KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- Virgin Hyperloop One (VHO) has launched its first US roadshow to bring XP-1 hyperloop pod to communities across the United States (US) and start a dialogue on the new form of mass transportation.
The national roadshow kicks off as states and cities across the world are competing to be the first to implement hyperloop technology, realising the significant socio-economic benefits of early adoption.
The XP-1’s first stop will be in Columbus, Ohio on Aug 4, and will head to Arlington, Texas for three days, beginning Aug 8, and speeding to Kansas City, Kansas on Sept 14. It will also be stopping throughout the heartland to share the progress and promise of hyperloop technology.
It will give local communities a chance to see first-hand the historic test pod and learn more about their states’ progress in bringing hyperloop to fruition in a matter of years, according to a statement.
In May 2017, XP-1 completed the world’s first full-system hyperloop test. During the test, XP-1 had set the full-scale hyperloop speed record of 240 miles per hour on just 550 yards of track.
VHO is a leading hyperloop company launching the first new mode of mass transportation in over 100 years. For more information, visit https://hyperloop-one.com.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday 31 July 2019
Announced: adoption rates on world´s first e-commerce-centric fast blockchain
KUALA LUMPUR, July 31 (Bernama) -- The aBey Foundation has recently announced the adoption rates of the world’s first e-commerce-centric fast blockchain, following the first anniversary of its public release.
“Since the public launch of aBey on July 30, 2018, we have amassed more than 100,000 active users within the first 12 months of that date. aBey’s growth rate exceeds Bitcoin’s early growth by a factor of more than eight times,” said aBey chief scientist and co-creator, Dr Ciprian Pungila.
Among the major early adopters, aPay Systems, a high-volume online payments processor has chosen the aBey blockchain as the technical under-pinning of its service. With aBey, the company has completed every single transaction in milliseconds.
aBey’s key features include speed, supporting up to 100K transactions per second, refundable transactions and intrinsic lending, including on-the-spot lending with instant compliance checks using Vault Lending Gateways.
A richly-featured WordPress plugin, aBeyWPP, will be released in early 2020, bringing click-to-buy and transaction status functionality to more than 75 million websites.
For more information, visit http://abey.com.
-- BERNAMA
“Since the public launch of aBey on July 30, 2018, we have amassed more than 100,000 active users within the first 12 months of that date. aBey’s growth rate exceeds Bitcoin’s early growth by a factor of more than eight times,” said aBey chief scientist and co-creator, Dr Ciprian Pungila.
Among the major early adopters, aPay Systems, a high-volume online payments processor has chosen the aBey blockchain as the technical under-pinning of its service. With aBey, the company has completed every single transaction in milliseconds.
aBey’s key features include speed, supporting up to 100K transactions per second, refundable transactions and intrinsic lending, including on-the-spot lending with instant compliance checks using Vault Lending Gateways.
A richly-featured WordPress plugin, aBeyWPP, will be released in early 2020, bringing click-to-buy and transaction status functionality to more than 75 million websites.
For more information, visit http://abey.com.
-- BERNAMA
Monday 29 July 2019
TherapyLine, launched in 3 new markets, for Muslim mental health services
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- TherapyLine, the online mobile mental health company for Muslims has been launched in three new markets, namely the United Kingdom (UK), Australia and New Zealand, to provide professional counselling to Muslims worldwide.
Originally launched in Canada, TherapyLine provides unlimited counselling from professionally licensed Muslim counsellors via direct messaging through the Therapyline.org website for about US$179 per month. (US$1 = RM4.13)
“Currently, about 2.3 million Muslims live in the United Kingdom, over 600,000 live in Australia and about 50,000 live in New Zealand, so that is about three million more Muslims we can now reach (out to) that might not have tried to seek mental health before,” said TherapyLine founder and chief executive officer, Faisal Khan.
TherapyLine is looking at the UK as an entry to provide Therapy to Muslims in Europe, as well as part of its longer term plan to go worldwide, according to a statement.
As the topic of mental health is not discussed among Muslims or publicly at Islamic institutions, TherapyLine aims to change and normalise this, in addition to obtaining access to professional mental health services in the Muslim world.
-- BERNAMA
Originally launched in Canada, TherapyLine provides unlimited counselling from professionally licensed Muslim counsellors via direct messaging through the Therapyline.org website for about US$179 per month. (US$1 = RM4.13)
“Currently, about 2.3 million Muslims live in the United Kingdom, over 600,000 live in Australia and about 50,000 live in New Zealand, so that is about three million more Muslims we can now reach (out to) that might not have tried to seek mental health before,” said TherapyLine founder and chief executive officer, Faisal Khan.
TherapyLine is looking at the UK as an entry to provide Therapy to Muslims in Europe, as well as part of its longer term plan to go worldwide, according to a statement.
As the topic of mental health is not discussed among Muslims or publicly at Islamic institutions, TherapyLine aims to change and normalise this, in addition to obtaining access to professional mental health services in the Muslim world.
-- BERNAMA
Madison Realty Capital records US$1.3 billion in financing, note purchases
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Madison Realty Capital (MRC), a New York City-based real estate private equity firm has closed over US$1.3 billion in financing and note purchases year-to-date in 2019. (US$1 = RM4.12)
The nationwide transactions, between US$21.4 million and US$314 million, touched all major asset classes and included deals across New York, New Jersey, Texas, Florida, California and Massachusetts, according to a statement.
“Our national expansion is well underway as our lending programmes continue to attract premier sponsors in major markets across the United States.,” said MRC co-founder and managing principal, Josh Zegen.
“We are very pleased with a very robust first half of 2019 and we believe our rare combination of expertise, speed and certainty of execution will contribute to even greater success in the second half of this year.”
Among the 2019 highlights include US$314 million construction loan on the Raffles Boston Back Bay Hotel & Residences; US$225 million construction loan on The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton; and, US$138 million financing package for a mixed-use development at 300 West 122nd Street in the West Harlem neighborhood of Manhattan.
MRC’s debt investment platform focuses on originating senior-secured loans, mezzanine loans and preferred equity investments in the middle-market as well as performing note purchases and acquiring non-performing loans.
-- BERNAMA
Chengdu selected as venue for 18th World Police and Fire Games
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Chengdu Municipal People's Government will organise The 18th World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) from August 8 to 18.
To date, athletes from 34 countries and regions have registered for a seat in the competition.
WPFG is an international event that is held every other year, and the first WPFG was held in 1985 in San Jose, California, a statement said.
“Chengdu was chosen for this year’s event as it has greater enthusiasm, commitment, professionalism and venue preparation,” said WPFG Association’s executive committee member, Danny Burdikter.
“As it is the first time a WPFG kicks off in Asia, we'd like to engage more countries and cities in the event. With intriguing culture and world-renowned cuisine, Chengdu will attract flocks of visitors from surrounding countries and regions,” added Burdikter.
Apart from WPFG, other world-class sports events that will take place in Chengdu include the Summer Universiade 2021 and the World Games 2025.
From 2018 to 2020, there will be 67 international sports events to be held in Chengdu, where 50 per cent comprise the category of intercontinental championship or above, and 40 per cent are of self-owned brands and local cultural characteristics.
-- BERNAMA
Friday 26 July 2019
Fusionex to boost e-commerce at FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- Fusionex is the Pinnacle Technology Partner for Malaysia’s biggest online sale, the week-long FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019, beginning Sept 27.
The technology solutions provider will help the sixth annual sale to fulfill its ambitions in boosting e-commerce regionally with a #MYCYBERSALE ASIA event.
This year’s sale is going beyond borders and targeting Asian economies, including Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.
With Taiwan as the first Regional Partner, the #MYCYBERSALE ASIA event will be held in Taiwan, concurrently with the FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019 event in Malaysia.
FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019 offers a wide variety of products that are up for grabs with exclusive deals that shoppers can only get during this sale.
The event is organised by the National Technology Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
This year, #MYCYBERSALE forecasts RM500 million revenue, with export revenue forecasted at RM80 million.
In turn, the event aims to attract around 1,500 registered participants with at least 750 exporting to 40 overseas markets.
It is an initiative to catalyse national e-commerce industry growth, increase domestic e-commerce revenue and accelerate e-commerce adoption among merchants.
-- BERNAMA
The technology solutions provider will help the sixth annual sale to fulfill its ambitions in boosting e-commerce regionally with a #MYCYBERSALE ASIA event.
