The second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting expects Indonesia’s G20 Presidency to bring about a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.
The second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting expects Indonesia’s G20 Presidency to bring about a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.
“(G20) members hope that the current geopolitical situation, particularly related to the war in Ukraine, will be handled,” Indrawati noted at a press conference of the second G20 FMCBG meeting on Thursday.
The expectation is based on the fact that the global situation has worsened and changed rapidly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine war, she remarked.
Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine conflict has a very dynamic implication, including on the energy, food, and fertilizer price hike, she affirmed.
Indrawati said Indonesia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, will continue to conduct intensive communication and consultations with all G20 members to address the very dynamic situation.
“The G20 good governance is actually based on consultations as well as cooperation,” she remarked.
Indonesia continues to hold discussions with all G20 member states to find ways to get out of the various global economic risks that result not only from the war in Ukraine but also from the pandemic, she stated.
The minister emphasized the current need for an exit strategy since several countries were under the threat of high inflation while the global energy and food price hike will increasingly create a challenging situation for policy makers.
According to Indrawati, G20 members are concerned about inflationary pressures that tend to prompt several central banks to raise the policy interest rates that will eventually lead to faster-than-expected global liquidity tightening.
Hence, the higher level policy becomes the focus to fulfill the exit strategy-related commitment that is well-calibrated, planned, and communicated to support recovery and reduce the potential impact of a spillover, she stressed.
The collective and coordinated actions are not only aimed at mitigating the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war but also at controlling the pandemic. The actions will remain high on the list of G20’s priorities, she stated.
G20 members have recorded an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in several regions that burdened growth, extended supply disruption, worsened inflationary pressure, and slowed down global recovery, she remarked.
Written by Astrid Faidlatul H, Suharto, Editor: Fardah Assegaf (c) ANTARA 2022
The Myanmar Government will accelerate development of hydrocarbon and renewable energy even as it repairs power lines damaged by terrorists while seeking to increase foreign investments despite the threat of fresh economic sanctions, the Ministry of Information (MOI) and Ministry of Investment and Foreign Economic Relations (MIFER) announced today.
MOI Minister Mr Maung Maung Ohn and MIFER Minister Mr Aung Naing Oo issued the joint statement in response to recent media reports about energy shortages in the country and exits of some foreign energy companies, and fresh sanctions against Myanmar announced in recent months.
Addressing Energy Shortages in Myanmar
The recent temporary shortage of power was caused by a surge of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) prices, exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a weaker kyat currency as well as terrorist actions linked to the People’s Defensive Force (PDF). Apart from advocating a boycott of utility payments since 2021, PDF terrorists blew up power lines from the Lawpita hydroelectric plant in Kayah State. These actions contributed to outages which caused hardship to ordinary citizens and small businesses in particular.
However, despite earlier civil unrest, the country has largely achieved national stability since the second half of 2021. Myanmar Government, under the direction of the State Administration Council (SAC) that was formed on 2 February 2021, is focusing efforts on various mitigating actions regarding the country’s energy situation:
i) With the relative stabilization of global energy prices, the Government is seeking to increase use of natural gas for local power generation. ii) The Government will step up repair of power infrastructure damaged by terrorists and increase security measures. iii) It will accelerate power generation in the country from oil and gas sources through new investments, partnerships and actions such as conversion to use of existing facilities:
– the new Shwe Gas Pipeline was completed on 18 March 2022 and will generate about 330 MW of regular power.
– Conversion of some fertilizer plants (which use gas as feedstock) for immediate generation of 30 MW of electricity and accelerating works on other gas-fired power generators or waste-heat projects. A total of about 100 MW of electricity has been generated in Kyaukphyu using 20 million cubic feet of gas currently. After pipeline maintenance, this will expand to 30 million cubic feet per day and generate 195 MW.
iv) Major energy projects with China As its largest neighbour and economic partner, China will play an increasingly important role in energy-related developments in Myanmar.
– With regard to the China-Myanmar pipeline project involving China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), the gas pipeline portion was completed at the end of 2013 and the oil pipeline portion was completed in April 2017. The project, which also includes a crude oil terminal, is CNPC’s largest investment in Myanmar, and a centerpiece of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the country.
– 3 Chinese companies – Union Resources and Engineering Company (41%), Yunnan Energy Investment (39%) and Zhefu Holding Group (1%) – are partnering Myanmar’s -Supreme Group (19%) to develop the 1,390MW Mee Lin Gyaing Project. This facility in Ayeyarwady region involves a LNG-fired power plant, a LNG terminal, a high voltage transmission line and gas pipelines to Yangon. It has been approved by the Myanmar Investment Commission. Currently in the early stages of design and construction, it is expected to start commercial operation in 2027.
