Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Wall Street is confronting a fresh source of pressure on US government bonds as the extra compensation investors demand for holding longer-term debt climbs to its highest level in more than a decade. The so-called term premium on 10-year Treasury securities has risen by roughly 40 basis points since mid-September to about 0.98%, according to a model maintained by the Federal Reserve Bank […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai SoftBank Group chief executive Masayoshi Son is seeking up to $100 billion from Gulf investors for a proposed fund that would acquire businesses and transform their operations using artificial intelligence. The fundraising discussions are at an early stage, with senior figures in the United Arab Emirates among those approached. No commitments or final agreements have been announced, and there is no assurance that […]
Gold prices climbed to a one-week high on Friday as declining oil prices eased inflation concerns and pressure on US Treasury yields, encouraging investors to return to bullion despite uncertainty over further Federal Reserve interest rate increases. Spot gold advanced 1.4% to $4,190.49 an ounce during US trading, extending gains for a second consecutive session. The metal was heading towards a weekly increase of approximately 1.2%, recovering […]
The Wikimedia Foundation has identified unauthorised activity by artificial intelligence agents it believes were operated by OpenAI, including attempts to misuse online tools and automated traffic that may have disrupted a public data service. The organisation, which operates Wikipedia and other open knowledge projects, said its investigation uncovered unapproved wiki edits, unsuccessful attempts to exploit a shared note-taking service and millions of requests to its public interfaces. […]
International condemnation of Houthi attacks on two Saudi Arabian airports has intensified, with the United Nations, France, Britain and several Middle Eastern governments denouncing strikes that killed three civilians and injured 36 others. The attacks targeted Abha International Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh on October 6 and 7, according to Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The casualties included three foreign residents, […]
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have pledged support for a Japanese initiative to strengthen oil supplies and strategic reserves across Southeast Asia, as disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict intensify concerns over regional energy security. Representatives of both Gulf producers attended a special session of the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) in Manila on Thursday, joining discussions involving ministers from 11 partner countries, including […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Lufthansa Group, IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air have suspended flights to Riyadh following renewed threats from Yemen’s Houthi movement and its claim of a ballistic missile attack on the Saudi capital’s international airport. The cancellations announced on Thursday disrupted international services as airlines assessed security conditions around King Khalid International Airport, where explosions and smoke were reported following the alleged attack. Lufthansa […]
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers NEW YORK: The latest Donald Trump–Gavin Newsom confrontation began, as many of their earlier clashes have, with California. Trump has done it before and he has done it again and he will do it again. Trump is known to make off the cuff remarks, knowingly or unknowingly, of the impact it […]
The article Trump-Newsom Clash Assumes Special Significance Before Nov 3 Polls appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 October 2026 – Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”) has launched PRUActive Family Care (PAFC), a whole-of-life protection plan designed for Singaporeans caring for multiple generations. The plan enables caregivers to provide protection for both their child and ageing parents under a single policy.
PAFC provides lifetime protection for the caregiver’s child, as the life assured, covering death, terminal illness, total and permanent disability (TPD). It also offers critical illness add-ons that cover 182 conditions including juvenile conditions and mental illness.
The plan also includes Parent Guard Benefit that provides protection for the caregiver’s ageing parents up to age 100, without the need for medical underwriting. It offers financial and income support when a parent is diagnosed with specified age-related conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease, Dementia, Parkinson’s disease and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Often, older adults may find it challenging to get insurance coverage due to health-related underwriting requirements. By including protection for parents under the caregiver’s policy, PAFC helps families address the protection gap.
The launch of PAFC comes as Singapore has become a super-aged society as the proportion of citizens aged 65 and above was at 21.4 per cent in 2026, an increase from 13.7 per cent in 2016. By 2035, more than one in four citizens is expected to be aged 65 and above1. As such, there will be an increasing number of people taking on caregiving responsibilities.
Mr Manu Tandon, Chief Health & Protection Officer of Prudential Singapore, said: “As Singapore’s population ages and families become smaller, many caregivers in the “sandwiched generation” are caring for their ageing parents while raising their young children. These caregivers can face significant financial and emotional stress as they need to fund their children’s education, meet their parents’ healthcare needs – particularly when ongoing care is required – and save for their own retirement.”
Prudential’s recent research2 also highlights the financial challenges many caregivers face. Nearly three in four Singaporeans (72 per cent) cited financial support as the most important form of assistance for caregivers, yet only 13 per cent believed their household would have enough savings if a caregiver had to stop working to provide care.
Added Mr Tandon: “PRUActive Family Care helps families prepare for rising caregiving demands with protection for both parents and child under one plan, while safeguarding the caregiver’s financial future. Importantly, the Parent Guard Benefit extends protection to the caregiver’s ageing parents without underwriting required, who may otherwise find it difficult to obtain coverage.”
Supporting the Needs of the Multigenerational Families by Protecting Ageing Parents
Reflecting the diverse needs of caregivers, PRUActive Family Care offers flexibility for individuals with or without children. It allows the caregiver (the policyowner) or their child to be the life assured, with the option to enhance the life assured’s coverage by up to five times through the Multiplier Benefit. In addition, the Parent Guard Benefit provides coverage for both parents of the caregiver.
The Parent Guard Benefit offers the following financial and income support3:
Up to two parents can be included in the plan, with entry up to age 80* and coverage to age 100. Benefits are payable for eligible diagnoses in any of 13 recognised countries**.
Supporting Recovery and Rehabilitation
Beyond financial protection, PAFC is a holistic plan that provides value-added service to support recovery long after treatment or hospitalisation. The caregiver (policyholder), his/her child and parents, can tap on the recovery and rehabilitation services including physiotherapy, chiropractic care, osteopathy and traditional Chinese medicine, and home care and medical services.
For more information on PRUActive Family Care, including full product terms, eligibility criteria and exclusions, please visit https://www.prudential.com.sg/pruactive-family-care
Additional notes:
* Based on age next birthday (ANB)
** Diagnosis must be provided by a registered medical practitioner in one of the following: Singapore, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, China (limited to class 3 hospitals in designated cities), Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai), United Kingdom, United States
Hashtag: #Prudential
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https://www.facebook.com/PrudentialSingapore/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd is one of the top life and health insurance companies in Singapore, serving the financial and protection needs of the country’s citizens for 95 years. As at 31 December 2025, it has S$66.3 billion funds under management. The company has an AA Financial Strength Rating from leading credit rating agency Standard & Poor’s and delivers a suite of well-rounded product offerings in Protection, Savings and Investment through multiple distribution channels including a network of 5,400 financial representatives.
