“Nothing brings people closer together than travel, trade, and a legendary sport like football,” said Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International. “For European businesses, global enthusiasm over UEFA EURO 2024 brings not only international tourism revenue, but also the opportunity to grow their customer base. Through Alipay+, large and small European merchants can connect to Asian travellers through seamless, efficient digital payments and marketing offers enabled directly on their mobile phones. Ant International is also excited to work with leading mobile payment partners from around the world to boost their users’ travel experience in Europe.”

Enjoy seamless travel in Germany, Europe with Alipay+

If you are travelling to Germany and Eruope for UEFA EURO 2024, you can now enjoy a more seamless and convenient travel in Germany, Europe with Alipay+. They are expanding its cross-border mobile payment acceptance and merchant coverage by enabling more payment partner apps to be accepted across Germany and other popular European destinations.

Alipay+ will connect users of 13 international e-wallets and bank apps to sone of Europe’s largest tourist markets in Germany and beyond. These digital payment solutions include: Alipay (Chinese mainland), AlipayHK (Hong Kong, SAR), MPay (Macao, SAR), Touch ‘n Go eWallet and MyPB by Public Bank Berhad (Malaysia), Hipay (Mongolia), GCash (Philippines), Changi Pay and OCBC Digital (Singapore), TrueMoney (Thailand), and Kakao Pay, Naver Pay and Toss Pay (South Korea).

These mobile payment apps, who partner with Alipay +, will be accepted at tens of thousands of merchant stores across Germany, including in popular districts like Kurfürstendamm in Berlin, and Hofbräuhaus and Maximilianstraße in Munich. At top retailers like KaDaWe in Berlin, Oberpollinger in Munich, Galeria Kaufhoh department stores across Germany, and convenience stores, airports, F&B outlets and attractions, Alipay + users can simply pay with their home payment app, enjoying not just convenience, but also special deals and competitive foreign exchange rates. On match days, fans can use their Alipay+ payment partner apps from home to make payment at the host stadiums.

Alipay+ is the exclusive Official Payment Partner of UEFA EURO 2024.

Easy travel in Europe with Alipay+

The upcoming UEFA EURO 2024 is expected to attract around 650,000 overseas fans, according to the Halle Institute for Economic Research, resulting in additional tourism revenue of Euros$250 million. For travellers and tourists who plan to travel beyond Germany around Europe, they will also find Alipay+ is accepted in popular destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain. Merchants that accept Alipay+ span from luxury and casual retail brands to vending machines, F&B and transportation.

Alipay+ now connects over 88 million global merchants cross-border in 57 markets to 1.5 billion accounts on over 25 leading e-wallets and payment apps. International travellers may pay conveniently with their home payment app, while merchants can utilise Alipay+ to reach more customers with more effective engagement.

Alipay+, Antom and WorldFirst encourage fans to #GoalBeyond

For users of AlipayHK, Touch ‘n Go eWallet, TrueMoney, GCash and DANA, Alipay+ has launched an in-app UEFA EURO 2024 fan zone exclusively for them! In addition to themed quizzes and global merchant vouchers, more fan engagement activities such as interactive football mini games will also be introduced. Users can access the Alipay+ powered fan zone directly within these participating apps.

For all other fans, Antom, a leading provider of payment processing services to merchants worldwide, will work with partners in online retail, travel and digital services to offer each fan a chance to win exclusive prizes, including trips to the event. Users will also enjoy exclusive promotions by these top merchants, such as foodpanda, iQIYI, Spotify, Apple and many more. Through Antom, these top merchants can accept a variety of payment methods, including Alipay+, which are catered to each local markets’ preference.

Globally, online and offline payment and merchant partners of Alipay+ and Antom will run UEFA EURO 2024 campaigns, offering not just promotions, but also giving fans more opportunities to celebrate the sport and win tickets to the event.

Likewise, WorldFirst will hold a lucky draw for global SMEs to celebrate and enjoy the game. WorldFirst was established to help small and medium-sized businesses overcome the complexities of international payments while doing global business.

* Information and pictures courtesy of Ant International *

The post Ant International Launches Global Campaign for UEFA EURO 2024 appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

While Singapore is a small island state that many people won’t think too much about her manufacturing sector, this is Singapore’s most significant driver of nominal GDP (21.6%) [1]. The topic of sustainability is getting even more important and significant. Companies in the manufacturing sector need to start reporting emission numbers or risk losing out to competitors, as many of them are suppliers for international partners who will soon need to submit reports about their carbon footprint fo their supply chain.