This year’s sale is going beyond borders and targeting Asian economies, including Taiwan, Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.
With Taiwan as the first Regional Partner, the #MYCYBERSALE ASIA event will be held in Taiwan, concurrently with the FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019 event in Malaysia.
FPX #MYCYBERSALE 2019 offers a wide variety of products that are up for grabs with exclusive deals that shoppers can only get during this sale.
The event is organised by the National Technology Association of Malaysia (PIKOM), supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC).
This year, #MYCYBERSALE forecasts RM500 million revenue, with export revenue forecasted at RM80 million.
In turn, the event aims to attract around 1,500 registered participants with at least 750 exporting to 40 overseas markets.
It is an initiative to catalyse national e-commerce industry growth, increase domestic e-commerce revenue and accelerate e-commerce adoption among merchants.
-- BERNAMA
A CELEBRATION OF "ENTREPRENEURSHIP EMPOWERMENT"
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- The SME & Entrepreneurship Business Award 2019 | SEBA 2019 is back again for the fourth consecutive year and will take place on 8th of November 2019 at the Grand Ballroom, Palace of the Golden Horses. Calls for nominations are currently open via www.seba.asia
This year, under the auspices of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia both the SEBA 2019 & MURFEST 2019 will be held consecutively at Palace of the Golden Horses.
SEBA is an annual initiative set up by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia and is supported by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) Malaysia to recognise Malaysia's most outstanding entrepreneurs and enterprises while uncovering growing talents and upcoming companies that are transforming the industries they operate. Some of the past award recipients includes Tony Fernandes (Air Asia), Patrick Grove (Catcha Group), Anthony Tan (Grab), Bernard Chandran and Leslie Gomez of Olive Tree Group many others.
"It is critical for SMEs to connect and collaborate on a synergistic platform for mutual benefit. Not just an award, SEBA 2019 is a catalyst for entrepreneurs to grow together with their team members and to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs through our year-long programmes that are in place to educate, train and mentor entrepreneurs,” says Nitesh Malani.
SEBA 2019 will also see a special focus in the wellness industry as part of the on-going collaboration with MURFEST. The wellness industry which is reported to be worth over RM13 trillion globally, is also one of the fastest-growing sectors in Malaysia with a spending of RM 20.5 billion per annum. SEBA 2019 will introduce several new categories to recognise entrepreneurs in the health, beauty & wellness industry.
Several Memorandum-of-Understanding (MOUs) were signed at the launch yesterday with key strategic stakeholders.
The MoUs signed were between:
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd (RAMCI);
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & Cheng & Co Sdn Bhd;
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & Malaysian Association of Professional Trainers & Coaches (MAPTaC)
● Xhale Asia (M) Sdn Bhd & GHHS Wellness Sdn Bhd
This year’s SEBA will also feature a new vibrant advisory board that will be providing strategic counsel to the SEBA 2019 award committee. Board members include Nitesh Malani (Chairman of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia), YBhg. Datuk Wan Suraya Mohd Radzi (Secretary General of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, Malaysia), Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew (Founder & Executive Chairman Country Heights Holding Bhd), Lyndia Wong (Organising Chairperson of SEBA 2019), Zhariff Afandi (Malaysian Youth Icon & International Motivator), Kishva Ambigapathy (Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council), Dato’ Lee Chung Han (Chairman of Guardian Group), Tom Wong (CEO of Cheng & Co.) and Dato’ David Gurupatham (Lawyer & Advisor to Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia)
More information and latest updates on both the events can be found here:
MURFEST:
Official Site: www.murfest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MURFEST/
SEBA:
Official Site : www.seba.asia
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/sebasmeawards/
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35084
This year, under the auspices of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia both the SEBA 2019 & MURFEST 2019 will be held consecutively at Palace of the Golden Horses.
SEBA is an annual initiative set up by Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia and is supported by the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development (MED) Malaysia to recognise Malaysia's most outstanding entrepreneurs and enterprises while uncovering growing talents and upcoming companies that are transforming the industries they operate. Some of the past award recipients includes Tony Fernandes (Air Asia), Patrick Grove (Catcha Group), Anthony Tan (Grab), Bernard Chandran and Leslie Gomez of Olive Tree Group many others.
"It is critical for SMEs to connect and collaborate on a synergistic platform for mutual benefit. Not just an award, SEBA 2019 is a catalyst for entrepreneurs to grow together with their team members and to meet other like-minded entrepreneurs through our year-long programmes that are in place to educate, train and mentor entrepreneurs,” says Nitesh Malani.
SEBA 2019 will also see a special focus in the wellness industry as part of the on-going collaboration with MURFEST. The wellness industry which is reported to be worth over RM13 trillion globally, is also one of the fastest-growing sectors in Malaysia with a spending of RM 20.5 billion per annum. SEBA 2019 will introduce several new categories to recognise entrepreneurs in the health, beauty & wellness industry.
Several Memorandum-of-Understanding (MOUs) were signed at the launch yesterday with key strategic stakeholders.
The MoUs signed were between:
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & RAM Credit Information Sdn Bhd (RAMCI);
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & Cheng & Co Sdn Bhd;
● Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia & Malaysian Association of Professional Trainers & Coaches (MAPTaC)
● Xhale Asia (M) Sdn Bhd & GHHS Wellness Sdn Bhd
This year’s SEBA will also feature a new vibrant advisory board that will be providing strategic counsel to the SEBA 2019 award committee. Board members include Nitesh Malani (Chairman of Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia), YBhg. Datuk Wan Suraya Mohd Radzi (Secretary General of the Ministry of Entrepreneur Development, Malaysia), Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew (Founder & Executive Chairman Country Heights Holding Bhd), Lyndia Wong (Organising Chairperson of SEBA 2019), Zhariff Afandi (Malaysian Youth Icon & International Motivator), Kishva Ambigapathy (Chairperson of Commonwealth Youth Council), Dato’ Lee Chung Han (Chairman of Guardian Group), Tom Wong (CEO of Cheng & Co.) and Dato’ David Gurupatham (Lawyer & Advisor to Yayasan Usahawan Malaysia)
More information and latest updates on both the events can be found here:
MURFEST:
Official Site: www.murfest.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MURFEST/
SEBA:
Official Site : www.seba.asia
Facebook : https://web.facebook.com/sebasmeawards/
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35084
Thursday 25 July 2019
OKEx contributes US$4.5 million to strengthen cryptocurrency trading confidence
KUALA LUMPUR, July 25 (Bernama) -- OKEx has donated Bitcoin worth US$4.5 million to its perpetual swap market insurance fund to boost customer confidence in trading cryptocurrencies. (US$1=RM4.12)
In a statement, the world’s leading cryptocurrency exchange said the donation would provide an extra layer of protection to the customers, further ensuring that all customer interests were safeguarded.
OKEx Operations head, Andy Cheung said no clawback occurred on OKEx perpetual swap since its launch.
“We introduced a new risk management system to strike a better balance between avoiding early liquidation and maximising trader benefits.”
OKEx’s world-leading crypto marketplace serves millions of users globally, offering hedging and arbitrage instruments, such as futures and perpetual swaps, to help traders optimise their trading strategies.
With a comprehensive security system, no major security issues, hacks and asset losses have ever taken place on OKEx.
-- BERNAMA
Virgin Hyperloop One to build world´s longest hyperloop test track in Saudi Arabia
KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- Virgin Hyperloop One recently announced a development partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Economic City Authority (ECA) to conduct a study to build the world’s longest test and certification hyperloop track.
The world’s only hyperloop company to successfully test its hyperloop technology at scale will also build a research and development centre, as well as hyperloop manufacturing facility in north Jeddah.
The study will focus on the King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC), located 100km north of the Red Sea port of Jeddah.
The project will include a 35km test and certification track and create opportunities for the development of specific hyperloop technologies and develop local expertise in Saudi Arabia.
The study will also facilitate the development of localised hyperloop supply chains and acceleration of innovation clusters across the Kingdom.
Secretary-General, Mohanud A. Helal said: “Having hyperloop at KAEC is going to act as catalyst for a Saudi Silicon Valley effect and galvanise our software development, high technology research and manufacturing industries.”
Virgin Hyperloop One chief executive officer, Jay Walder said a hyperloop system could enable Saudi Arabia to become a global transportation powerhouse, nurture the nation’s innovation and entrepreneurial culture, and grow an innovative knowledge workforce.
