JCB sponsors Singapore’s one of the largest countdown event

TOKYO & SINGAPORE, Sep 20, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – JCB Co., Ltd. ("JCB"), Japan's only international payment brand, will sponsor STAR ISLAND SINGAPORE COUNTDOWN EDITION 2022-2023 Presented by JCB ("STAR ISLAND"), which will be held by Avex Asia Pte. Ltd. ("Avex Asia"), subsidiary wholly owned by Avex Entertainment Inc., from December 25 to December 31 2022.

STAR ISLAND is a fireworks musical show from Japan that perfectly interfuses Japan's traditional fireworks with immersive audio experience, lights, and performance acts, all of which are performed in a spectacular location. It was held in conjunction with the Marina Bay Singapore Countdown in 2018, one of the largest countdown events in Asia, supported by the Singapore Government. This year's show is held for the first time in three years due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

For more information about STAR ISLAND: http://www.starisland.sg/

In 2019, before the COVID-19 Pandemic, approximately more than 19.1 million visitors[1] annually traveled to Singapore from overseas, including approximately 880,000 annual travelers[2] from Japan, which hit a record high. However, the number of travelers to Singapore in 2021 significantly decreased to approximately 330,000 (of which, approximately 6,000 travelers from Japan) due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

This event, STAR ISLAND, will be held with the aim of achieving the recovery of not only travel and tourism within Singapore but also inbound travel and tourism to Singapore from its neighboring countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam where JCB Cards are issued, and from other countries such as Japan.

JCB, which has been working to increase the number of JCB merchants in Singapore since 1991, decided to sponsor this event in order to encourage JCB Cardmembers, issuers and merchants in Singapore, a country who is the driving force in the overall ASEAN market, to become familiar with the JCB brand and understand its value, in addition to supporting travel to Singapore and its recovery.

Event Outline
– Date: Sunday, 25 December to Saturday, 31 December 2022
– Place: Marina Bay area event venue, The Float at Marina Bay (Singapore)
– Official website: http://www.starisland.sg/
– Organizer: Avex Asia Pte. Ltd., Avex Entertainment Inc.
– Sponsors: Urban Redevelopment Authority, Singapore Tourism Board
Note: The event outline and production details may be subject to change. Please check the official website for details.

About Avex Asia Pte. Ltd.

Avex Asia Pte. Ltd. organizes and holds live music events and anime-related events mainly in Asia as the Asian headquarters of Avex Group. Moreover, it also rolls out license businesses using not only IPs[3] held by Avex but also various IPs.

About JCB

JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 39 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 140 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/

[1] Singapore Tourism Board
[2] Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO)
[3] IP stands for Intellectual Properties. In the field of entertainment, music, artists, television personalities, animes, video works, games, characters and others are referred to as IPs.

Contact
Ayaka Nakajima
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-5778-8353
Email: jcb-pr@jcb.co.jp

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

Asia’s fashion showcase CENTRESTAGE concludes

HONG KONG, Sep 13, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Asia's premier fashion event CENTRESTAGE, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and sponsored by Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), which is backed by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region*, drew to a successful close on 11 September. The extravaganza brought together more than 240 fashion brands from 15 countries and regions, offering visitors a trip through numerous phygital experiences, including visits to the metaverse. More than 2,700 trade buyers visited the physical fair and joined online business meetings. As of today, the HKTDC has arranged about 740 business meetings, enabling exhibitors to explore business opportunities both online and offline. The three-day fair also attracted more than 22,500 public visitors to shop for fashion items, up 30% from last year.

The seventh edition of CENTRESTAGE ran from 9 to 11 September, bringing together more than 240 fashion brands from 15 countries and regions and attracting 2,700 trade buyers and 22,500 public visitors to participate and shop for fashion items.

Mrs Chanunpat Pisanapipong, Trade Commissioner & Consul, DITP, Ministry of Commerce, Royal Thai Government; Sunny Tan, member of the Legislative Council of HKSAR; Shirley Chan, Council Member, HKTDC; Dr Peter K N Lam, Chairman, HKTDC; Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of HKSAR; Margaret Fong, Executive Director, HKTDC; Katherine Fang, Chairman, HKTDC Garment Advisory Committee; and Derek Chan and Mite Chan, co-founders of DEMO [L-R]

The three-day exhibition featured 30 fashion shows and events, including CENTRESTAGE ELITES and the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show. Multiple brands showcased their latest collections on stage (Louise Wong – wearing DEMO design outfit)

HKTDC Deputy Executive Director Sophia Chong said: "Technology has become an integral part of our lives. In this digital era, the fashion industry has been at the forefront and is making forays into the area where technology meets fashion, opening up new possibilities for the industry. At the same time, environmental protection remains a topic of global concern and an imminent issue which businesses need to respond. "Inclusion and Diversity", the central theme of this year's CENTRESTAGE, not only emphasises individual uniqueness and aesthetics, but also promotes caring for society and the pursuit of sustainability in fashion to achieve diversity and gain forward momentum in the industry."

