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PR Newswire

Real Time Engagement API Provider Agora Announces Filing for IPO under the ticker symbol “API”

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SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 8, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Agora, Inc. today announced that it has filed a registration statement on Form F-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission relating to the proposed initial public offering of its Class A common stock.  

Per the F-1 filing, Agora maintains dual headquarters in Shanghai, China and Santa Clara, California, as well as presence in other countries.

The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Agora has applied to list its Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol “API”.  Morgan Stanley and BofA Securities are acting as the lead bookrunning managers for the proposed offering.

The proposed offering will be made only by means of a prospectus. A copy of the preliminary prospectus is publicly available on the EDGAR website.

A registration statement relating to the proposed sale of these securities has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission but has not yet become effective. These securities may not be sold, nor may offers to buy be accepted, prior to the time the registration statement becomes effective. This release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

About Agora

Agora is the leading video, voice and live interactive streaming platform. Our mission is to make real-time engagement ubiquitous, allowing everyone to interact with anyone, anytime and anywhere. Our video, voice and live interactive video SDKs help developers deliver rich in-app experience—including embedded voice and video chat, real-time recording, interactive live streaming, and real-time messaging—for users across gaming, social, education, entertainment, and enterprise apps.  

Find out more at www.agora.io.

Media Contact:                                   
Meghan Gardner
agora@matternow.com
971-246-7896

Suzanne Nguyen
Suzanne@agora.io
408-879-5885

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PR Newswire

NetEase Announces Pricing of Global Offering

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HANGZHOU, China, June 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES) (“NetEase” or “the Company”) today announced the pricing of the Global Offering of 171,480,000 new ordinary shares (the “Offer Shares” or “Shares”) which comprises an International Offering and a Hong Kong Public Offering. The final offer price for both the International Offering and the Hong Kong Public Offering (the “Offer Price”) has been set at HK$123 per Share. Based on the ratio of 25 ordinary shares per Nasdaq-listed American depositary share (“ADS”), the Offer Price translates to approximately US$397 per ADS. The Company has set the abovementioned offer price by taking into consideration, among other factors, the closing price of the ADSs on June 4, 2020 (the latest trading day before pricing). Subject to approval from The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “SEHK”), the Shares are expected to begin trading on the Main Board of the SEHK on June 11, 2020 under the stock code “9999.” The Global Offering is expected to close on the same day, subject to customary closing conditions.

The gross proceeds to the Company from the Global Offering, before deducting underwriting fees and the offering expenses, are expected to be approximately HK$21,092 million. In addition, the Company has granted the international underwriters an over-allotment option, exercisable from June 5, 2020 until 30 days thereafter, to require the Company to issue up to an additional 25,722,000 new Shares at the Offer Price.

The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Offering for globalization strategies and opportunities, fueling continued pursuit of innovation, and general corporate purposes.

CICC, Credit Suisse and J.P. Morgan (in alphabetical order) are the joint sponsors and joint global coordinators for the proposed Offering.

The International Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus included in an automatic shelf registration statement on Form F-3 filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 29, 2020, which automatically became effective upon filing. The registration statement on Form F-3 and the preliminary prospectus supplement dated June 1, 2010 are available at the SEC website at: http://www.sec.gov. The final prospectus supplement will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC’s website at: http://www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained from China International Capital Corporation Hong Kong Securities Limited, Email: g_prospectus@cicc.com.cn, Credit Suisse (Hong Kong) Limited, Email: newyork.prospectus@credit-suisse.com, or J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited, Email: prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com.  

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer or an invitation to buy any securities, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or other jurisdiction. This press release does not constitute a prospectus (including as defined under the laws of Hong Kong) and potential investors should read the prospectus of the Company for detailed information about the Company and the proposed offering, before deciding whether or not to invest in the Company. This press release has not been reviewed or approved by the SEHK or the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong.

The price of the Shares of the Company may be stabilized in accordance with the Securities and Futures (Price Stabilization) Rules. The details of the intended stabilization and how it will be regulated under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the laws of Hong Kong) have been contained in the prospectus of the Company dated June 2, 2020.

About NetEase, Inc.

