Latest news with #TOT
Associated Press
09-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
AIA Hong Kong Achieves Four No. 1 Global Rankings in MDRT Once Again Leading Worldwide in MDRT and TOT Memberships
Female MDRT Continues to be Market No. 1 AIA Macau MDRT Market No. 1 for 7 Years HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 9 July 2025 - AIA Hong Kong & Macau have once again led the industry in the latest Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) membership rankings. AIA Hong Kong continues to lead globally, securing four No. 1 positions, including top rankings in both MDRT and Top of the Table (TOT) memberships. Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau AIA Hong Kong AIA Macau MDRT membership is recognised internationally as the standard of excellence in the life insurance and financial services business. In addition to the production requirement, MDRT members demonstrate exceptional professional knowledge, strict ethical conduct and outstanding client service. Mr Alger Fung, Chief Executive Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, 'AIA Hong Kong & Macau's consistent leadership in the prestigious MDRT rankings — including multiple occasions as the global No. 1 — stands as a testament to the unwavering dedication of our financial planners and their persistence in customer centricity. It also reflects the enduring trust and support we have earned from our customers over the years. We remain steadfast in advancing our Premier Agency strategy through continuous investment. By introducing innovative digital platforms that harness big data analytics and AI technology, we enable our financial planners to evolve into Premier Advisors—delivering personalised health protection and wealth planning solutions to our customers. Earlier this year, we further strengthened our training and recruitment capabilities with the opening of a new training centre for the AIA Premier Academy at AIRSIDE in Kai Tak. This initiative has attracted a growing number of high-calibre young professionals and reinforced the Academy's position as a cornerstone in shaping the future leaders of our industry.' He added: 'Looking ahead, we remain committed to nurturing industry elites and upholding customer centricity by delivering innovative products and personalised services that meet our customers' evolving needs at every stage of life, helping them live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives.' At the Group level, AIA Group Limited has set a new record for being recognised as the number one MDRT multinational company globally for 11 consecutive years. Source: (as of 9 July 2025) *Qualifying & Life Member: An individual becomes a Qualifying & Life (QL) member when approved for the tenth year of membership. Qualifying & Life status is maintained in future years by submitting an application each year, including certifying letter(s) demonstrating qualifying production or by attesting to having met current minimum production levels, and by paying the required dues. Hashtag: #AIA #友邦 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About AIA Hong Kong & Macau AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau have over 18,000 financial planners1, as well as an extensive network of independent financial advisors, brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve over 3.6 million customers2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, pension, personal lines insurance to investment-linked assurance schemes with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high-net-worth customers. 1 As at 31 March 2025 2 Including AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau's individual life, group insurance and pension customers (as at 31 March 2025)
See - Sada Elbalad
04-07-2025
- Business
- See - Sada Elbalad
Apple Owes $110 Mln in Wireless Tech Patent Case
Israa Farhan A US federal court in Delaware has ruled that tech giant Apple must pay $110 million in damages to Spanish technology firm TOT for infringing on a patented wireless communication technology. The ruling, reported by Reuters, follows a legal battle initiated by TOT in 2021. The court found that Apple had unlawfully used TOT's proprietary technology in developing wireless receiver components used in iPhones, violating one of the company's patents. TOT's founder, Álvaro López-Medrano, claimed to be the original inventor of a power-saving technology for mobile communications. He discovered Apple's unlicensed use of the innovation in the hardware of its iPhones and filed the lawsuit in response. He also revealed that similar patent lawsuits have been filed against LG and Samsung, which are still under judicial review. The US Attorney's office charged Apple with infringing two TOT patents, but the jury concluded that the infringement applied to one patent. Despite the court's ruling, Apple denies any wrongdoing, stating that its devices do not use any protected technology from TOT. The company, led by CEO Tim Cook, has announced plans to appeal the decision. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream News Shell Unveils Cost-Cutting, LNG Growth Plan
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Ministry to engage with oleochemical firms over SST imposed on palm kernel oil
BANGI: Plantation and Commodities Ministry will engage directly with industry players to ensure Malaysia's oleochemical sector remain competitive following changes to the sales and service tax (SST). Its minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said the changes had sparked concern among industry players, with some expressing negative feedback over the potential impact on operating costs and Malaysia's competitiveness in the global market. "We want to identify which specific areas are affected. Because SST is a domestic system, I have told the ministry not to react immediately to the complaints. "Instead, we must engage with the industry and understand the real situation," he told reporters at MPOB Palm Oil Technology Transfer Programme (TOT) 2025. Beginning July 1, palm kernel oil - a key input for oleochemical production - will be subjected to a five per cent sales tax. Johari said raw materials meant for export are not subject to SST, but acknowledged the need to assess if certain components of the local value chain are unduly impacted. He said policymaking should be based on insights from those directly involved in the industry, not external voices. "The reality is, no one likes paying tax and that is normal. But we need a functioning tax system to sustain the economy. "At the same time, we must evaluate its impact on national competitiveness, and that is what the ministry will be focusing on," he added. CIMB Securities recently said Malaysia's oleochemical sector could face increased input costs as palm kernel oil will now be subjected to SST. The firm said the revised tax also applies to refined, bleached and deodorised palm kernel oil and palm kernel shell, which have been reclassified under the expanded SST framework, affecting 4,800 Harmonised System Codes. "The five per cent sales tax could erode the competitiveness of Malaysia's oleochemical industry by increasing raw material costs, although some of the additional cost may be passed on to buyers," it said in a note. The oleochemical sector contributed 24 per cent of the export value of Malaysia's palm oil products, amounting to RM27.5 billion in 2024.
