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CHANG ZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2026 – The global new energy vehicle market has seen rapid growth in recent years. With continued strong expectations for new energy vehicle exports, the global electric vehicle (EV) charging market is entering a new stage of rapid expansion. Recently, StarCharge, the global leading brand of EV Charging equipment and smart energy systems, held a major industry seminar in Hong Kong and released two new white papers at the event, exploring two major transformative trends in the industry that are worth paying attention to.

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Charging stations are becoming a key connection of smart energy systems

According to the ‘Technical White Paper’ by StarCharge, for years, EV charging infrastructure has mainly been seen as support for vehicle sales expansion: building more chargers, expanding coverage, and speeding up charging.

However, this role is starting to change.

As electrification scales up, charging networks are becoming a part of the energy system itself. They are no longer just places for vehicles to top up; they are evolving into smart energy nodes connecting vehicles, the grid, distributed energy, storage, and digital management.

This shift from charging infrastructure to charging network systems shows that the industry is moving from basic access to integrated value: from charging services to energy services, from standalone stations to PV-storage-charging systems, from equipment deployment to scenario-based infrastructure.

StarCharge believes that the future charging network ecosystem will go through four major turning points.

Four Key Points Reshaping the Ecosystem

1. Charging Networks Are Becoming Energy Infrastructure

Charging infrastructure is going beyond its original role as just a support for EVs. As EV adoption grows, charging networks are becoming strategic energy infrastructure: they connect mobility demand with the grid, distributed energy, storage, digital platforms, and future energy services.

2. Defining the Scenarios for the Network

The future charging network won’t be shaped by hardware alone. Policies determine whether infrastructure should be built, technology determines the speed of construction, but real-world scenarios determine what the charging network actually needs to look like.

Urban commuting, highway trips, ride-hailing, logistics fleets, county and rural coverage, holiday peak demand, heavy trucks, mining areas, ports, airports, and autonomous driving all create different charging needs. Therefore, a mature charging network can’t be ‘one-size-fits-all’; it has to be designed around different vehicle types, operating hours, power requirements, reliability needs, and grid conditions.

3. Digital platforms turn charging networks into operable assets

A large charging network only truly has value when it can be scaled, optimized, and managed. This is exactly the core role of cloud platforms. They turn millions of charging points, users, stations, transactions, and energy flows into a measurable, controllable, and continuously optimized operating system.

StarCharge’s platform capabilities cover site selection, pricing, marketing, station operations, smart maintenance, charging safety, station robots, AI-based smart charging, fleet management, energy optimization, and ESG reporting. In other words, digital platforms are the key to transforming charging infrastructure from a heavy-asset network into smart, operable, and scalable assets.

4. Charging stations are becoming grid-friendly energy resources

The next-generation charging infrastructure won’t be defined by any single technology. It will be built on a complete tech stack, combining high-power charging, liquid cooling, integrated PV-storage-charging, DC bus architecture, V2G, automated charging, and AI-driven operations. In other words, future charging stations shouldn’t just be passive electricity consumers that add stress to the grid. Through energy storage, renewable energy integration, V2G, smart scheduling, and AI-based energy optimization, charging stations can become grid-friendly energy resources.

This means that aside from charging vehicles, a charging station can absorb renewable energy, buffer peak loads, respond to demand-side signals, support peak shaving and valley filling, regulate frequency, and provide carbon-neutral ESG data for fleet operators. Its business model will also go beyond charging fees, creating new value through energy services, data services, carbon-related benefits, and grid interaction capabilities.

Microgrids Have Emerged at the Right Time

At the same time, with the continuous development of distributed energy and photovoltaic energy, microgrids have emerged at the right time. They are not just a product, but a local energy system built around real-world scenarios.

In the latest “White Paper” on scenario-based microgrid technology, StarCharge points out that microgrids are moving from customized engineering projects toward scalable, replicable energy systems.

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A microgrid is a scenario-based local energy system

According to StarCharge, a microgrid is not a single device, nor is it just an energy storage product. It’s a local energy system designed around the needs of a specific scenario, coordinating local generation, loads, storage, control, and operational strategies within a defined electrical boundary.

Moreover, depending on the scenario—such as data centers, individual charging stations, zero-carbon industrial parks, or green mines—the energy challenges are completely different. The right microgrid is defined by the scenario it serves.