The topic of sustainability has been on my key topics of interest that I am working to write and cover more in-depth over the past few years. Some of the sectors that I have been looking at are the travel and tourism sectors. My previous local SME working experiences (and in some parts related to the manufacturing sector) came in handy as I was listening to the launch of CSOaaS with great interest. The topics of sustainability, SME solutions and technology coming together during this media launch announcement of the CSOaaS programme.

SMF is the largest national organisation representing the interests of manufacturing organisations, they are working closely with their members to address the challenges that SME manufacturers face on their sustainability journey. Costs are a major concern for local SMEs, they cannot afford to hire dedicated staff to plan and oversee sustainability initiatives due to limited resources and, as a result, the local SMEs are unsure about where to begin.

CSOaaS programme

The CSOaaS programme will adapt from the Green CompassTM for the local manufacturing sector. This programme will handhold SMEs through their sustainability transformation, assessing their sustainability gaps and prioritising improvements based on financial and strategic impacts.   

The Green CompassTM was first developed by A*STAR’s Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), TÜV SÜD and JTC, and has been highly subscribed to date. SMF-appointed Sustainability Consultants attached to the companies will translate the findings into actionable decarbonisation roadmaps to reduce carbon emissions.

Upon implementation of Green CompassTM programme, the Sustainability Consultants will also help companies submit the relevant data, that includes greenhouse gas emissions (GHG Scope 1 and 2) [2], to Gprnt.ai.

The CSOaaS programme uses Gprnt.ai, the Gprnt.ai environmental, social and governance (ESG) data platform [3] to simplify the sustainability reporting process. Importantly, Gprnt.ai aligns with international reporting standards like the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) and Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), ensuring global compliance and recognition.

Mr Lennon Tan, President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said, “SMF is at the forefront of leading local manufacturers into the next industrial era — Industry 5.0. We work with partners to keep a pulse on shifting trends so that we can help our members navigate a fast-paced global market. CSOaaS, the AMTA Playbook, and the APAC Green Alliance (APAC-GA) are key initiatives driving this larger vision. With CSOaaS, our goal is to help strengthen the resilience of Singapore’s manufacturing industry, which will, in turn, drive tomorrow’s innovations.”

SMF is also proud to be a founding member of the APAC-GA alongside the Singapore Business Federation (SBF), the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI), and the China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT).

SMF will play an active role in advocating and promoting Green Excellence for both Manufacturing (GEM) and Non-manufacturing SMEs (Green Excellence in Business, GEB), future-proofing small businesses through capability development, standards development, tools such as carbon accounting, sustainability reporting etc. Other roles include advisory support and forging industry recognition. SMF’s objective is to collectively strive towards a net-zero goal and be ready for Industry 5.0.

APAC-GA will also assess the the post-implementation progress of the companies that undergo the CSOaaS programme and confer a Green Excellence for Manufacturing (GEM) Mark [4] according to their progress. The APAC-GA is also joined by Knowledge Partner, A*Star to support standards development and share industry best practices.

Why was CSOaaS developed?

The CSOaaS programme was developed and launched to meet the looming deadlines for sustainability compliance worldwide, as well as the need to support local manufacturing companies needing help to do so.

In Singapore, listed companies start reporting from 2025, as for large non-listed companies, they start from 2027. These companies must also report their supply chain’s carbon footprint, including emissions from SMEs.

Although non-listed SMEs are not required to report their carbon footprint, if they are suppliers to companies, local or international, they are obligated to comply, or they risk losing that business. Therefore, SMEs are particularly vulnerable.

According to a 2023 survey [5] of 115 manufacturing companies, of which 82% are SMEs, only 21% report on sustainability, while 45% have no plans to do so within the next 1 to 3 years.

Another study [6] of primarily SMEs indicates that the lack of expertise is a sizeable problem, with 34% of companies finding it challenging without an ESG specialist, 31% struggling to understand reporting standards, and 29% lacking technical know-how to plan and execute. Only 37% have a clear roadmap, and 72% need to hire skilled talents to run ESG projects.

Companies with well-documented ESG metrics makes them working with MNCs and other large corporations easier and will open doors to green loans and grants, that can be instrumental in spurring growth.

A spokesperson for XCEL said, “SMF CSOaaS helps us to develop new methodologies and framework with collective data for analysis, which strengthen our business strategy and continuity plans towards a more sustainable entity.”