Myanmar Government is also proposing to include this high-priority energy project – with an estimated investment value of USD 2.5 billion – in the list of early harvest projects of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) to enhance bilateral cooperation so as to accelerate its progress.
v) Increase investments in renewable energy – Solar Energy: More than half of the 40-MW Letpanhla and 30-MW Nyaungbin Gyi solar projects has been completed. To achieve national renewable energy goals, 13 solar power projects which will generate 370 MW have been launched.
While three more solar power projects which will generate 390-megawatt are also planned. Special efforts are being made to promote floating solar projects, rooftop solar projects, and small and medium-sized projects wherever possible.
Tenders are also being called for 18 solar power projects that can generate 635 MW. These are in addition to ongoing negotiations for 11 solar projects which will generate 300 MW that have been invited. Negotiations are underway to sign an agreement for one of them.
– Hydroelectric Power – With more than 60 hydropower dams, hydroelectricity is a key source of energy in the country. The Government is negotiating to purchase about 120 MW of electricity from the Tapin (1) hydropower project soon. The Government will emphasise proper environmental and social impact assessments before approval. Project designs must address such impact and communicate plans and benefits to the relevant communities in order to allay future concerns.
Myanmar plans to achieve national electrification by 2030 and generate 9% of electricity from renewable sources such as hydro and solar power.
Reported Exits of Foreign Oil and Gas Companies The Ministers said the withdrawal by France’s TotalEnergies from the Yadana field and a related gas transportation project will be effective on 20 July 2022. The former’s 31.24% stake has been allocated proportionately to the remaining partners in the joint venture.
After the withdrawal of TotalEnergies, Thailand’s PTTEP International Limited (PTTEPI) will hold 37.0842% participating interest while Unocal Myanmar Offshore Company Limited, a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation (Chevron) of the United States, will hold 41.1016%, the highest participating interest in the project. Since the first shipment in 1996 about 70% of production from this project, or about 768 million standard cubic feet per day currently, has been sold to Thailand with the rest designated for domestic power generation.
“As this is a change of ownership, operations are not affected. The Yadana field has the largest known Myanmar offshore hydrocarbon reserves. However, production there has declined since end-2021 following 20 years of post-plateau output. Production at this field to date has reached 85% of the recoverable reserves,” the Ministers said. Total Energies is not seeking compensation for the withdrawal.
The Ministers said that while Chevron had stated it would exit investments from Myanmar, the Government has to date not received any formal notification from the company.
A third foreign energy company, Woodside Petroleum Ltd of Australia, has recently withdrawn from A6 Natural Gas Project in Rakhine State. Its stake has been taken over by its project partner the MPRL E&P Group of Companies. Operations are also not affected.
Myanmar’s Energy Sector Remains Attractive Despite being one of the world’s oldest oil producers (exports started in 1853), Myanmar’s upstream sector is still in its infancy due to sanctions, opaque regulatory policy and insufficient investment.
“Although, proven energy reserves are still relatively modest, unofficial estimates are extremely promising. Such fields with potential which are also in proximity to large demand centres in Thailand and China have attracted the interest of several major players. Hence, the Government continues to speed up its reform and has held a number of successful international bids for such hydrocarbon fields,” the Ministers said.
Response to Fresh Economic Sanctions Against Myanmar The Ministers said that external pressure and fresh economic sanctions by several Western countries in recent months may have raised concerns among some foreign investors.
“Economic sanctions may have more negative impact on private sectors than on the Government. Domestic and foreign businessmen and their enterprises, local workers, suppliers and consumers end up suffering the most.
Some sizeable projects that had been approved have commenced construction. Due to the economic sanctions, promoters of some of these projects are now facing obstacles in transferring foreign currency. This has affected progress of the projects.
Should these projects be terminated due to sanctions their investors must repay tax exemptions they enjoyed on top of project costs incurred. Otherwise, their investments will remain in the pending state. Hence, investors may end up leaving Myanmar not because of an unfavourable investment environment but because of external pressures.
Myanmar is committed to providing a secure, accessible and conducive investment environment. We do not wish to see investment withdrawals.
Although the international community publicly discourages economic cooperation with Myanmar, we continue to attract foreign investments. Many of our foreign partners choose to work quietly with us, away from the glare of external publicity, fully recognizing Myanmar’s economic potential as well as its unique challenges,” the Ministers said.
Energy Sector Remains Priority For Total Investments The Ministers also gave an update on investments in Myanmar in the last 2 fiscal years. During fiscal 2020-2021 (12 months ended October) and fiscal 2021-2022 (interim budget of 6 months ended March) a total of 82 projects in 12 sectors with investments totaling USD 4.32 billion were approved (USD 3.79 billion in fiscal 2020-2021 and USD 530.775 million fiscal 2021-2022.)
Manufacturing accounted for most projects among 12 sectors in fiscal 2020-2021. However, the Power sector received substantially higher amount of total approved investment of USD 3.12 billion for 6 projects during this period, underscoring the attractiveness of the sector.
Foreign Investments Most of the countries investing in Myanmar are Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Thailand and South Korea. In fiscal year 2020-2021, a total of 15 projects were from China, and 14 projects were from Singapore.
