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BD3 CCS Facility Reaches 4 Million Tonne Milestone

The following commentary by Brent Jacobs, P.Eng. is a statement on behalf of the International CCS Knowledge Centre.

It takes courage to be first. And now with SaskPower's ground–breaking Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility (BD3) having captured and prevented four million tonnes (4Mt) of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, it is a milestone worth celebrating.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This amount of carbon mitigation not only has the equivalent emissions impact of taking approximately 865,000 cars off the road for a yeari, but it also underscores the value and large–scale impact of being tenacious in application–based learning and advancements.

I have the privilege of being part of the team at the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre) where we work to advance the use of large–scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a means of greatly reducing global greenhouse gasses. What is particularly unique about this work is that we do this by sharing our experience and acquired knowledge from progressing along the learning curve. It's our aim to ensure that others have assurance of expertise; a strong and reliable basis of know how before they start.

The CCS story at BD3 is one of significant progress and inspiration for future CCS initiatives. BD3's carbon capture performance continues to improve and demonstrate the real–world application of CCS to substantially reduce emissions in the energy and industry sectors.

With the experience gained through the design, construction, operation, and subsequent improvements of the BD3 CCS Facility, the Knowledge Centre developed two major studies that continue to be at the forefront of post–combustion capture processes globally. The Shand CCS Feasibility Study (Shand Study, Nov.2018), shows major improvements in CCS project costs, risks, and efficiencies, and provides the foundation for the Lehigh CCS Feasibility Study, (anticipated in the autumn 2021), which directly applies these advancements to the cement sector.

Our analysis of daily operational data from the BD3 CCS facility, from the time it began capture operations in October of 2014, were recently shared on the world stage at the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme GHGT–15 conference in March 2021.ii The results are more than promising.

As with most "first of a kind" facilities, unforeseen barriers can be expected to impact performance. These real application–based studies address specific challenges experienced with the capture system at BD3 CCS Facility and the corrective actions taken to improve its performance, reliability, and availability. These corrective actions are directly transferable to the next installations of CCS.

It's encouraging to see steady improvement of operations over such a short trajectory of time. CCS is a viable and essential option for industries to mitigate their CO2 emissions and we must apply the value from BD3 learnings and use this know–how to identify and eliminate existing barriers that are key to achieving and maintaining optimal performance.

Performance evaluation is essential as CCS technologies seek increased deployment across sectors. With each year, optimization of the BD3 CCS Facility continues to help refine improvements in efficiency and cost effectiveness. These enhancements in performance yield a stronger foundation for next out–the–gate projects by ensuring reductions in project costs and risks as well increasing operational predictability and certainty.

BD3 CCS Facility, with its courage to be first, has paved the way for significant capital and operating cost reductions paired with increased efficiencies to further improve the next generation of CCS installations.

Brent Jacobs is the Engineering Team Leader at the International CCS Knowledge Centre and has hands–on expertise in working on the BD3 CCS facility and is an author of the Shand CCS Feasibility Study and Leigh CCS Feasibility Study.

About the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre): with a mandate to advance the global understanding and deployment of large–scale CCS to reduce global GHG emissions, the Knowledge Centre provides the know–how to implement large–scale CCS projects as well as CCS optimization through the base learnings from both the fully–integrated Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility and the comprehensive second–generation CCS study, known as the Shand Study. Operating since 2016 under the direction of an independent board, the Knowledge Centre was established by BHP and SaskPower. For more info: https://ccsknowledge.com/

About SaskPower's Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility (BD3), located near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada is the world's first fully–integrated and full–chain carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility on a coal–fired power plant. The full chain cluster of facilities is within close proximity to the BD3 facility, providing for a full demonstration and operation of proven and safe CCS. This comprehensive commercial operating experience provides insight into technology and other requirements which are not available anywhere else. The full–chain of integrated operation includes: Carbon Capture Facility; Transportation to Enhanced Oil Recovery; CO2 Storage at Aquistore; Carbon Capture Test Facility; Emissions Control Research Facility. To learn more, visit: www.ccsknowledge.com

Media Contacts

International CCS Knowledge Centre
Jodi Woollam
Head of Communications & Media Relations
jwoollam@ccsknowledge.com
T: +1–306–565–5956 / M: +1–306–520–3710

ccsknowledge.com
Twitter: @CCSKnowledge
198 – 10 Research Drive Regina, SK S4S 7J7 Canada

i United States Environmental Protection Agency. Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator – Calculations and References. https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse–gases–equivalencies–calculator–calculations–and–references
ii International CCS Knowledge Centre. 2021. "Derate Analysis for SaskPower's Boundary Dam Unit 3 During the First Four Years of Operation;" 2021. "Reliability Improvements of SaskPower's BD3 Capture Facility Through Operational and Process Design Changes: Experiencing the First Four Years of Operations."

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/813d913e–25ca–4401–9185–50152d2b1478


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209736)

BD3 CCS Facility Reaches 4 Million Tonne Milestone

The following commentary by Brent Jacobs, P.Eng. is a statement on behalf of the International CCS Knowledge Centre.

