CSOP DEBUTS THE WORLD'S LARGEST CHINESE PURE GOVERNMENT BOND ETF IN SINGAPORE

 

·  ICBC CSOP FTSE Chinese Government Bond Index ETF will list (ticker: USD counter:CYB/ SGD counter:CYC) on Singapore Exchange (“SGX”) on September 21 2020
·  CYB/CYC to directly invest into China onshore government bonds, aiming to help capture opportunities brought by China’s bond inclusions into global indices
·  China onshore bonds market to present attractive opportunities to local investors 
 

SINGAPORE, Sept 18 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- CSOP Asset Management Pte. Ltd. debuts its first ETF - ICBC CSOP FTSE Chinese Government Bond Index ETF (ticker: USD counter: CYB/ SGD counter: CYC) in Singapore in partnership with ICBC Asset Management.¹ Operating since April 2019, CSOP Asset Management is bringing its leading expertise and experience in ETF management to investors in Singapore. The CYB/CYC offers the opportunities for investors to access the fast growing China onshore bond market. CYB/CYC will adopt a representative sampling strategy to replicate as closely as possible the performance of the FTSE Chinese Government Bond Index to achieve its investment objective. Denominated in RMB, CYB/CYC can be created and redeemed in both USD and RMB in primary market. Post listing, the CYB/CYC trades in both USD and SGD at board lot size of 10 shares. As the first SGX-listed ETF investing directly in China onshore bond market, CYB/CYC has attracted a number of institutional investors and USD675, 571,000 investment, marking it one of the ETFs with a significantly large initial size on SGX,and also the world’s largest Chinese pure government bond ETF.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200917005377/en/ 
 

China onshore market has become too important to ignore. The size of China bond market has already reached USD15 trillion, the second largest bond market in the world, trailing behind US². With China’s onshore bond market further opening up, it presents attractive opportunities to global investors. Historical data suggested that the China onshore bonds offer a higher yield³ with a relatively lower exchange rate volatility compared to other major economies.⁴ In addition, the low correlation between China onshore bonds and global bonds would potentially provide greater portfolio diversification for investors.⁵ Worth mentioning, in the past few years, foreign investment continued to flow into China onshore market. Even though foreign institutions held more than CNY2.8 trillion (over USD400 billion) of onshore Chinese bonds as of August 2020, which was four times more than the amount held in 2015, the foreign holding of China onshore bonds was still below 3% severely under invested by global institutions.⁶ If the Chinese onshore bonds are included in the three major global indices, it is expected to attract about USD320 billion of inflows into China onshore bond market in aggregate.⁷ The market discussion on the upcoming announcement by FTSE Russell on the potential inclusion of China onshore bonds reflects optimism and its readiness to be included in foreign investors’ asset allocation. In anticipation of the upcoming announcement from FTSE Russell on highly possible inclusion of China onshore bonds, it is deemed a good timing for investors to tap into the China onshore bonds market. 
 

Loh Boon Chye, Chief Executive Officer of SGX, said, “We are honoured that CSOP Asset Management, a well-known ETF leader in Asia, has picked SGX to be the listing venue of choice for their landmark ETF. SGX provides a multi-asset platform that supports the internationalisation of China and investor access to Asia’s largest economy. Global fixed income investors have been turning to Chinese sovereign bonds for added diversification and yields, and this product is a strong addition to our platform. SGX will continue to work with issuers and business partners to develop a multi-asset ETF product shelf that meets the demands of the investment community.” 

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ONLY 35 PER CENT OF APAC BUSINESSES HAVE MADE OPERATIONAL ADJUSTMENTS TO MEET NEW CONSUMER DEMANDS FOR DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT SINCE COVID-19

Experian’s research shows increase in organisations adapting artificial intelligence and machine learning to deal with economic uncertainties 

SINGAPORE, Sept 17 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The pandemic has accelerated a digital transformation for many companies, but just over a third (35 per cent) of APAC organisations have made operational adjustments to meet new consumer demands for digital engagement. With more than half of 1,200 consumers surveyed in APAC expecting to increase online spending both in the short-term and within the next 12 months, 43 per cent of consumers have higher expectations of their online experience, according to Experian’s Global Insights Report, one of the first large-scale surveys assessing the impact of COVID-19 on businesses and consumers.

