67% of Philippine Companies Offer LGBTQIA+ Benefits, Signalling Strong Diversity Progress

Here are some of the key findings from the survey

– 62% of employees are aware of employee resource groups focused on diversity and inclusion
– 50% of respondents state that their organisations have diversity training programs
– 51% of respondents state that their organisations support work-life balance with flexible work hours and remote work options
– 67% of workplaces offer special benefits for LGBTQIA+ employees
– 58% of respondents say their organisation is responsive or highly responsive to feedback on diversity issues

Manila, Philippines, July 22, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – In today’s globalised economy, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) play a crucial role in driving innovation and competitiveness in the workplace. A recent survey by foundit, a leading talent platform, highlights significant progress and exciting opportunities in D&I practices across Philippine organisations.

The survey unveils a promising landscape in the Philippines’ corporate environment, with a majority of respondents reporting that their organisations offer special benefits for LGBTQIA+ employees and have employee resource groups focused on diversity and inclusion. These findings point to the substantial strides Philippine workplaces have made in harnessing the proven benefits of diverse teams, such as enhanced innovation, improved decision-making, and stronger financial performance.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) have become critical focus areas for organisations worldwide. DEI initiatives aim to create workplaces that reflect the broader society, ensure fair treatment and access to opportunities for all employees, and foster an environment where everyone feels valued and empowered to contribute.

As businesses increasingly recognise the benefits of diverse teams, understanding the current state of DEI practices is crucial.

The survey, conducted as part of foundit’s ongoing commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive work environments, highlights the alignment between organisational intentions and implemented actions regarding diversity initiatives in the Philippines.

While 50% of employees report that their organisations have diversity training programs in place, there’s still room for growth, as 35% of respondents are not at all familiar with the concept of diversity hiring. Encouragingly, 58% feel their organisation is responsive or highly responsive to feedback on diversity issues.

These findings suggest a strong commitment to diversity in principle and significant progress in implementation, with exciting opportunities to further enhance diversity initiatives.

Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, commented on the findings: “The Philippines is demonstrating remarkable progress in creating inclusive workplaces. It is particularly encouraging to see that 67% of companies offer special benefits for LGBTQIA+ employees, showcasing a deep commitment to inclusivity. This positions the Philippines as a leader in the region for LGBTQIA+ workplace support.

The high awareness of employee resource groups and the prevalence of diversity training programs indicate that Philippine businesses are taking concrete steps towards fostering inclusive environments. As we move forward, there’s a fantastic opportunity to build on this foundation, particularly in areas such as diversity hiring awareness and expanding training programs. Organisations that continue to invest in these areas will not only create more inclusive workplaces but also unlock new levels of innovation and competitiveness in the global market.”

Key findings from the survey include:

LGBTQIA+ Support: 67% of respondents report that their workplace supports LGBTQIA+ employees with special benefits, including healthcare coverage, family and relationship benefits, mental health support, and training and education benefits.
Diversity Awareness and Definition: While 35% of respondents are not at all familiar with the concept of diversity hiring, among those familiar with the concept, 62% define workplace diversity comprehensively, including actively seeking diverse individuals, creating an inclusive environment, embracing a diversity mindset, and complying with anti-discrimination laws.
Organisational Commitment: 50% of respondents believe their workplace is highly or extremely committed to hiring a diverse team, while 24% perceive a moderate commitment, and 9% report no commitment at all.
Training Needs and Effectiveness: 50% of respondents state that their organisations have diversity training programs, with 46% having mandatory programs. In terms of effectiveness, 30% reported becoming fully aware from training, while 27% saw no increase in awareness.
Recruitment Practices: Respondents report that organisations are adopting various initiatives to ensure equal opportunities. These include conducting interviews in diversity-friendly spaces (18%), inviting applications from diverse communities (15%), consistent commitment to diversity hiring goals (14%), and regular reviews to update hiring processes to mitigate bias (14%).
Provisions for Applicants with Disabilities: Respondents state that organisations offer specific accommodations, such as accessible online application processes (17%), accessible interview venues (16%), and additional time allowances for assessments if needed (16%).
Work-Life Balance: 51% of respondents state that their organisations have policies in place to support work-life balance with flexible work hours and remote work options, particularly for women with caregiving responsibilities.
Employee Resource Groups: 62% of respondents are aware of employee resource groups focused on diversity and inclusion within their organisations, with 49% finding these groups highly or extremely valuable.
Peer Support and Networking: 42% of respondents state that their organisations frequently or always facilitate peer support and networking opportunities for diverse groups, 25% say they sometimes do so, and 14% report that their organisations rarely or never provide these opportunities.
Responsiveness to Feedback: 58% of respondents perceive that their organisations are responsive or highly responsive to feedback on diversity issues, highlighting a positive trend in organisational communication and action on diversity-related concerns.

“These findings showcase the Philippines as an emerging leader in corporate diversity and inclusion,” Garisa added. ” As we look ahead, there’s an exciting opportunity for Philippine businesses to leverage this strong foundation in workplace equality and lead the way for inclusive workplaces across the region.”

The survey was conducted as part of TRIUMPH, Asia’s leading virtual career fair for diversity, demonstrating foundit’s commitment to promoting inclusive workplaces.

