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The jump, flagged at an IBPC Dubai logistics session, reflects a wider disruption in maritime corridors linked to Middle East tensions, fuel-cost volatility, security-risk surcharges and capacity constraints. Paras Shahdadpuri, Governor of IBPC Dubai and Chairman of Nikai Group, said the disruption had tested businesses while reinforcing confidence in the UAE’s ability to respond effectively. “Freight rates have risen from $1,000 to $7,000, putting pressure on businesses, but the speed of response here has helped maintain confidence in uncertain times,” he said.

The impact is being felt most sharply by businesses with thin margins or long replenishment cycles. Consumer electronics, appliances, automotive parts, food products, textiles, building materials and pharmaceutical consignments are among the categories most exposed to higher freight, delayed vessel schedules and tighter booking windows. Importers face a difficult choice: absorb added costs, renegotiate supply contracts, delay shipments or pass part of the burden to consumers.

Dubai’s response has centred on route diversification, customs facilitation and closer coordination among ports, logistics operators, carriers and government agencies. The Green Corridor linking Dubai and Oman has become a critical pressure valve, allowing cargo arriving through Omani ports and airports to move overland through streamlined procedures. Customs declarations through the corridor rose from about 12,000 in March to nearly 100,000 in April, while the value of goods moved increased from Dh1 billion to more than Dh8 billion.

The corridor has helped sustain flows for containers destined for Jebel Ali, goods entering the local market and re-export cargo bound for other destinations. More than 100,000 TEUs have already moved through Green Corridor initiatives, underlining how quickly shippers have adapted to alternative supply routes. Food security shipments and refrigerated cargo movements have remained stable, a key benchmark for a market dependent on uninterrupted imports.

Freight inflation is not confined to the UAE lane. Global container benchmarks have moved higher as peak-season demand started earlier than usual and conflict risk reshaped vessel deployment. The World Container Index climbed to $3,549 per 40ft container in mid-June, while Asia-Europe and transpacific routes also recorded rate increases. Fuel costs, insurance premiums and route deviations have widened the gap between contracted and spot-market pricing.

The UAE’s logistics model has so far avoided the deeper breakdown seen during earlier global supply-chain shocks. Jebel Ali remains central to regional trade, while Fujairah, Khor Fakkan and Omani gateways have gained strategic importance as alternative access points. Cargo owners are mixing sea, land and air solutions to balance cost against reliability, making multimodal logistics a boardroom issue rather than a back-office procurement function.

The pressure comes at a sensitive time for India-UAE trade, which has expanded under the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that entered into force in 2022. Bilateral trade reached $101.25 billion in FY2025-26, with the UAE ranking as India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. Higher freight costs risk eroding some of the tariff and market-access gains achieved through the pact, particularly for mid-sized exporters and distributors operating on fixed price commitments.

Business groups say the crisis is accelerating changes that were already under way. Importers are adding supplier options in Southeast Asia and the GCC, splitting shipments across ports, increasing buffer stocks for critical items and using digital tracking tools to manage delays. Logistics providers are offering blended products that combine ocean freight, bonded trucking and air cargo, while retailers are reviewing inventory cycles before the next seasonal demand peak.

The strain is also prompting fresh attention to contract design. More companies are inserting freight-adjustment clauses, separating shipping costs from product pricing and seeking clearer force-majeure language for geopolitical disruption. For smaller traders, the biggest challenge is cash flow: a container that once required a modest upfront freight payment can now tie up several times more capital before goods even reach the warehouse.

Refreshed five-year Encompass roadmap highlights accelerated fleet decarbonisation and proactive talent integration as key competitive advantages

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 June 2026 – The Caravel Group, a diversified global conglomerate with core businesses in maritime services, commodity trading and investment management, today released its fifth annual Responsibility Report, Encompass. The report details the Group’s progress, key achievements and future targets in running a sustainable and resilient business, with a particular focus on its ship management subsidiary, Fleet Management Limited.

