Category: Local Business

Ni Hsin Ventures into Fifth-Party Logistics (5PL)

Ni Hsin Ecologistics Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Bursa Malaysia Main Market-listed Ni Hsin Group Berhad (formerly known as Ni Hsin Resources Berhad) (“Ni Hsin”), has today entered into an Investment Agreement for the acquisition of a 60% stake in Pride Logistics Alliance Sdn Bhd (“PLA”) (“the Proposed Acquisition”).

Established in 2014, PLA is principally engaged in providing freight forwarding services. The Company’s business includes freight, forwarding, haulage & transportation, warehousing and international agency services.

Managing Director of Ni Hsin Ecologistics Sdn Bhd, Khoo Chee Kong, said: “We are diversifying into the logistics industry to complement our food and beverage business as we see this acquisition as cementing the last mile of the ecosystem where we are using electric vehicles for delivery. PLA has an experienced team with the knowledge and expertise in logistics that we can leverage on.”

Ni Hsin also sees the acquisition as a springboard into the logistics business, especially in fifth-party logistics (5PL), where it can manage all supply-chain processes for customers supported by a sizeable warehouse equipped with Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), which is designed to buffer, store, and retrieve product and inventory on demand. Other ASRS benefits include more efficient use of floor space, increased storage density, increased order-picking accuracy and improved product security for premium inventory.

“Our ASRS-equipped warehouse is strategically located in the Klang Valley and is well suited for 5PL operations as well as fulfillment services business through the entire value chain from storage to shipping to handling returns from customers at minimum cost. The market is also currently facing a shortage of warehouse space and rentals have risen significantly.”

Khoo adds “Given the more complicated supply chain arising from the growth of e-commerce and higher expectations from customers, many businesses are now looking to outsource their logistics management to others and we are in a good position to seize this opportunity with the support of PLA and the resources of our warehouse. We believe the share of 5PL providers in the global logistics market will increase considerably over the next few years.”

Issued by: Swan Consultancy on behalf of Ni Hsin Group Berhad

Please contact the below for more information:
Hakim Juraimi
Tel: +60 12-318 5410
Email: h.juraimi@swanconsultancy.biz

Metech Enters Into Joint Venture to Manufacture and Distribute Lab-Grown Diamonds

SGX-listed Metech International Limited (“Metech” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), is pleased to announce that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Asian Green Tech Pte. Ltd (“AGT”), has entered into a joint venture agreement (“JVA”) with X Diamond Capital Pte. Ltd. (“XDC”) on 24 September 2021 to establish a joint venture, pursuant to which AGT and XDC (collectively, the “Parties”) will incorporate a joint venture company (“JV Company”) in Singapore to carry out the business of manufacturing and distribution of lab-grown diamonds (the “Joint Venture”).

Under the JVA, AGT shall operate and manage the JV Company while XDC shall provide technical support to the JV Company.

The Rising Popularity and Applications of Lab-Grown Diamonds

A lab-grown diamond is a diamond: chemically, physically and optically identical to a mined diamond.

While diamonds are more widely known to be used in jewellery, diamonds are also commonly used for industrial applications as they are extremely effective at polishing, cutting, and drilling.

Furthermore, lab diamonds have the edge on mined diamonds with regards to their purity and hardness, with lab-grown diamonds found to be ten times more durable than natural diamonds. The US Department of Energy reports that diamond-based components reduce energy losses by up to 90%(1).

According to figures published by Diamond Foundry, the total environmental footprint of mined diamonds is much higher than lab diamonds(2).

In May 2021, the world’s largest jewellery, Pandora, says it will no longer sell mined diamonds and will switch to exclusively laboratory-made diamonds due to concerns about the environment and working practices in the mining industry(3).

Lab-grown diamond production has ballooned in recent years, with 6-7 million carats produced in 2020 alone, though still a tiny industry compared to diamond mining, which peaked at 152 million carats in 2017 and currently stands around 111 million carats. But lab-grown diamonds are increasingly pitched as the sustainable choice to price- and planet-conscious young consumers. In addition to Pandora, De Beers, Vrai and Kimai have begun selling lab-grown diamonds as well as or in place of mined ones(4).

According to Statista, the market size of lab-grown diamonds is forecasted to increase its value to approximately US$29.2 billion by 2025 and grow to nearly 19.2 million carats by 2030(5).

The Joint Venture is aligned with the Group’s strategy to expand further into the environmental and sustainability business.

As lab-grown diamonds are created without the need for mining, they are a more sustainable production of diamonds and there are also opportunities to integrate renewable energy in such manufacturing activities, hence it is aligned with the Group’s environmental and sustainability business model.

Ms. Samantha Hua, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of Metech, said: “With better technology and declining production costs, lab-grown diamonds will be a sustainable solution to the declining supply of mined diamonds. In addition, the millennial generation are also more conscious about the environmental, sustainability and ethical impact of mined diamonds. With our joint venture, we have the capabilities to create our own quality diamonds in Singapore and establish new channels to make it accessible to a wider consumer base. I believe that we are in the early stages of this emerging consumer trend and we are excited about the opportunities ahead.”

About Metech International Limited
(Bloomberg: CENR:SP / Reuters: METE.SI / SGX Stock Code: V3M)

Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, Metech has a multi-pronged business model that aligns with the macro trends in the area of environmental and sustainability.

While proactively evaluating new business opportunities to broaden its business model, Metech continues to build on its capabilities and extend the value propositions of its business units.

For more information, visit www.metechinternational.com.

