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HKPC's LogTech Expo 2026 Brings Together Over 50 Enterprises to Showcase Smart Logistics Solutions

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 00:00:32 +0700

Exploring Emerging Opportunities in AI, Smart Supply Chain Management, ESG and Sustainability

Free Admission Open for Public Registration Now

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 October 2026 – Amid the reshaping of global supply chains, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, and the rise of emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy, the logistics industry is entering a new wave of smart transformation. Organised by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and funded by the Logistics Promotion Funding Scheme (LPFS) under the Maritime and Aviation Training Fund of the Transport and Logistics Bureau of the HKSAR Government, LogTech Expo 2026 will take place on 29 October (Thursday) at the InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong. Under the theme "Smart-Driven Transformation, Leading the Future of Logistics", the Expo will bring together more than 50 logistics, supply chain and innovation and technology enterprises, alongside logistics industry leaders and experts, to share insights through a series of forums and discussions. The event will provide a one-stop platform for the industry to stay abreast of the latest logistics technology trends and developments. Admission is free, and online registration is now open.

As one of the major annual events in Hong Kong's logistics technology sector, the Expo will feature the latest applications and achievements in smart logistics. From AI and big data analytics, smart warehousing and robotics, and automated supply chain management systems, to cross-border e-commerce logistics, green logistics, new energy transportation and drone delivery solutions, visitors will be able to experience first-hand how technology is reshaping logistics operations and helping enterprises enhance efficiency and competitiveness.

Renowned Enterprises and Organisations Showcase the Entire Smart Logistics Value Chain
This year's Expo will bring together renowned brands and organisations from the logistics and technology sectors, including SF Supply Chain, Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department, Hongkong Post, Auto-ID Technology, HSM Industrial Solution, Tradelink, GS1 Hong Kong, ShipAny and Axis Communications, showcasing innovative solutions that support digital transformation and intelligent operations across the logistics industry. Visitors can explore the following technology zones:

AI and Data Applications Zone: Leveraging AI, big data and automation technologies to enhance logistics planning and operational efficiency;
Smart Warehousing and Robotics Zone: Showcasing intelligent sorting systems, automated warehousing and robotics solutions;
Smart Supply Chain and Digital Platform Zone: Featuring WMS, TMS and digital supply chain management systems;
Cross-border E-commerce and Delivery Zone: Showcasing innovative models in global fulfilment and smart delivery;
ESG and Green Logistics Zone: Focusing on new energy transportation, carbon reduction technologies and sustainable logistics development;
Low-Altitude Economy Zone: Exploring emerging applications such as drones and last-mile delivery solutions.

Visitors will not only be able to learn how innovative technologies are applied in real-world business scenarios but also engage directly with solution providers and industry experts to explore opportunities for collaboration and transformation.

10 Thematic Seminars and Sharing Sessions Focus on the Future of Logistics
In addition to the exhibition, the Expo will feature 10 thematic forums and technical sharing sessions covering key industry topics including AI, supply chain digitalisation, cross-border e-commerce, the low-altitude economy and logistics innovation.

The opening seminar, "Smart Tools for Logistics: Practical AI Applications and Insights", will be moderated by Ryan IP, Vice President and Executive Director of the Public Policy Institute of Our Hong Kong Foundation, and feature a panel comprising Professor Kee-hung LAI, Head of the Department of Logistics and Maritime Studies and Chair Professor of Shipping and Logistics at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; Sunny HO, MH, JP, FCILT, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Shippers' Council; Keno Tai-yip CHEUNG, President of The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong; and Suki CHEUNG Shuk-ming, Chief Executive Officer of MG Ship. Together, they will discuss how AI can enhance logistics operational efficiency, drive supply chain digitalisation, and support Hong Kong's development as a smart logistics hub.

In addition, experts from organisations including Profit Sky International Industrial, ShipAny, Tradelink, Axis Communications and GS1 Hong Kong will share real-life business cases, enabling visitors to gain deeper insights into digital twins, cross-border e-commerce, supply chain visibility and AI applications in logistics.

Promoting Cross-sector Collaboration to Shape the Future of Logistics
The Expo is supported by more than 20 industry organisations, including the Airport Authority Hong Kong, Cathay Cargo, Hong Kong Shippers' Council, Hong Kong Logistics Association, Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport in Hong Kong, Cyberport and the Logistics and Supply Chain MultiTech R&D Centre. It serves as an effective platform for industry exchange and business matching, fostering innovative collaboration and industry upgrading.

Admission is free. Logistics practitioners, supply chain professionals, manufacturers, e-commerce businesses, technology solution providers, academics, and members of the public interested in the development of logistics technology are welcome to attend.

Event Details
LogTech Expo 2026
Date: 29 October 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 10:00 am - 5:30 pm
Venue: InnoCentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong
Admission Fee: Free (Advance registration required)
Register Now: https://campaigns.hkpc.org/zh-hk/tc-rsvp-logtech_expo_2026
Exhibitor List: View Exhibitor List

Hashtag: #HKPC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC's world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong's role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong's strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical, assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC's website: www.hkpc.org/en.

YF Life Wins Three Accolades at "HKET Wealth Management Awards"

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 21:00:35 +0700

Named “Best Universal Life Insurance”, “Best Wealth Legacy Product” and “Most Popular Critical Illness Insurance Product”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – YF Life Insurance International Limited ("YF Life") has once again achieved outstanding results at the HKET Wealth Management Awards, winning three accolades in recognition of its innovative product design and comprehensive protection solutions: "Best Universal Life Insurance", "Best Wealth Legacy Product" and "Most Popular Critical Illness Insurance Product". The honors reaffirm YF Life's product strengths in wealth management and health protection, as well as the strong recognition its products have received from the market and customers.

Jason Cheng, Chief Product Officer of YF Life, receiving the award on behalf of the company.

YF Life Chief Product Officer Jason Cheng said, "These honors not only reflect the market's recognition of YF Life's product strengths, but also encourage us to continue putting customers' needs at the heart of everything we do. Through innovative thinking and a forward-looking perspective, we strive to develop solutions that combine flexibility, protection and legacy planning, further strengthening YF Life's market position as a universal life insurance specialist. "As wealth management needs become increasingly diverse and public awareness of health protection continues to grow, YF Life will remain committed to its 'customer-first, people-centric' philosophy. Building on our extensive expertise in annuities and universal life insurance, and guided by our Invesurance insurance investment philosophy, we seek to create long-term growth potential for customers' insurance assets through professional investment and risk management. By integrating the concept of 'investing in both wealth and health' into our products and services, we aim to provide comprehensive wealth management and health protection solutions, helping customers plan for a more prosperous and secure future."

The WealthPulse Universal Life Insurance Saver, winner of the "Best Universal Life Insurance" award, combines wealth accumulation, asset allocation, institutional-grade investment management and legacy planning to provide customers with a flexible and comprehensive solution. The plan offers opportunities to capture potential market returns through its crediting interest rate, while the base crediting interest rate is guaranteed to be no less than 0% per annum¹. It also provides a guaranteed minimum account value crediting interest rate of up to 3% per annum², helping customers navigate market fluctuations, alongside welcome bonus, special bonus and loyalty bonus features designed to balance wealth growth and asset protection. The plan also offers flexible premium payment terms, withdrawal arrangements and a range of wealth legacy planning options. Together with 12 lifetime annuity options with guaranteed lifetime payouts, described as unique in the market³, it enables customers to address their wealth management, retirement and legacy planning needs flexibly through a one-stop solution.

The Beyond Infinity Savings Insurance Plan, winner of the "Best Wealth Legacy Product" award, addresses both medium- to long-term wealth accumulation and intergenerational wealth transfer. It offers up to 10 policy currency options⁴, including the Swiss Franc, which is rarely available in the market⁵, together with flexible wealth management arrangements that enable customers to capture potential wealth growth opportunities according to their individual needs and market conditions. The plan also provides flexible withdrawal arrangements and a unique in the market ³ lifetime annuity option to accommodate customers' financial and retirement needs at different stages of life, and along with a comprehensive suite of legacy planning features including the prior arrangement for up to 3contingent policy owners and 3 contingent insureds⁶, change of insured and policy owner, policy-split option, and up to 11 death benefit settlement options etc. These features enable customers to plan their family wealth with greater flexibility, allowing wealth to continue accumulating across generations and passing both wealth and their wishes on to the next generation.

The YF PrimeHealth Pro Insurance Plan (Ease), which received the "Most Popular Critical Illness Insurance Product" award, is designed for younger customers taking out critical illness protection for the first time and seeking a cost-effective solution, while also providing an upgrade option for customers who already have critical illness coverage. The plan covers 101 critical illnesses and features a guaranteed coverage booster⁷, with an automatic increase equals to 5% of the basic sum insured every 5-policy anniversary on or before age 65 of the insured, at no additional premium required. This enables protection to grow progressively alongside the insured's changing life stages and future protection needs, helping customers build a stronger health safety net for themselves and their loved ones.

Organized by HKET, the HKET Wealth Management Awards aim to recognize financial and insurance institutions for excellence in product innovation, professional service and market performance. Winners are selected by a professional judging panel based on multiple criteria and undergo a rigorous assessment process, recognizing their outstanding achievements in advancing the wealth management industry.

Notes:

The base crediting interest rate is declared by us and is subject to change from time to time at our discretion but will be no less than 0% per annum.
The guaranteed minimum account value is applicable in the event of an application of the full annuity, a full surrender of the policy or when the death benefit is payable and accumulates with a guaranteed minimum account value crediting interest rate at 3% per annum during the first 20 policy years and 2% per annum thereafter.
The above description of "unique in the market" is based on our understanding and interpretation of the current market information, by comparing Lifetime Annuity Option with other publicly available universal life insurance plans issued by major Hong Kong and Macau life insurance companies for individual customers as of October 1, 2025.
Macau Pataca (MOP) is included and is applicable to policies issued in Macau only.
The above description is based on our understanding and interpretation of the current market information, by comparing the currency options with other publicly available multi-currency savings insurance plans issued by major Hong Kong and Macau life insurance companies for individual customers as of September 1, 2026.
In the event of the death of the policy owner or the insured, one of the persons nominated in advance will become the new policy owner or the new insured according to the pre-set sequence of succession, subject to the relevant requirements. For details of the policy ownership and change to contingent insured, please refer to the terms and conditions of the policy.
The Guaranteed Coverage Booster is only applicable to an insured whose issue age is 60 or below. The cumulative increase is capped at 45% of the basic sum insured.

General Notes:

The information contained in this press release is intended as a general summary of information for reference only. For more details, please refer to relevant product brochures, promotion leaflets, and policy documents. The terms and conditions of the policy shall prevail. The product information in this press release does not contain the complete terms of the product, which are set out in the policy documents. Please refer to the main product brochure and policy terms and conditions, as well as the explanatory documents provided by your licensed insurance intermediary, to fully understand the details and complete terms and conditions related to the plan. For inquiries, please contact our customer service hotline: (852) 2533 5555/ (853) 2832 2622.
This press release is intended for distribution in Hong Kong and Macau only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation to sell or promote any YF Life products outside Hong Kong and Macau. YF Life hereby declares that it has no intention of offering, selling or soliciting the purchase of such product in any jurisdiction outside Hong Kong and Macau.
The Information contained in this press release is not sufficient to form the basis of any decisions to purchase any insurance products. You should carry out your own research and/or seek independent advice from licensed intermediaries before purchasing any insurance products or making any insurance decisions.

Hashtag: #YFLife #Invesurance #????

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hongkong Land and Marsh report shows climate resilient design can cut expected flood losses by 88%

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 21:00:33 +0700

New report sets out a method the industry can use to put a financial value on climate resilience
The Westbund Central case study shows that its resilience measures are expected to keep storm-surge and rainfall-flood losses in 2050 below the losses an unprotected building would face today

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Hongkong Land Holdings Limited ("Hongkong Land") today published Building Value That Lasts: Quantifying the Return on Climate Resilience in Real Estate. The report developed with Marsh puts a financial value on designing buildings for a changing climate. Its case study is Westbund Central, Hongkong Land's mixed-use waterfront development of approximately 1.7 million sq. m. on Shanghai's Huangpu River.

(From left to right) From left: Michael Long, Head of Group Sustainability, Hongkong Land; Stuart Grant, Chief Executive of Westbund Central, Hongkong Land; Swenja Surminski, Managing Director of Climate and Sustainability, Marsh; and Michael Li, Chairman and President, Marsh Risk China.

The report finds that the development's resilience measures cut expected storm-surge losses by 84% and rainfall-flood losses by 88% under today's conditions. Westbund Central's resilience measures are expected to keep storm-surge and rainfall-flood losses in 2050 below the losses an unprotected building would face today.

Closing the resilience valuation gap

Climate risk now shapes how real estate is assessed, financed and insured. Almost every climate related disclosure acknowledges the need for adaptation, yet fewer than one in ten puts a number on it. Hongkong Land and Marsh set out to close that gap together by treating resilience as an investment with a measurable return, not a cost to be absorbed.

Resilience pays, and the reductions are large

Working with global leading insurance broker and risk advisor Marsh, Hongkong Land modelled the average annual loss (AAL) at Westbund Central from storm surge, rainfall flooding and wind. AAL is the expected yearly cost of physical damage. The modelling compared climate risks today and in 2050 for buildings with and without resilience measures beyond those required by building codes. It assumed a future in which global greenhouse-gas emissions remain high.

Without the development's enhanced resilience measures, expected storm-surge losses would more than double and wind losses would more than triple by 2050. The measures reduce expected losses as follows:

storm-surge losses fall by 84%, both today and in 2050
rainfall-flood losses fall by 88% today and 79% in 2050
wind losses fall by 36% today and 31% in 2050

Built for the climate of 2050

Westbund Central was engineered for projected climate conditions in 2050, rather than historical conditions. These measures significantly reduce the impact of increasing climate risk:

Storm surge: with Westbund Central's resilience measures in place, average annual losses in 2050 are projected at 0.12%, compared with 0.38% for a building without these measures today.
Rainfall flooding: with the resilience measures in place, average annual losses in 2050 are projected at 0.05%, compared with 0.19% for a building without these measures today.

