Japan recorded a sharp rise in arrivals from GCC states in 2025, as affluent Gulf travellers turned increasingly to long-haul holidays built around luxury stays, food, culture, snow escapes and nature-led itineraries.
Visitor arrivals from the six GCC countries reached 55,924 in 2025, up 25.2 per cent from the previous year, outpacing Japan’s wider inbound tourism growth. The increase came as total international arrivals hit 42.683 million, a record annual figure and a 15.8 per cent rise from 2024, when Japan had already surpassed its pre-pandemic high.
The Gulf performance remains small in absolute numbers compared with Japan’s biggest source markets in East Asia, North America and Europe, but the pace of growth has drawn attention from travel operators because GCC visitors tend to favour premium hotels, private tours, family travel, shopping, wellness experiences and multi-city itineraries. Demand has been supported by stronger aviation links through Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, easier visa processes for several categories of travellers, and sustained interest in Japan’s seasonal attractions.
The rise also reflects a broader shift in Gulf outbound travel. Travellers from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman are looking beyond traditional European summer destinations, especially as Japan promotes cooler regions, countryside routes and immersive cultural experiences. Hokkaido has gained visibility among Gulf families seeking milder summer weather, scenic drives and nature resorts, while Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka continue to dominate first-time travel plans.
Japan’s appeal has been reinforced by the weak yen, which has made shopping, dining and accommodation more attractive for visitors with dollar-linked Gulf currencies. Luxury retail, department stores, theme parks, Michelin-listed restaurants, ryokan stays and private guides have benefited from the spending power of long-haul visitors. Travel agencies across the Gulf have also reported growing demand for tailor-made trips covering cherry blossom viewing, autumn foliage, ski resorts and Japanese pop culture.
Tourism spending has become a major pillar of Japan’s post-pandemic services economy. International visitor expenditure rose to about ¥9.5 trillion in 2025, up 16.4 per cent from the previous year, while average spending per visitor was roughly ¥229,000. The figures underline why Japan is targeting higher-value tourism rather than only volume growth, especially as pressure mounts on crowded destinations such as Kyoto, Mount Fuji viewing spots and central Tokyo districts.
Japan’s national tourism strategy aims to draw 60 million visitors annually by 2030, but policymakers and local authorities are increasingly balancing that target with concerns over overtourism. Measures have included crowd controls, higher accommodation taxes in some areas, visitor-management rules at popular sites and campaigns encouraging travellers to explore regional destinations. For GCC visitors, that strategy fits with demand for quieter, curated experiences outside the standard Golden Route of Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
JNTO’s Dubai office has intensified destination marketing across the Gulf, with campaigns highlighting Hokkaido, Setouchi and other regions suited to repeat visitors. Promotional activity has focused on travel trade partners, digital media, luxury travel networks and family-oriented itineraries, reflecting the region’s preference for planned holidays with strong service standards. Japan’s participation in major Gulf travel events has also helped place the country more firmly in tour operators’ premium Asia portfolios.
Air connectivity remains a decisive factor. Gulf hubs provide one-stop access to several Japanese gateways for travellers from across the region, while Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways have helped keep Japan visible in high-yield leisure and business travel channels. Doha, Dubai and Abu Dhabi also act as connecting points for travellers from wider Middle East markets, strengthening Japan’s ability to attract visitors beyond its traditional Asian feeder markets.
Visa facilitation has added momentum. UAE nationals continue to benefit from visa-free short stays, while Qatari citizens have access to similar arrangements after completing required registration. Travellers from Saudi Arabia and other GCC states have increasingly been able to use electronic visa channels for tourism, reducing friction for families and first-time visitors. Expatriate residents in Gulf countries remain subject to nationality-based rules, but online processing has improved access for many applicants.
Companies are losing visibility over how workers use artificial intelligence, as staff turn to ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Claude and other tools faster than governance teams can approve, monitor or secure them. The spread of so-called shadow AI has exposed a familiar weakness in corporate cybersecurity: organisations that struggled to control unapproved apps, unmanaged cloud storage and personal messaging channels are now facing the same problem with tools […]
Hackers are turning TikTok and Instagram Reels into malware delivery channels, using polished tutorial-style clips that promise free premium software and then steer users towards malicious downloads or command-line instructions that compromise their devices. The campaign marks a shift in social engineering from email inboxes and fake websites to short-form video feeds, where attackers mimic creator culture, use casual language and rely on platform algorithms to amplify […]
Canadian University Dubai and FINTECH. TV have inaugurated a live broadcast studio at the university’s City Walk campus, creating a direct media and education link between Dubai and the New York Stock Exchange. The Global Markets Studio, opened on 1 June and announced publicly this week, is being positioned as a hands-on platform for students to produce financial news segments, podcasts, interviews and market-focused programming while engaging […]
Trad. Fi and W3 are preparing a $650 million private-credit programme aimed at moving equipment-financing loans for businesses onto public blockchain infrastructure, marking a fresh push to connect real-economy lending with automated capital workflows and tokenised settlement. The initiative targets a 48-month pipeline of lending assets tied to equipment purchases, with Trad. Fi originating credit and W3 providing artificial-intelligence agents to support risk assessment, due diligence and […]
JNK India has secured a large export order for an incinerator package linked to Abu Dhabi’s TA’ZIZ Salt Project, strengthening the company’s overseas order book and widening its role in waste gas handling systems for large industrial projects.
The order, received on June 8 from CC7 Emirates Engineering Solutions L. L. C., covers design, engineering, manufacture, procurement and supply on a Free Carrier basis. JNK India will also provide assistance, charged on a per diem basis, for erection, commissioning and witnessing of performance tests at the ADNOC-linked project in Abu Dhabi.
