BRISBANE, Australia, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — ORCODA Limited (ASX: ODA), a leading provider of integrated smart transport technology solutions, has been recognised for its exceptional growth by earning a coveted position on The Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 list for 2023. This esteemed accolade is a testament to ORCODA’s commitment to growth, innovation, adaptability, and sustained excellence in booking people, parcels and goods onto the assets they travel in and on.

About the Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 List

The Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 identifies the fastest-growing companies in Australia. The list recognises Australian standalone companies that began trading before July 1, 2018, and recorded a minimum of $5 million in revenue in the 2022-23 fiscal year. Rankings are based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of revenue over the past three financial years (verified by third party).

Notable companies that started as Fast 100 list members include Atlassian, Booktopia, Boost Juice, and Seek. The Fast 100 list is a hallmark of success and a celebration of companies that prioritise adaptability and innovation in their pursuit of growth.

About ORCODA

ORCODA is a leading provider of integrated smart technology solutions in transport logistics, workforce logistics, and transport infrastructure. Dedicated to optimising client operations and enhancing efficiencies, connectivity, and compliance, ORCODA aims to be a trusted partner in its clients’ digital transformation journey. With over 250 customers in transportation, healthcare transport, infrastructure, and resources sectors, ORCODA manages over 3 million transport movements annually for its clients.

ORCODA Highlights for 2023

In the fiscal year 2023, ORCODA achieved a total income of $20 million, with a substantial recurring revenue stream from Software as a Service (SaaS). The company reported $2 million in underlying EBITDA, achieving its target of profitable growth. The share price of ORCODA experienced a 2.5x increase in 2023 year-to-date, reflecting the company’s strong momentum and success in the digital transformation landscape.

Key highlights from 2023 include strategic partnerships and agreements with prominent organisations such as Aurizon, Comlink Australia, Kestrel Coal, Koala Cars, Northline, Refuelling Solutions, Teletrac Navman and Yurika.

ORCODA acquired Future Fleet in June of 2023, a prominent telematics and asset tracking company, which marks a major expansion for ORCODA in its capabilities and market presence in the fleet management industry.

Q&A with Geoff Jamieson, Managing Director of ORCODA

Q1: What factors have contributed to ORCODA’s remarkable performance over the past three years, leading to its recognition on the AFR Fast 100 list?

A1: ORCODA’s inclusion in the AFR Fast 100 is a testament to our outstanding performance, driven by organic growth in recurring revenues with major contract wins, strategic partnerships with channel partners such as Teletrac Navman, and the successful acquisitions and integrations of The Betta Group in 2020 and Future Fleet in 2023 (with contribution to commence from 1 July 2023).

Q2: How has the company’s journey unfolded, and what key factors have propelled it to its current position?

A2: Leveraging our many years of experience in optimising transport operations, ORCODA has built on that experience and achieved continued growth and efficiency for our customers. In the post-COVID market, a robust momentum toward digital transformation has emerged, and ORCODA’s commitment to innovation and adaptability has been pivotal to our sustained success. Our vision is to lead in developing the connected Smart Cities of the future.

Q3: ORCODA has capitalised on the post-COVID digital transformation surge. Do you foresee this trend continuing through 2024?

A3: The accelerated momentum for digital transformation has positioned ORCODA for sustained success, particularly with customers now ready to digitally transform their operations. Statistica projects an 83% increase in global spending on digital transformation technologies and services over the next 3 years, indicating a continued trend through 2024 and beyond.

Q4: The new ORCODA CONNECT App is an exciting development. Do you believe it will disrupt the vehicle pooling industry and vehicle rental industry?

A4: The ORCODA CONNECT App is poised to disrupt both the vehicle pooling industry and the vehicle rental industry by offering fleets a comprehensive end-to-end digital solution. With user-friendly booking, keyless unlock/start/lock features, and innovative anti-theft measures accessible through the app or portal, it stands out as a best-in-class innovation, and we believe it could change the vehicle rental market like how Uber changed the taxi industry.

Q5: Can you provide insights into ORCODA’s upcoming activities or projects in the pipeline for 2024?

A5: ORCODA has signed several material contracts this year with a healthy pipeline of works which bodes well for us to deliver robust growth for FY24. In addition to the implementation of a number of large contracts, we are focused on the commercialisation of the ORCODA CONNECT app, realising cross-selling and product integration synergies between ORCODA and Future Fleet, and 3G to 4G/5G solution upgrades for Future Fleet’s customers.