Insurers are raising premiums, tightening terms and withdrawing cover from exposed locations. In that market, a lower and more stable loss profile matters.

Westbund Centrals resilience features include:

23% more drainage capacity, protecting against a 1-in-100-year rainfall event
Grade 1 waterproofed basements and the elevation of critical equipment
A "Sponge City" network of more than 12 features designed to capture and store stormwater, with capacity exceeding 2,000 m³

The figures are conservative. They count physical damage only and exclude extreme heat, the fastest-growing hazard at the site, which the development manages through design and operations.

Michael T. Smith, Group Chief Executive of Hongkong Land, said: "Climate change is a significant force reshaping real estate. At Westbund Central, climate resilience is core to all that we do because we believe resilience and commercial performance reinforce each other. This report shows the return on that investment can be measured today, with tools that already exist. The industry no longer has any excuse not to."

Stuart Grant, Chief Executive of Westbund Central, said: "A premium destination is a seamless one. Much of the resilience work at Westbund Central is deliberately invisible to the tenants and visitors who use it every day. Its value shows in the disruption that never reaches them. Keeping the precinct open, comfortable and trading regardless of weather conditions is how resilience facilitates commercial performance."

Michael Li, Chairman and President of Marsh Risk China, said: "Climate risk is now a balance-sheet risk. Westbund Central shows that adaptation pays back through lower loss exposure and stronger access to capital. As a risk orchestrator, Marsh matches protection needs to capital flows, helping clients quantify resilience and close the valuation gap."

A method for the industry

The report is offered as a method others can apply, not just as an account of one development. It traces how climate risk can be assessed from site selection through to operations and linked to financial outcomes. It calls on the industry to:

quantify early, at site selection and design, when action is most cost-effective
bring insurers and lenders in from the start
build a shared standard so resilience can be benchmarked across assets, as carbon already is

For further details, please see the full report which is available for download [here].

Hashtag: #HongkongLand

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Westbund Central

Hongkong Land's Westbund Central is the Group's largest-ever single investment. Scheduled to complete in phases up until 2028, it is an US$8 billion development encompassing approximately more than 1.7 million sq. m. of prime mixed-use property strategically located at Shanghai's Xuhui Waterfront. It is a flagship development of Hongkong Land's prime commercial properties' CENTRAL Series. The ultra-premium integrated commercial property includes 240,000 sq. m of retail space, 650,000 sq. m. of premium Grade A offices, 160,000 sq. m. of high-end waterfront luxury residences, two hotels (55,000 sq. m.) and over 50,000 sq. m. of cultural and art venues.

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land is a major listed property development, investment and management group. It focuses on developing, owning and managing premium and ultra-premium mixed-use real estate in Asian gateway cities, featuring Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products. With over US$50 billion in assets under management, Hongkong Land's ultra-premium mixed-use real estate footprint spans over 1.97 million sq. m. lettable area in operation and 1.43 million sq. m. lettable area under development, with flagship mixed-use projects in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Its properties hold industry leading green building certifications and attract the world's foremost companies and luxury brands. Established in 1889, Hongkong Land takes a long-term view, investing significantly alongside its capital partners and concentrating its portfolio where it can create the most value for tenants, customers and investors. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Singapore and Bermuda. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Marsh
Marsh (NYSE: MRSH) is a global leader in risk, reinsurance and capital, people and investments, and management consulting, advising clients in 130 countries. With more than 95,000 colleagues, Marsh helps build the confidence to thrive through the power of perspective. For more information, visit marsh.com, or follow us on LinkedIn and X.

Hongkong Land Celebrates 'Destination CENTRAL' Campaign in Support of the Long-term Renewal of Central

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 19:00:30 +0700

Deputy Financial Secretary and Hong Kong Tourism Board Chairman join leaders from the financial, tourism, retail, cultural and F&B sectors to celebrate the Destination CENTRAL campaign
Destination CENTRAL supports the HKSAR Government's priorities for the renewal of Central

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Hongkong Land Holdings Limited ("Hongkong Land" or "the Group") today brought together financial, tourism, retail, cultural and F&B sector leaders to celebrate the new Destination CENTRAL campaign. The Honourable Michael Wong, GBS, JP, Deputy Financial Secretary, was Guest of Honour, and Dr the Hon Peter Lam, GBM, GBS, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board, attended as a Distinguished Guest Speaker.

Front row (from left to right) Ms Jeanne Cheng, District Officer (Central and Western); Hon Grace Chan Man-yee, Legislative Council Member and Chief Executive of The Hong Kong Council of Social Service; Hon Michael Wong Wai-lun, Deputy Financial Secretary of the HKSAR Government; Mr Michael Smith, Group Chief Executive of Hongkong Land; Dr the Hon Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Hon Vivian Kong Man-wai, Legislative Council Member; and Hon Carmen Kan Wai-mun, Legislative Council Member.
Back row (front left to right) Mr Alexander Li, Head of Asset Management, Hong Kong Central of Hongkong Land; Mr Craig Beattie, Chief Financial Officer of Hongkong Land; Hon Jonathan Stuart Lamport, Legislative Council Member; Mr Anthony Lau, Executive Director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board; Mr Elton Chan, Chief Operations Officer of Hongkong Land; and Mr Graeme Torre, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Central, Hongkong Land.

This new initiative aligns with the priorities set out in Hong Kong's first Five-Year Plan, and responds to the Chief Executive's 2026 Policy Address, which recognises Central's role as a major engine of the city's development. As the heart of Hong Kong's financial district, Central is key to Hong Kong's position as a leading international financial centre.

Central has been home to Hongkong Land since 1889 and the Group has continually supported the district's development. Today, the Group's ambition is to

combine long-term investment, place innovation and exceptional hospitality to strengthen Hong Kong's defining district for finance, luxury retail, art, culture and heritage, seven days a week.

This ambition has been brought to life through the Tomorrow's CENTRAL programme, which is delivering more than US$1 billion of investment by Hongkong Land and its tenants to transform LANDMARK. The programme is Hongkong Land's largest investment in Hong Kong for the last two decades and a clear statement of its confidence in the city's future.

Over the last year, Hongkong Land has also worked alongside the Government and the Hong Kong Tourism Board on Halloween in Central, Winter Wonderland and now Destination CENTRAL. These initiatives invite people to discover more of the district, support local businesses and strengthen Hong Kong's appeal as a destination thereby supporting Hong Kong's mega-event economy and its positioning as the events capital of Asia.

Hongkong Land's Destination CENTRAL campaign uses a Central Passport to connect the district's heritage, culture, and dining offerings into a cohesive visitor journey.In partnership with Hong Kong Tramways, Hongkong Land has recreated a first-generation tram and a heritage route tracing Central's transport history.

Michael T. Smith, Group Chief Executive of Hongkong Land, said: "Hongkong Land has helped shape Central for 137 years and our commitment to this district has never been stronger. We are proud to play our part in strengthening Central as a destination where commerce and culture come together, helping sustain this powerful engine for Hong Kong's economic growth and international connectivity."

Graeme Torre, Chief Executive, Hong Kong Central, said: "Central is the ecosystem that underpins Hong Kong as an international financial centre. It is also a district where people shop, dine and spend time, whether they work here, live nearby or are visiting the city. Our Destination CENTRAL campaign is one of the many ways Hongkong Land is continuing to deliver on the renewal of Central."

For programme details, please visit https://destinationcentral.hk.

Hashtag: #HongkongLand

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Hongkong Land

Hongkong Land is a major listed property development, investment and management group. It focuses on developing, owning and managing ultra-premium mixed-use real estate in Asian gateway cities, featuring Grade A office, luxury retail, residential and hospitality products. With over US$50 billion in assets under management, Hongkong Land's premium and ultra-premium mixed-use real estate footprint spans over 1.82 million sq. m. lettable area in operation and 1.57 million sq. m. lettable area under development, with flagship mixed-use projects in Hong Kong, Singapore and Shanghai. Its properties hold industry leading green building certifications and attract the world's foremost companies and luxury brands. Established in 1889, Hongkong Land takes a long-term view, investing significantly alongside its capital partners and concentrating its portfolio where it can create the most value for tenants, customers and investors. Hongkong Land Holdings Limited has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, with secondary listings in Singapore and Bermuda. Hongkong Land is a member of the Jardine Matheson Group.

Vietnam's healthcare spending forecast to reach US$34.1 billion: the technology adoption challenge

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:00:31 +0700

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Vietnam's healthcare spending is forecast to reach US$34.1 billion by 2028, while most medical equipment, finished medicines and active pharmaceutical ingredients are still imported; at the same time, policy is shifting its focus towards prevention and screening. Global Health Week Vietnam 2027 takes place against this backdrop, where healthcare facilities, businesses and investors come together to discuss solutions, partnerships and investment in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam - venue of Global Health Week Vietnam 2027. Photo: VEC.

Resources grow, and so does the need for innovation

Speaking at a workshop of the Health Strategy and Policy Institute on 24 December 2025, Dr Ong The Due said Vietnam's healthcare spending has grown by an average of around 7–8% a year: from US$17.4 billion in 2019 to an estimated US$27.5 billion in 2025, and is forecast to reach US$34.1 billion in 2028.

This growth comes with a shift in the direction of health care. Resolution 72-NQ/TW of the Politburo (September 2025) on protecting, caring for and improving people's health calls for a decisive shift from treatment-centred care to proactive prevention and continuous, life-course health care. Directive 17/CT-TTg of the Prime Minister (May 2026) calls for all citizens to receive a free periodic health check-up or screening at least once a year and to have a personal electronic health record by the end of 2026.

Funding has been allocated: the National Assembly has approved the investment policy for the National Target Programme on health care, population and development for 2026–2035 (Resolution 262/2025/QH15), with total funding of VND 88,635 billion (about US$3.4 billion) for 2026–2030, of which VND 47,692 billion is public investment capital. The second campus of Bach Mai Hospital (1,000 beds) has a 2025 procurement plan of 47 equipment packages worth more than VND 338 billion (about US$13 million).

The professional foundation is in place: Vietnam's essential health service coverage index reached 71 out of 100 in 2023, according to the World Bank; Vietnamese doctors have mastered multi-organ transplantation, fetal cardiac intervention and robotic surgery, performing more than 1,000 organ transplants a year. Yet at many facilities, equipment has not kept pace with the capabilities of the workforce.

The gap is clearly visible in the equipment market: according to the U.S. International Trade Administration (ITA), citing BMI forecasts, Vietnam's medical device market could grow from US$1.9 billion in 2024 to US$2.8 billion in 2029, while around 90% of equipment is still imported. Procurement therefore has to go hand in hand with technical transfer, consumables supply, data integration, maintenance and post-handover support.

The pharmaceutical sector faces a similar challenge: Vietnam imports around 60% of finished medicines and 90% of active pharmaceutical ingredients (ITA), while the National Strategy for Pharmaceutical Industry Development (Decision 1165/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister) targets domestically produced medicines meeting around 80% of demand and 70% of market value by 2030, with domestic raw materials meeting 20% of demand – which calls for manufacturing technology, quality control and technology transfer agreements with clearly defined responsibilities.

International capital is already present: the 2024 Statistical Yearbook records 159 valid FDI projects in health and social assistance, with registered capital of nearly US$1.77 billion. In 2023, Thomson Medical Group completed the acquisition of the company that owns FV Hospital, with an initial payment of US$352.8 million, and Raffles Medical Group signed a conditional agreement to acquire a controlling stake in and participate in the management of the American International Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City; AstraZeneca has committed to invest US$360 million in Vietnam through 2030.

From hospital needs to technology choices

Rising demand, expanding capital flows and the push for higher service quality are opening opportunities in Vietnam for global technology, infrastructure and solution providers; the next challenge is choosing the right solutions and putting them into operation. Global Health Week Vietnam 2027 takes place from 5 to 7 April 2027 at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC), Hanoi, co-organised by VEC and dmg events, and comprises three concurrent specialised exhibitions and conferences: Global Health Week Vietnam 2027 (health systems and care delivery), Laboratory & Diagnostics Vietnam 2027 (laboratory and diagnostics) and BioPharma Vietnam 2027 (pharmaceuticals and biotechnology).

The event targets around 30,000 attendees from more than 120 countries, including healthcare leaders, clinicians, administrators and decision-makers, among them 3,000 conference delegates; more than 500 exhibitors, more than 10 country pavilions and more than 300 domestic and international speakers.

Global Health Week Vietnam 2027 presents solutions in hospital infrastructure, operations, digital health, AI, preventive care and population health, alongside the high-level Global Health Week Vietnam Forum on health policy and investment, and the Innovation Theatre showcasing technology.

Laboratory & Diagnostics Vietnam 2027 addresses the need to strengthen testing capacity as screening expands, with the Diagnostics Innovation Zone covering molecular diagnostics, point-of-care technologies and AI-driven laboratory systems. BioPharma Vietnam 2027 focuses on manufacturing technology, quality standards and technology transfer, with Partnership & Investment Meetings bringing together manufacturers, investors and technology partners.

A need may begin at a patient's bedside, while the answer may lie half a world away from Vietnam. With fast-growing demand, capital already in place and an increasingly clear role in Asia's healthcare supply chain, Vietnam is a market that international suppliers are turning to. Global Health Week Vietnam 2027 creates more face-to-face meetings to close that distance: bringing technology closer to Vietnam's hospitals and patients and, from Vietnam, helping shape the future of healthcare in Asia.

Details and stand booking are available on each exhibition's website:
- Global Health Week Vietnam 2027: https://www.globalhealthweek-vietnam.com/
- Laboratory & Diagnostics Vietnam 2027: https://laboratoryandiagnostics-vietnam.com/
- BioPharma Vietnam 2027: https://biopharma-vietnam.com/

Hashtag: #VEC

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh, Hanoi is an international-standard exhibition and convention complex with a total area of around 900,000 m², comprising indoor exhibition halls, outdoor squares, a convention centre, a theatre and stadiums. VEC hosted the National Achievements Exhibition 2025, which welcomed more than 10 million visitors in 19 days, and specialised trade weeks such as Vietnam Industry and Technology Week 2026 (VITW 2026).

