Category: Local Business

MothersonSumi INfotech and Designs Ltd. (MIND) Announces the Opening of a New Office in Singapore, Expanding Global Operations

Mothersonsumi INfotech and Designs Ltd. (MIND) a technology and Industrial solutions division of Motherson Group, today announced the official opening of its new office in Singapore.

MIND’s Singapore office will serve as the headquarters for the entire Southeast Asia region and will be an essential pillar in its geographic expansion strategy. MIND’s Singapore business unit will offer a holistic gamut of IT service offerings, including digital transformation, Cloud Hosting and Migration, Next Gen IT Infrastructure, Smart Factory Automation and digital engineering services. With its Singapore base, MIND is looking to expand its best-in-class services to customers across Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia and to other countries in Far East.

“The launching of the MIND Singapore office is aligned with our commitment to drive clients’ success in the region and worldwide. Given Singapore’s position as the hub for economic activities in the Southeast Asia, it’s a market we constantly evaluated and wanted to open an office to expand our presence in the market,” said Rajesh Thakur, Chief Executive Officer, MIND.

He further added, “Today MIND is well-positioned to deliver technology-led transformations to fuel digital growth across the Southeast Asia region. MIND offers a customer-centric and consulting-led approach with an integrated portfolio of industry-leading solutions that encompass the entire enterprise value chain. Our technology-driven products and services are built on two decades of innovation, a strong culture of invention and co-innovation, and a relentless focus on the value chain.”

About MothersonSumi INfotech & Designs Limited (MIND)

Founded in 2000, MothersonSumi INfotech & Designs Limited (MIND) is a joint venture between Motherson Group, India and Sumitomo Wiring Systems Ltd, Japan (SWS). We are a trusted technology partner to over 200+ clients globally across 41+ Global locations and have more than 20 years of experience in the areas of cloud, IoT, analytics, data science, smart ERP, infra managed services, and application development & maintenance services. We continue to deliver innovative and meaningful technology solutions to businesses enabling them to outpace the competition. Visit us at www.mind-infotech.com, or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook.

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations and assumptions of the management of MIND and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and MIND undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although MIND believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve a variety of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements.

Media Contact
Sachin Saini
Sachin.Saini@mind-infotech.com

KGISL Completes Acquisition of AETINS, Expands Expertise in the Insurance Space

KG Information Systems Private Limited (KGISL), a global IT services, consulting, and business solution provider, today announced the acquisition of AETINS Sdn. Bhd. through its wholly-owned subsidiary in Malaysia, KG Information Systems Sdn. Bhd. The acquisition is a part of KGISL’s growth strategy in the InsurTech space.

Prassadh Shanmugam, Director and Chief Executive Officer, KGISL

AETINS brings aboard an exceptional range of insurance solutions for Life, General and Takaful bundled with an unmatched domain expertise. AETINS’ Core Insurance Product and Solutions are well known in the market and are market-leading. The company serves a vast clientele of insurance firms in the Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa. The people, products, and solutions from AETINS would be leveraged in expanding KGISL’s footprint in the InsurTech space.

KGISL has market presence in the Malaysia InsurTech (201301013805) space since 2006 and has grown as a market leader with its Point of Sale (PoS) and Claims Management Solution for the Non-Life Insurance segment. The acquisition of AETINS will now bring in Core Insurance Product and Insurance Solution Framework (ISF) into KGISL’s product offerings and opens doors to enter the wider Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa markets covering the Life, Non- Life and Takaful Insurance segments.

Mr. Prassadh Shanmugam, Director and Chief Executive Officer, KGISL commenting on the acquisition said, “I am super excited about this acquisition. AETINS’ Core Insurance products, Takaful offerings and good presence in the Middle East market are the missing pieces in KGISL’s Insurance offerings. It would have taken years for us to build this capability, so the acquisition is a perfect fit for KGISL. The employees of AETINS share the same integrity, culture and value systems of KGISL, so the integration will also be smooth and quick.”

Commenting on the acquisition, Dr Ashok Bakthavathsalam, Managing Director, KGISL said, “The acquisition brings together two leading InsurTech players in pursuit of a common mission, centred on providing the best value for customers, organisation and employees. With able leadership and a go-getter team, KGISL has been on a fast growth trajectory, clocking a five-fold growth in the last four years. This acquisition adds momentum, and I am confident that our growth will be even faster in the next 3 years.”

