HONG KONG, Feb 20, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) today announced its work focus for the 2025/26 fiscal year, which aims to strengthen Hong Kong’s competitive advantages and intensify efforts to promote Hong Kong as a resilient international business hub. Embracing opportunities arising from global development trends, the HKTDC continues to create new opportunities for Hong Kong businesses.HKTDC Chairman Dr Peter K N Lam said: “Just two months into 2025, the HKTDC has already held a number of major events, such as the Asian Financial Forum (AFF) in January and three trade fairs, which attracted strong participation from attendees, buyers and exhibitors from around the world, a herald of a year of vibrant business activity.”“Looking ahead, the HKTDC will strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a resilient and connected international business hub, intensify efforts to promote our city’s advantages to the global business community and promote further integration of Hong Kong into the national development framework, which highlighting Hong Kong’s unique role in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Furthermore, we will drive innovation and sustainable development to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness, and nurture a new generation of SMEs and start-ups.”In 2024, the HKTDC hosted over 40 large-scale exhibitions and conferences in Hong Kong, attracting buyers, exhibitors and attendees from over 190 countries and regions, further solidifying Hong Kong’s position as the premier hub for exhibitions and conferences in Asia. Particularly noteworthy was the increased participation from Mainland China and emerging markets, such as ASEAN and the Middle East, as well as the traditional markets of Europe and North America, with all showing robust growth compared to 2023.In the 2025/26 fiscal year, the HKTDC will intensify efforts to actively promote Hong Kong’s advantages and opportunities to Mainland China and the global business community, further solidifying Hong Kong’s crucial role as a key global hub for two-way investment and trade.HKTDC’s 2025/2026 major work focuses are:1. Reinforce Hong Kong’s unique role as a resilient and connected business hub globally, and strengthen its integration into national development and role as superconnector and super value-adderStrengthen Hong Kong’s integration into national development- Stage targeted fundraising salons in Mainland China to entice mainland enterprises to list in Hong Kong;- Organise the second edition of the Hong Kong Shopping Festival in August and launch the E-Commerce Express to help SMEs deepen their understanding of mainland e-commerce and online platforms through a series of specialised training seminars and one-on-one advisory services;- Active participation in mainland fairs, including setting up Hong Kong Image Pavilions at key mainland expos to promote Hong Kong’s advantages; organising a Hong Kong Day networking event at the China International Import Expo targeting key buyers and enriching the Style Hong Kong Pavilion offerings at the China International Consumer Products Expo to create more collaboration opportunities.- Organise sectoral outbound missions:1) A GoGBA mission to Dongguan will be organised to help SMEs in the food processing and medical devices sectors to stay competitive amid an evolving manufacturing landscape with innovative technologies;2) An e-tailing mission to e-commerce hotspot Zhejiang to help SMEs understand the latest developments; and3) A Fashion Go Places mission to Guangzhou and Dongguan to connect Hong Kong fashion industry players with partners in fashion tech and beyond.Reinforce Hong Kong’s role as superconnector and super value-adder- Build partnerships with Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) government agencies and industry multipliers to attract more RCEP businesses to leverage HKTDC trade fairs to connect with international buyers;- Launch the Hong Kong Risk Management Squad to help mainland and ASEAN companies with plans for global expansion to mitigate business risks;- Introduce the ASEAN Lifestyle Pioneer Series to increase SMEs’ market exposure in the region and facilitate opportunities;- Stage Think Business, Think Hong Kong campaign in Italy to spotlight Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages, including its service offerings; and- Organise missions, including to:1) ASEAN to explore opportunities in the food and health supplement industry; and2) Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates with an Infrastructure Development and Real Estate-related Services (IRES) delegation to capture opportunities arising from infrastructure expansion in the Middle East.2. Fortify Hong Kong’s competitiveness by embracing innovation and sustainable development, to support the national new quality productive forces strategy, and seize opportunities arising from global trendsSupport the national new quality productive forces strategy- Strengthen the content of and recruitment for exhibitions and conferences:1) Establish InnoEX as an international I&T exchange platform for Asia;2) Recruit more agritech and foodtech