Tag: Local Biz

Hong Kong Book Fair, Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks open

HONG KONG, Jul 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The 33rd HKTDC Hong Kong Book Fair, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), opened at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) and will run until 25 July. The 6th Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and the 3rd World of Snacks are being held concurrently with the Book Fair. Visitors can enjoy all three events with a single ticket, making it a must-visit summer attraction.
Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, attended the cocktail reception
as the guest of honour to mark the opening of the Hong Kong Book Fair

The Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks feature close to
780 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions

World of Snacks features more than 1,200 popular treats from across the globe


Mr Chan Kwok-ki, Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), co-hosted the cocktail reception, with Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman of the HKTDC, and Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC.

Dr Lam said: "The Hong Kong Book Fair, Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo and World of Snacks features close to 780 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, serving as an important platform for the industry. They are also an ideal occasion for families to enjoy cultural and leisure activities. With the resumption of normal travel, renowned authors from Hong Kong, Mainland China, Taiwan and across the world will attend the Book Fair in-person to give talks. We hope many avid readers will attend the Fair and join us in promoting a culture and joy of reading."

The theme of this year's Book Fair is Children's and Young Adult Literature, with the tagline Reading the World: The Joy of Reading for Children and Youth, It aims to introduce visitors of all ages to authors and literary works from around the world in this genre, widening their horizons and igniting their imagination. More than 600 cultural activities and seminars take place on-site and off-site, featuring a plethora of distinguished authors sharing their many insights and stories.

Writers exhibition and Treasures of Lingnan Culture on display at Art Gallery

The Art Gallery is a popular session of the Book Fair, featuring two major exhibitions this year: Children's and Young Adult Literature Writers and Treasures of Lingnan Culture. The exhibition showcases selected works and priceless collections of nine writers, including A Nong, Chau Mat-mat, Wei Ya, Sun Wai-ling, Leong Monk-fung, Poon Ming-chu, Poon Kam-ying, and the late Quenby Fung and Ho Tsz.

Wei Ya will kick off the Theme of the Year seminar series on Friday, 21 July, which aims to reconnect fairgoers with the innocence of childhood. Later that same day, Poon Kam-ying and Poon Ming-chu will discuss the various genres of children's literature. A Nong, Chau Mat-mat, and Sun Wai-ling will analyse the importance of children's books to children in a seminar titled "The Timelessness of Children's Literature". On Saturday, 22 July, A Nong will speak about his past works in "Looking Back". On Sunday, 23 July, Carmen Ho, daughter of Ho Tsz, will engage in conversation with primary school principal Chan Shui-leung in a seminar titled "The Footprints of Growth – A taste of Ho Tsz's Story". The same day, Quenby Fung's close friends Justine Woo and Joanne Chan will speak about her work at a seminar titled "The Classics of Quenby".

The Treasures of Lingnan Culture exhibition showcases calligraphy works, paintings of the Lingnan School and Canton porcelain. Partner organisations include the Ling Ngai Art Association and Hong Kong Calligraphers' Association. Supported by the Create Hong Kong# (CreateHK) of the Government of the HKSAR, interactive installations are mounted to enhance visitors' experience and understanding of Lingnan culture. A special corner has been set up to celebrate the life of Wong Fei-hung, a prominent figure in Lingnan culture, which features books, martial arts magazines, film programme booklets and photos, among other collectibles.

In line with the Art Gallery theme, the Guangdong Province in Mainland China Pavilion highlights Lingnan in its design concept of "Fragrance of Cantonese Books and the Happiness of Reading", weaving the story of the people and culture of Lingnan into its showcase. The Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region showcases children's literary works and other cultural and creative products from the region. In addition, the pavilion also features artistic performances and photography exhibition with Inner Mongolian characteristics as well as its intangible cultural heritage, such as horsehead fiddles, erhus, saddles and horse equipment.

Brand-new World of Art & Culture zone to facilitate cultural exchange

The newly established World of Art & Culture zone, sponsored by CreateHK# and curated by a Hong Kong design team, depicts literature and cultural arts related to youth from close to 30 countries and regions, including France, Hungary, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Switzerland and more. Visitors can attend a variety of activities on-site, including A French rendez-vous through a fun speak-dating game by representatives of Alliance Francaise de Hong Kong and "The Little Prince" handicraft workshop.

Exploring creative journeys of writers at Eight Seminar Series

The Eight Seminar Series once again returns to the Book Fair, covering a diverse range of topics, such as Renowned Writers, English and International Reading, Children and Youth Reading, and Personal Development and Spiritual.

In partnership with Ming Pao and Yazhou Zhoukan, the HKTDC is again organising the Renowned Writers Seminar Series, hosted by leading Chinese-language authors. For the English and International Reading Seminar Series, renowned children's book authors include Jesse Q Sutanto, Theadora Whittington, Jane Houng, Libby Lam, Winston Chu, a lawyer with profound knowledge of Chinese and foreign poetry, and Mark O'Neill, an expert on Chinese history, who will share his story in Hong Kong and the appeal of Hong Kong to foreigners in terms of living and working. For more details on the seminars and the speaker line-up, please visit: https://hkbookfair.hktdc.com/en/Events/Event-Schedule.html.

The fun experiences of Sports and Leisure Expo

The Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo features eight thematic zones including Sports Hub, Outdoor Adventure, Health & Fitness and Board Games to provide an exciting experience to visitors.

The Sports Hub zone offers fun activities free of charge, including a 1:1 "Golden Sixty" Horse Sculpture presented by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, with Ellis Wong Chi Wang sharing his journey of becoming an apprentice jockey. A 4-metre-high mobile rope net, interactive boxing sandbag, a VR rowing boat experience and skateboarding trial classes are among the other offerings.

The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and 14 Japanese prefectures and cities have teamed up to form a Japan Pavilion promoting the country's attractions and culture. Events introduced different Japanese tourist spots, including "Visit Gifu by JR Trains!", "Japan – San'in Sanyo Area Sightseeing Guide" and "Discover Tokushima Japan", while tomorrow the pavilion will feature a Japanese traditional karate performance.

A number of exciting activities have been lined up during the Fair, including a preview of the 2023 IFBB Hong Kong Fitness Awards Charity Open Championship, artistic gymnastics, self-defence demonstration, Hong Kong eco-tourism tips and fishing for parents and children. Hong Kong mountaineer Tsang Chi-sing will share his experience of volcano hikes in Indonesia, among other scheduled events, while Cheng Kam Hing, a member of Hong Kong's 3×3 basketball team, will discuss the rise of this new sport.