It takes courage to be first. And now with SaskPower's ground–breaking Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility (BD3) having captured and prevented four million tonnes (4Mt) of CO2 from entering the atmosphere, it is a milestone worth celebrating.

REGINA, Saskatchewan, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This amount of carbon mitigation not only has the equivalent emissions impact of taking approximately 865,000 cars off the road for a yeari, but it also underscores the value and large–scale impact of being tenacious in application–based learning and advancements.

I have the privilege of being part of the team at the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre) where we work to advance the use of large–scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a means of greatly reducing global greenhouse gasses. What is particularly unique about this work is that we do this by sharing our experience and acquired knowledge from progressing along the learning curve. It's our aim to ensure that others have assurance of expertise; a strong and reliable basis of know how before they start.

The CCS story at BD3 is one of significant progress and inspiration for future CCS initiatives. BD3's carbon capture performance continues to improve and demonstrate the real–world application of CCS to substantially reduce emissions in the energy and industry sectors.

With the experience gained through the design, construction, operation, and subsequent improvements of the BD3 CCS Facility, the Knowledge Centre developed two major studies that continue to be at the forefront of post–combustion capture processes globally. The Shand CCS Feasibility Study (Shand Study, Nov.2018), shows major improvements in CCS project costs, risks, and efficiencies, and provides the foundation for the Lehigh CCS Feasibility Study, (anticipated in the autumn 2021), which directly applies these advancements to the cement sector.

Our analysis of daily operational data from the BD3 CCS facility, from the time it began capture operations in October of 2014, were recently shared on the world stage at the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme GHGT–15 conference in March 2021.ii The results are more than promising.

As with most "first of a kind" facilities, unforeseen barriers can be expected to impact performance. These real application–based studies address specific challenges experienced with the capture system at BD3 CCS Facility and the corrective actions taken to improve its performance, reliability, and availability. These corrective actions are directly transferable to the next installations of CCS.

It's encouraging to see steady improvement of operations over such a short trajectory of time. CCS is a viable and essential option for industries to mitigate their CO2 emissions and we must apply the value from BD3 learnings and use this know–how to identify and eliminate existing barriers that are key to achieving and maintaining optimal performance.

Performance evaluation is essential as CCS technologies seek increased deployment across sectors. With each year, optimization of the BD3 CCS Facility continues to help refine improvements in efficiency and cost effectiveness. These enhancements in performance yield a stronger foundation for next out–the–gate projects by ensuring reductions in project costs and risks as well increasing operational predictability and certainty.

BD3 CCS Facility, with its courage to be first, has paved the way for significant capital and operating cost reductions paired with increased efficiencies to further improve the next generation of CCS installations.

Brent Jacobs is the Engineering Team Leader at the International CCS Knowledge Centre and has hands–on expertise in working on the BD3 CCS facility and is an author of the Shand CCS Feasibility Study and Leigh CCS Feasibility Study.

About the International CCS Knowledge Centre (Knowledge Centre): with a mandate to advance the global understanding and deployment of large–scale CCS to reduce global GHG emissions, the Knowledge Centre provides the know–how to implement large–scale CCS projects as well as CCS optimization through the base learnings from both the fully–integrated Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility and the comprehensive second–generation CCS study, known as the Shand Study. Operating since 2016 under the direction of an independent board, the Knowledge Centre was established by BHP and SaskPower. For more info: https://ccsknowledge.com/

About SaskPower's Boundary Dam 3 CCS Facility (BD3), located near Estevan, Saskatchewan, Canada is the world's first fully–integrated and full–chain carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility on a coal–fired power plant. The full chain cluster of facilities is within close proximity to the BD3 facility, providing for a full demonstration and operation of proven and safe CCS. This comprehensive commercial operating experience provides insight into technology and other requirements which are not available anywhere else. The full–chain of integrated operation includes: Carbon Capture Facility; Transportation to Enhanced Oil Recovery; CO2 Storage at Aquistore; Carbon Capture Test Facility; Emissions Control Research Facility. To learn more, visit: www.ccsknowledge.com

Media Contacts

International CCS Knowledge Centre
Jodi Woollam
Head of Communications & Media Relations
jwoollam@ccsknowledge.com
T: +1–306–565–5956 / M: +1–306–520–3710

ccsknowledge.com
Twitter: @CCSKnowledge
198 – 10 Research Drive Regina, SK S4S 7J7 Canada

i United States Environmental Protection Agency. Greenhouse Gases Equivalencies Calculator – Calculations and References. https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse–gases–equivalencies–calculator–calculations–and–references
ii International CCS Knowledge Centre. 2021. "Derate Analysis for SaskPower's Boundary Dam Unit 3 During the First Four Years of Operation;" 2021. "Reliability Improvements of SaskPower's BD3 Capture Facility Through Operational and Process Design Changes: Experiencing the First Four Years of Operations."

