HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE conclude

HONG KONG, Sep 12, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Jointly organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, the physical shows of the 41st HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 10th Salon de TE drew to a successful close yesterday. This year's fairs adopted the new EXHIBITION+ hybrid model, attracting more than 6,200 industry buyers to visit the physical fairs and browse products online, as well as more than 25,000 public visitors to shop for exquisite timepieces. The online fairs will continue to run until 6 October. As of today, the HKTDC has already arranged more than 1,200 business meetings, enabling more global watch and clock traders to explore business opportunities through the fairs' online platform.

The physical part of the 41st HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 10th Salon de TE concluded successfully yesterday. The World Brand Piazza at Salon de TE presented 12 renowned international brands.

Industry experts examined the industry's prospects, trends and marketing strategies at the Hong Kong International Watch Forum, Asian Watch Conference and a seminar on the theme "Cross-Border eCommerce: How to Win in Southeast Asia".

A number of product launches were held during the fairs. Renowned Hong Kong athletes including track athlete So Wa-wai, six-time Paralympic Games gold medallist, made an appearance at the product launch.

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: "Although numerous sectors around the world, including the watch and clock industry, have been hard hit by the pandemic, we are pleased to see that affordable luxury watches are a hot pick in the market, and that watches featuring innovative technologies and sustainable elements are part of the new fashion trend. This year, the two fairs showcased a wide range of trendy, high-quality products from notable brands. Exhibitors were also able to capitalise on retail opportunities driven by the recent disbursement of the government's consumption vouchers."

E-tailing presents new business opportunities, fairs give exhibitors a retail boost

The HKTDC conducted an on-site survey with exhibitors and buyers during the fairs to gauge the development trends in the watch and clock industry in 2023. The survey found that the majority of respondents considered e-tailing (37%) and the recovering purchasing power of customers (28%) to present the biggest business opportunities. Of the exhibitors surveyed, 39% of them are engaged in e-tailing businesses, while 33% indicated an intention to invest resources in developing an e-tailing business over the next two years to capture more orders. Regarding product trends, respondents expected smart watches (47%) to be the most popular watch category in 2023, followed by mechanical watches (15%) and digital analogue watches (14%).

In addition, some exhibitors said that sustainability themed watches will be another key trend. Speaking at the MINI green watch series product launch during the fairs, Esther Wong, Founder and CEO of Acestar Concept Limited, said: "As people become more environmentally conscious, this green watch collection has become the talk of the town. Sales of the watch at the fairground did well and we have already sold about 1,000 pieces. A new buyer expressed interest in bringing MINI green watches to the United States and South American markets, while another new buyer from Mainland China is keen to cooperate with us by investing in the development of a new eco-friendly product. Overall, the response from both public visitors and trade buyers has been overwhelming."

The two fairs were open to the general public this year, with a lively buying atmosphere at the fairground. The on-site survey revealed that the per capita consumption of public visitors was HK$1,146. Mike Lam, Chief Operating Officer of Mira Watch International Ltd, said the traffic at the fair was very good. "The average per capita spending by customers at our booth is around HK$4,000-5,000. A mechanical sports watch priced at HK$10,000 has sold particularly well. We expect this year's on-site sales turnover to reach HK$1 million."

Click2Match helps industry players seize business opportunities

This year's fairs adopted EXHIBITION+, a brand-new exhibition model integrating online and offline trade show formats, extending face-to-face interactions from physical exhibitions to an online platform. To help overseas buyers maintain contact with exhibitors, the HKTDC mobilised its 50 global offices to invite international buyers to engage in business discussions with exhibitors via video conferencing. In addition, the HKTDC utilises its smart business-matching platform, Click2Match, to generate AI-recommended leads for exhibitors and buyers until 18 September. The platform also provides functions such as a meeting planner, instant messaging, video conferencing and file sharing to facilitate communication between buyers and exhibitors. The online fairs will run until 6 October on hktdc.com Sourcing where trade buyers can continue their sourcing journey at their own convenience.

The renowned Swiss brand Victorinox, famed for its army knives and sporty watches, was at the Watch & Clock Fair to source watch parts and components. Kelvin Lo, Head of Sourcing – Watches, Victorinox Dongguan Company Limited, said: "Through the HKTDC's Click2Match platform and its business-matching team, we set up physical meetings with six parts and components suppliers before the opening of the fair. The platform proved to be effective in helping us identify suitable suppliers in advance. Following business negotiations at the physical fair, we have been successful in finding five potential suppliers, one of which has adopted a brand-new technology to produce leather straps."

Chit Tat Clock and Watch Company Limited was another exhibitor that was able to connect with overseas buyers via the Click2Match platform. The company's General Manager, Philip Lau, said the brand focused on selling its stock to consumers at the fair, helping to expand its retail business. In addition, the company arranged more than 20 online meetings with overseas buyers via the Click2Match platform to conduct business negotiations after the physical fairs, with Mr Lau saying he was satisfied with the results.

Following a successful series of fairs over the summer, the HKTDC will hold the Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Autumn Edition), International ICT Expo, electronicAsia, Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Autumn Edition) and Hong Kong International Outdoor and Tech Light Expo from 13 to 16 October, all of which will adopt the EXHIBITION+ hybrid model. The model's round-the-clock services will boost the flexibility and effectiveness of business promotion for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and offer benefits ranging from extended fair periods and expanded platforms to enhanced business opportunities.

Fair websites
– Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair: https://hkwatchfair.hktdc.com
– Salon de TE: https://hkwatchfair.hktdc.com/te
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3xdWJ6u

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 Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

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

CENTRESTAGE showcases talent of local designers

HONG KONG, Sep 11, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Asia's leading fashion event CENTRESTAGE draws to a close today. One of the highlight events, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show, was held on Friday (9 September), the first day of CENTRESTAGE, adopting "sustainable fashion" as its central theme. Six local designer brands that have all participated in International Fashion Week events, including ANGUS TSUI (by Angus Tsui), 112mountainyam (by Mountain Yam), Blind by JW (by Jessica Lau and Walter Ma), Bettie Haute Couture (by Bettie Jiang), SUN=SEN (by Sun Lam), and V Vissi (by Vickie Au), collaborated with local enterprise Novetex to create environment-friendly spring/summer 2023 collections using upcycled fabrics made by The Billie System, a textile recycling system.