Information on APAC-GA and CSOaaS

The Trade Association and Chamber (TAC) members of the APAC-GA are responsible for

1. promoting the GEM / GEB Mark along with its associated tasks
2. advisory support / consultancy to help companies embark on sustainability information
3. training of certified consultants and auditors

The CSOaaS programme fee is between S$10,000 to $30,000 depending on the scope, and companies may tap into the following funding support:

1) Mentorship Support Grant (70-90%), through:

• Singapore Polytechnic – Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

2) Career Conversion Programme (CCP), a company who applies for CSOaaS may also tap on the CCP to have an existing or new staff undergo the on-the-job training to become a Sustainability Lead / Facilitator in the future for their company, through:

• SMF-CCL
• Nanyang Polytechnic

Notes:

1. [1]  https://www.singstat.gov.sg/modules/infographics/economy 
2. [2] SMEs are not required to report GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2). However, the companies SMEs supply to (who need to comply with reporting) require this information to fulfil Scope 3.
3. [3] https://www.mas.gov.sg/news/media-releases/2023/mas-launches-digital-platform-for-seamless-esg-data-collection-and-access 
4. [4] Companies that underwent CSOaaS and implemented their strategies will be evaluated and awarded a GEM Mark Gold, Silver or Bronze according to their progress.
5. [5] https://isca.org.sg/resource-library/sustainability/sustainability-transformation 
6. [6] https://sponsored.bloomberg.com/immersive/dbs/catalysts-of-sustainability 

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For NETS FlashPay holders

For NETS FlashPay holders, from 19 January to 18 July 2024, you can visit any of the 44 SimplyGo Ticket Offices (formerly known as TransitLink Ticket Offices) to exchange for a NETS Prepaid Card. The remaining value in the card will be refunded and a free NETS Prepaid Card will be issued to facilitate the commuter’s travel.

Lawrence Chan, Group CEO of NETS said, “We have partnered with TransitLink to offer convenient locations for NETS FlashPay cardholders who wish to exchange their cards for a free NETS Prepaid Card, an account-based card. This exchange programme is in line with LTA’s move towards account-based ticketing to allow commuters to enjoy a seamless transition. Alternatively, they can switch to the NETS contactless ATM card for their transit needs. Cardholders who use NETS FlashPay Card at retail acceptance points or for their motoring needs can still continue to use the card.”

Time to get the NETS PrePaid Card 

Commuters can link their NETS Prepaid Card to the NETS App and top up on the go, view transaction history, get alerts whenever the card is used, set daily spending limits, remotely lock the card if it is misplaced, and trigger a refund process if required. They can also link their NETS Prepaid Card to the SimplyGo App to see their trip details. Besides its transit use case, NETS Prepaid Card can be used by various family members including dependents such as domestic helpers and elderly, as family expenses can be managed and tracked via the NETS App. With over 130,000 NETS acceptance points in Singapore, NETS Prepaid Card also makes an ideal gift card.

NETS FlashPay Card continues to be valid for in-store purchases at NETS acceptance points. Motorists can also continue to use the card or NETS Motoring Card in their current second generation in-vehicle unit (IU) as well as the new on-board unit (OBU) for their parking and ERP payments. The public can identify if they are holding a NETS FlashPay Card, by checking for the NETS FlashPay logo at the bottom right corner of the card face or the back of the card.

How about the remaining value in my NETS FlashPay Card?

Should the public want a refund on the remaining value in their NETS FlashPay Card, they can do so at SimplyGo Ticket Offices during their operating hours before 18th July 2024 or at local bank ATMs or NETS Customer Service Centre within one year from card expiry.

* Information and pictures courtesy of NETS and Gloo *

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What this project is all about

This project has helped procurement professionals in IBM to identify potential risks, including delays, quality and pricing, and mitigate their impact on businesses, with the accurate quantification of risk and cost-effective decision-making.

The accomplishment was also recognised by the prestigious Manufacturing Leadership Council, a division of the National Association of Manufacturers, based in the United States of America. The Council named IBM the global winner of the 2023 Manufacturing Leadership award under the Digital Supply Chains category. This shows IBM as one of the few world-class manufacturing leaders that have demonstrated efficiency and value in creating resilient and responsive supply chain networks, and highlights the importance of SMU’s research to facilitate this essential process.

Where it all began

The collaboration between IBM and SMU began in 2021 when the ongoing pandemic highlighted the vulnerabilities in supply chains and the urgent need to innovate and achieve supply chain resilience. As part of the agreement, SMU leveraged its expertise in supply chain logistics, together with multidimensional data provided by IBM, to build a new risk optimisation approach that informs decisions on emerging risks in procurement and logistics. IBM ILOG CPLEX Optimizer Studio was also applied to enable rapid development and deployment of decision optimisation models using data science, machine learning and AI capabilities.

The successful deployment of the source code developed by SMU’s School of Computing and Information Systems initially led to USD$1.8 million in hard annual savings for IBM’s hard disk drive (HDD) commodity category in one year, with a projected USD$35 million in hard annual savings realisable across the breadth of IBM Infrastructure globally. The outcomes from this first phase of collaboration were also integrated into IBM’s Cognitive Supply Chain Advisor 360 solution, potentially allowing organisations around the world to leverage this innovation to optimise their supply chains.

