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London Blockchain Event Series Hosts the Second Government Event on Blockchain’s role in Public Sector Reform

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LONDON, Feb. 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The London Blockchain Conference (LBC) will host its second government event at the House of Lords, the second chamber/upper house of the UK Parliament on 4 March. This exclusive event will bring together innovators, policymakers, and public sector leaders to discuss the critical role of frontier technologies, such as AI, Blockchain and Digital Identities, in reshaping public services over the next decade. 

The event will focus on the ‘Role of Emerging Technology in Public Service Reform’.

While AI is at the forefront of discussions on aiding the Government’s ambitions to transform Britain’s ailing public services, this session will delve into the risks of overlooking the broader toolkit at the government’s disposal and how blockchain technology is a necessary partner for creating a safer and more accountable AI.

The session will feature a diverse panel of experts discussing how emerging technologies hold the key to addressing systemic inefficiencies and enhancing the impact of public services. The panel includes:

Alun Cairns, Business Consultant and Former Member of Parliament and Secretary of State of WalesThe Rt Hon Lord Jones of Penybont, Former Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh LabourZakki Ghauri, Director of Digital & IT, City of London CorporationJeni Tennison, Founder & Executive Director, Connected by DataRory Daniels. Senior Programme Manager, Tech UKPraful Nargund, Director & Founder, Good Growth Foundation

This exclusive closed-door discussion will be conducted under Chatham House Rules, fostering open and candid conversations among participants.

Following the success of the inaugural London Blockchain Summit at the houses of Parliament in November 2024, LBC’s promises to again unite tech leaders and policymakers for critical conversations shaping the UK’s future.”

The London Blockchain Conference remains committed to driving conversations that shape the future of blockchain technology in government and public services. 

About the London Blockchain Conference

UNITING ENTERPRISE, AI & WEB3 

At the London Blockchain Conference, we show how Blockchain will change the world and help people see another way to manage data, build scalable on-chain solutions and achieve great things. We do this by creating valuable, insightful, and engaging events that educate and inform, allowing you to connect and network to build strong business relationships. Our conference is the best avenue to see blockchain innovations, big ecosystem announcements, new product launches, technology updates, keynote speeches, panels, and fireside chats from blockchain leaders. Join us and experience it for yourself. 

Notes to Editors:

Alun Cairns, Business Consultant and Former Member of Parliament and Secretary of State

Alun is a former UK Cabinet member and Member of Parliament, in his 14-year career he served three Prime Ministers as Secretary of State for Wales, government whip, and minister. He was also a member of the UK Board of Trade. As a backbencher, Alun held leadership roles in several All-Party Parliamentary Groups, including Blockchain, Energy Security, Crypto and Digital Assets, and Qatar.

Currently Alun is working as a business consultant, advising a range of international companies.

The Rt Hon Lord Jones of Penybont

A former First Minister of Wales and Leader of Welsh Labour for nearly a decade, Carwyn spent eighteen years in Government. Throughout his political career, Carwyn held various ministerial and Cabinet positions, including Secretary for Agriculture and Rural Development, Minister for Education, Culture and Sport, Leader of the House and Counsel General for Wales. Carwyn was elected as the representative of Welsh Labour on the Labour Party’s National Executive Committee (NEC). In this capacity, he contributed to the strategic direction and governance of the Labour Party at a national level. He serves as a Trustee of Labour’s Climate and Environment Forum. A graduate of Aberystwyth University, he was a barrister for ten years, specialising mainly in criminal law.

Jeni Tennison, Founder & Executive Director, Connected by Data

 Jeni is the founder of Connected by Data, a campaign that aims to put community at the centre of data narratives, practices and policies. She is a Senior Fellow at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, adjunct Professor at Southampton’s Web Science Institute, and a Shuttleworth Foundation Fellow. Jeni was CEO at the Open Data Institute, where she held leadership roles for nine years and worked with companies and governments to build an open, trustworthy data ecosystem; a co-chair of GPAI’s Data Governance Working Group; and an Associate Researcher at Cambridge’s Bennett Institute for Public Policy. She sits on the Boards of Creative Commons and the Information Law and Policy Centre. She has a PhD in AI and an OBE for services to technology and open data.

Jeni sits on a newly formed panel of 12 digital professionals and academics who are helping the government make better use of technology across the public sector.

Zakki Ghauri, Director of Digital & IT, City of London Corporation

Zakki has been working in Local Government for the past 20 years and has worked for a number of London councils during this time. Zakki is currently the Director of Digital & IT for the City of London Corporation and the City of London Police, where his focus has been on stripping away complexity and bringing IT across the wider organisation together. 

Zakki sits on the Local Government Digital Panel, LGA AI Steering Group and also serves as a Local Government Association Peer for both Cyber Security and Digital – advising on national campaigns and projects to improve Cyber Security and Digitisation across the sector.

