For Every Special Occasion and Celebration, Yowie Puts the SURPRISE in Party

NEW YORK, NY, Jun 7, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Yowie Group, the confectionary company that brings families sustainably sourced sweet treats combined with a unique educational experience, is excited to help kids and families celebrate all sorts of special occasions this year. From birthdays to holidays to cozy winter get-togethers and more, Yowie is eager to help kids and families put the SURPRISE in each party. Make each party memorable for the kids in your life with Yowie's surprise-inside chocolate eggs, Yowie-themed crafts and decor, fanciful Yowie-inspired recipes, cartoons, games and more.

"The year is full of opportunities to celebrate, and the best way to add a surprise to any gathering or party is with Yowie," said Yowie Group's Global CMO, Cynthia Thayer. "Whether it's a casual get-together, a special holiday celebration or a birthday party, having some Yowie for the kids is a great way to make them feel special and keep them entertained.

In addition to keeping kids happy with a clean-label chocolate treat while helping them learn a little something about endangered species, families can visit YowieWorld.com for loads of party ideas and free party-themed downloadables. We've come up with all sorts of creative and interactive things for parties including invitations, party hats, so many party games, and much more.

What are some ways to party with Yowie?  

– Play Yowie Ring Toss https://yowieworld.com/ring-toss/
– Personalize Your Party Invitations https://yowieworld.com/birthday-invitations/
– Create a Yowie Party Hat https://yowieworld.com/make-a-yowie-party-hat/
– Yowie Party Favor Tags https://pr.report/YRyiOs-P
– And of course, Yowie make the perfect party favor!

Yowie is dedicated to making any party memorable and encourages fans to visit https://yowieworld.com/ for more fun, free and engaging activities. 

Yowie surprise-inside chocolates provide an interactive experience that collectors and fans enjoy all year long. By providing delicious, sustainably sourced, 100% milk chocolate free from GMOs, gluten, nuts, palm oil and artificial coloring and flavors AND the surprise and delight of discovering which collectible is inside each Yowie egg, it's the perfect way to put the surprise into any party.

To learn more about Yowie's future campaigns as well as their current Superpower collection, visit www.yowieworld.com, find them on Facebook, or look for @YowieWorld on Instagram. You can also find easy and educational craft projects and games on their YouTube channel and on Pinterest. Collectors can leverage the 'Yowie Collector' app to keep track of their growing collection by downloading the free app on the Apple App Store or on Google Play.  Yowie surprise-inside chocolate eggs can be found in more than 30,000 retail outlets across the United States, including Walmart, Walgreens, 7Eleven, Albertson's, Meijer, SuperValu, Giant Eagle, H-E-B, Food Lion, Casey's, Circle K and many more. Check the store locator at YowieWorld.com to find a location near you. 

About Yowie  

Yowie is best known for its flagship product, the Yowie surprise-inside chocolate. Each Yowie product is created in the shape of the Yowie characters and contains limited-edition collectible animal toys and a full color leaflet featuring a picture of the real-life animal, its profile and level of endangerment. Our social media channels and website allow collectors to learn more about the animals and their world while having loads of fun through games and competitions. The combination of tasty, clean-label treats, fun animal toys and a digital platform encourages kids to learn about the natural world and understand its need for protection. Yowie products are available in more than 30,000 retail outlets across the U.S. and in Woolworths, Big W, Kmart and select IGA stores across Australia. For more information visit www.yowieworld.com.

CONTACT:
Cynthia Thayer, Global CMO
Cynthia@yowiegroup.com
1-312-730-7163

SOURCE: Yowie Group

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

Society Pass (SoPa) Acquires Singapore-based Gorilla Networks, a Next-Gen Blockchain/Web3 Mobile Virtual Network Operator to Drive SEA’s Growing Demand for a New Meta-Economy Experience

SINGAPORE, Jun 3, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Society Pass Incorporated ("SoPa") (Nasdaq: SOPA), Southeast Asia's leading data driven loyalty and ecommerce ecosystem, announced today that it acquired Singapore-based Gorilla Networks Pte Ltd ("Gorilla"), a leading next generation Web3-enabled MVNO.

Established in Singapore in 2019, Gorilla utilises Web3 technology to operate a MVNO for its users in Southeast Asia. With network coverage to over 160 countries, Gorilla offers a full suite of mobile communication services such as local calls, international roaming, data, and SMS texting. More importantly, Gorilla enables its customers to convert unused mobile data into digital assets or Gorilla GO Tokens through its innovative proprietary blockchain-based SwitchBack feature. Gorilla GO Tokens in turn can be redeemed for eVouchers, to offset future bills, or be redeemed for other value-added services.