Industry cautiously optimistic, nearly 30% expect sales growth

An on-site survey during the show gauged product trends and the fashion industry's outlook. Regarding sales prospects and the market outlook for next year, 28% of respondents expected an overall increase in business in the coming year, while 39% thought it would remain steady, reflecting a cautious optimism among industry players. More than 50% of respondents expected production or sourcing costs to increase, while 44% saw no change. The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the industry's operations over the past two years; 66% of respondents indicated that the impact included a decline in sales/profits, 28% reduced the number of brick-and-mortar stores, while 38% expanded e-commerce business.

Focusing on technology to address environment and sustainability issues is the biggest trend in the fashion industry, with 30% of respondents expecting sustainable fashion or functional outfits to be the most popular next year. In addition, 62% agreed or completely agreed that launching sustainable fashion collections will be the key promotional strategy next year. Meanwhile, 42% of respondents agreed that seasonless fashion collections was trending, while 41% believed the see-now, buy-now strategy was also trending.

Riding the tech wave to promote sustainable fashion

This year's CENTRESTAGE attracted 60 local and global sustainable fashion brands among other labels, showcasing cutting-edge designs and trends in sustainable fashion. At the Fashion Hong Kong Runway Show held on the first day of the event (9 September), six local designer brands – namely 112mountainyam, ANGUS TSUI, Bettie Haute Couture, BLIND by JW, SUN=SEN, and V VISSI, showcased their environmentally friendly spring/summer 2023 collections using upcycled fabrics. ITOCHU Textile Prominent (Asia) was one of the local buyers in attendance. Celia Lo, Manager of the company's apparel department, said the event helped promote local designer brands. She found that Hong Kong sustainable fashion label, V VISSI, which uses recycled fabrics in its collections, is very appealing, saying that ITOCHU will explore business collaboration with the label.

Hong Kong exhibitor Match Showroom showcased 14 sustainable fashion and lifestyle brands at CENTRESTAGE this year. The company's Founder and Brand Director Maggie Lui said the fair offered a comprehensive platform to promote brands that embrace sustainability, upcycling and the use of natural fabrics. "We have successfully raised our profile, enhanced the brand awareness and promoted our philosophy on sustainable fashion and lifestyle products through our presence here. Two watch companies exhibiting at the concurrent Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair approached us to explore the possibility of collaboration. This is the perfect place to gain exposure and to promote our brands," Ms Lui said.

Host of runway shows promote local design talents and create business opportunities

The three-day exhibition featured 30 fashion shows and events. The spotlight opening gala show CENTRESTAGE ELITES included the 2023 spring/summer collections from local designers Derek Chan and Mite Chan's renowned brand "DEMO", as well as acclaimed Japanese designer Hideaki Shikama's brand "Children of the discordance". The show attracted scores of industry professionals, celebrities and fashionistas.

In addition to the main runway show, FASHIONALLY Collection #19 featured a number of local brands, including ARTO., CAR|2IE, FromClothingof, KEVIN HO, Lapeewee, REDEMPTIVE and WHY. Lenzing Group, headquartered in Austria, is a leading supplier of textile fibres. The company's Global Head of Digital Brand Marketing, Vincent Leung, said Hong Kong is a hub in Asia and has the edge as a platform for businesses expanding into Mainland China. The fair is a great place to understand the latest market trends and discover local rising fashion talents. "Hong Kong's young fashion designers have strong potential for growth," Mr Leung said. "We have already collaborated with local brand ARTO., and identified two other designer brands – ABI and moonone – we will work together on launching new collections using our sustainable fibres."

Three other FASHIONALLY presentations were held, with three emerging local fashion brands – Wilsonkaki, along with first-time exhibitors Kowloon City Boy and VO-YAGE – showcasing their latest collections. Focusing on supply and trading of high-end yarn from Japan, Sawada Hong Kong is a well-established garment manufacturer with a history spanning 54 years. Vivian Tam, the company's Manager, said CENTRESTAGE helps fashion industry players explore new partnerships and opportunities. The company connected to two local menswear brands, Sred Namal and VO-YAGE during the fair to explore future collaboration.

