Category: Press Releases

ดับลิน ไอร์แลนด์, May 19, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ในช่วงไม่กี่ปีที่ผ่านมา การดำเนินงานที่ยั่งยืนได้กลายเป็นปัจจัยขับเคลื่อนหลักสำหรับธุรกิจการบิน อย่างไรก็ตาม อุตสาหกรรมที่ไม่หยุดนิ่งนี้ต้องเผชิญกับความท้าทายมากมายที่สามารถขัดขวางความพยายามของบริษัทต่าง ๆ ในการเพิ่มความสามารถในการทำกำไร แม้ว่ามีปัจจัยหลายประการที่ทำให้อุตสาหกรรมการบินต้องดื้นรนฝ่าฟัน แต่ประเด็นสำคัญบางประการก็ควรได้รับการเน้นย้ำว่าเป็นตัวการหลัก

อัตราดอกเบี้ยดอลลาร์ในตลาดที่สูงสำหรับสายการบินที่มีการกู้ยืมเงินจำนวนมากและมีหนี้สินล้นพ้นตัวจะยิ่งสูงขึ้นไปอีก

ในช่วงไม่กี่ปีที่ผ่านมา อุตสาหกรรมการบินประสบกับความต้องการเดินทางทางอากาศที่ลดลงอย่างมาก ส่งผลให้หลายสายการบินประสบปัญหาทางการเงิน เพื่อให้บริษัทอยู่รอดในช่วงเวลาเช่นนี้ สายการบินจึงต้องแบกรับภาระหนี้เพิ่มเติม อย่างไรก็ตาม หนี้สินที่เพิ่มขึ้นนี้ส่งผลให้ผู้ให้กู้มีความเสี่ยงสูงขึ้น ซึ่งนำไปสู่อัตราดอกเบี้ยในตลาดที่สูงขึ้นสำหรับสายการบิน

นอกจากผลกระทบจากโรคระบาดที่มีต่ออุตสาหกรรมแล้ว ปัจจัยอื่น ๆ เช่น ต้นทุนเชื้อเพลิงที่สูงขึ้นและการแข่งขันที่เพิ่มขึ้นก็มีส่วนทำให้สายการบินหลายแห่งประสบปัญหาทางการเงินเช่นกัน ปัจจัยเหล่านี้ทำให้สายการบินที่ได้กู้ยืมเงินจำนวนมากมีความท้าทายมากขึ้นเรื่อย ๆ ในการสร้างผลกำไรและชำระหนี้ ซึ่งนำไปสู่ความกังวลเกี่ยวกับความยั่งยืนของรูปแบบธุรกิจของตน

การรวมกันของปัจจัยเหล่านี้ได้นำไปสู่สถานการณ์ที่สายการบินที่เป็นหนี้จำนวนมากกำลังเผชิญกับอัตราดอกเบี้ยในตลาดที่สูงขึ้น ซึ่งอาจทำให้ปัญหาทางการเงินแย่ลงไปอีก

ค่าประกันภัยที่สูงขึ้นอย่างมาก และความเสี่ยงจากสงครามที่เลวร้ายลงอาจผลักดันเบี้ยประกันให้สูงขึ้นไปอีก

อุตสาหกรรมการบินกำลังต่อสู้กับค่าประกันภัยที่สูงขึ้นเนื่องจากความเสี่ยงด้านภูมิรัฐศาสตร์ที่เลวร้ายลง ความเสี่ยงดังกล่าวได้รับอิทธิพลอย่างสูงจากข้อเท็จจริงที่ว่า เครื่องบินประมาณ 500 ลำที่มีการให้เช่าแก่ผู้ให้บริการรัสเซียนั้นยังคงติดอยู่ในรัสเซีย ตามที่บริษัทประกันภัยชั้นนำระบุไว้ บริษัทประกันภัยกำลังเผชิญกับปัญหาความรับผิดที่อาจเกิดขึ้นเนื่องจากสถานการณ์ที่ไม่แน่นอนซึ่งเกิดจากการที่รัฐบาลรัสเซียปฏิเสธที่จะปล่อยเครื่องบิน

ผลที่ตามมาก็คือ บริษัทประกันภัยประสบปัญหาในการประเมินระดับความเสี่ยงที่เกี่ยวข้อง จึงนำไปสู่ความสูญเสียที่อาจเกิดขึ้นได้ในวงกว้าง ซึ่งมีการคาดการณ์ว่าจะสูงถึง 30,000 ล้านดอลลาร์ ตามแหล่งข่าวในอุตสาหกรรม ความไม่แน่นอนนี้มีแนวโน้มที่จะดันราคาเบี้ยประกันสำหรับสายการบินขึ้นไปอีก ทำให้ส่งผลกระทบต่ออุตสาหกรรมโดยรวม

ผู้โดยสารจะจดจำการชดเชยสำหรับความล่าช้าของเที่ยวบิน และจะส่งผลกระทบต่อค่าใช้จ่ายที่ไม่ได้วางแผนไว้ของสายการบิน

กฎระเบียบของสหภาพยุโรป 261/2004 ให้การชดเชยแก่ผู้โดยสารที่ประสบความล่าช้า การยกเลิก การรับจองเกินจำนวนที่นั่ง หรือการถูกปฏิเสธไม่ให้ขึ้นเครื่อง ผู้โดยสารที่ได้รับผลกระทบอาจมีสิทธิ์ได้รับค่าชดเชยตั้งแต่ 250 ยูโรถึง 600 ยูโรต่อคน ขึ้นอยู่กับสถานการณ์เฉพาะและเป็นไปตามเงื่อนไขบางประการ ก่อนการระบาดของโควิด-19 อัตราความล่าช้าของเที่ยวบินในสหภาพยุโรปที่อยู่ภายใต้การชดเชยคือ 1.5% ของเที่ยวบินทั้งหมด โดยมีจำนวนเงินชดเชยเฉลี่ย 375 ยูโรต่อเที่ยวบินที่ล่าช้า

ในปี 2562 สายการบินในสหภาพยุโรปให้บริการผู้โดยสารทั้งหมด 1,120 ล้านคน โดยมีเที่ยวบินล่าช้า 1.7 ล้านเที่ยว ซึ่งส่งผลให้มีการจ่ายเงินชดเชยทั้งหมด 6,300 ล้านยูโร ปัจจุบันมีผู้โดยสารที่ได้รับผลกระทบเพียง 10% เท่านั้นที่ยื่นเรื่องร้องเรียนโดยตรงกับสายการบินหรือผ่านบริษัทที่ให้บริการเฉพาะ เช่น Skycop หรือ Airhelp

อย่างไรก็ตาม ตัวเลขนี้คาดว่าจะเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างมาก เนื่องจากหลังจากโควิด-19 อุตสาหกรรมประสบปัญหาการขาดแคลนกำลังการผลิตและความท้าทายอื่น ๆ ด้วยเหตุนี้ จำนวนเที่ยวบินที่สามารถเรียกร้องค่าชดเชยได้และประสบความล่าช้านั้น จึงอาจเพิ่มขึ้นจาก 1.5% เป็น 5% และอาจนำไปสู่การจ่ายเงินชดเชยทั้งหมด 20,000 ล้านยูโร

ความท้าทายของเครื่องยนต์ LEAP จะส่งผลกระทบต่อเครื่องบินภาคพื้นดินและการขาดแคลนขีดความสามารถในการบินมากขึ้น