The company’s technology features depressurised tubes that carry on-demand passenger or cargo ‘pods’ at speeds of up to 1,080km per hour.
With speeds three times faster than high-speed rail and on-demand, direct to destination experience, hyperloop technology can reduce journey time across Saudi Arabia.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday 24 July 2019
AMINVESTMENT WON TOP HONOURS AT THE ASSET TRIPLE A ISLAMIC FINANCE AWARDS 2019
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- AmInvestment Bank Berhad (“AmInvestment Bank”) receives further recognition from The Asset as they won six awards at The Asset Triple A Islamic Finance Awards 2019. The awards were presented at the Four Seasons Hotel in Kuala Lumpur on Thursday, 4 July 2019.
The full list of awards won by AmInvestment Bank is as follows:
1. Best Islamic Loan Adviser
2. Best Structured Finance Sukuk
MBSB Bank Berhad’s RM2.295 billion structured covered Sukuk facility
Our roles: Joint Solicitation Agent, Joint Principal Adviser, Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Lead Manager
3. Best Government-Guaranteed Sukuk
Pengurusan Air SPV Bhd’s RM2.1 million Government-Guaranteed Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
4. Best Corporate Hybrid Sukuk
Yinson TMC Sdn Bhd’s RM950 million perpetual sukuk issuance
Our roles: Joint Principal Adviser, Joint Lead Arranger, Joint Lead Manager and Joint Shariah Adviser.
5. Best Local Currency Sukuk
Cagamas Berhad’s RM1.5 billion Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
6. Best Islamic Project Finance Deal
DanaInfra Nasional Berhad’s RM2.5 billion Government-Guaranteed Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
Commenting on the awards, Seohan Soo, Chief Executive Officer, AmInvestment Bank said,”We thank our clients for their continued trust in AmInvestment Bank and we share these awards with them. These awards will spur us on to continue delivering customised and innovative investment banking solutions for our clients.”
“We’re delighted to be recognised once again by The Asset with six accolades that celebrate our position as a leading investment organization and underline our investment expertise. These achievements demonstrate our continuous commitment to provide the best investment solutions to our corporate, sovereign and institutional clients,” said Dato’ Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, Group Chief Executive Officer, AmBank Group.
About AmBank Group
AMMB Holdings Berhad is the holding company of AmBank Group and has been listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia since 1988. It is the sixth-largest banking group by assets in Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of around RM13.7 billion and assets of RM158.8 billion as at 31 March 2019.
AmBank Group is one of Malaysia’s premier financial solutions groups with over 43 years of experience in supporting Malaysians in their economic development. AmBank Group offers a wide range of both conventional and Islamic financial solutions and services, including wholesale banking, retail banking, investment banking, underwriting of general insurance, life assurance and takaful, stock and share broking, futures broking, investment advisory and management services in assets, real estate investment trust and unit trusts.
The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is the biggest shareholder in the AmBank Group with a 23.8% holding and provides support with Board, risk and financial governance, product offerings and new business developments. In the general insurance business, the Group has partnered with Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG). In the life assurance and family takaful businesses, the Group has a partnership with MetLife International Holdings Inc (MetLife). The Group benefits in terms of expertise transfer from IAG and MetLife.
For more information, please visit www.ambankgroup.com
The full list of awards won by AmInvestment Bank is as follows:
1. Best Islamic Loan Adviser
2. Best Structured Finance Sukuk
MBSB Bank Berhad’s RM2.295 billion structured covered Sukuk facility
Our roles: Joint Solicitation Agent, Joint Principal Adviser, Joint Lead Arranger and Joint Lead Manager
3. Best Government-Guaranteed Sukuk
Pengurusan Air SPV Bhd’s RM2.1 million Government-Guaranteed Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
4. Best Corporate Hybrid Sukuk
Yinson TMC Sdn Bhd’s RM950 million perpetual sukuk issuance
Our roles: Joint Principal Adviser, Joint Lead Arranger, Joint Lead Manager and Joint Shariah Adviser.
5. Best Local Currency Sukuk
Cagamas Berhad’s RM1.5 billion Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
6. Best Islamic Project Finance Deal
DanaInfra Nasional Berhad’s RM2.5 billion Government-Guaranteed Sukuk issuance
Our role: Joint Lead Manager
Commenting on the awards, Seohan Soo, Chief Executive Officer, AmInvestment Bank said,”We thank our clients for their continued trust in AmInvestment Bank and we share these awards with them. These awards will spur us on to continue delivering customised and innovative investment banking solutions for our clients.”
“We’re delighted to be recognised once again by The Asset with six accolades that celebrate our position as a leading investment organization and underline our investment expertise. These achievements demonstrate our continuous commitment to provide the best investment solutions to our corporate, sovereign and institutional clients,” said Dato’ Sulaiman Mohd Tahir, Group Chief Executive Officer, AmBank Group.
About AmBank Group
AMMB Holdings Berhad is the holding company of AmBank Group and has been listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia since 1988. It is the sixth-largest banking group by assets in Malaysia, with a market capitalisation of around RM13.7 billion and assets of RM158.8 billion as at 31 March 2019.
AmBank Group is one of Malaysia’s premier financial solutions groups with over 43 years of experience in supporting Malaysians in their economic development. AmBank Group offers a wide range of both conventional and Islamic financial solutions and services, including wholesale banking, retail banking, investment banking, underwriting of general insurance, life assurance and takaful, stock and share broking, futures broking, investment advisory and management services in assets, real estate investment trust and unit trusts.
The Australia and New Zealand Banking Group (ANZ) is the biggest shareholder in the AmBank Group with a 23.8% holding and provides support with Board, risk and financial governance, product offerings and new business developments. In the general insurance business, the Group has partnered with Insurance Australia Group Ltd (IAG). In the life assurance and family takaful businesses, the Group has a partnership with MetLife International Holdings Inc (MetLife). The Group benefits in terms of expertise transfer from IAG and MetLife.
For more information, please visit www.ambankgroup.com
Alibaba.com opens platform to globally empower US businesses
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- Alibaba.com, one of the world’s largest B2B e-commerce marketplaces has opened its platform to empower United States (US) businesses to sell their products to millions of Alibaba.com buyers in the US and globally.
Currently, nearly 30 million small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the US, including manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors are able to access the US$23.9 trillion global B2B e-commerce market, an opportunity that is six times larger than the global B2C e-commerce market.
“With 10 million active business buyers in over 190 countries and regions, we are reshaping B2B commerce by providing the tools and services needed for US SMB companies to compete and succeed in today’s global marketplace,” said Alibaba Group, head of North America B2B, John Caplan.
Alibaba.com is also unveiling an enhanced ecosystem of participants which include anchor sellers and B2B service providers who share the company’s mission to make it easier for SMBs to do business.
The company is also co-producing a series of ‘Build Up’ workshops and webinars with local chambers of commerce and B2B organisations across the country, including SCORE, one of the nation’s largest non-profit networks of volunteer, expert business mentors.
Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a business unit of Alibaba Group, which is engaged in services covering all aspects of commerce. For more information, contact https://www.alibaba.com.
-- BERNAMA
Currently, nearly 30 million small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in the US, including manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors are able to access the US$23.9 trillion global B2B e-commerce market, an opportunity that is six times larger than the global B2C e-commerce market.
“With 10 million active business buyers in over 190 countries and regions, we are reshaping B2B commerce by providing the tools and services needed for US SMB companies to compete and succeed in today’s global marketplace,” said Alibaba Group, head of North America B2B, John Caplan.
Alibaba.com is also unveiling an enhanced ecosystem of participants which include anchor sellers and B2B service providers who share the company’s mission to make it easier for SMBs to do business.
The company is also co-producing a series of ‘Build Up’ workshops and webinars with local chambers of commerce and B2B organisations across the country, including SCORE, one of the nation’s largest non-profit networks of volunteer, expert business mentors.
Launched in 1999, Alibaba.com is a business unit of Alibaba Group, which is engaged in services covering all aspects of commerce. For more information, contact https://www.alibaba.com.
-- BERNAMA
Online Muslim counsellors now available in United States
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 (Bernama) -- TherapyLine enters the United States (US) market today to help bring online professional therapy to over 3.4 million Muslims in the country.
Launched in Canada a few months ago, TherapyLine is an online platform that provides unlimited anonymous direct messaging therapy from professionally licensed Muslim counsellors.
