Anthropic will prohibit sustained, purposeless abuse of its Claude artificial intelligence models from 12 November, formalising restrictions on hostile interactions that the chatbot can already terminate under existing safeguards. The US technology company said its revised usage policy targets extreme cases involving repeated cruelty towards its models without any discernible purpose. Ordinary frustration over inaccurate answers, criticism of Claude’s performance and legitimate testing will remain permitted. The […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 November 2026 – EtonHouse and E-Bridge will deepen their ongoing collaboration with Reggio Children through a new partnership focused on professional learning in infant care and early childhood education. The partnership will deepen this work through regular professional dialogue, research projects and professional learning, connected with Reggio Children and the experience of the infant-toddler centres and pre-schools of Reggio Emilia.
Over two days, from 30 to 31 October, the conference brings together more than 400 educators, school leaders, policymakers, regulators and researchers from Singapore, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Australia, the wider ASEAN region, South America, the Middle East and Italy.
Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development, attended as the Guest-of-Honour and addressed delegates at the conference.
Singapore participants include representatives from the country’s Anchor Operators, the Early Childhood Development Agency, the Ministry of Social and Family Development and the Ministry of Education, alongside educators, trainers and leaders from across the sector.
Organised by REACH (Reggio Emilia in Asia for Children), part of the EtonHouse Group, in partnership with Reggio Children, which works closely with the municipal infant-toddler centres and pre-schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, and supported by the Embassy of Italy in Singapore, the conference explores how education can respond to rapid technological change while protecting the deeply human foundations of learning.
Held under the theme “Education in Complex Times: Children, Democratic Cultures and the Role of Childhood in Shaping the Future,” the conference examines how education can nurture the qualities children need to navigate uncertainty: curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, agency and the ability to participate meaningfully in their communities.
By connecting international perspectives with regional experience and Singapore’s early childhood leadership, the conference aims to strengthen Singapore’s position as a hub for early childhood excellence, professional exchange, best practice and global educational thinking.
The conference follows renewed international attention on the Reggio Emilia Approach after Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales visited Reggio Emilia in May 2026 as part of her longstanding work in early childhood development. Her reflections on the importance of nature, creativity and human connection brought to the forefront the significance of an educational philosophy that places children’s rights, relationships and potential at the centre of learning, principles that are especially relevant in today’s complex and rapidly changing world.
Key Conference Initiatives
The conference creates opportunities for participants to engage with:
His Excellency Dante Brandi, Ambassador of Italy to Singapore, said:
“Reggio Emilia has given the world far more than a pedagogy—it has given us a way of trusting children as capable, curious protagonists of their own learning. As artificial intelligence reshapes how the youngest generations engage with knowledge, this Italian approach to early childhood education becomes an even more valuable compass. The Embassy of Italy is proud to support a conference that brings this heritage into dialogue with Singapore and the wider region.”
Speaking at the conference, Ms Bipasha Minocha, Chief Executive Officer of REACH, said: “Alongside our ongoing professional learning, we will be embarking on shared research projects with Reggio Children, involving educators from both EtonHouse and E-Bridge.”
She added: “For me, democratic culture lives in the daily choices of a school. Who is listened to? Can an idea change direction because a child has contributed something none of us expected?”
The conference builds on REACH’s longstanding partnership with Reggio Children and follows the Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material exhibition and conference held in Singapore in 2024, further strengthening the city’s role as a centre for educational dialogue and professional learning.
Attachments:
Dates: 30–31 October 2026
Venue: METT Singapore, 11 Canning Walk, Singapore 178881
Guest of Honour: Senior Minister of State Goh Pei Ming, Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Social and Family Development
Languages: English, Italian and Mandarin
Conference information: https://info.reach.edu.sg/2026-reach-conference
Hashtag: #REACH #ReggioEmilia #EarlyChildhoodEducation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Founded in 2013 by EtonHouse International Education Group, REACH is a proud member of the Reggio Children International Network and represents Reggio Children in Singapore and China. REACH is committed to innovation, collaboration, and dialogue among educators across Asia while protecting and advocating the Reggio Emilia Approach to Education. Through international conferences, professional development programmes, publications, webinars, study groups etc, REACH advocates for children’s rights and potential, celebrating their ‘100 languages’ of expression.