The white paper also highlights four high-value paths: electricity-computing synergy, independent power supply, zero-carbon parks, and green mines. In areas with weak grids or limited grid access, microgrids ensure the operation of critical loads. In emerging load scenarios like data centers and industrial parks, microgrids support renewable energy integration, energy resilience, and cost optimization. In high-tech-demand scenarios like mines, microgrids become the foundation for ensuring production continuity, energy transition, and ESG competitiveness.

The three-stage evolution of microgrids

As power sources and loads become increasingly DC, microgrid architectures are evolving from AC-dominated systems to AC-DC hybrid systems, and eventually toward microgrids with a higher proportion of DC.

Microgrid 1.0 — dominated by AC architecture. It integrates renewable energy into the existing AC grid framework, but its control heavily relies on grid-following management and support from the external grid.

Microgrid 2.0 — the AC-DC hybrid stage. AC and DC buses coexist, allowing PV, storage, and DC loads to connect more directly. Bidirectional power hubs, solid-state transformers (SST), and energy routers become important bridges between AC and DC systems. This stage balances strong AC compatibility with higher DC efficiency and is expected to remain mainstream in the next 10-15 years.

Microgrid 3.0—it’s the era of DC microgrids. As solar PV, wind power, battery storage, data centers, LED lighting, and EV charging increasingly move toward DC, DC microgrids can reduce repeated AC-DC conversion losses, simplify control, and support millisecond-level responses.

This evolution is closely linked to the mission of microgrids: breaking through energy access bottlenecks, enabling sustainable development, connecting technology, industry, policy, market, and community needs, and unlocking the integrated value of local energy systems.

In the future, StarCharge will steadily expand into the growing global markets for new EVs and renewable energy, building on its smart energy systems that have been widely validated in the Chinese market.

Hashtag: #StarCharge

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

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ADNEC Group delivered AED9.2 billion in economic impact in 2025, marking its strongest annual performance and strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a regional centre for exhibitions, conferences, hospitality and business tourism. The figure represented an 8 per cent rise from AED8.5 billion in 2024, supported by higher event activity, stronger visitor flows and deeper integration across venues, events, services, catering, tourism and media. […]

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2026 – AEON Bank (M) Berhad, Malaysia’s first digital Islamic bank, has expanded its business banking financing facilities with the introduction of Term Financing-i and Working Capital Financing-i, anchored by its Business Banking vertical, AEON Bank Biz.

Introducing the Term Financing-i and Working Capital Financing-i by AEON Bank Biz
Introducing the Term Financing-i and Working Capital Financing-i by AEON Bank Biz

Designed to provide timely and flexible capital, these two business financing facilities were developed to enable Shariah-compliant businesses in navigating shifting market demands. Both products are aligned with the Shariah finance principle of Murabahah via Tawarruq concept, delivering transparent, ethical banking solutions to the Malaysian market.

Term Financing-i: Business Growth and Strategic Expansion

Engineered to fund medium to long term growth projects, asset purchases and infrastructure expansion while maintaining a healthy cash flow. AEON Bank Biz’s Term Financing-i offers this flexibility:

  • Zero collateral required
  • No hidden charges on financing application or utilisation
  • Flexible repayment tenure of up to 60 months
  • Approved fund disbursed directly into customer’s AEON Bank Biz Business Current Account-i

*Terms and conditions apply

Working Capital Financing-i: Empowering Business with Liquidity Agility

This financing facility provides a flexible credit line for short term cash flow needs, designed to bridge operational budget gaps and manage financial cycles. With AEON Bank Biz’s Working Capital Financing-i, customers can gain access to the following:

  • High value liquidity and multiple disbursement options, within approved financing facility limit up to 3-year tenure
  • Flexibility to pay your principal and refresh approved limit, without the hassle of repeated financing applications
  • Up to 12-months disbursement period
  • Disbursement managed fully online, deposited straight into customer’s AEON Bank Biz Business Current Account-i

*Terms and conditions apply

A Dynamic Business Banking Experience

Beyond credit line disbursement, AEON Bank Biz serves as a holistic 360-degree, Shariah compliant banking partner for business owners across Malaysia. It enables businesses to manage assets, liabilities, operational financial needs and merchant operations, through a simplified banking process.

