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Columbia Asia Harnesses Solar Energy for Sustainable Healthcare

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Partnership with Solarvest Energy Sdn Bhd Significantly Reduces Carbon Dioxide Emissions Across Nine Hospitals in The Country

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Columbia Asia, one of Malaysia’s largest chain of private hospitals and part of Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health) has officially completed the installation of its solar panel system throughout nine hospitals across Malaysia, underscoring Columbia Asia’s commitment to driving sustainable healthcare and advancing towards a greener environment.

The solar panel system, activated in partnership with Solarvest Energy Sdn Bhd (Solarvest), has been generating renewable energy since the installation began in December 2023. Using solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity, this system produces 4.039 Gigawatt hours (GWh) of green energy each year – which is enough to light up 34,300 bulbs each year while significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 2,505 tonnes. The system has also lived up to its cost-saving potential, generating a total of RM2.7 million in energy cost savings since the project began.

“At Columbia Asia, we’re always looking for innovative ways to improve our patient care. This solar panel system not only helps us reduce our environmental impact but also allows us to reinvest in upgrading our facilities and services, ensuring that our patients receive the best possible care,” commented Columbia Asia Support Service Vice President Mohd Kamarul Salleh. “This partnership with Solarvest in implementing this solar panel system marks a significant step forward in Columbia Asia’s journey to reduce our environmental carbon footprint and become more energy-conscious. The solar panel system reduces carbon emissions and allows cost savings from solar power generation to be reinvested in upgrading facilities and services to serve our patients better.”

The solar panel construction project was rolled out in two phases, equipping 11 buildings across nine hospitals nationwide. These include the pilot project in Columbia Asia Hospital – Iskandar Puteri followed by other Columbia Asia hospitals in Tebrau, Setapak, Cheras, Petaling Jaya, Bukit Rimau, Klang, Seremban, and Taiping.

“In line with Malaysia’s goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050, we are committed to setting industry benchmarks and inspiring other healthcare organizations to join us on this journey. By adopting environmentally-friendly practices and transitioning to greener energy sources, we aim to reduce our carbon footprint significantly. We believe that collective action across the industry is essential to not only protect our environment but also to ensure a more resilient and cost-effective energy supply for the long term,” Kamarul continued.

Beyond the solar panel system, Columbia Asia hospitals and other facilities under A1Health are actively implementing various initiatives to support environmentally friendly policies aligned with national goals. These include the Malaysia Renewable Energy Roadmap (MyRER) introduced in 2021 and the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) introduced in 2022, both of which promote the adoption of solar power as a renewable energy source. Current and future projects include phasing out the use of desflurane, a potent anaesthetic agent that has higher greenhouse gas emissions than other anaesthetic options, reducing single-use plastics in line with the Malaysia Plastics Sustainability Roadmap 2021–2023, installing electric vehicle charging stations, and upgrading to LED lighting across all facilities.

To learn more about Columbia Asia, visit www.columbiaasia.com/malaysia.

About Columbia Asia

Columbia Asia Group of hospitals, established in Malaysia in 1996, is an international healthcare company operating medical facilities in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Columbia Asia Hospitals are part of Asia OneHealthcare, majority-owned by Hong Leong Group and the global alternative asset management firm, TPG.  Since its inception, Columbia Asia has been dedicated in providing top-notch healthcare services across Southeast Asia for more than two decades. With 20 advanced medical facilities in Malaysia (14), Indonesia (5), and Vietnam (1) strategically located in densely populated areas, it aims to provide the best care possible closer to home with its tagline “Right Here For You”. 

Columbia Asia’s emphasis is on early detection of diseases by way of advanced technology for precise diagnostics, resulting in more minimally invasive procedures. To fulfil the typical healthcare needs of communities, from disease prevention to treatment, Columbia Asia offers core disciplines such as obstetrics & gynecology, pediatrics, and general surgery. It also provides tertiary healthcare addressing more complex fields of medicine such as neurosurgery, cardiac disease treatments, and integrated cancer care. As communities grow, Columbia Asia hospitals expand in order to accommodate increased healthcare needs.  

