NETSFERE PLATFORM DEPLOYED BY KPJ PASIR GUDANG SPECIALIST HOSPITAL TO PREVENT DATA BREACH

KUALA LUMPUR, March 27 (Bernama) -- NetSfere has announced that KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital (KPJ PGSH), one of the leading private healthcare providers in Malaysia, deployed the secure enterprise messaging platform to empower healthcare staff with secure and intuitive communications.

Netsfere has been implemented to align with KPJ PGSH’s mission of ensuring safety and professionalism, according to the company in a statement.

As part of tackling cybersecurity threats and keeping patient and hospital data secure and private, KPJ PGSH management equipped its staff with NetSfere.

With its world-class execution, NetSfere allows caregivers to discuss, share and collaborate seamlessly in a completely secure environment governed by the policies set by the hospital’s management.

NetSfere Enterprise allows the information technology team to set up the policies for messaging making sure information can remain private and under the organisation’s control.

“Permitting caregivers to discuss information swiftly and avoid potential data breaches is what healthcare systems need during this technological era so they can improve patient care.

“NetSfere provides healthcare systems with a convenient and frictionless way to share ideas, files and data without compromising productivity, security or compliance,” said NetSfere Senior Vice President of Asia Pacific and Middle East, Chee Leng Loy.

Meanwhile, KPJ PGSH Chief Executive Officer, Khairul Hasanain Abdul Hamid said NetSfere’s end-to-end encrypted platform helps its healthcare staff protect against third-party organisations from accessing patient or hospital data.

KPJ PGSH is the 23rd hospital under the flagship of KPJ Healthcare Berhad group and was established to cater to the medical needs primarily of Pasir Gudang and its neighbourhood regions of Johor.

A global provider of next-generation secure and compliant messaging and mobility solutions, NetSfere provides industry-leading security and message delivery capabilities, including global cloud-based service availability, device-to-device encryption, location-based features, and administrative controls.

-- BERNAMA

CHINESE SMART EV MAKER XPENG STEERS TOWARD GLOBAL MARKET VIA ASEAN PARTNERSHIPS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 (Bernama) -- A Chinese smart electric vehicle (Smart EV) company, XPENG Motors (XPENG), has announced its latest long-term strategic partnership with Neo Mobility Asia Co Ltd, a joint venture between Arun Plus Mobility Holdings Co Ltd, a subsidiary of PTT and MGC-Asia GreenTech Co Ltd, in Thailand.

According to a statement, the partnership marks XPENG's international footprint as it has entered ASEAN and led to the official launch of XPENG at the 45th Bangkok International Motor Show.

“By entering new markets strategically and offering a range of EV models tailored to local customer needs, we aim to solidify our brand position as a leading player in the smart EV sector on a global scale,” said its Vice President of Finance & Overseas Strategic Support Office, James Wu.

As part of its international expansion plans, a growing list of new partners from XPENG's strategic markets have joined the company in bringing the brand’s latest smart EVs to local consumers, including Premium Automobiles from Singapore and Bermaz Auto from Malaysia.

The XPENG global market strategy focuses on establishing partnerships with local importers/dealers to create a first-class distribution, sales, and service network in various regions.

The company will offer the G6 SUV in Thailand, Singapore as well as Malaysia, and start delivering from third quarter of this year.

Developed for global markets, the G6 is underpinned by XPENG’s evolutionary Smart Electric Platform Architecture (SEPA) 2.0 platform, which sets the foundation for future production models while shortening development cycles and reducing manufacturing costs.

-- BERNAMA

NATARAJAN & SWAMINATHAN MERGES WITH KNAV TO ELEVATE AUDITING AND ADVISORY SERVICES IN SINGAPORE

ATLANTA, March 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- KNAV, an international accounting and advisory firm, is pleased to announce its merger of Natarajan & Swaminathan, a respected audit firm in Singapore. This merger marks a strategic step in KNAV’s plan to strengthen its local presence in operational countries and extend its reach in the region.

Natarajan & Swaminathan, with over seven decades of history, is renowned for its quality audit and tax services in Singapore. The firm’s team of professionals are well-versed in the local business environment and have been a reliable partner for businesses of various sizes.