จากการวิจัยภายในของเรา ในปัจจุบันนี้อุตสาหกรรมการบินดำเนินการฝูงบินด้วยเครื่องบิน A320neo จำนวน 1,397 ลำที่ใช้เครื่องยนต์ LEAP-1A จำนวนรวม 3,080 เครื่อง โดยมีเครื่องยนต์เฉลี่ย 2.2 เครื่องต่อลำ และเครื่องบิน Boeing 737 MAX จำนวน 1,043 ลำที่ใช้เครื่องยนต์ LEAP-1B จำนวนทั้งสิ้น 2,338 ลำ โดยมีเครื่องยนต์โดยเฉลี่ย 2.2 เครื่องต่อเครื่องบิน ในการบำรุงรักษาเครื่องยนต์เหล่านี้ มีสถานที่ 21 แห่งทั่วโลกสำหรับการยกเครื่องและบำรุงรักษา LEAP-1A และ 22 แห่งสำหรับเครื่องยนต์ LEAP-1B

อย่างไรก็ตาม การหยุดให้บริการเครื่องบิน 16,000 ลำ (คิดเป็น 60% ของฝูงบินทั้งหมด) ในปี 2563-2564 ทำให้การซ่อมบำรุงเครื่องยนต์ LEAP เลื่อนออกไปถึง 60% ดังนั้นขณะนี้จึงมีช่องว่างในการบำรุงรักษาอย่างมีนัยสำคัญในสถานที่ตั้งทั้ง 43 แห่ง ส่งผลให้ต้องรอการบำรุงรักษาเครื่องยนต์นาน 9-10 เดือน ซึ่งอาจทำให้การดำเนินงานของสายการบินหยุดชะงักได้

การผลิต OEM และซัพพลายเชนที่หยุดชะงักระหว่างปี 2566-2568 นั้นจะทำให้เกิดการขาดแคลนกำลังการผลิตเครื่องบินได้

การระบาดใหญ่ของโควิด-19 ส่งผลกระทบอย่างมากต่ออุตสาหกรรมอากาศยาน ผู้ผลิตอุปกรณ์ดั้งเดิม (OEM) เช่น Boeing และ Airbus ประสบปัญหาการหยุดชะงักในการผลิตและห่วงโซ่อุปทานอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ เพื่อตอบสนองต่อเศรษฐกิจโลกที่ชะลอตัวและความต้องการเดินทางทางอากาศที่ลดลง บริษัท OEM จึงได้ลดระดับการผลิตลงประมาณครึ่งหนึ่งเมื่อเทียบกับระดับก่อนเกิดการระบาดของโควิด อย่างไรก็ตาม การลดระดับนี้ได้นำไปสู่การขาดแคลนขีดความสามารถของเครื่องบิน ซึ่งเป็นอุปสรรคต่อความพยายามในการฟื้นตัวของอุตสาหกรรม

การลดการผลิตส่งผลกระทบต่อซัพพลายเออร์กว่า 5,000 รายในห่วงโซ่อุปทาน ซึ่งทุกรายนั้นต้องลดปริมาณลงในช่วงที่เกิดโรคระบาด ด้วยเหตุนี้ จึงคาดว่าการฟื้นตัวของอุตสาหกรรมอากาศยานจะใช้เวลา 2.5-4 ปีในการกลับสู่ระดับการผลิตก่อนเกิดโควิด การหยุดชะงักเป็นเวลานานนี้มีแนวโน้มที่จะส่งผลกระทบอย่างมากต่ออุตสาหกรรมและผู้มีส่วนได้ส่วนเสีย

ในปี 2563-2564 การยกเลิกโครงการสอบทุนสายการบินและการเกษียณอายุที่วางแผนไว้นั้นทำให้นักบินขาดแคลนในปี 2566-2567 และค่าใช้จ่ายสำหรับสายการบินเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว

อุตสาหกรรมการบินเผชิญกับความต้องการนักบินใหม่อย่างต่อเนื่อง เนื่องจากมีนักบินประมาณ 3% เกษียณอายุทุกปี อย่างไรก็ตาม การระบาดใหญ่ของโควิด-19 ได้ก่อให้เกิดปัญหาการถดถอยครั้งใหญ่ในอุตสาหกรรม โดยมีการเลื่อนหรือยกเลิกโครงการสอบทุนสายการบินทั้งหมด

ดังนั้นจึงทำให้ขณะนี้เกิดปัญหาการขาดแคลนนักบินอย่างมาก ส่งผลให้ต้นทุนเพิ่มขึ้นอย่างรวดเร็ว มีการคาดการณ์ว่าอุตสาหกรรมจะประสบปัญหาการขาดแคลนนักบิน 300,000 คนภายในหนึ่งทศวรรษ โดยคาดว่า การขาดแคลนนี้จะสร้างความท้าทายครั้งสำคัญ โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งในอินเดีย ซึ่งคาดว่าจะเกิดการขาดแคลนนักบินครั้งใหญ่ที่สุด

ความท้าทายในการจองกำหนดเวลาของบริการซ่อมบำรุงอากาศยานหรือ MRO หลังโควิด-19 เนื่องจากกิจกรรมการบำรุงรักษาตามกำหนดการถูกเลื่อนออกไป

ปัญหาอีกประการหนึ่งที่เกิดจากการแพร่ระบาดของโควิด-19 คือการพอกพูนของการใช้บริการ MRO สำหรับเครื่องบินทั่วโลกอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ การซ่อมบำรุงตามกำหนดเวลาเกิดความล่าช้าหรือถูกเลื่อนออกไป โดยเป็นผลสืบเนื่องมาจากการเดินทางทางอากาศที่ลดลงอย่างที่ไม่เคยปรากฏมาก่อนและการหยุดบินเครื่องบินหลายลำ

อย่างไรก็ตาม เนื่องจากความต้องการเดินทางทางอากาศเริ่มฟื้นตัวและสายการบินกลับมาดำเนินการเต็มรูปแบบ ความท้าทายในการจองกำหนดเวลาของบริการ MRO เพื่อดำเนินการบำรุงรักษาที่จำเป็นบนเครื่องบินเหล่านี้จึงเกิดขึ้น สายการบินหลายแห่งพบว่า โรงงานของ MRO ได้ทำงานอย่างเต็มความสามารถที่ทำได้ไปแล้ว ส่งผลให้ต้องรอนานและอาจทำให้การดำเนินงานของสายการบินหยุดชะงักได้ โดยคาดว่าการบำรุงรักษาที่พอกพูนนี้จะคงอยู่ไปอีกระยะหนึ่ง ซึ่งสร้างอุปสรรคต่อความพยายามในการฟื้นตัวของอุตสาหกรรมการบิน

ความท้าทายในการค้นหากำหนดเวลาบริการซ่อมบำรุงเครื่องยนต์สำหรับเครื่องยนต์ V2500 และ RR อันเนื่องมาจากการเลื่อนการบำรุงรักษา

สายการบินที่ให้บริการเครื่องบินด้วยเครื่องยนต์ V2500 และ RR ยังประสบปัญหาในการกำหนดเวลาเพื่อดำเนินการบำรุงรักษาเครื่องยนต์ เนื่องจากมีความต้องการสูงและผู้ที่พร้อมให้บริการบำรุงรักษานั้นมีจำนวนจำกัด ปัญหานี้ได้สร้างสถานการณ์ที่มีความท้าทาย โดยเฉพาะอย่างยิ่งสำหรับสายการบินที่มีฝูงบินขนาดใหญ่