Grace Chan (wearing Bettie Haute Couture and matching mask)

The gala drew an impressive attendance of celebrities and fashionistas including Stephanie Au, Grace Chan, Dickson Yu, Pony Pong, Oscar Lee, Danny Summer, Alfred Hui, Shirley Chan, Kenny Kwan, Naomi Kwong, Derek Wong, Joyce Cheng, Jay Fung and more.

In addition to the main runway show, FASHIONALLY Collection #19 featured a number of local brands, including ARTO., CAR|2IE, FromClothingof, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, REDEMPTIVE and WHY.

Fair details
Date: 9 to 11 September 2021 (Friday to Sunday)
Venue: Hall 1A-D, HKCEC
Date: 9-10 Sept (Fri-Sat) 10am-7pm; 11 Sept (Sun) 10am-6pm
Free admission for trade and public visitors

Websites
– CENTRESTAGE: https://www.centrestage.com.hk
– Fashion Hong Kong: https://www.fashionhongkong.com.hk/en
– FASHIONALLY.com : https://www.fashionally.com/en/
– CENTRESTAGE in Town: https://centrestage.hktdc.com/home/highlights/centrestage-in-town/
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3TZ9XxS

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 Raconteur
Molisa Lau, Tel: +852 6187 7786, email: molisalau@raconteur.hk
Betsy Tse, Tel: +852 9742 7338, email: betsytse@raconteur.hk

HKTDC's Communication & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4537, email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

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

Asia’s fashion showcase CENTRESTAGE opens today

HONG KONG, Sep 9, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – CENTRESTAGE, Asia's premier fashion event organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong* of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. A number of renowned and emerging fashion brands from Hong Kong and overseas are presenting their spring/summer 2023 collections during the three-day event, which is open to industry participants and the general public free of charge. Visitors have the opportunity to browse and shop for the latest designs from around the world, with some brands offering exclusive discounts.

CENTRESTAGE opened today at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, with local and international brands presenting their spring/summer 2023 collections during the three-day fashion event

Local brands participating in FASHIONALLY Collection #19 include ARTO., CAR|2IE, FromClothingof, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, REDEMPTIVE (pictured) and WHY

This year's exhibition venue has incorporated cyber and metaverse elements into its design, featuring a host of interactive experiences for visitors to try out for free

Three thematic areas support brands' business expansion

Entering its seventh year, CENTRESTAGE has adopted "Inclusion and Diversity" as its theme in 2022, highlighting individuality and self-expression. The event is playing host to more than 240 brands from 15 countries and regions, including newly participating brands from Hong Kong such as 30menu, athenaeum(m.), Kowloon City Boy, Louise Castle, Natacha Van, PSY LAU, The Life Etc. and VO-YAGE. Exhibitors from other countries and regions include Koradior (Mainland China), C/W COLLECTIVE (Macao), HARIO Lampwork Factory (Japan), Stevie Crowne (UK), CEANNIS (Sweden), Dal Duca (Italy), Thierry Rabotin (Italy) and more. Three thematic zones feature a broad spectrum of designs and styles: METRO presents the leisure aspects of urban life; ICONIC represents modern, chic and avant-garde design; and ALLURE showcases the elegance and refinement of design excellence and craftsmanship. Visitors are free to explore and shop in this comprehensive one-stop fashion arcade.

The HKTDC has proactively engaged local and overseas fashion buyers to support CENTRESTAGE exhibitors in expanding their businesses. Local buyers such as Lane Crawford, Joyce, Next Sourcing, Palmers and online fashion store Farfetch have a physical presence at the event. In addition, online business meetings have been arranged to match exhibitors with fashion buyers from the mainland and overseas, including industry heavyweights Signe Du Temps from France, A PEBBLE by LABELHOOD from the mainland, Harry & Co from Korea, and NM International from Thailand.

Various fashion brands unveil their latest designs

A series of fashion shows are being held during the fair period, with the spotlight opening gala show, CENTRESTAGE ELITES, taking place this evening. The opening ceremony will be officiated by Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR. Immediately afterwards, DEMO, the Hong Kong label co-founded by Derek Chan and Mite Chan, will be joined by Children of the discordance, established by Japanese designer Hideaki Shikama, to present their spring/summer 2023 collections. The runway show marks the debut fashion presentation in Hong Kong for Mr Shikama, who is renowned for deconstructing and repurposing old fabrics into refined patchwork pieces. Louise Wong, winner of the Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Performer, will be guest model at the event, strutting down the runway in an outfit from DEMO's latest collection.

Following CENTRESTAGE ELITES, the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show will run on the "Sustainable Fashion" theme, featuring six local designers that have participated in various international fashion weeks, including 112 mountainyam (by Mountain Yam), ANGUS TSUI (by Angus Tsui), Bettie Haute Couture (by Bettie Jiang), BLIND by JW (by Jessica Lau & Walter Kong), SUN=SEN (by Sun Lam), and V VISSI (by Vickie Au). These designers have collaborated with Hong Kong textile enterprise Novetex Textiles Limited to create environmentally-friendly Spring/Summer 2023 collections using upcycled fabrics made from The Billie System, a waterless textile recycling system developed locally. During the fair period, Fashion Hong Kong Studio (Booth number 1C-C07) will collect and upcycle unwanted white 100% cotton T-shirts or polo shirts from visitors. The first 100 donors will receive a limited-edition souvenir made from upcycled materials.

Serving as a platform to promote local design talents, FASHIONALLY Collection #19 features a number of Hong Kong brands, including ARTO., CAR|2IE, FromClothingof, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, REDEMPTIVE and WHY. The other three FASHIONALLY presentations are being held on 9 and 10 September, giving the opportunity to three emerging local fashion brands – Wilsonkaki and first-time exhibitors Kowloon City Boy and VO-YAGE – to showcase their latest collections.

Another initiative to discover the fashion stars of the future is the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC) 2022, the final will be held on the evening of 11 September. VIP judge Hideaki Shikama will join the judging panel to select the winners of four honours, namely Overall Champion, the Excellence Award, the Best Visual Presentation Award and the "My Favourite Collection Award", out of 10 shortlisted entrants. Members of the public can vote for their favourite designs on the FASHIONALLY website before midnight tomorrow (10 September) to stand the chance of winning one of seven HK$2,000 Lee Gardens Area e-gift coupons sponsored by Hysan Development.