With the rebound of the travel market throughout Southeast Asia in 2Q/3Q 2022, Gorilla expects to dramatically increase its customer base by marketing to the region's business and leisure travellers with its user-friendly technology platform. It plans to expand its MVNO services offering to Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia over the next 12 months.

Dennis Nguyen, Society Pass Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, explained, "We are excited to make our first acquisition in Singapore, and welcome Gorilla into our SoPa family. Gorilla's technology platform aligns well with our acquisition strategy as we incorporate Gorilla's blockchain and Web3 capabilities onto the SoPa ecosystem and enable the new meta-economy for all our portfolio companies. From our Leflair lifestyle e-commerce platform to our Pushkart/Handycart F&B delivery services, as we roll out the Society Pass loyalty platform in the coming months, we leverage Gorilla's technology to drive customer retention for merchants and create innovative revenue models for our ecosystem."

"When we started Gorilla Networks three years ago, our vision was to build a democratised mobile communications service platform where users regardless of nationality, home location or mobile subscription plans can access essential telecoms services such as roaming and mobile data anywhere and everywhere throughout the world. Gorilla is currently transitioning existing web 2 telco services onto the web3 economy by tokenising mobile data as digital assets. In 2021, we digitised eSIMS, data plans, and mobile numbers as NFTs, which dramatically transformed how our users purchase, interact and experience mobile services. By joining forces with SoPa's extensive ecosystem and large user base in Southeast Asia, we are thrilled about the combined marketing capabilities we will now bring collectively to our partners and customers," exclaimed Xanne Leo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Gorilla Networks.

Society Pass leverages cutting edge technology to tailor an unprecedented experience for the next generation customers in the purchase journey and to transform the entire retail value chain in Southeast Asia. Through the acquisitions of market-leading companies and partnerships with visionary entrepreneurs in six distinct B2C e-commerce verticals: lifestyle, food & beverage delivery, travel, digital marketing, telecoms and food and beverage ordering, the Company meets SEA's growing demand for a new meta-economy experience.

About Society Pass

As a loyalty and data marketing ecosystem, Society Pass operates multiple e-commerce platforms across its key markets in SEA. Its business model focuses on analysing user data through the expected launch of its Society Pass loyalty platform and circulation of its universal loyalty points, which seamlessly connects consumers and merchants across multiple product and service categories to foster organic loyalty. Since its inception, SoPa has amassed over 1.6 million registered consumers and over 5,500 registered merchants/brands on its platform. It has invested 2+ years building proprietary IT architecture with cutting edge components to effectively scale and support its consumers, merchants, and acquisitions.

Society Pass provides merchants with #HOTTAB Biz and #HOTTAB POS – a specialized POS technology solution, a comprehensive system for payment, loyal customer management, user profile analytics, and convenient financial support packages for small and medium-sized enterprises.

In addition, SoPa operates Leflair.com, Vietnam's leading lifestyle e-commerce platform, Pushkart.ph, a popular grocery delivery company in Philippines, and Handycart.vn, a leading online restaurant delivery service based in Hanoi, Vietnam. 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

Azelis inaugurates state-of-the-art Regional Innovation Center for Food & Nutrition in Singapore

SINGAPORE, Jun 1, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Azelis, a leading innovation service provider in the specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry, announces the opening of its Regional Innovation Center (RIC) for Food & Nutrition (F&N) in Singapore, further demonstrating the Group's commitment to continuously invest in its innovation capabilities.

The RIC will generate a wealth of possibilities for food innovation towards healthier and tastier solutions through pioneering, ready-to-use formulations with advanced, sustainable ingredients. Functioning as an innovation catalyst for the F&N ecosystem in Asia Pacific, the RIC is an essential milestone in Azelis' growth strategy, strengthening the Group's position as a leading provider of innovative solutions.

In addition to the RIC, Azelis' five F&N application laboratories across Asia Pacific form a regional innovation network that brings together the technical expertise and formulation capabilities of the local and regional teams for greater synergy. This setup allows Azelis to serve the F&N market more efficiently, realize advanced ingredient synergies and develop ground-breaking formulations and sustainable solutions that will be cascaded across the region.