Dubai’s residential property market has recorded a sharp decline in transactions as the Middle East war dampens demand, while moderate price corrections have emerged in several segments, S&P Global Ratings said. The credit ratings agency warned that continuing regional instability, combined with substantial housing deliveries scheduled for 2027 and 2028, could intensify downward pressure on prices, particularly apartments purchased primarily for investment. S&P Global Ratings credit analyst […]
BUDAPEST, HUNGARY and HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 June 2026 – OTP Bank Plc. (“OTP Bank” or “OTP”), the leading banking group in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), today marked the establishment of its EUR 7 billion Euro Medium Term Note (EMTN) programme on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the “Hong Kong Stock Exchange” or “HKEX”) with a commemorative gong ceremony at the Connect Hall, Hong Kong Stock Exchange. OTP is the first European Union financial institution to open an EMTN programme on the exchange.
The EUR 7 billion programme was established on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on 28 May 2026, following approval of its base prospectus by Luxembourg’s Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier (CSSF) on 27 May 2026, allowing the issuer to raise debt in multiple tranches, currencies, structures and maturities over time. For OTP – which holds an AAA issuer rating on the China national scale from Lianhe Ratings, the highest available – it establishes a permanent platform for trading with certain OTP bonds, and later for raising capital from Asian institutional investors.
On 16 June 2026, OTP priced the programme’s inaugural issuance: a EUR 1 billion Tier 2 note, listed in Hong Kong and Luxembourg. It is OTP’s largest-ever bond transaction and, as at the issue date, the largest euro-denominated Tier 2 note issued by a bank in the CEE and wider CEMEA region. The offering drew a peak order book of EUR 4.1 billion – the largest in OTP’s history – and priced at a coupon of 4.625%.
The listing builds on OTP’s growing presence in Asian capital markets. In 2025 OTP issued its first Dim Sum green bond, raising CNH 900 million and becoming the first Hungarian institution to issue a public offshore renminbi green bond, following a CNY 300 million bond in 2024. The Bank has operated a representative office in Beijing since 2017, became a full member of the Asian Financial Cooperation Association (AFCA) in 2024, and maintains a strategic partnership with the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC).
Sándor Pataki, Director of Investor Relations and Capital Markets Operations of OTP Bank, said: “Listing our EMTN programme in Hong Kong is a clear demonstration of OTP Bank’s long-term vision and strategic commitment to international capital markets. Hong Kong excels itself as one of the world’s leading international financial centres, serving as a vital bridge between East and West. For OTP Bank, this is not only an opportunity to access liquidity, but also to deepen relationships and build lasting trust with investors in this dynamic region. The demand we have seen for OTP’s credit, including the record order book for our inaugural issue off the programme, reflects the growing interest in high-quality European issuers.”
As Asian investors increasingly look to Europe to diversify their portfolios, Central and Eastern Europe offers a distinctive proposition: emerging-market growth rates combined with the low-risk profile of the European Union. The region’s attractiveness is reinforced by its convergence towards the eurozone. Three of the five countries in which OTP is the market leader sit at the heart of Europe’s euro-convergence story – Bulgaria, which adopted the euro on 1 January 2026, Slovenia, which adopted the euro years ago, and Hungary, OTP’s flagship market, where the recently elected government aims to create the conditions for euro adoption around 2030.
OTP combines what rarely comes together in European banking: high growth, strong profitability and an ultraconservative balance sheet built for resilience. OTP Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing banking groups in the region, recently ranked 398th on the Forbes Global 2000 list, up from 1007th place in 2022. It pairs an annual organic loan growth of around 15% with a disciplined acquisition record and high profitability – a 2025 return on equity of 21.6% – and with an ultraconservative balance sheet: a leverage ratio well above its European peers, strong capital and liquidity, and one of the most resilient outcomes in the European Banking Authority’s latest stress test. In 2023, OTP became the first European bank to enter Uzbekistan, bringing the total population across OTP’s markets to 110 million.
Sándor Pataki, Director of Investor Relations and Capital Markets Operations of OTP Bank, added: “We believe the combination of growth, profitability and stability is what makes OTP an attractive name for fixed-income investors. This is also reflected in our recent ranking among the world’s top 500 companies by Forbes.These achievements are the result of a consistent strategy: prudent growth, diversified funding sources, and a strong focus on long-term partnerships. Over the decades, OTP Bank has built a solid track record in international debt capital markets, and today’s milestones further strengthen that foundation. Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities to deepen our engagement with Asian investors and institutions. We are confident that this listing will serve as a cornerstone for long-term cooperation, mutual growth, and shared success.”
Hashtag: #OTPBank #Banking #Finance #HongKong #Hungary
https://www.otpbank.hu/portal/en/retailhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/otp-group/?originalSubdomain=huhttps://www.facebook.com/otpbank.hu/https://www.instagram.com/otp_bank_magyarorszag?igsh=MXRhZmF3MHE3ZTJzaw%3D%3D
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
OTP Group provides universal financial services to 17.5 million customers across 11 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia, with 40,000 employees and total assets of USD 138 billion. OTP has ranked No. 1 in Central and Eastern Europe by Tier 1 capital in The Banker’s Top 100 CEE Banks for three consecutive years (2023-2025); it was named the second best-performing bank in Europe by S&P Global Market Intelligence and the Best Bank in Central and Eastern Europe by Global Finance. The Group has risen to 398th on the Forbes Global 2000 in 2026 (from 1007th in 2022). OTP Bank has been listed on the Budapest Stock Exchange since 1995. The Bank holds an AAA issuer rating on the China national scale from Lianhe and is rated BBB by S&P.
