NewzIntel.com

Category: Asia

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: President Lai meets Czech national baseball team  

    Source: Republic of China Taiwan

    President Lai meets Czech national baseball team  
    2024-11-01

    On the afternoon of November 1, President Lai Ching-te met with the national baseball team of the Czech Republic. In remarks, President Lai thanked the Czech Republic for supporting Taiwan, and noted that the Czech national baseball team had come to Taiwan to take part in two exhibition games, not only for the sake of learning from one another, but also to further cultivate friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic. He also stated that the Czech Republic is an important democratic ally of Taiwan in Europe. He stated that the opening of the Czech Centre Taipei this past June shows that our two countries continue to enhance our partnership, and expressed confidence that even greater advances will be achieved in culture and many other fields moving forward.
    A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:
    The World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 tournament is scheduled to start on November 10, with Group B opening round games to be played in Taiwan. I would like to thank Chinese Professional Baseball League Commissioner Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) for inviting the Czech national baseball team to play two exhibition games in Taiwan, not only for the sake of learning from one another, but also to further cultivate friendship between Taiwan and the Czech Republic.
    As a long-time baseball fan, I am very pleased to meet with the Czech national baseball team here at the Presidential Office. Many team members are actually part-timers whose principal occupations are in such fields as firefighting, teaching, medicine, financial analysis, and real estate brokerage, to name just a few. Everyone’s passion for the sport has earned the team a ranking of number 15 in the world and placed them among the top three in Europe. Indeed, in last year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC), the team scored a come-from-behind win over China to take the Czech Republic’s first-ever victory in the WBC tournament. It was an admirable win and an exciting game, and Taiwanese fans were thrilled.
    The Czech Republic is an important democratic ally of Taiwan in Europe. Representative of the Czech Economic and Cultural Office David Steinke is here, so I would like to give special thanks to the Czech Republic for supporting Taiwan. Three years ago, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Czech Republic generously donated 30,000 vaccine doses to Taiwan, and when Hualien was hit by a severe earthquake earlier this year, the Czech Republic donated US$150,000 to support reconstruction efforts. On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I want to express our deepest appreciation.
    The opening of the Czech Centre Taipei this past June signifies that our two countries continue to enhance our partnership, and I am confident that even greater advances will be achieved in culture and many other fields moving forward.
    Today is the Czech national baseball team’s second day in Taiwan, so I want to wish everyone a happy and fruitful visit, and I look forward to both teams playing their best in the exhibition games scheduled for tomorrow and the day after.
    Also in attendance was Czech Baseball Association President Petr Ditrich.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Development Blog: Empowering Women with Disabilities: Key Actions for Inclusive Sports in the Pacific

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Inclusive sports can empower women with disabilities, and foster accessibility, social integration, and gender equality in the Pacific. Recent Paralympic milestones and policy examples illustrate the ongoing need for supportive infrastructures and greater representation to create equitable opportunities in sports.

    The importance of sport for women with disabilities cannot be overstated. It provides a platform for empowerment, fostering physical and mental well-being, and breaking societal barriers related to gender and disability. Participation in sports helps build confidence, resilience, and a sense of community.

    The Paralympic Games have been instrumental in setting standards for inclusion, showcasing the incredible talents and achievements of athletes with disabilities on a global stage. By promoting gender equality and providing equal opportunities, the Paralympics inspire change and highlight the importance of accessibility and inclusivity in sports.

    This year’s Paralympic Games in Paris marked a historic milestone with a record 1,983 women, or 45% of participants, across 549 medal events in 22 sports, making it the most gender-inclusive Paralympics ever. It was also a historic moment for the Pacific region, as it sent its largest contingent of athletes to the Paralympic Games.

    Thirteen athletes, comprising seven women and six men, represented six countries to compete in para-athletics and para-taekwondo: Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. According to the Oceania Paralympic Committee, the Pacific athletes “not only represent their nations but also the aspirations of the entire Pacific region.”

    Among the remarkable athletes was Tongan discus thrower Meleane Vasitai Leaaepeni Falemaka, known as Vasi, who competed in the Paralympic Games for the first time. She is making her mark on the global stage as Tonga’s sole representative in the Paralympic Games where she competed in the women’s F37 discus throw event. Prior to the Paralympics, Vasi achieved her personal best throw at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix April 2024 held in Marrakech, Morocco.

    Women with disabilities outnumber men with disabilities in most Pacific countries, largely due to longer life expectancy and the increased likelihood of acquiring disabilities in old age. Persons with disabilities are overrepresented among the poorest of the poor across the region and face economic and social exclusion, violence, and accessibility challenges.

    Despite this, women with disabilities often do not get to make decisions that affect them. Evidence from 19 countries shows that only 2.3% of women with disabilities held a position as a legislator, senior official, or manager.  Only four out of 18 countries in the region had a “woman with disability” in parliament.

    Sports provide a powerful platform for empowering women with disabilities, fostering inclusion, and challenging societal barriers.

    The following actions are needed to increase the inclusion of women with disabilities in sports:

    Enhance policy and financing for gender and disability inclusive sport. Governments must enact robust legislation to eliminate accessibility barriers in multiple areas such as transport, housing, services, education, and sport. For example, Brazil passed the “Inclusion of People with Disabilities Act” before the Rio 2016 Paralympics that aimed to enhance the lives of the nearly 50 million people with impairments in Brazil. This Act increased the amount allocated to para-sports from the gross revenues of the federal lotteries, from around $26 million to $49 million per year.

    Promote accessibility and inclusivity of sport. The Paralympics have made strides in accommodating athletes with disabilities through modified rules and regular reassessments by classifiers. Classification varies across sports, for example, swimming has up to 10 eligible impairment types, and classifications depend on how much an impairment affects performance.

    In wheelchair basketball, players are rated from 1.0 to 4.5 based on their disability level with a maximum point total allowed per team to ensure competitive balance. This approach enhances fairness and integrity in competitions, creating a more equitable environment for all Paralympic athletes.

    Include women with disabilities in stakeholder consultations. This can be done through partnerships with local organizations and women’s groups where women with disabilities take on leadership and decision-making roles. Mapping stakeholders supporting people with disabilities is crucial in creating awareness among all stakeholders and policymakers in sport on the needs of women athletes with disabilities.

    Ensuring that sports facilities are accessible and safe for women with disabilities. Sports facilities must be designed within the lens of gender and disability. This not only promotes physical health but also enhances social integration and economic opportunities for people with disabilities.

    Governments and development partners’ financial commitments to accessibility improvements are essential. For instance, prior to the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, the People’s Republic of China invested over $150 million to make 14,000 facilities accessible across the country. Similarly, for the Rio 2016 Games, nearly $1 million was allocated to enhance access to major tourist attractions and sports arenas.

    Promoting media representation to change perceptions. Media coverage can significantly change societal perceptions. For example, UK’s Channel 4 won various awards for its coverage of the London 2012 Paralympics, which included presenters with disabilities.

    The channel spent $1.2 million searching for, recruiting, training and developing the skills of media professionals to ensure that half of the on-screen talent during the Games consisted of persons with disabilities. The channel’s “Meet the Superhumans” commercial combined powerful imagery of athletes with their extraordinary stories creating a compelling narrative that resonated widely and likely changed attitudes towards Paralympic sports.

    Encouraging women with disabilities to take up sports. Sport enables women with disabilities to develop social skills and independence. Families and carers can help foster the love for sport by initiating play and developing interest, which can also serve as a shared activity. Sport can also be a transformative tool for women to demonstrate their abilities, which can help reduce the longstanding negative perceptions and gender stereotypes associated with women with disabilities.

    By addressing these issues, we can create an environment where athletes like Vasi can thrive, inspiring future generations and contributing to a more inclusive and equitable society in the Pacific.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN takes part in Electric Vehicle (EV) Delivery Ceremony and Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    As part of the activities to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations this year, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today visited the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, in Bekasi Regency, West Java, where he participated in the EV delivery ceremony. Hyundai EV was handed over by the Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN to the ASEAN Secretariat as part of the EV project funded by the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund (AKCF). Following the handover ceremony, Dr. Kao also participated in the Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN. The event, which highlighted the trends in the EV industries of ASEAN Member States and the ROK was organised by the Mission of ROK to ASEAN and participated by Ambassador of ROK to ASEAN Lee Jang-keun, members of the Committee of Permanent of Representatives to ASEAN, staff of the ASEAN Secretariat and that of the ROK Mission, EV experts, along with other invited guests.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN takes part in Electric Vehicle (EV) Delivery Ceremony and Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Secretary-General of ASEAN takes part in Electric Vehicle (EV) Delivery Ceremony and Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN

    Source: ASEAN

    As part of the activities to commemorate the 35th Anniversary of ASEAN-ROK Dialogue Relations this year, Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, today visited the Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Indonesia, in Bekasi Regency, West Java, where he participated in the EV delivery ceremony. Hyundai EV was handed over by the Mission of the Republic of Korea (ROK) to ASEAN to the ASEAN Secretariat as part of the EV project funded by the ASEAN-ROK Cooperation Fund (AKCF). Following the handover ceremony, Dr. Kao also participated in the Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN. The event, which highlighted the trends in the EV industries of ASEAN Member States and the ROK was organised by the Mission of ROK to ASEAN and participated by Ambassador of ROK to ASEAN Lee Jang-keun, members of the Committee of Permanent of Representatives to ASEAN, staff of the ASEAN Secretariat and that of the ROK Mission, EV experts, along with other invited guests.

    The post Secretary-General of ASEAN takes part in Electric Vehicle (EV) Delivery Ceremony and Roundtable on the Development of EV Ecosystem in ASEAN appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: HK a unique gateway: SJ

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam

    The Hong Kong Legal Week is an annual flagship event of the Department of Justice. Since its inception in 2019, the Hong Kong Legal Week has served as a dynamic forum where legal professionals, scholars, judges and experts come together to discuss critical legal issues that resonate not only within Hong Kong but (also) throughout the wider Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

    The theme of this year is “Hong Kong Common Law System: World-Class Springboard to China & Beyond”. It emphasises Hong Kong’s unique role as a gateway between China, the Asia Pacific and the world. Under the “one country, two systems” principle, Hong Kong is the only common law jurisdiction within China. Our strong legal foundation, coupled with our close ties with and support from the Mainland, positions us as a critical hub for legal and economic collaboration across the region and beyond.

    Private law summit

    We begin this week with today’s Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024. Building on the success of the inaugural summit in 2022, the Department of Justice once again partners with the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT) to organise this summit under the theme “Springboard to Opportunities: Utilising International Private Law & Technology to Facilitate Access to Credit, Investment, & Sustainable Development in the Asia-Pacific Region”.