KNAV, who already has an established presence in Singapore, considers this merger as a step in-line with its fundamental strategy of strengthening its presence in the regions where it conducts the business. The merger combines Natarajan & Swaminathan's local expertise with KNAV’s global proficiency, promising clients in Singapore superior service levels, comprehensive solutions, and access to an extensive network of professionals. Natarajan & Swaminathan will join KNAV International Limited, a member of the Forum of Firms, as a new member. Post-merger, Natarajan & Swaminathan will retain its name and leadership team, ensuring a smooth transition for clients and staff.

Atul Deshmukh, KNAV’s Chief Strategy Officer, emphasized the merger’s role in strengthening the firm's Singapore presence and supporting its global market strategy. The merger is expected to contribute to KNAV’s growth in the Asia-Pacific, offering clients a range of services, including auditing, tax planning, and business consulting.

Dominique Tan, KNAV’s country leader in Singapore, noted that the merger will enhance the firm's audit service capabilities and allow the provision of tax services in Singapore. The addition of three new partners and 27 staff members increases the KNAV Singapore team to 48, including 6 partners, thereby improving client service capabilities.

Narayanamohan, Managing Partner of Natarajan & Swaminathan, expressed enthusiasm about joining KNAV. He highlighted the merger’s potential to create new opportunities for clients and staff while preserving the relationships built over the past 70 years. The partnership, grounded in shared values and commitment to client and staff success, is seen as a natural fit.

About KNAV:

KNAV as a “Partner Beyond Boundaries’ provides global assurance, tax, and advisory services, specializing in financial reporting, audits, tax filings, M&A, and advisory across the USA, India, UK, Singapore, Canada, and the Netherlands.

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Contact

Kostubh Singhal
Senior Manager - Marketing
+91 9663466335

Source : KNAV

MACAU'S CHINA TAIPING INSURANCE CREDIT RATINGS AFFIRMED EXCELLENT - AM BEST

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed Macau’s China Taiping Insurance (Macau) Company Limited (CTIM) financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” (Excellent).

These credit ratings (ratings), which have a stable outlook reflect CTIM’s balance sheet strength, that AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

In a statement, AM Best said the company’s risk-adjusted capitalisation, as measured by its Capital Adequacy Ratio, remained stable and was at the strongest level as of year-end 2022.

Based on the unaudited financial statements, CTIM’s capital level remained robust and further improved to 870 million Macanese pataca (US$110 million) at year-end 2023, with its investment strategy remaining conservative and stable, as well as the majority of its investment assets in cash and investment grade bonds. (US$1=RM4.73)

The company delivered a five-year average return-on-equity ratio of 19 per cent from 2018 to 2022, and it continued to generate profit in 2023, supported by positive underwriting and investment results.

CTIM’s net combined ratio improved to 70.5 per cent in 2022, due to its lower loss ratio during the pandemic period, and its combined ratio remained stable during 2023, though there was some uptick in the loss ratio, which was partially offset by an improvement in the commission ratio.

Its investment results turned positive in 2023, a rebound from the negative returns caused by capital market volatility during 2022 and its investment performance is expected to continue to support its overall operating performance through stable streams of interest, dividend and rental income in the future.

CTIM maintains a long track record as the leader in Macau’s non-life insurance segment and has a market share of approximately 34 per cent as of the third quarter of last year, based on gross premiums written.

The company’s underwriting portfolio and distribution channels are stable and diversified, while it continues to develop its online channel and explore cross-selling opportunities in its affiliated life insurance company, China Taiping Life Insurance (Macau) Company Limited.

-- BERNAMA

Victoria World Academy On Next Level In Academic Excellence

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Victoria World Academy, an educational institution with the Edutrust Provisional certification by Singapore’s CPE, announced its outstanding academic achievements and commitment to nurturing the future ambitions of its students for the academic year 2023-2024.

According to Victoria World Academy in a statement, the school goes above and beyond to give students extensive opportunities for growth and unwavering support to pursue their goals.

Many of its graduates have received offers from prestigious universities worldwide, demonstrating the effectiveness of its commitment, with an impressive 95 per cent of students having received offers from the top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings, as of March this year.

