by Ferry Bayu | Aug 24, 2023 | Business
Philippines may still grow by 6% this year, says Remolona
MANILA -Despite a disappointing second quarter output, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona Jr. expects the domestic economy to pick up pace and attain a full-year growth rate of 6 percent, the lower end of the government’s target range for 2023.
In a chat with business editors on Tuesday night, Remolona said while 7 percent, the upper end of the target, may no longer be feasible, “we think it (growth) would hit 6 percent.”
One distinct factor that had caused the country’s second quarter gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate to soften to 4.3 percent, Remolona explained, was government underspending, which was now being addressed.
Iluminada Sicat, senior assistant governor of the Monetary Policy Sub-sector, noted that the Department of Budget and Management had committed to push various agencies to “fast-track their expenditures in accordance with the 2023 budget.”
One of the underspending government agencies is the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Sicat noted, but only because it was cleaning up its database of Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program or 4Ps.
Patterned after the conditional cash transfer scheme implemented in other developing countries, the 4Ps program provides cash grants to beneficiaries provided that they comply with the set of conditions.
“Once everything has been validated and verified, then disbursement of ayuda (cash support) to relevant population will be fast-tracked,” Sicat said.
In 2022, the Philippine GDP grew by 7.6 percent, exceeding the government’s target of 6.5 to 7.5 percent. This was the fastest pace seen since 1976 and made the country one of the best-performing economies in Southeast Asia.
Asked about whether he shares the concern of some economists on the widening of the current account deficit, Remolona said the big surplus recorded in previous years had been due to underinvestment.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 24, 2023 | Business
Shopee partners with League of Provinces to help digitize MSMEs
Shopee on Wednesday inked a partnership with the League of Provinces of the Philippines (LPP) to help digitize micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) in the country.
Shopee’s Head of Business Intelligence Martin Yu said their goal is to upskill Filipino sellers through free training programs on how to sell their products online and then onboarding them to the e-commerce platform.
“These are grassroots. These are people who don’t know how to do this yet. A lot of our program is designed to teach. That means having workshops, get them to list online and sell online. On top of us granting them this journey is giving their products that pathway to the customer base that is the Philippines,” said Yu.
The program will be piloted in the province of Quirino, where LPP National Chairman Dax Cua serves as governor, before being implemented in other rural areas.
“Quirino is a very rural province. There’s not yet any brick-and-mortar shopping mall in Quirino. And so when we thought of partnering with Shopee, we really envisioned to leapfrog into the future. Wala man kaming shopping mall sa Quirino, we will have the first provincial virtual shopping mall,” said Cua.
Congresswoman Mindy Cua, who represents the lone district of Quirino, was also present during the launch.
She shared that local entrepreneurs from Quirino are very excited about the prospect of having a bigger market for their processed agricultural products such as ginger tea, banana chips, ube powder, and banana flour.
“They’re very, very excited because they have a lot of products and ideas in mind that they want to produce and sell. But of course, selling it to your neighbor is not really the ideal setup. So if they have a huge customer base, it will be easier for them to sell,” she said.
The MSME digitization program was announced during the campaign kickoff of Shopee’s 9.9 sale.
Yu said they are confident that the 9.9 shopping spree will be successful despite elevated inflation.
“If anything, I think it’s natural that people would come look on the platform. You want to compare prices. Saan makahanap ng good prices and great assortment? Our kababayans, they’re very very good at finding great deals,” he said.
Shopee’s 9.9 Super Shopping Day sale starts from September 1 to 10.
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 24, 2023 | Business
IGNITING CHANGE: VELOX NETWORKS EMPOWERS HEALTHCARE CLINICS TO ADAPT WITH EASE
Singapore healthcare faced the challenge of bringing their services to where they were needed most. Velox Networks, a trailblazing Singapore-licensed telecommunications company, stepped in to help clinics quickly move and set up seamlessly.
Singapore, August 24, 2023 – When the COVID-19 pandemic hit
Singapore, healthcare faced big challenges. Velox Networks, a top telecommunications
company in Singapore, stepped in to help clinics quickly set up, move, and set
up again. This was possible because of Velox Networks’ smart cloud PBX design
that can change and adjust easily.
Clarence Lim, a Senior Manager of IT Operations at a leading
healthcare provider in Singapore, explains the difficulty of keeping up with
changing medical needs while dealing with high rent costs. “Our clinics
are spread out across Singapore,” says Lim. “Rent prices keep going
up, and it’s tough. We had to close some clinics and find new places for
them.”
“With Velox as our digital phone partner, we can move
and change phones smoothly,” Lim adds. Velox Networks’ cloud PBX lets us
use our old phone numbers and make new ones when we need to. “Moving phones
has been easy,” Lim says. “Just a few forms to fill out online.
