Business

Lack of work-life balance and contracting COVID-19 cited as top stressors, as outlined by Microsoft study which focuses on employee wellbeing

SINGAPORE
– Media
OutReach – 29
September 2020 – Workers in Asia Pacific are facing increased
burnout due to lack of separation between work and personal life as well as worry
of contracting COVID-19, according to Microsoft’s latest Work
Trend Index report. On average, close to one third of
workers in Asia Pacific cited increased rates of burnout over the past six
months, with the lack of separation between work duties and personal
obligations as negatively impacting their wellbeing.

Surveying
over 6,000 information and first-line workers across eight countries globally
including Australia, Japan, India and Singapore, the study found that Singapore
and India were the top two countries in the region with workers facing
increased burnout, at 37 percent and 29 percent respectively. In addition,
close to 34 percent of Asia Pacific respondents cited worry about contracting
COVID-19, due to the lack of tech or protective equipment provided by
businesses to effectively socially distance, resulting in increased stress
levels.

“In
the last 6 months, we have seen how COVID-19 has contributed to the evolution
of the workplace — from a physical space to one residing in a virtual world. As
businesses adapt to a new way of working, it is important to examine the
multifaceted impact these changes are having on employees and provide relevant
and timely solutions,” said Rosalind Quek, General Manager, Modern
Workplace, Microsoft Asia.

Inspired by this research and conversations with
customers, Microsoft announced the start of a longer journey to evolve its
productivity tools to promote individual
wellbeing and organizational resilience.
A series of updates have been launched within Microsoft Teams to support
employee wellbeing. These include a virtual commute experience that helps users
prepare for the day and mindfully disconnect in the evening and new insights that
supports managers and leaders in understanding how work happens, and its impact
on employee wellbeing. Microsoft has also partnered with Headspace to bring a
curated set of mindfulness and meditation experiences into the Teams platform
and launched new Teams experiences for Firstline
Workers to support them with
the tools they need to work more safely.

Key
Findings from the research include:

1. The
   pandemic increased burnout at work — in some countries more than others.
2. Causes
   of workplace stress differ for Firstline and remote workers.
3. Six
   months in, there are more communications and fewer boundaries.
4. No
   commute may be hurting, not helping, remote worker productivity.
5. Studies
   show meditation can fight burnout and stress during the workday.

1.    
The pandemic increased burnout at work — in some
countries more than others

In
Asia Pacific, 29 percent of respondents cited that the pandemic has increased
their sense of burnout at work. However, Microsoft’s research showed that everyone
is experiencing this differently. For instance, Microsoft found that 37 percent
of workers in Singapore are experiencing higher rates of burnout than those in
Australia, India and Japan. While burnout can be attributed to many factors,
the chart below explores how longer workdays impact feelings of burnout. For
example, workers in Australia^[1] saw the highest increase
in workday span in Microsoft Teams at 45 percent, with a medium increase in
burnout while workers in Germany saw very little change to workday span or
feelings of burnout.

Link to image

2.    
Causes of workplace stress differ for firstline
and remote workers

The report also revealed that the top stressor shared
globally was worry about contracting COVID-19, followed by lack of separation
between work and life, feeling disconnected from co-workers, and unmanageable
workload or hours. In Asia, the study found that over 34 percent of workers have not been provided
the tech or protective equipment they need to effectively socially distance by
their company, resulting to increased stress levels. This was higher than the
global average by 4 percentage points. In addition, among the stressors
reported by remote workers, the lack of separation between work and life and
feeling disconnected from coworkers ranked highest.   

Countries
across Asia also had cited differing factors contributing to work stress. In Australia
and Singapore, the lack of separation between work and life was the top
stressor with 24 percent and 31 percent respectively, with the feeling of
isolation coming closely behind at 22 and 28 percent. However, in countries
such as India and Japan, 42 percent and 26 percent respectively cited the
inability to socially distance and the worry about contracting COVID-19 while
on the job as a top stressor.

3.    
Six months in there are more communications and fewer
boundaries

Having
identified lack of separation between work and life, along with unmanageable
work hours, as top workplace stressors, Microsoft turned to usage patterns in Teams for
more insight.

