Author: jezzabellemente

PUTRAJAYA, Jan 8 (Bernama) — Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM) and the Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) have entered a strategic partnership to propel the development of clinical research talents and skills in Malaysia. The MoU was formalized earlier today during CRM’s Clinical Research Excellence in Early Phase and People Development event in Ministry of Health office.

The MOU was signed by Dr Akhmal Yusof, Chief Executive Officer of CRM, and Ms Kam Ai Teng, President of PhAMA and was witnessed by the Minister of Health, Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad. Under the MoU, PhAMA will support CRM through the provision of proteges on an annual basis for the next three years, effective this year.

The partnership will be driven through the CRM’s Centre of Excellence (CoE), which aims to enhance the nation’s clinical research capabilities in building skilled study coordinators profession. This initiative will pave the way for fresh graduates to begin their career in clinical research, aligning with the Pharmaceutical Sector’s Research and Development (R&D) objectives outlined in the New Industrial Master Plan (NIMP) 2030.

“The establishment of the CRM’s Centre of Excellence further solidifies the organizations’ dedication to shaping the future of clinical research in Malaysia. Through collaborative efforts, CRM and PhAMA are poised to contribute significantly to the advancement of healthcare and the pharmaceutical sector in the country,” said Datuk Seri Dr Dzulkefly during his speech.

Ms. Kam Ai Teng, President of PhAMA, echoed this sentiment, highlighting the crucial role of innovation and research in the pharmaceutical industry. “PhAMA is enthusiastic about contributing to the clinical research landscape in Malaysia. The fact that the top five sponsors of new sponsored research in the last five years are all PhAMA members attests to our steadfast commitment to advancing healthcare through research and development,” Ms. Kam added.

About Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA)
Pharmaceutical Association of Malaysia (PhAMA) is a non-governmental organisation and premier trade association established in 1972 to facilitate the activities of members consisting of innovative pharmaceuticals and biopharmaceutical multinational companies in Malaysia. Currently, the organization has 40 members who share the mission of driving healthcare reforms towards increased access to innovative medicines in Malaysia. Our members are possess widespread experience and networks with global markets and healthcare systems, including the management of Public Health Emergencies of International Concern (PHEIC) such as the COVID-19 pandemic. PhAMA members invest significantly in Malaysia’s economy in the form of foreign direct investments (FDI), clinical trials, Continuous Medical Education for healthcare professionals and regulatory officers, and employment of over 12,000 workers in STEM positions, moving Malaysia towards a knowledge-based economy. 

For information about Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM), please visit:
https://clinicalresearch.my/about-us-2/

SOURCE : Clinical Research Malaysia (CRM)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Siti Khadijah Sakaria
Tel: +6017- 696 3596 | +603-7931 5566 (ext. 119)   
Email: sitikhadijah@clinicalresearch.my  

–BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 (Bernama) — The Chinese New Year (CNY) is one of the most popularly celebrated holidays in Asia, especially in Hong Kong as the city is abuzz with preparations for the festivity and a vibrant array of exciting celebrations.

The CNY period is the liveliest and most vibrant time in Hong Kong, with bustling flower markets, exciting city-wide events and beautiful festive displays galore staging throughout the entire festive period from day to night, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement.

Tourists looking to experience a celebration like no other should definitely pay a visit during CNY to celebrate just like the locals do, such as partaking in a traditional poon choi feast which is also known as a “basin meal”, joining extraordinary local tours to one of Hong Kong’s rural walled villages like those in Yuen Long or Sha Tau Kok.

In addition, one of the most popular dishes to serve during the celebration are CNY puddings that symbolises prosperity and attaining new heights in the new year, are perfect for cooking lovers, who can take home the recipe through participation in the hands-on festive workshops run by traditional bakeries like Kee Wah.

Meanwhile, tourists can kick off a prosperous CNY with dried seafood shopping at the section of Sheung Wan’s Des Voeux Road West between Queen Street and Centre Street which is well-known as “Dried Seafood Street”.

Many dried seafood products symbolise blessings and lucky words, whereby fish maw symbolises prosperity, while dried abalone looks similar to gold ingots and thus represents wealth.

During the CNY, locals visit each other’s homes to share new year blessings and spread happiness, engaging in one of the favourite activities among locals which is playing mahjong to activate good luck.

Other than family and friends’ gatherings, the festive atmosphere is also filling up every corner of the city with exciting array of celebratory events including the city’s biggest CNY event, the Cathay International Chinese New Year Night Parade.

The parade is returning with a bang to kick off the Year of the Dragon on Feb 10 (Chor 1) after a five-year hiatus and festive ambience continues to shine on Feb 11 (Chor 2) as the world famous Victoria Harbour lights up with the spectacular 2024 Lunar New Year Fireworks Display.

