Xsolla Ecosystem To Streamline Vendor Selection For Game Developers

KUALA LUMPUR, March 12 (Bernama) -- Global video game commerce company, Xsolla has launched the Xsolla Ecosystem, a platform designed to build a connected network of trusted partners and vendors for game developers.

According to a statement, the Ecosystem Marketplace, accessible via the Publisher Account, offers a curated selection of vendors with pre-established integrations and exclusive rates.

The platform simplifies vendor selection, fosters collaboration, and enables developers to make informed business decisions while reducing development resources and operational costs.

“With the Xsolla Ecosystem, we are deepening our commitment to the gaming industry by creating meaningful connections and bringing opportunities together for developers and trusted vendors.

“This platform simplifies the vendor selection process, accelerates game development, and ultimately contributes to successfully bringing more games to market,” said Xsolla Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Hewish.

Unlike the complexities of sourcing credible vendors, Xsolla Ecosystem provides developers with a pre-validated marketplace, minimising risks such as delays, subpar service quality, and increased costs.

The platform features pre-validated vendors, including AppsFlyer, G-Core, Game Analytics, and Adikteev, all integrated with Xsolla’s core solutions such as Web Shop, Login, and Launcher.

It also offers exclusive discounts, simplified integration, and a scalable network of vendors.

Currently available in English, the Xsolla Ecosystem will expand to additional languages in future updates. Developers can access the platform through the Xsolla Publisher Account without requiring extensive setup or technical expertise.

-- BERNAMA

MELTWATER, NICE TEAM UP TO REVOLUTIONISE CUSTOMER SERVICE VIA AI-DRIVEN SOCIAL MEDIA

KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 (Bernama) -- Meltwater, a global leader in media, social, and consumer intelligence, has partnered with NICE, an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered customer service platform, to introduce Meltwater’s insights to the Contact Centre as a Service (CCaaS) market for the first time.

In a statement, Meltwater said this collaboration will enable enterprises to engage with customers in real time via social media, enhancing customer interactions, streamlining operations, and making data-driven decisions to improve customer satisfaction.

Meltwater Senior Vice President of Global Alliances and Partnerships, Doug Balut highlighted the significance of this partnership in entering the CCaaS market, emphasising that real-time social data will help brands respond faster and enhance the customer experience.

Meanwhile, NICE President, CX Division, Barry Cooper noted that this integration allows businesses to convert social interactions into valuable customer engagements, further enhancing their service efficiency and impact.

NICE, known for its AI-powered customer service software, supports enterprise organisations worldwide through its CXone Mpower platform. With this integration, NICE customers can leverage social media as a customer care channel, addressing a longstanding challenge faced by many contact centres in analysing social media interactions effectively.

The integration leverages Meltwater’s AI-powered technology, processing over three billion social engagements daily, and turns this data into actionable insights. This enables customer service teams to address issues in real time, reach broader audiences, meet service-level goals, and enhance customer experiences.

The key benefits include Meltwater’s world-class listening and filtering capabilities, advanced keyword filtering to analyse sentiment and engagement, a unified task queue to streamline interactions, and the ability to respond instantly on social media platforms.

-- BERNAMA

FALCON EXPANDS FLEET WITH EMBRAER, BOMBARDIER PRIVATE JETS

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Falcon, a premier aviation service provider, has unveiled the addition of two new private jets, the Embraer Legacy 650 and Bombardier Challenger 850, to its growing fleet.

This move is part of Falcon’s ongoing investment in its fleet, aiming to enhance the customer experience with modern, high-end cabin products.

Falcon's parent company, Alex Group Investments Founder & Chairman, Sultan Rashit Abdulla Rashit Al Shene stated that the addition reflects a commitment to providing premium aviation services with cutting-edge interiors and flexible options.

“The addition of more aircraft fitted with the newest generation seats, updated cabin finishings and a contemporary colour palette also marks a significant step in ensuring more customers can consistently experience our premium private aviation products across a more modern and flexible fleet.

"We are topping up our multi-million dollar investment in the Falcon private jet fleet with the aim to introduce cutting-edge cabin products on more of our aircraft, demonstrating a clear commitment to elevating the customer experience with a best-in-class suite of products across every aircraft type," he said in a statement.

The Embraer Legacy 650 is the workhorse of executive aviation, offering comfort for 14 passengers spread across three cabin zones and travelling for up to 7,200 kilometres (km).

Meanwhile, the Bombardier Challenger 850 is the largest super-midsize business jet built for maximum comfort and speed, featuring superior cabin space for 14 passengers, travelling up to 5,200 km in comfort and speed.

Destined to become the leading private jet operator in the Middle East, Falcon aims to have a fleet of more than 50 modern private jets by late 2026.

-- BERNAMA

CURIA REFINANCES SENIOR CREDIT FACILITIES TO DRIVE ONGOING GROWTH

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Curia Global Inc (Curia), a contract research, development, and manufacturing organisation, has refinanced its senior secured credit facilities to strengthen its financial position and support future growth.