As organisations navigate the evolving landscape of workplace diversity, this survey serves as a crucial benchmark, offering insights into current practices and highlighting areas for future focus and improvement. By leveraging their strengths and addressing opportunities for growth, companies can create even more inclusive and successful workplaces.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME) is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. In addition to a powerful AI-powered job search, foundit offers e-learning, assessments, and services related to resume creation, interview preparation, and professional networking. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 90 million job seekers across 18 countries in upskilling and connecting them with the right job opportunities. foundit is now also the Official Talent Partner of the Badminton World Federation across 20 key world tour events.

Over the last two decades, the company has been a leader in the world of recruitment solutions and has recently launched a cutting-edge solution to give recruiters access to passive candidates in addition to active ones. With the use of advanced technology, foundit is seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies.

Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalised job searches and offer precision hiring.

Contact:
For media inquiries or further information, please contact
Namrata Sharma – Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
Contact number – +65 81383034

OWIS Students Win Big at 10th SASMO Competition

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Students of One World International School Digital Campus won a number of medals at the recently held Singapore and Asian Schools Math Olympiad (SASMO), while competing against more than 55,000 students from more than 7,000 other schools.

One World International School, Singapore

Three of these winners are ranked in the Top 100 in Singapore and will have a choice to represent the country at the upcoming edition of Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC) – a shot in the arm for OWIS Digital Campus which is part of Global Schools Group.

OWIS students won one gold, five silver and four bronze medals, alongside two honourable mentions at the Olympiad where students from more than 35 countries participated.

SASMO is one of the top Maths Competitions in Singapore which gives students a platform to showcase their acumen in the subject. The 19th edition of the Olympiad was held in June.

OWIS Grade 4 student Zhang Yimin was the Gold winner, while Yuan Iijma (Grade 7), Pranav Singh (Grade 4), Shubhang Silakari (Grade 5), Mihit Gajjar (Grade 5) and Chen Ziling (Grade 8) won Silver in their categories.

Pia Nahar (Grade 3), Samaira Mishra (Grade 4), Madhav Garg (Grade 6) and Harrish Mohan (Grade 3) were bronze medal winners. Song JaeJun and Shaan Malusare got honourable mentions.

All medal winners have qualified to participate in the prestigious 10th Singapore International Math Olympiad Challenge (SIMOC) to be held between July 20 to 23.

“This remarkable achievement reflects not just the talent of our students but also the academic excellence that OWIS has to help them achieve their levels of success,” said Ms. Angela Henderson, Primary head of school of OWIS Digital Campus. “The students’ success at SASMO 2024 not only brings honour to our school but also brings to light the dedication to holistic education, where academic rigour is seamlessly integrated with social, emotional and physical development.”

One World International School, one of the fastest-growing international schools in Asia, offers high-quality international education in a nurturing multicultural environment. OWIS Punggol Digital Campus aims to develop independent, inquiring, lifelong learners, while fostering internationally-minded individuals.

The campus is environmentally friendly, with facilities that include digital classrooms, indoor and outdoor sports arenas, a fully-equipped gym, a 200-metre running track, a stadium grandstand, outdoor basketball courts, adventure parks, and a multi-purpose hall for six badminton courts, 2 indoor basketball courts – all fitted with TV screens, videos and projectors.

ABOUT GLOBAL SCHOOLS GROUP

Global Schools Group (GSG), headquartered in Singapore, is an award-winning interconnected network of leading international schools across the world. Founded in 2022 to serve global communities with high quality education, GSG schools are truly global at heart transcending boundaries to provide a world-class learning experience through the scale, diversity and experience of its widespread network.

GSG mission is to nurture young minds into future global leaders.

Contact Information
Rupali Karekar
Divisional Manager
rupali.karekar@globalschools.com
+6598734320

SOURCE: Global Schools Group

Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association Calls for Action Against Illegal Pesticides

SELANGOR, Malaysia, July 18, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – The Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association (MCPA), a national association representing the plant science and public health industries of Malaysia, calls for action against illegal pesticides after the tragic poisoning incidents of two young boys and the hospitalization of a teenager upon consumption of rat poison-laced snacks, as reported in the media. These heartbreaking events underscore the urgent need for stringent measures against the use and sale of illegal pesticides.

“The use of illegal and unregistered pesticides poses significant risks not just to public health but also to the environment and economies. We strongly condemn the use of such products,” said Ms. Marie Goh Chooi Fong, Associate Director, Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association (MCPA).

“Furthermore, the proliferation of unregistered and illegal pesticides through online platforms is a growing concern. We urge the authorities to intensify efforts to govern the online sale of pesticides. Ensuring that all pesticides sold online are properly registered and comply with safety standards is crucial to prevent further tragedies,” she added.

Pesticides are some of the most tested and regulated products in the world. Likewise, in Malaysia, the pesticide industry is rigorously regulated by the Pesticides Board (PB) of the Department of Agriculture (DOA). Only pesticides that comply with stringent safety, toxicology, bio-efficacy, and other standards are approved by PB for sale. MCPA members, as registrants, strictly adhere to the Act, rules, and guidelines provided by PB to ensure safety while supporting national needs, including food security. Additionally, MCPA members adhere to the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management (ICOC) by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN).

MCPA and its members have been actively promoting Good Agriculture Practice (GAP) and stewardship programs for decades. These stewardship programs include educating users and promoting practices that encourage the responsible, safe and efficient use of pesticides. This is undertaken within the context of promoting an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy and forms an important part of the industry’s life-cycle approach to product stewardship. MCPA also partners with the food value chain and government agencies to ensure food safety.

MCPA remains committed to supporting farmers and advancing the use of innovative agricultural technologies for a safe, affordable and secure food supply.

About Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association (MCPA)

MCPA is a non-profit trade association, the voice of the plant science and public health industry in Malaysia. We advocate a safe, secure food supply, and our vision is food security enabled by innovative agriculture. MCPA is one of the 15 national associations under CropLife Asia, based in Singapore. For more information, visit us at www.mcpa.org.my.

For more information please contact:
Marie Goh Chooi Fong
Associate Director
Malaysian CropLife & Public Health Association (MCPA)
marie@mcpa.org.my

foundit Survey: 52% of Singaporean organisations show responsiveness to diversity issues, highlighting key growth opportunities

SINGAPORE, July 15, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – In today’s globalised economy, Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) play a crucial role in driving innovation and competitiveness in the workplace. A recent survey by foundit, a leading talent platform, highlights both progress and areas for growth in D&I practices across Singaporean organisations.

The survey uncovers notable opportunities in Singapore’s corporate environment, with a significant number of respondents claiming that their organisations do not have a diversity training program and some respondents still getting familiar with the concept of diversity hiring. However, a substantial segment of employees believe their workplace is committed to hiring diverse teams. These findings point to opportunities for Singaporean workplaces to better harness the proven benefits of diverse teams, such as enhanced innovation, improved decision-making, and stronger financial performance.

As businesses increasingly recognise the benefits of diverse teams, understanding the current state of DEI practices is crucial.

The survey, conducted as part of foundit’s ongoing commitment to fostering diverse and inclusive work environments, highlights an opportunity to better align organisational intentions and implemented actions regarding diversity initiatives.

While 36% of employees believe their workplace is highly or extremely committed to diversity hiring, 48% of respondents claim their organisations do not have diversity training programs in place. Additionally, 26% of respondents are not at all familiar with the concept of diversity hiring, while 52% feel their organisation is responsive or highly responsive to feedback on diversity issues.

These findings suggest a commitment to diversity in principle, but there are opportunities to improve the implementation of effective diversity initiatives.

Sekhar Garisa, CEO of foundit, commented on the findings: “Our survey reveals that Singapore is at a crucial juncture in its journey towards truly inclusive workplaces. It’s encouraging to see that over a third of organisations are highly committed to diversity hiring, laying down a strong foundation for progress. However, there is a clear opportunity for growth, particularly in implementing effective training programs and raising awareness about diversity concepts.

The fact that 52% of respondents feel their organisations are responsive to diversity feedback is a positive sign. Nevertheless, with 48% of companies yet to establish diversity training programs, there is a great opportunity to enhance their diversity efforts. Singaporean businesses that seize this opportunity to implement comprehensive DEI strategies will not only create more inclusive environments but also gain a competitive edge in innovation and attracting talent.”

Key findings from the survey include:

Diversity Awareness and Definition: 26% of respondents are not at all familiar with the concept of diversity hiring. Among those familiar with the concept, 56% define workplace diversity comprehensively. This includes actively seeking diverse individuals, creating an inclusive environment, embracing a diversity mindset, and complying with anti-discrimination laws.
Organisational Commitment: 36% of respondents believe their workplace is highly or extremely committed to hiring a diverse team, while 20% perceive a moderate commitment, and 10% report no commitment at all.
Training Needs and Effectiveness: 48% of respondents state that their organisations do not have diversity trainingprograms. Among those that do offer training, 36% claim they have mandatory programs, while 16% state they were offered non-mandatory options. Regarding effectiveness, 21% reported significant awareness gains from training, while 30% saw no increase in awareness.
Recruitment Practices: Respondents report that organisations are adopting various initiatives to ensure equal opportunities. These include conducting interviews in diversity-friendly spaces (16%), inviting applications from diverse communities (15%), providing anti-bias training (14%), and consistently committing to diversity hiring goals (13%).
Provisions for Applicants with Disabilities: Respondents state that organisations offer specific accommodations for persons with disabilities, such as accessible online application processes (17%), accessible interview venues (16%), and additional time allowances for assessments if needed (16%).
Work-Life Balance: 36% of respondents believe their organisations have policies in place to support work-life balance, particularly for women with caregiving responsibilities, offering them flexible work hours and remote work options.
Employee Resource Groups: 53% of respondents are aware of employee resource groups focused on diversity and inclusion within their organisations, with 41% finding these groups highly or extremely valuable.
Peer Support and Networking: 20% of respondents state that their organisations frequently facilitate peer support and networking opportunities for diverse groups, 27% say they sometimes do so, and 22% report that their organisations rarely or never provide these opportunities.
Responsiveness to Feedback: 52% of respondents perceive that their organisations are responsive or highly responsiveto feedback on diversity issues, highlighting a positive trend in organisational communication and action on diversity-related concerns.

“These findings paint a nuanced picture of diversity and inclusion in Singapore’s corporate landscape,” Garisa added. “While we see promising signs of commitment and awareness from organisations, the real opportunity for organisations is to take the next step to implement these initiatives. At foundit, we’re committed to supporting organisations in this journey, helping them harness the full potential of diverse teams to drive innovation and success in Singapore’s dynamic business environment.”

The survey was conducted as part of TRIUMPH, Asia’s leading virtual career fair for diversity, further demonstrating foundit’s commitment to promoting inclusive workplaces.