As a leading internet technology company based in China, NetEase, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTES) is dedicated to providing premium online services centered around innovative and diverse content, community, communication and commerce. NetEase develops and operates some of China’s most popular mobile and PC-client games. In more recent years, NetEase has expanded into international markets including Japan and North America. In addition to its self-developed game content, NetEase partners with other leading game developers, such as Blizzard Entertainment and Mojang AB (a Microsoft subsidiary), to operate globally renowned games in China. NetEase’s other innovative service offerings include the intelligent learning services of its majority-controlled subsidiary, Youdao (NYSE: DAO); music streaming through its leading NetEase Cloud Music business; and its private label e-commerce platform, Yanxuan. For more information, please visit: http://ir.netease.com/.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the “safe harbor” provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “will,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “future,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “targets,” “guidance” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the offering and listing, the use of proceeds and the Company’s strategies and goals, are or contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. There can be no guarantee that the offering and listing will be completed as planned, or that the expected benefits from the offering and listing will be achieved. You should consider the risk factors included in the registration statement (including any documents incorporated by reference), prospectus and prospectus supplements that have been or will be filed with the SEC and the prospectus registered in Hong Kong. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release and are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable as of this date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Contact for Investors:
 Margaret Shi
NetEase, Inc.
ir@service.netease.com
Tel: (+86) 571-8985-3378

Brandi Piacente
Investor Relations
netease@thepiacentegroup.com
Tel: (+1) 212-481-2050

Contact for Media:
Li Ruohan
NetEase, Inc.
globalpr@service.netease.com
Tel: (+86) 571-8985-2668

Alby Wan
Hill+Knowlton Strategies Asia
Alby.Wan@hkstrategies.com
Tel: (+852) 2894-6267

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Source: NetEase, Inc.

PR Newswire

Precious Rhodiola plants help China’s Tibetan people out of poverty

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BEIJING, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A video story presented by China.org.cn on China’s Tibetan people out of poverty by planting precious Rhodiola:

 

In 2015, Bama Chho Dzong, a resident of Tibet’s Shannanluo village, learned that a small, flowering plant-Rhodiola could help impoverished residents of the autonomous region improve their lives.

Rhodiola is a genus of precious perennial plants that are used in traditional Chinese medicine. After China’s Tibet began accepting tourists, demand increased sharply.

In 2015, Shanghai Inoherb Cosmetics Co., Ltd., the Tibet Academy of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Sciences and the Qizheng Tibetan Medicine Group established Rhodiola cultivation bases, which made it possible for impoverished people like Bama to return to their hometown and begin working there. During the past three years, three Rhodiola cultivation bases were established.

The first Rhodiola cultivation base was established in Luo village and 60,000 Rhodiola seedlings were planted in 2016. Members of 48 households in the area began engaging in irrigation, weed and pest control, and pruning work at the site.

The second Rhodiola cultivation base was established in Suozhu township, Naidong district and 20,000 Rhodiola seedlings were planted in 2018. The staff compared seedlings that grew from seeds with those that were the results of seed culture projects, grew the plants in various soil environments and have continued to explore various cultivation techniques.

In 2019, the third Rhodiola cultivation base was established in the Shigatse Red River Valley National Agricultural Science and Technology Demonstration Zone and a model involving “gardens + enterprises + farmers and herders” was created and implemented.

The plants that the bases grow currently have a survival rate of more than 80 percent. The results that have been achieved have motivated more and more people to participate in the cultivation of plants used in TCM and the management of the bases. Inoherb pays a management fee based on the survival rate that is attained and bonuses are awarded for high rates which helps to stimulate impoverished people’s intrinsic motivation to escape from poverty.

“We have been growing Rhodiola plants for three years. Our hard work has paid off and our cultivation techniques have been improving. Rhodiola cultivation benefits Tibet’s residents, so more and more people are becoming interested in participating in the industry. We also hope that our techniques can be further promoted,” said Bama Dorje YudonYuthok, Rhodiola tissue culture expert from Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences.

Precious Rhodiola plants help China’s Tibetan people out of poverty
http://p.china.org.cn/2020-06/02/content_76119066.htm

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PR Newswire

The impact of COVID-19 on smallholders in China

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BEIJING, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A news report by China.org.cn:

One emerging lesson from the coronavirus epidemic, in China as well as in the rest of the world, is that while everyone may be affected, those who are already vulnerable are those who are likely to be more severely impacted. People who are already vulnerable have in fact less capacity to cope with the impact of such infection: they have limited access to social services, medical or social protection, and have less capacity to cope economically with the consequences of an outbreak.