As a beacon of the Reggio Emilia philosophy in Asia, REACH is committed to transformative education practices that value lifelong learning, reflective practice, and contextual change. It invites educators to join in its journey of growth, innovation, and advocacy for children’s rights in early childhood education.
Founded in 1995 in Singapore, EtonHouse has grown into a global education group with more than 100 schools across eight countries. The Group offers a highly recognised international education pathway from infant care to high school, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, and the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, all designed to nurture inquiry, creativity, and intercultural understanding. In Singapore, EtonHouse also operates E-Bridge Pre-School, providing high-quality and affordable early childhood education to support local communities. Beyond schools, EtonHouse is deeply committed to community impact through teacher training, philanthropy, and purpose-driven educational initiatives.
The Embassy of Italy in Singapore represents Italy in Singapore and Brunei and supports relations across government, business, culture, education, science and innovation. It promotes Italian excellence while facilitating dialogue and collaboration between Italian and Singaporean institutions, companies and communities.
Italy and Singapore enjoy longstanding diplomatic relations, established shortly after Singapore’s independence in 1965. The Embassy continues to support exchanges that strengthen mutual understanding and deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Reggio Children – International Center for the Defence and Promotion of the Rights and Potential of All Children – starting from 1994, promotes and disseminates through professional development initiatives, research projects, consulting work in the educational field, ateliers, exhibitions and publishing the pedagogical and cultural heritage of Reggio Emilia’s Municipal Infant-Toddler Centres and Preschools, known in Italy and throughout the world as the Reggio Emilia Approach®.
The Reggio Children International Network was established in 2006 and is made up of references in the countries which have collaborated longest and in stable ways with Reggio Children on the realisation of initiatives and activities.
Dubai, [November 4]: xCube has announced that Entrust Capital Limited (“Entrust”), a firm authorised and regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”), will participate on xCube Access. Through the platform, eligible investors will be able to have their portfolios managed by investment professional advisors from Entrust and access Entrust’s managed portfolios through a streamlined digital experience. Established in 2018, Entrust is a boutique asset management and […]
Democrats have regained control of the United States Senate after sweeping Republican-held seats across the country in Tuesday’s midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump. Projections on Wednesday gave Democrats at least 54 seats in the 100-member chamber, compared with the 47 seats held by Democrats and allied independents before the vote. The party captured seven Republican seats, including victories in Texas, Kansas and […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – Consumer confidence in artificial intelligence is rising across Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), but new research from KPMG China and GS1 Hong Kong shows that retailers will need markedly different strategies to convert that confidence into growth. While consumers in other GBA cities show greater openness to personalised experiences and Chinese Mainland brands, Hong Kong consumers place more emphasis on value for money.
The Growth Reimagined: Building Consumer Trust in the AI Era report identifies three themes which have emerged as a roadmap for future growth:
AI trust is rising but a transparency gap persists, creating new opportunities for growth
Trust in AI has risen significantly since last year’s survey. In Hong Kong, 48% of consumers now trust AI at least somewhat, up from 28%, while trust in other GBA cities has increased from 59% to 76%. Yet growing trust has not translated into the same willingness to share personal data: just 10% of Hong Kong consumers who trust AI are comfortable doing so, compared with 32% in other GBA cities.
The difference in AI trust between Hong Kong and other GBA cities is particularly pronounced among silver shoppers, defined in the report as consumers aged above 55. Just 38% of Hong Kong silver shoppers trust AI, compared with 76% in other GBA cities, underscoring the challenge retailers face in building AI confidence among older Hong Kong consumers.
To bridge this gap, retailers in Hong Kong need to demonstrate clear value before asking consumers to share more data, while providing transparency and control over how their data is used. Consumer confidence should extend across the entire retail journey: from payment and product authenticity to returns and customer support. AI should help consumers find what they need more easily, while maintaining accuracy, fairness and access to human support.
Anna Lin, Chief Executive, GS1 Hong Kong, says: “AI is increasingly shaping how consumers discover and evaluate products, and it tends to recommend those backed by data it can readily interpret and trust. Businesses with trusted, standardised product data that is structured for machines to understand and use and traceable to an identifiable source will be best positioned to earn consumer confidence and influence future purchasing decisions.”
The silver economy is not a single consumer market
Across all age groups, value remains a priority for 73% of Hong Kong consumers, compared with 45% in other GBA cities.
