MANILA, PHILIPPINES, 20 April 2015 — Asia and the Pacific needs to focus on increasing the overall productivity from its investments in physical, human, and natural capital, said a new annual review from Independent Evaluation at the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“A part of boosting productivity is making the most of human resources which therefore is also good for greater inclusion,” says Vinod Thomas, director general of Independent Evaluation. “Another part is relying on more high yielding public investments which is good for environmental sustainability and climate friendliness as well.”

The Annual Evaluation Review 2015 notes that in recent years in Asia and elsewhere, growth in overall productivity has slowed, particularly since the
2008 global financial crisis. As a result there is need for both countries and ADB to be more strategic in getting the most from their investments.

“An improvement in productivity of physical investments by just two-tenths of one percent in Asia is like adding $10 billion to those investments,”
says Mr. Thomas.

The report notes that expansion in one area of overall productivity—output per worker—has slowed in recent years in Asia, including in the three largest economies: the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, and Indonesia and this could have a negative spillover effect elsewhere in the region. As the PRC rebalances its economy in favor of consumption over investment, productivity needs to become a bigger driver of growth.

“Stronger results have to be wrung from investments in physical, human, and natural resources through efficiency and sustainability gains,” said the study’s principal author Walter Kolkma. “Human development is critical for raising productivity and this means aggressive commitments to education, training and healthcare.”

The report further notes that ADB has seen improvements in development returns from its operations, with the success rate of completed ADB-supported projects during 2012–2014 rising to 72%. At the same time, continued attention to project design, sound safeguards, due diligence, and supervision, will help improve outcomes.

Multilateral development banks can help strengthen the pace and quality of growth. Infrastructure finance would get a boost from the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank of BRICS nations.

The challenge is to link infrastructure investment to inclusive growth objectives and climate change. The latter has become an urgent priority given the acute vulnerability to the rise in extreme weather events in Asia and the Pacific. This change is illustrated most recently by the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam in Vanuatu, and earlier by super typhoon Haiyan that hit the Philippines in 2013, the 2011 floods in Australia and Thailand and recurring ones in China and India.

The report notes that ADB is in an excellent position to help countries put in place infrastructure incorporating both climate change resilience and inclusion of lower income strata in the growth process. Such an agenda would dovetail with the planned combination of its concessional Asian Development Fund lending operations and ordinary capital resources balance sheet. This will allow ADB to increase its annual financing commitments to countries to up to $20 billion, and if leveraged one to one with cofinancing, up to $40 billion.

Says Thomas: “ADB is uniquely placed to scale up its program in Asia. In part, it can raise the returns to the projects it finances with continued improvements in their design and delivery. The far bigger shift would be that ADB’s infrastructure strategy, along with the region’s, targets the growing income inequality and the reality of runaway climate change.

To read the evaluation report, visit
http://www.adb.org/documents/2015-annual-evaluation-review and download the main report.

About Independent Evaluation at the Asian Development Bank Asian Development Bank's Independent Evaluation, reporting to the Board of Directors through the Development Effectiveness Committee, contributes to development effectiveness by providing feedback on ADB's policies, strategies, operations, and special concerns in Asia and the Pacific.

Contact Person: Hans van Rijn
Email: hvanrijn@adb.org
Telephone: +63 2 632 5642

The 69th Giftionery Taipei and the 4th Taiwan Souvenir & Handcraft Show are set to take place alongside each other from April 23 to 26 at Exhibition Hall 1 of the Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC). The two shows are set to form the biggest event in the gifts and crafts industry in Taiwan.

Together, the two shows will be joined by 560 exhibiting firms using 1,000 standard size booth spaces. The exhibitors will be showcasing a wide range of products, from gifts, creative products, jewelry, watches, to office supplies, tech accessories, homeware, artworks, and even the specialty foods, arts and crafts from around Taiwan. The show’s organizer, TWTC, is expecting to receive over twenty thousand local and international visitors this year.

Among this year’s international exhibitor are firms from India, Hong Kong, Swaziland, China, Japan, Bhutan, and Nepal. According to TWTC, the number of booths used by this year’s international exhibitors have increased 20 percent from last year to 150 standard size booths.

One of the major highlights of this year’s 2-in-1 extravaganza is a design forum to be held during the four day show period where the great Issey Miyake will be speaking as one of forum’s guest speakers on 2016’s design trends.

Giftionery
Taiwan Souvenir

Chia Yi Lin (franceslin@taitra.org.tw)

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SINGAPORE, 20 April 2015 – Summit Events, a leading B2B networking events organiser, today announced the most up-to-date conference programme for the 2015 Sun Protection & Anti-ageing Skin Care Conference Asia, to be held from 8-9 July at the Hilton Hotel, Singapore. Over the two-day conference, industry experts will share their insights and expertise on pertinent issues in personal care product development, to keep professionals involved in sun protection and anti-ageing skin care development, testing, and claims substantiation up-to-date on current industry needs.

Skin lightening is closely related to sun protection and anti-ageing of skin. In recent years, it has become one of the primary skin care concerns amongst consumers in Asia Pacific due to its perceived association with youth and beauty. According to research[1], the skin-brightening sector in Asia Pacific is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3% through 2018.

In light of this growing trend, the second edition of the skin care conference aims to provide delegates with an avenue to acquire up-to-date knowledge about various aspects of both sun protection and anti-ageing. Conference topics will suit the likes of R&D managers and directors, dermatologists, marketing and product managers, retailers of sun care products, regulatory affairs personnel, formulation chemists, product evaluation scientists, research scientists, raw materials suppliers, and suppliers of sun product and skin testing apparatus.

Sue Trousdale, Managing Director, Summit Events Ltd, shared, “We strive to provide personal care companies with a professional and engaging platform from which they can glean insights on the latest trends, technologies, and development in sun care and anti-ageing. This year’s conference will feature a myriad of topics fronted by experts from various organisations and associations, and with this strong line-up of speakers, we are confident of providing delegates with a solid professional platform for learning, information-exchange, and peer-to-peer networking.”

The 2015 Sun Protection & Anti-ageing Skin Care Conference Asia covers four principle areas: Sun Damage and Ageing of Skin,Sun Protection and Anti-ageing Skin Care Strategies and Benefits,Regulatory and Consumer Impact and Testing, and Anti-ageing and Sun Care Technologies. The conference will cover topics, such as international sun protection methods (ISO and FDA), up-to-date technologies used to protect the skin from the sun, pollution and other environmental factors, and methods of measuring benefits of anti-ageing and skin lightening products. In addition, delegates can expect to gather updates on regulations affecting the development, advertising claims and sale of sun protection and anti-ageing products in Asia.
To date, the following speakers and presentation topics have been confirmed:

Sun Damage and Ageing of Skin

Five New Themed Zones and 2,100+ Exhibitors at Four-Day Event

20 April 2015 – The 30th edition of the HKTDC Hong Kong Houseware Fair and the sixth HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair opened today with around 2,400 exhibitors taking part. Both fairs, organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), continue through 23 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).

Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong SAR, John Tsang, was among the guests at this morning’s Opening Ceremony. “Today, the sweetness in ‘home sweet home’ would turn a bit sour without the essentials, the indulgences and the comforts of homeware,” Mr Tsang said. “I'm talking about stylish interior design, I'm talking about luxurious bath and beauty offerings, state-of-the-art kitchenware, stunning textiles and must-have home furnishings. The rising number of exhibitors and buyers from the Mainland, and other emerging markets, underlines the growing demand for our quality home and gift products.”

Speaking at the event, Jeffrey Lam, Chairman of the Fairs Organising Committee, said: “Hong Kong has a long and established reputation as an international sourcing centre for houseware products. A number of factors contribute to this success, including the city’s business-friendly environment and world-class infrastructure, which make it the perfect location for an international trade event.”

Global Home
The Houseware Fair features more than 2,100 exhibitors from 36 countries and regions, including first time participants from Cyprus, Egypt and South Africa.

The fair’s 14 group pavilions include Best of ASEAN featuring exhibitors from Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. Other pavilions represent Bangladesh, the Chinese mainland, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Korea, Macau, Taiwan and Turkey.

House Proud

A number of new zones are making their debut at the fair this year: Bath, Beauty & Healthcare; Festive Décor; Home Cleaning; Storage Solutions; and Wine Tools & Accessories. The Hall of Elegance returns to the fair showcasing leading international brands from Austria (BWT), Canada (Knack3), Italy (TVS) and Spain (Vigar). Unique products are also on show in the Creative Arts & Cultural Craft zone while the World of Fine Dining serves up offerings from more than 350 exhibitors.