In 2021-2022 FY, there are 18 projects from China and 6 were from Hong Kong.
Domestic Investments In the last 2 fiscal years, a total of 93 domestic investment projects (61 in fiscal 2020-2021 and 32 in fiscal 2021-2022) in 12 sectors valued at 2,248.7 billion kyat (1,171.8 billion kyat in fiscal 2020-2021 and 1,076.9 billion kyat in fiscal 2021-2022, respectively) were approved.
A total of 50 projects were from the Manufacturing sector, which is the leading domestic investment category, followed by the Services sector which recorded 14 approved projects while Hotel and Tourism sector was third with 11 projects.
Chickin Indonesia agricultural start-up by students from Brawijaya University
An agricultural start-up initiated by three students from Malang’s Brawijaya University whose app, Chickin, has been downloaded by a thousand farmers across Indonesia, has made the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. According to the founders, the application uses Internet of Things (IoT) and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the productivity of farmers by up to 25 percent.
Universitas Brawijaya (UB) in Malang, East Java, Indonesia (ANTARA/ HO/ Universitas Brawijaya)
Chickin, hatched at UB/U.Brawijaya by founders Ashab, Tubagus and Ahmad (Chicken.ID Website / Malang, Indonesia)
The app was developed by agrotechnology student Ashab Alkahfi, who is serving as the President of Chickin, Tubagus Syailendra from international relations, who is serving as CEO/Chief Executive Officer, and Ahmad Syaifullah from information systems, serving as the CTO/Chief Technology Officer.
“Based on initial research, we developed the app in Klaten, Central Java. We built poultry coops as farmers and began our poultry business where we found a number of challenges faced by local farmers. From there, we tried to solve these challenges by means of technology,” Alkahfi explained.
The application allows farmers to control the micro-climate inside chicken coops from a distance. Through the technology, farmers can input data, including daily, sales, and production data, to enhance performance and make it more measurable and at the same time, minimize risks through preventive measures.
The app also offers a number of features for management of the poultry farm, including data and IoT configuration adaptable to climate, temperature and humidity, as well as recording the age of each poultry. Aside from partnering with 14 poultry farms, Chickin has established cooperation with 100 poultry suppliers in the food industry.
Alkahfi said he hopes the app will bring ease to farmers and have a positive impact on them, adding that the farming modernization technology was developed free of charge under Brawijaya University’s Entrepreneur Incubator.
Chickin has seen 22-fold growth in the last 10 months and closed a funding round of Rp35 billion with three global investors. The company is targeting to increase revenue to Rp500 billion by the end of 2022.
So far, Chickin Indonesia is not only assiting one thousand farmers across the nation, but the company is committed to developing the technology to minimize the use of antibiotics for organic chicken through coop micro-climate control and providing training to poultry farmers free of charge to modernize Indonesian poultry farms.
For more information, Chickin Indonesia is online at https://chickin.id/. Written by: Aria Cindyara, Editor: Rahmad Nasution (c) ANTARA 2022
Fullerton Fund Management (“Fullerton”) has appointed Ken Goh as Chief Investment Officer (CIO), effective 1 April 2022. Ken will report to Jenny Sofian, Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Mr. Ken Goh, CFA, Chief Investment Officer
As CIO, Ken will be steering the strategic direction for Fullerton’s investment team. He will also oversee investment performance for all portfolios across equities, fixed income, alternatives, multi-asset and treasury management.
“Ken’s appointment comes at an important time, as we grow our business and respond to the changing environment, as well as needs of clients. Ken’s proven abilities, astute leadership and portfolio management expertise will be instrumental in driving the expansion of our investment capabilities to deliver investment excellence to clients,” said Jenny Sofian, CEO.
Prior to his new role, Ken was Deputy CIO and Head of Equities at Fullerton. An industry veteran with almost 30 years of investment experience, he has deep and extensive expertise in managing portfolios and leading teams across different market cycles. At Fullerton, he spearheaded enhancements to investment processes and strategies, focusing on a high conviction, ESG-integrated investment approach. He was also instrumental in reinforcing the investment architecture at Fullerton, by driving collaboration across teams and investment platforms, and through the articulation of house views.
Before joining Fullerton in 2017, Ken held senior portfolio management and leadership positions at several local and international firms. His wealth of experience and tenacity makes him an ideal candidate to lead Fullerton’s investment team.
“I am very excited to take on this role and work closely with our seasoned investment team to take advantage of market opportunities and drive investment growth for our clients,” Ken said. “We have deep bench strength in the asset classes that we manage, and I am confident that our deep understanding of markets, strong investment platforms, and integrated, collaborative culture can unlock substantial value for investors.”
Ken succeeds Patrick Yeo, who will be leaving Fullerton after 17 years. Patrick will remain at Fullerton till September, and will work with Ken and the investment team to ensure a seamless transition.