Issued on behalf of Metech International Limited by 8PR Asia Pte Ltd.
Media & Investor Contacts:
Mr. Alex TAN
Mobile: +65 9451 5252
Email: alex.tan@8prasia.com

(1) https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200207-the-sparkling-rise-of-the-lab-grown-diamond
(2) bit.ly/3kFndrM
(3) https://www.bbc.com/news/business-56972562
(4) bit.ly/3udv1nS
(5) https://www.statista.com/topics/7108/lab-grown-diamond-industry/

This press release is to be read in conjunction with Metech’s exchange filings on 24 September 2021, which can be downloaded via www.sgx.com.

This announcement has been prepared by the Company and its contents have been reviewed by the Company’s Sponsor, RHT Capital Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”) for compliance with the relevant rules of the Listing Manual Section B: Rules of Catalist of the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “SGX-ST”). The Sponsor has not independently verified the contents of this announcement. This announcement has not been examined or approved by the SGX-ST and the SGX-ST assumes no responsibility for the contents of this announcement, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this announcement.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Mr Khong Choun Mun, Registered Professional, RHT Capital Pte. Ltd. at 6 Raffles Quay, #24-02, Singapore 048580, sponsor@rhtgoc.com.

Worldwide Debut for Honda’s All-New Honda BR-V in Indonesia; Totally New Design and More Advanced Features

PT Honda Prospect Motor has introduced the second generation all-new Honda BR-V in its worldwide debut at a virtual launch event on September 21, 2021. The second-generation Honda BR-V comes with a completely redesigned look and series of advanced technologies that are not only the first to be implemented in the model but also previously not available among all models in its segment.

To develop the second generation of Honda BR-V, Honda conducted a long and in-depth study about the needs and driving habits of 7-seater SUV customers in Indonesia. Initially, Honda developed a concept model called the New 7 Seater eXcitement (N7X) to capture customers feedback on the concept that would became the second generation of Honda BR-V. After being exhibited in various cities in Indonesia, the N7X Concept received an overwhelmingly positive response from customers, which later became the basis for the development of the All-New Honda BR-V.

In line with its initial development concept, the All-New Honda BR-V was designed to combine the tough characters of an SUV, the spaciousness and high utility of an MPV, with the fun to drive and fuel efficiency performance that has become the signature of Honda cars. Meanwhile, series of new features and technology introduced for the first time for the All-New Honda BR-V, such as Honda SENSINGTM, Honda LaneWatchTM, Remote Engine Start, Walk-Away Auto Lock, and Smart Entry System helped to create a new definition of driving experience for a 7-seater LSUV in its class.

Combining SUV Design with MPV Comfort

The exterior of All-New Honda BR-V presents a dynamic body shape, with strong body lines that run from the front to the back of the body. From the front side, the All-New Honda BR-V features an aggressive and sporty look of an SUV. It also features a newly designed LED Headlamp equipped with an LED Daytime Running Light that integrates with the front grille. On the rear side, the All-New Honda BR-V sports a newly designed Rear Combi Lamp equipped with LED Light Bars, also designed to blend with the body lines. Finally, the toughness of its presence is enhanced with an aggressive new 17″ alloy wheel design.

All-New Honda BR-V provides efficiently-designed cockpit area to create comfortable and spacious space for the driver and passengers, completed with 1st Row Console Armrest and 2nd Row Seat Armrest to ensure passengers in each row experience a more enjoyable time inside the cabin. The All-New Honda BR-V also provides more power outlets at the front, middle, and rear seats, for easier gadget connection and charging. For the driver, a 4.2″ Thin-Film Transistor (TFT) Display is located on the dashboard to display various important information while driving such as Honda SENSINGTM functions, average fuel consumption, mileage, and remaining fuel. Meanwhile, a 7″ touch screen displays audio equipped with various functions including Smartphone Connection and a Hands-Free Telephone available for driver and passenger convenience.

More leather materials has been added for the cabin, including for the armrests, door panels, and dashboard. The spacious and flexible storage spaces also have been increased, including on the armrests, small items storage, cup holders in the console area, sun visor with makeup mirror and lamp, storage compartments with many pockets behind the seats, up to 8 water bottle holders and a 3rd-row seats that can be folded up with 50/50 configuration.

A New Definition of Driving Enjoyment

All-New Honda BR-V powered by a new 1.5L DOHC i-VTEC engine with a maximum power of 121 PS at 6,600 rpm and a maximum torque of 145 N.m at 4,300 rpm, to produce powerful yet comfortable driving performance in various road conditions. The improved engine is also supported by a new CVT transmission system, resulting in better fuel efficiency and more powerful performance as well environmentally friendly emission complied to EURO 4 standard.

All-New Honda BR-V is also equipped with advanced features such as Remote Engine Start to start the engine and AC automatically before entering the car. Other features include Walk Away Auto Lock to automatically lock the doors when the driver walked at least 2 meters or more from the car, Honda LaneWatchTM to give provide wider view of the blind spot area, Smart Entry System to unlock the vehicle without using a key and Auto Foldable Side Door Mirror with LED Turning Signal that will be retracted when the car is locked.

In terms of safety, the All New Honda BR-V is now equipped with advanced safety technology of Honda SENSINGTM. The implementation of Honda SENSINGTM technology is the first time for Honda BR-V model in Indonesia, after previously available in higher segment models sucah as Honda Odyssey, Honda Accord and Honda CR-V. Honda SENSINGTM is a series of advanced safety technologies that provide comprehensive protection for drivers and passengers by providing warnings and automatically take action to reduce the risk of accidents. Honda SENSINGTM technology on All New Honda BR-V includes:

– Lead Car Departure Notification System (LCDN), a system that will inform the driver of the start of the preceding car. At the time of stops such as waiting at a traffic light, the system will alert the driver about the departure of the preceding car.
– Collision Mitigation Brake SystemTM (CMBSTM), a system that can detect a vehicle, pedestrian, or bicycle and determines there is a potential for a collision, will warn the driver with an audio and multi-information display alerts. In an emergency, the system will apply strong braking to stop or slow down the vehicle to help avoid the collision or reduce the damage.
– Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS), a system that can reduce the driver’s burden by supporting steering operation to keep driving along the center of a lane while driving on a highway.
– Road Departure Mitigation (RDM), a system that can supports steering operation when the vehicle is likely to stray from the lane. When the vehicle is likely to be strayed from the lane without a turning sign, steering vibration and visual warning are provided.
– Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC), support function to keep a distance with a preceding car. When driving on a highway, the system supports acceleration and braking operation to reduce the load on the driver.
– Auto-High Beam, help ensure driver’s good visibility by switching between low and high beams automatically when driving at night.

