Deputy Prime Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas outlined an investment-led blueprint anchored by an upgraded Joint Public Private Committee (JPCC), private-sector syndication, and World Bank alignment ahead of the 2026 Annual Meetings and 2028 ASEAN Chairmanship.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – Thailand is ready to cross into “new horizons” — achieving high-income status and driving a more resilient ASEAN, declared Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas as he delivered the closing address at the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 today,
Public and private sector leaders at the closing of the Bangkok Business Summit 2026, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Detailing the strategic “why, how, and design” of the national transition, Dr. Ekniti stated that entering new horizons is an unavoidable global imperative. While ASEAN is uniquely positioned to capture emerging opportunities, the region must guard against severe geopolitical, technological, and climate risks with proactive, unified action.
Dr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, at the closing panel of the Bangkok Business Summit 2026.
“The goals must be clear, and we are completely on the same page: Thailand must achieve high-income status,” said Dr. Ekniti.
“The recipe provided by the World Bank aligns directly with what our business leaders have outlined. An investment-led growth policy, private-sector-centred endeavours, and persistent implementation are what the government and business community are now executing together. Think of the seven new growth engines as our forwards on the pitch. The government acts as both coach and midfielder — spearheading investment, driving trade, empowering SMEs, unlocking regulatory friction, and cultivating human capital. Meanwhile, fiscal and financial stability serves as our steadfast defensive backline.”
Dr. Ekniti affirmed that the Joint Public and Private Committee (JPPC) will no longer function as a purely advisory body, but will operate as an executive economic steering council mandated to enact structural reforms and track execution against the World Bank’s recommendations.
“We will not be the same old Thailand. We will be driving the global agenda. Thailand will enter new horizons, empower people, and build resilience,” Dr. Ekniti emphasised. “In the next two years, Thailand will assume the Chairmanship of ASEAN. We will establish a long-term, multi-year agenda for a stronger, more resilient ASEAN. If this new model of public-private partnership carries on, we will decisively reinvent Thailand.”
Key leaders representing the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry, and Banking (JSCCIB) delivered strategic sector priorities to anchor the transition.
Representatives of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB) share Thailand’s strategic economic direction.
Payong Srivanich, Chairman of the JSCCIB and the Thai Bankers’ Association, underscored that reinventing the economy requires modernising legacy industries while creating space for future engines.
“From three core challenges – structural, competitiveness, and public-sector efficiency – came the White Paper outlining the seven industries of the future,” stated Mr. Payong. “This time, the government has presented a credible policy framework based on collaborative public-private partnership. Thailand must address fundamental security—whether in food, energy, or low-carbon growth. We are declaring to the world that we are done with planning and on the same page. Now we are geared up for execution.”
Dr. Poj Aramwattananont, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Board of Trade of Thailand, stressed that amid geopolitical friction, geoeconomics, and regional conflict, growth must be anchored in ASEAN’s 600-plus million people which serve as both supply and demand networks.
Adapting to international trading rules is inseparable from Thailand’s targeted accession to the OECD by 2028. The accession process acts as the structural catalyst to modernise domestic legislation, corporate governance, transparency, and fair market competition to premier global standards—lowering compliance costs and solidifying investor confidence.
Pimjai Leeissaranukul, Chairwoman of the Federation of Thai Industries, insisted that Thailand must build its own brand; it can no longer afford to be just the world’s OEM. She called for a decisive departure from labor-cost competition toward high productivity, automation, AI, and green sustainability. She advocated expanding target sectors—such as next-generation electric vehicles, smart electronics, automation, and wellness—while enforcing enhanced public procurement.
Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Vice President for East Asia and Pacific at the World Bank, observed that the eyes of the financial world will be on Bangkok next month as it hosts the 2026 IMF–World Bank Group Annual Meetings, providing Thailand with a premier global stage to show that it is advancing on a credible pathway to attain high-income status by 2037.
“The World Bank has presented a series of structural reforms that Thailand can pursue to reach high-income status, creating more and better-paying jobs for young Thais in the future,” Mr. Jaramillo stated. “The plan deliberately puts the private sector at the center, because experience has taught us that the private sector is the primary engine of employment. This reform agenda is multifaceted, requiring coordinated national effort, and, more importantly, relentless persistence in implementation.”
