EBC FINANCIAL GROUP IMPROVES LIQUIDITY, REDUCES TRADING COSTS ON MAJOR STOCK INDICES

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 (Bernama) -- Amidst a global stock market resurgence, EBC Financial Group (EBC) has enhanced liquidity for five major stock indices, namely the United States (US) Dow Jones, Nasdaq, S&P 500, the A50 (China), and the Hang Seng Index (Hong Kong).

This strategic move aims to provide investors with more optimised, efficient trading across all global sessions by reducing trading costs and offering greater access, according to a statement.

EBC Financial Group (UK) Ltd Chief Executive Officer, David Barrett, offered an early prediction in June that undervalued markets were set to rebound, stating that value reversion is a powerful force emphasising that markets under pressure were now ripe for capital returns.

The past months have borne out these predictions, with all three major US stock indices (Dow Jones, Nasdaq, and S&P 500) having hit new all-time highs since the start of 2024, driven by fresh investment and increased investor confidence.

In addition, Asian markets, particularly in China and Hong Kong, are experiencing their most significant gains in a decade, marking them as central to global growth.

As the world’s investors hunt for undervalued assets, EBC has strengthened its ability to offer the lowest trading costs for five major stock indices, giving traders a unique edge in the market with tighter spreads and wider access.

Global capital is not simply flowing into traditional assets. A fresh wave of initial public offerings (IPOs) is reshaping the investment landscape, offering new opportunities for growth in sectors ranging from fintech to renewable energy.

Barrett explained that the market’s expectation for interest rate cuts has shifted the landscape, adding that the rise of fintech IPOs, in particular, shows no signs of slowing down.

With this, liquidity enhancements in major indices such as the Nasdaq and the Hang Seng are not simply reactive measures, but rather strategic moves by institutions like EBC to prepare for the next wave of market activity.

As global capital searches for growth, liquidity becomes more than a technical feature, it is a vital asset in a world where time and access to markets matter. The liquidity enhancements are laying the foundation for future market opportunities, and those who understand these shifts and act accordingly will find themselves well-positioned in a rapidly evolving global financial landscape.

-- BERNAMA

MCO Climbs Up Chartis Research RiskTech 100 Rankings

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- Global compliance software provider MyComplianceOffice (MCO) announced it has climbed to number 44 on the RiskTech100 2025 list of the world's top risk and compliance technology solutions, after being listed among them once again by global research and analysis firm Chartis Research.

“We are thrilled to be acknowledged as an industry leader in the global risk and compliance technology marketplace through the rigorous Chartis benchmarking and assessment process.

“As a company we will continue to focus on innovation so we can keep delivering better compliance to our client firms, enabling them to ensure that policies and procedures are effectively implemented and monitored, and regulatory compliance is maintained across the firm,” said its Chief Executive Officer, Brian Fahey in a statement.

MCO helps firms with even the most complex regulatory obligations gain more efficient and effective compliance management while enabling cross-surveillance of the company’s employee activities, transactional conflicts of interest, and third-party relationships on a single platform with a single source of data.

In August this year, MCO announced the acquisition of Pythagoras Solutions, strengthening its third-party compliance capabilities and adding Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) solutions.

It was also recently recognised by Chartis as a category leader in the 2024 RiskTech Quadrants for Conduct Risk and Control Solutions and Enterprise governance, risk management and compliance (GRC) Solutions, noting that “in a crowded GRC ecosystem, MCO has distinguished itself with an architecture and go-to-market (GTM) approach anchored by scalability”.

The Chartis RiskTech100 is a comprehensive independent study of the world's major players in risk and compliance technology.

Rankings are based on functionality, core technology, strategy, customer satisfaction, market presence and innovation, and focus on solutions, industry segments and success factors.

-- BERNAMA

ECO EXPO ASIA 2024 TO GATHER GREEN INDUSTRY LEADERS WORLDWIDE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 11 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong Trade Development Council and Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd will jointly organise Eco Expo Asia 2024, along with the Environment and Ecology Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, from Oct 30 to Nov 2.