About KGISL – www.KGISL.com/gss

KG Information Systems Private Limited (KGISL) is a global IT Services, Consulting and Business Solutions provider in the BFSI space. KGISL offers Software Products, Solutions and Services in Intelligent Automation, ERP (SAP), CRM, Business Intelligence and Analytics, Quality Engineering, IT Infrastructure Management and Application Development. KGISL has offices in India, US, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Thailand.

KGISL is part of the $750 million business conglomerate KG Group with interest in Textiles, Engineering, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate, Entertainment, Software and Business Support Services. The Group employs over 25000 people and is known for its philanthropic services to the community for over 8 decades.

About AETINS (199801000924) – www.aetins.com

AETINS, established in 1998, is a single end-to-end Insurance and Takaful Solution provider that covers all lines of business: Individual Life, Group Life, Investment Linked and General. It spans across functions like illustration, quotation, new business, policy servicing, claims, agency management, commission and benefits, accounting and services. Our business is to help Insurance and Takaful Companies to strategize and operate by leveraging on Information Technology, a key enabler to achieve transformational growth through Operational Excellence and Innovation. See www.aetins.com.

For further information, please contact:

KGISL: Sampathkumar S | sampathkumar.s@KGISL.com | +91 9940069884

Adfactors PR (India):
Bhargav TS | bhargav.ts@adfactorspr.com | 9884883350
Shamitha Hegde | shamitha.hegde@adfactorspr.com | 9003107361

Adfactors PR (Singapore):
Namrata Sharma | namrata.sharma@adfactorspr.com | +65 8138 3034

SMEStreet Foundation Celebrates World MSME Day With a Commitment to Add Value for Entrepreneurs Who Thrive to Exceed

Every crisis has some positive takeaway. Every challenge can lead to an innovative solution that can be a benchmark. Entrepreneurs and especially the MSME entrepreneurs hold great importance because of the great spark they possess. The spark to exceed and the spark to change their own levels, and influence their respective ecosystems.

In 2017, a United Nations resolution was passed acknowledging the importance of encouraging formalisation of the MSME segment that accounts for over 90% of all firms globally, around 70% of total employment. The UN also announced June 27th as the International or World MSME Day. A program titled ‘Enhancing National Capacities for Unleashing Full Potentials of MSMEs in Achieving the SDGs in Developing Countries’ was launched at that time. This program is conceived and operates under the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Sub-Fund of the United Nations Peace and Development Fund.

As SMEStreet, we are working on the aspect of MSME development from the Indian sub-continent since 2014.

At the World MSME Day 2021, we at SMEStreet Foundation are feeling honoured to congratulate this spark of MSME entrepreneurs and their willpower to change their state of things. Our ongoing MSME Outreach, Understanding & Education program of SMEStreet GameChangers Forum which was announced recently is moving in the right direction of showcasing opportunities to MSMEs, highlighting contemporary trends, raising concerns over aspects that are impacting the business growth. The program was launched on June 15th with great participation and support from the Ministry of MSME and private institutions such as the Wadhwani Foundation.

The SMEStreet GameChangers Forum is inviting MSMEs to join hands and participate in it so that a business can experience progress in a collaborative manner. After the great inaugural session on June 15th, in which Union MSME Minister Shri Nitin Gadkari himself delivered a keynote and made a real game-changing announcement of the revised MSME Registration process. The Secretary of Ministery of MSME, Shri BB Swain presented his perspective for MSME development in the country in the Inaugural session of SMEStreet GameChangers Forum. The journey ahead is looking eventful.

Based on the feedback of MSMEs here are the set of activities that SMEStreet Foundation will be conducting following set activities:
– MSME Educative Webinars With Banking & Finance, Technology Experts
– Global Opportunities Showcase with International Stakeholders
– National Level MSME Outreach Connect Study Report To Understand the Status of Healthcare Security among MSMEs (Entrepreneurs & MSME Employees)
– National Level MSME Study Report on Digital Adoption of Indian MSMEs
– MSME Outlook Report on Tech Landscape of Indian MSMEs
– Conversations on MSME Motivation
– Role of MSMEs in Building the New Age EV Landscape of India
– MSMEs in Smart Mobility: Featuring Smart Mobility, Advance Transport, Fintech
– Featuring Sector Wise Opportunities & Challenges for MSMEs in Textiles &Garments Manufacturing/Food Processing Sector/Healthcare/Manufacturing
– Also, SMEStreet is working on creating a skill development initiative that will be aimed to add value for MSMEs and their potential workforce.