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/813d913e–25ca–4401–9185–50152d2b1478


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209736)

Avid Names S’hail Holding Group as Master Distributor to Expand the Reach of Its Video and Audio Business Across Qatar

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Media technology provider Avid (NASDAQ: AVID) today announced a new multi–year, multi–million dollar strategic purchasing agreement with S'hail Holding Group of Qatar. As part of this first such agreement in Avid's Middle East & Africa sales region, S'hail has established a new company, QPlay Avid Solutions, as sole dedicated representative and service provider for all Avid video products to clients throughout Qatar including TV broadcasters, film studios, post houses and audio creators.

"Avid is delighted to advance our relationship with S'hail Holding Group to enhance our operations and reach across Qatar, making it easier and faster for our clients to collaborate with us," said Tom Cordiner, Chief Revenue Officer, Avid. "This highly valued partner has repeatedly proven that it brings crucial experience and expertise to ensure that Avid can participate in and carry out some of our customers' most innovative and challenging projects. With the full–time focus of QPlay, we anticipate even greater success and satisfaction for our clients."

"Together, our companies brought the right combination for advancing the capabilities of clients across the Qatari media community," said Ziyad Eissa, CEO, S'hail Holding Group. "We are very pleased to expand our partnership and build on our track record to go further afield with Avid."

S'hail started as an Avid reseller in 2019. The companies have collaborated on a wide range of client projects, including upgrades to existing workflows and facilities as well as launches of new TV channels and other media providers.

About Avid
Avid delivers the most open and efficient media platform, connecting content creation with collaboration, asset protection, distribution, and consumption. Avid's preeminent customer community uses Avid's comprehensive tools and workflow solutions to create, distribute and monetize the most watched, loved and listened to media in the world""from prestigious and award–winning feature films to popular television shows, news programs and televised sporting events, and celebrated music recordings and live concerts. With the most flexible deployment and pricing options, Avid's industry–leading solutions include Media Composer , Pro Tools , Avid NEXIS , MediaCentral , iNEWS , AirSpeed , Sibelius , Avid VENUE, FastServe , and Maestro. For more information about Avid solutions and services, visit www.avid.com, connect with Avid on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or subscribe to Avid Blogs.

2021 Avid Technology, Inc. All rights reserved. Avid, the Avid logo, Avid NEXIS, FastServe, AirSpeed, iNEWS, Maestro, MediaCentral, Media Composer, Pro Tools, Avid VENUE, and Sibelius are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Product features, specifications, system requirements and availability are subject to change without notice.

PR Contact:
Avid
Dave Smith
978.502.9607
david.smith@avid.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209147)

IFG Celebrates its 20th Anniversary

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — IFG, the world's top fruit–breeding and licensing company widely recognized for inventing the Cotton Candy and Sweet Globe grapes, has reached an exciting milestone as the company celebrates its 20th anniversary this year. IFG is renowned worldwide for its innovative fruit–breeding programs that have changed the way consumers and retailers think and experience grapes and other fruits, and through the company's unique offerings of flavor–forward fruit varieties and its global IP licensing program, IFG has transformed the fruit breeding industry in the short span of just 20 years.

Today, IFG boasts 45 patented grape and sweet cherry varieties, and its network of licensed growers extends to all corners of the globe with 1,344 licensees in 15 different countries. Additionally, the company has grown to 55 staff members globally.

"At IFG, we have three primary assets: our trademarks, our varieties, and our people," said IFG CEO Andy Higgins. "Without each of those assets, we would not be the company we are today. As an organization that has Intellectual Property, we are committed to protecting our trademarks, our varieties, and of course, supporting our people in their every success and we are proud of the tremendous advances we've made to the fruit–breeding industry over the years. Our talented team has worked tirelessly to execute this ambitious vision, and to see it all come together is quite rewarding."

IFG was established in 2001 by several of the most prominent names in the California grape industry: Jack Pandol of Grapery, the Stoller family of Sunridge Nurseries Inc. and world–famous horticulturist and fruit breeder Dr. David Cain. Under the direction of Dr. Cain, who recently retired, IFG spent the past 20 years focusing on creating table grape and sweet cherry varieties to fill unmet grower and consumer demands and in the process developed a team of committed professionals who are passionate about protecting IFG's clients all around the world.

"We have accomplished a lot during our first 20 years and we are excited for our future as IFG is positioned to continue advancing the industry," continued Higgins. "We are engaged and committed. Dr. Chris Owens, our lead plant breeder, is bringing new and more advanced technology to create more intriguing and exciting selections. We have much more in the pipeline as we plan to lead while staying true to our mission. The past many years have provided us a strong and profound foundation for greater success."

ABOUT IFG
IFG, headquartered in Bakersfield, California and founded in 2001, is one of the world's largest premium fruit–breeding companies. Its breeders, Drs. David Cain and Chris Owens develop new varieties of table grapes and cherries, which are patented and licensed to worldwide marketers and growers. IFG currently has licensees in 15 countries and its fruit is actively marketed in over 30 countries. For more information, visit www.ifg.world.

