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UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan welcomed Modi on arrival, underscoring the personal diplomacy that has become a defining feature of ties between the two leaders. The visit opened the first leg of Modi’s five-nation tour, which is scheduled to include the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Italy between May 15 and 20.

The Abu Dhabi stop carries immediate strategic weight for New Delhi as energy markets remain exposed to geopolitical pressure and supply uncertainty. Discussions between the two sides were centred on long-term energy arrangements, petroleum reserves, liquefied petroleum gas supply and a wider defence framework, reflecting the broadening scope of a relationship once driven largely by trade, remittances and crude oil.

Agreements signed during the visit covered defence cooperation, petroleum reserve collaboration and LPG supply. The defence pact points to a gradual shift in the partnership towards security coordination, technology exchange and maritime stability, particularly as both countries seek to protect trade routes and energy flows across the Arabian Sea, the Gulf and the wider West Asia region.

Energy remains the strongest pillar of the relationship. The UAE is among India’s key suppliers of crude oil and gas, while Abu Dhabi’s state-linked energy companies have already taken part in India’s strategic petroleum reserve programme. New Delhi has been seeking to expand reserve capacity as part of a long-term effort to cushion the economy from global supply shocks, currency pressure and price spikes.

For Abu Dhabi, the visit fits a broader strategy of deepening ties with major Asian economies while positioning the UAE as an energy, finance, logistics and technology hub. The UAE’s investment push into ports, renewable energy, infrastructure, food corridors and financial services has increasingly aligned with India’s priorities in manufacturing, digital infrastructure and supply-chain diversification.

Bilateral trade has grown strongly since the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement came into force in 2022. The pact reduced tariffs on a wide range of goods and helped accelerate commerce in gems and jewellery, petroleum products, food, metals, machinery and services. Both sides have set ambitious targets to lift non-oil trade, while businesses have expanded their use of rupee-dirham settlement mechanisms and cross-border payment links.

The partnership has also moved deeper into technology. Artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, data centres, financial technology and advanced computing have emerged as major areas of cooperation, especially after high-level exchanges earlier this year involving Sheikh Mohamed and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The proposed deployment of advanced computing infrastructure in India, with UAE-linked institutions and companies involved, has reinforced the technology dimension of the relationship.

People-to-people ties remain central to the diplomatic equation. The UAE hosts one of the largest overseas communities from India, with millions working across construction, services, health care, finance, aviation, education and technology. Their remittances and social links have long shaped the political warmth between the two countries, while improved consular services, labour welfare frameworks and easier travel arrangements remain important issues in bilateral engagement.

Modi’s Abu Dhabi visit also follows a sequence of symbolic gestures that have strengthened the public profile of the relationship. Sheikh Mohamed visited India in January this year, while senior members of Abu Dhabi and Dubai’s ruling families have taken part in major diplomatic and technology engagements. Modi’s 2024 visit to the UAE included the inauguration of the BAPS Hindu Mandir in Abu Dhabi, a project presented by both sides as a marker of tolerance and cultural connection.

The premier music festival will play host to 16 K-pop, regional and Malaysian stars including, in performance order: Day 1 – NexT1DE, Aina Abdul, Belle Sisoski, Win Metawin, NMIXX, WINNER, DAESUNG, KUN. Day 2 – Uriah See, Firdhaus, Butterbear, 82MAJOR, STAYC, CRAVITY, TWS, CxM

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 14 May 2026 – Your next major K-pop experience is just a savings goal away as HL Bank Singapore (“HLB Singapore”) bridges the gap between financial wellness and the front row. In an exclusive collaboration designed for the ultimate music enthusiast, the bank is offering fans the chance to secure a pair of sought-after AsiaTop Music Festival 2026 tickets, valued at up to RM1,098 (approx. S$355), simply by growing their wealth.

This unique initiative stems from the regional synergy between Hong Leong Bank (“HLB”) and Tencent Music Entertainment Group (JOOX and QQ Music). By aligning with Visit Malaysia Year and Visit Selangor Year 2026, HLB is transforming the traditional banking experience into a gateway for premium entertainment. Scheduled for 30 and 31 May 2026 at the iconic Sepang International Circuit, the festival promises a high-octane weekend featuring an elite lineup of Asian superstars, including the largest K-pop showcase in the ASEAN region.

Securing a spot at the heart of the action has been streamlined through the iSavings Reward Campaign, running from 9 May 2026 to 18 May 2026. To participate, fans first decide on their preferred festival experience, selecting either a pair of Standard Passes with a S$5,000 deposit or the high-energy, nearer-to-the-stars Rockzone Passes with a S$8,282 deposit for their chosen day.

Once a tier is selected, customers can register by depositing the qualifying funds into an iSavings account via FAST or Links transfer. To validate their entry, customers must include the specific Comment Code, such as PALLIR1 for Day 1 Rockzone, within the funds transfer description. The qualifying balance must be maintained within the account for a six-month (182 days) earmarked period.