At the core of it all is the Business Current Account-i with a dynamic business banking functionality to support businesses to thrive :

  • Integrated cash management capabilities for payments and collections: Seamless processing for DuitNow and RENTAS, as well as instant settlement and notification for DuitNow QR
  • Smart cash management: Maximize idle capital yield via Biz Term Deposit-i, offering competitive profit optimization rates up to 3.20% p.a. on customizable tenures as short as 1 day, with an entry baseline of just RM500
  • Governance controls: Multi-user level access authorizations and structured approval workflows engineered to mirror corporate governance standards safely

*Terms and conditions apply

Empowering Businesses to Scale Sustainably

This latest rollout by a digital bank in Malaysia aligns directly with the national goal to supercharge SME contributions to the domestic Gross Domestic Product (GDP) up to 50% by 2030. In order to achieve that, access to financing, including digital banking solutions remains a key enabler for business growth. In fact, this is where banking institutions and fintech catalysts such as AEON Bank play an important role in achieving that target.

Click on the links to find out more about AEON Bank Biz and discover a #BetterBusinessBanking experience to scale your growth.
Hashtag: #AEONBank #digitalbank #islamicbank #digitalislamicbank #AEONBankBiz #BusinessBanking #TermFinancing #WorkingCapitalFinancing




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

ABOUT AEON BANK (M) BERHAD

AEON Bank (M) Berhad is Malaysia’s first digital Islamic bank, licensed and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Finance. Officially launched on 26 May 2024, we currently offer a suite of Shariah-compliant products and services for the Personal Banking and Business Banking (AEON Bank Biz) customers.

Our Personal Banking offerings are 100% accessible online via the AEON Bank app, where customers can activate and access the deposit Savings Account-i, AEON Bank x Visa Debit Card-i, Personal Financing-i, Term Deposit-i, Savings Pot, DuitNow QR, Zakat, Takaful, JomPay, utility bill payments, as well as a range of digital payment services with strategic partners and merchants. Moreover, AEON Bank has developed the Neko Missions, Malaysia’s first gamified digital banking interactive rewards programme and ‘Neko Sensei’, the AI-powered personal financial coach.

On 8 August 2025, AEON Bank (M) Berhad officially introduced AEON Bank Biz with the integrated cash management capabilities anchored by the Business Current Account-i, alongside Biz Term Deposit-i, Biz QR, Term Financing-i and Working Capital Financing-i. AEON Bank Biz focuses on streamlined processes for account onboarding, credit assessments and financial services, utilising AI-driven fintech solutions to enable simplified procedures, faster approvals, and an enhanced digital banking experience for businesses in Malaysia.

For eligible deposit-based products under AEON Bank and AEON Bank Biz, such as the Savings Account-i, Savings Pot, Term Deposit-i, Business Current Account-i and Biz Term Deposit-i, the deposits are protected up to RM250,000 per depositor. AEON Bank is a member of Perbadanan Insurans Deposit Malaysia (PIDM) and the deposit protection is automatic and free.

Being part of the AEON Group conglomerate, AEON Bank (M) Berhad is equally held by AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd. (AFS Japan) and AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad (ACSM). AFS Japan is responsible for the AEON Group’s financial services businesses, with strong roots in the retail sector which operates in Japan and 10 countries across Asia. AEON Group is Japan’s largest retail group and it is a pure holding company that comprises eight core businesses.

AEON Group Malaysia consists of several entities, namely, AEON Co. (M) Bhd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, AEON BiG (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Fantasy (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Delight (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Global Supply Chain Sdn Bhd and Malaysian AEON Foundation (MAF). AEON Group has been a recognisable household brand with more than 200 years of history and evolution in Japan since the Edo era, along with 4 decades of growth in Malaysia, providing consumers with daily financial solutions and diversified retail convenience.

Our cloud native agility and AI optimisation, combined with the strength of our Shariah finance DNA, Malaysian tenacity and Japanese roots are our distinguishing factors, while the integration across the AEON ecosystem gives us a competitive advantage of being the only bank in Malaysia with its own nationwide retail network. On top of that, AEON Points loyalty programme offers customers value-added benefits and meaningful rewards for their online shopping and in-store purchases.

AEON Bank (M) Berhad is committed to empowering the community in pursuing their financial aspirations and achieve economic independence, while cultivating a more inclusive financial future for all. We will continue to contribute towards positioning Malaysia as the Islamic banking hub in the region and fostering the growth of the nation’s digital economy.