The Bangkok Business Summit 2026 concluded with a clear consensus: today’s closing discussions mark the formal launch of sustained, institutionalised execution across the public sector, private enterprise, and multilateral institutions to ensure Thailand stands as a resilient economic anchor for the wider ASEAN region.
Hashtag: #JSCCIB
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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As part of his official visit to Vietnam, on the afternoon of September 4, 2026, His Excellency Min Aung Hlaing, President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar, and the high-level Myanmar delegation visited the VinFast Hai Phong Manufacturing Complex, where they learned firsthand about the remarkable and rapid development journey of the Vietnamese automotive brand.
HAI PHONG, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 September 2026 – Mr. Pham Nhat Quan Anh, Chairman of VinFast, personally welcomed His Excellency President Min Aung Hlaing and led the delegation throughout their visit to the VinFast Hai Phong Manufacturing Complex. Mr. Quan Anh accompanied the President and the delegation through the Body Shop and General Assembly Shop, introducing VinFast’s integrated manufacturing processes, advanced production lines featuring a high level of automation, and its internationally competitive portfolio of electric vehicles.
Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing was impressed by the scale of the factory and VinFast’s diverse lineup of electric cars and electric motorcycles.
At the General Assembly Shop, where VinFast vehicles are completed, President Min Aung Hlaing expressed his strong impression of the quality and high standards of VinFast’s Vietnamese-made electric vehicles. The President also praised the modern infrastructure and advanced facilities of the manufacturing complex, as well as VinFast’s remarkable journey in establishing itself as the No. 1 automotive brand in Vietnam and rapidly expanding its presence internationally.
As of September 2026, VinFast has maintained the No. 1 position in Vietnam’s automotive market for 24 consecutive months, while expanding its presence to more than 10 countries worldwide, including key markets such as Indonesia, India, the Philippines and North America.
The visit by President Min Aung Hlaing takes place against the backdrop of Vietnam and Myanmar strengthening cooperation across multiple areas, contributing to greater connectivity and exchanges, while opening up new opportunities for cooperation between the business communities of the two countries.
The visit also provided an opportunity for VinFast to showcase to Myanmar’s leadership the latest achievements of Vietnam’s automotive industry, as well as the manufacturing capabilities and technological expertise of a Vietnamese enterprise. It further contributed to strengthening connectivity between Vietnam and Myanmar in the areas of industry, trade and green mobility.
As one of Vietnam’s modern automotive manufacturing complexes, the VinFast Hai Phong Manufacturing Complex represents an important milestone in the journey of a Vietnamese automotive brand onto the global stage. Built on its manufacturing foundation in Vietnam, VinFast is expanding its operations across international markets, with a strategic focus on developing a green mobility ecosystem and accelerating the transition toward electric transportation.
The VinFast Hai Phong Manufacturing Complex has previously welcomed numerous senior leaders and heads of state during their official visits to Vietnam. Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo, former President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev and former Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel are among the international leaders who, while in office, visited the facility, toured VinFast’s electric vehicle production lines and learned firsthand about VinFast’s electric vehicle offerings.
The visits by heads of state and senior leaders to the VinFast Manufacturing Complex not only reflect international interest in the manufacturing capabilities and technological potential of a Vietnamese enterprise but also create opportunities to strengthen economic connectivity and advance cooperation in industry and green mobility between Vietnam and countries across the region.
With its vision of “For a Green Future,” VinFast continues to accelerate investment in manufacturing capabilities, technology and its electric vehicle ecosystem, with the ambition of bringing Vietnamese green mobility products and solutions to an increasing number of customers around the world.
Hashtag: #VinFast
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Forest City Special Financial Zone has clarified that its incentive for qualifying fintech and technology-enabled financial services is a 5% corporate tax rate rather than a blanket tax exemption, drawing a distinction between the Johor-based programme and Malaysia’s separate national digital incentives.
The clarification sets out the eligibility framework for companies considering operations in Pulau 1 of Forest City, where qualifying fintech businesses, Financial Global Business Services operations and foreign-owned payment system operators can apply for the special rate. The incentive runs for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for another 10 years if the company continues to meet the stipulated conditions.
Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation, or MDEC, is the government agency appointed to process applications, while approvals are subject to the national investment assessment framework. Eligibility does not arise simply from locating a technology business within Forest City.
Qualifying activities must incorporate at least one designated technology enabler. These include artificial intelligence or big data analytics, the Internet of Things, cybersecurity, cloud computing, blockchain, creative media technology, robotics or automation, and advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.
The framework therefore covers AI where the technology supports an eligible financial or business-service activity. A general AI developer or technology company does not automatically qualify for the Forest City incentive merely because it uses artificial intelligence.
Applicants must be companies incorporated under Malaysia’s Companies Act and resident in the country, with minimum paid-up capital of RM50,000. The qualifying business must be conducted in Pulau 1, Forest City. Companies must also comply with requirements covering employment, knowledge workers, operating expenditure, economic substance, environmental, social and governance commitments and any regulatory approvals applicable to their activities.
The Forest City incentive is separate from Malaysia Digital Status and the Malaysia Digital tax incentive administered by MDEC. Companies do not need Malaysia Digital Status to apply for the Forest City programme, and an applicant generally cannot receive another tax incentive for the same qualifying activity.
That distinction has become important because the national Malaysia Digital scheme includes figures of up to 100%, potentially creating confusion over whether technology and AI businesses can obtain complete corporate tax exemption in Forest City.
Under the Malaysia Digital tax incentive, companies making new investments can apply for a zero per cent reduced tax rate on qualifying intellectual-property income, subject to the applicable intellectual-property nexus rules. Qualifying non-IP income may receive a 5% or 10% reduced rate for up to 10 years, depending on whether the relevant conditions are met.
Alternatively, eligible new investments can choose an investment tax allowance of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure, which can be set against up to 100% of statutory income for a period of up to five years. The 100% figure refers to the investment tax allowance and does not constitute a general declaration that all income earned by an eligible company is tax-free.
Companies undertaking qualifying expansion investments face a different structure. The national digital programme provides a 15% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP and non-IP income for up to five years, or an investment tax allowance of 30% or 60% of qualifying capital expenditure, subject to the conditions attached to the scheme.
Applications for the Malaysia Digital tax incentive remain open until December 31, 2027. Applicants for that programme must first secure Malaysia Digital Status. Forest City’s programme has a longer application window, running to December 31, 2034 under the existing guidelines.
Forest City’s financial-zone incentives were formally unveiled by the government in September 2024 as part of an effort to establish Johor as a competitive financial and services hub close to Singapore. The package also includes separate arrangements for single family offices and knowledge workers.
Qualifying single family office vehicles operating under the Forest City framework can obtain a zero per cent tax rate on chargeable income from approved holding and investment activities, subject to Securities Commission Malaysia requirements. That concession is distinct from the 5% regime covering fintech, Financial Global Business Services and foreign payment system operators.
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Forest City SFZ sets out who may qualify for its 5% special corporate tax rate, how the separate Malaysia Digital tax incentive works, and which activities and conditions apply to each scheme.
JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 August 2026 – Forest City has, over the past decade, built a recognised track record in green-building and sustainability credentials. Since the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City Special Financial Zone (“SFZ”) incentive package on 20 September 2024, the development has added a financial-services and digital-economy dimension. The Forest City Special Financial Zone (“FC-SFZ”) Tax Incentive offers a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, to eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, Financial Global Business Services (“FGBS”) or Foreign Payment System Operator (“FPSO”) activities in Pulau 1, Forest City. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (“MDEC”) is the appointed government agency to process applications, which are assessed by the National Committee on Investment (“NCI”).
Forest City at night, looking across the Strait of Johor towards Singapore. Forest City lies approximately 2 km from Singapore at its nearest point.
The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is separate from Malaysia Digital (“MD”) Status and the MD Tax Incentive. A company does not need MD Status to qualify for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive. Under MDEC’s current rules, an FC-SFZ applicant must also not have been granted another tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. Eligible MD Status companies may separately apply for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the applicable criteria and approval process.