A poverty alleviation official helps an impoverished farmer sell ducks amid COVID-19 pandemic in Qinji village, Anhui province.
A poverty alleviation official helps an impoverished farmer sell ducks amid COVID-19 pandemic in Qinji village, Anhui province.

I.       Why caring about the smallholders

The smallholder farmers are most vulnerable group in China. Smallholder farmers, farmers with less than 2-3 ha of land, represent a significant share of the rural population: approximately 230-250 million people. In most cases, poor rural households are smallholders – and, in most cases, smallholders are poor or ‘close-to-poor’ households.

To appreciate how the new coronavirus epidemic has impacted smallholders, we need to look at their main sources of livelihoods. Smallholders depend on the production and sale of agricultural products – although this source of income represent a decreasing share of their income, probably something between 10-20 percent. Increasingly, they depend on informal or seasonal on- and off-farm employment, and – more and more – on the remittances from family members engaged in urban employment (which contribute to an estimated 44 percent of their income).

II.    The impact of movement restrictions on employment, production, and sales

All the three smallholders’ main sources of livelihoods have been severely disrupted by the COVID-19 outbreak. Lockdown and movement restrictions had in fact an impact on employment, particularly for migrant work. Assuming, conservatively, that 75 percent of rural migrants were confined to their villages during the two-month lockdown,a group of researchers from the Rural Education Action Program at Stanford University suggested that possibly 200 million rural individuals have not been working during the lockdown period. If, as reported by Reuters, only 2.3 million people received unemployed benefits so far, the number of workers who have not received a salary for at least two months is extremely high.

Similarly, lockdown and movement (and transportation) restrictions had an impact on the production and sales of agricultural products. Movement and transportation restrictions affected the delivery of agricultural inputs: seeds, fertilizers, animal feed. According to a survey conducted by the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) in five provinces, this had an impact on spring plowing and spring sowing, and a significant impact on livestock production, since livestock production cycles are short. Movement and transport restrictions also had an impact on farmers’ ability to access markets, affecting the sale of fresh products (fruits and vegetables) and livestock in particular, and had an impact on the agricultural supply chains. Almost 70 percent of the cooperatives interviewed by CAAS reported an impact on sales, and 63 percent on the various stages of the supply chain: purchasing materials, processing, transport, and storage.

III.    The resulted impact on income, food security and nutrition

Overall, the main impact of the measures implemented to contain the impact of COVID-19 had an impact on income. According to CAAS estimates, farmers are expected a decrease in income between 10-40 percent. 80 percent of the surveyed farmers by CAAS expected more than 20 percent income decrease. Interestingly, the observed impact on the non-poor (but probably close to the poverty line) was higher than on the poor, possibly because the poor had access to some form of social protection that the non-poor were not eligible to. This makes the non-poor but close-to-poverty households further vulnerable, and at risk of falling into poverty.

The immediate impact of the reduction in income was a reduction in expenditures. According to a survey conducted by the Rural Education Action Program in seven provinces, the experienced reduction in income led to a reduction in expenditures for food consumption. Particularly, it was observed a reduction in the “quality” of the purchased food:frommore nutritious but more expensive food, to low-cost staple food. The immediate implication is that, despite food availability and food prices have overall remained stable during the period of the crisis (although many households reported an increase in food prices), reduced purchasing capacity because of falling income may lead to periods of food insecurity and malnutrition among vulnerable rural households.

The impact of the reduction of income on savings and assets has not yet been analysed – but it isplausible to hypothesize that poor households might have sold their assets and eroded their savings to cope with the crisis, making them more vulnerable.

IV.    Key messages

First, while the effect of the measures implemented to contain the Covid-19 hit everyone (the whole economy has contracted by 6.8 percent in the first quarter, according to the National Bureau of Statistics), the impact on smallholders (and particularly on those that are either poor or above but close to the poverty line) seems higher because they are already vulnerable.

Second, with a gradual pick-up of the economy and a gradual “return to normality,” the short-term impact of COVID-19 may be contained and absorbed. In fact, what may likely happen is that fewer people may escape poverty than would have in the absence of the outbreak.

