Accurate Background Acquires Australia’s VerifyNow

IRVINE, CA, Mar 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Accurate Background, the world's largest privately held provider of compliant background checks, drug and health screening, and monitoring solutions, today announced the acquisition of VerifyNow Pty Ltd, an employment screening provider in Australia. The acquisition complements Accurate's global strategy and expands its portfolio of international compliance-driven employment screening solutions. VerifyNow will continue to operate under the leadership of Khai Ngo, who will join Accurate's senior leadership team.

Aaron Hayes

Tim Dowd

"We remain committed to our global employment screening capabilities while continuing to advance our innovative approach to candidate and client experience, screening technology, and compliance expertise," said Tim Dowd, CEO of Accurate Background. Dowd added, "Accurate and VerifyNow have been partners for several years, and we are excited to deepen this relationship as we seek to better serve our clients' background screening needs in Australia and beyond."

The acquisition further expands Accurate's global business footprint and comes on the heels of the successful acquisition of Vero Screening in July 2022. Accurate gains a new office in Australia, where the VerifyNow team will continue to serve its existing client base while offering support to Accurate's roster of multinational clients.

"Our customers and employees will benefit greatly from this acquisition by Accurate as we look to expand our service and capabilities within Australia and New Zealand and provide better screening options for multinational clients with the Accurate platform," said Khai Ngo, the CEO of VerifyNow.

To manage the global expansion, Aaron Hayes has been promoted to General Manager and EVP, International, overseeing Accurate's EMEA and APAC regions.

"The need to tap into a global hiring pool continues to grow, and employment screening on an international level is more important than ever," said Hayes. "Our expanded global footprint helps us serve Accurate customers with an entrepreneurial mindset and helps ensure a seamless, unified candidate experience at scale."

Dowd added, "As we evaluate opportunities to expand our business footprint to better serve our customers, it is vital that we select partners who share our vision, our values and strengthen our overall capabilities for our customers. We look forward to the opportunities that this acquisition will bring."

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Gilbert + Tobin represented Accurate in the transaction while the sellers of VerifyNow were represented by MV Law.

About Accurate Background

Our vision is to make every hire the start of a success story. As a trusted provider of employment background screening and workforce monitoring services, Accurate Background gives companies of all sizes the confidence to make smarter, unbiased hiring decisions at the speed of demand. Experience a new standard of support with a dedicated team, comprehensive technology and insight, and the most extensive coverage and search options to advance your business while keeping your brand and people safe. To learn more, visit accurate.com.

About VerifyNow

The VerifyNow mission is to help organisations build a trusted workforce. We offer a range of background checks and assessments to support the screening of new hires and the existing workforce. We also offer expertise in psychometric and aptitude testing. To learn more, visit verifynow.com.au.

Media Relations Contacts
Media@accurate.com

VerifyNow Contact
info@verifynow.com.au

SOURCE: Accurate Background LLC

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

HKTDC Export Index 1Q23: Hong Kong Export Index rebounds sharply

HONG KONG, Mar 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – The HKTDC Export Index grew 9.3 points to 39.0 in January-March this year, indicating a significant improvement in business sentiment among Hong Kong exporters after borders between Hong Kong and Mainland China reopened in early February. Full benefits are expected to materialise in coming months.

HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan [R] and Senior Economist (Greater China) Ms Cherry Yeung [L] announced the HKTDC Export Index for the first quarter of 2023 at a press conference today.

The first-quarter export survey by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) showed that almost all respondents (98%) reported positive impacts from the gradual resumption of normal cross-border travel since early January, especially from the more flexible and frequent business travel and cross-border engagements.

More than one-third of the exporters (36.5%) would increase shipments through Hong Kong, after cross-boundary land cargo transport was normalised, driven primarily by end-user requests and a preference for storage, sub-packaging and processing to be done in the city.

Business revives

Releasing the survey today, HKTDC Director of Research Ms Irina Fan said: "As normal travel between Hong Kong and the rest of the world resumes, hundreds of thousands of high-spending mainland and overseas business travellers have been coming back to Hong Kong in recent months, creating impetus for the city's economic recovery."

Ms Fan anticipated that more global buyers would visit trade fairs in Hong Kong during the peak sourcing season to replenish inventory and meet pent-up demand. "All these developments are the pull factors for the city's trade outlook, and we expect a gradual pick-up in the second half of 2023," she said. "Taking into account the external challenges and uncertainties, our export forecast for this year remains unchanged at a 5% growth year-on-year."

Versatility in business strategy

More than half the respondents (55.7%) expected production and operating costs to increase, mainly because of higher raw material, logistics and labour costs.

Against this backdrop, local exporters have adopted a versatile approach. In addition to cash-flow management (39.9%, up 5.3 percentage points), more exporters have focused on e-commerce development (36.3%, up 7.5 percentage points), value-added service provision (31.6%, up 6.6 percentage points) and overseas market expansion (30.5%, up 7.5 percentage points) in the first quarter of 2023.