FIFA’s decision to suspend Folarin Balogun’s automatic one-match ban has cleared the United States forward to face Belgium in Monday’s World Cup last-16 tie in Seattle, triggering a sharp protest from the Royal Belgian Football Association and fresh scrutiny of football’s disciplinary system. Balogun had been expected to miss the knockout match after being sent off during the United States’ 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina on […]

Norway reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time after Erling Haaland struck twice late on to seal a 2-1 win over Brazil in East Rutherford, New Jersey, ending the five-time champions’ campaign at the last-16 stage. Haaland broke the deadlock in the 79th minute with a powerful header and added a second in the 90th minute, turning a tight knockout match into one of the […]

Majid Al Futtaim’s VOX Cinemas at Mall of the Emirates has been recognised as the first fully accessible cinema in the Middle East, marking a significant shift in how entertainment venues in the region are adapting to universal design standards. The flagship Dubai cinema has secured Dubai Municipality’s Wosool Certificate of Compliance with Accessibility Regulations for Existing Buildings, becoming the first cinema in the GCC to receive […]

A UAE-based company has moved to bring Korean manufacturing into Abu Dhabi through a proposed industrial zone that could host more than 25 factories in its first phase and attract investments exceeding $1 billion.

AG Company signed a strategic partnership with Akbar Investment Company of the Republic of Korea to study the establishment of a zone dedicated to Korean industries, with Al Ain identified as the proposed location. The initiative comes as the UAE and Korea deepen economic ties under a bilateral trade framework that entered into force on May 1, 2026, after being signed in Seoul on May 29, 2024.

The announcement coincided with the visit of a high-level Korean delegation to Abu Dhabi, led by Jung Min Kim, a member of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea and member of its Committee on Trade, Industry, Energy, SMEs and Startups. The delegation included representatives from government and semi-government entities, investors and industrial companies.

The agreement was accompanied by the signing of 15 memoranda of understanding with Korean companies and manufacturers across industrial sectors. The proposed zone is expected to focus on advanced manufacturing, technology-led production, artificial intelligence applications, healthcare technologies and related industries, although the final sector mix will depend on feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and investor commitments.

The project aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider industrial strategy, which seeks to more than double the emirate’s manufacturing sector to AED172 billion by 2031, expand non-oil exports and create thousands of skilled jobs. Abu Dhabi has been positioning industrial growth as a pillar of diversification, combining ports, free zones, logistics networks and investment incentives to attract manufacturers serving the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

During the visit, the Korean delegation held meetings with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office and Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi to review the emirate’s investment environment, infrastructure and industrial services. The delegation also met business leaders and investors and carried out field visits to assess operational readiness, logistics capacity and production facilities.

Jung Min Kim said the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, had established itself as one of the world’s most attractive and trusted investment destinations due to its economic vision, legislative environment and infrastructure. He said those advantages, along with stability and the capacity to attract quality investment, made the country an appropriate partner for expanding the presence of Korean industries across the region.

Dr Ahmed Abdullah, chief executive of AG Company, said the project reflected the UAE’s direction towards a more diversified and competitive economy based on knowledge, innovation and autonomous artificial intelligence capable of self-operation and execution. He said attracting Korean industries represented not only an economic investment but also an opportunity to transfer expertise, develop national competencies and strengthen the UAE’s position as a hub for industry and innovation.

The UAE–Korea trade agreement is expected to eliminate or reduce duties on more than 90 per cent of tariff lines over a period of up to 10 years. It also covers trade in goods and services, investment, customs procedures, digital trade, intellectual property, government procurement and cooperation in sectors including energy, healthcare and advanced industries.

The industrial zone proposal gives private-sector form to those commitments. Korean companies have strong global positions in electronics, automotive components, batteries, robotics, shipbuilding, healthcare equipment and advanced materials. Abu Dhabi offers access to capital, energy, transport infrastructure and regional markets, while Korean manufacturers bring production systems, export networks and technology capabilities.

The location of Al Ain carries added significance. The city has been seeking a larger role in Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification beyond its established strengths in agriculture, education, culture and tourism. A manufacturing cluster there could broaden industrial activity outside the coastal logistics corridor, although investors will assess connectivity, labour requirements, utilities, supply chains and access to ports before committing to factory sites.