World of Snacks offers delicacies from around the world

The World of Snacks features six thematic zones – Travel Delights, Chocolate and Sweet Factory, Oldie Snacks, Yummy & Healthy, Party Time and Snack Bar – gathering more than 1,200 popular treats from across the globe. There are workshops and activities on-site, including tasting sessions, introduction of summer speciality ice pop and hand-brewed coffee with Zen concept combined with meditation.

Visitors can purchase e-tickets with Book Fair ticketing partner AlipayHK App and Alipay App or Octopus at the entrance's toll booths. To ensure an even flow of visitors throughout the day, morning admission tickets and a special re-entry promotion are available. All ticketing details can be found below.

#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.

HKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com
Photos of the exhibits, key speakers and other Book Fair highlights can be found at: https://bit.ly/43qHWCZ
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/44zqn58

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
Should members of the press have any enquiries, please contact:

Hong Kong Book Fair
Yuan Tung Financial Relations:
Anson Wong, Tel: +852 3428 3413, Email: awong@yuantung.com.hk
Salina Cheng, Tel: +852 3428 5691, Email: salcheng@yuantung.com.hk
Agnes Yiu, Tel: +852 3428 5690, Email: ayiu@yuantung.com.hk

HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4524, Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org
Sunny Ng, Tel: +852 2584 4357, Email: sunny.sl.ng@hktdc.org

Hong Kong Sports and Leisure Expo, World of Snacks
HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Restaurant.com Partners with Kevin Harrington

Arlington Heights, IL, July 19, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Kevin Harrington of Shark Tank fame has a reputation for being fiercely selective in who he lends his name to. So when he partnered up with Restaurant.com, it was presumably because he saw something special in the business. Let’s take a look at what that special something was, and why it could mean Restaurant.com (OTCQB: RSTN) is one of the most undervalued opportunities on the market right now.

When Shark Tank’s Kevin Harrington explained why he partnered with Restaurant.com, the announcement contained one key phrase.

“[Restaurant] owners are getting the business they need, and customers get savings, and that’s what they want.”

On the face of it, it’s a relatively innocuous snippet from a speech that touched on grand concepts like trust and innovation. But, if we dig into it just a little, it reveals why Restaurant.com (RDE, Inc. | OTCQB: RSTN) might just be one of the most under-valued, under-the-radar companies right now.

In a moment, we’ll take a look. But first, here’s the man himself, Kevin Harrington.

First, Let’s Talk About Creating Value

There’s a common piece of advice given out in life and business — if you want to make money, create value, then capture it.

But, as everyone knows, that’s easier said than done.

Of course, hard doesn’t mean impossible. That’s why, over the years, common methods for thinking about value have emerged. One of the most common here is the problem-solution framework.

For those who’ve never heard of the problem-solution framework before, the concept is rather simple. Identify a problem, and provide a solution. If you can do that, then people will flock to you. It’s just basic common sense.

Second, Let’s Talk About What Restaurant.com Actually Does

We won’t delve into all the intricacies of the Restaurant.com platform here. But before we move on to dissecting the significance of Kevin Harrington’s statement, we do need to at least understand the fundamentals of what Restaurant.com does.

So let’s take a quick interlude to cover the basics. If you’re already familiar with the platform (millions already are), feel free to skip ahead.

Restaurant.com in a Nutshell: Restaurant.com connects diners with restaurants. It provides restaurants with a comprehensive marketing platform. And it provides diners with discounted restaurant dining experiences.

Restaurant.com For Diners

How this looks in practice for a diner is pretty simple. By simply browsing through the Restaurant.com platform, diners can locate dozens of restaurants in their location. Then, once they find something that appeals to them, they can then proceed to purchase a dining certificate at that restaurant at a steep discount.

Here’s one example offer:

Restaurant.com For Restaurants

As for how this looks for restaurants, that’s a bit more involved. But first, let’s just get one thing clear. Restaurant.com is a lot more than a crude platform for promoting simple one-off discounts.

In reality, once we scratch the surface of the simple discount offers and user interface, what we find in Restaurant.com is actually a sophisticated “Martech” (marketing tech) platform for restaurants.

For now, we’re simply going to gloss over what being a restaurant martech platform means. After all, we’re really here to discuss what Kevin Harrington saw in Restaurant.com. But, to give a brief overview, the Martech side of Restaurant.com includes two key components.

Restaurant Marketing Component #1: The first of these is a remarketing tool. For those who don’t know, remarketing is basically what happens when you browse something on Amazon and suddenly see ads for it everywhere. Restaurant.com provides a similarly powerful tool to restaurants, with the key difference being that its remarketing is conducted through email rather than online ads.

Restaurant Marketing Component #2: The second key component of the Restaurant.com Martech offering is its affiliate marketing platform. Again, to use Amazon.com as an example, affiliate marketing is what drives the thousands of blogs and websites out there recommending products on Amazon.com to do so. If those blogs can successfully convince you to buy something on Amazon.com, Amazon rewards the affiliate with a cut of the sale. Restaurant.com does the same with its affiliates.

What’s Any of This Got to Do With Kevin Harrington and Restaurant.com?

If you’ve been paying attention, there’s a good chance you’ve picked up on why that one innocuous phrase Kevin Harrington made means so much.

But just to make sure we’re all on the same page, let me spell it out for you.

Problem: Every restaurant owner wants more customers. But most marketing is difficult, expensive, and comes with zero guarantees.

Solution: Provide a zero-risk marketing platform that drives diners to their tables and only charges them for successful conversions.

And there you have it — the value-generating problem-solution statement for Restaurant.com. Except, there’s just one problem. We’re forgetting the back half of the Kevin Harrington statement. The part about customers getting what they want.

As a reminder, here’s Harrington’s key phrase once again: “[Restaurant] owners are getting the business they need, and customers get savings, and that’s what they want.”

If you break this statement down, there are actually two possible problems and two possible solutions hidden in there. The first, we already touched on.

As for the second problem-solution, here it is.

Problem: Most people would love to dine out more often, but not everyone can afford it.

Solution: Offer a way to dine out for less.