    The Asia-Pacific region is home to enormous economic potential and encompasses a diverse array of legal systems. While this diversity enriches our legal and cultural landscape, it also introduces complexities and uncertainties for businesses navigating cross-border transactions. To unlock the region’s full economic potential and ensure long-term sustainable growth, harmonisation and modernisation of private law across the region is essential.

    Recognising this need, today’s summit gathers leading legal minds from across the Asia Pacific, together with experts from UNIDROIT, to explore how the unification and co-ordination of various areas of private law can support economic growth and facilitate smoother cross-border interactions throughout the region. We will be hearing from them on how international private law and emerging technologies can unlock new opportunities for sustainable economic growth across the region, and how Hong Kong may contribute in this regard.

    Collaboration with UNIDROIT

    In the past few years, the Department of Justice has closely collaborated with UNIDROIT to promote the development, implementation, and deeper understanding of private international law and international commercial law across the Asia-Pacific region.

    In addition to these collaborative efforts, we are grateful for UNIDROIT’s strong support to the Department of Justice’s secondment programme, offering Hong Kong’s legal professionals from both the public and private sectors the valuable opportunity to work at the UNIDROIT Secretariat in Rome. This experience not only deepens their expertise in international legal issues, but also bolsters Hong Kong’s capacity in foreign-related legal matters.

    I am very pleased to note that one of our former secondees will be moderating a panel later this morning, which testifies to the success of the secondment programme.

    Capacity building

    The secondment programme is one of the Department of Justice’s many policy initiatives providing professional development opportunities to our legal talents. To further strengthen Hong Kong’s position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre in the Asia-Pacific region, the Department of Justice places great importance on nurturing legal talents with a global perspective and proficiency in foreign-related legal affairs. We are committed to establishing Hong Kong as a leading centre for capacity building in international law.

    As outlined in our Chief Executive’s 2023 and 2024 Policy Address, the Department of Justice is setting up the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy. The academy will regularly organise practical training courses, seminars, international exchange programmes and more to promote exchanges among talent in regions along the Belt & Road. It will also provide training for talent in the practice of foreign-related legal affairs for the country, and nurture legal talent conversant with international law, common law, civil law and the country’s legal system.

    A dedicated office and an expert committee have already been set up to facilitate the establishment of the academy. We are grateful to have Prof Tirado (International Institute for the Unification of Private Law Secretary-General) as a member of the expert committee, and I am pleased to see many of our committee members participating in today’s summit.

    To officially mark this new initiative, I am excited to announce that the launch ceremony for the academy will take place on the final day of the Hong Kong Legal Week. I warmly invite all of you to join us for this significant occasion.

    Other events

    I also warmly welcome you to participate in an array of other events this week. Tomorrow, we will have the Second Legal Forum on Interconnectivity & Development co-organised with the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. At the legal forum, we are very pleased to have the General Counsel of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank deliver a keynote address on promoting good governance and high-quality development under international law. Legal experts will also share their insights on Hong Kong’s role in China’s institutional opening up, and rule of law as a risk management mechanism to safeguard sustainable development.

    On Wednesday, we will host events under the theme “Beyond Litigation: The Vibrant Landscape of Alternative Dispute Resolution of Hong Kong”. The day will explore three topical issues – the role of mediation in promoting a culture of mutual respect, harmony and inclusiveness, use of artificial intelligence in alternative dispute resolution, as well as the resolution of sports disputes. There will also be the 2024 Hong Kong Mediation Lecture in the evening, exploring the unique challenges and opportunities involved in the use of mediation in deals relating to natural resources.

    Thursday’s programme will focus on strengthening the rule of law in the Greater Bay Area. We will hear from experts on the proof of Hong Kong law and foreign law in the Mainland, the arrangement on mutual legal assistance in civil and commercial matters between the Mainland and Hong Kong, as well as legal services and juridical relations to facilitate and protect trade and social interactions between the Mainland and Hong Kong. The day will also feature a mock mediation session led by mediators from Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macau, and a discussion on the Greater Bay Area mediation platform.

    On Friday, apart from the launching ceremony of the academy in the afternoon that I have just mentioned, we will explore how the rule of law in Hong Kong, together with different components of Hong Kong’s legal and judicial system, are essential to provide the best business environment from the perspectives of our legal services profession and our enterprises, and how our legal professionals can play an important role along the Belt & Road.

    Alongside this week’s discussions, we are also featuring a special exhibition on the achievements in the construction of the rule of law of the People’s Republic of China in the modern era, co-organised by the Ministry of Justice of China and the Department of Justice, in celebration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China. The exhibition highlights key milestones in China’s legal evolution, both domestically and in foreign-related areas, over the past 75 years.

    Conclusion

    Ladies and gentlemen, as we look ahead to the discussions that will follow, I hope today’s summit will inspire all of us to explore new ideas and opportunities. Let’s make the most of this moment to engage in meaningful exchanges and drive forward the future of international law.

    On this note, I wish today’s summit every success and extend my sincere appreciation to all of you for joining us, whether online or in person.

    Secretary for Justice Paul Lam gave these remarks at the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024, part of Hong Kong Legal Week 2024, on November 4.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Property sales rise 52.4%

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Land Registry logged 5,857 sale and purchase agreements for all building units received for registration in October, up 52.4% compared with September and up 99.4% year-on-year.

    The total consideration for such agreements in September rose 50.6% from September, to $41.7 billion, representing a 43.6% year-on-year growth.

    Of the agreements, 4,697 were for residential units, amounting to a 64.9% increase from September and a 121.2% surge from a year ago.

    The total consideration for residential units was $37.3 billion, up 78.9% compared with September and up 52.2% year-on-year.

    There were 394,484 land register searches last month.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Sydney Airport Traffic Performance July 2023

    Source: Sydney Airport

    Tuesday 4 November 2024

    In an Australian first, Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport have joined forces to launch a public awareness campaign to fight human trafficking.  

    The country’s two largest international airports have partnered with anti-human trafficking organisation, A21, to run the “Can You See Me?” campaign, with guidance and input from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).  

    This initiative will educate people on how to recognise and report the signs of human trafficking.   

    From today, digital screens and billboards at both airports will display images and messages, stating that slavery still exists and urging people: “If you suspect it, report it.” QR codes also link to videos and information on how to identify and stop these crimes. Digital screens in key areas will display these messages, including check-in counters, gates and baggage carousels.  

    Combined, Sydney and Melbourne airports cater for 68% of Australia’s total international passenger traffic. While the “Can You See Me?” campaign runs over the next month, close to 7 million passengers are expected to pass through both the domestic and international terminals at the two airports.  

    A21 has rolled out this program in high-profile spaces worldwide—from Times Square billboards, screens at Heathrow Airport, train stations in Thailand to inflatable screens in vulnerable Cambodian communities—reaching an impressive 3.4 billion people globally.  

    Modern slavery is a growing issue in Australia, with the AFP receiving 382 reports in 2023/2024 financial year, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Cases include trafficking, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, debt bondage, forced labour, deceptive recruitment and organ trafficking. The Global Slavery Index estimates 41,000 people in Australia live under conditions of modern slavery.  

    A united response to human trafficking  

    Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO said: “Every person who steps through our airport deserves to travel safely, without fear of exploitation.”   

    “We deeply value the AFP’s dedication to catching and prosecuting traffickers and the A21 ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign will amplify their efforts by raising critical public awareness and support.  

    “Sydney Airport is proud to join forces with Melbourne Airport, united in our mission to tackle the scourge of modern slavery.”  

    Lorie Argus, Melbourne Airport CEO said: “This partnership goes beyond just airports—it’s about people’s lives.”  

    “By joining forces with Sydney Airport, the AFP, and A21, we’re taking a stand against modern slavery, a hidden crime that destroys people’s futures.  

    “Knowing that human trafficking is a real and daily threat, we feel a deep responsibility to protect our passengers.”  

    Acting Commander Human Exploitation Frank Rayner from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said: “The increase in reported cases of human trafficking and slavery in Australia highlights the urgent need for action.”

    “Airports are key environments where traffickers seek to move victims across borders. It is important to remember that traffickers have many ways of controlling a person and a person can be exploited without physical restraint or abuse.

    “Engaging travellers and frontline airport staff to recognise the signs and report suspected cases will help disrupt these crimes and protect vulnerable people.”

    Nick Caine, A21 CEO, said: “Everyone has a role to play in the fight against human trafficking. Awareness is the first step, and we believe that through this campaign, more victims will be recognised and rescued.  

    “The ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign has already changed lives across the world, and we are grateful to Sydney and Melbourne airports for bringing this powerful message to Australia.”  

    Christian Elliott, Director of “Can You See Me?” said:  “As the director of the Can You See Me? campaign, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of awareness.”  

    “This initiative goes beyond just sharing information—it equips every individual who passes through Sydney and Melbourne airports to become a part of the solution.  

    “Human trafficking hides in plain sight, but through this campaign, we are making the invisible visible, empowering travellers, staff, and the public to take action. With just one report, one moment of recognition, a life can be saved. Together, we can stop the traffickers and protect the most vulnerable among us.”  

    The Rotary Clubs of Botany Randwick and Marrickville have announced that all cash collected from 11 donation boxes across Sydney Airport over the next month will be donated to A21 to support survivors of human trafficking.  

    Airport-specific signs & indicators of human trafficking  

    • Avoids eye contact and social interaction 
    • Is not in control of own passport/documentation 
    • Language barrier with their travelling companions 
    • Unusually submissive
    • Unaware of their destination  
    • Clothing is not appropriate/does not fit the route of travel  

    More details: Human trafficking and exploitation – AFP  

    How to make a report

    If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 000 for help.    

    The Australian Federal Police (AFP) protect people who are victims of modern slavery and can help keep you safe. If you suspect someone is at risk, you can:  

    • Make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000  
    • Call 131 AFP  
    • Report online  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI: 18th Global Citizenship Conference to be held in Singapore

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — More than 400 delegates from over 50 countries are expected to attend the 18th annual Global Citizenship Conference, which takes place 27–29 November in Singapore.

    Hosted by world-leading international citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners, this annual event has become the world’s largest and most significant conference on investment migration, bringing together presidents and prime ministers, other senior government ministers and officials, and leading academics, as well as top-tier private client advisors and wealth management professionals, and financial and business media.