The contract has been classified by the company as a “large” order, a category it defines as being worth between ₹100 crore and ₹300 crore. While the exact contract value has not been disclosed, the award is material for a specialised engineering business operating in a segment where project references, technical qualification and delivery record strongly influence future bidding opportunities.
The Abu Dhabi project forms part of the wider TA’ZIZ industrial chemicals ecosystem at Ruwais, a major downstream expansion intended to support local production of chemicals used in construction, infrastructure, packaging, healthcare and other sectors. The Salt Project has drawn international engineering and procurement interest because of its scale and its place in the UAE’s push to deepen industrial supply chains beyond crude production.
JNK India specialises in process-fired heaters, reformers, cracking furnaces and other thermal engineering systems used in refineries, petrochemicals, fertilisers, hydrogen, methanol, steel and broader process industries. The latest award places its waste gas handling portfolio in sharper focus, particularly flares and incinerators, where industrial clients are investing to meet tighter environmental, emissions and process-safety standards.
Arvind Kamath, chairperson and whole-time director of JNK India, said the award marked an encouraging start to FY27 and reinforced the company’s ability to compete in international markets. He said the order reflected its engineering capability, manufacturing strength and execution record in complex industrial solutions, while also strengthening its presence in the waste gas handling segment.
The mandate is significant because incinerator packages are not commodity supplies. They require detailed thermal design, material selection, safety compliance and integration with broader plant systems. Performance testing is also critical, as waste gas handling equipment must function reliably under varied operating conditions and meet the technical specifications set by the main contractor and project owner.
CC7 Emirates Engineering Solutions is linked to the wider CC7 engineering group, which has been active in large chemical and industrial projects. Its role in the TA’ZIZ Salt Project gives JNK India access to a major Gulf industrial platform at a time when the region is expanding petrochemical, hydrogen, low-carbon ammonia and specialty chemicals capacity.
For JNK India, the Abu Dhabi order continues a strategic shift from a largely domestic heating-equipment business to a broader engineered-systems provider with export opportunities. The company’s capabilities include thermal designing, engineering, manufacturing, supply, installation and commissioning, with a fabrication facility at Mundra in Gujarat spread across about 20,000 square metres. The location gives it logistical access to a deep-draft port, an advantage for large export equipment.
The company has also expanded beyond conventional fired heaters into flares, incinerators, hydrogen production and distribution systems, process plants and emerging energy-transition applications. Its partnership with South Korea’s JNK Global adds technical depth in industrial combustion equipment, while a venture with Chemdist Group founders gives it exposure to green hydrogen, sustainable fuels, chemicals and carbon capture systems.
The order comes as Gulf energy producers and industrial developers are accelerating investment in downstream diversification. Abu Dhabi’s strategy has placed petrochemicals and industrial chemicals at the centre of its non-oil manufacturing ambitions, with Ruwais positioned as a key hub. This is creating opportunities for specialised suppliers that can meet demanding global project specifications while managing cost and delivery schedules.
16-18 June 2026, at Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – Tenchijin Inc., a space-tech innovator transforming sustainable water infrastructure management, is pleased to announce its participation in Singapore International Water Week 2026 (SIWW), one of the world’s premier platforms to share and co-create innovative water, coastal, and flood solutions to meet urban water and associated climate challenges.
Organized by Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd, a subsidiary of PUB, Singapore’s National Water Agency, SIWW is Asia’s premier global platform for co-creating innovative water solutions. Held biennially, the event is expected to gather over 2,500 global leaders, experts, and practitioners from governments, utilities, academia, and industry to share best practices, showcase the latest technologies, and harness business opportunities.
As a cornerstone of the event, the SIWW2026 Water Expo serves as the pre-eminent marketplace for urban water technologies, innovations, and solutions tailored for municipal and industrial water users across Southeast Asia. Organized by Messe München in cooperation with IFAT, the Expo connects the full water value chain—from advanced treatment, reuse, and desalination to digital solutions and climate-resilient coastal protection. Taking place from 16–18 June 2026 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore, the Expo is expected to welcome over 24,000 trade visits, making it Asia’s leading business platform for sustainable water management.
Tenchijin will showcase “KnoWaterleak,” our water leakage assessment and management platform, at the exhibition booth. Additionally, Yohei Nishiyama, VP of Business Development, will speak as a guest panelist in the Technology Forum, sharing insights on sustainable water management solutions driven by AI and space technology.
Event Overview ■ Organizer: SIWW: Singapore International Water Week Pte Ltd／Water Expo: Messe München ■ Date: SIWW: 15–18 June 2026 / Water Expo: 16–18 June 2026 ■ Venue: Sands Expo & Convention Centre Marina Bay Sands, Singapore ■ Event URL: https://www.siww.com.sg/
Tenchijin-SIWW Water Expo ■ Date: Water Expo: 16–18 June 2026
[Exhibition Booth] ■ Booth Number: B2-N08PIC
[Panel Discussion] ■ Tenchijin’s Panelist: Yohei Nishiyama, VP of Business Development ■ Date: 16 June, 1:00pm – 2:00pm (Technology Forum) ■ Venue: Hall E, Level B2 ■ Discussion Theme: “Reactive to Predictive: AI Applications in Managing Aging Water Infrastructure”
With much of the world’s water infrastructure aging rapidly, the cost of reactive management is no longer sustainable. This panel examines real-world AI applications—from predictive leak detection to asset performance modeling—that help utilities anticipate failures, prioritize investments, and transition toward proactive, data-driven operations that improve efficiency and long-term infrastructure resilience.