Iranian pressure on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has intensified as Gulf oil flows recover towards levels seen before the war, exposing the fragile security underpinning the rebound in global energy supplies. UK Maritime Trade Operations has recorded nine attacks in the waterway so far in October, compared with 18 across the Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf during all of September. Four of September’s […]
Saudi Aramco is examining additional crude export routes and more overseas storage as prolonged disruption to the Strait of Hormuz exposes increasingly thin buffers in the global oil system, chief executive Amin Nasser has said. Nasser told the Energy Intelligence Forum in London that the disruption represented the most serious energy supply shock of his career, warning that emergency stock releases could provide temporary relief but could […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Oil prices climbed on Wednesday as traders assessed the risk of supply disruption from a developing Gulf of Mexico storm and escalating Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, offsetting signs that more Middle East crude was reaching global markets. Brent crude futures rose 93 cents, or 0.92%, to $101.51 a barrel by 0022 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 82 cents, or […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai’s residential and commercial property transactions totalled AED 90.62 billion in the third quarter of 2026, with off-plan housing retaining the largest share of residential activity, according to market data released by Springfield Properties. The dataset recorded 36,738 transactions during the quarter, including residential sales worth AED 72.58 billion across 33,949 deals. Off-plan residential properties accounted for AED 41.58 billion through 23,457 transactions, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai ADNOC has agreed to supply Thailand’s Gulf Group with approximately two million tonnes of liquefied natural gas under a multi-year contract, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2027. The Sales and Purchase Agreement expands a commercial relationship established through the companies’ first LNG supply deal in 2025 and gives ADNOC Trading a larger direct role in supplying the Asian market. Neither company disclosed […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 October 2026 – The Global Youth Powerhouse Summit 2026, organised by Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, was held on 5 October at the Conrad Hong Kong. Now in its third edition, the Summit coincides with the release of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region’s First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development (2026–2030) and the latest Policy Address, which together set a clear blueprint for the city’s future. Anchored on these core themes and conducted entirely in English, the full-day programme focused on artificial intelligence, geopolitics, Hong Kong as an education hub, capital markets, life and health technology, and start-up financing. Government and business leaders, corporate representatives and young professionals were invited to examine Hong Kong’s strategic opportunities in the new economic landscape.
The Summit aims to connect young professionals with international resources, enabling participants to engage directly with industry leaders, grasp developments at the frontier of industry, and look ahead to the opportunities and challenges arising from artificial intelligence and Greater Bay Area integration. Previous editions have drawn a strong response. Across three editions, the Summit has attracted more than thousands of in-person participants and about 17,000 online participants from over 30 countries and regions, with social media reach exceeding 50 million.
This year’s Summit was the largest yet, bringing together more than 600 young professionals, government and business leaders and corporate representatives. Participants from over 60 countries and regions joined online. More than 30 distinguished speakers and moderators were invited, including officials of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government and representatives of leading local and international organisations such as Huawei, the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited, Bullish and Endowus. In addition, consular representatives from up to 20 countries attended the Summit.
The Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Mr John Lee, GBM, SBS, PDSM, PMSM, delivered a pre-recorded video speech, encouraging young professionals to seize the opportunities of the times and inject fresh momentum into Hong Kong’s high-quality development. He said: “For our young people, I firmly believe that your opportunities ahead outweigh the difficulties. The HKSAR Government will join hands with all sectors to build platforms for you to thrive in Hong Kong, in our country, and in the global arena.”
The Deputy Secretary for Justice of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP, delivered an opening keynote entitled “Opportunities for the Professional Development of Young People”, and stressed: “As the saying goes, ‘Change is the only constant’—or as our Cantopop classic famously put it, ‘變幻原是永恆’. Today, we no longer measure change in years or decades, but in months and days. For our young professionals, this fast-paced era unlocks unprecedented career horizons. By accelerating Greater Bay Area integration through our new GBA Task Force and empowering you to act as the ultimate ‘super-connectors’ and ‘super value-adders’ helping Mainland enterprises go global, we are turning rapid change into your greatest professional advantage.”
Dr Kevin Lau, MH, Founding Convenor of Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy, said: “This is more than a high-level forum. It marks a milestone in the maturing of our network of young professionals. This afternoon, venture funds managing an estimated US$10 billion in assets gathered in the room — and what they are looking at is Hong Kong’s next generation. In life and health technology, our core belief is clear: artificial intelligence can assist imaging and diagnosis, but a physician’s care, and the warmth of a human hand, can never be replaced by technology.”
Other distinguished guests included Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry; Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council; Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP, Chief Executive Officer of Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited; and Mr James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals. Mr Bryan Che, Chief Strategy Officer of Huawei, and Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, also attended in person to exchange views with young professionals.
Artificial intelligence: from first-time users to advanced users
The opening session began with remarks by Mr Kevin Choi, JP, Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and was moderated by Ms Stephaine Chan, Director of the Office of the Vice Chairman of Esquel Group. Panellists included Ms Ilaria Chan, Chair of the Tech For Good Institute; Mr Bryan Che, Chief Strategy Officer of Huawei; and Ms Cindy Chow, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund. The discussion focused on whether small and medium-sized enterprises, non-governmental organisations and schools can genuinely put artificial intelligence to use, and on the talent, trust and practical-application issues Hong Kong faces in driving “AI for all”.
Mr Kevin Choi, JP mentioned: “Every major technology shift brings uncertainty. Our theme today from entry-level shock to AI-powered users building the next talent leader.”
Ms Stephaine Chan said: “Every AI conversation ends in the same place, right? More investment, better people, better models and stronger policy.”
Ms Ilaria Chan said: “These days, Al is so powerful that they can scan the Internet and social media and find vulnerable young people or old people. They can find it instantly and have a very sophisticated way to trick them and fraud them from scamming.”
Mr Bryan Che: “One of the opportunities of Al is because the interface is much more natural for most people to interact with. On one sense, it’s a lot easier for everyone to get started.”
Ms Cindy Chow said: “So I guess some of the most damaging thing is not allowing people to use or not, you know, really have the attitude to embrace all this new technology, what this new technology has to bring to you.”
Geopolitics: the super-connector
This session was moderated by Mr James Chau, President of the China-United States Exchange Foundation and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals. Speakers included Ms Ilaria Chan, Chair of the Tech For Good Institute; Ms Ellana Lee, Senior Vice President, Managing Editor, Asia Pacific, and Global Head of Productions at CNN; and Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
Mr James Chau said: “Against this backdrop, we often hear Hong Kong described as a super connector, typically framed in terms of trade volumes, capital markets and logistics but I think that these connections that we’re speaking of really only become very valuable and we understand and recognize the human bonds that pin these together.”