As organisations navigate the evolving landscape of workplace diversity, this survey serves as a crucial benchmark, offering insights into current practices and highlighting areas for future focus and improvement. By addressing these gaps, companies can create more inclusive and successful workplaces.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

For media inquiries or further information, please contact
Namrata Sharma – Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
Contact number – +65 81383034

Fonos Sees Monthly Active Users Increase to 6X with CleverTap’s Personalized Engagement

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, & HCMC, Vietnam, July 11, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – CleverTap, the all-in-one engagement platform, has announced its partnership with Fonos, a Vietnamese audio content start-up. Through this collaboration, Fonos aims to enhance its customer engagement strategies, drive substantial revenue growth, and streamline its marketing efforts. CleverTap’s advanced user segmentation, real-time analytics, and data-driven insights have helped Fonos take strategic decisions about their marketing strategies and deliver personalized experiences to users.

Fonos sought to streamline its marketing efforts through advanced automation and enable highly personalized engagement with its busy users. After a thorough evaluation, Fonos chose CleverTap for its real-time RFM (recency, frequency, and monetary) segmentation capabilities, which underpin omnichannel lifecycle marketing and automated, personalized communication.

Since implementing CleverTap’s all-in-one engagement platform, Fonos has witnessed the following impact:

25% higher month-on-month growth rate in MAU (monthly active users)
20% email open rates, which is higher than industry benchmarks
10% open rate for in-app messages

Nguyen Hong Nhung, Head of Growth Marketing at Fonos, said, “Our goal has always been to act as a ‘daily companion’ for our users, and CleverTap’s robust platform empowers us to engage users contextually in real-time. The advanced analytics and seamless integration provided by CleverTap has transformed our customer engagement strategies. We are confident that this partnership will help us achieve our growth plans, scale our business, and enhance the overall customer experience.”

Sidharth Pisharoti, Chief Revenue Officer at CleverTap, said, “In today’s fast-paced digital world, audio formats have surged in popularity, providing a convenient and immersive experience for users. This trend is particularly pronounced in Vietnam, which boasts the highest yearly podcast listenership in Southeast Asia, with about 70% of the internet population tuning in. Our partnership with Fonos is particularly exciting given the company’s accelerated growth since its inception and the booming audio space. By leveraging our advanced segmentation and real-time analytics, Fonos has been delivering tailored experiences that meet the unique needs of its diverse audience, fostering greater loyalty and driving sustainable growth. WithCleverTap, Fonos witnessed a five-fold increase in the absolute number of monthly active users over six months. We look forward to continuing this journey together, empowering Fonos to become the daily companion for millions of users.”

For more information read the customer story here.

About Fonos

Fonos, a Vietnamese audio content start-up, is one of the prominent players in this exciting landscape, with an accelerated growth momentum since 2020. With subscription services covering 1500 pieces of original content, 200+ podcast channels, and 1200+ copyrighted audiobooks, it is the #1 audiobook app on both Apple AppStore and Google Play Store in Vietnam. For more Information visit: https://fonos.vn/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fonosvn

About CleverTap

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

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

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

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

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

Forward-Looking Statements

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

Factors such as the development of general economic conditions affecting our business, future market conditions, our ability to maintain cost advantages, uncertainty with respect to earnings, corporate actions, client concentration, reduced demand, liability or damages in our service contracts, unusual catastrophic loss events, war, political instability, changes in government policies or laws, legal restrictions impacting our business, impact of pandemic, epidemic, any natural calamity and other factors that are naturally beyond our control, changes in the capital markets and other circumstances may cause the actual events or results to be materially different, from those anticipated by such statements. CleverTap does not make any representation or warranty, express or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness, or updated or revised status of such statements. Therefore, in no case whatsoever will CleverTap and its affiliate companies be liable to anyone for any decision made or action taken in conjunction.

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

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

Singapore’s ‘Samsui Woman’ Mural Controversy: Asia’s Prestigious 28 Fevrier Gallery Signs American Artist Sean Dunston

SINGAPORE, July 11, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – In stringent rules-based Singapore, locals, who were quickly dubbed ‘Karens’, noticed that a 2-story high fresh mural depicting a ‘Samsui Woman’ was smoking a lit cigarette. International political controversy ensued. The Karens claimed that the mural went against Singapore’s public policy to discourage smoking, sparking a public debate that prompted government regulators to comment and possibly intervene.

The dispute over the mural catapulted its American artist, Sean Dunston, into infamy. Dunston welcomed the palaver, stating publicly that he embraced the discourse.

Now, Asia’s premier urban art gallery, 28 Février, helmed by Dominic Khoo, who also founded the alternative investment vehicle WatchFund, has signed Dunston to the gallery as their first artist of Q3 2024.

“Whatever happens to the decision rendered by the authorities and the Karens, we aim to preserve this piece of Singaporean culture with immediate effect,” remarks Khoo.

“The ‘Samsui Woman’ art is a tribute to the hardworking women who contributed significantly to Singapore’s development,” states Khoo. “I don’t see how you can deny them their day in the sun.”

The brouhaha has drawn the attention of the international arts community due to its provocative portrayal of a significant cultural figure. Aside from the smoking cigarette, the Karens argued, the mural may not accurately or respectfully represent the Samsui women. A resilient, determined group of Chinese immigrants, the Samsui women came to Singapore in the early 20th century, primarily from the Sanshui (Samsui) district in Guangdong province, China. They were known for their distinctive red headscarves and hard work in labour-intensive jobs, particularly in construction and as domestic helpers. They contributed greatly to the building of the city by playing a significant role in the development of Singapore’s infrastructure, thus shaping its history.

Khoo recognizes that these women and others hold significance in the fabric of Singapore society, and that, through art, Dunston has sought to convey what they represent to the nation.