Guided by the four core pillars of the Encompass strategy—Navigating Responsibly, Evolving Environmental Stewardship, Safeguarding People and Working Together—the 2025 report demonstrates how the Group has successfully translated high-level ESG ambitions into measurable, accountable day-to-day operational practices across ship and shore.

Dr. Harry S. Banga, Founder & Executive Chairman of The Caravel Group, said: “Five years ago, we established Encompass as our guiding compass. This fifth annual report is a testament to how we have built a business trusted to perform responsibly, adapt with discipline and remain relevant in a volatile maritime industry. By formally embedding ESG metrics into performance reviews for all onshore employees and establishing strategic initiatives like our LNG bunkering joint venture, we have ensured that responsibility and performance are no longer separate conversations.”

Key Sustainable Milestones in 2025:

1. Evolving Environmental Stewardship & Accelerated Decarbonisation

• The Group achieved a 42% reduction in managed ship GHG emission intensity from its 2008 baseline, significantly exceeding its established 2030 target of a 30% reduction.
• Currently, 74% of the managed fleet is equipped with advanced Energy Saving Devices (ESDs), including high-performance hull paint, Propeller Boss Cap Fins (PBCFs) and variable speed motors, keeping the Group firmly on track to equip 100% of its fleet by 2030.
• The Caravel Group entered a strategic joint venture with Celsius Shipping to co-own and operate a new fleet of high-specification LNG bunkering vessels, supporting the maritime sector’s wider transition towards cleaner fuels.

2. Navigating Responsibly & Digital Innovation

• The Group continued the active pilot deployment of Captain’s Eye, an AI-powered maritime safety solution using onboard CCTV to detect smoke, leaks and safety hazards in real-time.
• Upgrades to PARIS (integrated fleet management platform) and NOVA (data analytics) provided vessel owners with real-time financial, EU ETS and FuelEU Maritime compliance reporting, bolstering transparency and proactive risk management.

3. Safeguarding People & Safety Excellence

• Port State Control (PSC) detentions across the fleet plummeted from 22 in 2023 to just 5 in 2025, driven by the Group’s increasingly rigorous safety protocols and strengthened reporting discipline.
• The Group recorded an exceptional 91% wellbeing score in its annual employee survey, surpassing its 78% target set for 2028 ahead of schedule.

4. Working Together, Talent & Community Engagement

• Following its landmark acquisition of the International Maritime Institute (IMI) in India, the Group integrated a highly reliable, Group-aligned talent channel, welcoming over 500 job-ready cadets to Fleet Management in 2025.
• The Caravel Group recorded a 92% employee engagement score and a 93% Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) score.
• In line with its pledge to commit at least 2% of average net profits over the previous three years to social causes, the Group contributed USD 1,529,993 to community partnerships, education initiatives and disaster relief programmes.

Mr. Angad Banga, Group Chief Executive Officer of The Caravel Group, added: “In today’s market, sustainability is no longer a future consideration—it is an active operating condition. Regulatory frameworks like FuelEU Maritime and EU ETS carry real economic consequences, and our clients look to us for the systems, judgment and commercial depth to navigate this landscape. By pairing digital tools with a robust talent pipeline through the IMI, we are building organisational capability before the moment it is needed, creating a lasting competitive advantage.”

To explore the detailed performance data, future targets, and the full version of the Encompass: Responsibility Report 2025, please visit The Caravel Group Website: https://www.caravel-group.com/our-impact/responsibility-reports

Hashtag: #FleetManagementLimited

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

About The Caravel Group Limited

The Caravel Group, headquartered in Hong Kong, is a privately held and globally diversified group with operations across maritime services, dry bulk commodity trading, institutional investment management, and philanthropy. Its maritime division includes Fleet Management Limited, one of the world’s largest third‑party ship managers, with more than 500 vessels under management, and strategic investments, including a major stake in Pacific Basin (HKEX: 2343). Caravel also owns the International Maritime Institute (IMI) in India, reinforcing its commitment to maritime talent development. Through Caravel Asset Management, the Group invests globally across public markets and private equity, while its philanthropic arm, The Caravel Foundation, supports the education and well-being of underprivileged youth across Hong Kong, China, and India.