With US$179 (RM737.28) monthly fee, users can choose a therapist for depression, anxiety, addiction, marriage counselling and others by text. (US$1=RM4.12)
The first state which TherapyLine will enter is Michigan, and there are plans to expand it to New York, Illinois and Minnesota.
More details at www.therapyline.org.
-- BERNAMA
Launched in Canada a few months ago, TherapyLine is an online platform that provides unlimited anonymous direct messaging therapy from professionally licensed Muslim counsellors.
With US$179 (RM737.28) monthly fee, users can choose a therapist for depression, anxiety, addiction, marriage counselling and others by text. (US$1=RM4.12)
The first state which TherapyLine will enter is Michigan, and there are plans to expand it to New York, Illinois and Minnesota.
More details at www.therapyline.org.
-- BERNAMA
This summer, indulge in Hong Kong's 3-day e-Sport & Music Festival
KUALA LUMPUR, July 22 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will organise the third edition of e-Sports & Music Festival Hong Kong, presented by Cyberport from July 26 to 28, at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The event includes international tournaments, 2019 League of Legends International College Cup and CS:GO World Invitational, as well as regional and local tournaments of popular mobile games, EMFHK - e-Sports Tournaments ‘Honor of Kings’ Official City Tournament and PUBG Mobile Hong Kong Tournament.
The tournaments will be live-streamed via key online platforms in three languages, namely Cantonese, Mandarin and English, according to a statement.
The festival will also highlight the Experience Zone, showcasing retro arcade machines, along with VR experiences and professional e-racing equipment for trial.
The all-inclusive admission tickets are priced at HK$50. Ticket holders of the e-Sports & Music Festival Hong Kong will also be entitled to free admission to the Ani-Com & Games Hong Kong on the same day. (HK$10 = RM5.27)
For more information, contact https://emfhk.com.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday 23 July 2019
Madison Realty Capital loans US$225 million to The Residences at Mandarin Oriental, Boca Raton
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Madison Realty Capital, a real estate private equity firm has provided a US$225 million construction loan on The Residences at Mandarin Oriental in Boca Raton. (US$1 = RM4.11)
The project is a planned 12-storey, 580,000 sq ft luxury condominium tower, according to a statement.
The financing will allow owner/developer Penn-Florida Companies to complete the project with an additional 22,000 sq ft of retail.
The construction of the condominium tower commenced several months ago, along with the new 164-room Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which will give condo owners unparalleled access to the hotel and Via Mizner (a world-renowned resort destination) extensive amenity package.
The Residences will offer a collection of 92 custom homes with breathtaking ocean and golf course views. Condo owners will be given preferred access to the Mandarin Oriental and its plethora of amenities and membership to the Via Mizner Golf & City Club.
The Residences will be connected to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel by way of a two-story underground parking garage, as well as an upper-level bridge featuring a fitness centre, spa and meeting space.
-- BERNAMA
-- BERNAMA
ARYAKA SELECTED AS LAUNCH PARTNER FOR MICROSOFT AZURE NETWORKING MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDER (MSP) PROGRAM
New Offering Combines Sophisticated SD-WAN Technology and a Global Managed Service
SAN MATEO, Calif., July 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aryaka®, a leading global SD-WAN provider, today announced that Microsoft has selected the company as one of the first partners for its new Microsoft Azure Networking Managed Services Provider (MSP) Program. As a result, Aryaka will leverage Azure Networking Services Virtual WAN (VWAN) for an offering launched today timed with Microsoft Inspire. The new offering combines the best of two worlds; sophisticated SD-WAN technology and a global managed service that will help accelerate and simplify SD-WAN connectivity to Microsoft Azure as the market reaches an inflection point.
“We are proud to be the only vendor participating in today’s launch with an integrated SD-WAN offering, setting the stage for a more cohesive and easier to consume service,” said Shashi Kiran, CMO of Aryaka. “The advantages of this new managed offering include an optimized architecture that permits enterprises to better scale their Azure VNET deployments, provides a simplified branch to Azure VNET connectivity, and offers a faster response to service activation and change.”
The work with Microsoft Azure is a natural extension of Aryaka’s core service offering, leveraging the platform’s multi-cloud connectivity that offers distributed, SLA-driven access to Azure IaaS/PaaS via ExpressRoute as well as access to SaaS applications such as Microsoft Office 365. As part of the offering, Aryaka is not only providing connectivity, but also monitoring the VWAN, providing customers with an integrated, single view into their managed WAN that includes the powerful MyAryaka portal.
By collaborating with Azure, Aryaka simplifies SD-WAN consumption. It extends ease of use to Azure-centric enterprises and aligns with the trend where more enterprises plan to consume rather than build SD-WAN in the coming years.
“We are excited to be working with Aryaka as a launch partner for our Azure Virtual WAN offering. The combination of our global infrastructure and Aryaka’s dedicated Microsoft Azure access and monitoring will ease adoption of our networking services,” said Ross Ortega, Partner PM, Azure Marketing for Microsoft Corp.
According to Yahoo! Finance, Microsoft Azure revenues soared 75% year-over-year as part of the public cloud services market that is growing at a 22.5% CAGR according to IDC. This is coupled with the managed SD-WAN market, which, according to Global Market Insights, is expected to grow at a 65% CAGR between now and 2025. Aryaka has the advantage of touching both of these domains and is uniquely positioned to effectively leverage the growth in both markets. Aryaka customers that will be leveraging the technology of both markets include those involved in digital transformation initiatives. Also according to IDC, 85% of enterprise decision makers say they have a time frame of two years to make significant inroads into digital transformation or they will fall behind their competitors and suffer financially.
“Our goal is to become 100 percent cloud, and there are two partners helping us get there: Microsoft and Aryaka,” said Stan Yarbrough, Senior Global IT Architect at Element Solutions, Inc. “We’re excited to see the two companies come together to provide an end-to-end management solution for our network. Now that Aryaka handles our entire wide area network all the way into Azure, our lean and mean IT team can focus on other business priorities.”
SAN MATEO, Calif., July 16 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aryaka®, a leading global SD-WAN provider, today announced that Microsoft has selected the company as one of the first partners for its new Microsoft Azure Networking Managed Services Provider (MSP) Program. As a result, Aryaka will leverage Azure Networking Services Virtual WAN (VWAN) for an offering launched today timed with Microsoft Inspire. The new offering combines the best of two worlds; sophisticated SD-WAN technology and a global managed service that will help accelerate and simplify SD-WAN connectivity to Microsoft Azure as the market reaches an inflection point.
“We are proud to be the only vendor participating in today’s launch with an integrated SD-WAN offering, setting the stage for a more cohesive and easier to consume service,” said Shashi Kiran, CMO of Aryaka. “The advantages of this new managed offering include an optimized architecture that permits enterprises to better scale their Azure VNET deployments, provides a simplified branch to Azure VNET connectivity, and offers a faster response to service activation and change.”
The work with Microsoft Azure is a natural extension of Aryaka’s core service offering, leveraging the platform’s multi-cloud connectivity that offers distributed, SLA-driven access to Azure IaaS/PaaS via ExpressRoute as well as access to SaaS applications such as Microsoft Office 365. As part of the offering, Aryaka is not only providing connectivity, but also monitoring the VWAN, providing customers with an integrated, single view into their managed WAN that includes the powerful MyAryaka portal.
By collaborating with Azure, Aryaka simplifies SD-WAN consumption. It extends ease of use to Azure-centric enterprises and aligns with the trend where more enterprises plan to consume rather than build SD-WAN in the coming years.
“We are excited to be working with Aryaka as a launch partner for our Azure Virtual WAN offering. The combination of our global infrastructure and Aryaka’s dedicated Microsoft Azure access and monitoring will ease adoption of our networking services,” said Ross Ortega, Partner PM, Azure Marketing for Microsoft Corp.
According to Yahoo! Finance, Microsoft Azure revenues soared 75% year-over-year as part of the public cloud services market that is growing at a 22.5% CAGR according to IDC. This is coupled with the managed SD-WAN market, which, according to Global Market Insights, is expected to grow at a 65% CAGR between now and 2025. Aryaka has the advantage of touching both of these domains and is uniquely positioned to effectively leverage the growth in both markets. Aryaka customers that will be leveraging the technology of both markets include those involved in digital transformation initiatives. Also according to IDC, 85% of enterprise decision makers say they have a time frame of two years to make significant inroads into digital transformation or they will fall behind their competitors and suffer financially.
