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TCMA Chairman elected as President of ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers, joining forces to accelerate the development of the AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 February 2025 – Dr. Chana Poomee, Chairman of Thai Cement Manufacturers Association (TCMA), has been elected as the President of the ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM). In his two years term 2025–2027, he aims to strengthen collaboration among the eight ASEAN cement-producing member countries driving ASEAN Cement dynamically, accelerate the development of the AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap, and foster partnerships with global organizations to support carbon reduction initiatives.

The eight ASEAN cement-producing member countries, at the AFCM Special Council meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, unanimously the election of Dr. Chana Poomee, Chairman of TCMA to hold AFCM Presidency from 2025-2027.

TCMA’s longstanding commitment and tangible progress in advancing Thailand’s cement industry toward net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 have been recognized by all sectors as a role model in various aspects. TCMA’s initiatives and actions, including the Thailand 2050 Net Zero Cement and Concrete Roadmap, the successful promotion of low-carbon hydraulic cement, an innovative ecosystem the Public-Private-People Partnership (PPP) model-SARABURI SANDBOX LOW CARBON CITY, the partnership with local cement manufacturers and prestigious international organizations, have set a benchmark for sustainable industry practices.

“I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by all AFCM member countries, who have unanimously voted for Thailand through TCMA to assume this leadership role for ASEAN Federation of Cement Manufacturers (AFCM). During my tenure, Mr. Montri Nithikul will serve as AFCM Secretary-General, with TCMA Office acting as the AFCM Secretariat, ensuring close coordination among member countries with the support of TCMA members to push carbon reduction initiatives and advance ASEAN’s cement industry toward a low-carbon future,” said Dr. Chana.

Four Key Strategies for AFCM towards Decarbonization

Dr. Chana outlined the direction of his work as the AFCM President, which requires coordination from all eight member countries by associations in each country, include 1) Brunei represented by Heidelberg Materials Butra Sdn Bhd, 2) Indonesia represented by Indonesia Cement Association, 3) Malaysia represented by the Cement and Concrete Association of Malaysia, 4) the Philippines represented by Cement Manufacturers’ Association of the Philippines, 5) Singapore represented by Cement and Concrete Association of Singapore,
6) Vietnam represented by Vietnam National Cement Association, 7) Thailand represented by Thai Cement Manufacturers Association or TCMA, and entering into new membership
8) Cambodia represented by Cambodian Cement Manufacturing Association.

The following four strategic priorities for the next two years have been set to guide AFCM’s efforts in decarbonization, considering each of the eight-member country’s policies, regulatory frameworks, and level of readiness.

  1. Accelerate the Development of the AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap, establishing a structured framework for AFCM member countries to collaborate with their respective governments in reducing carbon emissions within the cement industry.
  2. Regional integration for collective action, leveraging the unique strengths and capabilities of each AFCM member countries to ensure a unified and dynamic approach to sustainable industry practices while keeping abreast with global trends.
  3. Strengthen Cooperation with ASEAN, enhancing cooperation with government is the key mechanisms for progress.
  4. Engaging with world-class organizations, i.e. the Global Cement and Concrete Association (GCCA), the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH., and the World Economic Forum, etc. to facilitate technology transfer, innovation, and access to green funding for decarbonization projects in ASEAN.

Dr. Chana reiterated that his tenure as AFCM President presents a pivotal opportunity for Thailand to convince the regional cement industry toward a shared decarbonization goal through the co-created AFCM Decarbonization Roadmap. This mission will require comprehensive policy support, cross-sector collaboration and implementation, and collaborative action from cement manufacturers in each AFCM member country by aligning with world-class best practices, the effort will be able to achieve tangible progress, ensuring long-term competitiveness and sustainability.
Hashtag: #TCMA #ThaiCementManufacturersAssociation

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Empowering Hongkongers to Build Side Businesses — Asia Coach Group Partners with E-Commerce Educator Francisco Ho to Launch the New “10x E-Commerce System” Course

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – Asia Coach Group Limited today announced a collaboration with local e-commerce educator Francisco Ho to launch the “10x E-Commerce System,” a new training programme. Built around a systematic e-commerce operations methodology, the course is designed for Hong Kong working professionals, full-time parents, and small-scale entrepreneurs looking to expand their career horizons beyond their primary occupation, equipping participants with end-to-end e-commerce competencies spanning product selection, store setup, traffic acquisition, and conversion.