Vikash Raj, Asia Pacific Innovation Director, remarks: "The RIC allows us to support our customers in their projects by developing innovative solutions for all stages of the formulation process from concept to final product, across industry applications in Bakery, Beverage, Confectionery, Dairy and Savory. Focusing on innovation in new products and applications is our objective, and thanks to our comprehensive lateral value chain, we have access to sustainable building blocks for food and beverage formulations. Our vision for the RIC is to positively impact our sustainability, health, and wellness ambitions by creating pioneering formulations that address nutrition and health challenges and bring healthy solutions to the mainstream market."

Laurent Nataf, CEO & President Asia Pacific, comments: "With more than 20 laboratories in the region covering our key market segments, we have significantly invested in our innovation capabilities across Asia Pacific to ensure we deliver on our brand promise, 'Innovation through formulation'. Our regional innovation network builds on our formulation expertise and technical capabilities by encouraging greater collaboration across our teams to strengthen cross-country synergies, increase efficiency, and ensure consistent formulation success for our customers. We look forward to further strengthening our partnerships with our customers and principals by allowing them to leverage the strength of our ever-growing innovation network capabilities, remaining their innovation partner of choice."

To find out more, watch a video introducing the Regional Innovation Center in Singapore. https://youtu.be/RDJ4OhQcDh8

Contact information
Azelis
Lillian Ying
Asia Pacific Corporate Communications Manager
T: +65 9855 8818
E: lillian.ying@azelis.com

About Azelis

Azelis is a leading global innovation service provider in the specialty chemical and food ingredients industry present in over 50 countries across the globe with over 3,000 employees. Our knowledgeable teams of industry, market and technical experts are each dedicated to a specific market within Life Sciences and Industrial Chemicals. We offer a lateral value chain of complementary products to more than 51,000 customers, supported by ~2,300 principal relationships, creating a turnover of EUR2.8 billion (2021). Azelis Group NV is listed on Euronext Brussels under ticker AZE.

Across our extensive network of more than 60 application laboratories, our award-winning staff help develop formulations and provide technical guidance throughout the customers' product development process. We combine a global market reach with a local footprint to offer a reliable, integrated and unique digital service to local customers and attractive business opportunities to principals. EcoVadis Platinum rated, Azelis is a leader in sustainability. We believe in building and nurturing solid, honest and transparent relationships with our people and partners.

Impact through ideas. Innovation through formulation.

http://www.azelis.com/

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

Financial services veteran Dato’ Seri Dr Mohamed Azahari joins auction technology firm BidNow as new Corporate Advisor

KUALA LUMPUR, Jun 1, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – BidNow, one of Malaysian's largest auction technology platform, has appointed Dato' Seri Dr Mohamed Azahari Kamil as its new Corporate Advisor with immediate effect. His appointment is expected to spur the company's growth and further develop its tremendous potential for robust auction sales.

In his new role, Mohamed Azahari will be contributing his wealth of experience in the corporate world to facilitate BidNow's further expansion domestically and internationally, as well as lead the company towards an initial public offering (IPO) stage.

Mohamed Azahari, who has previously held positions as chief executive officer of Asian Finance Bank Bhd and group managing director of QSR Brands (M) Holdings Bhd (which operates over 1,250 KFC and Pizza Hut restaurants), has had a distinguished career in several industries such as financial services, property, F&B, education and more. Some of the other private and public organisations that he held senior management posts in prior to this include KPJ Healthcare Bhd, Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad, Permodalan Nasional Berhad Group and Amanah Raya Group.

He is also currently a Non-Executive Director in Aurelius Healthcare Sdn Bhd and SEG International Bhd, as well as Corporate Advisor to Titijaya Land Bhd, Ni Hsin Group Bhd and HCK Capital Group Bhd.

Commenting on the new appointment, BidNow founder and CEO Frankie Goh said: "We are thrilled to have Dato' Seri Dr Mohamed Azahari, a proven leader in the business world, to join us as our new corporate adviser. His reputation along with a deep wealth of knowledge that is relevant to what we are doing in the auction and technology space, ensures that BidNow will be able to aggressively grow its platform regionally and eventually become a leading one-stop e-commerce bidding platform for sales of products and services."