Media Contact:
Olivia Riley
Bastion Elevate
olivia@bastionelevate.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209172)

Analytica Announces Expansion of PeriCoach® Pelvic Health Solution into China

  • PeriCoach will be distributed through extensive network of postpartum care centres, hospitals, pharmacy chains, and online platforms serviced by the joint venture partners.
  • Joint venture will also leverage extensive network of over 30,000 clinicians in 100 cities to distribute PeriCoach in China.
  • Agreement builds upon Analytica's existing Middle East distribution partnership to facilitate growth and manufacturing of PeriCoach in international markets.
  • Clinical trial confirms unsupervised PeriCoach treatment is on par with in–clinic pelvic floor physical therapy for treating stress urinary incontinence, at a much lower cost.
  • PeriCoach provides cost–effective solution to improve quality of life, ease burden of care and reduce incontinence pad expenditure in postpartum and aging populations.

BRISBANE, Australia, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Analytica Limited (ASX:ALT), the Australian manufacturer of the PeriCoach pelvic floor exercise system for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, has entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement to manufacture, distribute and market the system in China, Macau, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Analytica partners with Hebei NACOL Bio–Technology Co., Ltd (Nacol) and Shijiazhuang Biosphere Pty Ltd (Biosphere), based in Hebei Province.

Nacol key shareholders include two highly experienced Chinese medical manufacturing and distribution companies, Heibei Aineng Biological Technology Co., Ltd and Shijiazhuang YST Medical Supplies Co. Ltd.

The JV will register PeriCoach with the Chinese Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) as a class II medical device. With CFDA clearance, PeriCoach can become a prescription treatment, initially covering the hospital network in the North China area.

Expansion into China will support the distribution of PeriCoach to both the rapidly growing postpartum rehabilitation market and the early–stage preventative senior market, as one in three women worldwide suffer from stress urinary incontinence. The agreement furthers Analytica's strategy to bring PeriCoach into global markets, building upon growth in the Middle East with partner Motion Egypt LLC, and pursuit of other partners in North America, Europe and Southeast Asia outside of China.

PeriCoach is comprised of a medical device, smartphone app and the PeriVault, the largest pelvic floor muscle exercise database in the world. PeriCoach includes biofeedback technique guidance technology that helps women correctly perform pelvic floor exercises, also known as "Kegel" exercises, while the device and app are being used. Real–world data from PeriCoach patients1 shows that nearly 60% of women do not know how to engage these hidden muscles when they first use the device. PeriCoach technique guidance means "Kegels" can be done correctly and confidently by any woman in the privacy of her own home.

A recent independent, peer–reviewed, randomized controlled clinical trial2,3 performed at the University of New Mexico and published in the Journal of Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery concluded that the PeriCoach biofeedback system, with no formal instruction, is non–inferior and on par with in–clinic pelvic floor physical therapy in a pelvic floor centre of excellence, making this system the most cost–effective4 form of treatment for stress and mixed urinary incontinence. Watch Video Here.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d7fc4b0–f47e–4dae–819d–b5db59eb359f

Currently manufactured in Australia, the new PeriCoach manufacturing line for the Chinese market only is located in the Shijiazhuang Free Trade Zone and will be listed as one of the major projects in the free trade zone and high technology zone.

PeriCoach will be distributed through the existing extensive network of hospitals and postpartum organisations serviced by the JV partners. The JV partners have collaborated with a leading postpartum care service platform in China with coverage of 100 cities and more than 30,000 clinical professionals.

In China, 15 million babies are born each year.5 With the rapid development of the modern economy, the postpartum rehabilitation industry has grown to 3.95bn yuan pa (US$608M) in 2018, with a compound annual growth rate of 43.9%.6

Furthermore, China, as with Western countries, has an aging population among which 31% of older women experience urinary incontinence, but only 25% of those currently seek medical assistance.7 The JV sees a large public health opportunity for conservative treatment of incontinence in women aged 50–70 years, reducing the quality–of–life impact along with the longer–term economic burden of aged–care.

The CEO of Aineng, Mr LanJu Xu, will lead the JV and comments: "We have strong confidence in Analytica's R&D capabilities and do believe that Analytica and Nacol can take advantage of each parties' strengths from this Joint Venture and achieve a win–win situation. Bringing together Analytica's leading technology and Nacol's extensive industry resources in China, we are looking forward to witnessing PeriCoach enter this huge market."

Mr Xu has a strong background in medical devices and materials, including a track record of 17 class II medical device approvals and completed clinical trials of two class III medical devices. He is also the Team Lead for Key Research & Development (R&D) Program of the Ministry of Science and Technology in China, which is operated by four leading universities and one of the top three hospitals in China. Additionally, Mr Xu is the lead of the medical material R&D Center in Nankai University.