The popular Hall of Elegance is back again this year with more than 40 exhibitors, while the Avenue of Inspiration is the place to find smaller brands and young designers keen to make their mark on the international stage. Seminars examining the prospects for a variety of emerging and established markets will be held during the fair.

Pet Shop Toys

There are plenty of creative ideas in the World of Pet Supplies zone that help train, exercise and pamper pets. Among the innovative products are a training toy that boosts a dog’s IQ, a GPS pet tracking device and a dual-purpose harness that keeps dogs safe either while out walking or travelling in a car. A Pet Industry Forum today will discuss industry trends while Pet Supplies Parades will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Material Gains

The concurrent HKTDC Hong Kong International Home Textiles and Furnishings Fair also got under way today, running for four days at the HKCEC showcasing more than 240 exhibitors in the household textiles and furnishing sectors.

Among the highlights is the premium Hall of Glamour which features top-quality and branded household textiles. Other zones include Baby & Bedroom Textiles, Bathroom & Kitchen Textiles, Carpet & Floor Coverings, Upholstery & Furnishings Products, Design Solutions and Trade Services.

Tailor-Made

Belgium, Indonesia and New Zealand are represented at the fair for the first time, joining such major players in the textiles industry as the Chinese mainland and India. India has three group pavilions at the event this year, including a new pavilion staged by the country’s Carpet Export Promotion Council. The Chinese mainland provinces of Shandong and Qingdao also have a group pavilion showcasing quality and trendsetting products.

Celebrating 30 Years

A special feature this year is a display at Hall 1B Entrance of the HKCEC which tells the story of the evolution of Hong Kong Houseware Fair over the past three decades, as well as that of the HKTDC Hong Kong Gifts & Premium Fair which also celebrates its 30th edition this month. The Hong Kong Gifts and Premium Fair, the largest event of its kind in the world, opens on 27 April and continues through 30 April at the HKCEC featuring more than 4,200 exhibitors from 37 countries and regions. The concurrent Hong Kong International Printing & Packaging Fair will be held at AsiaWorld-Expo from 27 to 30 April.

Fair Websites
Houseware Fair: 　http://www.hktdc.com/hkhousewarefair
Home Textiles & Furnishings Fair: 　http://www.hktdc.com/hkhometextilesfair

Media Enquiries
Please contact the HKTDC's Communication and Public Affairs Department:
Joe Kainz
Tel: (852) 2584 4216
Email: joe.kainz@hktdc.org

Findings open up possibilities for more targeted therapeutic cures for the disease

Singapore — A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore (GIS) led an international team of researchers from Singapore, China, USA and Europe to conduct the world’s first large-scale, trans-ethnic, genome-wide analysis of DNA samples taken from Caucasian and Chinese populations for the study on the chronic skin disease, psoriasis[1]. Findings from the study were published in the scientific journal Nature Communications.

The researchers discovered four new genes that render people highly susceptible to psoriasis. By cross-referencing the sequence of 44 genes that influences psoriasis, which included the four recently discovered genes, between 8682 Caucasians and 5134 ethnic Chinese, the international team led by Prof Jianjun Liu, Deputy Director for Research Programmes and Senior Group Leader of Human Genetics found that 10 out of the 44 genes linked to psoriasis susceptibility were found only in Caucasians and not in ethnic Chinese. This finding helps to explain why psoriasis is ten times more prevalent in Caucasians than in ethnic Chinese populations.

The causes of psoriasis are not yet fully understood, but a number of risk factors are recognised as root causes, which include genetic and environmental factors, such as smoking, stress, obesity and alcohol consumption. The study takes some of the guesswork out of identifying the root cause responsible for the prevalence of psoriasis in Caucasian compared to ethnic Chinese populations.

“The discovery indicates that the ethnic difference of psoriasis prevalence is largely due to genetic causes,” said Prof Liu. “With this knowledge, there is now a possibility to design therapeutic cures in an ethnic-specific fashion for psoriasis as there is currently no cure. The genetic differences in psoriasis susceptibility between ethnically varied populations call for more genetic studies within the Asian population.”

“There are different types of treatments for psoriasis, with each addressing a different root cause of the disease. The only way for a patient to know which treatment best works for his or her condition is to try each over time – this will lead to added costs and time. The benefit of such genetic studies in psoriasis for example, allows the development of future genetic tests that will go a long way to help doctors take the guesswork out of figuring the root cause of disease and shortlist treatments that are known to be the most effective for that patient’s condition,” said Prof Huck-Hui Ng, Executive Director, GIS.

For media queries and clarifications, please contact:
Ms Winnie Lim
Head, Office of Corporate Communications
Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR
Tel: +65 6808 8013
Email:limcp2@gis.a-star.edu.sg

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April 21, 2015 — On April 20, The Asia Foundation and Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide mutual support and actively cooperate in the areas of sustainable natural resource management, capacity strengthening of civil society organizations (CSOs), and citizens’ participation in environmental decision-making. More specifically, the cooperation will address stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution in areas affected by mining, and the implementation of community-based environmental projects within the framework of the government’s commitments and programs on Water, Biodiversity and Green Development.

Witnessing the signing ceremony were Mr. Diepak Elmer, Deputy Country Director for the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and Mr. Batnasan Nyamsuren, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Officer, representing UNICEF. Environment Minister Ms. Oyunkhorol expressed her gratitude for the productive partnership: “The role of local communities in environmental conservation is the key towards better management of natural resources and local sustainable development. Therefore, strengthening their capacity and supporting efforts of local environmental NGOs is crucial.”

Working at the local level, the SDC and Asia Foundation project, Engaging Stakeholders in Environmental Conservation (ESEC) phase II, delivers environmental best practices for the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector. The project is endorsed by key national stakeholders while facilitating and developing inclusive mechanisms for all relevant local stakeholders.

The Asia Foundation is also starting the implementation of the second phase of a project with UNICEF that focuses on the Provision of Technical Support for the Ministries of Health and Sports and Education, Culture and Science for the replication and scaling-up of water safety planning; Household Water Treatment and Safe Storage (HWTS) good practices; and support for water supply and solid waste management aspects of the implementation of the Minimum Requirements on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) in Schools, Kindergartens and Dormitories. The collaboration with the Mongolia’s Ministry of Environment, Green Development and Tourism focuses specifically on promoting good water monitoring and SWM practices and sharing lessons learned.

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Singapore – The Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC) today announces the return of the Furniture Design Award (FDA). The 2016 edition is now open for entries submission, at 　http://www.furnituredesignaward.sg/.

First launched in 1993, FDA aims to discover new design talents, both locally and internationally, and to be a reputable showcase for the unique creations of the best creative minds. The award seeks design talents from all over the world to showcase their unique creations amongst international furniture manufacturers and designers. Winning entries will be showcased at SingaPlural 2016, held in conjunction with the International Furniture Fair Singapore 2016/ 33rd ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS 2016), The Décor Show, and Hospitality 360⁰.

FDA 2016 will take on a ‘free style’ approach where designers are welcomed to exercise their creativity without restrictions, and demonstrate their originality through this open call for submissions. Unlike in previous years, the awards will be presented for a single Designers category, and is open to participants of all backgrounds, including design students and professionals. In addition, the prize money will be doubled to an attractive figure of S$20,000.

Mr Mark Yong, Vice President of SFIC and Chairman of Design Development, said, "Now in its 22nd edition, FDA is well-regarded within the furniture industry. Through the awards, we hope to nurture design talents, and provide an avenue for designers to express their creativity and gain recognition within the furniture industry. By eliminating previous restrictions on age and background, we wish to encourage participation from the younger generation, and provide these budding young designers with opportunities to kickstart their career in furniture design.”

FDA 2016’s panel of judges will feature prominent industry personalities and international designers from diverse backgrounds. Entries will be judged on four main criteria, namely, degree of innovation, marketability, functionality, and environmental awareness.

The jurors for FDA 2016 are:

• Patrick Chia (Chief Juror), Director, Squeeze Design & Design Director, Division of Industrial Design (NUS), Design Incubation Centre (Singapore);

• Colin Seah, Design Director, Ministry of Design (Singapore);

• Jurgen Bey, Art Director, Studio Makkink & Bey (The Netherlands);

• Prof. Byungkil Kang, Professor, Industrial Design Department; Dean, College of Arts, Sookmyung Women’s University & Director General, Design Research Institute of Seoul Design Foundation (South Korea);

• Shin Azumi, Founder, a studio (United Kingdom);

• Tony Chang, Chief Advisor, Taiwan Design Center (Taiwan).