Panelists: ・Shanmugavel Subramaniam, Water and Wastewater Segment Leader, Schneider Electric ・Yohei Nishiyama, VP of Business Development, Tenchijin Inc.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Tenchijin Inc.
About Tenchijin KnoWaterleak KnoWaterleak is an innovative platform that harnesses satellite data and AI to predict and prevent water infrastructure risks. The system analyzes space-derived data to identify potential leaks within 100-meter square zones, providing unprecedented insights through a 5-level risk evaluation system.
Through continuous AI learning and data collection, the platform demonstrates efficiency in sustainable water management. This technology has earned recognition from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare at the 7th Infrastructure Maintenance Grand Prize.
About Tenchijin Inc. Tenchijin Inc. is a space-tech innovator leveraging satellite data and AI to detect hidden water infrastructure risks, predict potential leaks, and drive more sustainable, efficient water management through space-derived insights. Our flagship product, KnoWaterleak, combines satellite technology with advanced AI algorithms to proactively identify and prevent costly infrastructure failures, enabling organizations to manage their water systems more sustainably.
Company Overview:
Company Name: Tenchijin Inc.
Address: 5F, Nihonbashi 1-chome Mitsui Building, 1-4-1 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Representative: Yasuhito Sakuraba, CEO
Business Content: Land evaluation consulting using satellite data
Website: https://knowaterleak.space/
For inquiries regarding the expansion of Tenchijin COMPASS KnoWaterleak globally: Asia Business Development Representative: [email protected]
Crescent Petroleum Chief Executive Officer Majid Jafar has warned that the Gulf conflict has moved beyond an energy-market disruption into a whole-economy shock, exposing the vulnerability of global trade, industry and food systems to a narrow set of strategic maritime chokepoints. Speaking in Washington, DC, at the Arab Gulf States Institute’s Petro Diplomacy 2026 conference, Jafar said disruption to flows through the Strait of Hormuz had shown […]
Red Bull Malaysia announces Red Bull Next Generation, a new athlete development platform focused on emerging talent across Southeast Asia
Applications open for Malaysian athletes aged 18–25 across all sports and disciplines
Selected athletes will receive support including mentorship, workshops, media visibility and tailored development opportunities
The programme focuses on identifying athletes before mainstream recognition, spotlighting the journey behind progression and performance
Red Bull Next Generation forms part of a long-term commitment to supporting the future of youth sport and athlete storytelling in the region
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – Red Bull Malaysia, the No.1 energy drink brand in the nation, today announced Red Bull Next Generation, a regional athlete development platform under TCP Group, committed to supporting emerging young athletes in Southeast Asia.
Red Bull Next Generation empowers aspiring athletes with the platform, visibility and opportunities to take their next step in sport.
Launching first in Malaysia and Indonesia, Red Bull Next Generation’s mission is to spotlight athletes on the rise across all sports and disciplines. From established competitive sports to emerging disciplines and growing sporting communities, the programme is open to athletes aged 18-25 who are actively progressing and ready to take the next step in their journey.
Part of TCP Group’s long-term commitment to supporting the future of sporting talents, Red Bull Next Generation is more than a traditional sponsorship programme. Designed as a long-term platform focused on athlete development, visibility and progression, it supports athletes at a stage where the right backing can change their trajectory.
“At TCP Group, we believe Southeast Asia has an incredible future generation of athletes, creators and communities shaping the future of sport and culture,” said Supasita Kraisri, Chief Global Marketing Officer, TCP Group.
“Red Bull Next Generation reflects our long-term commitment to supporting that future by creating opportunities, building visibility and giving emerging athletes access to the kind of support that can help accelerate their journey,” she said.
“We want this programme to become more than an athlete initiative. We want it to become a platform that inspires ambition, progression and belief across the region.”
Selection goes beyond results and influences – athletes are evaluated based on mindset, potential, level of support and commitment to their sport. The Red Bull Next Generation programme combines performance support, expert guidance and athlete storytelling, helping selected athletes develop both competitively and personally. Athletes chosen for the programme will receive tailored support that includes workshops, mentorship, media training, financial assistance and content visibility across Red Bull channels.
Adelene Tay, Head of Marketing, TCP Red Bull Malaysia, shared, “Red Bull Malaysia has always been committed to energising the local sporting community, from supporting grassroots motorsports talent to providing platforms that inspire ambition, growth, and belief among the next generation of Malaysian athletes.”
“With Malaysia being one of the first markets to lead Red Bull Next Generation, we see this as an important opportunity to shine a spotlight on promising athletes and provide them with greater visibility and opportunities. At Red Bull Malaysia, we remain committed to building a stronger sporting community for the future, and we are excited to play a role in helping more Malaysian athletes realise their potential.”
The programme will also include guidance from Martin Pfeifenberger, a Performance Expert specialising in athlete training, recovery and human performance. With more than 20 years of experience, Martin has worked with elite athletes across over 100 sports disciplines, ranging from Formula 1 drivers and Olympic champions to top-performing teams in football, triathlon, and endurance sports.
“Across Southeast Asia, there are young athletes putting in the work every day, often before anyone is paying attention,” said Sigurd Meiche, Program Director for Red Bull Next Generation, who has extensive experience developing athlete-focused sports initiatives globally.
“Some athletes may already be competing at a high level, while others are building momentum within their local scenes, communities or cities. What matters to us is not whether someone is already famous or fully professional, it is their mindset, ambition and commitment to progressing in their sport,” he said.
“Red Bull Next Generation is about finding those athletes early, supporting them at the moment it matters most, and helping them unlock what’s possible both in sport and beyond it.”