“Our goal is to become 100 percent cloud, and there are two partners helping us get there: Microsoft and Aryaka,” said Stan Yarbrough, Senior Global IT Architect at Element Solutions, Inc. “We’re excited to see the two companies come together to provide an end-to-end management solution for our network. Now that Aryaka handles our entire wide area network all the way into Azure, our lean and mean IT team can focus on other business priorities.”
For more on Aryaka, please visit: https://www.aryaka.com/
Visit the Aryaka blog: https://www.aryaka.com/blog/
Follow Aryaka on Twitter: @AryakaNetworks
Visit Aryaka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aryaka-networks/
About Aryaka
Aryaka is a world leader in accelerating WAN transformation for global enterprises. With over 800+ enterprise customers, and growing rapidly, Aryaka is the industry benchmark for managed SD-WAN solutions. Aryaka’s highly integrated offering brings together a global network with a highly innovative technology stack for WAN optimization, security and cloud services, all delivered as a managed service.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35004
Visit the Aryaka blog: https://www.aryaka.com/blog/
Follow Aryaka on Twitter: @AryakaNetworks
Visit Aryaka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/aryaka-networks/
About Aryaka
Aryaka is a world leader in accelerating WAN transformation for global enterprises. With over 800+ enterprise customers, and growing rapidly, Aryaka is the industry benchmark for managed SD-WAN solutions. Aryaka’s highly integrated offering brings together a global network with a highly innovative technology stack for WAN optimization, security and cloud services, all delivered as a managed service.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35004
Monday 22 July 2019
European Society of Cardiology heartbeat away from providing doctors latest findings
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) has joined forces with the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) and the Asean Federation of Cardiology (AFC) to launch the three-day ESC ASIA with APSC & ASC, beginning Nov 8 in Singapore.
“This new congress will showcase the very latest, most important lessons so that physicians can provide their heart patients with the best possible care,” said organising committee chair, Prof Michel Komajda.
This cutting-edge event will help explain the new, all important ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diabetes; Pre-diabetes & Cardiovascular Diseases; Acute Pulmonary Embolism; Chronic Coronary Syndromes; and Dyslipidaemias.
The pioneering event builds on ESC’s reputation in the region as a renowned and trusted learned society.
Tens of thousands of healthcare professionals in Asia already turn to the ESC for its prestigious journals, scientific congresses and unique membership opportunities.
The event will offer physicians of all sorts an opportunity to exchange ideas, with some of the most respected cardiovascular researchers from Europe and the Asia Pacific region, according to a statement.
ESC is the world’s largest organisation of healthcare professionals dedicated to fighting heart disease. For more information, contact https://www.escardio.org.
-- BERNAMA
-- BERNAMA
AG&P RECEIVES LANDMARK EQUITY INVESTMENT FROM A CONSORTIUM OF PREEMINENT JAPANESE INVESTORS - OSAKA GAS AND JBIC
SINGAPORE, July 22 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- AGP International Holdings Pte. Ltd. (AG&P) has received a major equity investment from two Japanese institutions to support AG&P’s success in innovating and disrupting the global natural gas value chain.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52016252/en
Osaka Gas Co. Ltd., through its affiliate Osaka Gas Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Osaka Gas) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have invested in a minority stake in AG&P. This capital will be used to execute AG&P’s multiple LNG initiatives worldwide, including the development and roll-out of:
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52016252/en
Osaka Gas Co. Ltd., through its affiliate Osaka Gas Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Osaka Gas) and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) have invested in a minority stake in AG&P. This capital will be used to execute AG&P’s multiple LNG initiatives worldwide, including the development and roll-out of:
- AG&P’s City Gas Distribution business in India, where AG&P has won long-term, exclusive concessions to connect millions of people to compressed natural gas (CNG) for their vehicles and piped natural gas (PNG) directly into their homes across South India and Rajasthan;
- Small- and medium-scale LNG import terminals, such as AG&P’s pending terminals in Karaikal, India and elsewhere, that will provide the vital link to bring commercially attractive, convenient and safe gas to population centers that today rely on dirtier and more expensive fuels;
- LNG applications and logistics, such as LNG delivery to end-customers by different transportation options.
- Additional intellectual property that has made AG&P and its family engineering company, Gas Entec, leaders in the design, build, testing and commissioning of LNG bunkering vessels, floating storage and regasification (FSRUs, FRUs, FSUs and onshore variations) and LNG, dual-fuel applications for ships and other vehicles; and
- Advanced modularization and field construction services to serve global energy and commodity markets in the US, Australia, the South Pacific and Southeast Asian markets and rapidly accelerating domestic infrastructure in the Philippines, where AG&P proudly owns and operates two major yard facilities, employing 4,000 people.
“We are humbled and privileged by the trust that both Osaka Gas and JBIC have placed in AG&P. These are amazing institutions that possess tremendous expertise and experience in their respective fields. We have a great responsibility to work very hard for them and our other shareholders to continue to grow AG&P’s unique business model that captures a large portion of the LNG value chain after the molecule has been shipped,” Dr. Jose P. Leviste Jr, Chairman AG&P, said.
Dr. Leviste continued: “AG&P and Gas Entec, working together, bring innovative, in-house engineering, project management, manufacturing, licensed LNG tank and handling system outfitting, construction, project development, customer marketing and operations management for LNG-related projects and for our modularization, site-work and other customers. We look forward to changing how the LNG industry works.”
Osaka Gas, the 114-year old, vertically integrated energy utility in Japan with revenues of $12 billion, is one of the world’s foremost gas utilities, supplying natural gas to ~5.5 million households and operating over 60,000km of pipeline, in addition to a wide-range of gas, power and renewable assets around the world, including in the US, Europe and Southeast Asia. Its investment in AG&P marks the next step in a long-term relationship where both parties have worked together to develop LNG infrastructure projects in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Americas, among others.
“Osaka Gas has known AG&P since 2014. Since that time, we have come to admire AG&P’s unique ability to disrupt the natural gas value chain in areas such as city gas distribution, LNG import terminals, LNG bunkering, LNG engineering and advanced manufacturing. We strongly believe that this investment in AG&P will provide Osaka Gas with a valuable asset to create and develop new markets for Osaka Gas. AG&P’s single-minded focus in developing solutions with the end-customer in mind has been inspirational to our team,” said Mr. Katz Sato, Head of South and East Asia Business Development for Osaka Gas.
“In addition to providing growth capital, Osaka Gas will also work with AG&P in other areas, including technical support, such as providing technical collaboration for AG&P’s major city gas initiatives in India where AG&P is commencing its build-out of 12 concessions that cover many millions of people across a wide swathe of South India and Rajasthan. Given over 110 years of Osaka Gas’s heritage, we are extremely eager to see this clean energy made available quickly and safely to the citizens of India who live in these geographic areas,” said Mr. Katz Sato.
JBIC is an institution wholly owned by the Japanese government, with over JPY 16 trillion of debt, equity and guarantees extended in its global portfolio (as of March 31, 2019), intended to support Japanese industry and Japan’s strategic priorities. Its investment in AG&P was made, in line with its policy objectives, to support Osaka Gas’s ongoing collaboration with AG&P in expanding its overseas business.
“We have been impressed with AG&P’s talented management, especially in constructing an experienced team and bringing together capable players in their respective fields such as project management and construction, to carry out city gas distribution projects in India as well as LNG import terminal projects. We, alongside Osaka Gas, are excited to participate in the future of AG&P, and to continue our partnership with the AG&P team whom we have grown to admire over the course of our relationship,” said Mr. Hiroyuki Nakashima, Director General of the Equity Investment Department for JBIC.
Click here for hi-res image of photo.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52016252/en
Contact
Media Contacts for AG&P
Cyrus Isles
Manager, Media and PR
Phone: +63 998 966 5836
cyrus.isles@agp.ph
Source : AGP International Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Dr. Leviste continued: “AG&P and Gas Entec, working together, bring innovative, in-house engineering, project management, manufacturing, licensed LNG tank and handling system outfitting, construction, project development, customer marketing and operations management for LNG-related projects and for our modularization, site-work and other customers. We look forward to changing how the LNG industry works.”
Osaka Gas, the 114-year old, vertically integrated energy utility in Japan with revenues of $12 billion, is one of the world’s foremost gas utilities, supplying natural gas to ~5.5 million households and operating over 60,000km of pipeline, in addition to a wide-range of gas, power and renewable assets around the world, including in the US, Europe and Southeast Asia. Its investment in AG&P marks the next step in a long-term relationship where both parties have worked together to develop LNG infrastructure projects in South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Americas, among others.