“We would like to thank Patrick for his contributions to Fullerton, and the role he has played in growing the core capabilities of the firm. We wish him well in his future endeavours,” Jenny said.
About Fullerton Fund Management
Fullerton Fund Management Company Ltd (“Fullerton”) is an Asia-based investment specialist, focused on optimising investment outcomes and enhancing investor experience. We help clients, including government entities, sovereign wealth funds, pension plans, insurance companies, private wealth and retail, from the region and beyond, to achieve their investment objectives through our suite of solutions.
Our expertise encompasses equities, fixed income, multi-asset, alternatives and treasury management, across public and private markets. As an active manager, we place strong emphasis on performance, risk management and investment insights.
Incorporated in 2003, Fullerton is headquartered in Singapore, and has associated offices in Shanghai, London, and Brunei. Fullerton is part of a multi-asset management group, Seviora, a holding company established by Temasek. NTUC Income, a leading Singapore insurer, is a minority shareholder of Fullerton.
Ken is CIO at Fullerton Fund Management. He sets the strategic direction for the investment team and is responsible for overseeing the investment performance of all portfolios. Ken also manages Fullerton’s Global Absolute Alpha, Asia Focus and Asia Absolute Alpha Equities strategies.
Ken joined Fullerton in 2017 as Head of Equities and was additionally appointed Deputy CIO in 2020. He was previously CEO of CIMB Principal Asset Management’s Singapore office. He was also concurrently Regional CIO and Regional Head of Equities. Before he joined CIMB Principal in 2007, he held various senior positions in APS Asset Management, MeesPierson Private Bank, Allianz Dresdner Asset Management and Philip Capital Management. Earlier in his career, Ken worked at the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC).
Ken graduated from National University of Singapore with a First-Class Honours in Business Administration. He is also a CFA charterholder.
SGX mainboard-listed company, The Place Holdings Limited (“The Place Holdings”, the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Stellar Lifestyle Pte. Ltd. (“Stellar Lifestyle”), a business arm of SMRT Corporation Ltd., to jointly collaborate to shape the future of digital media and tap new opportunities in the digital economy.
From left to right: Mr. Fan Xianyong, CEO of The Place Holdings, Mr Ji Zenghe, Executive Chairman of the Place Holdings, Mr. Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation Ltd, Mr. Tony Heng, President of Stellar Lifestyle
Creating vibrant transit destinations through continuous innovation and a desire to make our everyday touchpoints better, Stellar Lifestyle is the largest managing agent of retail and advertising spaces in Singapore’s rail network.
Notably, both The Place Holdings and Stellar Lifestyle aim to build Singapore’s first Sky Screen, a suspended video screen that will be an enhanced version of Beijing’s iconic attraction, (“Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen”).
As a high-tech visual extravaganza, the Sky Screen is envisaged as a new attraction in Singapore that will be integrated with smart digital technology system and immersive media, boosting new business vibrancy and creating new possibilities in digital media solutions.
Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen is located at No. 9 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, the heart of Beijing’s Central Business District (CBD) and it is one of the largest sky screens in Asia with 7,500 sqm of LED lights across a space of 250m long and 30m wide, offering a spectacular light show experience with high-resolution imagery and state-of-the-art, immersive sound systems as well as technological features that enable interactivity.
Pioneering new experiential marketing experiences, Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen has established a strong brand and continues to be a popular venue and platform for various events, advertisements and media.
The Group recently announced a separate MOU to undertake two acquisitions that includes the licensing of the Intellectual Property Rights for the use in the operation and management of Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen and the acquisition of certain assets and businesses relating to Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen. More information on Shimao Tianjie Sky Screen can be accessed at www.theplacebeijing.com.
Mr. Seah Moon Ming, Chairman of SMRT Corporation Ltd, said, “The Place Holdings has an impressive business track record of more than 30 years in developing market-leading media, tourism, and real estate businesses.
As a financial, aviation and technology hub, Singapore is one of the most connected countries in the world. It is a good springboard for The Place Holdings and Stellar Lifestyle to showcase the convergence of 5G, new technologies and media concepts to bring greater value to businesses and consumers.
This MOU signifies our desire to jointly develop experiential solutions through leading-edge technology for smart commuter-station connections. We are confident that this would pave the way for greater business success together.”
Mr. Ji Zenghe, Executive Chairman of The Place Holdings, said, “Innovative visual experiences and new digital media technology continue to play a pivotal role in boosting mindshare among consumers as our physical and digital worlds come closer together.
As Singapore’s largest managing agent of retail and advertising spaces in Singapore’s rail network, Stellar Lifestyle has created a thriving ecosystem that includes F&B, shopping and digital solutions.
Through this strategic collaboration, we aim to combine our unique complementary strengths in enhancing smart commuting and creating innovative digital media solutions within this ecosystem.
This is an important milestone for the Group as we deepen our business roots in Singapore and create new value propositions with our capabilities in immersive media and digital technologies.”