During COVID, our staff took the phones home and connected them to the internet
– no need for extra troubleshooting.”
But that’s not all. Velox Networks offers more helpful
tools. Lim shares, “Their online system has many features. One of them is
rebooting phones from far away.” With clinics all over Singapore, this
feature is a game-changer. “Clinic staff get busy, but we can fix issues
in five minutes with a remote reboot. It saves us time and effort.”
And the support doesn’t stop there. “Velox’s account
management and customer support are great,” Lim praises. “When we
need help, they’re quick to respond – even on weekends. Phone lines are crucial
for us, and Velox makes sure we’re covered.”
Velox Networks isn’t just about technology; it’s about
helping people thrive. As a leader in telecommunications, Velox Networks is
guiding us into a connected future. To learn more, visit www.myvelox.com
or call +65-6978-1329.
Velox Networks Pte Ltd is a leading telecommunications provider specializing in delivering cutting-edge solutions to enhance connectivity and communication. With a focus on customer-centricity, Velox Networks aims to simplify and enrich the way individuals and businesses connect in the digital age. For more information, visit www.myvelox.com.
Jonathan Alquiza
Digital Marketing Specialist
j.*******@*****ox.com
+65 6950 5750
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2023 | Business
Metrojaya Partners with TheNoor to Revolutionize Charitable Donations
Metrojaya, a prominent retail brand in Malaysia, is thrilled to announce its strategic partnership with TheNoor, an innovative online app dedicated to transforming the Muslim lifestyle experience in. This landmark collaboration aims to bring about significant social impact by seamlessly integrating Tabarru, TheNoor’s groundbreaking donation platform, into Metrojaya departmental stores transforming the landscape of charitable donations.
Tabarru, an Arabic term meaning “mutual help,”
perfectly encapsulates the essence of this transformative partnership. By
joining forces, Metrojaya and TheNoor aspire to empower customers to make a difference
by incorporating charitable giving into their shopping experiences. With a
simple scan of the QR code in-store, Metrojaya shoppers now have the
opportunity to contribute to a wide range of causes supported by TheNoor,
encompassing education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and environmental
conservation.
“We are delighted to partner with TheNoor, a company
that shares our unwavering commitment to making a positive impact on
society,” said Karen Mak, Head of Marketing at Metrojaya. “By
seamlessly integrating Tabarru into our platform, we aim to provide our
customers with a meaningful and effortless way to give back to their
communities. This partnership displays our dedication to responsible business
practices and our collective pursuit of a better future for all.”
“We are incredibly excited about this strategic
partnership with Metrojaya. Together, we are revolutionizing the way charitable
donations are made, empowering individuals to make a meaningful impact in their
communities through seamless integration with Tabarru, our unique donation
platform,” said Mohd Izzairi Yamin, CEO of TheNoor. “This
collaboration exemplifies our shared vision of creating a better future for
all. By leveraging Metrojaya’s extensive reach and customer base, we can inspire
and enable individuals to make significant contributions to causes that matter
to them. It’s about turning everyday activities like shopping into acts of
compassion and social change.”
Vickneswaran Balasubramaniam, General Manager, Noor Luminous
“The Metrojaya and TheNoor collaboration was made possible by mutual consulting
partner to both parties The Protinus Group. The Protinus Group have been a great partner in adding new
revenue streams, introducing new technology and establishing valuable strategic
partnerships.
They are a regional digital transformation company that
identified this social conscience programme, as a means to unfold the “giving
nature” of Malaysians. Tabarru marks a significant milestone in the retail
industry, bridging the gap between commerce and compassion. As Metrojaya and
The Noor continue to pioneer innovation and adapt to the evolving needs of its
customers, this partnership reaffirms our joint unwavering dedication to
corporate social responsibility, solidifying our respective positions as leaders
in the retail and lifestyle sectors”.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Syed Adam
+60125709640
ad**@*****or.co
About Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd
TheNoor (Noor Luminous Sdn Bhd) is Malaysia’s first-ever
Islamic lifestyle super app. TheNoor (which means light in Arabic) is a
Shariah-guided company with an aim to bring Muslims closer to Islam through
continuous learning and exposure to the teachings of Islam via fresh,
accessible, interactive, and individualized methods. Aside from helping users
achieve their spiritual commitment, the faith-based app hopes to help more
Muslims live a holistic lifestyle through its variety of in-app features.