Clothing sector most optimistic in 12 years

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

HKTDC Senior Economist (Greater China) Ms Cherry Yeung said all industry sectors saw an upturn in exporter confidence, indicating improving sentiment. "Clothing is the most promising sector, which swings back to the expansionary territory (51.5, up 27.7 points) since the third quarter of 2011, followed by toys (47.9, up 19.0 points) and timepieces (47.5, up 10.7 points)," she said. Ms Yeung attributed the leap to the high penetration of fashion e-commerce during the pandemic and surging demand for new clothes as the world returned to normal.

She added: "Mainland China (47.9) overtook Japan (46.9) as the most upbeat market, followed by ASEAN (44.8). Improving sentiment was also seen towards the United States and European Union markets."

Sub-indexes, including the Trade Value Index (48.0, up 8.8 points), Employment Index (47.6, up 7.3 points) and Offshore Trade Index (28.0, up 8.3 points), also moved up. The Procurement Index remained subdued at 28.4 (down 0.5 point), but momentum varied across sectors – clothing, jewellery and toys improved, while timepieces and electronics slightly declined.

References
– HKTDC Research website: http://research.hktdc.com/
– HKTDC Export Index 1Q23: Sharp rebound in export confidence as China re-opens https://bit.ly/3YZJoKe
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3Jrhbq4

About HKTDC

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

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

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

Acrometa to Expand to Thailand through MOU with Waste Management Company on Construction and Operation of Laboratory

SINGAPORE, Mar 21, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – ACROMETA Group Limited, an established specialist engineering service provider in the field of controlled environments serving mainly the healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, research and academia sectors, announced that it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a Thailand company whose principal activity is the provision of industrial waste disposal services.

The Thailand company provides non-hazardous waste disposal services. It owns and operates one of Thailand's largest landfills and requires a laboratory in Thailand ("Laboratory") for the testing and certification of solid waste and sludge to ensure proper treatment of any hazardous materials.

The MOU states the intention by the parties to jointly discuss and negotiate definitive agreements on:

1. The design and construction of the Laboratory by ACROMETA's wholly-owned subsidiary Acromec Engineers Pte Ltd
2. The operation of the Laboratory by ACROMETA's co-working laboratory space operator Life Sciences Incubator Pte Ltd ("LSI")
3. Opportunities for ACROMETA and/or its subsidiaries to participate as a joint venture partner in the ownership of the Laboratory.

The MOU shall be valid for a period of six months from the date of signing with the option for extension by mutual agreement.

ACROMETA's Future Economy + Synergy Strategy

On 20 February 2023, ACROMETA announced that it had entered into a binding letter of intent to purchase an additional 40% of the shares of LSI to become the controlling shareholder. On expected completion date, LSI will be a 70% owned subsidiary of ACROMETA.

ACROMETA Chairman Mr Levin Lee Keng Weng had said, "This potentially carves out a new promising mainstream business for us as controlled environment specialist."

The co-working laboratory space business has strong growth potential as Singapore transforms its economy towards high-value sectors such as Biotech, Agritech, and Foodtech with more and more companies conducting research & development activities. Serving SMEs and start-ups and in particular those in the MedTech, Biotech, Biopharma, FoodTech, and Healthcare sectors, LSI provides flexible co-working laboratory spaces for their research and development. It also has synergy with ACROMETA's core controlled environments design and construction business.

Chief Executive Officer Mr. Lim Say Chin had added, "Our wholly owned subsidiary Acromec Engineers, with its experience as builders of cutting-edge laboratories will continue to support LSI's expansion with its controlled environments engineering expertise in Singapore and the region."

On the MOU with the Thailand company, Mr. Lee said, "A future economy business such as the operation of co-working laboratory space plus its synergy with ACROMETA's current core controlled environments design and construction has the potential to elevate the Group to a higher growth trajectory. It also opens the door for ACROMETA to scale its business, including expansion overseas."

In its 20 February 2023 announcement, the Group also mentioned that it was in talks for the proposed development of a co-working laboratory space in Australia, with world-renowned co-working space operator who has in principle agreed, subject to binding agreement, to be one of the anchor tenants.

For a reference on ACROMETA's controlled environments engineering business, newly-acquired co-working laboratory and its Future Economy + Synergy growth strategy please see: https://www.investor-one.com/editorial/22635-ACROMETA-Future-Economy–Synergy-Higher-Growth-Rate

Reference:
https://links.sgx.com/1.0.0/corporate-announcements/517KQ9GG6NX97RM4/339498d63b4046b7f328cb64347577597f5e686256a6a656d6b8ee4eb6d5126b
https://links.sgx.com/FileOpen/Acrometa%20-%20MOU_210323_Final.ashx?App=Announcement&FileID=750414

About ACROMETA Group Limited (SGX Stock Code: 43F)

ACROMETA (Previously known as ACROMEC Limited) is an established specialist engineering services provider with more than 25 years of experience in the field of controlled environments.

