Hektar REIT’s ESG Commitment Gets Rewarded with a 4-Star Rating

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 27, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Hektar Real Estate Investment Trust (Hektar REIT) has achieved an upgraded Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) rating of 4-star on the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index (F4GBMI) in the latest June 2022 evaluation.


Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd. Johari Shukri bin Jamil


Chief Executive Officer of Hektar Asset Management Sdn. Bhd., En. Johari Shukri bin Jamil said, "We are humbled to have our ESG initiatives recognised and rewarded with such a high rating as this is a great acknowledgement of our commitment to ensuring that our business activities are performed to high standards of environmental, social and governance conduct. We are convinced that the continued integration of sustainability into our strategy will support the ongoing & future success of Hektar REIT – in the interest of all stakeholders."

"We embarked on these ESG initiatives in 2017 when we put in place various energy optimisation initiatives for all our malls which have significantly reduced our carbon footprint over the years. We will continue to enhance our efforts in managing material sustainability matters, including climate change adaptation, pollution prevention, water and waste management, and managing energy consumption, including incorporating renewable energy in our energy mix moving forward."

"I would also like to emphasise that we will continue to improve our ESG credentials, not just because regulations are becoming more enhanced on these matters but also because it will translate into long term business value and, most importantly, it is the responsible thing to do."

Hektar Asset Management, the Manager of Hektar REIT, remains committed to continuously looking at and adopting sustainability-linked initiatives as part of the core strategy & decision-making process. Recently, Hektar REIT also joined the Public Listed Companies (PLC) Transformation Programme launched by Bursa Malaysia to further enhance the fundamental tenets, from being performance-driven to helping build & contribute towards the nation.

Based on the latest results by F4GBMI in their June 2022 evaluation, Hektar REIT achieved a high score in Governance, reflecting the adoption of best practices for Corporate Governance & Anti-Corruption. To further strengthen & improve our overall Governance, the Management is currently working on establishing the Directors' Fit & Proper Policy based on the guidelines issued by Bursa Malaysia. The policy will be made available on the REIT's website from 1 July 2022 onwards.

Hektar REIT: http://www.hektarreit.com/

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Dah Sing Bank and Friends of the Earth (HK) Jointly Present Property and Construction Industry ESG Forum for SMEs

HONG KONG, Jun 27, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The first industry forum ("the Forum") under the "SME ESG Best Practices Recognition Programme" ("the Programme") took place today under the joint auspices of Dah Sing Bank, Limited ("Dah Sing Bank") and Friends of the Earth (HK) ("FoE HK"). Held in the theme of "ESG Practices in Property Development Supply Chain – Opportunities and Challenges for SMEs", the Forum featured listed company senior executives and leaders in the property and construction sector to share their insights on the impact environmental, social and governance (ESG) trends have on the outlook and operating models related to their industries.


Dah Sing Bank and Friends of the Earth (HK) Jointly Present: The SME ESG Best Practices Recognition Programme

"ESG Practices in Property Development Supply Chain – Opportunities and Challenges to SMEs" Guest List

Ms. Mei Ng, BBS, Chairperson, Friends of the Earth (HK) delivering speech

Ms. Phoebe Wong, Deputy Chief Executive, Senior Executive Director, Group Head of Personal Banking, Dah Sing Bank delivering speech

Ms. Phoebe Wong, Deputy Chief Executive, Senior Executive Director, Group Head of Personal Banking, Dah Sing Bank (Right) Ms. Mei Ng, BBS, Chairperson, Friends of the Earth (HK) (Left)

The Forum – Topic 1

The Forum – Topic 2


Addressing the Forum, Mrs Mei Ng, BBS, Chairperson of FoE HK, said, "SMEs are closely intertwined in every aspect of our daily lives. Notwithstanding their contribution to our society, economy and livelihoods, they also impact on our ecological environment, social development and daily production in a big way. FoE HK believes there is a critical and urgent need to help local SMEs transform, upgrade, strengthen and enhance their competitiveness as well as their ESG accountability. ESG can help SMEs come to grips with matters concerning their survival, risks, transformation, potential and opportunities, helping them to achieve profitability without polluting the world, run their business worry-free while winning word of mouth, customers and investors, and a bright future."

ESG implementation may become one of the ways for SMEs to overcome adversity in a down market. The convergence of external economic pressures and the pandemic is presenting unprecedented challenges for SMEs. With the rise of a green economy, corporations are becoming more demanding in their partnership and supply chain governance standards and requirements. For listed companies, ESG implementation is not just to meet regulatory requirements, but also to help enhance the sustainability of their supply chains. As such, SMEs stand to gain from reviewing their existing operating models for alignment with global sustainable development strategies. The integration of an ESG mindset into their business operations and decisions will enable their products, services and brand image to stand out, thereby helping them enhance their competitiveness and resilience.

Through the sharing of insights from industry leaders, the two-part Forum seeks to help SMEs understand the latest ESG trends and the opportunities that may arise through ESG implementation, thereby encourage them to develop sustainable business strategies. Moderated by Ms. Athena Ng, General Manager, Corporate Finance and Corporate Communications of China Overseas Land and Investment & Board Governor and Honorary Treasurer of Friends of the Earth (HK), the first part of the Forum focused on the relevance of ESG to the real estate development supply chain and how to seek win-win with SMEs through collaboration in ESG implementation. The second part of the Forum explored the directions and approaches of ESG implementation; moderated by Ms. Ophelia Lin, Founding President of SME Sustainability Society & Board Governor of Friends of the Earth (HK), the guest speakers suggested ways for SMEs to embark on their ESG journey to enhance the competitiveness of their businesses.

