Author: jezzabellemente

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) — Black & Veatch, a global engineering, procurement, consulting and construction company has highlighted the use of hydrogen as a sustainable alternative fuel for transport at the Hydrogen India Summit 2023.

Black & Veatch’s Country Manager and Managing Director India, Ruturaj Govilkar proposed that electric vehicles (EVs) and vehicles powered by hydrogen, in particular commercial fleets are an alternate form of transportation that may eventually be more cost-effective, compared to the rising cost of fossil fuels.

With India’s reliance on imported crude oil, opportunities exist to plan for and grow the use of green hydrogen as a zero-emissions fuel source for the country’s transport sector, including commercial fleets and aviation.

Govilkar said the commercial credibility of hydrogen development was absolutely key, particularly around securing viable off-takers for the product.

“There are a few emerging business models that are being studied and developed more closely in India, for domestic consumption and export.

“This includes the use of hydrogen for transport fleets, the use of hydrogen derivatives as an aviation fuel and the production of green ammonia,” added Govilkar in a statement.

India serves as an integral part of Black & Veatch’s innovation network exploring and providing hydrogen and other emerging sustainable solutions for clients globally.

Countries continue to announce new decarbonisation and hydrogen strategies, and India recently approved the National Green Hydrogen Mission with an initial outlay of Rs.19,744 crore (US$2.3 billion). (US$1=RM4.327)

The Mission aims to make India a global hub for production, utilisation and export of green hydrogen and its derivatives.

Other promising commercial models include the production of green ammonia for export whereby importing countries could substitute ammonia directly for natural gas and use it for critical applications like power generation or the use of ammonia as a fuel for shipping.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 18 (Bernama) — The Caribbean’s Dominica island, a popular travel destination with beautiful beaches and tourist destinations, is regarded as one of the best investment options for investors due to its friendly policies on foreign investments.

According to a statement, the island’s tourism product has skyrocketed over recent years as internationally renowned hoteliers like Marriott and Hilton have flocked to Dominica to set up operations.

Aside from mainstream tourism, Dominica has become a regional leader in eco-tourism with properties like Jungle Bay and the highly anticipated Sanctuary Rainforest resort offer holidaymakers and investors a balance between a luxury experience whilst still championing sustainability.

Dominica also offers investors a Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme whereby investors can make a substantial contribution to the country’s Economic Diversification Fund, a government fund that supports socio-economic initiatives in Dominica.

Launched in 1993, the CBI programme has been ranked as the number one CBI initiative for five consecutive years by the CBI Index, a ranking system published by the Financial Times’s Professional Wealth Management magazine.

The programme was created with the intention of attracting foreign direct investment and boosting tourism, making it easier for investors to do business in Dominica.

Located near the Caribbean Sea, Dominica is a small island country with beautiful beaches, lush green forests and amazing waterfalls. It has been ranked as one of the most desirable places to live in the world.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 13 (Bernama) — Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa, located on Seragaki Island in Onna Village on the west coast of Okinawa, is offering an ecotourism activity, “Learn About the Sea of Seragaki Island and Clownfish” to support the conservation and restoration of clownfish around the island.

Reservation for the activity is now available via “FIND”, an experiences platform launched in November last year through Hyatt’s industry-leading World of Hyatt loyalty programme designed to complement members’ wellbeing journeys and meet them where they are.

As part of the “Seragaki Island Clownfish Restoration Project” which began in June 2021, the activity offers guests a snorkeling or diving experience around the clownfish-nurturing project zone along with a lecture on SDG 14 titled “Life Below Water: conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development”.

“Through this programme, the hotel aims to help participants deepen their understanding of environmental conservation and establish a sustainable tourism system by giving part of the programme proceeds back to the future of nurturing the clownfish,” it said in a statement.

The 75-minute “Learn About the Sea of Seragaki Island and Clownfish” activity starts with a lecture on the background of clownfish conservation and breeding, and their natural habitats.

After deepening understanding of environmental issues surrounding marine life, participants will explore firsthand the clownfish nursery area around Seragaki Island by snorkeling or diving.

The Seragaki Island Clownfish Restoration Project, driven by Hyatt Regency Seragaki Island Okinawa is a collaboration with the Marine Climate Change Unit at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) — WilsonHCG, a global talent leader, has acquired Personify, a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) provider to further expand its healthcare and life sciences talent solutions.

Headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina, United States, Personify specialises in the life sciences, healthcare, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals sectors and other industries experiencing critical skills shortages, providing executive search and recruitment marketing services alongside its RPO solutions.

“This expansion enables continued growth while cementing our position as a global leader in talent acquisition.

“The partnership aligns two mission-driven organisations with a desire to exceed client expectations and together, we’ll set new standards in the talent space,” said WilsonHCG chief executive officer (CEO), John Wilson in a statement.

Meanwhile, Personify president and CEO, Ryan Carfley said: “The partnership accelerates our access to new markets, and together we’ll become the global go-to talent solutions provider in healthcare, biotechnology, life sciences and beyond.”

WilsonHCG completed two acquisitions last year in which the company acquired Tracking Talent, a talent solutions provider based in South Africa, in October and in March, it acquired Claro Analytics, a leading labour market intelligence platform.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 (Bernama) — FURA Gems Inc, a coloured gemstone mining and marketing company has initiated the certification process with the Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC), demonstrating its commitment to responsible business practices.

In a statement, it said the project will be headed by Mazars Switzerland, which will accompany FURA Gems and all its operating mining locations in Colombia for emeralds, Mozambique for rubies, and Australia for sapphire through the process of RJC preparation.

FURA has already registered its Australian location with RJC, and will now look to expand the certification for the group and all its operating sites.

With Mazar’s support, FURA will target to complete the certification process on or before Dec 31, this year for all its operating locations.

FURA Gems founder and chief executive officer, Dev Shetty said: “This is a strong statement from our side, as we launch certification of all our mines producing emeralds, rubies and sapphires.

“The certification process will enable us to formalise our commitment since our foundation is to provide the jewellery market with traceable, sustainably sourced colour gemstones.

“To achieve this, we have identified Mazars as the ideal partner to conduct the process throughout our production sites and at the headquarters level,” added Shetty.

Meanwhile, partner at Mazars, Franck Paucod said: “With our experiences in the gems and jewellery sector, we will be able to support FURA with its commitment to building the solid framework to achieve the RJC certification.”

The certification with RJC is part of the ambitious environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy deployed by FURA since its foundation in 2017.

— BERNAMA