When asked to describe their shopping style, 57% of silver shoppers in Hong Kong identify primarily as value shoppers, compared with only 23% in other GBA cities, where brand reputation, at 37%, and shopping experience, at 27%, emerge as their leading considerations.
The findings suggest that age alone is not enough to define the silver shoppers. Retailers looking to capture the opportunities created by the region’s ageing population will need to understand how expectations differ by market, and develop propositions that reflect those differences.
Alice Yip, Partner, Head of Consumer & Retail, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says: “Growth in the silver economy depends on recognising that shoppers’ priorities differ across markets. Hong Kong’s silver shoppers prioritise competitive prices, while those in other GBA cities place greater emphasis on brand reputation and shopping experiences. Capturing this opportunity involves understanding what matters locally and tailoring the retail offer accordingly, rather than treating the silver economy as one uniform market.”
Chinese Mainland speed raises the stakes for Hong Kong and global brands
Chinese Mainland brands are emerging as a stronger force in innovation and speed. In other GBA cities, that progress is already reflected in consumer perceptions: 64% choose them for value for money, 58% for safety and reliability and 50% for brand reputation.
In Hong Kong, however, they are still seen primarily through the lens of value. While 81% of consumers choose Chinese Mainland brands for value for money, fewer cite safety and reliability (39%), higher quality (33%) or brand reputation (31%). Their next opportunity is to turn Chinese Mainland speed and improving quality into stronger brand confidence.
Hong Kong brands retain a clear advantage in trust. Consumers in Hong Kong (74%) and other GBA cities (61%) cite safety and reliability as the leading reason for choosing Hong Kong brands. Among Hong Kong consumers, preference for Hong Kong brands is particularly strong in airlines (78%) and food and beverages (71%).
But trust cannot be taken for granted. As Chinese Mainland brands strengthen their safety and reliability credentials, Hong Kong brands will need to combine their reputation for reliability with greater innovation, sharper value and faster execution.
Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail, Asia Pacific, KPMG China, says: “Any brand that still sees Chinese Mainland competitors as a low-cost threat is looking in the rear-view mirror. Chinese Mainland speed is now producing better products, sharper design and faster innovation at a scale few markets can match. The real shift is that Chinese Mainland brands are learning to build brand equity at the same pace as they have built scale through value and speed. This is increasingly influencing who can win – not only in the GBA, but in consumer markets worldwide.”
Hashtag: #KPMG #GS1HongKong
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
KPMG in China has offices located in 31 cities with over 14,000 partners and staff, in Beijing, Changchun, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Dalian, Dongguan, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Hefei, Jinan, Nanjing, Nantong, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Shenzhen, Suzhou, Taiyuan, Tianjin, Wuhan, Wuxi, Xiamen, Xi’an, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. It started operations in Hong Kong in 1945. In 1992, KPMG became the first international accounting network to be granted a joint venture licence in the Chinese Mainland. In 2012, KPMG became the first among the “Big Four” in the Chinese Mainland to convert from a joint venture to a special general partnership.
KPMG is a global organisation of independent professional services firms providing Audit, Tax and Advisory services. KPMG is the brand under which the member firms of KPMG International Limited (“KPMG International”) operate and provide professional services. “KPMG” is used to refer to individual member firms within the KPMG organisation or to one or more member firms collectively.
KPMG firms operate in 138 countries and territories with more than 276,000 partners and employees working in member firms around the world. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such. Each KPMG member firm is responsible for its own obligations and liabilities.
GS1 Hong Kong is the local chapter of GS1®, a global, not-for-profit data standards organisation represented in over 120 countries. Through globally recognised standards such as GTIN (barcodes), we enable businesses to identify, capture and share trusted data across physical and digital supply chains, helping them accelerate digital transformation, access global markets, strengthen supply chain resilience and efficiency, and advance transparency, safety and sustainability.
Building on global data standards, GS1 Hong Kong provides solutions including ezTRADE for B2B data exchange, ezTRACK for supply chain traceability, and 1QR, powered by GS1 Digital Link, connecting 2D barcodes to rich product information such as certifications and sustainability data.
The trusted data infrastructure also supports emerging business needs, from trade finance to Scope 3 emissions reporting and ESG compliance. In an AI-driven economy, we provide the foundation for high-quality data that is accurate, visible, linkable, searchable, shareable and traceable.
