by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2024 | Business
In an initiative to spur the employment of persons with disabilities (PwDs) in Singapore, SPD has launched a compelling video campaign.
Singapore, 09 April 2024 – In an initiative to spur the employment of persons with disabilities (PwDs)
in Singapore, SPD has launched a compelling video campaign.
Employment is not only a means to financial independence for PwDs, but it also empowers them with
the dignity they derive from their economic contributions. With fast changing business environments,
there is a risk that PwDs may be left behind. Hence, the need to address misconceptions and create
meaningful employment opportunities for PwDs has never been more pressing.
About SPD Contact Centre
Set up in 2022, the SPD Contact Centre provides training and employment opportunities for PwDs in
the contact centre industry. Clients can outsource administrative work, including call management,
e-mail management, live chat support, telesurvey and telemarketing, data entry, and more. Over 800
such inquiries are tended to annually.
The centre is managed by industry veterans who are passionate about imparting knowledge and
mentoring PwDs under their charge. Each staff with disabilities receives up to 60 hours of training
before taking on the job, with ongoing refresher courses to continuously enhance and update
their skills.
By extending opportunities to this untapped reservoir of talent, SPD Contact Centre strives to dispel
preconceived notions surrounding employees with physical or cognitive limitations.
Breaking Away from the Norm
In a twist on the status quo, the campaign video turned the usual societal dynamic on its head by
conferring authority to the employee. “So do you ever regret hiring me?” Athirah, an employee at the
SPD Contact Centre, playfully asks.

The light-hearted conversation surrounding a controversial topic displayed the customer service
associate’s skilled eloquence, while VITAL (Ministry of Finance) Chief Executive Dennis Lui, offered
truthful insights from the perspective of an employer.
“I think many employers focus on what the PwDs cannot do, rather than what they can do. But in
reality, all of us are unique individuals with great talents and we can bring a lot to the table,”
Mr Lui explained.
Excellence Personified
Athirah is an example of one such talent discovered at SPD Contact Centre. Born with low vision due
to Retinitis Pigmentosa, she plays a pivotal role in supporting e-mail queries from stakeholders across
over 100 ministries, as part of the VITAL pilot project.
To complete daily to-do lists, Athirah leverages alternative methods and assistive technology to
perform tasks with precision and efficiency.
“I feel happy because this [campaign video] gives the opportunity to educate people, to show that
persons with disabilities can also work in the customer service industry, and at the same time shows
how we can overcome our challenges when we are doing our day-to-day jobs,” Athirah expressed.
“This year we were awarded the Enabling Mark platinum label, which is a really, really important
recognition for VITAL. And that is something we want to continue into the new year and continue to
amplify this message of inclusive hiring and hopefully encourage other organisations as well,” added
Ms Jacyn Kang, Senior Manager, Corporate Planning (Corporate Communications) at VITAL.
For more information about the campaign, members of the public can visit the website:
https://www.spd.org.sg/spd-contact-centre/.
Watch the full video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6te-XriYLw.
###
SPD Contact Centre is located at Enabling Village, 20 Lengkok Bahru, Singapore 159053.
For more information, please visit:
Instagram: @spdsingapore
Facebook: @SPDSingapore
Website: https://www.spd.org.sg/.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2024 | Business
JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 9, 2024 – Indonesia has marked significant strides in adopting crypto assets and blockchain technology in the ever-evolving digital era. The country has showcased remarkable growth in the crypto asset industry.
According to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti), in February 2024, there were 19.18 million crypto asset investors in Indonesia, with an average increase in registered customers of 427.2 thousand customers per month since this data was reported in February 2021. The value of crypto trading transactions in February 2024 amounted to more than US$2,1 billion (up 56.22% from the previous month). The total transaction value for January-February 2024 was more than US$3,4 billion, or an increase of 113.05% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to US$1,8 billion (yoy), indicating the strong economic potential of the industry.
Asian countries fiercely compete to become hubs for crypto technology development, with Indonesia not lagging in this race. The Indonesian government has proactively created policies supporting the growth of the crypto ecosystem, including regulations facilitating innovation and increasing public awareness of the investment potential in crypto assets.
As a leading #ExchangeIndonesia, Tokocrypto is fully committed to shaping the future of the country’s blockchain and digital asset industry. This statement reinforces Tokocrypto’s role as a key player in Indonesia’s crypto-asset sector, demonstrating its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable digital economic growth.
“We at Tokocrypto are proud to be part of this digital transformation and to lead in its initiation. The steps taken by Bappebti, along with full support from the government, provide a solid foundation for the growth of the crypto industry in Indonesia,” said the CEO of Tokocrypto, Yudhono Rawis.
