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Strengthening International Collaboration is the Cornerstone to Combat Illicit Trade

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NEW DELHI, Aug. 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — In a speech at the recently held Asia Security: Anti-counterfeiting, Trademark, and Brand Protection conference, Rodney Van Dooren, Head – Illicit Trade Prevention, Philip Morris International (PMI) highlighted how international collaboration is the cornerstone to combat illicit trade along with stringent regulation and enforcement, to curb this menace. He further pointed out how prohibition has not been a viable option, while regulation and enforcement would be the solution to curb illicit trade. The two-day conference held on 23rd and 24th of July in Delhi was focused on the theme, ‘The Power of Collaboration and Unity in the Fight Against Illicit Trade and Counterfeiting’. It witnessed participation from brand owners, regulators, law enforcement agencies, government, policymakers, and security solution providers discussing the impact of illicit trade on government, brands, and the society.

Speaking on the need for co-operation between source, transit, and destination country Governments, Rodney Van Doreen, Head of Illicit Trade Prevention, Philip Morris International (PMI) said, “Approximately 12% of the global cigarettes consumed are illicit which impacts Governments across the globe to the tune of $40.5 billion in tax losses. According to the Euromonitor report, one in four cigarettes consumed in India is illicit which translates to close to $2 billion in tax losses. There are various smuggling routes around the world for both counterfeit and contraband products making this challenge not a domestic but a transnational issue that requires transnational solution.”

Explaining the web of illicit cigarette trade, he elaborated on how in every corner of ASEAN and beyond, the intricate web of illicit trade connects actors in source countries. Be it in the tobacco fields where the leaves were harvested, to the heart of a bustling city where the production of illegitimate and counterfeit cigarettes was thriving, to transit countries, and destination countries. The trade of illicit cigarettes has become a profitable venture for the unscrupulous. “Is cooperation between all these actors essential to prevent illicit trade? The answer lay in the tendrils that connected them all. Like a spider’s web, the illicit trade relied on the delicate balance of each strand. Sever one, and the entire structure would crumble,” he added.

On PMI’s strategy to counter illicit trade, he highlighted that the focus is on research & intelligence, protecting supply chain, partnerships, cooperation with law enforcement and raising awareness.

Sharing his recommendations on addressing the larger transnational issue of illicit trade, Rodney added, “Authorities need to better leverage the existing free trade agreements and provisions within the World Trade Organization (WTO) to raise awareness with transit and source countries, including India, to take responsibility of what’s happening in their country. The next recommendation is to promote harmonization of existing gold standard regulations around ASEAN, supported by implementing rules, including the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction and the related penalties.

The adoption of the regulation requires manufacturers and exporters to ensure that the goods being exported comply with the destination market regulation. Additionally in transshipment, adopt regulation that allows for inspection of suspicious shipments and exercise jurisdiction by Customs or any appropriate law enforcement agency on IP-infringing violations. Lastly, strengthen domestic enforcement effectiveness by enhanced cooperation with the legal industry and inter-law enforcement agency cooperation.”

The conference attracted international audience of leading specialists engaging in discussions about the latest trends, developments, threats, and solutions pertaining to illicit trade and counterfeiting across various industries. It provided a unique opportunity to delve into winning strategies, successful case studies, and cutting-edge technologies, with a particular emphasis on the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.

About Philip Morris International (PMI)

Philip Morris International (PMI) is a leading international tobacco company, actively delivering a smoke-free future and evolving its portfolio for the long term to include products outside tobacco and nicotine sector.

For more information, please visit www.pmi.com and www.pmiscience.com

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2473615/Rodney_PHILIP_MORRIS.jpg

 

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On World Cleanup Day 2024, VIAIM’s Newly Launched Service Upgrade Provides Added Multilingual Support and Commitment to Environmental Goals, Helping to Shape a More Sustainable Future

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SINGAPORE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — VIAIM,  an AI technology hardware company deeply rooted in the smart office sector, is marking the inaugural World Cleanup Day 2024, which falls on September 20, with the official launch of a service package upgrade, reinforcing its dedication to both innovation and environmental responsibility.