Data
showed that globally, even six months past the first work-from-home orders, people are in significantly more
meetings, taking more ad hoc calls and managing more incoming chats than they
did before the pandemic. As people adjusted to remote working, after hours
chats, or chats between 5pm and midnight, have also increased.

Link to image

4.    
No commute may be hurting, not helping, productivity for
remote workers in Asia

For
years, Microsoft’s research group has been studying how commute has helped
maintain work-life boundaries–and worker’s productivity and wellbeing. A 2017
study helps us understand the productivity benefits of commute time. As part of
the study, a digital assistant used chat conversations featuring task- and
emotion-based questions to help participants prepare and detach from work
through the day. The study found that 6 in 10 people (61 percent) globally felt
they were more productive when the digital assistant helped them ramp up to and
down from work. On average, productivity increased between 12 and 15 percent.

The
new virtual commute experience in Teams will help workers have a productive
start in the morning and mindfully disconnect in the evening. Users can expect to
customize their experiences from a set of suggested tasks such as meditation
with the Headspace app, reflecting on the day or helping workers close out on
outstanding tasks.

5.    
Studies show meditation can fight burnout and stress
during the workday

Of
those surveyed in Asia, 73 percent said meditation could help decrease their work-related stress.
External research backs this up —
consistent meditation with Headspace can decrease stress
and burnout
and improve
your ability to react to negative feedback.

Thus,
Microsoft’s partnership with Headspace will offer workers the ability to
schedule ad hoc or recurring time for mindfulness breaks anytime — before a big
meeting or to find focus needed to start on an important project.

As
Microsoft continues to learn more about wellbeing at work, users can expect to
see related innovation continue to be developed across Microsoft 365 and Teams.
For more information on the product updates mentioned in this report visit the Microsoft
365 blog. You can also read the full research here^[2].

About Microsoft

Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent
cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every
organization on the planet to achieve more.

• High-quality scientific publications from Japan decreased by 17%
  between 2015 and 2019, while China’s increased by 80% during the same period.
• Women make up only 15% of the R&D workforce, and foreign
  researchers account for only 5.6% of the R&D workforce in Japan vs. 28% in
  the US
• Investment in R&D in Japan is far below that of the US or
  China (US$18.1bn vs. US$179bn and US$100bn, respectively).

TOKYO,
JAPAN – Media OutReach
– 29 September 2020 – Medical innovation in the life
sciences requires a holistic policy and market access environment that supports
everything from basic science to product research and development (R&D)
and, ultimately, commercialization. Though North America and Europe are
historically leaders in innovation for the life sciences, Japan has been a
leading contributor from Asia for decades. However, emerging life science
sectors in South Korea, and more recently China, are quickly catching up after
investing heavily in infrastructure, human capital, and R&D, as well as
enacting national policies to further bolster their life sciences ecosystems.

Supporting an innovative life sciences ecosystem in Japan
is a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Pfizer. It
describes findings from a research project to investigate the enabling factors
contributing to an environment prioritising innovation in the life sciences
sector and how Japan compares to global peers. The research consisted of a
benchmarking scorecard exercise conducted between December 2019 and January
2020 covering four countries: Japan, the US, South Korea and China.

Overall, while Japan is
still producing life science innovation at a high level, it appears to be
stagnating while the US remains ahead, and regional competitors are either catching
up to or surpassing Japan.

• High-quality publications from
  Japan’s life sciences sector decreased by some 17% between 2015 and 2019,
  whereas China’s increased by nearly 80% in the same period, according to data
  from the Nature Index. Meanwhile, patents granted for pharmaceutical or medical
  technology innovation are trending upwards in South Korea and China but remain
  broadly stable in Japan and the US.  While Japan remains far ahead of
  regional neighbours South Korea and China in receiving new drug approvals from
  the US Food and Drugs Administration, it is notable that these all come from
  large, established biopharmaceutical companies in comparison to smaller
  relatively new biotech firms prevalent in the US. 
• Japan’s R&D workforce is also
  under pressure, with universities shifting to employ researchers under
  short-term contracts, a small proportion of women researchers (15%),  and
  a lower number of international students or foreign researchers compared with
  the US (5.6% vs. 28%, respectively).
• Finally Japan is also falling
  behind in terms of financing R&D; with US$18bn funding assigned in the last
  financial year where data were available, behind China’s US$100bn and US$179bn
  in the US. 