However, the longer-term impact may be greater: a large share of the population may have become more vulnerable and at risk of falling (or falling back) into poverty in the event of a new shock – be it a new outbreak, an unexpected drop in commodity prices, or a poor harvest due to unfavorable weather events.

This is no surprise. The Government is aware that one of the main challenges in the years after 2020 will be to reduce vulnerabilities and avoid that people fall (or fall back) into poverty.

IFAD will continue to support China’s strategic focus on rural areas and rural people as an integral part of its rural revitalization strategy. Fostering rural communities that are increasingly resilient to shocks will be one of the main areas of cooperation.

Matteo Marchisio is the Country Director and IFAD Representative (China, Republic of Korea, and DPRK) and Head of East Asia Regional Hub and South-South Cooperation Center.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn and Chinagate.cn.

The impact of COVID-19 on smallholders in China
http://p.china.org.cn/2020-06/01/content_76114092.htm

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PR Newswire

Over 85 Hong Kong Companies Rolled Up Their Sleeves in Fighting COVID-19, GS1 Hong Kong’s Authentication Solution Helps Prevent Fake Masks & Protect Brands

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HONG KONG, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Despite the heavy blow of COVID-19 on business, many local companies find new opportunities in producing and trading anti-epidemic products to battle against the pandemic, and ride out the challenges by quickly transforming and diversifying their businesses.

Consumers can verify whether a product is genuine simply by scanning the REAL QR Code with “REAL Barcode” mobile app. Consumers can obtain immediate results from REAL Barcode and verify that the product is real. Consumers can access to detailed product information after verifying the product.
Consumers can verify whether a product is genuine simply by scanning the REAL QR Code with “REAL Barcode” mobile app. Consumers can obtain immediate results from REAL Barcode and verify that the product is real. Consumers can access to detailed product information after verifying the product.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in February, more than 85 companies have applied for the global barcode from GS1 Hong Kong (GS1 HK). Barcodes not only enable the companies to sell locally and globally, online & offline, but also help them enhance brand value. Among which a brand goes further to adopt GS1 HK’s patented authentication solution to safeguard consumers’ health and build their trust.

Enabling Omni-channel Commerce with Barcodes

GS1 Hong Kong has sped up the barcode application process for more than 85 companies supplying anti-epidemic items, so their products can roll out to market faster to aid the city’s fight against COVID-19. Among the newly registered companies, 32 of the them are manufacturers, and the majority are making face masks for local market. Li Hung International Company Limited, a garment manufacturer of 20 years, is one of them. They started mask production in their dust-free workshop in early May, under the company “Hong Kong Mask Co. Ltd.” newly registered in February. They are now offering EN14683 Type II certified (BFE>99%) disposable face masks, supplying the city with an estimated 2.5 million pieces per month.

Their spokesperson acknowledges that barcodes help them “inside and out”. Externally, the barcode prefix “489” supports them sell in both domestic and overseas markets, as it’s a prerequisite for products to be listed on retail stores and e-commerce platforms like Amazon, and worldwide consumers would recognise and be assured of the “Made in Hong Kong” quality. Internally, barcodes help in a number of ways in terms of inventory management, pick & pack, distribution and sales management, etc.

“GS1 international barcode is every product’s ID. It allows products to be uniquely identified, and serves as the basis for authentication and verification,” said Anna Lin, Chief Executive of GS1 Hong Kong. “Besides widely used in physical stores, leading e-commerce platforms like Alibaba, Amazon, eBay and Google also require or call for GS1 product standards identification, Global Trade Item Number (GTIN), to be used, which facilitate consumers to easily search for products, providing detailed, accurate & reliable information, building trust in the heads & minds of consumers.”

“489” Barcode on Mask Package Increases Consumer Confidence

There are some dishonest merchants who have taken advantage of the circumstances by selling unscrupulous masks, and it’s often hard to distinguish the reliable ones from the wide array of masks in the market. Barcode prefix (the first 3 digits of a barcode) can give a hint to consumers about the products’ owner origin, as it indicates the area in which the company is registered. For example, barcode prefix “489” represents companies registered in Hong Kong, “471” stands for Taiwan, “450-459” and “490-499” means Japan.

GS1 Hong Kong members can upload their product information onto GS1 HK’s BarcodePlus, a product information repository, for free, which is accessible by potential buyers or consumers from all over the world. The platform helps increase product visibility and raise awareness among consumers.

