News In Brief

Welcome to our ‘News In Brief’ column in which we digest all the news releases for you in no more than five paragraphs. Below are snippets of all the media releases we received from Nov 13 till the end of the week.

Simply Energy’s Black Friday

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 20: Simply Energy, in collaboration with ENGIE, is set to revolutionize the retail energy sector with a remarkable Black Friday promotion targeting consumers in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Running from Nov 21 to Nov 30, residents in these states can benefit from substantial credits, up to $300, on their initial energy bills by enrolling in the Simply Black Friday Saver plan.
Diverging from the conventional Black Friday offerings in fashion, tech, and cosmetics, Simply Energy’s unique deal focuses on providing customers with tangible savings during the festive season when energy costs typically surge. Penny Maher, Simply Energy’s General Manager of Marketing and Digital Experience, expressed enthusiasm about the company’s inaugural participation in Black Friday, describing it as an “electrifying” opportunity for customers to join Simply Energy with an enticing incentive.
Established in 2005, Simply Energy has been true to its name, simplifying and making energy more affordable for Australian households and businesses.
The company boasts a range of plans, including carbon-neutral and green energy options, complemented by smart tracking tools and competitive deals.
As Black Friday approaches, renowned for its diverse special offers, Simply Energy’s promotion stands out as an outstanding opportunity for consumers to enjoy significant savings.
The exclusive Black Friday sale kicks off on Nov 21, and concludes on Nov 30, AEDT, accessible solely through simplyenergy.com.au.

Hisense Announces Leadership Changes

Melbourne, Nov 22: Hisense Australia and New Zealand, a prominent consumer electronics and home appliance brand, have announced strategic leadership changes. Chris Kotis is appointed as Vice President of Sales and Marketing, while Cory Foster is promoted to General Manager of Sales.
Kotis, a seasoned veteran in the technology industry with a 30-year career, will lead Hisense’s commercial initiatives in both Australia and New Zealand, commencing duties in February 2024. His extensive experience in FMCG and technology retail aligns with Hisense’s mission of delivering high-quality consumer products.
Finn Zhang, Managing Director of Hisense Australia, expressed excitement about Kotis joining, noting his knowledge and leadership depth. Cory Foster’s promotion from National Sales Manager to General Manager, Sales, effective January 2024, reflects his outstanding performance in managing key initiatives.
Zhang thanked Foster for his professionalism and results-driven approach, expressing confidence in his continued success. Both Kotis and Foster will be based at Hisense Australia’s Melbourne headquarters.
The appointments precede the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), where Hisense will unveil feature-rich products designed for Australians and New Zealanders. Zhang anticipates a positive future for Hisense with the new leadership team.

Hektar REIT: Strong Q3

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 22: Hektar REIT announced notable achievements for Q3/FY2023, showcasing an impressive 87.7 percent portfolio occupancy rate.
Financial highlights include RM27.8 million in revenue and RM15.4 million in NPI. The proposed RM150 million acquisition of Kolej Yayasan Saad Melaka (KYSM) adds a strategic diversification dimension.
The REIT also earned prestigious recognition with two Gold Awards at The Edge Malaysia ESG Awards 2023, emphasizing its commitment to outstanding ESG practices.
Positive rental reversions contributed to the overall growth, reflecting Hektar REIT’s resilience and strategic approach in a dynamic market.

KJTS Group: ACE Listing

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 22: KJTS Group Berhad has received approval from Bursa Malaysia for its ACE Market listing. The building support services provider plans to offer approximately 218.03 million new ordinary shares, constituting 31.69 percent of its enlarged issued share capital in the upcoming IPO. The Group, operating in Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, specializes in cooling energy, cleaning, and facilities management services.
The IPO, detailed in KJTS’ draft prospectus, includes a retail offering of 49.40 million new ordinary shares and an institutional offering of about 168.63 million new ordinary shares.
The funds raised are earmarked for strategic expansion, particularly in the cooling energy segment across Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand.
KC Lee, Managing Director of KJTS Group, expressed gratitude for Bursa Malaysia’s approval, emphasizing that the IPO is a pivotal step in elevating KJTS’ profile and extending its market reach.
The move aligns with the Group’s vision to solidify its position as a leading provider in the building support services industry.

