Author: Business News Asia

BusinessNewsAsia.com's Editorial team is composed of experienced professional journalist and financial professionals who have an average of 10 years of experience in financial and breaking news reportage.

The 2024 Dinagyang Festival is set to unfold this week and Ilonggos and visitors are in for a spectacle as Iloilo City is poised to entertain guests with its diverse culture and talents that will surely send the party mode on. Afterall, Dinagyang is a Hiligaynon term for Merrymaking. The festival is a perfect representation of the Ilonggos zest for life’s adventures and resilience amidst the challenges. The private sector’s support has been a major force in making the Dinagyang a success through the years. SM City Iloilo, a major corporate partner of the Iloilo City government, has line up…

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Mindanao Star Bus Transit Inc. (MSBTI) said it will support the economic growth of Central Mindanao in terms of boosting passengers mobility and transportation of agricultural products. “Mindanao Star Bus is committed to spurring and sustaining social and economic activities in this region by providing safe, dependable and affordable public transport,” said Leo Rey Yanson, the newly re-elected chairman and president of the company after the stockholders’ meeting held on January 20, 2024 in Cagayan de Oro City. Central Mindanao or SOCCSARGEN (Region XII), which includes South Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat, Cotabato and Sarangani provinces and General Santos City, is also…

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In a remarkable moment for the Queen City of the South, lyf Cebu City officially swung open its doors on January 16, ushering in a new chapter of co-living and community-centric service. The opening event was graced by Philip Barnes, Country General Manager; Rey Vergel Mulat, lyf Champion (Residence Manager) of lyf Cebu City; Mathias Bergundthal, Director of Hotels and Assets of Cebu Landmaster’s; Jose Franco Soberano, SEVP and COO of Cebu Landmaster’s; Jose Soberano III, ⁠Cebu Landmaster’s Chairman and CEO; Mike Rama, Mayor of Cebu City; Judy Gabato, Chief Tourism Operations Officer of DOT – Central Visayas; and Atty.…

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Quest Hotel invites you to experience the vibrant and rhythmic celebration of Sinulog on January 21, as we bring the festival spirit to life right at the pulse of Cebu City. Sinulog dancers and drumbeaters will take center stage all day at the hotel lobby and drop-off, creating an atmosphere of energy and excitement that captures the essence of this world-renowned cultural event. In the evening, the highlight will be the Sinulog Buffet Dinner at Puso Bistro and Bar, offering a feast of flavors that pay homage to the rich culinary traditions of the Philippines. Guests can indulge in a…

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Malaysian-based food startup Meals in Minutes today announced that it has successfully secured $1.5 million in a seed round led by an early-stage venture fund and seed accelerator 500 Global, with participation from a private investor. This fresh round of capital will fuel Meals in Minutes’s growth across Malaysia and Singapore, including establishing a presence in the United Kingdom. The funding will also be focused on the research and development to expand Meals in Minutes’s selection of food products and build a stronger marketing campaign to reach greater target audiences across all markets. Vin Vin Khu, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)…

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Singapore-based impact private equity firm ABC Impact has announced the successful first closing of its second impact fund, ABC Impact Fund II. Launched in August 2023, ABC Impact Fund II has garnered support from new investors, notably a Southeast Asian sovereign wealth fund. Bolstered by the track record of its inaugural fund, ABC Impact has also received significant backing from existing partners, including Temasek Trust, Temasek, SeaTown Holdings, and Mapletree Investments. Fund II Assets Under Management (AUM) now exceeds US$550 million, with the final close expected in 2024. “We are pleased to achieve the first closing of ABC Impact Fund…

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Celebrate Sinulog, the country’s grandest festival, at your favorite SM malls in Cebu! Immerse yourself in the excitement of festive events at the core of the Sinulog Festival this month of January. The Sinulog Festival in Cebu is a vibrant and deeply-rooted religious celebration that traces its origins to the Feast of the Sto. Nino. SM Seaside City Cebu and SM City Cebu offer a vibrant and culturally rich experience for both locals and tourists when they visit the two SM malls in Cebu City this Sinulog 2024. RELIGIOUS EXHIBITION To start off the celebration, SM City Cebu and Ramon…

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Running an international shipping service can be a complex and challenging endeavor, but it also opens up immense opportunities for business growth. In today’s globalized market, being able to ship products overseas is essential for reaching new customers and expanding your brand’s reach. With the rise of e-commerce and the increasing demand for online shopping, the need for efficient and reliable international shipping services has never been greater. However, like any other business venture, setting up a successful international shipping service requires careful planning and execution. This blog post will delve into key strategies and tips for running a successful…

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The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority through the abled leadership of Chairman Administrator Jonathan D. Tan bags 6 awards from the Department of Tourism – Region III. DOT 3 prestigious Tourism Recognition for Enterprises and Stakeholders Awards, known as TRES Awards named SBMA among the total of 36 awards across eight categories as; Most Visited Tourist Destination for 2023 (Champion) Top Tourist Destination for 2023 (1st runner up) Kaagapay Award (2nd runner up) Most Creative Tourism Marketing Collateral (1st runner up) Most Outstanding Tourism Month Celebration (1st runner up) Filipino Brand of Service Excellence Advocate (2nd runner up) Chairman Tan is…

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Canon Singapore Pte. Ltd. (Canon Singapore) today announced the new appointment of Mr. Toshiyuki Ishii as President and CEO of Canon Singapore, the regional headquarters for Canon in the South and Southeast Asia region, effective from 1 January 2024. Mr. Ishii moved from his recent role as Head of Consumer Imaging Group in Canon China, during which he directed sales and marketing strategy since 2016. Based in Singapore, he will oversee and lead Canon employees and business partners in the area of sales, marketing, service and operations in 23 countries and regions including Singapore and subsidiaries in India, Malaysia, Thailand…

