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Qais Mohammed Al Yousef, Chairman of the Public Authority for Special Economic Zones and Free Zones, held talks in Muscat with Harsha Amarasekera, Chairman of the Colombo Port City Economic Commission, on opportunities to link the two countries’ zone-development strategies. The discussions covered commercial and real estate development, mechanisms to improve the business environment, and ways to draw high-quality investments into projects designed to support sustainable growth.

The meeting marks a targeted attempt to move bilateral economic ties beyond conventional trade into the management, promotion and regulation of investment destinations. Both sides reviewed experience in developing and administering special economic zones and examined international practices that could raise operational efficiency, improve investor services and strengthen competitiveness.

For Oman, the engagement fits a wider policy push to make economic zones central to diversification under Vision 2040. OPAZ, established in 2020, supervises key destinations including the Special Economic Zone at Duqm, Sohar Free Zone, Salalah Free Zone and Al Mazunah Free Zone, while promoting a network of industrial estates and logistics-led investment sites. The zones offer incentives such as full foreign ownership, capital and profit repatriation, customs advantages and tax exemptions that can run up to 30 years for qualifying projects.

The policy framework was reinforced by Royal Decree 38/2025, which brought special economic zones and free zones under a unified law that took effect in April 2025. The legislation replaced separate legal regimes for free zones and Duqm, introduced clearer provisions for foreign ownership and licensing, and strengthened the case for a one-stop system to cut procedural delays for investors.

Duqm has become the most visible test of that strategy. Oman signed ten agreements and memoranda this month for projects in the zone with estimated investments of $7.5 billion, including a $4.2 billion green hydrogen development by ACME Group. The package underlines how Muscat is using zone-based infrastructure to capture capital in clean energy, downstream industry, logistics and export-linked production.

Sri Lanka approaches the talks from a different but complementary position. The island’s post-crisis recovery has made investment promotion a policy priority, with foreign direct investment crossing $1 billion in 2025. The Board of Investment approved 146 projects worth about $1.9 billion during the year, with manufacturing, port development and tourism accounting for the largest shares of inflows.

Colombo Port City gives Sri Lanka a flagship platform for the dialogue with Oman. Built on 269 hectares of reclaimed land next to Colombo’s central business district, the project is structured as an international service-oriented special economic zone, with an initial investment of $1.4 billion and expected overall investment of about $20 billion when fully developed. Its commission acts as a single-window facilitator for investors and grants incentives for businesses of strategic importance.

The Omani-Sri Lankan conversation also highlighted small and medium-sized enterprises, an area where both economies are seeking wider participation in export growth and innovation. Sri Lanka’s SME base is tied to apparel, services, technology, tourism and light manufacturing, while Oman is trying to deepen local supply chains around ports, industrial estates and energy projects. Collaboration could extend from investor promotion to training, supplier development and zone management systems.

The timing is significant. Sri Lanka remains under an IMF-backed reform programme after its 2022 financial crisis, with fresh financing approved in May to support reserves and policy stability. Growth remains exposed to external pressures, including energy-price volatility and climate shocks, making durable foreign investment more important than short-term inflows. Oman, meanwhile, is positioning itself as a stable Gulf logistics and production base as investors reassess supply chains.

By K Raveendran The US-Iran deal marks a genuine easing of one of the most dangerous geopolitical shocks to hit the energy market, but it should not be mistaken for a reset button. The immediate risk of a military breakdown has declined, and that matters for every stakeholder: Washington, Tehran, Gulf producers, Asian importers, shipping […]

The article Oil’s Peace Dividend Is Real But No Return To Pre-War Situation appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

The jump, flagged at an IBPC Dubai logistics session, reflects a wider disruption in maritime corridors linked to Middle East tensions, fuel-cost volatility, security-risk surcharges and capacity constraints. Paras Shahdadpuri, Governor of IBPC Dubai and Chairman of Nikai Group, said the disruption had tested businesses while reinforcing confidence in the UAE’s ability to respond effectively. “Freight rates have risen from $1,000 to $7,000, putting pressure on businesses, but the speed of response here has helped maintain confidence in uncertain times,” he said.

