Tag: RCY

Fashion HOU

An Unlikely Collaboration – Fragrance Du Bois teams up with Arabic singer to create ‘Life’s Treasure’ A Song for Oud

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SINGAPORE, April 3, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — In what must surely be a world’s first, Fragrance Du Bois (a French perfume house and retailer specialising in the use of sustainable Oud), and Nadeem Nour (one of the Middle East’s best known and most respected singer/songwriters), came together to produce a musical enterprise close to both their hearts.

Nadeem Nour is a well-renowned Jordanian singer. The reason for his artistic name "Nadeem Nour" is that it is said that from the first moment you hear him, you can feel the light in his voice

Nadeem Nour is a well-renowned Jordanian singer. The reason for his artistic name “Nadeem Nour” is that it is said that from the first moment you hear him, you can feel the light in his voice

“About a year ago I was introduced by a friend to a gentleman from Iran who had just returned from visiting Thailand and Malaysia. While he was there, he discovered the agarwood (Oud) plantations owned and managed by Asia Plantation Capital,” said Nadeem Nour in Dubai recently. “I became fascinated when I learned that not only was much of the Oud that we take for granted coming from illegal sources — not only in the past, but also today — but that it was in danger of extinction in the wild as a result.”

“Having grown up in Jordan, with Oud being very much a part of my daily life, and that of my family, I felt guilty when I realised that like many others, I could have spent my entire life taking Oud for granted, without ever wondering where it actually came from. The thought that I may actually be part of driving an illegal industry was horrifying.”

Nadeem continued, “I became deeply concerned, and as I feel passionately for the world in which we live, I decided to do my own research and find out the facts. I quickly realised — after talking to friends, and doing some research on the internet and looking at several news reports — that we had reached a situation where Oud, in the wild, was soon to be no more. I also realised that I was not alone in my ignorance. Hardly any of my friends were aware of Oud in terms of where it came from, and the threats it faces. Like me, they pretty much took it for granted.”

Nadeem went on to detail how important Oud was in Arabic culture and heritage, further lamenting the fact that the source was often unreliable. International fashion houses and perfume brands are now putting Oud into their products in increasing amounts, creating pressure on future supplies of the mystical substance.

Agarwood, and Oud (the oil derived therefrom), is now on the CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna), list of endangered species, and as such, all trade has to be legal, certified, and sustainable. Demand is huge, far outstripping supply, and only sustainable plantations are the way forward.

“Asia Plantation Capital and their sister company Fragrance Du Bois,” continued Nadeem, “are two companies leading the way in making this industry transparent and sustainable for the benefit of all users of Oud – not only in the Gulf region, but also across the world. I decided that this story had to be told, and for me the only way to tell the story was through traditional Arabic words and music.”

Nadeem Nour has been a rising star on the Middle Eastern music scene for several years since appearing in the Jordanian Pop Idol show, and has built up a loyal following for his beautiful singing voice, heartfelt lyrics, and the music he performs across the Gulf. Dubbed ‘Nadeem Nour’ by Tarek Al Arians, the artist has evolved to the point at which listeners can feel the ‘light in his voice’, from the first moment you hear him sing.

Fragrance Du Bois, Asia Plantation Capital and Nadeem Nour earnestly hope that the light in his voice helps to tell a story that we all need to hear, and that ‘Life’s Treasure’ imparts a vital message when it comes to protecting a species that could all too easily have been lost forever.

A video of the song can be watched here http://youtu.be/PsV0Ku4vWDU

About Fragrance Du Bois

Fragrance Du Bois is a niche luxury perfume house working closely with sustainable plantations in Asia, bringing exciting new 100% organic Oud oil based fragrances to exclusive markets worldwide. Sustainably sourcing the finest raw materials across the globe, working with French perfumers to create a full range of products, and also providing bespoke fragrance services, Fragrance Du Bois is personal luxury with a conscience. With exclusive fragrance lounges around the world, in Dubai, Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, Fragrance Du Bois creates only the finest experience in bespoke perfumery.

Fragrance Du Bois is known as Parfums Du Bois in France and in non-French speaking markets, as Fragrance Du Bois.

About Asia Plantation Capital

Quick facts:

  • US$ 600 million – combined value of assets owned and under management
  • US$ 53.5 million – turnover in the last financial year
  • US$ 100 million – turnover forecast for current financial year
  • 2,000,000 – Aquilaria trees today, on Agarwood plantations.

Asia Plantation Capital (APC) is the owner and operator of a diverse range of commercial plantation and farming businesses across the Asia-Pacific region and around the world, and is part of the Asia Plantation Capital Group of associated companies. Its focus is on multicultural and diverse plantation projects geared to the domestic and commercial demands of the countries in which it operates. Working closely with, and supporting local communities, is an underlying core principle of the APC business, providing social and cultural support, as well as investment, to move these communities away from deforestation and illegal logging activities, previously seen as a main source of income in some regions of Asia. Established officially in 2008 (although operating privately since 2002) the group now has plantation and agricultural projects on four continents, with operational projects at various stages in Thailand, Malaysia, China, Laos, India, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Vietnam, North America and Europe.