Several priority policy
areas were identified that should be addressed for Japan to maintain
competitiveness on the innovation global stage. These include: maintaining and
expanding a strong workforce (by encouraging more women into the R&D
workforce, supporting foreign research scientists to work in Japan and reskilling
existing employees); increased government spending on R&D and better
incentives for business enterprise; clarifying regulations around IP dispute;
encouraging technology transfer; and a clear and transparent policy for pricing
and financing innovative medicines.

Jesse Quigley Jones, editor
of the report, said, “Japan has a tradition of innovation in the life sciences
and many strong contributing drivers in this field. However, progress appears
to be stagnating and, like with many countries, areas for improvement exist. In
order for Japan to maintain and strengthen its global position as a leading
innovator in the life sciences, a renewed investment in basic research,
supporting technology transfer and commercialization, and bolstering the life
sciences workforce are areas for priority.”

About the research

Supporting an
innovative life sciences ecosystem in Japan
is a report by The Economist Intelligence Unit, sponsored by Pfizer. It
describes findings from a research project to investigate the enabling factors
contributing to an environment prioritising innovation in the life sciences
sector and how Japan compares to global peers. The research consisted of a
benchmarking scorecard exercise conducted between December 2019 and January
2020 covering four countries: Japan, the US, South Korea and China.

About The Economist Intelligence Unit

The Economist Intelligence
Unit is the world leader in global business intelligence. It is the
business-to-business arm of The Economist Group, which publishes The Economist
newspaper. The Economist Intelligence Unit helps executives make better
decisions by providing timely, reliable and impartial analysis on worldwide
market trends and business strategies. More
information can be found at www.eiu.com or www.twitter.com/theeiu

About Pfizer

At Pfizer, we apply science and our global resources to bring
therapies to people that extend and significantly improve their lives. We
strive to set the standard for quality, safety and value in the discovery,
development and manufacture of health care products, including innovative
medicines and vaccines. Every day, Pfizer colleagues work across developed and
emerging markets to advance wellness, prevention, treatments and cures that
challenge the most feared diseases of our time. Consistent with our responsibility
as one of the world’s premier innovative biopharmaceutical companies, we
collaborate with health care providers, governments and local communities to
support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world.
For more than 170 years, we have worked to make a difference for all who rely
on us. We routinely post information that may be important to investors on our
website at www.pfizer.com. In addition, to learn more, please visit us on www.pfizer.com（global）and www.pfizer.co.jp (Japan)  

Holistic Educational Programmes to Support over 1,000 Students and Nurture Spirit of Innovation

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – 28 September 2020 – The growing number of families in need seeking e-learning support under the ‘One Laptop’ programme (the ‘Programme’), jointly launched by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (‘HKIF’) and Sino Group in August 2020, reflects the increasing challenges and urgent demand in the community for technological support outside of the classroom. Over 2,300 applications were received between 17 August and 4 September 2020. Out of 1,019 successful applications, over 60 per cent of applicants do not have a computer at home, impacting children’s ability to keep up with schoolwork. In response to the growing need for educational support, the Programme has been extended to cover more families in Hong Kong, increasing the distribution of laptops from the originally planned 200 to more than 1,000 units.

Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Sino Group donate laptops and provide online support to 1,019 families in need through ‘One Laptop’ Programme. First on the right – back row: Ms Nikki Ng, Deputy Chairman of HKIF and Group General Manager of Sino Group and first on the left – back row: Mr Ivan Yau, General Manager, Community Affairs Department of Sino Land Company Limited and staff volunteers of the Programme

The large number of applications for laptops under the Programme indicates there is a need for long-term educational support for low-income families in Hong Kong. The Programme aims to provide both hardware and technical support for schoolchildren from these families. From 21 September to 3 October 2020, a total of 1,019 families with children ranging from Primary 4 to Secondary 3 will have received a laptop; all laptops include a two- or three-year warranty, as well as daily online support from our partner,  Hong Kong Baptist University. In addition, Programme applicants who previously did not have access to a broadband internet connection at home, accounting for almost 20 per cent of total successful applications, will receive two pre-paid 90GB mobile data SIM cards for online access.