SMEStreet Foundation is also inviting MSMEs and stakeholders of the entire ecosystem to become members of SMEStreet Foundation and become the catalysts for bringing a much needed positive change.

“With a firm belief that collaboration and a collaborative approach can drive sustainable economic growth for MSMEs, we are working on various areas of knowledge sharing. Because Knowledge and networking play a very crucial role in making MSMEs escalate to higher levels,” says Faiz Askari, Secretary-General & Founder of SMEStreet Foundation.

GameChangers Forum is an extension of SMEStreet Foundation’s awards recognition initiative by the name of SMEStreet GameChangers Awards. This initiative was started in 2020 after the Pandemic outbreak. This awards initiative is still on and the list of awardees who have made a significant contribution in the field of MSME Development is soon going to get announced for 2021 as well.

In the era of the COVID Pandemic, we have witnessed the scale of this crisis. As a media platform, we realized the importance of motivating those Game Changers who paved this phase with their dedication and professional acumen in emerging as a winner for their organization, society or their business ecosystem.

SMEStreet GameChangers is also an attempt to recognize such individual success stories who have made a significant impact in their respective horizons of business.
With this, we would like to congratulate the entire ecosystem of MSMEs on a great year ahead on this World MSME Day, 2021.

IMC Ventures Partners with PIER71 to Invest and Nurture the Maritime and Supply Chain Ecosystem in Singapore

IMC Ventures (“IMC Ventures”), a Singapore-based venture capital firm focused on investments in the maritime and supply chain industries, is pleased to announce that it has joined PIER71 as a venture capital partner with an objective to invest and nurture the maritime and supply chain ecosystem in Singapore.

With a vision to establish Singapore as a vibrant maritime ecosystem spearheading world-class innovation, the founding partners of PIER71 are Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (“MPA”) and NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (“NUS”).

Bringing together a community of stakeholders who are keen to digitalise and create the next wave of maritime innovation, PIER71 designs and delivers programmes to uncover opportunities within the maritime industry by providing access to markets, demand drivers, technology solution providers, investors and more.

With an aim to create a positive environmental and social impact via investments in the maritime & logistics industries, IMC Ventures was established by IMC Industrial Group (“IMCIG”) to focus on creating sustainable returns and operational synergies between start-ups and IMCIG’s business units by enabling these start-ups to scale through access to its network of customers, infrastructure and resources.

IMC Industrial Group (IMCIG) is a leading integrated industrial company providing logistics, shipping, shipyard management and engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) services to our customers while creating long-term value for our shareholders.

“The ethos of PIER71 is every much aligned with IMC Ventures. We are looking to catalyse the start- up scene in Singapore by not just providing capital to enable these new innovative ventures to scale, but also to value add through synergies with our operating businesses in the maritime and logistic space,” said Mr. James Ong, Investment Committee Member of IMC Ventures.

With this partnership, there are significant opportunities for the start-ups under PIER71 to leverage on IMC Ventures’ in-depth market experience, specialised technical knowledge and vast industry networks to test-bed and deploy their ideas and innovations within the global maritime and supply chain ecosystem.

In addition, IMC Ventures will be exploring investments within PIER71’s network and to initiate more cooperation and collaboration efforts to accelerate the development and adoption of market- disrupting solutions. This will be a boost for more improvements and enhancements within the maritime and supply chain ecosystem as a whole, thereby making a meaningful contribution to the environment and communities as a whole.

Mr. Thomas Ting, Chief Technology Officer, Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore said: “We are heartened by the partnership of like-minded ecosystem players like IMC Ventures with PIER71 and MPA. As we grow Singapore to become a leading hub for marinetech (maritime technology) start- ups, investments from private sector will be key.