Chief juror of FDA 2016, Mr Patrick Chia, shared, “A well-designed furniture piece is more than just form or shape; the winning combination is something that balances environmental and business sustainability with how users aspire to live. I expect to see entries that demonstrate a certain depth of thinking in this edition of FDA. Those interested should come forward to show us their ideas for furniture pieces of the future.”

FDA 2016 is supported by DesignSingapore Council, International Enterprise (IE) Singapore, SPRING Singapore, DesignS, American Hardwood Export Council, and IFFS Pte Ltd.

Registration for FDA 2016 opens on 10 March 2015 and closes on 10 August 2015. For more information, including the terms and conditions for application and of the awards, please visit 　www.furnituredesignaward.sg or write in to enquiry@furnituredesignaward.sg.

###

About Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC)

Singapore Furniture Industries Council was established in 1981 as the official representative body of Singapore’s furniture industry. It currently represents 95% of established furniture manufacturers in Singapore, of whom 65% have subsidiary manufacturing plants in the region including China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Its primary role is to promote the interests of its members and the Singapore furniture industry. Many of its initiatives aim to facilitate members’ exposure to the world market, develop local talent and encourage entrepreneurship.

Through SFIC Institute, its training and education arm, the SFIC offers development courses to ensure its graduates remain competitive and relevant to the latest industry developments. It also manages the International Furniture Centre and organises SingaPlural, a week-long design celebration, held in conjunction with the annual International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show, The Décor Show and Hospitality 360°.

To ensure the industry’s growth and viability, SFIC continues to forge close partnerships with the government and trade-related agencies to harness technology, knowledge and information for effective strategic planning. For more information, please visit 　www.singaporefurniture.com.

About Furniture Design Award
The Furniture Design Award (FDA) is an annual furniture design competition organised by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council (SFIC). First launched in 1993, the competition was formerly known as the Furniture Design Competition, and it was renamed the FDA in 2003. The Award aims to discover new design talents and to be a reputable showcase for the unique creations of the best creative minds. Increasingly, the Award has become a platform for exchange and networking of furniture manufacturers and designers.

A part of SingaPlural – an annual design festival in March which showcases the best design elements from the multi-faceted creative spectrum of advertising, architecture, urban planning, landscape architecture, as well as interior, furniture, graphic and fashion design – the FDA is held in conjunction with the International Furniture Fair Singapore/ASEAN Furniture Show (IFFS/AFS), one of Asia’s premiere furniture trade shows.

SingaPlural is also the anchor event of the Singapore Design Week.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Ms. Alina Tee
Red Bug Communications
+65 6220 4787
alina@redbugpr.com

Karen Chan
Singapore Furniture Industries Council
+65 6505 9180
karen@singaporefurniture.com

Yvonne Teh
Singapore Furniture Industries Council
+65 6505 9160
yvonneteh@singaporefurniture.com

Sarah Carlos
Singapore Furniture Industries Council
+65 6505 9166
sarah@singaporefurniture.com

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The windows of DESIGN PIN, a popular design store located in the historic Songshan Cultural and Creative Park in Taipei, have been obscured by black cloth since just after Chinese New Year this year. Read on to find out why…

As announced in a press conference and store reveal held in Taipei yesterday morning, the concept store, which is dedicated to showcasing award-winning or innovative design products from Taiwan and Japan, has undergone a total transformation in recent months. In late 2014, Japanese buyer and design industry expert, Yu Yamada, who founded his famed retail consultancy, Method Inc., in Tokyo more than a decade ago, was invited by Taiwan Design Center CEO, Wenlong Chen, to work as a consultant on the DESIGN PIN redesign project.

Fascinated by the history of the building in which DESIGN PIN is located–a huge, now-renovated factory that was built by the Japanese at the turn of the 20th century to process liquor and tobacco–, Mr. Yamada wanted to find a way to connect the historical use of the space to DESIGN PIN’s new concept and purpose. The rooms that DESIGN PIN occupy were once used to store tobacco, so Mr Yamada chose industrial-style steel warehouse units for the shelving. “The shelves are very industrial. They're just like the ones used in a warehouse or in a storage room. The store's name originated from the Golden Pin Design Award, so that’s why I decided to paint [the shelves] gold. The shelves carry the concept of the store,” he says. Mr Yamada also chose to leave the huge steel supporting structures exposed.

The logo and branding materials for the store were redesigned, and Mr Yamada also overhauled the buying criteria for the store and the categorisation of the products in terms of store layout. Visitors to DESIGN PIN can now shop in confidence knowing that they are perusing only either Golden Pin Design Award- or Good Design Award-winning products, or innovative design products created locally by established and emerging Taiwanese designers. In stock right now are products from Just Mobile, LUCKYRICE, urban prefer, TALES, Xcellent Lighting, Afterain Design, Carpenter, hesxhers group, Sitpls, studio if, Kenyon Yeh, haoshi design, DHH studio, and KIMU Design, among other brands. In an ode to the store’s “patron”, the Golden Pin Design Award, a small room at the back of DESIGN PIN is dedicated to products inspired by huaren culture.

The DESIGN PIN renovation was Mr Yamada’s first project in Taiwan, and he hopes the experience will lead to more overseas projects for his company, Method Inc. “If I want to learn how to work in foreign countries, I think working with, for example, a company in Taiwan, is much easier [than trying to get work in Europe or America] because Taiwan is so close to Japan," Mr Yamada explains. For Japanese designers, buyers, and manufacturers, Taiwan could be something like a training ground for working in the world, he says.

For media enquiries, please contact Kate Nicholson, International Media Liaison, DDG, on +886 2 2772 5850 x 180, orkate.nicholson@ddg.com.tw.

Visit DESIGN PIN

Address: Songshan Cultural and Creative Park, No. 133, Guangfu S. Road, Xinyi District, Taipei City 110, Taiwan (map attached - Chinese-language only)
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9.30am to 5.30pm
Phone: 02 2745 8199 x 279

About Yu Yamada

Yu Yamada hails from Tokyo, Japan and was the buyer for IDEE SHOP in Aoyama. After this experience, he decided to become became an independent buyer and creative director, and founded Method Inc. (　http://wearemethod.com/　). Through the company, he works as a consultant for many different leading retail companies in Japan. He has also dedicated his career to elevating the awareness of good design in Japan; he is a director of Eleven Design Studio, the company behind Design Tide Tokyo.

About the Golden Pin Design Award

In 2014, for the first time in its 34-year history, the Golden Pin Design Award opened its doors to companies designing products and projects in and forhuaren (Chinese-speaking) markets. In June 2014, a record number of entries were received from across the world in four award categories: Product Design, Visual Communication Design, Packaging Design, and Interior Design. Golden Pin Design Award “Best Design” winners, who were selected from over 400 finalists, were announced in an award ceremony held in Taipei, Taiwan in December.

In March 2015, the Golden Pin Design Award opened its 2015 call for entries period. Individuals and companies can submit their huaren-inspired design products and projects until June 30, 2015. Visit the website for more information: 　www.goldenpin.org.tw.

Concurrent programme highlights developments in electrical engineering, intelligent building and smart home markets

The 12th edition of Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology will be held from 9 – 12 June in Area A of the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou, China. Recognised as Asia’s premier platform for the electrical engineering, building and home automation markets, the fair is expected to host approximately 300 exhibitors and occupy 20,000 sqm of exhibition space.

With less than two months before the show, the fair has attracted numerous industry-leading suppliers who are preparing to showcase their latest innovations. Mr Go Maruyama, General Manager of the Sales and Marketing Department at Murata (China) Investment Co Ltd, shared: “This is our second time at the fair. We aim to promote our latest total solutions for sensors and wireless communication technologies to the China market. Currently, Internet of Things is strongly supported by the Chinese government, and there is a push for the development of intelligent building and smart lighting. This creates great opportunities for us. Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology is a leading platform and its professionalism is highly recognised by industry players. The results we achieved by attending last year were significant and we have high expectations for the upcoming fair.”

Returning exhibitor Z-Wave Alliance shares the same optimism. A representative of the alliance in China, Mr CK Sze, explained: “Z-Wave is a wireless communications protocol designed for home automation. By exhibiting at the fair, we aim to educate the market on the Z-Wave technology and demonstrate how it connects with other products. The fair is an important platform for us to tap the China market and we are looking forward to the 2015 edition.”

