EMGA SECURES US$90M FROM EIB FOR BRAZIL'S BTG PACTUAL

LONDON, Dec 19 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA) announces today they have secured US$90M debt finance for their long-standing Brazil-based client, BTG Pactual.

The US$90 million senior unsecured loan was provided by EIB and the transaction follows on from a very recent transaction also advised by EMGA for USD$210m.

Sajeev Chakkalakal, Managing Director and Head of Investment Banking at EMGA, said: "This was a fantastic add-on transaction to the US$ 210m green financing facility that we raised for BTG from EIB. In this instance, this financing is aimed at funding BTG’s SME Lending portfolios and has an especially high development impact given that the finance will support small business development in disadvantaged regions of Brazil, and the additional focus on female entrepreneurs. EIB remains a key investor relationship for EMGA, and we are proud to have helped them increase their presence in Brazil as part of their broader EIB Global strategy.”

Jeremy Dobson, Managing Director, and Head of Operations at EMGA, added: “It was a pleasure to work with BTG again on this additional financing from EIB. We look forward to continuing our strong track record of arranging financing in Brazil and the rest of Latin America.”

BTG Pactual: BTG is the largest investment bank in Latin America, the 6th largest bank in Brazil by shareholders equity and a key player in providing loans and guarantees to a broad set of clients, from SMEs to large corporations. BTG is a pioneer in promoting climate finance in Brazil and plays a pivotal role in channeling resources towards projects with a positive impact in the community. 

EIB: EIB is the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Union's investment bank and is the largest multilateral financial institution in the world. The EIB finances and invests both through equity and debt solutions and focuses on the areas of climate, environment, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), development, cohesion and infrastructure. 

Emerging Markets Global Advisory LLP (EMGA), with offices in London and New York, helps financial institutions and corporates seeking new debt or equity capital. EMGA’s multi-national team collectively have decades of experience in closing over USD 9bn of debt and private equity transactions for their clients within the world’s emerging markets and frontier economies, including Brazil which remains a key market. With a proven track record in capital formation and strategic advisory throughout diverse economic cycles, EMGA continues to deliver geographic reach and a diverse service offering, solidifying its place in the market as a pre-eminent emerging markets specialized boutique investment bank.

Contact info@emergingmarketsglobaladvisory.com 

Source: Emerging Markets Global Advisory 

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Capcom Unveils First New Title in Onimusha Series, Okami Sequel in Development

Onimusha Way of the Sword (Graphic: Business Wire)

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 (Bernama) -- Capcom Co Ltd, a game software developer, has announced that Onimusha Way of the Sword, the first new title in the Onimusha series in over two decades, is scheduled to be released globally in 2026.

According to Capcom in a statement, Onimusha Way of the Sword is a Japanese-inspired dark fantasy game set at the beginning of the Edo period in Kyoto, which has been eerily transformed by clouds of Malice.

In the game, players will take on the role of a samurai protagonist armed with the Oni Gauntlet, battling grotesque and otherworldly creatures known as Genma in intense sword-based combat. Capcom is eager for players to experience the thrilling action as they fight through waves of enemies.

The Onimusha series consists of swordplay action games where players assume the role of warriors with the superhuman powers of the Oni and fight against monsters bent on world domination.

Furthermore, the company has begun work on an Okami sequel project that was originally released in 2006 and set in a Japanese-style world. Players take on the role of Amaterasu and embark on an adventure to restore life in this action-adventure game.

The sequel, co-developed with the director and members of the development team from the original Okami, represents the start of a new tale for the game, which has thus far garnered critical acclaim for its unique world, thrilling adventure, and heartwarming story.

In addition to regularly releasing major new titles each year, Capcom is focusing on revitalising dormant intellectual properties (IPs) aiming to enhance its corporate value by tapping into its vast library of content.

By resurrecting beloved games like Onimusha and Okami, the company aims to deliver high-quality gaming experiences that will excite fans around the world.

Founded in 1983, Capcom is a worldwide developer, publisher, and distributor of interactive entertainment for game consoles, personal computers, and handheld and wireless devices that has created hundreds of games.

