Day: September 14, 2022

Posted on

Shenzhen’s Qianhai opens up its legal services to a wider world by breaking institutional barriers

SHENZHEN, China, Sept. 13, 2022 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–Last September, the Chinese government unveiled the Plan for Comprehensively Deepening the Reform and Opening-up of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone (“Qianhai Plan”). The total area of the Qianhai cooperation zone, according to the Plan, is set to expand from 14.92 square kilometers to 120.56 square kilometers to build a hub for higher levels of openness, including on the legal front.

Three of the 21 Hong Kong and Macao lawyers granted recently a lawyer’s license in Shenzhen, came to Qianhai. It represents an institutional innovation in China’s legal services, and Qianhai’s new endeavor to remove barriers in this area.

Wu Jiansheng, publicity chief of the Qianhai Belt and Road Legal Services Federation said, “A connected legal service is essential for Hong Kong’s integration into the development of the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Many Hong Kong lawyers are licensed to practice law worldwide, and they will be an important force in the GBA to promote the Belt and Road Initiative.”

To allow Hong Kong lawyers an easier access to the mainland, the Federation has organized multiple dialogues between governmental bodies of Hong Kong and Qianhai for a continued service and policy support, from the life necessities to procedural assistance. “The Federation established a Shenzhen-Hong Kong in-depth cooperation zone for legal services and international centers for legal services cooperation and commercial mediation,” said Wu. Some lawyers from Hong Kong said those platforms offer opportunities of a professional development in Qianhai and even in the GBA.

William Ng, a lawyer born and raised in Hong Kong and recently licensed to practice law in the GBA, said he opted for a professional career in Qianhai because of its proximity to Hong Kong, “but above all, Qianhai has enjoyed sound development for the past few years.”

“Qianhai’s legal services have now grown ‘ultra-popular’,” said Wei Lin, Managing Partner at PC Woo & Zhonglun WD LLP, a Qianhai-based law firm, in an interview. “An increasing number of individuals and institutions providing legal services, including those from Hong Kong, are being drawn to Qianhai. And I found that many more law firms have sprung up since we launched our business in the Qianhai Kerry Center in 2021,” he added.

Put into operation this January, the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong International Legal-Services District is now home to 122 legal institutions, including China (Shenzhen) Intellectual Property Protection Center. Of 15 law firms jointly run by lawyers from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, seven are established in Qianhai. This May, the authority of the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone released interim measures for bringing high-end legal services to the International Legal-Services District, in order to attract legal institutions and talented lawyers from Hong Kong and Macao.

“The past few years have seen an increase in foreign-related services and an influx of multilingual lawyers with backgrounds in legal affairs. Overall, we are optimistic about Qianhai’s emergence as a world-class hub for legal services,” said Lin.

Source: Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone

Posted on

2022 Beijing International Cooperation Forum and CBD Forum Opened

BEIJING, Sept. 13, 2022 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–On the morning of September 6, Beijing International Cooperation Forum and CBD Forum, the main forum of 2022 Beijing CBD International Business Season, opened.

Chaoyang District government has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission. In the future, the two sides will promote the gathering of even more international resources in CBD, facilitate enterprises to implement the “going global” and “bringing in” strategies, and carry out a series of pilot projects in application of new consumption scenarios, green finance and green consumption.

2022 Beijing International Cooperation Forum and CBD Forum opened.

The Beijing CBD International Business Festival (formerly known as the Beijing CBD Business Festival) has been successfully held for 22 times and it is one of the most important business activities in Beijing. At present, Beijing CBD is accelerating the pace to gather new consumer products, new brands and new business forms, in the endeavor to create a world-class business circle worth hundreds of billions of yuan.

In 2021, more than 400 first stores were launched in Beijing CBD, which made the area top the city in this regard; and more than one third of all international brands have landed in the area. Among the altogether 34 Michelin restaurants in Beijing, 34 are located in CBD, accounting for nearly 60% of the total. Moreover, Beijing CBD is home to more than 60% of all the Black Pearl restaurants and nearly 50% of all the cafes of the city and the area has the highest concentration of international elements in the city.