Simply by entering the barcode numbers issued by GS1 HK on www.barcodeplus.com.hk, consumers can easily obtain detailed product information and the contact information of the registered company. In case of need, consumers can reach the company directly to enquire more details about the product, offering a peace of mind. BarcodePlus is also connected to WeChat’s database: With a simple barcode scan using WeChat, consumers can gain instant access to the trusted information provided by the registered companies.

Authenticating Products with a Simple Scan

BarcodePlus is also connected to GS1 HK’s authentication solution to validate products and protect brand image. To prevent consumers from buying counterfeits, a reusable masks maker that first used wearable healthcare technology in Hong Kong adopts GS1 HK’s REAL Barcode solution on its more than 500 types of masks. They include the ACCAPI far-infrared energy masks series, the ultra-breathable and antibacterial XMask series, and the handmade artistry Queen Mask series. Consumers can verify whether the product is genuine simply by scanning the QR code with “REAL Barcode” mobile app.

Using state-of-the-art technologies, REAL Barcode integrates patented anti-forgery micro printing, multi-layered digital encryption and GS1 standards to prevent the barcode from forgery. Other features include:

  1. Can be applied onto packaging items of different materials, such as cards, fabrics, aluminum cans, etc;
  2. The REAL Barcode printed on the woven fabric label attached to the reusable masks is durable, can be washed for 30 times;
  3. Can be printed as barcodes or QR codes, allowing brands to provide more detailed product information to consumers via the codes.

Maria Chui, Chief Operating Officer of Gold Pine International Holdings Limited, highlighted that the patented far-infrared material exclusively used on their ACCAPI FIR mask series, is a result of 13 years of evidence-based clinical practice around the globe, with CE Marking Class I medical devices compliance. Their Xmask series is the first to incorporate Coolmax and silver fabric technology, and even though they are one-of-a-kind, consumers cannot identify the uniqueness with naked eyes. She believes there could be risk of copycats so the company decided to adopt REAL Barcode, a trustworthy and cost-effective solution that helps in preventing counterfeits. Please visit the webpage for details of the masks: http://ii2.me/-FQJ2YEDIIOU18H.

Building Consumer Trust and Protecting Brand Image

In addition, REAL Barcode solution also empowers brand owners with real-time visibility on scan activities. If counterfeit goods are scanned, brand owners will be alerted and receive the location and other information of the counterfeits.

The solution also helps businesses in consumer engagement, channel management and traceability:

  1. Besides obtaining trusted product information after scanning, consumers will be connected to the online store or other promotional channel;
  2. Brand owners can identify suspicious suppliers by tracking the scanning activities and combat parallel goods;
  3. Integrated with cloud-based track-and-trace platform “ezTRACK”, end-to-end traceability from product origin to point of sale is enabled.

“Pirated goods are everywhere. News about Hong Kong Customs seizing counterfeits are heard from time to time, posing serious threats to brand owners, distributors, retailers and consumers,” said Dr. Stephen Lam, Chief Operating Officer of GS1 Hong Kong. “With patented, multi-layered anti-forgery printing technology, the solution can be adopted in product categories like health supplements, personal care products, consumer electronics, jewelry, etc., effectively preventing counterfeits and enhancing consumer confidence. It is crucial for brand protection.”

Grow Stronger as One

GS1 Hong Kong has stayed vigilant and proactive to the health and wellbeing of our 8,000 members and staff during the pandemic. They have implemented all-round measures to protect their staff, visitors, members, and ensured their services are accessible to all members as usual while offering flexible options to members in times of adversity. Please visit here for details: https://www.gs1hk.org/zh-hk/Anti-Covid-19-Support-Updates.

Photos Download & Captions: https://gs1hongkong.box.com/s/19twgxnosk5nvt758572tuqr9bghjr3l

Media Contacts

Corinna Fung
Telephone: +852 2863 2787
Email: corinnafung@gs1hk.org

Will Ip
Telephone: +852 2863 2763
Email: willip@gs1hk.org

About GS1 Hong Kong

Founded by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce in 1989, GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®, a not-for-profit, standards organisation that develops and drives adoption of global standards for business to uniquely identify, accurately capture and automatically share vital information about products, locations and assets. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, GS1 has over 110 national chapters in 150 countries.

