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Forest City SFZ sets out who may qualify for its 5% special corporate tax rate, how the separate Malaysia Digital tax incentive works, and which activities and conditions apply to each scheme.

JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 August 2026 – Forest City has, over the past decade, built a recognised track record in green-building and sustainability credentials. Since the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City Special Financial Zone (“SFZ”) incentive package on 20 September 2024, the development has added a financial-services and digital-economy dimension. The Forest City Special Financial Zone (“FC-SFZ”) Tax Incentive offers a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, to eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, Financial Global Business Services (“FGBS”) or Foreign Payment System Operator (“FPSO”) activities in Pulau 1, Forest City. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (“MDEC”) is the appointed government agency to process applications, which are assessed by the National Committee on Investment (“NCI”).

The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is separate from Malaysia Digital (“MD”) Status and the MD Tax Incentive. A company does not need MD Status to qualify for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive. Under MDEC’s current rules, an FC-SFZ applicant must also not have been granted another tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. Eligible MD Status companies may separately apply for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the applicable criteria and approval process.

Key Incentives at a Glance

Forest City’s first decade was defined in part by its green-building and sustainability record. Forest City reports nearly 40 international awards and certifications as at August 2026, including LEED for Core and Shell (“LEED-CS”) Gold pre-certification and GreenRE Gold ratings. On 20 September 2024, the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City SFZ incentive package, adding a financial-services and digital-economy dimension to the development.

The current incentive landscape has four main components:

• Forest City SFZ corporate tax rate: Eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, FGBS or FPSO activities in Pulau 1 may receive a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, subject to approval and continued compliance. The qualifying activity must use at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC.
• Single Family Office (“SFO”) Scheme: A qualifying Single Family Office Vehicle (“SFOV”) may receive a 0% tax rate on chargeable income from its qualifying holding and investment activities for an initial 10 years, with a possible extension for a further 10 years, subject to the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”) requirements.
• Knowledge workers: Eligible knowledge workers working within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”), which includes Forest City as a designated flagship area, may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Malaysia Digital tax incentive: This is a separate national incentive administered by MDEC. For New Investment, eligible companies may choose between a reduced tax rate — 0% on qualifying intellectual-property (“IP”) income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and 5% or 10% on qualifying non-IP income for up to 10 years — or an Investment Tax Allowance (“ITA”) of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure for up to five years. Different rates apply to the Expansion Incentive. Applications are open until 31 December 2027.

Taken together, these measures position Forest City SFZ as a potential regional base for qualifying financial-services and technology-enabled businesses assessing Malaysia’s tax framework, proximity to Singapore and access to ASEAN markets. However, the schemes are separate and should not be treated as automatically cumulative.

Forest City Tax Framework for Fintech and Technology-Enabled Financial Services

The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is not a blanket 100% tax exemption for fintech, AI or technology companies. It is a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying activities under the FC-SFZ framework. MDEC is the appointed agency to process applications, while applications are assessed by the NCI.

The 5% rate applies to qualifying fintech activities, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City. The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler: artificial intelligence (“AI”) or big data analytics (“BDA”); Internet of Things (“IoT”); cybersecurity; cloud; blockchain; creative media technology, including extended reality (“XR”) or mixed reality (“MR”); robotics or automation; or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology. Eligibility is not automatic based on location alone; companies must also satisfy the applicable corporate, activity, substance, regulatory and compliance conditions.

The “up to 100%” figure sometimes cited in relation to Malaysia Digital refers to the ITA available under the MD New Investment Incentive. It is an allowance on qualifying capital expenditure, not a 100% income tax holiday. The MD Tax Incentive is also separate from the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive and should not be assumed to stack with it for the same qualifying activity.

Comparison table:

For accurate and current policy information, companies should refer directly to official sources, including:

• MDEC — Forest City Special Financial Zone (FC-SFZ) Tax Incentive FAQ and application guidance
• MDEC — Malaysia Digital Tax Incentive FAQ and MD Status guidelines
• Securities Commission Malaysia — Single Family Office Incentive Scheme and gazetted tax rules
• Ministry of Finance / MRT Corp — JS-SEZ incentive package and Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link information

Malaysia Digital Status and Tax Incentive: A Separate National Framework

MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC. An MD Status company may then be eligible to apply separately for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the relevant criteria. Under MDEC’s current framework, qualifying Malaysia Digital Activities comprise the research, development or commercialisation of solutions, or the provision of services, using promoted technology enablers such as AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, drone technology, creative media technology, integrated-circuit design with embedded software, robotics or automation, and advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.

Under the current MD Tax Incentive, the available options differ between New Investment and Expansion:

• New Investment: A 0% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and a 5% or 10% reduced tax rate on qualifying non-IP income, for up to 10 years; or an ITA of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.
• Expansion: A 15% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and non-IP income, for up to five years; or an ITA of 30% or 60% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.

The “100%” figure therefore refers to the ITA rate under the New Investment Incentive. It does not mean that all company income is tax-free.

The MD Tax Incentive is open for applications until 31 December 2027. A company must first obtain MD Status before submitting an application for the MD Tax Incentive.

MD Status also provides access to non-tax benefits under the MD Bill of Guarantees, including the ability to apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes, subject to the relevant immigration requirements. MDEC’s Expats Service Centre administers the related Foreign Knowledge Worker processes for eligible companies.

Eligibility Summary: Entities, Sectors and Permitted Activities

Forest City SFZ 5% rate

• Activity-based: Qualifying services are limited to fintech-related activities, FGBS and FPSO activities.
• Technology condition: The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC, including AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, creative media technology, robotics or automation, or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.
• Location condition: The qualifying activity must be carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City.
• Substance and compliance conditions: Approved companies must meet the conditions set out in their approval letter, including commitments relating to full-time employees, knowledge workers, annual operating expenditure, ESG requirements, relevant regulatory approvals or licences, and annual compliance reporting verified by an independent auditor.

Malaysia Digital (MD) Status and MD Tax Incentive

• Activity-based: MD eligibility is tied to Malaysia Digital Activities that use the promoted technology enablers specified by MDEC. Merely operating an AI, cloud, fintech or digital business does not automatically confer tax-incentive eligibility.
• Status and tax-incentive process: MD Status is granted by MDEC. The MD Tax Incentive is a separate application available to eligible MD or MSC Malaysia Status companies, depending on the relevant incentive category.
• Geographic scope: MD Status is a national programme and does not require a company to be located in Forest City.
• No automatic stacking: MDEC states that an FC-SFZ Tax Incentive applicant must not already have been granted a tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. MDEC also confirms that MD Status is not required to apply for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive.

Accordingly, companies should assess the FC-SFZ and MD frameworks separately. Any proposed structure involving different activities, income streams or incentive programmes should be verified with MDEC and qualified tax advisers before any combined tax outcome is assumed.

Strategic Rationale: Proximity, Talent Incentives and Regional Access

Forest City’s location proposition is based on three interlocking factors: proximity to Singapore, targeted talent incentives and early investor interest.

• Proximity as operational leverage: Forest City lies approximately 2 km from Singapore at its nearest point, placing qualifying operations close to one of Asia’s major financial and technology hubs. The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in central Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore. MRT Corp has stated that service is targeted to commence on 31 December 2026. The RTS Link does not serve Forest City directly, so onward road transport between Forest City and central Johor Bahru will still be required.
• Talent as a bundled enabler: Eligible knowledge workers in the JS-SEZ may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, while eligible MD Status companies may apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes through MDEC’s expatriate facilitation framework. These are separate benefits with their own eligibility and approval requirements.

By June 2026, Invest Johor reported that the Forest City SFZ had recorded 260 cumulative investor enquiries through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor, against an RM2 billion investment target. Separately, the SC reported in October 2025 that six families had received conditional approval under the SFO Incentive Scheme, with indicative assets under management close to RM400 million.

This incentive framework sits alongside Johor’s rapid emergence as a major Malaysian data-centre market. JLL has highlighted strong data-centre expansion in Johor and the wider JS-SEZ, supported by major hyperscale investments and infrastructure development. This broader digital-economy momentum strengthens the regional technology narrative, but it should not be presented as a direct operating benefit or guaranteed outcome for individual Forest City SFZ companies.

