Coach and Coaching Authority for the fifth time in the past six years by the research organization Globalgurus.org. Dr. Peter Chee was #2 and Tony Robbins was #3. As a bestselling author and globally renowned coach, speaker, and educator, John Mattone will be honored at the 2024 Annual Gala in Bali by Global Gurus.

John Mattone – World’s #1 Executive Coach
John Mattone has been selected as the World’s #1 Executive Coach and Coaching Authority for the fifth time in the past six years

As a reputable research organization, Global Gurus first honored Mattone in July 2019 at the Annual Gala in Toronto. While inclusion in the Global Gurus Top 30 Global Coaches is an honor in itself, being distinguished as the world’s best professional executive coach for three consecutive years, and five out of the past six years, is a very special honor. This selection is based on professional accomplishments, contributions to the field of coaching, leadership, research, peer respect, and pioneering thought leadership.

John Mattone is the founder of one of the world’s leading coaching and leadership development firms, John Mattone Global (JMG). JMG is also an industry-leading coach certification company that provides ICF-approved and accredited certification programs to coaches and leaders through its trademarked and licensed brand, Intelligent Leadership. John Mattone Partners, Inc. (JMP) owns an industry-leading 15 registered IP trademarks awarded by the USPTO.

John Mattone is the pioneer of Intelligent Leadership (IL), a transformative, results-oriented leadership growth philosophy and process that ignites, cultivates, and polishes an individual’s heart, mind, and soul in support of creating exceptional leadership and cultural capability in an organization. The IL “movement” began in 2010. Since then, John Mattone’s IL coaching system has transformed the lives of nearly one million people and impacted the success of thousands of organizations from every corner of the globe – 55 countries to date.

Since 2017, John Mattone has personally coached and mentored over 750 global executive coaches and 45 of the world’s top CEO’s and government leaders. John Mattone is the former executive coach to the late Steve Jobs and the former legendary CEO of PepsiCo, Roger Enrico.

John is the author of 10 books, including five best-sellers: Talent Leadership (2012), Intelligent Leadership (2013), Cultural Transformations (2016), The Intelligent Leader (2019), and The Executive Coach’s Handbook (2022).

John has a Bachelor of Science in Management & Organizational Behavior as well as a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. He serves on the Dean’s Advisory Board (College of Sciences) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and is a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Hult International School of Business.

John Mattone and his family are paying it forward through two scholarships at the University of Central Florida: The John Mattone Endowed Graduate Scholarship Fund for Executive Coaching and Leadership (for Graduate students in Industrial/Organizational Psychology) and The Mattone Family Endowed Scholarship for Industrial/Organizational Psychology.

About John Mattone

John Mattone is a bestselling author, the world’s #1 authority on Intelligent Leadership and one of the world’s most in-demand CEO coaches and leadership speakers. He is the founder of John Mattone Global, one of the world’s leading executive coaching firms.

For more information, please visit http://www.johnmattone.com and http://www.ilmovement.com.

Contact Information
Manny Janero
Marketing Manager
info@clickelements.com
1.866.923.5464

SOURCE: John Mattone Global

View the original press release on newswire.com.

LQR House Secures 1 Million GBP Purchase Order for SWOL Tequila from Access Fulfillment, Expanding to the UK

MIAMI BEACH, FL, Feb 20, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – LQR House Inc. (the “Company” or “LQR House”) (NASDAQ:LQR), a niche ecommerce platform specializing in the spirits and beverage industry, proudly announces the receipt of a £1,080,000 GBP (approximately $1,350,000 USD) purchase order for its SWOL Tequila from Access Fulfillment, based in the UK. This strategic partnership marks LQR House’s entry into the UK market, with Access Fulfillment being the first UK-based partner the Company granted distribution rights for SWOL Tequila.

Access Fulfillment, established in November 2007, has evolved over 15 years to become a leader in storage, distribution, and fulfillment services. Boasting progressive technologies and unwavering customer service, the company has a solid track record in the wine industry and maintains strong relationships with local retailers. The Company believes that situated in Kent, Southeast England, Access Fulfillment’s transport connections to the UK road network and Europe make it an ideal partner for the expansion of SWOL Tequila.

