Countdown to the World Solar Challenge: Innovative Solar Powered Car Safely Shipped to Australia by Gebrüder Weiss

Adelaide / Lauterach, October 16, 2023. At the end of September, the innovative solar powered car of the aCentauri Solar Racing Team arrived in Adelaide, Australia. As official partner, the international logistics company Gebrüder Weiss transported the high-tech vehicle, with all the relevant equipment to Australia, seamlessly coordinating a mix of land transport, air and sea freight. At the end of October, students of ETH Zurich will take part in the World Solar Challenge with the car. In this unique race, 31 teams must cover the 3,000 km from Darwin down through the Australian outback to Adelaide, using only solar energy.

When the shipment arrived at the airport in Adelaide, the Australian logistics experts from Gebrüder Weiss were called for. After all, the solar powered car is no "standard product", but was designed, built, and tested by the ETH Zurich students themselves. Special regulations apply to the import of used goods to Australia: "In order to protect Australia’s unique flora and fauna from pests and diseases, the import of used goods is subject to strict quarantine and customs regulations," explains Martin Fernandes, Country Manager Australia at Gebrüder Weiss. "We had already prepared extensive documentation and certificates for the import of the solar powered car and all related equipment in advance. This way, we ensured that the team could start on time for the race."

Team Manager Alexandr Ebnöther is already in the starting blocks with his aCentauri Solar Racing Team and is relieved to have a specialist with local knowledge at his side in Gebrüder Weiss: "We are fortunate to have gained an internationally operating logistics partner. The experts at Gebrüder Weiss know the local regulations and have taken care of all the formalities for us, so that we can concentrate fully on preparing for the race." To be perfectly prepared for the start of the race on October 22 in Darwin, the aCentauri Solar Racing Team will also road test its Solar Challenger on some sections of the track.

Gebrüder Weiss sees such ambitious research and innovation as the basis for new mobility concepts, and as an asset for a state-of-the-art infrastructure in logistics. That is why Gebrüder Weiss cooperates with young scientists to jointly shape the mobility of the future. In doing so, the logistics experts contribute their extensive knowledge and many years of experience, be it for the punctual start of the World Solar Challenge, or for a Mars or space mission.

Gebrüder Weiss regularly reports on the preparations and progress of the cooperation on a dedicated landing page and via various social media channels.

Department of Home Affairs, Australia, Awards Global Biometric Collection Service to VFS Global

The Department of Home Affairs, Australia, has awarded the global biometric collection service across seven regions to VFS Global, the world's largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for governments and diplomatic missions.

The agreement spanning Australian biometric collection centres (ABCC) at 165 locations worldwide include new geographies in addition to existing locations operated by VFS Global. Awarded regions comprise Americas, Mekong, Middle East and North Africa, North Asia, Pacific, South Asia and Southeast Asia. According to the agreement, VFS Global’s core services include Biometric Collection and Identity Verification, Digital Assistance with online visa applications submission and Online Payment Assistance on the Department’s ImmiAccount portal.

The company would also provide additional (as required services) such as remote interview hosting, document and claim checking, paper digitisation and local addressing and document delivery. The roll out would take place in two broad phases with 59 centres to be operational by January 1, 2024 and the rest under phase two in line with the department’s directives. 

“Over many years the department and VFS Global have enjoyed a successful partnership, during which VFS Global have continued to demonstrate flexibility as the department’s needs have evolved over time. We look forward to the continued growth of this partnership and roll out of the biometrics collection program under the new agreement,” said Anthony Phillips, Director of In-Person Services and Support, Department of Home Affairs. 

“This global award is another testament of our business excellence and trusted partnership with the Department of Home Affairs, Australia. We have been working with the department since 2004 and we will continue to elevate the experience of travellers across the world bound to Australia,” said Jiten Vyas, Chief Commercial Officer VFS Global. 

The agreement also marks the maiden opening of Australian biometric collection centres (ABCC) by VFS Global in the Americas region.  

DTI TO PROMOTE PHILIPPINE IT-BPM INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIAN MARKET

The Department of Trade and Industry-Export Marketing Bureau (DTI-EMB) and the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in Sydney (PTIC-Sydney) will conduct a webinar+ on 25 September 2020, 1:30 pm in the Philippines and 3:30 pm in Australia.