With only 88 pairs of tickets available for this exclusive campaign, the stakes are high. Allocation is limited to 22 pairs per day for each ticket category and will be awarded strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans are encouraged to act quickly to ensure their savings work as hard as they do while securing a premier seat at the musical event of the year.

For full terms & conditions, and further details, please visit: www.hlbank.com.sg/AsiaTop2026

Hashtag: #HLBankSingapore

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

HL Bank Singapore

HL Bank Singapore is the Singapore branch of Hong Leong Bank Berhad, a leading digital-centric Malaysia-based financial services institution with a rooted heritage in the country spanning over 120 years. Operating under a Full Bank Licence in Singapore, HL Bank offers a comprehensive range of financial services to our business, retail and high networth customers through our 4 core business segments – Business & Corporate Banking, Personal Financial Services, Private Wealth Management and Global Markets.

World-First Innovations Showcase Hong Kong’s Thriving Life and Health Tech Ecosystem from Bench to Bedside

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 May 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) joined alongside 38 Park companies in the two flagship events of the 5^th International Healthcare Week — the Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (“Medical Fair”) and the Asia Summit on Global Health (“ASGH”), held from 11 – 13 May. Showcasing at these premier medical innovation and technology (I&T) events, HKSTP is demonstrating its pivotal role in nurturing and supporting the growth of biotechnology enterprises. During ASGH, HKSTP also hosted a dedicated investor pitch session, providing Park companies with an exclusive stage to connect directly with global capital and pursue fundraising opportunities.

Over 30 Market-Ready Solutions across Four Key Industry Focus

On the opening day of the Medical Fair, the HKSTP pavilion drew numerous industry professionals, investors and professional buyers, who gathered to explore Hong Kong’s latest I&T achievements and actively discuss collaboration opportunities. Participating companies span four critical areas — health monitoring, surgical assistance, precision medicine, rehabilitation training — comprehensively demonstrating the diverse strengths of Hong Kong’s life and health technology sector as it progresses from research and development (R&D) to commercial application.

Mr Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said: “HKSTP has always been a steadfast partner to tech ventures, building a vibrant and well-established ecosystem for biotech companies ranging from start-ups with early-stage innovation to experienced innovators with market-ready solutions. To meet their diverse needs, we offer end-to-end support from R&D to clinical applications, including lab facilities, funding connections and market expansion. Our presence at this event fully reflects the innovative vitality and strength of Hong Kong’s life and health tech ecosystem. We hope to showcase Hong Kong’s cutting-edge medical R&D achievements to the international community, while delivering a clear message: Hong Kong is not only a top-tier scientific research base, but also the strongest springboard for technology enterprises to go global. By uniting forces across all sectors, we will further solidify Hong Kong’s leadership as an international health tech hub.”

Park company Highlights:

• Endovision offers an intestinal endoscopic imaging system that leverages AI and real-time imaging to assist physicians in conducting more precise examinations. The solution has already obtained EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) certification.
• Mirror Caring presents SyncKnee, a smart wearable solution integrating flexible sensors, embedded systems and AI analytics to deliver real-time monitoring of knee joint health and data-driven insights.
• Voice Empowerment Technology features a customised “AI Voice Reconstruction Tool” designed to enhance the efficiency of speech therapy services, offering breakthrough communication support for patients with aphasia and speech disorders.

“World-First” Cutting-Edge Medical Technologies Take Centre Stage

This year, HKSTP has also set up a dedicated exhibition zone at the Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH), spotlighting a range of groundbreaking biomedical solutions, including several “world-first” innovations:

• Agilis Robotics: The world’s first robotic-assisted “En Bloc Transurethral Resection of Bladder Tumour”, achieving precise tumour resection margins and offering a minimally invasive surgical option with faster recovery for early-stage cancer patients.
• GenEditBio: The world’s first in vivo genome editing therapy (often referred to as “DNA surgery”) targeting corneal dystrophy, with Phase I clinical trials expected to commence this year, aiming to improve patients’ quality of life.
• Meta Pharmaceuticals: The world’s first oral inhibitor for treating autoimmune diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and multiple sclerosis, enhancing medication convenience and delivering safer, more effective anti-inflammatory therapy.

Dedicated Investor Pitch Session: Connecting Global Capital to Accelerate Enterprise Growth

For early-stage biotech companies, funding is crucial to sustaining research and achieving breakthroughs. To this end, HKSTP is fulfilling its role as a “super-connector” by hosting the “Life and Health Technology Innovation Pitch” at ASGH, to bridge between Park companies and the global market and deepen international partnerships.

The pitch session bought together 12 leading global investors from the UK, the US, Singapore, Canada and beyond, creating a top-tier platform for fundraising and business matching, and accelerating the translation of life and health tech innovations. Ten Park companies with breakthrough technologies took the stage to attract international capital, further showcase their innovative solutions and advance to the next stage of growth and global expansion.