การขาดกำหนดเวลาบริการบำรุงรักษานั้นทำให้สายการบินต้องหยุดบินเครื่องบินบางลำ จึงนำไปสู่การหยุดชะงักในการดำเนินงานและการสูญเสียรายได้ นอกจากผลกระทบทางการเงินแล้ว สถานการณ์ดังกล่าวยังสร้างความกังวลด้านความปลอดภัยอีกด้วย เนื่องจากการบำรุงรักษาที่ล่าช้าอาจส่งผลต่อความปลอดภัยและความน่าเชื่อถือของเครื่องยนต์ ซึ่งอาจนำไปสู่ปัญหาที่สำคัญมากขึ้นในอนาคต

ข้อกำหนด ESG สำหรับอุตสาหกรรมการบินที่เป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมไม่ได้หายไปในระยะกลาง

การประชุมสมัชชาครั้งที่ 41 ขององค์การการบินพลเรือนระหว่างประเทศ (ICAO) ซึ่งจัดขึ้นที่เมืองมอนทรีออลในเดือนตุลาคม 2565 ถือเป็นก้าวสำคัญสำหรับความมุ่งมั่นของอุตสาหกรรมการบินในด้านความยั่งยืน สมัชชามุ่งมั่นต่อเป้าหมายที่ทะเยอทะยานในระยะยาว (Long Term Aspirational Goal หรือ LTAG) เพื่อบรรลุการปล่อย CO2 สุทธิเป็นศูนย์ภายในปี 2593 ซึ่งได้นำประเด็นด้านสิ่งแวดล้อม สังคม และธรรมาภิบาล (ESG) มาสู่แนวหน้าของการสนทนาด้านการบินอย่างยั่งยืน

เป้าหมายอันทะเยอทะยานของ LTAG นั้นมีความท้าทาย แต่ก็มีศักยภาพที่จะกระตุ้นให้สายการบินต่าง ๆ เร่งการพัฒนาและปรับใช้เชื้อเพลิงเครื่องบินเจ็ตที่เป็นมิตรต่อสิ่งแวดล้อมมากขึ้น อีกทั้งเร่งการปรับปรุงด้านเทคนิคอื่น ๆ เพื่อลดปริมาณคาร์บอนในการบิน โดยจะต้องมีการเปลี่ยนแปลงครั้งใหญ่ในกรอบความคิดทั่วทั้งอุตสาหกรรม การลงทุนในการวิจัยและพัฒนา และความร่วมมือระหว่างสายการบิน ผู้ผลิต และรัฐบาล เพื่อให้บรรลุเป้าหมายระยะยาว

หลังโควิด-19 หนี้ค่าอะไหล่ บริการ MRO และการเช่าเครื่องบินจะส่งผลกระทบให้เครื่องบินบางลำยังต้องหยุดบิน ซึ่งจะทำให้เกิดความต้องการในกำลังการผลิต

สถานการณ์ที่ท้าทายในอุตสาหกรรมได้ผลักดันให้สายการบินต้องรับภาระหนี้เพิ่มเติมเพื่อเป็นเงินทุนในการดำเนินงานด้านต่าง ๆ เช่น อะไหล่ บริการ MRO และการเช่าซื้อเครื่องบิน อย่างไรก็ตาม การเพิ่มขึ้นของหนี้ค้างชำระสำหรับอุตสาหกรรมอาจมีความหมายโดยนัยอย่างมีนัยสำคัญ โดยสายการบินบางแห่งอาจมีปัญหาในการชำระหนี้ ซึ่งอาจส่งผลให้กำลังการผลิตลดลงเนื่องจากสายการบินถูกบังคับให้ระงับการบินของเครื่องบินบางลำหรือตัดเส้นทางบินเพื่อลดต้นทุน

ข้อมูลวงในแสดงให้เห็นว่าหนี้คงค้างของอุตสาหกรรมเพิ่มขึ้นมากกว่า 20% ตั้งแต่ปี 2020 และมีจำนวนสูงถึงกว่า 3 แสนล้านดอลลาร์ ในการระดมทุน สายการบินทั่วโลกได้ขายพันธบัตรและกู้ยืมเงินไปแล้ว 63,000 ล้านดอลลาร์ในปีนี้

ข้อมูลติดต่อสำหรับสื่อ:
Silvija Jakiene
ประธานเจ้าหน้าที่ฝ่ายสื่อสาร
Avia Solutions Group
silvija.jakiene@aviasg.com
+370 671 22697

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000810847

New Kit Enables Automation of NGS Library Prep on the BioXp® System Further Expanding the Utility, Speed, and Impact of the BioXp® Automated Molecular Biology Workstation

SAN DIEGO, May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Telesis Bio Inc. (NASDAQ: TBIO), a leader in automated multi-omic and synthetic biology solutions, today announced the first commercial shipment of its BioXp^® NGS Library Prep kit for Plasmid Sequencing. This NGS Library Prep kit enables on-demand and automated library preparation of plasmid DNA for use in next-generation sequencing applications.

Leveraging this new automation capability of the BioXp^® platform is expected to enable researchers in high-throughput discovery workflows to reduce hands-on time, cost, and steps of NGS Library Preparation, both accelerating their time to answer and reducing barriers to access to Next-Generation Sequencing.

“This kit represents a major milestone in the evolution of the BioXp^® System as it now provides customers with a complete solution in many synthetic biology and genomics workflows. Throughout 2023 we plan to continue to expand capabilities for NGS Library Preparation as well as for DNA and mRNA synthesis beginning from the customer’s sequence, linear DNA, or plasmid DNA. We believe that this transformation of the BioXp platform to an automated molecular biology workstation, will empower researchers with an integrated workflow solution to streamline synthetic biology and multiomic applications throughout discovery. Thus, creating efficiencies in and accelerating their overall discovery process,” said Todd R. Nelson, Ph.D., CEO and Founder of Telesis Bio.

“In our work manufacturing plasmid DNA for vaccine, gene therapy, or other R&D applications, it is critical to confirm the quality of our end product through DNA sequencing, but the commonly employed sample preparation methods are time consuming and labor intensive. We are pleased to be an Early Access partner with Telesis Bio as we believe their vision for the BioXp platform can help further accelerate and streamline our workflow,” said Santhosh Kallivalappil, Co-founder & Executive Director R&D of Novel Biotechnologies Inc.

For more information on BioXp® NGS Library Prep Kits please visit: telesisbio.com/products/bioxp-kits/ngs/

About Telesis Bio
Telesis Bio is empowering scientists with the ability to create novel, synthetic biology-enabled solutions for many of humanity’s greatest challenges. As inventors of the industry-standard Gibson Assembly^® method and the first commercial automated benchtop DNA and mRNA synthesis system, Telesis Bio is enabling rapid, accurate and reproducible writing of DNA and mRNA for numerous downstream markets. The award-winning BioXp^® systems consolidate, automate, and optimize the entire synthesis, cloning and amplification workflow. As a result, they deliver virtually error-free synthesis of DNA and RNA at scale within days and hours instead of weeks or months. Scientists around the world are using the technology in their own laboratories to accelerate the design-build-test paradigm for novel, high-value products for precision medicine, biologics drug discovery, vaccine and therapeutic development, genome editing, and cell and gene therapy. Telesis Bio is a public company based in San Diego. For more information, visit www.telesisbio.com.

Telesis Bio, the Telesis Bio logo, Gibson Assembly, and BioXp are trademarks of Telesis Bio Inc.

About Novel Biotechnology Inc.