The Group has over the years acquired expertise in the design and construction of facilities requiring controlled environments such as laboratories, medical and sterile facilities and cleanrooms.

ACROMETA's business is divided into three main business segments: (i) Engineering, procurement, and construction services, specialising in architectural, and mechanical, electrical and process works within controlled environments; (ii) Maintenance and repair services of facilities and equipment of controlled environments and their supporting infrastructure. (iii) Co-Working Laboratory business; currently operates a 6,500 sq feet co- working laboratory space at The German Centre in Singapore serving SMEs and start-ups.

The Group mainly serves the healthcare, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, research and academia, and electronics sectors. ACROMETA counts amongst its customers, hospitals and medical centres, government agencies, research and development companies or agencies, research and development units of multinational corporations, tertiary educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, semiconductor manufacturing companies, and multinational engineering companies.

The company has been listed on the Catalist board of the Singapore Exchange since 2016.

For more information, please visit www.acrometa.com.

Media and Analysts Contact:
ACROMETA Group Limited
Mr. Jerry Tan
Chief Financial Officer
Tel: +65 6415 0574
Email: jerry.tan@acromec.com

Waterbrooks Consultants Pte Ltd
Mr. Wayne Koo
Tel: +65 6958 8008 / +65 9338 8166
Email: wayne.koo@waterbrooks.com.sg
Email: query@waterbrooks.com.sg

Proud Investor Relations partner: https://www.shareinvestorholdings.com/ and https://www.waterbrooks.com.sg/

This media release has been reviewed by the Company's sponsor, Evolve Capital Advisory Private Limited (the "Sponsor"). It has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the "Exchange") and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this document, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this document.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr. Jerry Chua, 138 Robinson Road, #13-02 Oxley Tower, Singapore 068906, jerrychua@evolvecapitalasia.com.

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

SNS Network to Supply Apple Products and Accessories to Kumon Malaysia

IPOH, Malaysia, Mar 20, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – SNS Network Technology Berhad (Bursa: SNS, 0259), an ICT system and solutions provider, is pleased to announce that the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, SNS Network (M) Sdn. Bhd, has signed a collaboration agreement with Kumon Education (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. to supply Apple iPad products and accessories to Kumon Malaysia's students and parents.

Managing Director of SNS, Ko Yun Hung

Mr. Ko Yun Hung, Managing Director of SNS and Mr. Atsushi Hasegawa, General Manager of Kumon Malaysia [L-R]

Kumon Malaysia is part of the largest established after-school enrichment programme in the world with over 4 million students currently enrolled across 50 countries and regions. The collaboration agreement covers over 200 Kumon learning centres and can benefit more than 37,000 students in Malaysia.

As part of the agreement, SNS will create and maintain a portal from which Kumon Malaysia's parents and students can access while also undertaking all services related to the supply of Apple iPad products and accessories.

Managing Director of SNS, Ko Yun Hung said, "This collaboration enables Kumon Malaysia to gain access to a range of Apple products and accessories offered by SNS in a seamless manner and also allow us to better serve and communicate with parents and students through the dedicated portal. These products will enrich students' after-school learning experience, providing them access to tools to stimulate their minds and enabling them to interact with each other."

General Manager of Kumon Malaysia, Atsushi Hasegawa said, "The supply of iPad products and accessories through the collaboration with SNS is part of Kumon Connect feature launched in January 2023 to encourage students to enjoy the learning process together online. We believe that digital learning is increasingly an important part of the entire learning process for students and we would like them to have a great head start."

ABOUT SNS NETWORK TECHNOLOGY BERHAD

SNS Network Technology Berhad is principally involved in the provision of ICT products, services and solutions. The Group's core business activities are the sale of ICT products comprising hardware, devices and related peripherals, as well as the provision of ICT services and solutions and; provision of device repair and related services, as well as sale of broadband services.

Under ICT services and solutions, SNS offers JOI(R) smart classroom framework, which integrates and combines a broad range of features to support effective teaching and learning and, Device-as-a-Service (DaaS), a subscription-based service. DaaS offers customers bundled ICT products comprising devices and services according to their requirements.

ABOUT KUMON EDUCATION (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD

Kumon Education (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is part of the largest established after-school enrichment programme in the world with over 4 million students currently enrolled across 50 countries and regions. Kumon Malaysia was formed in 1997 and is the country's largest after-school enrichment programme providing learning of Mathematics and English through the Kumon Method.

SNS Network Technology: 0259 [BURSA: SNS], https://www.sns.com.my/

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

Resolve2Win campaign debuts in Bangkok, promoting Hong Kong’s legal services

HONG KONG, Mar 17, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – To consolidate Hong Kong's strategic position as a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services in the Asia-Pacific under the National 14th Five Year Plan, the Department of Justice (DoJ) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) are organising the Resolve2Win – Legal Services of Hong Kong, Opportunities for All campaign (Resolve2Win). The signature promotion in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) for Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services debuted with a delegation visit to Bangkok, Thailand on 15 to 17 March. Mr Horace Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Justice, led nearly 30 representatives from Hong Kong's legal sector in face-to-face talks with Thai legal and business representatives to promote the advantages of Hong Kong legal services, encourage collaboration between Hong Kong and Thailand and seize opportunities in the region.