Analytica Ltd Chairman, Dr Michael Monsour, comments: "Entering the China market with such nimble, experienced operators is a major milestone for Analytica. China is leading the world in recognising the need for effective postpartum care and is facing the challenge of caring for its large aging population by using the PeriCoach system to assist women with managing incontinence. PeriCoach is a proven cost–effective solution that will dramatically improve quality of life and burden of care for women. We look forward to the continued exploration of our strategic options to expand the availability of PeriCoach globally."

Analytica has recently moved its Australian manufacturing operations and is looking to re–establish online sales in the US, UK/Ireland, Australia and New Zealand in the near future. PeriCoach has USFDA 510(k) clearance, Australian ARTG registration, and CE–marking.

For more information, please contact: investorrelations@analyticamedical.com

For more information about the PeriCoach System, visit: www.PeriCoach.com

For more information about Analytica, visit: www.AnalyticaMedical.com

References

  1. Data on file.
  2. Analytica Announcement: https://www.analyticamedical.com/downloads/2020/20201120–ASX–ALT–UoNM–FPMRS.pdf
  3. Barnes, Kara Lauren MD*; Cichowski, Sara MD, FACOG, FPMRS"; Komesu, Yuko M. MD, FACOG, FPMRS*; Jeppson, Peter C. MD, FACOG, FASC, FPMRS*; McGuire, Brenna MD*; Ninivaggio, Cara S. MD, FPMRS*; Dunivan, Gena C. MD, FACOG, FPMRS* Home Biofeedback Versus Physical Therapy for Stress Urinary Incontinence, Female Pelvic Medicine & Reconstructive Surgery: November 16, 2020 – Volume Publish Ahead of Print – Issue – doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000993: https://journals.lww.com/jpelvicsurgery/Abstract/9000/Home_Biofeedback_Versus_Physical_Therapy_for.99288.aspx
  4. White Paper: Health Economics of PeriCoach for Management of Stress Urinary Incontinence: https://www.analyticamedical.com/downloads/2020/20201124–ASX–ALT–deWinterWhitepaper.pdf
  5. National Bureau of Statistics of China: https://data.stats.gov.cn/easyquery.htm?cn=C01&zb=A03060D&sj=2020
  6. Compound Growth: Overview of China's postpartum rehabilitation equipment industry in 2019 (report code: 19RI0824) by leadleo Academy
  7. Che, X. Y., Wu, S. L., Chen, Y. K., Huang, Y. B., & Yang, Y. (2019). Beijing da xue xue bao. Yi xue ban = Journal of Peking University. Health sciences, 51(4), 706""710. https://doi.org/10.19723/j.issn.1671–167X.2019.04.019: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7433489/

About Analytica Limited

Analytica's lead product is the PeriCoach System "" an e–health treatment system for women who suffer Stress Urinary Incontinence. This affects 1 in 3 women worldwide and is mostly caused by trauma to the pelvic floor muscles as a result of pregnancy, childbirth and menopause.

PeriCoach comprises a device, web portal and smartphone app. The device evaluates activity in pelvic floor muscles. This information is transmitted to a smartphone app and can be loaded to a cloud database where physicians can monitor patient progress via web portal. This novel system enables physicians to remotely determine if a woman is performing her pelvic floor exercises and if these are improving her condition. Strengthening of the pelvic floor muscles can also potentially improve sexual sensation or satisfaction and orgasm potential in some women.

PeriCoach has regulatory clearance for urinary incontinence in Australia and has CE mark and USFDA 510(k) clearance.

PeriCoach also has clearance in Australia, and CE Marking in Europe for the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse, a condition that affects up to 1 in 5 women during their lifetime.

Contact:
Geoff Daly, CEO
investorrelations@analyticamedical.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8208990)

Al Tamimi & Company opens office in Port Said, Egypt, as it continues to invest in the MENA region

Star Capital Building), 10th Floor, Geziret El Arab Street, Mohandseen, Giza.– CAIRO, Egypt., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cairo, Egypt, 31st, March 2021 "" Al Tamimi & Company, the leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa, builds on its strategic expansion plans in the African continent. With the establishment of the office in Port Said, one of the region's leading transhipment hubs, Al Tamimi & Company will provide critical guidance to companies navigating complex cross–border transactions in the maritime, shipping and customs sectors.

Samer Qudah, Managing Partner at Al Tamimi & Company commented:

"We have ambitious plans for the future and continue to invest in the region. We see many opportunities, especially in the African continent, and expanding our service offering and building on our presence in Egypt with the opening of an office in Port Said is a logical next step for us. We look forward to helping our clients achieve greater growth and stability in this rapidly evolving market."

Omar Omar, Head of Transport & Logistics commented:

"Opening this office in Port Said is not only testament to the commitment the firm has in the region and our expansion plans in Africa, but it also shows our commitment to the transport and logistics sector and more specifically our shipping clients. We continue to be very active in the region and benefit from the many opportunities the MENA region and Egypt specifically has to offer. We are proud that we can now support our clients with their queries on the ground in one of the region's major shipping hubs."