Francisco Ho, Founder of “10x E-Commerce System” Business Coaching Programme

Nearly 40% of Hongkongers Run a Side Business — E-Commerce Emerges as the New Frontier

According to a Glassdoor-Harris poll, nearly 40 per cent of Hongkongers maintain a side business to meet rising living costs. A separate Statista survey found that 64 per cent of Hong Kong e-commerce operators expect revenue growth of 10 to 20 per cent in 2026. As digital tools become more accessible and barriers to entry continue to fall, a growing number of professionals and young entrepreneurs are turning to independent branded online stores to broaden their business reach, driving a surge in demand for systematic e-commerce knowledge and hands-on operational skills.

A New Entrepreneurial Pathway for Professionals

Francisco Ho said: “More and more professionals in Hong Kong are exploring how to turn their expertise or personal interests into a sustainable brand. The appeal of e-commerce lies in its relatively low barrier to entry and its potential for scalability. You don’t need to leave your day job to build a business from the ground up. The 10x E-Commerce System is built for exactly these individuals — offering a practical, actionable framework that turns ‘I want to give it a try’ into a concrete first step.”

The programme moves beyond the conventional reliance on third-party marketplace platforms, teaching participants to establish independently branded online stores. Through data-driven product selection strategies, seasonal consumer psychology analysis, and AI-powered tools, learners are equipped to capitalise on peak holiday shopping periods.

Four Core Modules — Building a Complete E-Commerce Skill Chain

The curriculum is structured around four core modules that together form a comprehensive e-commerce skill chain. The “P.V.S. Value Bundling Method” leverages data-driven insights for precision product selection and high-margin product development. The “S-Tier Supply Chain Alliance System” establishes asset-light partnership models that reduce capital pressure and inventory risk. The “KOL Traffic Monetisation Engine” provides a replicable framework for influencer collaboration and short-form video traffic generation. Finally, the “AI Growth Flywheel” integrates automated customer service, AI-powered predictive product selection, and dynamic pricing mechanisms, working in tandem with the Shopify platform to enable highly efficient, automated store operations — allowing participants to sustain and grow their business even while maintaining full-time employment.

A Homegrown Mentor with a Global Footprint

Course instructor Francisco Ho is the founder of two online stores each generating over HKD 100 million in annual revenue, with combined annual sales exceeding USD 17 million. His business portfolio spans Korean cosmetics brand BLESSEDMOON, investment firm COLLECTED GROWTH, and the business programme Pitching Dojo. Having launched a large-scale online store and established his own manufacturing facility at the age of 20, Ho is a member of the World Elite Leaders Alliance and has to date mentored over 100 students in successfully scaling their e-commerce businesses.

As Hong Kong’s e-commerce market enters a phase of accelerated growth, the data-driven and AI-empowered approach championed by the 10x E-Commerce System represents a vital resource for local entrepreneurs seeking to ride the digital economy wave and break through in an increasingly competitive landscape.

Hashtag: #Ecommerce #Business #Entrepreneurship #Coaching #FranciscoHo #10xEcommerceSystem

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About Asia Coach Group

Founded in 2019, Asia Coach Group is a premier business education institution serving professionals and organisations across Asia. Our mission is to develop high-calibre business leaders and equip them with the skills, strategies, and mindset to drive measurable results.

To date, we have trained over 10,000 participants — from C-suite executives and seasoned professionals to first-time founders — generating more than HKD 300 million in cumulative revenue. Our faculty comprises six domain-expert instructors specialising in e-commerce, sales, investment, and corporate performance training.

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Only 1 in 5 Professionals in Singapore and Malaysia Demonstrate AI-Ready Skills, New Epitome Data Reveals

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Aggregated multi-year assessments in Singapore and Malaysia highlight skills gaps as AI adoption accelerates

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – As artificial intelligence adoption accelerates across organisations, new data from workforce intelligence company Epitome Global signals that skills gaps may constrain the next phase of AI-driven productivity.

Based on aggregated skills assessments conducted across Singapore and Malaysia between 2023 and 2025, only around one in five professionals consistently demonstrate characteristics associated with AI-ready skills, including persistence, curiosity and reflective learning.

The findings are drawn from assessment data involving more than 200 participants across workforce development, employability and organisational programmes. While more than 70% of participants report advanced digital literacy, deeper skills gaps remain: approximately 56% rate themselves at a basic level in decision-making, and around 42% report only basic confidence in computational thinking, skills increasingly required to supervise AI tools, interpret outputs and integrate technology into workflows.

The data signals that as AI tools become more accessible, workforce readiness, rather than technology availability, may emerge as the primary constraint on performance in 2026.

“AI tools are scaling faster than workforce readiness,” said Kevin Chan, CEO of Epitome Global. “In the next phase of adoption, the differentiator will not be access to technology, but clarity around what people can actually do, how they make decisions, adapt and collaborate with AI-enabled systems.”