Key Incentives at a Glance
Forest City’s first decade was defined in part by its green-building and sustainability record. Forest City reports nearly 40 international awards and certifications as at August 2026, including LEED for Core and Shell (“LEED-CS”) Gold pre-certification and GreenRE Gold ratings. On 20 September 2024, the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City SFZ incentive package, adding a financial-services and digital-economy dimension to the development.
The current incentive landscape has four main components:
Forest City SFZ corporate tax rate: Eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, FGBS or FPSO activities in Pulau 1 may receive a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, subject to approval and continued compliance. The qualifying activity must use at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC.
Single Family Office (“SFO”) Scheme: A qualifying Single Family Office Vehicle (“SFOV”) may receive a 0% tax rate on chargeable income from its qualifying holding and investment activities for an initial 10 years, with a possible extension for a further 10 years, subject to the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”) requirements.
Knowledge workers: Eligible knowledge workers working within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”), which includes Forest City as a designated flagship area, may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, subject to the applicable conditions.
Malaysia Digital tax incentive: This is a separate national incentive administered by MDEC. For New Investment, eligible companies may choose between a reduced tax rate — 0% on qualifying intellectual-property (“IP”) income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and 5% or 10% on qualifying non-IP income for up to 10 years — or an Investment Tax Allowance (“ITA”) of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure for up to five years. Different rates apply to the Expansion Incentive. Applications are open until 31 December 2027.
Taken together, these measures position Forest City SFZ as a potential regional base for qualifying financial-services and technology-enabled businesses assessing Malaysia’s tax framework, proximity to Singapore and access to ASEAN markets. However, the schemes are separate and should not be treated as automatically cumulative.
Forest City Tax Framework for Fintech and Technology-Enabled Financial Services
The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is not a blanket 100% tax exemption for fintech, AI or technology companies. It is a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying activities under the FC-SFZ framework. MDEC is the appointed agency to process applications, while applications are assessed by the NCI.
The 5% rate applies to qualifying fintech activities, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City. The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler: artificial intelligence (“AI”) or big data analytics (“BDA”); Internet of Things (“IoT”); cybersecurity; cloud; blockchain; creative media technology, including extended reality (“XR”) or mixed reality (“MR”); robotics or automation; or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology. Eligibility is not automatic based on location alone; companies must also satisfy the applicable corporate, activity, substance, regulatory and compliance conditions.
The “up to 100%” figure sometimes cited in relation to Malaysia Digital refers to the ITA available under the MD New Investment Incentive. It is an allowance on qualifying capital expenditure, not a 100% income tax holiday. The MD Tax Incentive is also separate from the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive and should not be assumed to stack with it for the same qualifying activity.
Comparison table:
Scheme
What it covers
Headline rate / benefit
Authority & key note
Forest City SFZ — fintech / FGBS / FPSO incentive
Qualifying fintech, FGBS and FPSO activities in Pulau 1 using at least one promoted technology enabler
5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment; extendable for a second 10-year period
MDEC processes applications; NCI assessment. Applications open 1 Sep 2024–31 Dec 2034.
Forest City SFZ — Single Family Office
Qualifying SFOV holding and investment activities
0% tax rate for an initial 10 years; possible extension for a further 10 years
Securities Commission Malaysia; SFO tax rules gazetted on 3 Oct 2025.
JS-SEZ — eligible knowledge workers
Eligible knowledge workers working within the JS-SEZ, including qualifying roles in Forest City
15% personal income tax rate for 10 years
Ministry of Finance / JS-SEZ incentive package; subject to eligibility conditions.
Malaysia Digital Tax Incentive — New Investment
Eligible MD Status companies undertaking qualifying Malaysia Digital Activities
0% on qualifying IP income and 5% or 10% on qualifying non-IP income for up to 10 years; OR 60% or 100% ITA for up to 5 years
MDEC; MD Status required before tax-incentive application. Applications open until 31 Dec 2027.
Malaysia Digital Tax Incentive — Expansion
Eligible MD/MSC Malaysia Status companies undertaking qualifying new or expansion activities
15% reduced tax rate for up to 5 years; OR 30% or 60% ITA for up to 5 years
MDEC; subject to the Expansion Incentive criteria. Applications open until 31 Dec 2027.