Mr. Ji added, “With the Sky Screen’s visual extravaganza and technology features, we aim to contribute to the vibrancy and diversity of Singapore’s retail and tourism landscape by creating unique and engaging experiences.
Together with Stellar Lifestyle’s extensive touchpoints across Singapore, there are significant opportunities to continuously improve our service offerings and experience to targeted audiences and to redefine the future of digital media solutions.”
This document is to be read in conjunction with The Place Holdings’ exchange filings on 31 March 2022, which can be downloaded via www.sgx.com.
About The Place Holdings Limited (SGX Code: E27)
Listed on the Mainboard of the Singapore Exchange, The Place Holdings Limited (“The Place Holdings”, the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), focuses on integrating traditional businesses with omni-channel strategies and digital solutions (such as “new-retail” solutions, last mile logistics, immersive virtual reality technology, enterprise intelligent connectivity) to harness new growth opportunities in the digital economy.
The Group has established a strong business platform to create new value propositions within its 3 core business pillars:
1. Property development and property management activities 2. Cultural tourism and related “new retail” businesses 3. Integrated media-related businesses with management & operation rights
The Group is backed by the key management team of The Place Investment Group, a multi-billion PRC conglomerate that has a strong track record for its extensive business portfolio in tourism, media, property management, biomedical technology investments and international trade.
Embolden with a new business approach and forward-looking corporate culture, The Place Holdings is expanding our business presence of profitable businesses with high growth potential in Singapore and China through organic and inorganic initiatives.
Stellar Lifestyle, a business arm of SMRT Corporation Limited, has expertise in property and retail management, media and digital advertising solutions. We create vibrant transit destinations and lifestyle experiences to make our everyday touchpoints better. Our growing portfolio includes mall management and outdoor media & digital engagement platforms. We are also the largest managing agent of retail and advertising spaces in Singapore’s rail network.
Issued on behalf of The Place Holdings Limited and Stellar Lifestyle by 8PR Asia Pte Ltd.
For further information, please contact the following:
Mr. Zhang Wei Chief Strategy Officer The Place Holdings Limited Tel: (65) 6781 8156 Fax: (65) 6781 8159 Email: zhangwei@theplaceholdings.com
SMRT Corporate Communications Tel: (65) 9822 0902 Email:Â media@smrt.com.sg
ASEAN Ceramics 2022 is all set to take place from 30th November – 2nd December 2022 in Thailand. Messe Munchen, through their Southeast Asian operation, MMI Asia, announced its collaboration with AES (Asian Exhibition Services) on 15th September 2021, to take ASEAN Ceramics to a new international level of excellence in the two key markets for the region — Thailand and Vietnam. Through shared expertise and synergies, the first edition of this partnership would establish itself as the most pivotal event for the industry in Southeast Asia, with a common goal to enhance the visibility of advanced ceramic products and technology.
The exhibition and conference will continue to alternate between Thailand and Vietnam every year. Over the course of 3 days, over 100 exhibitors and 4000 visitors are expected from across the world, who will share their products and technologies, extending from classic ceramics through industrial ceramics, ceramic engineering to technical ceramics and powder metallurgy. The event will provide an extensive engagement in ASEAN for global participants who would be able to leverage on Messe Munchen’s strengths through the Ceramitec (Munich) network and Indian Ceramics Asia.
Alongside the exhibition, ASEAN Ceramics will also host a conference over three days led by a series of presentations and panel discussions by renowned speakers on several topics, ranging from new research to global innovation trends and their impact on the world ceramics industry. The conference would strive to amalgamate the knowledge of current and developing ceramic technology, analytics, and product design and keep high level plenary sessions intensely thought provoking. Our special focus will be on sustainability, shift towards circular economy in ceramics, advanced ceramic battery production, 3D printing, durability, green energy, energy-efficiency, digitalization and ongoing research and innovation et al.
ASEAN Ceramics 2022 will promote industry knowledge, collaboration and growth through an exchange of ideas, fostering relationships, bringing new technologies and solutions and opening markets further. The exhibition and conference provide the ASEAN region access to the world’s most advanced technologies, equipment, solutions, knowledge and best practices in the ceramics industry. Since its inception in 2013, the exhibition has provided an exceptional platform for industry leaders to come together, interact, network and share their expertise with prominent decision makers – while strengthening their foothold on one of world’s most dynamic regions for the ceramics industry.
About MMI Asia Pte Ltd
MMI Asia, established in 1992 is a wholly owned subsidiary of one of the world’s largest and leading exhibition organizers, Messe Munchen GMBH (MMG). MMG is the owner and organizer of the world’s leading ceramics trade fair, Ceramitec, organized every two years in Munich.
Nineteen women and one corporate from the Asia Pacific were recognised at the annual Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 presented by the Singapore-based Women Icons Network (WIN). The awards were announced in conjunction with the Collective for Equality Summit hosted virtually on March 24 & 25.