    The 2024 conference program features sophisticated content on the dynamics shaping the mobility options of wealthy families today. The conference will explore legal and economic developments and their implications, societal impacts relevant to global citizens, and trends in investment and wealth migration, along with regulatory and tax changes and the evolving concept of citizenship. Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with some of the world’s finest minds and latest ideas around global citizenship and interconnectivity and discover how to harness the power of global mobility.

    Dr. Christian H. Kalin, Group Chairman of Henley & Partners, emphasizes the timely relevance of connecting across borders as global citizens. “The Great Wealth Migration, as we call it, reflects a global trend fueled by geopolitical instability, economic uncertainty, the climate crisis, and technological disruption. Wealthy individuals are increasingly recognizing that, in an interconnected world, relying solely on any one nation as a place of residence or citizenship — even a prosperous, democratic one — can be a risk they are no longer willing to take. As they consider their options, however, there is a crucial opportunity to reflect on the broader implications of their decisions. How can wealth be used not only for personal advantage but also to create positive social impact? Global citizenship, at its core, is the belief that we have responsibilities that extend beyond our own borders — to our communities and to the world as a whole. This conference seeks to broaden our perspectives through shared global learning, empowering us to drive meaningful change on both a local and a global scale.”

    Notable key speakers at the conference include the Hon. Dickon Mitchell, Prime Minister of Grenada, and the Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis. The Hon. Mohamed Nasheed, former President of the Maldives and current Secretary-General of the Climate Vulnerable Forum, will also share his insights along with senior government officials from Indonesia, Montenegro, and the South Pacific.

    Legendary global investor and best-selling author, Jim Rogers, will offer his perspective on global financial trends. Other distinguished speakers include Dr. Parag Khanna, Founder and CEO of Climate Alpha, Prof. Mehari Taddele Maru of the European University Institute and John Hopkins University, Irene Mia, Senior Fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and Balaji Srinivasan, American tech entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Network State.

    A conference highlight will be the 2024 Global Citizen Award Dinner on 28 November, where a remarkable individual working to advance one of the global challenges affecting humanity today, will be honored. This year’s laureate will be announced at the gala event hosted in collaboration with the Swiss non-profit humanitarian organization Andan Foundation, which focuses on promoting the self-reliance of refugees through education, entrepreneurship, and employment, and to which the net proceeds of the evening will be donated.

    For further information and media accreditation to attend the 18th annual Global Residence and Citizenship Conference, please contact:

    Sarah Nicklin
    Group Head of Public Relations
    sarah.nicklin@henleyglobal.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: 4BIO Capital Strengthens Investment Team

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Press Release

    LONDON, 4 November 2024 – 4BIO Capital (“4BIO” or “the Group”), an international venture capital firm focused solely on the advanced and emerging therapies sector, announces today the appointments of Dr. Therese (Thera) Liechtenstein as an Investment Director based in Munich and Tay Salimullah as a Venture Partner based in Chicago.

    Dmitry Kuzmin, Managing Partner at 4BIO Capital, said: “Thera and Tay’s extensive experience and innovative perspectives will be invaluable to 4BIO as we continue to drive forward our mission of investing in transformative therapies. We are always keen on the diversity of thought and expertise that strengthens 4BIO’s unique edge as the leading advanced and emerging therapies investor. We are very excited to see where their thesis and experience take them and look forward to their contribution to our portfolio and investments.

    Thera Liechtenstein, newly appointed Investment Director commented: “I am thrilled to join 4BIO Capital and contribute to the firm’s mission of fostering advanced and emerging therapies. I look forward to playing a role in bringing transformative treatments to patients with significant unmet needs.”

    Tay Salimullah, newly appointed Venture Partner added: “This is a remarkable opportunity to work with a team dedicated to advancing transformative therapies. I look forward to leveraging my experience to support innovative companies that are poised to make a significant impact on healthcare and patient outcomes.”

    Thera Liechtenstein joins 4BIO Capital from M Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Merck KGaA, where she was a Senior Investment Director in the Biotechnology team. At M Ventures, Thera led company creations, new investments in Seed and Series A rounds, as well as follow-on investments in companies across Europe and North America, and supported these companies as a member of the board of directors. Previously Thera managed strategic projects for the Healthcare business of Merck. Prior to Merck, Thera was a client relationship manager in the field of wealth preservation, at Industrie- & Finanzkontor Ets. She has a strong academic background having received her PhD in Immuno-Oncology from University College London, an MSc in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Amsterdam, and a BA in Biology and Business studies from New York University.

    Tay Salimullah has over 20 years of leadership experience in the rare disease and MedTech sectors, with a proven track record in incubating and scaling innovative, high-value technologies, including cell and gene therapies. He spent over a decade at Novartis in a series of leadership roles. As an Executive Committee member at Novartis Gene Therapies, Tay executed a new commercial model for Zolgensma® and Kymriah®, securing approvals in more than 55 countries, helping to treat over 4,000 patients, and generating more than $5 billion in revenue. Prior to his roles at Novartis, Tay spent over ten years working in a variety of investment and healthcare roles, including a decade at Pfizer where he held several strategic and commercial roles. His expertise spans drug development, pricing science, market access, and operational excellence in high-value healthcare solutions. Tay holds a BSc in Management Sciences from the University of Brunel, London. 

    – Ends –

    Contacts

                                                    

    About 4BIO Capital

    4BIO Capital (‘4BIO’) is an international venture capital firm headquartered in London, focused solely on the advanced and emerging therapies sector. The 4BIO team, which has an unrivalled network within the advanced therapy sector, comprises leading advanced therapy scientists and experienced life science investors.

    The firm maintains a global footprint across the US, Europe and Asia with an objective to create, invest in, support, and grow early-stage companies. Its ultimate goal is ensuring access to potentially curative therapies for all patients, with a specific focus on viable, high-quality opportunities in cell and gene therapy, RNA-based therapy, targeted therapies, and the microbiome.

    4BIO is currently investing out of its Fund III, having secured support from prominent global institutional investors, including the Children’s Minnesota, UPMC, Development Bank of Japan, Kyowa Kirin, Exor, and many other endowments and foundations. For more information, connect with us on LinkedIn and X (@4biocapital) and visit www.4biocapital.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Economics: Asian Impact Webinar: Asian Development Outlook September 2024 Launch

    Source: Asia Development Bank

    Video | 04 November 2024

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    Developing Asia’s outlook remains solid, driven by strong domestic demand and continued recovery in exports. But risks remain, including a possible rise in protectionism that could occur depending on the outcome of the United States presidential election, worsening geopolitical tensions, a fragile PRC property market, and adverse weather conditions. Asian Development Outlook September 2024 sheds light on these.

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    Developing Asia’s outlook remains solid, driven by strong domestic demand and continued recovery in exports. But risks remain, including a possible rise in protectionism that could occur depending on the outcome of the United States presidential election, worsening geopolitical tensions, a fragile PRC property market, and adverse weather conditions. Asian Development Outlook September 2024 sheds light on these.

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    ]]>

    MIL OSI Economics –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Provisional statistics of restaurant receipts and purchases for third quarter of 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) released the latest provisional figures on restaurant receipts and purchases today (November 4).
     
         The value of total receipts of the restaurants sector in the third quarter of 2024, provisionally estimated at $26.7 billion, decreased by 1.3% over a year earlier. Over the same period, the provisional estimate of the value of total purchases by restaurants decreased by 0.1% to $8.8 billion.
     
         After netting out the effect of price changes over the same period, the provisional estimate of the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 3.3% in the third quarter of 2024 compared with a year earlier.
     
         Analysed by type of restaurant and comparing the third quarter of 2024 with the third quarter of 2023, total receipts of Chinese restaurants decreased by 7.7% in value and 9.8% in volume. Total receipts of non-Chinese restaurants decreased by 0.6% in value and 1.5% in volume. Total receipts of fast food shops increased by 8.5% in value and 5.7% in volume. Total receipts of bars decreased by 6.3% in value and 10.1% in volume. As for miscellaneous eating and drinking places, total receipts increased by 0.3% in value, but decreased by 2.8% in volume.
     
         Based on the seasonally adjusted series, the provisional estimate of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.0% in value, but decreased by 3.3% in volume in the third quarter of 2024 compared with the preceding quarter.
     
         Comparing the first three quarters of 2024 with the same period in 2023, total restaurant receipts decreased by 0.3% in value and 2.9% in volume.
     
         To facilitate further understanding of the short-term business performance of the restaurants sector, statistics in respect of the restaurant receipts and purchases in individual months of the reference quarter are also compiled.
     
         Analysed by month, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total receipts of the restaurants sector decreased by 4.2%, decreased by 2.3% and increased by 2.8% respectively in July, August and September 2024, compared with the corresponding months in 2023.
     
         After discounting the effect of price changes, it was provisionally estimated that the volume of total restaurant receipts decreased by 6.4%, decreased by 4.3% and increased by 1.1% respectively in July, August and September 2024, compared with the corresponding months in 2023.
     
    Commentary
     
         A Government spokesman said that the value of total restaurant receipts recorded a narrowed year-on-year decline of 1.3% in the third quarter of 2024. The business performance of restaurants improved through the quarter, with their total receipts resuming a year-on-year increase of 2.8% in September. Compared with the preceding quarter, the value of total restaurant receipts increased by 2.0% in the third quarter after adjusting for seasonal factors.
     
         Looking ahead, the changing consumption patterns of visitors and residents will continue to affect the business performance of restaurants. Nevertheless, an improved outlook for the Mainland economy following the recent introduction of a wide range of stimulus measures, and the commencement of the US interest rate cut, would render support to catering spending. The SAR Government’s various initiatives to boost market sentiment and increasing employment earnings would also benefit the sector.
     
    Further information
     
         Table 1 presents the revised figures of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant and total purchases by the restaurants sector for the second quarter of 2024 as well as the provisional figures for the third quarter of 2024.
     
         Table 2 and Table 3 present the revised value and volume indices respectively of restaurant receipts by type of restaurant for the second quarter of 2024 and the provisional indices for the third quarter of 2024.
     
         Table 4 presents the year-on-year rate of change in total restaurant receipts in value and volume terms based on the original quarterly series, as well as the quarter-to-quarter rate of change based on the seasonally adjusted series.
     
         The revised figures on restaurant receipts and purchases for the third quarter of 2024 (with breakdown by month) will be released through the website of C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/scode540.html) and relevant publications of the Department from December 20, 2024.
     
         The classification of restaurants follows the Hong Kong Standard Industrial Classification (HSIC) Version 2.0, which is used in various economic surveys for classifying economic units into different industry classes.
     