Unlike many traditional, one-size-fits-all athlete programmes, Red Bull Next Generation is intentionally designed to be inclusive across all sports and disciplines, including esports, and welcomes both individual and team athletes. Whether competing nationally, building recognition within a city or hometown, or becoming influential figures within local sports communities, the programme is focused on identifying athletes with the ambition and potential to progress.
Centred around the belief that the next generation of athletes already exists, they just have not been seen yet, Red Bull Next Generation aims to spotlight the training, progression, setbacks and breakthroughs that happen long before mainstream recognition.
Applications are now officially open to Malaysian athletes aged 18–25 across all sports and disciplines from June 2026 via the Red Bull Next Generation website here: https://www.redbullsport.com/my/next-generation/2026. The first group of Red Bull Next Generation athletes is slated to be announced from August 2026 onwards.
To learn more about Red Bull Next Generation, visit and follow us on:
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Red Bull Malaysia
Energising Malaysians since 1993, Red Bull Malaysia is the No.1 energy drink brand in the nation, fuelling individuals of all lifestyles to live their purpose through a range of effective and delicious energy drinks. A firm believer in the special combination of “Energy” and “Passion”, the brand aims to give drinkers a boost they need to overcome everything and anything.
About TCP Group TCP Group is a leading beverage and food company in Thailand and the owner of the world’s most iconic energy drink brand “Red Bull” with the Yoovidhya family. Also known as the “House of Great Brands,” the company has a diverse product portfolio and is active in 15 markets in Asia, employing more than 5,000 people globally. In Thailand, the company also enjoys success from its distribution, OEM, vending machine business and market activation service.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – OOm Institute, a Singapore-based AI and digital skills training provider, is calling for greater AI fluency as businesses adopt Generative AI and concerns grow over declining critical thinking and verification skills.
The rapid adoption of AI tools without sufficient verification, contextual understanding, or critical oversight is contributing to a growing “Human Critical Thinking Gap”.
Recent research from Professors Rick Dakan and Joseph Feller also corroborates this; only 8.7% of participants consistently verified high-stakes AI-generated claims before accepting them.
Beyond the Prompt: The Human-Centric Shift
While prompt engineering remains a foundational skill for today’s workforce, OOm Institute suggests the discipline must evolve beyond simple input mechanics.
“We are entering a false competence trap,” says Ian Cheow, CEO at OOm Institute. “People are learning how to prompt, but they aren’t learning how to make the right decisions. If you cannot spot when an AI’s logic fails, you aren’t using a tool, you are delegating your intelligence.”
The Warning: If You Let AI Think for You, You “De-skill”
Professionals who rely heavily on AI without developing critical evaluation skills risk “de-skilling”, where domain expertise erodes over time due to over-dependence on automated systems.
The concept of AI Fluency is built around three core capabilities:
Decision to Correct: The ability to determine when AI-generated output is sufficient and when it poses a risk that requires human revision or rejection.
Contextual Sovereignty: Ensuring human oversight remains central so AI outputs align with Singapore’s cultural, commercial, and ethical contexts.
Critical Inquiry: Moving beyond prompting to actively question assumptions, logic, accuracy, and completeness in AI-generated responses.
Real-World Practice vs Theory
As AI tools evolve rapidly, practitioners argue that effective AI capability cannot rely solely on static classroom theory. Real-world usage often involves changing workflows, unpredictable outputs, and context-specific decision-making that require continuous practical application and human judgment.
Maintaining AI fluency increasingly requires learning from practitioners actively applying these tools in commercial environments.
“At OOm Institute, our focus is on building practical decision-making in AI usage,” Mr Cheow added. “Our goal is to help professionals use AI with stronger critical thinking, clearer accountability, and practical business understanding.” Hashtag: #aicourse #wsqaicourse #aisingapore #aifluency #aiskills
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
OOm Institute
OOm Institute is a WSQ course provider in Singapore, supporting workforce upskilling in AI, Digital Marketing, and Soft Skills, backed by expert trainers and over 20 years of digital expertise. They deliver industry-oriented learning programmes designed to help organisations apply digital tools effectively in real-world business environments.
Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, its most powerful AI model made broadly available, opening public access to a safeguarded version of the company’s Mythos-class technology after months of controlled testing among selected partners. The launch marks a significant shift for the San Francisco-based AI company, which had previously limited Mythos-class capabilities because of concerns over advanced cybersecurity and biological-risk use cases. Claude Fable 5 is being […]
Matein Khalid Only after I tried to read the 277-page SpaceX IPO filing did I grasp the truth of Winston Churchill’s observation that his sceptred isle and America were two countries separated by a common language. For my Brit friends and editors, SpaceX is a rocket launch, satellite and AI business. In the legal gobbledygook of SEC/Wall Street, American lingo, SpaceX is history’s first “orbital infrastructure conglomerate”. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia’s Arabian Dyar has put its planned Tadawul initial public offering on hold, becoming the latest issuer to step back from the Kingdom’s listings pipeline as volatile trading conditions and weaker investor appetite complicate efforts to bring larger private companies to market. The real estate and construction company, formally known as Aldyar Alarabiya Real Estate Development Company, had faced a June deadline […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CBS) and Experian Information Services (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (Experian Malaysia) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop a two-way cross-border credit reporting service between Singapore and Malaysia.
From left to right: Ms. Dawn Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Experian Information Services Malaysia and Mr. William Lim, Executive Director of Credit Bureau Singapore
The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration to facilitate consented cross-border credit report applications for individuals with financial footprints in either country. The initiative aims to enhance financial inclusion, strengthen credit risk assessment, and support the growing economic integration between the two neighbouring markets.
