Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Mastercard has launched a regional resilience programme for small and medium-sized enterprises across the Middle East, bringing together banks, government bodies and business networks to help companies manage cash-flow stress, supply-chain disruption and higher operating costs. The initiative, called Built Small. Moving Strong, is being positioned as a coordinated response to pressure on smaller businesses at a time when trade disruptions, logistics costs, […]
NEAR Protocol rallied sharply on Thursday as traders returned to artificial intelligence-linked digital assets, lifting one of the main layer-1 tokens tied to blockchain-based AI infrastructure and cross-chain automation. The token rose more than 13 per cent over 24 hours, trading near $1.47 after reaching an intraday high of about $1.54. The move placed NEAR among the stronger large-cap altcoins during a session marked by renewed appetite […]
Snap has confirmed the quiet end of its $400 million artificial intelligence partnership with Perplexity, removing a high-profile growth lever from its 2026 outlook just as the Snapchat parent faces pressure from uneven advertising demand, geopolitical disruption and a deeper push for cost discipline. The agreement, announced in November 2025, was designed to bring Perplexity’s conversational answer engine into Snapchat’s Chat interface, allowing users to ask questions […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Arada has entered the UAE healthcare market by acquiring a majority stake of more than 80 per cent in Reem Hospital, marking a decisive shift by the master developer from residential communities and branded wellness projects into clinical care. The transaction gives Arada control of one of Abu Dhabi’s specialist private healthcare assets and comes with an AED2 billion investment commitment to […]
OpenAI is reportedly accelerating work on a ChatGPT-centred smartphone, raising the prospect that the artificial intelligence company could move from software into mass-market consumer hardware as early as 2027. Supply-chain checks point to a device designed around AI agents rather than the familiar app-led smartphone model. The project is being described as OpenAI’s first AI agent phone, with mass production targeted for the first half of 2027 […]
Ethereum Foundation has sold another 10,000 ETH to BitMine Immersion Technologies through an over-the-counter transaction, extending a series of treasury sales that has drawn scrutiny from the crypto market as staking withdrawals climb and institutional ETH accumulation intensifies. The latest deal was priced at an average of $2,292.15 per ETH, raising about $22.9 million for the non-profit organisation behind Ethereum’s core development ecosystem. It followed a 10,000 […]
China’s push into humanoid robots is emerging as a new test of its ability to convert industrial policy, supply-chain depth and scale manufacturing into export power, with Morgan Stanley research arguing that the sector could help lift the country’s share of global manufacturing by the end of the decade.
Economists led by Chetan Ahya have drawn a parallel with electric vehicles, where early policy support, component localisation and aggressive production expansion turned China from a fast follower into the world’s dominant exporter. Their research projects China’s share of global manufacturing could rise to 16.5 per cent by 2030, from about 15 per cent now, as advanced automation and embodied artificial intelligence move from demonstration projects into factory and logistics use.
The bullish case rests on China’s widening lead in humanoid robot production. Industry estimates show the country produced about 12,800 humanoid robots in 2025, close to 90 per cent of global output, though the market remains tiny compared with conventional industrial robotics. China also remains the world’s largest industrial robot market, accounting for more than half of global factory robot installations in 2024, with an operational stock above 2 million units.
That foundation matters because humanoid robots require the same manufacturing strengths that supported China’s rise in solar panels, batteries and electric vehicles: precision motors, sensors, actuators, batteries, control systems, machine vision and low-cost assembly. Local companies are building ecosystems around these components, while provincial governments are offering subsidies, industrial parks and procurement support to accelerate commercial deployment.
Beijing has identified humanoid robots as a strategic industry, setting targets for mass production and global leadership while integrating robotics into wider plans for artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing. The 15th Five-Year Plan framework is expected to place AI-powered robots near the centre of industrial upgrading, although large-scale commercialisation is more likely toward the later part of the plan period than immediately.
The sector’s momentum has drawn major private capital. Start-ups such as Unitree, UBTech, AgiBot and Fourier Intelligence have moved quickly from stage demonstrations to pilot factory and warehouse deployments. Linkerbot, a fast-growing maker of dexterous robotic hands, is seeking a valuation of about $6 billion after building a strong position in high-degree-of-freedom robotic hands used in humanoids and industrial systems. Its modular products point to an important feature of the market: some of the earliest profits may come from components rather than complete humanoid machines.