Website: https://vec.global/

About dmg events

Founded in 1989, dmg events organises more than 80 events a year in more than 20 countries, attracting over 1 million visitors and delegates, with flagship events including ADIPEC, Gastech, EGYPES, Big 5 Global and Abu Dhabi Global Health Week. Website: https://www.dmgevents.com/

Louis Vuitton’s Art of Travel pulls into the station at Louis Vuitton Central Station – the Landmark pop-up in Hong Kong

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 18:00:30 +0700

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Louis Vuitton unveils a new hoarding in Hong Kong following the iconic ones on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in September 2023, in New York in November 2024, and in Shanghai in June 2025 .

Louis Vuitton unveils in October 2026 a spectacular hoarding inspired by one of the House's most emblematic themes: the Art of Travel. Throughout the refurbishment, the façade is transformed into a grand train station, evoking the romance and golden age of travel. In celebration of the 130^rhanniversary of the Monogram, this reimagined station will also be decorated with the House's distinctive Monogram motif. Conceived as a tribute to the House's enduring fascination with travel, and as a nod to Hong Kong's comprehensive transportation history, the installation brings together heritage, imagination and architectural presence. In keeping with Louis Vuitton's commitment to more mindful creation, all materials used in the construction of the façade will later be reused or recycled. Designed to capture the city's vibrant energy, this striking installation will be established as a new monument for all.

Hashtag: #LouisVuitton

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Louis Vuitton

Since 1854, Louis Vuitton has brought unique designs to the world, combining innovation with style, always aiming the finest quality. Today, the House remains faithful to the spirit of its founder, Louis Vuitton, who invented a genuine "Art of Travel" through luggage, bags and accessories which were as creative as they were elegant and practical. Since then, audacity has shaped the story of Louis Vuitton. Faithful to its heritage, Louis Vuitton has opened its doors to architects, artists and designers across the years, all the while developing disciplines such as ready-to-wear, shoes, accessories, watches, jewellery, beauty, and fragrance. These carefully created products are testament to Louis Vuitton's commitment to fine craftsmanship.

For further information: www.louisvuitton.com

ONYX Hospitality Group Invites Travellers to Discover Phuket and Penang Through Faith, Heritage and Relaxation

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 16:00:31 +0700

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Faith and religious traditions have helped shape the identities of Phuket, Thailand, and George Town on the island of Penang, Malaysia. Their influence can be seen in places of worship, local customs and community life passed down through generations. Visiting these sacred sites offers an introduction to both destinations, while their historic neighbourhoods reveal architecture, food and everyday life shaped by a rich blend of cultures. Together, they offer stories to discover throughout the year.

In Phuket, a visit to Jui Tui Shrine in Soi Phuthorn, near Ranong Road, offers an introduction to the town's Chinese heritage. A spiritual centre for the community and an important site during the Vegetarian Festival, the shrine welcomes visitors wishing to pay their respects and admire its architectural details beyond the festival period. From here, travellers can explore the old town, where colourful Sino-Portuguese buildings house shops and restaurants that remain part of everyday life. Phuket Thai Hua Museum on Krabi Road provides further insight into the Chinese community's contribution to the town's development, while local dishes such as Hokkien noodles offer another connection to its heritage. These stories live on through both the historic surroundings and the traditions of the people who call Phuket home.

After exploring the town, a stay by the sea adds another dimension to the Phuket experience. Amari Phuket enjoys a peaceful, private setting at the southern end of Patong Beach, with views across the bay. Guest rooms and public areas feature contemporary Thai design that complements the local character, while treatments at Breeze Spa offer time to unwind. Guests wishing to explore further can turn to Amari Host for recommendations on routes and activities, helping them balance discovery with relaxation.

A diverse choice of dining experiences adds to the appeal of a stay at Amari Phuket, from afternoon tea at The TreePods, where boat-shaped dining spaces sit elevated amongst coastal trees, to sunset drinks and light bites at Samutr Bar, and dinner overlooking Patong Bay at La Gritta, which serves Italian cuisine, including homemade pasta and seafood. Each venue offers a different setting for family meals, relaxed conversations or special occasions with loved ones.

For travellers looking to combine cultural discovery with seaside activities, OZO Phuket, in the heart of Kata, offers a relaxed and welcoming base. Guests can begin the day with breakfast at EAT before visiting places of worship and exploring the old town, with OZO Connector on hand to recommend places and routes to suit their interests. Back at the hotel, the swimming pool and waterslides offer opportunities for families to enjoy time together. Kata Beach, approximately 150 metres away, provides another setting for seaside activities or a leisurely stroll. Guest rooms are designed for a restful night's sleep, helping travellers feel refreshed and ready to discover more of Phuket the following day.

In George Town, on the island of Penang, Malaysia, religious heritage offers another perspective on the city's cultural diversity. The beliefs and traditions of the Chinese community remain an integral part of its identity, while places of worship belonging to different faiths stand close together, reflecting a history of cultural coexistence. A starting point is the Goddess of Mercy Temple, also known as Kuan Yin Temple, on Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. One of Penang's oldest Chinese temples, it remains a spiritual centre for the community.

Nearby, St George's Church, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple and Kapitan Keling Mosque form part of the area known as the Street of Harmony, where visitors can discover different religious and architectural traditions, subject to each site's visiting arrangements. The journey can continue to Khoo Kongsi, the Khoo clan house known for its architecture and intricate decoration, before exploring Armenian Street, with its historic buildings, shops and works of art along the surrounding lanes. George Town's historic centre, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is also a living neighbourhood, where local businesses and community life continue amongst its heritage landmarks.

OZO George Town Penang, on Jalan Argyll, provides a convenient base for exploring the city and returning for a break during the day. Guests can ask OZO Connector for recommendations tailored to their interests, whether discovering cultural heritage, admiring architecture or seeking out local eateries that capture the flavours of Penang. After a day of sightseeing, the SPLASH swimming pool offers a place to unwind with views from above, while comfortable beds and blackout curtains support a restful night's sleep. The following morning, breakfast at EAT on the 21st floor comes with city views before another day of discovery.

Whether discovering Phuket's community traditions, exploring George Town's diverse places of worship or combining cultural excursions with time by the sea, travellers can shape their stay around what interests them most. These experiences reflect ONYX Hospitality Group's "More of What You Love" philosophy, connecting the character of each destination with the hospitality of its hotels. Each journey becomes an opportunity to enjoy favourite experiences while gaining a deeper understanding of the people, cultures and stories that make a place distinctive.

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ONYX Hospitality Group

ONYX Hospitality Group is a leading hospitality management company in Asia-Pacific, with a complementary portfolio of brands comprising Amari, OZO, Shama and Oriental Residence. Together, these brands serve the diverse needs of business and leisure travellers across the region, where ONYX has deep market expertise. Beyond accommodation, the Group also operates spa and food and beverage businesses. Drawing on six decades of management experience, ONYX delivers innovative hospitality solutions across the region while upholding internationally recognised standards and maintaining operational agility. By building enduring relationships with like-minded business partners, ONYX Hospitality Group delivers distinctive experiences in a dynamic and competitive market, responding to the evolving needs of today's travellers.

More information: www.onyx-hospitality.com
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IDJC 2026 Digelar di Pekanbaru, DJ Semua Genre Berebut Gelar Juara

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:30:50 +0700

PEKANBARU (MR) – Indonesia Disc Jockey Championship (IDJC) 2026 Region Riau membuka pendaftaran bagi seluruh disc jockey (DJ) tanpa batasan genre musik. Kompetisi yang digelar pada 22 November 2026 di Laksamana Muda Coffee & Live Space, Pekanbaru, ini menjadi ajang seleksi wilayah menuju kejuaraan nasional.

Ketua Persatuan Disc Jockey Indonesia (PDJI) Riau, Tony Roy, mengumumkan agenda tersebut melalui unggahan media sosial pada Jumat (23/10/2026). Kompetisi ini mengusung tema “RIAU: THE RISE OF DEEJAY | BATTLE OFF THE BEAT - Dari Lancang Kuning Untuk Indonesia”.

Tony mengajak para DJ untuk menunjukkan kemampuan dan bersaing dalam ajang tersebut.

"Jadilah DJ Terbaik, Tunjukkan Skill Anda. IDJC 2026 ini terbuka untuk SEMUA DJ dan SEMUA GENRE. Ini panggung pembuktian dari Riau untuk Indonesia. Tunjukkan bakat anda, bertanding dengan DJ terbaik, menang dan jadi juara," ujar Tony Roy.

Biaya Pendaftaran Rp250.000

Panitia menetapkan biaya pendaftaran sebesar Rp250.000, termasuk voucher makanan dan minuman. Calon peserta dapat memulai registrasi dengan memindai kode QR pada poster resmi IDJC 2026.

Setelah mengakses pendaftaran, peserta perlu mengikuti petunjuk yang tersedia dan menghubungi panitia untuk memastikan mekanisme pembayaran. Pembayaran dilakukan sesuai arahan panitia setelah kode QR dipindai.

Untuk informasi dan konfirmasi pendaftaran, calon peserta dapat menghubungi Akbar DP di nomor 0812-7061-5889, Reni Morena di nomor 0813-6514-6732, atau Anya White di nomor 0878-6336-1192.

Sementara itu, informasi mengenai aturan kompetisi dapat diperoleh melalui Lilix di nomor 0853-1024-1055 atau Melvo di nomor 0877-8542-8417.

Aturan Kompetisi dan Sistem Penilaian

Panitia menetapkan durasi semifinal selama lima menit dengan toleransi 15 detik. Pada babak final, peserta mendapat waktu tampil delapan menit dengan toleransi 15 detik dan waktu persiapan maksimal dua menit.

Peserta dilarang menampilkan aksi, musik, maupun suara yang mengandung unsur suku, agama, ras, dan antargolongan (SARA) serta pornografi.

Untuk mendukung penampilan peserta, panitia menyediakan dua unit CDJ 3000X, dua unit CDJ 3000, DJM A9, dan satu mixer. Penggunaan perangkat tambahan wajib dilaporkan terlebih dahulu kepada panitia.

Penilaian terdiri atas aspek teknis (technical) sebesar 65 persen dan penampilan panggung (showmanship) sebesar 35 persen. Peserta juga diharapkan menjaga etika dengan mengedepankan prinsip Good Performance, Good Attitude. Keputusan juri bersifat mutlak dan tidak dapat diganggu gugat.

Didukung Sejumlah Sponsor

IDJC 2026 Region Riau mendapat dukungan dari sejumlah sponsor, antara lain Avaskratch, Laksamana Muda, Arta Scorpii, Gen-Z, Nine 9, dan Dr's Clinique, serta puluhan merek pendukung lainnya.

Melalui kompetisi ini, PDJI Riau membuka ruang bagi para DJ untuk menunjukkan keterampilan, bersaing dengan peserta lain, dan memperjuangkan kesempatan menuju panggung nasional.

Wali Kota Dumai Letakkan Batu Pertama Pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 15:14:21 +0700

DUMAI (MR) – Wali Kota Dumai, H. Paisal, SKM, MARS, melakukan peletakan batu pertama pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai, Jumat (23/10/2026). Pembangunan gedung sekolah yang berlokasi di Jalan Bintan, Kecamatan Dumai Kota, ini menjadi bagian dari komitmen Muhammadiyah dalam mendukung peningkatan kualitas pendidikan di Kota Dumai.

Kegiatan tersebut dihadiri Ketua Pimpinan Daerah Muhammadiyah (PDM) Dumai, H. Syaipul, Wakil Ketua Mifanur, SH, Ketua Pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai, H. Sugiman, serta sejumlah pengurus Muhammadiyah lainnya.

Turut hadir Sekretaris Daerah Kota Dumai, Fahmi Rizal, anggota DPRD Kota Dumai Ediswan dan Kenda Guntara, para kepala sekolah SDIT dan SMPIT Muhammadiyah, serta sejumlah tamu undangan.

Peletakan batu pertama ini menandai dimulainya pembangunan fasilitas pendidikan yang diharapkan dapat menunjang kegiatan belajar mengajar sekaligus memperkuat keberadaan pendidikan Islam terpadu di Kota Dumai.

Dalam sambutannya, Ketua Pimpinan Daerah Muhammadiyah Dumai, H. Syaipul, menyampaikan bahwa pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah merupakan bagian dari upaya Muhammadiyah untuk meningkatkan kualitas pendidikan serta menyediakan fasilitas belajar yang lebih baik bagi generasi muda.

“Pembangunan ini diharapkan dapat memperkuat peran lembaga pendidikan Muhammadiyah dalam mencetak generasi yang berilmu, berakhlak mulia, serta mampu menghadapi tantangan perkembangan zaman,” ujar H. Syaipul.

Ia berharap pembangunan gedung tersebut dapat mendukung penyelenggaraan pendidikan yang berkualitas, sekaligus menjadi sarana dalam membentuk karakter peserta didik yang berlandaskan nilai-nilai keislaman.

Menurutnya, pendidikan memiliki peran penting dalam menyiapkan generasi penerus yang tidak hanya unggul secara akademik, tetapi juga memiliki akhlak dan karakter yang baik.

Sementara itu, Wali Kota Dumai, H. Paisal, menyampaikan apresiasi dan rasa bangganya terhadap Muhammadiyah yang terus menunjukkan kepedulian terhadap kemajuan pendidikan di Kota Dumai.

Ia menilai pembangunan fasilitas pendidikan merupakan investasi penting bagi masa depan daerah. Keberadaan sekolah dengan sarana dan prasarana yang memadai diharapkan dapat memberikan kesempatan lebih luas kepada masyarakat untuk memperoleh pendidikan yang berkualitas.

H. Paisal juga menyampaikan terima kasih kepada Muhammadiyah atas kontribusi dan partisipasinya dalam mendukung pembangunan sumber daya manusia melalui sektor pendidikan.

Ia berharap proses pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai dapat berjalan lancar sesuai rencana dan nantinya dimanfaatkan secara optimal untuk menunjang kegiatan belajar mengajar.

Dukungan berbagai pihak, termasuk organisasi kemasyarakatan dan lembaga pendidikan, dinilai penting dalam memperkuat upaya peningkatan kualitas sumber daya manusia di Kota Dumai.