All Programme applicants have been referred by school principals, teachers, registered social workers or representatives of non-governmental organisations. Ms May Wong, social worker of Tung Wah Group of Hospitals Jockey Club Tai Kok Tsui Integrated Services Centre shared that, ’12-year-old Yuen Yuen has just started Secondary 1. Amid the suspension of face-to-face classes in the last six months, Yuen Yuen has been heavily relying on her mobile phone for e-learning and doing homework, making it a real struggle for her study. While face-to-face classes have partially resumed in the new academic year, online classes are still ongoing. Receiving a laptop at this critical moment is exceptionally meaningful and essential for Yuen Yuen. I am glad that she is now equipped with a laptop to facilitate her online learning while catching up with schoolwork.’

‘Continued learning is essential and critical to children’s growth and development. As e-learning is becoming a new norm amid COVID-19, HKIF and Sino Group see the urgent need to provide relevant educational tools to children from less-resourced families, making online learning at home more accessible and effective for them.’ said Ms Nikki Ng, Deputy Chairman of HKIF and Group General Manager of Sino Group. ‘As we received over 2,300 applications in 19 days, the response from the community has been very enthusiastic. We quickly made the decision to increase the laptop donation number to 1,019 with the aim to help more students cope with the new learning arrangements amid the uncertain situation. We would also like to express our sincere thanks to our like-minded partners and to our staff volunteers for helping with the “One Laptop” Programme, and enabling us to run the laptop distribution and collection smoothly.’

Going beyond the provision of hardware devices, ongoing technical support will be provided to respond to students’ daily learning needs. All enquiries related to online learning, including use of software and different e-learning platforms, will be handled through consultation with online learning support ambassadors, who are undergraduates of Hong Kong Baptist University, to enhance the young students’ learning efficiency. The online learning support ambassador programme has also provided job opportunities to the university students. Around 50 passionate students from the Hong Kong Baptist University have been selected as learning support ambassadors for the Programme so far, who are committed to playing a part in the programme by helping those children in need.

In addition, HKIF will provide a series of training courses to enhance understanding of computer and internet use, as well as STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) learning opportunities to these students and their families in the upcoming months to nurture them with a spirit of innovation.

About the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation

The Hong Kong Innovation Foundation (HKIF) is a non-profit organisation founded by the Ng Family in March 2018. We believe that innovation and technology will define our future. By nurturing young minds and accelerating innovative solutions to real-life challenges, HKIF is empowering today’s innovators to transform Hong Kong into a global technology hub for tomorrow.

HKIF is a holistic innovation ecosystem committed to supporting innovation and technology, as well as building a smart and sustainable future together. We provide a variety of platforms to serve different sectors of the community.

http://www.hkif.org.hk

About Sino Group

Sino Group is one of the leading property developers in Hong Kong. It comprises three listed companies — Sino Land Company Limited (HKSE: 083), Tsim Sha Tsui Properties Limited (HKSE: 0247) and Sino Hotels (Holdings) Limited (HKSE: 1221) as well as private companies held by the Ng Family.

The Group’s core business is developing residential, office, industrial and retail properties for sale and investment. In addition to an extensive portfolio in Hong Kong, the Group has footprints in mainland China, Singapore and Australia. The Group has developed more than 220 projects, spanning a total plot ratio area of over 84.6 million sq. ft. Our core business is complemented by the gamut of property services encompassing management, security and environmental services to ensure a seamless Sino Experience. We are also a key player in hotel and club management.

The Group employs more than 10,000 committed staff members, who share the vision of creating better lifescapes. Lifescape is our vision — to build a better life together, where the community thrives in harmony by embracing green living and wellness, by engaging with all and pursuing meaningful designs, and by seeking innovation while respecting heritage and culture. Committed and together, we create a better community where people live, work and play.

The Group focuses its sustainability efforts on six areas, namely Green, Wellness, Design, Innovation, Heritage & Culture, and Community. Sino Land Company Limited (083) has been a constituent member of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Index Series since September 2012 for its continual efforts in promoting sustainability.