Singapore and Malaysia share one of ASEAN’s most dynamic economic relationships, with bilateral trade regularly exceeding SGD 100 billion annually. Both countries maintain deep labour, education and business linkages, supported by strong digital infrastructure and rapidly growing digital financial services ecosystems.
The collaboration is strategically aligned with the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which places strong emphasis on digital industries, data-driven enterprises and technology-enabled services. As the digital economy accelerates cross-border business models, including fintech, e-commerce, digital banking and platform-based SMEs, trusted cross-border credit infrastructure will be critical to enabling secure digital onboarding, responsible lending and seamless access to capital across both markets.
Under the MOU, CBS and Experian Malaysia intend to collaborate on a cross-border initiative that enables the structured and secure exchange of individual credit information between the two markets.
The proposed framework will define:
The operational roles of the “Source Bureau” and “Processing Bureau” in generating and facilitating cross-border credit data applications
Secure mechanisms for obtaining and managing consumer consent for a one-time release of the credit report
Personal data protection and compliance safeguards in accordance with applicable laws
Commercial and governance models to support sustainable implementation
For consumers, the initiative is expected to improve access to financial products by enabling lenders to consider verified credit histories of individuals from across the border. This may particularly benefit digital-native workers, entrepreneurs and professionals whose financial footprints span both jurisdictions. As more individuals build financial footprints on both sides of the Causeway, the ability to securely and responsibly reflect their credit history across borders becomes increasingly important. A structured cross-border credit reporting framework can help ensure that consumers are assessed more fairly and comprehensively, rather than being treated as “new-to-credit” applicants when they move between Singapore and Malaysia.
For financial institutions, access to cross-border credit data can provide a more holistic view of an applicant’s financial obligations, supporting stronger digital underwriting, reduced cross-border fraud risk and more confident expansion into adjacent markets. Improved cross-border data transparency may also enhance operational efficiency and portfolio resilience in increasingly digital lending environments.
CBS and Experian Malaysia emphasised that data protection, regulatory compliance, and consumer consent are foundational to the initiative. Both parties are committed to working within their respective legal and regulatory frameworks and engaging relevant authorities to facilitate responsible implementation. The MOU also contains confidentiality provisions governing information exchanged in the course of collaboration.
Mr. William Lim, Executive Director of Credit Bureau Singapore, said:
“As individuals and businesses operate more seamlessly across Singapore and Malaysia, credit information systems must evolve to reflect cross-border realities. This collaboration represents an important step towards enabling more seamless and responsible access to credit for consumers.”
Ms. Dawn Lai, Chief Executive Officer of Experian Information Services Malaysia, added: “Trusted data collaboration is key to strengthening digital financial ecosystems. By working together, we aim to enhance financial inclusion, improve risk transparency and support sustainable growth across both markets.”
Mr. Vincent Yap, CBS Board Chairman & Group Chief Credit Officer, Consumer Credit Risk Management of Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation, said “The access to cross-border credit data can provide a more comprehensive view of an individual applicant’s financial obligations, supporting more accurate risk assessment outcomes, reduced cross-border fraud risk and promote seamless access to capital across both markets.”
Hashtag: #Experian
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd (www.creditbureau.com.sg)
Credit Bureau (Singapore) Pte Ltd (CBS), a subsidiary of Credit Bureau Asia Limited (CBA), is Singapore’s most comprehensive consumer credit bureau that has full-industry uploads from financial institutions such as retail banks, merchant banks, finance companies and credit card issuers licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). CBS is a joint venture between The Association of Banks in Singapore (ABS) and Infocredit Holdings Pte Ltd.
The setting up of a consumer credit bureau in Singapore is a significant addition to enhance the Republic’s risk management capability. Since 2002, the Banking Act, administered by the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has allowed CBS members to disclose and obtain credit-related information to mitigate consumer credit risk through information pooling from CBS. From 2021, credit bureaus that conduct consumer credit reporting businesses in Singapore, such as CBS, are regulated under the Credit Bureau Act 2016.
As part of consumer credit reporting business, CBS aggregates credit-related information amongst participating members and presents a more complete risk profile of a customer to credit providers. This helps credit providers to determine the likelihood of the customer repaying, thus enhancing their risk assessment capabilities. Our goal is to also educate and reach out to the wider community on the importance of credit reputation.
CBS has also been designated by the Ministry of Law as the operator of the Moneylenders Credit Bureau (MLCB) under Section 56 of the Moneylenders Act.
MLCB is a central repository of data on borrowers’ loans and repayment records with all licensed moneylenders (LMLs) in Singapore. It will allow LMLs to assess the creditworthiness of borrowers and make informed decisions when granting loan applications. MLCB will also help borrowers to understand their loan information report so as to work towards achieving better financial health.
About Credit Bureau Asia Limited (www.creditbureauasia.com) Credit Bureau Asia Limited (CBA) is a leading player in the credit and risk information solutions market in Southeast Asia. CBA provides credit and risk information solutions to an extensive client base of financial institutions (“FI”), multinational corporations, telecommunication companies, government bodies and public agencies, local enterprises and individuals across Singapore, Malaysia, Cambodia and Myanmar. CBA’s business has two core segments, the FI Data Business and the Non-FI Data Business, covering both consumer and commercial credit risk information.
As at 31 December 2024, the Group has more than 255 financial institution members across Singapore, Cambodia and Myanmar, including banks, microfinance institutions, leasing companies and rural credit operators.
For its Non-FI Data Business, the Group has more than 6,000 enterprise customers, ranging from multinational corporations to small and medium-sized enterprises. CBA’s Non-FI Data Business operates in Singapore and Malaysia, where enterprise customers can access a wide range of business information and risk management services, sales and marketing solutions, and commercial insights. CBA combines data sourced from a variety of publicly accessible registries, Dun & Bradstreet’s extensive international network, as well as information contributed by businesses which subscribe to CBA’s payment bureau services. The Group has access to a database of more than 580 million business records globally.