In particular, venture capitalists with deep maritime expertise will be highly beneficial to the entire innovation ecosystem. I’m confident that IMC Ventures will bring their deep industry knowledge and networks to help marinetech start-ups commercialise and scale.”

Mr. Ryan Chan, Group Managing Director of IMC Industrial Group added: “IMC Ventures adds value to IMCIG as it allows ownership in ventures that brings value to our business and opens up possible opportunities to collaborate in setting the direction of innovative ideas in start-ups for various new technologies we are exploring. We will offer the capabilities and access to our shipping platform as partners to the right candidates.

With IMC Ventures partnering with MPA and PIER71, we are further building on the close partnership between IMC and MPA, to reaffirm our commitment to the future success and development of Singapore’s maritime hub.”

About IMC Ventures

With an aim to create a positive environmental and social impact via investments in the maritime & logistics industries, IMC Ventures was established by IMC Industrial Group (“IMCIG”) to focus on creating sustainable returns and operational synergies between startups and IMCIG’s business units by enabling these startups scale through access to its network of customers, infrastructure and resources.

IMCIG is part of Singapore-headquartered IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group which is actively invested in a diverse portfolio of investments covering shipping, ports, resources, real estate, investment management and lifestyle industries across the globe. With a business heritage dating back to early 1900s involving shipping and transportation activities, IMC Pan Asia Alliance Group has evolved across the decades and it currently employs more than 9,000 people in 15 countries with major presence in China, Indonesia and Thailand.

Issued on behalf of IMC Ventures by 8PR Asia Pte Ltd.
Media Contact:
Mr. Alex TAN
Mobile: +65 9451 5252
Email: alex.tan@8prasia.com

Alpha DX Set Sights in China with Proposed Investment in JobForesight

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 its technology subsidiary, ZioNext Pte Ltd, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to invest in Singapore-based JobForesight, which has developed a cloud-based application, Careershe, that offers an academic & career planning platform that is targeted at the largest education system in the world.

Guangdong-based Careershe (https://www.careershe.com/en.html) was created to assist Chinese youth between ages of 15 and 25 years old to equip themselves with the relevant information and knowledge that are necessary for them to optimise their decision-making process in choosing the appropriate education programs as well as the career opportunities that are best suited to them.

With personalised matching analysis using Big Data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the database on Careershe’s platform, Careershe can enable Chinese youths to navigate through the extremely competitive education and career environment by personalising the education and career roadmap with the formulation of an optimal academic and career design.

With the proposed investment, Careershe universal student navigation platform will be integrated with Alpha DX’s Ubiquitous Learning Super Platform (ULSP) to expand the Group’s service offerings to harness new opportunities within the global learning and education ecosystem.

The Company will update shareholders of any developments on the proposed investment in JobForesight.

Formerly known as Alpha Energy Holdings Limited, the Group has transformed itself in January 2021 with fund raising and restructuring initiatives under the leadership of technology and financial veterans in the learning and education industry.

Alpha DX’s CEO, Mr Daiji Yamada, said, “Education unlocks vital skills that shapes our career and lives, hence Careershe is developed as a trusted and reliable source for Chinese students to obtain objective insights and professional guidance in their education and career journey to achieve their full potential and dreams.

We aim to work together with Careershe to enable more youths to acquire the relevant skillsets and knowledge in their areas of interest and to transition seamlessly in their future careers.”

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 XR(2) integrated solutions in learning and education market enabling our customers to create engaging, impactful learning and training experiences that have never been possible until now– Next generation Learning Institutions, multi-dimensional learning design, digital content creation, learning technologies, learning platform solutions and systems integration — all under one roof.

With a strategic focus on integrating Extended Reality (XR)(1) technology to create a personalised and expanded learning experience, Alpha DX aims to develop new value propositions to serve the future needs of learners from its diversified customer base, ranging from government agencies, education institutions to private enterprises.

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

(1) XR is a term used to describe immersive technologies (such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality plus other new innovations that are still in development) that can merge the physical and virtual worlds.

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.

Thailand’s CP Group Selects Anacle’s Simplicity Commercial Real Estate Solution for Lotus’s

Anacle Systems Limited (“Anacle“) has been selected by Thailand’s Charoen Pokphand Group (“CP Group”) after a rigorous vendor selection process to implement Simplicity® Commercial Real Estate Management (CommREM) solution for the Lotus’s subsidiary.