Masayuki Igarashi, Chief Officer for Regional Operations (Asia & Oceania), Honda Motor Co., Ltd., President and CEO, Asian Honda Motor Co., Ltd. in his remarks said, “Indonesia is one of Honda’s most important markets in the Asia and Oceania for both production and sales. Therefore, we continue to develop new models and services to meet the demand from customers around the world, including Indonesia. The All-New Honda BR-V was developed to define a new generation of style, comfort, and performance for enjoy of driving for Indonesian customers.”

Takehiro Watanabe as President Director of PT Honda Prospect Motor said, “Honda is very proud to present the second generation of All New Honda BR-V which was developed especially to meet the needs of Indonesian customers. All-New Honda BR-V will also be mass-produced locally in Indonesia by presenting a more attractive design, completed with the latest technology and features that is the first in its segment. We believe that All-New Honda BR-V will strengthen Honda’s position, especially in the LSUV segment in Indonesia.”

PT Honda Prospect Motor first introduced the Honda BR-V in 2015. Until now, Honda BR-V continues to be well received by customers in Indonesia with total retail sales of 76,846 units. Globally, Honda BR-V has sold more than 255,000 units and Indonesia is the country with the highest sales contribution of 30%. Honda BR-V is also greatly received by customers in Indonesia and has received 12 prestigious awards.

All New Honda BR-V available in 5 color options: Premium Opal White Pearl (new color), Taffeta White, Lunar Silver Metallic, Modern Steel Metallic, and Crystal Black Pearl. (colors available for Indonesian market).

Resiliency and optimism shine through in Vietnam across the video industry

The Asia Video Industry Association hosted its country-focused virtual conference, Vietnam in View, on 8 September, to over 320 international and local speakers and delegates, sharing great optimism in a country that has arguably proven itself as one of the more resilient economies in Southeast Asia.

The conference opened with a presentation on the State of the TV and Video Industry in Vietnam by Vu Tu Thanh, Consultant, AVIA, and Deputy Regional Managing Director & Representative, US-ASEAN Business Council. Over the last 3 years, Vietnam has seen significant developments with a completion of full digitalisation of its free-to-air (FTA) broadcast infrastructure. Competition was seen to be growing at all levels, between telcos and pay TV operators and between domestic industry and foreign services. Coupled with the fast development of OTT platforms, and with over 26 million television households almost all having access to TV and video, it has become a very promising market for the industry. In terms of revenue share, cable is still dominant, and by far the biggest revenue earner at almost US$300 million in 2020, up 9% from 2019. However, OTT is the biggest winner in terms of both subscriptions and revenue growth. Debate continues about the need for and direction of regulation in the OTT sector, and it was believed that simplicity in licensing and censorship would be key, as well as cross border tax registration and payment.

Nguyen Hanh, President, Q.net, shared similar sentiments during her panel on the Future of Television. Hanh opined that the industry as a whole is converging on streaming as the dominant business model, even though the bulk of revenue is still coming from pay TV, and FTA is very much the leader for local content. And content is what matters at the end of the day, with delivery and device merely being the method by which content is consumed. John Huddle, Director, Market Development, Asia, SES, also believes that the industry needs to pivot and look at a hybrid service and pay TV operators that innovate will continue to be successful. “There is also room for consolidation and partnerships as a pathway to growth going forward,” added Huddle.

This innovation is certainly key if pay TV platforms are to reinvent themselves to take advantage of this explosive demand for content. Pham Thanh Phuong, Vice Director of Value-Added Services Center, Viettel Telecom, said that pay TV platforms are competing not only in terms of content, but also infrastructure and technology, to bring about better customer experience. This use of technology to deliver the best consumer experience with the best content is what drives the strategy for Galaxy Play, shared its Chief Financial Officer, Harini Gopalakrishnan. “If you deliver the right content with great consumer experience, the users will pay,” said Gopalakrishnan.

However along with this increased consumption of content comes another major challenge in Vietnam, which is the pervasiveness of piracy, with Vietnam ranking #1 or close to it in Asia. Mark Mulready, Vice President – Cyber Services, Irdeto, commented that the piracy ecosystem is thriving and with significantly entrenched piracy trends visible, education is a critical component of any anti-piracy strategy. But there has been substantial progress over the last 12 months, added Sean Godfrey, Senior Commercial Solicitor (APAC), Premier League, with nascent site blocking in place having been relatively impactful. Much can also be learnt from other successful strategies in the region such as Indonesia.

Ultimately, while content is king, as operators in the market become more inter-related, there is also a greater sense of mutual responsibility when it comes to taking content risks, with a need to share along the entire spectrum, for both investment and recoupment. Summing up this sentiment, Celeste Campbell-Pitt, Chief Policy Officer, AVIA, said, “The more we can de-risk a production, the better. Collaboration is key to our industry thriving.”

Vietnam In View is generously supported by our Presenting Sponsor TV5MONDE, and our Sponsors Brightcove, Magnite, SES and YouTube.