Automakers and electronics groups are also moving into the field. Xpeng has said humanoid robotics could become a long-term investment area alongside electric vehicles, while other manufacturers are testing robots for inspection, sorting, materials handling and repetitive shop-floor tasks. The logic is clear. China faces an ageing workforce, rising labour costs in coastal manufacturing hubs and growing pressure from tariff barriers. A successful humanoid robotics industry could help preserve competitiveness even as low-cost labour advantages fade.
The export implications are broader than robot sales. If humanoids improve productivity in Chinese factories, they could lower production costs across electronics, machinery, appliances and consumer goods. That would reinforce the country’s position in global supply chains at a time when the United States, Europe and several Asian economies are trying to reduce dependence on Chinese manufacturing. It could also create a new export category in robots, components, software and maintenance services.
Yet the constraints remain substantial. Humanoid robots are still expensive, often have limited battery life and struggle with unstructured environments. Many can perform scripted tasks in controlled settings but fall short when asked to handle the speed, judgement and dexterity of human workers. Even executives in China’s robotics industry acknowledge that factory humanoids remain less efficient than people in many jobs. Safety certification, liability rules, data protection and workplace integration will also affect adoption.
Dependence on high-end chips and advanced software ecosystems is another weakness. US restrictions on AI semiconductors have pushed Chinese firms to localise more hardware, but training and deploying capable embodied AI systems remains compute-intensive. Without steady access to cutting-edge chips, progress may be uneven, particularly in models that require real-time perception, movement planning and continuous learning.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s financial free zone has strengthened its standing as a global insurance centre after gross written premiums climbed to $4.2 billion in 2025, up 20 per cent from $3.5 billion a year earlier. Underwriting volumes at Dubai International Financial Centre have doubled since 2022, marking a sharp expansion in the emirate’s role as a booking, structuring and specialist underwriting platform for risks flowing […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Almarai has signed a one-year agreement in Riyadh to provide essential medication for children living with rheumatism, widening private-sector support for families facing long-term treatment costs and limited access to specialised care. The agreement with the Charitable Association for Rheumatism Patients is aimed at children whose health can deteriorate when diagnosis, medication and follow-up care are delayed or interrupted. The initiative is […]
Edelman Smithfield has announced a series of senior promotions and appointments across its Middle East business, reflecting its focus on building talent and leadership in the region. These moves underscore the firm’s commitment to developing senior expertise and strengthening its capabilities across key client accounts. Dhanya Issac has been promoted to Managing Director, Edelman Smithfield Middle East. In this expanded regional role, she will continue to lead […]
Dubai has moved closer to launching commercial air taxis after the vertiport serving Dubai International Airport reached technical completion, making it the first site in the emirate’s planned aerial mobility network ready to handle electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The facility, developed as part of Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority’s air taxi programme with Skyports Infrastructure and Joby Aviation, is intended to serve as the flagship […]
Dubai’s property market has absorbed a sharp geopolitical jolt without sliding into a systemic downturn, with transaction data pointing to a bruised but functioning sector after two months of regional conflict. The market entered 2026 with exceptional momentum. January produced AED104.1 billion in transactions, marking a historic high and reinforcing Dubai’s position as one of the world’s most active property investment destinations. That pace was disrupted when […]
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 May 2026 – IBPO Group Berhad (“IBPO”), an award-winning fintech and financing solutions provider has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd. (“Afsha”), a Shariah Advisory firm as its official Shariah Advisor. This strategic partnership reinforces IBPO’s commitment to “Trusted Financing with Shariah Compliance,” in line with the growing demand for ethical, responsible and Shariah-aligned financial solutions.
IBPO Group Berhad and Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd. officially formalise their partnership with the appointment of Afsha as IBPO’s Official Shariah Advisor, reinforcing IBPO’s commitment to delivering Shariah-compliant financing solutions. From the middle left; IBPO Group Berhad, Founder & Group Managing Director, Andy Lim and Head of Finance, Aaron Lee. From the middle right; Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd., Managing Director, M. Aminuddin Bin Ismail and Assistant Manager, Mohamad Faiq Bin Mohamad Sharin.