Experience the application of technology in the fashion industry

In addition to numerous fashion shows, this year's CENTRESTAGE is staging various seminars and sharing sessions. Earlier today (9 September), representatives from AiDLab, an artificial intelligence design institute, and Code-Create Limited shared their insights into the application of artificial intelligence in the fashion industry. In another session, representatives from Virtual Touch, a 3D visual effects animation firm, and Mirum, one of the world's largest digital service providers, will look into topics such as the metaverse and sustainability in the fashion industry.

This year's CENTRESTAGE venue has integrated cyber and metaverse elements into its design and features a host of interactive virtual experiences. Visitors can create their own avatar and connect with others in the CENTREVERSE, as well as enjoying an augmented reality fashion try-on. To further enrich the visitor experience, workshops on making eco-friendly scented pouches and the co-creation of large-scale artworks are also on offer, while the CENTRESTAGE X Watch & Clock lucky draw will take place over the weekend (10 and 11 September).

*Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, Create Hong Kong, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

Websites
– CENTRESTAGE : https://www.centrestage.com.hk
– CENTRESTAGE visitor pre-registration: https://bit.ly/3QNzd7M
– Fashion Hong Kong: https://www.fashionhongkong.com.hk/en
– Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC): https://www.fashionally.com/en
– CENTRESTAGE in Town: https://centrestage.hktdc.com/home/highlights/centrestage-in-town/
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3B4RM10

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

The HKTDC's Communications and Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4537, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

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

Indonesian pharmaceutical Bio Farma ready to produce IndoVac Covid-19 vaccines

Bandung, W Java, Indonesia, Sep 9, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PT Bio Farma, the holding company for state-owned pharmaceutical companies in Indonesia, announced a new milestone in the manufacturing of IndoVac, a Covid-19 vaccine brand it has developed since November 2021.

IndoVac Covid-19 vaccine in production at PT Bio Farma's facilities near Bandung, Indonesia (Image: PT Bio Farma)

Honesti Baasyir, the President Director of PT Bio Farma, said the company collaborated with Baylor College of Medicine, a private, independent health sciences centre in Houston, Texas to develop IndoVac, a recombinant protein subunit vaccine produced from yeast.

PT Bio Farma has completed Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials and is currently in the Phase 3 stage to produce the primary series vaccines or two vaccine doses for everyone aged 18 years and older.

"IndoVac uses vaccine technology platforms which are compatible with the equipment and facilities within our factories. The technology platforms for protein recombinant vaccines also offer other benefits: they can be adapted to the new strains of Covid-19. Results from Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trials showed that IndoVac offers quality safety and efficacy, not less competitive than other Covid-19 vaccines. Now we are completing a report to wrap up Phase 3."

Honesti said, Bio Farma has had intense communication with the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration (BPOM) since July 2022 to provide the necessary data, so that BPOM can release the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) permit for IndoVac's primary series vaccines in the near term.

The EUA, released by a country's regulatory agency, is a permit for medical supplies (including vaccines) and medications during a public health emergency. In Indonesia, BPOM plays the key role as a regulatory gatekeeper of medicines and vaccines used in the country.

BPOM's head Penny K. Lukito, during a hearing with Commission IX at the Indonesian House of Representatives, has said that the regulator expects to release the EUA for IndoVac's primary series vaccines in mid-September 2022.

Shariah Compliance

Bio Farma also has processed the Halal (or Shariah compliant) certification for IndoVac's primary series vaccines to provide comfort to Indonesian Muslim consumers. The vaccines have passed an audit from The Indonesian Ulema Council Food and Drug Analysis Agency (LPPOM MUI), which reviews the halal aspect of a product.

The certificate from the Halal Certification Agency (BPJPH) under the Religious Affairs Ministry is expected to be released in the near term after BPOM release the EUA for IndoVac.

After securing all the necessary permits, Bio Farma is ready to move on to the next stage, which is producing IndoVac's primary series vaccines massively. At the first stage, Bio Farma plans to produce a maximum of 20 million doses of primary series vaccines, before this can be further increased to 40 million doses in 2023, as the company expands its production facilities.

In 2024, the company may further increase the volume to 100 million doses per year, depending on the demands and needs in the markets. Honesti said after the company has secured all the necessary permits, then IndoVac's primary series vaccines "can be massively used by people aged 18 and above."

Booster Vaccine and Vaccine for Children

At the same time, Bio Farma also started clinical trials for its booster vaccine on September 1, 2022. "We have secured approval for a clinical trial (PPUK) from BPOM for IndoVac booster vaccine," Honesti said. Next, Bio Farma plans to conduct clinical trials for children after it secures PPUK from BPOM.

Bio Farma conducted clinical trials for its booster vaccine at Hasan Sadikin General Hospital (Faculty of Medicine of Padjajaran University, Bandung) and Dr. I.G.N.G Ngoerah General Hospital in Bali (Children's Health Sciences Department, Udayana University). Trials involved 900 subjects aged 8 and above to test IndoVac's booster vaccines.

BPOM requires vaccine manufacturers to conduct clinical trials to decide if a vaccine is safe and can boost immunity against Covid-19, and to determine whether the vaccine offers good efficacy to help protect the subjects from heavy symptoms and risks of fatalities due to Covid-19 infection.

All Covid-19 vaccines made by Bio Farma, including the primary series, booster vaccines and vaccines for children, will be labelled IndoVac. Bio Farma started the process of registering IndoVac as a brand name for Covid-19 vaccines at the Directorate General of Intellectual Property (DGIP) of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights on July 29.

President Joko Widodo gave the IndoVac name to the vaccine. "We are in the process of securing it. Should no-one object at this level, we will proceed to the next stage until we secure an IndoVac trade licence and patent from the ministry, as a product of Bio Farma," Honesti said.

For Bio Farma, it is not the first time embarking on clinical trials. The company has conducted more than 30 clinical trials in Indonesia. This includes the Phase 3 clinical trials for the Covid-19 vaccine. Bio Farma also has experience in conducting clinical trials overseas for Pentabio and Novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

Made-in-Indonesia Vaccines

Honesti Basyir said IndoVac is special as one of the few made-in-Indonesia vaccine products. The vaccines (which include the primary series vaccines, the booster vaccines and vaccines for children) are developed and manufactured for nation's children. Bio Farma handles the manufacturing process from upstream to downstream.