“The complexity and fragility of the global supply chain is impacting everything, from the speed and efficiency of operations to the ability to meet consumer expectations. ASEAN is no exception. Organisations need to start building resilient and sustainable supply chains to future-proof unanticipated disruptions,” said Matthias Graefe, Director of Supply Chain Transformation, IBM. “This trailblazing supply chain resiliency optimisation project with SMU is a great example of how academics and businesses can collaborate to develop new solutions for the world’s most pressing problems. We look forward to bringing this innovation and best practice to benefit organisations across the globe while continuing to support SMU as they work towards the next breakthrough.”

SMU Professor of Computer Science Lau Hoong Chuin, the Principal Investigator for the project, said: “Working with IBM’s supply chain and data science teams, we applied data-driven optimisation models and methods to help planners make more risk-tolerant, cost-effective global supply chain decisions.” He added: “In the next phase, we look to leverage the potential of quantum computing to improve the computational performance needed for augmenting supply chain decision-making capabilities in an age of heightened risks and uncertainty.”

* Information courtesy of IBM Singapore *

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How big is this festive shopping season?

Do you know how big is this festive shopping season? Americans spent over 200 billion dollars online during the 2022 festive shopping season, making 2023 a record year for online retailers. This year, 97% of people recently surveyed said they plan to shop online. As festive season related revenues grow, so does the temptation for criminals to take a part of the action for themselves – over 300 million dollars were lost to scammers in 2022 according to the FBI’s IC3 report for 2022.

5 festive shopping tips by Yubico

Online shopping is huge, during festive season, it would only get bigger. Therefore, this would attract scammers targeting festive season shoppers. Online consumers need to be wary of all these, they may be asking themselves what they can do to keep themselves safe online.

A new survey Yubico conducted with OnePoll indicates that online users continue to be concerned with their security. This survey examined how people adjusted their cybersecurity habits in a growing era of sophisticated phishing attacks and found that while 80% of survey respondents are concerned about cybersecurity when it comes to their online accounts, a surprising 39% admitted to using the same password for multiple accounts.

1. Continue to be mindful of where you send your information

While cyber criminals tend to aim at your wallet, they also attempt to use your personal information to gain access to other online accounts and assets – most frequently collected through attacks like phishing. Effectively safeguarding personal and financial information and placing trust in an online retailer can be challenging to many consumers. In fact, Yubico’s survey found that about one third of respondents (32%) are not confident that they could spot a fraudulent or fake online retailer. As phishing attacks become harder to identify, your defenses to protect against them need to also improve. With this in mind, be cautious when you see the following:

• Websites asking for too much information 

If what’s being asked feels completely unrelated to your purchase, then consider another vendor that won’t require as much information.

• Odd websites or requests for odd methods of payment 

Asking for abnormal payment types is a red flag that warrants additional investigation. Consider another vendor.

• Coupon apps and websites

Everyone loves a discount, but beware of coupon apps or browser plugins that offer these deals automatically. Remember that if you’re not paying for a service, then one way that service continues to exist is through monetising your browser history, product usage, or personal information.

2. Beware of the latest scams such as tracking information scams

Some of the latest scams involve requests to disclose additional personal information to “fill in the gaps” for an unexpected delivery. It’s best to ignore these messages and go straight to the source to check your package status.

• Sign up for tracking notifications 

Most major providers offer email based tracking notifications that can notify you when packages should be arriving.

• Investigate by going straight to the source 

If an email or text is offering you an easy way to “click here!” to get your information, ignore that suggested “easy button” and instead go straight to the vendor’s site. For example, if an email purporting to be your credit card provider indicates an issue, directly call the number on the back of your card, or access the website address directly. Don’t click on links sent over SMS or in email.

3. Use protected methods of payment

Not all payment methods are protected equally, and some standard payment methods for day-to-day business may be tempting to use for online shopping.

• Use a credit card or a trusted broker such as PayPal to protect your purchases

Many credit card providers offer consumer protections on purchases, and also allow you to dispute charges that don’t result in your product or service.

• Avoid debit cards and never give out banking information or send wire transfers to pay for online retail

Some common scams involve using banking information to create the appearance of “pay us back” errors, or directly extract funds from your bank account.

4. Protect your login credentials

Passwords are no longer enough to protect your accounts and most consumers are not modernising their authentication methods to match newer methods of attack. Yubico’s survey found that approximately one out of two (49%) respondents stated that they do not use MFA, don’t know what it is, or are not sure if they have MFA enabled.

