by | Aug 30, 2024 | Business
VinFast is thrilled to unveil an electrifying promotion on its VF 5 electric SUV, offering Filipino consumers discounts of up to PHP 149,000 along with enticing freebies. This remarkable promotion makes the VF 5 an even more attractive choice for budget-conscious and eco-minded drivers, bringing sustainable mobility within reach.
Introducing the VinFast VF 5: A Stylish, City-Friendly EV
Combining quality, style, and exceptional after-sales service, the compact VF 5 electric vehicle (EV) is designed to meet the needs of first-time buyers and environmentally conscious individuals. With its city-friendly size and advanced features, the VF 5 is paving the way for a greener future in urban mobility.
The First VinFast Model in the Philippines
As the debut model from VinFast in the Philippines, the VF 5 showcases the brand’s strategic approach to global expansion. By launching an affordable model paired with a compelling promotion in a new market, VinFast is not only encouraging customers to experience the brand but also rewarding early adopters. This approach is designed to generate positive word-of-mouth, drawing more consumers to VinFast once they experience the value firsthand.
Unpacking the Discounts
Reserve a VF 5 between August 14 and September 30, 2024, with a refundable PHP 5,000 reservation fee, and unlock a range of discounts and perks—including a chance to receive an additional special discount.
The savings are significant, with potential discounts varying based on your chosen purchasing path. These include a direct discount of PHP 50,000, freebies valued at over PHP 50,000 (including a wall-mounted charger and installation), and additional support ranging from PHP 69,000 to 99,000, depending on your payment method and whether you opt for the battery subscription. As a bonus, 100 lucky customers who reserve and purchase without the battery subscription could win an additional PHP 95,000 special discount.
To simplify the decision-making process, VinFast has outlined four unique discount combinations for purchasing the VF 5:
1. Without Battery Subscription & Financing: PHP 50,000 initial discount + PHP 48,000 downpayment discount, bringing the price to PHP 1,141,000.
2. Without Battery Subscription & Cash/Bank PO: PHP 50,000 initial discount + PHP 99,000 additional discount, reducing the price to PHP 1,042,000.
3. With Battery Subscription & Financing: PHP 50,000 initial discount + PHP 47,000 downpayment discount, lowering the price to PHP 942,000.
4. With Battery Subscription & Cash/Bank PO: PHP 50,000 initial discount + PHP 69,000 additional discount, making the VF 5 available for just PHP 873,000.
Among these options, the most substantial savings — a total of PHP 149,000 — are available to cutomers who purchase without the battery subscription and choose Cash/Bank PO as their payment method, bringing the VF 5’s price to an attractive PHP 1,042,000. Even with the battery subscription, significant discounts make the VF 5 accessible at PHP 873,000.
Accessible Pricing for a Wider Audience
This strategic pricing positions the VF 5 as an affordable option for a broader segment of the Filipino population. For example, the lowest price option, PHP 873,000, is approximately 2.5 times the average annual household income in 2023, making it a feasible investment for many first-time car buyers and those seeking an eco-friendly alternative.
The VF 5’s pricing aligns with VinFast’s goal to attract young urban dwellers, who value both sustainability and affordability in their transportation choices. Whether you’re paying in cash, prefer financing, or are undecided about the battery subscription, there’s a discount path that suits your needs, making the VF 5 an even more compelling choice.
Who is the VF 5 for?
VinFast understands that for its target audience of young, urban dwellers, a car is more than just transportation — it’s a reflection of their personality and lifestyle. The VF 5 offers stylish design, customizable colors, and modern tech features like an 8-inch infotainment screen and smartphone app, ensuring it meets the demands of today’s tech-savvy consumers.
Additionally, VinFast’s commitment to exceptional after-sales service makes the VF 5 even more appealing. With a 7-year/160,000 km warranty on powertrains, a 7-year/unlimited mileage warranty on the battery (without battery subscription), and free maintenance and replacement if battery capacity drops below 70% (with battery subscription), the VF 5 offers long-term peace of mind.