GS1 Hong Kong’s mission is to empower business to grow and to improve efficiency, safety, authenticity and sustainability across multiple sectors and facilitates commerce connectivity through the provision of a full spectrum of platforms, solutions and services based on our global standards. We provide a trusted foundation for accurate, sharable, searchable and linkable data. Our EPC standard lays the foundation for IoT, powering a range of IoT-based services and applications. We are helping industry to meet the challenges of omni-channel commerce and create a seamless customer experience. By engaging with communities of trading partners, industry organisations, government, and technology providers, we are fostering a collaborative ecosystem and aiming for “Smarter Business, Better Life”.

Currently, GS1 Hong Kong has around 8,000 corporate members covering close to 20 industries including retail consumer goods, food and food services, healthcare, apparel, logistics as well as information and technology.

For more information, please visit www.gs1hk.org.

About GS1 HK BarcodePlus

BarcodePlus is a product and location information portal that provides companies, brand owners in particular, with a B2B information exchange tool. This keeps their trading partners updated about new product information in an accurate and cost effective way. It also offers a one-stop solution for businesses to enhance product data visibility to consumers for stronger brand awareness and integrity.

This trusted source of product data ensures that all product information is uploaded by authorised and registered brand owners or distributors of particular products. With this huge product data pool, it enables consumers to obtain extended packaging information using GS1 barcodes via the Internet, mobile phone or smart kiosk.

Photo – https://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20200605/2822590-1?lang=0
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PR Newswire

One Billion Reasons to Visit BNI Online(TM)

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BNI’s Worldwide Visitor Week is June 14th-20th

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — BNI® (Business Network International) is celebrating its Members’ success in generating over $1 billion of new business in April alone. As the world’s leading networking organization, BNI creates billions of dollars of opportunity for its Members each year to keep their businesses strong and growing.

To celebrate the amount of business generated in BNI, the organization is hosting Worldwide Visitor Week June 14th-20th and inviting growth-oriented businesses to join one of its BNI Online™ meetings compliments of BNI. BNI will also be showcasing its contemporary refreshed brand design with a dynamic new red BNI logo and multiple design elements that symbolize BNI Member growth. Visitors will also learn about the tools, training, and technology available to BNI Members that come with their membership at no extra cost.

“While many businesses have come to a complete stop, BNI Members around the world are helping each other. Without a doubt, every business out there should visit a BNI Online™ meeting during Worldwide Visitors Week,” says Graham Weihmiller, BNI Chairman and CEO. “When businesses join the BNI network, they’re instantly surrounded by a supportive an energetic group of like-minded businesses who are there to help every BNI business grow in any environment.”

Year to date, BNI Members have generated more than $6 billion in business and passed nearly 5 million referrals. BNI is currently holding meetings online with its BNI Online™ platform, so it’s easy to experience BNI from the convenience of your home or office. Business owners and entrepreneurs around the globe can easily visit a BNI Chapter online for free during Worldwide Visitor Week by going to BNI.com and getting an invitation.

About BNI 
BNI is the world’s largest and most successful business networking organization in the world. BNI has over 270,000 Members who attend one of over 9,500 weekly chapter meetings in more than 70 countries around the globe. BNI’s proven business networking platform provides its Members the ideal environment, technology, training, and support to help them build strong businesses. BNI Online™ is an advanced online platform that helps Members connect in a structured virtual environment and has generated billions of dollars in business for BNI Members.

To see the new look and learn more about BNI, go to www.bni.com  

Logo – https://techent.tv/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/one-billion-reasons-to-visit-bni-onlinetm.jpg

PR Newswire

Acorn International Files 2019 Annual Report on Form 20-F

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SHANGHAI, June 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Acorn International, Inc. (NYSE: ATV) (“Acorn” or the “Company”) today announced that it has filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 3, 2020.  The annual report can be accessed on the Company’s investor relations website at http://www.acorninternationalgroup.com.

Acorn will provide a hard copy of its annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, free of charge, to its shareholders and ADS holders upon request. Requests should be directed to the Company’s IR representatives, or in writing to Acorn International, Inc., 5/F, YueShang Plaza, 1 South Wuning Road, Shanghai 200042, People’s Republic of China.

About Acorn International, Inc.