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

Websites:
– CENTRESTAGE: www.centrestage.com.hk
– Fashion Hong Kong: www.fashionhongkong.com.hk/en
– Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers' Contest (YDC): www.fashionally.com/en
– CENTRESTAGE in Town: https://centrestage.hktdc.com/home/highlights/centrestage-in-town/
– CENTRESTAGE ELITES: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdyfzVQ93-A
– Photo download: https://bit.ly/3qqtkT4

About HKTDC

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Click2Match helps industry players seize business opportunities

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

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

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

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

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

About HKTDC

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

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

Asia’s fashion showcase CENTRESTAGE opens today

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

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

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

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

Three thematic areas support brands' business expansion

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

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

Various fashion brands unveil their latest designs

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

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

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

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

Experience the application of technology in the fashion industry

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

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

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

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

About HKTDC

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

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

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

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

Dammam Valley and Arcensus GmbH to establish Saudi-German Genomic Center in Riyadh

DAMMAM, SAUDI ARABIA, Sep 8, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Dammam Valley, in partnership with other investment partners, and Arcensus GmbH announce the establishment of a high-throughput Saudi-German Genomic Center in Riyadh. The Saudi-German Genomic Center will begin operations immediately, providing comprehensive genomic diagnostic services for the GCC region based on exclusive next-generation sequencing technologies.

Based on the expertise of a cross-functional, international team of geneticists, medical experts, and data scientists, the Riyadh center will reflect one of the world's most innovative genetic biotechnology organizations, provide its knowledge to clinical colleagues, collaborate with all medical decision-makers, and support the further improvement of the Saudi healthcare infrastructure in line with the Saudi Health Vision 2030. In addition, the partners believe that with the global adoption of Whole Genome Sequencing as the first line of genetic testing, the genomic era will begin in full force and conquer the molecular medicine market in a short period of time.

The initiative to establish this state-of-the-art genomic center stems from the Kingdom's goal to accelerate the implementation of genetic testing for the early diagnosis of diseases, particularly cancer and rare genetic disorders, but also address the preventive element in personalized medicine. The financial investment led by Dammam Valley will enable the partners to penetrate regional markets faster with their innovative solutions.

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Olayan, CEO of Dammam Valley, said, "The establishment and short-term opening of a state-of-the-art genetic center is central part of the Saudi Vision 2030 and a key element to establishing knowledge and expertise in the region. Furthermore, it is a crucial element in the continuous improvement of the regional healthcare systems to the benefit of the entire population. All the knowledge we accumulate here will be used in the next step for the strategic development of a dynamic and vital pharmaceutical and biotech scene. We are pleased to have Arcensus GmbH as an internationally experienced partner at our side. Especially for the Arab world it is a great pleasure to have Dr. Arndt Rolfs, a highly accomplished, experienced and visionary multi-entrepreneur as a partner."

Dr. Arndt Rolfs, Arcensus Founder and CEO, said, "Especially after Dammam Valley's investment in the company I founded in 2020, Arcensus GmbH, it is a logical and purposeful step to go along the path of establishing a regional center for improving genomic diagnostics with such a proven and reliable partner. The Arab countries have the challenge of improving the early and targeted diagnosis of the numerous genetic diseases. But exactly this knowledge, which can be developed here with the local medical partners, can also serve to establish a dynamic and creative regional and, in a further step, international biotech scene. We are extremely pleased to be able to contribute with our knowledge to this success in the coming years."

Under the terms of the agreement, Dammam Valley along with other investors, will make a substantial investment in establishing the Saudi-German Genomic Center. The parties agree that Arcensus will fully operate the center. The integrity of the protected patient data will be maintained, as will the dedicated sales, marketing and life science business activities.

About Dammam Valley

Established in 2021, Dammam Valley is a semi-government Investment company, solely owned by Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University in Damman, Saudi Arabia, with a raised capital of 100,000,000 SAR. It strives to be a source and destination for biotechnology innovation and healthcare in the Middle East and is the Nation's premier hub for evaluating and incubating biotech innovations. It aims to stimulate investment, support projects, and forge quality partnerships in the fields of Health & Biotechnology, in addition to focusing on numerous other sustainable investments in various fields of interest. Please see https://dammamvalley.sa/.