Lotus’s currently operates the largest retail chain in Thailand, with more than 2,000 stores and 46,000 tenants. Lotus’s will leverage the sophisticated Simplicity® software to streamline its operations and fully automate the financial, tenancy, customer relationship and utilities management processes.

“Asset managers are constantly pressured to deliver yield in this rapidly evolving market but many lack data or capabilities to perform analytics. Simplicity® is the most comprehensive solution designed to address the pressing need for end-to-end streamlined systems and big data analytics. Anacle is honored to be selected by Lotus’s and we are committed to help the brand achieve its goal in this challenging market,” said Alex Lau, CEO of Anacle Systems Limited.

About Anacle Systems Limited

Anacle is a leading provider of asset and property management software, as well as smart utilities management systems. Headquartered in Singapore with research centers in Pune, India and Hangzhou, China, we are accredited by the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) under the Accreditation@SGD program which provides an independent and rigorous third-party evaluation of the company’s core capabilities such as product functionality, financial management, and operations. The accreditation affirms the quality, business sustainability and scalability of our products.

For more information about Anacle, please visit https://www.anacle.com.

About Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group and Lotus’s

The CP Group is a privately held Thai conglomerate and one of the world’s largest privately owned companies. It has operations across various industries including agriculture, automotive, real estate, retail, telecommunications, finance, ecommerce and pharmaceutical.

Lotus’s is the leading retail chain operated by the CP Group. Established in 1994, Lotus’s now serves their customers with over 2,000 stores and online channels in Thailand.

For more information about the CP Group, please visit https://www.cpgroupglobal.com.

For more information about Lotus’s, please visit https://www.tescolotus.com/en.

For any media enquiries, please contact:
Jo-anne Sng
joanne.sng@anacle.com
+65 6914 2666

Tech, innovation, growth markets key to business recovery: HKTDC to focus on 14th Five-Year Plan opportunities

In the face of continuing challenges in the global economy resulting from the pandemic, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will focus on helping businesses capture opportunities in Mainland China and other markets, especially in sectors that can ride on opportunities arising from the mainland’s “dual circulation” strategy and 14th Five-Year Plan, as well as industry developments in technology, healthcare and sustainability.

In addition to promoting the city’s overall advantages, services and products, the HKTDC will offer online and offline services for Hong Kong companies to speed up business expansion in the mainland market, using the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) as a bridgehead. It will also explore tripartite partnerships with mainland enterprises in overseas markets, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter Lam said that the past few years have been full of challenges, but the HKTDC will continue to work hard in helping businesses diversify and enhance their capabilities with sustainability and the adoption of technology and innovation as a core theme. He added that as parts of the world continue to tackle the pandemic while others are gradually recovering, Mainland China and its early recovery has been driving economic growth both internally and externally.

“We will create opportunities for businesses in both markets and industries. Apart from large-scale events, we will also strengthen our support and training services to help Hong Kong businesses capture opportunities arising from the mainland’s 14th Five-Year Plan and ‘dual circulation’ strategy, taking the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as an entry point. As such, we just launched a GoGBA one-stop platform to support Hong Kong companies, and we will help them partner with mainland enterprises to tap international markets through the city’s two-way platform,” Dr Lam said.

Market opportunities: the GBA and “Dual Circulation” strategy
Following the launch of the GoGBA one-stop platform yesterday (10 June), the HKTDC is planning to organise SmartHK in Guangzhou on 8 December, highlighting the city’s international networks and innovative professional services which are complementary to the Greater Bay Area development. Business matching meetings will be held to promote cooperation between mainland enterprises and Hong Kong services providers in the areas of finance, IT, infrastructure, design and more. A high-level mission led by senior government officials and commercial delegations will explore opportunities with their counterparts in the GBA.

Chic HK will be held in Shenzhen from 10-12 December to promote quality Hong Kong brands, stylish designs and technology and innovation products. It will be held in an online-to-offline format, allowing consumers to make purchases on the spot or online. A business mission will be held concurrently to connect Hong Kong traders with potential mainland buyers and partners, helping them to expand their nationwide retail networks.