Safwan Bals, board adviser at AG Company, said nominating Al Ain reflected a vision of expanding economic development and diversifying production hubs. He said the project could support the city’s economic and social development by attracting investments and creating direct and indirect employment opportunities.

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By Nantoo Banerjee Despite never qualifying for the FIFA (Federations of International Football Associations) World Cup, India has emerged as one of the largest global markets for the current tournament being co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with matches played across 16 official host cities. In the opening weekend alone, the tournament reached […]

The article FIFA World Cup Reaches Over 100 Million Viewers In India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The UAE’s first Etihad Rail passenger service has begun carrying travellers between Fujairah and Abu Dhabi, opening a new phase in the country’s transport infrastructure and giving residents a rail alternative to long inter-emirate road journeys. The inaugural service left Fujairah’s Al Hilal City station at 5.34am on June 30 and arrived at Mohamed bin Zayed City station in Abu Dhabi at 7am, ahead of its scheduled […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai OPEC+ has approved another increase in oil output targets for August, adding 188,000 barrels per day to planned supply as Gulf exports move back through the Strait of Hormuz and crude prices ease from wartime highs. The decision, taken at a virtual meeting on Sunday, extends a sequence of monthly quota increases that began in April and continued through June and July. Saudi […]

Tehran opened weeklong funeral ceremonies for Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday, turning public mourning for the slain former supreme leader into a carefully staged display of endurance after months of war, political uncertainty and pressure on the Islamic Republic’s ruling establishment. The body of Khamenei, killed on 28 February during US and Israeli strikes at the start of the war, was placed at the Imam Khomeini Grand […]

A newly identified cyber-espionage group has targeted government agencies and electricity-sector organisations in Russia, Brazil and Kazakhstan, using phishing emails to deploy a Windows information stealer designed to extract credentials, documents and browser data. The group, named Armored Likho and provisionally linked to a cluster known as Eagle Werewolf, has emerged as a notable threat because its operations combine espionage against institutions with financially motivated attacks against […]

New Delhi and Bamako have opened a structured export forum aimed at expanding bilateral trade, drawing investment into priority sectors and giving businesses from both countries a clearer route into West African and South Asian markets.

The inaugural India–Mali Forum for the Promotion of Exports was held in Bamako under the theme “Reinforcing Trade and Strategic Partnerships”, bringing together senior officials, export agencies and about 30 business leaders from India. The two-day initiative marks an attempt to move commercial engagement beyond commodity flows and towards sector-specific projects in cotton, mining, energy, pharmaceuticals, agro-processing, health and education.

The forum was jointly organised by Mali’s Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Embassy of India in Bamako and the Malian Agency for the Promotion of Exports. It was presided over by Mali’s Transition Government Prime Minister, Major General Abdoulaye Maïga, with the delegation from India led by Amit Kumar, Joint Secretary for FT-Africa in the Department of Commerce. Dr N. Nandakumar, Ambassador of India to Mali, represented the mission through the proceedings.

Bilateral trade crossed $326.61 million in 2025–26, a 55 per cent increase over the previous financial year. Mali’s exports to India include raw cotton, finished leather, cashew, lead, gum arabic and sesame. India’s exports to Mali include pharmaceuticals, cotton fabrics, two-wheelers, three-wheelers and bicycles. Officials see the current trade base as narrow but expandable, particularly because Mali’s global exports stand at about $4 billion and its untapped export potential in the market of India is estimated at nearly $3.96 billion.

The Duty-Free Tariff Preference Scheme has been a central driver of trade growth, offering least developed countries preferential access to the market of India. For Mali, the scheme provides a policy opening at a time when Bamako is seeking to diversify export destinations and reduce dependence on raw commodity shipments. For New Delhi, the forum fits a wider push to deepen commercial links with Africa through trade facilitation, capacity building and private-sector participation.

Business-to-business, business-to-government and government-to-government meetings formed the operational core of the forum. Exhibition stands featured products from both countries, including tractors and vehicles manufactured by Sonalika, Mahindra and Tata Motors. The format was designed to connect firms with regulators, identify bankable projects and address procedural bottlenecks that often slow trade between developing markets.