Professor Frederick Ma , GBS, JP said: “We are part of China. And yet we are under one country 2 systems connected to the rest of the world. That is the power of Hong Kong.”
Ms Ellana Lee said: “We made a very strategic decision when the times were tough to stay and remain in Hong Kong. I think that has and you know, we make these decisions not just out of a whim, but we are very calculative on why we need to stay. I have 8 cities across Asia Pacific. Hong Kong happens to be the hub for Asia Pacific. And there’s it boils down to four major reasons.”
Ms IIaria Chan: “Simple of how tech is helping people, there is an organization, WHO care for children that was founded 20 years ago that helps orphans in developing China back then Vietnam, Thailand now in Africa, Middle East to find loving permanent homes. But their bottleneck is how they train social workers and governments on how to take care of orphan welfare. Now this year we’ve actually been launching an online product that is able to scale these bottlenecks, especially in areas that are underfunded. This is a great example of Al tech.”
Education: Hong Kong as Asia’s education hub
This session was co-moderated by Mrs Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP, Founder of the Future Leaders Foundation, and Ms Jennifer Ma, Founder of JM Edu Consulting. Speakers included Ms Maggie Chau, School Partnership Advisor at the Academy for Educational Development and Innovation of The Education University of Hong Kong; Mr Dion CHEN, MH, Vice-Chairman of the Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council; and Professor Charles Ng Wang-Wai, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.
Mrs Jennifer Yu Cheng, JP said: “An education hub is more than a place with excellent institutions. It is a place that students and families choose, where young people flourish, and connects education with research, innovation, careers and a wider community.”
Professor Charles Ng said: “With our national policy. And I think we should do better to support this great initiatives and thinking back actually 2023 and home government already in in the government policy in October, if I remember correctly to start to increase the local student quota from 20% to 40%.”
Ms Jennifer Ma said: “As a consultant we need demand to meet supply and we are definitely seeing the demand for Hong Kong education at K12 level…….The advocacy for Hong Kong to be the gateway for China Resources and talents to leave China and go into international arenas. But at the same time, we also see a lot of international people interested in what’s happening in mainland, and therefore Hong Kong is a great gateway. So, with that global education, global education philosophy, that means they really appreciate Hong Kong trilingual education by cultural mindset.”
Mr Dion CHEN, MH mentioned: “In 2026, a lot of DSS schools will work very hard to try to welcome and also promote welcome to Hong Kong and also promote Hong Kong’s education to the students in different countries.”
Ms Maggie Chau said: “Maggie: I can see that all the universities are actually implementing AI in their curriculum. Talking about teacher education, the programs we offer, I mean, not just The Education University of Hong Kong, the programs we offer in all universities implement Al in the curriculum in a way that we draw attention to the use of Al is it has to be ethical.”
Capital markets: AI listings, asset tokenisation and the new economy
This session was moderated by Ms Emily CHAN Tan, a former CNBC anchor. Speakers included Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP; Ms Clara CHAN Ka Chai, Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited; Mr Michael Lau, Senior Vice President and Head of Group Business Development at Bullish and Chairman of Consensus; and Mr Samuel RHEE, Co-founder, Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer of Endowus.
Ms Clara CHAN Ka Chai said: “We always say that from zero to 1 is the most challenging part. So, the patients in terms of having staying power is the core, but it has to go in hand with other qualities like being proactive, being professional.”
Mr Michael Lau said: “I think it’s an interesting proposition to consider that these types of companies that are so capital. I would start looking beyond the current horizon of where we are to see where it could go next. And so I do think that there is a demand looking to that future where this idea of a tokenized capital market could be quite interesting.”
Mr Samuel RHEE mentioned: “First of all, maybe we just take a step back and just try to understand all of the capital markets, not just equities.”
Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP said: “I want to point out one thing. I mean, we are operating a stock exchange and I think capital markets at the end of the day, the basic function is to match capital with opportunity. So what I’m very focused on is that I’m not just focused on technology or AI.”
Ms Emily CHAN Tan said: “We are not just witnessing a cyclical recovery, but also some would call this the threshold of a capital markets renaissance.”
Life and health technology: building a health-industry hub
This session was moderated by Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS, Founding President of the Hong Kong Biotechnology Organisation. Speakers included Professor LI King-Chuen, Founding Dean of the School of Medicine at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology; Dr Sarah SALVILLA, Director of Health and Strategic Partnerships at FWD Group; and Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, GBS, JP, former Chairman of the Hospital Authority and Non-executive Chairman of Trinity Medical Group. The discussion focused on how AI in healthcare can strengthen the competitiveness of Hong Kong’s health industry.
Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS said: “Building HK’s holistic wellness hub, this year marks a defining moment for HK. With the release of our first ever five year plan and their chief executive policy address just a few weeks ago, our city’s road map for healthcare and biotechnology knowledge has never been clearer or more ambitious.”
Professor Anthony Wu Ting-yuk, GBS, JP said: “Every country every city is trying to recruit more talent and I think Hong Kong is an ideal position to attract talents.”
Professor LI King-Chuen said: “Our education system will be individualized. And we will do the factual knowledge transfer through mostly self-directed learning. So we guide them, we build an AI system with prescribed information.”
Dr Sarah SALVILLA said: “Prevention for sure in terms of how do we educate people to be much more proactive in their everyday lives, yes you know, kind of the lifestyle things.”
Start-up pitching: connecting with capital
The closing session was moderated by business journalist Ms Elaine Yu, with Mr LU Chin Yung, Senior Vice President (Start-ups) of the Sector Specialist Group at Invest Hong Kong. Representatives of 11 venture funds were present, including the Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund, Clee Capital, Click Ventures, GT Healthcare Capital Partners, Gobi Partners GBA, HKSTP Ventures, MindWorks Capital, Ryoden Medical Holdings, Seveno Capital, Verge HealthTech Fund and W2 Venture Partners. Together, the funds manage an estimated US$10 billion, have invested in more than 600 start-ups across more than 30 economies, and have backed at least nine unicorns, including Airwallex, Animoca Brands, Prenetics and GoGoX. Start-ups taking part in the pitching session included CELLmeric, Entoptica, PointFit, Syngular, Kodifly, AilsynBio, EveryBaby, A-grade, Orimmune Biotech, Nordia Biotech, Oncolmmu Nostics Limited, The Harbour School (THS), VisionBridge, Eden’s Garden, and CARE CONNECT.