About Arcensus GmbH

Arcensus GmbH is a digital healthcare and diagnostics company that empowers people to take control of their health. The company provides the highest-standard, secure, trusted, and comprehensive diagnostic service based on Whole Genome Sequencing. Arcensus analyses the complete genetic information in human DNA and identifies the predispositions and reasons for unclear symptoms with the help of cutting-edge bioinformatic technology, including artificial intelligence.

The interpretation of the genomic data suggests better treatment options and helps individuals take preventive measures to live a healthier and longer life. From offices in New Jersey, U.S., and Rostock and Berlin, Germany, a cross-functional team of genetic experts, medical doctors, and data scientists works to make the most sophisticated and best genetic interpretation with medical and health prevention applications accessible to everyone. Please visit https://arcensus-diagnostics.com/.

Contact information:
Arcensus GmbH
Ahmad Malik
Communication Manager
Email: Ahmad.malik@arcensus-diagnostics.com

Dammam Valley
Dalal Alsarawi
Communication Manager
Tel: +966 13 333366
Email: dalal.alsarawi@dammamvalley.sa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Magnificent watch collections showcased at World Brand Piazza

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fun events, lucky draws, shopping offers and more

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

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

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

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

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

Industry insiders reveal insights on market trends and prospects

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

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

EXHIBITION+ accelerates online business deals

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

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

About HKTDC

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

Media enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communications & Public Affairs Department:
Kate Chan, Tel: +852 2584 4239, Email: kate.hy.chan@hktdc.org
Clementine Cheung, Tel: +852 2584 4514, Email: clementine.hm.cheung@hktdc.org

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

Blackbixon Cafe Officially Debuts in Downtown KL

KUALA LUMPUR, Sep 6, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – BlackBixon2Go Sdn. Bhd. (BB2GO), a subsidiary of Ni Hsin Group Berhad, is delighted to announce the official launch of the first BlackBixon Cafe & Restaurant today in a tastefully designed 3-storey bungalow house with a roof top garden.

Mr. Khoo Chee Kong, Managing Director of BlackBixon2Go Sdn. Bhd.; Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Sri Ti Lian Ker, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Malaysia; Chermaine Poo, Independent Non-Executive Director of Ni Shin Group Berhad.; Dato' Minarwan Bin Datuk Haji Nawawi, Hockey Icon; Amarjeet Singh, General Manager of Marketing of BlackBixon2Go Sdn. Bhd. [L-R]

The tastefully furnished cafe and restaurant with BlackBixon-themed wall graffiti and art pieces, is located along a tree-lined street on Jalan Inai, off Jalan Tun Razak, filled with old bungalows interspersed with offices. The Cafe has a total area of 5,993 sq. ft. occupying two floors and can accommodate up to 200 pax while the roof top garden opens up to a spectacular view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

The Cafe caters to families as well as office workers looking for nourishing and tasty Western classics such as freshly prepared breads and pastries to a wide selection of hearty and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner favourites accompanied by specialty coffees and must-try BlackBixon signature drinks. BlackBixon specialty coffees are brewed from premium arabica beans specially selected from the best plantations in Rwanda and Brazil.

The official launch was attended by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Sri Ti Lian Ker, Deputy Minister of Youth & Sports, Malaysia.

Mr. Khoo Chee Kong, Managing Director of BB2GO, said, "Following years of planning, the BlackBixon Cafe & Restaurant is a culmination of a dream that started with the distribution of healthy coffee beverages – energy, nutritional and original variants – under our concept of cafe@home @office @anywhere bringing to our customers the convenience of enjoying a cup of healthy coffee anywhere and everywhere. Not satisfied with providing the convenience to our customers to brew their own coffee, we took a further step to serve them fresh hot coffee at convenient locations around town. That's where our BB2GO barista bikers shine, serving coffee from our BB Coffee Bikes, which are electric bikes (EV Bikes) whose battery power is also used to operate the coffee machines. This makes our EV Bikes a totally self-sufficient mobile coffee bar that is green and environmentally sustainable."

"The specialty dishes and signature drinks are created by our own chefs and baristas. Among the dishes are Charcoal Bun Beef Burger, Lamb Schnitzel, Chili Soft Shell Crab Pasta and Black Truffle Squid Ink Carbonara, while specialty drinks include Charcoal Latte and the Monochrome. We will have more savoury dishes and drinks to come as we set up other outlets in the Klang Valley and across the country."