Ayman Nour, Head of Cairo office also commented:

"Port Said and Alexandria are the main stations for shipping and customs operations in the region and Egypt respectively. Opening an office there will signify the importance of our legal presence in the customs sector. This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our legal services to our clients in additional sectors in Egypt and the investment shows a clear commitment to our existing clients and business partners".

The office will be led by Hany Maamoon, Senior Counsel and an experienced lawyer who is actively involved in the customs, insurance and transport sectors. Prior to joining Al Tamimi, Hany worked in the legal department of Port Said Port Authority, then joined a law firm in 2005 where he became a Partner. Hany was also admitted to the High Court of Appeals in Egypt, where he specialises in shipping law.

The opening of the Port Said office follows a range of recent investments in the firm's service offering in Egypt, where they most recently welcomed five banking and finance lawyers to its Cairo team and also invested in local resource based in Alexandria.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209230)

Al Tamimi & Company opens office in Port Said, Egypt, as it continues to invest in the MENA region

Star Capital Building), 10th Floor, Geziret El Arab Street, Mohandseen, Giza.– CAIRO, Egypt., March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cairo, Egypt, 31st, March 2021 "" Al Tamimi & Company, the leading law firm in the Middle East and North Africa, builds on its strategic expansion plans in the African continent. With the establishment of the office in Port Said, one of the region's leading transhipment hubs, Al Tamimi & Company will provide critical guidance to companies navigating complex cross–border transactions in the maritime, shipping and customs sectors.

Samer Qudah, Managing Partner at Al Tamimi & Company commented:

"We have ambitious plans for the future and continue to invest in the region. We see many opportunities, especially in the African continent, and expanding our service offering and building on our presence in Egypt with the opening of an office in Port Said is a logical next step for us. We look forward to helping our clients achieve greater growth and stability in this rapidly evolving market."

Omar Omar, Head of Transport & Logistics commented:

"Opening this office in Port Said is not only testament to the commitment the firm has in the region and our expansion plans in Africa, but it also shows our commitment to the transport and logistics sector and more specifically our shipping clients. We continue to be very active in the region and benefit from the many opportunities the MENA region and Egypt specifically has to offer. We are proud that we can now support our clients with their queries on the ground in one of the region's major shipping hubs."

Ayman Nour, Head of Cairo office also commented:

"Port Said and Alexandria are the main stations for shipping and customs operations in the region and Egypt respectively. Opening an office there will signify the importance of our legal presence in the customs sector. This is an exciting opportunity for us to expand our legal services to our clients in additional sectors in Egypt and the investment shows a clear commitment to our existing clients and business partners".

The office will be led by Hany Maamoon, Senior Counsel and an experienced lawyer who is actively involved in the customs, insurance and transport sectors. Prior to joining Al Tamimi, Hany worked in the legal department of Port Said Port Authority, then joined a law firm in 2005 where he became a Partner. Hany was also admitted to the High Court of Appeals in Egypt, where he specialises in shipping law.

The opening of the Port Said office follows a range of recent investments in the firm's service offering in Egypt, where they most recently welcomed five banking and finance lawyers to its Cairo team and also invested in local resource based in Alexandria.


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8209230)

FXCM Launches Social and Copy Trading via ZuluTrade platform

LONDON and SYDNEY, Australia and JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, March 31, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — FXCM Group, LLC ("FXCM Group' or "FXCM'), the leading international provider of online foreign exchange (FX) trading, CFD trading and related services, has expanded its FX and CFD trading offering by providing customers with social and copy trading capabilities.

Social and copy trading have emerged as a popular addition to the retail trading market. Through this offering, FXCM customers can copy a high–performing Trader's signals and strategies, removing the need to speculate themselves and instead follow more experienced market participants.

The platform, powered by ZuluTrade, identifies rankings of Traders' performance which makes it easy for customers to identify Traders to follow and invest with. The platform also highlights the current "Rising Stars', including Traders who have had recent successes and are closing in on their all–time–highs. Customers can also choose to follow dynamic combinations of Individual Traders called "Combos' for their trading strategy. Combos use a point–based algorithm that has been set up for identifying profitable combinations of trading strategies. Combos are grouped in tiers that correspond to different risk appetites, from conservative to highly aggressive.

The Traders that customers follow fully explain their strategies and answer questions from fellow investors. This is a fully integrated platform that provides an incentive for Traders to ensure their strategy performs well, with Traders only receiving a percentage of the profits generated for their investor.

Brendan Callan, CEO of FXCM, said: "When beginning a trading career, it can often seem overwhelming to create an initial strategy. Market volatility, trading products and risk appetite are all new elements for customers to consider when exploring profit–making strategies."

"Social trading gives customers a great choice, especially when beginning to trade. By following an independent Trader, customers can view the Trader's performance over a period of time and make an informed decision before parting with their money. We've made it easier than ever for customers to have confidence in their chosen strategy."