The webinar+ is a two-part activity composed of a webinar to be followed by a B2B, to promote the Philippine Information Technology-Business Process Management (IT-BPM) industry in Australia.

The webinar, entitled “The Philippine IT-BPM Industry: Your Tool for Business Recovery and Continuity”, will focus on the capability of the Philippine IT-BPM industry to deliver services to global clients, specifically in the Australian market, and to share its current initiatives in maintaining the industry’s resiliency and readiness for business amidst the pandemic.

It will also present the current state of the IT-BPM industry and discuss IT-related and BPM services beyond voice, focusing on IT services (including finance and accounting), software development, Engineering Services Outsourcing (ESO), and creative servicesaimed at encouraging Australian companies to consider the Philippines for their outsourcing or work sharing needs to help optimize and scale up their business during a pandemic.

Topics will cover discussions about the state of the industry, how the industry is coping with the challenges, and its strategies to address the impact brought about by the pandemic. Likewise, it is an awareness campaign that PH business is open and capable to provide the demand of its client’s outsourcing needs.

The webinar will be live streamed via Zoom and will be participated in by industry experts as speakers namely, Mr. Rey Untal, the president of IT & Business Process Association of the Philippines; Mr. Jonathan Luzuriaga, president of the Philippine Software Industry Association; and Mr. Ernesto S. de Castro, president of the Philippine Engineering Services Outsourcing. President of Australia Philippines Business Council Mr. Eduard Alcordo and Mr. Derek Gallimore, founder and CEO of Outsource Accelerator, the leading Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) marketplace, will also be present as co-moderator and host, respectively.

A targeted online business to business matching (B2B) session will be also be conducted as a follow up to the webinar on Sept. 29, 2020. Through the B2B, PH companies can connect, consult, and engage with Australian companies, aimed at exploring how the Philippines can integrate and provide its value-adding services to their existing business supply/value chain.

CDO to Attract more Domestic Tourists through Regional Travel Fair

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), will expand its domestic footprint with the commencement of the 5th Regional Travel Fair (RTF) in the City of Golden Friendship, Cagayan de Oro.

Supported by the Local Government Units (LGUs) of Northern Mindanao, the RTF aims to promote and strengthen domestic tourism by encouraging travelers to discover more of the Philippines year-round.

Around 100 participants from different travel trade sectors, government agencies, and exhibitors, including local travel and tour agencies, hotels, resorts, and airline operators, are expected to be onboard at the Limketkai Center from August 23-24to showcase the best of the Philippines.
The RTF program includes a 2-day business-to-consumer (B2C) expo wherein exhibitors shall offer exclusive and affordable tour packages that will ultimately increase the volume of domestic travellers around the country. Additionally, a half-day travel exchange (TRAVEX) table-top session will take place for participating buyers and sellers to generate direct sales and business leads, meet new partners and renew deals.

TPB supports Get Global Exhibition in Australia

The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), as part of its strategic thrust to strengthen its Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) campaign, supports Get Global – Where the World Meets, an industry exhibition in Australia at the International Convention Center (ICC) Sydney.

Launched in 2017, Get Global has become a reputable platform that connects international MICE suppliers with buyers, including corporate meeting planners, incentive houses and professional conference organizers (PCO), and has been recognized as "Exhibition of the Year" by Meetings & Events Australia for two consecutive years.

With the assistance of DOT Sydney, the Philippines was promoted to Australia's outbound MICE market with increased exposure through Get Global's digital platforms as well as through unlimited face-to-face quality meetings within the one-day event. Participation in the event also generated new leads, established relationships, and explored new networks of contacts for the expansion of the Philippine MICE market, especially among senior buyers in Australia and New Zealand.

Australia is one of the Philippines’ top tourism markets and the month of April this year saw a 13.41 percent increase in tourist arrivals from Down Under. With improved connectivity between Sydney and Manila arising from new and increasing flights, more Australian visitors are expected to keep the upward trend sustained.

DTI - Sydney Partners with Expand Franchising and other Organizations to Promote Franchising in Australia

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) through the Philippine Trade and Investment Center (PTIC) in Sydney, Australia, partnered with Expand Franchising and other organizations in organizing franchising seminars and small group business consultations to promote franchising in Australia.