The HKTDC will also introduce a new Star CEOs seminar series in which the top management of major mainland and overseas enterprises will share how the city’s international business platform and professional services helps mainland companies tap opportunities in global markets, hoping this will attract more mainland companies to set up offices in Hong Kong. The HKTDC will set up a Hong Kong Pavilion in selected mainland trade fairs such as the China International Import Expo where Hong Kong’s role in facilitating merchandise and service trade between the mainland and the rest of the world will be highlighted.

High-potential sectors: technology, healthcare and intellectual property
The 14th Five-Year Plan supports Hong Kong in consolidating and enhancing its competitive advantages. In addition to the traditional sectors such as finance, maritime and trading, it also supports the city to develop into an international innovation and technology hub and a regional intellectual property (IP) trading centre.

As such, the HKTDC will also launch a new Innotech Starter Programme in partnership with government agencies, incubators, R&D centres and universities to provide support and create opportunities for start-ups that are interested in expanding business in the Greater Bay Area. The HKTDC is also planning to organise seminars in Guangzhou, Nanjing and Beijing to promote Hong Kong’s IP solutions in technology and innovation, as well as IP trade-related services. It will also further enrich the content of Asia IP Exchange and encourage different industries to step up adoption of homegrown innovative technology, especially patented technologies in environmental protection, sustainability, healthcare and well-being, building and construction and more.

Besides, demand for healthcare services is growing in Asia. As an international financial centre, Hong Kong is now the world’s second-largest bio-tech fund-raising centre through initial public offerings. Together with a sound IP protection regime and a wealth of experts in commercialising innovations, the city is ready to become a healthcare innovation and investment hub. The HKSAR Government and the HKTDC will jointly organise the inaugural Asia Summit on Global Health on 24 November to attract investment, publicise the city’s technology-related achievements and promote collaboration among industry players from Mainland China, Hong Kong and overseas.

Focusing on biotechnology, medical devices and drugs, digital health, community health and wellness, the Summit will help participants connect with investors and leading bio-tech companies in the Greater Bay Area.

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

Media Contact
HKTDC Communications and Public Affairs Department
Beatrice Lam, Tel: +852 2584 4049, Email: beatrice.hy.lam@hktdc.org
Susanna Sin, Tel: +852 2584 4294, Email: susanna.kc.sin@hktdc.org

Public-Private Partnerships Online Masterclass is Now Back by Popular Demand

Infocus International Group has launched the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) online masterclass which will be commencing live on 17 August 2021. Throughout the eight sessions, attendees will be mastering PPP project analysis, financing, contracts & transaction management techniques.

We need new infrastructure. Roads, airports, schools, hospitals and housing: the list is enormous and growing. Yet severely limited budgets, economic uncertainty caused by volatile commodity prices, and deficits continue to prevent governments at all levels from delivering the kinds of structural change that have always been needed. In response, some countries have developed successful PPP programmes. Merely grasping the concepts of PPP does not do justice to our great responsibility of having ownership in the country’s future. We already know what we need to do, now is the time to really discover how.

Course Highlights:

– PPP policies, strategies, laws & units for implementing successful PPP transactions
– Identifying & selecting appropriate projects for PPPs
– Models for analyzing PPP projects
– Managing & completing PPP feasibility studies
– Financing techniques for PPP to ensure long-term PPP bankability and affordability
– Managing and overseeing PPP procurements & achieving transaction closure
– PPP stakeholder management & sustainability techniques
– Managing long-term PPP contracts for ensuring service delivery, price regulation, and dispute resolution

This masterclass features a rigorous new interactive methodology that requires attendees to demonstrate their understanding of each module’s practical techniques and learning outcomes. Every 10-15 minutes throughout each session, attendees will be required to complete either focused review questions for selecting among a range of PPP decisions, or brief group exercise assignments. Attendees should be prepared to actively participate, and not merely to “watch & listen” video presentations.

Case studies of PPP transactions will feature the real-world details of PPP feasibility studies, tender documents, impact assessments, and PPP agreements to provide first-hand understanding of the challenges of PPP transactions. Experiential exercises will place you into the practical role of key management decision-makers who not only need to analyze and understand PPP investment proposals, but who have to make real-world decisions on transactions. As a result of actively engaging in this program’s methodology, you will be able to make practical decisions on PPP strategies, projects, and transactions for your organizations following the workshop’s completion.