This upgrade introduces Malay and Thai language support, expanding the total number of supported languages from 11 to 13. With these additions, VIAIM is taking another step towards making seamless cross-cultural communication more accessible, especially for users across Southeast Asia. At the same time, the Company continues to align its operations with sustainability efforts, lowering the usage threshold for customers and offering environmentally friendly solutions that contribute to a greener planet.

As part of VIAIM’s latest service package upgrade, users enjoy enhanced features designed to make their work and daily lives more efficient. These include free transcription and translation time, along with increased access to To-do List and Summary functions, providing customers with more comprehensive functionality at no additional cost.

These upgrades not only reflect the brand’s core philosophy of “user-first”, but also emphasize VIAIM’s commitment to continuously enhancing user experiences. Now, users can manage tasks more effectively, saving time and reducing the need for additional services, making their workflow more streamlined and productive.

Beyond product and service innovations, VIAIM remains committed to its environmental goals, aligning with global best practices in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. VIAIM believes that, just as its users seek to improve their daily lives through technology, the company must contribute to a better world for future generations.

VIAIM is fully committed to environmental protection and sustainable development through its use of molded pulp, an environmentally friendly material for packaging while maintaining a laser focus on technology upgrades that reflect its customer-centric philosophy. The company utilizes molded pulp, an eco-friendly packaging material, to minimize environmental impact, while its smart office solutions contributes to a paperless workplace, further reducing waste. This dual focus on customer convenience and sustainability enhances the overall value that VIAIM delivers to its global customer base.

“Innovation serves as a breakthrough in technology and is also a cornerstone of environmental and social responsibility,” said TOM, Product Manager of VIAIM. “With our latest service upgrades, we not only improve the user experience but also make it easier for our customers to participate in sustainable practices. By embracing these advancements, users can contribute to environmental preservation, while enjoying the benefits of advanced cross-language support and smarter office tools. VIAIM’s mission is to bridge technological innovation with social responsibility, inviting our customers to join us in creating a brighter, more sustainable future.”

About VIAIM

VIAIM is an innovative technology company in the consumer-goods sector. With a focus on versatile, multimodal interactions, we strive to provide effective solutions that meet users’ specific needs. By harnessing state-of-the-art technology, we bring our visionary ideals to life, helping people embrace the incredible possibilities the Company offers.

CONTACT:
Qian Wang
wangqian@vision-intelligence.tech

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SOURCE VIAIM

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G42 Collaborates with NVIDIA to Deliver Next-Generation Climate Solutions Using Earth-2

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Sept. 20, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — G42, a leader in AI and cloud computing, today announced that it is partnering with NVIDIA to advance climate technology with a focus on developing AI solutions aimed at dramatically enhancing the accuracy of weather forecasting globally.

The collaboration builds on NVIDIA’s Earth-2, an open platform that accelerates climate and weather predictions with interactive, AI-augmented, high-resolution simulation. G42 and NVIDIA will initially focus on a square-kilometer resolution weather forecasting model that improves the accuracy of meteorological predictions.

Key to this initiative is the establishment of a new operational base and Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi. This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a hub for research and development, driving forward both companies’ commitment to environmental sustainability. This facility will also mobilize the creation of tailored climate and weather solutions that leverage over 100 petabytes of geophysical data assets.

Peng Xiao, Group CEO of G42, said, “This initiative with NVIDIA is a testament to our commitment to applying AI in ways that not only innovate but also solve critical global challenges. Establishing the Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab in Abu Dhabi allows us to leverage our unique capabilities and insights to foster a sustainable future for the world.”

In addition to fostering innovation in climate technology, the initiative will focus on building a robust framework for integrating enhanced weather prediction capabilities with comprehensive data metrics and visualization. This will assist organizations worldwide in achieving their sustainability goals through well-informed, data-driven environmental strategies.

“Our collaboration with G42 marks a pivotal step toward harnessing AI to understand and predict climate phenomena with unprecedented accuracy,” said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA. “The Earth-2 Climate Tech Lab will propel environmental solutions using the most advanced accelerated computing and AI technology to benefit millions of people around the world.”