TAIPEI,
TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 28
September 2020 – The Tang Prize Foundation joined forces
with Taiwan’s National Taiwan University, National Tsing Hua University,
National Cheng Kung University, National Chengchi University, the Experimental
Biology of the US, Association for Asian Studies, and the Jane Goodall
Institute to stage four Tang Prize Masters’ Forums on sustainable development,
biopharmaceutical science, Sinology and the rule of law on September 21 and 22.
Latest and former Tang Prize recipients, together with leading experts in
Taiwan, conversed with one another and interacted with audiences via
videoconferencing to explore issues concerning ecological conservation, climate
change, autoimmune diseases, treatments for COVID-19, identity crisis facing
the Chinese overseas, the value of Chinese studies, a pluralist approach to
Sinology, as well as human rights and environmental justice. Two days and four
edifying conferences saw the laureates offering great insight without
reservation, and the audiences asking thought-provoking questions without hesitation.
The forum videos are available at https://reurl.cc/yg6Rv8.

To kick start the whole series, the first
forum on the rule of law, titled “Exploring the Role of Non-Governmental
Organizations in the Contemporary Civil Society,” featured three 2020 awardees,
based in Bangladesh, Colombia, and Lebanon respectively, former Tang Prize
laureates, as well as representatives of NGOs and advocates of social and
environmental justice from Taiwan, who got together to shed light on NGOs’
responsibilities and challenges, helping the audience examine this topic from
the perspectives of people living in different parts of the world. While the
latest winners, to fulfil NGOs’ duties, have all vowed to stand up for ordinary
people, advocate necessary political reform, defend environmental justice and
improve judicial independence, they also expressed concerns about common
obstacles many NGOs encounter, such as shortage of funding and governments’
attempts to curtail their capacity.      

At the second forum, titled “Ecological
Conservation and Sustainable Development of Human Society: the Impact of
COVID-19,” past and present recipients of the Tang Prize in Sustainable
Development reminded us that though the pandemic “can affect rich or poor
alike, it’s having a more profound effect on the poor.” Unfortunately, we have
ourselves to blame for the current health crisis because we disrespected the
natural world. Should we continue down this path and disregard the fact that
“climate change increases the range of pathogens and the threat of infectious
disease,” it is very likely that disasters like COVID-19 will occur again.
Moreover, we should not ignore the painful reality that the wealthiest 1
billion people are accountable for more than 50 percent of climate pollution,
but it is the poorest 3 billion who have borne the brunt of climate disruption.
These laureates urged us to recognize the importance of global interdependence
and to see protecting our Mother Earth as our collective responsibility.
Failing to tackle these problems collaboratively could mean “more global
warming in the pipeline.” 

Titled “Targeting the Hyperactive Immune
System, from Autoimmune Disease to Cytokine Storms,” the forum on
biopharmaceutical science was the third one in this series. In response to a
pandemic that shows no sign of abating, Tang Prize recipients not only shared
information about the ongoing clinical trials but also offered opinions about
possible combination therapies for COVID-19. On the topic of how to regulate
the immune system, the speakers stressed the importance of biological
individuality, while comparing the delicate balance between releasing and
inhibiting our immune cells to that between yin and yang to illustrate the
point that the optimal results of cancer treatment can be obtained only when
this balance is achieved. Asked to give some advice to young students sitting
in the auditorium, all the laureates encouraged them to commit themselves to
basic research and to stick to the project they choose. Don’t be deterred by
setbacks and don’t give up easily, because they never know what nature has in
store for them.   

The final forum, “The High Road to Pluralist
Sinology,” began with a speech from Prof. Wang Gungwu, the latest laureate in
Sinology and doyen of Chinese overseas studies, in which he systematically
analyzed the development of Sinology and elaborated on how it has always
intertwined with the conflicts between Eastern and Western civilizations and
with the vicissitudes of modern China. As a subject, Sinology was not only
enriched by the various cultural and political forces it was exposed to but
also nourished by ideas of different academic disciplines that were
incorporated into it, especially the methodologies used in social science.
However, Prof. Wang alerted contemporary scholars to the sensitive and
difficult tasks they will be engaged in on this high road to pluralist
Sinology. To take on these challenges, he asserted, “remains an unshirkable
responsibility” for them.   

The Tang Prize Foundation endeavors to make
the world a better place and to foster universal values for a new era. To
accomplish this mission, the Foundation organized these forums and invited its
laurates to share their inspiring stories and their deep wisdom, in the hope
that at the time when COVID-19 continues to rage across the globe and plunged
every aspect of our life into chaos, be it social, economic or environmental,
the advice offered by these masters can help people develop inter-disciplinary thinking
and forward-looking vision so as to overcome the present difficulties together.