"We also take this opportunity to introduce our BlackBixon Sporting Hall of Fame where we honour the sports icons of Malaysia for their outstanding achievements and contributions to our country. In conjunction with the Grand Opening of our BlackBixon Cafe & Restaurant we are also inducting some of our great sporting icons into our BlackBixon Sporting Hall of Fame. They are Datuk Santokh Singh, Dato' Minarwan Bin Datuk Haji Nawawi, Karamjit Singh, M. Kumaresan, Muhammad Roslin Hashim and Muhammad Hafiz Hashim."

"To qualify as a member of the BlackBixon Hall of Fame, nominees must have been selected to represent Malaysia as an Olympian, World Champion, retired from active sports and have contributed to the development of the sports at a senior level within a sport recognised by the Youth & Sports Ministry."

Opening hours for BlackBixon Cafe & Restaurant are from 08.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m., 7 days a week. BlackBixon Cafe & Restaurant serves only halal meats.

Ni Hsin Group Berhad: NIHSIN [Bursa: 7215] [RIC: NHSN:KL] [BB: NHR:MK], http://www.ni-hsin.com/

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

Asia’s First Hybrid Online to Offline Festival to Bring Sim Racers and Entertainers Rriley and Haneri to Scape

SINGAPORE, Aug 29, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – The Legion of Racers, with support from the Singapore Tourism Board, will be organising the HyperDrive Cities (HDC) 2022 Festival from 23 to 25 September. To be held at Orchard Road, this will be Asia's first hybrid online to offline festival that combines live sim racing, entertainment, lifestyle and technology within an urban carnival setting.

The HDC will take place during this year's Grand Prix Season Singapore (GPSS) from 23 September to 2 October. GPSS is a collection of innovative race-themed lifestyle experiences that complements the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix 2022 excitement beyond the track.

For three days, the HDC will be held at *SCAPE in Orchard Road and will include feature a regional sim racing championship that follows the inaugural E-Cities Championship held in November 2021, along with an electric go-karting experience and a community sim racing challenge with prizes for the fastest sim racers from the public.

The HDC Championships 2022 boasts a prize pool of SGD10,000 with the top winner guaranteed at least SGD3500.

In addition, the festival at Orchard Road will also feature the HDC Gameplay Stations, a motorsports-themed gameplay powered by Augmented Reality where participants complete the various Gamemaster challenges to earn NFTs and rare prizes.

To cap off the event, an entertainment element will be added to the post-sim race event with Singaporean artistes RRILEY and Haneri, who will both perform a set of three songs each. In addition, DJ NashD, who is the official DJ for local artistes Shigga Shay and hip hop collective Grizzle Grind Crew, will raise the decibels on 23 September from 8pm to 10pm.

"This is a unique event comprising multiple elements for the community," said Lim Keong Wee, co-founder of the Legion of Racers.

"We wanted to create a motorsport festival for everyone, ranging from electric karting for young families to youths and millennials who could watch an entertainment segment at the end of the day that features some of Singapore's hottest music talents."

Added RRILEY, who made her debut in 2012 as a founding member of the Sam Willows, "It is just so nice to be performing again and I am so excited to bring my music to a new audience."

The event is supported by the Singapore Tourism Board, which oversees the Orchard Road precinct.

Ms Guo Teyi, Director, Retail and Dining, Singapore Tourism Board, said: "We welcome the inaugural HyperDrive Cities Festival to Singapore's famous shopping street. With its diverse mix of virtual and in-person experiences, the festival will add buzz to Orchard Road and strengthen its position as a lifestyle destination beyond retail. We invite visitors of all ages to join the festival and reimagine Orchard Road's offerings."

Among the partners confirmed for the festival include McLaren, TYCA, Next Level Racing, Logitech G, Monster Energy, and Tarmac Works. A McLaren 720S sportscar will also be on display at the venue during the course of the programme.

The simulated track which the sim racers will be racing on is the Orchard Road Street Circuit, which was produced by the Legion of Racers team. For 2022, the track has been extended to include the Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut sub-precincts.

The HDC 2022 Festival is set to bring more than 5,000 members of the public to *SCAPE while thousands more will follow the HyperDrive Cities Championships live on Youtube.