         More detailed statistics are given in the “Report on Quarterly Survey of Restaurant Receipts and Purchases”. Users can browse and download the publication at the website of the C&SD (www.censtatd.gov.hk/en/EIndexbySubject.html?pcode=B1080002&scode=540).
     
         Users who have enquiries about the survey results may contact the Distribution Services Statistics Section of C&SD (Tel: 3903 7401; e-mail: qsr@censtatd.gov.hk).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Credit Conditions for Third Quarter 2024

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) published today (November 4) the results of Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)’ Credit Conditions for the third quarter of 2024. According to the survey, SMEs’ credit conditions improved slightly.
          
         Regarding SMEs’ perception of banks’ credit approval stance relative to 6 months ago, excluding respondents who answered “no idea/don’t know”, 76 per cent perceived a “similar” or “easier” credit approval stance in the third quarter of 2024, up from 73 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 1 in the Annex). 24 per cent perceived a “more difficult” credit approval stance, down from 27 per cent in the previous quarter. The perception of a more difficult credit approval stance may not necessarily reflect actual difficulties faced by SMEs in obtaining bank credit as the perception could be affected by a number of factors, such as media/news reports, business conditions and opinions of relatives and friends.
          
         Among respondents with existing credit lines, only 1 per cent reported a “tighter” banks’ stance, further down from 2 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 2 in the Annex). In this survey, a tighter stance on existing credit lines denotes a range of possible measures or arrangements, such as reducing unused and used credit lines, raising the interest rate, imposing additional collateral requirements, or shortening loan tenor. Therefore, respondents’ indication of banks’ stance on existing credit lines may not directly reflect banks’ supply of credit to SMEs. 
          
         The survey also gauged the results of new credit applications from SMEs. 3 per cent of the respondents reported that they had applied for new bank credit during the third quarter of 2024. Among the respondents who had already known their application outcomes, 79 per cent reported fully or partially successful applications, up from 70 per cent in the previous quarter (Chart 3 in the Annex).
          
         Owing to small sample sizes of SMEs with existing credit lines (13 per cent of surveyed SMEs) and with new credit applications (3 per cent of surveyed SMEs) during the quarter, the results could be prone to large fluctuations, and hence should be interpreted with care.

    About Survey on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs)’ Credit Conditions
          
         In light of the importance of SMEs to the Hong Kong economy and concerns about potential funding difficulties facing SMEs over the past few years, the HKMA has appointed the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) to carry out this survey, starting from the third quarter of 2016. This survey is conducted on a quarterly basis, covering about 2 500 SMEs from different economic sectors each time. The results of this survey can help monitor the development of SMEs’ access to bank credit from a demand-side perspective.
          
         The results of this survey should be interpreted with caution. Similar to other opinion surveys, views collected in this survey may be affected by changes in sentiment due to idiosyncratic events that occurred over the survey period, which can make the results prone to fluctuations. Readers are advised to interpret the results together with other economic and financial information. In addition, views collected are limited to the expected direction of inter-quarter changes (e.g. “tighter”, “no change” or “easier”) without providing information about the magnitude of these changes.
          
         Detailed tables and technical information of this survey are published on the website of the HKPC (smecc.hkpc.org).

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Interest rate of fifth interest payment for series of retail green bonds due 2025

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority:

         The Hong Kong Monetary Authority, as representative of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, announced today (November 4) the relevant per annum interest rate for the fifth interest payment of the series of retail green bonds due 2025 (Issue Number: 03GR2505R; Stock Code: 4252) (the Retail Green Bonds) issued under the Government Sustainable Bond Programme (previously known as the Government Green Bond Programme).
          
         According to the Issue Circular dated April 26, 2022 for the Retail Green Bonds, the fifth interest payment of the Retail Green Bonds is scheduled to be made on November 18, 2024, and the relevant interest rate is scheduled to be determined and announced on November 4, 2024 as the higher of the prevailing Floating Rate and Fixed Rate. 
          
         On November 4, 2024, the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate are as follows:
     
    Floating Rate: +1.83 per cent (Annex)
    Fixed Rate: +2.50 per cent
     
         Based on the Floating Rate and Fixed Rate set out above, the relevant interest rate for the fifth interest payment is determined and announced as 2.50 per cent per annum.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Violent, illegal acts condemned

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The Department of Justice (DoJ) today strongly condemned an attempted knife attack on a magistrate, stressing that it will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts.

    In a press release, the DoJ explained that the incident took place at the Kowloon City Magistrates’ Courts this morning and emphasised that the attempted knife attack threatened the magistrate’s personal safety.

    It also made it clear that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government will not tolerate any illegal or violent acts, and Police will thoroughly investigate the case, strictly enforce the law and bring any offender to account.

    Article 85 of the Basic Law clearly states that the courts of the Hong Kong SAR shall exercise judicial power independently, free from any interference. Judges should handle cases in accordance with law and evidence. Intimidation, in particular violence of any form against judges who are performing judicial duties, will never be tolerated. Such illegal acts not only disregard the law but also undermine the rule of law.

    Apart from saying that Police will follow up on the matter seriously, the DoJ appealed to the public to respect the rule of law and not to break the law.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: New Measures To Deter High Bids For Hawker Stalls

    Source: Asia Pacific Region 2 – Singapore

    Singapore, 4 November 2024 – Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment, Dr Koh Poh Koon, announced at the Singapore Hawkers’ Seminar and Awards 2024 today that the National Environment Agency (NEA) will be revising the rental renewal policy for successful tenderers from the November 2024 hawker stall tender exercise onwards. 

    2          To deter overly high tender bids, NEA will be staggering the downward adjustment of tendered stall rentals over a longer period. Instead of an immediate full downward adjustment to the assessed market rent (AMR) at the point of first tenancy renewal, the rental for such hawker stalls will be adjusted downwards by 50% of the difference between their tendered rent and AMR for the second tenancy term. This will take effect from the next stall tender exercise in November 2024. This new measure seeks to encourage more prudent bidding behaviour.

    3          To help prospective bidders make more informed tender bid price decisions, NEA will also provide more information and online business cost estimation tools to help prospective bidders make better cost and revenue estimates. These will be made available progressively from 2025.

    Current Stall Tender Scheme and rental model

    4          Vacant cooked food and market stalls are put up for tender monthly under NEA’s Stall Tender Scheme [1]. This open tender system ensures stalls are allocated in a fair and transparent manner. When stallholders obtain vacant stalls via the monthly stall tender exercises, their stall rental for the first tenancy term of three years is their tendered bid price. At the end of the 3-year tenancy term, stall rental is adjusted towards AMR, as determined by an independent professional valuation. The valuation considers factors such as footfall, stall sizes and tendered stall rentals at the hawker centre.

    5          Currently, stallholders whose tendered rent is higher than the AMR at the point of tenancy renewal will see a full downward adjustment of their stall rental to the prevailing AMR. Stallholders whose tendered rent is lower than the AMR at the point of tenancy renewal will similarly see an upward adjustment of stall rental toward the AMR. This upward adjustment of stall rental towards AMR is moderated by NEA and has not exceeded $300 per tenancy term in recent years.

    6          Popular hawker centres with high footfall and low vacancy have started to attract higher tender bids in recent years. Some bidders may have tendered high bids to secure choice stalls at their preferred locations. However, this is not the norm.

    7          The median stall rental for non-subsidised cooked food stalls has remained relatively constant for the last 10 years at about $1,250 per month. Occupancy rates for cooked food stalls have remained high, averaging at around 97%. Most of the vacant stalls that are put up for tender will be occupied within three to six months.

    8          While NEA does not regulate cooked food prices, we remain committed to provide a conducive environment for stallholders to operate, so that they can price their food affordably for the public and sustain their own livelihoods. Together with the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment, we will continue to track stall rentals closely and adjust policies as necessary.


    [1] Please refer to the ANNEX for an illustrated example of the Stall Tender Scheme.

     

    ~~ End ~~

    For more information, please submit your enquiries electronically via the Online Feedback Form or myENV mobile application.

     

    ANNEX

     

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Australia: Australia’s largest airports join forces in the fight against human trafficking

    Source: Sydney Airport

    Australia’s largest airports join forces in the fight against human trafficking

    Monday 4 November 2024

    In an Australian first, Sydney Airport and Melbourne Airport have joined forces to launch a public awareness campaign to fight human trafficking.  

    The country’s two largest international airports have partnered with anti-human trafficking organisation, A21, to run the “Can You See Me?” campaign, with guidance and input from the Australian Federal Police (AFP).  

    This initiative will educate people on how to recognise and report the signs of human trafficking.   

    From today, digital screens and billboards at both airports will display images and messages, stating that slavery still exists and urging people: “If you suspect it, report it.” QR codes also link to videos and information on how to identify and stop these crimes. Digital screens in key areas will display these messages, including check-in counters, gates and baggage carousels.  

    Combined, Sydney and Melbourne airports cater for 68% of Australia’s total international passenger traffic. While the “Can You See Me?” campaign runs over the next month, close to 7 million passengers are expected to pass through both the domestic and international terminals at the two airports.  

    A21 has rolled out this program in high-profile spaces worldwide—from Times Square billboards, screens at Heathrow Airport, train stations in Thailand to inflatable screens in vulnerable Cambodian communities—reaching an impressive 3.4 billion people globally.  

    Modern slavery is a growing issue in Australia, with the AFP receiving 382 reports in 2023/2024 financial year, a 12 per cent increase on the previous year. Cases include trafficking, forced marriage, sexual exploitation, domestic servitude, debt bondage, forced labour, deceptive recruitment and organ trafficking. The Global Slavery Index estimates 41,000 people in Australia live under conditions of modern slavery.  

    A united response to human trafficking  

    Scott Charlton, Sydney Airport CEO said: “Every person who steps through our airport deserves to travel safely, without fear of exploitation.”   

    “We deeply value the AFP’s dedication to catching and prosecuting traffickers and the A21 ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign will amplify their efforts by raising critical public awareness and support.  

    “Sydney Airport is proud to join forces with Melbourne Airport, united in our mission to tackle the scourge of modern slavery.”  

    Lorie Argus, Melbourne Airport CEO said: “This partnership goes beyond just airports—it’s about people’s lives.”  

    “By joining forces with Sydney Airport, the AFP, and A21, we’re taking a stand against modern slavery, a hidden crime that destroys people’s futures.  

    “Knowing that human trafficking is a real and daily threat, we feel a deep responsibility to protect our passengers.”  

