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NUS launches BLOCK71 Nagoya to strengthen Japan-Southeast Asia innovation exchange

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BLOCK71 Nagoya will also be the gateway for Japanese start-ups to Southeast AsiaNUS partners ENEOS Holdings, Inc. to facilitate bilateral cooperation in growing innovation and enterprise ecosystems in both countries

NAGOYA, Japan, Nov. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — NUS Enterprise, the entrepreneurial arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS) has launched BLOCK71 Nagoya today, marking its operational opening for start-ups. BLOCK71 Nagoya aims to create a technology-focused ecosystem connecting Japan and Southeast Asia, providing Southeast Asian start-ups with essential support to navigate Japan’s cultural and business nuances for successful expansion. At the same time, it will support Japanese start-ups to grow and scale effectively in Southeast Asia.  

Nagoya is a key hub for technology start-ups looking to expand into Southeast Asia, backed by Aichi’s strength as Japan’s manufacturing powerhouse, which is home to leading companies in automotive, aviation, and robotics. These industries provide a strong foundation for technological growth and offer valuable collaboration opportunities with established corporations.

The opening of the centre was graced by His Excellency Hideaki Omura, the Governor of Aichi Prefecture, who was joined by Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President; Associate Professor Benjamin Tee, Vice President (Ecosystem Building), NUS Enterprise; Professor Naoshi Sugiyama, Nagoya University President; and Mr Hirotaka Sahashi, STATION Ai Corporation President and CEO.

BLOCK71 in Japan – a bridge between Southeast Asia and Japan

BLOCK71 is a technology-focused ecosystem builder and global connector that catalyses the start-up community. It has established itself as a leading force in global entrepreneurship, with offices spanning across Southeast Asia, the United States of America, China, and now Japan. As NUS’ first BLOCK71 location in Japan, the opening of the Nagoya office marks a significant addition to this network, representing a strategic move to promote market entry for Southeast Asian ventures (see Annexe A for background on BLOCK71).

Unlike other BLOCK71 global offices that focus on incubation, BLOCK71 in Japan prioritises market launch activities due to Japan’s mature and established start-up landscape. The Japanese offices will provide Japanese start-ups with the resources and networks to expand into Southeast Asia, while enabling Southeast Asian start-ups to establish a foothold in Japan.

Japan’s strong tradition of innovation presents immense opportunities for collaboration with Southeast Asia’s dynamic start-up ecosystems. BLOCK71 Nagoya will empower Japanese corporations and start-ups by connecting them to a broad network of Southeast Asian start-ups, investors, and industry leaders, fostering partnerships that drive innovative projects and facilitate market expansion. Similarly, Southeast Asian start-ups aiming to enter the Japanese market can benefit from BLOCK71 Nagoya to connect them with key stakeholders in the local innovation ecosystem.

“BLOCK71 Nagoya is not only a launchpad for Southeast Asian start-ups entering Japan, but also a gateway for Japanese start-ups looking to break into the diverse and rapidly growing Southeast Asian markets. By leveraging BLOCK71’s vast networks and experience, we aim to provide Japanese entrepreneurs with the tools, insights, and partnerships needed to navigate these emerging economies successfully,” said Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President.

BLOCK71 Nagoya will prioritise establishing key business milestones, including developing the Proof of Concept (PoC), fundraising, forging contracts, and integrating within BLOCK71’s extensive global network and quality start-up pool. Additionally, BLOCK71 in Japan will not only provide physical office spaces within their partners’ coworking space in key cities, but also deploy dedicated staff across the country to identify growth opportunities for start-ups by capitalising on Japan’s multifaceted market landscape.

Collaboration with ENEOS to enhance innovation

As part of its commitment to driving innovation, NUS Enterprise has established a strategic partnership with ENEOS Holdings, Inc. (ENEOS), one of the largest energy companies in Japan, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed on 31 October 2024.  The MOU was signed by Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President and Mr Toru Naganuma, General Manager, Emerging Business Development Department, ENEOS.

The collaboration aims to enhance venture-building activities for NUS start-ups by providing them with exposure to real-world industry challenges. Together, both organisations will identify promising Southeast Asian start-ups and innovative solutions that can address critical industry issues. Key focus areas include mobility, decarbonisation, the circular economy, and artificial intelligence.

In addition, this partnership enables established corporations like ENEOS to maintain competitiveness through continuous innovation in an ever-evolving global economy. Start-ups, recognised for their agility and creativity, often experiment with cutting-edge technologies and business models that can drive corporate innovation. By partnering with start-ups, ENEOS can respond more swiftly to market changes, diversify its product offerings, and penetrate new markets and customer segments. For NUS start-ups, this partnership opens up opportunities to expand into the Japanese market by addressing real-world challenges posed by ENEOS. Additionally, participating start-ups will gain valuable insights into the operations of traditional Japanese companies, enhancing their understanding of this unique market.