About Tang Prize

Dr. Samuel Yin, chairman of Ruentex Group,
founded the Tang Prize in December of 2012 as an extension of the supreme value
his family placed on education. Harkening back to the golden age of the Tang
Dynasty in Chinese history, the Tang Prize seeks to be an inspiring force for
people working in all corners of the world. For more information on the Tang
Prize and its laureates, please visit www.tang-prize.org

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 28 September 2020 – (NASDAQ:AMZN) – Amazon’s
annual Prime Day is back in time for the holidays on October 13-14. The two-day
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SINGAPORE
– Media OutReach – 28
September 2020 – By launching localised websites across
ASEAN countries like Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia, Maritime Fairtrade aims at reducing corrupt practices in the
shipping industry. With a lack of transparency and anti-corruption compliance
culture, the shipping industry is perceived to sully ethical lapses with
illicit activities.

A collaborative hub advocating for ethical
shipping practices – Maritime Fairtrade works to positively influence businesses
through education. As part of the wider goal to combat corruption in the asian
maritime industry, setting up localised websites in the ASEAN region provides
an avenue for resource sharing, effectively increasing awareness around
unethical practices.

With over 90% of trade carried out over
sea, it is especially crucial that businesses involved take stock of losses
incurred from unethical lapses. Corrupt practices include one-time and
long-term bribery, extortionate demands, and under-the-table payments to
overlook procedural errors. A climate of malfeasance not only drives up trade
costs, but also impedes economic efficiency by reducing future corporate
profits and competitiveness.

The expansion of illicit trafficking and
corrupt behaviours are only growing, especially so in a Covid-era where there is an increase in shipping
activities and consequently, fraud. At the same time, the pandemic is directing
consumers towards sustainable buying patterns, which makes it a prime time for
shipping companies and partners to relook into ethical policies.

Accessibility to the right sources of
information where you can reliably understand the challenges and opportunities
for a corruption-free industry is decisive in turning the tide. Maritime
Fairtrade’s strategy of pushing localised websites chips away at this goal, by
reaching a wider audience and influence. By optimising websites in the local
languages used in ASEAN countries, anti-corruption messages can be better
delivered and understood by site visitors. Tailored language localisation
counts for more than simple translation, it considers the social, political and
historical aspects of foreign markets – tuning these nuances into how the
website looks and reads.

Effecting purposeful change in the
maritime industry will positively influence
the financial valuation of shipping companies, eliminating regulation and
micromanagement that can bog down an otherwise flourishing trade integral to
the global economy. And, Maritime Fairtrade is doing just that through credible
information sharing that is effectively communicated through localised website
content in the ASEAN countries.

Media Contact: 

Eunice Gilbert, Marketing Manager

eunice@maritimefairtrade.org

About Maritime Fairtrade

With a focus on the Maritime Industry
throughout Asia and Middle East, our non-profit organisation believes in the
power of education in inculcating awareness and change in individuals and
companies. We believe that Maritime Fairtrade is a concept that can make
businesses more successful, employees more productive and industries more
ethical and transparent. We stand united against corruption.

We author editorials, and also select and
publish partner content, to bring awareness to key issues and to empower our
readers to make educated decisions.

For more information, visit our website here.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach – 28 September 2020 – Taiwan’s First Harmony & Synergy & World Peace International
Forum was scheduled to be held in 2020, but it could not be held as scheduled
because of COVID-19. Chairman William Liu, the
organizer of “Long Hsiung Economic
Development Foundation“, specially convened all elites to formally
establish the Harmony & Synergy & World Peace Committee in Taipei on
September 19th to prepare for the first “Harmony & Synergy & World
Peace Forum” in Taiwan next year.

Left:Taiwan’s first “Harmony & Synergy Culture
World Peace Forum” specially gathered elites from various fields, and
formally established the Harmony & Synergy Culture World Peace Committee in
Taipei on September 19th to warm up for next year’s activities.

Right:William Liu, chairman of the Long Hsiung Economic
Development Foundation, the organizer of the first “Harmony & Synergy
Culture World Peace Forum” in Taiwan, said that Taiwan has never been
absent from international public welfare activities.