    Acting Commander Human Exploitation Frank Rayner from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) said: “The increase in reported cases of human trafficking and slavery in Australia highlights the urgent need for action.”

    “Airports are key environments where traffickers seek to move victims across borders. It is important to remember that traffickers have many ways of controlling a person and a person can be exploited without physical restraint or abuse.

    “Engaging travellers and frontline airport staff to recognise the signs and report suspected cases will help disrupt these crimes and protect vulnerable people.”

    Nick Caine, A21 CEO, said: “Everyone has a role to play in the fight against human trafficking. Awareness is the first step, and we believe that through this campaign, more victims will be recognised and rescued.  

    “The ‘Can You See Me?’ campaign has already changed lives across the world, and we are grateful to Sydney and Melbourne airports for bringing this powerful message to Australia.”  

    Christian Elliott, Director of “Can You See Me?” said:  “As the director of the Can You See Me? campaign, I have witnessed firsthand the transformative power of awareness.”  

    “This initiative goes beyond just sharing information—it equips every individual who passes through Sydney and Melbourne airports to become a part of the solution.  

    “Human trafficking hides in plain sight, but through this campaign, we are making the invisible visible, empowering travellers, staff, and the public to take action. With just one report, one moment of recognition, a life can be saved. Together, we can stop the traffickers and protect the most vulnerable among us.”  

    The Rotary Clubs of Botany Randwick and Marrickville have announced that all cash collected from 11 donation boxes across Sydney Airport over the next month will be donated to A21 to support survivors of human trafficking.  

    Airport-specific signs & indicators of human trafficking  

    • Avoids eye contact and social interaction 
    • Is not in control of own passport/documentation 
    • Language barrier with their travelling companions 
    • Unusually submissive
    • Unaware of their destination  
    • Clothing is not appropriate/does not fit the route of travel  

    More details: Human trafficking and exploitation – AFP  

    How to make a report

    If you, or someone you know, are in immediate danger, call 000 for help.    

    The Australian Federal Police (AFP) protect people who are victims of modern slavery and can help keep you safe. If you suspect someone is at risk, you can:  

    • Make an anonymous report through Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000  
    • Call 131 AFP  
    • Report online  

    MIL OSI News –

  • MIL-OSI China: Chinese premier to attend 8th Greater Mekong Subregion Summit

    Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

    BEIJING, Nov. 4 — The eighth Greater Mekong Subregion Summit will be held in Kunming, Yunnan from Nov. 6 to 7. Premier of the State Council Li Qiang will chair the summit, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning announced on Monday.

    Leaders of the five Mekong countries of Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam, and President of the Asian Development Bank will attend the summit upon invitation, Mao added.

    MIL OSI China News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Oct much warmer than usual

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    Mainly due to a weaker northeast monsoon over southern China, October was much warmer than usual, the Hong Kong Observatory (HKO) said today.

    The monthly mean temperature of 27.3 degrees Celsius, mean maximum temperature of 30.3 degrees Celsius, and mean minimum temperature of 25.4 degrees Celsius, were all the highest on record for October.

    There were three very hot days in the month, one of the highest on record for October.

    On October 19, with light winds and plenty of sunshine, the maximum temperature recorded in the afternoon was 33.7 degrees, making it the latest very hot day of a year on record.

    The month was also much drier than usual with a total rainfall of 11.3mm, only about 9% of the norm. The accumulated rainfall this year up to October was 2,115.6mm, about 10% lower than the norm for the same period.

    Five tropical cyclones occurred over the South China Sea and the western North Pacific in October, the HKO added.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Asia+ Festival’s concerts by Kinan Azmeh fuses Arabic music with classical and jazz elements (with photos)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         This year’s Asia+ Festival has invited Kinan Azmeh, a core member of Yo-Yo Ma’s Silk Road Ensemble and an award-winning clarinettist and composer, to perform in Hong Kong for the first time in November. He will be joined by percussionist John Hadfield and five emerging local musicians in a pair of concerts that showcase a broad range of music. The events are presented by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau and organised by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department.
     
         Born in Syria and now based in the United States, Azmeh is widely acclaimed for his genre-crossing repertoire that blends Arabic music with Western classical and jazz influences. His work has been hailed by The New York Times as “intensely soulful”, describing him as a “virtuoso”. In 2017, Silk Road Ensemble’s “Sing Me Home”, which he contributed to, won the Grammy Award for Best World Music Album. Within the album is his composition “Wedding”, in which he also appeared as a clarinettist.
     
         Azmeh has performed in many major venues around the world, such as the Bastille Opera House in Paris, Berliner Philharmonie in Berlin and the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In the upcoming Hong Kong concerts, he will perform four compositions of different styles, which will express emotions that are universally shared. “The Fence, the Rooftop and the Distant Sea” portrays the composer’s longing for his hometown, while “Ibn Arabi Postlude” exalts love and freedom, which he deems as sacred as religion. Another piece, “In the Element”, depicts Azmeh’s state of bliss as he becomes one with the natural environment he is familiar with. Lastly, “Suite for Improvisor and Orchestra” is his contemplation of the intriguing correlations between the composed and the improvised.
     
         Besides sharing the stage with Hadfield are the five local musicians, namely violinists Nina Wong and Sammi Chan, violist Martin Kuo, cellist Kelvin Lee, and double bassist Evette Chiu. Part of this programme was performed to critical acclaim for Azmeh’s collaboration with the London Philharmonic Orchestra in London Southbank Centre last year.
     
         “Concert by Kinan Azmeh” is one of the celebratory programmes of the 35th anniversary of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. It will be staged at 8pm on November 22 and 23 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Studio Theatre. Each performance will be followed by a meet-the-artist session. Tickets priced at $260 and $400 are now available at URBTIX (www.urbtix.hk). For telephone bookings, please call 3166 1288; or use the mobile ticketing app “URBTIX”. Besides the concert, a composition and improvisation workshop, with tickets priced at $200, will be held on November 20 at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Administration Building’s Podium Workshop. Azmeh will also coach Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts students in a clarinet masterclass on November 21 at the Academy’s Recital Hall. Members of the audience are welcome to view the class for free. For more details, please visit asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en/concert-by-kinan-azmeh.
     
         The second Asia+ Festival is running from September to November, highlighting the arts and cultures of nearly 30 Asian and Belt and Road countries and regions. Apart from stage programmes, there are also thematic exhibitions, an outdoor carnival, film screenings, outreach activities and more, numbering over 100 in total. For programme enquiries and concessionary schemes, please call 2370 1044 or visit asiaplus.gov.hk/2024/en.         

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: HEROWORKS Embarks on Global Expansion with Hotel Revenue Management System

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SEOUL, KOREA, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — HEROWORKS, a leading Korean hospitality tech company, announced its initiative to expand the global reach of its hotel revenue management systems, ‘DatAmenity’ and ‘REVIE.’

    – Launches Review Management Service ‘REVIE’ Following Hotel Revenue Management System ‘DatAmenity’

    – Enhances Services through Localization Strategies, Including Multilingual Systems and Development of Local OTA Crawlers

    Focusing on the Korean market, HEROWORKS has provided ‘DatAmenity,’ a hotel pricing management service, and ‘REVIE,’ a review management service. Recently, through global data collection, the development of multilingual systems, and the creation of local OTA (Online Travel Agency) crawlers, the company is accelerating the expansion of its solutions, primarily targeting the Asian market.

    HEROWORKS has completed the development of English and Vietnamese versions of the DatAmenity service and has finalized the development of the crawler for integration with major Japanese OTA platforms such as IKYU, RAKUTEN, and JALAN. By adding features optimized for each country’s market, HEROWORKS is significantly enhancing its accessibility in the global market.

    ‘DatAmenity’ is a hotel revenue management solution that collects and analyzes room data from all accommodations listed on OTAs to help set optimal room sale prices. The name combines ‘Data,’ meaning information, and ‘Amenity,’ which hotels provide, signifying HEROWORKS’ provision of data-driven revenue management services to hotels, akin to how hotels offer amenities to their guests.

    Critical features of DatAmenity include ‘Managing the Lowest Room Prices for the Hotel,’ ‘Tracking Room Price Fluctuations,’ ‘Comparing and Analyzing Prices with Competitor Hotels,’ and ‘Accessing Weather and Festival/Event Information.’ DatAmenity comprehensively analyzes the lowest room prices, price fluctuations, and comparisons with surrounding hotels listed on OTAs, supporting users in developing optimized room sale strategies. Additionally, by providing information on festivals and events, users can predict tourism season demand and plan package deals linked to events to maximize revenue.

    ‘REVIE’ is a hotel review management system developed based on positive feedback and additional feature requests for the review management functionality provided by HEROWORKS’ ‘DatAmenity.’

    Key features of REVIE include ‘AI-Based Automatic Generation of Review Replies,’ ‘Hotel Review Analysis,’ and ‘Comparison and Market Analysis of Reviews for Selected Hotels.’ The AI-based automatic reply generation supports four languages: Korean, Japanese, English, and Chinese, and can generate replies in two tones: ‘standard’ and ‘friendly.’ Hotel review analysis visualizes frequently mentioned keywords, mention counts, and positivity levels over time in tables or graphs. When a hotel of interest is specified, it allows for comparative analysis with the hotel’s review data.

    CEO Lee Chang-ju of HEROWORKS stated, “REVIE was launched in response to requests from field practitioners, and we are proud that it is a service more suitable for hotels’ needs than any other hotel IT solution. Through the REVIE service, we expect to provide qualitative customer feedback and quantitatively analyzed hotel information, which can be utilized in marketing and branding strategies to support effective hotel operations.”

    Meanwhile, HEROWORKS is a hospitality tech company that builds automated hotel revenue management systems. By developing and operating phased hotel revenue management solutions, the company aims to enhance the profitability of accommodations and improve customer satisfaction. The company provides solutions that efficiently support necessary tasks across four stages: hotel reservations, lead time, hotel usage, and post-checkout.

    Currently, HEROWORKS operates ‘DatAmenity,’ the price management service required in the first stage, and ‘REVIE,’ the review management service needed in the final stage. The company plans to launch AI chatbots and AI marketing services required in the lead time and hotel usage stages, thereby establishing a comprehensive hotel revenue management platform that can enhance hotels’ competitiveness.

    Social Links

    YouTube: https://youtu.be/e1kOthMDeUo?feature=shared

    Blog: https://blog.naver.com/datamenity

    Media Contact

    Brand: HEROWORKS

    Contact: Planning & Marketing Team

    Email: help@heroworks.co.kr

    Website: https://www.heroworks.co.kr

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Tung Chung water supply resumes

    Source: Hong Kong Information Services

    The fresh water supply of Tung Chung Town area was gradually resumed from about 10am today, Director of Water Supplies Roger Wong said.

