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 Feb 19 till the end of the week.
This article updates throughout the week.

ABEA and ICCA Forge Partnership to Boost Business Events Sector

Sydney, Feb 20: The Australian Business Events Association (ABEA) and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) announced a significant partnership at the Asia Pacific Incentives and Meetings Event (AIME), signing a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on diversity, sustainability, and talent development in the Australian business events industry.
This alliance aims to leverage international expertise and resources to address key industry challenges through initiatives like white papers, access to programs, and opportunities for emerging leaders.
The partnership, effective from 19 February 2024 until December 2026, will focus on promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), sustainable industry practices, and talent retention strategies to enhance the sector’s competitiveness and success.

Generative AI in Australian Workplaces: A Call for Clear Guidelines

Sydney, Feb 21: A recent study by Veritas Technologies highlights the pressing need for clear guidelines on the use of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in Australian workplaces.
The survey, involving 11,500 office workers globally, with 1,000 from Australia, reveals a significant divide among employees regarding the use of these technologies.
While 68 per cent of Aussie workers admit to using generative AI for tasks, potentially risking sensitive data, over 20 per cent believe such usage should result in salary deductions.
The absence of employer-provided guidelines has led to a “Wild West” scenario, according to Pete Murray, ANZ Managing Director at Veritas.
This lack of direction not only increases the risk of sensitive information leaks but also fosters workplace resentment and inefficiency. Interestingly, despite the widespread use of generative AI tools, Australians prefer consulting colleagues, managers, or even Google over AI for work-related information.
The study underscores a critical demand for employer-led guidelines and training on generative AI’s appropriate use to ensure data security, accuracy, and compliance, while also leveling the playing field among employees.
With only 32 per cent of organizations currently offering mandatory usage directions, the call for action is clear: Implement and communicate effective policies to harness the benefits of generative AI without compromising workplace integrity or efficiency.

SECOS Group Joins $140M Effort to Cut Australia’s Plastic Waste

Sydney, Feb 21: SECOS Group, a leader in compostable packaging, is set to amplify its research and development efforts as part of a newly established Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) aimed at tackling Australia’s plastic waste challenge. Backed by a $40 million grant from the Federal Government and a total investment of $140.6 million, including contributions from partners like SECOS, the CRC aspires to reduce the nation’s plastic waste by nearly 20 per cent over a decade.
The CRC unites international food brands, NGOs, Australian councils, and environmental regulators in a collaborative push toward innovative solutions. Focused on material substitution and promoting a circular economy, SECOS plans to triple its R&D investment, leveraging every dollar spent into $3 to $4 of research value.
This initiative aligns with SECOS’ commitment to environmental stewardship, highlighted by the sale of 500 million compostable MyEcoBag™ globally, replacing an estimated 3.3 million kilograms of conventional plastic.
The project also includes developing compostable food packaging with enhanced barrier properties, contributing to SECOS’ goal of expanding its sustainable product range.
With the CRC, SECOS aims to foster industry-wide collaboration to address plastic waste, supporting Australia’s journey to net zero by 2050 and continuing its growth in sustainable packaging solutions.

Samaiden Boosts Q2 Revenue

Petaling Jaya, Feb 21: Samaiden Group Berhad, a leader in renewable energy (RE) solutions, reported a significant increase in its Q2 FY2024 financial performance, with a revenue of RM48.8 million, up 21.4 per cent from the previous year, driven by the progress of ongoing solar photovoltaic projects.
The company also saw a 20.0 per cent increase in Profit Before Taxation (PBT) to RM4.2 million, attributed to higher revenue despite increased costs related to bank facilities.
Year-to-date figures further highlight the company’s growth, with revenue reaching RM95.0 million and PBT at RM8.2 million.
This sustained growth underscores Samaiden’s effective strategy and alignment with Malaysia’s green initiatives, such as the Corporate Green Power Programme and large-scale solar projects, aiming for a 70 per cent RE mix by 2050.
With a robust order book of RM358.2 million as of 31 December 2023, Samaiden is poised for continued success, capitalizing on Malaysia’s focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles and renewable energy development.

Epson Partners with EARTH HOUR to Champion Sustainability

Sydney, Feb 22: In a significant move to bolster sustainability efforts, Epson has joined forces with EARTH HOUR, marking a commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.
Epson Australia and New Zealand’s Managing Director, Craig Heckenberg, emphasized the company’s dedication to making a meaningful impact on sustainability, aligning with local initiatives and the global Earth Hour movement.
EARTH HOUR, celebrated annually on the last Saturday of March, is renowned for its symbolic “lights off” event, demonstrating global support for planetary health. In its latest iteration, the initiative introduced the “Hour Bank,” gathering over 410,000 hours of pledges for planet-positive actions, highlighting an escalated commitment to environmental conservation.
Epson’s global offices will participate in various energy-saving activities, underlining the company’s pledge to become carbon negative and eliminate the use of underground resources by 2050. This aligns with Earth Hour’s objectives of decarbonization and energy efficiency, leveraging Epson’s innovations in creating products that consume less electricity.
Yasunori Ogawa, Global President of Epson, and Yves Calmette, Senior Director at International EARTH HOUR, both heralded the partnership as a step forward in promoting collective action for environmental preservation. They invite individuals worldwide to participate in Earth Hour, encouraging a conscious shift towards energy-saving lifestyles and a celebration of the solutions contributing to a sustainable future.

WhatsApp Enhances Text Formatting

Kuala Lumpur, Feb 22: WhatsApp has introduced four new text formatting features, as announced by Mark Zuckerberg.
These additions, which include Bullet Lists, Numbered Lists, Block Quote, and Inline Code, are designed to streamline communication and improve message organization.
These features complement the existing options for Bold, Italic, Strikethrough, and Monospace, allowing for more expressive and structured messages.
Available across Android, iOS, Web, and Mac desktop platforms, these formatting tools are also accessible to channel admins, enabling users to convey messages more effectively.