Acorn International is a leading marketing and branding company in China, leveraging a twenty-year direct marketing history to monetize brand IP, content creation and distribution, and product sales, through digital media in China. For more information visit www.acorninternationalgroup.com.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This news release contains forward-looking statements. These statements constitute “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “future,” “going forward,” “intends,” “outlook,” “plans,” “target,” “will,” “potential,” and similar statements. Such statements are based on current expectations and current market and operating conditions, and relate to events that involve known or unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond Acorn’s control, including the extent and duration of the adverse impact of COVID-19, which may cause actual results, performance, actions, or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Further information regarding these and other risks, uncertainties, or factors is included in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Investor Contacts:

Contact:

Compass Investor Relations    
Ms. Elaine Ketchmere, CFA    
Phone: +1-310-528-3031 
Email: Eketchmere@compass-ir.com

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Source: Acorn International, Inc.

PR Newswire

Userlytics Launches “Instant Access” Recorder for Remote User Research

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The new capability will enable remote moderation of usability tests and market research interviews with instant remote participant access.

AUSTIN, Texas, June 4, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Userlytics Corporation has announced the launch of an “Instant Access” version of its recorder, as part of its “Live Interview – Moderated User Experience Testing” suite of user research applications. 

This unique capability allows a seamless and easy onboarding for all types of remote participants, B2C and B2B, and thus empowers organizations looking for a simple way to conduct remote qualitative market research studies and remote online focus groups as a means to deal with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

According to Alejandro Rivas-Micoud, CEO of Userlytics, “The COVID-19 Pandemic has brought into stark relief the need for remote usability and user experience tests and remote qualitative market research. By introducing an online interview moderated feature with no need for downloading applications, plug-ins or extensions, we enable seamless remote UX testing of both B2B and B2C participants.”

The new live interview suite includes the “Picture-in-Picture” participant webcam + participant screen recording system of Userlytics, as well as the new “Instant Access” recorder, with no need for downloading an application or extension for participant onboarding. Quantitative metrics such as success/failure ratios, time on task, and system usability scale (SUS), as well as access to the Userlytics Global Respondent Panel with automatic translation and transcription, are also fully integrated into the platform.

User experience researchers, product managers, designers, and market researchers need an easy way to schedule, coordinate and conduct remote interviews and moderated usability tests, so as to deal with the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic. The new “Instant Access” recorder of Userlytics is uniquely suited to deal with this fast changing environment.

About Userlytics Corporation 
Born in San Francisco with offices in Austin, Miami, San Diego, Madrid, and Taipei, Userlytics is a global leader in user experience optimization. Analytics tells you what, but Userlytics tells you why.

Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EN-lLQOwFPk
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Companies can Now Sign Legally Binding Documents on Live Video Calls

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AUCKLAND, New Zealand, June 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — A new live video signing feature protects companies against fraud and contract disputes while maintaining social distancing.

Secured Signing’s Video Signing all-in-one platform
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Z0kzDfIJe0

Secured Signing, one the world’s most trusted digital signature providers, today launched live Video Signing. This gives companies the power to sign legally binding documents on a video call.

Mike Eyal, the Managing Director of Secured Signing, said data showed companies were shifting more of their work online due to COVID-19. This shift has been driven by many countries updating their electronic signatures acts to allow documents to be signed and witnessed over video calls.     

“What we are now seeing is that COVID-19 is changing everything about how most businesses operate. There is a sharp rise in remote work, and companies are no longer able to meet in person to witness and sign contracts. With Secured Signing Video Signing, the entire signing process takes place on a live video call.”

Digital signatures provide built-in proof of the signer’s identity and intent. Live Video Signing comes with even stronger identity verification features, making it difficult to dispute contracts. This protection, known as non-repudiation, means the identities & intent of everyone signing the document are confirmed and recorded. So, no one can later deny signing the document.

Secured Signing’s Video Signing also delivers a better customer experience with the signing meetings on the all-in-one platform able to be setup in seconds allowing more time to go through details of the contract and clearly explain them. The whole process is easy, fast, and safe, added Eyal.

“You’ll now be able to sign documents using video signing, from any device, anywhere in the world. So, for example, now notaries or lawyers or financial advisors can start a video conference with the document they need signed and walk the signee through the document in a live, recorded video with the final signature added at the end of the conference call.”

Eyal said the goal was to provide simple, secure signing in one easy-to-use tool.