Rory Daniels. Senior Programme Manager, Tech UK

Rory joined techUK in June 2023 after three years in the Civil Service on its Fast Stream leadership development programme.

During this time, Rory worked on the Government’s response to Covid-19 (NHS Test & Trace), school funding strategy (Department for Education) and international climate and nature policy (Cabinet Office). He also tackled the social care crisis whilst on secondment to techUK’s Health and Social Care programme in 2022.

Today, Rory leads techUK’s emerging technologies activity across everything from immersive, web3, AI and robotics to space, gaming & metaverse.

This involves co-running techUK’s flagship Innovation campaign, managing four series (including the ‘Meet the Innovators’ interview series), and launching 4-6-month ‘sprint campaigns’ on transformative technologies and sectors.

Praful Nargund – Director & Founder of the Good Growth Foundation

Praful is a social entrepreneur and campaigner, who shaped education policy as part of Labour’s Council of Skills Advisors. Until 2023, Praful was the CEO of Create Fertility, which he built with a mission to innovate and make fertility treatment more accessible and affordable for families. He is also a co-founder of a social impact fund which aims to drive sustainable growth. Praful has won innovation and business awards from The Spectator, The Telegraph and London Business School. He ran as Labour’s parliamentary candidate in Islington North in the 2024 General Election against Jeremy Corbyn.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/london-blockchain-event-series-hosts-the-second-government-event-on-blockchains-role-in-public-sector-reform-302381529.html

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Meiyume (Group) LTD Achieves EcoVadis Gold Rating for 2026, Reinforcing Commitment to Sustainable Beauty

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Meiyume (Group) LTD has achieved the EcoVadis Gold rating for 2026, with the company being in the 96th percentile globally and among the top-performing companies for sustainability.

EcoVadis evaluates companies across environment, labour and human rights, ethics, and sustainable procurement. The Gold rating reflects Meiyume’s strong performance and continued commitment to embedding sustainability across its supply chain.

A supplier’s commitment to sustainability is increasingly important to brands, as they work to meet rising regulatory requirements and evolving consumer expectations for transparency and responsible practices. In this landscape, choosing the right partners is essential. Partners like Meiyume play a key role in enabling more responsible, future-ready solutions while helping to strengthen sustainability standards across the supply chain.

A Holistic Sustainability Strategy: Meiyume’s 5Ps Framework

Meiyume’s sustainability approach is guided by its 5Ps framework: Product, Process, Places, People, and Principle, ensuring a comprehensive integration across the business:

Product – Advancing sustainable innovation in formulations and packaging

Process – Strengthening responsible sourcing and supply chain practices

Places – Enhancing operational efficiency and environmental performance

People – Fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace

Principle – Upholding strong governance and compliance standards

Sustainability as an Ongoing Journey

While the EcoVadis Gold rating marks an important milestone, Meiyume views sustainability as an ongoing journey. The company remains committed to strengthening its sustainability performance and supporting beauty and personal care brands in achieving their sustainability goals.

About Meiyume:

Formerly LF Beauty, Meiyume offers end-to-end beauty solutions—packaging, ODM, OEM —grounded in sustainability and insights. Powered by it’s Beauty Intelligence Platform and a global sourcing network, Meiyume brings visions to life with agility, intelligence, and responsibility.

https://meiyume.com/
2/F HK Spinners Industrial Building, Phases I & II, 800 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon, Hong Kong

SOURCE Meiyume

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Marketna: Launching Smart Arabic Platform for Digital Classified Ads

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DUBAI, UAE, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — “Marketna” has announced the launch of its new digital classified advertising platform for the Arab world, available through its mobile app and website.

With the slogan “Easy Buy and Sell,” Marketna is a platform connecting buyers and sellers across various sectors, including cars, property, electronics, home furniture and appliances, jobs, and services, enabling users to advertise and sell almost anything.

 

 

The platform, enhanced with artificial intelligence technologies, aims to simplify the online advertising process through a secure and user-friendly environment.

Marketna offers its services in both Arabic and English, currently covering nine Arab countries: the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Lebanon. Expansion is underway to include Syria, Iraq, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya, along with the addition of French as a supported language.

This initiative comes as part of Marketna’s vision to become a leading digital e-commerce platform across the Arab world, with a focus on the quality of user experience.

Marketna aims to build an inclusive online community that connects the region’s markets, thereby boosting the prosperity of the Arab digital economy.

Smooth and Easy Classified Ad Creation and Publishing

Marketna is built on four core pillars that make the buying and selling experience unique:

Speed and Simplicity: One-step registration and three-step ad postingSafety and Trust: Focus on protecting user data and privacyPremium Service: Fast ad approval and exceptional customer supportGreater Outreach: Maximum exposure to the target audience

Supporting Individuals and Business Owners

The platform offers individual sellers additional features through a “Premium” membership, granting ongoing benefits such as the ability to publish unlimited ads, extended ad validity, priority in search results, and a special seller badge.