Consider the following tips to increase the security of your online presence:

• Use strong, phishing-resistant MFA

Not all MFA methods are created equally. Instead of SMS text message based codes that must be manually entered, or app-based push notifications that are easy to mistakenly approve, secure your accounts using phishing-resistant multi-factor authentication (MFA) methods, such as passkeys and security keys like the YubiKey, which have had passkeys since 2018. Passkeys seamlessly authenticate users by using cryptographic security “keys” stored on their computer or device (i.e. a YubiKey), and are considered a superior alternative to passwords since users are not required to recall or manually enter long sequences of characters which can be forgotten, stolen or intercepted.

The YubiKey works with hundreds of services that support passkeys to reduce the possibility that you mistakenly enter your credentials into a malicious site. The YubiKey is supported for use on services like 1Password, WhatsApp, Amazon, Apple, Google, and social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Meta.

• Use a password manager to cover the gaps 

For those sites that don’t yet support phishing-resistant methods, use a reputable password manager, such as 1Password, to generate unique credentials per-site, make logins easier between devices, and watch for known breaches that may have affected your credentials. YubiKeys support the most popular password managers and adds an additional layer of security for your login credentials.

5. Ensure the highest level of protection for your most valuable assets

 Most services offer a password reset pathway, allowing users to reset their accounts using a link sent to email or a text message. In some cases, this reset method may be the easiest way for attackers to gain access to your accounts. Ensure that your most prized accounts are protected with the highest level of authentication.

• Protect your mobile ecosystem

Our mobile devices are a key tool used for our online accounts. Ensure that you’ve protected your mobile’s ecosystem by configuring hardware-backed security keys, such as YubiKeys, to protect the ecosystem that controls your mobile device. (For instance, your Apple ID account or Google Account).

• Protect your email

Many email providers also allow users to configure phishing resistant methods such as PassKeys. Ensure that you have the highest level of protection for the one place that allows you to reset most of the other accounts that you want to protect.

• Protect your core identity providers

If you use “Sign in with ___” options for online activities, ensure that you have protected those services with strong MFA as well. Most major providers support methods such as the YubiKey (for instance, your Amazon, Meta and X accounts). Also be certain to include protecting your password manager from unauthorised access.

Consider all of the tips above to stay secure this festive season and beyond, and upgrade your online security to use phishing-resistant, hardware backed, and universally adaptable authenticators, such as the YubiKey.

Happy year end festive shopping 2023!

Wishing all a happy year end festive shopping 2023, whether it’s Singles Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday or Christmas shopping! Enjoy and have fun online shopping! Remember to be safe when doing your online shopping, bookmark the 5 festive shopping tips by Yubico to improve your security habits when you are doing your online festive shopping!

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Do you have Cyber Protection? Do you back up your data?

Do you have cyber protection for your computers, for yourself, family members or/and for your work/small businesses? Do you back up your data? How much do you know about the current cyber security/internet security landscape/trends? Would you like to have a holistic cyber protection solution for yourself, family members, and also for your work/small businesses?

An alarming 41% of individuals rarely or never back up their data while 61% report a preference for an integrated solution. The need for robust, less complex, and all-encompassing backup and cyber protection has never been greater in an increasingly interconnected world.

Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is designed to conquer the evolving landscape of cyber threats by integrating Acronis’ cutting-edge cyber protection and secure backup solutions. By combining  AI-powered defense mechanisms, robust data backup, remote management tools, and mobile device protection, Acronis sets the standard for holistic cyber protection. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office is the only complete active-security solution that addresses cyber protection needs within a single, easy-to-use, and modern platform.

“With the advancements of AI, cybercriminals and their tactics are evolving,” said Gaidar Magdanurov, President at Acronis. “Today, even those with limited tech expertise can impact a large number of individuals through the use of complex phishing and social engineering attacks. Protecting data, applications, and systems requires a complete cyber protection solution – integrated with security and data backup. We are excited to announce our latest update of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, bringing better performance and stronger security to protect individuals’ data, devices, and home offices.”

Key features and benefits of Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office include:

• AI-Based Cybersecurity Enhancement: Innovative AI capabilities proactively identify and neutralize potential threats, while providing an added layer of security against cyberattacks including automated recovery from ransomware attacks. Enable the two-factor authentication (2FA) functionality to maximize your security.
• Backup and Cloning: Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office offers robust secure backup and cloning features. Users can safeguard their critical data and systems with reliable backup that ensures quick recovery in case of data loss or cyber-attacks.
• Remote Management: Users are empowered with remote management tools to monitor and manage their cybersecurity measures from anywhere in the world. This added convenience and flexibility allow for a swift response to any emerging threats.
• Mobile App and Backup: While mobile device manufacturers offer some storage options, it’s usually platform-specific, and multi-device families may have a mix of operating systems. Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office features storage capabilities for any operating system and advanced encryption to keep mobile contacts, calendars, photos, files, and data safe. The solution also offers the Acronis mobile app to safeguard mobile device data. The feature seamlessly functions across devices so access data is accessible from anywhere through the app or the web interface.