The team of professionals behind the Programme can be described as "ESG doctors" for enterprise development. Consultancies offering such services are a commonplace practice in the market and typically command fees of more than HKD100,000. SMEs taking part in the Programme will have free access to similar support, so that they may be able to identify areas for improvement in their businesses as early as possible and to plan ahead.

Ms. Phoebe Wong, Deputy Chief Executive, Senior Executive Director, Group Head of Personal Banking of Dah Sing Bank, said, "SMEs typically lack ESG-related knowledge and resources. Dah Sing Bank is sponsoring FoE HK to launch this Programme so that more SMEs will become aware of the most pressing ESG issues that concern them, and enable them to identify improvement areas through the Programme's free assessment and ESG guidelines. Last year, the Hong Kong Government announced its target to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. As buildings are the main source of carbon emissions in the city, it is pertinent to feature the property and construction sector in the first forum under the Programme. This will create awareness of the urgency for the sector's SMEs to transition to a low-carbon operating model, and will bring new ideas and opportunities to inspire them to embark on adopting sustainable business practices."

The Programme is the first of its kind that takes on an industry-specific approach to lobby and recognise ESG best practices adoption by SMEs and to promote sustainable development in industries. Using the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals as framework, it evaluates the sustainable development strategies and policies of SMEs and their ability to manage and drive sustainable development performance. SMEs that attain a certain level of improvement within a specific period will be commended for their commitment and contribution. The free-to-join Programme is sponsored by Dah Sing Bank. Additionally, Dah Sing Bank is offering further incentives to all the SMEs participating in the Programme and / or receiving recognition in the form of fee discounts and cash rebates, while recognised participants will also receive an exclusive HKD1,000 cash reward. SMEs in the property and construction industries can enroll in the Programme starting today (27 June) until 31 August 2022. Please refer to the attached fact sheet for details.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Dah Sing Bank. A series of celebratory activities will be launched from June onwards to reach out to the community, SMEs and customers as well as to promote green lifestyles. Through these activities, the Bank hopes to thank and share its joy with the public and its customers, express its advocacy for sustainable lifestyles, and bring vitality to Hong Kong's communities and economy. For details, please visit the Bank's 75th anniversary webpage on http://www.dahsing.com/75Anniv/en.

About Dah Sing Bank
Dah Sing Bank, Limited ("Dah Sing Bank") is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dah Sing Banking Group Limited (HKG:2356) which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. Founded in Hong Kong 75 years ago, Dah Sing Bank has been providing quality banking products and services to our customers with a vision to be "The Local Bank with a Personal Touch". Over the years, Dah Sing Bank has been rigorous in delivering on our brand promise to grow with our customers in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area and beyond – "Together We Progress and Prosper". Building on our experience and solid foundation in the industry, Dah Sing Bank's scope of professional services now spans retail banking, private banking, business and commercial banking. Meanwhile, Dah Sing Bank is also making significant investments in our digital banking capabilities to stay abreast with smart banking developments in Hong Kong and to support financial inclusion at large.

In addition to its Hong Kong banking operations, Dah Sing Bank also has wholly-owned subsidiaries including Dah Sing Bank (China) Limited, Banco Comercial de Macau, S.A., and OK Finance Limited. It is also a strategic shareholder of Bank of Chongqing with a shareholding of about 13%. Dah Sing Bank and its subsidiaries now have around 70 operating locations in Hong Kong, Macau and Mainland China.

About Friends of the Earth (HK)
Friends of the Earth (HK), as a leading environmental advocate, focuses on protecting our local and regional environment, offers equitable solutions to help create environmentally sustainable public policies, business practices and community lifestyles and engages government, business and community to act responsibly. Friends of the Earth (HK) is dedicated to promote green finance and cultivate ESG talents to transition HK and Asia Pacific region into a carbon neutral economy. Friends of the Earth (HK) closely partners with SME associations in Hong Kong (with coverage >3,000 companies), as well as international associations (e.g., World Benchmarking Alliance), with strong access to ESG & green finance talents professionals in Hong Kong, through our CESGA alumni network.

Friends of the Earth (HK) launched the first Green Finance Roadmap of its kind in the APAC region in 2019. One of our key focus would be on building capacity for industry practitioners and general public towards green finance, and hence our events are centered around "Green Finance Connect Education Series". Examples include Sustainability Leadership Seminars, our Green Finance Symposium on ESG integration. We aim to work with all sectors of the community to build a sustainable society and environment.

Media Enquiries

Dah Sing Bank, Limited
Gigi Lee +852 2507 8629 gigiwclee@dahsing.com

Friends of the Earth (HK)
Tiffany Yip +852 3184 1510 tiffanyyip@foe.org.hk

Strategic Financial Relations Limited
Margaret Lam +852 2114 4956 margaret.lam@sprg.com.hk
Pinky Hui +852 2114 2897 pinky.hui@sprg.com.hk
Cynthia Ng +852 2114 4952 cynthia.ng@sprg.com.hk

Programme website
https://bit.ly/3HJDgPj

Dah Sing Bank offers exclusive Programme Incentives
https://bit.ly/3OncS0l


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

CIMB Niaga and JCB launch JCB Digital Credit Card in Indonesia

TOKYO & JAKARTA, Jun 22, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PT Bank CIMB Niaga Tbk (CIMB Niaga) and PT JCB International Indonesia (JCB), as a subsidiary of JCB International Co. Ltd., launched the CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card in Jakarta, on 22nd June 2022. This credit card with digital or virtual technology was developed in line with the rapid growth of demand for online transactions and credit card technology. The Digital Credit Card provides a number of improvements. It enables the user to apply for CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card anytime and anywhere, and it also provides a safer and easier payment method for online transactions by using a one-time password (OTP).