The Resolve2Win – Legal Services of Hong Kong, Opportunities for All campaign debuted in Bangkok, Thailand on 15 to 17 March Nearly 30 representatives from the Hong Kong legal sector join the delegation.

Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, gave welcoming remarks

Mr Horace Cheung, Deputy Secretary for Justice gave the opening remarks

Encouraging Thai businesses to choose Hong Kong as a platform

The promotion visit aimed to let Thai businesses understand the unique advantages of Hong Kong legal services more comprehensively, raising awareness on resolving commercial disputes through arbitration and mediation, while encouraging them to choose Hong Kong as their preferred trade and dispute resolution platform and help Hong Kong legal professionals seize opportunities and develop business in Thailand. Legal groups from Hong Kong and Thailand responded proactively. The Hong Kong Bar Association, Law Society of Hong Kong, Thailand Arbitration Center and Thai Branch of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators are supporting organisations.

At the plenary session – Hong Kong as a Deal Making and Dispute Resolution Hub – Mr Cheung and Dr Patrick Lau, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, were officiating guests. In his welcome remarks, Dr Lau said: "Hong Kong has a large, well-established legal sector full of professionals well-versed in legal systems across the world, making the city the perfect choice for anyone seeking legal services. As business links grow between ASEAN countries and Mainland China, particularly the Greater Bay Area, disputes are bound to arise. All parties would agree that arbitration and mediation is a better approach than litigation. In today's forum, we will find out how businesses in Thailand, ASEAN and Mainland China can use Hong Kong as a dispute-resolution platform."

Highlighting the unique opportunities offered by Hong Kong as the only common law jurisdiction within China under "one country, two systems", Mr Cheung pointed out that national strategies – including the 14th Five-Year Plan, the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) Development and the Belt and Road Initiative – had injected continuous impetus to the growth of Hong Kong and brought opportunities to ASEAN member states.

He further said that as the leading legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific, Hong Kong had a strong pool of legal talents, particularly in dispute resolution services. He encouraged enterprises and talents to capitalise on Hong Kong's unique advantages of enjoying the strong support of the motherland and being closely connected to the world under "one country, two systems" to tap into development opportunities in the GBA and beyond.

Mr Cheung reiterated that the National Security Law had provided stability and a secure environment to enterprises and investors, which was conducive for both local and international businesses in Hong Kong to flourish.

The plenary session was hosted by Mr Jose Maurellet, Senior Counsel, Des Voeux Chambers, Vice-Chairman of Hong Kong Bar Association, with panelists Ms Winnie Tam, SBS, SC, JP, Senior Counsel, Des Voeux Chambers and Mr Tommy Tong, Partner, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. The speakers shed light on Hong Kong's advantages in corporate and commercial legal services and illustrated why Hong Kong was an effective arbitration and mediation platform for resolving commercial disputes. They also provided practical tips for Thai businesses to handle cross-border commercial disputes, especially when Mainland Chinese parties were involved.

The next session, Mediate First Pledge, featured speakers Mr Rimsky Yuen, Chairman, Hong Kong Mediation Accreditation Association Limited, and Ms Ereblinda Sadiku, Legal Counsel, Thailand Arbitration Center. They focused on the flexibility and other advantages of mediation for dispute resolution. More than 10 Thai companies confirmed their willingness to deploy mediation before turning to other resolution methods, including litigation. The HKTDC also arranged a luncheon and interaction session where more than 200 legal representatives from Hong Kong and legal and business sectors from Thailand conducted in-depth discussions on the story in Hong Kong.

Networking for Hong Kong legal practitioners and Thai businesses

During the three-day trip, the Hong Kong legal delegation paid a courtesy visit to legal and business groups, including Thai-Chinese Chamber of Commerce, Thailand Arbitration Center and Lawyers Council of Thailand to discuss potential collaboration.

After the Resolve2Win Campaign launch in Thailand, the HKTDC will continue to work with DoJ. The campaign will promote legal and dispute resolution services of Hong Kong in the GBA early next year, showcasing the robust legal system, solid foundation of the rule of law and diversified legal and dispute resolution services in Hong Kong while helping to better understand the views of mainland stakeholders and their needs towards Hong Kong's legal and dispute resolution services.

Photo download: http://bit.ly/3LyOXfB

About HKTDC

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

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Janet Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4369, Email: janet.ch.chan@hktdc.org

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

Over 7,300 industry talents at HKTDC FILMART and EntertainmentPulse

HONG KONG, Mar 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – FILMART and EntertainmentPulse, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), assembled more than 7,300 leading entertainment figures from 41 countries and regions. The four-day content marketplace successfully showcased a great variety of cross-media, cross-genre content and brought numerous business opportunities for participants. The confident global exhibitors and buyers were delighted to network in person. "This is my first time attending FILMART. HKTDC helped line up over 10 business matching meetings which are all helpful in establishing business contacts and develop new opportunities. I'm sure some would come to fruition with follow ups," said Ms Jean Dong, Founder & Chairman of Zespa Media Group, based in London and Beijing.