Novel Biotechnology Inc. is on a mission to develop disruptive platforms that address unmet needs in the life sciences and pharmaceutical domains. Their focus is on developing new solutions for manufacturing plasmid DNA, a critical starting material for gene therapy, cell engineering, mRNA therapy and vaccine applications. They are developing a platform that is safe, scalable, adaptable to different plasmid backbones and payloads, has improved product quality, and is many times more productive than existing systems. Through their services business, they are currently offering plasmid DNA manufacturing services to a growing base of customers.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein are forward-looking statements reflecting the current beliefs and expectations of management made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include statements and guidance regarding Telesis Bio’s future financial performance as well as statements regarding the future release and success of new and existing products and services. Such statements are based on current assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control, include risks described in the section entitled Risk Factors and elsewhere in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 12, 2023. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof and should not be unduly relied upon. Telesis Bio disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

Contact:
Jen Carroll
Vice President of Investor Relations
jen.carroll@telesisbio.com

• CertiK is the leading smart contract audit and Web3 security company, with approximately 70% market share of the top 500 CoinMarketCap audited projects.

• The integration of CertiK’s Trust Score into CoinMarketCap is a leap forward for security and transparency across the Web3 industry.

New York, New York, May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — CertiK, Web3’s leading security firm, is proud to announce the integration of its Security Score into CoinMarketCap, the most widely-used platform for ranking and discovering cryptocurrencies.

The CertiK Security Score ranks projects against a comprehensive set of security metrics, enabling users to easily assess the security of a project at a glance. By assessing factors such as smart contract code, code audits, and the developer team’s background, the Security Score is a powerful addition to the diligent investor’s toolkit.

Since its launch in 2013, CoinMarketCap has established itself as the leading platform for tracking the prices, market capitalization, trading volumes, and other statistics of cryptocurrencies. CoinMarketCap is the first port of call for many entrants to the crypto world, and with its ever expanding suite of educational and technical resources it remains an indispensable tool for all users and investors. CertiK has audited over 70% of the top 500 Web3 projects as ranked by CoinMarketCap.

“With more than $3.7 billion of value drained from Web3 platforms and users in 2022, inadequate security remains an existential threat to the industry,” said CertiK co-founder Prof. Ronghui Gu. “By putting security front and center with this integration of the Security Score, CertiK and CoinMarketCap are joining forces to bring transparency and trust around web3 projects.. Projects that take security seriously can use their Security Score as proof of the fact.””

Users and investors now have a powerful tool at their disposal to help them evaluate the security of Web3 projects. The due diligence process should be as comprehensive as possible, and the integration of CertiK’s Security Score into CoinMarketCap makes it easy to identify projects that understand the importance of security for the future of their project and their community.

CertiK is on a mission to raise the standard of security and transparency in Web3, and this partnership with CoinMarketCap is a major step toward a safer, more open ecosystem.

About CertiK
CertiK is a pioneer in blockchain security, leveraging best-in-class AI technology and expert manual review to protect and monitor blockchain protocols and smart contracts. Founded in 2018 by professors from Yale University and Columbia University, CertiK secures the Web3 world, by applying cutting-edge innovations from academia to enterprise, enabling mission-critical applications to scale with safety and correctness.

www.certik.com

About CoinMarketCap

CoinMarketCap is the world’s most-referenced price-tracking website for crypto assets in the rapidly growing cryptocurrency space. Its mission is to make crypto discoverable and efficient globally by empowering retail users with unbiased, high quality and accurate information for drawing their own informed conclusions.

www.coinmarketcap.com

Media Contact:
Reannah Smith
reannah@lunapr.io

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000810776

ALULA, Saudi Arabia, May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) announces Lina Ghotmeh and Asif Khan as architects for two upcoming museums in its constellation of cultural assets. Ghotmeh will design the contemporary art museum and Khan will design the museum of the Incense Road. Both museums are situated in AlUla, a destination in northwest Arabia with 7,000 years of continuous human history.

Khan, who was awarded a MBE for his services to architecture and is currently working on the renewal of the Barbican Centre and the new London Museum, is known for his radical approach to architecture, which merges history with the future, grounding projects in material experimentation and social context.

Award winning Ghotmeh, who is designing the 2023 Serpentine Pavilion, creates work that sits at the intersection of art, architecture and design. Her practice is developed through a process of thorough historical research, emerging in complete symbiosis with nature as exquisite interventions that enliven memories and the senses.

The architects were chosen through an international competition. The jury comprised of key stakeholders and specialists in architecture, landscape and museology, supported by a technical panel, and was chaired by Dr Khaled Azzam, the architect of AlUla’s Journey Through Time Masterplan.

We are excited to announce the appointed architects to these two significant museums – the first of 15 cultural assets being developed as part of AlUla’s Journey Through Time Masterplan. AlUla is a spectacular landscape of discovery, where heritage, works of nature and humankind combine to reveal a long and intimate relationship between people and their environment. This Masterplan will guide the reinvigoration of AlUla establishing a new cultural legacy including the implementation of a circular economy expected to create 38,000 new jobs.

Dr Khaled Azzam – Architect, Journey Through Time Masterplan, Royal Commission for AlUla

The architecture of the contemporary art museum in AlUla immerses visitors in a creative journey from the desert expanse to the lush cultural oasis of AlUla, interweaving the natural environment, agriculture and art to reveal the heart of contemporary culture. Through a series of garden pavilions, the museum presents a constant interplay between art and nature, capturing the essence of this unique place. The galleries offer surprising and anchored perspectives on the many facets of AlUla, from the microclimates of the oasis to the expanse of the desert, evoking a deep sense of attachment to the land and its heritage.

Lina Ghotmeh, architect, contemporary art museum in AlUla

AlUla resonated with me deeply as did the local community members I met. The design takes the form of a public space, not a museum within walls, situated in AlJadidah village with galleries and spaces for sensory experiences and learning. The mountains are a constant background, whose sand dunes reach down to greet the edges of the museum, while stepped terraces of gardens act as a new interface between the village and the oasis. 

I am excited about how the museum of the Incense Road can be brought into the collective memory of the world, and become a transformative asset for the local community.

Asif Khan, architect, museum of the Incense Road

The contemporary art museum in AlUla is a museum of regional and global contemporary art with Arabia at its heart. Offering a core collection of works by artists from regions adjoining the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea and the Eastern Mediterranean in dialogue with their contemporaries from across the world, the collection aims to evolve in partnership with these artists, including a robust programme of commissioned works. As the primary art museum in AlUla, it contributes to the region’s legacy as a cultural beacon, generating opportunities for artists, designers, creatives and curators.

An adjoining series of artist-designed gardens will ensure the experience is connected to the landscape in which it sits. Integrated into the distinctive AlUla oasis, set amongst vegetable gardens, palm groves, mountain ranges and an ancient settlement, the museum will explore sensitive environmental design and function as a catalyst for environmental renewal and regeneration of the oasis. It will be structured as an archipelago of pavilion galleries interspersed with a mosaic of artist gardens. Its balance of interior and exterior galleries and gardens will allow visitors to define their own encounters both with art and the natural landscape.

The museum of the Incense Road will be the world’s first museum dedicated to this epic and millennia-old network of major land and sea trading routes, celebrating AlUla’s cultural legacy as a place of exchange at the confluence of civilisations. Bringing to life global histories, through which ideas, goods and culture were exchanged, it shines a light on north-west Arabia as a cultural epicentre. Living and dynamic narratives will include spotlighting the discoveries of ongoing excavations, highlighting the active nature of AlUla’s archaeological sites and the cultural importance of the Incense Road. At the forefront of innovative museum practice, it will enable visitors to engage through layered, multidisciplinary interpretation anchored by carefully curated collections.