    Due to emergency repair works on a fresh water pipe at Cheung Tung Road near Siu Ho Wan Water Treatment Works of Lantau Island, the area’s fresh water supply was affected from 10pm yesterday.

    Around 120,000 Tung Chung residents were affected, Mr Wong told a media session.

    The department’s preliminary investigation found that the pipe involved was watermain with a diameter of 1,200mm, which supplies potable water to the Tung Chung area.

    The department will thorougly investigate the incident and compile a report to the Development Bureau as early as possible.

    Mr Wong noted that the failure mode is very rare, as the leakage occurred at the bottom of the pipe.

    “Normally it is on the top side or both sides of the pipe because this is the area that is subject to most vibrations from the traffic.”

    He also explained why the expected time of water resumption was postponed from 6am to 10am and apologised for any confusion caused.

    “Because of the complicatedness of the work and also the large scale resumption of water, we needed to do extra flushing in order to ensure the quality of water to the public. We had to adjust the water resumption time in the morning. We should apologise to the residents of Tung Chung.”

    Mr Wong added that seven water trucks and 60 water tanks were dispatched to provide an emergency water supply to the affected users during the incident.

    Given the severity of the incident and the extensive area affected, an emergency response mechanism was activated in collaboration with relevant government departments to handle the situation swiftly.

    About 80 members from seven District Services & Community Care Teams worked overnight in the affected estates and villages to assist the residents.

    The Home Affairs Department has been closely monitoring the situation and dispatched staff to the scene to inspect and co-ordinate.

    The Housing Department has also been in close contact with the Water Supplies Department.

    Additionally, the relevant property services offices and management offices immediately issued emergency notices to inform the affected residents and distributed bottled water.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: CHP investigates case of severe paediatric enterovirus infection

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health is today (November 4) investigating a case of severe paediatric enterovirus (EV) infection, and again urged the public and institutions to maintain strict hand, personal and environmental hygiene.
     
         The case involves a 12-year-old boy with congenital heart disease. He developed fever and seizure on October 31. He attended the Accident and Emergency Department of Caritas Medical Centre and was admitted for management on the same day. The patient is now in a stable condition.
     
         A laboratory test of his cerebrospinal fluid specimen was positive for EV. The clinical diagnosis was meningitis.
     
         Initial enquiries by the CHP revealed that the patient had no travel history during the incubation period. His father and mother developed upper respiratory tract infection symptoms two weeks ago and have both already recovered. His other home contacts have remained asymptomatic. The school he attends has had no reported outbreak of hand, foot and mouth disease. The CHP’s investigations are ongoing.
     
         A spokesman for the CHP said that as EV infection is transmitted by direct contact with nose and throat discharges, the public should be vigilant and observe the following preventive measures:
     

    Wash hands before eating and after going to the toilet and changing diapers;
    Cover the mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing;
    Maintain good ventilation; and
    Thoroughly clean toys or appliances that are contaminated by nasal or oral secretions.

     
         Children suffering from EV infection should stay at home and avoid contact with other children until they have recovered.
     
         The public may visit the CHP’s page on hand, foot and mouth disease and EV71 infection for more information. 

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI: Aerospike Database on Kubernetes Enabled 95 Million Transactions per Second on E-commerce Platform for Festive Sale

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aerospike Inc. (“Aerospike”), the real-time database, announced that Flipkart, India’s homegrown e-commerce marketplace, sustained performance of its in-house Aerospike database platform at a rate of 95 million transactions per second (TPS) supporting its annual flagship, The Big Billion Days (TBBD).

    Flipkart continues to set new benchmarks in e-commerce by transforming the way India shops online during the festive season. To deliver a superior e-commerce experience to the world’s most populous nation, multiple application teams at Flipkart leveraged Aerospike and its Kubernetes Operator, Aerospike Kubernetes Operator (AKO). This combination ensures low-latency, high-throughput database operations at sustained performance levels rarely seen anywhere in the world, powering use cases that require sub-millisecond query times.

    Operational Efficiency and Cost Optimization

    By automating database management and scaling with AKO, Flipkart optimizes resource utilization, reducing infrastructure costs while efficiently handling peak loads without overprovisioning. This ensures Flipkart delivers a cost-effective, world-class e-commerce experience.

    Global Availability and High Resilience

    Aerospike assures high availability and resilience across distributed operations, which is critical for a large-scale event. Aerospike empowers businesses to operate with confidence, knowing their infrastructure can handle massive demand. AKO enhances this with self-healing capabilities and built-in redundancy, ensuring resilience in case of failure—critical for a seamless customer experience.

    A Breakthrough for Kubernetes in Hyperscale Data Operations

    “While Kubernetes initially rose to popularity for its ability to run stateless microservices, Flipkart’s success with the Aerospike Kubernetes Operator validates the use of the container orchestration system for operating durable data platforms at hyperscale,” said Srini Srinivasan, PhD, CTO and founder of Aerospike. “The achievements of Flipkart are incredible—there are very few companies in the world that work on this level of transactional throughput.”

    The Aerospike Kubernetes Operator continues to rapidly grow among customers in all sectors and geographies. In the past 12 months, Aerospike has added capabilities to AKO, making it easier to automate all aspects of operating, upgrading, backing up and restoring, and scaling up and down database clusters.

    Read about the latest enhancements to the Aerospike Kubernetes Operator for empowering operations teams.

    About Aerospike

    Aerospike is the real-time database built for infinite scale, speed, and savings. Our customers are ready for what’s next with the lowest latency and the highest throughput data platform. Cloud- and AI-forward, we empower leading organizations like Adobe, Airtel, Criteo, DBS Bank, Experian, Flipkart, PayPal, Snap, and Sony Interactive Entertainment. Headquartered in Mountain View, California, our offices include London, Bangalore, and Tel Aviv.

    Aerospike is a registered trademark of Aerospike, Inc.

    Contact:
    John Moran
    Look Left Marketing
    aerospike@lookleftmarketing.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Tanzania marks record agricultural achievement as African Development Bank President Adesina urges investment in Africa

    Source: Africa Press Organisation – English (2) – Report:

    DES MOINES, United States of America, November 4, 2024/APO Group/ —

    • Tanzania achieves 128% food self-sufficiency, one of continent’s two successful cashew nut processors
    • If you are not investing in Africa, what are you doing? – Akinwumi Adesina

    Tanzania is setting new benchmarks in food self-sufficiency across Africa, raising hope that the fight against hunger and malnutrition on the continent is achievable.

    President Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania said her country had reached 128 percent food security and is now exporting surplus to neighbouring countries.  

    She was speaking on Thursday 31 October during a high-level session at the World Food Prize Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue in Iowa, moderated by the president of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina. The session, entitled “Bold Measures to Feed Africa,” also featured the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio.

    President Suluhu Hassan told a packed auditorium, that after achieving food sufficiency, “we are now working on quality, accessibility and affordability, and how to minimize post-harvest loses.”

    Adesina praised President Suluhu Hassan’s leadership and strong political will for Tanzania’s success. He said the growing commitment of other African nations, underscores the continent’s readiness for large-scale investment in agriculture and food production.

    He recalled how the African Development Bank’s 2023 Dakar 2 Food Summit ignited commitment across Africa for country-specific food and agriculture compacts. The summit, co-hosted by the government of Senegal and the African Union, was attended by 34 African Heads of State and Government. It has mobilized more than $72 billion to date.

    President Suluhu Hassan said Tanzania left Dakar 2 summit with a signed compact and determination to implement increasing productivity as well as the political will to create institutions and support structures for its farmers.

    “We realized that not investing in agriculture is much more costly than investing in the sector,” she said.

    Tanzania has broken another record by becoming a processor and net exporter of cashew nuts, which for nearly all African countries, are processed in Asia. The country has also succeeded in rural electrification with nearly 100 percent of its 12,300 villages with electricity, President Suluhu Hassan said.

    Backed by investment from the African Development Bank, Tanzania’s Creating jobs for Youth and Women programme is targeting the country’s 65% youth population with training in farming, agriculture, livestock and crop farming.

    The Tanzanian leader said each youth is given 10 acres of land and is supported by training, already 11,000 have benefitted and this year’s harvest has begun. “We thank the African Development Bank for supporting that program,” she said.

    Joining Adesina on stage, President Bio of Sierra Leone shared his country’s success with the Feed Salone program, which has cut rice imports by 20 million tons and spurred agricultural productivity.

    Until then the nation had not paid enough attention to food security and Bio said he had focused on education during his first term. “Agriculture is the basis of development,” President Bio stated.

    The Feed Salone programme has helped boost agricultural productivity to feed the nation and to enable them export. “Already we have reduced rice imports by 20 million tons,” he said.

    “We are here to share the Sierra Leone story and invite investors. We are an ambitious nation and want to succeed to attract investors,” President Bio said.

    Adesina highlighted the African Development Bank’s efforts to reshape global perceptions of Africa and drive investment in critical sectors like agriculture.

    He said the event and the Africa Dialogue, also hosted by the African Development Bank in Iowa, was intended to break stereotypes and showcase Africa’s potential, a continent that is home to 65% of the world’s remaining arable land and has the technology to turn Africa into a global food basket.

    “This is why we bring African leaders here so you can hear from them directly,” Adesina said.

    The 2024 Norman E. Borlaug Dialogue gathers experts worldwide to inspire innovative solutions to global hunger. This year’s theme, “Seeds of Opportunity, Bridging Generations and Cultivating Diplomacy,” champions collaboration, legacy, and hope in the fight for food security.

    Adesina recalled the words of Norman E. Borlaug to him shortly before his death in 2009 at 95 years old.

    “He told me keep on scoring goals for Africa,” Adesina said. “If you are not investing in Africa, what are you doing?”

    Learn more about the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa High 5 priority here (http://apo-opa.co/4htLM6p).

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI United Nations: One month after the tragic school bus crash in Khu Khot, UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety to promote and launch the UN-JCDecaux campaign for road safety in Thailand

    Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Europe

    The UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, Jean Todt, is visiting Bangkok from 30 October to 6 November 2024. During his visit, he will meet with the Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, key government officials, representatives of the international community, private, and public sectors to promote road safety initiatives and advocate for enhanced measures, particularly on wearing quality helmets. His visit will be also the occasion to launch the UN-JCDecaux campaign #MakeASafetyStatement in the country.  The Special Envoy will also speak at the UNESCAP/Alliance française Road Safety Seminar on 4 November.  This aligns with the Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030, aiming to halve road fatalities by 2030.