About the Asia Video Industry Association

The Asia Video Industry Association (AVIA) is the trade association for the video industry and ecosystem in Asia Pacific. It serves to make the video industry stronger and healthier through promoting the common interests of its members. AVIA is the interlocutor for the industry with governments across the region, leads the fight against video piracy through its Coalition Against Piracy (CAP) and provides insight into the video industry through reports and conferences aimed to support a vibrant video industry.

For media enquiries and additional background please contact:
Charmaine Kwan
Head of Marketing and Communications
Email: charmaine@avia.org
Website: www.avia.org
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/asiavideoia
Twitter: @AsiaVideoIA

TVS Motor Company Forays Into the Personal E-Mobility Business With a Majority Stake in European E-Bike Brand EGO Movement

TVS Motor Company, a reputed two-wheeler and three-wheeler manufacturer globally, today announced a partnership with EGO Movement as a majority shareholder, in an all-cash deal through its Singapore Subsidiary TVS Motor (Singapore) Pte Ltd. The partnership is in line with TVS Motor Company’s commitment to building an aspirational product portfolio while nurturing sustainable and scalable brands. It also reiterates the company’s strategy to expand its global presence in developed markets, commencing with Europe, which serves as the heart of the e-bike mobility landscape.

From Left to Right – (L-R) Sir Ralf Speth, Board of Director, TVS Motor Company; Mr. Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company; Mr. Daniel Meyer and Ms. Marie So(Co-Founders, EGO Movement)

Led by the co-founders Daniel Meyer and Marie So, EGO Movement is a Swiss technology company providing innovative mobility solutions through a portfolio of e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, and e-scooters. The company combines unique designs with innovative software and hardware to deliver a differentiated customer experience. It has an omnichannel network across Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Germany with plans to expand across Europe, combining the best of strategically located stores with a seamless online experience.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Sudarshan Venu, Joint Managing Director, TVS Motor Company, said, “The partnership with EGO Movement reaffirms TVS Motor Company’s commitment towards electrification and the broader sustainability agenda. We are building a strategic personal e-mobility ecosystem by scaling unique brands which share our vision of delivering compelling customer experience benchmarks through cutting-edge, aspirational products. EGO Movement has a strong presence in Europe with customer-centric products, a unique omnichannel network and a visionary team at its helm. Together, we will address global urbanisation by delivering unique e-mobility solutions with e-bicycles and mobility across a diversity of forms.”

Mr. Venu further added, “It is also an important milestone in our journey to grow our presence in Europe, with the Norton Motorcycles acquisition last year and now the launch of the personal e-mobility platform.”

Over the past decade, the personal mobility landscape has evolved significantly with the global sustainability agenda, increasing urbanisation and advancement in battery technology. The global pandemic also became a key catalyst in accelerating the adaption to personal mobility. The e-bike market has been at the forefront of personal mobility innovation, with new business models and technologies advancing rapidly with global trends. Various sub-segments have also emerged to cater to customers’ evolving needs – ranging from city bikes for daily commute to mountain bikes for adventures or cargo bikes for carrying loads or people.

Co-founder and CEO of EGO Movement, Daniel Meyer, commented “As a Swiss based strongly mission-driven company, we are excited to be teaming up such a highly respected global partner and industry leader. Our team is fully committed to taking the company to the next phase. We are confident that together with TVS Motor Company, we will be able to create more value for all partners and customers of EGO Movement focusing on further growth by following our mission of a greener way of e-mobility.”

EGO Movement’s product portfolio focuses on delivering sustainable products with the latest technology and stylish designs.. A powerful battery is blended harmoniously into the frame, whose ergonomic design allows for a comfortable upright sitting position. In addition, with technical refinements such as a powerful mid-motor including a torque sensor, a USB port on the removable lithium-ion battery and an LED light that automatically switches on at dusk. The unique and innovative design philosophy has earned the company multiple awards, including the prestigious Red Dot Award.

About TVS Motor Company
TVS Motor Company is a reputed two and three-wheeler manufacturer and is the flagship company of the USD 8.5 billion TVS Group. We believe in Championing Progress through Mobility. Rooted in our 100-year legacy of Trust, Value, and Passion for Customers and Exactness, we take pride in making internationally aspirational products of the highest quality through innovative and sustainable processes. We endeavour to deliver the most superior customer experience at all our touch points across 70 countries. We are the only two-wheeler company to have received the prestigious Deming Prize. Our products lead in their respective categories in the J.D. Power IQS and APEAL surveys for five years. We have been ranked No. 1 Company in the J.D. Power Customer Service Satisfaction Survey for consecutive four years. For more information, please visit www.tvsmotor.com.

About EGO Movement
Innovative technology, excellent designs, ten own stores in Switzerland and Germany, as well as extensive service: EGO Movement’s mission is the e-volution of mobility. Whether e-bikes, e-cargo bikes, e-scooters or smart networking with its own software platform – as a Swiss technology company and manufacturer of technically mature products for high-quality mobility solutions, EGO Movement ensures more individual freedom and makes a contribution to more Sustainability as well as environmental protection and above all offers a great driving experience. https://egomovement.com/de/de/

Media contacts:Namrata Sharma – namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.comNeha Chaturvedi – neha.chaturvedi@adfactorspr.com

Alpha DX Group Completes Acquisition of DiDi Academy

Alpha DX Group Limited, (“Alpha DX”, the “Company” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), a premier learning and education solution company, is pleased to announce that it completed the acquisition of DiDi Academy as approved by the Company’s shareholders via an EGM held on 8 September 2021.

Separately, under the Addendum to the MOU (“Addedum”), DiDi Academy has been appointed as a service provider in “Next Generation” University – the Asnaro University of Uzbekistan (“PROJECT ASNARO”), the project Alpha DX entered into a memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) with the Republic of Uzbekistan (Ministry of Higher Education and Secondary Specialized Education of Uzbekistan) (“Uzbek MHSSE”) to build and operate together, as previously announced.