Decision Framework: Two Pathways and a Diligence Caveat

The incentive structure is best assessed through two distinct pathways, with a separate due-diligence lens for investors and advisers.

• Pathway A – FC-SFZ presence on Pulau 1: This is relevant to eligible fintech companies, FGBS providers and FPSO businesses that can satisfy the physical-location, activity, substance and compliance requirements. The 5% special corporate tax rate is available for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to continued compliance and approval.

This route may suit businesses that value proximity to Singapore while maintaining qualifying operations in Pulau 1. The RTS Link is expected to improve connectivity between central Johor Bahru and Singapore, but it does not remove the requirement for companies to maintain the approved substance and qualifying activities in Forest City.

• Pathway B – MD Status and MD Tax Incentive nationwide: This pathway may be relevant to eligible digital companies operating elsewhere in Malaysia. MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC, and eligible companies may subsequently apply for the MD Tax Incentive. The applicable reduced tax rate or ITA depends on whether the company applies under the New Investment or Expansion category and on the conditions it meets.

Investors and advisers should note that headline rates are not the same as effective tax rates. The outcome for any entity depends on qualifying activities and income, approved commitments, substance conditions and the specific incentive secured. Groups with annual consolidated revenue of EUR750 million or more may also be subject to Malaysia’s domestic top-up tax rules where the relevant effective tax rate falls below 15%. Tax outcomes should therefore be modelled only after verification against current primary sources and professional advice.

The Verdict

Forest City’s proposition to fintech and technology-enabled financial-services companies is specific and condition-based: a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying fintech, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1 using promoted technology enablers. The incentive runs for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to compliance and approval. It is neither a blanket 5% rate for all AI or technology companies nor a 100% income tax exemption.

Alongside this are the separate SFO Incentive Scheme, which may provide a 0% tax rate for up to 20 years subject to SC requirements; the JS-SEZ’s special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers for 10 years; and the national MD Tax Incentive, which offers different reduced tax rates or ITA options depending on whether an applicant qualifies under the New Investment or Expansion category. Applications for the MD Tax Incentive are open until 31 December 2027.

Reported traction includes 260 cumulative investor enquiries recorded by Invest Johor by June 2026 and six families granted conditional approval under the SFO Incentive Scheme, with indicative assets under management close to RM400 million as reported by the SC in October 2025. Forest City also benefits from proximity to Singapore, while the RTS Link is targeted to commence service on 31 December 2026 between central Johor Bahru and Woodlands North.

For companies and investors, the key question is not simply whether these incentives exist, but whether their exact activities, income streams, location, substance commitments and corporate structure satisfy the conditions required to access them in practice. Current official guidance and qualified tax advice should be obtained before any investment or structuringHashtag: #ForestCity

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The Kospi closed 1.79% lower at 6,788.88, shedding 123.49 points and snapping a three-session advance. Samsung Electronics dropped 3.38% to 257,000 won, while SK hynix fell 4.45% to 1.653 million won as investors locked in gains following an earlier technology rally fuelled by strong results from Nvidia. Foreign and institutional investors sold a combined 2 trillion won of Seoul-listed shares, while retail investors were net buyers.

The retreat highlighted growing caution over valuations in artificial intelligence-linked stocks. Nvidia had jumped nearly 9% in the previous Wall Street session after delivering strong quarterly results and indicating that spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure remained robust. The performance initially lifted technology stocks across the region, but enthusiasm faded in Seoul as attention shifted towards interest rates and the outlook for global bond yields.

Warsh’s first keynote address as Federal Reserve chair at the annual Jackson Hole symposium became the central focus for markets. Investors were looking for guidance on how the central bank would respond to persistent inflation pressures and whether policymakers were moving closer to raising borrowing costs. Interest-rate futures before the speech indicated roughly a one-third probability of an increase at the September meeting, with markets pricing in a move by December.

Bond markets have become particularly sensitive to Federal Reserve communication after longer-term Treasury yields climbed amid concerns that inflation could remain above target. The 30-year US Treasury yield was around 5.2% on Friday after briefly exceeding 5.3%, its highest level since 2007. The 10-year yield stood near 4.67%, while the two-year yield was about 4.23% before Warsh addressed the gathering.

Elsewhere in Asia, market performances were mixed. Japan’s Nikkei advanced around 0.5%, supported by technology shares and inflation data that reinforced expectations of further monetary tightening by the Bank of Japan. Tokyo consumer inflation for August remained close to the central bank’s 2% objective, keeping expectations of another interest-rate increase alive.

Taiwanese shares gained about 1.2%, benefiting more directly from Nvidia’s strong performance because of the island’s extensive semiconductor supply chain. Hong Kong shares moved slightly lower during part of the session, while mainland Chinese equities traded in a narrow range. The CSI 300 slipped about 0.1% at one stage and the Shanghai Composite edged higher, with investors also preparing for purchasing managers’ index data due next week.

Australia’s ASX 200 gained around 0.5%, while Singapore’s Straits Times Index advanced modestly. The Nifty 50 also moved higher as technology shares supported a rebound after two sessions of losses. Regional investors nevertheless avoided large positions as the direction of US monetary policy remained the dominant influence on risk appetite.

Currency markets were similarly restrained. The dollar index hovered around 99.1 and was on course for a weekly gain. The Australian dollar performed strongly after hotter inflation data led traders to reassess the interest-rate outlook, touching a three-month high near $0.72 and extending what was set to become a ninth consecutive weekly advance.

Oil prices provided some relief for equities after falling sharply during the week. Brent crude traded around $89.6-$89.7 a barrel and was heading for a weekly decline of more than 5%, partly reflecting developments involving Iran and Oman over administration of traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Lower energy prices eased one source of inflation concern, although geopolitical risks remained embedded in commodity markets.

Gold slipped towards $4,590 an ounce as traders awaited clearer signals on US rates. The broader MSCI Asia-Pacific index outside Japan was little changed, showing how the powerful Nvidia-led technology trade was being offset by uncertainty over monetary policy, elevated chip valuations and higher bond yields.

Hashtag: #Aolani #AIInfrastructure #TokenFactory #Neocloud

https://www.aolanicloud.com/
https://linkedin.com/company/aolani-cloud

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Aolani

For more information, visit www.aolanicloud.com and follow @AolaniCloud on LinkedIn.

Empowering SMEs and Working Professionals to Embrace AI and Foster Widespread AI Adoption in Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today held the Launching Ceremony of the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the “AI+” initiative, and supporting the HKSAR Government’s policies of “industries for AI, AI for industries” and “AI for All”. Coordinated by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme aims to promote the widespread adoption of AI across society. As one of the programme implementation partners, HKPC will lead the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” sub-programme, focusing on practical business applications, talent development, and inclusive technology adoption. The initiative will provide targeted support to SMEs, professionals, labour groups, and underprivileged communities through a range of training courses, hands-on application programmes, and industry-academia-research collaboration, promoting AI literacy and the practical deployment of AI technologies.

Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, officiated at the ceremony, joined by Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, and Mr Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director of HKPC. The event also brought together representatives from leading international and Chinese Mainland technology enterprises, chambers of commerce, and industry leaders, who shared successful case studies and practical insights, fostering collaboration across sectors to advance Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem.

Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: “AI has become a key factor in global industrial upgrading and driving the development of the digital economy. Helping SMEs to achieve digital transformation and enhance competitiveness through AI is one of the focal points of the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme. This time, HKPC as the third implementing organisation for the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, leverages its years of experience serving businesses to provide targeted and professional support to SMEs, helping them seize opportunities in the AI era. I hope that through the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, AI will not only serve as an empowering tool to enhance corporate value and competitiveness but also transform into a super dividend that benefits SMEs and the general public. Let ‘AI for All’ become Hong Kong’s vision for ‘Upgrading for All’ and ‘Opportunities for All’.”

Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, said: “AI should not be a privilege reserved for large enterprises. It should become a productivity tool that every business, every employee, and people from all walks of life can leverage. HKPC has long been committed to helping enterprises, particularly SMEs, enhance productivity, drive digital transformation, and convert innovative technologies into tangible business value. We focus on integrating AI technologies across different industries by providing practical, scalable and replicable solutions that support smart transformation. As one of the implementation organisations of the ‘AI for All’ Inclusive Programme, HKPC will centre its efforts on ‘AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment’, connecting Government, industry, academia, technology partners and social service organisations to help enterprises, SMEs, professionals and underprivileged communities acquire AI capabilities and transform AI into real productivity and business value, thereby advancing Hong Kong’s high-quality development and digital inclusion.”