The impact is being felt most sharply by businesses with thin margins or long replenishment cycles. Consumer electronics, appliances, automotive parts, food products, textiles, building materials and pharmaceutical consignments are among the categories most exposed to higher freight, delayed vessel schedules and tighter booking windows. Importers face a difficult choice: absorb added costs, renegotiate supply contracts, delay shipments or pass part of the burden to consumers.

Dubai’s response has centred on route diversification, customs facilitation and closer coordination among ports, logistics operators, carriers and government agencies. The Green Corridor linking Dubai and Oman has become a critical pressure valve, allowing cargo arriving through Omani ports and airports to move overland through streamlined procedures. Customs declarations through the corridor rose from about 12,000 in March to nearly 100,000 in April, while the value of goods moved increased from Dh1 billion to more than Dh8 billion.

The corridor has helped sustain flows for containers destined for Jebel Ali, goods entering the local market and re-export cargo bound for other destinations. More than 100,000 TEUs have already moved through Green Corridor initiatives, underlining how quickly shippers have adapted to alternative supply routes. Food security shipments and refrigerated cargo movements have remained stable, a key benchmark for a market dependent on uninterrupted imports.

Freight inflation is not confined to the UAE lane. Global container benchmarks have moved higher as peak-season demand started earlier than usual and conflict risk reshaped vessel deployment. The World Container Index climbed to $3,549 per 40ft container in mid-June, while Asia-Europe and transpacific routes also recorded rate increases. Fuel costs, insurance premiums and route deviations have widened the gap between contracted and spot-market pricing.

The UAE’s logistics model has so far avoided the deeper breakdown seen during earlier global supply-chain shocks. Jebel Ali remains central to regional trade, while Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Omani gateways have gained strategic importance as alternative access points. Cargo owners are mixing sea, land and air solutions to balance cost against reliability, making multimodal logistics a boardroom issue rather than a back-office procurement function.

The pressure comes at a sensitive time for India-UAE trade, which has expanded under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force in 2022. Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in FY2025-26, with the UAE ranking as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Higher freight costs risk eroding some of the tariff and market-access gains achieved through the pact, particularly for mid-sized exporters and distributors operating on fixed price commitments.

Business groups say the crisis is accelerating changes that were already under way. Importers are adding supplier options in Southeast Asia and the GCC, splitting shipments across ports, increasing buffer stocks for critical items and using digital tracking tools to manage delays. Logistics providers are offering blended products that combine ocean freight, bonded trucking and air cargo, while retailers are reviewing inventory cycles before the next seasonal demand peak.

The strain is also prompting fresh attention to contract design. More companies are inserting freight-adjustment clauses, separating shipping costs from product pricing and seeking clearer force-majeure language for geopolitical disruption. For smaller traders, the biggest challenge is cash flow: a container that once required a modest upfront freight payment can now tie up several times more capital before goods even reach the warehouse.

Higher education institutions play a key role in supporting this development by providing students with opportunities to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. Through collaborations with international university partners, SIM Global Education (SIM GE) offers a range of academic pathways across business, management, analytics, marketing and related disciplines that can support students with entrepreneurial aspirations.

Understanding the Educational Choices Available
The growing variety of higher education options presents both opportunities and challenges for students. While many may have an interest in entrepreneurship or business, determining the most suitable academic pathway is often less straightforward.

Entrepreneurship today extends beyond the traditional concept of starting a business. It can encompass leading innovation within established organisations, developing new products and services, scaling family-owned enterprises, creating social ventures, or participating in emerging start-up ecosystems. As a result, students are increasingly seeking educational pathways that align with their individual interests, strengths and long-term goals.

A well-informed educational choice can help students develop the competencies most relevant to their intended career direction, whether that involves business leadership, digital innovation, market expansion or social impact.

Building a Foundation Through Business Education
A business-related degree can provide aspiring entrepreneurs with a broad understanding of how organisations operate. Entrepreneurs need to understand markets, customers, finance, operations, competition and strategy. They also need to make decisions with limited resources and adapt quickly when business conditions change.