In a nutshell, Restaurant.com has essentially hacked the value-generating equation in a way we rarely see. By effectively killing two birds with one stone, Restaurant.com has tapped into two both sides of an absolutely massive market (we’re literally talking about hundreds of billions a year in the US alone, and trillions globally).

Guess there’s no surprise now why Kevin Harrington chose to partner with Restaurant.com.

Now Here’s Why Restaurant.com Is Deeply Undervalued

By now, it’s pretty clear that Restaurant.com has tapped into an extreme value-creating proposition. But if you cast your mind back to the start of the article, I also mentioned that Restaurant.com is deeply undervalued.

Here’s why.

When RDE, Inc. (OTCQB: RSTN) acquired Restaurant.com back in March 2020, the timing could not have been worse. After all, that was right about the time Covid-19 started decimating the restaurant trade, along with everything else.

Over the course of that year, the company traded for around the $1 a share mark, give or take. By 2021, that had picked up to about the $3 a share mark. As a reminder, the restaurant trade was still in a full-blown crisis at this stage, with many states still imposing harsh sanitary measures.

Fast forward to today, and RDE, Inc. is still trading at, you guessed it, around about the $3 a share mark. And that’s despite business more or less returning to normal, a full-blown cost of living crisis driving more consumers than ever to seek out discounted options, and a substantial growth in traffic to the platform (just last month alone, Restaurant.com jumped 21 places in its category ranking on similarweb.com).

And let’s not forget there are revenue figures to back this up (RDE, Inc. grew its annual revenues by almost 34% between 2021 and 2022).

In other words, in Restaurant.com we find:

  • Extreme value creation by addressing two sides of a massive market at once.
  • A deeply undervalued company given the current lack of a full recovery in its post-Covid stock price.
  • An enduring cost of living crisis which has resulted in substantial growth in consumer demand for Restaurant.com.

Essentially, what we have is one of those rare opportunities to capture an undervalued asset at an opportune moment.

For more information on RED, Inc. and Restaurant.com, visit:

About Restaurant.com

Restaurant.com offers marketing incentives for more than 20,000 restaurants across the United States, including multiple coupon options and is owned by RDE Holdings (OTCQB: RSTN)

Media Contact:
Plato Data Intelligence
144 E44th St
New York NY 10017
PlatoAiStream.com
Zephyr@platodata.io

(Featured image by Spencer Davis via Unsplash)

DISCLAIMER: This article was written by a third party contributor and does not reflect the opinion of Born2Invest, its management, staff or its associates. Please review our disclaimer for more information.

This article may include forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “become,” “plan,” “will,” and similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks as well as uncertainties, including those discussed in the following cautionary statements and elsewhere in this article and on this site. Although the Company may believe that its expectations are based on reasonable assumptions, the actual results that the Company may achieve may differ materially from any forward-looking statements, which reflect the opinions of the management of the Company only as of the date hereof. Additionally, please make sure to read these important disclosures.



Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

A Resounding Success at the 2-Day Retail & E-commerce Summit Asia

MANILA, Jul 18, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – In a noteworthy feat, rockbird media organized a resounding success with its esteemed 2-day event, the Retail & E-commerce Summit Asia: Scaling Digital Strategies Towards Growth, held on July 12-13, 2023, at the Shangri-La The Fort, BGC. The summit drew industry leaders and pioneers from across the region to forge a brighter, more prosperous future for retail and e-commerce sectors.


This trailblazing summit served as a dynamic platform that fostered connections among business industries, facilitating the exchange of cutting-edge strategies to propel their success to unparalleled heights in the ever-evolving market.

The 2-day-event witnessed an impressive gathering of over 155 attendees on Day 1 and 124 on Day 2 including prominent industry leaders, including the esteemed CMO, CEO, COO, VP, Director, Head, Managers and Marketing Executives. The occasion was enriched by the presence of 25 thought-provoking speakers who shared their invaluable insights across various industries. Additionally, the event garnered support from 7 media partners, as well as esteemed brands and sponsors that played a crucial role in making this event a resounding success. Special thanks go to our valued sponsors, including Shopify Plus, Clevertap, Dotdigital, Braze, VTEX, Lexer, Rush, Inquiro, Digimind, Vinculum, Gcash, and Una Cash, whose unwavering support made this event possible.

Keep yourself informed about all the latest event updates by staying connected with us through our website, https://rockbirdmedia.com/. For more exciting news and updates, don't forget to follow us on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/14633772/admin/feed/posts/. We look forward to keeping you informed and engaged!

About Rockbird media

Rockbird media is an international business media company that produces B2B events and offers business solutions.

Whether it is through online media and content, must-have business intelligence and analytics, effective networking, and partnering solutions, we help businesses and professionals learn more about the latest trends, and know more about their customers, peers, and competition, to make that decision that allows them to grow.

For press-related concerns, please contact:
Imee Mariano
Marketing Department
im.mariano@rockbirdmedia.com

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Think Business, Think Hong Kong concluded successfully

BANGKOK, Jul 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the signature promotion event in Bangkok, Think Business, Think Hong Kong (TBTHK), on 13-14 July received an enthusiastic response from Thai government officials and business leaders.
Think Business, Think Hong Kong in Bangkok, organised by the HKTDC, received enthusiastic response
from Thai government and business leaders, attracting over 2,000 buyers from 8 ASEAN countries,
including their local chambers and associations

The exclusive Hong Kong Night Cocktail Reception was held on the first day of the event, for Thai,
ASEAN and Hong Kong business leaders to network and explore business opportunities

Smart City Consortium of Hong Kong and Digital Economy Promotion Agency of Thailand signed a
memorandum of understanding on the first day. The two parties will deepen smart city development
cooperation through a series of promotional campaigns


The two-day event attracted more than 2,000 buyers from 8 ASEAN countries, including their local chambers and associations, underscoring their interest in leveraging Hong Kong as a gateway to expand their business worldwide. This signature promotion event showcased Hong Kong's strengths and highlighted the city's latest developments and quality products and services, while demonstrating its role as a leading international business hub.

The exclusive Hong Kong Night Cocktail Reception held on the first day of the event brought together Thai, ASEAN and Hong Kong business leaders to network and explore business opportunities. Dr Peter K N Lam, HKTDC Chairman, opened the event, with Mr Algernon Yau, Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and Dr Chadchart Sittipunt, Governor of Bangkok, delivering speeches.