The first franchising seminar was conducted on February 19, 2019 in Campbeltown in partnership with Narra Co-operative, Inc., a membership co-op comprised of Filipino-Australians involved in community events.

On February 20, 2019, PTIC-Sydney hosted a coffee talk on franchising and a series of small group business consultations with Expand Franchising.

A seminar on “Franchising Trends and Opportunities” was likewise hosted by the Australia Philippines Business Council (APBC) on February 21, 2019.

Ms. Alma Argayoso, the Philippine Consul Commercial to Australia said the franchising seminars and business consultations are initiatives under the Trabaho, Negosyo, Kabuhyan (TNK) program that the DTI overseas office in Sydney supports.  

The TNK is a project of the DTI in partnership with other government agencies, private sector, academe and civil society organizations, to promote entrepreneurship and generate employment.

“We aim to help our Kababayans or their families back home invest in viable economic activities in the Philippines by providing them with information and resources to help them succeed as entrepreneurs”, Argayoso said.

“Franchising is one of the business opportunities that we promote because it’s an important tool for economic development that creates thousands of enterprises and generates millions of jobs,” Argayoso added.

Mr. Ignacio Gimenez of Expand Franchising brought to Australia its partner in the Philippines, RK Franchise Consultancy,Inc., represented by its founder, Mr. Rudolf Kotik. Mr. Kotik has over 40 years in the franchising business and developed over 800 brands in the Philippines and abroad.

Mr. Kotik presented franchising trends and opportunities and the benefits, procedures and steps to becoming a franchisee or a franchisor for those who would like to scale up and open their business for franchising.

“We believe owning a franchise is a good investment. It has less risk than an independent start-up with an average ROI of two years and the opportunity to grow the business more rapidly than an independent business,” Kotik said.

“It’s the biggest and most successful business system in the world and the Philippines is in the top ten with the most number of franchise units globally. Among the latest trends are innovative food and beverage outlets, self-service laundromats, education and tutorial services, specialized beauty services, and animal care services,” Kotik added.

While most of the interested parties were overseas or former Filipinos, looking for a franchise to set-up in the Philippines or bring to Australia, a number of foreigners also expressed interest in the co-ownership arrangements where several investors can buy 80% share in the franchise while 20% remains with the franchisor. The franchisor will run the business and provide monthly financial reports and quarterly dividends. This is a win-win arrangement where a franchisor uses OPM or Other People’s Money to grow the business, while a franchisee invests in a business without having to worry about the day-to-day operations.

 

In photo: Mr. Rudolf Kotik presents franchising trends and opportunities to APBC

      members and guests.

In photo: PTIC-Sydney hosts a coffee talk on franchising at the Descano Café.

Power Up Your Travel Lifestyles with Cebu Pacific GetGo Visa Cards

Traveling to new destinations and discovering the wonders of the world is already a rewarding experience in itself. But, did you know that your daily expenses and shopping can get you more exciting benefits for your weekend trips and holiday vacations?

As more people are enjoying a lifestyle of travel, debit and credit cards are doubling as loyalty rewards cards to bring more thrilling and memorable experiences. The country’s leading local carrier, Cebu Pacific, offers a bigger fleet of GetGo cards powered by Visa and UnionBank to make traveling a rewarding experience in more ways than one. With your own Cebu Pacific GetGo Visa cards, you can enjoy the following:

Cashless transactions abroad

Most cards, whether debit, credit, or prepaid, are now accepted worldwide. This makes souvenir shopping more convenient and hassle-free as you don’t have to worry about carrying physical cash abroad. Cebu Pacific GetGo’s newest prepaid card also works as a multi-currency card that frequent travelers can reload and use at Visa-accredited merchants anywhere in the world.

First-class treatment

Cebu Pacific and GetGo also let you experience world-class accommodation while waiting for your next flight. Cebu Pacific GetGo Platinum Credit cardholders can have access to airport lounges in NAIA Terminal 3 where they can rest and relax before their international flights. You can also get priority check-ins, free 5kg baggage allowance, and even free travel insurance.

