REGULATIONS OF GUANGDONG PROVINCE ON CHINA-SINGAPORE GUANGZHOU KNOWLEDGE CITY TO COME INTO FORCE ON MARCH 1

GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 24, 2022 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/ --

The Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress held a press conference on the "Regulations of Guangdong Province on China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City" on February 23. Relevant officials answered questions from media reporters. The Regulations, adopted at the 39th session of the 13th Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress on January 16, 2022, will come into force on March 1 this year, providing strong guidance and guarantee for the accelerated construction and development of the Knowledge City, strengthening the legalized business environment, and exerting its advantages and roles in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the pilot demonstration area of socialism with Chinese characteristics. Located in the northern part of Huangpu District, Guangzhou city, the China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City has a total planned area of 232 square kilometers and is a national-level bilateral cooperation project between China and Singapore and a high-level science and innovation carrier in the Greater Bay Area. The foundation of the Knowledge City project was officially laid in June 2010. And in July 2016, the Knowledge City became the only comprehensive reform pilot area for the utilization and protection of intellectual property rights approved by the State Council. High-level research institutes such as Xidian University and top talent teams led by 24 academicians including Shi Yigong and Wang Xiaodong were introduced, high-end scientific and technological innovation platforms such as China-Singapore International Joint Research Institute, gathered, and a free port of international talents, put into operation. The construction of high-end technology innovation platforms such as the National University of Singapore Innovation Research Institute and major technological infrastructure such as the large-scale scientific device for aircraft tire dynamics were accelerated, and the brand of Singapore enterprises' first choice in China, ever more famous. Head of the Legal Affairs Committee of the Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress said that, it is necessary to promote the construction and development of the Knowledge City through legislation as it was upgraded to a national-level bilateral cooperation project in November 2018. The Regulations were initiated with great attention from the provincial party committee and the provincial government. The drafting with the joint efforts of the provincial, municipal and district-level, ensured that the project approval, the submission for deliberation, and the approval by voting were completed within the same year. According to the "Overall Development Plan (2020-2035) of China-Singapore Guangzhou Knowledge City" approved by the State Council in August 2020, the Regulations make provisions for technological innovation and intellectual property rights protection, knowledge-intensive industry development and talent support, opening-up and cooperation and other aspects. Specific regulations were also made on empowering the Knowledge City Administrative Committee, which fully reflects the strategy of building the Knowledge City into a new highland for knowledge creation, a free port for international talents, a source of innovation in the Greater Bay Area, and a demonstration area for openness and cooperation. Head of the Knowledge City Administrative Committee said that, the Knowledge City will fully utilize the empowerment of the Regulations, overcome difficulties and forge ahead bravely, explore new paths and accumulate new experiences on pilot projects, and better serve the Belt & Road Initiative and the high-quality development of the Greater Bay Area. The Knowledge City strives to demonstrate responsibility in building a new development pattern, and be at the forefront of the new journey of building a modern socialist country in all respects. Source: The Standing Committee of Guangdong Provincial People's Congress  --BERNAMA

[INVNT GROUP]™ BETS BIG ON LIVE; ENHANCES LIVE BRAND STORYTELLING CAPABILITIES WITH NEWLY FORMED ITP LIVE, IN THE STRATEGIC ACQUISITIONS OF INSYNC PRODUCTION SERVICES, THUNDER AUDIO AND MORPHEUS LIGHTS.

Introducing ITP LIVE: An Integrated Production Services Division of INVNT®

New York, Dec 30 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT™ announces the strategic acquisitions of four historied live event production companies: ITP LIVE, InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio, and Morpheus Lights. 

Led by President and CEO, Scott Cullather, [INVNT GROUP] represents a growing portfolio of complementary disciplines designed to help forward thinking brands everywhere, impact the audiences that matter anywhere. 

“This deal is a key pillar of our integrated vertical growth strategy as [INVNT GROUP] THE GLOBAL BRANDSTORY PROJECT. The dedicated search for these four companies has been in development for over 18 months. We sought leaders in the technical and production aspects of the live events industry, who were delivering premier production services to legacy brands and many of the world’s biggest peforming artists. These acquisitions will expand our innovation capabilities, allowing INVNT, our live events business, to offer our customers the ultimate in live events and experiential activations.”

Scott Cullather, President and CEO,  [INVNT GROUP]

[INVNT GROUP] consists of modern brand strategy firm, Folk Hero; creative-led culture consultancy, Meaning; branded content studio and content marketing agency HEVĒ; collegiate events and experiences, INVNT Higher Education, the original global live brand storytelling agency, INVNT and now ITP LIVE consisting of: InSync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights.