    The visit of the Special envoy comes one month after the tragic bus road crash which caught fire while travelling on an outbound lane in Khu Khot in the Pathum Thani Province, resulting in 23 deaths of which were mainly school students.

    The silent pandemic

    Every year, the staggering toll of road-related fatalities claims the lives of 1.19 million people, leaving countless others with severe injuries. This silent pandemic overwhelmingly affects developing nations, where over 90% of the road traffic fatalities occur. Furthermore, road crashes are the leading cause of death for children and young adults aged 5–29 years.  

    According to the World Health Organization, road crashes kill 18,218 people in Thailand each year, representing a road traffic fatality rate of 25/100,000 population, while the rate is in 15.7/100,000 in South-East Asia and 6.5/100,000 in Europe (WHO 2021). Despite the recent efforts of the country, Thailand is still ranked on the top worst countries in term of road fatalities.  This is therefore urgent to act for increasing road safety in the country.

    “Every life lost to preventable road accidents is a tragedy that reverberates through our communities and our country. This recent tragedy has reminded us of the urgent need for effective and sustained action. Road safety is not merely a matter of law enforcement but a shared societal responsibility. We owe it to our citizens, especially our children, to make our roads safer“, stated the new Prime Minister, H.E. Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra.

    Road crashes have a significant social and economic burden, particularly in Thailand.  “In addition to the human tragedy, road crashes trap countries into a vicious circle of poverty, costing till 6% of the GDP. Given their social and economic cost, road crashes are jeopardizing the entire sustainable development agenda. Now is the time for change, and I am looking forward to working with the Government of Thailand to stop the carnage on the roads.” stressed the UNSG’s Special Envoy Todt.

    Wearing a safe helmet

    If the causes of road crashes are multiple such as the non-reliability of the vehicles and of the road’s infrastructure and design, the lack of post-crashes services, weaknesses in the road safety management, a dangerous road user’s behavior is still one of the main reasons costing lives on the road. On the mitigation of the risk factors for the road users, wearing a helmet responding to the UN standards is definitively a game changer. Wearing a quality helmet can reduce the risk of injuries by 69%.

    Knowing that Thailand has the highest rate of motorcycle-related deaths in the world, representing more than 70% of the road traffic fatalities in the country, wearing a safe helmet is an absolute emergency.              

    #MakeASafetyStatement

    During his visit in Thailand, the Special Envoy will launch the UN Global Road Safety Campaign, which aims to raise awareness of life-saving road safety measures. Launched globally in cooperation with JCDecaux Global under the motto #MakeASafetyStatement, it will run through 2025 in over 80 countries in the world.   

    The campaign seeks to reduce risk factors, especially in urban areas, enabling people to walk, live, and enjoy their environment safely.  Sixteen global, and dozens of national, celebrities have joined forces to advocate for simple and effective road safety rules.  Key messages include wearing a seat belt, driving safely, wearing a helmet, not texting and driving, not driving under the influence or while tired, and respecting pedestrians.

    Participating celebrities in the campaign include Football Legend Mr. Didier Drogba, F1 Driver Mr. Charles Leclerc, Oscar-winning actress and UNDP Goodwill Ambassador Ms. Michelle Yeoh, Tennis Legend Mr. Novak Djokovic, Musician Ms. Kylie Minogue, Motorcycle racer Mr. Marc Marquez, Supermodel Ms. Naomi Campbell, Actor Mr. Patrick Dempsey, Musician and Inspirational leader Mr. Youssou N’Dour, Actress Ms. Julie Gayet, Actor Mr. Michael Fassbender, Football icon Mr. Ousmane Dembélé, Double Olympic Champion Ms. Faith Kipyegon, F1 Driver Mr. Mick Schumacher, Actor Jean Reno and Cyclist Champion Tadej Podacar.

    Risk factors that are too often neglected                                                                                                                 

    Only seven countries in the world (France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, Sweden) have laws that comply with WHO best practices for all the risk factors – speeding, drink driving, UN-standard motorbike helmet use, seatbelts and child restraint systems.

    Media representatives are cordially invited to cover the launch of the campaign, mission and Memorandum of Agreement on Road Safety Cooperation between the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Public Health at the press conference on 6 November 2024 at 1.30 PM at the Ministry of Transport (Ratcharotsamosorn Assembly Hall) in Bangkok, with:

    • Mr. Suriya Jungroongruangkit, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport
    • Mr. Somsak Thepsutin, Minister of Public Health
    • Mr. Jean Todt, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for road safety,   
    • Ms. Michaela Friberg-Storey, UN Resident Coordinator to Thailand, presents the work of the UN in road safety in Thailand.
    • Mr. Arnaud de Ruffray, President of JCDecaux Thailand presents the UN-JCDecaux campaign for road safety in Thailand.
    • Ms. Saisunee Jana, Paralympic gold Medalist

     

    About the Special Envoy

    The former United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon, appointed in 2015 Jean Todt as his Special Envoy for Road Safety. He was reconfirmed in this role by United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, in 2017 and in 2021. In 2018, together with 14 UN organizations, the Special Envoy launched the UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF). The Special Envoy contributes, among other things, to mobilize sustained political commitment to make road safety a priority; to advocate and raise awareness of UN legal instruments on road safety; to share established good practices in this area; to strive to generate adequate funding through strategic partnerships between the public, private and non-governmental sectors. Special Envoy brochure and X account.

    MIL OSI United Nations News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
    Update on cluster of Candida auris cases in Princess Margaret Hospital
    **********************************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Hospital Authority:     Regarding an earlier announcement on Candida auris carrier cases, the spokesperson for Princess Margaret Hospital made the following update today (November 4):      Following a contact tracing investigation, one more patient, an 83-year-old male in a Medicine and Geriatrics ward, was identified as a carrier of Candida auris without signs of infection. The patient is now being treated in isolation and is in stable condition.      The ward concerned has adopted the following enhanced infection control measures: 

    Enhanced patient and environmental screening procedures;
    Applied stringent contact precautions and enhanced hand hygiene of staff and patients; and
    Thorough cleaning and disinfection of the ward concerned.

          The hospital has reported the case to the Hospital Authority Head Office and the Centre for Health Protection for follow-up and will continue to closely monitor the situation.

     
    Ends/Monday, November 4, 2024Issued at HKT 18:30

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

    LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder
    LegCo to debate motion on further enhancing housing ladder
    **********************************************************

    The following is issued on behalf of the Legislative Council Secretariat:       The Legislative Council (LegCo) will hold a meeting on Wednesday (November 6) at 11am in the Chamber of the LegCo Complex. During the meeting, Members will debate a motion on further enhancing the housing ladder. The motion, moved by Mr Vincent Cheng, is set out in Appendix 1. Mr Louis Loong, Mr Leung Man-kwong, Ms Joephy Chan, Dr Wendy Hong, Mr Kenneth Leung and Dr So Cheung-wing will move separate amendments to Mr Cheng’s motion.       Ms Doreen Kong will also move a motion on implementing the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and earnestly addressing people’s concerns and difficulties in daily life. The motion is set out in Appendix 2. Dr Johnny Ng, Dr So Cheung-wing, Dr Hoey Simon Lee and Professor Priscilla Leung will move separate amendments to Ms Kong’s motion.       Meanwhile, Mr Ma Fung-kwok will move a proposed resolution under section 34(4) of the Interpretation and General Clauses Ordinance to extend the period for amending subsidiary legislation. The proposed resolution is set out in Appendix 3.       Members will also ask the Government 22 questions on various policy areas, six of which require oral replies.            The agenda of the above meeting can be obtained via the LegCo Website (www.legco.gov.hk). Members of the public can watch or listen to the meeting via the “Webcast” system on the LegCo Website. To observe the proceedings of the meeting at the LegCo Complex, members of the public may call 3919 3399 during office hours to reserve seats.

     
    Ends/Monday, November 4, 2024Issued at HKT 18:35

    NNNN

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Speech by DSJ at Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024 (English only) (with photo)

    Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

         Following are the closing remarks by the Deputy Secretary for Justice, Mr Cheung Kwok-kwan, at the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024 under Hong Kong Legal Week 2024 today (November 4):Professor Ignacio Tirado (Professor Ignacio Tirado, Secretary-General of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,      It is a great honour for me to deliver the closing remarks of the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024, a remarkable event co-organised by UNIDROIT and the Department of Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.      I am especially delighted to see Ignacio and Anna (the Deputy Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, Professor Anna Veneziano) again in person today. It brings back my memories of my visit to UNIDROIT’s Secretariat in the beautiful city of Rome last year, where I attended an insightful conference co-organised by UNIDROIT and the Chinese Embassy in Italy. I still recall the generous hospitality extended to me by Ignacio and Anna during my visit. I sincerely hope that we have been able to reciprocate that same warmth and hospitality during your time here in Hong Kong.     Today’s Summit has been nothing short of inspiring. We have been privileged to hear insightful presentations from distinguished officials, industry players and experts from Hong Kong and overseas, including high-level officials from several renowned international organisations of UNIDROIT, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Hague Conference on Private International Law. We are also honoured to have had a senior official from Mongolia to share her insights, which have further enriched our discussions.     The quality and depth of these presentations have been commendable, addressing critical issues pertinent to the evolving landscape of international private law. The topics explored by our expert panellists are both timely and relevant not only to Hong Kong, but also to the Asia-Pacific region and beyond. I am confident that the insights shared today will contribute significantly to ongoing discussions within our legal communities and other stakeholders.      As we reflect on today’s Summit, one overarching theme has particularly stood out, that is the importance of legal certainty and predictability. In an increasingly globalised world, where cross-border transactions are growing in volume and complexity, the harmonisation and modernisation of private law are more important and essential than ever. Reducing legal uncertainties is not merely an academic or technical exercise. It directly benefits businesses by enabling them to operate with greater confidence and facilitating smooth cross-border commercial activities. Legal certainty and predictability fostered by international private law will therefore be a “springboard to opportunities” for the Asia-Pacific region, as encapsulated in the theme of today’s Summit. Panel 1: Harnessing Opportunities from Digital Assets, Tokenisation and Carbon Credits      In our first panel, we delved into the need for a consistent approach to the legal treatment of digital assets across jurisdictions.      The advent of technologies such as distributed ledgers has paved the way for cryptocurrencies and other digital assets, which are now integral to various sectors of our economy and financial markets.     In order to unlock the potential of the digital economy, a clear and certain legal framework is vital. Such clarity instils trust in technology, ensures platform resilience and protects the rights of consumers and businesses alike. In this context, the UNIDROIT Principle on Digital Assets and Private Law which provides a common framework addressing legal issues related to the holding, transfer and use of digital assets, are particularly relevant to Hong Kong and the Asia-Pacific.      Today’s discussion offered much to consider about integrating international principles with local laws in each jurisdiction to achieve harmonisation and consistency. As an international financial hub, Hong Kong is committed to promoting the integration of real economy and digital economy, and fostering the development of the digital economy.Panel 2: Unleashing Economic Potential Through Secured Transaction Law Reform in the Asia-Pacific Region     The benefits and role of harmonised secured transactions law in promoting economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region was discussed in Panel 2.      Secured transactions are essential for businesses seeking access to credit and working capacity. As a leading international trading hub with a robust legal system, Hong Kong is the prime destination for Mainland and overseas enterprises establishing their international headquarters to manage offshore trading and supply chain operations. In fact, Hong Kong ranks at the top globally in terms of international trade and business legislation according to the World Competitiveness Yearbook 2024 by the International Management Development Institute.      Our experts in Panel 2 examined the importance of international instruments supporting secured transactions, while exploring UNIDROIT’s contribution to secured transactions law, such as the Convention on International Interests in Mobile Equipment and its various Protocols, as well as the recent adopted Model Law on Factoring. Such efforts are crucial for enhancing access to credit for businesses across the Asia-Pacific Region to unleash our economic potential. Panel 3: Gateway to International Investment and Sustainability     The experts at Panel 3 brought our attention to the need for reducing legal uncertainties surrounding international investment contracts for both states and private investors.      In this regard, the panel introduced the UNIDROIT’s ongoing international investment project, which seeks to modernise, harmonise and standardise international investment contracts by developing clear guidance to foster consistency in these vital agreements. It also addresses recent developments in international investment law, such as the increasing focus on corporate social responsibility and sustainability.      These topics are of particular relevance to Hong Kong, given its role as an important gateway between China and the global markets. Hong Kong’s unique arrangements with Mainland China enhance its appeal as a jurisdiction for international investment and arbitration. Investments from Hong Kong into Mainland China enjoy the substantive protections offered by the investment agreement under the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership Arrangement. Moreover, we are the first common law jurisdiction where parties involved in arbitrations seated in Hong Kong can seek interim measures from Mainland courts, such as asset preservation.     This synergy between Hong Kong’s legal infrastructure and its strategic relationship with Mainland China not only bolsters investor confidence but also further strengthens Hong Kong’s position as a leading centre for international legal and dispute resolution services within the Asia-Pacific region.Panel 4: Building Bridges by Strengthening Engagement in the Asia-Pacific Region     Finally, Panel 4 discussed building bridges to strengthen engagement and capacity building has been identified as a key to strengthening engagement in the Asia-Pacific region. This involves not only improving legal infrastructure but also developing skilled professionals capable of handling the complexities of international private law.      The Panel highlighted the significance of legal co-operation and legal talents development. Capacity building initiatives among international organisations and Asia-Pacific economies are crucial in equipping our region’s government officials, practitioners and other stakeholders with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex international legal landscape. Amid the growing demand for legal expertise driven by increasing international trade, these initiatives foster collaboration and nurture skilled legal professionals, thereby improving access to justice regionally and beyond.      Hong Kong is deeply committed to enhancing its status as a regional hub for capacity building. With a strong pool of legal and dispute resolution professionals who possess extensive international experience, the Department of Justice has been actively involved in organising and supporting various training and development programmes across different areas of law and practice. For example, we have co-organised or supported multiple editions of the Investment Law and Investor-State Mediator Training and the China-AALCO Exchange and Research Program on International Law in Hong Kong.      As noted by our Secretary for Justice during his opening remarks, the Hong Kong International Legal Talents Training Academy will be officially launched this Friday, and we warmly invite all of you to join us to witness this significant moment. Building on our strong foundation in capacity-building and our close collaboration with UNIDROIT and other international organisations, the Academy will regularly offer practical training courses, seminars and international exchange programmes aimed at promoting collaboration among legal professionals, judges and government officials throughout Asia Pacific and beyond. Already in the pipeline for the Academy is to support the organisation of the Second Edition of The Hague Academy of International Law’s Advanced Course in Hong Kong.Conclusion      Ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to announce that we have successfully concluded the Asia-Pacific International Private Law Summit 2024. The success of this Summit is a testament to the collective efforts and dedication of UNIDROIT, my colleagues at the Department of Justice, and your active participation. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to making this Summit a resounding success.      As we wrap up today’s event, we also mark the end of the first day of the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. We warmly welcome you all to participate in the exciting events we have prepared for you throughout this week.     Thank you once again! I wish you all an enriching experience throughout the Hong Kong Legal Week 2024. For those visiting abroad, I hope you enjoy your time in Hong Kong.

    MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: Indonesia’s proposed nutrient labeling system holds potential to transform domestic F&B industry, says GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    Indonesia’s proposed nutrient labeling system holds potential to transform domestic F&B industry, says GlobalData

    Posted in Consumer

    Indonesia is set to introduce a nutrition grading system akin to Singapore’s Nutri-Grade to deliver more detailed information to consumers concerning the nutritional values present in food and drink products. A survey corroborates this trend, where 84% of Indonesian respondents stated that their product purchasing decisions are either extremely or quite influenced by the ability to access ingredients and nutritional information via a quick response (QR) code on the packaging*. As such, Indonesia’s proposed labeling system, Nutri-Level, holds potential to play a pivotal role in transforming its domestic food and beverage (F&B) industry, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Mani Bhushan Shukla, Consumer Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The purpose of nutrition labeling systems, including daily intake guidelines, warning indicators, traffic light systems, star ratings, and nutrition scores, is to facilitate informed consumer choices and encourage a shift towards healthier food selections. These systems classify food and beverages by assessing their sugar, fat, sodium, and energy levels in their compositions.

    “The use of standardized grading systems featuring colors, symbols, and vectors enhances readability for consumers, offering a clearer understanding than the detailed ingredient lists on product packaging. In addition, as these gradings/rankings are defined, they are more straightforward than the myriad of health and natural claims that food manufacturers often use. Some of these claims can be deceptive; for instance, a product labeled as ‘no-added sugar’ may still contain ingredients high in natural sugars like fructose.”

    Deepak Nautiyal, Consumer and Retail Commercial Director, Asia-Pacific and Middle East, GlobalData, adds: “The prevalence of diet-related diseases, particularly diabetes and hypertension, is notably high in Indonesia, which underscores the potential benefits of the Nutri-Level system for public health. The 2018 Basic Health Research (Riskesdas) reveals that diabetes prevalence stands at 10.9%, while hypertension affects 34.1% of the population. Nutri-Level in Indonesia will implement a rating label that evaluates sugar, saturated fat, and various nutritional components. The finalization of the draft regulation is anticipated to occur by the end of 2024.”

    Shukla notes: “By encouraging manufacturers to innovate and craft healthier products that do not sacrifice flavor, it can effectively respond to the rising consumer preference for nutritious choices. This transition towards healthier alternatives can significantly benefit public health and bolster the industry’s reputation and market share.”

    Nautiyal continues: “Despite the promising outlook of the Nutri-Level system, the Indonesian population may encounter various obstacles. Resistance from the F&B industry poses a notable obstacle to the implementation of this regulation. Large manufacturers may perceive the regulation as a threat, especially since many of their products are high in sugar and saturated fats, which could lead to negative ratings. Thus, it is imperative for the government and industry to collaborate in order to reach a solution that serves both interests.

    “An additional challenge lies in educating and socializing the public regarding this rating system. A large portion of the population may still be unfamiliar with it. Consequently, it is essential for the government to effectively promote Nutri-Level, ensuring that the public comprehends and can utilize the information from this nutrition label to make healthier choices.

    “The successful implementation of Nutri-Level relies heavily on collaboration among the government, industry, and community. The government has a role in providing effective regulations and education, the industry must adapt and innovate accordingly, and the community needs to accept and utilize the system to create a substantial positive effect on public health. In Singapore, the Nutri-Grade nutrient labeling system is in place, while both Malaysia and Thailand have implemented a voluntary Guideline Daily Amount (GDA) label along with the Healthier Choice Logo. Conversely, the Philippines has chosen to adopt only the voluntary GDA system.”

    Shukla concludes: “Efforts are underway by authorities to rectify the shortcomings in the rating systems, especially regarding the complexities involved in comparing different product categories across each system. The F&B industry may push back against these measures, as the presence of multiple nutrient labeling systems across borders will likely lead to increased expenditures in procurement, research and development, and production. Standardizing regulations across the Asia-Pacific region will drive F&B manufacturers to optimize their operations, allowing them to offset higher costs through economies of scale.”

    *GlobalData Q4 2023 Consumer Survey­ – Indonesia, published in December 2023, with 531 respondents

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

  • MIL-OSI Banking: US accounts for over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, reveals GlobalData

    Source: GlobalData

    US accounts for over half of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, reveals GlobalData

    Posted in Business Fundamentals

    The US continues to remain the top destination for venture capital (VC) investments globally. Moreover, it also outpaced peer countries by a significant margin for high-value* VC investments and accounted for more than half of deal volume as well as value of those investments during Q1-Q3 2024. The US accounted for 55.4% share of the total number of high-value VC deals announced globally during Q1-Q3 2024, while its share in terms of the corresponding value stood at 56.4%, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

    Aurojyoti Bose, Lead Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “The US outpaced other nations in terms of both the volume and value of high-value VC deals by a substantial margin. The dominance of the US for high-value VC deals can also be understood from the fact that it was distantly followed by China, which held 12.7% and 16.6% share of high-value VC deal volume and value, respectively, during Q1-Q3 2024.”

    An analysis of GlobalData’s Deals Database revealed that the US saw announcement of 209 high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024 with the total valued of these deals pegged at $48.4 billion. Meanwhile, a total of 48 high-value VC deals worth $14.2 billion in terms of disclosed funding value were announced in China during the same period.

    Bose adds: “Of the top 10 countries by high-value VC deals volume during Q1-Q3 2024, five were from Europe, three were from the Asia-Pacific region, and two countries were from the North American region.”

    The UK occupied the third spot in terms of the volume of high-value VC deals during Q1-Q3 2024, followed by Germany, India, Canada, France, Japan, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

    *Valued more than or equal to $100 million

    MIL OSI Global Banks –