Tech
Gmail gets more Google+ with people-friendly makeover
Google has continued its quest make Google+ more visible across all of its services by further integrating it within Gmail.The upgrade to Google’s webmail client improves on the initial implementation of the social network back in December, which saw Circles appear within emails and on the sidebar.Now, says Google on its company blog: “When you select a circle, you’ll now see profile photos of people in that circle at the top right of the page. “Plus, when you click on these images you’ll be taken directly to search results with contact details.”Super search boxThe company has also added a new feature which allows you to search for Circles conversations within the Gmail search bar.Users can find messages by typing “circle:[circle name]” into the search box and you can find mails from anyone in your circles contacts by typing “has:circle”.Google has also added some useful functionality based around contacts.
Google has continued its quest make Google+ more visible across all of its services by further integrating it within Gmail.The upgrade to Google’s webmail client improves on the initial implementation of the social network back in December, which saw Circles appear within emails and on the sidebar.Now, says Google on its company blog: “When you select a circle, you’ll now see profile photos of people in that circle at the top right of the page. “Plus, when you click on these images you’ll be taken directly to search results with contact details.”Super search boxThe company has also added a new feature which allows you to search for Circles conversations within the Gmail search bar.Users can find messages by typing “circle:[circle name]” into the search box and you can find mails from anyone in your circles contacts by typing “has:circle”.Google has also added some useful functionality based around contacts.
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Business
This is what global tax reforms could mean for Asia’s tech giants
A new set of agreed global tax reforms will change where tech giants and other global giants pay taxes, explain experts from the IMF. Investment hubs such as Singapore and Hong Kong SAR could lose up to 0.15% of GDP as a result.
Asia’s advanced and emerging market economies have several locally headquartered tech giants and host foreign companies.
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What measures has SET taken to support listed companies’ compliance with ESG standards?
PAKORN PEETATHAWATCHAI:
PAKORN: When we first began promoting ESG-compliant investments, we were met with little interest. We attributed this to a lack of clear data to showcase the economic benefits of ESG investment, and perhaps limited clarity as to what constitutes a sustainable or ESG-compliant investment. The launch of the THSI list and, subsequently, the SETTHSI Index, was designed to address this. Our most recent data, comparing returns for the SETTHSI Index with the broader SET and SET100 indices from April 2020 to April 2021, underscores the economic benefits of these investments: the group compliant with ESG standards outperformed the other two indices on every data point.
As of May 2021 Thailand was home to CG and ESG assets under management totalling BT54.8bn ($1.7bn) across 50 funds – up from 23 funds in 2019. Meanwhile, of the BT187.1bn ($5.9bn) raised in green, social and sustainability bonds since 2018, BT136.4bn ($4.3bn) was raised in 2020 – 83% from the government and the remainder from development banks and private players. This rising demand, in a move to manage risk and generate returns, has been complemented by growing supply and promotion: supply from ESG-compliant businesses aiming for resiliency and sustainable growth, as well as promotion from regulators highlighting investment opportunities with good CG and SD practices. Indeed, the pandemic has been a catalyst in shifting the view of ESG compliance from a luxury to a requirement in the new normal.
In what ways can enhanced standard-setting and regulatory mechanisms overcome the remaining barriers to improved ESG performance?
PAKORN: A multi-stakeholder approach is crucial for enhanced ESG performance – not only in Thailand, but around much of the globe. This can also help to address the standout incumbent challenge: access to reliable, wide-ranging ESG data. For example, the 2020 update to the 56-1 One Report established clear ESG standards and triggered online and offline capacity-building programmes to support listed firms’ compliance. SET is developing an ESG data platform with a structured template to promote the availability of comparable data, maximise value added from corporate sustainability disclosures, and foster collaboration between the business value chain and stakeholders. This is expected to support Thai companies along their ESG journey in an economically sustainable way, result in a greater number of sustainability-focused products and services, drive sustainable investing in the Thai investment community and ultimately “make the capital market work for everyone”, as outlined in the SET’s vision.
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