ZF Friedrichshafen AG from Germany is a first-time exhibitor. Mr Dietmar Vogts, Event Manager at the company, commented: “Building automation is a growing market within the electronics industry. This is our first time participating in the Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology fair and we will showcase our strong offerings in wireless energy harvesting switch solutions. We not only help design more intelligent and energy-efficient buildings, but also simultaneously help simplify installation and maintenance processes. At the 2015 fair, we look forward to strengthening our ties with local OEMs and system suppliers in the building electronics industry.”

Concurrent programme highlights developments in electrical engineering, intelligent building and smart home markets

To offer attendees with engaging experiences, a comprehensive selection of forums and seminars will be held in conjunction with the Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology fair. The events will gather government officials, professors from leading design institutes and influential industry players in one location. They will share market intelligence, as well as their expectations for the future of building technology and its trends. Some seminars and discussion topics confirmed for this year include:

- Summit on Innovative Intelligent Building Technology Driven by Smart Cities

Co-organised with the Intelligent Engineering Branch of China Exploration and Design Association, the summit will focus on the three major themes of "Smart City", "Smart Transportation "and "Intelligent Building". Highlighted topics include planning and construction of smart cities, innovative smart city technologies, smart rail transportation, security management systems, applications for energy management, and energy-saving building technologies.

o Featured topics:

 Regional Economic Transition and the Reform of Technology Management System
 Intelligent Dispatching Command in Rail Transit
 The Path to Achieve Developing Smart City in New Town

- Intelligent Building Standard Forum Series

Formed by reputable industry organisations and associations, the forums are scheduled to provide attendees with the latest information on various international standards and technology applications, as well as the development trends in smart home and building automation technologies. Participating organisations include the Bluetooth Special Interest Group Inc, EnOcean Alliance, KNX Association, LonMark International, ZigBee Alliance and Z-Wave Alliance.

o Featured topics:

 Bluetooth Technology: Going Mainstream in the Smart Home
 EnOcean Wireless Batteryless Technology for Intelligent Buildings and Smart Homes
 KNX Technical Seminar
 Smart Systems Using LonMark Solutions for Smart Networked Buildings and Outdoor Lighting Systems
 ZigBee – Creating a Smart Home
 Z-Wave – More brands, More Products, More Solutions

- China Smart Home Industry Alliance Forum (Southern China) – Exploring the Development Trends and Applications for Residential Smart Lighting
To accommodate the growing needs of the energy-saving and smart lighting industry, the forum will cover new applications and development trends in residential smart lighting.

- Lecture Course: Standardisation and Safety of Smart Community and Smart Home System

Debut in 2015, the lecture course will gather well-known industry experts to share insights on the standardisation of smart communities and smart cites, and the safety of smart home systems.

Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology is organised by Guangzhou Guangya Messe Frankfurt Co Ltd. The fair is a part of Messe Frankfurt’s building and energy shows, headed by the biennial Light + Building event in Frankfurt, Germany which will take place from 13 – 18 March 2016. The show also follows a series of light and building technology events in China, including:

• Beijing International Building Technology
13 May 2015

• Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology
9 – 12 June 2015

• Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition
9 – 12 June 2015

• Shanghai Intelligent Building Technology
23 – 25 September 2015

• Shanghai International Lighting Fair
23 – 25 September 2015

To find out more about these events, please visit 　www.building.messefrankfurt.com.cn or email building@china.messefrankfurt.com.

– end –

Media Contact
Stavie Hung
Tel +852 2238 9907
Fax +852 2519 6800
stavie.hung@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

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R+T Asia 2015, held March 24‐26 in Shanghai, attracted 21,927 visitors from 98 different countries, breaking the previous attendance record set in 2014.

“The show’s highly international mix of exhibitors and attendees as well as the success of the special events and conferences demonstratedthe tradeshow’s reputation as a global magnet for keyplayers in the industry,”said David Zhong, the President of VNU Exhibitons Asia, the organizer of R+T Asia.“R+T Asia again brought together a wide spectrum of decision makers:distributors, architects, contractors and manufacturers.”

The majority of the show’s 5,313 international visitors came from other Asian countries. A significant upswing was noted in attendance from Korea with an increase of 42%, while visitors from Russia increased 36%, Germany 23% and India 8%.

“With these solid numbers we have every reason to be optimistic about 2016,” added Zhong.

R+T Asia 2015 was staged in three halls and one outside hall‐tent encompassing a total of 42,000 sqm. The show attracted 435 exhibitors from 19 countries, and over 17 percent of these exhibitors came from abroad.

Energy efficiency: the “new normal” of China’s building industry

One of the big attractions at R+T Asia was the debut of the Window Zone InnovAction area, offering a new platform for windows and integrated sun protection products. Responding to the request of higher energy efficiency and the request of combined solutions, R+T Asia created a new 400 sqm area to display this topic.

Because of its excellent performance in 2015, the window zone area will be extended in 2016. Also, the window topic included in the IWDS program supported the emphasis on windows and energy efficiency.

China’s building industry, like its economy, has shifted gear from the previous high speed to a medium‐to‐high‐speed growth, but still produces an annual increase of 10% to 15%.Thanks to China’s mandatory energy‐saving policy, the country’s green building development has reached almost 163 million sqm, a 100% improvement over last year. According to the United States Green Building Council, there are 1,611 LEED‐certified projects now in China, the second largest outside the U.S.

The International Window and Door Summit at a glance

Following its successful previous editions, the third IWDS featured industry experts from around the world under the theme “Universal design – doors/gates, windows and sun protection in the building envelope.” Each year, this popular seminar invites experts from elite companies in the global shading, window and door industry to discuss business insights and the latest trends. Speakers included trade association leaders from Germany, the USA, Australia, the UK, and elsewhere, who gathered in Shanghai to share their expertise and perspectives. This educational event not only brought valuable information to Chinese business leaders, it also showcased the Chinese market to the world.

“Moving IWDS to the show floor this year was an excellent move, exposing the presentations to a much broader audience. The value in IWDS is in its ability to break down barriers between the Chinese and Western markets, share ideas, and discuss important issues facing the door, window and solar shading markets globally,” said James Boston, the Publisher of the Australian Window Furnishings Magazine.

The Chinese market: a prime choice for all leading brands

The huge Chinese market attracts many major companies around the globe, as many make China their first step to global business. R+T Asia has welcomed many famous brands such as Somfy, Hörmann, Forest, Gale, SAMBO, Glen Raven, Romi, ACTIVA, Winplus, Doorhan, Assa Abloy, EFAFLEX, TwinDOOR, and DASP.

All in all R+T Asia 2015 was a successful show with outstanding exhibitors, a high attendance of professional visitors and a productive platform for the industry to discuss future developments.

R+T Asia remains the leading industry platform in the Asia Pacific region.

The next R+T Asia runs from March 22‐24, 2016.

INTRODUCTION
R+T Asia is a must‐attend three‐day business‐to‐business international trade show for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems. Held every March at the huge New International Expo Centre in Shanghai, R+T Asia is a unique opportunity for you to network, meet new business partners and expand your business.

Introduced to the Chinese market in 2005, R+T Asia has grown to be the leading Asian trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun protection systems. With the international influence of the mother show, R+T Stuttgart in Germany, the show reached a new level of internationalization.

For Information please visit: www.rtasia.org

Contact:
Marisa Richter ‐ International Sales & Marketing Manager
Tel:+86 (21) 6195 6088 * 628
marisa.richter@vnuexhibitions.com.cn

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HONG KONG - The world's leading electronic exchange for allocated physical precious metals, Bullion Capital, has announced a new partnership agreement with specialist liquidity provider, Finemetal Asia.

The collaboration with Finemetal Asia is a significant step in Bullion Capital's rapid global expansion since it launched a pioneering real-time exchange for allocated physical precious metals in 2013.

Finemetal Asia, a Swiss-based precious metals company incorporated in Hong Kong, trades exclusively in the physical precious metals of gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Finemetal Asia is an established name in the Asian market and a trusted gateway to the buying and selling of physical precious metals.

Its related company, Swiss based Finemetal AG, as well as Finemetal Asia have special agreements for distribution of precious metals products of renowned gold fabricator Argor Heraeus, and through this partnership, Finemetal Asia will be providing liquidity on the Bullion Capital exchange for a range of physical bullion contracts.

