Production

Design Gallery Shop Opens in PMQ

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HONG KONG, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) opened its third Design Gallery shop in Hong Kong today, in the creative industries landmark PMQ in Central. HKTDC Executive Director Fred Lam, Hong Kong Design Centre Board of Directors Chairman Victor Lo, Miss Hong Kong 2013 Grace Chan and a number of Hong Kong designers and brand representatives officiated at the opening ceremony.

HKTDC Design Gallery specifically promotes products created and designed in Hong Kong. The wide variety of products in store also highlights the extraordinary creativity of Hong Kong designers in areas ranging from accessories, watches and household decorations to premium goods and stationery.

The new Design Gallery shop currently showcases some 1,500 products from nearly 80 Hong Kong designers and brands. The area is divided into three themes: Designer Delight, featuring gifts and premiums, houseware, stationery and toys; Accessory Access highlighting handbags and accessories; and Treasure Trove, spotlighting watches and jewellery.

At the opening ceremony, Mr. Lam said, “PMQ is a new landmark for design and creativity. Since its opening, it has turned into a magnet for up-and-coming design talents in the city. PMQ’s mission of serving as a start-up platform for designers and a nurturing ground for innovative entrepreneurs dovetails perfectly with Design Gallery’s commitment in promoting Hong Kong original designs and brands. It is great that Design Gallery can set up shop in PMQ, so that both can contribute together in supporting Hong Kong’s creative industry.”

Mr. Lam also pointed out that, in addition to the three physical Design Gallery shops in Hong Kong, the HKTDC has been working towards expanding its sales network, bringing Hong Kong branded products to new points of sale that promise heavy customer traffic and more diversified customer sources. These include Ocean Park, the WWF Visitor Centre and K11 Design Store. The HKTDC is also developing Design Gallery’s network in the Chinese mainland. So far, almost 20 points of sale have been successfully set up in cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Qingdao and Wuhan. Also, through Yahoo’s Outlet, Asia Miles’ gift redemption programme and mainland online platforms such as “Tmall” and “JD Mall”, the HKTDC is introducing Hong Kong designs to more customers.

The three Design Gallery theme units in PMQ occupy a total area of about 1,200 sq ft. The designer has adopted a clean and bright design throughout, to link up the three units. Different colour themes also give each unit a unique ethos and provide customers with a cosy and relaxed shopping experience.

Special offer: To celebrate the Grand Opening of the Design Gallery PMQ shop, from now until 31 July, customers can enjoy a 20% discount on all items. In addition, customers spending more than HK$500 in Design Gallery PMQ Shop will receive an Eco Concepts retro water bottle worth HK$240. The water bottle is made of 100% polylactic acid, a material extracted from plant starch. It features beautiful sceneries of Hong Kong to echo Design Gallery’s mission in promoting original local designs. With a black and white body, the water bottle is both retro and stylish, making it a highly collectible item (a limited number of the gifts are available while stocks last).

New PMQ Shop

Address: Units HG07-09, G/F, Block B, PMQ, No.35 Aberdeen Street, Central, Hong Kong
Tel: +852–2548–1115
Monday – Sunday, Public Holidays: 11:00 – 21:00

Website
HKTDC Design Gallery http://www.hkdesigngallery.com

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Human Rights

Apex Medical’s Respiratory Therapy Product Receives Affirmation from USITC

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TAIPEI, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Apex Medical Corporation (Apex, TWSE: 4106), a leading player in the Respiratory Therapy and Pressure Area Care sectors, announces that the United States International Trade Commission (USITC) has issued a final advisory opinion, determining that Apex’s newly designed XT series continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) water tank and Wizard 220 mask are free from the patent claims asserted by ResMed, one of Apex’s major competitors. Apex further declares its plan of introducing an upgraded iCH water tank to the market in October 2014.

In September 2013 Apex requested the USITC to declare that Apex’s newly designed sleep-disorder breathing treatment products are not covered by the claims of seven ResMed patents that were raised in an earlier Section 337 investigation. On July 18, 2014, the USITC issued the final opinion in response to the parties’ appeals on the initial opinion of the Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued one month earlier.