Want to learn more?
Simply email to emilia[at]infocusinternational.com or call +65 6325 0210 to obtain your FREE COPY of event brochure. For more information, please visit https://www.infocusinternational.com/ppp-online.

About Infocus International Group

Infocus International is a global business intelligence provider of strategic information and professional services for diverse business communities.

Infocus International recognises clients’ needs and responds with innovative and result oriented programmes. All products are founded on high value content in diverse subject areas, and the highest level of quality is ensured through intensive and in-depth market research from local and international insights.

Emilia Mok
Tel: +65 6325 0210 | Email: emilia[at]infocusinternational.com
Website: www.infocusinternational.com

SMEStreet Partners with Wadhwani Foundation to Support Growth of MSME Sector

The Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector is a hidden gem and critical for accelerating job growth and also GDP growth of the country. It has the potential to create 50-60 million jobs in the next few years. However, today, MSMEs face an existential crisis. Wadhwani Foundation’s flagship program Wadhwani Advantage’s research estimates that close to one-third of the 60-70 million of MSMEs face survival anxiety and a threat of being wiped out. This will render about 10% of our GDP under threat given the impact of COVID-19. This would put to threaten the employment of 30 million people working in these MSMEs. The second wave of COVID has already increased the unemployment rate close to 10%. In 2020, in the first wave, it rose to over 35% at its peak. Additionally, the Advantage program team’s model suggests that the NPA incidence is rising and hovers between 7-35% in the SME segment.

While the situation looks gloomy, the biggest unleveraged advantage that the Indian MSME sector has is the entrepreneurs own willpower to survive and fight back. Indian entrepreneurs are known the world over for being resilient and productive even in adversities. All that is needed in today’s time is to create a spark to ignite positive energies to look beyond the challenges and chase success with the opportunities at hand.

To strengthen their well-being, SMEStreet Foundation with the support from Wadhwani Foundation is proud to announce the launch of SMEStreet GameChangers Forum – a nationwide MSME outreach, education and Opportunity showcase exercise which will motivate entrepreneurs to understand the potential around them. The intention of this initiative is to bring back the fighter spirit among Indian Entrepreneurs by showcasing positivity in the form of promising business opportunities.

On collaborating with Wadhwani Foundation, Mr Faiz Askari, Founder of SMEStreet Foundation said, “This tie up will fetch great results of business growth, learning and empowerment for MSMEs and entrepreneurial development. We are very thankful to the great committed organization – The Wadhwani Foundation which is supporting us from the perspective of their knowledge and expertise”.

This program – SMEStreet GameChangers Forum will engage and influence over 5 Million MSMEs across India. SMEStreet Foundation is excited to start this exercise in association with Wadhwani Foundation. This program will have a deep intervention by the Advantage team at the Foundation to help MSMEs do discoveries and undertake transformations, supported by a series of Webinars, Panel Discussions, Articles and Podcasts all aimed to educate and motivate entrepreneurs. This exercise is an extension of SMEStreet GameChangers Award Listing Initiative which recognized individual success stories that have influenced and encouraged business growth in the tough times of COVID Pandemic

“We are delighted to partner with SMEStreet and help the MSMEs in these times. COVID or no COVID, our job is to empower entrepreneurs, to train them to make sound business decisions with our tools, content, connects on a technology platform ‘Genie’ that opens the world of help to the entrepreneurs. Helping a job creator-MSMEs grow faster is amplifying thousands of family-supporting jobs in India,” says Samir Sathe, EVP, Advantage Program-Wadhwani Foundation.

This program seeks to enable acceleration of some of the neglected areas of the MSME sector in India. The Wadhwani Advantage program provides growth strategy and long-term support to MSMEs to help them grow by 2X-10X by identifying and solving their business challenges. The endeavor is to bring in data-driven problem solving habits and empower them with all-round capabilities for sustainable growth. In India, and globally, it has helped ~1000 SMEs and influenced the 15000 jobs in the last 2 years.