Taiwan has never been absent or left behind in international public
welfare activities, and friends all over the world are full of praise for
Taiwan’s global reputation. William Liu, founder of
Long Hsiung Economic Development Foundation, said that he is a philanthropist
with an absolute sense of mission. He has led his team to tour the world for
many years to participate in international cultural activities and help
integrate various resources. Whether it is economic cooperation or public
welfare undertakings, the foundation has successfully built a bridge of
friendship between Taiwan and the international community, making Taiwan truly
global.

The establishment spirit of Long Hsiung Economic Development Foundation;
It hopes to convey the peace declaration to the world
through the establishment of the “Harmony & Synergy & World Peace
Committee” and respond to the foundation’s co-creation, sharing, win-win
and overall distribution system. It advocates synergy, harmony, peace, human
rights, humanity and the purpose of Harmony & Synergy & World Peace Committee.
In the first forum, the Millennium Gall Wood Panda and the Harmony &
Synergy & World Culture Panda, the Smiling Panda, are used to promote the
brand of peaceful culture diplomacy.

In September this year, the foundation planned to invite organizations
from 10 countries, such as the chamber of commerce, NGO, which has cooperated
with the foundation, to come to Taiwan to hold the first Harmony & Synergy
& World Peace International Forum. Due to the serious COVID-19, this forum
could not be held as scheduled. William Liu said that the “Long Hsiung
Economic Development Foundation” will hold the “First Harmony &
Synergy & World Peace International Forum” at the Taipei International
Convention Center (TICC) when the pandemic eases next year, and present awards
focusing on “peace” to groups of charitable heroes from all over the
world. “This event is not only an exchange event for international public
welfare undertakings, but also a family banquet for global philanthropists.
Everyone gets together to encourage each other for their intentions.

William Liu was awarded the 26th Special Award for Culture and Economy
at the 2019 Asian Cultural and Economic Revitalization Awards Ceremony. Before
that, he also won numerous honors, and William Liu was pleased to say that
since the foundation was established, he has done so many things that he can’t
remember exactly. As for the future, he will continue to push forward and help
more people and fulfill their dreams.

It is expected that the first Harmony & Synergy & World Peace
International Forum will be postponed to 2021, and the venue will be located at
the Taipei International Convention Center (TICC). On the day of the event, an
exchange dinner of international standards will be arranged to share the honor
and friendship of the host.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach – 28 September 2020 – Dream Career Builder introduces a new “Work from Home” feature in its search function to meet employment needs amid the present economic landscape in Singapore and Malaysia. As the labour market witnesses drastic employment contraction due to the severity of the current recession, Dream Career Builder has established itself as a beacon, facilitating job matching between jobseekers and employers. By tapping on the growing gig economy, it has established a platform of mutualism, enabling the direct solicitation for employment without geographical restrictions.

Changing Job Climate: Riding the Freelance & Remote Work Wave

As the economy goes through major restructuring, and industries are reshaped, Dream Career Builder seeks to understand employment needs compounded by the global pandemic. The fastest-growing job network in Singapore and Malaysia has taken additional steps to expand prospective employers’ ability to attract and hire a wider pool of qualified talents. Leveraging on alternative job landscapes and the surge in freelance job opportunities, Dream Career Builder has integrated a “Work from Home” tab to fill positions for jobs or part-time stints. Considering the rising gig economy in Singapore and Malaysia, this new feature provides ranking signals that amplify rankings of remote and work from home opportunities, for more conversion of leads. Further, for a small sum, prospective employers can opt to have job posts boosted on the job portal, improving the chances of finding a suitable candidate.

As the impact of retrenchments and wage cuts hit an all-time high in Singapore and Malaysia, job-matching service providers like Dream Career Builder strives to narrow the unemployment gap. The 100% free platform streamlines the job search process through a unique Auto Job Finder feature that utilises innovative algorithms to alert employers and jobseekers of suitable candidates and job posts, respectively. Supported by the use of other social networking platforms such as LinkedIn, employers can extend their reach and presence to provide opportunities to jobseekers adapting to the new realities of the economic limbo. The user-friendly portal also has a profile score system — by reaching specific thresholds, jobseekers have access to services ranging from profile highlighting to candidate matching, making job security attainable.