VinFast’s promotion is not just about discounts; it’s about offering an affordable, flexible, and exciting opportunity for Filipino consumers to embrace electric vehicles. By making the VF 5 accessible to a broad range of customers, VinFast is positioning itself as a key player in the rapidly growing Philippine EV market.
For more information on this promotion and to reserve your VinFast VF 5, visit www.vinfastauto.ph or the nearest VinFast dealership today.
*Per DTI Fair Trade Permit No. FTEB-200449 Series of 2024.
by | Aug 29, 2024 | Business
This is the third part of the four-part series Empowering Vulnerable Populations through Media and Information Literacy. This article discusses how Media and Information Literacy (MIL) empowers
Indigenous communities by addressing unique challenges and promoting cultural preservation and digital inclusion.
As encouraged in previous articles, Media and Information Literacy should also be inclusive as much as possible. In a digital space where everyone can claim a web page, each voice deserves to be heard.
For this reason, this article will delve into indigenous people and the challenges and opportunities they face in the realms of the modern digital world.
Vulnerable Populations and the Digital Divide
Indigenous communities face unique challenges in terms of digital inclusion. They have difficulty accessing digital information. This challenge hinders their participation and amplifies the digital divide.
Moreover, they usually live in far-flung places where internet connectivity seems unavailable so aside from the problems of digital information access, they also have problems in digital infrastructure.
Another problem that they face is limited digital literacy due to socio-economic factors that hinder them from availing technology which could enable them to practice MIL.
Subconsciously, this may seem not a problem to them because they may not need them at all due to the culture and way of living they have. However, when the Indigenous community gains access to the digital world, they can further preserve their heritage and empower their communities.
MIL: A Powerful Tool for Indigenous Communities
MIL does not only ensure that a select few people reap the benefits of digital access. It also enables entire communities to thrive in the digital age.
As for the Indigenous populations, MIL offers a pathway to preserve their cultural heritage, promote their languages, and ensure their voices are heard in the media. Since they are deemed as vulnerable communities, they need connections to help them in every single way possible and that is what digital interconnection could offer.
However, this is easier said than done. There are some challenges that need to be addressed:
Key Challenges Faced by Indigenous Communities
• Digital Divide: They have limited access to the internet and digital devices. This stems from the fact that the community lacks the social capital to convince governments and other stakeholders to invest in their community whether it is basic commodities or more advanced policies.
• Cultural Barriers: The internet lacks culturally relevant content and resources that could penetrate their psyches. They are usually underserved and understudied. To resolve this issue, their way of life should be documented and uploaded via the internet so they could have a digital space library.
• Educational Gaps: They also suffer from lower levels of education and digital literacy due to the fact that they lack the social capital to convince stakeholders to invest in their communities.
Tailoring MIL Programs for Indigenous Communities
• Incorporate Indigenous Languages: Develop MIL resources in native languages.
• Cultural Sensitivity: Ensure programs reflect and respect Indigenous cultures.
• Community Involvement: Engage Indigenous leaders and members in development and implementation.
• Invest in Their Communities: They need financial investments in their basic necessities to more advanced commodities so the economic and digital divide would be minimized.
Conclusion
MIL is essential to empower Indigenous communities. It enhances their ability to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly. Tailored MIL programs that address their unique challenges are crucial for promoting cultural preservation, community engagement, and social inclusion. Investing in MIL initiatives for Indigenous communities is key to creating a more equitable and inclusive digital future for all.
Coach Boost Gio
by | Aug 29, 2024 | Business
UEM Edgenta Berhad (UEM Edgenta), a leading Asset Management and Infrastructure Solutions company in the region, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2024, ending 30 June 2024 (1H FY2024).