-- BERNAMA

MAVENIR AND BOOST MOBILE ACHIEVE INDUSTRY-FIRST VALIDATION AND COMMERCIAL IN-SERVICE FOR INTER-VENDOR OPEN RAN HANDOVER ON THE BOOST MOBILE NETWORK IN THE US

Open RAN solutions connected via a 3GPP Xn interface within Boost Mobile’s 5G infrastructure for seamless mobility

Boost Mobile’s customers experience uninterrupted and consistent service in areas using mixed Open RAN vendors

RICHARDSON, Texas, Dec 12 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Mavenir and Boost Mobile (formerly DISH Wireless) announce the industry first inter-vendor Open RAN handover using the 3GPP Xn interface, across the Boost Mobile Network. This milestone demonstrates the seamless interoperability between different Open RAN (O-RAN) radio vendors, a critical proof point that O-RAN is not only viable but thriving in real-world deployments.

The Xn interface, as defined by 3GPP for 5G NR, facilitates communication between RAN nodes from different vendors, ensuring uninterrupted call continuity and a smooth user experience. RAN with proprietary interfaces constrain operators to rely on single-source networks confined to regional deployments. The Xn interface allows for the interconnection of both open and closed RAN nodes, promoting greater interoperability and vendor flexibility across the same region.

The validation achieved by Mavenir, a third-party radio vendor and Boost Mobile highlights the maturity in 3GPP and O-RAN and the possibilities in achieving a truly multi-vendor environment. By leveraging open interfaces and smooth interoperability, the O-RAN technology ensures that mobile devices can switch smoothly between different network components without affecting user experience. Boost Mobile’s customers can enjoy uninterrupted service and consistent connectivity, as the network is proven to handle mobility transitions between different O-RAN vendor solutions seamlessly, without any disruption.

The successful implementation of inter-vendor handover exemplifies the value of open interfaces and the potential of Open RAN architecture. This demonstrates how open interfaces facilitate the flexibility in choosing and integrating components from multiple vendors, reducing single-source dependency, lowering costs and accelerating network advancements through rapid interoperability and vendor collaboration. Mavenir and Boost Mobile’s role in this milestone, not only highlights industry leadership in Open RAN solutions, but reinforces their commitment to delivering superior connectivity solutions that enhance user experiences.

“At Boost Mobile, we believe in the power of Open RAN to drive innovation and enhance customer experience,” said Eben Albertyn, Chief Technology Officer, Boost Mobile. “By embracing open standards and interoperability, we, along with the help of Mavenir and the other third-party radio vendor, are not just building a more flexible network; we’re paving the way for a connected future where every customer can enjoy seamless connectivity across the Boost Mobile Network.”

“This achievement marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Open RAN, made possible through the collaboration with Boost Mobile,” said Pardeep Kohli, President, Chief Executive Officer, Mavenir. “By enabling seamless inter-vendor handovers, Mavenir is showcasing how Open RAN delivers flexible, cost-effective, and interoperable networks. This milestone underscores our commitment to empowering operators to build vendor-agnostic networks, ensuring scalable, high-quality connectivity for their customers.”  

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QIANHAI FORUM ON HIGH-QUALITY DEVELOPMENT OF SHENZHEN-HONG KONG MODERN SERVICE INDUSTRIES

SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 10, 2024 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

On December 6, the Qianhai Forum, themed "New Situation, New Reform, and New Action: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation to Build a Hub for High-Quality Development of Modern Service Industries", kicked off in Qianhai, Shenzhen. The Forum consisted of a main forum, four parallel forums on financial opening-up and innovation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong technological innovation, rule of law related to foreign affairs, and new cultural industries, as well as a series of strategic events on upgrading the pilot free trade zone. Over 100 representatives from Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, industry leaders, and renowned experts gathered in Qianhai to explore the latest developments in the cooperation zone.
 
Maintaining a vibrant momentum for development
 
With institutional innovation at its core, Qianhai is steadily expanding institutional opening-up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards. To this end, Qianhai has launched a total of 882 institutional innovation achievements. With the modern service industry as its primary sector, Qianhai is vigorously facilitating the construction of 18 industrial clusters. Statistics released by the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone at the forum show that, in the first three quarters of 2024, its GDP grew by 8.2% and its import and export volume increased by 50.1%. This has indicated a vibrant momentum for development. 
 