Mali presented ready-made business plans to potential investors and placed emphasis on agro-industry, shea processing, mining-linked services, renewable energy and social infrastructure. The country is seeking more value addition in cotton and agricultural commodities rather than relying mainly on exports of raw or semi-processed products. Cotton remains a significant sector for Mali, while shea, sesame, cashew and gum arabic offer scope for processing, branding and direct export partnerships.

Pharmaceuticals emerged as another key area. Mali sought quicker registration of approved products from India, a move that could expand access to affordable medicines and medical supplies. Health and education infrastructure were also discussed as areas where companies and institutions could provide services, equipment and training support.

The mining dimension is more complex. Mali is one of Africa’s leading gold producers and is working to tighten oversight of its precious metals trade after identifying large gaps between declared exports and import data reported by partner countries. A new state entity has been created to centralise and regulate precious-substances flows, reflecting Bamako’s effort to capture more value from gold and reduce informal trade. Industrial mines export about 60 tonnes of gold annually, while artisanal mining employs nearly 2 million people across hundreds of sites.

Security remains a central concern for investors. Mali has faced instability and militant violence, and economic assets have been among the risks flagged by foreign governments and companies. Earlier this year, security concerns stalled participation by government-backed firms from India in a Russian-backed lithium exploration project in Mali. That episode underlined the challenge of matching mineral ambitions with investor confidence.

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo is turning into a wider economic emergency, with the United Nations Development Programme warning that the crisis could cost African economies up to $3.6 billion and put about 328,000 jobs at risk if transmission spreads beyond the current hotspots. The warning has sharpened concern that a public-health crisis driven by the Bundibugyo strain, for which there is no […]

Singapore has set out a two-decade plan to reshape Sentosa and neighbouring Brani into a larger leisure and lifestyle district, with new attractions, hotels, beaches, transport links and coastal protection works expected to open in phases from the early 2030s.

The Greater Sentosa Master Plan brings the 120-hectare Brani under Sentosa’s development framework, creating a larger tourism precinct at a time when Singapore is refreshing its visitor economy and preparing for stronger regional competition in leisure, hospitality and events. The project is being positioned as the biggest transformation of Sentosa since the island was developed as a resort destination more than five decades ago.

Sentosa drew more than 16 million visitors between April 2024 and March 2025. Once the master plan is fully delivered, the enlarged precinct is projected to attract about twice that number. The long development period reflects the scale of infrastructure works, the planned relocation of port operations from Brani to Tuas by 2027, and the need to combine commercial expansion with coastal and ecological safeguards.

A major element of the plan is Brani West, which has been earmarked as one of the largest future sites for attractions development. Authorities are engaging potential partners and concept owners, though details on investors, operators and the cost of the project have not been disclosed. The lack of a public investment figure leaves open questions on funding, phasing and commercial returns, particularly as large tourism projects face higher construction costs, labour constraints and changing traveller preferences.

The plan also includes new landmarks on Sentosa itself. Imbiah Canopy is proposed as a vantage point on Mount Imbiah, with food and beverage outlets, retail space, event areas and links to nature-based activities. A sheltered elevated forest canopy route, Imbiah Lookout Walk, is expected to connect Sensoryscape with Imbiah Lookout and nearby walking trails. Later phases are intended to expand nature and heritage routes, with the possibility of linking Sentosa’s green areas to the Southern Ridges on the mainland.

Along Siloso Beach, a new venue called Sensorium is being planned as a lifestyle and indoor attraction hub capable of hosting events and festival activity. The broader beach redevelopment will cover Siloso, Palawan and Tanjong, where coastal protection works will be paired with new leisure uses. Concepts under study include beach clubs, coastal activities, treetop dining, and a floating boardwalk linking small islets along Sentosa’s 3km beachfront.

Transport is another central feature. The proposed Island Heart Transport Hub will serve as a new arrival point connecting Sentosa and Brani, while a new people-mover system is expected to replace the Sentosa Express monorail. The new system is intended to increase capacity and provide smoother movement from the mainland through Brani and across Sentosa. Water taxis and additional waterfront links are also being examined, while the Singapore Cable Car will continue to form part of the wider mobility network.