Padraig Seif, Finemetal Asia CEO, commented on the new partnership stating that, "Finemetal Asia is delighted to have established this new collaboration with Bullion Capital and we are excited at the new proposition Bullion Capital brings to the industry. Having established ourselves as the specialist liquidity provider of choice in Asia, we look forward to further expansion through this new innovative marketplace, which we anticipate to be a new era for the precious metals industry; one that is more accessible and based on a system that caters to the demands of the Asian market. The time is right for Bullion Capital's innovative approach."

Commenting on the company's new collaboration with Finemetal Asia, CEO of Bullion Capital, Thomas Coughlin, said, "Bullion Capital has entered the precious metals industry with a mission to modernise the trade of physical precious metal and increase its efficiency through the development of a global electronic marketplace."

"To help us realize our vision, we've sought the alliance and expertise of the precious metals industry's most esteemed participants," said Mr Coughlin. "Finemetal Asia is a highly respected company and a valuable addition to our Member base, and we look forward to sharing a long business relationship with them".

Bullion Capital's latest partnership with Finemetal Asia comes after a busy few months with more than 50 new agreements signed with institutional clients, liquidity providers and Members. This rush to Bullion Capital is evidence of the vast potential of such an exchange, and reflective of the emerging trend for investors to turn away from the paper markets and seek out opportunities in robust, long-term investments like physical gold.

With Asia's share of global consumer demand for gold having grown from 47% to 60% in just five years[1], Bullion Capital's decision to collaborate with one of the region's biggest liquidity providers is a significant stepping stone in the company's global expansion plans.

[1] World Gold Council, Gold Demand Trends Full Year 2014, 12th February 2015

About Bullion Capital

Founded in 2011, Bullion Capital is a centralized marketplace which brings price discovery, institutional trading and clearing facilities from different regions into one online trading environment via its market-leading technological solution, the MetalDesk exchange trading platform. Its global trading hub locations currently include Sydney, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, London, New York, Bangkok, Dubai, Istanbul, Auckland and Zurich. For more information, please visit 　www.bullioncapital.com

Contact:
Magda Niewczas
Priority Consultants
Tel: +65 6338 1006
Email: magda.niewczas@priorityconsultants.com

“Light is about imagination” celebrates the fair’s 20th anniversary and highlights development of lighting industry

In the past two decades, the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition has been facilitating industry convergence for the lighting sector worldwide, making it an ideal networking hub for experts and decision-makers involved in the lighting industry. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the show is renowned as the most influential and comprehensive lighting and LED event in Asia, and will once again be held from 9 – 12 June 2015 at the China Import and Export Fair Complex in Guangzhou.

This year, 2015, marks a special year for the international lighting design community as it was proclaimed as the International Year of Light and Light-based Technologies (IYL 2015). Organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the IYL 2015 highlights the importance of light, optical technologies and more importantly, how the technology impacts the development of society.

Ms Lucia Wong, Deputy General Manager of Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, noted: “The IYL 2015 is a meaningful and important event for the lighting industry. We are honoured that the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition has become a gold sponsor of this global event as it shares the same vision as IYL 2015. Through our interactive platform, we would like to reiterate the importance of lighting technology, how it impacts our daily lives, enhances well-being and more. Additionally, with our strong line-up of concurrent events, we hope to converge specialists from around the world, turning the fair into a breeding ground for knowledge exchange and cross border collaborations.”

“Light is about imagination” celebrates the fair’s 20th anniversary and highlights development of lighting industry

The future of lighting continues to evolve and is currently packed with endless possibilities. In January 2015, the fair organisers launched the “Light is about imagination” programme to celebrate the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition’s 20th anniversary while highlighting the technological advancements of the lighting industry. The programme welcomes industry players to share their insights and expectations on future trends. To date, large amounts of feedback have been collected and some of the noteworthy entries include:

- Smart lighting demonstrates a great deal of potential
- In a few years’ time, Li-fi technology will be used to transmit data
- Human-centric lighting technology will have the ability to monitor and improve one’s circadian rhythms, mood, visual acuity and overall health as well as performance
- Look out for the Quantum-Dot-LED’s (QD-LEDs) technological advancements. It will be an important development focus in the years to come
- Lighting will be electronically programmed to work in parallel with other smart home devices
- LED technology will continue to evolve. It will become even more energy-efficient, long-lasting and cost-effective in the future
- OLED is another uprising technology, revolutionising digital displays on television screens, computer monitors, mobile phones and other personal handheld devices
- Energy conservation and environmental sustainability will be the main driver for the advancements in lighting technology

Attendees of the show are welcome to provide their input towards the development of the lighting industry during the four-day event. Entries collected will be displayed on the “Light is about imagination” panel at the fair.

Exhibitors eager to showcase their latest innovations

With just two months before the show, the 2015 edition has attracted numerous exhibitors who are eager to present their latest solutions and products. Some of the noted exhibitors confirmed this year include:

• Adata Technology Co Ltd (Taiwan)
In the upcoming show, Adata will showcase their latest LED bulb that can be paired with Bluetooth interface application on any smart phone or tablet. Users can control their lights remotely to create the perfect lighting for any mood without purchasing expensive bridging software or hardware. With this product, the firm hopes to establish close ties between man and technology.

• Citizen Electronic Co Ltd (Japan)
In 2015, the Japan-based firm will showcase their latest COB LED chips. Through enhancement of light extraction efficiency and heat dissipation, these chips offer high luminous flux and efficiency.

• Dongguan Tecmo Electronics Technology Co Ltd (China)
Dongguan Tecmo Electronics Technology specialises in manufacturing power supplies. The firm will showcase their asbestos-free double fibre glass printed circuit boards. With higher mechanical and dielectric properties, it is moisture resistant and is able to endure high heat, providing added reliability for consistent performance.

The Guangzhou Electrical Building Technology is held concurrently with the Guangzhou International Lighting Exhibition. Both fairs are headed by the biennial Light + Building event, which will take place from 13 – 18 March 2016 in Frankfurt, Germany.

For more information regarding the shows, please visit 　www.light.messefrankfurt.com.cn or email light@china.messefrankfurt.com.

– end –

Media Contact
Marissa Cho
Tel. +852 2238 9941
Fax +852 2598 7919
marissa.cho@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

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From farmland to urban district

The Pudong New Area in Shanghai is marking its 25th anniversary－rising from rural farmland to become an engine for economic and social development in the city and the nation.

During this time, with the area's skyline changing rapidly, it has been transformed into an outward-looking and modern urban district with multiple functions.

According to Shen Xiaoming, secretary of the Party Committee in Pudong, "The area has followed the national strategy from the central government to focus on opening-up and innovative reform, which has seen it become a powerful engine for China in just over two decades."

Pudong, on the east bank of the Huangpu River, has become an international financial, shipping and trading center for Shanghai and China.

On April 18, 1990, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council announced the opening-up of Pudong.

Compared with 1990, the size of the economy in Pudong has risen by 118 times, total fiscal revenue has increased 290 times and regional fiscal revenue has grown 137 times.

By the end of last year, the combined annual cargo tonnage of Waigaoqiao Port and Yangshan Port, both of which are connected to Pudong, exceeded 32 million TEUs (20-foot equivalent units), a figure unsurpassed worldwide.

The volume of imports and exports passing through Pudong reached $260 billion, making up 55.7 per cent of the total for Shanghai. The area also houses 844 regulatory financial institutions and the offices of 308 of the world's top 500 companies.

Since 1990, Pudong has launched China's first stock exchange in Lujiazui, welcomed a group of foreign banks led by Fuji Bank from Japan, merged Nanhui district, and set up the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone, all of which pushes it to move ahead with the second round of transformation.

Shen said, "The district has gathered advanced technology, excellent talent and high-end companies from all over the world."

Sun Jiwei, Pudong New Area chief, said, "We are keen to open up and become innovative by helping companies set up research and design centers, recruit high-tech talent and offer subsidies to attract more creative ideas."

Some foreign companies with headquarters in Pudong have launched research and design centers in the area to produce "Created in China" goods.

"We've moved from the basic stage of manufacturing localized or adjusted products for the domestic market to designing and producing items in China for the global market," said Chen Xiangli, president of GE Technology Center in China.