UEM Edgenta reported a revenue of RM1.44 billion for 1H FY2024, marking a 6.4% increase compared to the RM1.35 billion recorded in the same period last year. The net profit for the second quarter of 2024 (Q2 FY2024) also saw an uptick, rising by 2.1% to RM12.8 million from RM12.5 million in Q2 FY2023. These results underscore UEM Edgenta’s commitment to delivering consistent financial performance amidst a dynamic global economic landscape.
A total of RM2.0 billion in new contracts were secured in 1H FY2024, matching the total new wins in FY2023. More than 90% of these wins came from its international business in Singapore, Taiwan, and the Middle East. In Singapore, continued execution excellence has driven strong and healthy order book replenishment of RM1.2 billion in healthcare support services and integrated facility management contracts with clients beyond the healthcare sector. The operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia successfully secured their first hospital contract, further expanding their footprint in the region. Domestically, the Asset Consultancy division is making significant strides with more than RM67.7 million in new wins, the majority of which are Energy Efficiency (EE) projects, reaffirming its RM200 million zero-capex commitment made in September 2023. UEM Edgenta is bolstered by a solid order book of approximately RM10 billion as of 30 June 2024, providing long-term earnings visibility and positioning the company to navigate potential challenges while maintaining financial stability.
UEM Edgenta’s optimism is strengthened by the significant progress made in realising our targeted cost savings, initially set at RM100 million over five years under EoTF2025, which we are on track to achieve by the end of 2024—a year ahead of schedule. These savings have been driven by operational excellence, optimized procurement, and a leaner business structure. Building on this momentum, the Company is targeting an additional RM150 million in savings over the next five years, focusing on key cost optimisation areas, including spend prioritisation, simplifying the organisation and corporate structure, supply chain management, contract renegotiation, and streamlining operations through automation and technology. The Company is on track to achieve its Phase 1 target of a 10% improvement in addressable costs by the end of the 2024 financial year.
UEM Edgenta Berhad (UEM Edgenta), a leading Asset Management and Infrastructure Solutions company in the region, today announced its unaudited financial results for the first half of 2024, ending 30 June 2024 (1H FY2024).
UEM Edgenta reported a revenue of RM1.44 billion for 1H FY2024, marking a 6.4% increase compared to the RM1.35 billion recorded in the same period last year. The net profit for the second quarter of 2024 (Q2 FY2024) also saw an uptick, rising by 2.1% to RM12.8 million from RM12.5 million in Q2 FY2023. These results underscore UEM Edgenta’s commitment to delivering consistent financial performance amidst a dynamic global economic landscape.
A total of RM2.0 billion in new contracts were secured in 1H FY2024, matching the total new wins in FY2023. More than 90% of these wins came from its international business in Singapore, Taiwan, and the Middle East. In Singapore, continued execution excellence has driven strong and healthy order book replenishment of RM1.2 billion in healthcare support services and integrated facility management contracts with clients beyond the healthcare sector. The operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia successfully secured their first hospital contract, further expanding their footprint in the region. Domestically, the Asset Consultancy division is making significant strides with more than RM67.7 million in new wins, the majority of which are Energy Efficiency (EE) projects, reaffirming its RM200 million zero-capex commitment made in September 2023. UEM Edgenta is bolstered by a solid order book of approximately RM10 billion as of 30 June 2024, providing long-term earnings visibility and positioning the company to navigate potential challenges while maintaining financial stability.
UEM Edgenta’s optimism is strengthened by the significant progress made in realising our targeted cost savings, initially set at RM100 million over five years under EoTF2025, which we are on track to achieve by the end of 2024—a year ahead of schedule. These savings have been driven by operational excellence, optimized procurement, and a leaner business structure. Building on this momentum, the Company is targeting an additional RM150 million in savings over the next five years, focusing on key cost optimisation areas, including spend prioritisation, simplifying the organisation and corporate structure, supply chain management, contract renegotiation, and streamlining operations through automation and technology. The Company is on track to achieve its Phase 1 target of a 10% improvement in addressable costs by the end of the 2024 financial year.