The Women Icons Asia Awards celebrate and honour the accomplishments and contributions of women who have excelled in different spheres of life and are an inspiration to society. This year the awards were presented across Technology, Finance, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and D&I Champion categories.
The recipients were selected through an online nomination process, initially vetted by the WIN Research Team and then judged by an eminent jury comprising of Sherie Ng, Country Director, Singapore-Malaysia, Google Cloud; Tricia Liverpool, General Manager, Cornerstone Global Partners, Singapore; Beatrix Eder, Transformational Coach, Beatrix Eder Coaching, Singapore; Purvi Sheth, MD, Shilputsi Consultants, India; Datuk Zunaidah Idris, former Head of Dealing, Hong Leong Investment Bank, Malaysia and Dr Timothy Low, CEO, Farrer Park Hospital, Singapore.
The recipients for Women Icons Asia Technology Awards are Celine Le Cotonnec, Singapore, Renugadevi K, India, Yamini Malhotra, India, Neha Agarwal, Singapore, Gnanapriya Chidambaranathan, India and Gopi Bahl, India. Winners of Women Icons Asia Finance Awards are Valerie Kok Jing Hui, Singapore, Padmaja Ruparel, India, Ruzi Ajith, Malaysia and Samantha Horton, Singapore. Women Icons Asia Entrepreneurship Award winners are Natalia Rachel, Singapore, Mel Gollan, New Zealand and Sanya Goel, India. Deepali Nair, India and Illka Gobius, Singapore are recipients of Women Icons Asia Marketing Awards. The Women Icons Asia D&I Champion Award winners are Bianca Stringuini, Singapore, Kyawt Kay Thi Win, Myanmar, Seema Chaturvedi, India and Kalaichelvi Ponnambalam, Malaysia.
The team from India-headquartered global IT services major Infosys Ltd was named Women Icons Asia D&I Champion Employer.
Congratulating the recipients, Vishwesh Iyer, Founder, Women Icons Network said, “It is important to recognise and cheer the strides being made by women in their professional sphere of work despite the individual and social challenges they face. This is not just an inspiration for other women but the entire society. More affirmative action is required by individuals and organisations to move the needle on workplace gender equality.”
The panel discussions at the Collective for Equality Summit centred around the topic “Breaking The Bias – Challenging Personal Stereotypes” and “Allyship and its Role in Pushing Boundaries on Workplace Equity”. The session on Breaking the Bias was moderated by WIN founder Vishwesh Iyer, and the panelists were Malaysia based strategy, innovation and leadership consultant Dr Marcella Lucas, head of corporate sales of Google Cloud for Singapore-Malaysia, Sophie Wong and general manager of Cornerstone Global Partners, Tricia Liverpool.
The session on Allyship was moderated by Singapore-based transformational coach Beatrix Eder and the panelists included CEO of India based HR management firm Shilputsi Consultants, Purvi Sheth, CEO of the Southeast Asia global PR firm Edelman, Adrian Warr and head of corporate communication and marketing for the Asia Pacific region at global logistics firm DB Schenker, Andrew Seah.
Women Icons Network has been inspiring women to break the glass ceiling for more than five years by engaging in a conversation with women leaders and achievers. Women Icons Summits have been organised annually in Singapore & Malaysia since 2017. The online platform www.WomenIconsNetwork.com is focussed on precipitating the move towards gender equal places of work across the region.
Women Icons Network aims to be the largest data aggregation and analysis platform across South & South East Asia integrating objective feedback from women and published data on companies to create a Diversity Metric that differentiates workplaces around Gender Equity. The Collective for Equality Summit & Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 were supported by Atlas of CTH Group as the Gold Partner, ACN Newswire (www.acnnewswire.com) as News Distribution Partner, Supporting Network Partner, Women Entrepreneur Network – Hong Kong, On Target Media & Marketing Services as Digital Media Partner and AsiaBizToday (https://asiabiztoday.com/) as Media Partner.
Their gender itself is reason enough for much of the corporate world to be biased against women. However, working women face all kinds of subtle and overt biases as they navigate their way through their careers. From their age to choosing to be a mother, anything could be the basis of unconscious biases. The need to talk about, address and overcome such biases formed the basis of the discussion during the first virtual session of the Collective for Equality Summit on earlier on Thursday evening.
Hosted by Singapore-based Women Icons Network (WIN) to mark the International Women’s Day, the two-day summit aims to bring senior corporate leaders from Asia-Pacific on the same stage to discuss their personal experiences, the current state of the gender equality initiatives and the way forward. The topic for the first day was “Breaking The Bias – Challenging Personal Stereotypes”. The session was moderated by WIN founder director Vishwesh Iyer, and the panelists were Malayasia based strategy, innovation and leadership consultant Dr Marcella Lucas, head of corporate sales of Google Cloud for Singapore-Malaysia, Sophie Wong and general manager of Cornerstone Global Partners, Tricia Liverpool.