Furthermore, DiDi Academy will also develop collaborations and partnerships between Universities in Uzbekistan and Universities in Japan to facilitate various joint programs, including but not limited to, such as student exchange programs and joint degree programs among partner Universities in both countries.

Subject to the entry of binding agreements, Didi Academy is expected to receive agreed fees of no less than US$1.56 million over a five-year period to provide representations and campuses in Japan for Universities in Uzbekistan, on top of additional service fees from such joint programs.

DiDi Academy is also in advanced stage of negotiations for formal collaborations and partnership with several academic institutions and businesses in Japan to offer EduTrust certified educational and training programs to students and working professionals in Japan through a new licensing agreement that is in discussions with ERC Institute Pte. Ltd. (“ERCI”).

As one of the leading higher education & learning private institutions in Singapore, ERCI is engaged in the business of providing various EduTrust certified academic programs through collaborations with global institutions, which includes Advanced Diploma Programs, Bachelor’s Degree Programs, Master’s Degree Programs and corporate training services.

Alpha DX’s CEO, Mr Daiji Yamada, said, “As a pioneer in offering alternative choices in the academic path for students in Japan, DiDi Academy has the first mover advantage within Japan’s education market which has a combined market size of approximately S$91 billion per annum, comprising domestic education service of S$33 billion and higher education (Universities and Colleges) of S$58 billion.

Utilising our extensive range of digital technology to deliver the education and training programs will create a new emerging blue ocean segment within the massive education and learning market in Japan, hence DiDi Academy is expected to undertake a key strategic role in the Group’s growth plans ahead.”

The Company will continue to provide timely updates to shareholders as each new arrangement and partnership is being finalised and executed.

About Alpha DX Group Limited
(Bloomberg: ALEN:SP / Reuters: ALPH.SI/ SGX Stock Code: VVL)

Listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange, Alpha DX Group Limited (“Alpha DX”) is one of the region’s leading learning solution companies.

Led by the veterans in Technology, Education, Corporate Training and Business consultancy in both the Board of Directors and the management team, Alpha DX provides next generation Expanded Reality (XR)* integrated solutions in learning and education market that enable our customers to create engaging, fully immersive, super enhanced learning and training experiences of the future – next generation educational Institutions, multi-dimensional learning design methodologies, digital content conversion and creation platform, ubiquitous learning super platform and systems with the relevant technologies – all under one roof.

With a strategic focus on integrating XR technologies to create a personalised and digitally enhanced learning experience, Alpha DX aims to offer new value propositions, with its integrated ubiquitous learning solutions, to serve both today’s and the future needs of diverse learners across all genders, ages, cultures and purposes.

For more information, please visit www.alpha-dx.com.sg

Issued on behalf of Alpha DX Group Limited. by 8PR Asia Pte Ltd.
Media & Investor Contacts:
Mr. Alex TAN
Mobile: +65 9451 5252
Email: alex.tan@8prasia.com

This press release has been reviewed by the Company’s sponsor, PrimePartners Corporate Finance Pte. Ltd. (the “Sponsor”). It has not been examined or approved by the Singapore Exchange Securities Trading Limited (the “Exchange”) and the Exchange assumes no responsibility for the contents of this press release, including the correctness of any of the statements or opinions made or reports contained in this press release.

The contact person for the Sponsor is Ms Ng Shi Qing, 16 Collyer Quay, #10-00 Income at Raffles, Singapore 049318, sponsorship@ppcf.com.sg.

19th Global Edition of World Blockchain Summit Returns to Dubai with Live, In-person Event

The 19th Global Edition of the World Blockchain Summit series marks its return to Dubai for the first time since the ongoing pandemic. Taking place on 13-14 October 2021 at the JW Marriot Marquis Hotel Dubai, UAE, the World Blockchain Summit (bit.ly/3EbNxlk) will be one of the most elite gatherings within the global crypto and blockchain ecosystem.

The summit features presentations, use-case studies and educational sessions by global technology providers who are showcasing their latest innovations designed with the primary focus on enabling businesses and organizations to adopt Blockchain and Crypto solutions.

The summit will focus on addressing some of the most pressing topics in the crypto and blockchain ecosystem including, the ecosystem roadmap to mass adoption, NFT market overview, Web 3.0, implementation of Blockchain in business and how to navigate crypto as a venture fund.

The global blockchain and crypto summit series will bring together a wide network of regional and global blockchain and crypto professionals and experts, governments, entrepreneurs, major industry executives, and investors, including Alex Mashinsky, Founder and CEO, Celsius Network; Serguei Popov, Founder, IOTA Foundation; Stephen Stonberg, CEO, Bittrex Global; Dr Marwan Alzarouni, CEO, Dubai Blockchain Center; Alex Hoptner, CEO, 100x Group and BitMEX; Metakovan, Financier, Metapurse; Nick Spanos, Bitcoin Pioneer among other top speakers.

The two-day conference will also include a desert safari on 12 October 2021 and a pre-event party on 13 October 2021. Pegasus Tech Ventures’ regional Start-up World Cup will take place on 14 October 2021 for businesses from across the world that are preparing to launch their business or are already established and want to expand in UAE.

Trescon Investor Connect that has a prime responsibility to create and qualify a pool of investors, HNI’s, family-owned business houses (FOB’s) and VC firms in respective regions will see investors attending WBS Dubai to invest in emerging technologies, and forging partnerships with key stakeholders responsible for curating these eco-systems.

Mithun Shetty, CEO, Trescon stated that “World Blockchain Summit is back in Dubai and once again offers a unique opportunity to interact with global blockchain influencers along with curated investors and key government delegates.” He further added, “We are delighted to open the doors to the highly-anticipated 19th global edition of the summit and solidify its position as the most influential crypto and blockchain event on the planet.”