FILMART and EntertainmentPulse brought together over 7,300 industry talents from 41 countries and regions. Over 700 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions showcased a wide variety of latest film and TV productions.

Industry leaders participated in EntertainmentPulse conference series to talk about the latest entertainment industry trends.

Popular boy band MIRROR visited FILMART to introduce the debut feature film WE 12.

A representative of Hengdian Film & Television Industry Experimental Zone, which has participated in FILMART for five consecutive years, said: "The film industry of Hong Kong is mature and with the advantage of international connections. It is a must for Hengdian to collaborate with Hong Kong in order to go global and co-promote Chinese culture to worldwide audiences."

Over 700 exhibitors from 30 countries and regions gathered at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) over the past four days for Asia's largest cross-media and cross-industry film and TV entertainment trade expo. The Mainland China exhibitor tally at FILMART exceeded 330, a record, including the three major streaming platforms – iQIYI, Tencent and Youku. The revived physical marketplace was as vibrant and active as in the past, successfully reuniting industry players from all around the globe for business partnerships.

Innovation and technology had a strong presence as the Hong Kong Animation & Digital Entertainment Pavilion at FILMART gathered more than 30 local companies offering animation, digital effects and interactive media – the three major digital entertainment areas – to promote innovative technology development. Their innovations included creative content rendered through digital effects and Web 3. EntertainmentPulse, the concurrent conference series of FILMART, featured a dedicated session on Web3 in the entertainment industry. Entertainment industry leaders also discussed the prospects and potential of Asian content, the hype behind dating and romance reality shows, and Chinese donghua (animation) as soft power.

Growing interest in dating and romance reality shows

Dating and romance reality shows are not new to the TV landscape but are finding great success once again. During the Love Story Wanted: Hype behind Dating and Romance Reality Show session, Mr Yosuke Muramoto, Director and Chief Producer of YD Creation, described how to captivate audiences: "The question is 'What is true love?'. But how many people amongst the viewers could answer that? This is truly the topic that everyone wants to know and what keeps the viewers coming back."

Web3 redefines engagement in the entertainment industry

The entertainment industry is fuelled by creativity and technology can accelerate its development. The latest breakthrough innovation is Web3 which makes entertainment more realistic and engaging. In the session Uncovering the Application of Web3 in Entertainment Industry, Ms Jenefer Brown, EVP and Head of Global Products and Experiences of Lionsgate, discussed how brands should engage consumers with Web3: "We should approach it in the way that fans could understand and avoid the technical terminologies. The way we market it and engage with fans should always be very simplified. The key to success is to make it feel trusted, understandable and not complicated. The more steps involved, the more people we lose."

New era for Hong Kong Movies

Several Hong Kong productions have broken Hong Kong box-office records recently. In Dialogue with Hong Kong Directors: The Spring of Hong Kong Movies? renowned Hong Kong film directors including Mr Sunny Chan of Table of Six, Ms Judy Chu of Sunshine of My Life, and Mr Jack Ng of A Guilty Conscience, which became the highest-grossing Hong Kong film, reflected on the city's cinematic success. Mr Ng said: "It is the script that gives confidence to the investors and actors. Without the script, we cannot go anywhere."

Numerous special events announcing exciting titles

This year's FILMART again received strong support from major local film and TV companies, organising press conferences as well as on-site booths. Emperor Motion Pictures invited more than 80 movie stars and industry leaders to announce upcoming productions at a press conference, including Under Current, Customs Frontline and New Police Story 2. In addition, PCCW Media Limited's MakerVille and Viu also held a press conference to announce boy band Mirror's first film WE 12. A large-scale release conference organised by Muse Communications showcased a wide range of Japanese anime, including the big hit Demon Slayer.

FILMART online platforms open until 15 April

The online FILMART portal is accessible until 15 April. Users can revisit all the exciting content from EntertainmentPulse and utilise the direct messaging function offered through the FILMART online platform.

Websites:
FILMART: https://event.hktdc.com/fair/hkfilmart-en/
EntertainmentPulse: https://entertainmentpulse.hktdc.com/en
Photo Download: https://bit.ly/3JjUkwt

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 any media enquiries, please contact:
Ogilvy PR: Honman Li, Tel: +852 9638 1208, Email: honman.li@ogilvy.com

HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Katy Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4524, Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Clayton Lauw, Tel: +852 2584 4472, Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

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

Avantor Named Best Bioprocessing Company in Chromatography at the Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards

Singapore, Mar 16, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Avantor, a leading global provider of mission-critical products and services to customers in the life sciences, education, government and advanced technologies & applied materials industries, has been accorded the Best Bioprocessing Company for Chromatography at the Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards 2023 (ABEA).