firms sought after by investors, to join AFF Deal-making;3) Explore collaboration with local research centres to coorganise thematic sessions at the Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH) to facilitate industry collaboration;4) Collaborate with Hong Kong Baptist University’s Chinese Medicine Hospital and Belt & Road Alliance for Traditional Chinese Medicine at ASGH to examine Hong Kong’s role in Traditional Chinese Medicine’s globalisation;5) Explore opportunities in the low-altitude economy at the Asian Logistics, Maritime and Aviation Conference (ALMAC) and InnoEX;6) Launch the SmartHK Tech Series to showcase Hong Kong’s I&T strengths across the GBA and at mainland I&T fairs; and7) Focus on PropTech for Building for the Future campaign, especially in the mainland, to highlight Hong Kong’s strengths in PropTech and smart city development.- Strengthen connections and collaboration with InnoHK, the Innovation and Technology Commission cluster:1) Strengthen ties with the Health@InnoHK cluster to better understand their business matching needs and facilitate connections with relevant business partners and investors;2) Partner with InnoHK research centres, local universities and incubators for the International Trade Fastpass SmartBiz Series to highlight the benefits of adopting innovative tech solutions.Seize opportunities arising from global trends- Sustainable development:1) Launch the Hong Kong Green Team to highlight Hong Kong’s green strengths and capabilities in Hong Kong and ASEAN;2) Invite sustainable fashion brands to promote circular fashion and a greener industry at CENTRESTAGE; and3) Work with ESG-related multipliers to provide sustainability workshops and ESG certification courses for Transformation Sandbox (T-box) members.Medical health and the silver economy:1) Organise biotech missions to Europe and the US in partnership with industry multipliers to help start-ups grow and transform;2) Invite partners and investors with expertise in geriatric medicine and elderly care to introduce ageing-related innovations at ASGH to facilitate collaboration and tech commercialisation;3) Enhance the product line-up at Food Expo to showcase healthy food and supplements targeting the silver market; and4) Create a thematic cluster on hktdc.com Sourcing to further highlight Optical Fair exhibitors targeting the silver market.- Islamic business opportunities:1) Collaborate with the Incorporated Trustees of the Islamic Community Fund of Hong Kong to feature local halal food manufacturers at Food Expo PRO;2) Strengthen participation of pavilions of countries with a large halal market to enrich the variety of halal products at Food Expo PRO.3. Build the next generation of connected and future-ready SMEs and start-ups, and fast-track SMEs’ digital transformationBuild the next generation of connected and future-ready SMEs and start-ups- Talent matching: Leverage events, such as InnoEX and Entrepreneur Day (E-Day), to offer talent matching sessions for start-ups and I&T companies.- Strengthen collaboration with institutions:1) Partner with the Hong Kong Productivity Council to inform Global Tech Summit participants about the latest tech in Industry 4.0 and showcase related solutions at E-Day to help SMEs, start-ups become future-ready;2) Partner with academic institutions and youth and community organisations to engage young individuals at our fairs to equip them with the knowledge and skills in digital transformation and sustainability;3) Launch the CV Clinic at the Education & Careers Expo by partnering with recruitment agencies to help the younger generation with their job search; and4) Collaborate with local universities to leverage ASGH for their entrepreneurship events and as a showcase for their biomed projects.Fast-track SMEs’ digital transformation- Debut an AI productivity workshop series at InnoEX to help SMEs harness the power of AI tools to boost productivity;- Host dedicated sessions at MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse to educate brands on short video features on the mainland’s social media platforms;- Collaborate with leading AI service providers to provide T-box members with practical AI applications.Media enquiriesHKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:Agnes Wat Tel: (852) 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.orgSam Ho Tel: (852) 2584 4569 Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Johannesburg, South Africa, Feb 20, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - South Africa has taken a big step to boost its national cybersecurity. It has adopted the National Cybersecurity Policy Framework (NCPF), which came out in December 2015. This framework gives a full plan for cybersecurity. It focuses on protecting Critical Information Infrastructure (NCII) that supports key areas like energy, banking, and telecommunications.The NCPF aims to tackle cybersecurity issues and make the nation stronger against cyber threats. It does this by getting the government, private companies, and regular people to work together. The framework also has plans to fight cybercrime, help law enforcement do a better job, and teach people about