World Blockchain Summit – Dubai 2021 is officially sponsored by:
– Lead Sponsor – Amber Group, Co-Lead Sponsor – GSR
– Diamond Sponsor – Gaugecash;
– Platinum Sponsors – Phemex, unFederalReserve and Aery Real Estate Blockchain
– Gold Sponsor – Fast Private Jet and Polytrade
– Silver Sponsor – Revomon, Coin Liquidity Solutions, Vent Finance, ByteDex and Adshares
– Lanyard Sponsor – Coinovy
– Bronze Sponsor – ZB.com, PADCoin; Splyt Core Foundation and Aurora Labs
– Pitch Partner – Autonomy Network
– Exhibitor – Tcoin.one, Xive, Kauri.Finance and Conreality

More information about WBS Dubai will be out in the coming weeks. Visit World Blockchain Summit – Dubai to know more about the summit (bit.ly/3EbNxlk).

About World Blockchain Summit

World Blockchain Summit is a global series of elite gatherings that takes place in 16+ destinations across the world. It connects global blockchain gurus and technology players in this space including emerging startups – with regional businesses, government authorities, IT leaders, tech entrepreneurs, investors, and blockchain developers.

For further details about the announcement, please contact:
Karthik A,
Marketing lead,
Trescon
media@tresconglobal.com

The 29th Edition of the Trescon’s World AI & RPA Show Paved the Way for AI and RPA in the MENA Region

A clear, unambiguous, and widely communicated AI strategy is critical to the successful transformation of any IT organization; especially in this new normal. Pandemic or no pandemic – MENA had already witnessed an unprecedented adoption of AI over the past few years, and it continues to be one of the most vital and fast-growing businesses across MENA.

To discuss this in detail, Trescon hosted more than 20 thought leaders and early adopters of future-tech who presented their ideas, innovations and case studies to an audience of IT Decision Makers, alongside leading solution providers such as Darktrace, Incorta, yellow.ai, Happiest Minds, and Uniphore to discuss the MENA region’s AI prospects.

The event focused on key topics such as Defensive AI technologies uniquely positioned to fight back, overcoming challenges of legacy infrastructure, data protection policy, skilled labour, and of course the pandemic situation which made shifting to Work from Home situations, Implementation of AI and RPA making the Govt. Operations more efficient, and much more.

Some of the top speakers who attended the event included:
– Eng Isha Aljassmy, IT Director, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE
– Latifa Saleh Alshehhi, Head of Algorithms Development and Analysis, Future of Data Department, Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Center (FCSC), Ministry of Cabinet Affairs, UAE
– Dr Khaled Alhazmi, Director of the National Center for Robotics and Internet of Things Technology, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Saudi Arabia
– Al-qahtani Fawaz, IP Commercialization Manager for ICT Portfolio, Qatar Foundation Research, Development and Innovation RDI, Qatar
– Fayez Aldosari, Cyber and Information Security Audit Head, VP at the Saudi National Bank
– Hariprasad Chede, CIS, National Bank of Fujairah, UAE

Key highlights and takeaways from World AI & RPA Show included:

Mr Salem Al Gharbi, General Manager, Energy-AI Advisory, SDAIA, Riyadh Saudi Arabia conducting his keynote spoke about the impact of AI and ML in our lives. He also shared his insights on how an individual or an organization can start their journey into AI/Ml.

Max Heinemeyer, Director of Threat Hunting, Darktrace discussed how rapidly AI-based technological advancements are evolving and how cyber-criminals are leveraging AI tools to create sophisticated cyberweapons. Max spoke about why defensive AI technologies are uniquely positioned to fight back this AI-enhanced malware. He said, “In the face of quickly changing, unforeseen conditions, the old way of handling security – setting rules for what employees are authorized to do and trying to predict what might go wrong based on history – is useless.”

In an interesting panel discussion on the topic “The impacts of AI and RPA on the customer experience,” the thought leaders discussed the importance of AI in developing a superior customer-focused business. They spoke about how content personalization, using AI, drives predictive analytics and improves one’s long-term customer retention, and how the evolution of voice technology & conversational AI is stepping into the spotlight.

The panellists included Anil Kumar, Senior Director Middle East, and Africa, Uniphore; Sanjeev Madavi, Digital Transformation Office, Khimji Ramdas Llc, Oman; Imtiaz Adam, Founder, Director Strategy & Data Science, Deep Learn Strategies Limited London; Anas Shehab, CIO, Muvi Cinemas, Riyadh, KSA; Ahmed Sharaf El Din, Head of Process Re-engineering, Ebe Bank, Egypt; Ashraf Gaber, Regional Director Publications and Editorial, Techx Media.

Neil Barman, Chief Growth Officer, yellow.ai spoke about how customer experience is going to be important for brands and how companies are evolving to solve this problem with automation and AI. Mr Neil discussed some use cases for AI like enabling end mile revenue cycle management for hospitals, digitizing the financial service industry, and hyper-automation. He added, “Customer experience is a brand differentiator. Whether I go for KFC, Dominos, or Burger King is often decided by the experience I had with the brand in my last interaction.”

He further added, “yellow.ai is the world’s leading Conversational AI and CX Automation Platform, recognized by Gartner, IDC & G2 crowd as a leader and trusted by 700+ global enterprises in 50 countries. Weaving in the best of AI and human intelligence to elevate customer and user experiences for sales, marketing, commerce and internal business support, we aim to democratize AI through its no-code/low-code bot builders, omnichannel virtual assistants, and ticketing automation. We were delighted to be a part of ‘World AI & RPA Show’ with Trescon, an excellent thought-leadership-driven, business-focused platform for the industry,” stated Vartika Verma, Global VP, Marketing, yellow.ai.