Narayana Rao Rapolu, Vice President – Biopharma AMEA and General Manager, SEAT (left) receiving the award from Dr Wei Kuang Chi (right) Distinguished Consultant, Development Center for Biotechnology

The award recognizes Avantor's ongoing efforts to provide innovative chromatography solutions that enable biopharmaceutical manufacturers to optimize processes and enhance product quality. With over four decades of experience in bioprocessing, Avantor is committed to addressing the complex challenges of downstream chromatography by providing a comprehensive range of equipment, products and services.

"Chromatography is one of the most important components in enabling scientific breakthroughs and bringing promising biologics to market effectively. This award is a testament to our commitment to developing and delivering innovative solutions that help our customers optimize their bioprocessing operations," said Narayana Rao Rapolu, Vice President – Biopharma AMEA and General Manager, South East Asia & Taiwan (SEAT) at Avantor. "Our chromatography solutions can play a critical role in supporting biopharmaceutical manufacturers' acceleration of their drug development timelines and improving the quality of their products."

"We are exceptionally proud to have been selected by the panel of industry experts and honored at this year's ceremony as the Best Bioprocessing Company – Chromatography. Avantor's chromatography solutions have demonstrated innovation and effectiveness in addressing the challenges faced by biopharmaceutical manufacturers, and we are excited to see the continued impact of these solutions in the industry," said Christophe Couturier, Executive Vice President of Asia, Middle East & Africa.

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 (www.linkedin.com/company/avantorinc/, Twitter (https://twitter.com/Avantor_News) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/Avantorinc/).

About Asia Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards (ABEA)

The Asia-Pacific Bioprocessing Excellence Awards (ABEA) seeks to give recognition to exceptional Asian bioprocessing, biologistic, clinical trials and aseptic fill & finish experts, organizations and technologies over the past year. It celebrates outstanding achievements and innovations in the bioprocessing industry across the Asia Pacific region. The awards are judged by a panel of industry experts, and winners are selected based on their contributions to the advancement of the bioprocessing industry.

Regional Media Contact
Christina Koh
Director, Communications – AMEA
Avantor
M: +65 9720 0169
Christina.Koh@avantorsciences.com

SOURCE: https://bit.ly/3yMsNic

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

HKTDC MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse attract over 1,400 global industry professionals

HONG KONG, Mar 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse were held today. With this year's theme being "MASTER THE FUTURE", the event featured over 30 events and attracted more than 1,400 global industry professionals from 18 countries and regions.

HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said in her welcoming remarks that enterprises must keep abreast of the latest market trends and consumer preferences to rise above the competition.

The MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse conference concluded successfully today, attracting more than 1,400 global attendees from 18 countries and regions.

PepsiCo's SVP and Global Chief Design Officer, shared his thoughts on integrating marketing and design. As PepsiCo's first CDO, Porcini revealed design insights on building stronger ties with customers through innovation and portending future design trends.

In her welcoming remarks, HKTDC Executive Director Margaret Fong said: "As global business exchanges gradually resume and new business opportunities emerge, enterprises must keep abreast of the latest market trends and consumer preferences to rise above the competition. With a line up of heavyweight speakers, the conferences featured more than 60 international speakers – including marketing executives, brand representatives, advertising professionals and e-commerce experts, who shared their success stories and provided insights into the latest marketing trends. Attendees, especially SMEs, received briefings on industry developments and how to capture business opportunities."

Think bigger about marketing and design

Heavyweight speaker Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo's Senior Vice President and Global Chief Design Officer, shared his thoughts on integrating marketing and design. As PepsiCo's first Chief Design Officer, Porcini revealed design insights on building stronger ties with customers through innovation, as well as portending future design trends. "We need to understand how to create something meaningful for people, creating products that are functionally relevant, that create an emotional connection, but that people are also proud about, that they want to share with the rest of the world," he said.

Brands need to grasp Generation Z's new consumer power

Highly connected and comfortable with technology, the values and spending preferences of Generation Z are likely to have significant impact on businesses' bottom line for some time to come. Gaetan Belaud, head of Spotify's global advertising agency, shared the listening habits and values of Gen Z, and dissected what such factors meant for brands. Belaud said: "One in five persons in Hong Kong is streaming on Spotify. Audio has taken the centre stage and people are streaming more, particularly the Gen Z population. For the Gen Z population, brands need to understand the kind of music or podcast they listen to, echo that in the brand message, and engage them in the conversation."

The global phenomenon of ChatGPT and new artificial intelligence (AI) applications

The pace of development in AI has been rapid. With the launch of ChatGPT, it has become a hot topic globally. Keith Li, Chairman of the Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association; Shek Ka Wai, Founder of Online Marketing Player and Ivan So, Digital Marketing Consultant at HDcourse Limited; analysed the multiple applications of this revolutionary technology during a session at this year's conference. Li said: "The main trend we see is with generative AI and applying this to business use. We should focus… R&D on applying AI technology for solving real business problems."