LQR House CEO, Sean Dollinger, expressed enthusiasm about SWOL Tequila’s global trajectory, stating, “With purchase orders now coming in from Canada and the UK, we believe that SWOL starts growing into a global brand. We believe that the humbling reviews from SWOL customers validate our commitment to crafting a unique Anejo blend. In our view, SWOL’s success in a saturated tequila market is evident through the positive customer reviews and increasing orders.”

The Company believe that this significant partnership with Access Fulfillment aligns with LQR House’s mission to redefine the spirits industry through innovative products and strategic expansions.

About LQR House Inc.

LQR House intends to become a prominent force in the wine and spirits e-commerce sector, epitomized by its flagship alcohol marketplace, cwspirits.com. This platform seamlessly delivers a diverse range of emerging, premium, and luxury spirits, wines, and champagnes from esteemed retail partners like Country Wine & Spirits. Functioning as a technology-driven hub, LQR House utilizes software, data analytics, and artificial intelligence to elevate the consumer experience. CWSpirits.com stands out as the go-to destination for modern, convenience-oriented shoppers, providing a curated selection of alcohol products delivered to homes across the United States. Beyond its role as an e-commerce leader, LQR House is a marketing agency with a specialized focus on the alcohol industry. The Company measures campaign success by directly correlating it with sales on CWSpirits.com, demonstrating a return on investment. Backed by an influential network of over 550 figures in the alcohol space, LQR House strategically drives traffic to CWSpirits.com, enhancing brand visibility. LQR House intends to disrupt the traditional landscape of the alcohol industry, driven by its dedication to providing an unparalleled online purchasing experience and delivering tailored marketing solutions.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company’s current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs. Shareholders can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “aim,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “is/are likely to,” “potential,” “continue” or other similar expressions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances, or changes in its expectations that arise after the date hereof, except as may be required by law. These statements are subject to uncertainties and risks including, but not limited to, the uncertainties related to market conditions, and other factors discussed in the “Risk Factors” section of the registration statements on Form S-1 filed with the SEC and other filings with the SEC. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot assure you that such expectations will turn out to be correct, and the Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results and encourages investors to review other factors that may affect its future results in the Company’s registration statements on Form S-1 and other filings with the SEC. Additional factors are discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, which are available for review at www.sec.gov.

Investor and Media Contact:info@lqrhouse.com

SOURCE: LQR House Inc.

Graphene Manufacturing Group ISO 9001:2015 Certification, Demonstrating Commitment to Quality Management

Brisbane, Queensland, Australia–(ACN Newswire – February 20, 2024) – Graphene Manufacturing Group Ltd. (TSXV: GMG) (“GMG” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has successfully passed the ISO 9001:2015 audit and is now certified to be in compliance with this internationally recognised standard for quality management systems. This achievement underscores GMG’s commitment to providing its customers with the highest quality products and services, while continuously improving its internal processes.

The ISO 9001 certification process involved a rigorous assessment of GMG’s quality management system, covering all aspects of its operations, from customer service to production, delivery, and technical support. The successful audit demonstrates that GMG’s system meets the stringent requirements of the ISO 9001 standard that are designed to ensure consistent quality and customer satisfaction.

The benefits of ISO 9001 certification for GMG include:

Enhanced customer satisfaction through improved product and service quality.
Increased efficiency and productivity through optimised processes.
Reduced costs through minimised errors and waste.
Improved decision-making through data-driven insights.

GMG is committed to maintaining its ISO 9001 certification and continuously improving its quality management system. The Company plans to conduct regular internal audits and reviews to ensure that its system remains effective and aligned with the latest standards.

GMG’s Managing Director and CEO, Craig Nicol, commented: “We are extremely proud to achieve ISO 9001 certification. This certification is a testament to our dedication to quality and continuous improvement. We are confident that this will further strengthen our relationships with our customers and partners and open more opportunities.”

Additionally, the Company would like to clarify the terms of an investor relations agreement with Focus Communications Investor Relations Inc., a company existing under the laws of Ontario (“Focus”), dated July 1, 2023 (the “Focus Agreement”), previously detailed in the News Release dated July 18, 2023.