cybersecurity through education programs. South Africa sees international teamwork as a crucial part of its online safety plan. It takes part in worldwide talks about cyber protection rules.The NCPF aims to bring together the whole country to shield vital computer systems, lower the chance of online crimes, and give people and groups the know-how to protect their digital lives. With this plan, South Africa wants to be a top player in cyber safety in Africa. It hopes to create a safer online world for its people and companies.Over View of the event:The Cybersecurity Summit is a leading event that brings together top industry experts and decision-makers to tackle the evolving challenges of digital security. Taking place on 13th March 2025 at the Qurtuba Convention Centre, this summit focuses on the latest threats and cutting-edge defense strategies. It offers an in-depth exploration of how to strengthen organizational defenses and leverage emerging technologies like AI, blockchain, IoT, and cloud security. Over 200 C-level executives, directors, and heads of security will gather to share insights, discuss innovative solutions, and explore the future of cybersecurity. This event, running from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM, provides the knowledge and tools necessary to protect against tomorrow’s risks and safeguard valuable digital assets.Who will Speak:Simon Nare, CISO, AECI.Sihle Mthiyane, CIO, NTP Radioisotopes SOC Ltd.Kuseni Dlamini, Chairman, Aspen Pharmacare Holdings.Kenneth Palliam, President, ISACA South Africa.Galeboe Mogotsi, Chief Information Security Officer, University of Witwatersrand.The event will cover topics like:Setting the Stage for Cybersecurity in Africa.The Cutting Edge: Integrating AI in Cybersecurity with Risk Awareness.Building Resilience: Safeguarding the Backbone of National Infrastructure.Zero Trust in Action: Transforming South Africa's Cybersecurity Landscape.Implementing AI Trust, Risk, and Security Management (TRiSM) in South Africa: Safeguarding the Future.For more information on the 25th Edition Cyber Security Summit: LinkAbout ExitoExito, which means success in Spanish, embodies our commitment to the success of our customers. Each year, we host over 240 virtual and in-person conferences globally, bringing together audiences with world-class thought leaders and C-level executives across industries. Our meticulously crafted agendas, based on extensive research and valuable industry insights, facilitate business, knowledge transfer, deal flow, and impactful messaging for brands.For Media Enquiries, contact:Kasturi Nayak (Sr.) Marketing Executive)Kasturi.nayak@exito-e.comEnquiry@exito-e.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

SINGAPORE, Feb 20, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Self-care has traditionally taken a backseat in our fast-paced world, yet its importance cannot be overstated. Rather than viewing external relationships as the ultimate source of fulfilment, many are prioritising personal well-being and self-care. This shift has redefined how individuals approach health, empowerment, and overall quality of life.Despite its proven benefits—reducing stress, boosting self-esteem, and strengthening our connections with others—self-care is often neglected. A recent study found that only a third of people practice self-care daily, highlighting the need to prioritise habits that nourish the mind and body.LAC emphasises the importance of self-care, encouraging individuals from all walks of life to nurture their well-being and invest in their health.To support this journey of self-care, LAC (pronounced L-A-C) has thoughtfully curated a selection of wellness essentials designed to help individuals juggling packed schedules feel their best, inside and out.LAC Hair Protect™ - Hair Growth Formula FullCal® - Highly Assimilable Calcium Citrate Formula, and Joint Protec® Flex - UC-II® Collagen + CurQlife Plus® TurmericFrom maintaining strong bones and joints to nourishing hair health, these supplements help individuals to maintain vitality and mobility, ensuring you stay vibrant, full of life, and ready to embrace self-love this season.Hair health is closely tied to overall well-being, and factors like stress, poor circulation, and nutrient deficiencies can contribute to hair thinning and loss. Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), LAC Activated® Hair Protect™ combines nine natural herbs, including He Shou Wu, to support scalp health, strengthen hair follicles, and promote natural growth.By nourishing the liver and kidneys—key organs in TCM for maintaining healthy blood circulation—this vegetarian and halal-certified formula helps improve hair strength, thickness, and shine while reducing hair loss. Ideal for those experiencing stress, frequent hair treatments, or premature greying, LAC Activated® Hair Protect™ supports a fuller, healthier head of hair.As simple as it sounds, prolonged day-to-day activities, alongside growing age, often brings joint issues such as the synovial fluid and calcium depletion within the bones and joints. The combination of both LAC FullCal® - Highly Assimilable Calcium Citrate and Formula Joint Protec® Flex - UC-II® Collagen + CurQlife Plus® Turmeric provides the necessary nutrients for stronger bones and joint health.Formulated with LAC’s proprietary blend, individuals will no longer need to consume separate combinations of supplements to achieve similar results, bringing much convenience and cost-effectiveness at the same time.By prioritising self-care, individuals can cultivate health, confidence, and overall well-being, making them better equipped to navigate life’s demands. LAC encourages everyone to take a step back, recharge, and invest in their health, because true well-being starts from within. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Leading regional insurtech Igloo expands reach through new partnerships and products with notable consumer finance brands, e-commerce platforms, and digital wallets in Southeast Asia including Salmon, Skyro, and Shopee in the Philippines; Kredivo, DANA, and Akulaku in Indonesia, and True Money and Lazada in ThailandInsurance industry vet Sasitharan Krishnan joins as Chief Distribution Officer to lead Igloo’s multi-modal distribution across digital and traditional channels SINGAPORE, Feb 21, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Leading regional insurtech Igloo enters 2025 with a strong push, launching new partnerships, introducing new products with existing partners across the region, and appointing a Chief Distribution Officer to grow its embedded insurance and sales intermediaries business lines.Sasitharan Krishnan, Chief Distribution Officer, IglooNew and enhanced partnerships with leading brandsBuilding on their collaboration in 2024, Igloo and Salmon are strengthening their partnership in 2025 with the launch of Gadget Protection in the Philippines. This new offering will cover device repairs and replacements for gadgets purchased through Salmon’s platform, complementing their existing loan protection coverage, which safeguards repayments in case of unforeseen incidents.Similarly, Igloo’s partnership with Skyro, which introduced Gadget Protection and Loan Protection last year, is expanding in 2025 with the introduction of Goods Protection. Through this new product, home furniture, clothing, auto accessories, and even toys can now be protected from the same everyday risks.As access to credit remains a challenge in the Philippines, consumer finance platforms like Salmon and Skyro provide financial and insurance access to underbanked and unbanked segments. These platforms currently serve an estimated 300,000 Filipinos.Igloo continues to strengthen its ties with Shopee in the Philippines, launching its fifth product, Goods Protection to its existing suite. Since 2022, the partnership has facilitated over 16.9 million protection plans across product lines with Shopee’s 56 million monthly visitors.Underwritten by SeaInsure, Goods Protection covers eligible items purchased on the platform — such as electronics accessories, vehicle spare parts, baby gear, and office supplies — that suffer total loss or damage due to accidents like fire, collision, falls, liquid damage, or being run over.In Indonesia, Igloo has two new partnerships under its belt — with leading fintech company Akulaku, and consumer finance platform Kredivo. With the former, gadget protection service underwritten by Victoria Insurance, covers repairs and replacements for gadgets purchased on the platform with a one-year coverage period. With smartphone users expected to reach 249.95 million by 2029, this service meets the growing demand for reliable device protection in the country’s increasingly digital market.Igloo also continues to innovate with new offerings like Xtra Protection — its fifth product with Indonesian e-wallet platform DANA, which currently serves 200 million users. As more Indonesians move to digital payments with transactions expected to grow to US$371.6 billion in 2025, the product is timely, protecting users from lost wallet balances due to fraud.Igloo’s collaboration with consumer finance platform Kredivo — which serves more than 10 million users, introduces Travel Domestic, covering trip cancellations, lost baggage, and more.In Thailand, Igloo has expanded its partnership with e-payment and financial services provider True Money to include coverage for cars and motorcycles, building on the success of its health and accident insurance offering from the previous year, this new product extends protection to approximately 20.7 million registered vehicles across the country. Meanwhile, the successful collaboration with Lazada Thailand, which serves millions of customers in the country, also sees the addition of a fifth product — Flight Insurance for domestic and international trips.