“The partnership between NUS Enterprise and ENEOS Holdings will leverage the strengths of our extensive BLOCK71 ecosystem and network to foster innovation and entrepreneurship. This collaboration connects our start-ups with real-world industry challenges, enhancing their ability to develop solutions that meet the evolving needs of the energy sector. By integrating the capabilities of NUS Enterprise with ENEOS’ expertise, we aim to create a vibrant ecosystem where agility and creativity drive impactful advancements. Together, we are committed to nurturing the next generation of Southeast Asian start-ups that will shape the future of sustainable energy and technology,” added Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS President.

“Collaborating with NUS Enterprise provides ENEOS with a unique opportunity to harness the dynamic energy of Southeast Asia’s start-up ecosystem. By engaging with innovative start-ups, we can gain fresh insights and co-create solutions that address the pressing challenges in our industry. This partnership will not only enhance our ability to adapt to market changes but also position us at the forefront of sustainable energy advancements. We are eager to work alongside these visionary entrepreneurs to drive meaningful progress in the energy sector,” said Mr Miyata Tomohide, Representative Director, CEO of ENEOS.

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SOURCE NUS Enterprise

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Global Times: China vows to promote steady growth of foreign trade

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BEIJING, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Officials from five Chinese departments including the Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the People’s Bank of China vowed to promote the steady growth of foreign trade at a press conference held on Friday in a move experts said is part of a package of policy measures to inject impetus and confidence into stabilizing the economy and help realize its annual economic targets.

Meanwhile, at the same press conference, the vice commerce minister highlighted China’s capacity in dealing with external shocks in the first explicit, publicly known response by a senior commerce official to the impact of the US’ potential 60 percent tariffs on Chinese imports. He stressed tariffs will only lead to high costs for consumers, and a stable, healthy and sustainable development of China-US economic and trade relations will benefit peoples of both countries and the world.

The press conference came after MOFCOM, together with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the People’s Bank of China and the General Administration of Customs rolled out nine measures to support foreign trade, involving support and guidance in insurance, financing, cross-border trade settlement, expanding scope on imports and exports, optimization of trade structure, visa facilitation and transportation.

Analysts noted that the latest move will further enhance the confidence of Chinese foreign trade enterprises, thereby injecting a stable and strong impetus to economic development, helping the country navigate the complexities of the global market.

Policy support

During the press conference, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen noted that the policy is aimed at responding to changes in the international trade situation and promoting solutions to practical difficulties faced by foreign trade enterprises in financing and maritime transport.

The raft of policy measures aimed at promoting the steady growth of foreign trade was deliberated and adopted by a State Council executive meeting on November 8.

The Ministry of Commerce on Thursday unveiled the policy measures in a notice. Among the nine specific measures, financial institutions are encouraged to increase financing support for micro, small and medium-sized companies based on market-oriented and law-based principles.

Efforts should be made to optimize cross-border trade settlement, promote the development of cross-border e-commerce, expand agricultural product exports, and support the imports of key equipment and energy resources, said the notice.

The overall situation of China’s foreign trade is relatively optimistic, but at the same time we should also see that uncertainties continue to accumulate. Maintaining stable growth in foreign trade and sustained improvement in competitiveness cannot be separated from policy support, Zhou Mi, a senior research fellow at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, said on Friday.

“The timely joint efforts by five Chinese departments enhanced the confidence and expectations of Chinese foreign trade enterprises, and the measures will effectively help address problems of current foreign trade and future uncertainties,” Li Yong, a senior research fellow at the China Association of International Trade, told the Global Times on Friday.

Stable growth in foreign trade can provide more impetus for the domestic economy. The nine measures are part of a package of policy measures to inject growth momentum and confidence into stabilizing the economy, which will help realize the country’s annual economic targets, Wang Peng, an associate research fellow at the Beijing Academy of Social Sciences, said on Friday.

“Consumption, investment, exports and market sentiment all improved in October, and this trend is highly likely to continue in the last two months of the year, as the confidence of enterprises and consumers has been shored up thanks to the support policies,” Wang Peng told the Global Times.

Resilient against external shocks

At the press conference on Friday, Wang Shouwen also stressed that China has the capacity in dealing with external shocks largely owing to its resilient and vibrant economy that has great potential in a response to a question on the impact of the US’ potential 60 percent tariffs on Chinese imports.

China is building a “dual circulation” development pattern, which takes the domestic market as the mainstay while allowing domestic and international markets to reinforce each other. We are capable of resolving and withstanding the impact of external shocks, the official told reporters.

Wang Shouwen noted that history has also shown that the imposition of tariffs on China by a country does not solve the problem of its own trade deficit, on the contrary, it pushes up the prices of the country’s imports from China as well as from other countries.

This is because the tariffs are ultimately paid for by the consumers and the end-users of the importing country, which inevitably leads to an increase in the prices paid by consumers and an increase in the costs to the users, which also leads to inflation, the vice commerce minister further elaborated.