The museum of the Incense Road is being developed in dialogue with AlUla’s ancient heritage – including Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site – and its host village, AlJadidah. It will be an extension of the urban fabric that sits towards the oasis edge, looking out on a vista where Dadan and Hegra – once vibrant cities that thrived as a result of the Incense Road – are located. Guided by subject experts and the local community, the museum of the Incense Road will continue to be developed through extensive local and international collaboration with specialists across fields including academia and museology.

Both museums offer a unique entry point into AlUla’s rich and extensive cultural offering and will be developed with a socially responsible approach to the preservation, interpretation, meaningful community engagement and presentation of AlUla’s cultural inheritance. They will consider how to reduce environmental impact while building meaningful spaces, particularly regarding conservation, controlled temperature, humidity and lighting, and will work with a network of cultural leaders at an institutional, thematic and discipline level in the spirit of reciprocal exchange.

Notes to editors

About AlUla:

Located 1,100 km from Riyadh, in north-west Saudi Arabia, AlUla is a place of extraordinary natural and human heritage. The vast area, covering 22,561km², includes a lush oasis valley, towering sandstone mountains and ancient cultural heritage sites dating back thousands of years to when the Lihyan and Nabataean kingdoms reigned.

The most well-known and recognised site in AlUla is Hegra, Saudi Arabia’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site. A 52-hectare ancient city, Hegra was the principal southern city of the Nabataean Kingdom and comprises more than 100 well-preserved tombs with elaborate facades cut out of the sandstone outcrops surrounding the walled urban settlement. Current research also suggests Hegra was the most southern outpost of the Roman Empire after the Nabataeans were conquered in 106 CE.

In addition to Hegra, AlUla is home to fascinating historical and archaeological sites such as Ancient Dadan, the capital of the Dadan and Lihyan Kingdoms, which is considered one of the most developed 1^st-millennium BCE cities of the Arabian Peninsula; thousands of ancient rock art sites and inscriptions at Jabal Ikmah; and AlUla Old Town, a labyrinth of more than 900 mudbrick homes developed from at least the 12^th century.

About The Royal Commission for AlUla:

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) was established by royal decree in July 2017 to protect and safeguard AlUla, a region of outstanding natural and cultural significance in north-west Saudi Arabia. RCU is embarking on a long-term plan to develop and deliver a sensitive, sustainable transformation of the region, reaffirming it as one of the country’s most important archaeological and cultural destinations and preparing it to welcome visitors from around the world. RCU’s development work in AlUla encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, tourism, culture, education and the arts, reflecting the ambitious commitment to cultivate tourism and leisure in Saudi Arabia, outlined in Vision 2030.

Lina Ghotmeh works and lives in Paris, where she leads her multidisciplinary practice Lina Ghotmeh — Architecture. Her visionary and materially sensitive works emerge in complete symbiosis with their environment while soliciting memory and senses.

Lina Ghotmeh is the nominated Architect for this year’s 22nd Serpentine Pavilion and her projects include Ateliers Hermès (first low carbon, energy positive building in France) delivered this April 2023, Stone Garden crafted tower and gallery spaces in Beirut (Dezeen Architecture of the year 2021 Prize), the Estonian National Museum (Grand Prix Afex 2016, project she designed in partnership with Dorell.Ghotmeh.Tane), Wonderlab Master crafts exhibition in Tokyo and Beijing & award winning Les Grands Verres restaurants for the Palais de Tokyo, Paris, France.

She is the recipient of multiple awards including the 2020 Schelling Prize, the 2020 Tamayouz “Woman of Outstanding Achievement”, the French Fine Arts Academy Cardin Award 2019, the Architecture Academy Dejean 2016 and the French Ministry AJAP Prize in 2008. Her works have been exhibited at the 17th Architecture Biennale in Venice, at the MAXXI in Rome, and currently at the Cooper Hewitt in New York.  She is active in Academic life and was Louis I Khan professor at Yale and Gehry Chair at the University of Toronto.

Asif Khan founded his London-based practice in 2007, which designs buildings, landscapes, installations, exhibitions and objects. His work is concerned with sensory experience, craftsmanship, cultural exchange and the merging of history with future worlds.

Asif Khan is currently working on the Barbican Art Centre Renewal, the new London Museum, opening 2026, itself the largest cultural project in Europe, and Liverpool Canning Dock waterfront transformation, a site at the centre of the Transatlantic Slave Trade. In 2020 he completed 6.5km of public realm design of Dubai Expo 2020, where his carbon-fibre Entry Portals received the Dezeen public award 2021 and nomination for the Aga Khan award for Architecture. He received the Grand Prix for Innovation (Cannes 2014) and Architect of the Year (German Design Council 2017).

His works have been exhibited at the Royal Academy of Arts, V&A, Milan Salone, Milan Triennale, Gwangju Design Biennale, the Design Museum, London, London Design Week, Tokyo Design Week, and currently at MAAT Lisbon. He has taught at the Royal College of Art and at Musashino Art University, Tokyo. Khan was awarded an MBE for Services to Architecture in 2017 and currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Design Museum in London.

Press contacts:

Vicky Newark
Pelham Communications
vicky@pelhamcommunications.com

Sherif Elhalafawy
Royal Commission for AlUla
s.elhalafawy@rcu.gov.sa

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e9648d36-fa73-489c-938c-7bb1d439c81e

The photo is also available at Newscom, www.newscom.com, and via AP PhotoExpress.

A video accompanying this announcement is available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/725cb185-c4e4-4e48-a341-ee572ff27b60

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8842227

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 18, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kiplin Metals Inc. (TSX-V: KIP) (the “Company” or “Kiplin“) announces the submission of exploration permits for its upcoming summer exploration program at its key Cluff Lake Road (CLR) uranium project. The permits are currently under review by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Environment for approval.

The CLR property is situated adjacent to F3 Uranium Corp.’s (“F3”) (previously known as Fission 3.0) prominent Paterson Lake North (PLN) project. In November 2022, F3 uncovered the JR high-grade uranium zone, which recently reported intersections (refer to F3 press release dated February 6, 2023) in drill hole PLN22-038 of 11.0 meters averaging 4.20% triuranium octoxide, including a high-grade 4.5-meter interval averaging 9.8% U3O8. The JR uranium zone represents the newest basement-hosted uranium deposit in the Athabasca, similar to the Triple R uranium deposit owned by Fission Uranium Corp.

Kiplin’s summer program, contracted to Grander Exploration, will involve geophysical surveying focused on the central part of the property. The survey will target multiple prospective areas already identified within the CLR property, including:

• Three parallel (South-Southeast) conductors spanning a width of one kilometre on F3’s PLN property, referred to as the North Conductor Complex, which extend onto the western part of the CLR property.
• Several other magnetic lineaments within the CLR property, both parallel and intersecting the North Conductor Complex trend.
• Multiple Alpha Track radon gas sensor anomalies previously completed (2017) and spectrometer radioactivity anomalies detected by the Company in 2022 (refer to Press Release, November 23, 2022). Background radioactivity readings obtained using a handheld Radiation Solutions RS-125 Super-SPEC gamma-ray spectrometer (*) range between 20-50 counts per second (cps), with over 100 anomalous boulders in the 100-500 cps range identified.