“These partnerships underscore Igloo’s efforts to make insurance more seamless and integrated into everyday online transactions, and as we enter 2025, we are building on this momentum by deepening our commitment to making insurance more accessible, affordable, and seamlessly integrated into digital experiences. The slew of new partnerships — and the expansion of existing ones — within the first months in 2025 heralds our positive trajectory and highlights the continued value we provide in embedding insurance across diverse industries in Southeast Asia,” Mehta added.Key regional hire to accelerate growth in Southeast AsiaIn addition, Igloo has added to its leadership fold Chief Distribution Officer (CDO) Sasitharan Krishnan who brings over 30 years of expertise from the insurance distribution sector serving as Senior Vice President for Asia Affinity at insurance giant Sompo and Chief Officer of Digital Sales at Allianz Ayudhya Assurance.In his role, Sasi will drive Igloo’s distribution strategy with a key focus on brokering regional deals, and increased value for Igloo and its partners through relationships with regional and local insurers. He will also bring mentorship and rigor to Igloo’s commercial organisation.“With Sasitharan’s addition, we will make significant strides in accelerating growth,” Mehta explained. “His extensive experience in insurance distribution and digital sales will be instrumental in building new partnerships, driving value for Igloo and our partners and ensuring our products are consumer-centric, accessible, and effectively delivered across business lines.”Learn more about Igloo, its partnerships, and technology by visiting iglooinsure.com.About IglooIgloo is a regional full-stack insurtech firm headquartered in Singapore. It has offices in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia and tech centres in China and India. With a mission of making insurance accessible for all, the firm leverages big data, real-time risk assessment, and end-to-end automated claims management to create B2B2C insurance solutions for platform companies and insurance companies. Igloo’s insurance solutions enable companies to eliminate their exposure to operational risk, create new revenue streams, and optimise and enhance existing products and services. It has partnered with over 75 well-known brand names across the markets in various verticals, including insurance, telecommunications, e-commerce, hospitality, health tech and financial services. Recognized by the industry for its innovations and expertise, Igloo was named ‘Insurtech of the Year’ in the 2023 and 2024 Asia Fintech Awards.For more information, please visit https://iglooinsure.com/.For Media Queries: PRecious Communications for IglooEmail: Igloo@preciouscomms.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Schaumburg, Illinois, Feb 21, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Giftify, Inc. (NASDAQ:GIFT) (the "Company"), the owner and operator of CardCash.com and Restaurant.com, and a leader in the incentives and rewards industry, today announced that CardCash.com is offering consumers smart saving solutions for high-cost GLP-1 weight loss prescription medications like Ozempic (semaglutide) from Novo Nordisk and Zepbound (tirzepatide) from Eli Lilly.CardCash.com, Giftify's secondary gift card exchange platform, provides consumers with an innovative approach to reduce rising out-of-pocket expenses for increasingly popular GLP-1 medications. The strategy leverages discounted pharmacy gift cards from major retailers including CVS and Walgreens.This program aligns with current national efforts to address healthcare affordability challenges. By providing practical tools to reduce prescription costs, CardCash.com is contributing to the ongoing public dialogue around making essential medications more accessible for all Americans, particularly as policymakers continue to explore comprehensive solutions to rising healthcare expenses.Consumer feedback validates the financial impact of this approach. “As one Trustpilot reviewer, Corey Polk, shared, ‘I had significant savings on my Walgreens cards. I used it to buy Ozempic, and now I save about $30 a month.’ This is exactly what we aim for at CardCash — helping consumers find financial relief where they need it most,” said Carol Rosenblum, Marketing Manager at CardCash.com.The platform's strategy creates a multi-layered savings opportunity for medication purchasers. Users can combine CardCash's discounted gift cards with manufacturer savings programs and prescription discount services like GoodRx and SingleCare. Additional cost reductions can be achieved through price comparisons between major pharmacy retailers including CVS, Walgreens, and Walmart.This healthcare cost reduction initiative addresses growing market demand for GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy. By providing access to discounted gift cards that can be applied toward pharmaceutical purchases, CardCash extends Giftify's value proposition into the healthcare sector."As prescription medication costs continue to rise, we're leveraging our established gift card marketplace to create meaningful savings opportunities in healthcare," said Ketan Thakker, CEO of Giftify, Inc. "This initiative aligns perfectly with our strategic focus on expanding our digital savings platforms into high-growth consumer markets. The increasing adoption of GLP-1 medications represents a significant opportunity to demonstrate the versatility and value of our business model."About Giftify, Inc.Giftify, Inc. is a pioneer in the incentive and rewards industry with a focus on retail, dining & entertainment