Pricing and Availability

If you are planning to get Acronis Cyber Protect Home Office, it is available for purchase online and through select resellers with yearly packages from $49.99. For more information about features, pricing, and how to get started, please visit https://go.acronis.com/cyber-protect-home-office.

* Information and picture courtesy of Acronis *

The post Acronis launch first ever AI-powered Cyber Protection Software appeared first on TGH Technology and Business Portal/Blog.

The additional currency accounts are as follows:

1. Indian rupee (INR)
2. Philippine peso (PHP)
3. South Korean won (KRW)
4. Chilean peso (CLP)
5. Colombian peso (COP)
6. Egyptian pound (EGP)
7. Kazakhstani tenge (KZT)

Revolut customers in Singapore will now be able to conduct foreign exchange using the Revolut app for those currencies prior to completing card payments or transfers. For this new feature, travel and international money transfers are expected to be the top use cases.

CEO of Revolut in Singapore, Raymond Ng said: “We are proud to announce the addition of 7 new currencies to our Singapore platform just in time to support consumers while they travel. Despite rising cost of living pressures, 3 in 4 Singapore consumers are set to have travelled this Spring. Revolut is committed to providing our users with greater access to the global financial system. With our innovative technology and user-centric approach, we are excited to continue on our mission to revolutionise the way people manage their finances.”

Revolut services include overseas remittance, multi-currency accounts, fractional stock trading, commodities and crypto trading.

With the addition of these 7 new currency accounts to the growing list of products and services, they will help Revolut customers get the most out of their money. Revolut looks forward to deliver more exceptional products to its customers in the future.

For more information on Revolut’s currency exchanges, please visit Revolut FAQ here: https://help.revolut.com/en-SG/help/wealth/exchanging-money/ 

* Information courtesy of Revolut *

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Today, all bank cards in Singapore have the ubiquitous NETS PIN feature that enables consumers to make payments at retail outlets safely. In 2018, NETS launched its contactless “tap-to-pay” feature which offers consumers an even faster and more efficient method of paying – especially suited for micropayments.

Recent collaborations between NETS and industry partners have enabled more consumers to jump onto the NETS tap-to-pay ecosystem. Consumers today can tap to pay with NETS through various bank cards from leading banks such as DBS/POSB, HSBC, Maybank, OCBC and UOB. These bank cards include standalone NETS-only ATM cards as well as Debit Mastercard.

Earlier this month, NETS collaborated with Visa and the local banks to enable NETS contactless on existing contactless Visa Debit cards, in addition to PIN. With this collaboration, these cardholders can now choose to pay by NETS contactless without needing to change to a new card. With this initiative, almost everyone in Singapore with a NETS-enabled card can now tap to pay with NETS.

Lawrence Chan, Group CEO, said, “Contactless payments offer customers a faster and more seamless payment experience. Extending contactless payment to purchases that are traditionally paid by cash will bring more convenience to consumers and merchants. Consumers can now enjoy more payment options without the need to add another card to their wallets.”

Deepak Anandani, CEO of DD Pte Ltd which runs Valu$ chain stores concurred, “During peak periods, our cashiers are now able to serve more customers quickly and efficiently. Customers are also happy as they have more choice on how they can pay, it’s a win-win for everyone.”

With the ability to make small-ticket transactions below S$100 with a simple tap, NETS tap-to-pay saves time and offers a smoother payment experience. NETS has also seen a strong double-digit year-on-year growth for contactless transactions over the last three years, mirroring industry trends. The growth in contactless transactions reinforces an ongoing shift towards a cashless society, driven by the increasing adoption of contactless payment methods in Singapore and other similar services around the world.

* Information courtesy of NETS Singapore and Gloo *

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Xiaomi Corporation (“Xiaomi”) is a consumer electronics and smart manufacturing company with smartphones and smart hardware connected by Internet of Things (IoT) platform at its core. Under Xiaomi’s Zero-carbon Philosophy plan, Xiaomi will achieve lower carbon emissions by researching and developing clean technologies, expanding electronic-waste management techniques, and implementing green operations and logistics.

Climate Strategy & Zero-carbon Philosophy 

Xiaomi’s mission is for everyone in the world to enjoy a better life through innovative technology. Therefore, Xiaomi believes they have the responsibility to help avert climate change through technological innovations and operational efficiencies. They are determined to do their part to accelerate the global transition to a net zero emission economy by infusing climate-conscious elements into the design-to-delivery process of its coolest products.

