Day: 5 March 2024

Posted on

HKSTP Rides LEAP 2024 Platform to Power Middle East Innovation Drive and Calls on Ecosystem Leaders to Keep Up with Global I&T Opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2024 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) has kicked off the first leg of a landmark delegation with the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) and Hong Kong Cyberport (Cyberport) to the Middle East. Together with eight Park companies and first stopping at LEAP 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, HKSTP is on a mission to rally innovators across the respective ecosystems to keep up with the global speed of disruptive innovation and technology (I&T).

The HKSTP Pavilion mimics Hong Kong’s iconic I&T landmark – the “Golden Egg”, showcasing cutting-edge innovation ranging from biotech, healthtech, logistics, AI, robotics, to new energy from eight forward-looking Park companies.

The opening of the first-ever Hong Kong Pavilion at LEAP was officiated by Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology, and Industry (SITI) of the HKSAR Government, Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP and Mr Peter Yan, CEO of Cyberport. At the same occasion, HKSTP has landed a strategic MoU with Saudi Arabia’s leading technology R&D government institution, the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). The MoU provides reciprocal soft-landing opportunities for companies in both regions, as well as commitment to collaborate on technology, industry best practices and support for startups across the two ecosystem networks.

Under the witness of Professor Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (second from left) and H.E. Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki, President, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (second from right), Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (first from right), and Mr Peter Yan, CEO of Cyberport (first from left), signed a MoU with Dr. Khalid A. Aldakkan, Senior Vice President for Innovation Parks, KACST (middle), to form a strategic partnership between the Hong Kong and Saudi I&T ecosystems, accelerating the growth and development of start-ups and talent.

Professor Sun Dong, SITI of the HKSAR Government, said, “I am deeply impressed by the energetic I&T culture and supportive programmes available at KACST. The strategic partnership between KACST and our I&T flagships will further deepen the I&T exchange between Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia, accelerate the growth and development of our start-ups and nurture more global I&T talent.”


Mr Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “LEAP 2024 is a crossroads of culture and innovation that captures the boundless energy and ambition of the Middle East. It is also an electrifying opportunity for HKSTP and eight of our Park companies to showcase cutting-edge advancements and explore the mega potential of Saudi Arabia. We are proud to be part of the Hong Kong delegation. Hong Kong is ready to collaborate, nurture breakthroughs and partner, as we all leap into a new era of innovation.”

Leveraging the Saudi Vision 2030, HKSTP also orchestrated the “Hong Kong Healthtech Innovations Driving Global Transformation for Generations to Come” panel session at LEAP to ignite discussions on R&D, investment, and collaboration. Three Hong Kong biotech and healthtech innovation leaders: Prof Samuel Au, President of Cornerstone Robotics; Dr Zhu Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GenEditBio and Mr Chi Man Lam, Founder and CEO of Applied Technology Group illuminated the prospects of healthtech and highlighted Hong Kong and Saudi Arabia’s shared visions and limitless opportunities in the industry. Hong Kong-based biotech startup, GenEditBio, has also made its mark in the region with the confirmed MoU with Anwa Biosciences, a leading Saudi genomic firm. Both companies are collaborating to use cutting-edge CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) technology to combat genetic diseases, starting with sickle cell disease.

Titled “Hong Kong Healthtech Innovations Driving Global Transformation for Generations to Come”, the HKSTP-hosted panel discussion offered unique insights from robotics expert Professor Samuel Au, President of Cornerstone Robotics (first from left); Information and Communications Technology veteran Mr Chi Man Lam, Founder and CEO of Applied Technology Group (second from right); and passionate drug hunter Dr Zhu Tian, Co-Founder and CEO of GenEditBio (second from left).

HKSTP Park companies participating in LEAP 2024 and their innovative technologies:
https://www.hkstp.org/news-room/calling-all-global-innovators-keep-up-with-the-golden-era-of-it/

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 with a mission to position Hong Kong as an international innovation and technology (I&T) hub. HKSTP has created a thriving I&T ecosystem supporting over 10 unicorns with more than 13,000 research professionals and around 1,700 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies.

We offer comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures on their I&T journey. Our growing innovation ecosystem is built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Shatin, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long. The three InnoParks are realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen, opened in September 2023 to support Hong Kong’s future development and its growing demands of the I&T industry and to strengthen cross-border exchange, attract technology companies as well as talent from around the world, helping them go global. It has both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition spaces, and more. We will focus on attracting enterprises in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability.