The expo will be launched at the AsiaWorld-Expo in Hong Kong, with the online matching service “Click2Match” available from Oct 23 to Nov 9, according to a statement.

Eco Expo Asia promises to be an unparalleled opportunity for industry players, government officials, academics and the public to engage with the latest advancements in sustainability and green technology.

Running under the theme “Fostering Green Innovations for Carbon Neutrality”, the expo will once again gather the leading players from across a wide variety of green industries to help create a more sustainable future.

This year's event will feature a diverse array of exhibitors from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia, Europe and America, showcasing cutting-edge technologies and solutions in new energy, green transportation, green finance and environmental, social and governance (ESG)-related services, waste management and circular economy, and water treatment, among others.

These solutions mark a significant milestone in promoting the proliferation of innovative energy technologies and energy-efficient solutions that shape the energy landscape towards a more sustainable and low-carbon future.

Several provinces and cities, including Guangdong, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Guangxi, Hunan, Shanghai, Inner Mongolia and the newly participating Anhui, will be represented with pavilions at this year’s edition and will present innovative technologies aimed at addressing critical environmental challenges.

Meanwhile, international group participation is equally robust, and the return of Canada, Finland and the Netherlands, as well as the newly joined Norway will further enrich the global dialogue on sustainability.

As one of the highlights of the expo, the Eco Asia Conference and the fifth Hydrogen Economy Forum this year will feature government officials from ASEAN and Belt and Road countries, such as Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Vietnam.

The expo will open its doors to the public on the last day to promote green living, in which visitors can participate in environmental workshops, seminars, green mart and the ESG Job Hub.

-- BERNAMA

ARTHUR D. LITTLE HIRES FRANCO SANTUCCI TO LEAD NEW TEAM, EXPANDING AUSTRALIAN OFFICE

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 (Bernama) -- Arthur D. Little (ADL) has announced an expansion of its Australian office, with the appointment of Franco Santucci as Partner and Andrew Sampson as Principal.

Based in Melbourne, they will be supported by a new team consisting of Principal, Sandro Voegeli, and Senior Advisor, Richard Song to develop the firm’s business in the energy sector, working with clients on growth strategy, business model reinvention and portfolio optimisation.

“Our new team, led by Franco Santucci, brings deep experience and proven expertise in the energy sector to our Australian office, enabling us to expand our practice to meet the needs of a major local industry undergoing radical change.

“With the appointment of Franco, we have ambitious plans to further grow our local team, supporting clients across the Australian energy, utilities and resources sector,” said ADL Energy & Utilities Practice Leader, Michael Kruse in a statement.

Meanwhile, Santucci said the Australian energy sector is undergoing unprecedented change, driven by decarbonisation and the rise of renewable energy.

“This is dramatically reshaping the industry and company strategies, and I look forward to working with our new team, and the wider global energy practice at ADL, to help our clients seize the opportunities that this transformation brings,” he said.

Santucci joins from energy consultancy Energise Partners, which he co-founded in 2020, with Voegeli bringing over 30 years of consulting experience to ADL.

He has been involved with several startups, and advised on investments in renewable and sustainable companies and is well known within the energy & resources industry and business community.

On the other hand, Sampson, who was previously at Ernst & Young, is an experienced transformation, supply chain strategy, turn-around, cost reduction and profit improvement advisor, with consulting and line management experience across diverse industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America and Europe.

-- BERNAMA

NIKKISO CE&IG RECEIVES AMMONIA FUEL SUPPLY SYSTEM APPROVAL FROM ABS

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Nikkiso Clean Energy & Industrial Gases (CE&IG), part of Nikkiso Co Ltd Industrial Division has received approval in principle (AIP) from ABS for a new ammonia fuel supply system (FSS).

“As a world leader in marine LNG fuelling systems, Nikkiso has the right experience and expertise to support customers’ safe transition to lower-carbon ammonia fuel.

“Nikkiso’s FSS for ammonia is designed under the principles of redundancy, enhanced reliability and robustness with the highest safety standards for mitigating leakages and slippages,” said Nikkiso CE&IG Director of Marine, Konstantinos Fakiolas in a statement.