All photo and visual assets can be downloaded here.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1q7-el4f3XXS2zmflJQpjhFXqsRxEbvxG

Media Contact:
Melvin Moh
melvin@legionofracers.com

About HyperDrive Cities Festival 2022

HyperDrive Cities is the first of its kind to bring sim racing into familiar streets, turning cities into race circuits and unlocking the once-in-a-lifetime experience of racing virtually down urban spaces. The HDC Festival will also feature entertainment acts and RaceHub which allows members of the public to experience driving an electric kart. To find out more please visit www.hyperdrivecities.com

About Legion of Racers

The Legion of Racers is Singapore's first sim racing entertainment and lifestyle brand which combines the best in motorsports and the gaming world. With a studio in Kallang, the Legion of Racers taps into the world of sim racing and brings together online gamers who play in games such as Assetto Corsa, Assetto Corsa Competizione, Gran Turismo 7, Formula 1, and RFactor2. Follow Legion of Racers on their Facebook @LegionofRacers and on their website at www.legionofracers.com for updates and information about sim racing activities.

About the Singapore Tourism Board

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is the lead development agency for tourism, one of Singapore's key economic sectors. Together with industry partners and the community, we shape a dynamic Singapore tourism landscape. We bring the Passion Made Possible brand to life by differentiating Singapore as a vibrant destination that inspires people to share and deepen their passions.

More: www.stb.gov.sg or www.visitsingapore.com
Follow us: https://www.facebook.com/STBsingapore or https://www.linkedin.com/company/singapore-tourism-board/mycompany/

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

Maybank Indonesia Announces Winners of Maybank Marathon 2022

BALI, INDONESIA, Aug 28, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – PT Bank Maybank Indonesia, Tbk (Maybank Indonesia) announced the winners of the World Athletics' 'Elite' road race, the Maybank Marathon 2022, as the contest concluded its 10th anniversary run in Bali today (8/28).

With close to 10,000 runners from 50 countries, Maybank Marathon 2022 crowned Hassan Toriss, BIB 004 from Morocco, as champion of the Marathon Open Male category, with a recorded finish time of 2:15:38, and Immaculate Chemutai with BIB 025 from Uganda as champion of the Marathon Open Female category, with a recorded finish time 2:42:32. Each received a cash prize of Rp200,000,000, symbolically handed over by Maybank Marathon Project Director Widya Permana.

In the Marathon National category, Rikki Marthin Luther Simbolon was named champion for the Marathon National Male category with a recorded finish time of 2:34:49, while Odekta Elvina Naibaho came as the champion for the Marathon National Female category with a finish time of 2:55:45. Both received Rp 125,000,000 prize money.

Widya, the Maybank Indonesia Director of Operations and Project Director of the Marathon said, "At the successful conclusion of the Maybank Marathon 2022, we extend our gratitude and appreciation to everyone who has supported the Marathon since preparations began in March 2022. We congratulate the Maybank Marathon 2022 winners whose achievements have demonstrated strong determination to reach their best, in every category."

"Maybank Indonesia is honoured and proud to have organised Indonesia's first and only World Athletics 'Elite' road race Maybank Marathon, for all national and international marathon aficionados and athletes. The 'Elite' label has placed both Maybank Marathon and Indonesia prominently in the world of athletics, specifically marathon sports," concluded Widya.

Winners of the Maybank Marathon 2022 — the Marathon Open & National Category, Half Marathon (21K) Open & National Category and 10K Open & National Categories — are announced in the official release, available on: https://www.acnnewswire.com/docs/Multimedia/Maybank_Marathon_2022.pdf.

Maybank held a press conference on Saturday, 27 August at Taman Bhagawan, Bali, to preview the 2022 Marathon. The conference was hosted by Widya Permana, the Project Director and Deniawan Rachmatialevi, the Project Manager of Maybank Marathon 2022.

The flag-off, which marks the start of Maybank Marathon, was done in stages starting with the Marathon (42.195 km) category at 04.30 Indonesia Central Time Zone (WITA), followed by the Half Marathon (21.0975 km) at 05.15 WITA, the 10K at 06.00 WITA, and the wheelchair category at 06.10 WITA. For the 10th anniversary of the Marathon, this year's event posted a total prize of Rp2.7 billion for 118 winners, including record-breakers.

Maybank Indonesia witnessed strong runner enthusiasm to join Maybank Marathon 2022 as total participants were on par with events before the pandemic. The support of the central and regional Governments during this recovery period made it possible for marathon enthusiasts to participate in this year's Marathon, said Project Director Widya.

As part of the World Athletics' 'Elite' label road race and its 10th anniversary, Maybank Marathon 2022 enjoyed the participation of 10 elite marathon runners, 5 elite male marathon runners and 5 elite female marathon runners. This year's Marathon also included Indonesia's 9 personal-best time national marathon athletes in the race, consisting of 5 male marathon national runners and 4 female marathon national runners.