The local contents of IndoVac's primary series vaccines, according to Bio Farma, will be around 80%. "This is a step closer to achieving independence in the health sector. With such a high proportion of local content, we expect to help reduce the nation's dependency on imported vaccines. This will also impact foreign exchange reserves," Honesti said.

In the long term, Bio Farma hopes to capture the export market with IndoVac vaccines. "We will not only produce them (the three types of vaccines) to meet domestic needs but also target the supply of global markets," he said.

"We registered for Emergency Use Listing (EUL) with the World Health Organization (for primary series), so this vaccine can be used in other countries through the Covax Facility (multilateral procurement). Through its Covid-19 vaccines, Bio Farma expects to contribute to the health industry, not just in Indonesia, but also to the world."

Bio Farma's Success in Polio Vaccine

Honesti said apart from manufacturing Covid-19 primary series vaccines, which is currently waiting for the results of Phase 3 clinical trials and the EUA, Bio Farma has previously proven that it can secure the EUA from BPOM and the EUL from the WHO for its novel Oral Polio Vaccine type 2 (nOPV2).

The EUL, which is released by the WHO, is a procedure for assessing and listing vaccines during public health emergencies by non-vaccine-producing countries. As Indonesia hasn't had any polio outbreaks since 2014, it never used nOPV2. The Bio Farma-manufactured vaccine was used by countries in Africa, Europe and the Middle East.

Among the countries that have used Bio Farma's nOPV2's vaccine are Algeria, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, and Uganda. In Europe, the vaccine was used in Ukraine and in the Middle East, it was used in Israel, Egypt, Somalia and Yemen.

In the manufacturing of nOPV2 vaccine, Bio Farma collaborated with world-class research institutions like Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), PATH and the WHO. Bio Farma has become the main supplier for the polio vaccine in the world. The company currently contributes 67 percent to the global supply of polio vaccines. It distributes the vaccines via bilateral or multilateral means (through UNICEF).

Apart from producing polio vaccines, Bio Farma's Laboratories have secured international acknowledgement as the reference labs to check samples of polioviruses. The world was previously waiting for two countries, Afghanistan and Pakistan, to combat polio diseases, before a 'world-free polio' can be declared. However, during the wait, polio outbreaks occurred in Africa and the Middle East.

The nOPV2 vaccine became an important product to prevent further spread of the polio disease. Bio Farma's success in producing and exporting nOPV2 vaccine means that the Indonesian state-owned company has contributed to the world's health sector, apart from providing the necessary polio vaccine for domestic use at home in Indonesia.

Media Contact:
R. Rifa Herdian
PT Bio Farma (Persero)
Corporate Secretary & Investor Relations
Tel: +62-81-2542-8844
Email: rifaherdian@biofarma.co.id

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

HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and Salon de TE open today

HONG KONG, Sep 7, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The 41st HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair and 10th Salon de TE, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd, opened today with more than 200 exhibitors taking part. Running under the HKTDC's brand-new EXHIBITION+ model, which brings together online and offline editions, the physical fairs take place from 7 to 11 September at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC), while the online exhibition runs until 18 September. The new model offers an effective business platform that overcomes geographical boundaries and time restrictions for global watch and clock traders.

Richard Leung, Co-Chairman, Fair Organising Committee of HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2022; Gary Lau, President, Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Limited; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Bernard Chan, Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the HKSAR Government; Enders Lam, Chairman, HKTDC Watches & Clocks Advisory Committee; and Daniel Tsai, Co-chairman, Fair Organising Committee of the HKTDC Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair 2022 (front R, from L)

Sponsored by Prince Jewellery & Watch for the 12th consecutive year, the World Brand Piazza at Salon de TE presents 12 top-tier international brands

A series of public events such as watch parades are being held during the fairs, with models showcasing a variety of eye-catching timepieces

Open to trade visitors as well as the general public, the five-day physical fairs offer visitors a chance to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of watchmaking and enable them to shop for quality timepieces with special offers. Asia's fashion spotlight CENTRESTAGE will be held concurrently at the HKCEC from 9 to 11 September, bringing together collections from a huge range of fashion brands and designers from around the world, creating synergies and enabling cross-industry business opportunities.

Magnificent watch collections showcased at World Brand Piazza

Salon de TE features a series of world-renowned brands and high-end collections at various thematic zones including World Brand Piazza, Craft Treasure, Chic & Trendy and Renaissance Moment. Sponsored by Prince Jewellery & Watch for the 12th consecutive year, World Brand Piazza will present 12 acclaimed international brands, including Blancpain, Breguet, Chopard, Corum, CVSTOS, Franck Muller, Glashutte Original, Hublot, Jacob & Co, Parmigiani Fleurier, Piaget and Sarcar Geneve.

Other top-tier timepieces being showcased at the twin watch fairs include:

The rare and the radiant
– Presented by The Ballerina Watch Company Limited, Fouette Ballerina Watch is a wristwatch recognised by its iconic design that features a 360-degree-turning, three-dimensional handcrafted ballerina dancing on a shiny natural mother of pearl dial. Eighty-eight pieces of cubic zirconia surround the sterling silver ballerina, sparkling beneath a dome-shaped lens. The unique design stands out from the crowd. (Booth: 1D-A02)
– Mira Watch International Limited introduces Swiss-made brand Coinwatch and its women's watch, which features a Swiss quartz movement, coupled with a mother of pearl dial set with 12 diamonds, creating a precious and delicate timepiece. (Booth: 1D-A19)

Classic and timeless masterpieces
– Temporis, as featured by Free Town Watch Products Limited, proudly presents the Nature Collection that has simplicity and a minimalistic design at its core. The slim and slightly curved round case with a Roman index inscription fits the wrist ergonomically and with a great sense of aesthetics. The dial features four Swarovski crystals that highlight the watch's purity and charm. (Booth: 1D-A23)
– Presented by Action Wise International Limited, POPOLO's Retrovoga Aqua, a 40mm stainless steel watch with a Japanese MIYOTA automatic movement, features Super-LumiNova on the watch's face, along with a ruby-hued transparent case back and genuine leather strap, demonstrating easy elegance and style. (Booth: 1E-A25)