Dr Lam said: "We bring to Bangkok this time a focus on lifestyle. We also have experts sharing insights on e-commerce, sustainability and ESG and the future of retail at a series of Trade Talks, all topics of interest to Thai businesses and in line with Thailand's BCG growth strategy. Hong Kong's position as the gateway between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and ASEAN, both fast-growing areas, provide many opportunities for Thai businesses and reinforce Hong Kong-Thailand economic ties."

Mr. Yau said that the ties between Hong Kong and Thailand have flourished over the years, fostering a robust partnership that has propelled mutual growth. Mr Yau highlighted Hong Kong's strengths in business under the one country, two systems principle: "By capitalising on our unique strengths, Hong Kong connects global investors with promising projects along the Belt and Road, while at the same time fostering collaboration and innovation within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area."

Dr Sittipunt said: "Bangkok and Hong Kong are undoubtedly two thriving cities in Asia, each with its unique strengths and advantages. I would like to emphasise that our true potential lies in working together. By pooling our strengths, expertise, and resources, be it from the government, public or private sectors, we can create more opportunities and foster a business ecosystem that attracts investments, drives innovation and supports emerging industries in our region."

Thai companies sourced new and innovative quality lifestyle products and services from 120 Hong Kong exhibitors at the TBTHK Trade Expo. The Expo featured products and services from a wide range of sectors in fashion & lifestyle, health & wellness, home & living, toys & gadgets and smart city solutions, over 80% of which were new to the Thai market.

It was the first time for Hong Kong exhibitor EDIT & EDITECTURE to join TBTHK, which marked their debut in the Thai market. Ms Jacqueline Chak, Co-founder and Director of the company, which focuses on sustainable interior and architecture projects, said they joined the event to explore networking opportunities and find potential partners. "The result of the event has honestly exceeded our expectations. We see a lot of interest in what we do, even those outside of the design industry, like makeup and construction. An attendee said that they have been following us from overseas, but never reached out due to the high shipping expenses. It's nice to know that we can finally come here and do business directly in Thailand."

B. DUCK, the Hong Kong original brand and one of the largest domestic character IPs in Mainland China, also joined the event. Ms Rossukhon Lertvilai, Marketing Manager, said: "There are a lot of people who showed interest in our brand. We're looking for new partners and new opportunities in Thailand."

Central Food Retail Company Limited is the leading supermarket chain in Thailand operating since 1996. The company's Head of Sales and Product Development, Ms Maythinee Surapatatna said: "This is my first time joining an event like this and I find the Expo very impressive. As a buyer, I'm looking for ways to produce supplements products and it's not easy to find suppliers in Thailand, so I'm happy for this opportunity. Attending these events, I've found potential partners."

Riding on the Trade Expo, a series of Trade Talks was held, covering retail technology, licensing opportunities, e-commerce and cross-border logistics as well as sustainability & ESG. Experts from renowned retail groups, associations and innovative companies shared their market insights during the two-day event.

During the session of Innovating the Future of Retail – Empowering Business with Technology, one of the speakers Mr Anson Balley, Head of Consumer & Retail, APAC of KPMG China, pointed out that artificial intelligence (AI) will become the most disruptive technology. However, areas such as IoT security, virtual events, digital twins, sustainable fashion and packaging will be the next generation of companies.

"Everything is going to be connected in the future. So, if we look at IoT devices, in the next 2 years, there will be nearly 31 billion connected devices. So, everything will be connected like never before."

To highlight Hong Kong's dynamic lifestyle and wide variety of design-led products and fashion, the HKTDC partnered with Hong Kong-linked merchants and restaurants in Bangkok to stage a citywide promotion, providing Thai consumers with a range of promotional offers until the end of July. Participating merchants include well-known brands, such as Kam's Roast, Maxim's, City Chain and more. In collaboration with LINE MAN, the leading online food delivery platform in Thailand, select Hong Kong-style restaurants have exclusive dining offers until the end of the month as well.

Website
– Think Business, Think Hong Kong: https://www.thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/bangkok2023/en
– Trade Talks Programme: https://www.thinkbusinessthinkhk.com/bangkok2023/en/programe/trade_talk_programme.html
– Photo download: https://rb.gy/66ciw

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 enquiries please contact:
Midas Communications International Co., Ltd.
Nawaporn Rojarayanont, Tel: 097-250-1603, Email: nawaporn@midas-pr.com
Wanrawee Kongkraphan, Tel: 088-887-9718, Email: namtarn@midas-pr.com

HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org
Agnes Wat, Tel: +852 2584 4554, Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.org

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Infiniti Indah Celebrates Pesta Kuantan 188, 29-31 July Family Fun and Concert with A-List Artists

KUANTAN, Malaysia, Jul 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Infiniti Indah Sdn. Bhd. (Infiniti Indah), a subsidiary of Hospitality 360 Sdn. Bhd. and the hospitality arm of MAA Group Berhad, returns with the exciting annual three-day Pesta Kuantan 188 festival from 29 to 31 July 2023. The Pesta Kuantan 188 is endorsed by the Pahang State Government, Tourism Pahang and Ministry of Youth and Sports.


Dato' Zulkifli Mohamad (Managing Director Kuantan 188), Mr Anand Kanasingam (Chief Operating
Officer MAA Group), Dato' Indera Omar Naresh Mohan (President & Group CEO Trinidad Group) [L-R]

Mr Anand Kanasingam (Chief Operating Officer MAA Group), Dato' Indera Omar Naresh Mohan
(President & Group CEO Trinidad Group), ManBai, Ameeng Spring, Harith Iskandar, Aizat Amdan,
Dato' Zulkifli Mohamad (Managing Director Kuantan 188), dan Calvin Thoo (Pereka Fesyen) [L-R]


As the prominent destination of travellers to the Malaysian East-Coast, Kuantan 188, is the obvious choice for area promotion of the unique culture and geography. The 2023 Pesta Kuantan 188 will feature family-fun activities such as Royal Pahang Dragon Boat Race, a talent show Kuantan 188 Challenge: Ada Bran?, cultural performances by Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan, Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negeri and Setiausaha Kerajaan Negeri, fashion shows, Zumba, retail booths with handcrafted items and food from local vendors, Fun Run and Fun Ride featuring a 5km run alongside a cycle track of 35km, and many more.