Pursuant to the Focus Agreement, Focus will provide investor relations services to GMG for a three-year term, subject to early termination in certain events. The options previously detailed in the July 18, 2023, News Release will vest and become exercisable over a 12-month period and have a term of 3 years.

RSU and Options Grants

The Company is also pleased to announce that following the annual external remuneration review, its Board of Directors have approved the grant of an aggregate of 685,530 Restricted Share Units (“RSU’s”) and 1,400,000 Share Options (“Options”) to certain officers and directors of the Company pursuant to its Restricted Share and Performance Share Plan and the Stock Option Plan. The RSU’s and Options will vest in accordance with the following schedules.

Number of Units	Vesting Terms
213622 RSU’s	71,207 on Jan 22, 2025, 71,207 on Jan 22, 2026, 71,208 on Jan 22, 2027
76114 RSU’s	25,317 on 12 February 2025, 25,371 on 12 February 2026, 25,372 on 12 February 2027.
189671 RSU’s	94, 836 on 17 October 2024, 94, 835 on 17 October 2025
206123 RSU’s	206,123 on 12 February 2025
1,400,000 Options	462,000 on 6 February 2025, 462,000 on 6 February 2026, 476,000 on 6 February 2027

When vested, each RSU entitles the holder thereof to receive one Share or the equivalent cash value thereof.

About GMG

GMG is a disruptive Australian-based clean-tech company listed on the TSXV (TSXV: GMG) that produces graphene and hydrogen by cracking methane (natural gas) instead of mining graphite. By using the company’s proprietary process, GMG can produce high quality, scalable, ‘tuneable’ and no/low contaminant graphene – enabling demonstrated cost and environmental improvements in a number of world-scale planet-friendly/clean-tech applications. Using this low input cost source of graphene, the Company is developing value-added products that target the massive energy efficiency and energy storage markets. The Company is pursuing additional opportunities for GMG Graphene, including developing next-generation batteries, collaborating with world-leading universities in Australia, and investigating the opportunity to enhance the performance of lubricant oil and performance enhanced HVAC-R coating system.

GMG’s 4 critical business objectives are to:

Produce Graphene and improve/scale cell production processes.
Build Revenue from Energy Savings Products.
Develop a Next-Generation Battery.
Develop its Supply Chain, Partners & Project Execution Capability.

For further information please contact:

Craig Nicol, Chief Executive Officer & Managing Director of the Company at craig.nicol@graphenemg.com, +61 415 445 223
Leo Karabelas at Focus Communications Investor Relations, leo@fcir.ca, +1 647 689 6041

www.graphenemg.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “intends”, “expects” or “anticipates”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “should”, “would” or will “potentially” or “likely” occur. This information and these statements, referred to herein as “forward‐looking statements”, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding the ISO 9001 standard underscoring GMG’s commitment to providing quality products and services and continued improvement, that the Company will continuously improve its internal processes, the benefits stemming from the ISO 9001 certification, and that the Company will conduct regular internal audits and reviews to ensure that its systems remain effective and aligned with the latest standards.

Such forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions of management, including, without limitation, assumptions relating to the significance of the Company obtaining its ISO 9001 certification, that the Company will be able to continuously improve its internal processes, that the Company will derive the expected benefits from the ISO 9001 certification as currently expected by management, that the Company will conduct regular internal audits and reviews to ensure that its systems remain effective and aligned with the latest standards, and that the ISO 9001 certification will further strengthen the Company’s relationships with its customers and partners and open more opportunities. Additionally, forward-looking information involves a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements of GMG to be materially different from any future plans, intentions, activities, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, without limitation: that the Company will be unable to continuously improve its internal processes, that the Company will not derive the benefits management expects from the ISO 9001 certification, that the Company will not conduct regular internal audits and reviews to ensure that its systems remain effective and aligned with the latest standards, that the ISO 9001 certification will not strengthen the Company’s relationships with its customers and partners and open more opportunities, risks relating to the extent and duration of the conflict in Eastern Europe and its impact on global markets, the volatility of global capital markets, political instability, the failure of the Company to obtain regulatory approvals, attract and retain skilled personnel, unexpected development and production challenges, unanticipated costs and the risk factors set out under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual information form dated October 12, 2023 available for review on the Company’s profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/198540