The transformation is tied to wider planning along Singapore’s southern waterfront, a 30km belt stretching from Gardens by the Bay East to Pasir Panjang. That corridor is expected to include new residential, commercial, recreational and entertainment spaces as port activities shift westwards. Greater Sentosa is also being developed as Singapore prepares for Changi Airport Terminal 5, due around the mid-2030s, which will add about 50 million passengers a year in its first phase to the airport’s current capacity of 90 million.

The tourism strategy goes beyond building new attractions. Singapore is seeking to broaden its appeal from stopover travel and convention traffic to experience-led visits, family tourism, events, coastal leisure and premium lifestyle spending. Resorts World Sentosa is also expanding its offer, with a Waterfront Lifestyle Development scheduled for completion in 2030 and Super Nintendo World planned for Universal Studios Singapore. These additions are expected to support a shift from single-attraction visits towards longer, multi-part itineraries across the island.

Sustainability has been built into the planning narrative, reflecting the vulnerability of a low-lying city-state to sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Sentosa has about 16km of coastline, making protection works a practical requirement rather than an optional enhancement. The master plan includes ecological connectivity, shaded routes, greenery, thermal comfort measures and coastal resilience features. Sensoryscape, a 350m connector linking Resorts World Sentosa to the beaches, is being used as an early example of infrastructure that combines visitor flow, planting, accessibility and digital experiences.

Over Ten Thousand International Delegates Gather in Hong Kong Confirming City’s Status as World’s Meeting Place

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 July 2026 – The Hong Kong Tourism Board is proud to support the 108th Lions International Convention 2026 in Hong Kong. Having previously hosted the convention in 1992 and 2005, Hong Kong has once again been chosen by Lions Clubs International as the venue for its flagship event, attracting around 17,000 delegates from across the globe. Hong Kong has thus become one of the very few cities among more than 200 Lions member countries and regions worldwide to have secured hosting rights three times. This underscores Hong Kong’s status and appeal as the Events Capital of Asia and the World’s Meeting Place.

The opening ceremony was attended by more than 10,000 representatives from Lions Clubs worldwide.
The opening ceremony was attended by more than 10,000 representatives from Lions Clubs worldwide.

Hosting Same High-Profile Event for the Third Time Cements Hong Kong’s Title as Asia’s World City

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam said, “HKTB is delighted to partner with the Lions Clubs International District 303 Hong Kong and Macao, China, to bring this Convention to Hong Kong for the third time. Its return affirms Hong Kong’s position as the World’s Meeting Place and a top-of-mind destination for MICE tourism. It also showcases Hong Kong’s integrated strengths in world-class MICE infrastructure, global aviation connectivity, diverse and distinctive tourism offerings, and quality hospitality services. These are the key factors in attracting international MICE events and encouraging business travellers to return time and again. We extend our warmest welcome to Lions from around the world and, together with our industry partners, have curated exclusive itineraries and experiences to encourage delegates to stay longer and discover the unique appeal that can be found only in Hong Kong.”

HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam delivered the opening remarks at the 108th Lions International Convention, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.
HKTB Chairman Dr Peter Lam delivered the opening remarks at the 108th Lions International Convention, held at AsiaWorld-Expo.

Lions Clubs International is one of the world’s largest service organisations, with more than 1.4 million members and around 50,000 district clubs across over 200 countries and regions. Since 1917, the organisation has supported communities worldwide through a wide range of social service and community aid initiatives.

Lions International Convention 2026 Honorary Chairman and Past International President Dr Tam Wing-kun said, “Hong Kong is an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures converge. With its well-developed professional services and comprehensive MICE infrastructure, Hong Kong is an ideal host for this international mega event. I am delighted that the Convention has returned to Hong Kong. This year’s edition will provide Lions from all corners of the world with a broad and diverse platform to explore the future development of international services. Delegates will also be able to experience first-hand Hong Kong’s world-class cuisine and rich cultural appeal. I am confident they will be the best ambassadors possible when they return home, telling the good stories of Hong Kong to the world.”

Lions Attempt Tai Chai World Record in Hong Kong
The 108th Lions International Convention is being held for five consecutive days from 3 to 7 July at AsiaWorld-Expo. To celebrate its return to Hong Kong and promote traditional Chinese culture, the organiser will attempt to set a world record with thousands of international Lions practising Tai Chi simultaneously. The activity aims to promote exercise for all and deepen participants’ understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, creating a meaningful finale to the convention.