Trendy and stylish must-haves
– Introduced by Splendid Star Holdings Limited, the ZTAGE EH Worldtimer wristwatch has a northern hemisphere graphic in the centre as part of a double-layered structure featuring Super-LumiNova. The refined multi-dimensional layer of the northern hemisphere shines brightly at night, highlighting the dazzling creativity of the watchmaker. (Booth: 1E-A14)
– Modern Concept Watch Limited presents the Zorbello T1 series that draws its inspiration from car racing and stands out through its "light up the darkness" theme. The series is an artistic expression of vitality. (Booth: 1D-A16)

When functionality and craftmanship combine
– The Swiss-made Roamer Searock collection by Chung Nam Watch Co Ltd exhibits a minimalist design along with discreet elegance. The combination of steel and scratch-resistant Tungstein gives the Searock a shiny and durable look that is also water-resistant. (Booth: 1E-C28)
– Trendy Power Group Limited presents the M.B.K M1009G-1 series that brings together sapphire crystals with a stainless-steel case and strap, featuring an eye-catching design with a modern twist. (Booth: 1E-C19)

The Watch & Clock Fair also exhibits a broad range of products including complete watches, clocks, parts and components, packaging goods and more, as well as trade services.

Fun events, lucky draws, shopping offers and more

A broad array of public activities is being organised during the fairs ranging from watch parades and the "Fashion X Watch" parade to product launches, with the participation of local celebrities such as So Wa-wai, the track-and-field athlete who won six Paralympic gold medals, Hong Kong fencing athlete Cheung Siu-lun, and celebrity artistes Adam Pak and William Hu. Lucky draws will be held during the fairs with prizes including a wristwatch valued at HK$24,000, fashionable accessories, dining coupons and more.

Visitors can also take part in Smart Bidding to bid for watches starting at 10% of the original price, including bidding for the Alhambra Yellow watch from HK$3,000 (original price: HK$27,200) and for the ANPASSA Duke Tourbillon from HK$2,000 (original price: HK$17,280). Visitors can download electronic coupons to enjoy special offers such as 70% discounts and a reduction of HK$1,000 when shopping for specified products. What's more, in partnership with live shopping platform LoopLive, key opinion leaders (KOLs) are engaged to conduct livestreaming shows to introduce selected watches before and during the fairs, boosting the promotion of exhibitors through an online-to-offline (O2O) model. After placing orders online, visitors can pick up their purchases at the fairs and enjoy free admission.

In addition, a workshop will be co-hosted by Quinn Lai, a post-80s entrepreneur who created his own watch brand Eoniq and the DIY Watch Club, on 10 September, teaching participants how to make their own mechanical watches.

To identify watch design talents and promote creativity, the HKTDC, the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd and The Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd co-organised the 39th Hong Kong Watch and Clock Design Competition. The creations of all the winners and finalists, both from the Open Group and the Student Group, are on display at the fairs. Visitors can vote for the "Most Popular Award" on the spot.

The two fairs also showcase works created by young designers under the theme of "Future Timepiece", in a bid to promote collaborations between local young designers and watch manufacturers, and to further explore the youth market. This brand-new project has been launched by the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Ltd, supported by the HKTDC, the Federation of Hong Kong Watch Trades & Industries Ltd and the Hong Kong Design Institute, and is funded by the "Trade and Industrial Organisation Support Fund" of the Trade and Industry Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government.

Industry insiders reveal insights on market trends and prospects

Industry participants are also invited to join a number of seminars and forums that will bring them up to date on the latest market trends and prospects. The "Cross-Border eCommerce: How to Win in Southeast Asia" talk on 9 September will feature Chois Choi, Strategy Consultant, Source Network Media Group Limited, who will look at how cross-border e-commerce in Southeast Asia has created unprecedented business growth through short video platforms, and how this trend can help the watch industry increase brand popularity and boost sales.

The Hong Kong International Watch Forum was broadcast online on 5 September, featuring sharing by representatives of watch associations from across the globe on the most up-to-date trade data and market trends. Industry participants can watch a replay of the forum through the fair websites. The annual Asian Watch Conference will be held tomorrow (8 September) under the theme "Watches Beyond – Transformation and Reinvention". Experts including Anna Dai, Research Analyst at Euromonitor International, and Ho Zi-yong, Co-head of Sales, International Specialist at Phillips, have been invited to discuss a range of issues, including the latest development trends and prospects in the watch market, and the business opportunities and challenges resulting from transactions of watches in the form of non-fungible tokens (NFTs).

EXHIBITION+ accelerates online business deals

EXHIBITION+ comprises four key exhibition elements, including HKTDC-organised physical fairs, the smart business-matching platform Click2Match, online-to-offline seminars under the Intelligence Hub, and the hktdc.com Sourcing platform, to provide round-the-clock services that boost the flexibility and effectiveness of business promotion for SMEs and offer benefits such as extended fair periods, expanded platforms and enhanced opportunities. EXHIBITION+ extends face-to-face interactions from physical exhibitions to an online smart business-matching platform to help enterprises connect with business partners proactively. The HKTDC's 50 global offices will actively recruit international buyers to meet with exhibitors through video conferences.

Websites
– Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair: https://hkwatchfair.hktdc.com
– Salon de TE: https://hkwatchfair.hktdc.com/te
– HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/tc
– Electronic coupon download: https://bit.ly/3PPLUOM
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3REQX5Q

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 Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

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

Society Pass (Nasdaq: SOPA) Founder, Chairman and CEO, Dennis Nguyen, to Speak at the Wild Digital Southeast Asia 2022 Conference on 07 September 2022

SINGAPORE, Sep 5, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Society Pass Incorporated (Nasdaq: SOPA) ("SoPa"), Southeast Asia's ("SEA") leading data-driven loyalty and e-commerce ecosystem, today announced that Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dennis Nguyen will speak at the Wild Digital Southeast Asia 2022 Conference at 11:30 AM (GMT +8) on Wednesday, 07 September 2022 at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He will participate in the panel discussion titled The New Roll-Up Play: Evolution of Ecommerce Aggregators in SEA. Bringing together some of the eCommerce roll-up industry's most influential thought leaders for the panel discussion, Mr Nguyen along with the other speakers will explore the core trends and technologies shaping the future of digital eCommerce aggregators, strategies for maintaining industry dominance in SEA as well as how one can gear up to a successful exit.