(*) The spectrometer readings provided in this news release were obtained using a handheld Radiation Solutions RS-125 Super-SPEC gamma-ray spectrometer, measuring in counts per second. It is important to note that spectrometer readings are not directly or uniformly correlated to uranium grades of the measured rock sample and should be considered as an initial indication of radioactive material presence only.

The Company believes that the CLR property’s combination of multiple EM (electromagnetic) conductors, magnetic lineaments, radon gas, and radioactivity anomalies make it a highly prospective location for discovering a basement-hosted uranium deposit.

Kiplin intends to conduct its exploration activities in compliance with the strictest environmental management standards and maintain open communication with local stakeholders, including indigenous communities, throughout the permitting, exploration, and closure phases.

The Company will share updates on the progress of its permit approval and work program as information becomes available. Kiplin emphasizes that findings and observations on neighbouring properties do not guarantee the presence of similar mineralization or geological features on their properties.

Dr. Peter Born, PGeo, the designated qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, is responsible for and has approved the technical information contained in this release.

About Kiplin Metals Inc.
Kiplin Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration firm dedicated to identifying and developing high-potential mineral exploration opportunities. By advancing our projects from discovery through production, we strive to create significant value for our shareholders. This comprehensive approach enables Kiplin Metals to generate outstanding shareholder returns throughout the entire mining process. This vertically integrated strategy allows Kiplin Metals to achieve exceptional shareholder value through the entire life-cycle of the mining process.

Cluff Lake Road Uranium Project. Kiplin Metals has the right to earn a one-hundred percent interest in the Cluff Lake Road Uranium Project (referred to as the “CLR Project“). The CLR Project spans approximately 531 hectares in the southwestern region of the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan, an area known for recent discoveries, including the Arrow and Triple R Uranium deposits. The CLR Project is situated 5 km east of Cluff Lake Road (Highway 955), which connects to the historic Cluff Lake Mine, a site that has produced an estimated 62,000,000 lbs of yellowcake uranium in the past.

For further information, contact the Company at info@kiplinmetals.com, or visit the Company’s website at www.kiplinmetals.com.

On behalf of the Board,

Kiplin Metals Inc.

For further information, contact the Company at 604-622-1199.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

“Peter Born”
Director

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release may include forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required under the applicable laws.

Contact Data

CONTACT:

MRKT360 INC

https://mrkt360.com

Alex Zertuche

alexz@mrkt360.com

For E.S.T Office Hours, Call 1 416-477-0587

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7aefb29d-d090-4246-b59f-d3bc29e55a16

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841971

DUBLIN, Ireland, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ensuring sustainable operations has become a primary driver for aviation businesses in recent years. Nonetheless, this dynamic industry faces a multitude of challenges that can impede companies’ efforts to enhance profitability. While several factors contribute to the aviation industry’s struggles, certain key issues merit highlighting as primary culprits.

High market $ interest rates for heavily leveraged and drowning-in-debt airlines will be even higher

In recent years, the aviation industry has experienced a significant drop in demand for air travel, resulting in many airlines facing financial losses. To stay afloat during this time, airlines have taken on additional debt. However, this increased debt has resulted in higher risk for lenders, leading to higher market interest rates for the airlines.

In addition to the impact of the pandemic on the industry, other factors such as rising fuel costs and increased competition have also contributed to the financial struggles of many airlines. These factors have made it increasingly challenging for heavily leveraged airlines to generate profits and pay off their debt, leading to concerns about the sustainability of their business models.

The combination of these factors has led to a situation where heavily indebted airlines are now facing even higher market interest rates, which can exacerbate their financial difficulties.

Much higher insurance costs — worsening war risks could push insurance premiums higher

The aviation industry is grappling with rising insurance costs due to worsening geopolitical risks. This is highly influenced by the fact that, as stated by leading insurance companies, around 500 aircraft leased to Russian operators remain trapped in Russia. Insurers are facing potential liability issues due to the uncertain situation created by the Russian government’s refusal to release the aircraft.

As a result, insurers are struggling to assess the level of risk involved, leading to a wide range of potential losses estimated to be up to $30 billion, according to industry sources. This uncertainty is likely to drive up insurance premiums for airlines, impacting the industry as a whole.

Passengers will remember compensations for flight delays, and it will impact airlines’ unplanned costs

The EU regulation 261/2004 provides compensation for passengers who experience delays, cancellations, overbooking, or denied boarding. Depending on the specific circumstances and subject to certain conditions, affected passengers may be eligible for a compensation claim ranging from €250 to €600 per person. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the rate of flight delays in the EU that fell under compensation was 1.5% of all flights, with an average compensation amount of €375 per delayed flight.

In 2019, EU airlines carried a total of 1.12 billion passengers, with 1.7 million flights experiencing delays and resulting in a total compensation pay-out of €6.3 billion. Only 10% of affected passengers currently file complaints directly with the airlines or via specialised service companies, such as Skycop or Airhelp.

However, this number is expected to increase significantly, as after COVID-19 the industry faces capacity shortages and other challenges. As a result, the number of claimable flights that experience delays could increase from 1.5% to 5%, potentially leading to a total compensation pay-out of €20 billion.

LEAP engines challenges will impact more aircraft on the ground and shortage of capacity;

According to our internal research, presently, the aviation industry operates a fleet of 1397 A320neo aircraft with LEAP-1A engines, totalling 3080 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft, and 1043 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with LEAP-1B engines, totalling 2338 engines with an average of 2.2 engines per aircraft. To maintain these engines, there are 21 locations globally for LEAP-1A overhaul and maintenance and 22 locations for LEAP-1B engines.

However, the grounding of 16,000 aircraft (equivalent to 60% of the total fleet) in 2020-2021 has led to a staggering 60% postponement of LEAP engine maintenance. Consequently, there is now a significant maintenance gap across 43 locations, resulting in wait times of 9-10 months for engine maintenance, which could potentially disrupt airline operations.

OEM production and supply chain disrupted during 2023-2025 will cause a shortage of aircraft capacity;

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the aerospace industry. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) such as Boeing and Airbus have experienced significant disruptions in their production and supply chains. In response to the global economic slowdown and reduced demand for air travel, OEMs have cut their production levels by around half compared to pre-COVID levels. However, this has led to a shortage of aircraft capacity, which is hindering the industry’s recovery efforts.

The production cuts have affected over 5,000 suppliers in the supply chain, all of whom have had to reduce their volumes during the pandemic. Consequently, the recovery of the aerospace industry is projected to take 2.5-4 years to return to pre-COVID production levels. This prolonged period of disruption is likely to have significant consequences for the industry and its stakeholders.

In 2020-2021, the cancellation of pilot cadet programs and planned retirements caused a pilot shortage in 2023-2024 and a rapid increase in costs for airlines;

The aviation industry faces a constant demand for new pilots, as approximately 3% of pilots retire annually. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has caused a major setback in the industry, with all cadet programs being either postponed or cancelled.

Hence, there is now a significant pilot shortage issue, leading to rapid cost increases. It is estimated that industry will experience a shortage of 300,000 pilots within a decade. This shortage is expected to create significant challenges, particularly in India, which is anticipated to have the largest pilot shortage.

Challenges to book MRO slots after COVID-19, because scheduled maintenance events were postponed

Another issue caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is a significant accumulation of MRO services for aircraft worldwide. As a result of the unprecedented reduction in air travel and the grounding of many aircraft, scheduled maintenance was delayed or deferred.