The refinancing provides the company with additional capital and extends the maturity of its credit facilities, enabling it to capitalise on opportunities in drug development and manufacturing while advancing its mission of bringing life-changing therapies to market.

Curia Chief Executive Officer, Philip Macnabb in a statement said the refinancing demonstrates the confidence its lenders and investors have in the company.

"The new credit facility will enable us to continue investing in key growth projects that enhance our differentiated capabilities and deliver greater value for our customers," he said.

Curia's recent growth initiatives include a major investment in its Rensselaer, New York facility to expand capacity for producing complex active pharmaceutical ingredients.

Additionally, the company has invested in advanced sterile fill-finish technology at its Albuquerque, New Mexico site, with plans to expand these capabilities in Glasgow, United Kingdom, to more than double the current good manufacturing practice (GMP) batch size.

Curia has over 30 years of experience, with an integrated network of more than 20 global sites and over 3,100 employees partnering with biopharmaceutical customers to bring life-changing therapies to market.

-- BERNAMA

XSOLLA EXPANDS PAYMENT OPTIONS WITH 11 METHODS IN MENA REGION

(Graphic: Xsolla)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 11 (Bernama) -- Global video game commerce company, Xsolla has introduced 11 new local payment methods in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

These payment methods include Fawry Cash, Aman, Masary, Momken, Vodafone Wallet, Orange Cash Wallet, and Mobile & Banking Wallets in Egypt; Sadad in Saudi Arabia; eFAWATEERcom in Jordan; and STC Direct Carrier Billing (DCB) in Bahrain.

These strategic additions reflect Xsolla’s commitment to providing game developers and publishers with the tools to navigate and thrive in this rapidly growing and uniquely challenging market – in any geography worldwide.

In a statement, its Chief Strategy Officer, Chris Hewish emphasised the strategic importance of the MENA region, noting the growing adoption of digital wallets and mobile payments.

The MENA region, home to over 380 million gamers, is experiencing rapid growth, with an 8.9 per cent annual growth rate forecast for 2024, according to Newzoo.

However, international gaming companies have struggled to address payment challenges like limited local options and low trust in non-regional methods. Xsolla’s introduction of widely used payment methods aims to overcome these hurdles and improve payment accessibility.

To address these challenges, Xsolla is introducing trusted and widely used payment methods tailored to the needs of MENA gamers, such as adding 11 local payment solutions. The company ensures seamless, secure transactions for MENA gamers, enabling developers to tap into this fast-growing market.

The company also emphasises a mobile-first approach, with mobile games accounting for more than half of the region’s gaming revenue in 2024. This move allows developers to tap into a fast-growing player base, expanding transaction opportunities.

The company's expansion in MENA supports over 1,000 payment methods globally, reinforcing Xsolla’s ongoing mission to innovate game commerce and address the complexities of regional payment systems.

-- BERNAMA

STRENGTHENING CUSTOMER TRUST THROUGH CERTIFICATION

 

FGV and MPOB's recent collaboration aims to empower smallholders by providing technical support and assistance in meeting sustainability standards such as MSPO.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 10 (Bernama) -- FGV Holdings Berhad (FGV), a leading food and agri-product company, has taken a significant stride in its commitment to sustainability by pioneering the adoption of the Malaysian Sustainable Palm Oil (MSPO) certification label on its SAJI cooking oil products. This collaboration highlights FGV’s commitment to sustainable palm oil production while opening new market opportunities, particularly among consumers who prioritise sustainable and ethically produced products.

The MSPO certification is a national scheme for palm products in Malaysia that ensures compliance with rigorous sustainability principles set by the government and aligned with international standards. These standards cover environmental protection, human rights, good governance, and wildlife conservation. This certification mandates that oil palm plantations, smallholders, and palm oil mills adhere to specific sustainability standards relevant to their applicant category.

FGV has implemented robust measures to meet MSPO standards, including sustainable land management practices, community engagement programmes, and wildlife protection initiatives. Since 2015, FGV has been committed to the Sun Bear Conservation Programme, which has since expanded to include elephants, pangolins, and gibbons. To date, FGV has rescued 94 sun bears, with 72 successfully rehabilitated and released, and has rewilded 20 gibbons. The pangolin conservation programme, focusing on captive breeding, has resulted in 18 successful births of baby pangolins.

In August 2024, FGV announced its support for the tiger conservation initiative at the 2nd Tiger Summit in Pahang. The initiative includes critical measures such as tiger breeding and rewilding aimed at preserving and restoring the tiger population in Malaysia.