Welcoming the panelists and attendees, Vishwesh stressed the need to have such conversations all around the year, and not wait for International Women’s Day to have them. He asked Sophie about her experience with personal biases and stereotypes. She remembers that when she entered the tech industry a decade ago, the awareness or conversation regarding systemic prejudices or unconscious bias was non-existent. She remembers often being told to behave and dress older than her age to gain respect of clients and colleagues.
Through her career, she has worked with Fortune 500 companies in multiple domains. Over the years, she has seen the perspective of equality being at the core of an organisation develop. She is especially hopeful that the age-related biases are all but rooted out today, especially with so many startup founders being very young. Now, most organisations do not bring gender, age, religion, culture and other such factors during the hiring process.
For Marcella, the one bias she has had to fight in recent years has been to fight the perception that working out of a small village on the beach does not mean that she is “beach bumming”. In fact, fighting this bias has led her to put in more hours in work and be online throughout the workday. Employees who opt to work from home, especially women, are thought to give more attention to children and domestic responsibilities, even when they are equally productive Nas their other colleagues, she pointed out.
As companies move towards a hybrid work environment, the idea that remote or flexible working can be equally productive needs to be reinforced, she believes. The questions that needs to be answered here is whether people really want to go back to the offices, and what kind of support they need to transition from remote working to going back to offices.
Tricia feels that biases have followed her all her life. She recalls an incident where an Australian company she was working for asked not to wear a short skirt. She chose to resign the very same day. Being an expatriate for most of her career, most people thought she was a trailing partner even when she had a flourishing career. People have directly asked her how she would lead a team being an expatriate female, and a “soft” person.
As a recruitment specialist, she often comes across clients who give her a specific list of traits that they are looking for in new hires. They even give specifications like the nationality and age of the candidates. She has often discouraged putting talents under such boxes. She encourages them to have a real conversation with the candidates to assess their personality and behaviours, to match the right person to their organisation.
Several pertinent topics like maternity and paternity leaves, breaking personal biases, supporting working mothers, unconscious gender bias in scientific and industry data were also discussed during the summit. All panelists agreed that having such conversations more regularly would help each of us overcome our own personal biases.
The winners of the Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 were also announced on the occasion.
Women Icons Network has been inspiring women to break the glass ceiling for more than five years by engaging in a conversation with women leaders and achievers. Women Icons Summits have been organised annually in Singapore & Malaysia since 2017. The online platform www.WomenIconsNetwork.com is focussed on precipitating the move towards gender equal places of work across the region.
Women Icons Network aims to be the largest data aggregation and analysis platform across South & South East Asia integrating objective feedback from women and published data on companies to create a Diversity Metric that differentiates workplaces around Gender Equity.
The Collective for Equality Summit & Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 are being supported by Atlas of CTH Group as the Gold Partner, ACN Newswire (www.acnnewswire.com) as News Distribution Partner, Supporting Network Partner, Women Entrepreneur Network – Hong Kong, On Target Media & Marketing Services as Digital Media Partner and AsiaBizToday as Media Partner.
Singapore-headquartered Women Icons Network, a cause-driven community platform working in the space of Workplace Gender Equality, will be hosting its annual Collective for Equality Summit on March 24 and 25, 2022.
The virtual summit will bring together senior corporate leaders from across the Asia Pacific in discussion on their personal experiences and initiatives in improving workplace gender equity. From recognizing one’s personal biases to overcoming it and then helping bring about change to stepping forward and becoming an ally – female and male – at work, the summit sessions will effectively be a masterclass on how to be the change agent.
The session on March 24 will be on the topic Breaking the Bias – Challenging Personal Stereotypes. The speakers in this session are:
– Sophie Wong, Head of Corporate Sales (Singapore & Malaysia), Google Cloud, – Dr Marcella Lucas, Strategy & Innovation Leadership Consultant, Malaysia, – Tricia Liverpool, General Manager, Cornerstone Global Partners, Singapore – Vishwesh Iyer, Founder, Women Icons Network.
Allyship and its Role in Pushing the Boundaries on Workplace Equity will be the topic of discussion during the session on March 25 and the speakers are:
– Beatrix Eder, Transformational Coach, Beatrix Eder Coaching, Singapore, – Purvi Sheth, CEO, Shilputsi Consultants, India – Andrew Seah, Head of Marketing & Communications, DB Schenker, Singapore – Adrian Warr, CEO, South East Asia, Edelman
The sessions on both days will be from 4 pm – 5 pm Singapore time and will be streamed live on the LinkedIn and Facebook handles of Women Icons Network. Interested participants can register and participate in the session through the link: www.airmeet.com/e/05867c30-a610-11ec-ab11-3df7b99cdbe0.
The Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 winners will also be announced at the Summit. Women from across Asia Pacific doing some commendable work in their respective professions were judged by an elite jury panel over the last couple of weeks.