Director of Consumer Banking CIMB Niaga Noviady Wahyudi said, "CIMB Niaga continues to innovate to develop digital customer experience by integrating various products and services into the OCTO Mobile Super App, making it easier for people to meet their financial needs. Recently, we innovated to present the CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card, which provides a comprehensive digital transaction experience for users," said Noviady.

Meanwhile, President Director of PT JCB International Indonesia, Takumi Takahashi, said, "The launching of this new Digital Credit Card shows our successful collaboration with CIMB Niaga and our commitment to cater to the demand for digital transactions in Indonesia. We believe with this new Digital Credit Card, customers can experience the uniqueness of JCB."

The issuance of the CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card is an initiative of CIMB Niaga and JCB to provide an easier, faster and safer online transaction experience. All transactions will be verified by entering a random two (2) digit OCTO Mobile PIN, and online transactions at most online merchants that have implemented 3D secure security are protected by a one time password (OTP) sent to a mobile phone number registered with the Bank. These features minimize the risk of online fraud and losses due to card theft. Customers also have the option to immediately block their CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card via the CIMB Niaga OCTO Mobile.

With the fast online application process for the Digital Credit Card, customers will have easier and instant access to their credit cards at the time of payment, without the hassle of carrying a physical credit card. Overall, this new Digital Credit Card is a convenient and hassle-free way to do transactions instantly.

The main features and benefits of this Digital Credit Card include 10% cash back for online transactions through the CIMB Niaga OCTO Mobile, a free installment fee with a 3 month tenor for minimum retail transactions of Rp 500,000, and a free annual fee. For detailed information, please visit: https://www.cimbniaga.co.id/id/personal/kartu-kredit/octo-card.

CIMB Niaga JCB OCTO Card Digital Credit Card customers can use the Card with the above features and benefits at more than 100 thousand offline and online merchants in Indonesia.

About CIMB Niaga

CIMB Niaga was established under the name of Bank Niaga in 1955. Approximately 92.5% of CIMB Niaga's shares (including those owned by PT Commerce Kapital of 1.02%) are owned by the CIMB Group. CIMB Niaga offers complete banking products and services, both conventional and Sharia, through a 428 office network as of 30 June 2021, consisting of 358 branch offices, 37 Digital Lounges and 33 Mobile Branches. CIMB Niaga has 12,389 employees (consolidated) as of June 30, 2021.

CIMB Group is the second largest financial services provider in Malaysia and one of the leading universal banking groups in ASEAN. The products and services it offers include consumer banking products and services, investment banking, Islamic banking, asset management and insurance. CIMB Group is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, and operates in all ASEAN member countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar, Laos, and the Philippines). In addition to the ASEAN region, CIMB Group has also established offices in China, Hong Kong, India, Sri Lanka, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Korea. CIMB Group's shares are listed on Bursa Malaysia through CIMB Group Holdings Berhad. As of 30 June 2021, the group has a market capitalization value of USD 11.1 billion.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 39 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

Contact
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jp

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Jubilee Industries Holdings welcomes strategic investor, value-unlocking and synergies to support further growth

SINGAPORE, Jun 22, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Catalist-listed Jubilee Industries Holdings Ltd has entered into a Sales and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with UPC Electronics Pte. Ltd. (Purchaser) for the sale of the Company's 14% stake in WE Components Pte. Ltd. (WEC), the Group's EBU (Disposal).



The Disposal offers significant synergies with the Purchaser's existing operations and strategic priorities, leveraging WEC's extensive product portfolio and strong presence across Asia. The Hong Kong incorporated Purchaser's main business is the promotion and distribution of products and solutions of semiconductor manufacturers in the People's Republic of China and overseas.

The total cash consideration of US$2.1 million received for the Disposal will be utilised for general working capital purposes and the expansion of Jubilee's business.

Jubilee's Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dato' Terence Tea, said, "The Disposal reflects the deep value of Jubilee's EBU that we have built over the years. Working together with UPC, we are confident in the EBU's long-term growth prospects as we strive to build sustainable value for shareholders."

Under Dato' Terence Tea's leadership, Jubilee's EBU has staged a full recovery from the initial impact of Covid-19, recording a 67.4% increase in revenue from S$119.9 million for the 12 months ended 31 March 2021 (FY2021) to S$200.7 million for the same period this year (FY2022).

About Jubilee Industries Holdings Ltd

Established in 1993 and listed on SGX-Catalist since 10 July 2009, Jubilee Industries Holdings Limited is a one-stop service provider with two main business segments:

1. Mechanical Business Unit (MBU), which is engaged primarily in precision plastic injection moulding (PPIM) and mould design and fabrication (MDF) services (Mechanical Segment); and
2. Electronics Business Unit (EBU), which distributes integrated electronic components.