Experian – a leading global information services company – surveyed 3,000 consumers and 900 executives working in retail banks, e-commerce, consumer technology and telecommunications. Respondents spanned Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, India, Japan, Singapore, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States. The survey was conducted in June and July and covered consumer and business economic outlooks, financial well-being, online behaviour and more.

The survey found that since the start of the pandemic, top priorities for businesses include the health and safety of their employees and customers, as well as adjusting their operations to ensure business continuity. The pandemic could potentially add US$440 billion to credit costs in Asia Pacific and organisations are utilising digital solutions to manage customer credit risk, with 22 per cent planning to use on-demand cloud-based decisioning applications.

Globally, twice as many consumers are having problems paying their bills since COVID-19. This is a trend prevalent across all regions, with more than a fifth (21 per cent) of the 1,200 consumers surveyed online in Australia, India, Japan and Singapore finding it challenging to pay their credit card and utility bills since the start of COVID-19. The report highlighted a three per cent increase among consumers who are increasing their use of credit, and a two per cent increase in consumers applying for personal or short-term loans.

Ben Elliott, CEO Asia Pacific, at Experian, says: “The pandemic has exacerbated broader global economic uncertainties, and consumers are feeling the impact of the coronavirus. This is a defining period for how banks and financial institutions treat their customers, as how they treat their customers during these challenging times will impact customer loyalty in the long run. Our data shows that 41 per cent of customers in Singapore, India and Australia would give an organisation more business if they felt they were treated fairly – courteously, honestly and without bias – during the pandemic, higher than the global figure of 38 per cent.”

72 per cent of APAC organisations are using artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning to cope with uncertainties in today’s marketplace; higher than the global figure of 69 per cent. Decision management (13 per cent), artificial intelligence, credit reports and scores, and decision optimisation (each at 12 per cent) have been some of the top solutions most commonly used by organisations in the region to assess and manage customer credit risk.

Mr Elliott adds: “The acceleration of digitisation of the economy means that banks are under increasing pressure to move to digital channels to acquire and serve customers, given current social distancing mandates. We're supporting our clients – such as banks and financial services providers, telcos and technology companies – by providing the flexibility of on-premise and cloud-based solutions. Experian’s latest cloud based PowerCurve suite of decision management solutions enable companies to automate decisions across an increasingly complex customer journey. We provide the option of pre-configured solutions for organisations that prefer standard, ‘out of the box’ applications, as well as solutions that can be tailored to their infrastructure and requirements for rapid deployment, so clients are up and running in days.”

An example of a bank successfully digitising their processes on the cloud is AU Small Finance Bank, a retail bank in India. AU Small Finance Bank digitised its previously manual lending process with Experian’s PowerCurve Customer Acquisition. The end-to-end solution involved digitising and automating the application and approval process for a new credit card offering, enabling automated decisioning, and provided the ability to host and configure scorecards.

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Integrity Applications Provides Commercial Update

WILMINGTON, Del. and ASHDOD, Israel, Sept. 15, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Integrity Applications, Inc. (www.integrity-app.com) (OTCQB: IGAP), innovator of GlucoTrack^®, a non-invasive device for measuring glucose levels in people with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, today provided an update as to its commercialization activities.

Earlier this year, the Company announced that it had received CE Mark approval to simplify the use of GlucoTrack by allowing a user to perform the calibration process by themselves without the need for an on-site trainer for guidance. With this major enhancement, the Company believes it has a pathway to commercialize GlucoTrack on a mass scale through its distribution partners, and in certain markets, directly to the consumer.

Since receiving this approval, the Company has been conducting testing and internal trials of upgraded software and has been developing a redesigned personal ear clip to enhance usability and comfort of the device, all of which have been completed.

The Company has now begun the implementation of its commercial launch with the completion of its initial shipment of redesigned GlucoTrack personal ear clip units and software upgrade to MediReva, its exclusive distribution partner in the Netherlands.

Prior to going into full production, MediReva will conduct field testing on the new units with the self-calibration feature embedded, with the expectation for GlucoTrack to be available to the public early next year. The Company is currently working with several insurance companies on steps towards reimbursement approval.

As part of its planned rollout, in addition to the Netherlands, the Company is in the process of identifying and negotiating with additional distributors in other key geographic regions.

