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Four First Nations Launch Groundbreaking Technology and Indigenous Development Summit for National Indigenous Peoples Day 2023

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Tech sector, Chiefs, Elders and entrepreneurs come together to find solutions affecting remote communities in Canada

TKARONTO, ON, Feb. 7, 2023 /CNW/ – Produced by the Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord (SLFA), The Technology and Indigenous Development Summit (“TIDsummit”) 2023 is Canada’s first-ever national gathering of the tech sector, entrepreneurs and Indigenous leaders.

 

Kicking off on National Indigenous Peoples Day, June 21, at Metro Toronto Convention Centre, the groundbreaking two-day conference will include panels, keynotes and breakout sessions focusing on finding solutions to the problems facing Canadians in remote communities.

“The idea came to me when I was participating in the Reservation Economic Summit, a massive gathering that occurs each year in the U.S,” Jake Dockstator, who serves as the Executive Director of Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord. “One of the things I noticed is that a lot of the sponsors of that conference were tech companies and it got me thinking that we rarely see tech involved in the Indigenous space in Canada even though it’s an exciting part of the economy.”

TIDsummit is unlike any other conference for the tech or business community. All about collaboration, it focuses on putting their resources, skills and concepts towards helping First Nations, Metis and Inuit. Topics will include food security, clean water, housing, remote businesses, employment, and training.

“There are all these great tools available to Canadians in well-connected regions, but the further north you go, the worse that connection gets. So the message is: when you’re developing all these great tools for Canadians, make sure it works for all of Canada.”

Technology Indigenous Development Summit will also include networking opportunities, social events, workshops and expo booths.

The full itinerary is available at TIDsummit.ca.

ABOUT SLFA:
The Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord (SLFA) is a non-profit organization created by the Indigenous communities of Lac Seul, Slate Falls, Cat Lake and Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug. We aim to foster sustainable economic growth and prosperity for all of Northern Ontario. The Friendship Accord and the First Nations of Northern Ontario are inviting you to be a part of the conversation about the future of our country.

WHERE: 
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
255 Front St., W., Toronto

WHEN: 
June 21-22, 2023

PRICING:
$550 for 2-Day conference pass

SOURCE Sioux Lookout Friendship Accord

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UnionPay International Partners with HFC Bank for First Local ATM Acceptance in Fiji Driving Financial Inclusion

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SUVA, Fiji, April 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, UnionPay International announced that its card is now accepted at ATMs operated by HFC Bank, Fiji’s only 100% locally owned commercial bank. HFC Bank has officially launched UnionPay card acceptance at its ATMs, becoming the first domestic financial institution in the country to partner with UnionPay International.

This milestone collaboration expands UnionPay card ATM coverage in Fiji to an impressive 96%, signaling a significant leap forward in the localization of UnionPay International ‘s services in the South Pacific and injecting fresh momentum into the development of inclusive financial services in the region.

HFC Bank was established as a fully-fledged commercial bank in 2014, the bank is dedicated to becoming Fiji’s bank of choice by providing innovative, competitively priced financial solutions designed to improve customer wellbeing, create wealth for future generations, and contribute to the nation’s economic development.

The partnership between HFC Bank and UnionPay International is not only a technical upgrade—it is a strategic step toward empowering local institutions and advancing financial inclusivity in Fiji.

UnionPay International first entered the Fijian market in September 2010, making Fiji the first South Pacific nation to accept UnionPay cards. Today, 99% of POS terminals and 96 % of ATMs in the country accept UnionPay, with broad acceptance across hotels, supermarkets, duty-free shops, restaurants, and the tourism sector. Mobile payments via UnionPay App are also widely supported.

Prior to this new collaboration, UnionPay International’s local partnerships were primarily with international banks.

The new alliance with HFC Bank highlights UnionPay International’s commitment to deepening localization by working closely with local institutions to build a more inclusive and resilient payment ecosystem.

As UnionPay International’s footprint continues to grow, its focus remains clear: building accessible, inclusive, and innovative financial solutions that benefit local communities and global travelers alike.

About HFC Bank
HFC Bank is Fiji’s only locally owned commercial bank, committed to delivering personalized and innovative financial services that exceed customer expectations. With a strong foundation in governance and ethical practices, the bank offers a full range of competitively priced financial products that aim to improve customer wellbeing, create long-term value, and support national economic development. HFC Bank upholds values of humility, excellence, accountability, respect, and trust, and is dedicated to serving individuals, families, and businesses across Fiji with integrity and care.