Headquartered in Singapore, Jubilee's production facilities span across Malaysia and Indonesia. Jubilee's products are sold to customers in the United States, the People's Republic of China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and various European countries. For more information, please visit http://www.jihldgs.com

Issued on behalf of Jubilee Industries Holdings Limited
by Waterbrooks.com.sg

For media enquiries, please contact:
Wayne Koo / Elliot Siow
+65 9338 8166 / +65 6381 6347
Email: wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg / elliot@waterbrooks.com.sg

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Nomination Opens for “Directors Of The Year Awards 2022”

HONG KONG, Jun 22, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The "Directors Of The Year Awards 2022" organised by The Hong Kong Institute of Directors ("HKIoD") is open for nomination now. Themed "From Resilience to Sustainability", the Awards this year recognises directors and boards capable of leading their companies in adapting to changes and, with outstanding governance thinking and practical strategies skills, taking their companies towards sustainable development in the ever-changing business environment.



Dr Christopher To, Chairman of HKIoD, said, "Leadership in crisis calls for the ability to rethink and redefine some long-standing values or structure, and also the courage and strength to brave the uphill. In the at large uncertain environment now, we must keep learning, evolving, adapting and changing, to make sure the 'new normal' is a 'better normal'. Marking HKIoD's 25th Anniversary, this year's award is themed 'From Resilience to Sustainability', reflective of what we have learnt over the years. Resilience is the most important quality a company needs to survive in the ever-changing world and sustainability is the ultimate goal of every company. I hope all of you can nominate directors and boards standing out in these two aspects, that we may take as examples to inspire all in the business sector to excel."

Mr Richard Ho, Chairman of 2022 Directors Awards Organising Committee, said, "When discussing the award theme this year, the Committee thought though the global scene is still unpredictable and challenging, it has become clearer. Thus, we decided to have 'From Resilience to Sustainability' as the theme easier to grasp. We hope to commend those outstanding leaders who braved the challenges from the pandemic and helped their companies achieve good results, and also to remind those in different sectors to set their eyes on long-term strategy and advance towards their sustainable development goal."

Dr Carlye Tsui, CEO of HKIoD, said, "All of us, companies or individuals, have gotten used to staying clam in the turbulent environment. With our feet firmly on the ground, it is time that we head again towards our long-term targets. Directors, as leaders of a company, should be sensitive at all times to changes in the market and plan the 'next step' to take. For example, Web3.0 is the latest and a major trend likely to bring revolutionary changes in the near future to all of us. Business leaders who do not have a good understanding of it might just miss the opportunities that come with it. Offering diverse and innovative courses, HKIoD helps members refresh what has been learnt and acquire new knowledge, so that they may be ready any time to take their companies forward."

Nomination for the Awards will close on 1 August 2022. On the Judging Panel are business leaders, professionals and regulatory body representatives in Hong Kong. The Directors Of The Year Awards 2022 recognise excellence in the following categories:

Company Categories / Director Categories
1. Listed Companies / 1. Executive Directors
2. Non-Listed Companies / 2. Non-Executive Directors
3. Statutory/Non-Profit-Distributing Organisations* / 3. Boards
Notes: *A non-profit-distributing organisation is defined as an organisation which profits are not distributed to its shareholders, members, directors, employees or any other persons, and with objectives including, but not limited to, charitable welfare, social service, health and medical care, education, research, trade and industrial alliance, professional advancement, self-help support, etc.

The selection criteria for winners in the Individual Director Categories include: successful pursuit of strategic corporate business/non-profit functions, contribution to board effectiveness in strategic planning and monitoring of performance, implementing compliance, risk control and accountability measures, managing change and succession, and leadership and other attributes and qualities, including keen at continuing professional development, business ethics and other achievements. As for the Collective Board Categories, the judging criteria include: board composition, effectiveness in pursuing strategic corporate/non-profit functions, development and execution of strategic plans and monitoring of performance, implementing compliance, risk control and accountability measures, managing change and succession, development of the board, effectiveness of board committees, business ethics and other achievements.

The Awards nomination form and related information are available on The Hong Kong Institute of Directors website www.hkiod.com.

About Directors Of The Year Awards
Launched in 2001, the Directors Of The Year Awards was the first of its kind organised in Asia. It is now an annual project of impact in the community. Its objectives are to recognise directors and board of directors for outstanding director practices and corporate governance, to publicise the significance of good corporate governance and to promote awareness of good corporate governance and director professionalism in Hong Kong. Nominations are open to the public. As good corporate governance is vital to all types of organisations, and professional practices from directors in all board roles are encouraged, the Awards recognise excellence in categories by company types, including listed companies, private companies and statutory/non-profit-distributing organisations, and categories by roles, including Executive Directors, Non-Executive Directors and Boards. For more details on the previous years' Awards, please visit http://www.hkiod.com/dya-awardees.html.

About The Hong Kong Institute of Directors
The Hong Kong Institute of Directors is Hong Kong's premier body representing directors to foster the long-term success of companies through advocacy and standards-setting in corporate governance and professional development for directors. A non-profit-distributing organisation with membership consisting of directors from listed and non-listed companies, HKIoD is committed to providing directors with educational programmes and information service and establishing an influential voice in representing directors. With international perspectives and a multi-cultural environment, HKIoD conducts business in biliteracy and trilingualism. Website: http://www.hkiod.com.

Media Enquiries:
Strategic Public Relations Group
Brenda Chan +852 2114 4396 brenda.chan@sprg.com.hk
Chak Yau +852 2114 4395 chak.yau@sprg.com.hk
Fax: +852 2114 4948

Directors Of The Year Awards 2022 Enquiries:
The Hong Kong Institute of Directors
Odessa So +852 2889 4988 odessa.so@hkiod.com
Joanne Yam +852 2889 1414 joanne.yam@hkiod.com
Fax: +852 2889 9982


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

PEFINDO Affirms idA Rating for WIKA

JAKARTA, Jun 20, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PT Pemeringkat Efek Indonesia (Pefindo) affirms PT Wijaya Karya (Persero) Tbk (IDX: WIKA or Company) rating at idA with 'stable' outlook. Pefindo also affirms WIKA's Shelf Registration Bonds I Year 2020 and Shelf Registration Bonds II Year 2021 at idA, and Shelf Registration Sukuk Mudharabah I Year 2020 and Shelf Registration Sukuk Mudharabah II Year 2021 at idA(sy).