It’s Khoo’s opinion that it is essential to preserve one’s culture. “Every Singaporean bears a duty to contribute to our cultural fabric. You don’t realize how powerful “soft power” is to a country.” Khoo himself as photographer has thirteen works purchased by the National Heritage Board and stored in the National Archives. “It is imperative as Singaporeans we recognize the cultural value of Dunston’s work too, and as friends we must help him come out at the other end of this stronger.”

In this sense, he observes, the public outcry has had a Streisand Effect. “I’m not sure if the Karens know that by being Karens, they’re actually giving a lot of good attention to artists that we have taken for granted. For that, we thank you.”

The Samsui Woman’s mural artist, Sean Dunston concurs: “It’s an unexpected wild ride,” he says. “I set out simply to do what I love: respectfully creating the essence of beauty in the world. I’m grateful to everyone who engaged with my work, regardless of differing opinions, as this is what art is all about—creating emotions and thoughts—bringing back the pulse of life. Ultimately, we don’t see things as they are; we see things as we are.”

Share A Piece Of Singapore’s History With Dunston’s Pieces

In honour of the stand, 28 Février Gallery will celebrate Dunston by hosting a specially curated “Bastille Day” Opening Event for an exhibit of limited edition ‘Samsui Woman’ artworks painted by him. Khoo is inviting guests from around the world to attend, and private collectors may also express their interest by registering a request.

Pesh Eng, gallery maven says, “Expect the opening night to be revved up by supercars and graced with the presence of international collectors. Plus, Er Cai Fang, the co-founder of GelatiAmo, an establishment that churns fine Italian gelato from scratch, has cheekily designed a welcome snack for the event called ‘exploding sour grapes’, which she dedicates to ‘the rebellious pursuit of freedom, just for laughs.’”

28 Février Gallery is inviting art connoisseurs and collectors who may be interested in attending the Opening Night event or privately viewing the artworks to register their interest.

About Dominic Khoo

Dominic Khoo retired as a professional photographer at age 35. Dominic photographed over 150 international celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Tony Leung, and the Dalai Lama. In just seven years of practice he met several milestones including being nominated for Asia Pacific Photographer of the Year in 2011 alongside Annie Leibovitz, his idol. Notably he also produced the world’s most expensive photography coffee table book where 100% of the revenue, and not just proceeds, went to committee approved and vetted charities.

Dominic also has an intense passion for watches which has seen him transition from a watch collector, watch journalist and to a watch expert. Throughout his career he has managed watch brands, written about watches for top magazines, and trained at Antiquorum, where he appraised and auctioned watches internationally. He is the founder of WatchFund, the world’s largest watch investment vehicle, for which has been winning international peer-reviewed awards and accolades for the past 9 years.

Dominic has great influence in art and luxury. His gallery 28 Février hosts prestigious events for international guests and houses iconic works. He continues to endorse international brands and invest in cutting-edge technologies.

About 28 Février Gallery

28 Février Gallery, located at 6 Kay Siang Road, Singapore, is Asia’s international urban art gallery, showcasing a dynamic mix of paintings, sculptures, and installation pieces from all around the world. The gallery is integrated within the OOZI building, a historic pre-war British officer’s mansion. With a focus on having art that teaches people about other people’s perspectives, the gallery believes that there is art at any level, and that there are always things that we can learn from others. Visitors to the gallery have included French football legend Eric Cantona, and NBA superstar Dennis Rodman.

28 Février Gallery 6 Kay Siang Road, Singapore 248924 https://www.whereisthesite.com/

For more information and to schedule an appointment, please visit 28 Février’s website or contact: ops@28thfevrier.com

Eton Solutions Launches AtlasFive for Family Office Wealth Management in India; Onboards Catamaran as its Launch Customer

BANGALORE, INDIA, July 10, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Eton Solutions, a global leader in cloud-based services for family offices of the future, is launching AtlasFive®, its renowned ERP platform for family offices in India. Eton Solutions also announced the family office of Infosys’ founder, Narayana Murthy, Catamaran, as its launch customer. This underscores its commitment to offering a comprehensive, innovative and localised ERP platform for family offices across the country. Headquartered in North Carolina, USA, it has had a presence in India for the past 5 years with over 300 employees at their Global Technology Center in Bengaluru supporting AtlasFive® clients globally.

Catamaran will use Eton Solutions’ AtlasFive® platform to streamline its investment portfolio management and enhance operational planning, reporting and compliance. Eton Solutions has developed a highly sophisticated ERP platform, AtlasFive®, a fully integrated, secure cloud-native AI-driven software tailored to meet the complex needs of family offices, currently managing over $781 billion for 665 families worldwide. Over 11.5 million transactions are processed annually with 92,000 entities on this platform. The platform integrates all operational facets of a family office into a cohesive solution, emphasising efficiency and operating leverage.

Eton Solutions is also planning to set up a presence in GIFT City, Gujarat, in the near future to support the growth of its services provided to clients globally. This new Technology Center is a key milestone for the company’s expansion strategy and will serve as a hub for Eton Solutions’ operations in the country, allowing it to leverage the unique advantages of GIFT City’s world-class infrastructure and regulatory environment.

“We chose AtlasFive® for its proven ability to streamline investment management across multiple asset classes and to support our growth objectives.” said Deepak Padaki, President of Catamaran. “The platform’s sophisticated workflow automation capabilities will help integrate back-office operations with portfolio management, allowing us to be more productive in our investment activities.”