Unique insights from heavyweight speakers

This year's event also focused on other hot global issues, including Web3, virtual idols, data-driven marketing, ESG, happiness and marketing, the future of retail and brand storytelling. In that spirit, many overseas marketing experts have come to Hong Kong precisely to present their ideas on marketing – including prominent figures in the field such as Silvia Garcia, former President of the Happiness Institute and Director of Global Marketing for Coca-Cola; Brian Yiu, CEO, FILA China; Moritz von der Linden, former Global Chief Digital Marketing Officer, Mars (2020-2022); Gao-na, Head of Mengniu Overseas business, Hong Kong and Macao region, Inner Mongolia Mengniu Dairy (Group) Company Ltd; Alex Zhou, Chief Customer Officer of POP MART; David Bell, Founder of Pretty Ballerinas; Louisa Zhu, Co-founder & CEO of Meta Human Centre, RM Group; and Bin He, Chief Customer Officer for Tim Hortons China.

Networking brings new business opportunities

In addition to the various sessions and Innotalks, an exhibition area was set up to showcase over 40 suppliers providing marketing services and e-commerce solutions, presenting Hong Kong's diverse and quality marketing services to attendees from overseas and Mainland China more broadly. Additionally, a matching service involving more than 180 businesses was also set up to provide one-on-one meetings between brand and marketing company representatives to facilitate collaboration. Towards the end of the event, a Happy Hour musical performance was held featuring Chris Polanco and Azucar Latina Band for brand representatives and marketing-related companies to unwind, exchange marketing tips and in general, broaden their networks in a somewhat more laid-back atmosphere.

This latest edition of MarketingPulse was supported by a number of organisations and industry associations, including the Hong Kong Federation of E-Commerce, Hong Kong Public Relations Professionals' Association, Hang Seng Bank, the Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies of Hong Kong, and IAB Hong Kong powered by HKDMA.

MarketingPulse Online available from 16 March until 15 April

The online platform for MarketingPulse will be accessible to industry professionals as of 16 March, until 15 April. During this period, they can continue to take advantage of the many features of the platform and revisit the various events online.

Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the HKTDC Pulse Series includes "MarketingPulse", "eTailingPulse" and "EntertainmentPulse", bringing together executives from across the marketing, entertainment and e-commerce sectors to facilitate networking and collaboration.

MarketingPulse website: https://marketingpulse.hktdc.com/
Photo download: https://bit.ly/3JIuWC9

About HKTDC

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Snowy Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4525, Email: snowy.sn.chan@hktdc.org
Eric Wong, Tel: +852 2584 4575, Email: eric.ks.wong@hktdc.org

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

Amazfit Launches GTR Mini in Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR, Mar 15, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – Zepp Health Corporation (Zepp), a leading smart wearable and health technology specialist, today launched the Amazfit GTR Mini of smartwatches in Malaysia packed with the super-sleek design and all-round functions of the GTR Mini.

Wu Jin, Amazfit General Manager of APAC

Forth from left Benky Lin, Country Manager of Amazfit Malaysia, Wu Jin, Amazfit General Manager of APAC, Law Kar Man, CEO of Comsat Distributions Sdn Bhd

Amazfit is the premium smart wearable hardware brand owned by Zepp that fuses fashion and innovative technology reflecting the personal style of wearers while at the same time allowing them to seamlessly connect their healthy and active lifestyles through a range of cutting-edge devices.

Amazfit General Manager of Asia Pacific, Wu Jin said, "The GTR Mini punches above its own weight, offering wearers the flexibility in style to go with their everyday lives, together with the fashionably sleek design and cutting-edge technology that Amazfit smartwatches are well known for. We are delighted to finally launch the GTR Mini in Malaysia as another addition to our range of smart wearables."

The unique and compact round body of the Amazfit GTR Mini packs into a 9.2mm slim stainless steel middle frame and button with a mirror-polished finish, together with a skin-friendly silicone strap weighing a light 24.6g. Designed with practicality in mind, its minimalist style allows wearers to mix and match with various outfits while the HD AMOLED display offers a clear and vibrant visual experience with more than 80 watch faces, including the new portrait watch face, to match the mood and fashion of wearers.

With up to 14 days of battery life, wearers can go about their activities freely as the GTR Mini also comes with over 120 sports modes with smart recognition of seven sports, 5 satellite positioning system and 5 ATM water-resistance. Health-tracking features include blood-oxygen level measurements, heart rate and stress monitoring, sleep quality monitoring and menstrual cycles. The Zepp operating system 2.0, which comes with 16 mini apps including three new mini games, can help manage wearers' work and life more efficiently.

The competitively priced Amazfit GTR Mini comes in Midnight Black, Misty Pink and Ocean Blue. The screen is made with 2.5D curved glass to enhance the rounded feeling and the anti-fingerprint coating also keeps the screen glass clean and bright.