Southeast Asia presents huge opportunities given the rapidly increasing mobile and internet penetration in the region, paired with very attractive young demographics. The market opportunity for e-commerce companies is expanding at an ever-increasing rate in SEA, where a surge in digital adoption is driving user and merchant uptake as well as creating new technologies and accompanying business models.

Society Pass's success up to this point has been built through offering unique value for both consumers and merchants, along with a sophisticated software infrastructure supporting that exchange. Society Pass consumers easily search and order anything they want through the Company's various interconnected mobile and web platforms. Society Pass's strategic alliances, delivery arrangements, and payment processing are also done within the platform, reducing the inconvenience of checkout for consumers.

About Society Pass Inc

Founded in 2018 as a digitally-focused loyalty and data marketing ecosystem in the fast-growing markets of Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand, which account for more than 80% of the SEA population, and with offices located in Angeles, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Jakarta, Manila, and Singapore, SoPa is an acquisition-focused e-commerce holding company operating 6 interconnected verticals (loyalty, digital media, travel, telecoms, lifestyle, and F&B), which seamlessly connects millions of registered consumers and hundreds of thousands of registered merchants/brands across multiple product and service categories throughout SEA.

Society Pass completed an initial public offering and began trading on the Nasdaq under the ticker SOPA in November 2021. SOPA shares were added to the Russell 2000 index in December 2021.

SoPa acquires fast growing e-commerce companies and expands its user base across a robust product and service ecosystem. SoPa integrates these complementary businesses through its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points or Society Points, which has entered beta testing and is expected to launch broadly at the beginning of 2023. Society Pass loyalty program members earn and redeem Society Points and receive personalised promotions based on SoPa's data capabilities and understanding of consumer shopping behaviour. SoPa has amassed more than 3.3 million registered consumers and over 205,000 registered merchants and brands. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass leverages technology to tailor a more personalised experience for customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in SEA. SoPa operates Thoughtful Media Group, a Thailand-based, a social commerce-focused, premium digital video multi-platform network; NusaTrip, a leading Indonesia-based Online Travel Agency; Gorilla Networks, a Singapore-based, web3-enabled mobile blockchain network operator; Leflair.com, Vietnam's leading lifestyle e-commerce platform; Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines; Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Vietnam; and Mangan, a leading local restaurant delivery service in Philippines. For more information, please check out: http://thesocietypass.com/.

Media Contacts:
PRecious Communications
sopa@preciouscomms.com

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

Aggresive in Global Market Expansion, PIS Meets BP, Shell, and Exxon in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Sep 4, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) is increasingly targeting consumers in the international market. In addition to this expansion, PIS strives to continuously improve the quality and standard of service by exchanging knowledge and experiences with world energy companies.

PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS), in cooperation with PIS Pte Ltd (PIS PL), hosted a sharing session with BP Singapore Pte. Limited, Shell International Eastern Trading Co (SIETCO), and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. The meeting was held at the offices of each energy company on August 24-25, 2022, in Singapore.

PIS, in cooperation with PIS Pte Ltd (PIS PL), hosted a sharing session with BP Singapore Pte. Limited, Shell International Eastern Trading Co (SIETCO), and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. The meeting was held at the offices of each energy company on August 24-25, 2022, in Singapore.

During the sharing session, PIS discussed vetting, inspection, and vessel acceptance or vessel examination and inspection. The event was attended by PIS Director of Operations Arief Kurnia Risdianto, PIS PL Managing Director Brilian Perdana, Crude and Gas Operation (CGO) Vice President Harris Abdi Sembiring, and PIS Loss Prevention Safety Quality (LPSQ) Manager Soleh Komaruddin.

BP Singapore Pte Ltd Vetting and Clearance Senior Manager, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd Asia Pacific Supply Coordinator, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd Mogas Lead, ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd Global Senior Marine Operations, SIETCO Mogas Operation Team Lead, SIETCO Head of Marine, SIETCO Senior Originator, and more were also in attendance at this meeting.

The meeting was also a PIS endeavor to escalate acceptance of its ships at the terminals of world energy participants such as BP, Shell, and Exxon to showcase the existence and quality of PIS in international settings. In the maritime and energy sectors, these companies are significant participants that dominate the tanker chartering market called the Seven Sisters.

PIS Director of Operations, Arief Kurnia Risdianto, explained PIS performance which has now explored 12 international routes. PIS ships have met international shipping standards, including the Paris MOU for sailing requirements on the European continent and a Certificate of Compliance from the United States Coast Guard (USCG).

"PIS is the largest tanker operator in Southeast Asia, currently operating around 439 vessels with extensive experience serving the domestic and regional market," he said.

Experience of PIS in serving the regional market is recorded by many international customers, including Vitol, Petronas, Trafigura, BP, Badak LNG, ExxonMobil, Petrobras, Chevron, Saudi Aramco, Shell, and many more.

As the Integrated Marine Logistics Sub Holding of PT Pertamina (Persero), PIS business includes shipping, marine services, port services, port and jetty management (port ownership), storage tanks, and other related services.

PIS owns two VLCCs, namely, Pertamina Pride and Pertamina Prime, with a capacity of 2 million barrels and incurs the Eco-Green Vessel concept. The two VLCCs are tangible manifestations of PIS endeavor to lead the marine and logistics business in both domestic and international markets.

Besides oil and gas, PIS expands its business potential to various segments and cargo types, including petrochemicals with medium-range chemical-specific vessel assets called PIS Precious.

In the meantime, to comply with regional trading and improve its role in the global market, Tanjung Uban offers an integrated terminal managed by the PIS subsidiary.

PIS CEO Erry Widiastono said that the company has prepared a roadmap to support energy transition programs. "PIS will anticipate the future of vessels business, specifically the greener vessels. For example, vessels responsible for gas shipping such as LPG, LNG, and many others. In the future, we will anticipate the progress of the renewable energy sector," said Erry.

About Pertamina International Shipping (PIS)

As the Integrated Marine Logistics Sub Holding, PT Pertamina International Shipping (PIS) consistently stimulates Indonesia's economic growth through safe and sustainable operation, becomes a trusted and reliable maritime partner, and promotes value for the stakeholders in running their business.