Through a “Business” account, which can be created in just a few minutes, Marketna provides dedicated accounts for small, medium, and large business owners, enabling them to advertise cars and real estate in a professional way.

New users, both individuals and merchants, can post their basic ads for free, and receive exclusive discounts to boost their ads upon upgrading to a “Premium” or “Business Plus” membership, allowing them to reach a larger pool of potential buyers.

An Optimal User Experience via the Marketna Smart App

The Marketna Classified Ads Smart App is available for Android devices on the Google Play Store, allowing users to browse ads and post listings from anywhere, at any time, with the ability to communicate directly through in-app chat.

The app features a simplified, modern, and responsive interface. An iOS version for Apple devices is coming soon, with the goal of supporting all users.

For more information about Marketna and its services, visit the official website at https://marketna.com.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963238/Marketna_Classified_Ads.jpg
Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2963239/Marketna_Logo.jpg

 

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/marketna-launching-smart-arabic-platform-for-digital-classified-ads-302758903.html

SOURCE Marketna

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2026 Hong Kong Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report: BeGiftHK Reveals “Specialization and Wellness” as the New Standard for Corporate Gifting

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HONG KONG, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BeGiftHK, a leading professional corporate gift company in Hong Kong, today officially released the “2026 Corporate Gift Purchasing Trends Report.” The report highlights that following profound changes in corporate culture in the post-pandemic era, the Hong Kong B2B gift market has officially moved away from the “low-price, high-volume” model. It has been replaced by a new purchasing logic centered on “Employee Wellness” and “Brand Specialization.”

Pickleball Customization: The New Corporate Sports Social Favorite of 2026

The most prominent trend highlighted in the report is the strong rise of “sports social gifts.” Data shows that in the first quarter of 2026, inquiries for Pickleball customization equipment surged by 210% compared to the same period last year.

A spokesperson for BeGiftHK analyzed: “In 2026, a corporate gift is no longer just an object; it is a brand touchpoint. Due to its low entry barrier and high participation across all age groups, Pickleball has become the top choice for large enterprises for hosting Team Building and ESG promotion activities. The professional-grade T700 carbon fiber paddles we provide, combined with high-quality customized designs, successfully transform the act of gifting into a highly social brand experience.”

Technology Defines Authority: Full-Color UV Digital Printing Enhances Corporate Image

Regarding the craftsmanship requirements for gift customization, purchasers in 2026 have demonstrated unprecedented attention to detail. The report indicates that over 85% of multinational organizations and financial enterprises prioritize the precision of printing technology when selecting a Hong Kong corporate gift company.

BeGiftHK has addressed the limitations of traditional screen printing, such as the inability to render gradients and high-precision logos, by introducing cutting-edge “Full-Color UV Digital Printing” technology. This commitment to professionalism has led BeGiftHK to frequently receive high praise as a “Souvenir Recommendation of the Year” in various commercial evaluations.

ESG Transformation: From “Green Products” to “Social Responsibility”

The report concludes by emphasizing that ESG factors have permeated every stage of the purchasing decision. In 2026, the demand for “Recycled PET (RPET)” materials and “Sustainable Sports Solutions” among Hong Kong enterprises consistently accounted for over 40% of the market share. Through its robust supply chain accumulated over years of deep cultivation in the Hong Kong market, BeGiftHK not only provides eco-friendly materials but also assists organizations in planning gift solutions with social impact, integrating “ESG narratives” into every exquisite gift box.

Rooted in Hong Kong, Defining the Future

As an established authoritative brand in the market, BeGiftHK, with its keen market insights and excellent execution, has successfully provided one-stop corporate gift customization services for numerous NGOs, educational institutions, and Fortune 500 companies. Looking ahead, the company will continue to drive industry innovation, creating the most valuable brand souvenirs for Hong Kong organizations with a more professional and forward-looking vision.

About BeGiftHK

BeGiftHK is a professional gift solution provider headquartered in Hong Kong. The company is committed to providing customers with closed-loop gift customization services, including design, production, quality inspection, and logistics, through innovative technology and a unique industry perspective. With the core concepts of “Professionalism, Design, and Value,” BeGiftHK is a designated gift partner for many large-scale events and corporate anniversary celebrations in Hong Kong.

Media Inquiries, please contact:

Contact Person: BeGiftHK Customer Service DepartmentCompany Name: Ideas Promotion Ltd (BeGiftHK)Phone: +852 3490 6532Email: info@ideaspromotion.com.hkWebsite: https://begifthk.com

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SOURCE BeGiftHK

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