SINGAPORE, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Planet Environmental Solutions Pte. Ltd. (Blue Planet®), a major sustainable waste management company with operations in India, South-East Asia and UK, has received a US$35 million investment from The Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU), a leader in impact investments.

Erode – Vairapalayam Dumpsite Reclamation Project, Tamil Nadu, India

"This partnership underscores our shared vision for a sustainable and ESG-aware platform, addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time. Our commitment extends beyond financial investment; it’s about creating a just, inclusive, and sustainable future and transforming the landscape of waste management," said Jonas Lau Kristensen, Investment Director at IFU.

IFU’s investments are instrumental in driving environmental sustainability and advancing economic growth in the countries they invest in, aligning closely with the objectives of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This strategic partnership between Blue Planet and IFU represents a major milestone in the journey towards global sustainability, reinforcing their shared commitment to pioneering innovative solutions for waste management.

"Currently, India generates around 62 million tonnes (MT) of waste annually, of which only 12 MT are being treated before disposal. With waste volumes estimated to more than double towards 2030, investments into innovative technologies and operations are needed. The waste sector has evolved over the last years, supported by better regulation, and now provides opportunities to deliver on IFU’s impact investor mandate towards both investors and local communities," said Thomas Hougaard, Senior Vice President at IFU.

Headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, IFU will be investing on behalf of the SDG Fund, which is partly funded by public funding, providing catalytic risk mitigations to mobilize private capital. This gives access to Danish Pension Funds to invest in sustainable investments in developing countries.

The funds from IFU will further boost Blue Planet’s capabilities in two key areas in India – landfill reclamation and e-waste recycling. Blue Planet is a leader in landfill bio-mining which is the reclamation of legacy landfills and re-purposing the recovered material into useful resources. It has successfully reclaimed over 500 acres from legacy landfills and processed more than 12 million tons of legacy waste, displacing the need for new materials and thus reducing carbon footprint.

Blue Planet also plans to operate one of the largest e-waste recycling centers in India. Its suite of e-waste solutions includes a proprietary method to recover high-value materials from electronic waste components, which are traditionally lost due to inefficient, inherently toxic, and outdated processing methods.

Blue Planet’s Founder and Chairman, Madhujeet Chimni, stated: "We’re thrilled to have IFU as a partner in this transformative journey. IFU’s investment will drive substantial impact in our pursuit of a sustainable and comprehensive waste management platform. This will fortify our efforts in the two key areas of landfill bio-mining and e-waste recycling in India. These initiatives will not only reclaim land and resources but also bring resources back into the Supply Chain and reduce dependence on use of virgin resources. In addition, it will have significant positive environmental impact by reducing significant amount of GHG emissions and resource biodiversity. Furthermore, responsible material recovery from e-waste will help displace the need for virgin materials, contributing to a circular economy and a cleaner, greener future."

Blue Planet’s Co-Founder and CEO, Prashant Singh, said: "This investment from IFU marks a pivotal moment in Blue Planet’s journey. We welcome IFU as partners and look forward to working with IFU in our next phase of growth. IFU’s experience and depth of knowledge will be very valuable as we address new challenges of providing sustainable waste management solutions."

About Blue Planet

Founded in 2017, Blue Planet is a Singapore headquartered company driving regional sustainability through technology-driven and IP-based end to end solutions for waste management and upcycling. The company has created a carefully designed platform for end-to-end waste management solutions. The goal is to apply these technologies across various stages of the waste life cycle to be able to close the loop, provide circular economy solutions and achieve the vision of zero waste to landfill.

To learn more about Blue Planet, please visit www.blueplanet.asia 

About IFU

IFU is spearheading sustainable development through strategic investments in financially viable companies. Focused on the green transition, economic growth, and social advancement, IFU’s investments are made on commercial terms in the form of equity and loans. With a robust commitment to realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), IFU has successfully invested in 1,336 companies spanning over 100 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe. The total committed investments stand at an impressive DKK 234 billion, with IFU’s substantial contribution amounting to DKK 27 billion.

To learn more about IFU, please visit: https://www.ifu.dk/en/frontpage/ 

Source : Blue Planet receives IFU funding to boost key operations in India

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BANGKOK, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Property Management of Chulalongkorn University (PMCU) awakens the Thai soft power concept by transforming the Bantadthong – Samyan neighborhood into a Thai street food paradise combining the popularity of various restaurants while emphasizing hygiene, quality, and taste. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the area will attract consumers, as well as Thai and foreign entrepreneurs.