"BidNow is not only currently one of the largest property auction trading platform in Malaysia, but is also an e-commerce marketplace for other items such as furniture and home appliances, motor vehicles, luxury goods, electronic gadgets, and soon non-fungible tokens (NFT). Dato' Seri Dr Mohamed Azahari brings to the table a rich track record of identifying key growth strategies and successfully positioning companies to be able to scale up into high-growth start-ups, and billion-dollar market leaders. We look forward to working with him as we translate that keen business acumen into market leadership in the SEA region which is our next step."
Mohamed Azahari's distinguished and successful career includes growing funded assets from millions to billions of ringgit, listing the first Government Real Estate Investment Trust (Amanah Raya REIT) and several other private limited companies on the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange, and providing asset management services to hundreds of government-linked companies and high net worth individuals with returns of investment exceeding the market benchmark.

"BidNow is at an exciting point in its evolution," said Mohamed Azahari, new Corporate Advisor at BidNow. "There are over 200,000 active members and 10,000 marketing agents registered on the platform, and they are currently expanding to Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines on top of already being present in Malaysia and Singapore. Their business prospects look very promising, and I am pleased to be a part of their journey as they progress to even greater heights."

BidNow or Bidnow.my is a one-stop e-commerce bidding platform that makes it easy for anyone to sell any products or services to individuals who share similar hobbies and interests. For more information, visit www.bidnow.my.

BidNow: https://www.bidnow.my/

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

SESAMi Holding acquires MyBiz in all-cash deal boosting regional footprint

SINGAPORE, Jun 1, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – SESAMi Holding Pte Ltd (SESAMi) announced the successful acquisition of MyBiz Solutions Sdn Bhd.

The all-cash deal is immediately profit-accretive and provides SESAMi with an additional revenue stream as well as an opportunity to strengthen SESAMi's portfolio of businesses. The company also believes that the acquisition has the potential to significantly value-add to existing and potential customers of both SESAMi and MyBiz.

Mr Ong Teck Soon, SESAMi Holding's Chairman and CEO said, "We have been actively exploring various strategic acquisition opportunities to strengthen SESAMi's suite of products and services and enable the Company to provide a more robust business solution to our customers, thereby helping us grow revenue. The acquisition, when completed, is expected to enable us to capture new opportunities within the fast-growing online transactional commerce business in the region and we are confident of the industry's significant long-term growth prospects."

Award-winning MyBiz has emerged as an Asian leader in spend management and strategic sourcing solutions with more than 20 years of experience and expertise in their field. Their proprietary software was awarded the Procurement Consultancy Award in the World Procurement Awards 2019, as well as the "Solution Provider of the Year" in the Asia Pacific Procurement Awards in 2018. Over the years, the company has successfully delivered hundreds of millions of dollars of savings for their industry-leading clients, including companies such as Sembcorp Industries, Westpac Bank, Singapore Airlines, ST Engineering, UOB and Maybank.

SESAMi is Asia's leader and powerhouse in providing trusted solutions for transacting commerce over the Internet for sourcing, procurement, planning and order management. Their clients include organisations in both the public and private sector ranging from industries such as healthcare, aviation, tourism and telecommunications. As the foremost commerce service provider and operator of the leading electronic hub (E-Hub), SESAMi is best positioned to facilitate and provide the advantages and efficiencies of trading online to businesses. Together with MyBiz, SESAMi will bring a fully integrated supply chain solution to corporates and their suppliers in Singapore and Malaysia in a more timely, automated and cost-efficient manner.

Following the acquisition, SESAMi expects to also add to its growing pool of tech talent that will drive innovation in the organisation to better serve its customers. In a constantly-evolving world with customers demanding the highest levels of service and product offerings, we see our people as a vitally important differentiator in staying ahead of the competition, by anticipating and adapting to situational as well as long-term trends in this space. Moving forward, the company will look to integrate financing and payment solutions to make the platform even more holistic and all-encompassing.

Mr Ong added, "MyBiz has been aptly described as the Porsche of procurement – a fast, reliable and technologically advanced platform that we see as being a natural fit to SESAMi, the largest e-procurement platform in Singapore, and a vital piece of the entire jigsaw puzzle to reshape the entire industry to become the gateway for organisations, whether buyer or supplier, to seamlessly interact and transact on a platform that is built with a commitment to enhancing efficiency, accessibility, security and equal opportunity. This acquisition will further accelerate our efforts to develop new and innovative products to capture the fast-growing transactional commerce economy and we are excited to bring even more choice, value and savings to our customers going forward."