Malaysia standard corporate rate
Companies not qualifying for a lower or special rate
24% headline corporate income tax rate
Inland Revenue Board of Malaysia (LHDN); lower tiered rates may apply to qualifying SMEs.
For accurate and current policy information, companies should refer directly to official sources, including:
Malaysia Digital Status and Tax Incentive: A Separate National Framework
MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC. An MD Status company may then be eligible to apply separately for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the relevant criteria. Under MDEC’s current framework, qualifying Malaysia Digital Activities comprise the research, development or commercialisation of solutions, or the provision of services, using promoted technology enablers such as AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, drone technology, creative media technology, integrated-circuit design with embedded software, robotics or automation, and advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.
Under the current MD Tax Incentive, the available options differ between New Investment and Expansion:
New Investment: A 0% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and a 5% or 10% reduced tax rate on qualifying non-IP income, for up to 10 years; or an ITA of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.
Expansion: A 15% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and non-IP income, for up to five years; or an ITA of 30% or 60% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.
The “100%” figure therefore refers to the ITA rate under the New Investment Incentive. It does not mean that all company income is tax-free.
The MD Tax Incentive is open for applications until 31 December 2027. A company must first obtain MD Status before submitting an application for the MD Tax Incentive.
MD Status also provides access to non-tax benefits under the MD Bill of Guarantees, including the ability to apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes, subject to the relevant immigration requirements. MDEC’s Expats Service Centre administers the related Foreign Knowledge Worker processes for eligible companies.
Eligibility Summary: Entities, Sectors and Permitted Activities
Forest City SFZ 5% rate
Activity-based: Qualifying services are limited to fintech-related activities, FGBS and FPSO activities.
Technology condition: The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC, including AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, creative media technology, robotics or automation, or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.
Location condition: The qualifying activity must be carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City.
Substance and compliance conditions: Approved companies must meet the conditions set out in their approval letter, including commitments relating to full-time employees, knowledge workers, annual operating expenditure, ESG requirements, relevant regulatory approvals or licences, and annual compliance reporting verified by an independent auditor.
Malaysia Digital (MD) Status and MD Tax Incentive
Activity-based: MD eligibility is tied to Malaysia Digital Activities that use the promoted technology enablers specified by MDEC. Merely operating an AI, cloud, fintech or digital business does not automatically confer tax-incentive eligibility.
Status and tax-incentive process: MD Status is granted by MDEC. The MD Tax Incentive is a separate application available to eligible MD or MSC Malaysia Status companies, depending on the relevant incentive category.
Geographic scope: MD Status is a national programme and does not require a company to be located in Forest City.
No automatic stacking: MDEC states that an FC-SFZ Tax Incentive applicant must not already have been granted a tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. MDEC also confirms that MD Status is not required to apply for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive.
Accordingly, companies should assess the FC-SFZ and MD frameworks separately. Any proposed structure involving different activities, income streams or incentive programmes should be verified with MDEC and qualified tax advisers before any combined tax outcome is assumed.
Strategic Rationale: Proximity, Talent Incentives and Regional Access
Forest City’s location proposition is based on three interlocking factors: proximity to Singapore, targeted talent incentives and early investor interest.
Proximity as operational leverage: Forest City lies approximately 2 km from Singapore at its nearest point, placing qualifying operations close to one of Asia’s major financial and technology hubs. The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in central Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore. MRT Corp has stated that service is targeted to commence on 31 December 2026. The RTS Link does not serve Forest City directly, so onward road transport between Forest City and central Johor Bahru will still be required.
Talent as a bundled enabler: Eligible knowledge workers in the JS-SEZ may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, while eligible MD Status companies may apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes through MDEC’s expatriate facilitation framework. These are separate benefits with their own eligibility and approval requirements.
Decision Framework: Two Pathways and a Diligence Caveat
The incentive structure is best assessed through two distinct pathways, with a separate due-diligence lens for investors and advisers.
Pathway A – FC-SFZ presence on Pulau 1: This is relevant to eligible fintech companies, FGBS providers and FPSO businesses that can satisfy the physical-location, activity, substance and compliance requirements. The 5% special corporate tax rate is available for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to continued compliance and approval.