Satyen Patel, Executive Chairman of Eton Solutions, said, “The emergence of India as a financial powerhouse with the 3rd largest concentration of billionaires in the world after China and the USA, fits squarely with Eton Solutions’ international expansion plans. India is a critical market within our global growth strategy, and we are bullish about the opportunities in this geography, and about servicing the diaspora internationally from India. The fact that we are gearing up to open our next Technology Center in GIFT City very soon is a testimony to our commitment.”

Satyen added, “We are thrilled to have Catamaran as the first among what we are confident of, will be many marquee customers in India. Our partnership with Catamaran highlights the power and versatility of AtlasFive®. We are confident that our platform will empower Catamaran to achieve its ambitious growth targets while upholding the highest standards of corporate governance.”

The availability of advanced platforms such as AtlasFive® in India will be transformative for the Indian family office landscape, making India a more attractive investment destination for family offices globally. Eton Solutions’ vision to address the complex needs of ultra-high-net-worth families is bolstered by a belief that a holistic, integrated platform with support from a team of skilled experts with domain knowledge in the family-office space, can enable single-family offices, multi-family offices, and professional services firms to reimagine the value they can provide to their clients.

About Eton Solutions:

Eton Solutions is an ERP software product (AtlasFive®) and services company founded to handle the complexities of servicing ultra-high-net-worth families globally. The company is based in the United States, in Research Triangle Park, NC. with its international headquarters in Singapore focused on serving markets outside of the Americas. Created by family office leaders, Eton Solutions’ flagship product is AtlasFive®, managing over US$781 billion on our integrated platform that holistically aggregates and manages all your liquid and alternative investment assets and office’s data, reporting and workflow processes. With one source of truth, Eton Solutions leads family offices into the future by maximising efficiency and minimising errors and risk. Eton Solutions has experienced a CAGR of over 100% since its inception.

Visit: https://www.eton-solutions.com

About Catamaran:

Catamaran is the investment firm and family office of Narayana Murthy, founder of Infosys. With over $1 billion in assets, Catamaran focuses on public and private investments across technology, manufacturing, deep-tech and e-commerce.

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Standard Chartered GBA business confidence survey shows sentiment holding up

HONG KONG, July 8, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today released the Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI) for the second quarter of 2024. The “current performance” index for business activity remained largely unchanged in Q2 at 54.1, compared to 54.3 in Q1, and near its strongest level since Q2 of 2021. The GBAI “expectations” index rose to 54.8 in Q2 from 54.0 in Q1, registering its first rise in five quarters. The figures remain comfortably above the 50 neutral mark, reflecting sustained expansionary momentum following a solid start to the year.

At the city level, Hong Kong’s “current performance” rose to 47.1 from 43.3, while “expectations” increased to 49.7 from 44.2, getting closer to the 50 neutral level. However, Guangzhou’s “current performance” index fell to 53.6 from 57.1 and “expectations” dropped to 56.6 from 60.6. Shenzhen posted the highest “current performance” at 57.3 and “expectations” at 57.1.

The performance among specific industry categories was diverse. “Retail and wholesale” (+3.9 points for “current performance” and +2.6 points for “expectations”), “financial services” (+15.0 points, +10.7 points) and “professional services” (+7.6 points, +12.3 points) all improved materially quarter-on-quarter. The May Labour Day holidays and an early start to the “618” online shopping festival probably boosted household demand, allowing “retail and wholesale” to beat “manufacturing and trading” (-0.9 points, +0.7 points), despite the latter’s stronger start to the year.

“Innovation and technology” (I&T) appeared to take a hit from tariff concerns, with the category’s “current performance” sub-index plunging to 43.9 from 57.8 previously, and “expectations” falling sharply to 38.1 from 54.6 in Q1. However, the level of confidence across I&T respondents varied in the three key cities of Shenzhen (42.0 for “current performance” and 33.7 for “expectations”), Guangzhou (50.0, 59.4) and Hong Kong (63.2, 76.0). This shows that not all tech companies are equally vulnerable to tariff hikes from countries in the west.

Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered, said: “During the survey period, the US hiked tariffs on US$18bn worth of imports from China as part of its Section 301 review. The same period also marked the run-up to the European Commission’s more recent decision to impose anti-subsidy tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs). Some of our I&T respondents are probably part of such EV and lithium battery supply chains, and their reliance on external demand could be a lingering concern going into the US elections. That said, we take comfort from Hong Kong’s I&T outperformance, which likely reflected the city’s recent innovation and technology push via attracting strategic enterprises and related talent.”

New quality productive forces offer investment catalyst

The term “new quality productive forces” describes China’s push to modernise its economic growth model through technological innovation and transformation. While one of the main concerns over the push is whether there will be enough demand to absorb output from the increase in production capacity, only 11.7% of respondents saw “a very high risk” of overinvestment and potential overcapacity in some of the new industries, while a more substantial 36.7% described this as “only a low risk” while acknowledging that risks exist.

The risk of overcapacity or macro concerns such as an uncertain economic outlook did not deter GBA companies from upgrading equipment and planning to make other business investments in the next 12 months. Of the respondents, 26.1% said they planned to increase such investment materially or marginally, versus just 6.9% planning a decrease. A majority 67% opted for no change.

Irina Fan, HKTDC Director of Research, said: “Recent economic data from Mainland China indicates that the country’s growth remains at a solid pace so far this year. A greater role for Hong Kong is expected, particularly in the area of industrial transformation as the country focuses on pushing through the new quality productive forces. We also see room for financing and investment expectations to play catch-up.”