To ensure children are entertained, Kids Club activities including mini petting zoo, kids zipline, karaoke competition, bouncy castle and health screening for parents are available on 30 July 2023.

The dragon boat races are a first for Kuantan 188, aptly named, "Royal Pahang Dragon Boat Regatta 2023". On 30 and 31 of July, teams consisting of 12 crews in the Pahang Open division and 12 crews for the Pahang Closed (open and mixed) division compete to win a cup, medal, and cash prizes. The race will commence in front of the Jetty for the Marine Department of Kuantan and finish in front of Kuantan 188. A total of 34 teams have confirmed their participation. Royal Pahang Dragon Boat Race is fully supported by the committee of Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF).

The festival also includes a free-entry concert with A-list artists featuring Dato' Sri Siti Nurhaliza, Cakra Khan, Ameng Spring, Aizat Amdan, Aishah Retno, Santesh, and Malaysian actor and comedian Harith Iskander with technology display of projection mapping on the shaft of the Tower on 31 July 2023 which starts at 9:00 P.M.

Coinciding with the birthdays of KDYMM Yang Di Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and KDYMM Seri Paduka Baginda Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Hajah Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah Binti Almarhum Al-Mutawakkil Alallah Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj, which is on 30 July 2023 and 5 August 2023 respectively, Kuantan 188 will also host a special one-night-only closed-door dinner at the tower.

"This annual event has grown tremendously in support from generous sponsors, and supportive government agencies, which make the three-day festival possible," said Dato' Indera Omar Naresh Mohan, President and Group CEO of Infiniti Indah, "Pesta Kuantan 188 festival is three full days of fun, family-friendly events that owes its authenticity to the culture and communities of Malaysia. Every year, residents and visitors come together from around the world to witness Kuantan at its best and this year, we are expecting at least 20,000 visitors."

He added, "We have submitted to Tourism Pahang to include Pesta Kuantan 188 as an annual event in the Calendar of Events for Tourism Pahang, whilst the objective is to create a new tourism product for Pahang. We will continue to make Pesta Kuantan 188 a modern tourism destination hub in Pahang and the East Coast."

Kuantan 188 Tower is the second tallest tower in Malaysia, standing at an impressive height of 188 meters. The Tower is the 52nd member of the World Federation of Towers and offers a mesmerising panoramic view, allowing visitors to enjoy an unobstructed and expansive vista of Kuantan and its surroundings. Kuantan 188 provides a unique and awe-inspiring experience, giving visitors a sense of being on top of the world. The tower stands out as a remarkable architectural achievement, offering visitors an array of experiences from dining to relaxation, observation, and an unforgettable sky deck. The tower provides an opportunity to appreciate the beauty of Kuantan from different perspectives.

Tickets are available at: ticket.kuantan188.com.my/ms/Booking. To know more about Pesta Kuantan 188, check out Instagram, Facebook and TikTok for recent updates, as well as www.kuantan188.com.my.

All visitors who purchased the tickets to Pesta Kuantan 188 from 17-31 July are entitled to one lucky draw entry where the draw will be announced at the end of the concert on 31 July 2023.

Pesta Kuantan 188 is supported by Yes 5G (Official Telco), Berjaya Corporation Berhad, Citaglobal Berhad, Wira Semangat Sdn. Bhd., Malaysian Resources Corporation Berhad, Cameron Valley Tea (Bharat Group), Chili's Grill & Bar, Dancom Group, IRIS Corporation Berhad, Klikx Holdings, Kotasas, LBS Bina Group Berhad, LLT Group, MAA Group Berhad, MPHB Capital Berhad, Pahang Skills Development Centre (Drone Service), PASDEC Holdings, Pensonic, Projection Mapping partners Panasonic and Framemotion Studio, Ramada Suites by Wyndham KLCC, Shahzan Hotel Kuantan, T.A.S Industries Sdn. Bhd., Touch Group Holdings Sdn. Bhd., Wawasan Intact Properties, and Winfast Corporation.

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition featuring the works of the late Mr. Lee Leng Chong to open on 14 July 2023 at ION Art gallery

  • 100 Chinese calligraphy art pieces will be on sale, with part of the proceeds donated to the Community Chest
  • With a passion for Chinese cultural arts, Mr. Lee was an award-winning calligrapher that represented Singapore in multiple international Chinese calligraphy cultural exchanges
  • The official opening ceremony on 15 July 2023 will be graced by Guest-of-Honour Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law

SINGAPORE, July 13, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Chinese Calligraphy Exhibition: Tribute to the late Mr. Lee Leng Chong. As a tribute to the late Mr. Lee Leng Chong, a Chinese Calligraphy exhibition will be held at ION Art gallery, Level 4, ION Orchard. There will be 100 Chinese calligraphy art pieces on exhibit. A compilation of the Chinese calligraphy pieces on exhibit will also be launched during the exhibition.

The exhibition will be held from 14 July (Friday) to 18 July (Tuesday), 10am to 10pm.

The opening ceremony will be on 15 July 2023 (Saturday), 3pm at ION Art gallery. The Guest- of-Honour is Mr. Edwin Tong, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth & Second Minister for Law.

Mr. Lee Leng Chong’s Biography

The late Mr. Lee Leng Chong was a prominent and accomplished Chinese Calligraphy artist. Notably, he was listed as one of Singapore’s Top Teochew Famous People in the field of Cultural Arts in the book published in 2016 as part of SG50 collection, the editor was Mr. Phua Kok Khoo.

In his lifetime, he worked at the Singapore Press Holdings as an editor for the Chinese Newspapers (Lianhe Zaobao and Sin Chew Daily), which was also his first and last job, and devoted his time post-retirement on his passion for Chinese Cultural Arts and honing his craft for Chinese Calligraphy.

He had won several acclaimed Chinese Calligraphy awards including:

1. Dr Tan Tsze Chor Art Award

  • 2002 – 1st prize; 2014 – 1st prize; 2008 Excellence Award;

2. Korean International Chinese Calligraphy Cultural Award

  • 2003 – Silver, 2004 – Gold; 2008 and 2018 – 1st prize;

3. The Chinese Calligraphy Society of Singapore – Tan Keng Cheow Award

  • 2013 Tan Keng Cheow Award

His works were regularly featured in all the major Chinese calligraphy exhibitions and events organised by the various Chinese Calligraphy Associations in Singapore and he has also represented Singapore in multiple International Chinese Calligraphy Cultural Exchanges (Singapore, China, Korea and Malaysia).