About SESAMi ( www.sesami.com )

SESAMi was founded in 1999 by a consortium of large corporates to develop e-sourcing and e-procurement services. Over the years, the company has consolidated its position in the e-procurement sector in Singapore, while expanding into other services like demand aggregation and e-financing. In 2018, SESAMi further expanded its technological capabilities by acquiring Capital Match, a leading lending platform in Singapore focusing on trade finance. Today, SESAMi processes around S$6bn of e-purchase orders and S$2bn of e- invoices annually on its platform with over $225M worth of origination via its e-financing program.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Donny Ong. SESAMi
Email: donny.ong@sesami.com

Derek Yeo / Wayne Koo
Email: derek@waterbrooks.com.sg / wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg

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

Start-up Express Pitching Final takes place on 15 June

HONG KONG, May 31, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised annually by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), has returned for its fifth edition. As they face up to issues arising from the ongoing pandemic and adverse global economy, start-up enterprises are in need of support more than ever before. This year's programme continues to help entrepreneurs develop their businesses by building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.

In 2021, 10 winning teams were selected for the Start-up Express Pitching Final

Allklear advocates the concept of plant-based, functional and sustainable foods through innovative technology to produce a new generation of future health foods

i2cool has developed a radiative cooling paint that reduces the surface temperature of buildings as well as saving energy and reducing carbon emissions

Nurturing a sustainable entrepreneurial ecosystem

Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of HKTDC, said the HKTDC would continue its commitment to supporting entrepreneurs in expanding their businesses, especially during the pandemic, in addition to promoting the city's capabilities in the areas of innovation and technology.

"Since the first edition of Start-up Express in 2018, the programme has already nurtured 40 start-ups, most of which are still active and have expanded on a considerable scale. Start-up Express has given tremendous support to local start-ups, helping them explore global markets, seal major orders and win international awards. We will continue our quest to spread the spirit of entrepreneurship in Hong Kong, assisting start-ups in growing their businesses to the next level and helping them gain a foothold in the global arena. The HKTDC remains committed to building a sustainable and international entrepreneurial ecosystem that promotes local economic growth and business development," Mr Liang said.

New ESG Award recognises socially aware projects

Start-up Express is aimed at local tech start-ups that have plans to expand into international markets. As the pandemic situation gradually begins to ease, innovative business models and fresh ideas will provide a new stimulus for the economy in post-pandemic times. The enrolment for Start-up Express 2022 reflects the great enthusiasm of local entrepreneurs, with shortlisted start-ups coming from a broader spectrum of fields than ever before including emerging technologies such as art tech, green tech, health tech, prop tech, fintech, smart city tech, edtech, food tech and more. This year, the ESG Award has been added to reward the most sustainable and socially efficient start-up.

HKTDC offers full support to boost business development

The Pitching Final of this year's Start-up Express will be held on 15 June. The winning start-ups will be offered access to capability-building workshops, mentoring sessions, exploratory missions to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, marketing sessions, extensive publicity and investor pitching opportunities. These activities will help the winning entrepreneurs hone their business skills, gain access to the latest market insights and acquire business know-how from experienced industry leaders. The winning start-ups will also be presented with opportunities to interact with buyers and investors at HKTDC-organised local and overseas events. In addition, the HKTDC will arrange business matching meetings, helping the entrepreneurs to connect with potential partners, increase their media exposure and enhance brand awareness.

Taking the pulse of the market and building a global network

Mr Liang added: "Last year's winning teams stood out because of their innovative and forward-looking ideas. Through Start-up Express they were able to gain more insights into their industries, overseas market trends and investor preferences by participating in different HKTDC-organised events, including the Asia Summit on Global Health, Asian Financial Forum, the Belt and Road Summit, online exhibitions in Mainland China and overseas, and investor meetings in Hong Kong and the mainland. They have also been able to strengthen their business networks and expand their markets and businesses through the exposure they have gained. To help fuel the growth of these start-ups, the HKTDC also leveraged its network of 50 overseas offices worldwide to endorse them in international competitions and connect them to overseas investors through pitching events."

Professional judging panel to select 10 most outstanding start-ups

In the 2022 Pitching Final, the judging panel will select 10 outstanding teams out of 20 shortlisted start-ups. This year's panel comprises Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group; Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council; Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group; Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures; and Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group. In addition, AMTD Group is the Strategic Partner of Start-up Express for the fourth consecutive year.