The Company's rating reflects Pefindo's optimism in its performance as a strong, national construction company supported by robust financial flexibility and diversified revenue sources. One of the reasons of the affirmation was an increase in new contracts by 57.54% YoY to Rp12.4 trillion (at time of writing) from Rp7.9 trillion.

The rating by Pefindo was well-received by the Company's President Director, Agung Budi Waskito (Agung BW). He stated that the Company was able to cement its strong position due to WIKA's assignment to work on the Government's G20 preparation projects, such as Revitalisation of Halim Perdana Kusuma Airport, Construction of VVIP Terminal of I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, and Improvement and Construction of Roads and Bridges in Labuan Bajo.

"The assignment indicated the government's trust in WIKA's capability to carry out projects serving as supporting facilities for international events", said Agung BW.

He added that the Company is prepared to take part in the upcoming construction of the new Capital City.

Follow-up Construction in Labuan Bajo to Celebrate TWG20

The Company plays a role in the Improvement and Construction of Roads and Bridges in Labuan Bajo, Nusa Tenggara Timur to support the G20's Tourism Working Group (TWG) meeting. The project also helped to realise the Super-Priority Tourism Destinations project (Destinasi Pariwisata Super Prioritas, "DPSP"). In the project, the Company is building roads and bridges spanning from Labuan Bajo – Sp. Nalis – Sp. Kenari, Sp.Kenari – Tana Mori with a total length of 25 kilometres.

This project is a follow-up of the Company's earlier projects in Labuan Bajo. Its portfolio in Labuan Bajo includes the Operations Supporting Facilities and the Wae Kelambu Multipurpose Terminal at Labuan Bajo Port for PT Pelabuhan Indonesia (Persero). Completed in 2021, the port serves as a logistics hub, tourism support, and cargo and container handling in Labuan Bajo. In addition, the Company's subsidiary, WIKA Gedung oversaw development of Pantai Bukit Marina and Bukit Pramuka, part of the National Strategic Tourist Areas.

In carrying out the projects, the Company always used high quality domestic products increase operations efficiency and support national economic growth.

PT WIJAYA KARYA (Persero) Tbk. [IDX: WIKA]

Contact:
Mahendra Vijaya
Sekretaris Perusahaan
Email: mahendra.v@wikamail.id
Website: https://www.wika.co.id/

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Ban Loong, Jacobson & JBM Form Joint Venture to Tap Specialty Drugs and Branded Healthcare Markets in Greater China and Asia

HONG KONG, Jun 15, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Ban Loong Holdings Limited ("Ban Loong", together with its subsidiaries, "Ban Loong Group"; stock code: 0030.HK), of which Yunnan Baiyao Group Co., Ltd. (stock code: 000538.SHE) is the controlling shareholder, Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited ("Jacobson", together with its subsidiaries (excluding JBM Group), "Jacobson Group"; stock code: 2633.HK) and JBM (Healthcare) Limited ("JBM", together with its subsidiaries, "JBM Group"; stock code: 2161.HK) jointly announced today on forming Ban Loong Jacobson JBM Pharma Limited (the "Joint Venture") to capture the growth opportunities of the specialty pharmaceuticals and branded healthcare markets in Greater China and the Asia-Pacific region.


Back row: From left to right:
Mr. Tang Ming, Chief Executive Officer of Ban Loong and Mr. Yim Chun Leung, Executive Director of Jacobson & Non-executive Director of JBM
witness the signing ceremony; Front row: From left to right: Mr. Liu Zhouyang, Executive Director & Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Ban Loong and Mr. Yu Chun Kau, Chief Financial Officer of Jacobson sign the Joint Venture Agreement


The Joint Venture, which is owned 60% by Ban Loong, 20% by Jacobson and 20% by JBM respectively, will principally engage in the in-licensing of specialty pharmaceuticals (including orphan drugs), over-the-counter medicines, branded healthcare products (including herb-based products) and medical devices, and the sales and distribution of the products to Greater China and selected markets in Asia, alongside tapping merger and acquisition opportunities with a strategic fit.

Leveraging the partner companies' respective market knowhow, capabilities and network, the Joint Venture is aimed at establishing a strong foothold and realizing tangible business opportunities available in the high-growth specialty pharmaceuticals, branded healthcare products and medical device markets in the aforementioned regions.

Mr. Tang Ming, Chief Executive Officer of Ban Loong, said, "In light of the promising growth of the pharmaceutical, healthcare and medical device markets in Greater China and the Asia-Pacific region, coupled with the increased awareness of personal healthcare in the post-pandemic era, there is a substantial market potential for the Joint Venture to capture. Indeed, a strong growth forecast is also expected in the next few years, with an average annual growth rate of over 9% in the pharmaceutical and healthcare markets in China. We are excited with the strategic partnership with Jacobson and JBM in expanding our healthcare trading portfolio and riding on our synergetic strengths to seize and realize the opportunities in the markets."