Learn more: www.caravel-group.com

About Fleet Management Limited

Fleet Management Limited, part of The Caravel Group, is one of the world’s largest third‑party ship managers, with more than 500 vessels under management. This scale bears testament to the resilience and commitment of thousands of seafarers and onshore maritime professionals serving shipowners worldwide.

Fleet manages a range of vessels, including bulk carriers, containers, car carriers, oil tankers, gas carriers and chemical tankers from 600 to 320,000 DWT in size – with many being young and energy-efficient with an age profile below the industry average. The company also has a dynamic newbuilding supervision department.

Learn more: www.fleetship.com

Higher education institutions play a key role in supporting this development by providing students with opportunities to build both foundational knowledge and specialised expertise. Through collaborations with international university partners, SIM Global Education (SIM GE) offers a range of academic pathways across business, management, analytics, marketing and related disciplines that can support students with entrepreneurial aspirations.

Understanding the Educational Choices Available
The growing variety of higher education options presents both opportunities and challenges for students. While many may have an interest in entrepreneurship or business, determining the most suitable academic pathway is often less straightforward.

Entrepreneurship today extends beyond the traditional concept of starting a business. It can encompass leading innovation within established organisations, developing new products and services, scaling family-owned enterprises, creating social ventures, or participating in emerging start-up ecosystems. As a result, students are increasingly seeking educational pathways that align with their individual interests, strengths and long-term goals.

A well-informed educational choice can help students develop the competencies most relevant to their intended career direction, whether that involves business leadership, digital innovation, market expansion or social impact.

Building a Foundation Through Business Education
A business-related degree can provide aspiring entrepreneurs with a broad understanding of how organisations operate. Entrepreneurs need to understand markets, customers, finance, operations, competition and strategy. They also need to make decisions with limited resources and adapt quickly when business conditions change.

At SIM GE, business-related programmes allow students to explore fields such as analytics, strategy, marketing and management. These areas are relevant to students who want to develop a practical understanding of how businesses are built, managed and grown.

For students who are still exploring their future direction, a business pathway can provide flexibility. It can prepare them for employment, support future postgraduate or professional learning, and build a foundation that may later be applied to entrepreneurial ventures.

Management programmes for future leaders and founders
Entrepreneurship is often associated with ideas, innovation and opportunity. However, successful ventures also depend on effective management. Founders must lead people, manage resources, build processes, work with partners and make decisions that affect the long-term sustainability of the business.

Management-focused programmes are therefore especially relevant for students who want to understand how organisations are led and how teams work together. Such programmes can help learners develop perspectives on leadership, planning, decision-making and organisational effectiveness.

For future entrepreneurs, management knowledge is important because a strong idea must eventually be supported by the ability to execute. Whether students later start their own businesses or lead innovation within existing organisations, management capabilities can help them turn ambition into action.

The Growing Importance of Data and Analytics
As organisations become increasingly data-driven, analytical capabilities have become a valuable component of entrepreneurial decision-making. Entrepreneurs are expected to evaluate market opportunities, understand customer behaviour and assess business performance using data and technology.

Analytics-related programmes can help students develop these capabilities, enabling them to make more informed decisions and respond effectively to changing business conditions. Such skills are particularly relevant for those interested in digital business, e-commerce, technology ventures and business intelligence.

Marketing and international business for market-ready ventures
A strong business idea also needs a clear target market and a business strategy to back it up . Students who are interested in brand-building, customer engagement, communications or market expansion may benefit from marketing and international business-related pathways.

Marketing-focused learning can help students understand consumer behaviour, positioning, customer experience and value creation. International business exposure can help students think beyond a single market, especially in a region such as Southeast Asia where businesses often need to understand cross-border opportunities.

For future entrepreneurs, these perspectives can support the development of ventures that are customer-focused, market-aware and better prepared for regional or global growth.

Entrepreneurship and Social Impact
Entrepreneurship is increasingly being viewed through a broader lens that includes social and environmental outcomes. Alongside commercial objectives, many entrepreneurs are seeking to address societal challenges and contribute to sustainable development.