CBA was named in Forbes Asia’s 2025 “Best Under A Billion” list, marking the second consecutive year that CBA has been named among the top 200 top-performing publicly listed small and mid-sized companies across the Asia-Pacific region.
About Experian (www.experianplc.com)
Experian is a global data and technology company, powering opportunities for people and businesses around the world. We help to redefine lending practices, uncover and prevent fraud, simplify healthcare, deliver digital marketing solutions, and gain deeper insights into the automotive market, all using our unique combination of data, analytics and platforms. We also assist millions of people to realise their financial goals and help them to save time and money.
We operate across a range of markets, from financial services to healthcare, automotive, agrifinance, insurance, and many more industry segments.
We invest in talented people and new advanced technologies to unlock the power of data and to innovate. A FTSE 100 Index company listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN), we have a team of 25,200 people across 33 countries. Our corporate headquarters are in Dublin, Ireland. Learn more at experianplc.com.
Focus on Data Governance to Help Hong Kong Enterprises Build Trusted AI Decision-Making Capabilities
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 June 2026 – FanRuan Software, a leading business intelligence (BI) software brand in the Asia-Pacific region, today held the “FANRUAN DATA & AI SUMMIT 2026” at the Kowloon Shangri-La Hotel. Themed “Data Shapes AI, AI Redefines Decisions,” the summit brought together enterprise representatives and technology experts from industries including finance, construction, retail, and manufacturing to explore practical pathways for enterprise data governance, BI applications, and intelligent decision-making in the AI era.
FANRUAN DATA & AI SUMMIT 2026 Data Shapes Al, Al Redefines Decisions
At the event, FanRuan highlighted that as generative AI and intelligent analytics tools accelerate their entry into enterprise scenarios, the focus of Hong Kong businesses has shifted from “whether to adopt AI” to “whether AI can truly support business judgment and management decisions.” In an environment characterized by multiple coexisting systems, complex cross-departmental collaboration, and heightened compliance and access control requirements, enterprises lacking a consistent, accurate, and traceable data foundation will find it difficult for AI to produce analytical results trusted by management.
Therefore, FanRuan proposed an enterprise AI implementation pathway of “Governance First, Intelligence Second,” emphasizing that AI’s value stems not only from model capabilities but also depends on whether enterprises possess a governable, verifiable, and sustainably usable data foundation.
AI Applications Enter Deep Waters: Data Governance Becomes a Critical Prerequisite
In recent years, Hong Kong enterprises have actively explored AI applications in operational management, financial analysis, procurement decisions, customer engagement, and risk control. However, in actual implementation, many companies still face challenges such as data fragmentation, inconsistent metrics, system silos, and complex access controls.
For enterprises, the true value of AI lies not merely in generating answers, but in its ability to help managers faster understand business changes, diagnose problems, and take action based on trusted data. If underlying data sources are untraceable, metric definitions are inconsistent, or different departments maintain separate versions of data for the same business issues, even advanced AI tools will struggle to form analytical bases credible to decision-makers.
FanRuan believes that enterprise AI applications are moving from tool experimentation into the deep waters of business operations. In the future, the key to successful AI adoption within enterprises hinges on whether they can first establish a clear, stable, and manageable data governance foundation.
From Standardization to Intelligent Analytics: FanRuan Presents an Enterprise AI Implementation Pathway
Addressing enterprise needs to progress from data governance to intelligent decision-making, FanRuan showcased its “Governance First, Intelligence Second” implementation approach at the summit, helping enterprises sequentially build comprehensive capabilities from data standardization and BI applications to AI analytics.
First, at the data standardization level, FanRuan provides standardized analytics templates across multiple industries through Fine Gallery (App Marketplace), assisting enterprises in rapidly establishing consistent metric definitions and analytical frameworks. For companies whose data architectures still require refinement, standardized analytics scenarios serve as a starting point for building a Single Source of Truth (SSOT), reducing cross-departmental communication costs and enhancing the reusability of data applications.
Second, at the BI application level, FanRuan helps enterprises transform data scattered across ERP, finance, procurement, project management, CRM, and other systems into reports, dashboards, and analytical charts usable by both management and business teams. Through consistent data presentation and access control management, enterprises can more effectively grasp operational conditions, transforming data from backend records into daily management tools.
Building on this foundation, FanRuan further demonstrated Dora Data Agent, an AI-powered data analytics assistant designed for enterprise management and business analysis scenarios. Based on governed enterprise business data, Dora assists users in conducting multi-dimensional root-cause analysis, anomaly interpretation, and issue diagnosis. When enterprises face performance fluctuations, cost variations, procurement anomalies, or deviations in operational metrics, Dora helps managers shorten the time from “problem discovery” to “cause diagnosis,” making AI analytics more aligned with actual business objectives and decision-making contexts.
Deepening Presence in Hong Kong Market to Drive AI Data Analytics Adoption
FanRuan stated that for AI applications to deliver long-term value within enterprises, reliance on single tools is insufficient; supporting data governance methodologies, talent training, and localized service support are equally essential. For the Hong Kong market, FanRuan will continue to advance its digital talent certification system, helping enterprises reduce dependence on individual technical staff experience, enabling more business and management personnel to acquire data analytics capabilities, and gradually fostering an organizational culture where “everyone can understand data and use data for decision-making.”