According to Bank Negara Malaysia’s (“BNM”) Annual Report 2025, Islamic financing continues to show strong growth, accounting for approximately 48% of Malaysia’s total financing or equivalent to RM1.219 trillion, reflecting increasing demand for Shariah-compliant offerings.
Through this partnership, IBPO aims to further strengthen its Shariah Governance framework and ensure that its financial products and programs are structured in accordance with recognised Shariah Principles. This reflects IBPO’s continued focus on transparency, responsibility and inclusivity across its financial services offerings while supporting BNM’s efforts to promote a progressive and inclusive Islamic Financial system.
The MOU signing ceremony was officiated by Andy Lim, Founder and Group Managing Director of IBPO Group Berhad and M. Aminuddin Bin Ismail, Managing Director of Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd.
In conjunction with this appointment IBPO is also introducing its latest financing program, i-Personal Financing. With Afsha’s appointment as official Shariah Advisor, IBPO’s Islamic financing programs including i-Personal Financing, i-Bridge Financing and Payday Financing will be supported by Afsha in ensuring consistent Shariah Compliance.
i-Personal Financing is designed to give customers easy access to cash based on their income levels. It offers responsible and affordable financing amounts along with flexible payment options of 3, 6, 9 or 12 months, aligned with monthly salary cycles for greater convenience and peace of mind.
All financing solutions are accessible via IBPO’s Online Customer Financial AI Portal which provides a 360-degree view of customers’ financial commitments including those with other financial institutions while offering AI-driven insights to help users better manage and optimise their finances. This initiative is part of IBPO’s ongoing efforts to leverage AI-driven capabilities to build an integrated financial ecosystem across the Group and its subsidiaries including IBPO Genesis Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Credit System Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Capital Ventures Sdn. Bhd. and IBPO Property Sdn. Bhd.
“We are proud to have Afsha as our official Shariah Advisor as we strengthen our position as Malaysia’s trusted choice for Islamic financing. This further reinforces our ongoing commitment to delivering inclusive, ethical and comprehensive Islamic Financial ecosystem that contributes positively to the economy and broader society. This allows us to deliver value to those seeking Shariah-aligned options, while remaining accessible to all, giving our customers greater confidence in what we provide,” said Andy Lim, Founder & Group Managing Director of IBPO Group Berhad.
“We are honoured to partner with IBPO Group Berhad as their official Shariah Advisor. At the core of actively disseminating Shariah principles across the financial sector, our mission is to enable our clients to achieve their optimum potential by ensuring that their policies and practices strictly comply with Shariah rules and regulations through the highest standards of professional competence. We look forward to guiding IBPO in structuring ethical and transparent Shariah-compliant financing solutions that meet the growing demand in Malaysia’s Islamic financial ecosystem,” said M. Aminuddin Bin Ismail, Managing Director of Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd. Hashtag: #IBPOGroupBerhad #IslamicFinancing #ShariahCompliance
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
IBPO Group Berhad
IBPO Group Berhad serves as the holding company for its subsidiaries, namely IBPO Genesis Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Credit System Sdn. Bhd., IBPO Capital Ventures Sdn. Bhd. and IBPO Property Sdn. Bhd., each operating across diverse sectors including financial services, property, investment and licensed financing. Together, IBPO delivers an integrated suite of end-to-end services tailored to meet the unique needs of its clients and support their financial aspirations. Incorporated in 2012, IBPO Group became a public limited company in 2020.
We deliver bespoke financial consultancy services with our cutting-edge Fusion Financial System, a financial technology (“fintech”) system powered by Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) that was developed through extensive in-house IT research and development and ANIKA, the first AI-powered virtual financial consultant chatbot in Malaysia.
Our financial programs include; i-Refinancing, i-Connect, i-Console Plus, Payday Financing, i-Bridge Financing, i-Personal Financing and Housing Value Investment. Discover personalised solutions tailored to your needs with mortgage refinancing, personal loans and financing, property management and more. To learn more, visit www.ibpo.com.my.