ORCODA’s inclusion in The Australian Financial Review’s Fast 100 list is a significant achievement, highlighting the company’s dedication to excellence, growth, and technological innovation. The entire ORCODA team is honored by this recognition and remains committed to driving positive change for our customers and continuing to deliver growth for our shareholders.

Source : ORCODA Ranks 54th in Australian Financial Review's Prestigious Fast 100 List

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First Saudi Arabian ETF listed in Hong Kong, offering global and regional investors unique Middle East exposure in Hong Kong ADT of Hong Kong-listed ETPs reached HK$14 billion YTD 2023, up over 20% year-on-year

HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) is pleased to welcome today (Wednesday) the listing of Asia Pacific’s first ETF to track Saudi Arabian equities – the CSOP Saudi Arabia ETF (Stock code: 2830 / 82830).

This ETF, which tracks the FTSE Saudi Arabia Index, provides investors with a new opportunity to invest in Saudi Arabia’s capital markets through a Hong Kong-listed ETF, further enhancing the global connectivity of Hong Kong’s ETF market. The new ETF complements a huge array of thematic and country specific ETFs listed in Hong Kong and will be the world’s biggest Saudi-focused ETF.

HKEX Co-Operating Officer & Head of Equities, Wilfred Yiu, said: "We are delighted to be the first exchange in Asia Pacific to provide investors with direct access to Saudi Arabia’s capital market opportunities through an ETF. This reflects HKEX’s ongoing commitment to connecting capital with opportunities, and to diversifying its range of products and investment opportunities on its markets. As the leading ETF marketplace in Asia, HKEX is committed to further driving the attractiveness of the market, and looks forward to welcoming further new products in the future, strengthening Hong Kong’s ETF ecosystem, and reinforcing the city’s role as a vital IFC."

As one of the fastest-growing segments in HKEX’s markets, the market capitalisation of Hong Kong’s Exchange Traded Products (ETPs), including ETFs and Leveraged and Inverse Products (L&I Products), has grown 20 per cent in the year to October 2023, totalling HK$355.43 billion.

The inclusion of ETFs in Stock Connect and the first listings of crypto asset ETFs in Hong Kong have further boosted the strong growth momentum and product diversity of Hong Kong’s ETP market since their introduction in 2022. The average daily turnover of ETPs for the first ten months of 2023 jumped over 20 per cent year on year, reaching HK$14 billion. As at 31 October 2023, 175 ETPs were listed on HKEX, with one third of ETP issuers on HKEX having introduced new products in the Hong Kong market during the year.

Further information about Hong Kong-listed ETPs is available in HKEX website.

Source : HKEX Welcomes APAC's First Saudi Arabian ETF

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Partnership will underpin Telstra’s managed services offering for security and network transformation.

HONG KONG, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Netskope, a leader in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), and Telstra International, the global arm of leading telecommunications and technology company Telstra, today announced the expansion of their partnership to enable Telstra to deliver fully managed Netskope cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) —including Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) services—to organizations globally.

Telstra’s managed security services are used by customers around the world to help address the changing needs of the digital workplace and mitigate the ever-evolving cyber threats landscape. Netskope’s SASE platform underpins a zero trust network and security transformation, providing Security Services Edge (SSE) technologies such as ZTNA, Next Generation Secure Web Gateway (NG-SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Cloud Firewall, and advanced threat and data protection, alongside software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN).

Deepening the partnership between the two companies creates a globally available managed security solution offered to customers by Telstra International. Netskope’s architecture is powered by the NewEdge global network—a security private cloud designed from the ground up to deliver security without performance trade-offs—for fast and secure access from any location to data, applications, and websites wherever they reside. Whether organizations operate regionally or across continents, Telstra International customers now have access to world-class security expertise and resources ensuring consistent protection and compliance.

Geraldine Kor, South Asia Managing Director and Head of Global Enterprise at Telstra International, commented: "In an era of distributed workforces, decentralized application, external ecosystems, and increasing digital interactions, businesses need the right digital trust strategy and framework as cybersecurity underpins the connectivity, devices and data that define these systems and services. Netskope’s technology was conceived specifically for the challenges our customers face today and we are pleased to have expanded our partnership with an innovative company to elevate our customers’ security posture."

David Rogers, Senior Vice President, Global Channels at Netskope added: "Netskope’s platform is underpinned by its best-in-class zero trust engine, enabling Telstra International to deliver comprehensive data and application protection, while ensuring an exemplary user experience."