experiences, as the owner and operator of leading digital platforms, CardCash.com and Restaurant.com. CardCash.com is a leading secondary gift card exchange platform, allowing consumers and retailers to realize value by buying and selling gift cards at various scales. Its Restaurant.com is the nation’s largest restaurant-focused digital deals brand. Restaurant.com and our Corporate Incentives division connect digital consumers, businesses and communities offering thousands of dining, retail and entertainment deals options nationwide at over 184,000 restaurants and retailers. Restaurant.com prides itself on offering the best deal, every meal. Our gift cards and restaurant certificates allow customers to save at thousands of restaurants across the country with just a few clicks.For more information, visit: www.giftifyinc.com and www.cardcash.com and https://www.restaurant.com.Forward-Looking StatementsPress Releases may include forward-looking statements. In particular, the words “believe,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “project," "propose," "plan," "intend," and similar conditional words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Any statements made in this news release about an action, event or development, are forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon assumptions that in the future may prove not to have been accurate and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Accordingly, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Although the company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that its forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Investors are cautioned that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date hereof. The company takes no obligation to update or correct its own forward-looking statements, except as required by law or those prepared by third parties that are not paid by the company. Statements in this press release that are not historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although Giftify, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, Giftify, Inc. is unable to give any assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include the company’s ability identify a suitable business model for the corporation.Investors Contacts:IR@giftifyinc.com Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

Calgary, Canada, Feb 20, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Reach, a leading global Merchant of Record (MoR) solution, is proud to announce a strategic investment from Primus Capital that will help the company scale its operations, accelerate its aggressive product roadmap, and augment its existing world-leading payments, tax compliance, and fraud protection solutions for retail and SaaS businesses worldwide.Reach Official LogoAnnual Gross Merchandise Volume (GMV) for Reach grew 95% year-over-year in Q4 2024 and the organization is primed to extend its leadership in the enterprise MoR market. The investment by Primus Capital will primarily be used to enhance support for enterprise businesses, further develop its ecommerce product mix, and expand its existing global entity network into additional in-demand markets."We're thrilled to have Primus as a strategic partner as we continue to scale our solution for global merchants," said Sam Ranieri, CEO of Reach. "This investment will allow us to strengthen our infrastructure, expand our international coverage, and empower our clients to unlock new markets and optimize cross-border operations with ease."According to Ron Hess, Managing Director at Primus Capital, investing in Reach came down to a strong belief in the company's value. "We've built a relationship with Sam and his team over the past few years and have witnessed the return on investment realized by Reach's customers. The company's impressive growth is driven by its innovative approach to solving the pain points of global expansion for retail and digital businesses. This investment will help fuel the company's efforts to continue delivering unparalleled value to enterprise customers in the face of the challenges of a globalized marketplace," Hess said.As a byproduct of this partnership, Reach is investing in new technology infrastructure and augmenting its team to support its evolving and rapidly growing customer base while concurrently developing its ecommerce product suite. The company's expansion will further simplify cross-border transactions for its clients, which empowers businesses to focus on innovation while Reach handles the complexities of payments, tax, and fraud mitigation at scale.Leveraging a Merchant of Record is essential for mid-market and enterprise businesses already active in cross-border ecommerce who need to unlock new levels of efficiency, revenue, and international performance. As businesses scale globally, managing local tax regulations and staying compliant with fluctuating tariffs and legal requirements becomes increasingly complex. An MoR simplifies this process by automating tax calculations and ensuring compliance across multiple markets, with much faster time to market than going alone."Given the current uncertainty surrounding