This route may suit businesses that value proximity to Singapore while maintaining qualifying operations in Pulau 1. The RTS Link is expected to improve connectivity between central Johor Bahru and Singapore, but it does not remove the requirement for companies to maintain the approved substance and qualifying activities in Forest City.
Pathway B – MD Status and MD Tax Incentive nationwide: This pathway may be relevant to eligible digital companies operating elsewhere in Malaysia. MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC, and eligible companies may subsequently apply for the MD Tax Incentive. The applicable reduced tax rate or ITA depends on whether the company applies under the New Investment or Expansion category and on the conditions it meets.
Investors and advisers should note that headline rates are not the same as effective tax rates. The outcome for any entity depends on qualifying activities and income, approved commitments, substance conditions and the specific incentive secured. Groups with annual consolidated revenue of EUR750 million or more may also be subject to Malaysia’s domestic top-up tax rules where the relevant effective tax rate falls below 15%. Tax outcomes should therefore be modelled only after verification against current primary sources and professional advice.
The Verdict
Forest City’s proposition to fintech and technology-enabled financial-services companies is specific and condition-based: a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying fintech, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1 using promoted technology enablers. The incentive runs for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to compliance and approval. It is neither a blanket 5% rate for all AI or technology companies nor a 100% income tax exemption.
Alongside this are the separate SFO Incentive Scheme, which may provide a 0% tax rate for up to 20 years subject to SC requirements; the JS-SEZ’s special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers for 10 years; and the national MD Tax Incentive, which offers different reduced tax rates or ITA options depending on whether an applicant qualifies under the New Investment or Expansion category. Applications for the MD Tax Incentive are open until 31 December 2027.
Reported traction includes 260 cumulative investor enquiries recorded by Invest Johor by June 2026 and six families granted conditional approval under the SFO Incentive Scheme, with indicative assets under management close to RM400 million as reported by the SC in October 2025. Forest City also benefits from proximity to Singapore, while the RTS Link is targeted to commence service on 31 December 2026 between central Johor Bahru and Woodlands North.
For companies and investors, the key question is not simply whether these incentives exist, but whether their exact activities, income streams, location, substance commitments and corporate structure satisfy the conditions required to access them in practice. Current official guidance and qualified tax advice should be obtained before any investment or structuringHashtag: #ForestCity
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
As more Middle East drivers move closer to their first EV purchase, familiar SUV proportions, strong performance and practical ownership support could matter as much as the electric powertrain itself.
DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2026 – The Middle East’s EV market is growing quickly, but it remains far from saturated. Electric car sales in the region reached about 75,000 units in 2025, up more than 40% year on year, according to the International Energy Agency[1]. The UAE alone accounted for almost half of regional EV sales, while Saudi Arabia and Qatar together represented nearly 45% of regional demand.
With more buyers moving from curiosity to consideration, the next question is what makes an EV feel like a natural replacement for a conventional car. For the VinFast VF 8, the answer comes down to three things: SUV performance, a comfort-focused cabin and an ownership package that goes well beyond the showroom.
SUV performance that means business
The Middle East has a long-standing appetite for SUVs, and the VF 8 speaks that language in electric form. Its dual-motor all-wheel-drive system produces up to 402 horsepower and 620 Nm of torque in the Plus version, while the Eco delivers 349 horsepower and 500 Nm.
The numbers translate into brisk performance, with the VF 8 Plus targeting 0-100 km/h in less than 5.5 seconds and the Eco at 5.9 seconds. Both versions use an 87.7-kWh usable battery, with claimed NEDC ranges of up to 476 km for the Plus and 493 km for the Eco. DC fast charging from 10% to 70% takes a listed 31 minutes.
Going electric does not require giving up the urge to put your foot down. Actual range and performance will vary with driving style, passengers, load, tires, weather and road conditions.
A cabin that takes comfort seriously
Performance may get attention, but the cabin is where drivers spend most of their time. The VF 8 comes with a 15.6-inch infotainment display, two-zone automatic climate control, air-quality control and cabin filtration with an air ionizer.
The Plus adds 12-way powered driver’s seat adjustment with heating, ventilation and memory, alongside a heated and ventilated front passenger seat and heated, ventilated and reclining rear seats. A panoramic sunroof, heated power-adjustable steering wheel and 10-speaker audio system with a subwoofer round out the package.