Columbia Asia upholds strict clinical governance and medical ethics, leading to outstanding patient care outcomes. Accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health (MSQH), Columbia Asia hospitals are recognized for excellence in standards and service delivery. Its mission remains to foster healthier communities by making quality healthcare accessible and advocating for preventative measures.  

Columbia Asia. Right Here For You. 

About Asia OneHealthcare 

Asia OneHealthcare (A1Health) is a leading healthcare provider in the region, uniting 32 hospitals across Malaysia, Vietnam, and Indonesia under one brand. Formed by the integration of CAH Medical Centres (formerly Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care), Columbia Asia Hospitals, and five esteemed super-specialty hospitals including ALTY Orthopaedic Hospital, Beacon Hospital, CVSKL, Hospital Picaso, and Northern Heart Hospital Penang, we are setting new standards in medical excellence.

With 23 hospitals in Malaysia, 8 in Indonesia, and 1 in Vietnam, A1Health offers a comprehensive range of secondary to quaternary and super-specialty services. Our facilities, with over 4,000 beds, are dedicated to personalised care.

We leverage the collective expertise and advanced technologies of our network to provide the latest in healthcare, delivered by highly skilled professionals. Our mission is to achieve the best outcomes in the most accessible, effective, efficient, and caring environment. Upholding our tagline, “Right Here For You,” we are committed to offering compassionate, expert care to every patient.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/columbia-asia-harnesses-solar-energy-for-sustainable-healthcare-302279101.html

SOURCE Columbia Asia

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TCL CSOT Highlights IJP OLED Innovations at the Omdia Korea Display Conference

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SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — At the recent Omdia Korea Display Conference, Mr. Ming-Jong Jou, Chief of the Technology Planning Center at TCL CSOT, shared the advantages of IJP OLED technology and outlined TCL CSOT’s strategic focus in this field. TCL CSOT continues to redefine display technology, focusing on delivering exceptional performance and sustainability.

During the keynote titled “IJP OLED Status and Future Prospects,” Mr. Jou discussed TCL CSOT’s advancements in next-generation printed OLED displays. Looking ahead, OLED has significant growth potential. In particular, TCL CSOT has achieved comprehensive breakthroughs in image quality, power consumption, and lifespan, elevating its performance to the level of mainstream display technologies. TCL CSOT has also leveraged the inherent advantages of IJP OLED technology in terms of cost, flexible production, and future potential.

Mr. Jou highlighted recent advancements in IJP OLED, including better image quality achieved through more accurate printing and a side-by-side RGB structure, which ensures clear and vibrant visuals. The technology also boasts lower power consumption, with materials efficiency doubled, a 50% reduction in light loss due to internal reflection, and a 1.5 times improvement in light output efficiency. Lifespan has also been significantly enhanced, with an aperture ratio three times larger and material lifespan improved tenfold. Additionally, IJP OLED delivers cost competitiveness, with a 20% reduction in total cost, flexible production that shortens the product development life cycle by 30%, and a low-carbon footprint, cutting EL process carbon emissions by over 20%.

Currently, TCL CSOT’s efforts in IJP OLED technology are concentrated on medium-sized display applications, such as commercial monitors, laptop displays, and specialized products in medical. IJP OLED can be used across various production areas (TV/MNT/NB/TB) due to its simple product structure and easy fabrication process. TCL CSOT is utilizing IJP OLED to develop new display products, while continuously optimizing specifications and expanding notebook and tablet applications. Among these is the TCL CSOT 14″ 2.8K Hybrid OLED display. With a 2.8K resolution, over 99% DCI-P3 color gamut, and adaptive refresh rates ranging from 30 to 120Hz, this display provides seamless transitions ideal for gaming, design, and video editing. The lightweight design with Hybrid OLED technology and the new Oxide compensation circuit further enhances its flexibility, making it perfect for business and mobile productivity. With over 11 years of experience in printed OLED technology and the largest number of invention patents globally in this field, TCL CSOT continues to lead the industry in this innovative technology.