Charting the Future Forward: WBS returns to Dubai

DUBAI, Feb 20, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The 29th Edition of the World Blockchain Summit, an event by Trescon, returns to Dubai on 22nd and 23rd April 2024 bringing together leading innovators, investors, enterprises, thought leaders, entrepreneurs under one roof to debate and dissect the trending issues and challenges that are rapidly reshaping the regional blockchain and web3 ecosystem.

Held at the prestigious JW Marriot Hotel, Marina, the event emerges as the focal point for innovators to play a central role in establishing Dubai as the blockchain capital of the MENA region. With the implementation of key initiatives such as the Dubai Blockchain Strategy, Dubai Metaverse Strategy, the launch of Dubai Blockchain Platform and Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA), the Dubai is becoming the hotspot for blockchain and web3 innovations.

#WBSDubai is set to deliver compelling keynote speeches, illuminating use-case studies presentations by top blockchain visionaries and experts, and thought-provoking panel discussions covering pivotal topics that are currently shape the blockchain landscape. Some of the topics that will be discussed at the event include:

2024 Blockchain Ecosystem Market Analysis
Exploring DeFi Trends: From Hype to Reality
The rise of AI-Blockchain integration and more

Some of the top speakers at event are:

Pascal Gauthier, CEO & Chairman, Ledger
Bertrand Levy, VP Global Licensing, SANDBOX
David Siemer, CEO, Wave Digital Assets
Rifad Mahasneh, GM MENA @ OKX
Talal Tabbaa, CEO, CoinMENA
Dmitry Fedotov, Head of DLT Protocol, ADGM
Richard Muirhead, Co-Founder & Managing, Fabric Ventures
George Gvazava, Chief Crypto Officer, Bank of Georgia

Reflecting on past events, speakers like Sandeep Naliwal (Co-Founder, Polygon), Charles Hoskinson (CEO & Founder, Input Output Global), and Frederik Gregaard (CEO, Cardano Foundation) have significantly shaped #WBS into a premier industry platform.

Sharing their thoughts, Frederik Gregaard, CEO, Cardano Foundation, said,” The World Blockchain Summit, Dubai, was a truly dynamic and diverse event that left a positive impression, making me inclined to attend again.”

Sandeep Nailwal, Co-Founder, Polygon Labs, expressed, “The experience was good. It’s good to meet the community, builders with new ideas. That’s my purpose of coming to these events.”

The summit will unite over 2,000 decision-makers in the web3 space and showcase the regional finale of the Startup World Cup, orchestrated by the globally acclaimed U.S.-based venture capital firm, Pegasus Ventures. This unique event also provides the winner with the exceptional opportunity to present at the global finals hosted in San Francisco, with a chance to secure a substantial US$1 million in funding.

“Dubai stands as a global innovation and technology hub, at the forefront of adopting essential blockchain solutions that will drive global economy forward. The World Blockchain Summit is the perfect platform for top blockchain authorities and experts to share their insights and groundbreaking innovations, reshaping the very essence of the blockchain landscape,” notes Sharath Kumar, Director- Business Unit, Trescon.

Registration for the World Blockchain Summit Dubai is officially open! Seize the chance to secure your early bird tickets today and prepare to immerse yourself in one of the most thrilling blockchain and crypto events of the year. Don’t miss out!

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 28 editions in 11 countries as we strived to create the ultimate networking and deal flow platform for the Web3 ecosystem. Each edition brings together global leaders and emerging startups in the space, including investors, developers, IT leaders, entrepreneurs, government authorities, and others.

About Trescon

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

To book your tickets, visit: https://www.worldblockchainsummit.com/dxb-apr-24#Ticket-booking-sections

For inquiries, Contact: comms@worldblockchainsummit.com

For media inquiries and further information, please contact:
Shadi Dawi
Director, Public Relations & Partnerships – MENA
shadi@tresconglobal.com
+971 55 498 4989