Yudho added that the regulation and supervision of crypto assets, previously under Bappebti, will officially transfer to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in January 2025, building stronger regulations to maintain market integrity and protect consumers. The transition of crypto asset supervision to OJK marks a new chapter in digital financial regulation in Indonesia. With collaboration between regulators and industry players, Indonesia is on the right path to harness the full potential of digital financial assets, including crypto assets, to support national economic growth.
Sustaining Growth
In early 2024, Tokocrypto recorded significant achievements, dominating about 43% of the market based on CoinMarketCap data, with over 4 million users and an average daily transaction exceeding US$30 million. This comprises more than 400 types of tokens and coins traded on the platform, positioning Tokocrypto as a critical indicator in Indonesia’s progression within the crypto industry.
The outstanding performance in early 2024 was supported by various positive developments in the crypto world, including optimism towards Bitcoin spot ETFs and anticipation of the Bitcoin halving. Yudhono shared exciting plans for 2024, such as increasing the trading transaction volume to reach US$12 billion (approximately Rp 189 trillion) and doubling its users to 6 million people in 2024.
“The user growth at Tokocrypto reflects a global trend showing increasing interest in crypto investments. Additionally, the increasing adaptation of Indonesian investors indicates that the crypto market continues to grow and become more inclusive for various segments of society,” explained Yudho.
Tokocrypto has also significantly contributed to tax revenue from crypto asset transactions in Indonesia during 2024. According to the Directorate General of Taxes of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, as of February 2024, tax revenue from crypto transactions has reached US$4.5 million. Tokocrypto has contributed approximately US$1.8 million, equivalent to about 40%.
Toko Token (TKO)
To support innovation, Tokocrypto has made significant changes to Toko Token (TKO), Tokocrypto’s original utility crypto token, aimed at advancing blockchain technology adoption in Indonesia. The TKO Foundation, a separate independent entity from Tokocrypto, will manage TKO.
“This will ensure the sustainability of TKO and provide new utilities that would not be possible if TKO were just a simple exchange token,” explained Yudho.
The main focus of the TKO Foundation is to develop the TKO token. The TKO Foundation has released a whitepaper introducing a roadmap and a new management team determined to advance this local crypto asset project further. The market capitalisation of TKO tokens has reached US$52 million, making it the most prominent local token.
Since the release of White Paper V4.0 on January 31, 2024, TKO has achieved remarkable success in February 2024, entering the Top Gainers list, according to CryptoRank. TKO’s performance has significantly improved, marking a historic milestone and boosting investor confidence.
According to TKO’s Monthly Return (USD) data, TKO’s performance experienced a significant increase of 68.8% during February 2024. This marks an important milestone in TKO’s history, demonstrating the potential of this crypto asset project and its considerable development.
For more details about the V4.0 TKO whitepaper, please refer to the official Tkotoken website. Additionally, you can track TKO’s price performance on platforms like CoinMarketCap and CryptoRank.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 9, 2024 | Business
JAKARTA, Indonesia, April 9, 2024 – Indonesia has marked significant strides in adopting crypto assets and blockchain technology in the ever-evolving digital era. The country has showcased remarkable growth in the crypto asset industry.
According to data from the Commodity Futures Trading Regulatory Agency (Bappebti), in February 2024, there were 19.18 million crypto asset investors in Indonesia, with an average increase in registered customers of 427.2 thousand customers per month since this data was reported in February 2021. The value of crypto trading transactions in February 2024 amounted to more than US$2,1 billion (up 56.22% from the previous month). The total transaction value for January-February 2024 was more than US$3,4 billion, or an increase of 113.05% compared to the same period in 2023, amounting to US$1,8 billion (yoy), indicating the strong economic potential of the industry.
Asian countries fiercely compete to become hubs for crypto technology development, with Indonesia not lagging in this race. The Indonesian government has proactively created policies supporting the growth of the crypto ecosystem, including regulations facilitating innovation and increasing public awareness of the investment potential in crypto assets.
As a leading #ExchangeIndonesia, Tokocrypto is fully committed to shaping the future of the country’s blockchain and digital asset industry. This statement reinforces Tokocrypto’s role as a key player in Indonesia’s crypto-asset sector, demonstrating its commitment to supporting inclusive and sustainable digital economic growth.
“We at Tokocrypto are proud to be part of this digital transformation and to lead in its initiation. The steps taken by Bappebti, along with full support from the government, provide a solid foundation for the growth of the crypto industry in Indonesia,” said the CEO of Tokocrypto, Yudhono Rawis.
Yudho added that the regulation and supervision of crypto assets, previously under Bappebti, will officially transfer to the Financial Services Authority (OJK) in January 2025, building stronger regulations to maintain market integrity and protect consumers. The transition of crypto asset supervision to OJK marks a new chapter in digital financial regulation in Indonesia. With collaboration between regulators and industry players, Indonesia is on the right path to harness the full potential of digital financial assets, including crypto assets, to support national economic growth.