Five Workplace Trends to Watch in 2026

Based on these findings, Epitome identifies five workplace trends expected to shape organisations in 2026:

  1. Disengagement and skills decay as rising risks to productivity and performance: Only around 1 in 5 workers consistently display behaviours associated with AI ready talent, such as persistence, curiosity and reflective learning.
  2. Rapid AI adoption in the workplace in 2025 revealed gaps in AI integration: Despite strong uptake, 65% of organisations in Singapore remain focused on basic AI use cases, highlighting limits in scaling and embedding AI into workflows.
  3. Workers across Southeast Asia and India shifting from cost based outsourcing toward higher value technical roles: Professionals in markets such as the Philippines, Vietnam and India are expanding into engineering, product, IT and data science functions, competing more directly in global talent markets.
  4. Intensifying fire and hire cycles as organisations rebalance skills: In 2026, companies will continue to cut roles that no longer match future needs while hiring selectively for advanced technical and cross functional capabilities.
  5. Senior employability becoming more strategic in AI driven organisations: As Asia ages, employers are looking at how senior professionals can contribute as knowledge carriers, reviewers of AI assisted outputs and cross functional mentors.

As organisations move further into 2026, differences in outcomes are likely to be shaped less by the number of AI tools deployed and more by how clearly organisations understand, measure and develop workforce skills.

For the full market commentary, visit: https://epitome.global/
Hashtag: #epitomeglobal #technology #singapore #business #AI


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Epitome Global

Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Singapore, Epitome Global is a workforce intelligence and skills analytics company that helps organisations understand, develop and deploy talent in an AI-enabled economy. Combining data analytics, artificial intelligence and sector-specific expertise, Epitome Global supports public and private sector organisations in workforce planning, skills assessment and targeted upskilling.

With approximately 1.3 million user profiles captured to date, Epitome Global leverages human capital analytics to power dashboards and workforce decision-making for enterprises and government agencies globally. Its platforms inform decisions around talent mobility, skills development and workforce transformation at scale.

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Lee Kum Kee Sauce Serves as Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day

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Bringing Festive Flavours and Delicious Moments to the Community

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 February 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce (“Lee Kum Kee”), the global leader of Asian sauces and condiments, marked a successful debut as the Platinum Sponsor of the 2026 Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day in Auckland. Co-hosted by the Auckland Chinese Community Centre (ACCC) and Channel 33, this festival was held on 14 February 2026, in celebration of the upcoming Year of the Horse, bringing together families, community groups, and cultural performers.

The Lee Kum Kee booth draws strong crowds at the 2026 Auckland Chinese New Year Festival & Market Day.

Set against the backdrop of the Auckland Showgrounds, the festival featured over 200 specialist stalls offering traditional Chinese hot delicacies, festive foodstuffs and traditional arts and crafts, attracting over 20,000 visitors. The extensive entertainment programme included lion dances, traditional Chinese songs and performances that brought the spirit of the celebrations to life.

Lee Kum Kee set up a captivating booth experience for festivalgoers of all ages, allowing them to explore an extensive range of sauces through delectable tastings, exclusive promotional sales, and the exciting “Chopstick Lucky Dip” prize-giving game, which drew enthusiastic participation throughout the event.

A visitor tries his luck by drawing chopsticks from the luck dip game.
A visitor tries his luck by drawing chopsticks from the luck dip game.

Gary Hui (left), Business Development Director – Oceania of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, presents a cheque to the ACCC as a Platinum Sponsor of the event.
Gary Hui (left), Business Development Director – Oceania of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, presents a cheque to the ACCC as a Platinum Sponsor of the event.

In serving the local community, Lee Kum Kee aims to bring traditional festive moments to life. Gary Hui, Business Development Director – Oceania of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, remarked, “Spring Festival represents family, togetherness, and the joy of sharing meals. We are proud to support an event that reflects these values. Whether you are discovering new tastes or enjoying familiar favourites, we hope this festival brings joy and connection to all.”

(Fourth from left) Vincent Wong, President - APAC of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, pictured with the New Zealand market team at the booth.
(Fourth from left) Vincent Wong, President – APAC of Lee Kum Kee Sauce, pictured with the New Zealand market team at the booth.

A trusted household name for generations, Lee Kum Kee is renowned for its authentic Asian sauces that inspire home cooking and festive dining. Through on-going community partnerships and cultural celebrations, Lee Kum Kee remains committed to supporting local communities while promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide through the joy of food.Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK

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About Lee Kum Kee

Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions, and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create, and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices, and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.

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