“Osaka Gas has known AG&P since 2014. Since that time, we have come to admire AG&P’s unique ability to disrupt the natural gas value chain in areas such as city gas distribution, LNG import terminals, LNG bunkering, LNG engineering and advanced manufacturing. We strongly believe that this investment in AG&P will provide Osaka Gas with a valuable asset to create and develop new markets for Osaka Gas. AG&P’s single-minded focus in developing solutions with the end-customer in mind has been inspirational to our team,” said Mr. Katz Sato, Head of South and East Asia Business Development for Osaka Gas.
“In addition to providing growth capital, Osaka Gas will also work with AG&P in other areas, including technical support, such as providing technical collaboration for AG&P’s major city gas initiatives in India where AG&P is commencing its build-out of 12 concessions that cover many millions of people across a wide swathe of South India and Rajasthan. Given over 110 years of Osaka Gas’s heritage, we are extremely eager to see this clean energy made available quickly and safely to the citizens of India who live in these geographic areas,” said Mr. Katz Sato.
JBIC is an institution wholly owned by the Japanese government, with over JPY 16 trillion of debt, equity and guarantees extended in its global portfolio (as of March 31, 2019), intended to support Japanese industry and Japan’s strategic priorities. Its investment in AG&P was made, in line with its policy objectives, to support Osaka Gas’s ongoing collaboration with AG&P in expanding its overseas business.
“We have been impressed with AG&P’s talented management, especially in constructing an experienced team and bringing together capable players in their respective fields such as project management and construction, to carry out city gas distribution projects in India as well as LNG import terminal projects. We, alongside Osaka Gas, are excited to participate in the future of AG&P, and to continue our partnership with the AG&P team whom we have grown to admire over the course of our relationship,” said Mr. Hiroyuki Nakashima, Director General of the Equity Investment Department for JBIC.
Click here for hi-res image of photo.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/52016252/en
Contact
Media Contacts for AG&P
Cyrus Isles
Manager, Media and PR
Phone: +63 998 966 5836
cyrus.isles@agp.ph
Source : AGP International Holdings Pte. Ltd.
Sunday 21 July 2019
COMMEMORATING 10 YEARS -THE MICPA-CAANZ PROGRAMME
KUALA LUMPUR, July 15 (Bernama) -- 2019 marks the 10th anniversary of the relationship between MICPA and Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ). Back in 2009, CA ANZ was known as the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia (ICAA). A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between ICAA and MICPA on February 24, 2009 to collaborate in providing a joint qualifying programme, i.e. the joint MICPA-ICAA Programme.
Through the joint Programme, MICPA conducted ICAA’s Chartered Accountant Program comprising 5 modules in Malaysia, but customised the Taxation module to cover the Malaysian taxation framework, thus making the Programme relevant to the local market. Hence 4 modules would be identical to that offered in Australia and the rest of the world, whilst the Taxation module would be set and marked by MICPA.
Graduates of the joint Programme are eligible for admission into memberships of both Institutes upon completion of the 5 modules and 3 years of supervised working experience, and will also be able to access the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) – something very useful for global professionals. Memberships with both bodies provide the use of the titles “Certified Public Accountant”, or CPA (M), and “Chartered Accountant”, or CA (ANZ). The Programme was officially launched in June 2009 with the first batch of students attempting their first modules in December 2009.
In 2014, developments in ICAA saw its amalgamation with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) and the formation of a new body – CA ANZ, thus the name change of the Programme to the MICPA-CAANZ Programme.
Candidates eligible for the Programme are accounting degree holders from universities accredited by MICPA or CA ANZ, with most of them coming from universities in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. MICPA has opened up entry for accredited Diploma in Accounting holders who will be required to undergo MICPA’s Professional Stage Examination (PSE) (4 modules) before proceeding on to the MICPA-CAANZ Programme (5 modules). In 2015, MICPA introduced a 1-year Conversion Programme (8 modules) to allow non-accounting degree holders to pursue the MICPA-CAANZ Programme. The Conversion Programme is being conducted by Universiti Malaya with classes held on weekends.
In late 2019, some changes to the requirements of the MICPA-CAANZ Programme were made:
· Candidates can complete up to 2 technical modules per term (previously only 1 module per term was allowed)
· Candidates can complete the technical modules on a full-time basis, prior to commencing employment with an Approved Training Organisation (previously the Programme had to be completed concurrently whilst gaining work experience)
Outstanding candidates and graduates are recognised every year at the Excellence Awards event which is jointly hosted by MICPA and CA ANZ. Since the joint Programme commenced in 2009, Malaysian candidates achieved an average pass rate of 72% to-date. Each year has seen a steady increase in the reception towards the MICPA-CAANZ Programme and it continues to see growth – a globally-recognised qualification with a Malaysian flavour.
NOTE TO EDITOR:
About The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) was incorporated in 1958 and is the only Malaysian body which conducts a professional accountancy examination recognised under the Accountants Act 1967.
MICPA has collaborated with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (then known as Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia) since 2009 to offer the MICPA-CAANZ Programme – a joint professional programme which awards its graduates with a dual membership and the use of two titles – Certified Public Accountant, Malaysia and Chartered Accountant, Australia & New Zealand.
MICPA is governed by a Council of 30 elected members and has over 3,200 members and close to 900 registered candidates. For more information, visit www.micpa.com.my
Source: Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
Through the joint Programme, MICPA conducted ICAA’s Chartered Accountant Program comprising 5 modules in Malaysia, but customised the Taxation module to cover the Malaysian taxation framework, thus making the Programme relevant to the local market. Hence 4 modules would be identical to that offered in Australia and the rest of the world, whilst the Taxation module would be set and marked by MICPA.
Graduates of the joint Programme are eligible for admission into memberships of both Institutes upon completion of the 5 modules and 3 years of supervised working experience, and will also be able to access the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) – something very useful for global professionals. Memberships with both bodies provide the use of the titles “Certified Public Accountant”, or CPA (M), and “Chartered Accountant”, or CA (ANZ). The Programme was officially launched in June 2009 with the first batch of students attempting their first modules in December 2009.
In 2014, developments in ICAA saw its amalgamation with the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) and the formation of a new body – CA ANZ, thus the name change of the Programme to the MICPA-CAANZ Programme.
Candidates eligible for the Programme are accounting degree holders from universities accredited by MICPA or CA ANZ, with most of them coming from universities in Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand. MICPA has opened up entry for accredited Diploma in Accounting holders who will be required to undergo MICPA’s Professional Stage Examination (PSE) (4 modules) before proceeding on to the MICPA-CAANZ Programme (5 modules). In 2015, MICPA introduced a 1-year Conversion Programme (8 modules) to allow non-accounting degree holders to pursue the MICPA-CAANZ Programme. The Conversion Programme is being conducted by Universiti Malaya with classes held on weekends.
In late 2019, some changes to the requirements of the MICPA-CAANZ Programme were made:
· Candidates can complete up to 2 technical modules per term (previously only 1 module per term was allowed)
· Candidates can complete the technical modules on a full-time basis, prior to commencing employment with an Approved Training Organisation (previously the Programme had to be completed concurrently whilst gaining work experience)
Outstanding candidates and graduates are recognised every year at the Excellence Awards event which is jointly hosted by MICPA and CA ANZ. Since the joint Programme commenced in 2009, Malaysian candidates achieved an average pass rate of 72% to-date. Each year has seen a steady increase in the reception towards the MICPA-CAANZ Programme and it continues to see growth – a globally-recognised qualification with a Malaysian flavour.
NOTE TO EDITOR:
About The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
The Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA) was incorporated in 1958 and is the only Malaysian body which conducts a professional accountancy examination recognised under the Accountants Act 1967.
MICPA has collaborated with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (then known as Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia) since 2009 to offer the MICPA-CAANZ Programme – a joint professional programme which awards its graduates with a dual membership and the use of two titles – Certified Public Accountant, Malaysia and Chartered Accountant, Australia & New Zealand.
MICPA is governed by a Council of 30 elected members and has over 3,200 members and close to 900 registered candidates. For more information, visit www.micpa.com.my
Source: Malaysian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (MICPA)
Friday 19 July 2019
Secure-D new malware centre reports global suspicious Android apps
KUALA LUMPUR, July 19 (Bernama) -- Upstream mobile security platform, Secure-D has launched a new mobile malware centre to report on suspicious Android applications it detects and blocks globally.
