Techfest Vietnam 2019 is expected to welcome more than 600 start-ups and 250 investors. —Photo courtesy of the organiserHÀ NỘI — Innovative Vietnamese start-ups taking part in Techfest 2019 will have opportunities to connect with potential regional and global investors through a series of exciting events. The highlight of Techfest 2019 held by Ministry of Science and Technology will be the participation of regional and global partners, including many from Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, the US and European countries. This biggest annual event for the innovative start-up community in Viet Nam will present an overall picture of the Vietnamese start-up eco-system, bringing Vietnamese start-up to the next level. Within the series of Techfest International 2019, Techfest Vietnam in the US was held in September with the goal of connecting start-ups, overseas Vietnamese communities as well as to support and promote start-ups in Viet Nam and abroad.

With the launch of StraitsX, its pilot stablecoin initiative powered by Zilliqa, Xfers aims to create a frictionless and transparent payments ecosystem for Southeast Asia. This is especially so in Southeast Asia, where access to traditional banking services may sometimes be difficult outside of urban areas. With the Asian Development Bank predicting digital financial solutions to have significant impact on financial inclusion in Southeast Asia, Xfers is leading the way with the launch of their StraitsX pilot initiative. Scilla is amenable to formal verification, thus providing enhanced security for assets and transactions on the Zilliqa blockchain. About XfersFounded in 2015, Xfers is Southeast Asia's leading Fintech platform for digital businesses -- aimed at enabling open banking for Southeast Asia.

The traditional dance is always performed at the Cơ Tu people’s big festivals to express their gratitude to the gods. A few years ago, Cơ Tu villagers in Nam Giang District could not imagine that their community’s daily activities could bring them a significant income source. The Cơ Tu in Nam Giang continue to struggle to make a comfortable living and provide for their families. The traditional dance is always performed at the Cơ Tu people’s big festivals to express their gratitude to the gods. Threads: A tourist examines a product of the Cơ Tu people’s traditional weaving.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 6 November 2019 - Singer, actress and performer Agnez Mo will be the first Indonesian celebrity who will join the stars at Madame Tussauds Singapore! She will join the line-up of famous faces at the world-famous attraction and will be the first Indonesian star to be immortalised in Madame Tussauds Singapore. Only at Madame Tussauds!" During the sitting, Mo will share LIVE updates via her Instagram (@AgnezMo), and she will do an IG Take-Over on the official account of Madame Tussauds Singapore (@MTsSingapore). Merlin currently has different brands worldwide including Madame Tussauds, LEGOLAND Parks and Resorts, Sealife and LEGOLAND Discovery Centre Visit http://www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

“We feared our son might be among the victims, but we prayed and hoped. He had told them he wanted to find a better paying job and was planning to go to the UK to work. They believed in the “promised land”, Gareth said, and that they would be able to earn big money to “improve the economic situation for themselves and their families”. The sinister messages were received by Eamon Harris and his family following the tragedy, reported the Irish Mirror. “The private sector needs to work with NGOs, local communities, and governments to match job seekers with employers.

Following the completion of the Share Purchase, which is expected to be in the second half of this month, Sunwoo Produce will become the single largest shareholder of ESA. Under the Proposed Partnership, Sunwoo Produce and the Group shall collaborate in opportunities for overseas production, investment and distribution of various entertainment-related content and businesses by utilizing the Group's global networks. Sunwoo Produce and its affiliates, including but not limited to ESA, shall seek opportunities to strategically invest into the Group and/or its affiliates. The Group shall also arrange foreign investors for Sunwoo Produce, as well as advise and assist in the management of the overseas business of ESA. Sunwoo Produce and the Group shall also cooperate to establish a fund focusing on investments in entertainment and technology, which is to be co-managed by the Group and Sunwoo Produce.

The latest edition of Asia’s leading epicurean lifestyle and travel magazine takes readers on a captivating four-season tour of Japan’s premier ski and leisure resort. North to Niseko bursts with the vibrant images and insightful writing that award-winning TK is noted for. Of North to Niseko, Hammons remarks, "Food and travel are driving passions for TK's readers, and they are eager for both kinds of adventures. For high-res images, please follow this link: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/02gv0ruwa4cfo11/AACSA-XUr6Qbd1QZ9pEF1ceAa?dl=0ABOUT TASTING KITCHEN (TK)Tasting Kitchen (TK) is Asia's foremost epicurean lifestyle and travel magazine. TK also maintains a dynamic social media presence, with over 48,000 Facebook fans:http:www.facebook.com/tastingkitchenhttps://www.instagram.com/tastingkitchen/TK's online archives: tasting-kitchen.comNiseko Promotion Board: nisekotourism.com

The Joint Venture will distribute and sell certain products of Kin Fung Weisen-U, including the well-recognised gastrointestinal drug "Weisen-U" (「胃仙-U」) and the popular nasal spray brand "Flucur Nebuliser" (「呼佳噴霧劑」) to new markets in the Asia Pacific region. The Joint Venture will also explore and develop respective product line extensions for Weisen-U (「胃仙-U」) and Po Chai Pills (「保濟丸」). In particular, the Joint Venture will have the first right over Smiley and Kin Fung Weisen-U to acquire brands of gastrointestinal and respiratory drugs, and food/health supplements. For more details about Jacobson Pharma, please visit the Group's website: http://www.jacobsonpharma.comAbout Kin Fung Weisen-U Company LimitedKin Fung Weisen-U was incorporated in Hong Kong in 1960s and is principally engaged in the development of gastrointestinal and respiratory pharmaceutical drugs. Kin Fung Weisen-U is the brand owner and sole agent of Weisen-U (「胃仙-U」) in Hong Kong, Macau and the PRC.