HKTB Teams Up with the Trade to Offer Unforgettable Cultural Tourism Experiences

As a supporting organisation of the 108th Lions International Convention, HKTB has teamed up with the local travel trade and major attractions to curate a series of exclusive tourism itineraries and offerings for convention delegates. These include transport offers, attraction tickets and shopping mall discounts, gift redemptions, and theme park deals to encourage delegates to stay in Hong Kong after the convention and explore more of the city’s diverse culture, cuisine, and unique tourism appeal.
HKTB will continue to bring more influential large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, further strengthening the city’s competitiveness and appeal as world-class, top-of-mind destination for both business and leisure tourism.

Hashtag: #MEHK #MeetingsandExhibitionsHongKong #HongKong #MICE #Lions #LionsInternationalConvention2026


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

Adani Enterprises has expanded its qualified institutional placement to ₹150 billion after demand from large investors exceeded the original ₹100 billion target, giving Gautam Adani’s flagship company a sizeable pool of equity capital for its next phase of infrastructure and industrial expansion.

The share sale, opened to institutional investors this week, drew bids of about ₹380 billion, or roughly 3.8 times the base offer. The indicative price was set at ₹2,883 a share, below the regulatory floor price of ₹3,034.68 and at a discount to the stock’s previous close, reflecting the typical pricing structure used to secure large-block institutional participation.

The enlarged issue marks one of Adani Enterprises’ biggest equity-raising exercises since the group was hit by a market rout in 2023 following allegations by US short-seller Hindenburg Research. The conglomerate denied wrongdoing, and group companies have since rebuilt access to capital through a mix of equity, debt, asset recycling and strategic partnerships.

The strong response to the placement signals that institutional investors are again willing to back the group’s growth strategy, even as they continue to price in governance, leverage and execution risks. The investor book included global funds and domestic asset managers, with demand high enough for the company to lift the deal size by 50 per cent.

Adani Enterprises is the incubator of the group’s newer businesses. Its portfolio spans airports, roads, data centres, green hydrogen, mining services, defence, solar manufacturing and other infrastructure-linked ventures. The company has been central to the group’s plan to build large operating platforms before eventually listing or separating mature units.

The latest fundraising comes as the group accelerates capital spending across transport, energy transition and materials. Its airports business operates eight airports and is preparing for the opening of Navi Mumbai International Airport, a project expected to strengthen the group’s presence in aviation infrastructure. Data centres and green hydrogen remain capital-intensive bets that require long gestation funding and steady access to institutional capital.

The timing also follows Adani Enterprises’ rights issue of about ₹250 billion completed in late 2025, which was oversubscribed. That offer was used to support capital expenditure, debt repayment and shareholder loan obligations. The new placement gives the company additional flexibility at a time when infrastructure companies are competing for long-duration capital amid rising demand for logistics, power, digital infrastructure and manufacturing capacity.

The share sale is also significant because it reduces reliance on borrowings for the next leg of expansion. Equity funding can ease pressure on balance sheets and improve investor perception of leverage, particularly for companies pursuing several projects at once. At the same time, the discounted pricing means some dilution for existing shareholders, a common trade-off in large institutional placements.

Market reaction was measured. Adani Enterprises shares initially faced pressure after pricing details emerged but later stabilised, suggesting investors had largely anticipated a discount. The stock has recovered substantially from its 2023 lows, though it remains closely watched because of the group’s debt profile, promoter holdings and regulatory scrutiny around past allegations.

The company’s investment cycle has broadened further with plans linked to a major aluminium project in Odisha in partnership with Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company. The proposed project, valued at about $11.5 billion, is expected to include bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream capacity. The partnership underscores the group’s continuing effort to deepen industrial manufacturing alongside infrastructure.

IHC has been a notable backer of the group through periods of market volatility. Its involvement provides strategic weight to Adani’s expansion into metals, a sector that requires heavy upfront investment, access to raw materials, power security and strong execution discipline. Aluminium demand is being driven by transport, packaging, power transmission, construction and renewable energy infrastructure.

Adani Enterprises’ fundraising also fits a broader trend across the equity market, where companies have used qualified institutional placements to raise growth capital while valuations remain supportive. QIPs allow listed companies to place shares with large investors without the longer timelines associated with some other public offerings. For issuers, the format is faster; for institutions, it provides access to sizeable allocations in liquid companies.

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