Each student received an average of four to six offers from major institutions worldwide, which is not only an impressive personal achievement for the students but also a further testament to Victoria World Academy's excellence in providing exceptional quality education.

The holistic education approach at Victoria World Academy focuses on developing well-rounded individuals ready to tackle global challenges. In addition to rigorous academics programmes, the school prioritises on character-building, leadership skills, and community involvement.

Students participate in service learning projects, outdoor educational activities, and international exchanges to broaden their perspectives beyond traditional classroom settings, whereby the nurturing and inclusive environment allows every student to thrive while being supported every step of the way.

Victoria World Academy can accommodate 300 students with small class sizes, which allows for a conducive learning environment, with a team of over 30 passionate local Singapore educators.

The academic programming at the school is designed to build a solid foundation for student's future academic endeavours, helping them to achieve success in their chosen fields.

-- BERNAMA

SUN HUNG KAI PROPERTIES INSURANCE FINANCIAL STRENGTH RATED EXCELLENT

KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed Hong Kong’s Sun Hung Kai Properties Insurance Limited (SHKPI) financial strength rating of A (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a” (Excellent).

The outlook of these credit ratings (ratings) is stable, reflecting SHKPI’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its strong operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.

SHKPI’s very strong balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio.

The company’s higher-risk financial assets, including unlisted investments and non-investment-grade bonds, exposed its risk-adjusted capitalisation to considerable market and credit risks.

Nonetheless, the company has de-risked the majority of its bond exposure to mainland China’s real estate sector in fiscal year 2023, with its bond portfolio demonstrating an improvement in the credit quality with higher diversification level.

According to AM Best in a statement, SHKPI has consistently delivered a strong operating performance over the past few years, in which its net profit in fiscal year 2023 was a combined result of a recovery in investment performance and stable underwriting profit.

SHKPI continues to benefit from its parent company’s support, both in distribution channels with minimal gross acquisition expenses as well as in access to better quality group business, leading to its favourable underwriting results.

A wholly owned subsidiary of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited, one of the largest property development and investment conglomerates in Hong Kong, SHKPI benefits from its parental network to write a major part of its business from associated and subsidiary companies.

The company continues to operate in a low acquisition cost business model while seeking new business opportunities within the market, and maintains a small albeit profitable presence in Hong Kong’s general insurance market, focusing on employees’ compensation insurance on a net premiums written basis.

-- BERNAMA

ALIMENTARIA&HOSTELCO CEMENTS POSITION AS LEADING EUROPEAN PLATFORM WITH HIGHEST PARTICIPATION

KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Alimentaria&Hostelco, organised by Alimentaria Exhibitions, a Fira de Barcelona company, is expecting to welcome 100,000 professional visitors with 25 per cent international coming from more than 120 countries, reaffirming its leadership as a platform for business, internationalisation and networking.

One of the largest European events for the food and beverage, catering and hospitality equipment industry, Alimentaria&Hostelco 2024 with the main objective to multiply business opportunities and its international impact, is taking place at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Via venue, from March 18 to 21.

According to a statement, this year's edition focuses on the Horeca channel and combines the exhibition offer of Hostelco, the International Restaurant, Hotel, Catering and Community Equipment and Machinery Show, with Restaurama, the Alimentaria show specialising in food service.

In addition, the new Coffee, Bakery & Pastry sector and the Catering in Collectivities area with respective revitalisation spaces, will be added to this large area, which will occupy three of the exhibition centre's seven pavilions.

After Spain, the country that will occupy the largest exhibition space will be Italy, followed by Turkey, China and Hong Kong, Poland, Portugal, France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Argentina.

The participation of Asian companies, led by China and Hong Kong, with a large representation from Taiwan, Thailand and South Korea, stands out.

In order to maximise its business opportunities, the event has a buyer invitation programme, through which it will bring together more than 2,200 importers, distributors, directors and high-level purchasing managers.

Of these, more than half are international, from 98 countries, led by the United States, Mexico, China, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Colombia, Canada and South Korea, with over 13,000 business meetings planned.

-- BERNAMA