According to the Beijing CBD Management Committee, in recent years, Beijing CBD, by taking advantage of favorable policies, has launched the Beijing CBD international business service platform, the cross-border trade digital service platform, the cross-border trade risk service platform, the foreign exchange derivative service platform, Beijing International Commercial Dispute Resolution Center, Beijing International Art Auction and Trading Center, and B&R – RCEP Innovation Service Center. Besides, China’s first L4 high-precision city-level digital twin platform has been built, featuring the CBD Digital Virtual Conference Room, and the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Cloud Center.

Themed “Deeply integrating into global cooperation and enhancing the city’s opening-up vitality”, the forum focuses on the CBD development in the context of globalization, fully taps Beijing CBD’s strengths in gathering international high-end resources, and promotes the integrated development of various international factors, with a view of enhancing the openness and vitality of Beijing CBD.

Under the guidance of the International Cooperation Center of the National Development and Reform Commission and China Public Diplomacy Association, the Forum was co-organized by the Chaoyang District People’s Government of Beijing Municipality, the Beijing Municipal Development and Reform Commission and the Foreign Affairs Office of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. The Forum won support from national platforms and international organizations such as the Global Business Districts Innovation Club and China CBD Alliance.

Source: Beijing CBD Management Committee

Image Attachments Links:

Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=429181

 

Posted on

Business School Students in High Demand: Nearly 9 in 10 Landed Jobs Prior to Graduation

Survey finds full-time MBA graduates in North America benefit the most from salary bump while Asia Pacific graduates record the biggest increase in rating of the overall value of degrees

RESTON, Va., Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Despite market fear of an imminent recession, 86 percent of 2022 business school graduates were employed at the time of graduation, up from 80 percent in 2021, according to a survey report released today by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). Contributing to the favorable trends are the regional results of graduates who studied in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe. Among graduates of Asia-Pacific business schools, this year 91 percent report being employed at the time of graduation, compared with 78 percent in 2021. Similarly, among European graduates, 90 percent indicate they were employed this year compared with 75 percent last year.

The annual Enrolled Students Survey from GMAC, a global association of leading graduate business schools, aims to better understand current trends in student and recent graduates’ evaluations and outcomes of their graduate management education (GME). Conducted in May-June 2022, this year’s survey explores the views of 1,718 respondents from nearly 300 business schools in 57 countries around the word on their overall GME experience, job search, and compensation in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Globally, the responding graduates of participating schools reported a median percentage increase in total compensation—including base salary and all other compensation—of 29 percent. Notably, among North American school graduates, those who attended full-time MBA programs reported a pre-GME total compensation median of US$80,000, and a post-GME total compensation median of US$120,000—an impressive 50 percent increase.

“With the volatile economic conditions and organizational challenges brought on by the pandemic, well-rounded and prepared business leaders and managers are especially in demand in the current job market,” said Matt Hazenbush, director of research analysis and communications at GMAC and author of the report. “As the survey findings suggest, graduate management education provides students with a powerful leg up for their career.”

Other Key Findings

Most students who set out to make a career change or gain a promotion encounter success

In step with the Great Resignation, students’ top goals and motivations in 2022 were to enrich their lives and make a career change. Among 2022 respondents, a majority who set out to make a career change or get promoted report that they were successful in achieving that goal. Specifically, among those who say making a career change was one of their top three motivations to pursuing GME, 57 percent said they were successful. Success rates for graduates from schools in Latin America/Middle East/Africa (66%) and North America (61%) were slightly higher, though not significantly, than those in Asia Pacific (54%) or Europe (55%), but across world regions a majority successfully made the career change they set out to make. Similarly, 56 percent of graduates who had the goal to gain a promotion were successful.