In Asset Management Services, the company is focused on maintaining its market leadership by advancing Smart and Green Facilities Management, emphasizing cutting-edge technology for efficient and sustainable asset management. Additionally, our strategic acquisition of the Kaizen Group in the UAE, completed in 1H FY2024, further strengthens our market position and drives financial growth through a cohesive integration with our existing operations in the Middle East, which is certain to unlock new business opportunities in the region.
With a robust order book extending beyond 2030, the Infrastructure Services Division enjoys strong earnings visibility. Concurrently, it is broadening its capabilities beyond road maintenance to include areas such as solar photovoltaic system maintenance and expanding its presence in Indonesia’s infrastructure services market. Additionally, the Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) premix plant in Perak is now fully completed and operational, positioning the business within the pavement products value chain.
Syahrunizam Samsudin, Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UEM Edgenta, said, “We are committed to optimizing our resources and refining our operational model to enhance efficiency across all levels. Our strong and steadily replenishing order book not only provides clear visibility into long-term earnings and financial stability but also underscores our resilience in navigating market fluctuations.”
“As we advance with our Edgenta of The Future 2025 (EoTF2025) strategies, we are confident that our resilience and focus on both business preservation and growth will empower us to overcome challenges and deliver outstanding performance throughout the year. Our ability to adapt and persevere positions us strongly to meet future demands and achieve sustained success,” he added.
Looking ahead, UEM Edgenta remains committed to exploring new possibilities and advancing industry standards. By steadily integrating innovation and prioritizing sustainable growth, the company continues to create value for its stakeholders while striving to deliver practical and forward-thinking solutions.
For further information on UEM Edgenta, visit https://www.uemedgenta.com.
by | Aug 29, 2024 | Business
Jakarta, Indonesia – PT Sejahtera Bersama Nano officially collaborated with PT Tumbuh Bersama Nano (Nanovest), presenting Indonesia’s first bond tokenization product innovation. The ID Digital Bonds (IDDB) is the first project in Indonesia to adopt the tokenization of financial assets in the form of bonds. This IDDB project is the result of development and collaboration between Nanovest as a crypto exchange, which is registered as CPFAK, PT Sejahtera Bersama Nano (SBN) as token issuer, STAR Asset Management as investment manager partner, and Bank Sinarmas as custodian, which holds bond financial assets.
Bank Indonesia (BI) noted that there had been an outflow of funds or capital from within the country to abroad, either directly or indirectly (capital outflow), amounting to IDR 780 billion from June 19-20, 2024. The flow of foreign capital came out through net stock market sales of IDR 1.42 trillion. Meanwhile, foreign capital flows in through net purchases of Government Securities (SBN) amounting to IDR 450 billion and SRBI (Bank Indonesia Securities) amounting to IDR 190 billion.
Based on the information above, the height of capital outflow creates a project IDDB. This was initiated and designed to help the country’s development. In the initial stage, we will develop a tokenization project on government bonds with the INDON 34 series using the currency USD (United States dollar). Through IDDB tokens, investors will be able to access bonds more easily because the minimum capital required to buy IDDB tokens will be much smaller than buying INDON 34 series bonds.
To date, the global tokenization market has shown astonishing growth that has had a major impact on the global economy. According to Markets & Markets, the tokenization market is expected to expand from $2.3 billion in 2021 to $5.6 billion in 2025, with an average annual growth rate of 19%. Today, tokenization has enormous potential and continues to develop along with the technology of blockchain.
According to the Coingecko report, RWA (Real World Assets) is the most popular narrative in Q1 & 2 in 2024, capturing 35.7% market share. Meanwhile, RWA itself contributed a total of 11% of the web traffic to the narrative listed on CoinGecko. The RWA token itself is a token that represents real assets such as gold, shares, houses, and other assets, which are created through a tokenization process using smart contracts blockchain.