“AI for All” Officially Launches with “Business Empowerment” Series to Drive Widespread AI Adoption

To advance the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, HKPC has launched the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” training series, centred on practical business applications. Through a two-year training and promotion programme, HKPC will work with technology companies, chambers of commerce, labour groups and community partners to help SMEs, professionals, working individuals, labour organisations, underprivileged groups and the general public acquire AI knowledge and application skills. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of AI and support digital and smart transformation across industries, sectors and communities through three key focus areas:

1. Business and Industry Upgrading: Through AI-focused programmes such as “AI+ Industry Boost Training” and “SME AI Connect”, enterprises can rapidly adopt AI technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Key training topics include:

• Practical Applications of Generative AI: Learning how to use generative AI tools for content creation, data analysis, and workflow optimisation.
• AI Applications Across Industries: Exploring how AI enhances efficiency, optimises operations and drives innovation in sectors including education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and logistics.
• AI Project Workshops: Providing hands-on experience in AI application development and implementation, enabling participants to integrate AI solutions into real business scenarios.

2. Human Resources and Leadership: HKPC will continue conducting the “Hong Kong Enterprise AI Application Trends Survey” and share insights through “AI Talent Winning Tips”, helping organisations understand AI talent management and application trends while preparing for future workforce needs. Key topics include:

• AI and Career Development: Examining the impact of AI on the future workplace and helping professionals understand emerging skills requirements.
• AI Talent Management and Application Strategies: Sharing successful corporate experiences and practical strategies for AI transformation and talent development.

3. AI for ALL: Through the free online learning platform “AI BiteClass”, HKPC will provide convenient AI learning resources for SMEs, professionals, senior citizens and underprivileged communities, enabling people from all backgrounds to access AI fundamentals and the latest application trends anytime, anywhere. Key topics include:

• Introduction to AI Fundamentals: Covering basic AI concepts, operating principles, common use cases and future trends.
• Getting Started with Generative AI: Introducing generative AI tools and their everyday applications.
• AI Ethics and Responsible Use: Building awareness of responsible AI adoption, including issues relating to data privacy, bias and transparency.

“AI BiteClass” Debuts at Launch Ceremony, Bringing Global Technology Expertise to Hong Kong

As part of the launch event, HKPC presented a live edition of the “AI BiteClass”, featuring experts from HKPC and leading global technology companies, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Lenovo, Samsung, Tencent Cloud and Microsoft. The sessions shared practical AI techniques and real-world application cases tailored for SMEs. Through concise yet insightful presentations, the guest speakers highlighted the best practices and implementation strategies for AI, demonstrating how businesses can leverage AI to drive growth and enhance operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, the “AI BiteClass” will introduce a range of free online courses covering popular topics such as generative AI, AI agents, workflow automation, data analytics and enterprise transformation. Members of the public will be able to access practical AI learning resources at any time through the online platform or via iAM Smart.

HKPC has long positioned itself as a “technology adopter and enabler”, committed to helping enterprises transform innovation into tangible business value. Since 2024, HKPC has organised more than 600 AI training sessions, serving over 32,000 participants, including SMEs, large enterprises, HR professionals, industry leaders, students, educators and members of the public. These efforts have played a pivotal role in fostering a more competitive AI application ecosystem in Hong Kong.

A series of “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” activities will be rolled out progressively. Enterprises and members of the public are welcome to register via iAM Smart and stay updated on the latest programmes. Through collaboration with global technology enterprises, industry organisations and community partners, HKPC aims to bring AI into businesses, workplaces and communities, advancing the vision of “AI for All” while empowering enterprises and co-building Hong Kong’s intelligent future. For details, please visit: https://www.hkpcacademy.org/en/aiforall/

Please download the high-res photos HERE.

Photo Captions:

1. Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivers a speech at the ceremony, sharing the Government’s vision for advancing the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, accelerating AI adoption and fostering innovation and technology development in Hong Kong.
2. Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (middle), Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC (left), and Mr Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (right) officiate the HKPC Launching Ceremony of the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, jointly promoting AI literacy and application.
3. Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, says HKPC will help enterprises and talent master AI technologies through the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” series, supporting the transition from AI awareness to practical application.
4. The “AI for All” Inclusive Programme attracts representatives from the business and innovation and technology sectors to explore the latest AI developments and application opportunities.
5. HKPC hosts an “AI BiteClass” sharing session on the day of the Launching Ceremony, inviting technology companies and industry experts to present practical AI experiences and success stories, helping enterprises enhance productivity and competitiveness through AI.

Hashtag: #HKPC

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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.

By TN Ashok India has built fighter aircraft, warships, tanks and some of the world’s most sophisticated missiles, but one weakness has repeatedly haunted its defence-industrial ambitions: engines. The country has been able to design and manufacture airframes, yet propulsion technology has remained heavily dependent on foreign suppliers. The latest agreement between the state-owned Hindustan […]

The article HAL-Safran helicopter engine deal: India breaks import trap? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Quarterly Profitability: A Rare Milestone in Hong Kong’s AI Sector

In capital markets, ambitious visions must ultimately be backed by real financial performance—and Deepexi’s interim results provide clear proof of execution.

For the first half of 2026, the company generated RMB 284.0 million in total revenue, marking a 115.0% year-over-year increase. Its AI business served as the primary growth engine, contributing RMB 226.0 million—an impressive 209.2% year-over-year surge—bringing AI revenue to 79.6% of total corporate turnover.

Even more noteworthy is the marked improvement in profitability. First-half gross profit reached RMB 160.0 million, up 120.5% year-over-year, with gross profit margin expanding to 56.5%. Crucially, during the second quarter of 2026, Deepexi posted a standalone quarterly net profit of approximately RMB 30.1 million, officially crossing the breakeven threshold.

In Hong Kong’s technology sector, pure-play enterprise AI companies capable of achieving quarterly net profitability while sustaining high R&D investment remain exceptionally rare. This milestone underscores Deepexi’s operational efficiency, scalable software delivery, and self-sustaining monetization engine.

This scarcity value is equally evident in the company’s revenue composition and vertical reach. Industrial manufacturing accounted for more than 50% of total revenue, while retail and consumer goods contributed 30%, alongside expanding footholds in healthcare and smart transportation. In manufacturing, for example, equipment troubleshooting and predictive maintenance involve dense engineering schematics, real-time IoT sensor telemetry, and extensive historical maintenance logs—all of which Deepexi translates into structured logic that AI models can readily interpret. This deep vertical expertise and proprietary data accumulation create a formidable competitive barrier that general-purpose AI vendors cannot easily match.

Beyond the “SaaSpocalypse”: Deepexi’s AI-Native Platform Defies the Software Valuation Reset

The first quarter of 2026 witnessed what market observers have dubbed the “SaaSpocalypse”—a tectonic shift in which approximately $2 trillion in market capitalization was erased from B2B software equities, driven by a fundamental fear that agentic AI would cannibalize the traditional per-seat licensing model. The iShares Expanded Tech-Software ETF (IGV) plunged nearly 21% year-to-date, and enterprise software multiples (EV/Sales) cratered from a 5.6x average at the end of 2025 to 4.2x by mid-March.

Investors have pivoted decisively toward AI-native infrastructure—companies that manage the data and underlying plumbing of autonomous systems—while penalizing traditional application-layer SaaS vendors reliant on human-centric interfaces. As a recent Windsor Drake analysis notes, “AI-native agentic platforms clear 14x to 22x revenue, with private rounds at 20x to 30x,” while legacy standalone RPA trades at just 2.5x to 5x. The market is now rewarding AI-native architecture and measurable workflow ownership.

Deepexi sits squarely on the winning side of this divergence. Unlike traditional SaaS vendors whose revenues are tied to human seat counts—and thus vulnerable to agentic displacement—Deepexi’s token-based, consumption-driven model aligns directly with the agentic AI future. The company’s DeepWorks enterprise Agent platform does not sell per-seat licenses; it sells AI productivity, enabling enterprises to deploy autonomous agents that replace repetitive administrative work, not software seats. As the market shifts from “AI as a feature” to “AI as a replacement,” Deepexi’s business model is structurally insulated from the seat-compression forces that have punished legacy software vendors.