Gu Bin, deputy director of the Science and Technology Commission in Pudong, said, "We're working on an international business incubator in cooperation with other countries in Zhangjiang (Hi-Tech Park) to offer a global business environment for local companies to learn and grow efficiently and rapidly."

by Yu Ran

SINGAPORE, 23 April 2015 – Changi Airport Group (CAG) honoured its top airline partners this evening at the Changi Airline Awards 2015, where a total of 23 awards were presented to airlines whose efforts have contributed to the growth and development of the Singapore air hub. Themed SG50, the awards ceremony, into its 10th year, also featured the pioneer airlines that have been operating in Singapore since the country’s independence, and showcased their contributions to Singapore aviation.

At the event graced by Mrs Josephine Teo, Senior Minister of State for Finance and Transport, awards across six categories were presented. These included top airlines by passenger and cargo carriage, top airlines by absolute growth in passenger carriage by region, top airlines by absolute cargo growth, best airline marketing and the Partner of the Year award. A list of all the award winners is in Annex A.

Partner of the Year

The Partner of the Year award[1] was presented to British Airways, for its steadfast and unwavering commitment to grow and develop the Singapore air hub. Singapore remains a key stopover destination in the airline’s network, linking Europe with Australia and Southeast Asia. Over the years, the London-Singapore route has witnessed a number of groundbreaking aviation developments, including iconic aircraft such as the revolutionary Imperial Airways C Class flying boat and the supersonic Concorde that plied the route.

Today, British Airways is the largest European carrier serving Changi Airport, with close to 470,000 passenger movements registered in 2014. The airline operates twice-daily services between London and Singapore, with one of the services extending to Sydney, Australia.

In October 2014, British Airways increased capacity on the London-Singapore route, with the launch of thrice-weekly A380 services, giving customers more options to the United Kingdom, Europe and North America. Singapore was the fifth destination in the airline’s network selected for the super jumbo’s operations.

This connection is set to grow, with British Airways increasing its A380 service between London and Singapore to daily flights from December 2015. This will boost the airline’s total weekly seat capacity on the route by 15%. In addition, the airline will also unveil a refurbished lounge at Changi Airport later this year, enhancing its on-ground service to passengers.

Mr Keith Williams, Executive Chairman of British Airways, said: “It is a real honour to be named Partner of the Year. Singapore is a strategically important route for us, acting as the hub for all of our flights between the UK and Australia. We have served Singapore for over 80 years and our success and development here would not have been possible without the outstanding support we have received from CAG. British Airways’ commitment to Changi Airport and our customers in Singapore continues. This year, we will be opening our newly refurbished lounge at Terminal 1. In addition, we are pleased to announce that from December 2015 we will increase our Airbus A380 operations between Singapore and London to a daily service.”

Top carriers at Changi

In terms of passenger carriage, the top five airlines operating at Changi Airport in 2014 were Singapore Airlines, Tigerair, SilkAir, Jetstar Asia and, for the first time, Cathay Pacific. On the cargo front, the cargo airlines in the top five spots were largely unchanged, with Singapore Airlines Cargo continuing to head the list.

Airlines that registered the strongest absolute growth in passenger traffic (by region of origin) were also lauded for their contributions. These were Scoot (Singapore), Garuda Indonesia (Southeast Asia), Korean Air (Northeast Asia), Jet Airways (South Asia), Emirates (Middle East) and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (Europe). Emirates and Jet Airways were repeat winners in their respective categories, winning the award for the third and fourth year in a row respectively.

The partnerships behind Changi’s success

Marking Singapore’s Golden Jubilee at the event, CAG paid tribute to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the pioneer of Singapore aviation, who was instrumental in the conception and development of Changi Airport. Not only had Mr Lee’s foresight to shift the airport from Paya Lebar to Changi kick-started Changi Airport’s development, his conviction that all aviation partners have to work together for the Singapore air hub to succeed, is one that has underpinned Changi’s growth all these years.

CAG’s CEO, Mr Lee Seow Hiang, said, “Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s legacy was greater than the hardware or the monumental decision to move to Changi that was well captured in his memoirs. Throughout his time in office, Mr Lee was steadfast in his view that the Singapore air hub was much bigger and more important than any one entity or organisation. All players in Singapore’s aviation sector, including the airport, can only succeed if the system as a whole succeeded. Mr Lee created a common vision upon which we could promote the symphony of partnership and collaboration that has become the bedrock of Changi Airport’s success.”

In recognition of the contributions of Singapore’s first batch of airlines, a special SG50 pioneer airlines exhibition was set up as part of the Changi Airline Awards event. The exhibition commemorated the history and showcased the achievements of the 12 pioneer airlines – Air France, Air India, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Philippine Airlines, Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways. Having operated here since the country’s independence or earlier, these airlines have come a long way with the Singapore air hub, contributing to its growth over the past fifty years.

Today, Changi Airport continues to thrive thanks to its network of close knit partnerships between airlines and airport partners – to improve connectivity, grow traffic, enhance service standards and support each other in times of need. For instance, Changi’s strong portfolio of airlines has created a conducive eco-system for codeshare partnerships to flourish as airlines expand their networks, allowing the Singapore air hub to better serve passengers. Similarly, the airport community came together last year when crisis hit with the QZ8501 incident, with airlines providing their unwavering support to the relatives of passengers onboard.

Mr Lee concluded, “From Mr Lee Kuan Yew, we received the gift of Changi Airport – the hardware – but he also imbued in the Changi community the spirit of working towards a common purpose, regardless of whether you are Singaporean or foreigner, friend or competitor. It is these precious partnerships at Changi Airport that we celebrate tonight and during this jubilee year.”

[1]The Partner of the Year award, launched in 2010, gives special recognition to a key partner that has worked closely with Changi Airport Group and made a substantial contribution to the growth and development of the Singapore air hub.

About Changi Airport Group

Changi Airport Group (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CAG) (www.changiairportgroup.com) was formed on 16 June 2009 and the corporatisation of Singapore Changi Airport (IATA: SIN, ICAO: WSSS) followed on 1 July 2009. As the company managing Changi Airport, CAG undertakes key functions focusing on airport operations and management, air hub development, commercial activities and airport emergency services. CAG also manages Seletar Airport (IATA: XSP, ICAO: WSSL) and through its subsidiary Changi Airports International, invests in and manages foreign airports.

Changi Airport is the world's sixth busiest airport for international traffic. It served a record 54.1 million

# # #

Media Contact

Ivan Tan
Changi Airport Spokesperson
Corporate Communications
ivan.tan@changiairport.com
(65) 6595 6823

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The 11th edition of Paperworld China, the leading international trade fair in China for the stationery and office supplies industry will be held from 15 – 17 October 2015 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, Hall N1 – N2, an ideal location for exhibitors and visitors alike. As Paperworld China will now even better accommodate the industry sourcing period, a number of quality exhibitors have already signed on to participate in the 2015 show, including major brand names such as Dokumental, Liberty, Max, Polar Bear, Premec, Simbalion and Titi. Also, the Wenzhou and Ningbo pavilions have already confirmed their attendance at the show.

Paperworld China will gather buyers locally and from around the world to source products in China as October is the prime sourcing period in Asia for consumer goods. To take advantage of the best Asia has to offer in the industry, buyers will begin the hunt for products in Shanghai and conclude their sourcing needs in Guangzhou or Hong Kong. Being the first station of the new sourcing route, suppliers and buyers are able to better understand the needs and desires of consumers.

Creative Pavilion and Oriental Culture zone returning

In 2014, the show featured the “DIY Studio” which was jointly organised by Paperworld China and the DIY Industry Promotion Council of Shanghai Creative Industry Association. This endeavour attracted numerous high-quality “do-it-yourself” and handicraft companies displaying their products in the zone with more than 20,000 professional visitors at Paperworld China coming to also discover the newest in DIY products and ideas.

Representing the show organiser, Ms Fiona Chiew, Deputy General Manager for Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd said: “The DIY market is always expanding with new and innovative products continuing to inspire consumers, especially in the emerging market in China. Considering the tremendous success at last year’s Paperworld China, we will join forces again to establish the inaugural Creative Pavilion, expecting to double in exhibition space and exhibitor numbers.”

The Creative Pavilion will include a greater variety of items related to DIY supplies, hobby products as well as crafts and artist supplies. Exhibitors will offer live demonstrations and interactive workshops for a better understanding of their products ranging from scrapbooks, patchworks, paper moulds, glass paints, wood paints, fabric paints and fabric art items to clay modelling and embroidery.

Additionally, the very well-received Oriental Culture zone will be returning in 2015. It will cooperate with museums and cultural organisations to highlight traditional arts and workmanship in combining cultural and contemporary elements. The enhanced product groups including desktop items and related souvenirs with oriental attributes will also be extended this year.