To date, all of FGV’s oil palm plantations, mills, and downstream facilities are 100% MSPO-certified. Traceability is a vital element in fulfilling FGV’s commitment to sustainable palm oil production. FGV has developed the FGV Traceability of Product (FGV TOP) system to provide details about FGV’s palm oil supply chain. The system enables FGV to monitor the provenance of supplied raw materials, ensuring that every link in the supply chain adheres to sustainability standards and ethical business conduct. FGV’s traceability to mills (TTM) has been at 100% since 2019 for all its midstream and downstream facilities. As of 2023, FGV’s traceability to plantations (TTP) is at 100% for tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers.

FGV’s sustainability efforts extend beyond certification and include comprehensive support for smallholders and FELDA settlers. Through consultation and capacity-building programmes, FGV empowers local communities, improves livelihoods, and ensures the long-term viability of palm oil production.

Pioneering the adoption of the MSPO certification label on its SAJI cooking oil products highlights FGV’s commitment to sustainable palm oil production while opening new market opportunities.

In January this year, FGV and the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) signed a Memorandum of Collaboration (MoC), marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between the corporate and government sectors to improve the livelihoods of the people. This partnership aims to empower smallholders by providing technical support, guidance on best agricultural practices, and assistance in meeting sustainability standards such as MSPO.

As part of this collaboration, FGV will launch the ‘Kebun Angkat’ initiative, which aims to provide smallholders with tailored technical support and advice on good agricultural practices. Through this initiative, a number of independent smallholders will receive guidance on Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), including the use of high-quality planting materials, soil health assessments for optimal fertiliser application, and more.

These efforts seek to increase both the productivity and quality of fresh fruit bunch yields, enabling better livelihoods and access to premium markets for smallholders. While the initiative underscores the partnership’s commitment to supporting smallholders, its broader impact lies in the opportunities it creates for smallholders to boost productivity, improving their living standards and livelihoods.

Between 2022 and 2024, FGV conducted 22 sessions of the Independent Smallholders (ISH) programme, engaging over 1,000 independent smallholders and dealers across Malaysia. These sessions covered topics such as FGV’s sustainability commitments, the MSPO certification scheme, traceability, the 11 International Labour Organization (ILO) Indicators of Forced Labour, and FGV’s sourcing criteria for fresh fruit bunches (FFB). The ISH programme will continue in 2025, reaffirming FGV’s dedication to supporting smallholders and promoting sustainable practices within the industry.

With a firm commitment to sustainability certifications such as MSPO, FGV is planning to implement a range of future sustainability initiatives. These initiatives aim to further enhance environmental stewardship, climate action, social responsibility, and economic viability, holding the promise of a more sustainable future for the industry.

By integrating rigorous sustainability standards with community empowerment, FGV continues to drive positive change within the industry and contribute to Malaysia’s global reputation as a responsible and ethical palm oil producer.

FGV is also a committed member of the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). To date, 30 of FGV’s mills and its supply bases are RSPO-certified. To learn more about FGV, watch its new corporate video available on its social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn, and YouTube — as well as on its website: www.fgvholdings.com.

SOURCE: FGV

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Noor Syuhada Naziri
Email: syuhada.n@fgvholdings.com

Name: Sallehin Mokhtar
Email: sallehin.m@fgvholdings.com

--BERNAMA

TSI, Telfair Forest Products To Build Sustainable Biomass Torrefaction Facility In Georgia

KUALA LUMPUR, March 7 (Bernama) -- TSI and Telfair Forest Products have announced the construction of a torrefaction facility at Telfair Forest Product’s facility in Lumber City, Georgia, with commissioning and startup early this year.

According to TSI in a statement, the partnership leverages the company’s best-in-class biomass torrefaction technology and Telfair’s operational excellence to promote the growth of the nascent carbonised biomass industry.

TSI chief executive officer, Benny Teal highlighted the facility’s role in overcoming the industry's challenge of obtaining large commercial samples needed for further development of production facilities.

The new facility, with an annual capacity of over 15,000 tonnes, is designed to handle a wide range of temperatures and torrefaction levels.

In addition to promoting new applications for sustainable biomass, the project also enjoys the support of the state government for its contribution to the local community.

Georgia Senator Blake Tillery said TSI will lead the collaboration with Telfair Forest Products to bring 15 new and retained jobs for Lumber City and Telfair County with the development of a small torrefaction unit.

At the facility, a TSI-designed and fabricated Torreactor will be paired with Telfair’s logistics for the torrefaction and densification of biomass to provide commercial demonstration samples for industrial users. The output produced will enable heavy industries to continue striving toward sustainability goals by proving the viability of torrefied biomass as a fossil fuel substitute.

Torrefaction is a process where biomass, such as wood residuals and agricultural waste, is thermally treated in a low-oxygen environment. This enables the material to be used in industries traditionally reliant on fossil fuels.

Meanwhile, the Torreactor will be capable of producing mildly torrefied biomass, useful for applications in heat, power and biofuels industries, to highly carbonised products with applications in steel making and other processes, enabling a greener and more sustainable future.

-- BERNAMA