Focus on Enterprise AI Applications and Proprietary Domain Data

To ensure AI truly meets real-world enterprise demands, generic foundational models are insufficient on their own. Deepexi’s core competitive edge lies in its specialized “Data + AI” dual-engine architecture, anchored by the FastData enterprise data intelligence platform, the FastAGI agentic AI suite, and the Deepexi Enterprise Large Model Platform, supported by its proprietary Deepology ontology dataset containing over 2,000 vertical industry skills.

At the foundational layer, the FastData platform—powered by the FastData Foil fusion engine—acts as an intelligent lakehouse that tokenizes structured, semi-structured, and complex unstructured enterprise data into standardized formats ready for large model training and inference. Building upon this data foundation, the FastAGI platform and DeepWorks Enterprise Agent Platform provide organizations with a flexible, modular AI operating system.

Featuring a pluggable architecture, the platform connects seamlessly to leading open-source foundation models such as DeepSeek and Zhipu AI, giving enterprise clients complete autonomy while eliminating vendor lock-in. This “model-agnostic” approach is a key differentiator in an environment where enterprises increasingly demand flexibility to choose the best model for each use case, rather than being locked into a single provider.

Through native Model Context Protocol (MCP) frameworks and specialized agents—ranging from operational decision-making agents to productivity and autonomous workflow execution agents—Deepexi embeds intelligence directly into core business operations. DeepWorks is fully integrated with mainstream workplace collaboration suites such as DingTalk, Feishu, and Tencent Meeting, allowing employees to summon AI copilots directly for automated weekly reporting, data synthesis, and cross-departmental coordination—effectively turning AI into an indispensable daily productivity tool.

In an enterprise AI market where 42% of organizations already have AI agents in production and 72% are deploying across production and pilots combined, Deepexi’s proven, governed agentic workflows are no longer an experiment—they are core infrastructure.

Strategic Partnership with Huawei Cloud: Tackling Compute and Data Bottlenecks

In the commercialization of enterprise AI, computing costs and access to high-quality domain data represent two of the industry’s most critical bottlenecks. On August 12, Deepexi announced a strategic alliance with Huawei Cloud to jointly launch enterprise data intelligence solutions, providing strong operational backing for the company’s long-term expansion.

The partnership combines the complementary strengths of both technology leaders. Huawei Cloud provides underlying Ascend AI computing clusters and distributed cloud infrastructure, while Deepexi brings its deep expertise in enterprise data governance, data tokenization, and vertical AI agent deployments. By integrating with Huawei’s domestic Ascend compute clusters, Deepexi not only secures stable, long-term computing power but also significantly drives down token processing costs. This cost efficiency establishes ideal conditions for exploring usage-based, token-metered commercial billing models—precisely the kind of consumption-based pricing that aligns with the agentic AI future.

Crucially, falling AI costs are widely expected to accelerate enterprise adoption of autonomous agents. Deepexi’s partnership with Huawei Cloud positions the company to capture this demand wave with a cost structure that improves as token volumes scale—a powerful margin-expansion dynamic that stands in stark contrast to the fixed-cost burden of traditional SaaS.

Strong Institutional Backing Highlights Long-Term Investment Value

Reflecting strong capital market confidence, Deepexi announced on August 17 the successful placement of 14,286,000 new H-shares at HK$35.00 per share, raising net proceeds of approximately HK$488.0 million. Successfully closing a sizeable placement amid broader market volatility demonstrates strong institutional recognition of Deepexi’s proven business model, robust unit economics, and profitability trajectory.

The company’s strategic shareholder structure provides a solid foundation for long-term growth. It is supported by prominent independent investors, including Hillhouse, 5Y Capital, and BAI, as well as industry-focused investors such as Shanghai AI. These partnerships enhance Deepexi’s industry reputation, drive technological innovation, and strengthen its market competitiveness.

The newly raised funds are earmarked primarily for continuous R&D in next-generation enterprise agent systems and token productivity platforms—positioning the company to capture the $206.5 billion AI agent software market projected for 2026, which Gartner expects to grow to $376.3 billion in 2027.

Investment Thesis: Why Deepexi Stands Apart

1. AI-Native Architecture in an Agentic World. Unlike legacy SaaS vendors facing seat compression, Deepexi’s token-based model is structurally aligned with the agentic AI future. The company doesn’t sell software seats—it sells AI productivity.

2. Rare Profitability in Enterprise AI. Quarterly GAAP profitability at a 56.5% gross margin, with projected revenue CAGR of 95.5% through 2027, places Deepexi among the most financially disciplined enterprise AI companies globally.

3. Model-Agnostic, Vendor-Neutral Platform. In an environment where enterprises demand flexibility, Deepexi’s pluggable architecture—supporting DeepSeek, Zhipu, and other open-source models—eliminates lock-in and captures value regardless of which foundation model wins.

4. Proprietary Data Moat. With over 2,000 vertical industry skills and deep expertise in manufacturing, retail, healthcare, and transportation, Deepexi’s domain-specific data capabilities create barriers that general-purpose AI vendors cannot replicate.

5. Strategic Compute Partnership with Huawei Cloud. Long-term, cost-effective compute access, combined with token-metered pricing models, positions Deepexi for sustained margin expansion as token volumes scale.

6. Institutional Validation. Backing from top-tier investors and a successful HK$488 million placement amid market volatility signal strong institutional confidence in Deepexi’s business model and growth trajectory.

The enterprise AI market has decisively shifted from early conceptual exploration into a new era of commercial execution and tangible financial delivery. Backed by mature product suites across FastData and FastAGI, proprietary vertical ontologies, strategic cloud partnerships, and an official transition to net profitability, Deepexi Technology has proven that enterprise AI can deliver both transformative technology and sustainable profits.

Hashtag: #DeepexiTechnology

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

About Deepexi Technology

Deepexi Technology is China’s leading provider of enterprise large model AI application solutions. Through its FastData enterprise data intelligence solution and FastAGI enterprise AI solution, it empowers enterprises to integrate their data, decisions and operations efficiently at scale. Deepexi ranked fifth in China’s enterprise large model AI application solution market in terms of revenue in 2024. Its solutions have achieved large-scale commercialization across multiple verticals, including consumer goods, manufacturing, healthcare and transportation. As of June 30, 2025, Deepexi Technology served a cumulative total of 283 enterprise customers across various industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. The company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

The Group continued to accelerate the large‑scale commercial deployment of its AI capabilities, building system‑level AI capabilities around the framework of “one model system, one Token Factory, and one Agent Harness” to advance AI from intelligence generation toward end‑to‑end task execution and transform these capabilities into scalable commercial value.

Dr. Xu Li, Chairman of the Board and CEO of SenseTime, said: “SenseTime’s three-pillar core capability framework, built around ‘one model system, one Token Factory, and one Agent Harness’, uses a unified model system to continuously push the boundaries of intelligence, leverages infrastructure and optimization capabilities to reduce Token costs and strengthen cost‑based pricing power, and deploys agents deeply integrated into enterprise and individual workflows to deliver complete task execution capabilities. This framework enables SenseTime to move beyond pure price competition and create sustainable commercial value through differentiated technologies and services. At the same time, it allows us to expand our user base, drive recurring revenue growth, and lay a solid foundation for the Group’s high‑quality development.”

One Model System: Advancing Native Multimodal Intelligence and Long‑Horizon Agents with Global Leading Performance

In 2026, SenseTime released a series of models at a rapid pace, spanning native multimodal unification, visual perception and reasoning, controllable generation, long‑horizon agents, spatial intelligence, and physical world models. These included the NEO‑Unify architecture; SenseNova U1, U1.5 and U1.5‑Lite; SenseNova Vision; the office‑focused multimodal agent SenseNova 6.8‑Flash‑Lite; the content creation model SenseNova U1‑Pro; the spatial intelligence model SenseNova SI‑8B; and the Kairos 3.1 world model co‑developed with Ace Robotics. Across multiple core benchmarks, these models matched or outperformed leading international models, including Gemini, GPT, and DeepSeek. Less than four months after the U1 series was open‑sourced, the three projects had collectively garnered more than 11,000 stars on GitHub.