Qianhai is systematically upgrading the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. In cooperation with universities such as the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong, a wide variety of innovation and entrepreneurship projects have been incubated at the Hub. Overall, Qianhai has aimed to become a leading area for deep integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
 
Further creating an innovative Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation pattern
 
After the expansion of Qianhai, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation has been further enhanced, providing a convenient channel for Hong Kong's modern service enterprises to enter the market of the Chinese mainland and significantly broadening the space for industrial chain cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.
 
Mr. Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said that Qianhai is a major cooperation platform within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong is deeply involved in Qianhai's development, with over 9,000 Hong Kong-invested enterprises operating and more than 10,000 Hong Kong residents working and residing in Qianhai. The Hong Kong SAR Government will further fulfill its role as the central city of the GBA and the core engine for regional development. Hong Kong is well poised to advance mutually beneficial integration with Shenzhen and other GBA cities and more actively integrate itself into the overall national development. Leaders in both the government and business sectors are expected to seize the abundant opportunities presented by the GBA's development and embrace win-win cooperation in the GBA, especially Qianhai.
 
Building a hub for the high-quality development of modern service industries facing the future
 
Mr. Zheng Yongnian, Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and President of the Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai, emphasized that Qianhai must chart a path of high-quality and sustainable development and make its contributions as a "special zone within a special zone" amid the virtuous cycle of expanding opening-up.
 
On December 7, the thematic event of the Qianhai Forum, the 2024 Annual Meeting of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone Research Institute Alliance and Seminar on Deepening the Pilot Free Trade Zone Upgrading Strategy, was held. The event featured the unveiling ceremony of the Institute of International Trade Rules at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and the launch of the 2024 International Trade Rules Observation Report by UIBE. The report summarized global trade and economic developments in 2023, offering valuable insights into the global economic governance system.
 
Source: The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone 

--BERNAMA

CLOUDERA ACCELERATES ENTERPRISE AI WITH RAG STUDIO PREVIEW

 RAG chatbots offer enhanced accuracy and improved reliability that generic chatbots lack

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Dec 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cloudera, the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI, today announced the launch of its Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) Studio. RAG Studio empowers enterprises to deploy RAG chatbots using their real-time enterprise data in just minutes. This no-code solution makes AI applications more accessible to non-technical users, fosters collaboration between business and IT teams in AI development, and democratizes AI tools for broader user adoption. By leveraging secure, trusted, real-time data—whether on-premises or in the cloud—RAG Studio enables enterprises to unlock the value of AI through cutting-edge technology.

As chatbots become a popular AI use case, businesses face the ongoing risk of inaccurate responses. One study found ChatGPT had a success rate ranging from .66% to 89% depending on the task. RAG is a powerful AI paradigm that combines the strengths of retrieval-based systems and generative AI. It enables enhanced accuracy and contextual relevance, with improved explainability and trust. RAG-enabled chatbots significantly reduce hallucinations by answering questions based on real-time, enterprise-specific data rather than relying on general information. Success rates can be improved by providing business context to already trained LLMs with trusted enterprise data.

Benefits that RAG Studio offers Cloudera customers include:

• Maximizing the value of enterprise data: Cloudera customers operate in complex, data-rich environments with both structured and unstructured data spread across hybrid and multi-cloud ecosystems. RAG empowers them to effectively leverage this data by integrating it into AI workflows, enabling dynamic retrieval and contextual responses.
• Enabling scalable and cost-effective AI solutions: Scaling AI solutions in enterprise often involves challenges such as high compute costs, model retraining complexities, and ensuring robust data governance. RAG addresses these issues by reducing reliance on compute-intensive generative models, integrating with Cloudera’s platform to deliver cost-efficient and secure AI workflows, and eliminating constant model fine-tuning.
• Driving explainable and trustworthy AI for enterprise use cases: Enterprises, particularly in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, and government, require trusted AI solutions. RAG enhances Cloudera's AI stack with built-in explainability and traceability by linking generated outputs directly to enterprise-approved data sources. This helps to ensure AI decisions are based on verifiable, auditable data and provides transparent reasoning behind AI-driven recommendations.