Early alerts on promos and seat sales

What also makes travel rewards programs worthwhile is the exclusive notices on seat sales to your favorite local and international destinations. When you have a Cebu Pacific GetGo Visa card, you can instantly avail of special flights with your points or earn points for free travels when you use your card to pay for your tickets. You can also enjoy exciting promos with partner merchants of GetGo and UnionBank.

Instant points for more adventures

Converting points has never been easier with the line of Cebu Pacific GetGo Visa cards. The cards provide one of the best earn rates in the country - one GetGo point for every P30 spent using the credit card and P88 spent using the debit and prepaid card. You can even earn twice when you purchase from GetGo’s partner merchants using your debit or credit card. GetGo points are also automatically transferred to your GetGo account every month so you can fly for free faster.

Enjoy all these exclusive travel benefits when you apply for a card for your everyday lifestyle. You can select from CEB GetGo Debit Card (http://bit.ly/CEBGetGoDebitCard), Credit Card (http://bit.ly/CEBGetGoCreditCard), Platinum Credit Card, and Prepaid Card (http://bit.ly/CEBGetGoPrepaidCard).

Cardholders who will apply for a Cebu Pacific GetGo Credit or Platinum Credit Card from now up to October 31, 2018 can enjoy 8,000 GetGo points by spending P20,000 using their new credit card within 65 days from card approval date. A special 8,000 GetGo points promo code will be rewarded to Platinum cardholders who will spend another P20,000 within the same period. Go tohttps://unionbankph.com/8kgetgopoints for the full promo mechanics.

So, what are you waiting for? Live the best life with your own Cebu Pacific GetGo Visa cards by UnionBank and enjoy points for a free trip to your dream travel destination! Promo is extended until October 31, 2018.

For more information on memberships and partners, visit www.getgo.com.ph. Stay updated on the latest promos by liking GetGoPH’s official pages on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Top Sights to see and Activities to Experience in Melbourne

There are many reasons why people have a growing desire to travel. From the excitement of new adventures, to learning different cultures and appreciating wonderful sights, traveling has become part of the exciting lifestyle of many young Filipinos.

And among the world’s most beautiful destinations, Melbourne is one of the places that travelers should visit to satisfy their wanderlusts. With its vibrant culture and interesting heritage, this Australian city certainly deserves a spot in everyone’s travel bucket lists.

Now, more Filipinos can see the beauty of one of the world’s most livable cities as Cebu Pacific launches its new direct flights between Manila and Melbourne starting August 14, 2018. As the only low-cost carrier flying directly between the Philippines and Australia, Cebu Pacific will fly to Melbourne three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday) to bring more local travelers to the land of many wonders.

So if you’re planning to book that coveted flight, here are some of the things you can do to make the most of your vacation in Melbourne:

Explore its diverse food scene

One of the best things about Melbourne is the abundance of gourmet restaurants and cheap eats. It is home to laneways and arcades lined with trendy cafes, bars, and restaurants that serve all kinds of cuisine to satisfy your cravings. So whether you’re looking for a yummy plate of pasta, a cup of great-tasting coffee, or even a delicious glass of wine, the streets of Melbourne offer everything you want at any time of day or night.

Photo walk along the streets filled with art

Melbourne also prides itself with a thriving art scene that is seen even in the streets. Alleyways and walls decorated in graffiti and underground art galleries have become a must-see for tourists. To get a glimpse of some of Melbourne’s best street art, make your way to Hosier Lane, Flinders Court, Union Lane, and Russell Place.

Enjoy events and festivals

With various theatres, museums, and live music venues, Melbourne is easily Australia’s cultural hub. The city is always buzzing with different activities that cater to visitors’ interests – from fashion and art, to film and music, and even sports. If you’re a tennis fan, you can catch the Australian Open in January and watch your favorite athletes in action.

Go on a shopping spree

What’s a trip out of the country without splurging on the best fashion items and pasalubongs for your loved ones? Melbourne is one of the cities where you can shop until you drop with the abundance of shopping centers and thrift stores where you can purchase items on a bargain. If you’re the adventurous type, you can discover hidden gems in the boutiques and outlets you can find tucked in the inner streets.

So what are you waiting for? With Cebu Pacific’s newly-launched flights from Manila to Melbourne, you can tour the wonderful city and experience many exciting activities.