"Chula – Bantadthong – Sam Yan" – Foodies’ Paradise A Hub of Hip Thai Street Food

Thai street food is gaining international popularity while generating tremendous market value per year, and attracting both Thai and foreign tourists so much so that Bangkok is called "The Capital of Street Food". Kasikorn Research Center has estimated that the market value of the street food business in 2023 will reach 4.25 billion baht.

Bangkok has many street food districts. One that is trending among the younger generation is Chula-Bantadthong-Samyan.

"This is another neighborhood as popular as Siam Square, maybe even more," said Associate Professor Dr. Chittisak Thammapornpilas, Vice President of Property and Physical Management and Director of PMCU, referring to the goal of developing the Bantadthong – Samyan neighborhood into a foodie’s paradise – a hub for a variety of delicacies including legendary, Michelin-Guide, and trendy restaurants.

"In addition to a variety of great-tasting, hygienic food, customers will experience the new Thai Street Food atmosphere with good utility systems. The restaurants are tidy, not blocking foot traffic, safe, accessible, and have convenient parking," Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chittisak said, highlighting the new street food district.

Visitors can enjoy 3 groups of tasty food:  

Legendary restaurants that have been in this area for generations, such as Sam Yan Porridge, Jedang Restaurant, and Jewan Soy Milk.  Michelin-Guide restaurants such as Gimpo Fish Porridge, Elvis Suki & Seafood, Leng Leng Fish Balls, and Je Oo Restaurant. Trendy delicacies such as CQK Mala Hotpot, Nueng Nom Nua, Everyday Thai Tea, and Mae Duan Thai Dessert.

"Nowadays, Chula-Bantadthong-Samyan street food is rapidly gaining popularity, in part because of the influence of social media to help generate awareness and popularity among consumers who come by because of the word-of-mouth influence of both friends and reviews from bloggers."  Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chittisak said.

Read more about the Charm of Thai Street Food at Chula – Bantadthong – Samyan at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/144471/ 

Media Contact:    
Chula Communication Center   
Email: [email protected]

Source : "Chula – Bantadthong – Sam Yan" – Foodies' Paradise A Hub of Hip Thai Street Food

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HONG KONG, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Tencent Cloud, the cloud business of global tech company Tencent, today announced its recognition as a Representative Vendor in the newly published 2023 Gartner® Market Guide for Video Platform Services. Tencent Cloud’s solution range, including Media Processing Service (MPS), Video on Demand (VOD), Cloud Streaming Services (CSS), have been pivotal in the company’s placement as a Representative Vendor for the Chinese market in the report.

According to the Market Guide: "Gartner sizes the market at about 25 vendors that provide services of the video-on-demand OTT workflow as outlined in this guide." The chosen vendors are deemed to represent the VPS market and "were selected based on their product portfolios, market coverage and competitiveness as seen by the competitors, and progress in the past year."

Emphasizing its significant influence in the cloud industry which led to its various recognitions such as Gartner’s, Frost & Sullivan’s 2022 Asia-Pacific Media Service Market Report cited Tencent Cloud as the no. 1 services provider in the media services market. Furthermore, Tencent Cloud Media Services has consistently held the top market share in China for six consecutive times according to IDC. IDC’s "China Video Cloud Market Tracker, 2023 1H" has also ranked Tencent Cloud first in the market share for video production, content creation, and media asset management.

Tencent Cloud believes, these international recognitions were testimony to Tencent Cloud’s product capabilities, which include:

Leading Global Technology

Tencent Cloud has consistently achieved top rankings in international events. It has ranked first in the MSU Video Codec Comparison for the past three years, and secured first place in all 15 key performance indicators in 2022. Tencent Cloud was also the first cloud provider to support the H.266/VVC video coding standard, with its self-developed video encoder, Tencent266, showcasing outstanding compression performance and bandwidth-saving capabilities. In the H.264 er-title encoding evaluation report by Streaming Learning Center in 2022, all three of Tencent Cloud’s entries received the highest rating of "Excellent" among participating cloud providers. Moreover, Tencent Cloud demonstrates its cost-effectiveness, providing support for H.264, H265, H266, AV1, AVS, VP9, etc., achieving a minimum of 35% bitrate savings while maintaining the same subjective quality. Tencent Cloud’s MPS also offers over 20% savings in bandwidth and storage costs compared to competitors.