Ketua Pembangunan Gedung SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai, H. Sugiman, menambahkan bahwa kehadiran fasilitas pendidikan yang semakin memadai diharapkan dapat mendukung perkembangan sekolah serta meningkatkan kualitas proses pembelajaran bagi para siswa.

Ia berharap SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai dapat terus berkembang dan berkontribusi dalam mencetak generasi penerus yang cerdas, berkarakter, berakhlak mulia, serta berlandaskan nilai-nilai keislaman.

Pembangunan gedung sekolah ini juga diharapkan menjadi langkah positif dalam memperkuat peran Muhammadiyah di bidang pendidikan, khususnya dalam menyediakan layanan pendidikan Islam terpadu bagi masyarakat Kota Dumai.

Peletakan batu pertama tersebut sekaligus menjadi momentum untuk mempererat sinergi antara Pemerintah Kota Dumai dan Muhammadiyah dalam memajukan dunia pendidikan.

Dengan dimulainya pembangunan gedung baru ini, SMP IT Ath Thaariq Muhammadiyah Dumai diharapkan dapat memiliki fasilitas yang semakin mendukung terciptanya lingkungan belajar yang nyaman dan berkualitas, sehingga mampu mempersiapkan generasi muda yang berilmu, berdaya saing, dan memiliki karakter Islami. (Mardi)

Kapolsek IPDA Bambang Pimpin Jumat Keliling, Keamanan Lingkungan Jadi Pesan Utama

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:22:22 +0700

PELALAWAN (MR) – Polsek Langgam memanfaatkan kegiatan Jumat Keliling untuk menyerap aspirasi warga sekaligus memperkuat keamanan dan ketertiban masyarakat (kamtibmas). Kegiatan tersebut berlangsung di Masjid Al-Inayah, Desa Segati, Kecamatan Langgam, Kabupaten Pelalawan, Jumat, 23 Oktober 2026.

Kapolsek Langgam IPDA Bambang Hermanto, S.H., M.H., memimpin kegiatan yang dimulai pukul 12.00 WIB itu bersama dua personel lainnya. Mereka berdialog dengan tokoh agama dan masyarakat untuk mendengarkan masukan, keluhan, serta persoalan keamanan di lingkungan setempat.

Dalam pertemuan tersebut, personel kepolisian menyampaikan pesan-pesan kamtibmas dan mengajak warga berperan aktif menjaga situasi tetap aman dan kondusif.

“Melalui kegiatan ini, kami menyampaikan pesan-pesan kamtibmas sekaligus mendengarkan aspirasi warga. Kami berharap komunikasi yang terjalin dapat memperkuat kerja sama dalam menjaga keamanan dan ketertiban,” ujar Bambang.

Selain membahas keamanan lingkungan, personel Polsek Langgam menyampaikan informasi mengenai perlindungan sosial (Perlinsos). Warga yang membutuhkan bantuan sosial diimbau memastikan data diri telah terdaftar dan sesuai dengan ketentuan yang berlaku.

Bambang menegaskan, upaya menjaga keamanan tidak hanya menjadi tanggung jawab kepolisian, tetapi juga membutuhkan keterlibatan masyarakat.

“Keamanan membutuhkan partisipasi seluruh elemen masyarakat. Kami mengimbau warga segera menyampaikan informasi atau permasalahan kepada pihak kepolisian,” katanya.

Melalui kegiatan Jumat Keliling, Polsek Langgam berharap komunikasi dengan masyarakat semakin terbuka sehingga berbagai persoalan keamanan dapat diketahui dan ditangani lebih cepat.

Kegiatan tersebut berlangsung tertib dan lancar tanpa kendala.

LeapThought and Google Cloud Partner to Secure and Connect Critical Building Infrastructure with Sovereign AI

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:00:30 +0700

The partnership pairs LeapThought's own AI with Google Cloud's Gemini models and sovereign Cloud offering, giving infrastructure owners control of their data and connected intelligence across the full project and asset lifecycle.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – LeapThought and Google Cloud today announced a strategic partnership to bring sovereign, domain-native AI to the owners and operators of critical building infrastructure, giving them control of their data and sharper decision-making across the full value chain, from delivery through operations.

Ratnakar Garikipati, Founder, Chair, and CEO of LeapThought, alongside Rahul Sharma, Google Cloud Managing Director, APAC Public Sector. The partnership combines LeapThought's specialized AI with Google Cloud's Gemini models and sovereign infrastructure to deliver secure data control and end-to-end intelligence for infrastructure assets.

The partnership has two priorities. The first is value chain integration, which connects everyone involved in delivering and running an asset — owners, operators, developers, consultants, contractors, and suppliers — on one governed platform. The second is security and sovereignty: owners can keep control of their data, within compliant, standardized frameworks that can be repeated from one program to the next.

FULCRUMHQ, LeapThought's globally recognized Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) platform, gives infrastructure owners the option to run on Google Cloud, including Google's sovereign, air-gapped solutions for defense, public sector, and private sector environments requiring high security. At its core is GENIEHQ, LeapThought's own Industrial AI, embedded directly into the platform and built to reason over the structured and unstructured data that defines a capital program — BIM models, GIS and geospatial data, ERP financials, schedules, contracts, reality capture, telemetry, and data from field robotics and sensors. The partnership pairs GENIEHQ with Google Cloud's Gemini models, giving owners and their delivery teams natural-language access to that data across a project and a portfolio.

The partnership delivers on these two priorities as follows:

1. Value Chain Integration: One Governed Record, Natural-Language Insight

Major capital and building infrastructure programs span owners, operators, developers, consultants, contractors, and suppliers — each typically working in separate systems, with design, construction, and operational data fragmented across handovers. LeapThought's FULCRUMHQ platform brings this information together into a single governed record that follows an asset from design through operation, giving owners a consistent view across their portfolio, not just a single project.

By running FULCRUMHQ — and the GENIEHQ Industrial AI embedded within it — on Google Cloud, and integrating LeapThought's proprietary data architecture with Google's Gemini models, the partnership enables:

Interactive Model and Portfolio Querying: Combining GENIEHQ's deep understanding of project and portfolio data with the multimodal capabilities of Gemini, owners, engineers, project managers, and field teams can ask complex, plain-language questions directly against BIM models and portfolio data — instead of manually clicking through complex 3D CAD/BIM model trees or running predefined filter scripts — such as identifying clash detections, extracting exact material quantities, verifying regulatory code compliance, or surfacing risk trends across a program (e.g., "Show me all fire-rated doors on Level 3 that don't match the latest spec," or "Which contractors across our portfolio have the highest rate of non- conforming work this quarter").
Global Scale and Reliability: Google Cloud provides the high-performance compute and elastic scalability needed to process compute-intense multi-gigabyte 3D models and point-cloud datasets, across a single project or an entire portfolio, in real time.

2. Security and Sovereignty: Full Control on Google Cloud's Sovereign Solutions

For critical civil assets, defense installations, public sector agencies, and private sector owners where data cannot traverse the public cloud, LeapThought gives owners the choice to deploy on Google Cloud's data residency solutions, including Google Cloud Data Boundary, Google Cloud Dedicated, and Google Distributed Cloud. In these environments, GENIEHQ, LeapThought's Industrial AI embedded within FULCRUMHQ, runs alongside Gemini locally, within the owner's chosen security boundary, ensuring zero cross-boundary exposure or unauthorized external telemetry.

"The value of an asset now lies as much in the intelligence around it as in its physical form. That intelligence belongs to the owner, and it must be secure, sovereign, and shared across the whole value chain. Demand for this is growing quickly, in Asia and around the world, and that is what brought us and Google Cloud together. We're starting from Singapore and building toward a standard for critical infrastructure everywhere," said Ratnakar Garikipati, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of LeapThought.

"Public sector and critical infrastructure agencies manage some of the most intricate engineering and regulatory datasets in the world. The partnership between Google Cloud and LeapThought enables project teams and portfolio owners to quickly surface actionable insights directly from complex BIM models and program data using everyday language. Combined with Google's sovereign, air-gapped solutions, we're providing agencies with the option to modernize project workflows while maintaining strict data governance, residency, and operational sovereignty," said Rahul Sharma, Managing Director, APAC Public Sector, Google Cloud.

Hashtag: #LeapThought

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About LeapThought

LeapThought is a US technology company that builds software connecting people, data, and AI across the infrastructure lifecycle. It is headquartered in Bellevue, Washington, has its Asia headquarters in Singapore, and operates across the United States, Brazil, Singapore, and New Zealand. Its FULCRUMHQ platform and embedded GENIEHQ Industrial AI serve public agencies, developers, consultants, contractors, and universities and institutes of higher learning. Clients include Singapore's Land Transport Authority, Building and Construction Authority, and JTC. The company was founded and led by Ratnakar Garikipati.

TokenPulse Opens Singapore APAC Operating Hub

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 13:00:29 +0700

New hub connects North American AI technology and demand with Southeast Asia’s expanding infrastructure ecosystem; company is building capacity across North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe

SAN FRANCISCO, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – TokenPulse, a next-generation AI inference infrastructure company headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore, today announced the opening of its Asia-Pacific Operating Hub in Singapore. The company marked the occasion with an opening ceremony attended by invited industry leaders and ecosystem partners, who gathered to discuss emerging opportunities in AI compute and global infrastructure.

Companies putting AI applications into production face rising inference costs, pressure to keep response times low, and often have to rebuild their platforms as workloads grow. Inference demand is climbing alongside: the global AI infrastructure market is projected to grow from $982 billion in 2025 to $1.98 trillion by 2027, doubling in size over the two-year period.

TokenPulse delivers high-performance, cost-efficient AI compute at global scale. By combining data-center resources, GPU infrastructure, an optimized inference engine and globally coordinated serving capabilities, the company serves foundation model companies, AI platforms, enterprises and AI-native applications.

Singapore as a Strategic Hub for a Global Infrastructure Network

TokenPulse is building its infrastructure footprint across North America, Asia-Pacific and Europe, with Singapore serving as its strategic center for APAC. The company's regional strategy is designed to connect North America's AI technology, customer and capital ecosystems with the expanding data-center and energy resources of Southeast Asia.

From Singapore, TokenPulse is positioned to work with partners across Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and the wider region. The hub will support regional operations, infrastructure partnerships and coordination across the company's global inference network, helping bring compute capacity closer to customers and AI workloads.

TokenPulse is taking a long-term approach to building an integrated AI infrastructure network, bringing together data-center, energy and compute resources to support growing AI inference demand across its global markets. The company is advancing multiple data-center projects with infrastructure partners across key markets, positioning itself for sustained capacity growth. Its infrastructure roadmap includes deployment of the latest-generation NVIDIA AI infrastructure, while its engineering focus remains on improving how effectively compute resources are converted into tokens and useful AI output.

"AI is undergoing a fundamental shift: compute demand is moving from training to inference. For businesses, inference is no longer a hidden cost sitting in the background. It is becoming a core competitive factor in determining whether AI products can successfully reach the market," said Steven Zhou, CEO of TokenPulse.

"As one of the fastest-growing regions for AI applications, developers in Asia Pacific are direct about cost and performance. By making Singapore our co-headquarters and APAC operating hub, we are putting our compute and our team closest to them to deliver better performance at lower cost."

Flexible Consumption and Deployment Options

TokenPulse offers three consumption models on a unified technology stack, allowing customers to start with smaller workloads and expand their compute capacity as their applications grow.

Serverless — Pay per Token: Provides unified API access for rapid deployment, model evaluation and variable workloads. It enables developers and AI-native applications to get started without committing to dedicated GPU capacity upfront.
On-Demand — Pay per GPU-Hour: Offers dedicated endpoints and predictable performance for customers with elastic compute requirements, supporting workload optimization as usage grows.
Reserved — Contracted Capacity: Provides dedicated, contracted compute capacity for sustained workloads and more customized infrastructure requirements.

TokenPulse offers three deployment options to accommodate different infrastructure, security and operational requirements:

TokenPulse Cloud. Managed GPU infrastructure for a streamlined path to production.
Private VPC. A TokenPulse-hosted environment with a dedicated network boundary and workload isolation.
BYOC (Bring Your Own Cloud). The TokenPulse inference engine can be deployed in a customer's cloud or VPC, or on the customer's own GPUs.

The company's commercial approach is built around a simple principle: "Start small. Scale without replatforming." Customers can begin by validating their applications through API-based access, then transition to GPU-based services or reserved capacity as demand increases. This lets businesses expand their AI workloads without having to switch providers or rebuild their platforms as their infrastructure needs change.

Optimizing Inference for Performance and Cost

TokenPulse's competitive advantage is the combination of high-standard data center infrastructure and deep inference optimization tailored to specific industry use cases. By optimizing open-weight models for vertical workloads, TokenPulse improves compute efficiency and serving throughput so customers can process more tokens at lower cost.

Key technology capabilities include:

Higher cache efficiency: TokenPulse uses HiCache and a multi-tier key-value (KV) caching architecture to reduce repeated computation. Its observed cluster-level cache hit rate can reach 95%.
Faster response times: With context parallelism enabled, TokenPulse has achieved a 50% reduction in 90th-percentile time to first token (P90 TTFT) and a 75% reduction in 99th-percentile TTFT (P99 TTFT) compared with the same workload without context parallelism enabled.
Global intelligent routing: A unified routing architecture directs requests across serving regions based on factors including customer requirements, model, region and time window. Nearest-edge access, session-context reuse and redundant network paths are designed to support low latency, high availability and efficient compute utilization.

Together, these capabilities are designed to help AI businesses improve inference economics while maintaining the responsiveness and reliability required for production workloads. Actual performance gains vary by workload and operating conditions.

Leadership With Deep Infrastructure Experience

TokenPulse's leadership and technical team bring experience spanning AI and machine learning infrastructure, cloud computing, networking, data centers and global business operations, including backgrounds at Microsoft, Google and Equinix.

CEO Steven Zhou is a serial entrepreneur with more than 20 years of experience scaling businesses across the United States and Asia. Chairman Thomas Pang brings more than 30 years of experience across government, investment, infrastructure and corporate leadership. He spent more than two decades with Keppel and served as CEO of Keppel's Data Centres & Networks Division from 2014 to 2024, overseeing the group's global data-center and digital-connectivity businesses.