“From faster customer support to more informed product development, the benefits of RAG span an entire business,” said Abhas Ricky, Cloudera’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Our no-code RAG Studio delivers rapid prototyping, prebuilt integrations, and operational efficiency. Enterprises have a lot of pressure to get their AI strategy right, and this program is part of Cloudera’s commitment to accelerating enterprise AI.”

As part of the launch of this preview, Cloudera invites design partners to partake in demos and offer feedback on the development of the solution. Participation in RAG Studio gives Cloudera customers the opportunity to work directly with Cloudera in the development of RAG solutions to identify capabilities that deliver the most business and technical value.

Enterprises interested in participating in RAG Studio should reach out to our Cloudera team.

About Cloudera
Cloudera is the only true hybrid platform for data, analytics, and AI. With 100x more data under management than other cloud-only vendors, Cloudera empowers global enterprises to transform data of all types, on any public or private cloud, into valuable, trusted insights. Our open data lakehouse delivers scalable and secure data management with portable cloud-native analytics, enabling customers to bring GenAI models to their data while maintaining privacy and ensuring responsible, reliable AI deployments. The world's largest brands in financial services, insurance, media, manufacturing, and government rely on Cloudera to use their data to solve what seemed impossible—today and in the future.

To learn more, visit Cloudera.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X. Cloudera and associated marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloudera, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Contact
Jess Hohn-Cabana
cloudera@v2comms.com

SOURCE: Cloudera, Inc.

--BERNAMA

DENODO NAMED A LEADER IN THE 2024 GARTNER® MAGIC QUADRANT™ FOR DATA INTEGRATION TOOLS FOR FIVE CONSECUTIVE YEAR

Denodo believes this recognition is due to the strength of its capabilities, the breadth of its partner network, and the loyalty of its diverse customer base

PALO ALTO, Calif., Dec 10 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Denodo, a leader in data management, today announced that Gartner^® has positioned the Company as a Leader for the fifth consecutive year in its 2024 Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools. “The data integration tools market remains buoyant as organizations increasingly seek improved capabilities to support their operational, analytical and AI infrastructure use cases,” states Gartner. “In this research, we evaluate 20 vendors that compete to meet your organization’s data integration needs.”

The complete and complementary Magic Quadrant report, published on December 3, 2024 and authored by Thornton Craig et al., is available here.

“By 2027, AI assistants and AI-enhanced workflows incorporated into data integration tools will reduce manual intervention by 60% and enable self-service data management,” according to the 2024 Magic Quadrant report.

Leveraging the award winning Denodo Platform, organizations acquire timely, trusted, integrated datasets for faster analytics and informed business decisions, while building a strong foundation of AI-ready data to accelerate generative AI (GenAI) initiatives. The Denodo Platform is trusted by leading Fortune 500 and Global 1000 brands to improve customer experiences, gain operational efficiencies and agility, achieve self-service data democratization, and realize IT infrastructure modernization.

“The data integration market is evolving to include advanced AI and GenAI capabilities, and Denodo is leading the charge. We are very proud that Gartner Magic Quadrant has recognized us again for the past five years as a Leader in Data Integration Tools. This gives us the confirmation of our unique strength in simplifying and accelerating data integration in this complex, dynamic age,” said Ravi Shankar, senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Denodo. “We are so appreciative of our dedicated customers for entrusting us with their data. It is such an honor to also be recognized as a Customers’ Choice in the Gartner Peer Insights™ report for four years consecutively. We feel This demonstrates the strong reliance that our customers have placed in our logical approach to data management.”