Social media use in the job search jumps up from last year

Use of social media in the job search—including sites like LinkedIn—increased significantly year-on-year, from 27 to 37 percent, overtaking networking with classmates and alumni (28%) as well as friends and family (35%). The increase in social media use as a job search method was significant among professional MBA (24% in 2021 to 31% in 2022) and business master’s students (23% in 2021 to 40% in 2022). By region, use of social media increased significantly among those who studied in Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America/Middle East/Africa, but not in North America.

Students from Asia-Pacific schools rate the overall value of their degree significantly higher in 2022 compared with 2021

Eighty-five percent of respondents rated the overall value of their degree as good to outstanding, up slightly from 82 percent in 2021. By region, students who studied in Asia-Pacific schools reported the largest year-on-year increase in favorable ratings for the overall value of their degree, rising from 75 percent to 86 percent between 2021 and 2022. While both full-time MBA and business master’s students in Asia Pacific had year-on-year increases, the increase was significant among full-time MBA students, rising from 66 percent to 84 percent. Globally, students who attended ranked schools reported similar levels of favorability of the overall value of their degree compared with students who attended non-ranked schools (85%, respectively).

As pandemic restrictions eased, student satisfaction with career and student services improved

Eighty-four percent of 2022 respondents gave career services a favorable review, up from 74 percent in 2021. Also improving were opinions on student services, up to 85 percent favorable from 80 percent in 2021. The improvement in favorability in career and student services was consistent across students of full-time MBA, business master’s, and professional MBA programs, as well as students who studied in Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America/Middle East/Africa, and North America.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test™ (GMAT™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

More than 12 million prospective students a year trust GMAC’s websites, including mba.com, to learn about MBA and business master’s programs, connect with schools around the world, prepare and register for exams and get advice on successfully applying to MBA and business master’s programs. BusinessBecause and The MBA Tour are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202-390-4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com

Posted on

Dave and Buster’s to Open 11 Units Across KSA, UAE, and Egypt

Announces international franchise partnership with Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Holding Group

DALLAS, Sept. 14, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Just a few months after announcing its international expansion plans Dave & Buster’s inks its first multi-country, multi-unit deal.

“We couldn’t be more pleased and excited to announce our Partnership with Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Holding Group to develop the Dave & Buster’s Brand across key West Asian Markets,” said Antonio Bautista, Chief International Development Officer of Dave & Buster’s.

The Brand will begin its expansion with sites in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, followed by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

“Dave & Buster’s is a preeminent entertainment brand, and this franchise partnership marks a strategic milestone for our organization as we continue expanding our entertainment and hospitality portfolio across the region,” said Mishal Alhokair, Deputy CEO of Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Holding Group.

To drive international expansion, Dave & Buster’s has developed key strategic initiatives that uniquely support global market penetration:

  • Customizable footprint to drive box economics in each market as required
  • Menu localization with high regional resonance
  • Proprietary, dynamic pricing model
  • Global marketing programs that are demographically agnostic and locally executable
  • Differentiated and unique amusement strategy and packages
  • Localized entertainment and 3rd day part programming

“With four decades of market leading experience, a seasoned leadership team, and a best-in-class support center infrastructure, Dave & Buster’s is ready to RUN THE FUN for our global partners and guests,” added Antonio Bautista.

For more information on franchising opportunities visit www.daveandbusters.com/franchising or email InternationalDevelopment@daveandbusters.com

About Dave & Buster’s
Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Coppell, Texas, Dave & Buster’s Entertainment, Inc., is the owner and operator of 200 venues in North America that offer premier entertainment and dining experiences to guests through two distinct brands: Dave & Buster’s and Main Event. Dave & Buster’s has 148 stores in 41 states, Puerto Rico, and Canada and offers guests the opportunity to “Eat Drink Play and Watch,” all in one location. Each store offers a full menu of entrées and appetizers, a complete selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and an extensive assortment of entertainment attractions centered around playing games and watching live sports and other televised events. Main Event operates 52 centers in 17 states across the country, and offers state-of-the-art bowling, laser tag, hundreds of arcade games, and virtual reality, making it the perfect place for families to connect and make memories. For more information about each brand, visit www.daveandbusters.com www.mainevent.com

About Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Holding Group “Believe in what you do & you shall become the master of your craft”
This phrase inspired Sheikh Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair to start his first theme park in Riyadh, which was “an unprecedented leap” in the tourism and entertainment sector, a sector that ran on mere “coincidence.” Here in Abdul Mohsen Al Hokair Holding Group, we turned “the dream” into an organized industry that aspires to be the best locally, regionally, and internationally. Sheikh Abdul Mohsen’s vision began with the need for tourism and entertainment in the Gulf region, which led to the opening of parks, and recreational centers in 1978, making him the Sheikh of Tourism in the Gulf Region. The roots of our companies were based on research and planning and deep consideration for all aspects of success.

Now, many people look to us with deep appreciation and respect. Each of our companies has its own story of success, and together they crowned us as a holding company, an umbrella for all companies and businesses. Holding is the mother and protector of our businesses, which began from the first day of networking that Sheikh Abdul Mohsen started to a glorious road that we hope to continue.

MEDIA CONTACT:
Antonio Bautista
antonio.bautista@daveandbusters.com

Posted on

PM urges precautionary measures to prevent waterborne diseases spread in flood-hit areas

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the authorities concerned to make all out efforts to clear the national high ways and rail tracks from flood water.

He was chairing a high level meeting in Islamabad to review the rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities in flood-hit areas.

The Prime Minister stressed the need to take precautionary measures to prevent waterborne and other diseases in the flood-hit areas.

He lauded the efforts of civil and military administration by playing their pivotal role in rescue, relief and rehabilitation activities.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Posted on

First consignment of humanitarian assistance from Saudi Arabia arrives in Karachi

King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center has launched a relief airlift from Saudi Arabia to provide urgent assistance to flood victims in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the first humanitarian assistance flight from Saudi Arabia has reached Karachi.

The consignment was received by Saudi ambassador Nawaf bin Said Al-Malki and Consul General Bandar Fahad Al Dayel, at Karachi airport, along with representatives of Foreign Office and NDMA.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Posted on

President seeks IPU’s role in resolving Kashmir issue

President Dr Arif Alvi has urged the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s mission to play a key role in resolution of Kashmir conflict.

Talking to the President of Inter-Parliamentary Union, Duarte Pacheco in Islamabad, he expressed the hope that the IPU would take notice of the ongoing Islamophobia and increasing persecution and intimidation of Muslims in India and the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The President reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to always stand with the Inter-Parliamentary Union in its mission to work for peace, democracy, human rights, gender equality, and youth empowerment, through political dialogue, cooperation and parliamentary action.

Talking about the recent devastating floods in Pakistan, he said it is a wake-up call to the world to take effective measures on war footing to reduce carbon emissions and prevent the devastation caused by climate change in many parts of the world, especially in Pakistan.

The President said Pakistan alone cannot shoulder the gigantic task of rehabilitation of 33 million flood victims and reconstructing millions of houses and vital infrastructure.

He appealed the developed world to come forward and help Pakistan to cope with the devastation caused by global-warming-induced super floods.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan

Posted on

Shazia Marri expresses resolve to achieve SDGs to eradicate hunger, poverty

Minister for Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Shazia Marri says Pakistan is committed to achieve the target of Sustainable Development Goals, with respect to eradication of hunger and poverty and ensuring safe and nutritious food by 2030.

She was addressing the sideline session on “Ending Hunger and Malnutrition” of the 3rd Inter-Parliamentary Union Regional Seminar on Achieving SDGs, in Islamabad.

Shazia Marri stressed the need to fight the food insecurity by investing in health, nutrition and education sector.

Referring to the recent devastating floods in the country, she said Pakistan is paying a huge price for carbon emissions from other countries.

The Minister appreciated the appeal by UN Secretary-General to the world to help Pakistan to cope with situation arising out of the recent devastating floods.

 

Source: Radio Pakistan