SenseTime is advancing from digital intelligence toward physical AGI through the closed‑loop framework of “architectural innovation, system capabilities, and high‑value delivery,” continuously translating technological breakthroughs into real-world applications and commercial value.

Token Factory: Upgrading from Compute Provisioning to Scaled Intelligence Production

SenseTime’s SenseCore is evolving into a production‑oriented Token Factory. Through integrated model and infrastructure optimization, as well as capabilities in model adaptation, inference optimization, heterogeneous scheduling, energy management and global service delivery, the Token Factory not only expands Token output and lowers unit costs, but also continuously enhances the reasoning, understanding, generation, and execution capabilities embedded in each Token.

In July 2026, SenseCore delivered an average daily Token service volume of 2.4 trillion, representing a YoY increase of approximately 22 times. As of the date of this announcement, the Group’s total deployed computing power had reached 48,000 Petaflops (P).

The Token Factory provides strong support for SenseTime in advancing the performance boundaries of its foundation models and scaling their commercial deployment. It has tripled the training speed for long‑context Agent models, increased image and video generation efficiency sixfold, improved reinforcement learning training efficiency, and shortened the cycle from model R&D validation to large‑scale deployment to just one week. In addition to supporting the SenseNova foundation model, the Token Factory now serves four external foundation model providers, establishing differentiated capabilities across high‑complexity computing domains, including AI for Science (“AI4S”), video generation, embodied intelligence, world models, and city‑level intelligent applications.

In addition, the Group remains committed to advancing the domestic compute ecosystem, increasing the MFU (Model Floating‑Point Utilization) of mainstream domestic chips by up to 2.5 times compared with the baseline levels established by chip manufacturers. SenseNova U1 has achieved Day 0 adaptation across more than ten domestic chip platforms.

Through compute‑energy synergy, the Company continues to reduce the unit cost of intelligence. During the Reporting Period, its Compute‑Energy Synergy Agent achieved load forecasting accuracy of 96% and generated cumulative electricity cost savings of more than RMB12 million. For every 10,000P of computing power, annual carbon emissions were reduced by 24,000 tons.

Agents Accelerate Adoption Across Enterprise and Consumer Markets, Delivering Value Through Workflow Integration and Enhanced Everyday Experiences

Building on its model and Token capabilities, SenseTime connects models, knowledge, tools, and workflows through a unified Agent Harness, transforming underlying AI capabilities into end-to-end task delivery solutions for enterprise and individual users.

The Group’s agents are rapidly expanding across both enterprise and personal workflows. During the Reporting Period, they served more than 1,000 enterprise customers across over 20 key industries, including education, government, marketing, logistics, banking, and insurance. The Office Agent, Raccoon, has served major enterprises including Lenovo, Ping An Technology, China’s three major telecommunications operators, JD.com, and Kylin Software. Total users increased more than fivefold YoY, enterprise users grew more than sixfold, and monthly active users on the cloud platform increased nearly tenfold. In addition, the video‑generation agent Seko reached a daily video production volume of 10,000 minutes. Content created on the platform has amassed an estimated 1.5+ billion views across short‑video platforms, including 10 short-form dramas that have each surpassed 100 million views. AI productivity solutions are also expanding beyond large organizations to serve smaller teams and One‑Person Companies (OPCs). In the consumer market, the Kapi series of agents, covering use cases such as health, finance, and content creation, has surpassed 45 million cumulative users.

Computer Vision remains a strategic gateway for the Group’s expansion into industry verticals and overseas markets. During the Reporting Period, revenue from the business reached RMB500 million, accounting for approximately 17% of the Group’s total revenue. The business extended across more than 20 countries and regions and served more than 4,500 customers worldwide, with recurring customers contributing 67% of revenue.

Bridging Digital and Physical Intelligence, Unlocking Ecosystem Value

SenseTime continued to invest in frontier areas, including world models and embodied intelligence, intelligent terminals, smart healthcare, and chips. The increase in the valuation of certain AI ecosystem investments generated fair‑value gains, contributing to the Group’s first‑ever IFRS profit and reflecting the gradual realization of financial value from our ecosystem assets. Beyond short‑term investment returns, the more significant long‑term value of these ecosystem investments lies in enabling the Group gain early access to frontier domains, continuously acquire real‑world tasks, data, and feedback, and further strengthen SenseTime’s unified multimodal models and system‑level delivery capabilities.

SenseTime is deepening its “Three-pillar Framework”: one model system to raise the ceiling of intelligence and expand agents’ ability to handle complex tasks; one Token Factory to improve quality and efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance global delivery capabilities; and one Agent Harness to integrate multimodal models with the Token Factory, enabling AI to complete end‑to‑end tasks in real-world scenarios.

Looking ahead, SenseTime will continue to advance the iteration of multimodal agents, driving the evolution of the Token Factory from pricing based on Token volume to pricing based on task outcomes. The Group will also deepen the application of multi‑agent collaboration across enterprise, individual, and OPC workflows, delivering efficient and reliable productivity solutions to users.

Hashtag: #SenseTime

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

About SenseTime

Founded in 2014, SenseTime is a leading artificial intelligence (AI) software company, committed to its mission of “creating a better AI-empowered future through original innovation”. The Company continues to lead cutting-edge AI research while accelerating the large-scale commercialization of AI technologies.

Leveraging deep academic expertise and strong in-house innovation capabilities, SenseTime continues to enhance its industry-leading multimodal, multi-task general AI capabilities, while fostering a vibrant developer ecosystem through structured open-source initiatives.

SenseTime’s business spans Generative AI, Vision AI, and emerging innovation-driven segments. Underpinned by SenseCore, its next-generation AI infrastructure, the Company integrates computing power, algorithms, and platforms to enable scalable AI deployment. Building on this foundation, SenseTime has developed the SenseNova foundation model series, delivering cost-efficient capabilities across a wide range of general AI tasks. SenseTime continues to lead the global Vision AI market, ranking No.1 worldwide by market share. Its SenseFoundry platform integrates years of accumulated computer vision expertise with advanced multimodal foundation models, providing stable and efficient Vision AI solutions to industries worldwide.

SenseTime is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong, with operations spanning more than a dozen countries and regions.

The new SG Child Support Package will extend government assistance from birth through age 17, replacing a system that concentrates much of its financial help around a child’s early years. Payments under the redesigned framework are scheduled to begin in April 2027.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong unveiled the package at the National Day Rally on August 23, describing a broader shift towards supporting parents throughout the years of raising a family rather than relying mainly on incentives linked to childbirth.

Every Singapore citizen newborn covered by the new arrangements will receive a S$10,000 Baby Gift and a S$5,000 MediSave grant. A Child Development Account will receive an initial S$5,000 grant, with the government matching parental savings dollar for dollar up to another S$5,000.

Children will then receive S$2,000 in annual Child Credits from age one through 16. Government support will also include annual Edusave top-ups during primary and secondary education and a S$10,000 payment into the Post-Secondary Education Account at age 17.

Taken together, the measures will provide almost S$70,000 in direct financial assistance for each citizen child. Unlike the existing Baby Bonus and Large Families schemes, the basic level of support will no longer depend on birth order.

The overhaul comes after Singapore’s resident total fertility rate dropped to 0.87 births per woman in 2025, its lowest level on record and down sharply from 0.97 in 2024. The replacement rate required to maintain a population without migration is about 2.1.

Only 30,004 live births were recorded in 2025, an 11 per cent decline from 33,703 a year earlier. Resident births fell 10.6 per cent to 27,529, while citizen births declined 10.4 per cent to 26,201.

The figures have intensified concerns about the size of Singapore’s future workforce and the ability of a smaller working-age population to support growing numbers of elderly citizens. More than one-fifth of citizens are already aged 65 or above, placing Singapore among societies experiencing particularly rapid demographic ageing.

Financial incentives are only one part of the policy response. Wong acknowledged that decisions about having children are deeply personal and cannot be determined by government payments alone. The package therefore combines cash assistance with measures targeting childcare costs, parental leave, housing and workplace pressures.