The late Mr. Lee Leng Chong had always been passionate about promoting Chinese Cultural Arts. The family of the late Mr. Lee Leng Chong hopes to continue his legacy to spread and instil the love and appreciation of Chinese Calligraphy and Chinese Cultural Arts in Singapore through the successful launch of this exhibition.

The son of the late Mr. Lee Leng Chong, Mr. Wayne Lee, is a veteran investment banker and is the Founder, Chairman and CEO of W Capital Markets Pte Ltd, a holder of the Capital Markets Services (“CMS”) licence issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to conduct regulated activities of “Advising on Corporate Finance” and “Dealing in Capital Market Products that are Securities and units in a Collective Investment Scheme”, and is an accredited IPO Mainboard Issue Manager and Catalist Full Sponsor authorised by the Singapore Exchange. Wayne is also the Founder of W Capital Private Equity VCC. He recently won the EYA Entrepreneur of the Year 2022 – New Entrepreneur Category awarded by ASME and the Rotary Club Singapore.

Part of the sale proceeds from the exhibition art pieces will be donated to the Community Chest.

100% of donated proceeds to Community Chest goes to support over 100 social service agencies to meet underserved and critical social needs. The causes supported include the following:

– Adults with Disabilities
– Children with Special Needs and Youths-At-Risk
– Families in Need of Assistance
– Persons with Mental Health Conditions
– Seniors in Need of Support

About W Capital Markets

W Capital Markets Pte. Ltd. (“W Capital Markets”) is a holder of the Capital Markets Services (“CMS”) licence issued by the Monetary Authority of Singapore to conduct the regulated activities of “Advising on Corporate Finance” and “Dealing in Capital Market Products that are Securities and units in a Collective Investment Scheme”.

W Capital Markets is an accredited Mainboard Issue Manager and Catalist Full Sponsor authorised by the SGX.

W Capital Markets provides a full suite of bespoke investment banking services, including M&As, IPOs, Pre-IPO & secondary fund raising and financial advisory, with a focus on mid-cap companies (S$50 million to S$1 billion enterprise value) in the Asia Pacific region.

Helmed by a team of reputable & highly experienced M&A and IPO investment bankers, it also has the privilege of having amongst its directors and shareholders, several prominent & well-regarded practitioners from the corporate finance/ private equity/ legal and business community. Nanshan Group, a Chinese conglomerate with diversified businesses globally and ranked among the top 200 enterprises in China is the second largest shareholder of W Capital Markets.

Led by its founding Chairman and CEO, Mr. Wayne Lee, the vision of W Capital Markets is to be an international financial group with presence in key financial centres and be recognized as a premier corporate finance powerhouse in the Asia Pacific region.

Find out more at www.wcapitalmarkets.com.sg/leadership.html

Media Contact:
Mr. Kamal Samuel / Ms. Vicki Zhou
kamal@financialpr.com.sg / zhouyan@financialpr.com.sg



Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Avantor Inaugurates Expanded Singapore Hub

One-Stop Facility with cGMP Manufacturing to Bolster AMEA’s Biopharma Industry

SINGAPORE, July 11, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Avantor, Inc. (NYSE: AVTR), a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, advanced technologies, and applied materials industries, today inaugurated its expanded Singapore Hub which includes newly added cGMP manufacturing and a world class quality control laboratory. The hub is a one-stop facility serving the needs of customers across Asia, Middle East, and Africa (AMEA), strengthening the region’s innovation and biopharma ecosystems.

Avantor today officially inaugurated its expanded Singapore Manufacturing & Distribution Hub. Standing from left to right: Christophe Couturier (EVP, Asia Middle East Africa, Avantor), Elaine Teo (SVP & Head, Investment Facilitation, Singapore EDB) and Narayana Rao Rapolu (VP, Biopharma, Asia Middle East Africa, Avantor).

Avantor’s expanded Singapore Hub to bolster Asia Pacific’s Biopharma ecosystem with enhanced manufacturing and distribution.

Strategically located in Singapore, the hub enables quicker turnaround times and expedites customers’ access to raw materials that are essential in AMEA’s drug discovery and development whilst upholding stringent quality standards.

“At Avantor, we recognize the growing complexities around customer requirements and regulatory standards across AMEA’s biopharma industry,” said Christophe Couturier, Executive Vice President, AMEA. “By enhancing our regional capabilities through the launch of our Singapore Manufacturing and Distribution Hub, we tap into our legacy of serving the evolving needs of customers, demonstrating our commitment to advancing life-changing science.”

The inauguration ceremony today was officiated by Avantor executives, Christophe Couturier, and Narayana Rao, Vice President, Biopharma – AMEA, and the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), represented by Elaine Teo, Senior Vice President and Head, Investment Facilitation at EDB.

“Avantor’s latest expansion of its Singapore hub enhances the supply of key materials and services required by biopharma manufacturers in Singapore and the region. This strengthens supply chain resilience for businesses and enhances the competitiveness of Singapore’s biomedical sciences industry, an integral part of Singapore’s manufacturing sector. Avantor’s successive investments in Singapore demonstrate confidence in our manufacturing and supply chain capabilities. These expansions are in line with EDB’s commitment to work with businesses to deepen their footprint and create new job opportunities in Singapore,” said Elaine Teo, Senior Vice President, EDB.

Building onto Avantor’s 2022 investment, the integration of the current distribution hub with new manufacturing operations features cGMP suites, quality testing, warehousing of certified products, batch-to-batch traceability and customized palletization capabilities. These state-of-the-art facilities allow the hub to drive innovation and efficiency to address the immediate challenges in AMEA’s biopharma industry.

About Avantor

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 300,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world. For more information, visit avantorsciences.com and find us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.