The Amazfit GTR Mini is now available at a launch price at RM579, exclusively on Shopee for three days. It comes with a ONE year warranty and will retail at RM599 each after the launch.

Find out more about the Amazfit GTR Mini smartwatch at https://www.amazfit.com/my or Amazfit's e-commerce partner platform https://bit.ly/AmazfitMY_Shopee.

Amazfit: www.amazfit.com

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

Hiring in the Healthcare Sector Soars in the Philippines with 11% Increase: foundit Insights Tracker

Overall hiring activity in the country improved by 4% on a month-on-month basis
Healthcare industry (+11%) showcased maximum growth in hiring, followed by Logistics (+7%) and Retail (+3%) among others

MANILA, Philippines, Mar 8, 2023 – (ACN Newswire) – foundit (formerly Monster APAC & ME), one of the leading talent platforms, today published the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) for January 2023, formerly published as Monster Employment Index (MEI). Philippines witnessed a 4% month-on-month (MoM) growth in online hiring activity in January ’23 compared to December ’22, according to the fit report. The company Monster APAC & Middle East was rebranded as foundit in November 2022.

Despite the 7% annual drop in e-recruitment activity, the MoM increase in hiring is a testimony to the reviving job market in the Philippines. However, the emphasis remains on re-skilling and upskilling employees to thrive in current market dynamics.

The healthcare sector witnessed the steepest monthly growth (+11%) as health remains a top priority across rural and urban areas in the country, especially post-Covid, and fast-paced innovations have made accessibility to healthcare easier for Filipinos. The country had also recently passed a few landmark health laws focussed on building a healthier ecosystem. This projects a continuous demand in the job market and hence the steady requirement for highly qualified medical staff.

Commenting on the Philippines’ job trends for January 2023, Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, said, “Despite the global slowdown, the Philippines’ job market is showing remarkable resilience, with positive momentum month over month. As businesses across various sectors pivot and incorporate technological innovations, the job market is experiencing a significant boost, particularly in the healthcare, retail, and IT industries. These sectors are witnessing tremendous growth and creating new employment opportunities. Moreover, the country’s robust supply chain and thriving service sector have added to this positive momentum. Overall, the Philippine job market appears to be bouncing back to its pre-pandemic levels, showcasing an impressive recovery amidst challenging global conditions.”

Other sectors that showcased promising growth in January’23 are Logistics, Courier/ Freight/ Transportation/Import/Export/Shipping (+7%), Retail (+3%), Hospitality (+3%), and IT/Telecom (+3%). The rise in e-commerce platforms, internet penetration across the country and increasing demand for industrial freight warehouses can be credited to the rising demand in these sectors. Philippines also noticed positive hiring growth in BFSI (+2%), BPO/ITES (+2%), Engineering, Construction, & Real Estate (+1%), and Advertising Market Research/Public Relations/ Media & Entertainment (+1%) sectors, which have previously made noteworthy contributions to the country’s GDP and have chartered a sequential growth momentum for the sectors.

Across functional roles, the demand for Marketing & Communication (+10%) and Sales & Business Development (+8%) professionals continues to trend as organisations look to improve margins by deploying skilled professionals who add value to their brands. Given the growth of the healthcare industry, Healthcare (+8%) professionals also constituted a significant portion of the overall demand.

The Philippines job market exhibited positive demand for professionals across all functions monitored by Tracker including Purchase/Logistics/Supply Chain (+7%), Customer Service (7%), HR & Admin (+6%), and Finance & Accounts (+4%). The surge in digital marketing initiatives and the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) has encouraged hiring in these sectors. Given the impressive performance of the hospitality sector, coupled with the recent surge in domestic tourism and the advancements in digital booking, the demand for hospitality and travel job roles (+3%) increased in January ’23.

The foundit Insights Tracker (fit) is a comprehensive monthly analysis of online job posting activity conducted by foundit. Based on a real-time review of millions of employer job opportunities culled from a large, representative selection of online career outlets, fit presents a snapshot of employer online recruitment activity nationwide.

Period for the report

The period considered for the foundit Insights Tracker (fit) data is 1^st to 31^st January 2023.

About foundit – APAC & Middle East

foundit, formerly Monster (APAC & ME), is a leading talent platform offering comprehensive employment solutions to recruiters and job seekers across APAC & ME. Since its inception, the company has assisted over 75 million registered users to find jobs, upskill, and connect with the right opportunities across 18 countries. Over the last two decades, the company has been a catalyst in the world of recruitment solutions with advanced technology, seeking to efficiently bridge the talent gap across industry verticals, experience levels, and geographies. Today, foundit is committed to enabling and connecting the right talent with the right opportunities by harnessing the power of deep tech to sharpen hyper-personalized job searches, and their local expertise to aid precision hiring. foundit strongly believes that a job title doesn’t define one’s potential and leverages technology to dig deeper to curate opportunities central to the needs and aspirations of each user.

To learn more, about foundit in APAC & Gulf,

Contact
Namrata Sharma
Namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com
+6581383034