Childcare leave will be expanded according to family size. Working parents will receive eight days each if they have one child aged 12 or below, 10 days with two children and 12 days with three or more children.

A working couple with three primary-school children would consequently have 24 days of childcare leave between them, compared with four days under the existing arrangements for parents whose youngest child is above six.

The government will also cover the financial cost of all statutory child-related leave up to the applicable reimbursement limit, reducing the expense borne by employers and seeking to limit any employment disadvantage associated with parenthood.

Preschool costs are another major target. Government-supported centres currently provide places for about 80 per cent of preschoolers, but full-day childcare can cost close to S$600 a month for some families, while infant care can exceed S$1,000.

Authorities aim eventually to bring full-day childcare fees at government-supported preschools down to S$150 a month and infant care fees to S$300. The lower fee structure is intended to apply regardless of household income, while lower-income households will continue to qualify for additional subsidies. Implementation will take several years as the network of supported operators expands.

Housing policy is being adjusted alongside the family package. The monthly household income ceiling for Build-To-Order public housing will rise from S$14,000 to S$16,000, while the ceiling for Executive Condominiums will increase from S$16,000 to S$18,000.

First-time families applying for a new flat will receive an additional ballot chance for every child they have or are expecting, giving larger households greater priority in securing subsidised housing. Further healthcare, transport and housing assistance for larger families is also under consideration.

Project integrates UNESCO-recognized Can Gio mangrove forest as core climate infrastructure, expanding ESG to include Regeneration and Climate Adaptation

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – Vinhomes Green Paradise, the 2,870-hectare coastal urban development in Can Gio, has become the first greenfield project worldwide to receive the Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD), even before the arrival of its first residents.

The milestone reinforces Vinhomes’ pioneering “ESG++” model for the project, a framework that moves beyond traditional environmental, social and governance pillars to explicitly incorporate Regeneration and Climate Adaptation as core design principles.

By placing the adjacent UNESCO-recognized Cần Giờ Mangrove Biosphere Reserve at the center of its urban strategy, rather than treating it as peripheral landscape, Vinhomes is demonstrating that large-scale coastal development can simultaneously address biodiversity loss, carbon sequestration and long-term climate resilience.

A measured response to the global urban health crisis

The urgency of rethinking urban models is underscored by global health data. According to the Health Effects Institute’s State of Global Air 2025 report, air pollution was linked to 8.1 million deaths worldwide in 2021, overtaking tobacco to become the second-leading global risk factor for death and the leading cause of death for children under five after malnutrition. The World Health Organization estimates that approximately 89% of the 4.2 million annual premature deaths attributed to outdoor air pollution occur in low- and middle-income countries, precisely the regions experiencing the fastest urban growth.

This reality has redirected global capital flows. Grand View Research projects the global smart-city market to reach USD 3.76 trillion by 2030, compounding at nearly 30% annually, one of the fastest expansion rates across any industry sector. In this context, the question is no longer whether smart cities are worth building, but which developments can demonstrate independently verifiable performance.

Vinhomes Green Paradise has addressed this global benchmark through its Interim Custom ISO 37122 Smart City Certification, awarded by the World Council on City Data (WCCD), which validates its smart infrastructure and data-driven urban governance against international standards.

Moving beyond conventional standards, the project operates under an elevated philosophy known as ESG++, integrating two commitments that extend well past standard corporate reporting: Regeneration and Climate Adaptation. Under the pillar of Regeneration, the development goes beyond traditional conservation by actively restoring local coastal ecosystems through targeted mangrove reforestation, biodiversity preservation and community environmental education.

Concurrently, its Climate Adaptation strategy re-engineers urban infrastructure to proactively withstand long-term environmental hazards such as sea-level rise, storm surges and coastal erosion, ensuring the city is built for future resilience rather than simply reacting to present conditions.

Community perspectives reflect the broader appeal of this approach. Ho Chi Minh City-based content creator FABO Nguyen, speaking to CNBC, described his affection for the city’s dynamism alongside growing concerns about air quality and congestion. For him, and for many urban residents weighing similar trade-offs, the Vinhomes Green Paradise model offers a forward-looking alternative that does not require leaving the region, but instead redefines what a sustainable, livable urban environment can look like.

Mangrove forests as climate infrastructure

What sets Vinhomes Green Paradise apart from most coastal megaprojects globally is not merely its size, but its ecological adjacency. The development borders the Can Gio Mangrove Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO-recognized site spanning over 75,000 hectares, one of southern Vietnam’s most valuable natural assets.

Recent scientific research has revalued the role of mangroves in climate regulation. A study published in Nature Communications indicates that while mangroves account for just 0.36% of global forest area, they sequester carbon per hectare at nearly four times the rate of mature terrestrial forests, making them among the most efficient natural carbon sinks on Earth. According to the Blue Carbon Initiative, a single hectare of mangrove forest can store carbon equivalent to approximately 1,500 tons of CO₂, a figure no concrete structure can replicate.

Against a backdrop where global mangrove cover has declined by as much as 67% in some estimates, Vinhomes has adopted a preservation-first strategy. The Vinhomes Green Paradise master plan limits building density to just 16% of the total area and establishes a dedicated Forest Regeneration and Climate Adaptation Fund. These measures treat the adjacent mangrove ecosystem not as passive scenery but as active, natural defensive infrastructure against coastal erosion and storm surges, precisely the approach that climate scientists are urging coastal cities worldwide to adopt.

This ecological commitment aligns with measurable economic value. JLL’s research across Asia Pacific, based on an analysis of nearly 3,100 Grade A office buildings in 14 cities, shows that green-certified buildings can command rental premiums as high as 28% over non-certified equivalents in the region’s tightest markets, with supply continuing to lag behind occupier demand. Sustainability, in other words, has ceased to be simply a virtue and has become a measurable asset class.

Similarly, the global energy transition reinforces the viability of Vinhomes Green Paradise’s renewable-energy targets. The Global Wind Energy Council forecasts offshore wind capacity to nearly triple from 83 GW in 2024 to approximately 238 GW by 2030, while the International Energy Agency projects global renewable capacity to grow by 4,600 GW over the same period, equivalent to adding the combined current generation capacity of China, the European Union and Japan. Against this backdrop, Vinhomes Green Paradise’s ambition to run on offshore wind, solar and battery storage reflects a broader global trajectory rather than an isolated pledge.

A blueprint for 21st-century urbanization

Taken together, the ISO 37122 certification, the ESG++ framework, the strategic integration of the Can Gio mangrove ecosystem and the economic revaluation of green assets, Vinhomes Green Paradise presents a coherent response to a defining question in contemporary real estate: how to build cities that are both worth living in and built to endure.

The project’s recognition as the first Official Participant in New7Wonders’ global “7 Wonders of Future Cities” campaign further underscores its international relevance. Vinhomes Green Paradise serves as a notable reference point for coastal urban development, illustrating how economic growth and ecological preservation can be integrated in regional contexts.

Hashtag: #Vinhomes

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

About Vinhomes

Vinhomes is Vietnam’s largest residential real estate and integrated township developer. The company pioneers the development of synchronized, modern large-scale townships, delivering premium living standards and unlocking sustainable investment opportunities for domestic and international clients.

By Subrata Majumder In the post Japanese Yen appreciation era, Japanese overseas investment shifted to China and ASEAN for low-cost manufacturing, leaving India behind. The trajectory is now witnessing movement in the reverse gear, owing to US President Trump’s high reciprocal tariff. Japanese investment has surged in India, leaving China and ASEAN behind. While Japanese […]

The article Trump’s high-tariff regime revives Japanese investment in India appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Founder Jack Ma bought more than HK$600 million worth of Alibaba’s Hong Kong-listed shares over consecutive trading days, while chairman Joe Tsai and chief executive Eddie Wu together purchased more than HK$200 million of stock. The buying helped shares recover modestly after the placement triggered their sharpest setback in months, but the stock remained well below levels preceding the deal.

Alibaba priced 710 million new shares at HK$112.70 each, raising HK$80 billion, or about $10.2 billion. The price represented an 8.4% discount to the August 21 Hong Kong close of HK$123 and increased the company’s outstanding share count by roughly 3.7%.