Afsha Shariah Advisory Sdn. Bhd. is a corporate Shariah Advisory firm established as a one-stop professional Shariah guidance center to meet the growing demands of the Islamic financial industry. With a vision to be a leader in providing Shariah Compliance Audit and Advisory services, Afsha contributes to the development of Islamic business principles and practices. Central to this goal is Afsha’s vision to actively disseminate Shariah principles across the financial landscape, empowering businesses to operate ethically. Drawing upon the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team of experienced Shariah Advisers, the firm offers a comprehensive suite of services, including Shariah compliance audits, Islamic product development, training and zakat management. Through its core values of integrity, commitment and efficiency, Afsha empowers clients to succeed in their ventures and improve their competitive edge while remaining strictly compliant with Shariah standards.
Address: B-15-1, Bangi Gateway, Persiaran Pekeliling, Seksyen 15, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor Darul Ehsan.
A war that threatens the flow of one-fifth of the world’s oil supply should be dominating market pricing. It isn’t. President Donald Trump has pushed the US deeper into confrontation with Iran, locking policy into a narrow and dangerous path. The Strait of Hormuz remains under constant threat, energy flows are disrupted, and, as a result, oil has surged above $110 a barrel at points in recent […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s EDGE Group and France-headquartered ICAPE Group have signed an agreement to explore joint development and local supply of critical electronic subsystems, strengthening the UAE’s drive to build more resilient defence and advanced-technology manufacturing chains. The memorandum of understanding was signed on 5 May at Make it in the Emirates 2026 in Abu Dhabi, where industrial localisation, supply-chain security and high-value manufacturing […]
Lebanese soldiers entered Beirut’s southern suburbs and detained suspected gunmen after celebratory fire and rocket-propelled grenades were discharged during a Hezbollah funeral, an unusual assertion of state authority inside one of the group’s most sensitive urban strongholds. The operation in Kafaat followed gunfire during a procession for Hezbollah supporters killed in Israeli strikes, with residents reporting panic as bullets rang out across densely populated neighbourhoods. Army units […]
SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 opened in Kuala Lumpur on Tuesday, putting Malaysia at the centre of a regional push to capture a larger share of the global semiconductor value chain as chipmakers rethink production networks, sourcing risks and capacity plans.
The three-day industry gathering at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre runs from 5 to 7 May and is expected to draw more than 20,000 policymakers, manufacturers, suppliers, investors, researchers and technology specialists. Held under the theme “Transform Tomorrow”, the event is being staged in strategic partnership with Malaysia’s Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority.
The launch ceremony was officiated by Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Malaysia’s Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry, with senior SEMI executives, MIDA leadership and global semiconductor company representatives in attendance. The programme places manufacturing scale-up, advanced packaging, intelligent manufacturing, sustainability and workforce development at the centre of discussions, reflecting the industry’s shift from pure capacity expansion to more resilient and geographically diversified ecosystems.
Malaysia enters the event with a strong base in electrical and electronics manufacturing, particularly assembly, testing and packaging. The country has long been a critical node for chip back-end operations, with Penang and Kulim playing key roles in outsourced semiconductor assembly and test activity. The policy focus is now moving further up the value chain into chip design, advanced packaging, automation, materials, equipment support and higher-value manufacturing services.
Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, chief executive officer of MIDA, said Malaysia was no longer positioning itself as a passive beneficiary of industry shifts. “The semiconductor industry is at an inflection point, and Malaysia intends to be at the centre of what comes next,” he said, pointing to the MADANI Economy Framework and the New Industrial Master Plan 2030 as policy anchors for a broader industrial upgrade.
The E&E sector secured RM28.5 billion in approved investments in 2025, underlining continued investor interest despite a more fragmented global trade environment. Malaysia’s broader semiconductor strategy is focused on supply-chain integration, stronger domestic enterprise capability and talent development, as the country seeks to build a deeper industrial base around its existing production strengths.
Ajit Manocha, president and chief executive officer of SEMI, said closer coordination across design, manufacturing, materials and supply chains had become essential as artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and advanced electronics reshape demand. He said SEMICON Southeast Asia was designed not only as a technology showcase but as a platform for partnerships that can support long-term industry growth and resilience.