About FXCM:

FXCM is a leading provider of online foreign exchange (FX) trading, CFD trading, and related services. Founded in 1999, the company's mission is to provide global traders with access to the world's largest and most liquid market by offering innovative trading tools, hiring excellent trading educators, meeting strict financial standards and striving for the best online trading experience in the market. Clients have the advantage of mobile trading, one–click order execution and trading from real–time charts. In addition, FXCM offers educational courses on FX trading and provides trading tools, proprietary data and premium resources. FXCM Pro provides retail brokers, small hedge funds and emerging market banks access to wholesale execution and liquidity, while providing high and medium frequency funds access to prime brokerage services via FXCM Prime. FXCM is a Leucadia Company.

Forex Capital Markets Limited: FCA registration number 217689 (www.fxcm.com/uk)

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

76.31% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FXCM EU LTD: CySEC license number 392/20 (www.fxcm.com/eu)

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.

Between 74–89% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs.

You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

FXCM Australia Pty. Limited: AFSL 309763. Losses can exceed your deposited funds. The products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved. If you decide to trade products offered by FXCM AU, you must read and understand the Financial Services Guide, Product Disclosure Statement, and Terms of Business on www.fxcm.com/au.

FXCM South Africa (PTY) Ltd: FSP No 46534 (www.fxcm.com/za). Our service includes products that are traded on margin and carry a risk of losses in excess of your deposited funds. The products may not be suitable for all investors. Please ensure that you fully understand the risks involved.

FXCM Markets Limited: Losses can exceed deposited funds. (www.fxcm.com/markets).

Media contact:

Chatsworth Communications
+44 (0) 20 7440 9780
fxcm@chatsworthcommunications.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8208695)

Utah Launches Pioneering Pilot on Mobile Driver’s License

WALTHAM, Mass. and BOSTON and SALT LAKE CITY, March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Utah Driver License Division (DLD) has launched a mobile driver license (mDL) pilot for offering driver's licenses and ID cards on mobile phones. The pilot will demonstrate improvement in citizen privacy and security, while highlighting the convenience and safety of tap and go transactions. It will use a fully ISO 18013–5–compliant mobile app, following the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) mDL Implementation Guidelines.

The new mDLs are a secure, contactless digital form of ID that give citizens control of their identity data. They choose the personal information they share with businesses. The pilot will build public acceptance of mDL in real–world scenarios such as banking, travel, traffic stops, and restaurant and liquor store transactions that require age verification. Building an open ecosystem during the pilot where mDLs are accepted at many businesses will pave the way for making mDLs viable for all of Utah's more than two million licensed drivers. Utahns may be able to leave their wallet at home soon.

Unlike other pilots, Utah will fully utilize the ISO 18013–5 standard for mDL, which provides the benefit of cryptographic proof of identity that prevents forgery and cannot be achieved by simply showing your phone screen to a clerk at a business.

"Our Driver License Division is committed to working with residents and stakeholders to implement a solution which provides the highest value to Utahns: one which is accepted anywhere and provides enhanced privacy, security and personal control," said Utah Department of Public Safety Commissioner Jess L. Anderson. "Utahns' privacy is of the utmost importance to us and the mDL gives them control over their data. They choose what information to share when their identification is requested."

For mDL, Utah DLD has tapped GET Group North America and its technology partner Scytles to provide GET Mobile ID, an ISO 18013–5–compliant application that puts an official driver's license or ID Card on a citizen's smartphone. The Contactless ID document can be verified with a tap or scan and is accepted worldwide using any ISO 18013–5–compliant reader, such as GET Mobile Verify. The GET/Scytles mDL technology was the first to pass the formal conformity assessment testing, meant to ensure compliance to the stringent standards that allow for global acceptance.

"Utah DLD has incredible foresight and timing to lead the world with standardized mDLs. We are proud to support Utah DLD as they begin launching a full–scale mDL program," said Alex Kambanis, President and Managing Director of GET Group North America. "COVID has accelerated the importance of Contactless ID for both citizens and the businesses that accept ID. Utah DLD is providing Utah residents a huge benefit with financial, security and health–related impacts."

"Utahns will now lead the country in having the benefit of a completely secure, privacy–centered, standardized form of mobile ID. Our team looks forward to supporting Utah in its pioneering role in implementing the very first fully ISO–compliant mDL," said Geoff Slagle, President & Chief Business Development Officer at Scytles, Inc.

The pilot will begin with approximately 100 select participants and expand to 10,000 participants including the broader public during 2021. Utah businesses can participate in the pilot to accept mDLs now and prepare for when mDL is available to all Utahns.

About GET Group North America
GET Group North America and its partners develop, manufacture, and implement end–to–end solutions for secure physical and mobile credentials that enable government agencies, motor vehicle departments, municipalities law enforcement organizations, and other entities to leverage the latest in secure identity management technologies. From photo ID cards, driver's licenses and passports, to mDLs and mIDs, GET Group NA delivers advanced issuance, verification and personalization capabilities that prevent identification fraud, accommodate diversified customer needs, and support the future of ID use cases.