Safety and Security
From a safety and security perspective on the 42.195 km road race, the Organising Committee mobilised 850 Police personnel from Bali Police Department and 450 pecalang (neighbourhood / citizen security) from surrounding villages in Gianyar Regency. The Bali Police Department implemented traffic management along the course, mainly on Bypass I.B. Mantra, through the rural streets from Ketewel village, Guwang village, and the road to Medahan village.

In addition, from perspective of safety and well-being for the runners, the Organising Committee deployed around 850 marshals, an approximate 180 paramedics team, and 26 ambulances, consisting of 11 ambulance cars, 15 ambulance motorbikes and one ambulance car with emergency installation standards along the course, as well as 40 pacers, trained in First Aid Emergency Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) procedures to handle any emergency conditions.

From Friday (8/26) to Saturday (8/27), Maybank held the Race Pack Collection (RPC) for participants to collect race packs prior to the race. For runners' safety, Maybank applies a 'You Register, You Run' policy which sets mandatory rules for all participants to collect race packs according to registered name and prohibits proxy to collect the pack. The run slots are non-transferrable, and runners can only join the race based on the selected category upon registration.

This year's Maybank Marathon RPC activity is packaged as a festival of entertainment, featuring well-known Indonesian entertainers, sponsor exhibitions, and a special exhibition for Maybank Indonesia's Sustainability program.

Maybank Indonesia further organized activities for customers to experience banking products through the Maybank Interactive Lounge, Maybank Premier & VIP Lounge and Maybank Information Station, as well as a payment system using QRIS, accessible via Maybank Indonesia's digital banking M2U application, to purchase various sponsors' products such as food and beverages, etc.

Considering the safety of runners, Maybank Marathon applies rules in line with Government Regulation regarding Outdoor Events, outlining the requirement for all runners to have at least a third vaccine (booster) and a mandatory Peduli Lindungi scan prior to entering the Race Pack Collection venue and Race Village. Participants are also mandated to follow health protocols, such as wearing masks, using hand sanitiser and keeping social distance during the event.

Marathon Supporters
Maybank Marathon 2022 received various stakeholders' support, including the Provincial Government of Bali, the Police Department of Bali, the Regency Government of Gianyar, Palang Merah Indonesia (Indonesian red cross), and the Indonesian Athletics Association (PASI).

Maybank Marathon 2022 is also supported by sponsors who played a key role in ensuring the event's success. Maybank Indonesia management and the Maybank Marathon Organising Committee convey appreciation to the following sponsors: Aqua, New Balance, Etiqa Indonesia, Pocari Sweat, Taman Bhagawan, Bali Safari & Marine Park, BMW, Berita Satu, RS Kasih Ibu, RS Kenak Medika, Biznet, Rintis ATM Prima, Traveloka, Rubiyat, Cardea, Gambino, Indofood Ice Cream, Optik Tunggal, Fit Bar, Garmin, Strive Gel, Salon Pas, Bali Hai, Waterbom, Shokz, Re.juve, Pelita Air, Swan Paradise by Pramana, Rhadana, Swiss-Belhotel Tuban, Plataran, Parasol, Royal Tulip Jimbaran, Artotel Sanur, and Tribe Hotel.

Maybank Indonesia management and the Organizing Committee also convey appreciation to the following media partners: Metro TV, Berita Satu Media Holdings, Tribun Group, Jawa Pos Group, LKBN Antara, Tempo Media Group and Gatra Media Group, as well as supporting coverage from local and other renowned media during the 2022 Marathon event with articles, videos, and photos of the event and activities.

For the latest updates on the 2022 Maybank Marathon in Bali :
– Website: https://www.maybank.co.id/Maybank-Marathon
– Instagram: @maybankmarathon
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MaybankMarathon
– Twitter: @maybankmarathon

About Maybank Marathon
Maybank Marathon is an international level marathon organized by PT Bank Maybank Indonesia, Tbk (Maybank Indonesia} since 2012 which offers a full marathon (42.195 km), half marathon (21.0975 km), and 10K (10 km). Various recognition has been achieved by Maybank Marathon, among which: included as one of the eleven "Remarkable races in the world that one must participate before you die" by The Active, one of "The 52 Best Races on Earth 2016" by Runnersworld, Best Marathon 2016, Best Half Marathon 2015, and the Most Popular Sport Event 2018 by the Venue magazine.