Real-Time Audio and Video Quality Enhancement

Tencent Cloud offers real-time audio and video quality enhancement capabilities that provide comprehensive analysis and evaluation of videos. Leveraging AI technology, it enhances video quality through functions such as detail enhancement, color enhancement, SDR to HDR, super-resolution, and intelligent frame interpolation. These capabilities can be applied to upgrade old source materials or enhance visual quality in scenarios where limitations in filming equipment or shooting environments may affect resolution or image brightness. Tencent Cloud’s technology also includes features like old film restoration, collaborative editing, content understanding, voice enhancement.

Contribution to Media Frameworks and Standards

Tencent has actively participated in the development of media frameworks and standards. Tencent Media Lab’s Industry Standards Center played a significant role in the development of the H.266/VVC standard, with important positions in standard organizations and contributions as joint chief editor and co-chair of the reference software. Tencent266, Tencent Cloud’s self-developed video encoder based on the VVC/H.266 standard, became the first cloud provider to support H.266/VVC globally. Tencent’s involvement extends to the AV1 standard as well, being the only founding member of AV1 in China and actively participating in the development of the AV2 standard.

These aforementioned core advantages are put to use in various scenarios and have helped clients achieve their goals in incorporating high quality cloud services in their operations.

One of Tencent Cloud’s most notable use cases is its work with BeLive Technology, a video software SaaS company and a leading provider of live streaming solutions in Southeast Asia. BeLive aims to become a leading SaaS enterprise that provides one-stop solutions to customers – an area greatly helped by its collaboration with Tencent Cloud. The new partnership opens up opportunities for BeLive to tap into Tencent Cloud’s wide range of media solution offerings, which highlight its real-time audio/video call capabilities, with multi-host and multi-guest to support interactive audio/video streaming and real-time microphone connection.

Another case of note is Tencent Cloud’s work with MIXCHANNEL, which creates a live video community that is very popular among young people in Japan, with more than 17 million cumulative users and 5 million monthly visitors. MIXCHANNEL strives to provide users with new, exciting features that will make their interactions with the app more engaging, prompting them to leverage Tencent Cloud’s reliable, low-latency audio and video services to create more enjoyable experiences in the app, while reducing the maintenance and development costs in the process. Today, Tencent Cloud provides MIXCHANNEL with secure, reliable and high-speed communication solutions including Tencent Real-Time Communication (TRTC) that features an end-to-end latency of less than 300ms and outstanding anti-network jitter and anti-packet loss performance, as well as the ability to connect to Cloud Streaming Services (CSS) and Video on Demand (VOD).

Gartner, Market Guide for Video Platform Services, 8 November 2023
Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc.
and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

About Tencent Cloud

Tencent Cloud, one of the world’s leading cloud companies, is committed to creating innovative solutions to resolve real-world issues and enabling digital transformation for smart industries. Through our extensive global infrastructure, Tencent Cloud provides businesses across the globe with stable and secure industry-leading cloud products and services, leveraging technological advancements such as cloud computing, Big Data analytics, AI, IoT and network security. It is our constant mission to meet the needs of industries across the board, including the fields of gaming, media and entertainment, finance, healthcare, property, retail, travel, and transportation.

Source : Tencent Cloud Recognized as a Representative Vendor for Video Platform Services in the 2023 Gartner® Market Guide

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DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — On December 15th, BAIC hosted a launch event at Kempinski The Palm, marking the official launch of the BJ60 in the global market. The launch event attracted over 150 individuals, including representatives from the Chinese Embassy in Dubai, members of the UAE royal family, and renowned medias from the Middle East. The event radiated energy and anticipation, with guests offering commendations for the BJ60’s innovative design and cutting-edge technology.

“Xide of Delight” Launch Event

The Consul General of China in Dubai, H.E. Li Xuhang extended warm congratulations to BAIC. Having personally experienced the BJ60, H.E. Li spoke highly of the vehicle and was impressed by the performance, design, and innovation of the BJ60. H.E. Li also emphasized the significance of this launch for further enhancing the presence and reputation of the Chinese automobile industry in the UAE market, and also played a positive role in the economic and cultural exchanges between China and Arab countries.

"This event not only exemplifies Dubai’s dynamic nature but also our deep commitment to fostering strong economic and commercial connections between the UAE and China." H.E Marwan Alshaali, Chairman & Founder of Al Shaali Moto expressed in his speech.