Initiatives such as the Dr Richard K M Eu – SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre reflect the growing interest in social innovation and impact-driven enterprise. Exposure to these concepts can help students explore how entrepreneurial thinking can be applied to create sustainable solutions for communities and society.

Preparing for the Future
While there is no single educational pathway that guarantees entrepreneurial success, the most appropriate route depends on an individual’s interests, strengths and aspirations. However, regardless of specialisation, future entrepreneurs will require a combination of technical knowledge, critical thinking, adaptability, leadership and communication skills.

As Singapore continues to strengthen its position as a hub for enterprise, innovation and regional business activity, education remains an important foundation for entrepreneurial development. By providing access to diverse academic pathways and internationally recognised programmes, institutions such as SIM GE support students in making informed decisions and developing the capabilities needed to navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic business environment.

For many aspiring entrepreneurs, the journey begins not with the launch of a venture, but with the educational choices that help shape future opportunities.

References

1. SIM GE University Partners – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge
2. SIM Global Education – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/overview
3. SIM GE Business Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business
4. SIM GE Management Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business/management
5. SIM GE Business Analytics Programmes – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/programmes/disciplines/business/business-analytics
6. SIM Social Entrepreneurship Centre – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/ressec
7. The Future of Job 2025 Report – https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/digest/
8. SkillsFuture Critical Core Skills – https://jobsandskills.skillsfuture.gov.sg/frameworks/critical-core-skills
9. Singapore Ranks 4^th Global Startup Ecosystem – https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/-/media/esg/files/media-centre/media-releases/2025/may/mr02125_singapore_ranks_as_4th_best_global_startup_ecosystem.pdf

Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

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

About SIM Global Education

SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.

SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.

For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg

Harnessing Innovative Technologies to Drive Cultural Mobility and Foster Global Exchange

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 June 2026 – The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), in collaboration with the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(Guangzhou), presents the SURREALITY Mixed Reality (MR) × Artificial Intelligence (AI) Digital Art Cross-City Exhibition. As part of HKUST’s 35th-anniversary celebrations, an exclusive media preview of the world’s first large-scale, cross-regional MR × AI digital art exhibition was held at the University’s Clear Water Bay campus.

Showcasing selected works by renowned international and Chinese Mainland digital artists, as well as faculty and students from both campuses, the exhibition integrates creativity with Virtual Reality (VR), MR, and AI technologies. It transforms the campus into a global hub for arts innovation and technological excellence.

The exhibition will open at HKUST(GZ) tomorrow and run through July 31, 2026, before returning to Hong Kong for public engagement. This exhibition exemplifies HKUST’s visionary commitment to driving cultural mobility and fostering international exchange through innovative technologies.

Prof. Nancy IP, President of HKUST, remarked, “This event signifies a major milestone for HKUST in its pursuit of integrating technology, humanities, and cross-regional innovation. The national 15th Five-Year Plan released this year explicitly supports Hong Kong in deepening its development as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange. In 2024, the HKSAR Government also introduced the Blueprint for Arts and Culture and Creative Industries Development, outlining plans to develop diverse arts and culture industries with an international perspective, and to establish international platforms that foster East-meets-West arts and cultural exchanges. Local universities play a pivotal role in advancing these initiatives.”

“HKUST’s Strategic Plan 2031 identifies the integration of innovation and the humanities as a key direction for the University’s future development. In line with this vision, we established Hong Kong’s first Division of Arts and Machine Creativity, which is committed to creating an innovative platform that fosters the fusion of technology and art while nurturing a new generation of creative talent with strong interdisciplinary perspectives. Hosting initiatives such as SURREALITY and the HKUST AI Film Festival exemplifies this direction and is poised to develop into prominent international platforms that fosters arts and cultural exchanges between China and the rest of the world,” she added.