The vice commerce minister said that China and the US are the two largest economies in the world, and have strong complementarities. We believe that if China and the US can maintain a stable, healthy and sustainable development trend in their economic and trade relations, it will be beneficial to both the Chinese people and the American people, as well as the people of all countries in the world, and this is also what the international community expects, he said.

China is willing to engage in dialogue with the US on the basis of the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, in a bid to expand areas of cooperation, manage differences, and promote the stability of the bilateral trade and economic and trade relationship, Wang Shouwen said, noting that China will also firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security and development interests.

Chinese companies have advantages in ordering, transportation, warehousing and other export-related areas that are difficult for other countries to replace, due to their complete supply chain and high production efficiency, Li said.

“Moreover, the country’s economic resilience provides enough market size to address some of the external risks. In particular, China has continued to promote new dynamics in foreign trade and new quality productive forces, which will cultivate new international competitive advantages,” Li noted.

“Years of China-US trade and investment have made the two sides interdependent. In addition to providing US consumers with cost-effective products, China’s exports of its intermediate products have become embedded in the US supply chain and have become part of the competitiveness of many US industries,” Li said, noting that the US needs to maintain rationality in its economic and trade policy toward China.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-times-china-vows-to-promote-steady-growth-of-foreign-trade-302314725.html

SOURCE Global Times

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ZICC: Closer China- Honduras Ties

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BEIJING, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Renato Florentino, vice president of Honduras, accepted an exclusive interview with ZICC in Wuzhen during the 2024 World Internet Conference Wuzhen Summit. He said that China’s advancements in transportation, communication, and computing impressed him a lot. “We hope to continue to promote the cooperation between Honduras and China and maintain close cooperative relations,” he said.

SOURCE ZICC

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MMA SMARTIES Thailand 2024 – Celebrates Unparalleled Marketing Innovation and Excellence in Thailand

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BANGKOK, Nov. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The SMARTIES Thailand 2024 Awards brought together pioneers and the brightest minds of the advertising and marketing world, celebrating marketing innovation. Ultimately, 47 exceptional winners were honored, comprising 13 Gold, 15 Silver, 8 Bronze awards and 11 industry awards.

More than just a celebration, the SMARTIES Awards are a global movement that empowers brands, advertisers, agencies, publishers, and technology enablers. With over 50,000 entries globally, SMARTIES has extensive reach, encompassing 19 country awards, 4 regional awards, and one global awards program. This year, Thailand presented numerous impressive entries spanning diverse sectors, underscoring the country’s influence in strategic marketing and creative innovation.

SMARTIES Thailand 2024 honored the best in the industry with a remarkable lineup of winners. Brilliant & Million, Thailand was awarded Digital Agency of the Year, while Grab took home both Publisher of the Year and Brand of the Year. Friends & Mana Company Limited was named Independent Agency of the Year, and Spa-Hakuhodo secured Creative Agency of the Year. M&C Saatchi emerged as the Media Agency of the Year, and Babi Mild was recognized as the Most Resilient Brand of the Year. Publicis Groupe earned the title of Holding Agency Company of the Year, while the Juror’s Choice Award went to the impactful “Under My Skin” campaign. Mondelēz International claimed the honor of Advertiser of the Year, and Best in Show was awarded to the captivating “Oreo Pokemon Catch ‘Em All!” campaign.

Check Out the Winner List Here! 

A rigorous selection process, led by a dedicated jury panel featuring top minds in marketing in Thailand, identified the best campaigns. These campaigns strengthened engagement through advanced technology, and elevated marketing practices.

“SMARTIES continues to set new benchmarks in the industry,” said Rohit Dadwal, CEO of MMA Global APAC & Global Head of SMARTIES™ Worldwide. “This year’s winners have demonstrated unparalleled brilliance, proving that Thailand is a hub for exceptional marketing talent. SMARTIES is not just about winning awards; it’s about pushing boundaries and setting global standards. With the launch of our new SMARTIES Sonic logo this year, we are redefining how the SMARTIES brand resonates and engages with audiences around the world, marking a new era of recognition and innovation”.

Winning a SMARTIES award brings more than recognition. Winners gain a competitive edge, credibility, and an impact on prestigious rankings, such as the MMA SMARTIES Business Impact Index, RECMA, and the WARC Media 100.

About MMA Global: MMA Global is the leading global trade association for marketers, providing essential resources and expertise to empower marketers to navigate the complex world of Marketing. With a commitment to driving innovation and effectiveness, MMA Global plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of marketing.

SMARTIES: SMARTIES is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA Global, recognizing excellence in Marketing. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate the most innovative and impactful campaigns that push the boundaries of creativity and drive measurable business impact in today’s dynamic landscape.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/mma-smarties-thailand-2024—celebrates-unparalleled-marketing-innovation-and-excellence-in-thailand-302310807.html

SOURCE MMA Global APAC

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