"Singapore is a natural choice for building our APAC operating hub, given its mature data center ecosystem, strong network connectivity and deep talent pool," said Thomas Pang, Chairman of TokenPulse. "Our foundations are rooted in decades of experience across data centers, networking and cloud computing. Drawing on that experience in building and operating infrastructure at scale, we will continue investing in compute capacity and ecosystem support, delivering the best performance at the lowest cost per token."

Hashtag: #TokenPulse

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About TokenPulse

TokenPulse is a next-generation AI inference infrastructure company headquartered in San Francisco and Singapore. The company combines latest-generation GPU infrastructure, an optimized inference engine and global AI infrastructure capabilities to deliver high-performance, cost-efficient compute for foundation model companies, AI platforms, enterprises and AI-native applications worldwide.

With flexible Serverless, On-Demand and Reserved consumption models, TokenPulse enables customers to start with API-based inference and scale to dedicated GPU capacity as their workloads grow — without replatforming.

Learn more: www.tokenpulse.com

Shorter Trips, Familiar Ways to Pay: How Airpaz Supports Flexible Booking with 100+ Payment Methods

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 12:00:30 +0700

As younger travellers reshape travel across Asia Pacific, familiar payment options are becoming part of a smoother journey from search to booking.

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 October 2026 - Finding a suitable flight is only one part of booking a trip. For travellers comparing regional journeys online, the final decision can also depend on what happens at checkout, from the currency displayed to whether their preferred way to pay is available.

The payment options available at checkout can influence where consumers choose to complete a purchase. According to the 2025 Global Digital Shopping Index: Singapore Edition, 68% of Singapore consumers said access to their preferred payment option influences where they shop, while 41% described it as highly influential. Credit cards, debit cards and digital wallets also ranked among consumers' preferred payment methods for online purchases.

For travellers, this creates a simple expectation: even when the destination is overseas, checkout should not feel unfamiliar.

For travel platforms, this means convenience needs to extend beyond search and comparison to the final step of booking. Airpaz, a travel booking platform founded in 2011, adapts its booking experience to the market where the traveller is booking, supporting more than 100 payment methods, 61 currencies and 38 languages. In Singapore, available options include PayNow, alongside major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay and other payment methods.

"Travellers may be heading to the same destination, but how they prefer to complete a booking can differ significantly from one market to another," said Wesley Wijaya, Chief of Partnership at Airpaz. "Making familiar payment options available helps keep the final step of booking as straightforward as the search itself."

The importance of that convenience becomes even clearer as travel habits change. The Pacific Asia Travel Association's September 2026 Tourism in Focus report, produced with Euromonitor International, found that 11% of Gen Z travellers in APAC take day trips weekly, while 25% cite value for money as their primary trip criterion.

With Gen Z now representing nearly a quarter of total travel spending, these findings highlight the growing commercial importance of younger travellers and the emphasis they place on value when making travel decisions. For this group, the ability to compare a broad range of flights and complete payment using a familiar method can help make the overall booking journey more convenient and easier to repeat.

This is where breadth of choice also becomes important. Airpaz provides access to more than 450 airlines and over 600,000 routes worldwide, giving travellers options across short regional getaways as well as longer international journeys. Popular regional routes available through the platform include Singapore–Kuala Lumpur and Singapore–Bangkok.

"Convenience is about more than comparing fares," Wesley added. "It is also about how well a platform supports travellers throughout the booking journey, from evaluating their options to completing a transaction. Access to 24/7 live chat and travel protection options can provide an added layer of reassurance, particularly when plans change or travellers need support along the way."

Whether it is a short regional getaway or a longer holiday, payment flexibility gives travellers another layer of choice once they have found the fare, schedule and route that suit their plans. Airpaz also offers reschedule and refund add-ons, with 24/7 live chat available to support travellers when plans change after booking.

Travellers can compare available flight and booking options through Airpaz.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Airpaz

Airpaz is a Jakarta-headquartered travel booking platform founded in 2011. The company offers flight bookings, hotel and accommodation reservations, and activity bookings. Its mobile apps for iOS and Android support multiple currencies and languages, helping travellers plan and book in a more localised way. Airpaz partners with airlines and accommodation providers worldwide and aims to make travel planning simple, affordable and seamless from search to booking. Visit Airpaz to explore available travel options.

Choosing a Computing Degree in the AI Era: SIM Explains the Skills and Career Pathways to Compare

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:40 +0700

SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 October 2026 - The Singapore Institute of Management is encouraging prospective students to assess computing degrees by the capabilities they develop, rather than whether their titles feature artificial intelligence. Programming and mathematics requirements, opportunities to build and test systems, and the work students hope to pursue provide a more useful basis for comparison than the search for an "AI-proof" qualification.

This distinction matters as AI changes how work is performed. The Ministry of Manpower's (MOM) Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026 found that 18.9% of firms reported redesigning job functions in response to AI, compared with 6.2% reporting AI-related reductions in headcount or hiring. MOM's findings suggest that AI's impact was more evident in changes to existing work than in widespread job displacement.

For students considering whether to study computer science or another technology degree, the decision therefore extends beyond learning to use the latest tools. It involves understanding which programme will help them develop, evaluate and apply technology in the areas that interest them.

Computing knowledge extends beyond generating code

AI-assisted coding does not remove the need to understand how software works. GitHub's guidance on reviewing AI-generated code emphasises testing, checking whether code meets its intended requirements, and identifying security vulnerabilities or incorrect logic. These responsibilities require more than accepting a tool's output at face value.

Singapore's technology skills landscape also points to a range of capabilities. The Infocomm Media Development Authority's Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, which examines developments in 2024, reported technology workforce growth led by AI and data roles and cybersecurity. It also identified rising demand for skills involving AI, Python, SQL and cloud technologies.

Against this backdrop, students can assess a computing degree by how it develops their ability to solve problems, understand systems and check the reliability of their work, alongside the particular technologies it covers.

Different computing pathways emphasise different kinds of work

Programmes offered at SIM through its university partners illustrate the distinctions between broad computing foundations and more specialised areas of study.

The University of London's Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, developed by Goldsmiths, University of London, covers programming, algorithms, data structures and software development. Its published career directions include application programming, software engineering and systems analysis. For students interested in building software while exploring different computing areas, the breadth of compulsory and optional modules is an important point of comparison.

The University of London's Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence) combines computing foundations with specialist subjects including machine learning and neural networks, natural language processing and intelligent signal processing. Its listed career directions include machine learning engineering and software engineering involving machine learning. This pathway focuses on understanding and constructing intelligent systems, rather than simply using consumer AI applications.

The University of Wollongong's Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security) focuses on protecting digital systems. Its curriculum combines programming, networks and databases with subjects such as system security and ethical hacking. Potential career directions include security analysis and penetration testing. Students comparing this pathway should therefore examine both the security specialisation and the computing knowledge that supports it.

The University of Wollongong's Bachelor of Business Information Systems connects technology with organisational needs. Subjects include systems analysis, business process management and management information systems, alongside programming and mathematics. Its published career directions include systems analysis and IT consultancy. The programme illustrates why a business-oriented technology degree should not automatically be regarded as a non-technical alternative.

These career directions are possibilities rather than guaranteed outcomes. A useful comparison considers both the curriculum and the requirements of the roles a student hopes to pursue.

Programming and mathematics deserve early attention

Programme titles alone do not reveal the extent of technical study involved. The University of London's computer science degree includes introductory programming, computational mathematics and discrete mathematics in its first year. The University of Wollongong's cybersecurity and business information systems programmes both include Fundamental Programming with Python and Mathematics for Computing among their core subjects.

Students should distinguish between meeting admission requirements and being prepared for the learning ahead. Reviewing module descriptions, assessment methods and the progression from introductory to advanced subjects can help them understand the demands of a programme. For those new to coding, useful areas to investigate include the amount of independent practice expected, the role of laboratory assignments and the academic support available. For those considering an AI specialisation, the comparison should also examine how mathematical concepts are applied to developing and evaluating systems.

Practical projects should reveal how students think

Practical work provides another way to assess a degree. The University of London's computer science programme includes a final project in which students combine their knowledge and skills to create a software system. Its machine learning and AI pathway identifies a substantial practical project involving the construction of an AI system and its application to a problem.

Rather than looking only for the phrase "hands-on learning", prospective students can examine what a project requires them to demonstrate. Useful questions concern how problems are defined, how solutions are tested and how individual contributions are assessed in group work. For example, a recommendation-system project could be assessed not only on whether it produces suggestions, but also on whether the student can explain the data used, the evaluation method and the system's limitations. This distinction helps separate a working demonstration from a well-understood solution.

The decision should begin with the problems students want to solve

Building software, developing machine learning systems, investigating security weaknesses and improving business processes suggest different priorities when comparing degrees. Students can begin with the work that interests them, then examine the compulsory modules, specialist options and practical assessments that support that direction. The aim is not to identify a qualification that promises protection from every technological change. It is to choose a programme whose foundations and learning demands match the student's interests, while providing opportunities to develop and demonstrate their understanding.

References

Ministry of Manpower, Manpower Research and Statistics Department. Labour Market Report First Quarter 2026. - https://stats.mom.gov.sg/iMAS_PdfLibrary/mrsd-Labour-Market-Report-1Q-2026.pdf
Infocomm Media Development Authority. Annual Report and Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025 - https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/ar-sgde-2025
GitHub. Review AI-generated code - https://docs.github.com/en/copilot/tutorials/review-ai-generated-code
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science, University of London - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-science-honours-computer-science.
Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computer Science (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence), University of London - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-science-honours-computer-science-machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence
Bachelor of Computer Science (Cyber Security), University of Wollongong - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-computer-science-cyber-security
Bachelor of Business Information Systems, University of Wollongong - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/programme-listing/bachelor-of-business-information-systems
SIM IT and Computer Science Discipline - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/it-computer-science

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 170 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor's and master's degree programmes with some of the world's most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE's cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE's holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg

Lee Kum Kee and Le Cordon Bleu Drive Innovation for the Next Generation of Culinary Talent

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:37 +0700

Chef Vincent Liew of The Star Sydney Leads Students Through Modern Chinese Cuisine Programme as Partnership Enters Third Year

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Lee Kum Kee Sauce ("Lee Kum Kee"), the global leader in Asian sauces and condiments, concluded a master class at Le Cordon Bleu Australia's Melbourne campus on 19 October, where Chef Vincent Liew, Executive Chef of The Star Sydney led students through a five-course tasting menus built entirely around oysters. Themed "The Culinary Art of Modern Asian Cuisine", the session explored how traditional Chinese flavours and techniques can be reimagined through a contemporary lens.

Chef Vincent Liew demonstrates the versatility of Lee Kum Kee sauces for young chefs during a master class at Le Cordon Bleu's campus.

Chef Vincent demonstrated how Lee Kum Kee's signature sauces can be applied across a full fine-dining tasting menu, with oyster as the connecting ingredient in every course. From a delicate consommé to a caramelised dessert, the sauces bring a depth of umami that elevates every dish.

Chef Vincent Liew said, "I am incredibly proud to have been part of this collaboration and grateful for the opportunity to work with such dedicated and talented people. Together, we have shared knowledge, inspired future culinary talent and strengthened the connection between industry and education."

Chef Vincent Liew engages with young chefs, sharing the nuances of flavour exploration and modern culinary trends.

A Growing Partnership

The Melbourne session was the third and final master class of 2026, completing a full year of programming under a Lee Kum Kee and Le Cordon Bleu Australia partnership. The collaboration launched in 2025 with two master classes themed "A Taste of Modern Chinese Cuisine", introducing students to Sino-French fusion cooking and versatile applications of Lee Kum Kee sauces. Strong student and faculty feedback led the programmme to be expanded to three sessions in 2026 across Sydney and Melbourne campuses.

A signature highlight of the Sydney sessions was the Char Siu Pineapple Bun – a modern take on the classic Hong Kong street food, reimagined for a professional Western kitchen environment. Students learned how to use Lee Kum Kee's Premium Oyster Sauce and Premium Soy Sauce to create a rich, glossy char siu filling, then pair it with the buttery, crisp-topped pineapple bun that's beloved across Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. The result is a dish that bridges tradition and innovation – a familiar comfort food elevated with professional technique and quality ingredients.

Recreating Char Siu Pineapple Bun for fine-dining settings

"Working with industry leaders such as Lee Kum Kee enables us to connect classroom learning with contemporary industry practice," said a spokesperson for Le Cordon Bleu Australia. "These master classes inspire students to expand their culinary repertoire, embrace innovation and build the confidence needed to thrive in professional kitchens around the world."

"At Lee Kum Kee, we believe great food starts with great ingredients and even greater chefs," said Gary Hui, Business Development Director – Oceania from Lee Kum Kee Sauce. "Our partnership with Le Cordon Bleu is about investing in the next generation and sharing the true versatility of Asian sauces with kitchens across Australia. We're not just teaching techniques – we're helping shape the future of dining."

Lee Kum Kee and Le Cordon Bleu Australia plan to continue expanding the master class programme in 2027, with new themes and menu concepts in development.

Global Youth Culinary Immersion

The collaboration is part of Lee Kum Kee's flagship Global Youth Culinary Immersion initiative, which reflects the company's commitment to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide and supporting aspiring culinary talent. The initiative engaged with over 3,500 youthful culinary talents in 2025 across Australia, Bhutan, Canada, China, Malaysia, South Korea, Vietnam, the United Kingdom and United States.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Lee Kum Kee Sauce

Lee Kum Kee Sauce is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee Sauce’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee Sauce’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.

Guardian and Mannings launch Clera Cera, a dermatologist skincare range made for Asian skin

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:34 +0700

Clera Cera is a new science-led dermatological skincare brand, with nine products for everyday use.
Co-developed with Singapore's National Skin Centre, a member of NHG Health, with ingredients that fortify the Asian skin's natural barrier and lightweight textures suited to Asia's heat, humidity and pollution.
Its Skin Barrier Resilience System combines Derma-Clera™, powered by Cynanchum Atratum (Bai Wei) extract, with five skin-identical ceramides to Replenish, Repair and Relieve Asian skin.
Clera Cera was shaped by listening sessions and usage tests from more than 18,000 consumers across five Asian markets

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Clera Cera, a new science-led dermatological skincare brand made for Asian skin and designed for everyday use, launches today at Guardian and Mannings. Co-developed with an expert team from Singapore's National Skin Centre, a member of NHG Health, Clera Cera brings dermatologist-developed skin barrier care into everyday retail.