Nigerian Vice President Yeni Osinbajo welcomes Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ (left). — VNA/VNS Photo Phi HùngHÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vương Đình Huệ held talks with Nigerian Vice President Yeni Osinbajo as part of the Vietnamese official’s working visit to the African country from October 29 to 31. During their talks on Wednesday, the two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels and through all channels, thus promoting mutual understanding. Osinbajo said his country wants to enhance cooperation with Việt Nam in agriculture as Nigeria is actively expanding agricultural production and promoting hi-tech application in the sector. Deputy PM Huệ took the occasion to convey the invitation of Vietnamese Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Việt Nam.

Creatives from across the region entered their innovative design projects into the DFA Design for Asia Awards (DFAA)and talented young designers also submitted their overseas plans to DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award (DFA HKYDTA), part of the five major DFA Awards programmes to recognise local and international design professionals and experts. "We at Hong Kong Design Centre believe that design can improve quality of life, promote social innovation and preserve cultural heritage. The DFA Awards programme is one of the most prestigious and important awards in the design industry. Quality design aids quality lifeAn acknowledgment of outstanding design in Asia, DFA Design for Asia Awards raises awareness about the value of good design as an essential component in quality of life for a betterment. DFA Design Leadership Award (DFA DLA)Recognise the business leaders or companies who create exceptional and sustainable business success through strategic and innovative use of Design.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach - 30 October 2019 - Sheen Cher, who stands at a statuesque 1.76m, will be representing Singapore in the Miss World 2019 Grand Final in London, United Kingdom this December. Sheen was named Miss World Singapore 2019 during the Miss World Singapore 2019 Grand Coronation Night held at Mediacorp Studio. Last year, Singaporean fashion entrepreneur and actress Vanessa Peh represented Singapore as Miss World Singapore 2018 and advanced into Top 30 during the Miss World 2019 Grand Final held at Sanya, China. The Miss World Singapore 2019 Grand Final is scheduled to be aired on Channel 5 this November. The Miss World Singapore Organization is in discussion with strategic partners to produce a Miss World Singapore 2020 reality television program in the coming year.

Auditor General Hồ Đức Phớc presented the report on the amended law on State Audit to the National Assembly on Friday in Hà Nội. Also according to the State Audit, the amendment also falls in line with the recommendations from the International Organisations of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) and international practices. Phớc said access to electronic records – as well as which types of data would be audited and the duration data can be accessed by the State Audit – would only be granted with the consent from the audited organisations and individuals. Similarly, auditors given the right to access and analyse data would be responsible for any breach, the Auditor General said. Some deputies said they wanted the State Audit to have access to whatever records and data they need, regardless of the opinion of the audited organisations and individuals.

Fuelling the rise in corporate venture funding with regional heavyweights at the Cyberport Venture Capital Forum 2019 on Nov 5-6HONG KONG, CHINA - Media OutReach - 24 Oct 2019 - Cyberport Venture Capital Forum (CVCF), Cyberport's annual major tech investment event, will return on 5-6 November. Cyberport will also be announcing the investment-matching achievements of its investment platform Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) as it celebrates its second anniversary. Other panel discussions will explore industry related hot topics such as family ventures, early stage investing and investor-investee synergy, innovative funding platforms disrupting the tech capital market, and tech investment market outlook along the Belt & Road region and China. Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) continues to facilitate investment-matching as it celebrates its second anniversaryThrough CIN, which was established specifically for the Cyberport Community, Cyberport has helped start-ups raise capital while offering investment insight and experience. CVCF is a highly anticipated flagship tech venture event for investors and entrepreneurs in the digital technology domain.

— Photo courtesy of VingroupHCM CITY — Despite the slowdown in global deal-making due to ongoing worldwide economic uncertainty, Việt Nam remains active in M&A in 2020, according to a new report by Baker McKenzie. Việt Nam, Thailand and Indonesia were identified in the report as Asian countries that saw strong inbound activity in 2019. South Korea is the largest source of foreign direct investment in Việt Nam, as the latter has become a production base for major Korean multinationals such as Samsung and LG. Looking ahead, the report predicts that activity will pick up again post-2020, as Việt Nam remains an attractive market. To understand how these hypothetical outcomes might impact the global economy and the implications for deal making, you may view the interactive Global Transactions Forecast tool http://interactive.globaltransactionsforecast.com.

Photos: http://bit.ly/2AYO7mTVideo: http://bit.ly/2IGbsxVAttended by hundreds of senior government officials and energy executives from across Africa and the world, the Africa Oil & Power Conference & Exhibition is seeking solutions to make energy work better for Africans and investors. Mouhamadou Makhtar Cissé, Minister of Petroleum and Energies of Senegal, and Nj Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber and CEO of the Centurion Law Group. Delivering the opening remarks, African Energy Chamber Executive Chairman Nj Ayuk addressed key issues facing the industry's future, reminding the continent that it needs and must do better to provide energy and jobs to all Africans. At the core of the African Energy Chamber's message was also a call to women empowerment across Africa's energy industry. The African Energy Chamber closed its opening remarks on the issues of infrastructure development and cross-border cooperation.