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ESG Achievement Awards 2024/2025 is Open for Applications, Honouring Technology-Driven Sustainability and Innovation

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 March 2025 – The Institute of ESG & Benchmark (IESGB) is proud to announce the launch of the fifth edition of the ESG Achievement Awards 2024/2025, a prestigious platform dedicated to recognising and celebrating excellence in environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices. Building on its legacy of honouring trailblazers in sustainability, this year’s awards will shine a spotlight on organisations and individuals who are driving transformative change through innovative solutions, responsible leadership, and a steadfast commitment to creating a more sustainable future. The Early Bird application period is open until 7 May 2025.

This year’s ESG Achievement Awards are centred around the theme “Future-Forward Visionaries: Technology Driving Sustainable Transformation,” highlighting the crucial role of innovation and digital advancements in shaping the future of ESG. In light of recent significant investments in artificial intelligence, including a notable HK$200 million donation to the Hong Kong Generative AI Research and Development Centre (HKGAI), there is a clear trend of increasing financial commitment towards technology and AI initiatives. As businesses in Hong Kong and beyond face challenges like climate change, social inequality, and corporate governance, technology is emerging as a key driver of sustainable growth. Leaders are leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital solutions to enhance ESG reporting, optimise resource efficiency, and promote responsible business practices. The Awards will serve as a platform for industry experts to discuss the transformative potential of technology in driving sustainable practices while also examining the ethical implications of AI.

Mr Paul Pong, Co-Founder of IESGB, underscored the significance of the awards, stating, “Technology is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for change. The theme this year aims to highlight how innovative solutions can address pressing environmental and social challenges. IESGB is ready to celebrate those who are harnessing technology to pave the way for a sustainable future, proving that responsible leadership and innovation can go hand in hand.”

The awards will celebrate outstanding achievements in distinct categories that exemplify the multifaceted nature of ESG leadership. From environmental stewardship and social responsibility to corporate governance and innovative projects, the categories highlight the comprehensive efforts driving sustainability forward. Additionally, we are excited to announce an expanded panel of jurors, featuring experts from various specialties, including academia, corporate governance, environmental strategy, and sustainability consulting. This diverse group will evaluate submissions based on impact, innovation, and adherence to ESG principles. Winners will be celebrated at the prestigious Awards Ceremony Luncheon, tentatively scheduled for September 2025.

Mr Vincent Pang, Chairman of the Jury Panel, expressed his enthusiasm for this year’s awards, saying, “Last year, we witnessed an incredible array of applicants who showcased their commitment to ESG principles and innovative practices. As we enter this year’s awards, we anticipate even more inspiring submissions. We are eager to learn how various companies and NGOs are leveraging technology to enhance their ESG efforts, and we look forward to celebrating the visionaries who are leading the charge toward a more sustainable and equitable future.”

Award Categories

Category Sub-Categories
1. ESG Benchmark Awards 1.1) Outstanding Performance in Environmental Responsibility

1.2) Outstanding Performance in Social Responsibility

1.3) Outstanding Performance in ESG Governance

2. Outstanding ESG Awards 2.1) Listed Company

2.2) Non-Listed Company

2.4) NGO /NPO

3. Outstanding ESG Product and Service Awards 3.1) Company /Organisation
4. Outstanding Fund Manager’s Choice Awards 4.1) Only applicable to entrants from Category 1 & 2.1 (Listed Company).
5. Outstanding Sustainable Vision Awards 5.1) Company /Organisation
6. Outstanding ESG Innovative Project Awards 6.1) Company /Organisation
7. Outstanding ESG Talent Development Awards 7.1) Company /Organisation
8. ESG Elite Awards 8.1) Individual
9. Honorary Awards (By invitation only) 9.1) Company /Organisation

9.2) Individual

9.3) Outstanding Sustainability Dividend Awards

Key Dates (Subject to change)

Date Key Milestone
26 March Awards Launch & Open for Application
26 March Online Briefing Session
Early Bird: 7 May
Standard: 27 June
Application Deadline
7-23 July Judging Period
July Presentations to the Jury Panel

