Author: Marie Jones

– Technology and infrastructure-led, de-risked exploration approach taken by Lime Petroleum Norway AS – First test production in Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) anticipated in 2019 – Cluster of assets around Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) discovery added to portfolio SINGAPORE — Rex International Holding Ltd (SGX:5WH,REXI), a new-generation technology driven oil company, has mapped out a value creation strategy for its assets in Norway – particularly in the North Sea – built on the Group’s unique technology-led, de-risked exploration approach. Development feasibility studies are being carried out on the Edvard Grieg South (Rolvsnes) (“EGS”) discovery in licence PL338C made in December 2015,…

KUALA LUMPUR — At SEMICON Southeast Asia 2017, Dr. Chen Fusen, CEO of Kulicke & Soffa Pte Ltd, Singapore, will give a keynote on digital transformation in the manufacturing sector. Chen believes that Smart Manufacturing, or Industry 4.0, is no longer hype but real, and Asia needs to get on board sooner rather than later. SEMICON Southeast Asia (SEA) 2017, held at the SPICE arena in Penang on 25-27 April, is Asia’s premier showcase for electronics manufacturing innovation. “Digital transformation has proven to provide solutions for addressing challenges in the manufacturing industry but there is still the issue of acceptance as…

-Expanded power facilities come on-line this Q4 -Poised to invest in efficient power production to support growth BANGKOK — TPI Polene Power or TPIPP, operator of Refuse-derived Fuel (RDF) and waste heat recovery power plants in Thailand, and operator of petrol and natural gas (NGV) service stations, aims to be the leader in the power production and distribution business. The company, now trading on the stock market, is in the middle of expanding three new power plants whose commercial operation date (COD) is set for the 4th quarter of this year, which will push production capacity to 440MW. TPIPP is also…

TOKYO — AsianInvestor has recognised Nikko Asset Management (Nikko AM) as Japan’s 2017 Fund House of the Year for generating strong returns in Japan’s negative interest rate environment. This is the sixth time in seven years that the firm has won the award[1]. Nikko AM’s actively managed Japanese equity strategies demonstrated a record of investment excellence that drove growth in assets under management (AUM) throughout 2016. “The Bank of Japan’s negative interest rate policy provided new challenges for investors in 2016,” said Hiroki Tsujimura, Chief Investment Officer – Japan. “We believe one of our core competitive advantages is the progressive nature…

New Startup Zone & Tech Hall Showcase Cutting-edge, Smart Products HONG KONG — The HKTDC Hong Kong Electronics Fair (Spring Edition), the largest spring electronics event in Asia, and the concurrent HKTDC International ICT Expo opened today. The four-day fairs (13-16 April), are both being organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. More than 3,500 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions are showcasing an assortment of cutting-edge technologies and smart products at the fairs, including innovative solutions and products presented by start-ups. – Startup zone showcases creativity of 100+ companies…

HONG KONG — A leading real estate developer of green technological properties – Modern Land (China) Co Ltd (“Modern Land,” the “Company,” together with its subsidiaries, the “Group,” HKSE stock code: 1107.HK) — is pleased to announce that Fitch Ratings, an international credit ratings institution, has affirmed the Group’s Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at “B+” with the Outlook Stable. Fitch has also affirmed the Group’s senior unsecured rating and the ratings on all outstanding bonds at “B+” with a Recovery Rating at “RR4”. In August 2016, Fitch initially upgraded the Group’s Long-Term Foreign- and Local-Currency Issuer Default…

TOKYO — JCB International Co., Ltd. (JCBI), the international operations subsidiary of JCB Co., Ltd. (JCB), today announced the appointment of new directors at the shareholders’ meeting held in Tokyo on April 3. Mr. Ichiro Hamakawa is the new Chairman and CEO, succeeding Mr. Takao Kawanishi who served in those roles since 2010. Mr. Koremitsu Sannomiya was appointed Deputy Chairman and Mr. Kimihisa Imada, President and COO. Mr. Kawanishi continues to lead our business as Chairman of JCB. JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading payment card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in…

To Open Greyhound Cafe in UK Late 2017 to Penetrate Europe BANGKOK — Mudman (MM), a leading operator of global food and lifestyle brands, is speeding up its local and overseas restaurant chain expansions, and by Q4 it is going to open a Greyhound Cafe branch as its flagship store in the UK and as the springboard for further expansion through franchising in Europe. It seeks to increase the number of branches both in Thailand and through franchising for new countries every year, as well as expand “M-Kitchen” cafeteria management business to cover new establishments and raise the number of Dunkin…

TOKYO — Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc., or TEPCO, has announced a £500,000 equity investment in Moixa Energy Holdings, the UK’s leading residential battery and platform for managing storage services. (CEO: Simon Daniel, Headquarters: London). “We are excited to welcome Moixa to our modest, but growing portfolio of innovative companies,” said Hirokazu Yamaguchi, Executive General Manager, Global Innovation & Investments at TEPCO. “Moixa has developed a robust battery storage and smart energy-sharing platform. We look forward to gaining hands-on experience for the benefit of our customers.” David Thomlinson, Chairman of Moixa and former Global Head of Energy at Accenture, said,…

Proposed Offer Price at HK$17 Per H Share; A Premium of More Than 220% over Net Asset Value of Each Share HONG KONG — Shandong Luoxin Pharmaceutical Group Stock Co., Ltd. (“Shandong Luoxin” or the “Group”) (stock code: 8058) has announced that Giant Star Global (HK) Limited (“Giant Star HK”) and Ally Bridge Flagship LX (HK) Limited (“Ally Bridge Flagship”) (“Joint Offerors”) have extended a voluntary conditional offer (the “Offer”) for all the issued H shares in Shandong Luoxin (other than those already owned, controlled or agreed to be acquired by the Joint Offerors and parties acting in concert with any…