Currently, the IDDB token is officially in the process of becoming a participant in the OJK Sandbox. Potential investors will certainly get various attractive benefits through this IDDB token. Quoted from Bank Panin, state bond transactions, especially INDON 34, require a transaction value of at least $200,000 or around IDR 3 billion. The existence of the IDDB token can open up opportunities for potential investors to buy INDON 34 series bonds. With a more affordable transaction nominal, starting from $1000. Through the IDDB Token, potential investors will be allowed to engage with low-risk but high-quality financial assets in a way that is easier, safer, with a smaller minimum purchase, and more efficient than before.
Gumarus Dharmawan William, CEO of PT Sejahtera Bersama Nano says, “We are proud to present our latest product innovation by presenting ID Digital Bonds (IDDB) tokens to the Indonesian people. Through this project, we are committed to continuing to meet growing investor demand by providing access to Real World Asset (RWA) tokens with underlying bond financial assets. We are confident that IDDB can provide unprecedented liquidity, transparency, and accessibility in bond financial assets so that it can ultimately contribute to developing the country by increasing positive capital inflow into Indonesia.”
Billy Surya Jaya, Main Director of Nanovest, added “Nanovest is a crypto exchange, and, of course, we are very happy to be a facilitator of IDDB token transactions for public consumers. In launching this latest product, potential investors will certainly be spoiled with various profitable portfolio choices. More than that, investors will also have a sense of security because IDDB is the first token with underlying asset bonds, which are officially in the process of becoming sandbox participants at the OJK (Financial Services Authority).”
In the future, IDDB tokens will soon be traded via Nanovest, a platform investment that provides a wide selection of digital assets, including United States stocks, crypto assets, and also gold. Nanovest has a mission to always provide convenience, security, and a pleasant experience for customers in Indonesia when investing. Practical and practical application display simply also encourages, especially the millennial generation and Gen Z, to start investing in various available assets.
by | Aug 29, 2024 | Business
REURASIA Management Corporation is playing a key role as the local consultant and technical expert in HDF Energy’s green hydrogen initiative in the Philippines. Through a newly signed MoU with the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), REURASIA is leading all technical studies necessary for the deployment of HDF Energy’s Renewstable® hydrogen power plants. This collaboration aims to advance the country’s energy transition by introducing sustainable, hydrogen-based power solutions, with REURASIA ensuring the projects meet local and technical standards.
Manila, Philippines – 22 July 2024 – Hydrogène de France (HDF Energy) has solidified its partnership with the Department of Energy (DoE) and the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) through a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This pivotal agreement underscores the commitment to advance sustainable energy solutions across the Philippines, particularly through green hydrogen technologies.
Central to this initiative, REURASIA Management Corporation plays a vital role as the local consultant and technical expert, overseeing all critical studies and analyses required for the successful deployment of HDF Energy’s projects in the country. With their deep expertise in renewable energy and comprehensive knowledge of the local landscape, REURASIA ensures that the projects align with both technical standards and the unique needs of the Philippine market.
Building on successful collaborations from previous years, the MoU marks a significant milestone in the Philippines’ energy transition, emphasizing the decarbonization of its power sector. HDF Energy, in close cooperation with REURASIA, the DoE, and MinDA, aims to foster investments in renewable energy technologies, with a strong focus on hydrogen-based power generation.
As the leading local partner, REURASIA’s contributions are instrumental in the realization of these ambitious projects, which are set to bring significant environmental benefits and energy resilience to the Philippines. Through REURASIA’s leadership in conducting technical studies, the initiative is poised to accelerate the deployment of HDF Energy’s Renewstable® multi-megawatt hydrogen power plants, providing a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources.
This MoU signifies a strong commitment to a greener future for the Philippines, with REURASIA at the forefront, guiding the nation’s transition towards sustainable, hydrogen-powered energy solutions.
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