Hong Kong-listed shares slumped 8.5% on August 24, closing at HK$112.50 after trading as low as HK$110.10. They recovered 1.5% to HK$114.20 on Tuesday as purchases by senior executives became known, leaving them still more than 7% below the price immediately before the placement was announced.

The transaction has become a test of whether investors will continue financing increasingly expensive AI expansion despite the near-term pressure it places on earnings and cash generation. Alibaba has earmarked all net proceeds for its full-stack AI capabilities, covering computing infrastructure, chips, models and other technologies required to expand its cloud and generative AI businesses.

Demand for the offering itself was strong. Investor orders reached roughly $28 billion, making the placement almost three times subscribed. Sovereign wealth funds and long-only institutional investors accounted for a sizeable portion of allocations. The deal ranks as the largest primary follow-on share offering by a Hong Kong-listed company.

The discomfort instead centres on the scale and timing of Alibaba’s capital requirements. The company spent close to $10 billion on capital expenditure during the three months through June, an increase of about 75% from a year earlier. Net profit dropped about 75%, while free cash flow turned into an outflow of roughly $6.6 billion.

Alibaba has already deployed almost half of the 380 billion yuan it pledged last year to spend on AI and cloud infrastructure over three years. Management has argued that rapidly growing demand justifies accelerating investment and has shortened its expected payback period for AI expenditure to about two-and-a-half years from three years.

That argument is supported by Alibaba Cloud’s accelerating expansion. Revenue from the cloud business has been growing strongly, helped by demand for AI-related products, while the company continues to build computing capacity overseas. Alibaba Cloud this month opened a third data centre in South Korea, taking its network to 104 availability zones across 30 regions.

Its Qwen family of large language models has also strengthened Alibaba’s position among leading Chinese AI developers. New iterations have improved performance in coding, reasoning and agent-based tasks, helping the company compete with models from domestic rivals and leading US technology groups.

Investors nevertheless face a difficult balance between the longer-term AI opportunity and the immediate financial cost. Expensive processors, servers, data centres and networking equipment require large upfront commitments, while competition is pushing model providers towards lower prices. Alibaba is simultaneously spending heavily on quick commerce and other consumer businesses, adding pressure to margins.

The share sale has also revived scrutiny of capital allocation. Alibaba spent years repurchasing billions of dollars of its own shares, only to issue new equity at a sizeable discount as AI spending accelerated. Although the company still has substantial cash resources, investors have questioned why such a large equity raising was preferable to greater use of its balance sheet or debt financing.

Financial pressures and burnout emerge as key challenges to life preparedness according to Etiqa Insurance Singapore Life Preparedness Survey 2026

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 August 2026 – Only 49% of Singaporeans feel prepared for the next decade, despite 76% already taking action to improve their financial wellbeing, health and future readiness. The findings, unveiled in Etiqa Insurance Singapore’s Life Preparedness Survey 2026, reveal a disconnect between Singaporeans’ confidence about the future and the proactive steps they are taking today.

This survey, conducted by Kantar in May 2026, tracks indicators of life preparedness across body, mind, money, and future among 1,017 Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 18 and above.

These findings highlight a growing preparedness gap across these dimensions, suggesting that being prepared today requires more than financial discipline alone. It calls for resilience and ability to navigate uncertainty and changing demands in life.

Key findings of the survey include:

• Financial security emerged as the single strongest definition of preparedness, with 68% of Singaporeans identifying it as the most important factor in being future ready. Nearly half of Singaporeans (47%) cite lack of money as their biggest barrier to life preparedness, significantly ahead of lack of knowledge (20%), lack of time (16%), and lack of motivation (15%).
• 68% of Singaporeans expressed readiness to take action to improve their life preparedness. They are most likely to start or increase savings (55%), exercise regularly (49%), spend more quality time with loved ones (38%), improve sleep habits (37%), and learn a new skill or take a course (33%).
• 76% of Singaporeans have already taken action to address their concerns for 2026. Some of the key concerns are financial worries (49%), conflict issues (32%), lack of exercise (30%), and limited time to upskill (28%).

Life preparedness takes a back seat for older mid-life Singaporeans

One in three (39%) Singaporeans aged 45 to 54 are not ready to take action to improve their life preparedness. Among this group, 24% prioritise managing household finances, while 21% are most concerned about planning for their future care needs.

These findings point to the pressures faced by Singapore’s mid-life population, where financial responsibilities and future caregiving concerns compete with longer-term planning. As competing demands increase, broader life preparedness goals such as improving health, building resilience, and preparing for the future can take a back seat.

Burnout emerges as a key challenge to future life preparedness

Over half (56%) of Singaporeans reported experiencing burnout in the past year, with one in five feeling burned out “very often”.

Burnout begins early in life, affecting 44% of Singaporeans aged 18 to 24. For the 18 to 24 age group, burnout is driven primarily by uncertainty about the future (49%), financial worries (43%), and workload or job demands (43%).

Despite these pressures, 42% of Singaporeans aged 18 to 24 identified wealth accumulation as their top focus area for 2026. This highlights a generation striving to build long-term stability despite elevated levels of mental and emotional strain.

Avoidance of future-planning conversations continues to hinder life preparedness

Many Singaporeans are uncomfortable discussing future care needs, finances and legacy planning with their families. Only 21% of Singaporeans have had open and detailed discussions with their family about these topics. Among Singaporeans aged 55 and above, 13% prefer to handle these matters on their own, reflecting a desire for independence and self-reliance when planning.

The findings suggest there is an opportunity to encourage earlier and more open conversations around future care, finances, and legacy planning to help reduce uncertainty and improve long-term preparedness.

Life Preparedness to navigate life’s uncertainties

“Financial readiness remains an important foundation, but resilience today also requires stronger support systems and more open conversations around long-term planning. People are more likely to take meaningful action when they feel supported, informed and empowered,” said Ms Claudia Soh, CEO, Etiqa Insurance Singapore.

“Our findings show that Singaporeans are taking positive steps to improve their financial wellbeing, health and future readiness, yet many still lack confidence about the future,” added Ms Soh.

“Life preparedness today is not just about financial discipline. It is about having resilience, support and flexibility to navigate life’s uncertainties, from rising living costs and caregiving responsibilities to health challenges and career transitions. Strengthening preparedness therefore requires building positive daily habits and longer-term planning horizons that help people feel more confident about the future.”

Etiqa Insurance Singapore life preparedness programmes

Etiqa Insurance Singapore supports the community through a range of initiatives focused on improving financial literacy, emotional wellbeing, and future planning. Through community outreach programmes, educational workshops, and accessible insurance solutions, Etiqa Insurance Singapore aims to help Singaporeans build greater confidence in navigating financial, emotional, and lifestyle challenges while preparing for the future.

The full Etiqa Insurance Singapore Life Preparedness Survey 2026 can be accessed here. For more information on our products and services, please visit us at www.etiqa.com.sg
Hashtag: #Etiqa

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

About Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (Etiqa Insurance Singapore)

Protecting customers since 1961, Etiqa Insurance Pte. Ltd. (EIPL) is a life and general insurance company licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and governed by the Insurance Act 1966. Having protected customers in Singapore since 1961 under the name United General Insurance Co. Sdn. Bhd., the company transitioned into the Singapore branch of Etiqa Insurance Berhad in 2009. Today, EIPL in Singapore stands as the pivotal operating entity of Etiqa Insurance Group, a leading insurance and takaful provider in ASEAN.

EIPL offers a comprehensive range of life and general insurance products accessible through its diverse distribution channels, including bancassurance, agents, brokers, financial advisers, partnerships, direct and online sales via Tiq by Etiqa. Etiqa is rated ‘A’ by credit rating agency Fitch for the group’s ‘Favorable’ business profile. The company is a member of the Maybank Group.

Etiqa Insurance Singapore Life Preparedness Survey 2026

The Etiqa Insurance Singapore Life Preparedness Survey was conducted in collaboration with Kantar in May 2026, surveying 1,017 Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents aged 18 and above. This study delves into the attitudes, perceptions, and behaviours of Singaporeans, with a focus on life preparedness across body, mind, money, and future.