Prof. Lionel NI Ming-Shuan, President of HKUST(GZ), stated, “‘SURREALITY’ is not only the world’s first large-scale MR × AI art exhibition, but also a powerful showcase of the strengths of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) in interdisciplinary studies and computational creativity. As a flagship initiative under the ‘One HKUST, Complementary Campuses’ framework, the two campuses have welcomed artists and young creators from 23 countries and regions, redefining the boundaries of knowledge production and artistic expression through the seamless fusion of the virtual and the real. At a time when the nation is strategically advancing future industries and the Greater Bay Area is accelerating the development of new quality productive forces, the digital ‘Portal’ connecting Clear Water Bay and Nansha represents far more than a technological breakthrough—it embodies a forward-looking model of educational collaboration, where engineering converges with aesthetics, algorithms with poetry, and global vision with local engagement. At thirty-five years old, HKUST remains youthful and dynamic. Guided by this founding aspiration, HKUST(GZ) will continue to advance in step with HKUST, writing a new chapter of integrated innovation and talent development in the Greater Bay Area.”

SURREALITY showcases the integration of AI-generated artworks with the physical campus environment, creating an immersive experience through spatial computing and real-time rendering technologies. Across the two campuses, nearly 50 works by more than 70 digital artists from the United States, Germany, Russia, Australia, Bolivia, Singapore, Korea, the Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong are featured. Presented in innovative and striking forms, these exceptional works from around the world highlight HKUST’s strong commitment to advancing interdisciplinary integration.

Today, 19 selected works premiered at the Clear Water Bay campus, where MR-enhanced creations transform the HKUST campus into an immersive, technology-driven art space. By wearing MR headsets, visitors can freely explore three exhibition areas: Living Currents, Future Fables, and Beyond Mind. Several projects created by HKUST(GZ) faculty and students stand out as highlights, with The Gate—built on a metaverse concept—emerging as the centerpiece of the exhibition. As the armillary sphere slowly turns and the portal comes into view, visitors can step inside and instantly traverse the virtual spaces of both campuses, experiencing a groundbreaking sense of cross‑campus, seamless connectivity that embodies the vision of “One HKUST, Complementary Campuses.” Another featured work, Kunpeng, symbolizes a spirit of boundless freedom. A giant fish leaps from the nearby Port Shelter in Sai Kung and transforms into a soaring roc that ascends powerfully into the sky. Its majestic presence delivers a striking visual spectacle. The piece The Twinworld Tree creates a dynamic living system formed by the World Tree and virtual life, symbolizing the interdependence of all things, like the tides.

The exhibition also features an MR recreation of a classic work—GFP Bunny, created by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist, Prof. Eduardo KAC, who is also Professor of Art and Technology Studies at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Since its debut, this piece has sparked global reflection on genetic modification, bioethics, and the boundaries of art. Mr. ZHANG Yishuai, a PhD student in the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts at HKUST(GZ) and a computational artist, presents Echoes of Earth 2.0, offering a forward-looking perspective on AI and interstellar civilizations. This work enriches the exhibition with a visionary reflection on humanity’s aspirations for the future.

Several VR digital art pieces are also on display, including Astra, created by Ms. Eliza MCNITT— Venice Immersive Grand Prize winner and renowned American writer and director—which offers visitors a unique journey of exploration into the universe. Mr. Benedict YU, a VR visual artist from Singapore, presents Mother’s Body Remembers, utilizing LiDAR to capture movements and combining VR with tactile interaction to rekindle visitors’ memories of family connections. The HKUST XRIM Lab‘s work, Unfolding Touch, enables a soft-robot-mediated handshake between the Clear Water Bay and Guangzhou campuses, integrating sensing and tactile replication to create a shared touch experience across distance. Other works include My Flower, which invites viewers to experience the daily challenges faced by people with Alzheimer’s disease. A short animation, The Cat Ghost, which narrates the relationship between ancient Chinese people and cats from the Western world, is also screened.

Prof. Pan HUI, Chair Professor of Emerging Interdisciplinary Areas at HKUST, Acting Head and Chair Professor of the Thrust of Computational Media and Arts, and Director of the Center for Metaverse and Computational Creativity at HKUST(GZ), introduced the core concept of “SURREALITY.” He explained that as technologies such as AI, spatial computing, and MR rapidly evolve, digital worlds are transcending screens into real spaces and becoming deeply integrated into people’s daily life. SURREALITY explores a new form of reality that may emerge in the future—a scenario where the virtual and the physical are no longer distinctly separate but collectively form the environments in which we perceive, interact, and live. Through artistic creation and immersive experiences, the exhibition offers audiences a glimpse into this transformative vision, prompting reflection on how technology is reshaping humanity’s understanding of reality.