For more than twenty-five years, these production companies have supported the design and execution of experiential and live entertainment programs for many of the largest corporations, trade associations, sports franchises, governmental agencies (including the White House), and some of the most successful artists in the world: Bruce Springsteen, Snoop Dog, Lady Gaga, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Metallica, Post Malone, Tyler Perry and more.

The companies will continue to operate under their current names and will service their existing roster of clients, seek new clients, and providing services to synergistic INVNT opportunities and projects.

“Historically, producing live events has often required a great deal of outsourcing on virtually every project. Through these strategic acquisitions we will have end-to-end control over every aspect of our live events - especially quality and cost, continuing to deliver world-class service and at the very best value. The merging of resources and networks also gives us geographical spread across North America. Our anticipation is to continue growing these resources in other territories around the world. This is only the beginning.”  
                                                      
Kristina McCoobery, COO [INVNT GROUP] and CEO INVNT

Rooted in experiential marketing, [INVNT GROUP]’s expansion comes as part of a strategic, yet natural evolution. This business partnership creates a unique offering in the market, and enhances the group’s abilities to fulfill creative, technological, and strategic designs in dynamic new ways.

“When [INVNT GROUP] approached us about the idea of coming together and amplifying our resources, I was instantly drawn to the group’s commitment to impactful storytelling. Their award-winning work aligns with our vision of the newly formed ITP LIVE, that includes Insync Production Services, Thunder Audio and Morpheus Lights,. We’re excited by the incredible synergies created through our partnership and welcome a new chapter in designing the best events on the planet.” 

Pat Hand, CEO, ITP LIVE
 
This transaction was structured by Wolf Karbe, CFO of [INVNT GROUP] and represented by Evergreen Advisors Capital and Center Rock Advisors. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

http://mrem.bernama.com/viewsm.php?idm=42054

Nippon Express (Nederland) Obtains GDP Compliance Certification For Company Warehouse

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 8 -- Nippon Express (Nederland) B.V. (NEN), a local subsidiary of Nippon Express Co Ltd, obtained Good Distribution Practice (GDP) certification, effective Sep 6, for its company-owned warehouse in Schiphol Trade Park near Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, evidencing its compliance with GDP standards for the proper distribution of pharmaceuticals.

The Netherlands has become home to one of Europe's largest clusters of cutting-edge biotechnology companies.

According to a statement, the country's geographical and tax advantages have encouraged numerous pharmaceutical manufacturers to set up logistics bases there.

NEN's warehouse near Schiphol Airport, an import/export gateway for Europe, is fully equipped with dedicated pharmaceutical storage areas boasting temperature-control functions for three temperature ranges -- 15 C to 25 C (constant-temperature storage), 2 C to 8 C (refrigerated storage) and -15 C to -25 C (frozen storage) -- as well as dedicated truck docks, enabling NEN to enhance its pharmaceutical transport services to meet anticipated increases in demand.

Nippon Express remains committed to improving its services to meet the increasingly sophisticated and diversified pharmaceutical transport needs of its customers.

The Company will continue to strengthen its efforts on behalf of the pharmaceutical industry, identified as a priority industry in its Medium-term Business Plan.

For more information, visit http://www.nipponexpress.com/

-- BERNAMA

Unify Platform AG Starts New Feature On Company's Online Platform UNIPLAT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 30  -- Unify Platform AG of Switzerland, with its Japan Hub in Shin-Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, has announced the launch of a new feature on the company's online platform service, UNIPLAT.

According to a statement, the new feature is Credit Rating: an automatic performance rating of each researcher and entrepreneur on UNIPLAT, evaluated from various perspectives using AI.

The evaluation result is displayed as credit scores. If the scores are high, the relevant researcher's capability and credibility are also considered high. This Credit Rating will be available on the platform, beginning Dec 23.

The credit scores of a researcher or entrepreneur can be viewed on their ‘My Lab’ page (a one-stop page that contains their profile, result of research, and other information. My Lab will be launched at the same time as Credit Rating).

The scores are set to be visible to the public. So, general users -- individuals, companies, or research institutions -- can check the researcher or entrepreneur's capability and credibility to ascertain their choice of support or research collaboration. Talking from the researcher and entrepreneur's side, this feature could open the door to many benefits such as offers and grants from companies and institutions.

Currently, the aspects scored by Credit Rating's AI are, number of likes of each content (live streaming, videos, and documents); number of each content's views; and, number of connections (primary nodes).

The scoring aspects and formulas are subject to refinement in a once-a-year credit rating evaluation committee meeting, following changes in global academic circumstances.