Mr. Raymond Yim, Executive Director of Jacobson, said, "We are very honored to partner with Ban Loong and aspire to strengthen our foothold through the Joint Venture in Greater China and markets in Asia. In line with our market expansion strategy, the Joint Venture will facilitate and enhance our access to the specialty drugs, branded healthcare products and medical devices markets in the regions, as well as generate cross-selling synergies for respective partner's products marketed and distributed through the Joint Venture platform. "

About Ban Loong Holdings Limited (Stock Code: 0030)
Ban Loong Holdings Limited is an internationalized healthcare products trading company with its business presence covering Greater China and key Asian markets including Japan, South Korea and ASEAN countries, as an authorized general agent for branded products from the United States, Switzerland and other European Union firms, Ban Loong possesses a wide range of well-selected healthcare products in its portfolio. For more details about Ban Loong, please visit the Group's website: http://0030.com.hk

About Jacobson Pharma Corporation Limited (Stock Code: 2633)
Jacobson Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical company in Hong Kong vertically integrated and engaged in the research, development, production, sale and distribution of essential medicines and specialty drugs. As a major provider of generic drugs in Hong Kong, the Group has one of the most extensive sales and distribution coverage for both the private and public sectors in Hong Kong, with an expanding reach into strategically selected Asian markets. Carrying a broad product portfolio and taking a pre-eminent market position in a number of therapeutic categories, the Group operates a host of 10 PIC/S GMP licensed production facilities for generic drugs in Hong Kong.

The Group aims at the continued strategic enrichment of its generic drug portfolios through the addition of high-value-added products. With its corporate headquarters based in Hong Kong, the Group has also established its operating subsidiaries in China, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore and Cambodia, forming a regional commercial platform to tap the market potential in the Asia Pacific and Greater China region. Jacobson Pharma has been a constituent stock of MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index since 1 June 2017. For more details about Jacobson Pharma, please visit the Group's website: http://www.jacobsonpharma.com

About JBM (Healthcare) Limited (Stock Code: 2161)
JBM Healthcare is a Hong Kong-based company that markets and distributes branded healthcare products across Greater China, Southeast Asia and certain other countries. The Group is a unique field player with marketing expertise and a drug heritage that prioritizes product efficacy and quality to meet consumers' healthcare needs. As a renowned healthcare brand operator in Hong Kong, the Group carries a wide-ranging portfolio of branded healthcare products comprising branded medicines, proprietary Chinese medicines and health and wellness products, which include well-recognized household brands such as Po Chai Pills, Ho Chai Kung Tji Thung San, Contractubex, BITE-X, Mederma Kids, Tong Tai Chung Woodlok Oil, Flying Eagle Woodlok Oil, Saplingtan and Shiling Oil. JBM Healthcare has been a constituent stock of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index since 27 May 2021. For more details about JBM Healthcare, please visit: www.jbmhealthcare.com.hk


Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

10 winning start-ups stand out at Start-up Express

HONG KONG, Jun 15, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The fifth edition of Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), came to a successful conclusion today. The Pitching Final, which was streamed live, saw 10 winning start-ups selected from a total of 20 shortlisted companies. The "My Favourite Start-up Award", decided through live online polling, was awarded to Good Food Technologies, while the newly added ESG Award went to i2Cool in recognition of its sustainable and socially efficient business solution. The 10 winning teams will participate in a series of local and international events to develop their businesses by building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.


The Start-up Express Pitching Final winners pictured together with the judging panel and special guests. Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director, HKTDC; Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group [back row, L-R]

The distinguished judging panel witnessed the rise of the latest cohort of Start-up Express winners

Renowned stand-up comedian Vivek Mahbubani was the event's host, taking the opportunity to chat with entrepreneurs from some of the participating start-ups


Stephen Liang, HKTDC Assistant Executive Director, said: "As the pandemic situation gradually begins to ease, innovative business models and ideas will become a new stimulus for the economy in post-pandemic times. The enrolment for Start-up Express 2022 reflected the great enthusiasm of Hong Kong's entrepreneurs, with 20 shortlisted start-ups coming from a broader spectrum of fields than ever before, including arts tech, green tech, health tech, prop tech, fintech, smart city tech, edtech, food tech and others. Over the past four years, the programme has nurtured 40 start-ups and the HKTDC continues to pass on the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, assisting local start-ups in growing their businesses to the next level. At the same time, we strive to create a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem."

Diverse opportunities offered to winning start-ups

Pitching Final contestants presented their innovative business ideas and responded to questions raised by a distinguished panel of judges as well as the online audience. This year's judging panel comprised Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group; Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group. The 10 winning start-ups are: Allklear Health, Beth Bioinformatics, Calioo Technologies, Custonomy Company, EggLogics, Flow, Good Food Technologies, i2Cool, MixCare Health and PONS.ai (click here https://tinyurl.com/2p8kvfxs to download the list of winners and their company profiles). The HKTDC will arrange a series of exposure opportunities through which the winning teams can interact with buyers and investors.

Outstanding presentations at Pitching Final

AMTD Group was the exclusive Strategic Partner of Start-up Express for the fourth consecutive year. Calvin Choi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AMTD Group and Founder of AMTD IDEA, shared his thoughts on the contest, saying that all the contestants presented extraordinary business ideas. "This is the fourth year that AMTD has supported HKTDC's Start-up Express as an exclusive Strategic Partner. The wide range of start-ups participating in this year's Pitching Final continue to innovate and develop in a more diverse and contemporary way. In particular, we saw more start-ups coming from art tech, food tech and other emerging areas this year, which shows that local start-ups are market-sensitive, quick to respond to the direction and dynamics of emerging industries, as well as reactive to rising trends and fads of the times," Mr Choi said.