Meanwhile, ABS Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer, Patrick Ryan said: “Along with safety excellence, our deep technical expertise in alternative fuels and engine designs makes us the ideal classification society for innovative projects such as this from Nikkiso.”

The ammonia FSS features high efficiency pumps as well as an integrated fuel management system and can be installed in marine applications such as merchant ships.

ABS completed design reviews based on class and statutory requirements. It offers industry-leading services in the application of ammonia as a marine fuel and other alternative energy sources.

Nikkiso CE&IG employs more than 1,600 people in 22 countries and is headed by Cryogenic Industries Inc in Southern California, United States, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Nikkiso Co Ltd.

-- BERNAMA

MEDIDATA PAYMENT SOLUTION ENHANCES PATIENT EXPERIENCE

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 26 (Bernama) -- Medidata, a Dassault Systèmes brand and provider of clinical trial solutions to the life sciences industry, has launched Medidata Patient Payments, a new solution that streamlines trial-related stipends and reimbursements for patients participating in clinical research.

This offering automates the payment lifecycle and addresses the longstanding challenge of compensating participants for their time, effort, and study-related expenses, while solving for growing concerns around the financial toxicity of clinical trial encounters.

Medidata vice president of Clinical Trial Financial Management, Meghan Harrington in a statement said its Patient Payments solution is a direct reflection of the commitment and passion the company has to deliver an extraordinary patient experience.

“Our partnerships with Medidata’s patient and site advisory boards, coupled with the incomparable data housed within our ecosystem, provide us with a unique opportunity to modernise the financial management experience for patients,” she said.

Medidata Patient Payments delivers an intuitive reimbursement experience for patients, allowing them to quickly submit requests for various expenses, including travel, meals, lodging, lost wages, childcare, and mileage.

Leveraging the power of the Medidata Platform, stipends are automatically triggered by study activities, such as completing a diary or assessment, offering flexibility and convenience.

This integrated approach provides a smooth process, supporting quick implementation and accommodating the preferences of both patients and study sites.

Patient Payments, built on the widely adopted Medidata Platform, offers seamless access via myMedidata for patients and iMedidata accounts for sponsors and sites. Unlike standalone options, it is part of a comprehensive e-clinical suite, enabling robust integration and actionable insights throughout the study lifecycle.

Celebrating 25 years of ground-breaking technological innovation across more than 34,000 trials and 10 million patients, Medidata is headquartered in New York City and has been recognised as a Leader by Everest Group and IDC.

-- BERNAMA

LRN's Third-Party Supplier Training Solution To Streamline Supply Chain Compliance Management

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- LRN Corporation has announced the introduction of LRN Catalyst Supplier, a specialised solution for clients to deliver their Code of Conduct and ethics and compliance (E&C) training to suppliers, and measure and track engagement.

LRN Corporation in a statement said the Catalyst Supplier solution will be generally available in late October this year.

The solution will provide legal, risk and compliance leaders with solutions to mitigate supply chain risks in the face of changing regulatory standards such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, which is coming into force in the European Union in 2028.

By providing a complete code of conduct and training solution, Catalyst Supplier enables organisations to foster a culture of compliance across business operations and stay ahead of rapidly evolving regulations, strengthening organisational commitment to ethical conduct and effective third-party compliance management.

In addition, the solution will have relevance to a range of sectors, including manufacturing, pharma and biotech, agriculture, automotive and retail.

Catalyst Supplier builds on the award-winning LRN Catalyst E&C compliance management platform, incorporating Catalyst Reach for supplier self-registration, onboarding capabilities, training delivery and out-of-the-box reporting.

It also incorporates Catalyst Design for course customisation and access to four titles from the LRN Inspire Library of compliance training courses.

Moreover, the solution allows clients to host, monitor and report on policies and training content made available to their supplier population.

A leader in E&C solutions that enable organisations to inspire principled performance, LRN has worked to propel organisations forward with the partnership, knowledge, and solutions to build ethical culture since 1994.

-- BERNAMA