The technology continues through the companion app, which supports remote vehicle controls, driver profiles, driving statistics and vehicle diagnostics. Over-the-air updates can also deliver software improvements without a workshop visit.
Ownership support that lasts beyond the test drive
A fast-growing EV market also means buyers are asking practical questions surrounding ownership: charging, servicing, repairs and battery longevity.
The VF 8 addresses those concerns with a 10-year or 200,000-km vehicle warranty and a 10-year unlimited-kilometer battery warranty. The package also includes five years or 100,000 km of free service, 24/7 mobile services and roadside assistance, access to DC fast charging and a parts supply target of 24 hours in key markets.
VinFast is also expanding the infrastructure behind that promise. At its 2026 Global Business Conference, the company signed MOUs with 29 aftersales partners, including partners serving the Middle East, and set a target of more than 1,100 service workshops globally in 2026.
For a region where EV adoption is accelerating, the VF 8 arrives with a familiar formula: SUV proportions, plenty of power and a cabin designed for comfort. The electric bit is new; the reasons to want the car are rather more familiar.
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METRO MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 August 2026 – Green GSM, an all-electric ride-hailing platform, today officially launched Premium Taxi, an upscale seven-seat taxi service in the Philippines. With an all-electric fleet of sophisticated and spacious VinFast Limo Green vehicles, the service is designed to deliver a comfortable and convenient travel experience, setting a new standard for the high-end electric taxi segment in the market.
Green GSM launches its Premium Taxi service in the Philippines.
As Green GSM’s second service tier in the Philippines after Green GSM Car, Premium Taxi offers a new mobility option for groups of up to six passengers, families, business travellers, passengers carrying multiple pieces of luggage, and customers seeking a smooth ride in a pleasant and relaxing environment.
The entire Limo Green fleet is finished in black to reflect its high-end positioning, making it easily recognisable and distinguishable from the existing Green GSM Car service, which features a cyan color scheme. Alongside its modern exterior design and spacious seven-seat configuration with three rows, each Limo Green is equipped with amenities including automatic air conditioning, dedicated air vents for the two rear rows, and an air filtration system that helps keep the cabin pleasant and fresh.
Green GSM’s Premium Taxi fleet exclusively uses VinFast Limo Green.
Alongside the three signature benefits of electric vehicle-zero emissions, no fuel odour and no engine noise-Green GSM’s Premium Taxi also delivers a five-star service experience through carefully-selected drivers who have received high ratings for service quality. Fares are transparently displayed through in-vehicle meters and on the Green GSM app, allowing customers to conveniently track their fares and trip information.
During its initial phase, Premium Taxi will operate in Makati, Taguig, Mandaluyong and Pasig City, serving travel needs across key business districts, commercial centres, hotels and transport hubs in Metro Manila. Customers can book through the Green GSM app, hail an available vehicle on the street, or contact the customer service hotline at 02-7777-8080.
VinFast Limo Green offers a spacious seven-seat configuration and a modern exterior design.
Ms. Le Thi Thu Trang, CEO of Green GSM Philippines, said: “Premium Taxi is not simply about providing more space. It is designed for journeys where comfort and attention to detail matter, from family trips and airport transfers to business engagements and special occasions. By combining the spacious interior of the VinFast Limo Green with professional drivers and Green GSM’s five-star service standards, we aim to give Filipino customers a high-end mobility option that is thoughtfully-delivered from the moment they book until the journey ends.”
With Premium Taxi, Green GSM expands its all-electric mobility portfolio in the Philippines to better meet customers’ diverse needs. Going forward, Green GSM will continue to enhance service quality while consistently upholding its “5 Green Promises”, with standards of professionalism, transparency and attentive customer care, thereby contributing to greener urban transportation.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GREEN GSM IN THE PHILIPPINES
As of March 31, 2026, Green GSM had completed nearly five million trips and more than 32.6 million kilometres in all-electric vehicles in the Philippines. These journeys are estimated to have contributed to reducing approximately 6,263 tonnes of CO₂ emissions, equivalent to the amount absorbed by nearly 289,000 trees in one year, demonstrating the cumulative value of everyday green mobility choices.
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