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A growing number of Filipino professionals are cashing in on freelancing either for full-time work or to earn extra income. With its long list of positives including flexibility and more opportunities to earn higher compared to regular jobs, reports show that the local gig economy has been rapidly growing in the past few years as it has become an increasingly attractive career track both for barely starting fresh graduates and more experienced workers. In a report on the Philippine freelance market published in 2022, it was revealed that over 1.5 million Filipinos are engaged in freelancing platforms, 60 percent of…

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Life science is the field of science that studies living things, like plants, people, animals and even bugs. Most people who desire to pursue careers in the life sciences typically hold degrees in chemistry, biology, ecology, environmental science or a similar field. Many types of life sciences jobs can be used in many different fields. One example of a job for one of these experts is working in health and technology or conservation and environmental campaigning. Life science is a very broad area, so people who want to start a career in it have a lot of choices. Here are…

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AirAsia X (AAX) announced today that it has entered into a non-binding letter of acceptance with Capital A for the proposed acquisitions of its aviation businesses, namely AirAsia Berhad and AirAsia Aviation Group Limited. The strategic move positions AAX to become the overarching regional aviation provider for all short and medium-haul routes under the AirAsia brand name. This groundbreaking acquisition is expected to provide unparalleled advantages, including a strengthened market position, increased operational efficiency, and ultimately driving cost savings and enhanced financial performance. The decision to combine the airline businesses through these acquisitions leverages AAX’s robust recovery trajectory after its…

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Indonesian agritech startup Semaai announced today it has raised USD 4.7 million (approximately IDR 73 billion) in a mixed round of equity and debt financing. The round was led by CyberAgent Capital and saw participation from a consortium of new and existing investors, including Sumitomo Corporation Equity Asia, Ruvento, MyAsiaVC, Heracles Ventures, Peak XV’s Surge, Accion Venture Lab, and Beenext. This latest funding boosts Semaai’s total investment to USD 7.6 million (around IDR 118 billion), marking a significant milestone following a year of exponential growth. The startup has reported a more than fifteen-fold increase in net revenue over the past…

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Human Capital Management (HCM) systems stand out as indispensable tools for organizations seeking to optimize and streamline their human resources processes. The decision to invest in an HCM system promises a plethora of advantages, not only enhancing operational efficiency but also contributing significantly to the overall growth and prosperity of a business. Heightened Efficiency and Productivity At the forefront of the benefits derived from an HCM system lies a substantial improvement in efficiency and productivity. The automation of repetitive and time-consuming HR tasks, such as payroll processing, employee onboarding, and performance evaluations, empowers businesses to allocate more resources and time…

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Amidst a challenging year, the Yanson Group of Bus Companies (YGBC) remains committed to providing Filipinos with reliable public transportation, according to newly re-elected chairman and president of Vallacar Transit Inc. (VTI) Leo Rey Yanson. Yanson made the statement during VTI’s recent stockholders meeting. VTI is one of the affiliate companies under YGBC, one of the largest transport providers in the country. The Yanson family matriarch, Olivia V. Yanson, presided over the meeting on December 2, 2023, in her dual roles as co-founder and court-appointed special administrator of the estate of her late husband Ricardo B. Yanson Sr., co-founder of…

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CEBU CITY – The Chocolate Chamber (TCC), a homegrown shop-cum-cafe owned by the country’s Chocolate Queen Raquel Toquero-Choa, is expanding globally, with plans to enter Singapore early next year. The Singapore expansion, set for Q1 2024, will be the first for TCC outside of the Philippines. TCC already has branches in Cebu, Bohol, and soon, Metro Manila, Choa told BusinessNewsAsia. The original plan was to bring the TCC brand along with the Chocolate Chamber Cafe and the Chocolate Chamber Academy to the US but Choa instead decided to try the Singapore market first. “We want to familiarise the global market…

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The Philippines’ premier freeport signified its readiness for electric vehicle tourism after the installation of two Electric Vehicle Charging Station (EVCS) here. Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman and Administrator Jonathan D. Tan graced the official launching of the EVCS at the Uni-Oil Subic gasoline station after a product presentation. “We are gearing up to attract more tourists while maintaining an environmentally healthy environment as part of my administration’s thrusts. Not only that we are now expecting tourists thru the conventional fuel-powered vehicles, we are now ready for tourists on electric vehicles and e-cars,” Tan said. Tan added that another…

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Foreign and local tourists can now look forward to the rise of the first-ever 5 star hotel in Panglao, the JW MARRIOTT PANGLAO ISLAND RESORT & SPA, following the signing of a memorandum between Cebu-based premier development company AppleOne Group Inc. and JW Marriott on June 17 in Singapore. Following the success and multiple recognitions gained by The Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and Mahi Center in Cebu, AppleOne is thrilled to bring their expertise in hotel and property development to one of the country’s prime tourist destinations that is Bohol. AppleOne president and chief executive officer Ray Manigsaca together with…

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In support of the Ayala Group’s #BrigadangAyala efforts, Globe has mobilized its resources to provide critical support to communities affected by the continuing unrest of Mount Mayon. The company is working with their partners on-ground to provide necessary relief, communications support, and monetary aid to those affected. Globe’s employees volunteered on-ground to help in the distribution of relief packs to affected families in Tabaco and Daraga, Albay. Globe is also setting up three Libreng Tawag, Libreng Charging, and Libreng WiFi sites in Daraga, Guinobatan, and Malilipot, expected to be fully operational starting June 16, Friday. These efforts are part of…

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