The exhibited works come from numerous internationally renowned artists, showcasing the remarkable fusion of creative arts and digital technology. Several prominent participating artists also joined today’s event to introduce their works, fostering cross-regional cultural and arts exchanges. They include Prof. Benjamin SEIDE, media artist, VFX expert, and Associate Professor in the School of Art, Design and Media at Nanyang Technological University; Ms. Katerina SEMENKO, a Russian conceptual phygital artist and International Design Award recipient; and Dr. Adam NASH, an Australian digital virtual artist and Honorary Fellow of RMIT University.
Hashtag: #HKUST #HKUST(GZ)

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

About The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) (https://hkust.edu.hk/) is a world-class university known for its innovative education, research excellence, and impactful knowledge transfer. With a holistic and interdisciplinary pedagogy approach, HKUST was ranked 6th in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, 3rd in the Times Higher Education’s Young University Rankings 2024, and 19th globally and 1st in Hong Kong in the Times Higher Education’s Impact Rankings 2025. Eleven HKUST subjects were ranked among the world’s top 50 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026. In addition, in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject 2026, HKUST’s Computer Science discipline which encompasses areas such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, has been ranked No. 1 in Hong Kong for ten consecutive years. Our graduates are highly competitive, consistently ranking among the world’s top 30 most sought-after employees. In terms of research and entrepreneurship, over 80% of our work was rated “internationally excellent” or “world leading” in the Research Assessment Exercise 2020 of the Hong Kong’s University Grants Committee. As of May 2026, HKUST members have founded over 1,900 active start-ups, including 11 Unicorns and 22 exits (IPO or M&A).

According to Fortune, Vinachem ranked 148 among Southeast Asia’s 500 largest companies in 2026. This marks the third year that Fortune has published the Southeast Asia 500 ranking, recognizing companies that demonstrate scale, operational excellence, and significant contributions to regional economic development. The list ranks companies based on total revenue across seven countries in the region, including Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.

Based on Fortune’s report, Vinachem recorded revenue of USD 2.332 billion and profit of USD 103.8 million in 2025. These results reflect the Group’s solid financial foundation, resilience in responding to market fluctuations, and the effectiveness of its restructuring and productivity improvement efforts across the organization.

Mr. Nguyen Huu Tu, Chief Executive Officer of Vietnam National Chemical Group (Vinachem), said:”Vinachem’s inclusion in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 ranking as early as 2026 represents a significant milestone in the Group’s development journey. It is a tangible outcome of our determined efforts to implement the directives set forth by the Politburo in Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW dated January 6, 2026, which aims to have 50 state-owned enterprises ranked among Southeast Asia’s 500 largest companies by 2030.

The achievement provides further momentum for Vinachem to accelerate innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and the development of high-tech industries. At the same time, it reinforces our commitment to fulfilling our role as a core enterprise of Vietnam’s chemical industry and contributing to the goal of building large-scale, efficient, and internationally competitive state-owned economic groups in line with the spirit of Politburo Resolution No. 79-NQ/TW.”

The development of the VinachemMart e-commerce platform and the launch of the Vinachem Agriculture platform represent concrete steps in implementing this strategy. While VinachemMart contributes to advancing digital commerce and strengthening market connectivity, Vinachem Agriculture seeks to connect farmers with scientists, experts, businesses, and government agencies, thereby improving the efficiency of the agricultural value chain and promoting green and sustainable agricultural development.

Looking ahead, Vinachem has identified innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable development as its key growth drivers. The Group is prioritizing investment in high-value, technology-intensive sectors, including pharmaceutical chemicals, advanced materials, chemicals serving the electronics and semiconductor industries, rare-earth extraction and processing, and circular economy initiatives. In parallel, Vinachem is investing in research and development (R&D) centers and integrated industrial parks designed around modern, circular, and sustainable principles, contributing to the enhanced competitiveness of Vietnam’s chemical industry within regional and global value chains.