About Telstra International

Telstra is a leading telecommunications and technology company with a proudly Australian heritage and a longstanding, growing international business. Today, Telstra International has over 3,000 employees based in more than 35 countries outside of Australia, providing services to thousands of business, government, carrier and OTT customers.

Over several decades we have established the largest wholly-owned subsea cable network in the Asia-Pacific, with a unique and diverse set of infrastructure that offers access to the most intra-Asia lit capacity.

We empower businesses with innovative technology solutions including data and IP networks, and network application services such as managed networks, unified communications, cloud, industry solutions, integrated software applications and services. These services are underpinned by our subsea cable network, with licences in Asia, Europe and the Americas and access to more than 2,000 Points of Presences (PoPs) in more than 200 countries and territories globally.

In July 2022 Telstra completed the acquisition of Digicel Pacific, the largest mobile operator in the South Pacific region.

For more information, please visit https://www.telstra.com.au/aboutus/telstra-international.

About Netskope

Netskope, a global SASE leader, helps organisations apply zero trust principles and AI/ML innovations to protect data and defend against cyber threats. Fast and easy to use, the Netskope platform provides optimised access and real-time security for people, devices, and data anywhere they go. Netskope helps customers reduce risk, accelerate performance, and get unrivalled visibility General into any cloud, web, and private application activity. Thousands of customers trust Netskope and its powerful NewEdge network to address evolving threats, new risks, technology shifts, organisational and network changes, and new regulatory requirements. Learn how Netskope helps customers be ready for anything on their SASE journey, visit netskope.com.

Source : Telstra International Expands Netskope Partnership to Power its Global Managed Security Solutions

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This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network

–2023 Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant Funding Will Support 40 Projects In 2024-2025 To Reduce HIV Stigma And Improve Equity Across Asia Pacific –
– Since 2018, The Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant Has Awarded Close To US$6 Million To 144 Community-Based Projects In The Region, Supporting 130 000 People To Be Screened, Tested, And Counselled For HIV –
– Impact Report Identifies Unique Needs In High, Middle And Low Income Settings And Highlights Challenges Faced By Key Populations In Accessing HIV Education And Services –

SINGAPORE, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Gilead Sciences Inc. today announced the recipients of its 2023 Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant ("Grant"), proudly supporting this year’s World AIDS Day call by UNAIDS for communities to lead on the path to end HIV.

The Grant supports community-led responses to address HIV-related needs with a focus on tackling inequalities and diverse barriers in Asia Pacific to eliminate HIV as a public health threat. Projects supported by the Grant empower underserved communities to overcome obstacles to care and help people living with HIV (PLHIV) lead healthy and enriching lives.

This year, Gilead will be awarding more than US$1.5 million to 40 projects in Asia Pacific. Projects in the 2023 cycle will tackle HIV-related stigma through an integrated and people-centric approach that focuses on addressing HIV-related social determinants of health that impact at-risk populations; integrating mental wellness in HIV care and addressing stigma; and uplifting populations at risk of "being left behind".

In Singapore, one of the newly awarded grantees is The T Project, the nation’s first and only provider of social service for the transgender community. To improve access to HIV testing and care service for this key population, funding will support the creation of a transgender people-specific sexual health guidebook, community outreach, and regular HIV testing and care services. Meanwhile in Chinese Mainland, grantee Shanghai Qing’Ai Health Promotion Center looks to explore art therapy as a way to enhance psychological support and treatment adherence for newly diagnosed PLHIV. Art pieces created by participants of the initiative will eventually be displayed at a public exhibition, with the aim to foster a greater understanding and inclusive environment for PLHIV.

Since the inception of the regional grant program in 2018, Gilead Sciences has awarded close to US$6 million in support of 144 community-led projects to address unmet HIV-related needs targeting 23 geographies. To mark the fifth anniversary milestone of the Grant, Gilead today also publishes an Impact Report capturing how funded projects have contributed to progress towards the Joint United Nations Program’s 95-95-95 goals. This includes the support of over 130 000 people to get screened, tested, and counselled for HIV.

In a self-reported survey, grantees across the 2018 to 2021 cycles highlighted how funding from the Grant has supported their frontline work. This has catalyzed partnerships with more than 300 key stakeholders such as healthcare providers, governments, academics, and international organizations. By targeting a diverse and growing mix of key populations including young people, women, migrant populations, and transgender people, the Grant has also helped address challenges faced by groups disproportionately affected by the HIV epidemic in the Asia Pacific region.