Ms Elaine Yu said: “We have 15 startups and I think a group of students as well, very precocious students WHO are already thinking of ideas, real businesses with commercial viability at the cutting edge of science, research, healthcare and so forth. So, this should be a fun dynamic session.”
Mr LU Chin Yung pointed out: “Hong Kong is great in a lot of rankings in the world and this is not given, this is hard earned by your parents, by some of you sitting here. But as a young founder in Hong Kong, if you come to Hong Kong, you get to enjoy all this very safe environment. You have efficiency and then you also have a very clean government. This one I can say for sure. Yeah. And and all this, it helps the the founders to focus on your business, focus on grow, growing instead of you have to deal with many, many things.”
The Summit closed amid lively exchange. Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy said it will continue to build the Summit into a platform for dialogue between young professionals and leading figures in government and business, helping Hong Kong’s young talent seize the opportunities of the new economy.
Photos and video: Selected materials can be downloaded here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1XowvT4PLTkLo-Vx6k8UJ_YyuM0O0wSlQ?usp=sharing .
Official hashtag: #GYPS2026
| Venture fund | Profile |
| Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund | A HK$1 billion venture fund under Alibaba Group; has invested in 84 start-ups and nurtured seven unicorns |
| Clee Capital | A Hong Kong venture fund focused on start-up and private equity investment |
| Click Ventures | A pioneer Hong Kong early-stage technology investor; now invests in 20 funds as a family office |
| W2 Venture Partners | Venture fund (profile to be supplemented) |
| Gobi Partners GBA | A pan-Asian venture platform managing about US$2 billion, with cumulative investments in more than 400 companies |
| GT Healthcare Capital Partners | A Hong Kong healthcare investment fund with investments across North America and Europe |
| HKSTP Ventures | The corporate venture arm of the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation, investing directly in seed to Series A start-ups |
| MindWorks Capital | A Hong Kong pan-Asian venture fund focused on logistics, fintech and enterprise technology |
| Ryoden Medical Holdings | A Hong Kong healthcare family office investing in biotechnology and regenerative medicine |
| Seveno Capital | A Singapore longevity and health-technology fund with US$70 million in committed capital over five years |
| Verge HealthTech Fund | A Hong Kong and Singapore digital-health venture fund with investments across 17 countries |
Annex 2: Attending guests (in no particular order)
| Guest | Title | Guest | Title |
| Ms Chan Hoi-yee | Director, Office of the Vice Chairman, Esquel Group | Ms Ilaria Chan | Chair, Tech For Good Institute |
| Ms Clara Chan | Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited | Ms Chan Nga-ying | Former CNBC anchor |
| Ms Bonnie Y Chan, JP | Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited | Mr James Chau | President, China-United States Exchange Foundation, and World Health Organization Goodwill Ambassador for Sustainable Development Goals |
| Ms Irene Chow | School Partnership Advisor, Academy for Educational Development and Innovation (AEDI), The Education University of Hong Kong | Mr Bryan Che | Chief Strategy Officer, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. |
| Mr Adrian Chan, MH | Vice-Chairman, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council | Mrs Carrie Cheng, JP | Founder, Future Leaders Foundation |
| Dr Cheung Kwok-kwan, SBS, JP | Deputy Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region | Mr Kevin Choi, JP | Permanent Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry |
| Ms Cindy Chow | Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Alibaba Hong Kong Entrepreneurs Fund | Dr Kevin Lau, MH | Founding Convenor, Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy |
| Mr Lau Tak-ho | Senior Vice President and Head of Group Business Development, Bullish, and Chairman, Consensus | Ms Ellana Lee | Senior Vice President, Managing Editor, Asia Pacific, and Global Head of Productions, CNN |
| Professor King Li | Founding Dean, School of Medicine, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology | Professor Lo Yuk-lam, BBS | Founding President, Hong Kong Biotechnology Organisation |
| Mr Raymond Lui | Senior Vice President (Start-ups), Sector Specialist Group, Invest Hong Kong | Ms Michelle Ma | Founder, JM Edu Consulting |
| Professor Frederick Ma, GBS, JP | Chairman, Hong Kong Trade Development Council | Professor Charles Ng | Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology |
| Mr Samuel Rhee | Co-founder, Chairman and Group Chief Investment Officer, Endowus | Dr Sit Wai-nga | Director, Health and Strategic Partnerships, FWD Group |
| Professor Anthony Wu, GBS, JP | Former Chairman, Hospital Authority, and Non-executive Chairman, 全仁醫療集團 | Ms Elaine Yu | Business Journalist |
| Ms Jeanne Cheng, JP | District Officer (Central and Western) | Dr Elsie Leung, GBM, JP | Former Secretary for Justice, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region |
| Professor Teresa Cheng, GBM, GBS, SC, JP | Secretary-General, International Organization for Mediation, and former Secretary for Justice | The Hon Tommy Cheung, GBM, GBS, JP | Non-official Member, Executive Council |
| The Hon Dr Lam Ching-choi, GBS, JP | Non-official Member, Executive Council | The Hon Chan Hoi-fung, BBS, MH, JP | Legislative Council Member |
| The Hon Chan Kin-por, GBM, GBS, JP | Non-official Member, Executive Council | The Hon Nixie Lam | Legislative Council Member |
| Mr Andrew Yao, SBS, JP | Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress | Professor Herman Hu, GBS, JP | Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress |
| Mr Gordon Lam | Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress | Mr Chan Chung-ni, SBS, JP | Hong Kong Deputy to the 14th National People’s Congress |
| Mr Ho Hon-kuen, BBS, MH | Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference | Mr Tu Haiming, BBS | Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference |
| Mr Kung Wing-tak | Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference | Dr Lo Kam-wing, BBS, JP | Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and President, The Chinese Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong |
| Mr Li Tai-chong, SBS, OM, JP | Member, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference | The Hon Lam Wai-chuen | Legislative Council Member |