Start-ups selected for the shortlisted top 20 in the Pitching Final have all presented innovative business solutions that help address social and environmental issues. Among them:

– Allklear advocates the concept of plant-based, functional and sustainable foods through innovative technology to produce a new generation of future health foods.
– i2cool has developed a radiative cooling paint that consumes no energy and does not require any cooling agent, and is able to reduce the surface temperature of buildings.
– PONS.ai, an artificial intelligence-powered phygital social marketplace for art and entertainment products, aims to empower creators worldwide with digital ownership.
– FlashGreen champions environmental friendliness by recycling stocks of short-dated, best-before-date foods from suppliers and reselling them at lower prices in vending machines.

Start-up Express 2022 Pitching Final

– Date: 15 June 2022 (Wednesday)

– Time: 1:45pm Media registration; 2pm-5pm Start-up Express Pitching Final

– Venue:
HKTDC SME Centre
G/F, HKCEC
1 Expo Drive, Wan Chai

Due to limited space, a livestream session will be arranged at the Media Centre. Media representatives are welcome to interview the winning start-ups at the SME Centre after the event has concluded.

– Judging panel
Raymond Yung, Vice Chairman, AMTD Group
Jason Chiu, Chairman, Hong Kong Start-up Council
Andrew Young, Associate Director (Innovation), Sino Group
Ben Cheng, Managing Partner, C Ventures
Arshad Chowdhury, Managing Partner, Betatron Venture Group

– Shortlisted start-ups: Click here ( https://tinyurl.com/Start-up-Express ) to view the profiles of the shortlisted start-ups.

– Start-up Express website: https://portal.hktdc.com/startupexpress/

Media registration

To join the online livestreaming of the contest, media representatives are asked to complete the registration form below and email it to clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org. https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en/pressrelease/detail/20354/

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3MYzZxl

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

About HKTDC

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

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

Leon Fuat Berhad Posts 29% Increase in Revenue to RM273 Million for Q1 FY2022

SHAH ALAM, Malaysia, May 30, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Leon Fuat Berhad, a manufacturer and trader of steel products, specialising in rolled long and flat steel products today released the Group's financial results for the first quarter ended 31 March 2022 (Q1FY2022) registering a 29.1% increase in revenue to RM273.02 million compared with RM211.48 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of the preceding financial year (Q1FY2021).

Calvin Ooi Shang How, Executive Director of Leon Fuat

For the quarter under review, profit before tax (PBT) stood at RM31.81 million, a 25.2% decrease from the PBT of RM42.53 million achieved in Q1FY2021 while profit after tax ("PAT") stood at RM23.89 million, a 33.8% decrease from the PAT of RM36.11 million recorded in the same quarter of the preceding financial year.

The Group's trading of steel products segment registered a 21.1% increase in revenue to RM90.00 million in Q1FY2022 compared with RM74.29 million recorded in the corresponding quarter of the preceding financial year while the processing of steel products segment registered a 33.4% rise in revenue to RM182.93 million compared with RM137.11 million achieved in Q1FY2021. The trading segment's contribution to revenue stood at 33.0% in Q1FY2022 compared with 35.1% in the corresponding quarter of the preceding financial year while the processing segment's contribution stood at 67.0% compared with 64.8% in Q1FY2021.

Calvin Ooi Shang How, Executive Director of Leon Fuat said, "We recorded higher revenue overall due to higher average selling prices for both trading and processing but this was partially negated by the 8.8 percentage points decrease in overall gross profit margin to 16.4% in the quarter under review compared with 25.2% gross profit margin in the corresponding quarter of the preceding financial year."

"We continue to seek avenues to diversify as we have done through investing in welded steel pipe production in 2018. Phase 1 of the facilities with two production lines is operational while a further two production lines are being installed and expected to be operational in Q2FY2022. We have also begun Phase 2 of the facilities that we expect to be fully commissioned in the second-half of 2023 which will ultimately increase our production capacity."

"Our outlook for 2022 remains unchanged as global growth is expected to slow significantly this year largely due to the conflict in Ukraine that has rippled across commodity markets, trade and to some extent financial interlinkages. Domestic economic growth has also been trimmed to between 5.3% and 6.3% in 2022 from the earlier forecast of between 5.5% and 6.5%."

"Given that downside risks have risen significantly, we have increased monitoring of steel price movement and related foreign currencies and will take proactive measures including negotiating forward contracts, where necessary, as well as prudent inventory management, to reduce any negative impact which may arise. We will continue to enhance the operating capabilities and efficiencies in meeting customers' requirements and to ensure timely satisfaction of customer orders while keeping our operating costs at a manageable level."