Ahmed Tarek, EMEA Head of Sales Engineering, Incorta spoke about how AI can help businesses make better and faster decisions. He then discussed some of the key points that help achieve success in this field and he also gave a few brand examples that have found success.

He stated, “In a self-service way, organizations can attain greater analytical capabilities. Data and analytics leaders should evaluate these Cool Vendors to establish synergies among automation, augmentation, contextualization, and composability to accomplish more productive self-service analytics and data science.”

“Choosing the ideal commercial framework for AI is an important aspect of the game since it offers up a lot of doors. However, new technologies like AI must be reframed and incorporated into a company’s use case,” stated Mithun Shetty, CEO, Trescon. “Virtual gatherings provide an opportunity for such conversations to take place during these challenging times,” he added.

The show was hosted on the virtual events platform Vmeets which helped the participants to network and conduct business in an interactive and immersive virtual environment. Participants were also able to engage with speakers in Q&A sessions and network with solution providers in virtual exhibition booths, private consultation rooms, and private networking rooms.

World AI & RPA Show Mena was officially sponsored by Official Ai Cyber Security Partner – Darktrace; Gold Sponsor – Incorta, Yellow.ai, Happiest Mind; and Silver Sponsor – Uniphore.

About World AI & RPA Show – MENA

The World AI & RPA Show is a global series of events centered on thought leadership and business that takes place in key locations around the world.

This MENA edition virtually united pre-qualified CIOs, CEOs, CTOs, Heads of AI, Chief Digital Officers, Heads of Innovation, and International AI and RPA specialists from the industry as part of the global tour.

For further details, please contact:
Jagriti Jaiswal,
Media, PR & Corporate Communications,
Trescon
marketing@tresconglobal.com

CEKD Berhad Launches Prospectus to Raise RM24.28 Million from IPO

CEKD BERHAD (“CEKD” or the “Group”), a die-cutting solutions provider as well as manufacturer of die-cutting moulds and trader of related consumables, tools and accessories enroute to a listing on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (Bursa Securities), is pleased to announce the launch of the Group’s prospectus for the initial public offering (IPO).

The Group aims to raise RM24.28 million from its upcoming listing. The IPO involves the public issue of 50.59 million new shares at the issue price of RM0.48 sen per share, to be made available for application in the following manner:

Public issue:
– 9.73 million new shares will be available for application to the Malaysian public;
– 9.73 million new shares will be allocated for application by eligible directors, employees and persons who have contributed to the success of the Group;
– 6.81 million new shares by way of private placement to selected investors; and
– 24.32 million shares by way of private placement to Bumiputera investors approved by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (MITI).

The Utilisation of Proceeds table as below:
https://www.acnnewswire.com/topimg/Low_CEKD202109062.jpg

Managing Director of CEKD, Yap Kai Ning, said: “The forthcoming listing of CEKD Berhad marks a significant milestone in our history. This IPO will not only strengthen our presence in the industry as a leading die-cutting solutions provider and manufacturer but also raise our profile to help us in our expansion plans. We are committed to sustaining our reputation and creating value for our shareholders.”

“The proceeds from the IPO will go towards acquiring laser-cutting machines and automatic steel rule processors to support business expansion and increase our production efficiency. Our production capability will be enhanced with the upgrading of our computer software and servers and this will support business growth. Besides the purchase of machinery and equipment, we are also going to acquire a factory for Hotstar located in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.”

As at 6 August 2021, the Group has a large and diverse customer base of 1,309 customers while the Group achieved an average gross profit margin of 48.3% from FYE 2018 to FYE 2020.

Managing Director of Corporate Finance, M&A Securities Sdn Bhd (M&A Securities), Datuk Bill Tan said: “As of today, we have received positive response from investors for CEKD’s IPO and we are pleased to play a significant role in its goal to become a public listed company. This milestone today is the result of the hard work and dedication of the CEKD team. They are experienced and committed with operational expertise and in-depth knowledge of the manufacturing of die-cutting moulds and trading of related consumables, tools and accessories. The IPO will strengthen CEKD’s foothold in the industry.”

CEKD’s Adviser, Sponsor, Sole Underwriter and Placement Agent in relation to the IPO is M&A Securities. Pursuant to the underwriting agreement, M&A Securities will be underwriting for shares available for application by the Malaysian public.

Please contact the below for more information:
Hakim Juraimi
Tel: +60 12-318 5410
Email: h.juraimi@swanconsultancy.biz

ZALL Smart Commerce Group (2098.HK) increased revenue by 40.3% in 1H2021, aims for RMB100 billion on year

ZALL Smart Commerce Group (ZALL; 2098.HK), Asia’s largest B2B e-commerce group, today announced its results for the first half 2021 (January 1 – June 30, 2021). ZALL’s revenue rose by 40.3 per cent year-on-year to RMB 50.16 billion (US$7.76 billion), on the back of stronger Group operating capacity. Gross profit rose to RMB 607 million (US$93.96 million), an increase of 8.1 per cent year-on-year, and profitability remained stable.

Revenues from ZALL’s offline wholesale markets and online Industrial Internet platforms such as Shenzhen Sinoagri, ZALL Steel, and Huasuhui steadily increased, benefitting from the gradual increase of services in ZALL’s ecosystem, spanning wholesale trade markets, agriculture, steel, plastics and chemicals and other industries. Supply chain services such as finance, warehousing, and logistics also continued to empower upstream and downstream customers in the industry value-chain, laying a solid foundation for rapid growth.

Previously, ZALL embarked on a new strategic rebrand and is committed to becoming the world’s largest digital trade platform. The Group looks to incorporate “New Trading Methods” and use advanced digital technologies, such as Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to achieve this goal.