Paperworld China will also be held concurrently with two other well-known events: Music China, Asia Pacific’s largest trade fair for musical instruments and Prolight + Sound Shanghai, the leading professional audio and lighting, entertainment and event technology trade fair in Asia. Combining all three shows will allow for gaining a greater audience as visitors from educational institutions, schools as well as visitors from the creative sector will gather at Shanghai New International Expo Centre at the same time and experience a creative synergy in visiting all three shows.

An early-bird discount will be offered to applications until 31 May 2015. For more information about the show, please visit 　www.paperworldchina.com or email: stationery@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.

Paperworld China is organised by Messe Frankfurt (Shanghai) Co Ltd, the China Chamber of Commerce for I/E of Light Industrial Products & Arts-crafts and Guangzhou Foreign Trade South China Exhibition Corp Ltd.

Media enquiry:
Ms Rachel Leung
Tel: +852 2230 9225
Fax: +852 2598 7919
rachel.leung@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com

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Dubai, 25 April 2015: The region’s foremost CSR experts will come together next month to tackle the transformation of corporate social responsibility into a truly sustainable business practice.

Experts from the Community Development Authority - Dubai Government, the United Nations World Food Programme, Emirates Foundation, Jumeirah Group, Zayed University and DP World will share their ideas and opinions on how to renovate CSR ideas and agendas in the Middle East at the 12th edition of CSR Summit, brought to you by Etisalat.

Running from 18-21 May at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina, the summit will act as the platform for new details to be revealed by the UN World Food Programme’s Sustainable Development Goals initiative, which is set to form the basis of the NGO’s future CSR activities.

Ashraf Hamouda, Head of Partnerships and Government Relations at the United Nations World Food Programme said: “CSR has developed over the years from a philanthropic concept to a business model. And in turn, consumers have become smarter and are able to turn public opinion towards a corporation or a product if they are perceived as ‘doing good’ or ‘doing bad’.

“It is imperative, therefore, that the CSR programme is both beneficial and impactful to all stakeholders, shareholders and the local community as well as employees. During my presentation at this year’s CSR Summit, I will outline the difference between the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and its Sustainable Development Goals, but most importantly will identify how to make CSR programmes much more impactful than they currently are.”

The opening day of the CSR Summit will feature a government key note address by H.E. Andrés Franco, Deputy Director at UNICEF, who will discuss its CSR business approach when working with companies in the CSR arena.

More than 30 international and regional experts will be speaking at the event, including H.E. Shaima Al Zarooni, CEO of the International Humanitarian City in Dubai, Manish Tiwary, Managing Director at Unilever Gulf, Clare Woodcraft-Scott, CEO at Emirates Foundation, and Ayman Mokhtar, General Manager - Gulf Countries & Yemen at SANOFI .

The four-day event will also include speed networking sessions, live interactive voting for the best social initiative, an NGO-focus hub and CSR boot-camps to transfer learning into actionable strategies.

The CSR Summit is supported by Strategic Partner; Etisalat, Gold Sponsor; PEPSICO (Asia, Middle East and Africa), and Silver Sponsors; Unilever and Canon.

About Informa CSR Series
Running for 12 years, Informa’s CSR summits are designed to share CSR and sustainability excellence to help drive social and economic development throughout the Middle East and North Africa. These summits are developed by working closely with key stakeholders including government, corporate and the CSR community to ensure a sustainable future for the region in focus areas such as youth engagement, education, community development, employment, development of women, human rights and entrepreneurship

Informa Middle East, formerly known as IIR Middle East, has over two decades of regional experience in organizing and managing all types of business events including top quality conferences or training courses. Based in the UAE with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Informa is an international company with some 100 offices around the world employing over 6,000 people in global events, academic publishing and business intelligence.
Visit www.csrsummitseries.com for more information on Informa CSR Series.

For further information about Informa visit 　www.informa-mea.com

For more information, or to be involved as an exhibitor, sponsor, speaker or visitor, go to 　www.csrsummitdubai.com or call +9714 335 2437.

Caption: The 12th CSR Summit is being held from 18 until 21 May at The Address Hotel in Dubai Marina.

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UAE, Morocco account for half of US$1.7 billion in regional spa revenue from more than 2,250 spas – Global Wellness Institute

Dubai, UAE: The Middle East and North Africa’s (MENA) growing prominence as a global spa and wellness hub will be underlined by a big influx of professional equipment and spa exhibitors at Beautyworld Middle East 2015, the region’s largest trade fair for beauty products, hair, fragrances, and wellbeing.

According to the Global Wellness Institute (GWI), the MENA region is the world’s second fastest growing market for spas, more than doubling in size between 2007 and 2013, while the UAE and Morocco spearhead regional demand for spa and wellness services.

A report by the GWI, called ‘Global Spa & Wellness Economy Monitor’, said the number of MENA spas has more than tripled from 2007 to 2013, with 3,889 spas generating US$1.7 billion revenue in 2013 compared to US$700 million in 2007.

The UAE (566 spas and US$581 million revenue) and Morocco (1,699 spas, US$253 million revenue) account for nearly 50 per cent of the total MENA spa market, the report said, while the industry employs 57,308 people across the region.

The regional spa market’s massive growth is reflected in the 40 per cent surge of professional equipment and spa exhibitors over the last three years at Beautyworld Middle East, as more than 80 manufacturers prepare for the upcoming 20th edition of the three-day event.

“Strong economic growth and the rise of wellness tourism over the last few years has propelled the MENA region into a global spa and wellness destination of choice,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East, the organiser of Beautyworld Middle East, which takes place from 26-28 May 2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

“Professional Equipment & Spa forms one of the main focus areas at Beautyworld Middle East, where exhibitor numbers have increased by 40 per cent over the last three years. The show plays a crucial role in influencing the growth of the industry, while developing synergies and facilitating key partnerships and business deals.”

Prominent exhibitors specialising in professional spa equipment at Beautyworld Middle East include German manufacturer Greiner, which established a Middle East branch in Dubai in 2012 to serve the fast-growing spa market, and will showcase its range of designer chairs for the spa, beauty and salon sectors at the trade show.

“Beautyworld Middle East has been a great success for Greiner in the past, enabling us to showcase our product range and meet potential clients from across the region,” said Michele El Badawi, Director of Strategic Business Development at Greiner Middle East.

“We see great potential in the market which is why we are establishing a showroom presence in Dubai in cooperation with H2O Concepts, and we plan to expand this cooperation for other markets in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.”

Another company, J Premium International together with Japanese manufacturer MTG Company will launch its ReFa Series Luxury Face Massager at Beautyworld Middle East, and will offer trade visitors live demonstrations of the high-end product, that has so far had three million units sold worldwide.

J Premium International Managing Director Masao Motoki, said: “Beautyworld Middle East presents us the ideal platform to launch the ReFa brand in the Middle East and Africa region. “Our product is categorised in the luxury segment, and we expect to target high-value buyers at Beautyworld Middle East.”

Other headline Professional Equipment & Spa exhibitors at Beautyworld Middle East 2015 include Sollas Holland from the Netherlands, Bastos Viegas from Portugal, Cindarella from France, Lemi Group from Italy, and Gharieni from Germany.

Celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, Beautyworld Middle East 2015 also focuses on the other core areas of Cosmetics & Skincare; Hair, Nails and Salon Supplies; Fragrances; and Machinery, Packaging & Raw Materials.

The regional beauty industry’s annual showpiece event will feature more than 1,360 exhibitors from 52 countries, and is introducing for the first time ‘Centre Stage: where beauty begins by Nazih Group’ – a live show featuring the latest in fashion and trends for hair, skin, nails and lashes.

Other popular returning features include the Beautyworld Middle East Boutique; Nail It! by OPI and Nazih Group; Fragrance Station; and the two-day Spa and Wellness Management Summit, taking place from 26-27 May.

- ENDS -

Gareth Wright
Head of Public Relations
Messe Frankfurt Middle East GmbH
P.O. Box 26761, Dubai
United Arab Emirates
Tel. +971 4 38 94 594
Fax +971 4 35 85 544
Mobile: +971 50 273 3832
gareth.wright@uae.messefrankfurt.com

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Common embedded instructions simplify AC and servo drive programming

Machine builders are constantly looking for ways to improve their machines, whilst reducing costs and complexity. The new Allen-Bradley PowerFlex 527 AC drive from Rockwell Automation can help them achieve those important goals.

