Economy
Golden Resources Unveils HK$1 Billion Investment to Transform Hirafu Grand Centro into Hokkaido Niseko’s New Retailtainment Destination

Hirafu Grand Centro, conveniently located within a 10-minute walk from Grand Hirafu, offers easy access to the four major ski resorts comprising Niseko United Ski Resort. Capitalizing on the burgeoning global wellness market, projected to reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2024 with an annual growth rate of 5%-10%, Hirafu Grand Centro aims to support and elevate Japanese après-ski culture. The development will integrate lifestyle and wellness-oriented offerings and experiences, catering to a like-minded audience both domestically and internationally.
With the Hokkaido Shinkansen expected to open in Kutchan-cho at the end of 2034, Hirafu Grand Centro is poised to become a premier destination in the region. The improved accessibility provided by the Shinkansen will significantly boost tourism, allowing Hirafu Grand Centro to capitalize on increased visitor numbers. The project will not only enhance the existing vibrant atmosphere of Hirafu but also create a dynamic lifestyle hub, further solidifying Niseko’s position as a world-class destination. This strategic development will contribute to the long-term economic growth of the area, creating jobs and attracting further investment, ultimately transforming Hirafu into a thriving year-round destination.
Laurent Lam, Group Executive Chairman of Golden Resources Development International Limited said, “Hirafu Grand Centro represents a bold vision for the future of Niseko. We’re not just building a retail and entertainment destination; we’re crafting an immersive experience that caters to the evolving desires of today’s global traveler. By integrating well-being-focused offerings into our dynamic mix of retail and entertainment, we’re tapping into the rapidly expanding wellness market and creating a unique destination that resonates with the well-being-conscious individual from around the world.”
To foster further development of art and culture and promote these aspects domestically and internationally, Golden Resources Development International Limited also launched the Niseko Hirafu Art & Culture Association on 27 November 2024, a collaborative platform where artists and cultural connoisseurs of Hokkaido, Kutchan and the Niseko region meet, exhibit and express their works.
Golden Resources Development International Limited has commissioned Oval Partnership to develop the master plan for Hirafu Grand Centro, focusing on Nature, Art & Culture, and Community. Project Hir@fu recognizes Hirafu’s need for diverse retail and entertainment options, integrating wellness offerings within a broader, experience-driven approach. Hirafu Grand Centro aims to enhance the visitor experience while appealing to those seeking wellness opportunities.
Hashtag: #goldenresources
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Golden Resources Development International Limited
Founded in 1946, Golden Resources Group was formerly known as Yuen Loong Trading Company. In the 1950s, the Group obtained a rice import license in Hong Kong and started a vertically integrated business, including rice import, wholesale, warehousing and distribution. The Group was listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1991. Golden Resources has transformed from a local rice industry trading and distribution company into a Group with three core pillar businesses, including (1) establishing a vertical integration platform through the rice industry to provide its own and other FMCG brands in local and specific markets with services through retail, catering and online store channels; (2) Create the strongest international convenience store brand in Vietnam and become the only international convenience store brand with network and logistics covering the north and south regions in the country; (3) Invest in Niseko Hirafu Ski in Japan and create a “new retail and entertainment “.
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Economy
BNB Price Reflects Changing Dynamics in the Digital Asset Market
Economy
NASD Unlisted Security Index Crosses 4,000-point Benchmark Again
By Adedapo Adesanya
The NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange achieved a milestone on Friday, April 24, 2026, after five securities on the platform helped with a 1.85 per cent growth.
Data showed that the NASD Unlisted Security Index (NSI) again crossed the 4,000-point benchmark yesterday.
The index chalked up 73.64 points during the trading day to close at 4,052.59 points compared with the preceding session’s 3,978.95 points, while the market capitalisation added N5.38 billion to finish at N2.424 trillion versus Thursday’s closing value of N2.380 trillion.