The goal of Xiaomi’s Zero-carbon Philosophy is to enhance its product efficacy and affordability while reducing the carbon footprint of its products and services. Xiaomi will continue to grow the use of low-carbon technologies to create positive climate impacts and foster greener lifestyles and a low-carbon society.

Reducing Environmental Footprint Through R&D and Circular Economy

Environmental footprints have been reduced in various ways from which four areas are selected to be illustrated in detail: Research and development (R&D) of clean technology and product upgrades, and circular economy and electronic-waste management. 

R&D of clean technology and product upgrades

In 2022, Xiaomi invested more than 50% of its total R&D expenses in clean technology R&D. That same year, application of clean technology-related patents and products produced 59.7% of its revenue. The company made notable progress in this area and here are a few examples:

5G & Energy-saving Signal Transmission Technology: Through 5G energy-saving technologies such as self-adaptive broadband and energy optimization technology, Xiaomi increased the power-saving efficiency of its smartphones. Advanced WLAN chips, in combination with the WLAN power monitoring and dynamic transmission technology, reduced power consumption of its smartphones by approximately 30% compared to the previous generation.

Energy-efficient Display Technology: By switching to Dark Mode, which turns the smartphones’ background into black, the energy consumption of the display can be reduced by as much as 70% when using specific applications. 

Charging Technology: In 2022, more than 100 million smart devices and terminals used Xiaomi’s fast-charging technologies, which saved nearly 57 million kWh of energy consumption and 24,852 tons of CO2e emissions compared to conventional fast-charging technology.      

Eco-friendly Packaging: Xiaomi changed its packaging for its ecosystem products from buckling boxes to flattened carton boxes and removed plastic handles. Through this upgrade, the company reduced the use of paper packaging by an average of 0.3m² and removed about 80g of plastic per product.

Circular economy and electronic-waste management

Recycling and Disposal: In 2022, Xiaomi recycled approximately 4,500 tons of electronic waste, including smartphones. From 2022 to 2026, the company is committed to recycling 38,000 tons of e-waste and using 5,000 tons of recycled material in its products.

 Xiaomi continues to expand its Trade-In program by increasing the types of recyclable products and its coverage of recycling services. It collects items in-store, by mail, and at the consumer’s door to encourage users to recycle their products. Last year, the company launched the Trade-In program on its official website in some European markets. It also works with qualified third parties to dispose of waste generated during the repair process of electronic products and components.

Refurbishment and Reuse: The company is committed to promoting the development of a circular economy by refurbishing used products. In 2022, its renovation factory refurbished approximately 94,000 smartphones, 5,600 electric scooters, and 6,200 smart televisions, all of which were sold as certified refurbished products. 

Enhancing Durability: Xiaomi considers material durability when selecting materials for its products. It has developed wear-resistant ceramic materials and synthetic silicone leather materials used in many of its smartphones. It has established testing standards for dustproofing, waterproofing, and drop resistance that exceed international standards. In 2022, Xiaomi released a long-lasting battery with full charging and discharging capabilities that has a 25% longer lifespan than previous versions.

GHG Emissions Reduction Targets 

Xiaomi is taking a phased approach to develop and implement its GHG emission reduction action plans.

Xiaomi set its first-ever GHG emission reduction target in 2021, which aimed to reduce per capita GHG emissions from its self-operated campus by 4.5% by 2026 compared to the 2020 baseline. As of December 31, 2022, the company achieved a 21.12% reduction in per capita GHG emissions against its baseline year.                                                                          

 To support the global aspiration of reaching net zero by 2050 (1), the company is committed to reducing its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions (2):

• By no later than 2030, reduce GHG emissions (3) from its main operating segments (4) by at least 70% from the base year (5) level;
• By no later than 2040, reduce GHG emissions from its main operating segments by at least 98% from the base year level, with pre-conditions in place to achieve net zero emissions?;
• Prioritize the use of low-carbon technologies, long-term green power purchase agreements, and on-site renewable energy generation to reduce GHG emissions throughout its target period;
• Encourage key suppliers to establish renewable energy usage and GHG emission reduction targets that are comparable to or more ambitious than those of Xiaomi to deliver continuous reduction.

For more information on Xiaomi’s Zero-carbon Philosophy

If you like to know more information on Xiaomi’s Zero-carbon Philosophy, Xiaomi’s climate strategy and implementation as well as initiatives on social and governance, please refer to the 5th Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report published by Xiaomi: https://www.mi.com/global/about/sustainability/#/

Notes:

(1) Long-term goal of the Paris Agreement.