About TCL CSOT:

TCL CSOT (TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology), established in 2009, is committed to developing innovative technologies in the display industry. TCL CSOT’s business encompasses producing display panels from 1 to 115 inches. From LCD to OLED to MLED, TCL CSOT offers solutions across a wide array of applications, including TVs, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, monitors, automotive displays, XR (Extended Reality) devices, wearables, commercial displays, and other fields. The company leads the market in several of these areas and is dedicated to ongoing technological innovation, providing high-end products for customers and building a vibrant display industry ecosystem.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tcl-csot-highlights-ijp-oled-innovations-at-the-omdia-korea-display-conference-302279951.html

SOURCE TCL China Star Optoelectronics Technology

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BRI Partners with Nium to Expand Real-Time Cross-Border Payment Solutions

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JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, is thrilled to announce a partnership with Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) to provide Indonesian customers with real-time international money transfer capabilities. This collaboration aims to enhance the cross-border offerings for BRI’s individual and corporate customers, delivering more accessible and cost-effective financial services across Indonesia.

This partnership empowers more than 150 million BRI account holders, including those in remote regions of Indonesia, to access modern, real-time cross-border payment services. The offering includes a variety of real-time payment mechanisms, supporting bank account destinations, a global electronic card network, and digital wallets. These innovations are closely aligned with BRI’s ongoing mission to provide affordable and customer-focused financial products, particularly for traditionally underserved communities.

BRI’s Corporate Secretary, Agustya Hendy Bernadi, emphasized BRI’s dedication to constantly improving customer convenience through innovations in its global network and cross-border transaction services. “This collaboration reflects BRI’s continuous efforts to enhance productivity and efficiency by expanding its digital payment channel network to meet the growing demand for global transactions,” he said. Agustya added that the partnership with Nium aligns perfectly with BRI’s vision to be Southeast Asia’s most valuable banking group and a champion of financial inclusion by 2025. “With Nium’s global transaction network, BRI strengthens the digitalization of its business processes and enhances retail banking capabilities in line with our 2025 strategic vision.”

Anupam Pahuja, General Manager and Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa at Nium, shared his excitement about the partnership, highlighting BRI’s extensive presence across Indonesia’s 17,000 islands. “By integrating Nium’s advanced technology into BRI’s platform, we are dedicated to providing BRI’s customers, no matter where they are, with access to exceptional financial services. This partnership will remove the risks associated with cash handling and provide faster, more cost-effective transactions—whether individuals are sending money to family members abroad or businesses are making international payments.”

Cross-border payments are projected to grow significantly in Indonesia, with a forecasted year-on-year increase of 15% through 2025, driven largely by the digital transformation in financial services (Statista, 2024).

This partnership between BRI and Nium is expected to transform the way Indonesians engage with global financial services, meeting the rising demand for modern payment infrastructure and enhancing the overall experience for BRI’s customers in their international transactions.

About Nium 

Nium, the leading global infrastructure for real-time cross-border payments, was founded on the mission to deliver the global payments infrastructure of tomorrow, today. With the onset of the global economy, its payments infrastructure is shaping how banks, fintechs, and businesses everywhere collect, convert, and disburse funds instantly across borders. Its payout network supports 100 currencies and spans 220+ markets, 100 of which in real-time. Funds can be disbursed to accounts, wallets, and cards and collected locally in 40 markets. Nium’s growing card issuance business is already available in 34 countries. Nium holds regulatory licenses and authorizations in more than 40 countries, enabling seamless onboarding, rapid integration, and compliance – independent of geography. The company is co-headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore.  