Sustaining Growth
In early 2024, Tokocrypto recorded significant achievements, dominating about 43% of the market based on CoinMarketCap data, with over 4 million users and an average daily transaction exceeding US$30 million. This comprises more than 400 types of tokens and coins traded on the platform, positioning Tokocrypto as a critical indicator in Indonesia’s progression within the crypto industry.
The outstanding performance in early 2024 was supported by various positive developments in the crypto world, including optimism towards Bitcoin spot ETFs and anticipation of the Bitcoin halving. Yudhono shared exciting plans for 2024, such as increasing the trading transaction volume to reach US$12 billion (approximately IDR 189 trillion) and doubling its users to 6 million people in 2024.
“The user growth at Tokocrypto reflects a global trend showing increasing interest in crypto investments. Additionally, the increasing adaptation of Indonesian investors indicates that the crypto market continues to grow and become more inclusive for various segments of society,” explained Yudho.
Tokocrypto has also significantly contributed to tax revenue from crypto asset transactions in Indonesia during 2024. According to the Directorate General of Taxes of the Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia, as of February 2024, tax revenue from crypto transactions has reached US$4.5 million. Tokocrypto has contributed approximately US$18 million, equivalent to about 40%.
Toko Token (TKO)
To support innovation, Tokocrypto has made significant changes to Toko Token (TKO), Tokocrypto’s original utility crypto token, aimed at advancing blockchain technology adoption in Indonesia. The TKO Foundation, a separate independent entity from Tokocrypto, will manage TKO.
“This will ensure the sustainability of TKO and provide new utilities that would not be possible if TKO were just a simple exchange token,” explained Yudho.
The main focus of the TKO Foundation is to develop the TKO token. The TKO Foundation has released a whitepaper introducing a roadmap and a new management team determined to advance this local crypto asset project further. The market capitalisation of TKO tokens has reached US$52 million, making it the most prominent local token.
Since the release of White Paper V4.0 on January 31, 2024, TKO has achieved remarkable success in February 2024, entering the Top Gainers list, according to CryptoRank. TKO’s performance has significantly improved, marking a historic milestone and boosting investor confidence.
According to TKO’s Monthly Return (USD) data, TKO’s performance experienced a significant increase of 68.8% during February 2024. This marks an important milestone in TKO’s history, demonstrating the potential of this crypto asset project and its considerable development.
For more details about the V4.0 TKO whitepaper, please refer to the official Tkotoken website. Additionally, you can track TKO’s price performance on platforms like CoinMarketCap and CryptoRank.
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 8, 2024 | Business
Manila, April 8, 2024 – VRITIMES, a leading media company known for its innovative press release distribution services, announced a strategic partnership with Technophile, a rising Philippine tech blog and reviews website. This collaboration aims to widen the dissemination of press releases across various industries, utilizing Technophile’s powerful platform and VRITIMES’s distribution expertise.
Technophile is a trusted source for Filipinos seeking unfiltered reviews of tech gadgets and insightful information about the latest technological advancements. Through its engaging content and growing readership, Technophile has established itself as a prominent voice within the Philippine tech landscape.
VRITIMES, on the other hand, provides a comprehensive solution for press release creation and distribution. Their user-friendly platform allows companies to craft impactful press releases, distribute them to relevant media outlets like Technophile, and analyze the performance of their campaigns – all in one place.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with Technophile,” said Ferry Bayu, Co-Founder and CEO of VRITIMES. “Their commitment to delivering accurate, real-world facts aligns perfectly with VRITIMES’ mission to facilitate a more efficient flow of information. This partnership will provide brands with unparalleled access to a highly engaged audience, allowing them to share their stories and innovations effectively.”
by Ferry Bayu | Apr 4, 2024 | Business
Join us to explore Singapore’s innovative strategies, private sector contributions, and ERIA’s role in combating plastic waste. Don’t miss out on “Toward Plastic Circularity: Good Practices from Singapore”.
The Regional Knowledge Centre for
Marine Plastic Debris will unpack the Singapore’s strategy to promote resource
circularity, with a focus on plastics. Especially in the context of new laws
and regulations aiming to improve plastic circularity in Singapore, highlighted
in the application of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for plastics,
the webinar will be an occasion to discuss the many ways private companies are
contributing to combatting plastic waste and marine plastic debris.
Save the date!
Webinar: “Toward Plastic
Circularity: Good Practices from Singapore.”
Date and Time: April 18, 2024,
10:00 AM to 12:15 PM (GMT+8)
Platform: Zoom
Registration: bit.ly/8thPSP
What You Can Learn:
-
Singapore’s strategy and
progress on marine plastic waste management.
-
The role of private companies
in combating plastic waste and marine pollution.
-
ERIA’s role in promoting
innovative approaches undertaken by the private sector in the ASEAN+3 region.
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