Vinachem’s inclusion in the Fortune Southeast Asia 500 reflects not only the Group’s scale and financial strength, but also the progress achieved through its transformation, international integration, and efforts to elevate the standing of Vietnam’s chemical industry. This recognition provides a solid foundation for the Group to continue fulfilling its role as a leading enterprise, contributing to national industrial development and strengthening the presence of Vietnamese enterprises on the regional economic stage.

Hashtag: #Vinachem

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

The restriction, issued through the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, follows complaints that groups on the messaging platform were being used to sell, advertise or fabricate claims about leaked question papers. A separate direction requires Telegram to disable, within the country, the editing of already published messages until June 30, a feature investigators say has been exploited to alter posts after publication and mislead candidates about when alleged leak material first appeared.

The National Testing Agency, which conducts NEET-UG, welcomed the move and said the intervention was intended to protect candidates from fraud, impersonation and misinformation before the retest. The agency has also opened an online reporting mechanism for claims linked to fake paper leaks, suspicious social-media groups and attempts to contact candidates with offers of access to the examination paper.

The June 21 test follows the cancellation of the May 3 NEET-UG examination, which affected more than 2.2 million medical aspirants. The original test was annulled after allegations of a question-paper leak and organised cheating led to widening investigations, student protests and criticism of examination governance. The re-examination has become a test of the authorities’ ability to restore confidence in a high-stakes admission system that determines access to medical colleges.

Officials involved in the crackdown have focused on Telegram because of its large channels, rapid forwarding systems and privacy-oriented architecture, which have made it attractive both to legitimate users and to networks selling purported exam material. Investigators have examined groups that allegedly claimed to possess NEET papers, sought payments from anxious candidates and used screenshots of edited posts to suggest advance access to confidential material.

The role of message editing has drawn particular scrutiny. Authorities say some posts were modified after circulation to create the impression that a question paper, answer key or inside information had been available before the examination. That method can fuel panic even where no genuine paper leak has occurred, because altered timestamps and viral screenshots are difficult for candidates and parents to verify quickly.

Cybercrime teams, including the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, Bihar Police and the Ahmedabad Cyber Cell, have been involved in action against suspected digital fraud networks. Gujarat cyber officials have also arrested two people accused of promising access to NEET papers, underlining that the threat extends beyond one platform and includes paid deception, impersonation and panic-driven extortion.

The government’s decision marks one of the most visible temporary app restrictions since the sweeping blocks imposed on Chinese-linked apps in 2020, though this order is narrower in duration and linked to an examination-security objective. Telecom operators are expected to comply with blocking directions, while app-store availability and platform-level functionality may vary as implementation proceeds.

Telegram has not issued a detailed public response to the order. The platform has faced scrutiny in several countries over alleged misuse by fraud groups, piracy networks and extremist channels, even as it remains widely used for education, business updates, news distribution and community communication.

Civil-liberties groups have criticised the measure as disproportionate, saying a temporary shutdown penalises ordinary users and small businesses that rely on Telegram while leaving deeper vulnerabilities in examination management unresolved. They have called for publication of the blocking order, the reasons cited by the authorities and details of why channel-specific enforcement was judged insufficient.

Rise vGPU + ModelHub Power China’s AI into the Heterogeneous Orchestration Era

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 15 June 2026 – Frost & Sullivan, a globally renowned growth consulting firm, has released its “2026 AI Infrastructure Orchestration Platform White Paper”. The report recognizes Phancy Group’s Rise vGPU as a Tier 1 Leading Platform, the highest maturity tier in heterogeneous GPU orchestration. Phancy’s ModelHub also achieved the highest Overall Score in the enterprise-grade model management platform evaluation. This marks a significant endorsement of Phancy’s technological capability in heterogeneous AI infrastructure.

