Tech

Korea Opens its Doors and Wallet to Global Startups Eying Asia

Published

5 years ago

June 2, 2016

Korea will host an all expenses paid acceleration program for 40 high potential startups from around the world this autumn.

The first of its kind in Asia, the program is sponsored by the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning, which was created in 2013, as part of President Park Geunhye’s initiative to transform Korea’s economy.Startups selected for the acceleration program, known as the K-Startup Grand Challenge, will receive $4,100 per month to cover living expenses, along with free roundtrip flights to Korea for three team members.

The government will further provide them with offices and lab space in its $160 million Startup Campus in Pangyo. The campus is within walking distance to the R&D labs of many Korean tech giants, which have signed on to mentor the startups. It is also just 14 minutes from Gangnam by subway.

At the facility’s opening ceremony held on 22 March, President Park Geunhye said, “I hope that the Startup Campus will become the cradle of creative economy, a gateway that links Korean startups to the world.” The president also expressed the government’s support for the campus and its initiatives to help Korea step up as Asia’s startup hub.

Based on online applications, representatives…
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Lifestyle

Global Gaming Expo Asia Overview

This event is a must for anyone involved in the Asian gaming industry: an overwhelming 95% of Asian casino and sportsbook operators attend G2E Asia to present their products

Published

1 day ago

February 24, 2021

Pr News

G2E Asia – an abbreviation for Global Gaming Expo Asia – is a renowned iGaming event and entertainment business hub where companies from all over the globe come to exhibit their latest products and innovations.

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Ecommerce

Covid-19 and medical tourism: is a recovery on the cards?

Published

2 days ago

February 24, 2021

Oxford Business Group

Covid-19 and medical tourism: is a recovery on the cards?

– Before the pandemic, medical tourism was a major growth area
– Dubai was a world leader among emerging market destinations
– Covid-19 travel bans and lockdowns seriously dented growth
– Increased emphasis on safety has enabled a gradual re-opening

Prior to the outbreak of coronavirus, medical tourism was a significant growth industry in many emerging economies. While the pandemic represented a major setback for the segment, there are signs that it may be recovering in several markets.

The last decade saw a boom in medical tourism. By 2018 the global market was generating $58.6bn annually and in 2019 it was forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 11.7% – reaching more than $142.2bn by 2026.

The segment’s growth was largely spurred by increased awareness – particularly among citizens of higher-income countries – of the quality and relatively affordable health care options on offer in many emerging economies. The appeal was further enhanced by the possibility of combining medical treatment with a holiday in an attractive location.

Asia has been a popular region for medical tourism for some time. In Thailand, for example, guided by the Ministry of Public Health’s 2016-25 strategic plan entitled ‘Thailand: A Hub of Wellness and Medical Services’, stakeholders have been working to cement the country’s position as a regional leader in medical tourism.

Elsewhere in Asia, in 2017 the Indian government began offering a medical visa aimed at bringing in more foreign patients.

Governments in other regions similarly moved to capitalise on this growing segment. In 2015, for example, Turkish Airlines announced a 50% discount on flights for people coming to Turkey for medical treatment.

Banking

Southeast Asia E-Money Market Report Shows Tech Firms Disrupting Banks

Nonbanks have overtaken banks as primary payment providers in Indonesia and are experiencing high growth in the Philippines, while banks remain dominant in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, according to a S&P Global Market Report.