As Hong Kong enterprises accelerate their digital transformation, the key to successful AI adoption will be how to transform data scattered across different systems, departments, and processes into decision-making assets trusted by management and routinely used by frontline business operations. Moving forward, FanRuan will continue to center on the “Governance First, Intelligence Second” core pathway, helping Hong Kong enterprises lay a solid data foundation for the AI era and establish more robust decision-making advantages. Hashtag: #FanRuan #DataGovernance #ArtificialIntelligence #BusinessIntelligence #DoraDataAgent #DigitalTransformation #HongKongTech #TrustedAI #DataAnalytics
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About FanRuan Software
As the leading all-in-one Data Analytics & BI platform, FanRuan empowers enterprises worldwide to bridge the gap between raw data and strategic action. Founded in 2006, FanRuan serves over 43,000 clients globally through 50 strategic branches, combining international leadership with localized expertise to help organizations transform information into lasting business value. With over 5 million daily users across industries including finance, construction, manufacturing and retail, FanRuan provides the future-ready foundation for sustainable growth. For more information, please visit https://www.fanruan.com/en
Nvidia has signed a wide set of artificial intelligence and data centre agreements with major South Korean companies, placing the country at the centre of its next phase of AI infrastructure expansion across Asia.
The agreements involve SK Telecom, SK Hynix, Naver, Doosan Group, LG Group, Hyundai Motor Group and continued discussions with Samsung Electronics, linking Nvidia’s graphics processors, AI factory architecture and robotics platforms with South Korea’s strengths in memory chips, telecoms, manufacturing, cloud services and industrial automation.
The deals were unveiled during Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang’s Seoul visit, which has underlined how South Korea is moving from being a supplier of critical memory chips to a broader AI infrastructure hub. The push comes as governments and large companies seek sovereign computing capacity, tighter control over data, and dedicated facilities capable of training and running advanced AI models.
SK Telecom plans to build a gigawatt-scale AI cloud in South Korea using Nvidia’s DSX platform, with the first AI factory expected to come online in 2027. The infrastructure is designed to support enterprise AI, robotics, industrial automation and agentic AI services, using SK Telecom’s network, data centre and corporate technology base.
Naver, one of South Korea’s leading internet and cloud companies, is expanding its sovereign AI infrastructure with Nvidia, starting with 55 megawatts of capacity and a plan to move towards gigawatt scale. The collaboration is aimed at serving businesses, public-sector users and industries seeking locally controlled AI platforms.
SK Hynix, already a key supplier of high-bandwidth memory for Nvidia’s AI accelerators, has entered a multi-year technology partnership to develop next-generation memory for global AI data centres. The agreement strengthens the role of high-bandwidth memory as one of the most important bottlenecks in the AI hardware supply chain, with demand rising sharply as large models require faster data movement between processors and memory.
Samsung Electronics remains part of the wider conversation around next-generation foundry and memory cooperation. Its semiconductor leadership held talks with Nvidia on advanced chip manufacturing and future high-bandwidth memory, including technologies beyond the current HBM4 generation. Samsung is also involved in manufacturing AI accelerator chips for other customers, keeping it central to Nvidia’s broader supply chain calculations even as SK Hynix maintains a strong position in premium memory.
Doosan Group’s cooperation with Nvidia extends the agreements beyond data centres into physical AI. Doosan Robotics is working with Nvidia’s simulation, robotics and on-device AI platforms to develop an agentic robot operating system, while Doosan Enerbility is expected to support power infrastructure for AI factories. Doosan Corporation’s electronics materials unit is also positioned to support next-generation data centre hardware through advanced materials used in AI accelerators.
LG Group is working with Nvidia on an AI factory focused on physical AI, mobility and data centre technologies. The partnership is expected to support LG’s work in robotics, autonomous driving, smart manufacturing and GPU cloud services, giving the conglomerate a platform for applying AI across consumer electronics, industrial systems and vehicle technologies.
Hyundai Motor Group’s cooperation with Nvidia is centred on mobility, manufacturing and robotics, including support for Hyundai’s AI Valley project in Saemangeum. The group’s ownership of Boston Dynamics gives it a strong position in humanoid and industrial robotics, while Nvidia’s platforms can support simulation, model training and factory deployment.
South Korea’s national AI strategy gives the corporate agreements wider significance. The country had already announced plans to secure more than 260,000 Nvidia GPUs, with more than 50,000 intended for public AI infrastructure and the rest allocated to major companies including Samsung, SK Group, Hyundai Motor Group and Naver. The latest agreements suggest that those commitments are moving into more defined industrial projects.
The expansion also reflects a shift in Nvidia’s business model. The company is no longer selling chips only as components; it is promoting full-stack AI factories that combine processors, networking, software, reference architecture and operations. That approach gives Nvidia deeper influence over how data centres are designed and operated, while offering partners faster deployment at a time when AI capacity remains constrained.
South Korea’s Science and ICT Ministry is also seeking priority access to Nvidia’s Vera Rubin GPUs, amid expectations that next-generation chip supply could face delays. The effort shows how advanced AI processors have become strategic assets for countries competing in model development, cloud infrastructure and industrial automation.
The agreements carry risks as well as opportunity. AI factories require vast power supplies, expensive cooling systems and long-term commitments from corporate customers. Heavy dependence on one US chip supplier may also raise questions over supply security and bargaining power, even for a country with world-class semiconductor companies.
For Nvidia, the South Korean partnerships strengthen memory access, broaden its AI factory customer base and create new demand in robotics, cloud services and industrial AI. For South Korean companies, the deals offer a faster route into high-value AI infrastructure at a time when global competition is shifting from model development to the computing systems needed to run them at scale.