GS1 Hong Kong supports close to 8,000 corporate members across 20 sectors, including retail and consumer goods, food and beverage, healthcare, apparel and footwear, logistics and ICT.
Website: 
www.gs1hk.org
By Nitya Chakraborty The results of the U.S. midterm elections are going to have big impact not only on the current administration of President Donald Trump, but also on the latest political situation in Latin America, Europe and even in India. At global level, Trump’s big defeat is a boost to the forces in different […]
The article U.S. Mid Term Result Is A Clear Verdict Against Trump’s Authoritarianism appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
The event showcases more than 160 technology demonstrations and solutions spanning AI infrastructure, robotics, automotive electronics, interconnect, passive and electromechanical technologies, power management, industrial automation, edge AI and green energy applications, offering practical approaches to customers’ evolving design and engineering challenges.
The growing adoption of robotics, software-defined and electric vehicles, and AI-driven infrastructure is transforming industries worldwide. As companies navigate increasingly complex design requirements, rising performance demands and evolving sustainability goals, they are seeking new ways to accelerate development, optimize operations and bring innovative solutions to market faster.
“As AI, automation and electrification reshape industries, customers are navigating increasingly complex design, power and system requirements,” said Jacky Wan, vice president of sales components, China, at Arrow Electronics. “By bringing together engineering expertise, technologies and supply chain capabilities, Arrow enables customers to address these challenges and accelerate the development of next-generation solutions.”
The showcase highlights solutions across four key technology domains:
Robotics
Advanced robotics solutions demonstrate how AI, sensing, motion control and automation technologies can support the development of more intelligent robotic systems. Exhibits feature AI-integrated motion control, machine vision, Holoscan Sensor Bridge (HSB) sensor-over-Ethernet technology, ROS-based embedded control, EtherCAT industrial automation, and motor control solutions. These technologies enable applications such as autonomous inspection, dexterous manipulation, and intelligent operations and maintenance, helping companies improve efficiency and deploy advanced automation across manufacturing, logistics and other industrial environments.
Automotive Electronics
Automotive technology demonstrations showcase solutions supporting the transition to smarter, more connected and electrified vehicles. Featured technologies include CAN/LIN central gateways, ambient and matrix lighting, digital dashboards, OLED tail lights, thermal management systems, zonal control units (ZCUs), ultra-wideband passive entry passive start (UWB PEPS), sentry camera systems, high-voltage battery management systems (HVBMS), and high-power DC fast-charging systems. These technologies can help automotive manufacturers enhance safety, connectivity, efficiency and vehicle performance while advancing software-defined and electric vehicle development.
AI Infrastructure and Power Management
Integrated solutions for AI infrastructure, power management and industrial automation include Arrow’s Next-Gen 800VDC AI Data Center architecture. The exhibit encompasses renewable energy integration, energy storage, intelligent power distribution, high-density AI server power delivery, liquid and immersion cooling, and intelligent building automation. Together, these technologies can help companies and enterprises improve energy efficiency, increase power density, optimize resource use and support more sustainable AI and industrial operations.
IP&E Solutions
Arrow’s interconnect, passive and electromechanical (IP&E) technologies support reliable connectivity, power management, sensing and system performance. With specialized IP&E expertise, Arrow helps customers accelerate design-to-production, improve product availability and simplify sourcing.
To explore Arrow’s technologies, engineering, and supply chain capabilities, visit arrow.com.
Hashtag: #ArrowElectronics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arrow Electronics (NYSE:ARW) sources and engineers technology solutions for thousands of leading manufacturers and service providers. With 2025 sales of $31 billion, Arrow’s portfolio enables technology across major industries and markets. Learn more at arrow.com.