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1678669/4973639/Nium_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bri-partners-with-nium-to-expand-real-time-cross-border-payment-solutions-302279138.html

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Hot topics set for discussion in Beijing

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BEIJING, Oct. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Daily:

A prestigious financial event is to commence on Friday in Beijing, where senior government officials, along with experts, scholars and representatives from global financial institutions, will deliver keynote speeches.

The Annual Conference of Financial Street Forum 2024, running until Sunday, is co-hosted by the Beijing government, the People’s Bank of China, the National Financial Regulatory Administration, the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Xinhua News Agency and the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

This year’s event is to attract more than 500 distinguished guests from more than 30 countries and regions around the world.

Over the course of three days, participants will engage in discussions on current economic and financial hot topics, aiming to enhance mutual trust, deepen win-win cooperation and share development opportunities.

The theme of this year’s forum is “Trust and Confidence — Work Together to Promote Financial Openness and Cooperate for Shared Economic Stability and Growth”.

“Trust is the cornerstone of international cooperation and confidence is the support for economic development,” said Liu Dongwei, executive secretary-general of the forum’s organizing committee and head of Beijing’s Xicheng district.

“This theme fully reflects the deep consensus among the forum’s organizers, financial institutions and industry insiders, highlighting the development concepts of co-consultation, co-construction, co-governance and co-sharing.

“It also showcases the inclusiveness, the role of demonstration and leadership of the Financial Street Forum,” he added.

This year’s forum is structured around a main forum plus parallel forums and a fintech conference. It features 25 thematic activities and three investment and financing matchmaking events.

The main forum includes opening and closing ceremonies, as well as six thematic activities focusing on such topics as improving the modern central banking system, deepening capital market reforms, empowering industries through finance to lead high-quality development, and enhancing mutually beneficial international trade and investment cooperation.

The activities will also provide authoritative interpretations of international and domestic economic development trends and financial regulatory policies.

Additionally, the international level of this year’s forum has been enhanced. It has set up three sub-venues in Hong Kong, Luxembourg and Tokyo, inviting local governments and enterprises to participate. And, for the first time, it has invited the Hong Kong Financial Services Development Council to host thematic activities in Beijing.

The closing ceremony will be held in conjunction with the Hong Kong sub-venue, inviting representatives from the governments and institutions of Beijing and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to participate in an in-depth discussion on the theme of “green finance”, promoting financial exchanges and cooperation between the Chinese capital and the SAR.

Also, it will continue to host high-level dialogues with former central bank governors from major global economic and financial countries, like China, the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

The parallel forums will focus on “strengthening economic and financial cooperation for coordinated development” and “finance supporting sustainable economic development”, setting up a series of professional, cutting-edge and in-depth activities.

The fintech conference, serving as a specific segment of the forum, will run until Tuesday. It will feature 17 events, focusing on artificial intelligence plus financial innovation; data elements plus financial applications; fintech development and achievements; and bridging the digital divide through fintech.

Liu highlighted five major features of this forum, one of which is the richer thematic setting. For instance, the forum has, for the first time, invited the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and centrally-administered and State-owned enterprises to host themed activities. These aim to emphasize the forum’s role as a platform for positive interaction between finance and the real economy.

The forum has also innovated the path of sci-tech transformation by creating a fund-themed forum and holding corporate roadshows and industry-finance matchmaking meetings.

This year, the forum offers a variety of supporting activities, making it not only a professional exchange platform for financial industry practitioners but a grand event for the public.

For example, during the forum, a large-scale cultural performance will be held at the Beijing Tianqiao Performing Arts Center, covering various art forms such as dance, song, music and opera.

In addition, the forum will conduct a large-scale series of shopping activities. Starting from Oct 1 and lasting nearly a month, these activities are taking place mainly at Beijing’s Seasons Place luxury shopping mall and its surrounding areas.

They include a coffee market, auto shows, electronic product roadshows and outdoor dining experiences. There will also be a global product launch and sale event, offering substantial discounts and consumption vouchers to the public.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hot-topics-set-for-discussion-in-beijing-302279301.html

SOURCE China Daily

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