Through our infrastructure, services, expertise, and network of partnerships, HKSTP will help establish I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

Posted on

CallTower Breaks New Ground: Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams Telephony Solution Now Unleashed Across EMEA

CallTower Sets the Stage for Revolutionary Growth in European Markets as an Elite Operator Connect Provider

SALT LAKE CITY, UT, ROCHESTER, NY, BOSTON, MA, March 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CallTower, a global pioneer in providing advanced cloud-based solutions for unified communications, contact centers, and collaboration, proudly announces the expansion of its Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams service to the EMEA region. Since becoming one of the select providers for Operator Connect in September 2021, CallTower has continued to extend its reach. Today marks a significant milestone as they broaden their services to include Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. This expansion builds on their established presence in the US, Canada, and the UK, further solidifying CallTower’s commitment to enhancing global communications.

CallTower is at the forefront of revolutionizing communication solutions for businesses across the EMEA region in local currencies (including the euro, the UK pound sterling and others) through the enablement of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams. This innovative service transforms the way organizations connect by delivering PSTN voice access directly within Teams, significantly enhancing the customer experience. Operator Connect not only simplifies the integration between networks but also streamlines the provisioning and management of users. This leads to improved support models that elevate the overall quality of service. Since 2018, CallTower has been providing Microsoft Teams Voice to users in EMEA and over 70 countries globally.

CallTower’s Operator Connect for MS Teams allows for the extension of PSTN voice services to regions that are not covered by Microsoft Calling Plans. This capability is crucial for businesses aiming to maintain a global presence, providing them with a competitive edge in today’s fast-paced market. By leveraging CallTower’s expertise and support, companies can ensure a robust and reliable communication framework, essential for thriving in the digital era. This functionality enables them to effortlessly connect calling services, acquire phone numbers, and assign these components to users, ensuring a smooth operational flow. CallTower stands out by offering technical support and managing the voice network and infrastructure, relieving businesses from the complexities of these tasks.

CallTower enhances Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, effectively addressing essential communication needs through a comprehensive suite of business integrations. This includes advanced SMS/MMS texting features, stringent compliance recording, crucial emergency services where available, and reliable one-click failover capabilities. Moreover, CallTower provides a range of innovative contact center solutions among other services, enabling businesses to significantly improve their communication frameworks.

“CallTower is thrilled to deliver on our promise of catering to customers in EMEA,” announced CallTower’s Chief Revenue Officer, William Rubio. “The launch of Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams marks the pinnacle of this commitment. It revolutionizes how our customers connect, offering a seamless transition and effortless implementation, all while broadening our coverage. By voice-enabling Teams through CallTower’s Global Network, we’re not just supporting our European clients; we’re empowering them. We provide a variety of options tailored to meet the diverse needs of their workforce, ensuring every user has exactly what they need to excel.” 

CallTower has strategically positioned itself as a leader in communication solutions by developing CallTower Connect, an innovative provisioning tool designed to streamline and simplify the management of its services. This proprietary portal is a testament to CallTower’s commitment to empowering businesses with the ability to effortlessly customize and control their communication platforms.

Through CallTower Connect, users gain access to a user-friendly interface that enables quick and efficient provisioning of a wide array of CallTower services. This includes seamless provisioning of CallTower’s Microsoft solutions, including Operator Connect, Direct Routing, GCC High Direct Routing, and Microsoft 365, among other vital communication tools. The simplicity and efficiency of CallTower Connect means that businesses can rapidly adapt their communication strategies to meet evolving needs without the need for extensive technical knowledge or support.

About CallTower

Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class cloud communications (unified communications, contact center and collaboration) solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft® Teams, MS Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Microsoft® 365, Cisco® Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco® CCP, Zoom Phone, Zoom (BYOB) and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers.

For more information contact marketing@calltower.com

Kade Herbert
CallTower, Inc.
8003475444
marketing@calltower.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 9056536

Posted on

President Al-Mashat meets head of National Documentation Center


His Excellency Field Marshal Mahdi Al-Mashat, Head of the Supreme Political Council, met today ,Tuesday, the Head of the National Documentation Center, Abdullah Al-Sayyani.