“Low compliance to glucose self-monitoring among patients with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes is still highly prevalent,” said Erez Ben-Zvi, Integrity’s Vice President of Product. “Launching our first non-invasive GlucoTrack units with the self-calibration software is key for increased monitoring compliance and a major milestone for the Company. We look forward to a successful launch in the Netherlands and continued execution on our commercial strategy.”

“The market desperately needs the solution that GlucoTrack provides. We continue to make progress in our efforts to receive insurance reimbursement for GlucoTrack in the Dutch market, and we are excited to be the first to offer such an innovative product for those suffering with Type 2 diabetes and prediabetes,” said Paul Ummels, CEO of MediReva.

About GlucoTrack^®

GlucoTrack^® is a truly non-invasive monitoring device that rapidly measures and displays an individual’s glucose level in about a minute without finger pricking or any pain. GlucoTrack^® features an ear clip with sensors that clips to the earlobe and measures the user’s glucose level using innovative and patented sensor technologies. The measured signals are analyzed using a proprietary algorithm and then a calculated glucose level is displayed on a small handheld device the size of a small mobile phone. The glucose results are stored in the device and used to estimate HbA1c level using a proprietary algorithm. The device can also display glucose values graphically, enabling the user to monitor glucose levels over time. GlucoTrack^® has received approvals for CE Mark in Europe and from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety in South Korea for type 2 diabetes and prediabetes and is currently available in selected markets in Europe and Asia.

About Integrity Applications, Inc.

Integrity Applications, Inc. (OTCQB: IGAP) was founded in 2001 and is focused on the design, development, and commercialization of non-invasive glucose monitoring technologies for people with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes. The Company has developed GlucoTrack^®, a proprietary non-invasive glucose monitoring device designed to obtain glucose level measurements in about a minute without the pain, incremental cost, difficulty, or discomfort of conventional invasive finger stick devices. Integrity Applications Inc. is a Delaware corporation, with headquarters in the United States and an R&D site in Ashdod, Israel. For more information, please visit http://www.integrity-app.com/ and http://www.glucotrack.com.

Investor Contact:  investors@integrity-app.com
Media Contact: media@integrity-app.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “expect”, “plan” and “will” are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that certain important factors may affect Integrity Applications’ actual results and could cause such results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements that may be made in this news release. Factors that may affect Integrity Applications’ results include, but are not limited to, the ability of Integrity Applications to raise additional capital to finance its operations (whether through public or private equity offerings, debt financings, strategic collaborations or otherwise); risks relating to the receipt (and timing) of regulatory approvals (including FDA approval); risks relating to enrollment of patients in, and the conduct of, clinical trials; risks relating to its current and future distribution agreements; risks relating to its ability to hire and retain qualified personnel, including sales and distribution personnel; and the additional risk factors described in Integrity Applications’ filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019 as filed with the SEC on April 14, 2020. 

SmartStream derivatives for MiFID SI Regime to meet Sept 15 deadline

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 8 -- SmartStream Technologies, the financial Reference Data Utility (RDU) solutions provider, has announced derivatives supported in its Systematic Internaliser (SI) Registry service, to help clients meet the Markets in Financial Instruments Directive II (MiFID II) deadline on Sept 15.

This allows trading counterparties to identify whoever is responsible for reporting trades in general, but also the most complex part of the SI Regime which now includes derivatives.

According to a statement, financial institutions are highly reliant on good quality reference data to ensure they can successfully trade electronically, automate their operations and report accurately to the regulators.

The MiFID II SI Regime for derivatives will be the most challenging component needing to handle a very complex classification scheme.

The service further strengthens SmartStream’s partnership with the Approved Publication Arrangements community as the RDU continues being the sole distributor of the SI Registry, which provides SI status across equity, fixed income and derivative instruments.

SmartStream RDU Executive Vice-President, Linda Coffman said: “The derivatives component represents the last phase of the MiFID II SI Regime to be rolled out by the SmartStream RDU development team.”

To meet the September deadline, firms will have to handle a complex ESMA classification scheme in order to be compliant.

-- BERNAMA

ADM completes secondary block trade of about US$550 million Wilmar ordinary shares

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 24 -- ADM has completed its previously announced secondary block trade of approximately US$550 million in Wilmar ordinary shares. (US$1 = RM4.18)

Wilmar – Asia’s leading agribusiness and packaged food oils company – is a strategic partner and one of ADM’s largest customers. 