Over 45% of online creators are diversifying revenue through direct product launches, but the creator apparel industry is still stuck in cheap screen-printed blanks that dilute premium IP. Top creators want to build fashion-grade consumer brands, but traditional fashion manufacturers requires high MOQs, long lead times, and technical literacy. High-end creators face a trade-off: basic promotional blanks or massive inventory risk on fashionable products. Knitup solves this by enabling creators with no technical know-how to go from idea to premium products with no minimum requirement. With the advantage of full creative freedom, zero inventory liability, and rapid replenishment cycles, creators can target the premium segment with offerings of BCI Cotton and sustainable merino wool sweaters and beanies, or even step into the luxury tier segment with cashmere cardigan, dresses and blankets.

“We created Knitup to empower the next generation of creators by making the capabilities of a fashion design house accessible,” said Dorothy Pun, Founder of Knitup. “Creators and designers are enabled to make better products with minimal capital outlay. Brands and the planet are saved the burden of inventories. The world sees more creativity and innovation.”

Knitup addresses bottlenecks around mass customization for any knitted products by automatically turning digital design into knitting data that goes straight to knitting machines. What usually takes hours can now take minutes.

Since launching its online design platform in 2022, Knitup has grown to serve over 1,000 brands, ranging from emerging labels to established global names. Key capabilities include:

• No Minimums: Produce exactly what the market demands, precisely when it wants it, helping eliminate excess inventory.
• Design Expression: Bring visuals to life, from detailed custom jacquards to classic solid stitches and crisp embroidery.
• Creation Process, Edited: Styles are visualized using high fidelity virtual samples. No waste even if users over-design and kill many styles. All costed instantly. Guilt-free and simple. Also a perfect tool to get consumers’ feedback on social media.
• Sustainable Yarns: Access to environmental friendly materials that deliver both quality and great hand-feel.
• Agile Manufacturing: A frictionless three-week production lead time that allows brands to restock rapidly, introduce new styles at speed, or launch limited capsule collections in weeks.

From bold statement graphics to quiet luxury, Knitup makes conscious fashion accessible without sacrificing speed, quality, or creative expression.
Hashtag: #Knitup #CreatorCommerce #PremiumKnitwear

https://home.knitup.io/

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

About Knitup

Knitup is a new kind of design-to-manufacturing platform that caters to everyone, from visionary artists and makers to small businesses and even large global corporations.

We bridge the gap between creativity and commerciality by enabling easy access to a complex knitwear supply chain. Our deep heritage in manufacturing, combined with cutting-edge technology and extensive know-how, unlocks a world of possibility for a creator, brand, or business.

Ultimately, we believe in the power of self-expression. By providing the tools and resources for anyone to bring to life high-quality and sustainable products, we enable creativity to flourish everywhere. From fostering vibrant communities built on shared stories and collaboration, to established corporations venturing out into new avenues.

For the first time, people in Asia can access a multimodal, objective assessment that moves beyond subjective questionnaires and interviews. The service leverages functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive and painless technology that uses weak, harmless near-infrared light to measure brain activity in the frontal and temporal lobes. This is the same technology developed and validated by a team of psychological scientists whose work has been published in academic journals, including this publication and this publication, and featured in The Straits Times.

The principal investigator, who ranks among the world’s top 1–2% most highly cited psychological scientists, developed this approach to bring objective measurement to human functioning. The technology measures oxygen levels in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes during cognitive tasks. Combined with eye-tracking and continuous performance tests, it provides a comprehensive and objective picture of inattention and hyperactivity.

This service is invaluable for parents concerned about their child’s inattention and hyperactivity, young adults, and working professionals who have long suspected neurodivergent difficulties but have lacked clear answers. By providing measurable biomarker data, the assessment helps people understand their own brain function, leading to more targeted support and interventions.

“This field often involves assessment without objective tools,” some scientists have stated, drawing a parallel to a simple test that provides a clear indication. This breakthrough offers a definitive, data-backed path towards understanding and managing one’s challenges.

The objective assessment represents a significant step forward in psychological assessment in Asia and has the potential to be extended to children and adults globally. For many, it marks the end of a long, uncertain struggle and the beginning of a clear, science-backed journey towards greater clarity and understanding.

Hashtag: #ObjectiveADHDassessment

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About www.objectiveADHDassessment.sg (Singapore)

The entity is dedicated to translating research findings into real-life applications, focusing on objective, state-of-the-art psychological multimodal assessments for children and adults, leveraging technology validated by leading experts from renowned local and overseas universities.

Collaboration could extend Singapore-developed AI training to ICAI’s members and students, alongside greater recognition of relevant professional learning

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are deepening their longstanding collaboration through two initiatives focussed on strengthening AI capabilities among accounting professionals and enhancing professional qualification recognition.

ISCA today signed a Letter of Cooperation setting out a framework for proposed Global AI Fluency Initiative centred on ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme. The proposed cooperation will explore how ISCA and ICAI can work together to extend practical and responsible AI learning to ICAI members and students, subject to relevant approvals and mutually agreed implementation arrangements.

ISCA also announced its approval of a proposed Module Exemption Agreement (MEA) with ICAI relating to their professional qualification pathways.

Extending Singapore-developed AI capability internationally

The proposed AI collaboration builds on the early momentum of ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme. Through the proposed collaboration, ISCA and ICAI will explore opportunities to extend access of the programme to ICAI’s professional community of more than 1.5 million members and students, broadening the international reach of Singapore-developed AI capability building for the accountancy profession.

The approximately 30-hour programme comprises 180 hands-on cases based on workplace applications, structured around three areas:

• AI Fluency Foundations: Building essential AI confidence for everyday professional work;
• AI for Accounting Specialisations: Applying AI across accounting, audit, finance, tax and related professional functions; and
• AI Leadership & Governance: Developing the capability to lead AI adoption responsibly, with appropriate governance and oversight.

The practical approach is designed to help learners identify where AI can add value while continuing to exercise professional judgement, appropriate oversight and responsibility for their work.

The proposed collaboration will explore:

• Programme promotion: Supporting the promotion of respective AI programmes to each institute’s members through mutually agreed arrangements;
• Member outreach and promotion: Promoting the AI Fluency Programme to ICAI members in India and, where appropriate, across ICAI’s global network through mutually agreed communications;
• Professional application: Exchanging views and use cases on the application of AI in accounting, audit, finance, tax and related professional work;
• AI leadership and responsible adoption: Sharing perspectives on appropriate governance, oversight and responsible adoption of AI within the profession; and
• Knowledge exchange: Exploring further opportunities for thought leadership, professional learning and capability development relating to AI.

Strengthening professional recognition

ISCA has approved a proposed Module Exemption Agreement (MEA) with ICAI. The proposed arrangement would provide specified exemptions under the respective qualification pathways for eligible ICAI and ISCA members, supporting greater recognition of professional qualifications.

While the MEA has yet to be formally executed, ISCA will implement the specified exemptions from the SCAQ for eligible ICAI members with effect from 21 August 2026. Eligible candidates must continue to meet the applicable entry, assessment and remaining qualification requirements. ¹

The AI initiative and proposed module exemption arrangement collaborations are built on the longstanding relationship between ISCA and ICAI and their shared commitment to developing a future-ready, internationally connected accountancy profession.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI is reshaping the accountancy profession and building AI fluency alongside strong professional expertise will be critical to enabling the profession to adapt and create greater value. Through the proposed Global AI Fluency initiative, we hope to share Singapore’s experience in practical and responsible AI capability development with a wider professional community and contribute to responsible AI adoption across the global accountancy profession. Our longstanding relationship with ICAI also provides opportunities to strengthen the recognition of relevant professional learning and reduce extent of duplication for qualified professionals. Together, these initiatives contribute to a future-ready and internationally connected accountancy profession.”

Mr Prasanna Kumar D, President of ICAI, said: “The exchange of letters between ICAI and ISCA on 21st August marks a defining step in our shared journey and a clear statement of intent to work towards strengthening recognition between our professional qualifications. For our members, this opens up the potential for greater opportunities and professional recognition. At the same time, our discussions on Artificial Intelligence capability building reflect our shared commitment to strengthening AI capabilities across the profession. We look forward to working closely with ISCA to explore mutually beneficial opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building and preparing a future ready profession.”

¹ The formal execution of the MEA remains subject to the necessary approvals in India and completion of the remaining formalities.
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

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

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.