*Upon confirmation for applicants requiring presentation

Early August Finalist Announcement
September Award Ceremony Luncheon

Jury Panel (in alphabetical order of last name)

Full Name Post
Chairman of Jury Panel
Mr Vincent Pang Managing Partner
AVISTA Group
Vice Chairman of Jury Panel
Ms Ashley Khoo Past President
CFA Society Hong Kong
Jury Panel Members
Ms Fanny Chan Chief Human Resources Officer
CTF Life
Ms Mabel Chan Veteran of mutual fund industry
Co-host of Metro Finance Radio HK
Ms Charmaine W.H. Cheng Deputy General Manager / Named Company Secretary
Fountain Set (Holdings) Limited
Ms Lovinia Chiu Chairman, Executive Director and CEO
Medialink Group Limited (2230.HK)
Mr Terence Chiu President
Hong Kong Independent Non-Executive Directors Association (HKINEDA)
Ir Edward Chow Head, Carbon and Environmental Excellence
Green Living and Innovation Division
Hong Kong Productivity Council
Prof Rebcca Choy Yung Founder & Chair
Golden Age Foundation
Mr Chua Hoi Wai JP Chief Executive
Hong Kong Council of Social Service
Ms Pamela Chung Managing Director, Head of IPO & Share Registry
Vistra卓佳
Mr Roy Fan Head of Sustainability, Climate Change and ESG Services
SWCS Corporate Services Group (Hong Kong) Limited
Ms Loretta Fong Sustainability Assurance Leader
PwC Hong Kong
Ms Grace Kwok Chairman and Executive Director
Allied Sustainability and Environmental Consultants Group Limited
Ir C.F. Lam Organising Committee Member
Hong Kong Green Strategy Alliance
HON Robert Lee Legislative Council Member
Functional Constituency – Financial Services
Ir Edmund K H Leung Vice-President
Hong Kong Institute of Director
Ms Nana Li Head of Sustainability & Stewardship, Asia-Pacific
Impax Asset Management
Prof Charles W W Ng Vice-President
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou)
Dr Erin So Pik Ki Senior Lecturer
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Dr Kenny Tang Chairman
The Hong Kong Institute of Financial Analysts and Professional Commentators
Dr Aries Wong Senior Lecturer, Department of Accountancy, Economics and Finance
Associate Director of Centre for Sustainable Development Studies
Hong Kong Baptist University
Mr Mike Wong Chief Executive Officer
The Chamber of Hong Kong Listed Companies
Ms Jessie Yu Chief Executive
Hong Kong Single Parents Association

For more information about the ESG Achievement Awards 2024/2025, please visit www.iesgbawards.org
Hashtag: #IESGB

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About IESGB

The Institute of ESG & Benchmark (IESGB) is a non-profit organization founded in 2020, dedicated to advancing environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices in Hong Kong and beyond. Committed to promoting ESG education, IESGB cultivates Certified ESG Professionals (CESGP®) and fosters collaboration between commercial and non-commercial sectors. Through its initiatives, IESGB aims to shape a stronger, more sustainable ESG ecosystem that drives meaningful change and delivers long-term impact.

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Hong Kong Company Formations Surge 40.5% in 2025, Outpacing Regional Competitors

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Air Corporate data reveals 9 in 10 founders incorporated in Hong Kong do so remotely, driven by a 20% surge in Middle Eastern entrepreneurs seeking cost-effective operational alternatives to Dubai.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – Air Corporate registered a 40.5% increase in Hong Kong incorporations in 2025, with the first quarter of 2026 already up 48% year-over-year. This data indicates that Hong Kong is reasserting itself as the leading Asian jurisdiction for company formation, fueled by a new wave of remote founders from the Middle East, North Africa, and Europe.

The prevailing narrative over the past five years suggested that Singapore was eclipsing Hong Kong; however, recent incorporation volumes challenge this. According to city-wide official figures cited by Vivian, Founder of Air Corporate, approximately 195,000 companies were registered in Hong Kong in 2025, compared to around 77,000 in Singapore.