By K Raveendran The Bharatiya Janata Party’s increasingly combative response to protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar suggests that the ruling establishment is considerably less confident about its political invincibility than its public pronouncements would indicate. The extraordinary energy expended on dismissing the opposition’s mobilisation, coupled with renewed efforts to redraw […]
The article BJP’s Aggressive Response Exposes Anxiety Over Opposition Unity appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
DIP Holding is targeting an initial public offering price of Dh1.12 a share, a level that would generate approximately $529 million for parent Dubai Investments through the sale of a 20 per cent stake. The proposed pricing, within the previously announced range of Dh1.10 to Dh1.15, would imply a dividend yield of about 7.5 per cent based on the company’s planned distribution for 2027. The price has […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Energy executives and ministers at ADIPEC 2026 called for greater investment in electricity grids, storage and supply chains on Tuesday as artificial intelligence and industrial electrification add pressure to global power systems. The second day of the Abu Dhabi conference concentrated on the infrastructure required to deliver growing volumes of energy reliably, with speakers warning that expanding generation alone would not resolve bottlenecks […]
Democrats have regained control of the United States Senate after victories across Republican-held states in Tuesday’s midterm elections, delivering a major setback to President Donald Trump and threatening his party’s hold on the House of Representatives. The November 3 vote overturned expectations that Republicans would retain the Senate, with Democratic candidates winning seats in Texas, Kansas, South Carolina, North Carolina and Ohio. The party also made gains […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s XRG has agreed to acquire Shell’s 16.67 per cent interest in Australia’s North West Shelf liquefied natural gas project for $1.45 billion, marking its first investment in the country’s LNG industry. The agreement, announced on Tuesday, covers Shell Australia’s non-operated holding in the Woodside Energy-managed development in Western Australia. The base purchase price is subject to customary adjustments, with an additional […]
Under the agreement, Vingroup and Legends Global will work together to establish VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium as a premier global destination for world-class sporting, cultural, and entertainment events. In addition to helping attract major international events to the stadium, Legends Global will collaborate with Vingroup to oversee venue and facility management, vendor coordination, and on-site service operations, ensuring that every aspect meets the highest international standards of professionalism and excellence.
Drawing on its extensive experience managing more than 450 venues worldwide, hosting over 20,000 major events, and welcoming more than 165 million guests annually, Legends Global will also play a key role in developing the expertise and capabilities of Vingroup’s venue management professionals in Vietnam.
Commenting on the strategic partnership, Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, said: “VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium is far more than a sporting venue. With its world-leading scale, contemporary architecture inspired by Vietnamese cultural heritage, automated retractable roof, and playing surface designed to meet FIFA standards, we envision working alongside Legends Global to transform the stadium into a global gathering place for the finest sporting, cultural, and entertainment events.”
Mr. Dan Levy, CEO of Legends Global, commented: “VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium is an extraordinary project for Vietnam, one that will help position Hanoi at the forefront of the global live events industry. Legends Global is honored to partner with Vingroup on this landmark development. We look forward to sharing our expertise in venue and event management to help bring Vingroup’s ambition and vision for the world’s largest stadium to life.”
Mr. Peter Loxton, Chief Operating Officer for Asia Pacific and the Middle East at Legends Global, affirmed: “We are confident that, from the very first major event, the experience for fans, athletes, performers, event organizers, and partners will match the extraordinary scale of the stadium itself. Our long-term exclusive partnership with Vingroup allows Legends Global to combine global expertise with local talent to strengthen Vietnam’s venue management capabilities.”
VinFast – Trong Dong Stadium features a distinctive, one-of-a-kind design befitting the world’s most iconic destination landmarks. Inspired by the Dong Son bronze drum and the legendary Lac bird, enduring symbols of Vietnam’s thousand-year cultural heritage, its architecture blends traditional imagery with a bold, contemporary aesthetic that conveys strength and national pride. The stadium is also set to establish new benchmarks in scale and technological sophistication, with a planned capacity of 135,000 seats, the largest in the world, alongside integrated real-time security management and crowd-flow monitoring systems designed to support safe, efficient, and sustainable operations.
Surrounding the stadium is an extensive ecosystem of training grounds and large-scale sports facilities within the Hung Vuong International Sports Complex. The development will also feature a comprehensive range of amenities, including hotels, shopping centers, hospitals, parks, cultural and culinary villages, and theaters, offering a comfortable and convenient experience for athletes and fans from Vietnam and around the world.
Through the strategic partnership between Vingroup and Legends Global, VinFast –Trong Dong Stadium and the wider Hung Vuong International Sports Complex are expected to emerge as a new international destination on the global map of premier sporting and entertainment events. The development is anticipated to attract international visitors, stimulate the sports economy, and elevate Hanoi’s profile on the world stage.