Access to finance for industrial startups is becoming a sharper policy test for the UAE as high-growth manufacturing ventures confront longer revenue cycles, heavier capital needs and risk profiles that often sit outside conventional lending models. Shaker Zainal, head of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Innovation Fund, has placed the financing gap for industrial startups within a wider challenge of alignment between founders, banks, government-backed platforms and ecosystem […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE nationals building new private homes can claim VAT refunds on a wider range of construction-related expenses under a Federal Tax Authority initiative that broadens relief for citizens at a time of elevated residential building costs. The initiative, now active, applies to eligible refund claims submitted on or after 1 January 2026 and is expected to lift the value of approved homebuilding VAT […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Wizz Air will introduce Starlink-powered internet across its fleet from 2027, making one of Europe’s most cost-focused airlines the first ultra-low-cost carrier on the continent to commit to satellite connectivity at scale and raising fresh questions over how far budget aviation can stretch beyond its bare-fare model. The Hungary-based airline plans to install the SpaceX service on its next-generation aircraft, offering passengers high-speed, […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Riyadh Air has opened ticket sales for daily flights between Dubai and Riyadh from 18 June, adding a new premium operator to one of the Gulf’s busiest business and leisure corridors as Saudi Arabia accelerates plans to turn its capital into a global aviation hub. Flights will operate between Dubai International Airport and King Khalid International Airport using Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, placing wide-body […]
Paytm plans to add about 4,000 employees over the next nine months as the digital payments company pushes deeper into artificial intelligence, product development and merchant services, even as it cuts a smaller number of roles after its performance review cycle.
The hiring programme would expand the workforce of One 97 Communications, Paytm’s parent, by about 10 per cent from a base of roughly 40,000 employees. The company is also expected to reduce about 1 per cent of its staff, or nearly 400 employees, as it removes overlapping functions and redirects resources towards areas tied to revenue growth, automation and financial services distribution.
The planned additions will run through March 2027 and cover product, technology, artificial intelligence and senior leadership roles. Paytm has already added more than 800 employees over the past two months and is in the process of recruiting the next tranche as it widens its merchant network and builds AI-led tools across its platform.
The move reflects a broader recalibration inside the Noida-based fintech company after two years of regulatory pressure, cost discipline and business restructuring. Paytm is seeking to convert its large base of users and merchants into higher-value customers for loans, investments, insurance and other financial products, while keeping a tight watch on employee costs and operating expenses.
Chief Executive Officer Vijay Shekhar Sharma has been working to rebuild confidence after the Reserve Bank of India imposed severe restrictions on Paytm Payments Bank in 2024 and later cancelled the licence of the independently held affiliate in April 2026. One 97 Communications holds 49 per cent in the payments bank, while Sharma owns the remaining 51 per cent.
The banking affiliate’s closure has continued to shape staffing decisions. Most of Paytm Payments Bank’s employees have already exited over the past two years, with some absorbed into other parts of the fintech group. The remaining few hundred employees at the bank are expected to leave as the winding-down process advances.
Paytm’s latest hiring plan comes after a year in which the company sharply reduced headcount. Average on-roll employees fell from 43,960 in FY24 to 39,368 in FY25, a decline of about 4,600 people. A large portion of the workforce remains tied to sales, underlining the importance of merchant acquisition and field distribution in Paytm’s model.
The company’s restructuring has coincided with an improvement in profitability. Paytm posted four consecutive profitable quarters and reported its first full-year profit since listing, with FY26 net profit of about ₹552 crore compared with a loss of ₹663 crore in FY25. Revenue for FY26 rose to about ₹9,291 crore from ₹7,625 crore a year earlier.
For the March 2026 quarter, One 97 Communications reported a consolidated net profit of about ₹184 crore, compared with a loss of about ₹540 crore in the year-earlier period. Revenue from operations rose 18.4 per cent year-on-year to ₹2,264 crore, supported by payments services and financial services distribution.
The improved performance has given Paytm more room to invest in growth areas, but the company is still balancing expansion with caution. Its shares have gained around 7 per cent over the past year, though they remain more than 50 per cent below the 2021 initial public offering price, a reminder of investor concerns over profitability, regulation and the durability of its business model.
Artificial intelligence has become central to Paytm’s operating strategy. The company has used automation to reduce repetitive work in customer support, risk management, merchant servicing and internal processes. The next phase appears focused less on replacing headcount across the board and more on redeploying resources towards AI-enabled products, data-driven lending, fraud control and personalised financial offerings.
That shift mirrors a wider trend in the technology and fintech sectors, where companies are cutting roles in legacy or routine functions while hiring for engineering, machine learning, product design, compliance technology and platform operations. For Paytm, the challenge is sharper because its business relies on both software capability and a large physical merchant network.
The company began in 2010 as a mobile recharge platform before expanding into wallets, QR-code payments, Soundbox devices, payment gateways and financial services. Its growth accelerated after the 2016 currency note withdrawal pushed millions of merchants and consumers towards digital payments.
OpenAI has widened access to ChatGPT Lockdown Mode, extending an advanced security setting beyond enterprise deployments to eligible personal accounts and self-serve Business users as concern grows over prompt injection attacks and data leakage risks in web-connected artificial intelligence tools. Eligible users on Free, Go, Plus and Pro plans, along with self-serve ChatGPT Business accounts, are being given access to the feature through the Security section of […]
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Europe’s largest airline groups have warned Brussels that extending carbon charges to long-haul international flights would lift fares, raise cargo costs and deepen a dispute over how aviation should pay for its climate impact. Chief executives from major carriers including Air France-KLM, IAG, Lufthansa, Ryanair, easyJet, TUI and AirBaltic have urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen not to widen the European Union’s Emissions Trading System […]
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