According to the white paper, as large model applications scale rapidly, China’s AI industry is facing structural challenges stemming from multi-chip coexistence. These include hardware heterogeneity, fragmented software stacks, persistently low GPU utilization (generally below 30%), and rising model adaptation complexity — all of which have become major bottlenecks for enterprise-scale AI deployment.

The report highlights a fundamental shift in AI infrastructure competitiveness – moving away from “single-chip performance” toward “cluster-scale system coordination.” At this critical juncture, Phancy has positioned itself as a leader in advanced orchestration through its full-stack AI infrastructure platform, offering a proven solution to heterogeneous compute challenges and helping drive China’s AI industry from “compute accumulation” into a new era of “compute orchestration.”

Phancy Rise vGPU: Tier 1 Leading Platform

In its assessment of mainstream AI infrastructure platforms, Frost & Sullivan defined Tier 1 criteria across three core dimensions: heterogeneous support, fine-grained control, and production-grade execution. Phancy Rise vGPU meets all three standards and has been recognized as a Tier 1 Leading Platform.

Rise vGPU transforms AI infrastructure from fragmented, low-efficiency device-level management to a unified software-defined control plane. Its key technology breakthroughs include:

• Comprehensive Heterogeneous Management: Unified onboarding and management across more than 10 mainstream GPU/NPU vendors, including NVIDIA, Ascend, Cambricon, Hygon, and others.
• Ultra-Fine Resource Partitioning: Industry-leading sub-GPU level compute and MB-level memory granularity slicing.
• Significant Utilization Improvement: Through safe oversubscription and time/space multiplexing, GPU utilization is increased from industry averages below 30% to 70%-90%.
• Intelligent Precision Scheduling: Multi-dimensional scheduling algorithms based on priority, topology, load, and resource awareness to achieve optimal compute allocation.
• Production-Grade SLA Assurance: The Deterministic Execution Layer delivers committed and auditable SLA guarantees for critical inference workloads.
• Full Lifecycle Operability: Comprehensive monitoring, metering, and cost allocation capabilities that turn GPU resources into truly operable digital assets.

Model Hub: Highest Overall Score in Model Management Platform Evaluation

Beyond compute orchestration, the report underscores the strategic importance of enterprise-grade model management platforms. As a powerful complement to Rise vGPU, Phancy ModelHub enables enterprises to build a complete full-stack AI infrastructure — from compute to models and from resource scheduling to business delivery.

The white paper notes that Phancy ModelHub delivers leading performance in key areas such as Model & Chip Compatibility, Execution Stability & Performance, and Model-GPU Coordination & Scheduling, achieving the highest Overall Score. Through its unified model management and execution platform, ModelHub creates a seamless closed-loop process covering model onboarding, deployment optimization, inference services, and version governance — significantly lowering the barrier to model deployment and accelerating AI innovation.

Dr. Dai Wenyuan, Founder & CEO of Phancy, said: “The Frost & Sullivan white paper accurately captures the inflection point in AI infrastructure development. The recognition of Rise vGPU as a Tier 1 Leading Platform and ModelHub’s top Overall Score provide important authoritative validation of Phancy’s technology strategy and product strength. As a full-stack AI cloud service platform, Phancy believes the next wave of competitiveness in the AI industry will come from systematic improvements in compute orchestration efficiency. We will continue to focus on heterogeneous compute unified scheduling and model ecosystem operations, working closely with customers and industry partners to advance China’s AI industry from ‘compute accumulation’ to a true ‘compute orchestration’ era.”

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About Phancy Group

Phancy Group (6682.HK) is a leading full-stack AI cloud services platform, providing comprehensive solutions for the AI 2.0 era. Our offerings include Rise vGPU, ModelHub and SageAIOS, delivering efficient and scalable AI infrastructure with end-to-end capabilities. We provide a complete solution from heterogeneous compute resource management and optimization to the deployment of intelligent agent models. These solutions empower digital transformation across a wide range of industries, supporting our vision of building a large-scale and efficient “Token Factory.”

Guided by the mission of “AI for Everyone” and positioned as the “Navigator of AI,” Phancy Group is committed to becoming a global leader in Artificial General Intelligence.