The partnership also lays the foundation for a long-term collaboration between the two organizations, with Legends Global providing exclusive stadium, arena, and live event services to Vingroup in Vietnam. Mr. Paul Sergeant OBE, a seasoned venue industry veteran and stadium expert at Legends Global, has already arrived in Hanoi to personally oversee technical preparations and pre-opening activities. Meanwhile, recruitment for the stadium’s operations team is actively underway, establishing the groundwork for the venue to commence operations in accordance with international standards./.
Hashtag: #Vingroup #VinFast #TrongDongStadium
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Vingroup is Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate and was ranked 57th on TIME magazine’s list of the Best Companies in Asia-Pacific 2026. Throughout more than three decades of development, Vingroup has consistently pushed new boundaries, created new engines of growth, and progressively expanded the reach of Vietnam’s business ecosystem onto the global stage. Today, companies within the Vingroup ecosystem operate in 12 countries, providing employment for more than 400,000 people across six core pillars: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Social Enterprises, and Culture & Sports.
For more information, please visit: https://vingroup.net.
Legends Global is a premier international partner to the world’s most prestigious live events, venues, and brands. The company provides comprehensive, integrated solutions spanning feasibility studies, consulting, project development, sales, partnership development, venue management, premium hospitality, merchandise and content commercialization, and event production. Leveraging the strength of its global network of more than 450 venues, 20,000 events, and 165 million guests annually, Legends Global works with its partners to enhance commercial performance and deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Legends Global attracts events to, partners with, operates, and manages a global network of venues, including:
FIFA World Cup Host Stadiums: Reliant Stadium, Houston; AT&T Stadium, Dallas; SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles; Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara; Rose Bowl, Los Angeles; Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid; Spotify Camp Nou, Barcelona.
Iconic National Stadiums: Emirates Stadium, London; Stamford Bridge, London; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane; Kai Tak Stadium, Hong Kong; Optus Stadium, Perth; Yankee Stadium, New York; Caesars Superdome, New Orleans.
For more information, please visit: www.LegendsGlobal.com
MUSCAT, ABU DHABI/HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – mamun, the Sharia-compliant platform building capital infrastructure for trade finance, has raised a US$3 million seed round led by Phaze Ventures through its Oman Fund, with participation from Jasoor Ventures.
An exporter in Muscat ships today and gets paid in 60 to 90 days. Banks rarely bridge that gap, as they usually rely on a long financial track record that many small exporters find hard to provide. The Asian Development Bank puts the global trade finance gap at US$2.5 trillion, and 41% of SME trade finance applications are turned down.
mamun’s AI-native underwriting assesses the company behind the trade, alongside the shipment itself: the contract, the buyer, the trade documents and the trading history between them. Its origination engine finds and screens that trade as it forms. Then investors on the platform finance the gap.
The hard part is the border. A cross-border transaction spans two regulators, two banking systems and two legal regimes, with settlement that has to land in another jurisdiction on time, and the collateral is in motion, travelling with the goods along the route.
That complexity is why most of the region’s financing platforms have stayed domestic, and it is mamun’s moat. The platform was built across the corridor: an FSA-regulated home and origination base in Muscat; Abu Dhabi for Gulf capital and UAE flows; and Hong Kong SAR, the financing gateway of the Belt and Road Initiative, for the Greater Bay Area and the Gulf–Asia trade routes.
Roughly 40% of the platform’s trade finance settlements already clear through Hong Kong-based financial institutions and businesses.
mamun’s licence sits within the FSA’s crowdfunding framework, which allows the platform to bring in investors from inside and outside the Sultanate, and to finance companies inside and outside the Sultanate, subject to the platform’s eligibility criteria and the laws applicable in each investor’s country.
The corridor is growing. Oman’s non-oil exports ran about 10% higher year-on-year through the first seven months of 2026 and re-exports 13.6% higher, with the UAE its largest non-oil trading partner. New corridors bring new counterparties: businesses trading together for the first time, with no shared history for a lender to underwrite against.
The round brings together capital from Oman and the UAE: Phaze Ventures invests through its Oman Fund, dedicated to homegrown, AI-enabled Omani businesses, and Jasoor Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing technology founders across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.
The US$3 million will scale that AI-native origination and underwriting, growing the volume of trade the platform can originate, assess and finance along the Greater Bay Area – Oman – UAE corridor. It is where the industry is heading: 84% of banks in the Asian Development Bank’s January 2026 survey already apply AI to trade finance risk. mamun was built that way from origination onward.