| The Hon Lau Man-kwan, JP | Legislative Council Member | The Hon Chong Ho-fung | Legislative Council Member |
| The Hon Lee Kwong-yu, MH | Legislative Council Member | The Hon Leung Tsz-wing, MH | Legislative Council Member |
| Mr Ng Yuk-yeung | Hong Kong Member, 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference | The Hon Fong Kwok-shan | Legislative Council Member |
| The Hon Lau Ka-keung, BBS, MH, JP | Legislative Council Member | The Hon Revd Canon Peter Koon, SBS, JP | Legislative Council Member |
| Mr Pablo Macedo Riba | Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong | Dr Esteban Ramírez González | Consul General of Mexico in Hong Kong |
| Mr Alberto Martínez | Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong | Ms Silvia Civera | Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong |
| Mr Javier Sampedro | Commercial Representative, Consulate General of Spain in Hong Kong | Mr Juha Niemi | Consul General of Finland in Hong Kong and Macao |
| Mr O’Brien Ernesto Guerra Córdova | Consul General of Venezuela in Hong Kong | Mr Ammala Saenchonghack | Consul General of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in Hong Kong |
| Mr Riaz Ahmed Shaikh | Consul General of Pakistan in Hong Kong | Mr Yos Sokhemrin | Consul General of Cambodia in Hong Kong |
| Mr Maurits Ter Kulve | Consul General of the Netherlands in Hong Kong | Ms Lim Kim Suan | Consul General of Brunei Darussalam in Hong Kong |
| Mr Hassan Doutaghi | Consul General of Iran in Hong Kong | Mr Ali Abdulla Al-Hitmi | Deputy Consul General of Qatar in Hong Kong |
| Ms Helen Silvester | British Council | Mr Wilhelm Brauner | Belgium-Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce |
| Professor Sin Kuen-fung, MH | Co-Executive Director, Academy for Educational Development and Innovation, The Education University of Hong Kong | Mr Lam Siu-hong, JP | Commissioner for Youth, Home and Youth Affairs Bureau |
| Mr Arnold Lau | Assistant Director-General, Invest Hong Kong | Professor James Dai | Associate Dean of Students, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University |
| Dr Chan Pui-yin | Vice-President, Hong Kong Medical Association | Ms Cecilia Ho | Chief Executive, Lee Hysan Foundation |
| Mr Quentin Merour | Consulate General of France in Hong Kong | Ms Christine Ma Lau | Founder and Principal, JEMS Character Academy |
| Ms Agnes Chan, BBS | Senior Advisor, Office of the Chairman, Greater China, EY | Ms Melissa Pang, BBS, MH, JP | Former President, The Law Society of Hong Kong, and Member, National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference |
| Mr Patrick Yeung | Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce | Ms Kimberly Kwok | Founder, Mighty Oaks |
| Mr Larry Chiang | Founder and Chief Executive Officer, International Finance Capital Group Limited | Ms Sophia Kao, GBS, JP | Former Chairperson, Women’s Commission, and founding Chairperson, Financial Reporting Council |
| Ms Marie Mercy | Consulate General of France in Hong Kong | Mr Peter Shum | Deputy Chairman of Federation of Hong Kong Industries |
| Mr Daryl Lin | JCI Hong Kong | Mr Jacky Chung | Hong Kong Trade Development Council (represented by Mr Andrew Chui) |
| Mr Silas Chu | Hong Kong Trade Development Council | Mr Lot Chan | Assistant Director of Health (Preparatory Office for Centre for Medical Products Regulation) |
| Dr Jeff Lee | Head of the Health Informatics and Technology Office |
Hashtag: #全球青年力量峰會 #GYPS2026
https://hkypga.com/https://www.facebook.com/hkyproadvocacy?locale=sk_SKhttps://www.instagram.com/gypowerhouse/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hong Kong Youth Professional Global Advocacy is a community organisation founded in 2023 by young professionals in Hong Kong. It seeks to serve as a bridge between Hong Kong and the world, uniting Hong Kong young people globally through a range of exchange activities and cultivating an overseas youth network that supports “Hong Kong opportunities”. The organisation brings together more than 120 young professionals across finance, real estate, building surveying, manufacturing, environmental protection, healthcare, law, accounting and technology, and works closely with professional bodies, industry associations and the media. Through monthly salons and online exchanges with the Greater Bay Area, Southeast Asia and countries along the Belt and Road, it promotes understanding of the development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the Chinese Mainland, explores opportunities for collaboration, and ultimately aims to build a stronger network of professional youth and deepen exchange and cooperation with young people around the world.
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers WASHINGTON: The battle lines for America’s November 3 midterm elections are now unmistakably drawn. With barely a month remaining, President Donald Trump is turning the contest for control of Congress into a personal referendum on his presidency, urging Americans to vote as though his own name were on the ballot. For […]
The article Donald Trump Has Made November 3 Mid Term Polls As Unmistakenly Personal appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Under the contract, all trains designed and manufactured by Alstom for Hanoi’s urban rail lines will be new-generation five-car trains, offering advanced features in design, operational efficiency and safety. The aluminium car body reduces axle load, saving energy and reducing track wear. The wide-body design maximises interior space and increases passenger capacity. The train runs fully automated and driverless, at GoA4, the highest grade of automation. The modern braking system combines regenerative and disc brakes, ensuring safety while recovering energy during braking.
The first 83 trainsets will be designed and manufactured at Alstom’s Valenciennes Petite-Forêt site in France, one of Alstom’s centres of expertise for metros. In addition to supplying the 83 complete trainsets, Alstom will provide technology, engineering expertise, tooling support and key components, enabling Vingroup to develop local capabilities to manufacture and assemble the next 117 trainsets in Vietnam.
The contract between Vingroup and Alstom lays an important foundation for strengthening Vietnam’s self-reliance and modernising its rail industry ecosystem. The partnership also opens opportunities to establish a long-term industrial partnership and progressively expand Vietnam’s participation in the global value chain.