international trade and cross-border sales, it's critical for us to provide the most simple, robust, and complete global solution for our clients," Ranieri said. "The investment from Primus will help us strengthen our position as a world leader in ecommerce while continuing to find innovative ways for our clients to navigate the complex financial and regulatory borders standing between them and their customers."RBC Capital Markets acted as the exclusive financial advisor to Reach on the transaction, and Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP and Taft Law acted as legal advisors. Goodwin Procter LLP acted as legal adviser to PrimusFor more information about Reach's solutions and upcoming initiatives, please visit www.withreach.com.ABOUT REACHReach is the leading Merchant of Record (MoR) solution designed for mid-market and enterprise ecommerce retailers and SaaS businesses. Reach allows businesses to effortlessly activate global capabilities within the platforms they already use, optimizing payments, fraud prevention, tax compliance, and localized customer experiences - all with no new systems or complex integrations. Businesses can easily activate powerful global features, streamlining cross-border operations and reducing costs. Trusted by global brands, Reach helps improve transaction approval rates and unlock the full potential of existing systems, enabling businesses to scale internationally with ease.Contact InformationAndrew CunninghamHead of Marketing & Mediamarketing@withreach.com15875745011SOURCE: Reach Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

SAN DIEGO, CA, Feb 19, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and CAE are pleased to announce a long-term agreement for the development and production of the next-generation mission trainer for GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian® remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The contract with GA-ASI includes a firm order for 11 mission trainers, with the opportunity to deliver up to 50 devices over the next five years. The agreement brings together two industry leaders to enhance the training capabilities for operators of MQ-9B and builds on the long-standing business relationship between GA-ASI and CAE.Recognized globally as the reference in synthetic training for RPAS, CAE leverages the latest visualization technology in the development of the next-generation MQ-9B SkyGuardian Mission Trainers. The trainers will employ the CAE Prodigy Image Generator to provide a highly realistic training environment to replicate flight operations. Powered by a state-of-the-art gaming engine, CAE Prodigy elevates training standards through an enhanced immersive training environment, high-fidelity graphics, and physics-based simulation. This cutting-edge technology enhances the realism and effectiveness of the training, ensuring that operators are well-prepared for their missions.MQ-9B is the world's most advanced RPAS delivering exceptionally long endurance and range, with auto takeoff and landing under pole-to-pole SATCOM-only control and will be able to operate in unsegregated airspace using the GA-ASI-developed Detect and Avoid system. MQ-9B includes the SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian® models, as well as the new Protector RG Mk1 that is currently being delivered to the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force. The platform is building a global operator list, with procurement contracts signed with Belgium, Canada, Poland, the Japan Coast Guard, the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, Taiwan, India, and the U.S. Air Force in support of Special Operations Command. MQ-9B has also supported various U.S. Navy exercises."GA-ASI and CAE have worked together to deliver leading-edge training to our customers for more than two decades," said Jaime Walters, vice president of International Strategic Development at GA-ASI. "Through this partnership, we will continue to enhance operational readiness and effectiveness for MQ-9B operators worldwide, and in particular, we see the new SkyGuardian Mission Trainers supporting our new Canadian customer. CAE's comprehensive training solutions ensure that personnel are well-prepared to operate these advanced RPAS efficiently and safely."GA-ASI's partnership with CAE is part of its Team SkyGuardian Canada initiative, which is focused on GA-ASI's collaboration and investment with Canadian businesses following the Government of Canada's selection of the MQ-9B SkyGuardian."This agreement underscores our commitment to advancing the capabilities of RPAS training and ensuring that MQ-9B SkyGuardian operators worldwide have access to the best training tools available," said Marc-Olivier Sabourin, Division President, CAE Defense & Security, International. "Our knowhow, expertise, and experience put our customers on the cutting edge of training and readiness. Through our long-term relationship with General Atomics, we are proud to be the key partner of choice for training solutions involving remotely piloted aircraft systems."CAE is a leading provider of flight training and services and works in partnership with the world's