In 2020, the Maybank Marathon received the "Elite Label" certification from World Athletics, the former IAAF, the international organization that regulates and oversees the implementation of marathon races around the world. Maybank Marathon is also part of the 175 Marathon qualification series World Championship Abbott World Marathon Major ("Abbott WMM"), Wanda Age Group World Rankings and became one of the qualifying Race Boston Marathon. Maybank Marathon 2019 became Indonesia's National Sports Agenda ("PON") qualification in Papua in 2021.

About Maybank Indonesia
PT Bank Maybank Indonesia is one of the leading banks in Indonesia and is a part of the regional and international network of the Maybank Group. Maybank Indonesia provides a comprehensive range of products and services for individual and corporate customers through Community Financial Services and Global Banking and automotive financing through subsidiaries, WOM Finance for two-wheeled vehicles and Maybank Finance for four-wheeled vehicles. Maybank Indonesia also continues to develop Digital Banking services and capacity through M2U (App and Web), M2E for corporate customer and other various channels.

As of June 2022, Maybank Indonesia has 354 branches, including Shariah branches spread across Indonesia, including one overseas branch in Mumbai, India, 22 Mobile Cash Cars and 986 ATMs connected with over 20,000 ATMs incorporated in ATM PRIMA, ATM BERSAMA, ALTO, CIRRUS, and connected to 3,500 Maybank ATMs in Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. Maybank Indonesia manages customer deposits amounting to Rp111.66 trillion and has total assets valued at Rp167.33 trillion. Visit www.maybank.co.id.

More information, please contact:
Dimas Tjahjono Dradjat, Head, Communications
Email: communications@maybank.co.id
Tel: +6221 2922-8888

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

Subang Parade Hosts Fashion Show at its Merdeka Fiesta

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 28, 2022 – (ACN Newswire) – Subang Parade, a core property owned by Hektar REIT, is pleased to announce the kick-off of Subang Parade Merdeka Fiesta weekend with an inaugural fashion show featuring local designers this afternoon.

YAM Tengku Temenggong Perlis Dato' Seri DiRaja Syed Amir Abidin Jamalulail, and YM Che Puan Temenggong Perlis Datin Seri DiRaja Farinawati

En Johari Shukri bin Jamil, CEO of Hektar REIT

Fashion line by Calvin Thoo

The opening event saw fashion lines unveiled by local designers Calvin Thoo, Toods, Deez, My Syakirin, Tengku Kery, ByTwoo and Bujins. The launch of the Merdeka Fiesta was graced by the attendance of YAM Tengku Temenggong Perlis Dato' Seri DiRaja Syed Amir Abidin Jamalulail, YM Che Puan Temenggong Perlis Datin Seri DiRaja Farinawati and Johari Shukri bin Jamil, Chief Executive Officer of Hektar REIT. Also in attendance were business associates, corporate figures and representatives from Subang Parade tenants.

Internationally known fashion designer Calvin Thoo, famed for his passion for fine fabrics and intricate embroidery of modern baju kurung, and celebrated for his specialisation in traditional clothing and cuttings, showcased his special lines reminding the audience of the spirit of Merdeka.

He said, "My inspiration for today's line is the independent expression of tradition meeting the 21st century, captivated yet, reminiscent of bygone days." Thoo has participated in fashion shows in Paris, Australia, China, Thailand and Indonesia and has designed for the Royal Families of Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Johor and Perlis. His self-named boutique is located in Kuala Lumpur on Jalan Imbi.

Celebrities including Ifa Raziah, Yasmin Hani, Dynas Mokhtar and Suki Low, were also present with their booths of locally made merchandise at the bazaar. Other booths with interesting merchandise include Moore Authentics, Pretty Suci and Inner Sejuk.

Commenting on the weekend event, Johari said, "As the sponsor and a proud Malaysian, Subang Parade is honoured to present Merdeka Fiesta and today's Batik, Tenun and Songket Fashion Show. We take great pride in showcasing our culture and the best of Malaysia. We are looking forward to collaborating with local talents to present more unforgettable fashion experiences in the coming months and making our malls vibrant again with exciting activities and events to welcome shoppers."

The Subang Parade Merdeka Fiesta from 27 August to 31 August 2022 has activities lined up, including fashion shows, performances by local celebrities, a bazaar featuring locally made and produced merchandise, local cuisine cooking demonstrations, hobby demonstrations and a petting zoo to bring families, neighbours and friends together.

Download hi-res images:
Launch Event: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/z72whqsz42021re/AADrj-FRrnsjcmOT6ndTUpHHa?dl=0

Subang Parade: https://www.subangparade.com.my/

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