About UnionPay International
With more than 260 million UnionPay cards issued in 83 countries and regions outside the Chinese Mainland, UnionPay International is committed to enhancing the online payment experience for its global cardholders. Accepted in 183 countries and regions, UnionPay International offers high-quality, cost-effective, and secure cross-border payment services to the world’s largest cardholder base, while delivering convenient local support to a growing network of international users and merchants. For more information, please visit: https://www.unionpayintl.com/

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/unionpay-international-partners-with-hfc-bank-for-first-local-atm-acceptance-in-fiji-driving-financial-inclusion-302439023.html

SOURCE UnionPay International

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Yutong Bus Launches EnRoute+ Service Innovation and Tech-Driven Solutions to Redefine Commercial Vehicle Value Standards

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Six-Point Service Framework Elevates Efficiency and Customer Value

ZHENGZHOU, China, April 26, 2025 /CNW/ — Yutong Bus (“Yutong”, SHA: 600066), a commercial vehicle manufacturer in Asia, recently hosted the Central Asia Customer Value Exploration Tour in Zhengzhou, marked the debut of Yutong’s EnRoute+ service platform, designed to refine industry benchmarks by prioritizing technology-led solutions and fostering long-term partnerships over transactional pricing.

“Amid intensifying competition in the globe wide, Yutong is committed to transitioning clients from a ‘price-first’ mindset to a comprehensive value partnership rooted in technology and service excellence,” said Li Haifeng, CEO of Central Asia of Yutong Bus.

EnRoute+: Six Pillars of Unwavering Support

The EnRoute+ framework delivers comprehensive solutions tailored to fleet needs:

Direct Manufacturer Support: Yutong personnel are stationed locally 365 days a year, delivering professional, efficient, and reliable “butler-style” support throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle.Swift Response, Efficient Solutions: Customers can instantly connect with Yutong via the LINK+ platform or service hotline for emergency assistance, ensuring swift and effective resolution.Full Transparency: Real-time tracking of service requests, progress updates, and post-service evaluations via the Link+ digital ecosystem.Genuine Parts Assurance: A two-tier spare parts network (central warehouse + front warehouse) ensures rapid delivery of authentic parts, backed by a 15-year worry-free supply and comprehensive quality assurance.Critical Event Assurance: Specialized service teams, tailored contingency plans, and rigorous protocols are deployed to ensure flawless operations during critical events or competitions.Tailored Maintenance Plans: Proactive, tailored solutions optimize fleet uptime, reduce operational costs, and provide end-to-end support through preventative maintenance and zero-distance service management.

Yutong’s localized service approach has already delivered  measurable success. In Astana, Kazakhstan, the city’s public transit operator manages 620 Yutong buses, including 120 EVs. Concerns over post-sale support were alleviated through Yutong’s Overseas Service Package, which leverages smart diagnostics to predict faults, and slash operational costs. In Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Yutong’s electric buses withstood extreme summer temperatures exceeding 40°C while maintaining stable performance. Tailored lifecycle solutions and round-the-clock technical support enabled Tashkent’s transit authority to expand its EV fleet.

Yutong leverages decades of expertise in connectivity and new energy to deliver data-driven service solutions. By integrating global networks, advanced analytics, and intelligent platforms like LINK+, OVAS, and Intelligent Vehicle Cloud, it creates lifecycle-focused ecosystems that boost efficiency, innovation, and customer-centric excellence worldwide.

For more info, please visit https://en.yutong.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yutong-bus-launches-enroute-service-innovation-and-tech-driven-solutions-to-redefine-commercial-vehicle-value-standards-302439014.html

SOURCE Yutong Bus

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World-Famous Master Craftsman Completes First-Ever Auto Show Build in Front of Thousands

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NEW YORK, April 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a two-day, jaw-dropping high-intensity live performance, that made international headlines and lit up social media, legendary Porsche builder Akira Nakai, completed his first-ever auto show build at the 2025 New York Auto Show. The completed vehicle is now on display and can be seen through Sunday, April 27.

Flying in from Japan, Nakai transformed a 2006 Porsche Carrera S into one of his iconic wide-body creations right on the show floor, attracting huge crowds, major media coverage, and going viral across social media. The build took place over April 23 and 24 in the R2XPO Exhibit, where visitors watched, photographed, and filmed the master craftsman in action. From the moment he started cutting to the final bolt, the atmosphere was electric.

The activation quickly went viral, racking up millions of views across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube within hours. Photos and footage of Nakai San deep in the build process spread like wildfire, turning the R2XPO Exhibit into one of the most talked-about attractions at this year’s Show.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/world-famous-master-craftsman-completes-first-ever-auto-show-build-in-front-of-thousands-302438994.html

SOURCE New York International Auto Show

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