Nonetheless, as air travel demand begins to recover and airlines return to full operations, the challenge of booking MRO slots to perform necessary maintenance on these aircraft has emerged. Many airlines are finding that MRO facilities are already operating at full capacity, resulting in long wait times and potential disruptions to airline operations. This accumulation of maintenance is expected to persist for some time, creating obstacles to the aviation industry’s recovery efforts.

Challenge to find engines maintenance slots for V2500, and RR engines due to deferred maintenance

Airlines that operate aircraft with V2500 and RR engines are also encountering difficulties in scheduling maintenance for their engines due to high demand and limited availability. This has created a challenging situation, particularly for airlines with large fleets of such aircraft.

The lack of available maintenance slots has forced airlines to ground some of their aircraft, leading to operational disruptions and revenue losses. In addition to the financial impact, the situation also poses safety concerns as delayed maintenance can compromise the safety and reliability of the engines, potentially leading to more significant problems in the future.

ESG requirements for greener aviation didn’t disappear in the medium term

The International Civil Aviation Organisation’s (ICAO) 41st Assembly, held in Montreal in October 2022, marked a significant milestone for the aviation industry’s commitment to sustainability. The assembly committed to a Long Term Aspirational Goal (LTAG) to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, which has brought Environment, Society, and Governance (ESG) issues to the forefront of the sustainable aviation conversation.

The LTAG’s ambitious target is challenging, but it has the potential to encourage airlines to accelerate the development and adoption of greener jet fuels and other technical improvements to decarbonise flying. This will require a significant shift in industry-wide mindset, investment in research and development, and collaboration between airlines, manufacturers, and governments to achieve the long-term goal.

After COVID-19, debts for spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing will impact that some aircraft will still be grounded, which will cause capacity demand

The challenging situation in the industry has pushed airlines to take on additional debt to finance various aspects of their operations, such as spare parts, MRO services, and aircraft leasing. However, the increase in outstanding debt for the industry could have significant implications, with some airlines potentially struggling to pay off their debts, which could result in a reduction in capacity as airlines are forced to ground some of their aircraft or cut routes to minimise costs.

Insider data shows that the industry’s outstanding debt has jumped over 20% since 2020, reaching more than $300 billion. To raise capital, global air carriers have sold $63 billion in bonds and loans so far this year.

Media contact:
Silvija Jakiene
Chief Communications Officer
Avia Solutions Group
silvija.jakiene@aviasg.com
+370 671 22697

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 1000810732

Basseterre, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — St Kitts and Nevis’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is the most respected and oldest programme in the world. Founded in 1984, it has since revolutionised the investment migration industry and has catapulted the twin federation economy to become one of the most sustainable nations in the Caribbean region.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit launched a Limited Time Offer under the Sustainable Growth Fund investment option that is available from 1 January 2023 until 30 June 2023. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity offers investors the chance to contribute a reduced minimum of US$125,000 and a processing time of 60 days. From 1 July 2023, the minimum contribution will go back to US$150,000 and the processing time of 90 days for Non-Accelerated Applications, Accelerated Applications are required to pay a premium due diligence fee.

Funds accumulated through the Sustainable Growth Fund support economic and social development in the nation. There are multiple areas where the funds are allocated to ensure the economic and social objectives are successfully implemented.

 

Climate resilience and adaption to climate change 

St Kitts and Nevis’ climate conditions have prompted the twin federation to assess their risks and find innovative ways to become more resilient to climate change. The Sustainable Growth Fund has effectively prepared the twin island state to address climate change issues and respond with environmentally friendly solutions.

The Sustainable Growth Fund investment option is aiding the government’s commitment to shift the country into 100 per cent renewable energy and reduce carbon emissions to 61 per cent.

Education 

Empowering Kittians and Nevisians with the knowledge to hone their skills leads to sustainable economic and social development. The government is using a percentage of the funds generated from the programme to support the education system.

Currently, the government has initiated educational plans to improve the quality of education in the country such as the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework.

On 23 February 2023, St Kitts and Nevis Ambassador to UNESCO in Paris, H.E. David P. Doyle, met with the Japan Ambassador for UNESCO, His Excellency Atsuyuki Oike, and his Deputy Permanent Delegate and Minister, Ms. Hirayama Naoko, to extend their appreciation to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Youth, Social Development, Gender Affairs, Aging and Disabilities, Honourable Dr. Geoffrey Henley.

The Ministry of Education in St Kitts and Nevis received a grant of US$90 000,00, from the Japanese Fund-in-Trust to equip them to develop an Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) framework for the country’s education sector.

“The Japan-fund-in-trust is very welcome and will significantly scale up St Kitts and Nevis’ institutional capacity in developing an ESD plan applicable across all sectors of the Federation’s education and training framework.” Ambassador Doyle said.

Healthcare

St Kitts and Nevis’ healthcare sector is an essential part of sustaining the economy. There are 11 healthcare centres, including four hospitals for citizens to attend to their maternal and child healthcare and chronic disease management needs.

As the Minister of Health and Social Security, Prime Minister Drew is focusing on three major developments to strengthen the quality of healthcare in St Kitts and Nevis. These are Universal Health Care, Corporatization of the Joseph N. France General Hospital and strengthening the relations with third-party organizations.

Minister Drew asserted that Universal Health Care remains a priority for the government of St Kitts and Nevis and added that the government is geared to start Universal Health Care, which will go a long way in opening up access to quality healthcare for all Kittians and Nevisians.

The Sustainable Growth Fund has supported the policies in national healthcare insurance and advanced medical equipment in hospitals to ensure that locals and tourists have access to quality healthcare facilities with advanced technologies. These initiatives encourage the population to seek medical assistance around the twin federation, without having to leave the country.

Infrastructure 

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis allocate a percentage of funds to infrastructure development projects.

Prime Minister Dr. Drew has highlighted on several occasions that the construction sector continues to play a significant role in the development of St Kitts and Nevis.

“The construction sector, an important engine for growth and development here in St Kitts and Nevis over the years, has contributed on average five per cent to job creation and about 16 per cent to our GDP. In the coming year [2023], the Government will initiate the construction of the Renaissance Housing Programme, which will over the next five years construct 2 000 energy efficient homes around the island.”

The National Housing Corporation (NHC) commenced the first phase of building in the first quarter of 2023 with the construction of 100 homes.

Tourism 

The tourism sector significantly contributes to St Kitts and Nevis’s GDP, as it is the main source of income by supporting an estimated 9 per cent GDP growth in 2022. The Sustainable Growth Fund has supported the recovery of tourism post-pandemic, by employing a large percentage of staff to manage the increasing tourism capacity.

The twin federation is renowned for its distinct tourist destinations and recognised tourism status. St Kitts and Nevis welcomes thousands of visitors, with almost 540 thousand tourists having visited in 2022. The country is determined to warmly welcome thousands more throughout 2023.

Reasons to choose the Sustainable Growth Fund investment option

Understanding where the funds are used in the economic and social development of the nation, questions arise as to how investors will benefit from the Sustainable Growth Fund. The following are some of the many benefits that investors can explore.

Citizenship 

An opportunity to invest in St Kitts and Nevis through the Sustainable Growth Fund investment option will offer businesspeople alternative citizenship. Eligible investors and their families receive prestigious citizenship, by undergoing stringent due diligence processes. This investment option is the most affordable and fastest processing time of 60 days during the Limited Time Offer.

Political and economic stability 

The Government of St Kitts and Nevis has a proactive approach to ensuring policies are in place to create stability in the country and soften the impact of the cycles in the economy.

English speaking country 

English is the official language in the country since St Kitts and Nevis are the first islands to be colonised by the British and French in the 1620s, and became a self-governing state in 1967, in association with Great Britain.