“Our thesis is backing the homegrown companies that turn Oman’s diversification agenda into regional infrastructure. mamun is exactly that — structured across the corridor, and built by a team that has executed quietly and precisely. It is a natural commitment from the Oman Fund.”
— Abdullah Al Shaksy · Co-Founder & CEO, Phaze Ventures
mamun was founded by Saleh Al Tamami, Co-Founder & CEO, Mohammed Al Tamami, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, and Ahmed Al-Issaei, Co-Founder & CTO, and was named a Rising Star on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Middle East 2025, ranking 26th.
This announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to invest. mamun is not licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC).
Hashtag: #mamun
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
mamun builds capital infrastructure for trade finance. The platform is Sharia-compliant, licensed and regulated by the Financial Services Authority of Oman (FSA Licence CMI051). This licence covers the Omani entity only. The group also has entities in Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong SAR. It connects businesses and investors to finance cross-border trade — exports, imports and the working capital that moves goods between markets.
Founded in 2018, Phaze Ventures is Oman’s oldest private venture capital firm. Headquartered in Oman, with a presence in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, it backs early-stage AI and deeptech companies globally and homegrown technology businesses through the Oman Fund.
Jasoor Ventures, meaning “courageous” in Arabic, is an ADGM-based venture capital firm, investing across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey. 
Building on the firm’s deep-rooted expertise in semiconductors and deep technology, Ondine Capital Fund III will invest across the full AI value chain—spanning AI foundation models, next-generation semiconductors, AI infrastructure, AI-native software, and physical AI applications.
Ondine Capital Fund III’s early portfolio highlights include:
Partner Appointment to Boost Global Ecosystem
Coinciding with the first close, Ondine Capital announced the appointment of Brian Yen as Partner, reinforcing the firm’s global sourcing and founder network.
Prior to joining Ondine Capital, Brian Yen served as Principal and Head of the Taipei Office at Headline Asia, where he cultivated an extensive network across Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. His investment track record spans consumer technologies, agentic services, and physical AI, with notable investments including respond.io, forest inc., Braid, and iMotorbike. At Ondine Capital, Brian Yen will focus on backing early-stage founders building intelligent software and physical AI platforms.
“The convergence of AI and semiconductors is unleashing unprecedented opportunities across global tech,” said Brian Yen. “As these technologies mature, we anticipate monumental value creation throughout the entire stack. Through Fund III, we look forward to empowering visionary founders who are shaping the future of computing and industry applications.”
Ondine Capital continues to actively deploy capital and evaluate global investment opportunities in breakthrough, category-defining companies across the AI and semiconductor landscape.
Hashtag: #OndineCapital #RSI #BotAuto #SalienceLabs
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Ondine Capital is a premier venture capital firm focused on frontier technologies, including semiconductors, artificial intelligence, enterprise software, clean energy, and emerging technology platforms. The firm backs visionary founders from inception, providing strategic support and access to a robust global network of industrial partners, investors, and entrepreneurs.
A ‘blue wave’ would create clear winners and losers across the US stock market. If Democrats take both chambers, hospitals, defence contractors and clean energy look likely to gain, while drugmakers, data centres and banks stand to come off worst. A sweep now looks more likely than not. Prediction markets give Democrats better than a 90% chance of taking the House. The Senate is tighter, with Republicans […]
By Dr Arun Mitra Global civil society organisations have appealed to the US Congress to take immediate steps to prevent the use of nuclear weapons against Iran. The appeal, initiated by the Back from the Brink Coalition, the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), recipient of the 1985 Nobel Peace Prize, and […]
The article Use Of Nuclear Weapons Against Iran Could Trigger A Global Chain Reaction appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers WASHINGTON: America enters Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, with its political temperature rising and its institutional balance of power hanging in the balance. The midterm elections, ordinarily a referendum on the party occupying the White House, have become something more consequential: a test of Donald Trump’s political authority, the Republican […]
The article America On Edge: November 3 Mid Term Polls Outcome May Weaken Trump appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
By Satyaki Chakraborty As the Americans are going to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, there is a new focus in the intensely contested elections between the ruling Republicans and the Democrats which concern both the President Donald Trump and the Democratic national leadership led by its Chair Ken Martin. Both are interested in seeing […]
The article Can Bernie Sanders Ensure Enough Left Representation In New Congress? appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