“There was a lot of fuss about Singapore taking over Hong Kong as preferred jurisdiction over the last few years, but for 2025 alone, around 195,000 companies were formed in HK, vs around 77,000 for Singapore,” said Vivian. While city-wide registrations rose roughly 35% in 2025, incorporations at Air Corporate specifically grew by 40.5%. Vivian added, “With a 35% increase in the number of companies registered in 2025, Hong Kong is definitely back in the game as the top jurisdiction to start a company.”

The reality of Hong Kong company formation is increasingly global, lean, and founder-led. Nine in ten founders incorporated in Hong Kong with Air Corporate do not live there.

Key demographic and operational insights from Air Corporate’s client base include:

  • Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
  • Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
  • Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate’s client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
  • A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
  • Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world’s largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate’s data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian’s observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government’s strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate’s clients utilize these digital banking partners.

“Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week,” concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

Hashtag: #AirCorporate

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Natural Diamonds Sparkle on The Red Carpet at The 2026 Met Gala Celebrating “Costume Art”

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Today’s biggest stars express individuality and confidence with natural diamonds

NEW YORK, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 May 2026 – The 2026 Met Gala celebrating “Costume Art” took place May 4th at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, bringing together leading figures from across the globe for an unforgettable evening. These tastemakers showcased the most classic, refined and distinctive diamond jewelry looks of the season. Below, A Diamond is Forever highlights the standout trends from the event.

Desert diamonds

Desert diamonds emerged as a striking throughline on the Met Gala carpet, with a range of hues in distinctive settings taking focus.

Rihanna led the trend in a pair of exceptionally rare old Moghul Golconda fancy brown-yellow diamond earrings by Glenn Spiro, featuring two pear-shaped natural diamonds totaling 51.9 carats. Doja Cat offset her all nude look with a pair of large Leviev Diamonds floral-shaped earrings while Paloma Elsesser made a statement in a 29.5-carat diamond necklace by Bernard James, centered around a 15-carat fancy light yellow pear-shaped natural diamond. Cara Delevingne wore a De Beers London Forces of Nature High Jewelry ring, featuring marquise yellow diamonds set as eyes, while Emma Chamberlain opted for yellow and white diamond earrings by Chopard, underscoring the continued allure of warm diamond hues.

Magnificent Diamond Earrings

A wide variety of captivating silhouettes defined the natural diamond earrings on the Met Gala carpet. Zoë Kravitz delivered a modern twist with oversized diamond flower earrings by Jessica McCormack. Chase Sui Wonders opted for Jean Schlumberger by Tiffany & Co. Sea Fan earrings, bringing an element of sculptural artistry to the look. Gracie Abrams selected gently dangling Chanel earrings, adding understated fluidity, while Connor Storrie selected simple hoop earrings from Tiffany & Co., reinforcing the clean and enduring appeal of natural diamonds.

Standout Diamond Moments

Natural diamonds appeared in personal, unconventional and eye-catching ways, offering moments of surprise and awe. Power couple Beyoncé and Jay-Z embodied this trend with Beyoncé wearing Chopard’s Queen of Kalahari necklace, named after the rare 342-carat diamond that provided 23 stones for Chopard’s Garden of Kalahari collection. Jay-Z contributed to the narrative with a vintage diamond brooch by Briony Raymond worn at the collar as an unexpected placement that underscored the piece’s versatility. Isha Ambani made the styling of diamonds an art form in itself, wearing her own diamond jewelry featuring approximately 150 carats of old mine-cut diamonds, including a three-strand necklace and chandelier earrings, while also incorporating diamonds sewn directly into the bodice of her sari to represent significant moments in her life.

Together, these looks highlighted a shift toward natural diamonds as vessels of personal expression, styled with intention, individuality, and a sense of the unexpected.

Hashtag: #MetGala #RedCarpet #ADiamondisForever #NaturalDiamonds #Diamonds





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Turn Your Savings into a Front-Row Experience: HL Bank Singapore Offers Exclusive Passes to AsiaTop Music Festival 2026

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The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

HL Bank Singapore is giving music fans the chance to redeem exclusive passes to the AsiaTop Music Festival 2026, featuring top Asian acts, through its iSavings Reward Campaign.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

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