“Our customers won’t need any additional video conference software. The signed document has an access link to video session recording that is password protected and can be viewed after signing meeting has ended”.

“COVID-19 has disrupted our lives. It’s not business as usual right now. Organizations are responding in their own way, and there’s a lot of doubt and uncertainty. One thing is certain is that we have to adapt, and technology makes that process a lot easier. We hope our video signing feature will give businesses the tools they need to finalize documents safely online,” said Eyal.

Find out more about Secured Signings new Video Signing feature here: https://securedsigning.com/products/video-signing

About Secured Signing

Secured Signing provides a one-stop digital signature service that delivers a full range of form completion and eSigning capabilities. Using advanced, personalised X509 PKI Digital Signature technology it is more secure than a plain electronic signature. Secured Signing enables its users to use any device to capture their graphical signature, fill-in, sign, seal and verify documents anywhere, anytime. The solution streamlines business processes, cuts back on expenses, expedites delivery cycles, improves staff efficiency and enhances customer service in a green environment. To learn more about Secured Signing, visit www.securedsigning.com

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PR Newswire

Agora.io Expands Exclusive Reseller Partnership with Leading Japanese Video Solution Provider V-cube After Rapid Q1 Growth

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Usage in Japan increased 26x YoY in April, prompting new needs from Agora’s video solutions and software-defined dedicated network

SAN JOSE, Calif., June 3, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Agora.io, the leading voice, video and live interactive streaming platform, today announced an expanded exclusive reseller partnership with V-cube, the number one video solution provider in Japan. Now, V-cube provides the whole series of Agora products including live streaming with local sales, marketing and technical support in the region.

Amid business and lifestyle changes brought on by COVID-19, V-cube recorded a 26-fold increase YoY in usage by its customers in Japan in April. With Agora’s cutting-edge real-time video solutions at the helm, businesses in nearly every industry from education, healthcare, and entertainment turned to V-cube for an answer on how to bring a sense of normalcy to their customers.

“In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, our customers’ needs for online communication tools and features quickly became more apparent for their businesses,” said Naoaki Mashita, CEO of V-cube. “What we came to realize is those businesses needed more than just the entry-level tools they had been using. They needed a way to combine their services with video communication. Following discussions with our customers, it became clear the path forward was to expand our partnership with Agora. This would allow us to leverage its easy-to-use video solutions SDK and enable our customers with a new way to interact and engage with their users. Agora’s technology is proving to withstand increased demand thanks to its powerful and reliable network that is built to scale.”

Aside from helping existing clients incorporate new means for video streaming, V-cube also experienced significant growth with new clients in untapped markets including fitness, weddings, job recruiting and networking events. These companies were able to quickly introduce customizable streaming tools with Agora’s low-latency, large-scale video solutions accelerating distribution.

“V-cube is a highly trusted video solution provider in Japan, and we’ve been honored to work with them over the last three years,” said Reggie Yativ, COO at Agora.io. “The demand for real-time engagement outside of just video conferencing was growing prior to the pandemic, and the rapid growth V-cube has experienced is a testament to how organizations are accelerating their digital transformation plans. As we look ahead to the next phase of our partnership, we’re thrilled at the opportunity to bring businesses of all kinds the real-time engagement features they need.”

The next phase of this partnership allows V-cube and its customers to tap into Agora’s network of 200 globally distributed data centers and its proprietary Software-Defined Real-Time Network (SD-RTN™) to connect users globally via high-quality, real-time video engagement.

For more information about Agora’s partners or its live interactive video and voice SDKs for mobile, web or desktop apps, visit www.agora.io.

About Agora.io

Agora.io helps apps increase user engagement and retention with a developer platform for live, interactive audio, video, and messaging features at planetary scale. With a dedicated network and device-optimized SDKs, Agora is the only real-time engagement platform designed to cross borders and reach users on low-bandwidth networks and on lower-powered devices.

About V-cube

V-cube has the mission of “realizing an even society” and creates an environment where “anytime” and “anywhere” communication can be achieved. We are working to eliminate the inequality of various opportunities caused by the restrictions of distance. Through visual communication, we will reduce the time and distance in communicating with people and solve social issues such as an aging society with a declining birthrate, long working hours, education and medical disparities. We aim to realize a society where everyone can get equal opportunity.

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