Mr Qi Zhiping, CEO of ZALL Smart Commerce Group said: “ZALL will focus on innovation and the development of digital trade, leveraging data as the driving force to build a new B2B digital trade ecosystem and improve the efficiency of the industrial chain.”

New brands, New directions, New trends

During the first half of 2021, the Group saw a growth in customer loyalty as its industry vertical platforms such as Shenzhen Sinoagri, ZALL Steel, and Huasuhui expanded into subcategories to provide practical, efficient and convenient supply chain services for upstream and downstream customers in the industry value-chain:

– Shenzhen Sinoagri has been enhancing their online trading of cocoon silk, sugar, and expanded to include live pigs, corn, coffee and other product categories.
– ZALL Steel has successfully passed the CMMI3 international certification, and its SaaS cloud service was significantly upgraded.
– ZALL Steel Warehouse (Fengshan Port) was successfully inaugurated, and its supply chain service system was gradually improved.
– Huasuhui’s supply chain financial service “Plastic Loan” celebrated its first anniversary since its launch and has helped nearly a thousand Micro-, Small- and Medium-Enterprises (MSMEs), enabling a coordinated development ecosystem of industry and finance.
– Leveraging the service capabilities of ZALL’s intelligent trading ecosystem to interconnect domestic and international resources, Zallgo facilitates commodity trade flow between wholesale markets and commodities, creating a trillion-level market of commercial tools through digital empowerment, and is committed to becoming a super portal for industrial Internet transactions and services.
– ZALL’s offline flagship project, North Hankou International Trade Centre (“North Hankou”) actively promotes the integrated development of traditional commerce and live streaming e-commerce. The industry ecology of the live-streaming trade has started to develop, with orders happening at major specialised trading markets in an orderly manner, and the construction of 12 major projects of Wuhan International Trade City progressing smoothly after its upgrade. North Hankou is overall ranked second among China’s commercial markets, and is China’s largest and the world’s leading commercial and logistics platform.

ZALL has also established integrated online and offline development while contributing to China’s economic circulation. As a leader in global digital trade, ZALL established ZALL International Trade Group to service MSMEs that is committed to becoming a large-scale comprehensive import and export trade group that “buy from the world and sell to the world”. Its principal businesses include operating the national pilot market for foreign trade, comprehensive foreign trade services, and import and export trade. The Group’s commodities marketplace, Commodities Intelligence Centre (CIC) uses blockchain technology to provide one-stop cross-border B2B trade to support the entire process of commodity-related transactions, helping companies uncover new business opportunities, reduce transaction costs, and achieve greater trading synergies globally.

ZALL’s robust strategic layout and strong operating capabilities are highlighted in the integration of domestic and foreign trade, both online and offline, and the construction of an efficient supply chain service system. During the first half of 2021, ZALL continues to provide services such as smart warehouse logistics and supply chain finance. Powered by information technology, smart warehouse logistics uses Internet of Things (IoT) to integrate automation, informatization, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies for cargo delivery and storage applications, and has helped companies to reduce costs and increase efficiency. Supply chain financial services such as “factory loans” and “supply-guaranteed E-loans” use real-trading scenarios to promote enterprise innovation through the integration of industry and finance, optimizing the overall capital flow of the industrial supply chain, and improving circulation efficiency.

In addition, ZALL is committed to help companies kickstart their business growth through data technology. During the first half of the year, Wuhan City announced their first batch of 271 digital economy application scenario projects. Two solutions developed by ZALL Research Institute, a subsidiary of ZALL, were selected. They include “Banking Financial Product Data Mutual Trust Project based on Low Code Blockchain Solutions” and “Data Cross-Chain Platform based on Privacy Protection”. This has further enhanced commercial efficiency in the digital realm.

Coupled with its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, as well as its extraordinary achievements in promoting the digitalisation of traditional enterprises, ZALL has been growing its influence in the field of digital trade for many years. These accomplishments have been widely recognised by the government, financial and industry leaders, media and the general public. During the first half of 2021, ZALL has consecutively won the best new economy award; the most value-added company award; Top 10 listed China Industrial Internet companies; Top 100 in China Industrial Internet (Industrial Digitalization); Hubei’s Best Hong Kong Stock Listed Company among other awards, and was ranked 155th in the Fortune China 500 list in 2021.

In 2020, ZALL achieved a revenue of RMB 72.769 billion (US$11.27 billion), in line with expectations. With steady growth of 40 per cent in 2021, ZALL is expected to achieve RMB 100 billion (US$15.49 billion) in revenue this year and reach the top echelon of the industrial digital trade industry. Through this process, ZALL intends to emerge as a leader in new trading methods, while maximising the value of digital trade, and becoming the world’s leading digital trade platform.

About ZALL Smart Commerce Group

ZALL Smart Commerce Group is a leading Chinese B2B e-commerce group (ranked 155th of Fortune China 500 companies) with a truly global footprint, and its companies trading worldwide: HKSE, NYSE, SSE and SZSE. ZALL Group develops and operates Asia’s largest B2B offline-to-online trade ecosystem, in China and Southeast Asia, including Singapore, with more than 30 B2B platforms in China, US and Singapore, and a GFA of more than 10 million sqm of wholesale trade centres in China. In 2018, ZALL Group achieved a GMV of more than RMB 600 billion (US$85.2 BN), serving over 1 million SME customers worldwide. ZALL has also obtained a virtual banking licence and currently operates Z-Bank in China since 2017, one of China’s Top 5 digital banks that has supported more than 5.5 million SME and individual customers.

Since 2018, ZALL has invested in five projects in Singapore, including the Commodities Intelligence Centre (CIC), Singapore’s first physical commodity eTrading platform (B2B) powered by blockchain technology; ezbuy.sg, Singapore’s leading global online shopping platform; ZMA Smart Capital, an online trade finance company; ZALL Chain Technology, a blockchain solutions company.