About Wadhwani Foundation

Wadhwani Foundation was founded in 2000 by Dr. Romesh Wadhwani, with the primary mission of accelerating job creation in India and other emerging economies through large-scale initiatives in entrepreneurship, small business growth, innovation, and skilling. The Wadhwani Foundation operates in 20 countries, including India, Southeast Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines), East Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda), Southern Africa (South Africa, Botswana, Namibia), West Africa (Nigeria, Ghana), Egypt, and Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Peru, Chile). The Wadhwani Foundation works in partnership with governments, foundations, corporations, and educational institutes.

About SMEStreet

Started as a media platform for MSMEs in 2014, SMEStreet has evolved as a knowledge-sharing focused media platform. In its journey, SMEStreet is dedicated to ad value in the business ecosystem of MSME entrepreneurs, Startups and policymakers who are working in the area of MSME development. In all these years, SMEStreet has received national level and global attention. In 2018, the founder-editor of SMEStreet was invited to participate in the United Nations South-South Global Expo in New York. The Platform – SMEStreet is founded by Faiz Askari who has spent close to two decades in media and various forms of strategic communications. WIth an added aim to work with entrepreneurs and create a guided roadmap for their success, SMEStreet Foundation is created in 2020 with a vision to support Entrepreneurs in their roadmap of business development.

For More
Tabinda Hilal A
9354645130
verticalbusinessmedia@gmail.com

Haulio deepens its roots in Thailand

Singapore logistics technology company Haulio announced today that it has made significant headway into Thailand by tying up with CMA CGM (www.cma-cgm.com), a world leader in shipping and logistics. Haulio, using its digital haulage solutions, will move CMA CGM containers on the major inland corridor of Bangkok, Lat Krabang and Laem Chabang.

Headquartered in Singapore since 2017, Haulio is Singapore’s fastest growing container haulage platform in the country, with more than 90% of Singapore’s hauliers onboard. The company has aspirations to complete the digitalisation of haulage in Southeast Asia by 2025.

With some of Southeast Asia’s busiest ports, Thailand has always been a pivotal market for Haulio. The country reported a total import-export CAGR of 2.2% between 2016 and 2018, with a forecasted CAGR of 2.8% from 2021 to 2025, according to IHS Markit’s GTA Forecasting.

Since commencing its early-stage pilot in 2020, Haulio has onboarded over 150 trucking companies with a network of more than 3000 container trucks in Thailand and transacted over 300 thousand TEUs on the platform with one of PSA’s JV local partners – ESCO.

This contract win with CMA CGM thus represents yet another significant milestone for Haulio, demonstrating its ability for regional scalability of haulage fulfilment.

Moving forward, the company is projecting a 200% quarter-on-quarter growth increase in transactions through this tie-up and an extension of the network effect of Haulio’s presence in Thailand. The company aims to scale up to over 1,000 hauliers and 20,000 trucks in the next one year to provide 100% coverage within the country.

Mr Benoit de Quillacq, Managing Director of CMA CGM Thailand, said “CMA CGM’s priorities to provide its customers what they need and to ensure operations efficiency can be driven with Haulio’s digital solutions and network of hauliers. Our shippers would benefit from streamlined and optimised haulage trips; this consequently reduces carbon emissions from trucking the containers.”

“We are delighted to become a haulage solutions provider of CMA CGM in Thailand after experiencing the benefits of our platform in Singapore. This serves as a huge validation to a young startup like us as we embark in our journey in solving real problems with an industry leader like CMA CGM. With container shipping volumes rising, it is imperative that greater efficiency and digitalization is achieved on the haulage end. While the importance of business margins cannot be overstated, it needs to be said that we owe it to ourselves to reduce the carbon footprint of this industry,” said Alvin Ea, Co-Founder and CEO of Haulio.

About Haulio

Haulio is Singapore’s fastest-growing container haulage platform, with the greater vision of connecting global trade to local first-mile transportation across ASEAN. The company believes in uplifting the industry by empowering its ecosystem of users with its technology. Through the optimisation of resources, Haulio aims to revolutionize international freight logistics towards a collaborative and sustainable future. For more information, visit https://www.haulio.io.

For all media queries:
Ashley Tan / Chin Gon Yew
FPR
T: 6438-2990
E: haulio@financialpr.com.sg