The English language creates ease for international and local businesses to work together in a sustainable economy.

Beautiful landscapes 

The twin federation is known for its tropical flora and mesmerising beaches. The atmosphere is mixed tranquillity, modern infrastructure, thrill-seeking adventures and luxurious properties.

Contributing towards the Sustainable Growth Fund is an opportunity to acquire alternative citizenship with a multitude of benefits. St Kitts and Nevis provide investors with business opportunities in its stable and thriving economy.

Attachment

• Sustainable Growth Fund investment option

PR St. Kitts and Nevis
+44 (0) 207 318 4343
chantal.mabanga@csglobalpartners.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841547

International hospitality operator upgrades its online payments capabilities in support of new digitalization strategy

MONTREAL and BRUSSELS, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nuvei Corporation (“Nuvei” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: NVEI) (TSX: NVEI), the Canadian fintech company, announces today that it has been selected to provide payments services to Radisson Hotel Group, an international hospitality operator with nine distinctive hotel brands and more than 1,100 hotels in operation and under development in EMEA & APAC.

Radisson Hotel Group is leveraging Nuvei’s global reach and extensive local networks to enhance its international online payments offering. The hospitality operator is also utilizing Nuvei’s expansive connection to over 600 local and alternative payment methods, accessible through a single integration, to enable its customers across the globe to make payments seamlessly using the methods they prefer.

This announcement is the latest from Nuvei as it continues to accelerate growth for international businesses in the travel and hospitality sectors. Leading brands and operators, including Virgin Atlantic, Air Transat, Westjet, Scott Dunn, LastMinute.com, Sabre and Selina Hospitality have recently announced that they have partnered with Nuvei as a preferred payments partner.

Philippe de Roose, SVP Tax & Treasury Radisson Hotel Group commented on the announcement: “At Radisson Hotel Group, we have taken steps to upgrade our digital experience and operations, beginning with the launch of our EMMA – Integrated Hospitality Technology Platform in 2018. Evolving our online payments capabilities is the next critical step on our journey. We needed a payments partner that could share our vision for the future of digital hospitality management and were impressed by Nuvei’s innovative approach to providing payments services to meet our specific needs, as well as the human-centric support and delivery teams to drive change.”

Philip Fayer, Nuvei Chair and CEO, commented: “We’re excited to be partnering with another premier global operator in the hospitality industry. Radisson Hotel Group has a strong brand reputation for excellence which we are proud to be supporting during the booking process, an incredibly important touchpoint for any business with its customers. For an international operator like Radisson Hotel Group, with properties in multiple continents and customers all over the world, our global reach and agile technology drives success both locally and globally to accelerate growth.”

About Nuvei 

Nuvei (Nasdaq: NVEI) (TSX: NVEI) is the Canadian fintech company accelerating the business of clients around the world. Nuvei’s modular, flexible and scalable technology allows leading companies to accept next-gen payments, offer all payout options and benefit from card issuing, banking, risk and fraud management services. Connecting businesses to their customers in more than 200 markets, with local acquiring in 47+ markets, 150 currencies and more than 600 alternative payment methods, Nuvei provides the technology and insights for customers and partners to succeed locally and globally with one integration.

For more information, visit www.nuvei.com

Alex Hammond
Nuvei
alex.hammond@nuvei.com

Investor Relations
Nuvei
IR@nuvei.com

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8841484

Integrated endpoint detection and response + backup solution for MSPs enables mass adoption of advanced security capabilities

SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland, May 17, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Acronis, the global leader in cyber protection, today announced the general availability of Acronis Advanced Security + Endpoint Detection & Response (EDR) for Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud. With new capabilities such as AI-based attack analysis, Acronis EDR reduces complexity and simplifies workflows for a more streamlined operation, making it easier than ever for MSPs and the businesses they serve to deploy comprehensive security and data protection. With more organizations turning to MSPs for their backup and security needs, and with a greater need for simplicity and efficiency, Acronis EDR aims to expand the adoption of advanced security capabilities, helping organizations of all sizes better protect themselves.

“With the proliferation of endpoints and increasing frequency of cyber threats, EDR has become a mission-critical tool in incident response and the fight for data protection. But solutions that are difficult to deploy and maintain are an obstacle,” said Research Vice President of Security and Trust Michael Suby at IDC. “The best solutions deliver the advanced security of EDR and meet the needs of the IT professionals who use it. That means easy deployments and rapid detection, response, and recovery with AI and automation on board.”

Acronis EDR offers the broadest number of out-of-the-box recovery options that take advantage of the integration with Acronis Cyber Protect’ backup and recovery, endpoint management, and endpoint security capabilities. Designed for Managed Service Providers (MSPs), it allows them to quickly and easily analyze and prioritize security incidents, minimize downtime, and maintain business continuity while keeping their clients safe and protected.

“Other EDR tools can be over-complicated and force MSPs into expensive, time-consuming processes to implement and understand. Acronis EDR delivers a robust EDR solution that is easy to deploy and use while following industry-established standards like the NIST cybersecurity framework and mapping to the MITRE ATT&CK^® framework,” said Candid Wüest, VP of Research at Acronis. “By rapidly understanding attack analysis and impact, Acronis EDR users can quickly evaluate a potential threat, gain insight into how an attacker gained access, what damage was caused, and how the attack might spread.”

Acronis EDR delivers:

• Optimized Incident Analysis to quickly and easily analyze and prioritize security incidents and potential attacks without relying on costly security expertise or time-consuming processes.
• Integrated Security with Backup & Recovery, for comprehensive protection critical to minimizing downtime and maintaining business continuity in the event of an attack.
• A Complete Cyber Protection Solution in a single agent — simple for MSPs to deploy, manage, and scale — that eliminates the cost, complexity, and security gaps inherent in multiple-point solutions.

“As a cybersecurity expert, I have witnessed firsthand the evolution of EDR and how it has revolutionized the way we approach security,” said Eric O’Neill, former FBI counterintelligence operative. “EDR allows security personnel to efficiently investigate, remediate, and recover from potential incidents while also reducing the attack surface and threat actor dwell time. The latest advances in EDR technology allow for rapid analysis of attack changes, shortened time to respond to incidents, and better business continuity for all organizations.”

Acronis EDR is available through the Acronis Advanced Security + EDR Advanced Pack. MSPs requiring more detailed information or a one-on-one service provider demo can find those resources here: https://go.acronis.com/security-edr-blog.

About Acronis
Acronis unifies data protection and cybersecurity to deliver integrated, automated cyber protection that solves the safety, accessibility, privacy, authenticity, and security (SAPAS) challenges of the modern digital world. With flexible deployment models that fit the demands of service providers and IT professionals, Acronis provides superior cyber protection for data, applications, and systems with innovative next-generation antivirus, backup, disaster recovery, and endpoint protection management solutions powered by AI. With advanced anti-malware powered by cutting-edge machine intelligence and blockchain based data authentication technologies, Acronis protects any environment – from cloud to hybrid to on premises – at a low and predictable cost.

Acronis is a Swiss company, founded in Singapore. Celebrating two decades of innovation, Acronis has more than 2,000 employees in 45 locations. Acronis Cyber Protect solution is available in 26 languages in over 150 countries and is used by 18,000 service providers to protect over 750,000 businesses.

Press contacts:
Karl Bateson
Karl.Bateson@acronis.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9693a8a8-4b95-4018-9783-c6dc99dac9cb

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8840928