UNIPLAT is an open platform specifically designed to help entrepreneurial researchers who promote all academic fields and projects related to the SDGs advocated by the United Nations worldwide to obtain more exposure and connect with supporters who want to contribute to the improvement of global research.

-- BERNAMA

Mary Kay renews commitment to prevent, eliminate gender-based violence

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 -- Mary Kay Inc and the Mary Kay Ash Foundation have announced a renewed, joint commitment to the prevention and elimination of gender-based violence by joining the Generation Equality Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence.

This is in recognition of the upcoming International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women kicking off the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, according to a statement.

The commitment—which the organisations made public during UN Women’s recent Generation Equality Forum in Paris—is just the latest step the storied beauty brand and its charitable arm have made in the interest of improving the lives of women everywhere.

The Action Coalition on Gender-Based Violence, co-led by UN Women and by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund), among other leaders, is a powerful global movement mobilising governments, international organisations, philanthropies, and the private sector to deliver transformational progress towards the elimination of gender-based violence through four concrete actions.

This includes creating enabling policy, legal and resource environments; scaling up evidence driven prevention programming; scaling up comprehensive, accessible, and quality services for survivors; and, enabling and empowering autonomous girl-led and women’s rights organisations to exercise their expertise.

A goal of the Generation Equality Gender-Based Violence Action Coalition is to have 550 million more women and girls live in countries with laws and policies prohibiting all forms of gender-based violence against women and girls by 2026, among others.

During the Forum, UN Women committed to amplifying support and funding to women’s rights organisations by working with partners to secure a minimum of US$100 million in grants to be allocated through the UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) over the next five years. (US$1 = RM4.213)

Last year, Mary Kay Inc and the Mary Kay Ash Foundation joined forces with the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence against Women (UN Trust Fund) and CARE, two champions of women’s rights, to further their mission to achieve a world free from violence against women.

-- BERNAMA

First Net Insurance Company Credit Ratings affirmed - AM Best

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 22 -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of ‘bbb+’ (Good) of First Net Insurance Company (First Net) Guam. The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect First Net’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

First Net’s risk-adjusted capitalisation is assessed at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio (BCAR), and supported by its relatively low net underwriting leverage, and conservative and liquid investment portfolio, both of which partially offset its small absolute capital base.

Based on a statement, the company has a relatively high reliance on reinsurance for its business growth and catastrophe protection, albeit credit risk is limited due to a stable and high-quality reinsurer panel.

FirstNet’s adequate operating performance is underpinned by positive underwriting results and stable investment returns from its fixed-income portfolio. Its combined ratios mostly outperformed its composite’s average over the past 10 years, but the company’s small net premium base left its underwriting performance more susceptible to potential volatility arising from claims and expenses.

First Net reported favourable underwriting performance in 2020 and the first half of 2021 primarily due to reduced auto claims amid the COVID-19 pandemic. AM Best expects auto claims to rebound as traffic levels gradually return to normal over the coming years.

First Net is a domestic property and casualty insurer in the small and competitive Guam market, with a market share of approximately four per cent based on 2019 direct written premium (excluding group accident and health).

Given its location and geographic concentration, AM Best views the company’s business expansion opportunities as limited and highly dependent on local economic development. Nonetheless, the company has a stable business stream sourced through Moylan's Insurance Underwriters Inc, its affiliated company and a major multi-line insurance agency with a strong distribution network in Guam and nearby jurisdictions.

For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

-- BERNAMA

ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I declares US$150 million IPO

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 -- ALSP Orchid Acquisition Corporation I (the Company or ALSP Orchid) has announced the pricing of its initial public offering of 15,000,000 units at a price of US$10.00 per unit. (US$1 = RM4.179)

The units will be listed on The Nasdaq Global Market (Nasdaq) and trade under the ticker symbol ALORU beginning Nov 19. Each unit consists of one Class A ordinary share and one-half of one redeemable warrant, with each whole warrant exercisable to purchase one Class A ordinary share at a price of US$11.50 per share.

After the securities comprising the units begin separate trading, the Class A ordinary shares and warrants are expected to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbols ‘ALOR’ and ‘ALORW’, respectively. The offering is expected to close on Nov 23, subject to customary closing conditions.

According to a statement, ALSP Orchid is a newly organised blank check company formed by Accelerator Life Science Partners, for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganisation or similar business combination with one or more businesses.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company Incorporated and Nomura Securities International Inc are serving as joint book-running managers of the offering.

The Company has granted the underwriters a 45-day option to purchase up to an additional 2,250,000 units at the initial public offering price to cover over-allotments, if any. The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus.

A registration statement relating to these securities was declared effective by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (‘SEC’) on Nov 18.

-- BERNAMA