During the meeting, the head of the center presented a detailed report to the President on what was accomplished during the past six months, and the importance of the center’s role in preserving, classifying and restoring documents according to modern practical methods, ensuring easy access to them.

President Al-Mashat confirmed that he would pay special attention to the National Documentation Center, and directed to redouble efforts, benefit from modern technologies, automate work in the center, , develop the preservation and archiving of documents.

He praised the efforts made by the center’s workers despite the difficulties it faces and the weak capabilities in light of the American-Saudi aggression.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Aqaba Economic Strategy Meeting Discusses Vision 2040 ProgressApproval of tender for Central Archive Project of Industry Ministry for 58 million riyals

Nayef Hamidi Fayez, Chairman of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority’s (ASEZA) Board of Commissioners, led a meeting on Tuesday to discuss the update of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone’s “Vision 2040.”

Present were Morihata Shingo from JICA Jordan office, Abdullah Najjat, and Ramzi Kabariti, alongside the agency’s Jordan team.

The session reviewed project milestones, issuing recommendations for sectoral initiatives in partnership with governmental and private entities in Aqaba. Commending teamwork, stakeholders, and partners, Fayez highlighted the plan’s role in Aqaba’s economic growth, aiming to transform it into a smart, innovative city.

He emphasized full support from the Authority, aiming for seamless coordination with relevant bodies for plan endorsement and effective promotion.

Shingo underscored Aqaba’s significance in Jordan’s economic landscape, praising its tourism allure and exemplar status for green, smart urbanism.

He highlighted cooperative discussions on land use, sectoral growth, and
project priorities, emphasizing the master plan’s dynamic implementation and progress tracking.

Source: Jordan News Agency

Deputy Minister of Industry Ahmed Al-Shoutari, the Tenders Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Trade approved in its meeting today,Tuesday, headed by Al-Shoutarithe, tender for the Ministry’s central archive project.

The project includes the purchase, supply and installation of a central archive for the Ministry at an amount of 58 million and 300 thousand riyals, with self-financing.

At the meeting, Al-Shoutari pointed out the importance of implementing the project within the framework of the development and modernization process that the ministry is witnessing in various aspects, and in a way that contributes to preserving data and rights for the commercial and industrial sectors.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Armed forces target two American warship destroyers in Red Sea


In the name of Allah, the most gracious, the most merciful Allah Almighty said: (Permission is given to those who fight because they have been wronged, and indeed, Allah is Able to grant them victory) Allah Almighty has spoken the truth.

In truimph to the opperesed Palestinian people and within tge response to the American-British aggression against our country.

The Naval forces, Missile forces, and airforces of the Yemeni armed forces, with the help of Allah Almighty, carried out a qualitative military operation in which they targeted two American warship destroyers in the Red Sea. The operation was carried out with a number of naval missiles and drones.

The Yemeni armed forces will not hesitate to expand their operations against all hostile targets in response to the calls of the free people of our great people and our Islamic nation to provide support and assistance to the Palestinians, who until this moment are being subjected to aggression and siege.

The operations of the Yemeni armed forces will not
stop until the aggression stops and the siege imposed on the Palestinians in Gaza Strip is lifted.

Allah is sufficient for us, and He is the best disposer of affairs, the best protector, and the best helper

Long live Yemen, free, beloved and independent.

Victory belongs to Yemen and to all the free people of the nation

Sana’a 24 Shaban 1445 AH

Corresponding to March 5, 2024 AD

Issued by the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Technical Committee for Human Rights discusses human rights and humanitarian issues


The Technical Committee for Human Rights held its regular meeting on Tuesday under the chairmanship of the Minister of Human Rights in the caretaker government, Ali Al-Dailami.

The meeting discussed human rights and humanitarian issues included in the committee’s work list, foremost of which is the preparation and preparation for the issuance of the ninth report on the crimes and violations of the Saudi-American and British aggression on Yemen.

He reviewed the reports issued by UN and international bodies and organizations on Yemen, and ways to respond to the ongoing fallacies contained therein in light of the continued deliberate condonation of violations and crimes committed by the tools and countries of the coalition of aggression in the occupied territories.

The members of the Committee condemned the continuing crimes and violations committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories.