Mr. Martin Sion, Alstom CEO, said:“This agreement is a major milestone for Alstom in one of the fastest-growing mobility markets in the world. By combining Alstom’s global expertise with VINGROUP’s industrial strength and long-term vision, we are creating a unique partnership that supports both the expansion of Hanoi’s metro network and the development of local rail capabilities. This agreement also demonstrates the strength of French rail technology and reinforces Alstom’s position as a trusted partner for major mobility projects across the region.”
Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, said: “High-speed rail, urban rail, bridges, ports, logistics and other next-generation transport infrastructure are among the key areas under Vingroup’s Infrastructure pillar. Our strategy is to connect world-class international resources, technologies and expertise with the strong execution capabilities of Vingroup’s ecosystem, enabling us to contribute to the development of infrastructure platforms with long-term significance for Hanoi and Vietnam.”
Vingroup is the general contractor for Hanoi’s metro projects through its subsidiary Vinhomes. The partnership with Alstom aims to provide rolling stock for Hanoi’s urban rail projects while progressively developing local capabilities, enabling Vingroup to contribute over the long term to the development of the city’s urban rail network.
Under Hanoi’s Capital Master Plan with a 2045 vision, the city’s urban rail network is planned to reach 979 kilometres, comprising 18 lines and serving as the backbone of the city’s public transport system.
With a total planned length of nearly 1,000 kilometres, the network would also represent one of the largest urban rail development programmes in Southeast Asia, helping reduce traffic congestion, mitigate environmental pollution and improve the quality of life for Hanoi’s residents.
Hashtag: #Vingroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Established in 1993, VINGROUP is one of the leading diversified private economic groups in the region, operating across six core sectors: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture and Social Enterprises.
For more information, please visit: www.vingroup.net/en.
Vinhomes is Vietnam’s leading real estate brand, pioneering the development of large-scale, high-quality urban communities with professional planning, comprehensive amenities and a modern, green and clean living environment, helping shape new lifestyles for Vietnamese residents.
Alongside 32 urban developments currently in operation across the country, Vinhomes continues to focus on developing new-generation mega and super-scale urban developments of leading regional scale and stature, aspiring to create “some of the world’s most desirable places to live” while contributing significantly to the transformation of Vietnam’s urban landscape.
For more information, please visit: https://vinhomes.vn/vi.
Alstom is the pure rail leader, committed to making rail the backbone of sustainable transportation. We design and deliver a complete range of future-ready solutions – from high-speed and regional trains to metros, monorails, trams, turnkey systems, end-to-end services, infrastructure, signalling and digital rail solutions. With 87,800 people in 61 countries, Alstom brings together global expertise and multi-local presence to make every journey smarter, cleaner and more enjoyable. Together with our partners and customers, we realise the power of rail. Listed in France, Alstom generated revenues of €19.2 billion for the fiscal year ending 31 March 2026.
For more information, please visit www.alstom.com
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 October 2026 – HID, a global leader in trusted identity solutions, is rolling out enhancements across its FARGO® DTC ID card printers, including the DTC1250e, DTC4500e and DTC1500 models, to help organizations issue secure, professional-quality ID cards faster, with less IT support and the ability to easily scale as needs evolve.
Organizations that issue ID cards — from schools and healthcare systems to government offices, corporate campuses and others — need printers that are easy to operate, produce consistently high-quality credentials and keep pace with growing security requirements. The latest enhancements address each of those priorities.
Built to Print: Faster, Sharper Output and Stronger Security
Speed and reliability are essential for high-volume credential issuance. Printing more cards in less time with fewer interruptions, these printers have been updated with newer, faster hardware and electronics platforms. Support for high-capacity ribbons also streamlines the issuance workflow and maintains high productivity, reducing reloads and lost time. For front-desk and HR staff who issue dozens of badges a day, this means shorter lines and less time waiting on a stalled print job.
“We’ve been at this for a long time. For more than three decades, organizations have trusted us to power their ID badging programs,” said Apryl Erickson, VP and Head of FARGO. “With thousands of printers in the field worldwide, we’re excited to build on that legacy by delivering enhanced solutions that provide greater value to our end users and support their mission-critical issuance processes.”
Card quality matters just as much as issuance speed. With 300 x 600 dpi resolution, an enhanced color profile and adjustable K-panel printing, organizations benefit from having professional-quality ID cards that look sharper, have crisper text, cleaner logos and more accurate color.
When an organization issues credentials, they need to enhance card security and safeguard cardholder data. As such, all DTC printers offer enhanced AES-256-GCM encryption and resin scramble data protection. On the DTC1500 and DTC4500e, a built-in, customizable watermark overlay adds a layer of security at no added cost.
Built to Last: Secure, Reliable, Sustainable Performance and Less Downtime
Reliable and sustainable, the enhancedDTC printers are backed by three-year product warranties, provide ongoing printer health monitoring and are specifically engineered for efficient energy use.
Organizations also need to keep operator maintenance low. An integrated diagnostic utility and Color Assist tool are now built directly into the printer driver, so common issues can be identified and resolved without a support call. An optional OLED SmartScreen on the DTC1250e further simplifies day-to-day operation, helping non-technical staff be productive from day one with no IT ticket required.
Built for More: Room to Grow Without Starting Over
Programs rarely remain static, and organizations need to scale as their needs grow without incurring the cost of new hardware. FARGO DTC printers offer field-upgradable dual-side printing and encoding options that let organizations start with what they need and add capabilities later, without having to buy new base hardware, as programs expand.
These upgrades build on more than 30 years of DTC printing expertise. The portfolio also integrates with HID’s broader ecosystem for access control and identity management, helping organizations expand their credentialing programs as needs evolve. The DTC1500 and DTC4500e are also compatible with FARGO Connect™, a secure, cloud-based card printing platform that provides real-time fleet visibility.
The enhanced DTC printer portfolio is commercially available now. Product availability for enhanced FARGO DTC1250e and DTC4500e printers is slated for late October/early November, varying by region. Enhanced FARGO DTC1500 units will follow later in Q4 2026.
Building on these enhancements, HID plans to further expand the FARGO DTC portfolio later this year with a streamlined, single-sided printer designed for organizations with lower-volume issuance needs. It will not be available in the United States and Canada. It will be offered only in select regions outside these markets. The new model will bring the same reliability and ease of use while providing an accessible entry point into the broader FARGO portfolio.
FARGO printers are available through HID’s partner and distributor network.