Other key findings highlight the unique needs of communities across different geographies and income levels (as categorized by the World Health Organization):

Community partners in emerging geographies[1] prioritize addressing gaps in critical capacities to ensure access to HIV care across challenging outreach settings. Community partners in upper-middle income geographies[2] focus on improving the quality of life for PLHIV and key populations, expanding most resources for HIV education and literacy and addressing stigma and discrimination. Community partners in high income geographies[3] emphasize environment-shaping initiatives that will expand access to HIV care and overcome systemic barriers faced by hard-to-reach populations.

"HIV is no longer a fatal disease, but stigma and discrimination still hinder the ability for people living with HIV to have health equity and lead quality, healthy lives. Through support from the Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant, we conducted a systematic review in 2019 to demonstrate how HIV criminalization and mandatory disclosure of HIV status in Taiwan was counterproductive to the national goal of HIV eradication," said Fletcher Chiu, Communications Director from Persons with HIV/AIDS Right Advocacy Association Taiwan (PRAATW). "This work has been crucial in the collective effort to overturn Article 21[4] and also helped establish Taiwan’s first Undetectable = Untransmissible (U=U) Day in 2023. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Gilead as we work to expand HIV education and access to care in Taiwan."

"Our community partners are key to expanding access, improving HIV education, and combating stigma and discrimination that can deliver on our vision to ensure access to equitable care for all people living with HIV worldwide," said Janet Dorling, Senior Vice President, Intercontinental Region & Global Patient Solutions, Gilead Sciences. "This World AIDS Day, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering communities to unleash their full potential in helping end the HIV epidemic for everyone, everywhere."

About the Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant

The Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant program is a corporate giving initiative dedicated to supporting HIV-related projects that address the challenges faced by communities affected by HIV. The Rainbow Grant program aims to empower, engage and form partnerships and alliances so that people living with HIV can achieve the best quality of life possible. Since 2018, close to US$6 million have been awarded to 144 projects across Asia Pacific. For more information about the grant program and the grantees and their stories, please visit https://www.gileadrainbowgrant.com.

About the Gilead Asia Pacific Rainbow Grant Impact Report

Findings from the Impact Report were derived from a self-reported online survey where grantees across the 2018 to 2021 cycles were invited to report how the Grant has supported their frontline work and its impact observed in their communities. Conducted from March to April 2023, the goal of the survey was to understand the performance of grantee projects vis-à-vis their set objectives, and chart how the Grant has performed across its three pillar goals of engage, empower, and partner. A total of 84 responses were received, representing 17 geographies.

About Gilead Sciences 

Gilead Sciences, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has pursued and achieved breakthroughs in medicine for more than three decades, with the goal of creating a healthier world for all people. The company is committed to advancing innovative medicines to prevent and treat life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, COVID-19, and cancer. Gilead operates in more than 35 countries worldwide, with headquarters in Foster City, California. For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com.

For more information on Gilead Sciences, please visit the company’s website at www.gilead.com, follow Gilead on Twitter (@GileadSciences) or call Gilead Public Affairs at 1-800-GILEAD-5 or 1-650-574-30. 

[1] Emerging economies refer to Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Pakistan, and the Philippines.

[2] Upper-middle income geographies refer to Chinese Mainland, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam.

[3] High income geographies refer to Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore.

[4] Enacted in 2013, Article 21 of Taiwan’s HIV Infection Control and Patient Rights Protection Act makes it a crime for a person who knows they have HIV to have ‘unsafe’ sex, share injecting equipment, or make a blood donation or provide organs, tissues, body fluids or cells for transplantation without disclosing their HIV status. The law applies regardless of whether HIV is in fact transmitted and sentence under this provision ranges from five years up to twelve years’ imprisonment. (Source: https://www.hivjustice.net/country/tw/)

Source : GILEAD SCIENCES AWARDS OVER US$1.5 MILLION TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY-LED HIV PROJECTS IN ASIA PACIFIC

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7 in 10 business leaders (69%) reveal that their organisation currently has Workplace, Safety and Health (WSH) measures in place. For those who do not, only 28% plan to implement WSH measures in the foreseeable future, while 4% do not plan to implement at all.  Business leaders cite difficulty in ensuring compliance with WSH regulations (49%), limited budget to procure WSH technologies (37%), and a lack of expertise in WSH (35%) among the top challenges they face. Business leaders say their organisations intend to invest in WSH technologies like data analytics systems (29%), machines to undertake repetitive or dangerous work (29%), and reporting/incident management applications (29%) as most of them view that it is important (38% very important, 54% important) to adopt WSH technology. While 9 in 10 business leaders (91%) are willing to send employees for training programmes on WSH technology and sustainability, they are also keen to hire talent in areas of occupational health (30%), risk assessment (27%), WSH enforcement (26%) alongside environmental sustainability management (26%).

