Author: Business News Asia

BitHull S.A (www.BitHull.com) has created quite a stir in the global cryptocurrency marketplace with its recently launched miners BH Miner and BH Miners Box. In spite of their moderate power consumption, these FPGA minors deliver extraordinarily high hash power. Both these products are great for home based mining because of their low noise. BH Miner and BH Miners Box can be used to mine Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Monero. The basic product from BitHull S.A is BH Miner, and it has been designed specifically for the crypto mining beginners. On the other hand, BH Miners Box is tailor-made for seasoned…

Being a pet parent must have made you go anxious by hearing the recent news and many are wondering whether pets can carry the coronavirus. If so, you might also wonder if they can infect you and these are common questions that arise in the minds of pet parents. But you can have some peace of mind as WHO has denied any such shreds of evidence which states pet as coronavirus carriers. So, if you have been secretly thinking about abandoning your pets, then you need to read this article to get acquainted with reality. Can pets spread coronavirus to…

Are you looking to expand your market in China? Do you also see the huge potential in raising your brand awareness in China but feel lost when trying to choose the right platforms to spread out your business? “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”. In order to draw the attention of the Chinese majority, you need to think like a native and go where the natives are most active at and Chinese social media are the best are the best tools you can use to reach new customers, in a market that has its own codes. WeChat, the…

Silicon Valley-based venture capital firm Altos Ventures has led a US$6.7-million investment in JK INSPIR, a South Korean manufacturer and distributor of eco-friendly consumer products. JK INSPIR said the investment round was also participated by Gorilla Private Equity Fund and Clean Wrap, Korea’s leading food packaging company known for being the first in the industry to introduce non-toxic manufacturing technology. Established in 2014, JK INSPIR manufactures and distributes eco-friendly consumer products focusing on feminine hygiene (AUDREY SUN brand) and oral care and skincare (The Baird Cosmetics) along with a soon-to-be-launched and environmentally conscientious beauty tool brand expected in early 2020.…

Asia’s unbanked population is still huge at more than 1 billion people, according to a World Bank report in 2018, making the region a high-growth market for financial technology companies. It doesn’t, therefore, come as a surprise that a growing number of people in the region are now turning to technology to meet their financial services needs A recent survey conducted by Robocash Group showed that a growing number of Asians are now turning to e-payments and digital wallets to make transactions. The survey showed that almost two-thirds of the respondents applied for online credit and made e-payments last year.…

(BUSINESSNEWSASIA) – Hotel occupancy in the Asia Pacific region dropped 1.3 percent to 69.3 percent last year while average daily rate (ADR) plunged 2 percent to $98.73 and RevPar fell to $68.38, according to data from US-based data intelligence provider STR. The data shows that hotels in the Asia Pacific region reported negative results in three key performance metrics last year, with Sydney performance trending downward for most of the year largely due to supply growth and overall flat demand. The worst drop in December RevPAR occurred in Sydney Drive Regional, a submarket within a two-hour-drive radius of Greater Sydney.…

During a visit to a school serving as an evacuation center in Nasugbu, Batangas on January 22, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Sung Y. Kim announced the provision of Php 5.1 million ($100,000) in U.S. government support to those affected by the January 12 Taal volcanic eruption. Ambassador Kim also joined Philippines Disaster Resilience Foundation (PDRF) partners to distribute supplies to evacuees in Calatagan. With this new funding, the United States government, through U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) partner World Vision, is providing relief supplies including soap, sleeping mats, and blankets, to nearly 7,600 people in the Nasugbu West…

LONDON, Jan 2, 2020 – (Media OutReach) – The Global Banking and Finance Review has named Isabel dos Santos the best Angolan chairperson for 2019, and her company Unitel the best telecommunications company in Angola for 2019. Dos Santos owns 25 percent of Unitel, Angola’s largest telecoms company. She also sits on its board and last March had her board membership renewed. The Angolan investor has been busy this past year. In 2019, Unitel became the first Angolan Associate Partner of the World Economic Forum. This exclusive club of corporate partners help WEF implement its vision in Africa and attend summits all over the…

Typhoon Ursula maintains its strength as it heads towards Southern Masbate – Northeastern Panay in the Philippines on Christmas Eve, according to the weather bulletin issued by the state weather agency at 11 PM Tuesday. The eye of Typhoon Ursula was located based on all available data including Guiuan, Mactan, Bohol, and Iloilo Doppler Radars in the vicinity of Calubian, Leyte, moving west northwest at 25 kph with maximum sustained winds of 130 kph near the center and gustiness of up to 200 kph. As of 11PM, placed under Tropical Cyclone wind signals are the following: Signal Number 3 Luzon…

A free-forever web and mobile push notifications company, Truepush has bagged the award for “Fastest Growing Software in Push Notification” by SaasWorthy. Truepush is also leading in the “Most Searched Software in Push Notification”. Truepush has up the game in the global SaaS market. With over 150% MoM growth since its inception in January 2019 and till now, Truepush is serving more than 6000+ users across continents. The company has helped clients globally to shoot up their engagement by sending notifications to its website visitors. The organic growth of the company has itself resulted in crossing 2.9 Billion+ notifications and…