Women Icons Network has been inspiring women to break the glass ceiling for more than five years by engaging in a conversation with women leaders and achievers. Women Icons Summits have been organized annually in Singapore & Malaysia since 2017. The online platform www.WomenIconsNetwork.com is focused on precipitating the move towards gender-equal places of work across the region.
Women Icons Network aims to be the largest data aggregation and analysis platform across South & South East Asia integrating objective feedback from women and published data on companies to create a Diversity Metric that differentiates workplaces around Gender Equity.
The Collective for Equality Summit & Women Icons Asia Awards 2022 is being supported by Atlas of CTH Group as the Gold Partner, ACN Newswire (www.acnnewswire.com) as News Distribution Partner, Supporting Network Partner, Women Entrepreneur Network – Hong Kong, On Target Media & Marketing Services as Digital Media Partner and AsiaBizToday as Media Partner.
The B20 Energy, Sustainability & Climate Task Force, led by state-owned oil giant PT Pertamina (Persero), has provided policy recommendations and actions for sustainable energy transition. The statement was delivered by Chair of B20 Energy, Sustainability, and Climate Task Force Nicke Widyawati during the 3rd stakeholder consultation task force energy, sustainability and climate sustainable finance held virtually on Friday (18/3).
President Director & CEO Nicke Widyawati delivers a speech as Chair of B20 Energy, Sustainability and Climate Task Force at the 3rd stakeholder consultation task force energy, sustainability and climate sustainable finance held virtually (18/3) (Antara/Azis Kurmala)
The Business 20, or B20, is an outreach group from the G20 that represents the international business community. “So as part of engaging group in the G20, the B20 Energy, Sustainability & Climate Task Force will provide policy recommendations and actions for sustainable energy transition with three focus on part of priority issue that trigger to the outline of President Joko Widodo’s directive,” Widyawati, concurrently the president director and CEO of PT Pertamina, stated.
In accordance with the directive President Joko Widodo had delivered at the G20 Summit last year, the G20 must become the curtains for bringing recovery and going hand in hand with the principles of energy security, energy equity, and environmental sustainability, she said. To this end, there were three focus areas.
First, accelerating the transition to sustainable energy use by enhancing global cooperation to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy use by reducing carbon intensity of energy use.
Second, ensuring a just, orderly and affordable transition by enhancing global cooperation to assure sustainable energy use across developed and developing countries, she said.
Third, enhancing global cooperation on increasing consumer level energy security by improving access to energy and ability to consume clean and modern energy.
The task force is aware of the importance of ratification of renewable energy based generation and energy efficiency as the main pillars of the energy transition and investment in technology and energy sector. The B20 Energy, Sustainability & Climate Task Force becomes a very valuable source for a range of perspectives, she said.
She stated that rising greenhouse concentration in the atmosphere is causing global warming leading to climate change, ocean acidification and biodiversity losses. “The largest contribution to greenhouse gas emission comes from the energy sector which makes the transition to sustainable energy use becomes the most critical challenges of our time,” Widyawati said.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) estimates and indicates that the global average temperature last approximately 1.1 degrees Celcius above the industrial level. The consensus limit to avoid catastrophe climate change is being limited to a maximum of 1.5 degrees Celcius, she said.
“So there is a limitation period that we have to take drastic action to accelerate net-zero emission and to curb greenhouse gas emission,” she said, adding that the carbon emission contribution from energy is in the range of 20 percent up to 36 percent compared to the deforestation which is in the range of 44 percent up to 62 percent, she said.
However, Widyawati emphasized, this cannot be an excuse for industry players especially in energy sector to not take part in reducing greenhouse gas emission. She said that global cooperation for government capacity enhancement institutionally formed market development, sharing of technology, and financing.
“In our policy recommendations, several parties involved in the energy, sustainable and climate task force G20 include co-chair from g20 business actors as well as more than 140 members that provide inputs in the directions of the policy recommendations and issue priority. The most important thing is aligned with stakeholders so the proposed policy recommendations and actions from our task force will be aligned with the directions of Indonesia’s policy in G20,” Widyawati said.
She said that the stakeholder consultation event aims to obtain inputs from the stakeholders especially regarding sustainable finance. The policy recommendations represented the views of business actors and finance sector institutions, she stated.
Meanwhile, B20 Indonesia Sherpa Rizal Affandi Lukman said that the continuous task force discussion was definitely important to collect relevant information, ideas and insights from a wide range of relevant stakeholders.
“We all have priority topics to be the basis of our works. However, without inputs from people who know exactly the trends of potential challenges on the ground as well as from different angels and perspectives, the recommendations will be just nice to read on the paper,” Lukman said.
The issues on energy, sustainability and climate are very relevant to many parties this day. B20 Indonesia is keen to hear the stakeholders’ concerns, feedbacks on numerous issues such as decarbonization, climate investment and financing carbon market ecosystem, and how sustainability project are reported and accounted, Lukman said.
This is a good example of inclusive and collaborative policy formulations, he added.