Regional Media Contact
Christina Koh
Director – Communications AMEA
Avantor
65-9720 0169
Christina.Koh@avantorsciences.com



Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

Q&M Free Dental Clinic launched to provide free essential dental treatments for underprivileged individuals and families

SINGAPORE, Jul 10, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Q&M Free Dental Clinic Limited, a registered charity under the Commission of Charities, has opened its first Q&M Free Dental Clinic in Chai Chee dedicated to delivering essential dental treatment for underprivileged individuals and families in need.
Dr Ng Chin Siau, Group CEO of Q&M Dental Group, Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health, Mr Tan Chuan
Jin, Speaker of Parliament, Dr Mohanarajah, Chairman of Q&M Free Dental Clinic Limited [L-R]


The opening ceremony at 26 Chai Chee Rd was witnessed by Guest-of-Honour Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Health; and Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament, and Adviser to Marine Parade GRC Grassroots Organisations (Kembangan-Chai Chee).

In its first phase of operations, the free clinic will be staffed by more than 50 volunteer dentists from Q&M Dental Group, on a rotational basis and is expected to serve up to 1,400 patients each year. Eligible patients will be initially referred by grassroots organisations within Kembangan-Chai Chee Division and will receive free dental consultation and treatments that are essential to oral health, such as scaling and polishing, fillings, and extractions.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, Speaker of Parliament, and Adviser to Marine Parade GRC Grassroots Organisations (Kembangan-Chai Chee), said, "In Kembangan-Chai Chee, preventive healthcare has been an essential pillar of our social initiatives, besides food security and education. While we have made inroads with health screening, vaccinations, and general health management, we realise that oral health has often been overlooked, especially for our underprivileged residents.

"Hence, the idea of a free dental clinic was mooted over lunch with Dr Ng and I in August 2021 and we are grateful to have Q&M Dental Group partnering with us in this meaningful journey. This initiative is also timely as it fits perfectly into our nationwide Preventive Healthcare Program – Healthier SG," he added.

Dr Ng Chin Siau, Group CEO of Q&M Dental Group said, "With the continued support of our generous donors and volunteer staff, we aim to ramp up the current capacity to serve up to 5,000 patients per year in the free clinic's next phase of operations, in line with our goal to make dental care accessible to all."

Q&M Dental Group led the fundraising efforts to fully equip and set up the free dental clinic, donating S$500,000 to fund the initial costs of renovations and equipment. In total, close to S$1 million was raised together with the support of other key donors including Quan Min Holdings, Straumann, Belmont, Prof Hwang Yee Cheau, Madam Kong Siew Yin, Ng Kok Mee, Navi Corporate Advisory Pte Ltd and Dr Ng Chin Siau, in his personal capacity.

"The generosity of our donors will make a lasting impact on the lives of the underprivileged, providing essential dental care for them and creating a healthier community overall. We look forward to collaborating with other stakeholders to reach out to more patients in need and galvanise the medical community to contribute their expertise and resources to ensure everyone has access to essential healthcare services," added Dr Ng.

Dr Mohanarajah s/o S. Senathirajah, Chairman of Q&M Free Dental Clinic Limited, said, "We are really excited to launch the Q&M Free Dental Clinic knowing that we will make a meaningful contribution in the lives of the underprivileged amongst us. This initiative marks the latest milestone in our longstanding commitment in giving back to society, and what better way than to contribute our professional expertise in a sustained manner to help those in need."

Q&M Dental Group was recently awarded The President's Certificate of Commendation (COVID-19) for its contributions during the pandemic which include Q&M Dental Group volunteers, comprising of dentists and nurses administering swabbing procedures to migrant workers at factory-converted dormitories and government quarantine facilities, donating 200,000 medical grade surgical masks to 51 migrant worker dormitories and setting-up satellite Covid-19 testing facilities throughout its island-wide clinic network.

Q&M Free Dental Clinic
To donate and find out more, please visit: www.qmfdc.sg

Media contacts:
Q&M Dental Group
Jess Chang, jess@qnm.sg, +65 8388 6240
Lloyd Chan, lloydchan@qnm.sg, +65 9385 5702

Waterbrooks Consultants
Wayne Koo, wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg, +65 9338 8166
Elliot Siow, elliot@waterbrooks.com.sg, +65 8375 0417

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

TVS Motor Company and Apollo Tyres set a new 24-hour Indian National Speed Endurance Record on the TVS Apache RR 310; clocks 3,657 kms at an average speed of 152 km/h at NATRAX, Indore

  • TVS Apache RR 310 fitted with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres broke the previously held record of 3,141 kms in India
  • The challenge has made its way into the India Book of Records for covering 3657.92 kms in 24-hours, as certified by FMSCI

Singapore, July 5, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Dominating racetracks and unleashing its racing DNA, TVS Motor Company, a reputed manufacturer of two and three-wheelers globally, along with India’s leading tyre maker, Apollo Tyres Ltd, set a new Indian National Speed Endurance Record on TVS Apache RR 310 motorcycle shod with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres. As part of the 24-hour speed endurance challenge, a milestone of 3,657.92 kms was achieved at NATRAX, Indore – Asia’s longest highspeed track, as certified by FMSCI.


TVS Apache RR 310, the ultimate track weapon engineered by TVS racing is renowned for its exceptional power and agility. With a top speed of 173 km/hr, and an astounding average speed of 152 km/hr the TVS Apache RR 310 fitted with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres, proved its dominance on the racetrack, solidifying its position as a force to be reckoned with.

Fostering the company’s ‘Track to Road’ philosophy, the TVS Apache series recently achieved a significant milestone of five million global sales, solidifying its reputation as the fastest-growing premium motorcycle and earning the trust and loyalty of customers worldwide.

Commenting on this milestone, Mr. Vimal Sumbly, Head Business – Premium at TVS Motor Company, said, “Setting a new benchmark in speed and endurance, the TVS Apache RR 310 and Apollo Tyres have defied all limits during the 24-hour speed endurance race that put the motorcycle through such a rigorous challenge. This remarkable achievement is a testament to our commitment to innovation and performance. The TVS Apache RR 310’s exceptional performance on the track showcases its cutting-edge technology and unwavering reliability. We couldn’t be prouder of the entire team and the motorcycle’s capabilities, as it continues to push the boundaries of speed and endurance. This record-breaking accomplishment solidifies the TVS Apache’s position as a true champion in the world of motorcycling.”