Event Details:
Hong Kong International Medical and Healthcare Fair (Medical Fair)
Date: 11–13 May 2026
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3DE
HKSTP Booth: 3E-E06

Asia Summit on Global Health (ASGH)
Date: 11–12 May 2026
Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3FG
HKSTP Booth: 3F-A11
Hashtag: #HKSTP

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

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 to create a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 13 unicorns, more than 17,000 research professionals and over 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

Our growing innovation ecosystem offers comprehensive support to attract and nurture talent, accelerate and commercialise innovation for technology ventures, with the I&T journey built around our key locations of Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong and three modern InnoParks in Tai Po, Tseung Kwan O and Yuen Long realising a vision of new industrialisation for Hong Kong, where sectors including advanced manufacturing, micro-electronics and biotechnology are being reimagined.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch in Futian, Shenzhen plays positive roles in connecting the world and the mainland with our proximity, strengthening cross-border exchange to bring advantages in attracting global talent and allowing possibilities for the development of technology companies in seven key areas: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech and sustainability, with both dry and wet laboratories, co-working space, conference and exhibition facilities, and more.

Through our R&D infrastructure, startup support and enterprise services, commercialisation and investment expertise, partnership networks and talent traction, HKSTP continues to contribute in establishing I&T as a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

The revised plan would involve the sale of a 2.5 per cent stake through new shares, with the proceeds flowing to Jio Platforms rather than to shareholders seeking exits. The change marks a significant adjustment in what is expected to be one of the largest public offerings in the country’s capital markets, and places long-term growth funding ahead of partial monetisation by early backers.

Jio Platforms, controlled by Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, owns Reliance Jio Infocomm and houses a broad portfolio of digital services spanning telecom, broadband, cloud, media, payments and consumer technology platforms. Its shareholder base includes Meta, Google, Vista Equity Partners, KKR, Mubadala, Abu Dhabi Investment Authority and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, many of which entered the company during the 2020 fundraising cycle.

Earlier discussions had explored an offer-for-sale structure under which foreign investors could have sold about 8 per cent of their individual holdings, amounting to roughly 2.5 per cent of Jio Platforms. That approach has now been set aside, with investors opting to remain exposed to the business rather than reduce stakes at the listing stage.

The decision strengthens Reliance’s control over the IPO narrative. A fresh issue allows the company to present the listing as a growth-financing event instead of an exit window for private investors. It also limits the risk that the market interprets selling by marquee shareholders as a signal of valuation caution, particularly at a time when global technology listings are being judged closely on profitability, cash generation and regulatory exposure.

Jio Platforms is widely seen as the centrepiece of Reliance Industries’ transition from an energy-heavy conglomerate to a broader consumer, digital and technology group. The telecom arm has become one of the world’s largest mobile operators by users, while its digital ecosystem has helped Reliance build links across retail, entertainment, finance and enterprise services.

The company’s operating performance has supported expectations of a high-profile listing. Jio Platforms reported strong profit growth for the quarter ended March 2026, helped by tariff-led gains, subscriber additions, higher data consumption and expansion in home broadband. Average revenue per user rose to ₹214, reflecting improved monetisation after tariff increases and a better customer mix.

The proposed IPO has been closely watched since Ambani told shareholders that Jio Platforms was being readied for a market debut in the first half of 2026. Preparations gathered pace after listing rules were adjusted to make it easier for very large companies to float a smaller portion of equity while still meeting public-shareholding requirements over time.

A 2.5 per cent offering would keep public float modest at the start, but even that limited stake could translate into a multibillion-dollar transaction if the company commands a valuation close to estimates that have placed Jio Platforms around $180 billion. At that level, the IPO could rank among the largest listings ever seen on domestic exchanges.

The timing remains sensitive. Equity markets have been volatile as investors weigh interest-rate expectations, geopolitical risks, technology valuations and capital flows into emerging markets. Several large companies have adjusted listing timetables as issuers and bankers test demand from institutional and retail investors.

Reliance has assembled a large banking syndicate for the transaction, underlining the scale and complexity of the planned sale. The deal will require careful pricing to balance investor appetite, Reliance’s valuation expectations and the interests of existing shareholders who invested at a premium during the digital fundraising boom.

For Meta and Google, continued ownership preserves access to one of the world’s largest digital consumer markets through partnerships linked to messaging, cloud services, devices and online commerce. For sovereign wealth funds and private equity investors, remaining invested offers exposure to a mature telecom platform with rising cash flows and expanding digital adjacencies.

The IPO will also have implications for Reliance Industries’ own market valuation. Investors have long debated whether separate listings of Jio Platforms and Reliance Retail could unlock value trapped inside the conglomerate structure. A successful Jio debut may narrow the holding-company discount, while a weak listing would raise questions over the pace and pricing of Reliance’s broader demerger and monetisation strategy.