TheNoor app is available for download on the Google Play Store, Huawei App
Gallery, and the Apple App Store. For more information about TheNoor, visit www.thenoor.co/my/
About The Protinus Group
The Protinus Group is a global business transformation
consultancy headquartered in Singapore. They are a next generation innovation greenhouse accelerating scale and
growth for companies with global ambitions. Among their esteemed Clients are
The Noor, MUI Group, Corus Hotels and Metrojaya Department Stores in Malaysia,
Michael van Clarke in the United Kingdom.
The Protinus Group is a global business transformation consultancy headquartered in Singapore. They are a next generation innovation greenhouse accelerating scale and growth for companies with global ambitions. Among their esteemed Clients are The Noor, MUI Group, Corus Hotels and Metrojaya Department Stores in Malaysia, Michael van Clarke in the United Kingdom.
Jheeva Subramanian
jh****@*********rp.com
+61022125160
https://www.protinusgrp.com/
by Ferry Bayu | Aug 23, 2023 | Business
Antsomi Welcomes D.A.Consortium Inc. as Its Strategic Investor, Onboarding Regional Clients under the Partnership
SINGAPORE and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 22, 2023 — The Southeast Asia-based marketing technology company, Antsomi, is pleased to announce that D.A.Consortium Inc. (DAC), a leading digital advertising and marketing company, has made a strategic investment in Antsomi. This investment marks a significant milestone in the partnership between Antsomi and DAC, positioning DAC as a regional reseller of Antsomi’s innovative customer data platform, CDP 365, in the Southeast Asian region.
Antsomi’s collaboration with DAC has yielded remarkable results, with the successful onboarding of prominent clients in the region, including Dunlop Thailand. This achievement highlights the strength and potential of the partnership and showcases Antsomi’s and DAC’s commitments to providing cutting-edge solutions to their clients.
Antsomi is renowned for developing CDP 365, an artificial intelligence-enabled customer data platform that serves clients across the Southeast Asian region. CDP 365 enables businesses to unify customer data from various sources and deliver personalized activations with marketing automation capability across multiple channels. With its headquarters in Singapore and branch offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, Antsomi welcomed DAC as its strategic investor in its pre-series A investment round as DAC has been at the forefront of the digital advertising and marketing industry, driving the market formation and growth through its expertise in digital technology. With an undisclosed amount, the investment will be used for product development and regional expansions, including business development and client success capacities.
Serm Teck Choon, co-founder & CEO of Antsomi, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating, “Our collaboration with DAC represents a pivotal step forward for Antsomi’s regional expansion and sustainable growth. DAC’s extensive industry expertise and strong market presence will accelerate our mission of transforming businesses into data-driven companies. We are confident that this strategic partnership will deliver exceptional value to our clients and drive unparalleled success.”
Michihiko Suganuma, Senior Executive Officer & Head of Global Business Group of DAC, expressed his excitement about the partnership, stating, “We are thrilled to invest in Antsomi and become their strategic partner. This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to providing cutting-edge solutions to our clients and driving their success in the digital age. With Antsomi’s innovative and data-driven technology, we can unlock valuable customer insights and enable our clients to deliver personalized experiences at scale. We believe this partnership will bring immense value to both DAC and our clients.”
The strategic partnership between Antsomi and DAC is poised to make a significant impact on the marketing landscape in the Southeast Asia market. By combining Antsomi’s advanced AI-driven customer data platform with DAC’s established market presence and expertise, both companies aim to revolutionize marketing practices, empowering businesses with data-driven insights and personalized customer experiences, ultimately leading to greater customer loyalty and business success.
About D.A.Consortium Inc. (DAC)
Since its establishment in 1996 during the early days of online advertising, DAC is leading the industry in market formation and growth as it steadily expands its operations with the digital transformation of information and lifestyles. Currently, DAC operates advertising and marketing businesses centered on digital technology both in Japan and overseas. The company provides comprehensive support, from consulting and planning to ad space purchasing, selling, management and results analysis. With a firm understanding of the characteristics of different media, DAC also produces creative, develops and provides solutions that bridge its wealth of data with advanced technologies, and supports global promotional initiatives. With the mission, “Empowering the digital future,” DAC will continue to be at the forefront in creating new forms of advertising and marketing and providing new value to society.
About Antsomi:
Antsomi is a regional marketing technology company building the first artificial intelligence-enabled customer data platform, CDP 365, in Southeast Asia, with the mission to transform businesses into data-driven companies. Antsomi CDP 365 helps companies unify their customer data from multiple sources, such as mobile apps, web, social media, digital ads, CRM, POS, offline channels, etc. It then delivers relevant activations with rich personalization across multiple touchpoints via both online and offline. Antsomi CDP 365 empowers companies to understand their customers’ behavior and intent across various channels and build a 1-to-1 customer journey at scale. Antsomi is headquartered in Singapore, with branch offices in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Antsomi
**@*****mi.com
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