Heat, humidity and pollution can take a toll on Asian skin, and everyday habits such as frequent cleansing and use of harsh products strain the skin barrier. Research¹also suggests that Asian skin has a thinner outer layer, which makes the barrier more vulnerable to irritants. With about one in three people in Asia reported to have sensitive skin², the need for skincare designed for these realities is growing.

The launch of Clera Cera comes amid growing consumer demand across Asia for skincare that soothes sensitive skin, supports daily preventive care and is both science-backed and accessible. Clera Cera's mission is simple: to make effective, dermatologist-developed skincare designed for Asian skin part of everyone's daily routine.

"Clera Cera marks a new chapter for Guardian and Mannings. We are going beyond selling health and wellness products to creating them, with the clinical expertise of NHG Health's National Skin Centre behind us. It takes dermatology beyond clinical walls to a shelf where customers already shop, at a price that fits an everyday routine. This is the one of the many ways we continue to democratise wellness and it's what being our customers' Trusted Wellness Advisor means," said Curtis Liu, Chief Executive Officer, Health and Beauty, DFI Retail Group.

Clera Cera is the first initiative focused on dermatological skin care under the long-term partnership between DFI Retail Group and NHG Health announced in October 2025 to strengthen preventive care and widen access to everyday health and wellness. It is the first time a public healthcare cluster in Singapore has worked with a retailer to make safe and effective health solutions backed by clinical research even more accessible to the public in Singapore and across Asia.

"One of NHG Health's mission is to enhance the health of the population we serve. Partnerships like this allow us to translate clinical knowledge and research into everyday health. What makes this collaboration with DFI Retail Group meaningful is that we are able to bring evidence-based care to people where they are, beyond the hospital and clinic. Skin health is only the starting point. The wider opportunity is in areas such as elderly nutrition and home care, which will be explored for our ageing population," said Professor Benjamin Seet, Group Chairman Medical Board (Research), NHG Health.

A Science-led Skin Barrier Resilience System to Replenish, Repair and Relieve Asian Skin

Clera Cera was co-developed with a leading dermatology team at Singapore's National Skin Centre, a member of NHG Health. Associate Professor Tey Hong Liang, who led the formulation of it with Ms. Winnie Choo, Principal Pharmacist, is ranked among the world's top 2% of scientists by Stanford University and Elsevier. The team's work spans more than 55 healthcare-related national and international awards, grants and fellowships for advancing skin health.

The core essence of Clera Cera's formulation is a Skin Barrier Resilience System that combines two key components:

Derma-Clera™, powered by Cynanchum Atratum (Bai Wei) botanical extract, that helps soothe the skin;
Five skin-identical ceramides that help replenish essential lipids within the skin barrier, supporting hydration, repair and strength.

Working like building blocks, they help reinforce the Asian skin's natural barrier by supporting healthy barrier in three ways:

Replenish: Restores skin hydration, with moisture-attracting ingredients such as saccharide isomerate
Repair: Strengthens the skin barrier with five skin-identical ceramides
Relieve?: Soothes the skin with Derma-Clera™, ?powered by a Cynanchum Atratum (Bai Wei) extract.

"Exposure to pollution and a warm, humid climate, together with frequent cleansing and use of harsh products weaken the protective barrier of the Asian skin over time. In our clinics, we often see this in patients with sensitive skin. The barrier depends on natural lipids such as ceramides, and it is best supported by gentle, consistent care, using lightweight formulations that people find comfortable applying every day,"said Associate Professor Tey Hong Liang, Clinical Director of the Centre for MedTech and Innovations, NHG Health, and Senior Consultant Dermatologist, National Skin Centre.

Made for Asian skin with feedback from Asian consumers

Shaped by listening sessions and usage tests from more than 18,000 consumers across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam, Clera Cera overcomes common frustrations such as use of artificial fragrances and having sticky textures. The affordable, clean formula is designed for sensitive skin in humid climates.

The nine-product range spans body, face, targeted serums, and sun care made for Asian skin. Clera Cera is available now in Singapore, exclusively at Guardian Health & Beauty stores and online, and selected NHG Health pharmacies. Rollout in Brunei, Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Macau and Vietnam will follow, reaching eight markets across Asia, at more than 1,500 Guardian and Mannings stores and online.

Body Care

The lineup features the Gentle Hydrating Cleanser alongside the Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion, both suitable for sensitive, eczema-prone skin and babies from three months old. Both are formulated with the ingredient, saccharide isomerate, which provides 24-hour hydration in the non-soap cleaner and 72-hour hydration in the lotion. In a home user trial involving 104 participants, 89% of panellists agree that the lotion soothes skin in just three minutes.

Face Care

Daily facial care includes the Micellar Water Gentle Makeup Remover, Hydrating Foaming Face Wash, and Barrier Hydrating Aqua Cream. Engineered to prevent clogged pores in humid climates, the line removes waterproof makeup with micellar water while the foaming wash and aqua cream containing the ingredient saccharide isomerate delivers up to 24 hours and 72 hours of skin-balancing moisture respectively.

Target Serums

Intensive treatment is delivered through the B3 TXA Brightening Dark Spot Serum and Retinol Age Defense Serum. These contain active ingredients that target specific skin concerns while supporting the skin barrier.

Suncare

Broad-spectrum protection features two mineral formulas: the Daily Defense Physical Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 PA+++ and the Tone Up Physical Sunscreen Serum SPF 50 PA+++. Powered by Nano Zinc Oxide, both sunscreens reflect UVA/UVB rays and block 95% of blue light, featuring 40-minute water resistance.

[1] Infant Skin Barrier, Structure, and Enzymatic Activity Differ from Those of Adult in an East Asian Cohort. BioMed Research International. 2018. Liu Q, Zhang Y, Danby SG, Cork MJ, Stamatas GN.

[2] Chen W, Dai R, Li L. The prevalence of self-declared sensitive skin: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020;34(8):1779–1788. DOI: 10.1111/jdv.16166 Meta-analysis comprising 26 studies and 51,783 participants globally, with a pooled Asian prevalence of 31% (95% CI 16–45%).

Hashtag: #cleracera #Guardian #Mannings #dermatologist #skincare

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Clera Cera

Clera Cera is a science-led dermatological skincare brand made for Asian skin. Co-developed with the National Skin Centre, NHG Health, Singapore, the brand combines deep Asian skin expertise with dermatological science to deliver effective yet gentle care for everyday Asian life. Its Skin Barrier Resilience System is designed to support the way Asian skin naturally repairs itself, helping to replenish, repair and relieve for a strong, resilient Asian skin barrier.

FOMO Pay and PantherTrade Establish Travel Rule Connectivity for Digital Asset Transfers

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 10:00:31 +0700

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – FOMO Pay, a leading Singapore-headquartered payment institution, and PantherTrade (Hong Kong) Limited ("PantherTrade"), a licensed Hong Kong virtual asset trading platform wholly owned and self-built by leading technology-driven financial services company Futu Holdings Limited (Nasdaq: FUTU, "Futu"), have established Travel Rule connectivity to streamline digital asset transfers between their platforms.

The connectivity enables eligible FOMO Pay clients to transfer digital assets directly from their FOMO Pay business accounts to PantherTrade without routing through external third-party wallets. Required Travel Rule information is exchanged as part of the transaction workflow, supporting compliance requirements for eligible transfers.

The collaboration brings together FOMO Pay's payment and digital asset infrastructure with Futu's digital asset trading ecosystem. It expands access for a broader community of investors to Futu's seamless service experience and diverse range of investment products, creating a more connected and intuitive pathway between digital assets and investing.

As businesses and institutions increasingly incorporate digital assets into treasury, investment and trading strategies, connectivity between regulated payment and trading platforms can help simplify transactions while supporting compliance requirements.

Leona Gan, Director of Business Development at FOMO Pay, said: "Digital assets are becoming an increasingly integrated part of the global financial system. Connecting payments, trading and financial infrastructure through trusted, compliant rails will be essential to this evolution. Our collaboration with PantherTrade is another step towards enabling more seamless digital asset transfers and a more connected financial ecosystem."

Sherry Zhu, Global Head of Digital Assets at Futu, said: "Our collaboration with FOMO Pay marks PantherTrade's first Travel Rule integration with an overseas licensed institution. By enabling compliant cross-border digital asset transfers, we are building a bridge to a more connected Web3 ecosystem, while keeping regulatory compliance and investor protection at the core."

The collaboration underscores the continued development of infrastructure connecting payments and regulated digital asset markets, supporting the evolving needs of businesses and institutional participants.

Hashtag: #DigitalPayment #DigitalBanking #DigitalAsset #FinTech #FOMOPay #PantherTrade #Futu

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

FOMO Pay

Founded in 2015, FOMO Pay is a payment institution licensed in Singapore, Hong Kong and the Middle East. The firm has become a leading one-stop digital payment, digital banking, and digital asset solution provider. It is currently building Asia's fully licensed financial platform, helping institutions and businesses connect between traditional and next-generation financial services. The firm offers its three flagship products:

FOMO Payment – One-stop digital payment solution for merchants, corporates and financial institutions
FOMO iBiz – Facilitate businesses' everyday requirements for transactional banking needs
FOMO Treasury – Corporate cash management and investment solutions for liquidity optimisation and earning yield

Visit www.fomopay.com for more information. For media inquiries, contact .

Qashier Launches QashierGM, an AI General Manager That Works With the Whole Team

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:00:28 +0700

QashierGM works from each merchant's own sales, payouts and menu, and gets routine work done with the owner's approval. With Crew, Qashier's new team chat, anyone on the team can tag @GM to get things done, and QashierGM acts only within each person's role.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 – Qashier, the unified merchant operating system serving more than 25,000 businesses across Southeast Asia, today launched QashierGM, an AI general manager that works with a merchant's whole team. Available at no additional cost to all Qashier merchants in Singapore, QashierGM lives in QashierHQ, the web and mobile app (Android and iOS) merchants use to manage their sales, payouts, products and staff. Owners can ask it about sales, payouts and products in plain language. Merchants on the Qashier plan also get Crew, a new team chat where staff can bring QashierGM into any conversation by tagging @GM. Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines follow in November.

Because QashierGM works directly from each merchant's own transactions and settlements, it can do what a general-purpose chatbot cannot: explain, line by line, why a payout is lower than the day's sales, or show which outlet is underperforming this week. Owners get answers grounded in their actual operations, without piecing together reports.

"Most small business owners can't afford a general manager, so they become one after closing, going through reports at midnight," said Christopher Choo, Co-Founder and CEO of Qashier. "QashierGM is the manager they never had. It already knows the business, takes on the routine work and never makes a change without asking. With Crew, it now works alongside the whole team, not just the owner."

The launch follows an open beta that began in September with merchants ranging from single-outlet cafés and shops to multi-outlet chains, with F&B operators the most active. Their most common questions were about sales trends, best sellers and payouts, and with the year-end festive season approaching, many are asking QashierGM to suggest festive promotions built around their most popular items.

Jun Rong, Operations Manager of Coexist Coffee Co., likens using QashierGM to talking to his store managers, only faster. "Running a café means wearing every hat, and the numbers usually wait until after closing. QashierGM already knows our sales, payouts and menu, so I just ask. When we plan a promotion, it suggests ideas based on what our customers actually buy, and nothing changes until I confirm. It feels like having a general manager who's been with us from day one."

QashierGM also takes routine admin off the owner's plate. An owner can ask it to update a price, mark an item as sold out or add a new product, and QashierGM shows a card with exactly what will change and where. Nothing goes live until the owner taps confirm. Multi-outlet operators can compare stores, spot the one underperforming and push a change to every store in one request. Store managers see and change only their own store. Owners can also set alerts in their own words, such as "alert me on any unusual refunds" or "tell me when the first staff clocks in", and QashierGM tells them when it matters.

Crew: the whole team, with QashierGM in the conversation

Crew, included in the Qashier plan and Enterprise plans, gives a merchant's team a work chat of its own, separate from personal messaging groups where messages get lost and former staff keep the history. Owners, managers, kitchen and floor staff get private direct messages, group chats by team or department, and announcements with read receipts. Anyone can tag @GM to check a number, update an item or send a customer an invoice with a payment link. QashierGM acts only with the permissions of the person who tagged it, sends bigger changes to whoever can approve them right in the chat, and posts an update when an invoice is paid. It only sees the conversations it is tagged into.

On a typical day, a floor staff member can mark a dish sold out, a manager can approve a price change from her phone, and an owner can send an event deposit invoice and see it paid, all in the same app. Crew and QashierGM work in all major languages used across the region, including English, Mandarin Chinese, Malay and Thai.

Connectors to third party apps such as Gmail and Google Business Profile arrive in November, extending QashierGM beyond Qashier to supplier emails, customer enquiries and Google reviews. "A good general manager handles the work wherever it lands, not just inside one system," added Choo. "This is the first step."

Qashier processes more than US$1 billion in annualised payment volume for over 25,000 merchants across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines. The company has been profitable since December 2025 and raised US$6.125 million in Series A+ financing in June 2026. QashierGM is available now to all Qashier merchants in Singapore through QashierHQ on web, Android and iOS, at no additional cost. Crew is included in the Qashier plan and Enterprise plans. Both launch in Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines in November. To learn more, visit https://qashier.com/sg/.

Hashtag: #Qashier #QashierGM

Tiktok:

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Qashier Pte. Ltd.

Qashier is a unified merchant operating system that brings together payments, business software, embedded financial services and customer engagement tools on one platform. Operating across Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines, Qashier supports more than 25,000 SMEs with an integrated ecosystem built for Southeast Asia's digital economy. Qashier is licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore as a Major Payment Institution. Founded in Singapore in 2019, Qashier gives merchants an AI general manager, QashierGM, and a team chat, Crew, through QashierHQ.