Part time, freelance, and remote job opportunities publicised by platforms like Dream Career Builder support a growing trend in the current job landscape. Awareness of the labour market mobility is a pertinent economic factor for job-matching service providers, and Dream Career Builder has swiftly adapted to meet the needs of both employers and jobseekers.

Contact

Name: Mark Ab

Title: Marketing Director

Contact: +65 31292724

Email: contact_us@dreamcareerbuilder.com

About Dream Career Builder:

Dream Career Builder is the fastest growing job network platform in Singapore and Malaysia. Providing full time, part time and remote job listings, it boasts auto-matching systems that facilitate in the accurate pairing of jobseekers and hiring companies. Investing in professional networking, the free online job board allows users to navigate the employment landscape in Singapore and Malaysia to establish a clear career trajectory. For more information, please visit: https://www.dreamcareerbuilder.com/.

10,000 “Smiley Meal Boxes” Shared with the Needy

HONG KONG, CHINA – Media OutReach – 27 September 2020 – Over the last 10 days, Gingko House and the Hong Kong Federation of
Youth (HKFYG) have joined forces to drive the #ShareASmile campaign, inviting
people of all generations to #ShareASmile through their face masks, by
virtually drawing or placing funny or cute smiles on top their selfies. These
selfies were shared on social media with the #ShareASmile hashtag, to spread
happiness and kindness across Hong Kong. Together with the campaign, Gingko
House and HKFYG have also been distributing “Smiley Meal Boxes” from five
Gingko House restaurants located across the city over 10 consecutive days. A
total of 10,000 meal boxes, courtesy of Hong Kong Community Foundation, were
distributed to those in need. “We are pleased to support this meaningful
initiative, by spreading kindness through sharing a smile, as well as providing
supports to our community with Smiley Meal Boxes. We look forward to seeing
Hong Kong smile again,” according to Hong Kong Community Foundation.

The campaign gained support from
public figures, online key opinion leaders, companies and organisations by
calling for more participation from the public. Some generous individuals
stepped forward and sponsored food products and supplements, fruits, and
personal protection equipment (PPEs) such as face masks. The campaign ends
today. However, Gingko House hopes that Hong Kongers will continue to
#ShareASmile, show more care for the community, and rise above the gloom
brought about by the pandemic.

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach – 25 September 2020 – The Ho Chi Minh City Development Joint Stock Commercial Bank (HDBank – HoSE: HDB) today announced the signing of an agreement to issue convertible bonds and enter into a strategic tie-up with DEG – DEUTSCHE INVESTITIONS- UND ENTWICKLUNGSGESELLSCHAFT MBH (“DEG”).

DEG will invest in convertible bonds issued by HDBank.

The two parties will have a strategic partnership for developing products, services and finance packages for German businesses in Vietnam and Vietnamese exporters to Germany and Europe, contributing to boost the trade cooperation between Vietnam and Germany as well as with other European countries.

DEG is a development finance institution owned by German state-owned development bank KWF and is one of Europe’s15 leading development finance institutions.

It is currently present in 19 countries, managing a portfolio of around EUR8.6 billion in private groups around the world. In Vietnam, DEG has been active for almost 20 years with a portfolio of EUR220 million.

Jochen Steinbuch, its regional manager in the Asia Pacific, said: “Vietnam is seen as a bright spot for foreign investors as the economy is believed to be least affected by Covid-19.”

“Thanks to a young population with a expanding middle class, demand for banking and financial services is high.”

“HDBank is one of the leading joint stock banks in Vietnam, always maintaining a good and sustainable growth rate.”

“HDBank’s financial health, asset quality and business performance are among the best in the industry. Notably its NPL ratio usually stands around 1 per cent and ROE is over 20 per cent. We have great confidence in the development of the bank in the future.”

The agreement opens a new chapter in the long-term co-operation between German and Vietnamese businesses, especially in the context that the EVFTA took effect recently.

About HDBank:

Ho Chi Minh City Development JSC Bank (HDBank, HOSE:HDB) was established in 1990, making it among the first commercial banks in Vietnam.

After 30 years of operations, HDBank is now one of the leading banks in Vietnam. It has strong finances and modern technology, and provides a wide range of financial services to individuals, corporates and investors.