SINGAPORE, Nov. 29, 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Nearly all business leaders agree (57% strongly agree, 40% somewhat agree) that it is necessary to implement Workplace Safety and Health (WSH) measures, with 7 in 10 (69%) revealing that their organisation currently has WSH measures in place. Among those who do not, only 28% plan to implement WSH measures in the foreseeable future, while 4% do not intend to do so at all.

Difficulty in ensuring compliance with WSH regulations (49%) and enforcing WSH measures (37%), having a limited budget to procure WSH technologies and a lack of expertise in WSH (35%) are some of the top challenges that business leaders face. Moreover, there is a misconception that WSH is only necessary for traditionally higher-risk industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, Marine, Transportation and Storage, as indicated by nearly half of business leaders (49%).

Despite this, business leaders intend to invest in WSH technologies like data analytics systems (29%), machines to undertake repetitive or dangerous work (29%), and reporting/incident management applications (29%) since the majority of them perceive it as important (38% very important, 54% important) to adopt WSH technologies.

Most employers open to WSH technology and sustainability training to meet the evolving WSH landscape

These are some of the key findings from NTUC LearningHub’s recently launched Industry Insights Report 2023 on Workplace Safety and Health, which explores the current sentiment on WSH in Singapore, hiring trends and training opportunities. Based on a survey of 200 business leaders and interviews with industry practitioners, the report also uncovers organisations’ approach in leveraging technology to create safer workplaces and addressing the role of sustainability in WSH.

As organisations embrace emerging economies to further WSH outcomes, 9 in 10 business leaders (91%) are willing to send their employees for training in programmes on WSH technology and sustainability. Concurrently, business leaders express intentions to hire new talent to fill WSH job roles, including occupational health (30%), risk assessment (27%), WSH enforcement (26%) in addition to environmental sustainability management (26%).

Business leaders also voice that on top of technical skills, problem-solving skills (40%), adaptability (38%), and creative thinking (32%) are among the top critical core skills that are valuable to WSH professionals to excel in their field.

Commenting on the report findings, Tay Ee Learn, NTUC LearningHub’s Chief Sector Skills Officer, says, "No sector is immune to workplace accidents, underscoring the need for organisations to acknowledge the significance of investing in and creating a robust WSH culture in the workplace. This will promote the safety and wellness of the company’s most vital asset – its employees. While organisations embrace the emerging digital and green economies, the scope of WSH-related roles and responsibilities will expand, necessitating WSH professionals to be armed with a diverse set of skills to fulfil their roles safely and sustainably. Employers must support the continual learning and development of their in-house talent to meet the demands of the future WSH landscape through skills training. A nimble, competent, and future-ready workforce will ensure that business can thrive in a greener and more digitalised workplace." 

To download the Industry Insights Report 2023 on Workplace Safety and Health, please visit https://www.ntuclearninghub.com/media/research-reports/2023/workplace-safety-health. To find out more about the courses, training, and grants, please contact NTUC LearningHub at www.ntuclearninghub.com.

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About NTUC LearningHub

NTUC LearningHub is the leading Continuing Education and Training provider in Singapore which aims to transform the lifelong employability of working people. Since our corporatisation in 2004, we have been working with employers and individual learners to provide learning solutions in areas such as Infocomm Technology, Generative AI & Cloud, Healthcare, Retail & Food Services, Employability & Literacy, Business Excellence, Workplace Safety & Health, Security, Human Resources & Coaching and Foreign Workers Training.

To date, NTUC LearningHub has helped over 29,000 organisations and achieved more than 2.6 million training places across more than 2,900 courses with a pool of about 900 certified trainers. As a Total Learning Solutions provider to organisations, we also forge partnerships to offer a wide range of relevant end-to-end training. Besides in-person training, we also offer instructor-led virtual live classes (VLCs) and asynchronous online learning. The NTUC LearningHub Learning eXperience Platform (LXP) — a one-stop online learning mobile application — offers timely, bite-sized and quality content for learners to upskill anytime and anywhere. Beyond learning, LXP also serves as a platform for jobs and skills development for both workers and companies.

For more information, visit www.ntuclearninghub.com.

Source : Most Employers Open to WSH Technology and Sustainability Training to Meet the Evolving WSH Landscape

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This content was prepared by our news partner, Cision PR Newswire. The opinions and the content published on this page are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Siam News Network