Adams Street Partners, a Chicago-based investment management firm, has announced the final close of its 2019 global fund – Adams Street 2019 Partnership Fund Program – at approximately $740 million in capital commitments. The global fund program received strong demand from investors worldwide, with commitments from both new and existing investors in the US, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. The firm said the diverse array of investors include public and corporate pension plans, high net worth individuals, foundations, and endowments. “We’re pleased to see ongoing demand from current clients and new investors in our global fund program, which continues…

Singapore-listed Alliance Healthcare Group Limited, an integrated healthcare firm that leverages technology to provide broad suite of healthcare services primarily in Singapore, has agreed to acquire a 55-per cent stake of the enlarged issued share capital of Jaga-Me Pte Ltd. Alliance Healthcare said its wholly owned subsidiary has entered into a sale and purchase agreement to acquire 55 per cent of Jaga-Me’s enlarged issued share capital for S$3.5 million ($2.6 million). The transaction will be carried out via the purchase of existing vendor shares and the subscription of new shares in the capital of Jaga-Me for a cash consideration of…

Publicly listed firm Century Properties Group, Inc. has made significant achievements this year with 2,853 condominium unit completions and bullish business expansion into affordable housing through PHirst Park Homes and commercial leasing. Under its in-city vertical developments, CPG has fully completed the 9-tower, six-hectare Azure Urban Resort Residences in Parañaque City this November with the turnover of 846 units at its final tower, the Bahamas. Collectively, all nine Azure towers comprise 5,350 units with a total sales value of Php26.2 billion, and with 98 percent of the inventory already sold out. The company also completed this year the Roxas West…

Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) today announced that it intends to acquire a majority stake in InfraRed Capital Partners (“InfraRed”), a global infrastructure and real estate investment manager. InfraRed advises institutional and pooled fund clients on approximately US$12 billion (C$16 billion) in assets under management as of September 30, 2019. InfraRed is headquartered in London, U.K. and has more than 175 partners and staff. InfraRed will form part of SLC Management, Sun Life’s alternatives asset management business. The acquisition is integral to Sun Life’s strategy of broadening its asset management pillar by extending the capabilities of SLC…

Pan Pacific Hotels Group, a member of Singapore-listed OUL Group Limited, one of Asia’s most established hotel and property companies, has expanded its presence in North America with the rebranding of The Westin Prince Hotel to Pan Pacific Toronto. Pan Pacific Toronto will be the fifth hotel for Pan Pacific Hotels Group in North America, joining other hotels in Vancouver, Whistler in British Columbia and Seattle. Located in North East Toronto, Pan Pacific Toronto is a well-known landmark to residents in the prestigious neighborhood it calls home, with a warm and welcoming air throughout the 15 acres of scenic parkland…

Hong Kong continues to cement its position as the world’s leading hub for initial public offering after the city’s stock market once again ranked first globally in terms of IPO proceeds, according to the latest report released by KPMG. By the end of 2019, Hong Kong will have completed 160 IPOs, raising a total of HKD 307.8 billion, with a historical high of 145 new Main Board listings, a considerable increase from 130 in 2018. The fundraising total in 2019 was largely driven by a strong performance in the second half of the year, highlighted by two mega-sized deals: Alibaba’s…

Hong Kong-based financial technology firm WeLab announced that it has raised $156 million of Series C strategic financing, completing the largest fintech fundraising in Greater China year to date. This round drew the backing of new investors as well as 5 existing investors who made follow-on investments, including Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund and China Construction Bank (International) amongst others, as validation of WeLab’s accomplishments and confidence for WeLab’s future prospects. The fresh funding will be used to further develop and broaden the firm’s platform as a fintech enabler, said Simon Loong, founder and group CEO of WeLab. “Further investment into…

Tokyo-listed real estate manager Kenedix Inc has launched a private core fund that will invest in hotels in Japan in the next seven years, the company disclosed. The 19-billion yen ($173 million) fund will be managed by Kenedix Investment Partners Inc, a subsidiary of the company, with plans to invest in hotels in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, and Fukuoka. Several Japanese institutional investors have committed to the fund, Kenedix said. “Interest among investors in Japan and other countries in Japan’s real estate market will continue to increase because of the stability of cash flows generated by properties in the country,” Japan’s…

Dusit International, one of Thailand’s leading hotel and property development companies, has officially rebranded The Beach Club at Lubi Plantation Island, managed by Dusit, as Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort. The rebranded resort introduces new beachfront villas and a range of dining and recreational facilities. Located on a private island off the coast of the Davao Gulf, Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort is one of the three Dusit properties that were launched in partnership with Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) in Davao this year. The other properties include dusitD2 Davao and Dusit Thani Residence Davao. Now taking on the upper-upscale…

Singapore-listed SIA Engineering Company Limited (SIAEC) and Safran Aircraft Engines have signed an agreement today for SIAEC to provide engine maintenance services to Safran Aircraft Engines. The 10-year agreement encompasses engine Quick Turn(QT) and modification embodiment services for both CFM LEAP-1A and LEAP-1B engines. SIAEC will setup a dedicated facility with the latest engine and QT processes and state-of-the-art technology to support these services. The facility is expected to commence operations in 2020. The LEAP-1A is one of two engine options for the Airbus A320neo family, while the LEAP-1B is the exclusive powerplant for the Boeing 737 MAX. The LEAP…