(2) Xiaomi’s GHG emissions mainly include carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The total GHG emission is reported in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent. It calculated the GHG emissions from facilities and operations owned by Xiaomi, as well as those from the upstream and downstream of Xiaomi’s value chain. Details of its GHG emission scope include:

1) Direct GHG emissions (Scope 1): GHG directly generated from the use of natural gas and gasoline for operations and fugitive emissions from refrigeration, fire suppression equipment, and fugitive emission of GHG from the wastewater treatment process.

2) Indirect GHG emissions (Scope 2): GHG emissions generated from consumed electricity and consumed heat for operations.

(3) GHG emissions: Refers to the company’s GHG emissions (absolute value) calculated in accordance with standards such as GHG Protocol and ISO 14064 standard.

(4) Main operating segments: Smartphone, IoT and Lifestyle products, Internet Services, and others (same scope as the operating segments stated in the 2022 Annual Report).

(5) Base year: 2021.

(6) Net-zero emission: Refers to the ISO Net zero guidelines (IWA 42:2022)’s definition and guidelines on net zero emissions, of which the residual GHG emissions in the target year are in line with the science-based pathways to limit global warming by 1.5°C. 

* Information and picture courtesy of  Xiaomi and APRW *

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Singtel Bill Protect

As the world exited from a global pandemic crisis, the world is facing a new set of rising economic and job uncertainties in the year ahead. This complimentary Singtel Bill Protect plan helps Singtel customers who are facing financial hardship due to a loss of employment, with waivers on their upcoming Singtel mobile and fixed broadband bills, helping them to alleviate some of their financial burden and allowing them to focus on finding new opportunities.

Ms Anna Yip, Chief Executive Officer, Consumer Singapore, Singtel, said “Staying connected has become an essential part of modern lifestyle. By offering our new Singtel Bill Protect plan to our postpaid customers for free, we aim to help ease the strain of life’s uncertainties by ensuring that our customers impacted by adverse conditions like retrenchment can stay connected with their communities using Singtel’s superior network without worrying about their bills. That frees up their mind to focus on other more pressing priorities.”

Mr Raymond Ong, Chief Executive Officer of Etiqa Insurance Singapore, said “We are excited by the Singtel-Etiqa telcoassurance partnership, which will see the launch of initiatives and plans to achieve our vision of closing the protection gap that exists in Singapore, and help customers achieve peace of mind during difficult moments in their lives. The Singtel Bill Protect is a positive step towards achieving this vision by providing coverage for retrenchment and accidental death to support affected customers and their families.”

A helping hand in times of need

 According to the latest Ministry of Manpower labour market estimates (1), retrenchments in Singapore have risen for three quarters in a row.

Eligible insured persons (2) who become retrenched can get their Singtel bills mobile and fixed broadband waived for up to six months, up to a maximum of S$600. In additional to retrenchment, the Singtel Bill Protect plan also covers accidental death (3).

Singtel Bill Protect is part of a broader series of Singtel Protect telcoassurance offerings that aim to help its customers narrow potential gaps in their insurance coverage to address life’s other unexpected adversities with Etiqa Insurance Singapore’s offerings. These easy-to-access solutions include Singtel Life Protect for protection against death and permanent disability; Singtel Health Protect, which covers unexpected illnesses; and Singtel Wealth Protect, which helps customers invest and accumulate wealth.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore will leverage their digital expertise and sales force to deliver these products to Singtel customers exclusively through Singtel’s digital and physical retail channels. Other solutions dedicated to enhancing the protection needs of Singtel customers under the Singtel and Etiqa Insurance Singapore partnership will also be progressively introduced.

Additional information on Singtel Bill Protect 

Q: How long is the free coverage from Singtel Bill Protect?

A: This policy offers retrenchment and accidental death coverage that lasts 12 months from your sign-up date. A 90-day waiting period applies for the retrenchment benefit. However, withdrawing consent for Etiqa marketing offers will result in early termination of your plan.

Source: Singtel Bill Protect website FAQ

Q: What happens after the 12 months free cover end?

A: We will look at the take up and demand in the first year and will evaluate whether to extend it for our customers.

For more information about Bill Protect, please visit https://www.singtel.com/billprotect.

To learn more about the partnership between Singtel and Etiqa Insurance Singapore, please visit https://www.singtel.com/singtelprotect-etiqa and https://www.etiqa.com.sg/singtelpartnership.

Notes:

1. https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2023/0428-labour-market-advance-release—first-quarter-2023
2. Customers who wish to sign up for this complimentary plan must be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident residing in Singapore, aged 17 to 65 years old, and subscribed to at least one Singtel postpaid mobile line.
3. For accidental death, beneficiaries of the policyholder will receive a lump sum payout that is 12 times the last Singtel bill before death, up to a maximum of S$1,200.

* Information courtesy of Singtel *

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