By uniting G42’s AI expertise with NVIDIA’s computational acumen, this partnership aims to deliver transformative climate solutions that combine scientific accuracy with real-world applicability, driving impactful change across industries and ecosystems.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group, a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities, today.
To know more visit www.g42.ai.

Media contacts
Media and PR Team, G42
media@g42.ai

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Kawasaki and CB&I Sign Strategic Collaborative Agreement for Promoting Commercial-Use Liquefied Hydrogen Supply Chain

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HOUSTON, Sept. 19, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Kawasaki) and CB&I, a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott, announced today their signing of a strategic agreement for promoting a commercial-use liquefied hydrogen (LH2) supply chain and realizing a zero-carbon-emission society. The signing ceremony took place at Gastech Exhibition & Conference in Houston on September 18, 2024.

“We are very pleased for this opportunity to build and launch a commercial liquefied hydrogen supply chain in cooperation with CB&I,” said Motohiko Nishimura, President, Energy Solutions & Marine Engineering Company, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. “By taking advantage of both companies’ strengths and specialized know-how, we aim to cost down hydrogen, strengthen hydrogen supply chain competitiveness, and accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon society.”

Both companies will use their specialized know-how to provide infrastructure that will enable commercial-scale international LH2 supply chains in order to help achieve carbon-neutrality. By leveraging our combined expertise to deliver large-scale LH2 infrastructure solutions, CB&I and Kawasaki are removing barriers, driving down costs and enhancing scalability across the entire supply chain.

“This strategic partnership represents a significant advancement in liquid hydrogen storage capabilities,” said Mark Butts, Senior Vice President of CB&I. “Our technical expertise and extensive experience in liquid hydrogen storage position us at the forefront of the energy transition, delivering reliable storage solutions and executing projects worldwide with proven success.”

Under this agreement, the companies will provide infrastructure to advance the global realization of a sustainable energy economy and meet decarbonization targets. This collaboration will reduce LH2 infrastructure costs and contribute to more widespread use of this clean and efficient energy source.

About CB&I
CB&I is the world’s leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 130-year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is a wholly owned unrestricted subsidiary of McDermott. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com.

About McDermott
McDermott is a premier, fully-integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to commissioning, McDermott’s innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructure—empowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott’s locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.

About Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd.
Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd. is general engineering manufacturer with over 125 years of experience manufacturing products spanning land, sea and air. Kawasaki established the Kawasaki Group’s new vision statement, “Group Vision 2030: Trustworthy Solutions for the Future,” and is focusing on three fields, “A Safe and Secure Remotely-Connected Society,” “Near-Future Mobility,” and “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in order to provide solutions for social issues. For “Energy and Environmental Solutions” in particular, by securing the technology necessary for the entire supply chain (for production, transportation, storage and utilization) ahead of the rest of the world, Kawasaki aims to bring about a society that utilizes hydrogen, the ultimate clean energy that emits no carbon dioxide when used. To learn more, visit https://global.kawasaki.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements
McDermott cautions that statements in this communication which are forward-looking, and provide other than historical information, involve risks, contingencies and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements about the expected benefits from the collaboration agreement discussed in this press release.  Although we believe that the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, we can give no assurance that those expectations will prove to have been correct. Those statements are made by using various underlying assumptions and are subject to numerous risks, contingencies and uncertainties, including, among others: adverse changes in the markets in which we operate or credit or capital markets; our inability to successfully execute on contracts in backlog; changes in project design or schedules; the availability of qualified personnel; changes in the terms, scope or timing of contracts, contract cancellations, change orders and other modifications and actions by our customers and other business counterparties; changes in industry norms; actions by lenders, other creditors, customers and other business counterparties of McDermott and adverse outcomes in legal or other dispute resolution proceedings. If one or more of these risks materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. This communication reflects the views of McDermott’s management as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, McDermott undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement.

For media inquiries, please use the contact information below:

Reba Reid
Global Media Relations
+1 281 588 5636
RReid@McDermott.com

Kristi Krupala-Grove
CB&I Media Relations
+1 346 313 9636
KKrupala2@mcdermott.com

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SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd

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