— BERNAMA

^{Hong Kong New Year Countdown Firework 2024 (Photo: Hong Kong Tourism Board)}

Visitor Arrivals on New Year’s Eve Break 2023 Record and Exceed 220,000

HONG KONG, Jan 3 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — Organised by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), the firework musical performance of “Hong Kong New Year Countdown Celebrations” concluded successfully tonight (1 January 2024), bidding farewell to 2023 and welcoming 2024 in joy. The largest-ever countdown fireworks lasted for 12 minutes and was themed with the cycling seasons, surprising locals and visitors alike with magnificent bliss.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240102315455/en/

The holidays attracted many visitors from around the world. As of 10 pm, more than 223,000 visitors arrived in Hong Kong on New Year’s Eve (31 December), breaking the record of daily visitor arrivals in 2023.

Members of the media can download the press release from the following link:
https://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/hktb/newsroom/press-releases.html

Members of the media can download the photos from the link below:
https://assetlibrary.hktb.com/assetbank-hktb/action/browseItems?categoryId=1343&categoryTypeId=2&cachedCriteria=1

View source version on businesswire.com: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240102315455/en/

Contact

For media inquiries:
Ms Sarah Ho
Tel: 2807 6372
Email: sarah.ho@hktb.com

Source : Hong Kong Tourism Board

KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 2 (Bernama) — Hong Kong, known for its distinctive East-meets-West culture is marked by spectacular celebratory activities and auspicious family feasts during the Chinese New Year (CNY).

This year, there is even more to celebrate as the fifth day (or Chor Five) falls on Valentine’s Day, enabling visitors to extend their CNY getaway with a romantic adventure in which the city is ideal for couples to create a unique and timeless memory.

According to Hong Kong Tourism Board in a statement, visitors are encouraged to start planning an unforgettable Valentine’s Day in one of Asia’s most romantic cities, from exploring the city on a swoon-worthy photoshoot to creative workshops for crafty couples and dinners at the hottest restaurants in town.

Couples can narrate their love story through lenses with a photoshoot, where one can don qipao (traditional Chinese garments) and travel back in time to feel the romance of old Hong Kong while capturing the sweetest moments with their valentine.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the signature local dai pai dong (open-air food stall), couples can recreate scenes from Wong Kar-Wai’s In the Mood for Love and keep the romance flowing on an iconic double-decker Hong Kong tram.

Meanwhile, at the revitalised Central Market, they can snap stunning silhouettes and candid smiles on the grand terrazzo staircase, then stroll hand-in-hand in Hollywood Road or up the steep stone steps of Pottinger Street, one of the city’s oldest lanes, to stately Tai Kwun.

Visitors can also spend their Valentine’s Day bonding over one-of-a-kind activities to create extraordinary gifts signifying their remarkable Hong Kong moment with loved ones by engaging in a wide variety of hands-on experience in town, like bespoke perfume making workshop, neon light art workshop and rock candy workshop, among others.

Furthermore, visitors are able to experience the city’s world-class dining scene with a special Valentine’s Day feast at one of the city’s hottest tables, such as Sabatini Ristorante Italiano in ifc mall, for authentic Italian fare.

The CNY fun continues until the 15th day (or Chor 15, on Feb 24), culminating with the Lantern Festival. In ancient times, the festival was akin to a Chinese Valentine’s Day because single women were allowed to roam freely and meet potential suitors without supervision.

In addition, travellers are welcome to join the local celebrations, while a vibrant array of activities in the city awaits, including auspicious dragon dances and annual lantern displays with much more to be discovered during CNY and Valentine’s Day in Hong Kong.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 29 (Bernama) — The Sanya Central Business District (CBD) – Financial Expansion and Opening-up Pilot Zone (the Modern Financial Industry Cluster) was officially unveiled at the Third Sanya International Wealth Management Summit, held at the Hainan Free Trade Port in China.

According to the Sanya CBD in a statement, this is the Hainan Free Trade Port’s only financial expansion and opening-up pilot zone and the only approved modern financial industry cluster.

It aims to implement the cross-border finance and modern finance development ideas, undertake high-level opening up pilot policies, facilitate the growth of industries such as cross-border insurance, cross-border asset management, Qualified Foreign Limited Partnership (QFLP) and Qualified Domestic Limited Partner (QDLP).

A key event focused on Sanya CBD, the summit attracted over 100 representatives from China’s political, academic and business sectors, discussing in depth about the opportunities and practical paths of science and innovation finance, consumer finance and wealth management, among others.

As a crucial growth hub in the construction of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Sanya City has implemented supportive incentives to boost the development of the financial industry in recent years, receiving sustained and steady progress.

In this process, the Sanya CBD has achieved evident accomplishments such as establishing and operating Hainan International Clearing House, Hainan International Commodity Exchange, as well as Hainan International Carbon Emissions Trading Center.

The CBD has also attracted nearly 200 International venture capital institutions and private equity fund management companies, including Sequoia China, Hillhouse Capital and IDG.

Besides, Hainan’s first S fund and Hainan’s first commodity swap clearing business have been launched in the district, and Hainan’s first special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) listing and merger have been successfully completed.

— BERNAMA