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Govt urges closer industry ties with MPOB to boost palm oil R&D
Previous Next BANGI: The government is inviting industry players to collaborate closely with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to advance research and development (R&D) in strategic areas of the palm oil industry. Plantation and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani said enhanced collaboration with MPOB would lead to the commercialisation of more innovations, benefiting both entrepreneurs and the agency. "When entrepreneurs are confident in their R&D, about 70 per cent of it can be commercialised," he told reporters at the MPOB Palm Oil Technology Transfer Programme (TOT) 2025, here today. "When that happens, they benefit, and so does MPOB, which can earn royalties for endorsing these innovations," he added. In his speech, Johari said one of MPOB's initiatives is to collaborate with Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd's subsidiary KL-Kepong Industrial Holdings Sdn Bhd, SALCRA in Sarawak and the Johor State Agriculture Corp to commercialise animal feed technology. He said this initiative has the potential to significantly reduce import dependency and ensure the resilience of the local supply chain. Johari added that MPOB will explore research into developing eco-friendly palm-based products to replace conventional, non-sustainable alternatives. He said palm-based transformer insulating oil is currently being considered by Tenaga Nasional Bhd as a replacement for petroleum-based transformer oil in the country's power substation network. "Palm-based transformer oil has market potential estimated to reach a value of US$287 million by 2030," he said. To date, the commercialisation of MPOB technologies has generated more than RM5.9 billion in market value, contributing to operational efficiency and product value enhancement across the palm oil sector. "I am confident that the MPOB TOT Programme will benefit industry players and all attendees by providing an opportunity to interact with technology inventors and research officers.
Borneo Post
07-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Over 500 expected at TOT MPOB 2025 to explore palm tech innovations in Selangor
The TOT Programme – MPOB's annual flagship event – aims to offer commercialisation opportunities for palm-based technologies developed by MPOB researchers to industry players, local companies, and MSMEs. KUCHING (June 7): More than 500 participants from the oil palm industry, including micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) operators and stakeholders interested in technology commercialisation, are expected to attend the Malaysian Palm Oil Board's (MPOB) Oil Palm Transfer of Technology (TOT) Programme 2025, scheduled for June 19 in Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor. According to MPOB in a statement yesterday, the TOT Programme – MPOB's annual flagship event – aims to offer commercialisation opportunities for palm-based technologies developed by MPOB researchers to industry players, local companies, and MSMEs. The event will be launched by Minister of Plantation and Commodities, Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, and will present a wide spectrum of technologies across various segments of the oil palm value chain. In the upstream sector, the programme will feature innovations such as elite planting materials, the applications of artificial intelligence in plantations, and integrated pest management techniques. For the midstream sector, attendees will be introduced to processing and milling technologies designed for industrial application. Meanwhile, in the downstream sector, the programme will highlight formulations used in personal care products, health food, and animal feed. According to MPOB director-general Datuk Dr Ahmad Parveez Ghulam Kadir, the TOT Programme provides a vital platform for industry players to access new technologies and innovations, explore opportunities for research and commercial collaborations, secure intellectual property protection through technology licensing, and foster engagement in a sustainable palm innovation ecosystem. 'TOT MPOB 2025 will also carry a special theme to mark MPOB's 25th anniversary since its establishment on May 1, 2000. We will showcase technologies developed over the past 25 years that align with industry needs and commercialisation potential,' he said. He added that MPOB's Research, Development and Commercialisation (R&D&C) platform is aimed at building a competitive and sustainable oil palm industry ecosystem. Industry players, MSME entrepreneurs, researchers, investors, technopreneurs and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the TOT MPOB 2025 or visit the exhibition, which will be open until 5pm. For more information, visit the official portal lead MPOB palm oil Transfer of Technology