The iGarden K70 AI Pool Cleaner Now Available with US$600 Black Friday Savings and Two Bonus Gift Packages

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 08:00:34 +0700

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - Media OutReach Newswire - 23 October 2026 - As Black Friday approaches, iGarden is offering a special promotion on the K70 AI Pool Cleaner, designed to make pool maintenance smarter, easier and more convenient. Priced at US$699, down from its regular price of US$1,299, the iGarden K70 offers US$600 in savings, with both complimentary gift packages included with every K70 purchase. The promotion runs through November 27, 2026, giving customers a limited-time opportunity to take advantage of the offer.

Up to 7 Hours of Floor Cleaning on a Single Charge

With up to 7 hours of floor-only cleaning on a single charge, the K70 is designed for extended cleaning sessions without frequent interruptions. It is suitable for pools up to 6 × 12 metres and offers cumulative cleaning coverage of up to 7,233 sq. ft. per charge.

For more comprehensive cleaning, the K70 can tackle floors, walls, waterlines and slopes. Its runtime varies depending on the selected cleaning mode, with up to 3.75 hours of full-coverage cleaning.

Intelligent Navigation and Multi-Surface Cleaning

The K70 combines 3D S-Path navigation with intelligent cleaning modes to help it move systematically through the pool. Designed to clean multiple surfaces, it offers flexible cleaning options for homeowners who want to spend less time managing pool maintenance and more time enjoying their pool.

A 4-litre filter basket, featuring 180-micron mesh and a 50-micron fine filter, helps capture debris during cleaning. With app control via Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, users can also manage cleaning options conveniently.

Black Friday Savings and Two Complimentary Gift Packages

As part of the Black Friday promotion, every iGarden K70 purchase includes both complimentary gift packages:

Package A: Two LED floating pool lights, 1,000 iGarden VIP reward points and a three-month extended warranty.

Package B: A pool cleaner storage bag (to be shipped separately in late November), a towel, a fridge magnet set, and a pair of swimming goggles.

Shop the Black Friday Offer

Pool owners looking to upgrade their pool maintenance routine can take advantage of the iGarden K70's Black Friday offer while stocks last. Visit iGarden's official store for product details and the latest promotional information.

Hashtag: #TheiGardenK70AIPoolCleaner

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

EBANX is the first global payments company to launch recurring payments through OPay in Nigeria

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 07:00:57 +0700

Integration gives global subscription businesses, from streaming to SaaS, a direct way to reach 40 million monthly active OPay users

CURITIBA, BRAZIL and LAGOS, NIGERIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 October 2026 — EBANX today becomes the first global payments company to go live with OPay Direct Debit, a new solution for recurring transactions within the digital wallet of OPay, the leading digital bank in Nigeria. By offering this payment option at checkout through EBANX, global subscription businesses can now reach OPay's 40 million monthly active users, representing one in three adults in the country.

"With one of the continent's highest mobile penetration rates and a young, fast-growing population, Nigeria is expected to remain Africa's largest and most strategic digital market over the next decade," said Eduardo de Abreu, Chief Product Officer (CPO) of EBANX. "Being the first global payments company to go live with recurring payments through OPay is a testament to the access EBANX has built in emerging markets."

Nigeria is Africa's largest e-commerce market, valued at USD 30 billion, according to World Data Lab (WDL) data analyzed by EBANX, and is expected to grow further, with the country projected to add 32 million new consumers to the consumer class by 2036.

In Nigeria, credit card ownership stands at just 5% among adults, while mobile phone penetration reaches 84%, according to the World Bank. "This difference creates a significant opportunity for global merchants to expand recurring payment coverage beyond traditional card-on-file models," stated Abreu.

According to WDL, 95% of all online spend in Nigeria already comes from consumers without a credit card, a share expected to remain nearly unchanged for the next 10 years.

Digital wallets and bank transfers are Nigerians' preferred way to pay, together accounting for 65% of the country's e-commerce volume, according to Payment and Commerce Market Intelligence (PCMI) data analyzed by EBANX.

OPay lets Nigerian consumers make purchases through its digital wallet and bank transfers, as well as set up recurring payments. For these transactions, users make a one-time authorization directly in the app, enabling global merchants to collect future subscription charges without requiring customers to be present or re-enter payment details for every transaction.

"Our partnership with EBANX isn't just processing transactions; it's shaping the future of digital payments across the region," said Elizabeth Wang, Chief Commercial Officer, OPay. "This will give Nigerians an easy, fast and convenient way to pay for the global digital services they love, from streaming platforms to online tools. With OPay Direct Debit, customers can enjoy a simple payment experience while staying in control of their subscriptions," added Wang.

Scaling subscriptions in Africa and beyond

The announcement follows a similar EBANX initiative in South Africa, where Canva became the first international company to offer recurring payments through Capitec Pay's account-to-account solution. With the integration, the SaaS merchant expanded subscription access for South African consumers via their bank accounts. EBANX's integration of OPay Direct Debit extends this same alternative recurring strategy to Nigeria.

"Nigeria is the latest proof point on how EBANX scales operationally across emerging markets, not by replicating a single playbook, but by building the right integration for each local market," said Marin Mignot, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of EBANX.

"The gap between how people actually pay and the payment methods merchants have historically supported is exactly where we see the most room to grow, and OPay Direct Debit is one more example of building that bridge for global merchants," noted Mignot.

The launches in Nigeria and South Africa are also part of a broader global push. Including these two countries, EBANX offers recurring alternative payment solutions in 13 emerging markets across Asia, Africa, and Latin America, enabling global merchants to potentially reach more than 1 billion consumers* who rely on local payment methods such as digital wallets and account-to-account transfers.

*1.116 billion people use alternative payment methods (APMs) across the following 13 emerging markets, based on data from the operators of the most used APMs in each country and Statista: Nigeria (OPay), South Africa (Capitec Pay),Brazil (Pix), India (UPI), Colombia (Nequi), Peru (Yape), the Philippines (GCash), Indonesia (DANA), Malaysia (TrueMoney), Mexico, Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay (Mercado Pago).

Hashtag: #EBANX #OPay #Fintech #Payments #Africa #Nigeria

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

ABOUT EBANX

EBANX is the leading technology company connecting global businesses to the world's fastest-growing digital markets. Founded in 2012 in Brazil, EBANX was built with a mission to expand access to international digital commerce. Leveraging proprietary technology, deep market expertise, and robust infrastructure, the platform enables global businesses to offer hundreds of local payment methods and streamline cross-border payments across Latin America, Africa, and Asia. With a global footprint, it established a technology and regulatory headquarters in Singapore in 2026. More than just payments, EBANX drives growth, enhances sales, and delivers seamless purchase experiences for businesses and end users alike.

For further information, please visit:

Website: https://www.ebanx.com/en/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebanx

ABOUT OPAY

Launched in Nigeria in 2018, OPay is a leading digital bank serving tens of millions of consumers and millions of businesses. OPay connects people outside the traditional banking system to payments, transfers, savings, and smart business solutions that make everyday financial transactions simpler, safer, and more accessible. OPay aspires to serve billions of users and millions of merchants worldwide in the coming decades, while generating both jobs and economic opportunity.

For further information, please visit:

Website: https://www.opay.ltd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/opay/

New Asia Forum 2026 Targets US$30 Billion in Investment Mobilization, Positions Indonesia as a Gateway to Asia’s Growth

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 00:00:32 +0700

JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2026 – The New Asia Forum (NAF) 2026 aims to mobilize US$30 billion in investment across the New Asia region by strengthening strategic partnerships and accelerating investment execution. Held under the patronage of President Prabowo Subianto, with Danantara Indonesia as a founding partner, the forum will take place on 3–4 December 2026 in Bali, Indonesia.

NAF 2026 is designed as an action-oriented platform connecting global investors, industry leaders, and policymakers to advance investment opportunities across strategic sectors. Moving beyond conventional economic dialogue, the forum seeks to translate investment interest into concrete commitments, financing structures, and measurable outcomes.

Pahala Nugraha Mansury, Managing Director of Global Relations & Communications at Danantara Indonesia, emphasized Asia's growing potential to attract long-term global capital amid shifting economic and geopolitical dynamics.

"Our focus is on encouraging long-term capital to recognize the many investment opportunities across Asian countries, because this is precisely where the center of gravity for growth lies. This will enable growth at scale, anchored by ASEAN and driven by Indonesia as the largest country in ASEAN," said Pahala.

The Asia-Pacific region currently accounts for nearly 60% of global economic growth. However, long-term international capital allocation to the region remains below its potential, presenting significant opportunities for greater investment collaboration.

NAF 2026 expects to convene more than 1,000 global leaders, feature over 100 speakers, and host more than 40 sessions involving sovereign wealth funds, institutional investors, development finance institutions, multinational corporations, and government representatives. Notable speakers include President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia; Masayoshi Son, Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Group; Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan; Kathleen Quirk, Chief Executive Officer of Freeport-McMoRan; Matteo Renzi, former Prime Minister of Italy; and Israfil Mammadov, Chief Executive Officer of the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The forum will follow a two-day structure: Discovery & Diligence on 3 December, focusing on investment opportunities, feasibility, and transaction structures; and Action & Execution on 4 December, advancing capital commitments, strategic partnerships, and implementation milestones.

Eight priority sectors will anchor the discussions: strategic resources and downstreaming; energy and power; advanced mobility and manufacturing; digital infrastructure and AI; food and agribusiness; trade and connectivity; tourism and creative economy; and education and human capital.

As a founding partner, Danantara Indonesia will participate as a co-investor alongside global partners, supporting investment in strategic sectors and reinforcing Indonesia's role in regional economic transformation.

Through its transaction-focused approach, NAF 2026 aims to deliver preliminary investment agreements, bankable financing structures, and clearly defined implementation milestones. Investment commitments and progress will be tracked across subsequent editions to promote accountability, continuity, and tangible economic impact for Indonesia and the wider region.

Hashtag: #NewAsiaForum2026

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Tim Konferkot Dumai Tutup Pendaftaran, Bambang Prayetno Jadi Calon Tunggal Bacalon Ketua PWI Kota Dumai

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:59:01 +0700

DUMAI (MR) – Panitia Konferensi Kota (Konferkot) Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (PWI) Kota Dumai resmi menutup tahapan penerimaan dan pengembalian formulir bakal calon ketua, Kamis (22/10/2026). Hingga batas akhir pendaftaran, hanya satu bakal calon yang menyerahkan berkas, yakni Bambang Prayetno.

Penutupan tahapan pencalonan tersebut menandai berakhirnya proses penerimaan dan pengembalian formulir yang berlangsung selama empat hari, mulai 19 hingga 22 Oktober 2026. Pada hari terakhir, panitia menerima berkas pendaftaran Bambang Prayetno untuk selanjutnya menjalani proses pemeriksaan sesuai ketentuan organisasi.

Ketua Panitia Konferkot PWI Kota Dumai, Doni Kesuma Putra, didampingi Sekretaris Panitia Muhammad Zainuddin dan perwakilan Steering Committee (SC), Irmen Sani, menjelaskan bahwa pemeriksaan kelengkapan dokumen telah dilakukan saat bakal calon menyerahkan berkas pencalonannya.

Mengacu pada Pasal 27 Ayat 2 Peraturan Dasar PWI dan Peraturan Organisasi Tahun 2026, bakal calon ketua wajib memperoleh dukungan sekurang-kurangnya 15 persen dari jumlah anggota yang tercantum dalam Daftar Pemilih Sementara (DPS) revisi yang ditetapkan PWI Pusat. Dukungan tersebut harus berasal dari Anggota Biasa PWI yang terdaftar dalam DPS revisi di wilayah konferensi terkait, disampaikan secara tertulis, serta dinyatakan sah setelah melalui verifikasi.

“Selain dukungan anggota, bakal calon juga harus memenuhi persyaratan keanggotaan, kompetensi wartawan, dan pengalaman organisasi. Seluruh persyaratan diperiksa berdasarkan aturan yang berlaku agar proses pencalonan berjalan tertib dan transparan,” kata Doni.

Persyaratan administrasi yang harus dipenuhi meliputi formulir pendaftaran, fotokopi Kartu Tanda Anggota (KTA) PWI biru atau Anggota Biasa, sertifikat Uji Kompetensi Wartawan (UKW), KTP, dua lembar pasfoto berwarna berlatar merah ukuran 4x6, daftar riwayat hidup, serta surat keterangan dari perusahaan pers tempat bakal calon bekerja. Bakal calon juga wajib berstatus Anggota Biasa PWI sekurang-kurangnya satu tahun dan memiliki sertifikat kompetensi wartawan minimal jenjang Madya.

Selain persyaratan administrasi dan kompetensi, bakal calon harus menyertakan surat pernyataan bukan ASN atau PNS, dengan pengecualian bagi pegawai RRI, TVRI, dan LKBN Antara sesuai ketentuan organisasi.

Bakal calon juga tidak boleh menjadi pengurus partai politik maupun anggota organisasi sejenis, harus memenuhi ketentuan pengalaman organisasi PWI, serta tidak sedang menjalani sanksi yang menghilangkan hak untuk dipilih. Setiap bakal calon juga diwajibkan menyatakan kesediaan mematuhi AD/ART, Kode Etik Jurnalistik, Kode Perilaku Wartawan PWI, peraturan organisasi, keputusan organisasi yang sah, serta menandatangani pakta integritas.

Ketua SC, Yulius Medi menyampaikan bahwa berkas pencalonan Bambang Prayetno telah dinyatakan lengkap setelah melalui pemeriksaan panitia. Dari hasil verifikasi, berkas tersebut dilengkapi 30 lembar surat dukungan dari total 45 anggota yang tercantum dalam DPS revisi terbitan PWI Pusat.

“Setelah dilakukan verifikasi, berkas bakal calon kami nyatakan lengkap,” ujarnya.

Selanjutnya, berkas pencalonan ini akan diserahkan kepada PWI Provinsi Riau untuk diteruskan ke PWI Pusat. Panitia kini menunggu persetujuan dari PWI Provinsi Riau dan PWI Pusat sebagai bagian dari tahapan menuju Konferkot PWI Kota Dumai yang dijadwalkan berlangsung pada 31 Oktober 2026, dengan agenda utama pemilihan ketua untuk periode berikutnya.