Leon Fuat Berhad: https://www.leonfuat.com.my/
Leon Fuat Berhad: [BURSA: LEFU]

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

PLS Plantations profits surge by 411.5% to RM13.3 million

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PLS Plantations Berhad today announced a 411.5% jump in their net profit for their third quarter financial performance for the period ended 31 March 2022 (Q3FY2022). The Company recorded a net profit before tax (PBT) of RM16.1 million, 455.1% higher compared to RM2.9 million recorded in the corresponding quarter for the period ended 31 March 2021 (Q4FY2021). PLS Plantations' net profit after taxation and minority interest (PATMI) in Q3FY2022 came in at RM12.4 million, 416.7% higher than RM2.4 million in Q4FY2021. Total revenue climbed to RM32.1 million, an increase of 169.8% from RM 18.9 million in Q4FY2021. The increase in revenue and PBT were mainly attributed to the improved contribution made from the sales of fresh fruit bunches (FFB), and frozen durian products from international markets, especially China, as well as the collection of progress payment monies generated under the construction arm.

PLS Plantations' PATMI for the quarter stood at RM12.4 million, 67.6% higher than RM7.4 million recorded in the preceding quarter ended 31 December 2021 (Q2FY2022). However, total revenue recorded in Q3FY2022 saw a drop of 44% to RM32.1 million, compared to RM57.3 million in Q2FY2022. The lower revenue for the period was attributed to the off-peak durian cycle that resulted in lower harvest numbers. Earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter stood at 2.88 sen (fully diluted) compared to 0.58 sen in Q4FY2021.

PLS Plantations' Executive Vice Chairman, Tan Sri Dato' Lim Kang Hoo highlighted, "PLS is working hard to continue the strong execution of our turnaround plan in order to meet our targets and aspirations. In addition to diversifying our revenue streams and improving our operational mechanisms, we have been building the organisation's bench strength by bringing onboard experienced talent from the industry as well as promoting from within, capable members of the company to senior management positions. Growing our staff strength is crucial – to which PLS has been prioritising the hiring of bright, local talent as the Company ventures into other agricultural and cash crops segments."

Tan Sri Dato' Lim concluded, "In addition, we have also set the baseline for our sustainability journey and will be working towards rolling out a sustainability framework to guide our business and operations. Since our Silver3 rating from RAM Sustainability, we have established a ESG working committee to further develop and refine our processes and structures as we continue our progress towards becoming the nation's leading sustainable agrofood company. We remain guided by ESG values as we move towards future proofing the Company whilst supporting our country's food security goals."

About PLS Plantations Berhad

PLS Plantations was incorporated in Malaysia in 1987 and was listed on the Second Board of Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange in 1994. Currently listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad, PLS and its subsidiaries are involved in the management and operation of forest, oil palm and durian plantations, as well as the processing, distribution and sale of durian products.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statement included in this press release, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statement generally can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "anticipate," "plan," "seek," or "believe." These forward-looking statements, which are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations about future event. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statement, including, but not limited to our ability to win additional business. Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward- looking statements are reasonable, we cannot guarantee future result, level of activity, performance, or achievements. You should not rely upon forward- looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this press release; as such, they should not be unduly relied upon as circumstances change. Except as required by law, we are not obligated, and we undertake no obligation, to release publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that might reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this release or those that might reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Media Contact:
Cheong Sue Fyenn
Narro Communications
E: suefyenn@narrocomms.com
T: +6016 910 7625

PLS Plantations Berhad: https://plsplantations.my/
PLS Plantations Berhad: 9695 / [BURSA: PLS]

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

The Golden Duck’s Savoury Snacks to Debut in Malaysian Physical Stores

KUALA LUMPUR, May 30, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Malaysians should brace themselves for more-ish savoury snacks as Singapore's The Golden Duck Co., purveyor of delicious fish skin crisps and potato wedges coated in salted egg yolk, is finally available in physical stores in the country now.

The Golden Duck, founded by Mr. Jonathan Shen and Mr. Christopher Hwang in 2015, has since 2018 become one of the leading savoury brands in Singapore, where it is available at most major retailers in multiple locations as well as online in 15 countries including China, Mauritius, The Philippines, Australia, United States, Qatar and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Jonathan, co-founder of The Golden Duck, said, "We are really excited that our products will now be available in physical stores in Malaysia. We know many Malaysians are familiar with the taste of our products and now they can easily buy it off the shelves and online when they have the cravings."