PR Contact
Jordan Bouclin
SVM Public Relations
Jordan.bouclin@svmpr.com
(401)490–9700

About Scytles
Scytles is breaking new ground by developing and offering ISO–compliant Mobile Driver Licenses, Mobile IDs, derived Mobile IDs and Mobile Vaccination Passports as a complement to Security Printed Documents, and Validation mechanisms in real–time in online and offline modes. The company participates as experts in Mobile Identity through the standardization body (SIS) and participates on the Task Force 14 on Mobile Driving Licences within ISO/IEC JTC1/SC17/WG10. Scytles is also providing a Credential Service Provider (CSP), an ICAO 9303/PKD PKI, supporting multiple Mobile DLs/IDs and online identity validation providers. Scytles lays the foundation for a comprehensive lineup of online digital services, serving billions of users, as well as enabling high–security printed documents and banknotes to go digital and mobile.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/dfabf6d3–46ba–4c7b–8232–fb77f742d2d0


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8208812)

Report finds accelerated demand for graduate business degrees in 2021 amid declining concerns about COVID-19

RESTON, Va., March 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Interest in graduate management education (GME) programs in 2021 continues to grow among prospective students, a trend that coincides with waning concerns about the impact of COVID–19, according to a new report published today by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). The Council's 2021 mba.com Prospective Students Survey Report finds that the proportion of respondents reporting that they are extremely or very concerned about COVID–19 declined from 41 to 33 percent over the survey period. In addition, three in four (73%) international candidates planning to pursue an MBA outside their country of citizenship are not changing their original plans despite the pandemic.

Key Findings

Women candidates are more receptive to remote learning than men

Although studies have suggested that the impact of COVID–19 has been particularly severe on women as they shouldered more responsibilities of remote education and work, GMAC report has found that many female candidates remain undeterred and are willing to adapt their plans for higher education. Specifically, women candidates are more likely to seek the flexibility of online learning than men. They are willing to accept a higher proportion of their degree to be completed online and are more likely to agree that career opportunities gained through an on–campus graduate business degree are the same as those gained through an online degree.

"As vaccines become increasingly available, prospective students around the world are seeing light at the end of the tunnel regarding the global pandemic," said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. "It is especially encouraging to find female candidates seeking advanced business degrees for career advantages despite the unique challenges and barriers they face due to COVID–19."

More candidates are considering GME to upgrade skills amidst COVID uncertainties

While more than half of prospective candidates (58%) confirmed that they "always plan to pursue a graduate business degree at this point," over a third of the prospective candidates (37%) reported that they are seeking GME now because they "want to apply for a job but lack required skills and/or degree to be competitive." The accelerated demand for GME may be a result of the fact that more candidates recognize the need to emerge out of a shaky economy more career ready.

"COVID–19 has fundamentally disrupted the future of work and the skills that are required for future success," said Soojin Kwon, Managing Director, Full Time MBA Admissions & Program at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business and GMAC Board Director. "This is something that business schools are fully aware of and adapting to as candidates seek to upgrade their professional and leadership skills to meet the demands of the rapidly changing workplace."

International candidates still prefer mobility over online

Over 40 percent of international candidates "" those who wish to study outside of their country of citizenship "" surveyed report working outside their country of citizenship as the primary career motivation. The opportunities to live and work abroad explain why international candidates (70%) are more likely to report that they are not changing their original plans compared to domestic candidates (52%) amidst a global pandemic. Most international candidates therefore continue to value mobility and do not prefer substituting in–person experience with online learning.

United States and United Kingdom remain top destinations for international students

International candidates continue to look to the US as one of their top three choices to study business abroad. Prospective students from India rank the US their top choice, ahead of their home country, while those from Canada and the UK pick the US as their first international destination. Prospective candidates from Greater China identify the United Kingdom (27%) to be their preferred study destination, followed by the United States (21%) and Singapore (12%). Rising tension between the US and China in recent years may have discouraged prospective Chinese students from coming to America for their advanced degrees, coupled with the growth of high–quality business school programs in China and the Asia Pacific region.

More on the GMAC Survey Series

The mba.com Prospective Students Survey was conducted based on data collected on a monthly basis between July and December 2020 from a total of 2,515 individuals worldwide who indicated plans to enroll in a GME program in 2021. More than 7 million candidates on their business master's or MBA journey visited mba.com last year to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process.

The 2020 GMAC Application Trends Survey, released in November 2020, gathered and analyzed responses from over 1,000 graduate management programs worldwide to find that applications to graduate business school programs went up, with variations in growth rates by region and program due to online learning, travel, and visa concerns. This report and additional research on global trends in graduate management education are available on the GMAC website here.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission–driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world–class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, 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; GMAC also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAC (NMAT) exam and the Executive Assessment (EA). 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 Contacts:
Teresa Hsu
Sr. Manager, Media Relations
202–390–4180 (mobile)
thsu@gmac.com


GLOBENEWSWIRE (Distribution ID 8208648)