ADM expects to use the net proceeds from the transaction for general corporate purposes, which may include, without limitation, meeting working capital requirements; funding capital expenditures and possible acquisitions of, or investments in, business and assets; and acquiring outstanding shares of ADM common stock.

Based on a statement, ADM will retain at least a 20 per cent equity investment in Wilmar.

According to ADM Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano, this transaction provides additional capital while retaining the strong relationship with Wilmar. 

“We have no plans to sell additional Wilmar shares, and look forward to continuing our partnership for years to come.”

The Wilmar ordinary shares sold pursuant in the transaction have not been and will not be registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the securities laws of any other jurisdiction and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, US persons (as defined in Regulation S) absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements.

-- BERNAMA

ForDoz Pharma, Lupin partner to market 2 complex injectable products in US

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 21 -- ForDoz Pharma Corporation has entered into an agreement with Lupin, to market and distribute two complex injectable products in an advanced development stage at ForDoz, in the United States (US) and its territories. 

According to a statement, the products are in the Oncology and Anti-infective therapeutic areas which upon approval, will provide affordable alternatives to patients and healthcare professionals.

These two licensed products are flagship technology assets among ForDoz complex injectable product pipeline portfolio including liposome, microsphere, emulsion, nanocrystal, control release nanosuspension and micelle.

The products will be manufactured in ForDoz Pharma’s US-based manufacturing site while the India-based Lupin shall be responsible for the commercialisation. The deal terms are confidential.

“ForDoz Pharma is excited to partner our flagship products with Lupin. Lupin’s leadership presence in the US will complement ForDoz’s scientific capability to bring affordable medicines to patients in an efficient manner,” said ForDoz founder and chief executive officer, James He.

ForDoz Pharma Corporation is a privately-owned specialty pharmaceutical company, focusing on development, manufacturing and commercialisation of value-added sterile and complex injectable products.

-- BERNAMA

THE NEW NORMAL BRINGS IN A NEW ERA BUT WE CAN NAVIGATE THROUGH THE PATH: A STRONG MESSAGE GIVEN AT THE ASEAN 53RD ANNIVERSARY ONLINE SYMPOSIUM ORGANIZED BY AJC

 

TOKYO, Aug 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- On 20 August 2020, the ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) together with the ASEAN Committee in Tokyo (ACT), which consists of the ASEAN Ambassadors to Japan, organized the ASEAN 53^rd Anniversary Symposium online under the theme of “Beyond Covid-19: Moving into the New Normal” where participants joined from both Japan and ASEAN Member States.
 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200821005186/en/ 

The Symposium was opened by H.E. Mr. Myint Thu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar in Japan and ACT Chair. Ambassador Myint Thu called for ASEAN and Japan to effectively address emerging challenges together and to implement countermeasures against the impact of global pandemic.

After the opening remarks, H.E. Dato Lim Jock Hoi, Secretary-General of ASEAN, delivered his keynote address. Dato Lim reassured that ASEAN’s determination to fight the pandemic remained strong through decisive, targeted, and measured actions. Quoted examples include, the establishment of “COVID-19 ASEAN Response Fund” and the “ASEAN Regional Reserve of Medical Supplies”; and the adoption of the “Hanoi Plan of Action on Strengthening ASEAN Economic Cooperation and Supply Chain Connectivity in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic”.

Dato Lim also acknowledged that the post-pandemic world would present fundamental changes in the way ASEAN economic activities were structured. There are five possibilities to deal with this: First, the realization of the greater importance of cross-cutting issues; second, accelerated emerging trends such as digitalization; third, focus on intra-ASEAN trade and investment; fourth, focus on its competitiveness as an investment destination and a trade and production hub; and finally, strengthening the utilization of ASEAN FTAs.

During the panel discussion in the latter part of the symposium with international production networks (IPN) being the main theme, Dr. Fukunari Kimura, Professor, Faculty of Economics, Keio University and Chief Economist, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), shared his view that Asia Pacific economies were currently experiencing both supply and demand shocks, which will be followed by another huge demand shock with forcedly reshuffled production networks. Professor Kimura also presented a tentative policy framework for ASEAN Member States towards moving into the new normal classified into (i) emergency responses (ii) exit policies and (iii) policies for the new normal. 

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