About the GBAI

The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials

Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Index Report: https://av.sc.com/hk/content/docs/hk-gbr-en-q2-2024.pdf
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MTczNTkwMDM0MQ

Photos download: https://bit.ly/4ePUtql

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Kelvin Lau (left), Senior Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered, and Irina Fan (right), Director of Research, HKTDC, announced the latest GBA Business Confidence Index (GBAI) today (8 July).

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Kelvin Lau, Senior Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered

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Irina Fan, Director of Research, HKTDC

Media enquiries

Corporate Affairs Department

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Tel: (852) 3843 0341

Email: lilian.goh@sc.com

Communications & Public Affairs Department HKTDC
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Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Tel: (852) 2584 4472
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About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 53 of the world’s most dynamic markets and serving clients in a further 64. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong Stock Exchanges.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

To view press releases in Chinese, please visit http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc

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

AltaX, Hamilton Lane and Phillip Securities Collaborate on Tokenised Private Credit Fund under Project Guardian

Parties will address the challenges and opportunities of increasing access to private credit funds as part of the initiative
Enable seamless trading by leveraging an active global community of traders and market makers to enhance liquidity and market participation.
As part of their use case under Project Guardian, the parties also plan to introduce the world’s first tokenised Shariah-compliant private credit fund for an innovative private income product

SINGAPORE, July 8, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – Alta Exchange (“AltaX”), a leading private market digital securities exchange in Asia; Phillip Securities Pte. Ltd (“PSPL”), a member of PhillipCapital; and leading global private markets investment management firm Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) today announced their collaboration in Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Project Guardian, a collaborative initiative between policymakers and the financial industry to enhance the liquidity and efficiency of financial markets through asset tokenisation.

Alongside joining Project Guardian, the three firms are collaborating on a use case aiming to broaden access to the tokenised version of Hamilton Lane’s Senior Credit Opportunities (“SCOPE”) Fund listed on AltaX, which launched in March of 2023. SCOPE is an all-weather senior private credit evergreen vehicle intended for investors seeking potential safety and yield.

Tokenising and listing SCOPE on AltaX marked the completion of the first of two strategic phases for the partnership. Phase one gave accredited and institutional investors the ability to manage their risk exposure dynamically, respond to market conditions with agility and seamlessly engage with a global community of active traders and market makers, thereby enhancing liquidity and market depth.

Phase two aims to look at other ways to broaden access to private credit, including by exploring the potential to introduce the world’s first Shariah-compliant tokenised private credit fund, with the aim of serving the underserved and rapidly growing global Islamic funds market.

“In today’s financial landscape, fixed income vehicles often lack short-term liquidity and accessibility, particularly for those seeking smaller investment opportunities. This restricts efficient capital allocation and hinders a more agile approach to portfolio management. At AltaX, we are committed to breaking down these barriers. Leveraging blockchain technology and our extensive network, we’re transforming the way global investors access alternative assets. Our collaboration with Hamilton Lane and PSPL underscores our commitment to financial inclusivity, expanding market reach, and enabling a diverse range of investors to participate in the growing private credit market,” said Kelvin Lee, Co-founder and CEO, Alta.

Victor Jung, Head of Digital Assets at Hamilton Lane, said: “We’re excited to partner with AltaX and Phillip Securities under Project Guardian, collaborating on a use case that focuses on tokenising our SCOPE Fund. We are focused on continuing to innovate around this offering, opening doors to investors of all types and fostering a more inclusive financial ecosystem. In our view, this collaboration is poised to have a significant impact on private credit and the broader private markets landscape.”

Mr. Luke Lim, Managing Director of Phillip Securities, said: “We are excited to be at the forefront of financial innovation through our collaboration with AltaX and Hamilton Lane under Project Guardian. This partnership represents an exciting frontier for Phillip Securities as we continue to innovate and develop new investment products for our clients. By combining our expertise and resources, we are able to bring cutting-edge solutions to meet the evolving and diverse needs of sophisticated investors. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to the significant impact this collaboration will have on expanding opportunities for investors globally and working together towards a sustainable digital asset ecosystem.”

Alta is committed to tackling the challenge of private market illiquidity with its accessible, efficient, and secure exchange platform. In acknowledgment of those efforts, Alta has recently been named as a 2024 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. Alta’s technology-powered initiatives are transforming the financial landscape by empowering a diverse array of investors to engage in alternative investments and the firm believes that broadening access to capital markets is crucial for fostering sustainable growth and generating new opportunities for communities globally.

About Alta

As the leading licensed digital securities exchange for alternative investments in Asia, Alta is building critical capital market infrastructure backed by the most active securities brokerages and bookrunners on the Singapore Exchange – Phillip Securities, PrimePartners and Nomura Holdings (Japan).

Empowering Private Markets: Through its digital securities exchange, Alta enables the tokenisation and digital custody of alternative assets. This end-to-end solution simplifies and expedites the trading of smaller asset blocks, ultimately facilitating access and liquidity in private markets. Access to capital markets is pivotal in all economies, and Alta believes that its role in building this critical infrastructure goes beyond facilitating trades; it paves the way for entrepreneurship, job creation, financial inclusion, and economic resilience, fostering a brighter future for emerging markets and economies.

Innovative Financial Ecosystem: Alta’s journey has seen it transition from securities trading and distribution of comprehensive products, including equities, private credit, funds, and asset-backed securities representing real world assets like whiskies, wines, to include fund management and digital custody.