The price gainers were led by Okitipupa Plc, which grew by N25.00 to sell at N305.00 per share compared with the previous price of N280.00 per share. Central Securities Clearing System (CSCS) Plc gained N6.92 to close at N76.26 per unit versus N69.34 per unit, Afriland Properties Plc appreciated by N1.00 to N17.00 per share from N18.00 per share, FrieslandCampina Wamco Nigeria Plc improved by 55 Kobo to N99.55 per unit from N99.00 per unit, and Food Concepts Plc increased by 5 Kobo to N2.70 per share from N2.65 per share.
However, there was a price loser, MRS Oil, which dipped by N21.75 to N195.75 per unit from N217.50 per unit.
During the final session of the week, the value of securities jumped 75.2 per cent to N41.3 million from N23.6 million units, and the number of deals expanded by 62.9 per cent to 44 deals from 27 deals, while the volume of securities declined marginally by 0.9 per cent to 447,403 units from 451,522 units.
At the close of trades, Great Nigeria Insurance (GNI) Plc was the most traded stock by volume (year-to-date) with 3.4 billion units worth N8.4 billion, trailed by Resourcery Plc with 1.1 billion units valued at N415.7 million, and Infrastructure Guarantee Credit Plc with 400 million units traded for N1.2 billion.
GNI was also the most active stock by value (year-to-date) with 3.4 billion units sold for N8.4 billion, followed by CSCS Plc with 59.6 million units transacted for N4.0 billion, and Okitipupa Plc with 27.8 million units exchanged for N1.9 billion.
Economy
Naira Slips to N1,358/$1 as FX Reserves, Policy Uncertainty Concerns
By Adedapo Adesanya
It was not a good day for the Nigerian Naira in the currency market on Friday, April 24, as its value depreciated against the major foreign currencies at the close of transactions.
In the Nigerian Autonomous Foreign Exchange Market (NAFEX), it lost N4.53 or 0.33 per cent against the United States Dollar yesterday to trade at N1,358.44/$1, in contrast to the N1,353.91/$1 it was exchanged on Thursday.
Equally, the domestic currency slipped against the Pound Sterling in the official market during the session by N8.14 to close at N1,834.02/£1, compared with the previous rate of N1,825.88/£1 and dropped N8.01 against the Euro to sell at N1,590.73/€1 versus N1,582.72/€1.
Also, the Naira depreciated against the US Dollar at the GTBank FX desk on Friday by N4 to quote at N1,370/$1 compared with the previous session’s N1,366/$1, and at the parallel market, it depleted by N5 to settle at N1,380/$1 versus the preceding day’s N1,375/$1.
Data published by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) indicated that NFEM interbank turnover surged to N43.562 million across 68 deals, up from N28.117 million the previous day.
Despite the CBN’s reassurance that the recent drop in external reserves is not worrisome, the market remains unsettled by persistent concerns over liquidity constraints, policy transparency, and weakening confidence in Nigeria’s FX market as gross reserves continue to decline to $48.4 billion.
The outlook for the Dollar appears supported by broader macro risks, including elevated oil prices tied to the tanker traffic disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz and a continued US-Iran standoff over ceasefire negotiations.
A look at the digital currency market showed that investors are sitting on the edge as the US Dollar rebounded amid geopolitical and inflation risks despite continued inflows into US spot bitcoin Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs).
Solana (SOL) rose by 1.2 per cent to sell $86.45, Cardano (ADA) appreciated by 1.1 per cent to $0.2517, Dogecoin (DOGE) grew by 0.9 per cent to $0.0989, Ripple (XRP) improved by 0.3 per cent to $1.43, Ethereum (ETH) soared by 0.2 per cent to $2,316.83, and Binance Coin (BNB) chalked up 0.1 per cent to sell for $637.44.
However, TRON (TRX) depreciated by 1.3 per cent to $0.3235, and Bitcoin (BTC) lost 0.2 per cent to close at $77,562.27, while the US Dollar Tether (USDT) and the US Dollar Coin (USDC) closed flat at $1.00 each.
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