Survey Predicts Bright Future for LED, Green & Smart Lighting HONG KONG — The ninth Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition), organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), closed yesterday. The four-day fair (6-9 April) welcomed a record of 1,340 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions, welcoming close to 21,000 buyers from 115 countries and regions, a 5.8 per cent increase over the previous year. “We saw brisk trading and networking at the Spring Lighting Fair,” said HKTDC Acting Executive Director Benjamin Chau. “Buyers from European, US and Asian markets were actively engaged in sourcing, with buyer attendance…

The Sales Revenue for the Household Solar Power Generation System Reached HK$1.235 billion HONG KONG — On the evening of March 30, Hanergy Thin Film Power Generation Group issued its 2016 annual report. Data show that for the last financial year ending 31 December 2016, Hanergy Thin Film recorded a revenue of HK$4,483,000,000, representing an increase of approximately 59%. Gross profit increased to HK$2,598,000,000, representing an increase of approximately 89% compared with the previous year. It is noteworthy that Hanergy Thin Film has successfully turned from loss to profit for the year with an annual profit of HK$252,000,000. According to the…

HONG KONG — After two years of suspension, the Kaisa Group (01638.HK) recently resumed trading and its stocks soared by 55.77% with a closing price of HKD $2.43. The resumption of trading and the soaring of prices result mainly from two factors: one is the stimulation provoked by the bull news of resumption; and the other is the room for compensatory growth as a result of a sharp drop in the past. In November 2014, the Kaisa Group was restricted to trade for housing resources in Shenzhen; with its cash flow drying up, it fell into a debt crisis. Meanwhile, the…

– Greatly Strengthens Next Generation One-stop IT Services Capability – Expands Business Globally – Accelerates Customers Grasping Digital Transformation Business Opportunity HONG KONG — Automated Systems Holdings Limited (“ASL” or “the Group”) (stock code: 771), a trustworthy and professional information technology (“IT”) partner in the region, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Grid Dynamics International, Inc. (“Grid Dynamics”), following approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States. Grid Dynamics becomes ASL’s wholly-owned subsidiary. The consideration was approximately US$118 million. Upon acquisition, ASL becomes a global IT service provider with an expansion of geographical coverage beyond Asia…

Xiamen,China — Hengxing Gold Holding Company Limited (“Hengxing Gold” or the “Company”, HKEx: 2303), an emerging gold mining company in China, announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2016 (the “review period”), with a 41% dividend payout ratio. Highlights are as follows: – Net profit after tax surged by 279% year on year to reach HKD227.2 million – HK$0.1 cash dividend per share proposed, representing a dividend payout ratio of 41% – Gold production rose by 53% year on year to 66,604 ounces – All-in gold production cost and cash cost decreased by 28% and 12% year on…

New Zone Showcasing Smart Lighting & Solutions HONG KONG — The ninth Hong Kong International Lighting Fair (Spring Edition) opened today and continues through 9 April at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) featuring more than 1,300 exhibitors from 13 countries and regions. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), the fair welcomes new exhibitors from Belt and Road countries such as the Philippines, Thailand and Turkey. Also new to the fair are three Chinese group pavilions – “Shunde Lighting Association”, “China Henglan” and “Hunan Yiyang Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor”. – Global buyers sourcing in Hong Kong amid…

– Takafumi Fukushima, Associate Professor at Tohoku University, wins Platinum Award for development of technology that contributes to expanded directed self-assembly wiring generated by block polymers and gold nanoparticles – Prize won for developing technology that can enhance performance and reduce manufacturing costs of next-generation semiconductors by taking advantage of the properties of precious metal nanoparticles TOKYO — The Tanaka Memorial Foundation (Representative Director: Hideya Okamoto) today announced the recipients of the FY2016 Precious Metals Research Grants. Following a rigorous screening, the five-million-yen Platinum Award was granted to Associate Professor Takafumi Fukushima of Tohoku University, and the two-million-yen Gold Award was…

Profit for the Year Reaches RMB106.6 Million; Achieves Production and Reserve Growth; Panzhuang Concession Entered Production Phase on 1 November 2016 HONG KONG — AAG Energy Holdings Limited (“AAG Energy” or the “Group”; HKEX stock code: 2686), the leading independent coalbed methane (“CBM”) producer in China, announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2016. Profit for the year was RMB 106.6 million. In 2016, the Chinese economy grew at a slower pace while the global oil and gas market remained destressed. Despite the challenges faced, the Group continued to stay focused on production increase, cost control and new…

City of Dreams Drops Hard Rock Hotel to Unveil “The Countdown” HONG KONG — Melco Resorts & Entertainment Limited (NASDAQ: MPEL – to be changed to MLCO) (“Melco Resorts & Entertainment” or the “Company” or “we”), a developer, owner and operator of casino gaming and entertainment resort facilities in Asia, announced today that its flagship resort, City of Dreams, will rebrand the existing Hard Rock Hotel. The Hotel will be operated under the name “The Countdown” from July 2017 until March 31, 2018. The Countdown Hotel will celebrate the great achievements of City of Dreams, inviting guests to discover the resort’s…

– Revenue Surges 38%, Net Profit Margin 30.1% HONG KONG — The pioneer integrated service developer in planning, investment development and operation of large-scale industrial towns in China, China VAST Industrial Urban Development Company Limited (“China VAST” or the “Group”, HKG: 6166), announced its unaudited annual results for the year ended 31 December 2016. Revenue of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2016 amounted to RMB1,965.2 million, representing an increase of 38.0%. The increase was mainly due to the revenue arising from the expansion of the Group’s land development business. The income from properties sales increased at the same…