Stay Connected with HID
Visit our Media Center, read our Industry Blog, and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
Hashtag: #HID #FARGO #TrustedIdentity
https://www.hidglobal.com/https://www.linkedin.com/company/hid-global
https://twitter.com/hidglobalhttps://www.facebook.com/hidglobal
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
HID powers the trusted identities of the world’s people, places and things. We make it possible for people to transact safely, work productively and travel freely. Our trusted identity solutions give people convenient access to physical and digital places and connect things that can be identified, verified and tracked digitally. Millions of people around the world use HID products and services to navigate their everyday lives, and billions of things are connected through HID technology. We work with governments, educational institutions, hospitals, financial institutions, industrial businesses and some of the most innovative companies on the planet. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, HID has over 4,500 employees worldwide and operates international offices that support more than 100 countries. HID is an ASSA ABLOY Group brand. For more information, visit www.hidglobal.com.
© 2026 HID Global Corporation/ASSA ABLOY AB. All rights reserved. HID, the HID Blue Brick logo and the Chain Design are trademarks or registered trademarks of HID Global, ASSA ABLOY AB, or its affiliates(s) in the US and other countries and may not be used without permission. All other trademarks, service marks, and product or service names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.
Key Innovations of the Protocol
Hashtag: #Qupital
https://www.qupital.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/qupital/https://x.com/QupitalOfficial
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Qupital is a Series C stage fintech platform and Asia’s leader in data-driven financing solutions for digital businesses. Headquartered in Hong Kong, Qupital empowers e-commerce businesses trading on global platforms including Amazon, JD.com, Tmall, TikTok Shop, and Pinduoduo. As the first platform in Asia to securitize e-commerce merchant loans, Qupital combines industry-leading credit performance and sustained profitability with backing from global financial institutions including HSBC and MUFG, as well as strategic investors including M Capital, Alibaba, MindWorks Capital, Greater Bay Area Homeland Development Fund, and the Innovation and Technology Ventures Fund of the Hong Kong SAR Government.
By Nantoo Banerjee The hand-picked 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) of Bombay Stock Exchange, which has long been seen as the country’s overall industry performance barometer, seems to be losing its reliability under profit-booking punters’ whims. The Sensex faced sharp selling pressure last week, closing down at 72,972.56 after plunging over 1,000 points earlier in the […]
The article Corporate Sector Is Growing Well Despite Iran War, Poor Monsoon appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Introduced in September 2022 to attract high-potential foreigners to reside and conduct economic activities in Thailand, the LTR visa program has generated an average economic value of more than USD 107,000 (THB 3.6 million) per recipient, according to BOI data. The calculation covers visa fees, spending in Thailand by visa holders, direct investment, and tax revenue from highly skilled professionals.
Amid intensifying global competition for highly skilled personnel, the LTR visa is an important mechanism for bringing global talent into Thailand. This is particularly relevant as the country prepares for a new wave of investment in advanced-technology industries, including semiconductors and advanced electronics, digital technology and AI, humanoid robotics, aviation, and biotechnology.
“The LTR visa is a strategic pillar to attract global talent as Thailand absorbs a new wave of advanced technology investments,” said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Board of Investment. “Drawing top-tier executives and technical specialists from around the world is vital to strengthening our national competitiveness and securing technology transfers from international partners.”
Approved LTR visa recipients primarily come from leading economies. The United States accounts for the largest group, with more than 2,400 approvals, followed by Japan with more than 1,300 and the United Kingdom with more than 1,000. Japanese nationals comprise a notable share of the specialist bracket, aligning with Japan’s heavy footprint in Thailand’s automotive and precision-electronics supply networks.
The 12,010 approved LTR visa recipients fall into five categories: 1,779 Highly-Skilled Professionals; 1,043 Work-from-Thailand Professionals, who work from Thailand for overseas employers; 737 Wealthy Global Citizens; 4,561 Wealthy Pensioners; and 3,891 Dependents of recipients in the first four categories.
Among recipients in the Highly-Skilled Professionals and Work-from-Thailand Professionals categories, 54% hold executive-level positions and 36% are professionals in various fields; the remainder are at the technical level. Applicants in each category must meet specific criteria, such as requirements relating to assets, income, investment evidence, work experience, and health insurance, and undergo rigorous checks by the relevant agencies.
To handle rising application volumes and remove long-standing administrative bottlenecks, the BOI rolled out an integrated digital processing portal in September 2026. The platform centralizes review procedures across four primary state bodies: the Department of Consular Affairs, the Immigration Bureau, the Department of Employment, and the Revenue Department.
Complementing the portal, the Thailand Investment and Expat Services Center (TIESC), a one-stop service center, is located on floors 6-7 of the Parade Zone at One Bangkok. “The center is intended to strengthen Thailand’s competitiveness in continuously attracting high-potential talent from around the world,” said Mr. Narit.
In addition to attracting foreign talent through the LTR visa, BOI also facilitates visas and work permits for executives and personnel working in BOI-promoted businesses through the BOI Visa, and offers the Smart Visa for startups. BOI also supports the skills development of Thai personnel through the Skill Bridge measure, and helps Thai entrepreneurs adopt modern technology to enhance their competitiveness through the Business Transformation measure. These measures work hand in hand to attract international experts, develop Thai personnel, and upgrade Thai businesses, strengthening Thailand’s readiness for the transition to a new economy driven by technology and innovation.
Note: Currency conversions are based on the Bank of Thailand’s average selling rate of approximately 1 USD = 33.6 THB.
Hashtag: #Thailandboardofinvestment #BOI #FDI #Investment
https://www.boi.go.th/en/index/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Established in 1966, the Office of the Board of Investment (BOI) has played an important role for more than 60 years in promoting value-creating investment by both foreign and Thai investors, strengthening competitiveness and supporting Thailand’s sustainable economic restructuring toward the new economy.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Rasmal Ventures and Türkiye’s Bilişim Vadisi have signed a three-year cooperation agreement aimed at creating a structured route for startups, investors and companies between Türkiye and Gulf markets. The memorandum of understanding, signed in Istanbul, covers joint innovation programmes, investor and business-to-business matchmaking, knowledge exchange, capacity building and the movement of startups, specialists and networks between the two regions. The partnership also involves […]