The timing of the Kuala Lumpur event is significant. Global semiconductor sales are on course to approach $1 trillion in 2026, driven largely by demand for AI accelerators, memory, advanced logic, data-centre infrastructure, automotive electronics and edge devices. Monthly industry sales crossed $99 billion in March 2026, while first-quarter sales were sharply higher than the previous quarter, showing the scale of the current upcycle.
Capital expenditure is also accelerating. Spending on 300mm fab equipment is projected to rise to about $133 billion in 2026 and $151 billion in 2027, as chipmakers expand capacity for advanced logic and memory while governments push for more localised semiconductor supply chains. Yet Southeast Asia remains under-represented in new front-end fabrication plans compared with China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and the United States, leaving room for Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand and the Philippines to compete more aggressively for future investment.
SEMICON Southeast Asia 2026 features the Executive Leadership Summit, the MIDA Strategic Semiconductor Forum and Seminar, the Sustainability and Energy Summit, TechZoomers Challenge and TalentCONNECT. These sessions are designed to connect policy, capital, manufacturing capability and workforce planning, rather than treating the exhibition as a conventional trade fair.
The emphasis on talent is especially important. Semiconductor expansion is being constrained not only by investment cycles and export controls but also by shortages of engineers, technicians, automation specialists and materials experts. Malaysia’s challenge is to match global investor confidence with a skilled workforce capable of supporting advanced packaging, precision manufacturing and design-linked activity.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Parkin has signed a long-term framework agreement with Arada to operate parking assets at Aljada in Sharjah, marking the Dubai-listed company’s first expansion into the emirate and a key step in its plan to grow beyond its home market. The agreement appoints Parkin as the sole parking operator at Arada’s flagship mixed-use Aljada development, where up to 9,900 spaces will be brought into […]
Panthalassa has secured $140 million in Series B financing to push artificial intelligence computing into open waters, backing a plan to run inference workloads on floating platforms powered by ocean waves rather than land-based grids. Peter Thiel led the round, joined by John Doerr, Marc Benioff’s TIME Ventures, Max Levchin’s SciFi Ventures, Susquehanna Sustainable Investments, Hanwha Asset Management’s venture fund, Fortescue Ventures, Future Positive, Super Micro Computer […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s family business ecosystem is set for a new layer of banking support after the Abu Dhabi Family Business Council signed a memorandum of understanding with Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank to provide tailored financial services, priority banking access and dedicated digital channels for member companies. The agreement establishes a structured framework for cooperation between ADFBC and ADIB, bringing together a council […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai London-listed Man Group is moving to establish an office in Abu Dhabi, adding fresh momentum to the UAE capital’s drive to become a larger global centre for hedge funds, alternative assets and private capital. The firm, one of the world’s biggest publicly traded hedge fund managers, has applied for a Category 3A licence at Abu Dhabi Global Market, the emirate’s international financial centre. […]
Bullish has agreed to acquire Equiniti from Siris Capital in a $4.2 billion transaction that marks one of the largest moves yet by a crypto exchange into mainstream capital markets infrastructure. The deal gives Bullish control of a regulated transfer agent serving nearly 3,000 issuer clients, 15,000 corporate clients and more than 20 million shareholders. Equiniti processes about $500 billion in annual payments, making it a significant […]
Dubai food group IFFCO is poised for provisional liquidation after months of debt restructuring talks failed to produce agreement, pushing a major Gulf consumer-goods business into a court-led process as creditors seek to protect assets and stabilise operations. A lender group led by HSBC Holdings has initiated legal proceedings to take control from the owners, with FTI Consulting nominated to act as provisional liquidator. The move follows […]
Greenlogue/AP Ethiopia’s drive to turn abundant renewable electricity into wider power access and cheaper transport has gained fresh backing from Europe, with new UK and EU-linked investments targeting electric mobility, transmission upgrades and rural electrification. The latest financing adds momentum to Addis Ababa’s wider strategy of using hydropower-led electricity generation to cut fuel imports, expand industrial capacity and speed up the shift to electric vehicles. The UK […]
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