Key highlights from the 24 hours Speed Endurance Challenge:

  • The team consisted of 18 riders who relayed on 3 TVS Apache RR 310 motorcycles, shod with Apollo Alpha H1 tyres, starting off the 24-hours speed endurance challenge at 10:00 AM IST on July 2, 2023
  • As part of the challenge, the riders covered a total of 322 laps, at an average speed 152 km/hr
  • The top speed recorded during the challenge was 173 km/hr
  • The challenge has made its way into the India Book of Records for covering 3657.92 kms in 24-hours
  • The key factors contributing to TVS Apache RR 310’s exceptional performance have been its advanced aerodynamic design, crafted in wind tunnel. This has yielded the best-in-class coefficient of drag, to achieve maximum downforce and minimum wind blast, and a higher top speed
  • The race derived power plant makes 34bhp, built to endure & perform at extreme conditions.

About TVS Motor Company:

TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, championing progress through Sustainable Mobility with four state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Hosur, Mysuru and Nalagarh in India and Karawang in Indonesia. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of Trust, Value, and Passion for Customers and Exactness, we take pride in making internationally aspirational products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. We are the only two-wheeler company to have received the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for consecutive four years. Our group company Norton Motorcycles, based in the United Kingdom, is one of the most emotive motorcycle brands in the world. Our subsidiaries in the personal e-mobility space, Swiss E-Mobility Group (SEMG) and EGO Movement have a leading position in the e-bike market in Switzerland. TVS Motor Company endeavours to deliver the most superior customer experience across 80 countries in which we operate. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com

For more information, please contact:
Namrata Sharma – 81383034



Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com

10 winners stand out at Start-up Express

HONG KONG, Jul 4, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The sixth edition of Start-up Express, an entrepreneurship development programme organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), came to a successful conclusion today. The judging panel at the in-person Final Pitching, held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, selected 10 winning start-ups from 20 finalists. The My Favourite Start-up Award, decided through live polling of the audience, was awarded to Meat The Next, while the ESG Award went to Negawatt Technology in recognition of its sustainable and socially impactful business solution. The 10 winning teams will participate in a series of local and international events to develop their businesses by building connections, exploring markets, seeking partners and enhancing brand awareness.
The Start-up Express Final Pitching winners pictured together with the judging panel and special guests.


The record number of applications for Start-up Express 2023 reflected the great enthusiasm of Hong Kong's entrepreneurs. The 20 finalists come from diverse sectors such as ed tech, con (construction) tech & prop tech, fintech, health tech, as well as metaverse, Web 3.0, smart city, HR tech and food tech. More than 100 industry players were invited to attend the Final Pitching Day in person, including investors, business leaders, representatives from overseas entities and more. Booths were also set up during the event to showcase Start-up Express past winners and finalists, in addition to demo-pitch from secondary school teams.

Stephen Liang, Assistant Executive Director of the HKTDC, said Hong Kong start-ups were highly adaptive and had shown great resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic. "We're still at an initial phase of post-COVID-19 recovery, when the global economic outlook is still uncertain. Investors remain conservative, and start-ups are in need of more support. Finalists of this year's Start-up Express have developed products with advanced technology, and they have great potential to become unicorns. With business matching via HKTDC's physical and online platforms to help start-ups connect with international investors and partners, we will step up efforts to promote local innovations to the world, and grasp post-COVID-19 opportunities," Mr Liang said.

Diverse opportunities offered to winning start-ups

Final Pitching contestants presented innovative business ideas and responded to questions raised by a distinguished panel of judges. This year's judging panel comprises five renowned industry experts: Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council; Gordon Yen, Chairman of Hong Kong Business Angel Network; Winnie Han, Head of China Issuer Services/ Senior Vice President, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; Ben Cheng, President and Chief Executive Officer of C Capital; and Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics. The 10 winning start-ups are: Big Bang Academy, DimOrder, Haofood, Kodifly, Meat the Next, Moongate, Negawatt Technology, Neuropix, Rocket Academy, and Syngular Technology (click here to download the list of winners and their company profiles). The HKTDC will arrange a series of exposure opportunities through which the winning teams can interact with buyers and investors.

Outstanding presentations at Final Pitching

Jason Chiu, Chairman of Hong Kong Startup Council is a third-time judge of the programme. He said: "I am thrilled to participate in this year's Final Pitching. Entering its sixth edition, Start-up Express' competition is fiercer than ever, and each team displayed enormous growth potential. The industry verticals of the finalists this year were also more diverse, ranging from Web3.0 to con tech, which demonstrates their innovative thinking and proves the capability of Hong Kong tech talents. It is encouraging to see how vibrant the Hong Kong start-up ecosystem is becoming, with the number of start-ups increasing over the past few years. The winning teams this year will leverage the unique platform of Start-up Express to obtain more business opportunities and connections, and explore the Mainland and overseas markets."

Danny Yeung, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Prenetics, who led his start-up to unicorn status, gave insightful advice to the finalists. He said: "It is definitely challenging for early-stage companies to gain a foothold in competitive markets. I am happy to see that the HKSAR government is strengthening its support to the innovative & tech sector; Start-up Express is also a meaningful programme for start-ups to connect with investors and business leaders. He also cheered for start-ups: "The journey of building a start-up is never easy. Founders must keep an eye on the latest market trends and make unremitting efforts, in order to scale-up in the challenging business environment."

Grasping the market pulse and building a global network

Start-up Express gives start-ups the chance to promote their business ideas. They can take part in exhibitions in Mainland China and overseas, and investor meetings in Hong Kong and the mainland. They can also strengthen their business networks, as well as expand their markets and businesses through the exposure they have gained.

Dr Martin Zhu, Co-founder of i2Cool, a winner last year, said: "Through Start-up Express, we have unlocked many publicity opportunities. HKTDC's global network also helped us obtain many new customers from all over the world. For example, at last year's Entrepreneur Day, we met with a construction company from the Philippines, and signed a large-amount business order with them on the spot. All of these are valuable opportunities offered by Start-up Express."

Start-up Express International returns in December

The HKTDC has always given its full support to Hong Kong's entrepreneurial ecosystem, helping to maintain the city's status as a competitive business centre and hub for innovation. Launched in 2022, Start-up Express International has attracted participants from around the world, including the United States, Germany, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Singapore and more. 10 winners were selected and exchange sessions were arranged between them and the Hong Kong start-up winners. Start-up Express International will return during Entrepreneur Day in December. The HKTDC will support the winning international start-ups to set up their businesses in Hong Kong, as well as to explore the mainland and Greater Bay Area markets.

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

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:
Jane Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4137, Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.org

Copyright 2023 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.acnnewswire.com