Promoting the use of sustainable and certified wood is the best way of preventing deforestation, protecting biodiversity, and combatting poverty in the tropical rainforest regions. For the yachting sector (a major user of teak) which strives for excellence and which is already involved in environmental efforts, this is also a way of ensuring that no wood from illegal logging is used.

CONTACT: Stéphanie du Ché, PR & Media Manager Europe, stephanie.duche@asiaplantationcapital.com, +33 616 361 108; Adrian Heng, Group Marketing Director, adrian.heng@asiaplantationcapital.com, +65 6299 1778

Photo – http://photos.prnasia.com/prnh/20150403/8521502133

Health Care

U.N. Biodiversity Convention Opens in S. Korea

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SEOUL, South Korea, Sept. 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Some 20,000 government officials, environmentalists and businesspeople from around the world gathered in the eastern city of Pyeongchang on Monday for a U.N. environmental convention on biodiversity, the environment ministry said.

The 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, dubbed COP 12, kicked off with a ceremony for a 19-day run, with about 20,000 representatives from 194 countries attending, the ministry said.

During the conference themed “Biodiversity for sustainable development,” the participants will address agenda items that include a midterm evaluation of a 2011-2020 strategic plan for biodiversity and the application of the biodiversity goals to the post-2015 U.N. sustainable development goals.

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), informally known as the Biodiversity Convention, was adopted at the U.N. Conference on Environment and Development (UNECD) held in Brazil in 1992 to address environmental problems facing the planet.

The multilateral treaty handling all aspects of biological diversity, including genetic resources, species and ecosystems, is one of the three U.N. conventions aimed at protecting the environment along with the Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Convention to Combat Desertification.

Also to be held during the Pyeongchang conference is the 7th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Sept. 29-Oct. 3) and the first meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing (Oct. 13-17).

The COP 12 will adopt a “Pyeongchang Road Map” that sets out ways to achieve U.N. sustainable development goals and a “Gangwon Declaration” containing the results of the conference.

The Gangwon Declaration is expected to include the South Korean government’s interest in the preservation of biodiversity in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) located at the inter-Korean border.

“South Korea will make it an eco-friendly conference and a chance to enhance the value of preserving biological diversity in the world,” said Kim Sang-hoon, director general of the Korean Secretariat of the U.N. Biodiversity Conference 2014.

“We expect this will be a good opportunity for Gangwon Province to increase the world’s awareness of Pyeongchang, the host city of the 2018 Winter Olympics in the province, and its capacity to host a large-scale international event ahead of the Olympics.”

Media Contact

Seo, yun-sik
supersik@korea.kr
+82-2-779-1386

Energy and Power

Peabody Energy: Australia’s Repeal of the Carbon Tax Rejects Policy That Makes Energy Scarce and Expensive

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ST. LOUIS, July 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ — Peabody Energy (NYSE: BTU) today praised the action of Australia’s Parliament and Prime Minister in repealing the carbon tax, which has hurt consumers via high electricity costs and damaged the economy.

“The Australia Government’s reversal of the carbon tax is a lesson in leadership for the modern world,” said Peabody Energy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce.  “We encourage U.S. policymakers to take the same path and reject the Administration’s costly proposed rules on power plants.  Technology, not caps and taxes, is the key to long-term improvement in carbon emissions.”

In turning around the carbon tax, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said: “Today, the tax that you voted to get rid of is finally gone. A useless, destructive tax which damaged jobs, which hurt families’ cost of living and which didn’t actually help the environment is finally gone.”  The government has estimated that the repeal would save families A$550 per year.

Australia elected a new government last year with a mandate to repeal the carbon tax, which has caused an estimated $15 billion in economic impact in its first two years of implementation, according to government estimates.

Nations continue to push back against onerous carbon legislation and renewable mandates that exacerbate energy inequality, raise electricity costs and reduce economic growth.  Europe’s renewable strategy is being pared back, the continent is threatened by Russia’s energy security challenge, nations such as Japan are using significantly more coal, and multiple nations lead the world in economic growth using coal-fueled electricity.

Peabody believes that U.S. leaders can learn valuable lessons in rejecting defacto carbon taxes and onerous renewable standards. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce estimates that the Administration’s proposed U.S. carbon regulations would cost the economy $50 billion per year.

The proposed rules would significantly increase power prices, costing each American household thousands of dollars over time. A Heritage Foundation study reports the cost to an average family of four at $1,200 per year of lower income and spending power. Low-cost electricity is essential at a time when a record 115 million Americans qualify for energy assistance and 48 million live in energy poverty.

Coal fuels the lowest cost electricity in the United States: The states that don’t use coal wrestle with electricity costs that are nearly twice as much as the states that predominantly use coal for electricity. Coal is the world’s fastest-growing major fuel set to surpass oil as the world’s largest global energy source in coming years.

Peabody Energy is the world’s largest private-sector coal company and a global leader in sustainable mining, energy access and clean coal solutions. For further information, visit PeabodyEnergy.com and AdvancedEnergyForLife.com.

Logo – http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120724/CG44353LOGO

CONTACT:
Beth Sutton
+1-928-699-8243