most advanced OEMs and defense forces to deliver integrated training solutions that ensure operational excellence and mission readiness.About GA-ASIGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of General Atomics, is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable RPA systems, radars, and electro-optic and related mission systems, including the Predator® RPA series and the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar. With more than eight million flight hours, GA-ASI provides long-endurance, mission-capable aircraft with integrated sensor and data link systems required to deliver persistent situational awareness. The company also produces a variety of sensor control/image analysis software, offers pilot training and support services, and develops meta-material antennas.For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com.Avenger, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.About CAEAt CAE, we equip people in critical roles with the expertise and solutions to create a safer world. As a technology company, we digitalize the physical world, deploying software-based simulation training and critical operations support solutions. Above all else, we empower pilots, cabin crew, maintenance technicians, airlines, business aviation operators, and defence and security forces to perform at their best every day and when the stakes are the highest. Around the globe, we're everywhere customers need us to be with approximately 13,000 employees in more than 240 sites and training locations in over 40 countries. CAE represents more than 75 years of industry firsts-the highest-fidelity flight and mission simulators as well as training programs powered by digital technologies. We embed sustainability in everything we do. Today and tomorrow, we'll make sure our customers are ready for the moments that matter.Follow us on Twitter: @CAE_IncFacebook: www.facebook.com/cae.incLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/caeContact InformationGA-ASI Media Relationsasi-mediarelations@ga-asi.comSOURCE: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.

HONG KONG, Feb 19, 2025 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) today announced the appointment of a new Chairman for the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).The HKTDC welcomes the HKSAR Government’s appointment of Prof Frederick Ma Si-hang as the new Chairman of the HKTDC. Prof Ma is currently the Non-Executive Chairman of FWD Group and a member of the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers. As the former Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development and Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of Hong Kong, Prof Ma is well acquainted with the Council’s work in promoting Hong Kong’s strengths and advantages. His two-year term as HKTDC Chairman will commence on 1 June 2025 and will run until 31 May 2027. Dr Peter K N Lam, current Chairman of the HKTDC, remarked: “Hong Kong’s post-pandemic economy faces numerous challenges. Over the past six years, I have been honoured to serve as Chairman of the HKTDC. I would like to express my gratitude to the HKTDC team for their continued effort and determination in overcoming challenges and driving Hong Kong’s growth. Trade and tourism are closely connected and are crucial to Hong Kong’s economic development. I will continue to contribute in my new position and work with the HKTDC to promote Hong Kong.” Dr Lam added: “I am pleased that the HKSAR Government has appointed Prof Frederick Ma as the next Chairman. I am confident he will lead the HKTDC to new heights, creating opportunities for Hong Kong’s businesses and driving our city’s high-quality economic development.” Ms Margaret Fong, Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “Prof Ma is a distinguished leader in the business community with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, strengthening Hong Kong’s connections with the global business world. Under his and HKTDC Council Members’ leadership and guidance, the HKTDC will reinforce Hong Kong’s eight-centre advantages to help businesses seize national development opportunities and support our city’s continued growth and development.” Ms. Fong also expressed gratitude to Dr Lam: “Under Dr Lam’s outstanding leadership, the HKTDC has introduced many new initiatives, particularly in promoting the healthcare, innovation and technology industries, while assisting the business community in seizing new opportunities in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and global markets and facilitating the development of Hong Kong’s pillar industries and emerging industries. His wise counsel and guidance over the years have helped the HKTDC reinforce Hong Kong’s role as an international business hub, a two-way investment gateway and a leading convention and exhibition centre.” Media EnquiriesAgnes Wat Tel: (852) 2584 4554 Email: agnes.ky.wat@hktdc.orgSam Ho Tel: (852) 2584 4569 Email: sam.sy.ho@hktdc.orgHKTDC Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com About HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn Copyright 2025 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com.