The trade relationship between China and the Middle East has a rich history spanning over two thousand years. Chinese individuals began engaging in visits and trade with Middle Eastern friends through the overland Silk Road and the maritime Spice Route.

As one of China’s leading automotive companies, BAIC has actively entered the Middle Eastern market since its establishment and has been prioritizing the Middle East as a crucial strategic market.  "That is why we have selected the Middle East as the primary overseas launch market for our flagship new product, the BJ60." Nanhua, YANG, the Executive Director & CEO of BAIC INTL, stated in his speech.

BAIC’s launch event also let media representatives captivated. The innovative and stylish design of this model is undoubtedly a standout feature, leaving a lasting impression on all who witnessed its unveiling.

From its exterior design to interior features, the BJ60 exudes a unique charm that perfectly resonates with Dubai’s high-end taste.

With its outstanding off-road capabilities including part-time four-wheel drive, three differential locks, 1-12 grade crawl control system, and non-load-bearing body structure, the BJ60 ensures excellent performance in off-road conditions. On the other hand, its urban comfort features such as the four-wheel independent suspension system, spacious interior, ADAS, and incredibly quiet cabin create a tranquil and comfortable driving experience in the city. The BJ60 perfectly combines off-road capability with high-quality urban driving, providing the best experience in different conditions.

BAIC has always adhered to a user-centric brand philosophy, providing consumers with a driving experience and service beyond expectations through its unique brand elements and well-defined mission. Recognizing the needs of the target consumers, BAIC positions its brand mission as "Make beautiful life within reach," aiming to offer a beautiful and practical lifestyle for challengers, pragmatists, and sharers. Rooted in the brand’s core value of "RELIABLE," BAIC focuses on details in the design, establishing deep relationships with users through emotional resonance. BAIC is not just an automobile manufacturer but a brand dedicated to innovation and caring for user needs. In the multicultural city of Dubai, the BAIC brand philosophy emphasizes cultural inspiration, integrating oriental confidence, warmth, and unique style into product design, aligning with the diverse culture of Dubai.

With a global presence in 49 countries and regions, BAIC has already made a mark in the global market with well-received products and services. BAIC’s global influence has been steadily deepening.

This year has witnessed a series of breakthroughs for BAIC, with successful market launches in several countries worldwide. The X55II has been introduced in several South American countries, including Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Chile, Peru, etc. Additionally, in Poland, BAIC recently (11th November) debuted three new models: X35, X55II, and ALL NEW X7, thereby expanding its footprint in the European market. As the company continues to broaden its market reach, BAIC remains dedicated to its core values, always prioritizing innovation, customer satisfaction, and responsible corporate practices. The "Xide of Delight" Launch Event is not just a product launch but a new chapter created by BAIC and the Dubai market.

CONTACTS
Jiaxin Hu
[email protected]
BAIC International
99 Shuanghe Street, Shunyi District, Beijing, China
For more information on BAIC International,visit www.baicglobal.com

Source : BJ60 Expands its Presence in Dubai with "Xide of Delight" Launch Event

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SUZHOU, China, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Citigroup Services and Technology (China) (CSTC) has announced that the 19th Citi Financial Innovation Application Competition (also known as the Citi Cup) is open for online registration.

CSTC leads Citigroup’s financial technology and financial operations services industry in China.

This year’s Citi Cup competition will be hosted by Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University in Suzhou, China, and it is the first time that an international joint venture university in China is hosting it.

This prestigious competition invites university students worldwide to present practical solutions for tackling challenges in artificial intelligence (AI) and financial technology (fintech).

Students will work in teams to compete in one of three categories: AI – Risk Control, AI – Hallucination, and any financial IT-related topics.

The AI – Risk Control category tests competitors’ skills in improving the accuracy and efficiency of risk management using AI in finance. The AI – Hallucination category asks competitors to reduce invalid or misleading data from generative AI models.

The Citi Cup judging committee will select the top 20 submissions based on four criteria: innovation, business plan, IT development, and final contest performance.

The top 20 teams will come to XJTLU Entrepreneur College (Taicang) in China in mid-2024 to present their solutions and compete for awards and monetary prizes.

The Grand Prize-winning team will receive the equivalent of 10,000 USD in RMB and have opportunities for fast-track internships or job opportunities from Citi. The two First Prize-winning teams will receive the equivalent of 3,000 USD per team, and the seven Second Prize-winning teams will receive the equivalent of 1,500 USD.