Media Contact:
M Aryomekka Firdaus
Corporate Secretary
M: 0811-872-272
E: aryomekka@pertamina.com

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

G20 Digital Ministers yields consensus on 3 priorities

JAKARTA, Sep 3, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The Digital Economy Ministers Meeting (DEMM) was held in Nusa Dua, Bali, Thursday (September 1, 2022). It was the culmination of the Digital Economy Working Group (DEWG) meetings, as one of working group of the G20 that focuses on issues related to the digital economy and highlights the role of digital transformation on economic and social growth.

Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate opened the 2022 G20 Digital Economy Ministers' Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali province, on Thursday (September 1, 2022). (ANTARA PHOTO/Hafidz Mubarak A/foc/uyu)

The DEWG itself discussed three priority issues of the digital economy at the G20 Indonesia Presidency, including digital connectivity, digital skills and literacy, and cross-country data flow.

The Minister of Communication and Informatics, Johnny G. Plate, said the DEMM has produced a document called "G20 Digital Economy Minister Meetings 2022; Chair Summary".

The document summarizes agreements between the ministers for the digital economy on the three priority issues of the DEWG.

"The document shows that for all substantive content, the Indonesian Presidency (G20) has reached consensus from all DEWG members in accordance with DEWG priority issues," Plate said at a press conference, Thursday afternoon.

It also summarizes all ideas and dynamics that developed during the series of G20 DEWG meetings presented by representatives of G20 member countries over the past six months.

The formulation of concrete steps in the document will be presented as input for President Joko Widodo in leading the G20 Summit which will be held in November.

On the first priority issue regarding connectivity and post-COVID-19 recovery, Plate said the meeting agreed on the need for a people center in an effort to strengthen digital connectivity. The meeting, he said, also agreed on the importance of digital security as the key to business sustainability.

"The meeting also welcomed various initiatives of the G20 Indonesia Presidency, such as the G20 Digital Innovation Network (DIN), G20 Digital Transformation Expo (DTE), and the smart village and island initiative together with ITU," he said.

On the issue of digital skills and digital literacy which is the second priority issue, the DEMM meeting succeeded in compiling the "G20 toolkit for measuring digital skills and digital literacy".

The document is useful for standardizing the measurement of literacy indicators and digital skills for more objective public policy making and encouraging international cooperation in overcoming gaps between countries, responding to the challenges of a digital future.

"The presidency has also succeeded in compiling a compilation of reports on policies and recommendations to increase meaningful participation of vulnerable groups in the digital economy, as well as a summary document of practices and policies on digital skills and advanced digital literacy," he said.

On the issue of free data flow with trust and cross-border data flow, Johnny said the DEWG forum has recognized the efforts of the Indonesian Presidency to initiate discussions on the principles of justice, transparency and legitimacy proposed by Indonesia.

"This is a new principle base in cross-border data governance. We all know that data contains at least two important things. The first is that the data has a high economic value, and the second is that the data is related to geopolitics and geostrategy as well as the sovereignty of each nation and state," he explained.

The DEMM meeting was attended by digital ministers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Singapore, Cambodia, South Africa, Japan, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands. Meanwhile, Australia, Germany and Spain were represented by ministerial representatives.

DEMM was also attended by representatives from international organizations, including the Secretary General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Under Secretary General of the United Nations and Executive Secretary of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and The Pacific (UNESCAP).

Written by: Rizka Khaerunnisa, Uyu Liman, Editor: Suharto (c) ANTARA 2022

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

Seventh Belt and Road Summit draws to successful close

HONG KONG, Sep 2, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The seventh Belt and Road Summit, jointly organised by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), concluded yesterday (1 September). Continuing in the tradition of being a formal, substantial and high-quality event, the summit saw state leaders and senior officials, regional government leaders and business leaders gathered to explore the business potential of the Belt and Road Initiative, and to drive synergies and create a win-win situation through multilateral collaborations such as the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

The seventh Belt and Road Summit, which ran under the theme "Heralding a New Chapter: Collaborate and Innovate", attracted more than 80 government and business leaders to share their insights.

More than 19,000 participants from over 80 countries and regions attended online or in-person.

The 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, Aswin Techajareonvikul, CEO and President of Berli Jucker PCL, Liu Liange, Chairman of the Bank of China, and Rod Eddington, Chairman of Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, JP Morgan's Asia Pacific Advisory Council and Non-Executive Chairman of Lion shared their insights at Business Plenary "Collaborate for a Bright New Era".

As one of the major celebrations to mark the 25th anniversary of the establishment of the HKSAR, the summit saw more than 80 senior government officials and business leaders from the Belt and Road region gathered to share their insights under the theme "Heralding a New Chapter: Collaborate and Innovate". For the first time, the summit was held in a hybrid format, overcoming geographical boundaries by allowing those who were unable to attend in person to participate virtually. More than 19,000 attendees representing over 80 countries and regions participated online or at the physical event.

More than 800 one-to-one matching sessions

The business matching and project pitching sessions at the summit remained popular among project owners and attendees. More than 280 investment projects from the Belt and Road region and beyond were presented at the summit, covering four main areas, namely: (1) energy, natural resources and public utilities; (2) innovation and technology; (3) urban development; and (4) transportation and logistics infrastructure. The projects focused on areas such as smart city development, data centres and e-commerce related investments. More than 800 one-to-one business matching meetings were arranged for project owners, investors and professional service providers to pave the way for collaboration agreements.

Real opportunities in RCEP but some challenges

Multilateral collaboration creates more frequent cross-border trade and investment, and is becoming more important than ever in driving a strong recovery in the Asia-Pacific region following the pandemic. The RCEP, which came into effect this year, stands as the largest free trade agreement in history, accounting for 30% of the world's population and GDP. Combined with the joint effort of more than 180 countries connected through the Belt and Road Initiative, it will further strengthen regional economic integration around the world. In the Business Plenary titled "Collaborate for a Bright New Era", business leaders from economies along the Belt and Road and the RCEP shared their insights and explored how these initiatives and agreements can complement each other to drive strong economic growth and promote cross-border collaboration between businesses of all sizes.