Find out more on https://alta.exchange/

For media inquiries, please contact:
Deeksha Kakkar
Marketing Communications Specialist, Alta
deeksha.kakkar@alta.exchange

About Hamilton Lane

Hamilton Lane (Nasdaq: HLNE) is one of the largest private markets investment firms globally, providing innovative solutions to institutional and private wealth investors around the world. Dedicated exclusively to private markets investing for more than 30 years, the firm currently employs approximately 700 professionals operating in offices throughout North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. Hamilton Lane has over $920 billion in assets under management and supervision, composed of more than $124 billion in discretionary assets and approximately $796 billion in non-discretionary assets, as of March 31, 2024. Hamilton Lane specializes in building flexible investment programs that provide clients access to the full spectrum of private markets strategies, sectors and geographies.

For more information, please visit our website or follow Hamilton Lane on LinkedIn.

Hamilton Lane Media Contact
Immy Ransom
iransom@hamiltonlane.com

About Phillip Securities

A member of PhillipCapital, Phillip Securities Pte Ltd offers a comprehensive suite of financial products and services including broking in securities, futures, foreign exchange, bonds, precious metals and commodities, unit trusts, contracts for difference, exchange-traded funds, fund management, managed accounts, insurance planning, regular savings plan, investment research, equity financing and property consultancy. Institutions can also benefit from our corporate finance and advisory services as well as information technology solutions.

Since its inception as a stockbroker in 1975, PhillipCapital has grown into an integrated Asian financial house with a global presence and offers a full range of quality and innovative services to retail and high-net-worth individuals, family offices, as well as corporate and institutional customers. In 1996, Phillip Securities became the first retail broker to launch POEMS, an online trading platform and changed the way investors trade in Singapore.

Today, PhillipCapital headquartered in Singapore, operates in the financial hubs of 15 countries, including offices in Australia, Cambodia, China (and Hong Kong SAR), India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Thailand, Turkey, UK, UAE, USA and Vietnam, serving over 1 million clients with Assets Under Management of total more than USD 50 Billion.

Find out more about us here https://www.phillip.com.sg/ and our award-winning trading platforms here https://www.poems.com.sg/

No Offshore Bonds Maturing in the Next 15 Months after Fosun Pays Off its USD600 Million Bond in July

HONG KONG, July 5, 2024 – (ACN Newswire) – On 2 July, Fosun International (HKEX: 0656) successfully paid off USD600 million maturing US dollar bond. With this repayment, Fosun has now fulfilled all of its offshore bonds obligations due this year, and has no offshore bonds maturing in the next 15 months.

This successful USD600 million bond repayment reflects Fosun’s consistent efforts to further reduce its public market bond and optimize its debt structure, after navigating through the maturity wall in 2023, once again demonstrating its operational stability and financial resilience. Furthermore, Fosun has maintained long-term, stable cooperative relationships with broad-based domestic and international banks, giving it the flexibility to time the progress of its asset divestments. Fosun International collaborated with nearly 15 domestic and international banks to raise a syndicate loan of no less than USD600 million in the first half of this year. It is reported that the syndicate is currently in the greenshoe stage, and more banks are expected to join the syndicate.

Despite of many challenges in the global environment, Fosun, on the one hand, has deterministically implemented the strategic adjustment of “operation streamlining and core businesses focusing” and divest sizable non-core and non-strategy assets. On the other hand, Fosun has continued to focus on core industries, optimize its asset portfolio, and enhance its presence in businesses with stable cash flows and profit growth potential. According to public disclosure, since 2022, Fosun has divested assets including Nanjing Iron & Steel, Jianlong Shares, Shanghai PANASIA Shipping, AmeriTrust, Ageas and HAL, etc., in an orderly manner, generating tens of billions in cash inflow.

Fosun’s recent divestment of HAL has been well noticed by many market observers. Fosun’s asset divestment does not only drive debt deduction, but also optimizes its portfolio mix so that Fosun can achieve asset-light operation. The HAL transaction has demonstrated Fosun’s standardized, replicable and sustainable core business operational capabilities encompassing “global operations” and “value realization”. Leveraging its in-depth operational management, Fosun supported HAL’s M&As, enabling HAL to fully harness the advantages of Fosun’s globalization strategy to accelerate business upgrades and enhance asset value. As the consideration of the HAL transaction is higher than the historical total investment cost, the transaction is expected to secure double-digit IRR for Fosun.

In recent years, Fosun has steadily divested non-core assets, demonstrating its asset quality and execution capabilities; at the same time, Fosun has been fully supported by both domestic and international financial institutions, as a vote of confidence to Fosun’s credit profile. On 30 May this year, S&P Global Ratings issued a rating report, affirming its stable outlook on Fosun International’s long-term issuer and issue credit ratings, with an overall positive stance.

S&P Global Ratings expects Fosun’s asset quality and credit quality to remain stable, with possible further improvement. Despite the ongoing complex global macroeconomic landscape, Fosun has maintained stable credit indicators as assessed by S&P Global Ratings, which is attributed to its steadfast pursuit of the core business-focused strategy, further strengthening its organic growth momentum.

In addition to the recognition from banks as well as international credit rating agency, domestic and international investment institutions such as Citibank, UBS, Nomura, and Founder Securities, Kaiyuan Securities, and Essence International have also published research reports expressing their bullish view on Fosun International’s steadfast execution of its strategy to focus on core businesses and strike a balance between investment and divestment. These institutions have assigned Fosun International a “Buy” or “Overweight” rating. Essence International gave a target price of HKD7.5 for Fosun, implying a potential upside of 78% from the current price.