Malaysia Launches CDiC Project

Kuala Lumpur, Nov 22: In a collaborative effort, Novo Nordisk, the Malaysian Endocrine and Metabolic Society (MEMS), and Roche have initiated the Changing Diabetes® in Children (CDiC) project in Malaysia. This long-term venture focuses on enhancing care for children and young adults under 25 with type 1 diabetes. A key advancement involves providing free glucose monitoring supplies to these individuals, aligning with the World Diabetes Day theme of “Access to Diabetes Care.” Type 1 diabetes constitutes 73 to 77 percent of childhood diabetes in Malaysia, with CDiC addressing the critical need for improved awareness and access to care. The project encompasses educational workshops, healthcare professional training, resource center establishment, a national registry, research on type 1 diabetes, and public awareness campaigns.
The partnership launch featured Datuk Dr. Mohd. Azman bin Yacob from the Ministry of Health Malaysia, along with project partners, healthcare professionals, and type 1 diabetes patients. Dr. Nurain Mohd Noor, MEMS President, and CDiC Malaysia Chair, highlighted the high misdiagnosis rate, emphasizing the project’s importance for timely interventions. Anand Shetty, Corporate VP of Novo Nordisk, emphasized their goal to improve the lives of type 1 diabetes patients through a holistic care system. Bryan Koh, Cluster Head of Asia Pacific Mature Markets at Roche Diabetes Care, expressed commitment to enhancing access to essential diabetes care for Malaysian children and young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Qatar Airways Extends FIFA Pact

Doha, Nov 22: In a significant move on the one-year anniversary of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Qatar Airways announces the extension of its partnership with FIFA until 2030, securing its position as the Global Airline Partner. The renewed collaboration encompasses key FIFA tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup 26™, FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027™, and FIFA World Cup 2030™, along with youth tournaments starting with the FIFA U-17 World Cup™ in Indonesia.
The formalization of the extended partnership took place at Hamad International Airport, with Qatar Airways Group CEO Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and FIFA President Gianni Infantino celebrating the moment against the backdrop of the airline’s iconic aircraft. Since May 2017, Qatar Airways has played a pivotal role in FIFA’s global initiatives, contributing significantly to the worldwide development of football.
Following the resounding success of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, Qatar Airways, as FIFA’s Global Airline Partner, is set to deepen its engagement with football fans. The airline aims to connect with fans on a profound level, both during tournaments and through various digital platforms. Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer expressed excitement about the extended partnership, highlighting the airline’s commitment to connecting the world and reaching millions of football fans.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed pride in renewing the collaboration, thanking Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer and the entire Qatar Airways team for their fantastic contributions. In a further development, Qatar Airways announced plans to offer exclusive travel packages for select FIFA tournaments, including match tickets, flights, and accommodation. Football enthusiasts will have facilitated access to these packages through a dedicated Qatar Airways platform, marking the next phase in the airline’s elevated partnership with FIFA.

Microsoft Partnership Accelerates Innovation

Sydney, Nov 23: Accenture and Avanade are collaborating with Microsoft to accelerate data readiness and boost generative AI adoption. Leveraging Microsoft Fabric, the partnership introduces a team of 4,000 certified professionals to aid organizations in integrating data seamlessly.
This initiative includes security assessments, migration strategies, and industry-specific accelerators.
Working closely with Microsoft, the collaboration enhances self-service analytics capabilities, unlocking data potential for faster innovation.
Additionally, Accenture and Avanade support organizations in developing custom generative AI applications using Microsoft Copilots and Azure technologies.
Client engagements with Repsol and Ferrovial showcase practical applications, assessing readiness, establishing governance models, and training employees on Microsoft 365 Copilot.
The collaboration introduces new Copilot assets to accelerate adoption across sectors like supply chain, finance, HR, IT, retail, banking, insurance, and oil and gas, with a focus on security best practices.
With thousands of dedicated Microsoft generative AI professionals and extensive training, Accenture and Avanade aim to drive transformative change at scale.
The partnership, with over 240,000 Microsoft-skilled personnel, signifies a significant milestone in advancing data readiness and widespread generative AI adoption, promising to reshape industries and foster innovation.

Hisense Laser TV Earns Carbon Certification

Sydney, Nov 23: Hisense’s PL1 Laser TV achieves carbon footprint verification from TÜV Rheinland, demonstrating a commitment to sustainability.
Sold as the PL1H in Australia, the certification aligns with ISO 14067:2018 standards, encompassing raw material acquisition, manufacturing, distribution, use, and recycling.
Hisense’s analysis of the product lifecycle allows for targeted environmental optimization, showcasing a dedication to eco-friendly practices.
The PL1H, featuring X-Fusion laser technology, meets diverse home theatre needs with picture sizes ranging from 80 to 120 inches.
Priced at MSRP $3,299, it sets a new standard for quality and sustainability in the Australian market.

Epson Debuts 4K Laser Display

Sydney, Nov 23: Epson unveils the EB-810E, its first 3LCD extreme short-throw laser display with 4K Enhancement Technology.
Ideal for classrooms, hybrid workspaces, and immersive installations, the feature-packed projector delivers 5,000 lumens of colour and white brightness.
With a sleek design and virtually maintenance-free laser light source lasting up to 30,000 hours, the EB-810E creates an 80- to 160-inch, 4K image from a short distance.
Packed with connectivity options and a range of features, it offers a seamless solution for immersive displays.
Available now at AUD$6,499.00 inc. GST and NZ$6,999.00 inc. GST.