Noting that local businesses across different sectors had been affected by the pandemic, he added: "It is encouraging to see Hong Kong start-ups remaining active despite the difficulties and on the lookout for opportunities under the new normal. Government policies and the social environment have been very supportive of start-ups, too. I am confident that if local start-ups can continue their efforts, stay flexible and be determined to find unique opportunities in the new normal, they can definitely stand out from their competitors in an ever-changing business environment and find a sustainable way forward."

The "SpiderNet Start-up Award", established to recognise the top performer selected by AMTD in the Pitching Final, was awarded to EggLogics. The award aims to provide the winner with an exclusive opportunity to access the resources and network of the AMTD SpiderNet ecosystem. The winner will benefit greatly in terms of its future business development and at the same time create synergies with other entrepreneurs within the ecosystem.

Jason Chiu, Chairman of the Hong Kong Start-up Council and a member of this year's judging panel, said: "It is my pleasure to be on the judging panel again this year. There is tremendous competition in this year's contest. All the start-up teams used their innovative mindsets to deliver exceptional pitches and shone through, highlighting the fact that local tech talents are extremely capable. I am confident that Start-up Express will serve as a springboard for the winning teams to access more opportunities. They can leverage this platform to expand their business network, explore markets in Mainland China especially the Greater Bay Area and overseas, and take their business to the next level."

Start-up Express boosts brand awareness and network expansion

Start-up Express provides start-ups with the chance to promote their business ideas and enhance their brand awareness while connecting with investors and industry leaders, as well as acquiring business know-how from industry experts. Calvin Cheng, founder and CEO of Wizpresso which was a winner in the 2021 Start-up Express, said: "With the assistance provided by the HKTDC, we gained a lot of exposure that helped greatly with our brand promotion. We also had the chance to participate in international trade fairs to connect with potential clients. These are the kind of valuable opportunities open to Start-up Express winners."

Logistics platform Zeek, another winning team at last year's Pitching Final, has successfully established a presence in Vietnam, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and other markets. KK Chiu, CEO of Zeek, said the company was able to grow its business connections by meeting with different businesses under the coordination of the HKTDC. Through HKTDC-organised local and overseas events, it also gained the opportunity to promote its brand to other local and international businesses.

Start-up Express International Edition launches in December

The HKTDC has always given its full support to Hong Kong's entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping to maintain the city's status as a competitive business centre and hub for innovation. In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Start-up Express, the first International Edition of the contest will be held this December as part of HKTDC Entrepreneur Day. Winning teams from Hong Kong will compete with outstanding start-ups from Mainland China, USA, the UK, Germany, Israel, Japan, Korea, Singapore and other countries and regions. Winners in the International Edition will be offered comprehensive assistance to enter the Hong Kong market and explore opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area via the Hong Kong platform.

Start-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/en/
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3HnvEBW

About HKTDC

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

Media enquiries
Please contact HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

HKTDC Export Index 2Q22: HK Export Index rebounds across all markets and sectors

HONG KONG, Jun 14, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The HKTDC Export Index grew 6.2 points to 30.9 in the second quarter of 2022, the first rise in the past 12 months, indicating that local exporters have begun to regain confidence in the city's export outlook as the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic gradually subsides and supply chain disruption and logistics bottlenecks show signs of easing.


HKTDC Director of Research Irina Fan (R) and Assistant Principal Economist (Greater China) Alice Tsang (L) announced the HKTDC Export Index for the second quarter of 2022 at a press conference today (14 June)


"The lockdown measures in Mainland China may have had an impact on local businesses with regard to production shutdowns and delayed shipments. Nevertheless, with the pandemic beginning to recede, cross-border cargo flows and many manufacturing activities getting back to normal, our latest survey findings show a significant improvement in the overall business sentiment, although exporters remain cautious," said Irina Fan, Director of Research, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), speaking at a press conference today.

Reduced impact

In the latest survey of local exporters, fewer respondents said that their business had been negatively affected by the pandemic over the past few months (79.1%, down 14 percentage points from the last quarter), while only 35.8% cited it as their top concern for the coming months (down 17.7 percentage points).

In addition, fewer exporters experienced pandemic challenges such as difficulties in communicating with buyers/suppliers (21.6%, down 20 percentage points), shortages in raw materials/parts and components (34.6%, down 11.9 percentage points) and order cancellations (16.7%, down 9.7 percentage points). "Nonetheless, increased transportation costs (72.6%) remained as one of the key concerns," Ms Fan said.

Forecast unchanged

Summing up the situation, Ms Fan said a strong recovery in Hong Kong's trade performance is expected in the second half of 2022. "Our export forecast for this year remains unchanged at an 8% increase compared to 2021," she said. However, Ms Fan stressed that the strong growth in total export value is mainly driven by cost-induced price rises, while export volumes are likely to remain stagnant, or even see a decline.

She also reminded local exporters to be aware of the risks from stagflation, geopolitical tensions and a pandemic resurgence, "all of which may hinder the revival of global demand".

Hong Kong exports outlook by key markets
Hong Kong exports outlook by key sectors
* See https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en/pressrelease/detail/20356/

Toy sector and Japan market top the list

The HKTDC conducts the Export Index survey every quarter, interviewing 500 local exporters from six major industries including machinery, electronics, jewellery, watches and clocks, toys and clothing, to gauge business confidence in near-term export prospects. The Index indicates an optimistic or pessimistic outlook, with 50 as the dividing line.