The technology company aims to further protect mobile subscribers, operators and advertisers from the ever-growing threat of mobile ad fraud, whose value is currently estimated at US$40 billion. (US$1 = RM4.11)
Each app on the Secure-D Index centre features pertinent information such as number of downloads, market infection rate and markets where the app is active.
Data is currently available for 17 markets, including the United States, Russia, India, Germany, South Africa and Egypt, covering up to 1.3 billion mobile data subscribers.
The index lists over 1,500 malicious apps with an estimate of 13.5 billion downloads.
Users can check whether the apps are available on Google Play, have been removed from Google Play or distributed via third-party app stores.
A developer and a link to its website are also provided, when available.
Upstream, Secure-D head, Dimitris Maniatis said Secure-D led the fight against malware, an ever-growing threat for mobile security worldwide.
“We believe a crucial part of this fight is awareness, which mobile users and, surprisingly, a large part of the industry, lack.”
In 2018 alone, Secure-D having processed over 1.8 billion mobile transactions, detected and blocked over 63,000 malicious apps in 16 countries. More details at https://index.secure-d.io/
-- BERNAMA
Lubrizol integrates three divisions into one new brand
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- The Lubrizol Corporation has re-organised its Personal, Home and Health Care business lines, integrating them under a newly-dedicated brand, Lubrizol Life Science.
The change reflects its commitment to evolve with the beauty, health, home and wellness markets, which continue to cross over and converge.
The Lubrizol Life Science team seeks to enhance the value of its solutions and services to customers and end-users, via its collective expertise in chemistry, applications and market insights.
Lubrizol Advanced Materials president, Rick Tolin said: “Our internal capabilities are focused and aligned to help our customers quickly meet the expectations of today’s consumers for products that ensure them of a healthier, more beautiful and comfortable life.”
The new team is placing a priority on developing and testing products in partnership with customers, engineering breakthroughs and co-driving initiatives that fuel growth.
It will also emphasise the proactive innovation needed to bring market-ready solutions to customers, while capitalising on the reliability of Lubrizol’s 90 years of science and efficacy.
Lubrizol Life Science also plans to add strategic technology, capability and talent by investing to expand its portfolio, including new acquisitions.
-- BERNAMA
The change reflects its commitment to evolve with the beauty, health, home and wellness markets, which continue to cross over and converge.
The Lubrizol Life Science team seeks to enhance the value of its solutions and services to customers and end-users, via its collective expertise in chemistry, applications and market insights.
Lubrizol Advanced Materials president, Rick Tolin said: “Our internal capabilities are focused and aligned to help our customers quickly meet the expectations of today’s consumers for products that ensure them of a healthier, more beautiful and comfortable life.”
The new team is placing a priority on developing and testing products in partnership with customers, engineering breakthroughs and co-driving initiatives that fuel growth.
It will also emphasise the proactive innovation needed to bring market-ready solutions to customers, while capitalising on the reliability of Lubrizol’s 90 years of science and efficacy.
Lubrizol Life Science also plans to add strategic technology, capability and talent by investing to expand its portfolio, including new acquisitions.
-- BERNAMA
Vietnam´s FPT becomes Homa´s strategic investor, enters Southeast Asia market
KUALA LUMPUR, July 12 (Bernama) -- Vietnam’s largest IT firm, FPT Corporation (FPT) has agreed to become Homa Techs Inc (Homa) strategic investor, thereby entering the Southeast Asia smart home market.
“FPT sees great value in Homa’s smart home technologies and solutions. We are excited to work with Homa to bring this family of products to millions of residents and help accelerate the development of smart buildings and smart cities in Asia,” said FPT chief executive officer, Nguyen Van Khoa.
“Apart from our commitment to research and develop digital solutions, FPT also looks for partnership opportunities to acquire new technological products and solutions which are in line with emerging market trends and our long-term strategies”, he added.
The investment reinforces FPT’s commitment to become a global provider of comprehensive digital transformation services from 2019 to 2021, according to a statement.
The company hopes to diversify its portfolio of hardware products that target smart city developers and better penetrate the Southeast Asia market for IoT and smart home solutions, as well as integrate Homa technologies into IoT and AI products in the future.
FPT is the global leading technology and IT services provider, while Homa is a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) networking and smart some/building devices. For more information, contact https://www.fpt-software.com and http://www.homatechs.com.
-- BERNAMA
“FPT sees great value in Homa’s smart home technologies and solutions. We are excited to work with Homa to bring this family of products to millions of residents and help accelerate the development of smart buildings and smart cities in Asia,” said FPT chief executive officer, Nguyen Van Khoa.
“Apart from our commitment to research and develop digital solutions, FPT also looks for partnership opportunities to acquire new technological products and solutions which are in line with emerging market trends and our long-term strategies”, he added.
The investment reinforces FPT’s commitment to become a global provider of comprehensive digital transformation services from 2019 to 2021, according to a statement.
The company hopes to diversify its portfolio of hardware products that target smart city developers and better penetrate the Southeast Asia market for IoT and smart home solutions, as well as integrate Homa technologies into IoT and AI products in the future.
FPT is the global leading technology and IT services provider, while Homa is a global provider of Internet of Things (IoT) networking and smart some/building devices. For more information, contact https://www.fpt-software.com and http://www.homatechs.com.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday 18 July 2019
Bizagi automates growth in US, digitalises world leading brands
KUALA LUMPUR, July 18 (Bernama) -- Bizagi, the world’s leading intelligent process automation platform provider has announced significant growth in the United States (US) and abroad driven by its success enabling digital transformation for world leading brands.
The growth is based on enterprise adoption of its unique platform, enabling companies to better leverage digital and robotic processes, along with artificial intelligence, to improve customer interaction, speed operations and build revenue.
The company has also made several key executive hires, including its first chief revenue officer, Richard Dufty, leading global go-to-market businesses with a mandate to provide an amazing unified journey and experience for customers.
Bizagi chief executive officer, Gustavo Gomez said the company experienced 100 per cent year-over-year growth in the US last year and was on track to grow 200 per cent this year.
“Our platform’s ability to deliver deep digital process automation while driving broad, fast, business-friendly adoption is remaking how these organisations think about digital transformation.”
To date, users have downloaded Bizagi’s software more than three million times, which is driving tens of thousands of digital automations at over 500 organisations worldwide.
The US growth, in particular, is notable in financial services and government agencies, where organisations are succeeding in digital automation with Bizagi, despite statistics showing the overwhelming majority of digital transformations fail.
Most of them are challenged by processes sitting in systems that are costly, disconnected and slow to change.
-- BERNAMA
Internal factors, not external, cast bigger cybersecurity threat - Research
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- SolarWinds, a powerful and affordable IT management software provider in its cybersecurity research, has discovered that internal factors (people and technology) cast bigger cybersecurity threat than external, and thus, are ranked as the top concern.
SolarWinds has reported that out of all cybersecurity incidents experienced by respondents, the largest portion reported was caused by internal users making mistakes, at 65 per cent, followed by 43 per cent attributed to external threat actors.
Meanwhile, 66 per cent of respondents reported that regular employees posed the biggest risk, with 46 per cent attributing the cause to poor password management and/or weak passwords, and 45 per cent to accidents.
Despite cybersecurity threats (internal and external) becoming the norm in today’s landscape, 97 per cent of respondents felt ill-equipped to successfully implement and/or manage one or more cybersecurity tasks, given their current IT skillset.
In addition, 36 per cent of respondents stated that budget constraints were the most significant barrier to maintaining or improving their current IT security, according to a statement.
The research provides a pulse check on recent cybersecurity trends in both Singapore and Hong Kong, and explores the top threat concerns, along with technologies and skillsets needed to successfully manage both internal and external cybersecurity threats.
SolarWinds has released the research at RSA Singapore, whereby attendees of the event are able to receive indepth demos of the company’s security solutions. For more information, contact https://www.solarwinds.com.
-- BERNAMA
New features in WSO2 API Microgateway 3.0 introduced
KUALA LUMPUR, July 16 (Bernama) -- WSO2, the world’s open source integration vendor has introduced several new features in version 3.0 of its fully open source WSO2 API Microgateway to simplify the process of creating, deploying and securing APIs within distributed microservice architectures.
WSO2 API Microgateway is a cloud-native, lightweight, developer-centric, decentralised API gateway for microservices. It boots up in less than a second and features built-in capabilities for service-enrichment.