Historic APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting 2026 successfully wraps up in Hong Kong

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 19:00:34 +0700

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2026 – Finance leaders and representatives of international organisations attended the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) Finance Ministers' Meeting (FMM) 2026, successfully held in Hong Kong for the first time (October 20-21). Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges on issues concerning regional financial and economic development.

Yesterday (October 21), the FMM issued the 2026 APEC Finance Ministers' Joint Statement, reaffirming the commitment to building an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia-Pacific community by 2040 for the prosperity of all our people and future generations.

Representatives of the participating APEC member economies and international organisations during the meeting.

Minister of Finance and chair of the 2026 FMM, Lan Fo'an, said that all parties should firmly implement the consensus reached at the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, uphold multilateralism, and deepen practical co-operation in fiscal and financial affairs, with a view to contributing to regional economic and financial stability and long-term sustainable growth.

Earlier, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, welcomed participants to the FMM.

"This is a historic occasion for Hong Kong. The APEC Finance Ministers' Meeting - part of APEC China 2026 - is taking place in our city for the very first time. We are honoured to support this significant international event, which brings together the member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, representing some three billion people and accounting for over 60 per cent of global GDP," Mr Lee said.

"Under the unique 'one country, two systems' principle, Hong Kong enjoys both the China advantage and the global advantage. We are the only common law jurisdiction in China, our country, and have a legal and regulatory regime similar to most of the world's top financial hubs."

Speaking during the discussion sessions, Paul Chan, Financial Secretary of the HKSAR, said that amid geopolitical tensions and uncertainties over trade policies, Asia-Pacific economies should strengthen co-operation to maintain the smooth flow of trade and investment, while guarding against financial risks and nurturing long-term growth drivers.

He said that Hong Kong would leverage its unique advantages under the "one country, two systems" principle, and make full use of its diverse financing channels and professional services as an international financial centre to serve as a "super connector" and "super value-adder".

"Regionally, we need open channels for trade and investment, not new barriers. Connected markets allow capital to reach productive uses and technologies be adopted across borders," Mr Chan said during a plenary session on Global and Regional Economic and Financial Outlook (October 20).

"Our collective task is to safeguard stability while strengthening the foundations for lasting prosperity. Hong Kong, China stands ready to work with fellow economies to seize opportunities, manage risks and support more resilient, sustainable and inclusive growth across the Asia Pacific."

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) held two thematic seminars (October 20) on "Fostering a digitalised, inclusive and sustainable supply chain ecosystem through finance" and "Mobilising capital for nature: scaling finance and regional cooperation across APEC" respectively.

In his welcoming remarks at the seminars, Christopher Hui, Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury of the HKSAR, said: "In an era of profound economic transformation and evolving global challenges, prosperity will not be secured by any economy acting alone. It will be built through partnership, innovation and resilience. I am therefore delighted that this seminar brings together regulators, business leaders and experts from across the Asia-Pacific region for meaningful exchanges on how we can unlock new opportunities, strengthen financial resilience, and drive sustainable growth for all."

Following the conclusion of the FMM, Mr Lee and other officials met Mr Lan at Government House to exchange views on economic and financial development of the Chinese Mainland and Hong Kong. Mr Lee expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the country for its trust in and support for Hong Kong, as well as its strong affirmation of Hong Kong's status as an international financial centre.

During the FMM, a diverse range of tours and visits were arranged for members of delegations from participating economies and international organisations to enjoy the city's cultural heritage and unique charm as an international metropolis.

The itineraries included visits to the Peak, Hong Kong Museum of Art, Hong Kong Palace Museum, Xiqu Centre, Chinese Culinary Institute and Ocean Park as well as a boat tour to enjoy the renowned views of Victoria Harbour.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #APEC #FMM

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Nexconn Launches Free Chat Plan for Up to 10,000 MAU With Full Pro Features and Additional Cloud Discounts

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 17:00:32 +0700

Production-grade in-app messaging with no credit card required to start, plus an optional Cloud Bonus offering your choice of either 15% off AWS or 30% off Alibaba Cloud

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 October 2026 – Nexconn, a global cloud communications platform, announced the launch of its production-ready Free Chat Plan. Under the new initiative, developers and startups can deploy enterprise-grade chat infrastructure for up to 10,000 monthly active users (MAU) completely free—with full Chat Pro features enabled and no credit card required.

The launch tackles a persistent industry pain point: typical free tiers across the category cap at 100 to 1,000 MAU and restrict apps to sandbox environments—thresholds far too low to validate user retention or viral growth.

"A free tier should empower teams to validate their business model, not just verify that an SDK compiles," said Will Song, Head of Global Business at Nexconn.

To further extend startup runway, Nexconn also introduced an additional Cloud Bonus: teams that link a payment method can choose between 15% off AWS or 30% off Alibaba Cloud to offset their backend cloud costs.

The offer is open to teams that simply send their first in-app message by December 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Singapore Time (SGT, UTC+8), locking in up to 10,000 MAU of Pro chat (valued at $860/month). Developers can claim the plan and view full details at https://www.nexconn.ai/free-chat-api?utm_source=pr.

What the Free Chat Plan Includes

The plan provides comprehensive capabilities across the entire application lifecycle:

Rich Messaging Architecture: Unlimited messages across direct (1-on-1), group, community, and open channels.

Modern Social Interactions: Read receipts, typing indicators, user mentions, unread badges, and cross-platform multi-device synchronization.

Native Push: Built-in multi-channel mobile push gateway included with no add-on fees.

High-Capacity Resource Quotas: Supports up to 500 peak concurrent connections, 10 GB of cloud storage, and 180 days of searchable message history.

No-charge Migration Support: End-to-end data migration support for teams transitioning from Sendbird, Stream, CometChat, PubNub, Agora, or Twilio.

Developer Acceleration: An open-source AI Integration Skill allows developers to generate client SDK code and backend token endpoints via simple text prompts.

The Cloud Bonus: The 10,000 MAU Chat plan remains free and does not require a credit card. Teams may optionally link a payment method to activate the Cloud Bonus—15% off AWS services or 30% off Alibaba Cloud services.

How to Get Started

Sign Up: Create an account in the Nexconn Console.

Build: Integrate the SDK manually or with the open-source AI Skill.

Activate Your Free Plan: Complete enrollment by simply sending at least one message before December 31, 2026, 11:59 p.m. Singapore Time (SGT, UTC+8).

(Optional) Cloud Discounts: Link a payment method to activate your choice of 15% off AWS services or 30% off Alibaba Cloud services.

Hashtag: #Nexconn #FreeChatPlan #InAppMessaging

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Nexconn

Nexconn is a global cloud communications platform engineered for developers, high-growth startups, and enterprises building real-time, mission-critical digital experiences.

The company delivers a unified real-time portfolio tailored to global scale:

AICP (AI Communication Platform): High-performance Chat and Call (voice/video) APIs, combined with production-ready, scenario-specific AI Agents (such as Smart Office and Social Marketing). This unified platform allows businesses to seamlessly embed intelligent, context-aware communications into any web or mobile application.

Enterprise & Public Sector Deployments: Carrier-grade private cloud and on-premises solutions engineered for organizations and government bodies requiring strict data residency, privacy, and compliance.

Sayed Junaidi: Bambang Prayetno Berpotensi Bawa PWI Dumai Lebih Kuat dan Hebat

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 16:09:58 +0700

DUMAI (MR) — Pemilihan Ketua Persatuan Wartawan Indonesia (PWI) Kota Dumai, Provinsi Riau, mulai menarik perhatian. Salah satu kandidat yang kembali maju adalah Bambang Prayetno, petahana yang telah menuntaskan periode kepemimpinan pertamanya dan kini bersiap melanjutkan pengabdian di organisasi profesi wartawan tersebut.

Pencalonan Bambang mendapat perhatian dari Sayed Junaidi Rizaldi, M.Si., yang akrab disapa Pakcik. Putra kelahiran Dumai yang juga menjabat Ketua Umum Rembuk Nasional Aktivis 98 (RNA 98) itu menilai Bambang memiliki modal kepemimpinan yang relevan untuk membawa PWI Dumai memasuki tahap penguatan organisasi.

Menurut Pakcik, yang juga putra daerah, dirinya cukup memahami dinamika sosial dan karakter kepemimpinan yang dibutuhkan untuk menjaga kebersamaan di tengah masyarakat Dumai, termasuk dalam lingkungan organisasi profesi wartawan.

“Saya melihat Bambang Prayetno memiliki karakter kepemimpinan yang mampu bergerak cepat, mengayomi, dan tidak mengedepankan pendekatan konfrontatif. Dalam organisasi, kemampuan merangkul banyak pihak merupakan modal penting untuk menjaga soliditas dan membangun kerja bersama,” ujar Pakcik.

Periode Pertama: Konsolidasi dan Penguatan Organisasi

Pakcik menilai, kepemimpinan pada periode pertama merupakan fase penting untuk membangun fondasi organisasi. Konsolidasi internal, penguatan kelembagaan, dan menjaga kebersamaan antaranggota menjadi pekerjaan mendasar yang harus diselesaikan sebelum organisasi melangkah lebih jauh.

Dalam konteks tersebut, ia memandang periode pertama Bambang telah berhasil membangun pijakan bagi PWI Dumai agar semakin solid dan mampu menjalankan perannya sebagai organisasi profesi wartawan.

Namun, menurut Pakcik, tantangan pada periode berikutnya tentu berbeda. Jika periode pertama lebih menitikberatkan pada konsolidasi dan penguatan organisasi, periode kedua semestinya diarahkan pada pemantapan program, peningkatan manfaat organisasi, serta pembangunan fondasi bagi keberlanjutan kepemimpinan.

“Kalau periode pertama adalah fase konsolidasi dan penguatan organisasi, maka periode berikutnya harus menjadi fase pemantapan. Organisasi tidak cukup hanya solid secara internal, tetapi juga harus mampu menghadirkan manfaat yang nyata bagi seluruh anggotanya,” tegasnya.

Kesejahteraan Wartawan Harus Menjadi Perhatian

Salah satu hal yang menjadi perhatian Pakcik adalah aspek ekonomi dan kesejahteraan wartawan. Menurutnya, anggota organisasi profesi memiliki kondisi ekonomi, kesempatan, dan tingkat kesejahteraan yang berbeda-beda.

Karena itu, PWI Dumai perlu memikirkan program-program konkret yang dapat membuka peluang peningkatan kapasitas dan kesejahteraan anggota, tanpa mengabaikan independensi serta profesionalisme jurnalistik.

Ia menilai, penguatan organisasi seharusnya tidak berhenti pada kegiatan seremonial, konsolidasi internal, atau agenda formal semata. Organisasi juga perlu membangun program pemberdayaan yang relevan dengan kebutuhan wartawan, termasuk membuka peluang kerja sama ekonomi yang sehat dan berkelanjutan.

“Tidak semua kawan-kawan wartawan berada pada tingkat ekonomi yang sama. Karena itu, organisasi perlu hadir dengan program yang bisa membuka peluang, meningkatkan kapasitas, dan membantu anggota memperbaiki kesejahteraannya. Tentu semuanya harus dilakukan secara profesional, transparan, dan tetap menjaga independensi pers,” kata Pakcik.

Menurutnya, program pemberdayaan tersebut perlu dirancang secara realistis dengan mempertimbangkan kemampuan organisasi, kebutuhan anggota, serta peluang kerja sama yang dapat dipertanggungjawabkan.

Kepemimpinan Harus Meninggalkan Legacy

Bagi Pakcik, tantangan terbesar bagi seorang Bambang, memastikan bahwa masa kepemimpinannya meninggalkan warisan yang dapat dirasakan oleh anggota dan dilanjutkan oleh kepengurusan berikutnya.

Legacy, menurutnya, harus tercermin dalam organisasi yang semakin kuat, program yang berjalan berkelanjutan, meningkatnya profesionalisme wartawan, serta terbukanya peluang pemberdayaan bagi anggota.

Ia berharap, apabila kembali mendapat kepercayaan memimpin PWI Dumai, Bambang Prayetno dapat menjadikan periode berikutnya sebagai momentum untuk memperluas manfaat organisasi dan menyiapkan kesinambungan kepemimpinan.

“Pemimpin organisasi tidak cukup hanya meninggalkan nama atau catatan masa jabatan. Yang lebih penting adalah meninggalkan sistem yang baik, program yang berkelanjutan, organisasi yang semakin kuat, dan manfaat yang benar-benar dirasakan anggota,” ujarnya.

Pemilihan Harus Memperkuat Persaudaraan

Di tengah dinamika pemilihan Ketua, Pakcik mengingatkan bahwa kontestasi dalam organisasi profesi semestinya menjadi ruang adu gagasan, program, dan rekam jejak, bukan ajang yang justru menimbulkan perpecahan.

Menurutnya, siapa pun yang nantinya memperoleh kepercayaan anggota, kepentingan utama yang harus dijaga adalah marwah organisasi, profesionalisme wartawan, dan persaudaraan sesama insan pers.

“Pemilihan Ketua adalah bagian dari dinamika organisasi. Perbedaan pilihan itu wajar, tetapi jangan sampai merusak persaudaraan. Yang harus kita kedepankan adalah gagasan, program, dan komitmen untuk memajukan PWI Dumai,” katanya.

Ia berharap proses pemilihan dapat berlangsung secara demokratis dan bermartabat, sekaligus menjadi momentum bagi seluruh anggota untuk merumuskan arah organisasi ke depan.

Bagi Pakcik, PWI Dumai memiliki peluang untuk memasuki tahap yang lebih maju, tidak hanya kuat dalam konsolidasi, tetapi juga mampu meningkatkan profesionalisme, memperhatikan kesejahteraan anggota, dan mempersiapkan regenerasi.

“Pada akhirnya, keberhasilan seorang Ketua bukan hanya diukur dari bagaimana ia memimpin selama menjabat, tetapi juga dari seberapa kuat organisasi yang ia tinggalkan dan seberapa besar manfaat kepemimpinannya dirasakan oleh anggota, dan saya yakin Bambang bisa mempersiapkan hal tersebut” tutup Pakcik. ***