The PowerFlex 527 drive is the first AC drive designed to work exclusively with a Logix-based programmable automation controller (PAC). The drive leverages the benefits of the controller capabilities and uses a single software package – Rockwell Software Studio 5000 Logix Designer – to help simplify machine development and operation.

The PowerFlex 527 drive is an ideal complement to machines using Allen-Bradley CompactLogix, ControlLogix or GuardLogix PACs and Allen-Bradley Kinetix servo drives. The PowerFlex 527 drive uses embedded instructions shared with Kinetix servo drives, providing the same user experience for configuration, programming and control of both types of drives, helping save valuable engineering time.

The PowerFlex 527 drive also offers a low-cost solution for machine applications – such as pumps, fans, and in-feed and out-feed conveyors – that need simple speed control for induction motors. The servo drive handles the more precise motor-control operations involving speed, torque and position control.

“Until now, most machine builders have never considered programming their variable-frequency drives like they programme their servo drives – but they immediately understand the value,” said Jimmy Koh, Business Manager for Components Drives, Rockwell Automation. “We developed this drive to help remove some of the design complexity, provide the best-fit performance level, and deliver the next evolution of our Premier Integration.”

Premier Integration allows users to seamlessly integrate PowerFlex drives into a Rockwell Automation Integrated Architecture system, reducing the time and tools necessary to configure and programme a system. The PowerFlex 527 drive introduces an added level of Premier Integration by using the defined, motion instruction sets within Studio 5000 software for machine control and motor synchronisation.

Once programmed, drive-configuration files can be more easily transferred to a new machine without painstaking, line-by-line copying. Additionally, the Allen-Bradley Logix PAC family can automatically detect a replaced drive and download all configuration settings over EtherNet/IP, helping reduce downtime.

The PowerFlex 527 drive uses a standard EtherNet/IP infrastructure and features built-in, dual-port EtherNet/IP functionality. The infrastructure enables networked safety, which helps reduce the hardware, wiring and labour costs associated with implementing a SIL 3/PLe safety solution.

The use of networked safety also reduces panel space and allows access to more diagnostic data on machine-safety faults and causes, without requiring contactors or relays. The PowerFlex 527 drive is the first Allen-Bradley variable frequency drive to offer that capability. The drive also offers an embedded, safe torque-off function option for hardwired safety.

The PowerFlex 527 drive is available in five frame sizes, power ratings from 0.4 to 22 kW (0.5 to 30 Hp), and global voltage ratings of 100V to 600V.

News Release Assets
Image available upon request or here at box.com.

About Rockwell Automation
Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), the world’s largest company dedicated to industrial automation and information, makes its customers more productive and the world more sustainable. Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs about 22,500 people serving customers in more than 80 countries.

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Allen-Bradley, CompactLogix, ControlLogix, GuardLogix, Integrated Architecture, Kinetix, LISTEN. THINK. SOLVE., Logix PAC, PowerFlex, Rockwell Software and Studio 5000 Logix Designer are trademarks of Rockwell Automation Inc.
EtherNet/IP is a trademark of ODVA.

Media contact:

Citra Prasetyo
Asia-Pacific Connections for Rockwell Automation
citra@apconnections.com
+65 6334 9045

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– 13th parts2clean with a host of new and improved products and technologies
– Bilingual forum – cleaning know-how for greater efficiency

Stuttgart/Hannover. Effective cleaning of components and surfaces is an issue for practically every manufacturer today, not least because the bar for cleanliness is constantly being raised. At the same time the pressure on costs is also rising. So manufacturers face a twofold challenge: they have to meet specifications for cleanliness with the right technology – consistently and reliably – and they have to do so at an affordable cost. “This year’s parts2clean offers a wider range of solutions than ever before”, explains Olaf Daebler, Director of parts2clean at Deutsche Messe. The 13th Leading International Trade Fair for Industrial Parts and Surface Cleaning from 9 to 11 June 2015 brings together over 250 exhibitors from 14 countries to present products and services for the end-to-end process chain at the Stuttgart Exhibition Centre. Their displays cover a total of 7,000 square meters of exhibition space, with a notable increase in display space booked by foreign exhibitors compared with previous years. These figures indicate continuing growth for parts2clean in 2015.

Innovations across all display categories

“parts2clean 2015 will be the biggest and most international event in the history of this trade show”, declares Daebler. “Many exhibitors use the show to unveil their latest new products and improved solutions for the very first time to an international audience.” One example is a new dry cleaning plant for the efficient intermediate cleaning of power train components in the automotive industry. The plant operates without compressed air and consequently delivers enormous cost savings combined with higher process reliability and availability. Also making its debut at this year’s parts2clean is an innovative system that simultaneously deburrs components under high pressure and cleans them. And the first rod transducer for multi-frequency ultrasound will also be unveiled at the show. Designed for the 25 and 40 kHz frequencies commonly used for industrial parts cleaning, it provides a space-saving and cost-saving solution for installing multi-frequency ultrasound in single and multi-chamber cleaning plants.

Innovations await visitors in other areas too, such as the automation of cleaning processes prior to the fully automatic measurement of components or solutions integrated into assembly lines. Various new developments in cleaning media will also be on show, such as a salt-free multi-metal cleaner that can be delivered at high pressure, producing a completely dry and fleck-free surface. New developments and refinements in cleaning baskets and workpiece holders make it possible to reduce process times, optimize results and cut costs. Not least because they are flexible in their application and minimize the number of times parts need to be handled or repositioned – thereby cutting costs and reducing the risk of damage. New devices for the monitoring and maintenance of cleaning baths contribute to more stable processes, especially when cleaning with water-based media. This year’s parts2clean will also showcase solutions for monitoring and documenting cleanliness at the particulate level which comply with the revised VDA 19 industry standard. And new devices and systems for detecting and measuring film residues can also be seen at the show.

Bilingual Industry Forum and guided tours

The bilingual parts2clean Industry Forum gives visitors access to one of the most popular and sought-after sources of expert knowledge on all aspects of the industrial cleaning of parts and surfaces. With a lineup of 25 presentations (in German or English, with simultaneous translation provided), the Forum program covers different aspects of industrial cleaning technology ranging from the basics to specialized topics such as cleaning media, care and maintenance of cleaning baths, conservation, passivation, corrosion protection, quality assurance and checking for cleanliness. Admission to the Industry Forum is free of charge for visitors to parts2clean.

This year’s parts2clean is again offering guided tours for visitors, first introduced at the last show. These are ideal for visitors who need to locate exhibiting firms offering solutions to very specific cleaning problems or requirements.

Surface technology at upcoming Deutsche Messe events
The next trade fairs on this theme scheduled to take place in Germany are O&S and parts2clean 2016, which run from 31 May to 2 June. The next overseas trade fairs aimed at the surface treatment industry are SurfaceTechnology INDIA, from 9 to 11 December 2015, SurfaceTreatment EURASIA, which runs from 11 to 14 February 2016, and Surface Technology NORTH AMERICA (staged in parallel with IMTS), from 12 to 17 September 2016.

Further information about parts2clean and the guided tours, as well as the full program for the Industry Forum, can be found online at 　www.parts2clean.de. A free admission ticket can be downloaded at 　www.messe-stuttgart.de/mts/p2c by entering the code p2c2015mt.

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Your contact for further information:
Doris Schulz, SCHULZ. PRESSE. TEXT.
Tel.: +49 711 854085
E-mail: ds@pressetextschulz.de

You can find further information at: 　www.parts2clean.de

We would appreciate receiving a courtesy copy or a link to an online publication.
Please send to:
Doris Schulz, Landhausstraße 12, 70825 Korntal, Germany
E-mail: ds@pressetextschulz.de

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Tokyo, April 28, 2015 - The NEC Group today announced that it would donate funds totaling 2 million Japanese yen to help relief and recovery efforts in regions of Nepal affected by the April 25 earthquake. Additional fund-raising activities will also take place among NEC Group employees.

The NEC Group and its employees express their sincere condolences for those personally impacted by the earthquake and hope for the fast recovery of the people and areas affected by the disaster.

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Press Contacts
NEC Corporation
Seiichiro Toda
s-toda@cj.jp.nec.com
+81-3-3798-6511

Joseph Jasper
j-jasper@ax.jp.nec.com
+81-3-3798-6511

NEC Asia Pacific
Masako Hirano
m-hirano@nec.com.sg
+65-6379-2570
+65-9018-6652

Cherie Ho
Cherie_ho@nec.com.sg
+65-6379-2571
+65-9615-7590

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