In addition, the Best Investment Potential Award winners will receive a 500,000 RMB interest-free loan or 800,000 RMB in equity and entrepreneurial guidance services from Shanghai Technology Entrepreneurship Foundation for Graduates.

Online registration closes on 2 January 2024. Click the link below to apply – for English, click "English" in the top right-hand corner.

Key dates

Now – 2 January 2024
Online registration via XJTLU Learning Mall 2 January 2024 – 29 February 2024
Mid-term project report online submission 29 February 2024 – 25 March 2024
Final project report online submission 26 March 2024 – 30 April 2024
First-round competition (online) 10 May 2024
Result announcement for the first-round competition (online) January 2024 – before finals (TBD)
Seminar series (online) May or June 2024 (TBD)
Finals and award ceremony (onsite)

Source : Register now for the Citi Cup fintech competition

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HONG KONG, Dec. 18, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI or the Institute), the sole qualifying institution in Hong Kong and the mainland of China (the Mainland) for the internationally recognised Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional qualifications, is pleased to announce a new senior appointment which will be effective from 1 January 2024: –

Dr. Gao Wei FCG HKFCG(PE) has been appointed as the new Chief Representative of HKCGI Beijing Representative Office. He will be taking up the baton from Kenneth Jiang FCG HKFCG(PE), current Chief Representative of HKCGI Beijing Representative Office, who will retire at the end of 2023.

The HKCGI Council and the Secretariat would like to express their sincere gratitude to Mr. Jiang for his valuable contributions to the Institute’s development in the Mainland during more than 19 years of dedicated work. They wish Mr. Jiang a wonderful retirement and look forward to his continued support as a senior member of HKCGI in the coming years.

The Council would also like to express its warmest welcome to Dr. Gao on joining the Secretariat, and look forward to the impact and achievements which he will undoubtedly make in his new role. 

Dr. Gao is qualified as a lawyer in China and has over 20 years of extensive experience in corporate finance and managing overseas-listed companies. He will build on the thought leadership and research strengths of HKCGI in the Mainland as well as assist Ellie Pang FCG HKFCG(PE), Chief Executive of HKCGI, in her management role.

Biography of Dr. Gao

Dr. Gao has extensive experience in corporate finance and managing overseas-listed companies. He served as a vice-chairman of the board secretary committee of China Association for Public Companies from November 2015 to November 2018. He served as a director of Sinotrans Air Transportation Development Co., Ltd. (a company previously listed on Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 600270)) from November 2011 to June 2019. He also served as the general manager (responsible for overall operation and management) and the legal representative of the company respectively from January 2016 to June 2019 and from January 2017 to August 2019. He served as the board secretary and company secretary of Sinotrans Limited (HKEX stock code: 0598) from January 2003 to December 2016, and the general counsel from January 2010 to June 2019. He served as the board secretary and head of finance team of Zhongguancun Science-Tech Leasing Co., Ltd. from June 2019 to February 2021, and the company secretary since June 2019.

Dr. Gao first joined the HKCGI Council in 2013 and served as a Vice-President from 2014 to 2020 and 2022 to 2023.

ABOUT HKCGI

(Incorporated in Hong Kong with limited liability by guarantee)

The Hong Kong Chartered Governance Institute (HKCGI), formerly known as The Hong Kong Institute of Chartered Secretaries (HKICS), is the sole qualifying institution in Hong Kong and Mainland China for the internationally recognised Chartered Secretary and Chartered Governance Professional qualifications.

With over 70 years of history and as the Hong Kong/China Division of The Chartered Governance Institute (CGI), the Institute’s reach and professional recognition extends to all of CGI’s nine divisions, with about 40,000 members and students worldwide. HKCGI is one of the fastest growing divisions of CGI, with a current membership of over 7,000 plus more than 300 graduates and 2,600 students with significant representations within listed companies and other cross-industry governance functions.

Believing that better governance leads to a better future, HKCGI’s mission is to promote good governance in an increasingly complex world and to advance leadership in the effective governance and efficient administration of commerce, industry and public affairs. As recognised thought leaders in our field, the Institute educates and advocates for the highest standards in governance and promotes an expansive approach that considers all stakeholders’ interests.

Better Governance. Better Future.

For more information, please visit www.hkcgi.org.hk.

Source : HKCGI Announces New Senior Appointment

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