In the meeting, Minister Al-Dailami urged the members of the committee from the relevant s
tate institutions to coordinate between all the institutions they represent in preparing the qualitative and comprehensive report with the participation of the parties affected by the aggression, and its effects and repercussions, in a way that contributes to the integration of human rights and humanitarian work.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Human Rights Minister meets Ethiopian community representatives in Yemen


The caretaker Minister of Human Rights, Ali Al-Dailami, met today,Tuesday, representatives of the Ethiopian community in Yemen.

The meeting discussed the conditions of the members of the Ethiopian community in Yemen, their various issues, and the difficulties they face in light of the absence and weakness of the role of competent international bodies in providing the necessary assistance to refugees.

In the meeting, Minister Al-Dailami stressed the government’s keenness to find appropriate solutions to overcome the challenges facing refugees in light of the weak response of international organizations to this issue.

He pointed out that the Ministry of Human Rights, in cooperation with relevant government agencies, is keen to reduce the suffering to which refugees are exposed.

Al-Dailami in the caretaker government pointed out the violations and suffering that the displaced and Yemeni citizens in the border areas are subjected to by the authorities of the Saudi regime and its affiliated tools in light of t
he absence of the role of international organizations in those areas.

He reviewed the Ministry’s efforts during the recent period in dealing with more than 500 cases within the framework of protecting migrants and addressing their conditions, stressing that the Ministry will spare no effort in supporting refugee issues.

While Ethiopian community representatives expressed their appreciation for the efforts of the Ministry of Human Rights in the context of addressing refugee issues and examining their conditions and needs.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Four tons of expired foodstuffs destroyed in Rada’a district in Al-Bayda


The Industry and Trade Office in Rada’a District in Al-Bayda Governorate destroyed on Tuesday four tons of expired food and consumer items.

During the destruction process, Ahmed al-Tahri, director of the industry office in the province, explained that the operation took place after completing all legal procedures related to these materials, which were seized in some shops.

In turn, the Director of Rada’a District, Ahmed Al-Akam, praised the efforts of the control teams of the Industry Office in seizing expired materials, pointing to the need to enhance community awareness to verify the sources of goods and the date of production and expiry for the safety of citizens.

While the Director of the Industry Office in the Directorate confirmed the continuation of the field visit of the control teams until the end of Ramadan month to control supply violations.

The destruction was attended by the director of the Hygiene and Improvement Fund in the governorate, Abdul Hafeez Al-Maghrabi, prosecutor Ahmed Al-Maori, a
nd representatives of a number of concerned authorities.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Discussing revenue collection level in Raymah


A meeting in Raymah province, headed by the governor’s Undersecretary, Muhammad Murad, discussed today ,Tuesday, the level of local revenue collection in the province.

The meeting, in the presence of province Undersecretary Hafez Al-Wahidi, reviewed the report submitted by the Director of Financial Resources in the province, Ali Al-Jedaie, on local revenues for the past year, and ways to address the difficulties facing the collection process.

The meeting stressed the importance of redoubling efforts in developing local materials to serve the province in various fields.

During the meeting, the director of the Water and Sanitation Corporation branch in the province, Majed Amin, was honored in appreciation of the efforts made in monitoring and improving water services in the province.

Source: Yemen News Agency

Posted on

Opening Western Water Expansion Project in Al Dhale’


The Acting Governor of Al-Dhale’, Abdul Latif Al-Shaghdari, and the Undersecretary for Financial and Administrative Affairs, Sadiq Al-Idrissi, opened the project to expand the western water network for Damt city at a cost of $150,000, funded by the International Committee of the Red Cross in coordination with the Supreme Council for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the province.

Al-Shaghdari listened to an explanation of the project, to which the local authority is contributing $20,000 from the director of Damt Water Corporation branch, Engineer Ahmed Al-Halaqbi, reviewing the components of the project represented by the network connection of the main and subsidiary streets of the southern side of the city of Damt, serving 16,000 beneficiaries.

Al-Shaghdari praised the efforts of the Supreme Council, the Water Corporation, and the support of the International Committee of the Red Cross in financing and implementing the project.

In addition, Al-Shaghdari inspected the progress of work on the Mhaqen B
arrier project, which is being implemented with a storage capacity of up to 120,000 cubic metres, at a cost of 95 million with a community contribution and the support of the Emergency Development Interventions Unit at Finance Ministry with cement and diesel.

Source: Yemen News Agency