HKTDC Assistant Principal Economist (Greater China) Alice Tsang said the upturn of exporter confidence was seen across all major markets and in all industry sectors. "Among them, the Japan market (47.6) and the toy sector (38.7) provided the most promising outlook, while the EU (42.3, up 2.8 points) and timepieces (34.6, up 14.9 points) showed the greatest improvement."

"Traders are facing rising cost pressure as export prices are set to surge in the next couple of months. The Trade Value Index remained in expansionary territory at 51.7, despite a 1.1-point fall quarter-on-quarter," she added.

All other sub-indexes, including the Employment Index (45.3, up 4.9 points) Procurement Index (25, up 4.7 points) and Offshore Trade Index (23.1, up 8 points) , also saw an upward trend, indicating that recruitment activities have stabilised alongside improvements in offshore trade and procurement.

Diversifying products and markets

Ms Tsang said issues such as the US interest rate hike, Russia-Ukraine conflict, and a weakening renminbi have yet to affect the business of Hong Kong exporters, with most respondents reporting no negative impacts (70.7%, 69.1% and 56.9% respectively) to date in these three areas.

Some respondents said they had experienced increased operating costs (21.9%), reduced buyer orders (13.8%) and increased financing costs (9.4%) due to the US interest rate hike, while the main impacts resulted from the Russia-Ukraine conflict are increased transportation costs (20.1%), shortages in raw materials/parts and components (13.2%) and disruption to logistics/distribution arrangements (12.8%).

She said diversification is Hong Kong exporters' favoured business strategy to help them spread risks and at the same time capitalise on new market opportunities. Many of them are planning to develop other product lines (41.2%), diversify sales into additional overseas markets (35.6%) and establish a presence in the mainland's domestic market (22.1%).

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– HKTDC Export Index 2Q22: First Rally in Exporter Confidence for 12 months https://bit.ly/3zLmv4v
– 2022 Mid-Year Export Review: Expect a Strong Rebound in the Second Half https://bit.ly/3zLmRIn
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3xKAiXt

About HKTDC

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org

Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

iRad inaugurates 3 new medical scanning diagnostic centres this year

HONG KONG, Jun 14, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – iRad Medical Holding Limited ("iRad"), the healthcare arm of Black Spade Capital Limited ("Black Spade Capital"), has just announced that in view of the growing demand for imaging diagnostic services in Hong Kong, three more medical scanning diagnostic centres have been opened within the first half of 2022. The new centres offer comprehensive medical scanning diagnostic services including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computer tomography scan (CT Scan), 2D & 3D mammography, ultrasound and X-ray. Meanwhile iRad has established cooperative relations with various internationally renowned insurance companies, government agencies, respected prominent private medical practitioners, local medical groups, multinational corporations, Hong Kong-listed companies and non-profit organizations, boasting a strong customer network.


Ms. Crystal Yeung, Marketing Director of iRad and Mr. Kin Wong, CEO of iRad


Following the inauguration of the centre on the 13th floor of Mongkok Grand Plaza in the first quarter of this year, iRad expanded its market presence again early this month in the core commercial area of Central at Levels 12 and 13 of The L. Place. Adjacent to a number of Grade A commercial buildings, The L. Place is less than a 30-second walk away from the taxi stand of The Center and easily accessible for people with disabilities who can get off and be picked up at the entrance of The L. Place. A total of three new MRI and CT scanners were introduced to ensure the delivery of enhanced scanning technology with higher resolution and better image quality.

Mr. Kin Wong, CEO of iRad, said: "As an independent medical institution, iRad does not belong to any medical group. Founded nearly 17 years ago, iRad is now the largest private professional medical scanning and diagnosis practice in Hong Kong. We have been keeping pace with the times, constantly installing more high-end equipment and attracting medical talent from different professional specialities. iRad has always been committed to serving every single patient and partner with the most comprehensive medical services of the highest standard. With pressure mounting on the local healthcare system from social issues such as the ageing population and people becoming more health conscious, more people are choosing to have whole body MRI for early detection of physical abnormalities. At present, iRad operates seven scanning and diagnosis centres supported by a medical team of around 120 radiologists, radiographers, nurses and support staff members who have served nearly 800,000. As medical data moves toward full digitalisation, we are also embarking on an upgrade of our existing technology infrastructure this year to allow doctors to receive medical scan images more quickly with the added benefits of satisfying demand for electronic real-time archiving and greatly shortening reporting time, thus enhancing the efficiency of the whole process".

About Black Spade Capital Limited
Black Spade Capital Limited is an established family office managing the private investments of Mr. Lawrence Ho. Headquartered in Hong Kong, its global portfolio consists of a wide spectrum of cross-border investments as it consistently seeks to add new projects and opportunities to its investment mix. Black Spade Capital's investment strategy maximises coverage of geographic regions and sectors whilst maintaining a portfolio of diversified asset classes, ranging from equity, fixed income, medical technology, leisure and culture, green energy, real estate to pre-IPO investments. In July 2021, Black Spade Acquisition Co (NYSE: BSAQ), a special purpose acquisition company of which a subsidiary of Black Spade Capital is sponsor, was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

About iRad Medical Holding
iRad Medical Holding Limited is the largest specialist medical imaging practice in Hong Kong. Founded in 2006, iRad has grown into a leading diagnostic imaging platform with multiples points of service offering full-fledged imaging modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT Scan), 2D & 3D mammography, ultrasound and X-ray. iRad serves both public and private medical sectors and has partnered with different non-governmental organisations with an aim to make diagnostic imaging services more accessible to the general public.



Copyright 2022 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com