In the final and non-appealable opinion, the USITC upheld the ALJ’s ruling on the new mask design, confirming that the mask design is clear of ResMed’s asserted claims. Significantly, the USITC overruled the ALJ’s negative finding regarding the newly designed XT series water tank; the USITC determined that the new XT series CPAP water tank is free from ResMed’s patent assertions. The USITC affirmed ALJ’s finding that the petitioned water tank design for iCH series CPAP is covered by a single claim of one ResMed patent. 

Meanwhile, the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is reviewing the validity of five ResMed’s patents, including the claim relevant to the iCH series water tank, through a procedure named inter partes review. The USPTO is expected to render its decisions by early 2015.

“The USITC’s decision confirms our masks and XT series are clear of ResMed’s interference with patents. The demand of our products remains strong,” said Apex’s CEO, Daniel Lee. “The decision is a significant approval for our products and R&D.  We deem it a victory for our customers as well as people suffering from sleep apneas,” Daniel said.

The company stresses its goal of serving patients suffering from sleeping disorders with quality, effective as well as cost-saving CPAP products, and affirms its devotion to innovation and its commitment to the customers.

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Energy and Power

POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia

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SEOUL, South Korea, July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — POSCO Engineering & Construction (CEO: Tae-Hyun Hwang) announced on July 18th that the company has signed an MOU on the 11th with India’s Adani Mining for the construction of standard-gauge heavy haul rail line that is to be used for the coal mining project in Galilee Basin Queensland, Australia.

POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia
POSCO E&C Initiates Carmichael Mine Development in Australia

Upon signing this MOU, POSCO E&C has become the priority bidder for the EPC of a 388km standard gauge rail, which is a project carried out by Adani Mining to connect Carmichael mine with Abbot Point export port, in Queensland.

Construction will begin in the first half of next year, after Adani Mining signing the final contract for EPC with POSCO E&C within this year. The completion of this railway will enable transport of 60 million tons of coal per year.

Adani Group, the parent company of Adani Mining and India’s largest integrated private power, port and infrastructure developer, currently operates power generating facilities with a total size of 9,240MW. It also owns Mundra Port in India, which is the biggest port of entry for coal in the world.

The area in which this railway will be constructed expects to create jobs for at least 10,000 people, and the state government of Queensland designated the target area as “strategic development area.” Since the route is designed for many parties including other mine developers to use the railway, this project matches the state government’s strategic infrastructure policies. Moreover, it is also expected to contribute greatly to the industrial development of Australia, which is the world’s biggest exporter of iron ore and coal.

Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani said, “The rail project will lead to the opening of the Carmichael mine project which will deliver, in excess of 10,000 jobs, and will also provide vital opportunities for Australian Infrastructure development and contribute to energy security of India by lighting the lives of millions of Indians.”

Adani Mining CEO Jeyakumar Janakaraj said:  “I am delighted with the way the two teams worked together in a collaborative manner to get this binding agreement signed in a record time. This is the first major step towards finalising the Project’s construction contracts and we are proud to be associating with a partner of POSCO’s E&C standing. The binding agreement will enable us to develop a cost efficient rail solution and this relationship gives Adani access to Korean market, POSCO’s expertise and capital.”

“We’re happy to be participating in the rail infrastructure development project with Adani, and I’m sure we’ll produce excellent results if both companies display all the abilities to the utmost,” said POSCO E&C CEO Tae-Hyun Hwang. “This will be the biggest EPC project among the infrastructure projects we’re conducting in Australia. We’ll complete this project successfully by pulling together all our competences in construction, financing and procurement.”

POSCO E&C has experiences in many railway construction projects including the Busan-Gimhae Light Rail Transit and AREX (Incheon International Airport Railroad). The company’s participation in this project will further expand the opportunity for POSCO E&C to participate in upcoming projects by Adani Group as well as other railway projects in Australia.

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20140721/8521404114

 

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