Developers can compose microservices and expose them as APIs that operate in a range of deployments, including Kubernetes clusters, containerised deployments, container management systems, service meshes and legacy deployments.
The WSO2 API Microgateway 3.0 has added several new features to facilitate API development and management while enabling greater scalability which allow developers to collaborate in creating APIs and test them independently.
In addition, the run-time service discovery support allows the microgateway to automatically discover microservices, while also supporting transforming legacy API formats, according to a statement.
The availability of WSO2 API Microgateway 3.0 is being announced in conjunction with OSCON 2019, the O’Reilly Open Source Software Conference which currently happening until July 18 in Portland, OR.
"TOUR AROUND FUJIAN, HAVE ALL BLESSINGS" -- WELCOME TO THE FANTASTIC WORLD OF COLORFUL ZHANGZHOU
ZHANGZHOU, China, July 17, 2019 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--
Zhangzhou, situated at South Fujian Triangle, is a key city along the Belt and Road and a well-known ancestral hometown for overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots. Known as one of the world cultural heritage sites, one of China's famous historical and cultural cities and one of China's top tourist cities, and the City of Hot Spring, Zhangzhou is a brilliant highlight in the tourism landscape of China. In recent years, Zhangzhou has gone all out to boost the holistic tourism and constantly built the brand of Beautiful Zhangzhou, thus making its tourist economy booming.
There are three world wonders in Zhangzhou.
The first is the world tangible cultural heritage –- Tulou (Earthen Castles) in Nanjing and Hua'an counties, which not only bears the history of but also witnesses the great changes in Zhangzhou.
Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, the iconic Fujian Tulou architecture, consists of one square, one oval and three round earthen castles. It looks like a plum blossom in full bloom dotting the ground in a bird's eye view. Seeing from the hill foot, it also looks like the magnificent Potala Palace high on the mountain. Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town is also in Nanjing County. It became famous at home and abroad because of a namesake film The Knot, or Yun Shui Yao in Chinese. Within the scenic area of Yun Shui Yao, there are the world cultural heritage sites, such as Hegui Building, Huaiyuan Building, the highest, largest and most dense thousand-year-old ancient banyan trees in Fujian Province, a century-old street, an ancient path that dates back to one thousand years ago, and those sacred mountains and clean waters -- all these are seemingly enveloped in aloofness. Hua'an Eryi Building is a piece of peerless artwork among the individual earthen buildings. It is hailed as the King of Tulou thanks to its scientific design, unique structure, exquisite woodcuts and stone carvings, gorgeous wall paintings and picturesque geographical environment.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35024
Zhangzhou, situated at South Fujian Triangle, is a key city along the Belt and Road and a well-known ancestral hometown for overseas Chinese and Taiwan compatriots. Known as one of the world cultural heritage sites, one of China's famous historical and cultural cities and one of China's top tourist cities, and the City of Hot Spring, Zhangzhou is a brilliant highlight in the tourism landscape of China. In recent years, Zhangzhou has gone all out to boost the holistic tourism and constantly built the brand of Beautiful Zhangzhou, thus making its tourist economy booming.
There are three world wonders in Zhangzhou.
The first is the world tangible cultural heritage –- Tulou (Earthen Castles) in Nanjing and Hua'an counties, which not only bears the history of but also witnesses the great changes in Zhangzhou.
Nanjing Tianluokeng Tulou Cluster, the iconic Fujian Tulou architecture, consists of one square, one oval and three round earthen castles. It looks like a plum blossom in full bloom dotting the ground in a bird's eye view. Seeing from the hill foot, it also looks like the magnificent Potala Palace high on the mountain. Yun Shui Yao Ancient Town is also in Nanjing County. It became famous at home and abroad because of a namesake film The Knot, or Yun Shui Yao in Chinese. Within the scenic area of Yun Shui Yao, there are the world cultural heritage sites, such as Hegui Building, Huaiyuan Building, the highest, largest and most dense thousand-year-old ancient banyan trees in Fujian Province, a century-old street, an ancient path that dates back to one thousand years ago, and those sacred mountains and clean waters -- all these are seemingly enveloped in aloofness. Hua'an Eryi Building is a piece of peerless artwork among the individual earthen buildings. It is hailed as the King of Tulou thanks to its scientific design, unique structure, exquisite woodcuts and stone carvings, gorgeous wall paintings and picturesque geographical environment.
http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=35024
Wednesday 17 July 2019
KEIO PLAZA HOTEL TOKYO OFFERS "TEA CEREMONY EXPERIENCE AND LUXURIOUS ACCOMMODATIONS FOR FAMILIES" PACKAGE
TOKYO, July 17 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (KPH), one of Japan’s most prestigious international hotels located in Shinjuku, Tokyo, will begin offering a special summer accommodation package entitled “Tea Ceremony Experience and Luxurious Accommodations for Families” from July 20 to September 1, 2019. This accommodation package has been specially designed to keep families with children entertained by providing the unique cultural experience of a Japanese tea ceremony as fond memories of their summer vacation at our Hotel.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190716005325/en/
The rooms offered in this accommodation package are the very popular “Two Queen Beds Rooms” located on the “Premier Grand” club floors with use of the Club Lounge included. The rooms are facilitated with two 1.53 meter wide queen sized beds to allow parents to sleep comfortably with their children. The Premier Grand club guest rooms also feature bathrooms with wash basins that are separate from the bathing and toilet facilities for ease of use by families.
With the package, a tea ceremony master will teach the conduct and etiquette of traditional Japanese custom through the serving of carefully prepared tea and delicate Japanese sweets. After adults are finished learning about tea ceremony, children will be given the chance to prepare Japanese green tea themselves. And after everyone has completed this tea ceremony, they will all be given special certificates of completion. The tea ceremony experience will be held in the “Sho-Fu-An” Tea Room, located on the 10th floor of the Main Tower and opened in 1971. “Sho-Fu-An” has operated as one of the few authentic tea room facilities in any hotel in Tokyo, and hosted large numbers of overseas guests who are interested in tea ceremonies.
Archive of Press Release
About the Keio Plaza Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (KPH), located in Shinjuku at the very heart of the nation’s capital Tokyo, is one of Japan’s leading international hotels. Our hotel boasts of over 15 restaurants and bars, and we host a wide range of local and international guests who visit us for our welcoming facilities, warm hospitality and unique services that allow them to experience Japanese culture, including our wedding kimono experience, tea ceremony and many others. For more information about our facilities and services, please visit our website, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190716005325/en/
Contact
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Keiko Kawashima, +81-3-5322-8010
Public Relations Manager
keiko-kawashima@keioplaza.co.jp
Source : Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
--BERNAMA
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190716005325/en/
The rooms offered in this accommodation package are the very popular “Two Queen Beds Rooms” located on the “Premier Grand” club floors with use of the Club Lounge included. The rooms are facilitated with two 1.53 meter wide queen sized beds to allow parents to sleep comfortably with their children. The Premier Grand club guest rooms also feature bathrooms with wash basins that are separate from the bathing and toilet facilities for ease of use by families.
With the package, a tea ceremony master will teach the conduct and etiquette of traditional Japanese custom through the serving of carefully prepared tea and delicate Japanese sweets. After adults are finished learning about tea ceremony, children will be given the chance to prepare Japanese green tea themselves. And after everyone has completed this tea ceremony, they will all be given special certificates of completion. The tea ceremony experience will be held in the “Sho-Fu-An” Tea Room, located on the 10th floor of the Main Tower and opened in 1971. “Sho-Fu-An” has operated as one of the few authentic tea room facilities in any hotel in Tokyo, and hosted large numbers of overseas guests who are interested in tea ceremonies.
Archive of Press Release
About the Keio Plaza Hotel
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo (KPH), located in Shinjuku at the very heart of the nation’s capital Tokyo, is one of Japan’s leading international hotels. Our hotel boasts of over 15 restaurants and bars, and we host a wide range of local and international guests who visit us for our welcoming facilities, warm hospitality and unique services that allow them to experience Japanese culture, including our wedding kimono experience, tea ceremony and many others. For more information about our facilities and services, please visit our website, YouTube, Facebook or Instagram.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20190716005325/en/
Contact
Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
Keiko Kawashima, +81-3-5322-8010
Public Relations Manager
keiko-kawashima@keioplaza.co.jp
Source : Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo
--BERNAMA
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