The Golden Duck had debuted in November 2015 in a pop-up store in a mall and very quickly gathered a following, with the popularity of their salted egg yolk-coated potato wedges prompting the duo to limit purchases to five bags per customer.

Jonathan and Christopher earned themselves a spot in Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2017 as successful entrepreneurs after the snacks they sold became popular among Singaporeans, who consumed an average of 10,000 bags a week by 2017. Today, The Golden Duck produces up to 300,000 bags a day from its factory in Singapore.

"We are offering a healthy option with flavour and quality sourced from ingredients across Asia as we want our snacks to stand out. Fish skin crisps coated with salted egg yolk and other flavours such as Sichuan Mala or Chili Crab will liven up a weekend gathering or make for an accompaniment to a movie," Christopher, co-founder of The Golden Duck said.

The Golden Duck's five main products include Salted Egg Yolk Fish Skin Crisps, Salted Egg Yolk Potato Ridges, Chilli Crab Seaweed Tempura, Salted-Egg Crab Seaweed Tempura and Bangkok Tom Yum Goong Gourmet Mix.

The Golden Duck products is now available in Village Grocer and Family Mart outlets as well as on their Website and Lazada.
– Website: https://www.thegoldenduck.co/collections/gourmetsnacks
– Lazada: https://tinyurl.com/golden-duck

The Golden Duck Co.: https://www.thegoldenduck.co/

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

RHT Rajan Menon Foundation presents Gentle Bones Charity Concert on 22 July 2022

SINGAPORE, May 29, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Local singer-songwriter Gentle Bones will return to the stage for a good cause in collaboration with RHT Rajan Menon Foundation Ltd, the corporate social responsibility vehicle of RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, ONERHT).

With the support of venue partner Marina Bay Sands, the live and in-person charity concert will be held at the Sands Theatre at 7pm on 22 July 2022.

Gentle Bones said, "It's a great occasion to be able to hold a concert after more than two years of pandemic restrictions, and to be invited by RHT Rajan Menon Foundation to do so for a great cause makes it all the more meaningful. I hope this event is able to support the beneficiaries and also help promote cross-industry contributions."

"Over the past year and a half, l have been focused on making music that empowers the listeners to come to terms with the understanding that they are much more to what meets the eye of anyone outside of themselves. I am extremely heartened to be able to translate this in a live concert setting that will contribute to many, not just of the music industry alone. I consider this to be an absolute honour and privilege," he added.

Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Patron of the Foundation, said, "Through proceeds from this charity concert, the Foundation aims to help support the well-being of those hit hardest by the pandemic such as underprivileged families, seniors, people with disabilities, and their caregivers."

"I am heartened to see the corporate and legal fraternity coming together with young artistes to do good. I would like to thank Mr Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law, for gracing the concert as Guest-of-Honour," he added.

This charity concert will support the FUN! Fund for Seniors (an Agency for Integrated Care initiative), PCF Sparkle Care Centres, Lions Befrienders Service Association (Singapore), Dementia Singapore Ltd, Life Community Services Society, TOUCH Community Services Limited, CaringSG Limited and It All Starts Hear.sg.

Tickets are priced from S$88 to S$228 and will go on sale on Monday 30 May 2022 at 10am SGT through Marina Bay Sands and SISTIC.

Ticketing Links:

Marina Bay Sands
www.marinabaysands.com/entertainment/shows/gentle-bones-charity-concert.html

SISTIC
https://www.sistic.com.sg/

About RHT Rajan Menon Foundation

A Singapore registered charity and grant-making philanthropic organisation, RHT Rajan Menon Foundation Ltd ("Foundation") enables RHTLaw Asia LLP and the RHT Group of Companies (collectively, "ONERHT") to do right and do good through various charitable endeavours.

Set up by ONERHT in 2015, the Foundation was registered as a Singapore charity by the Commissioner of Charities and a grant-making philanthropic organisation by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore on 16 September 2016 and 28 November 2016 respectively.

The Foundation seeks to establish, inspire and encourage the right philanthropic culture among the corporate and legal fraternity of giving back to the community in a focused, hands-on and meaningful manner. Since its inception, the Foundation has raised more than S$3 million to support more than 15 beneficiaries involved in education, the environment and sustainability, disadvantaged groups as well as the arts and sports. For more information, please visit www.rhtrajanmenon.foundation

For media enquiries, please contact:
Elliot Siow / elliot.siow@rhtgoc.com / +65 8375 0417

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