At SIM GE, business-related programmes allow students to explore fields such as analytics, strategy, marketing and management. These areas are relevant to students who want to develop a practical understanding of how businesses are built, managed and grown.

For students who are still exploring their future direction, a business pathway can provide flexibility. It can prepare them for employment, support future postgraduate or professional learning, and build a foundation that may later be applied to entrepreneurial ventures.

Management programmes for future leaders and founders
Entrepreneurship is often associated with ideas, innovation and opportunity. However, successful ventures also depend on effective management. Founders must lead people, manage resources, build processes, work with partners and make decisions that affect the long-term sustainability of the business.

Management-focused programmes are therefore especially relevant for students who want to understand how organisations are led and how teams work together. Such programmes can help learners develop perspectives on leadership, planning, decision-making and organisational effectiveness.

For future entrepreneurs, management knowledge is important because a strong idea must eventually be supported by the ability to execute. Whether students later start their own businesses or lead innovation within existing organisations, management capabilities can help them turn ambition into action.

The Growing Importance of Data and Analytics
As organisations become increasingly data-driven, analytical capabilities have become a valuable component of entrepreneurial decision-making. Entrepreneurs are expected to evaluate market opportunities, understand customer behaviour and assess business performance using data and technology.

Analytics-related programmes can help students develop these capabilities, enabling them to make more informed decisions and respond effectively to changing business conditions. Such skills are particularly relevant for those interested in digital business, e-commerce, technology ventures and business intelligence.

Marketing and international business for market-ready ventures
A strong business idea also needs a clear target market and a business strategy to back it up . Students who are interested in brand-building, customer engagement, communications or market expansion may benefit from marketing and international business-related pathways.

Marketing-focused learning can help students understand consumer behaviour, positioning, customer experience and value creation. International business exposure can help students think beyond a single market, especially in a region such as Southeast Asia where businesses often need to understand cross-border opportunities.

For future entrepreneurs, these perspectives can support the development of ventures that are customer-focused, market-aware and better prepared for regional or global growth.

Entrepreneurship and Social Impact
Entrepreneurship is increasingly being viewed through a broader lens that includes social and environmental outcomes. Alongside commercial objectives, many entrepreneurs are seeking to address societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Initiatives such as the Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre reflect the growing interest in social innovation and impact-driven enterprise. Exposure to these concepts can help students explore how entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to create sustainable solutions for communities and society.

Preparing for the Future
While there is no single educational pathway that guarantees entrepreneurial success, the most appropriate route depends on an individual’s interests, strengths and aspirations. However, regardless of specialisation, future entrepreneurs will require a combination of technical knowledge, critical thinking, adaptability, leadership and communication skills.

As Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a hub for enterprise, innovation and regional business activity, education remains an important foundation for entrepreneurial development. By providing access to diverse academic pathways and internationally recognised programmes, institutions such as SIM GE support students in making informed decisions and developing the capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment.

For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the journey begins not with the launch of a venture, but with the educational choices that help shape future opportunities.

References

1. SIM GE University Partners – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge
2. SIM Global Education – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/overview
3. SIM GE Business Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business
4. SIM GE Management Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business/management
5. SIM GE Business Analytics Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business/business-analytics
6. SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/ressec
7. The Future of Job 2025 Report – https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/
8. SkillsFuture Critical Core Skills – https://jobsandskills.skillsfuture.gov.sg/frameworks/critical-core-skills
9. Singapore Ranks 4^th Global Startup Ecosystem – https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/-/media/esg/files/media-centre/media-releases/2025/may/mr02125_singapore_ranks_as_4th_best_global_startup_ecosystem.pdf

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

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

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

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

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

The West Synchrony™ Prefillable Syringe (PFS) System offers strategic infrastructure to support Chinese biotech innovators to expand their global footprint in biologics and vaccines.

SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. (NYSE: WST), a long-standing partner to China’s pharmaceutical industry, today announced the availability of its West Synchrony™ prefillable syringe (PFS) system to drug developers at CPHI & PMEC China 2026, taking place June 16-18, 2026. This innovative platform uniquely integrates the syringe barrel, plunger, and needle shield/tip cap into a fully harmonized, verified system from a single supplier and emphasizes the company’s commitment to supporting the development of China’s biopharmaceutical sector in alignment with the country’s 15th Five-Year Plan. By strengthening the innovation ecosystem and accelerating development and time to market, the company supports China’s biopharmaceutical companies in achieving biotechnology breakthroughs and reaching global milestones.

Enabling China’s Next Phase of Global Biopharmaceutical Growth

To support Chinese biopharmaceutical companies in their ambitions, West has now made the West Synchrony™ PFS system available in the country.

This gives Chinese innovators the infrastructure needed to compete on quality, safety, and regulatory compliance across international markets, with greater confidence and efficiency.

“Chinese biopharmaceutical companies today have established themselves as serious global innovators, with significant opportunities to sustain momentum through high‑quality innovation,” said Maha Guruswamy, Vice President & Managing Director, Commercial, Asia Pacific. “The challenge is that a traditional, individual-component system introduces significant technical and regulatory complexities. West Synchrony addresses these by providing a fully verified and integrated containment and delivery system from a single source, allowing our partners to accelerate development and focus on delivering therapies to patients.”

Deepening A Long-Term Partnership with China’s Pharmaceutical Ecosystem

The introduction of the West Synchrony™ PFS system reflects the company’s decades-long commitment to supporting pharmaceutical innovation. This investment extends beyond product offerings to include technical expertise, regulatory support, and a single source of accountability that serve both domestic Chinese companies and multinational partners operating in China.

“As China’s biopharmaceutical companies continue to strengthen their capabilities and expand their presence globally, West is committed to partnering with them at every stage of their growth journey,” said Philip Wang, Senior Director, Commercial, China. “We aim to enable them to achieve their global ambitions, and the West Synchrony™ PFS system is one example from our portfolio of high‑quality, innovative solutions that provide customers with the same trusted infrastructure relied upon by leading multinational pharmaceutical companies worldwide.”

Join West at CPHI & PMEC China 2026

The West Synchrony™ PFS system will be showcased at CPHI & PMEC China 2026, where an expert from West will present on the role of integrated delivery systems in supporting China’s next phase of biopharmaceutical innovation and its global ambitions for expansion. Trade media and industry stakeholders interested in learning more about the technology and its application in biologics are invited to visit the West booth during the exhibition. The details of the presentation are as follows:

Presentation: “Stop Piecing It Together—Get an Integrated Verified Prefillable Syringe System from One Source”

• Date & Time: June 17, 14:10-14:40

• Location: Shanghai New International Expo Center

• Speaker: Lynn Yao, Senior Manager, TCS, AP

The West Synchrony™ PFS System is now available to bio and pharmaceutical companies in China. Visit West at Booth N5D18 to learn more, or find out more information via the website here.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain forward-looking statements are included in this press release. They use words and phrases such as “achieving biotechnology breakthroughs,” “reaching global milestones,” “accelerate development,” and other similar terminology. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated benefits of the West Synchrony™ prefillable syringe system in China, the expected growth of China’s bio-health and pharmaceutical industries, and West’s ability to support customers’ development and commercialization efforts. These statements reflect management’s current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date of this release.

Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, changes in market conditions, regulatory requirements, global economic and geopolitical conditions, customer demand, supply chain constraints, competitive developments, technological changes, and other risks. These important factors are not all inclusive. For a description of certain additional factors that could cause West’s future results to differ from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, entitled “Risk Factors,” in West’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year that ended on December 31, 2025. Except as required by law or regulation, West undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

Hashtag: #WestPharmaceuticalServices

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

About West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

Headquartered in Exton, Pennsylvania, USA, West in its fiscal year 2025 generated USD 3.07 billion in net sales. West is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WST) and is included on the Standard & Poor’s 500 index. For more information, visit www.westpharma.com.

All trademarks and registered trademarks used in this release are the property of West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc. or its subsidiaries in the United States and other jurisdictions, unless otherwise noted.