In the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights “Voice of the Customer”: Data Integration Tools report, Denodo customers said:

“My overall experience with Denodo has been exceptionally positive, particularly in its ability to seamlessly connect data from various data sources and take us quickly from data to insight. Also, the federated architecture provides collaboration opportunities between our different teams.” - data enablement manager, Miscellaneous Industry

“Denodo is a fantastic tool for data integration as it centralizes data from various sources into one place. I find Denodo a user friendly tool because of its intuitive UI and thorough documentation. It simplifies data management and enhances efficiency across the system.” - product owner, Manufacturing

“The combination of personal contact with our key account, great support including advisory sessions and on-demand trainings as well as official and community events makes Denodo stand out from other vendors.” - domain lead, Telecommunication

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Data Integration Tools, Thornton Craig, Sharat Menon, Robert Thanaraj, Michele Launi, Nina Showell, 3 December 2024

Gartner, Gartner Peer Insights ‘Voice of the Customer’: Data Integration Tools, 24 May 2024

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GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, MAGIC QUADRANT and PEER INSIGHTS are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner's research organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Media Contacts
pr@denodo.com

Denodo
Denodo is a leader in data management. The award-winning Denodo Platform is the leading logical data management platform for delivering data in the language of business, at the speed of business, for all data-related initiatives across the organization. Realizing more than 400% ROI and millions of dollars in benefits, Denodo’s customers across enterprises in 30+ industries all over the world have received payback in less than six months. For more information, visit denodo.com

SOURCE: Denodo Technologies Inc. (“Denodo”)

--BERNAMA

Belden’s Refreshed Corporate Brand Identity Opens Up Endless Possibilities

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 6 (Bernama) -- Belden Inc has revealed a new corporate brand identity that underscores the company’s transformation to a comprehensive network and data infrastructure solutions provider.

These solutions play a pivotal role in addressing automation and smart infrastructure challenges across industries and help customers avoid missed connections in their networks and data.

According to Belden in a statement, repositioning the brand highlights the company’s evolution through new messaging, an updated logo and visual identity, and a redesigned website.

Belden president and chief executive officer, Ashish Chand said this rebrand reflects its commitment to providing complete connection solutions and is an exciting milestone in continued evolution.

“Organisations today demand a reliable and secure flow of information, whether it is for keeping production equipment running, treating patients, or driving business transformation.

“At Belden, we make the connections that keep information moving to enable a safer, smarter and more prosperous future,” said Chand.

Belden's solutions are critical in today's data-driven world, enabling disparate systems and networks to communicate with each other and ensuring that people and technologies work together effectively.

These connections bridge the present and future, unlocking new possibilities and enabling innovations both big and small.

The process of updating Belden’s corporate brand involved input from nearly 500 global participants, including its employees, partners, and customers, which helped shape the company's modern purpose and vision.

-- BERNAMA

MAVENIR TO SHARE FUTURE CORPORATE STRATEGY AT ANNUAL GLOBAL ANALYST EVENT IN DALLAS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 5 (Bernama) -- Mavenir, the cloud-native network infrastructure provider, will hold its annual analyst event from Dec 11 to 12 in Dallas, United States, to highlight its ongoing efforts to drive the Mobile Network digital transformation.

The company aims to reinforce its presence within the telco industry as the cloud-native, software-driven infrastructure provider focused on building open, disaggregated, and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled networks of the future.

In a statement, Mavenir said the two-day event will preview the company’s strategic initiatives and forward-looking roadmap to an invited international audience of analysts, customers, and partners.

Its President and Chief Executive Officer, Pardeep Kohli, who will open the event by presenting the company’s go-forward strategy, emphasised that Mavenir is not just an equipment vendor but a key player in redefining the network of the future through network transformation.

“We look forward to meeting with the global telco analyst community and allowing them to hear first-hand from Mavenir’s experienced team about our technology advancements, strategic partnerships, and ongoing commitment to sustainability,” he said.

A key feature of the event will be analyst-moderated fireside chats with Mavenir’s senior leadership team that will touch upon the company’s entire solution portfolio, including Open Radio Access Network (RAN) (radio and vRAN) and Mobile Core technologies (IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Packet Core, Digital Enablement, Messaging, Security).

The discussions will also cover the company’s promising momentum, including its recent recognition at the 2024 Global Telecoms Awards, where its Network Intelligence as a Service won the Advancing Artificial Intelligence Award.

Additionally, Mavenir’s customers and partners will showcase recent technological innovations and successful deployments enabled by the company's technology worldwide.

Highlights of the event include comprehensive portfolio updates; learnings and future strategy; continued investments in the IMS core portfolio; capitalising on high-growth packet core portfolio; growth and customer acquisition; sustainability; operator challenges; and innovation through partnerships.

-- BERNAMA