The 38th Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, shared his views on the RCEP. "One of the things that are challenged is the supply chains. China is a really a huge market, and we source a lot of goods from China. We can see the impact the breaking down of those supply chains has had on global inflation."

Aswin Techajareonvikul, Chief Executive Officer and President of Berli Jucker Public Company Limited, shared that the Thailand enterprises have well received the potential of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). "It is in tune with our 20-year strategy and Thailand's ongoing projects for economic development under the Thailand 4.0 economic model. We are able to expand trade and investment to our neighbouring countries. We can also better link with the world market, especially for the CLMV countries [Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam]."

Liu Liange, Chairman of the Bank of China, said: "Most of the members in the RCEP are located in important junctions along the Belt and Road. This not only fosters connectivity between value chains and supply chains, but also further expands the 'social circle' of the Belt and Road Initiative, engaging more countries and businesses in the construction of the Belt and Road and in broader collaboration, as well as forming the dual-engine of the Belt and Road Initiative and RCEP within the region."

Belt and Road Initiative drives consumption and Infratech development

Global economies are pushing to achieve post-pandemic economic recovery. At the same time, countries around the world are striving to build stronger global business connections with the help of macro measures such as the BRI, the RCEP and the GBA development.

The demand for high-quality, innovative and sustainable infrastructure around the world has given rise to many new business opportunities. These innovative projects will be led and driven by visionary industry leaders as they usher in a new era of infrastructure development. In the "Faster, Greater Infrastructure" session of the thematic group discussions, business leaders who had turned futuristic concepts into reality and envisioned some of the world's most important infrastructure projects exchanged their views.

Founder and Managing Director of Emaar Properties and Founder and Director of Noon.com, HE Mohamed Ali Rashed Alabbar, said: "I really believe that a link such as the Belt and Road Initiative and its effects on human life, economic progress, quality of life, job creation and exchange of cultures and knowledge and unity to the world – it is going to be incredible."

Chief Marketing Officer of Hyperloop TT Robert Miller addressed the current trends in infrastructure technology (infratech) development. "Infratech is really underfunded and underdeveloped. Hyperloop really falls into the category of infratech where there is a longer time to profitability. So we need patient investors from both public and private sectors. Meanwhile, governments everywhere are looking at reducing carbon emissions. One of the biggest polluters is the transportation industry: 23% of all carbon emissions worldwide come from transportation. Europe, the United States and countries in Asia are all looking how to decarbonise the transportation industry. Hyperloop TT could be a massive driver in that decarbonisation," he said.

The seventh Belt and Road Summit was made possible by its Strategic Partner, China International Capital Corporation (CICC); Regional Banking Partner, Bank of China (Hong Kong); and Platinum Sponsors, China Mobile International and China Unicom.

Image download: https://bit.ly/3edlV6t

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
Sam Ho, Tel: +852 2584 4569, email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.org

Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk
Tiffany Leung, Tel: +852 3428 2361, email: tleung@yuantung.com.hk
Wong Hing-fung, Tel: +852 3428 3122, email: hfwong@yuantung.com.hk

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

The Growhub Innovations Company Announces Joint Project with Koufuku Group to Explore Asean Market Penetration

SINGAPORE, Sep 2, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The GrowHub Innovations Company ("The GrowHub"), Asia Pacific's only Web3-enabled plug-and-play ecosystem builder for food traceability and carbon credits, and KOUFUKU GROUP, a Japanese food company with over 50 years of history, have signed an MoU partnership for a joint project on market penetration using The GrowHub's proprietary Web3 technology.

This partnership will further enhance Japan's food traceability for Japanese consumers by enabling access to blockchain-driven technology solutions. The GrowHub's Web3 technology provides food manufacturers with an evidence-based understanding of the conditions necessary for market penetration of their products in the ASEAN market. In addition, GrowHub can also help food companies meet market penetration requirements.

Dr. Daiki Nakaoka, the Country Head of GrowHub Japan, said, "The ASEAN market, which is expected to grow significantly, is attractive to many food manufacturers. However, the question and challenge of whether and how to gain acceptance of their products in that market is always a hurdle that is not low for food manufacturers to expand. This project would be one example that GrowHub's unique Web3 technology demonstrates it can answer such questions to the food manufacturers and help them solve such challenges.

To ensure safety, provenance and traceability, GrowHub uses a proprietary blockchain-enabled technology platform that provides rich data-driven insights to agrifood producers and third-party solution providers by allowing partners to integrate directly into an existing system through GrowHub APIs. The information recorded on the blockchain is secure and non-reversible giving true transparency to the ecosystem.

About The GrowHub Innovations Company

The GrowHub Innovations Company ( www.thegrowhub.co ) is Asia Pacific's only Web 3-enabled technology plug-and-play ecosystem builder focusing on food traceability and carbon credits. The GrowHub has strong and exclusive relations with the government bodies in Western Australia and Singapore – Food Innovation Precinct Western Australia (FIPWA) and PEEL Development, Shire of Murray. Currently in eight markets across Australia and Asia Pacific, The GrowHub offers access to trusted premium products at affordable rates through the development of new agri-food and blockchain technologies emerging from our innovation centre at FIPWA. With the capital, network and expertise, we use technology to improve the experience of "farm-to-fork". From crunching data to enable producers to improve yields, to leveraging statistics to enable better transportation of produce, to the information on the quality of food you pay for at the table, our blockchain technology allows for full food traceability across the supply chain – so that you can trust in the food you eat.

About KOUFUKU GROUP

KOUFUKU GROUP was founded in 1968 as a rice shop and has been supporting food, beauty, and health in Japan for more than 50 years. Amidst growing social awareness of food safety and security, we have been aiming to create new value as a manufacturer that consistently provides delicious and safe food products, supports consumers' eating habits, and maximizes the any further potential of food products. Furthermore, we also engages in businesses that focus on the happiness and future of people by developing high-quality health and beauty products and researching biomass for the beauty and health as well as the creation of a sustainable society. Under the corporate identity of "Science Materials and Create Happiness," our business activities aim to realize a sustainable society, an extension of healthy life expectancy, a beautiful and glowing lifestyle, a safe and renewable food distribution, and carbon neutrality by the year 2030.

To find out more about GrowHub please visit: https://thegrowhub.co/

For Media Enquires, Please Contact:
PRecious Communications for GrowHub
growhub@preciouscomms.com

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