Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi National Oil Company will award Dh200 billion worth of project contracts between 2026 and 2028, marking one of the largest new execution phases in the Gulf energy sector as Abu Dhabi moves to expand capacity, secure supply chains and deepen local manufacturing. The planned awards, equivalent to about $55 billion, form the first major tranche of ADNOC’s $150 billion capital expenditure […]
In 2024, the two sides adopted an Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2024-2028 period. This document not only consolidates traditional areas of cooperation but also expands into new domains such as science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, energy and sustainable development.
Economy continues to be a bright spot in bilateral cooperation
Over the past decade, Vietnam-India economic cooperation has recorded significant positive developments. Bilateral trade turnover has maintained steady growth, increasing from over USD 14 billion in 2023 to nearly USD 16.5 billion in 2025, reflecting the increasingly close integration between the two dynamic Asian economies.
The structure of two-way trade has increasingly demonstrated complementarity. Vietnam has strengthened its exports of electronics, machinery, processed agricultural products, wood, and seafood, while India serves as an important supplier of steel, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles to Vietnam.
Amid the ongoing restructuring of global supply chains, both Vietnam and India are intensifying efforts to diversify their partners and reduce dependency risks. This creates significant room for the two countries to promote supply chain linkages in areas such as processing and manufacturing industries, supporting industries, logistics, and high-tech agriculture. Vietnam, with its strategic location in Southeast Asia, can serve as a gateway for Indian enterprises to expand their presence deeper into ASEAN, while India represents a vast market with rapidly increasing consumer demand.
Science and technology: a new driver for deeper cooperation
Scientific and technological cooperation has seen remarkable development recently, gradually shifting from exchanges to more substantive collaboration, tied to specific products and developmental needs. Priority areas of cooperation include information technology, biotechnology, clean energy, and digital transformation.
Several representative projects, such as the Satellite Data Receiving Station and Satellite Image Processing Center, the Vietnam-India Nuclear Science Center (Da Lat), the Army Software Park (Nha Trang), and the Center of Excellence in Software Development and Training (CESDT), have been contributing to enhancing Vietnam’s technological capacity. Notably, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program continues to be an effective channel for human resource training, helping Vietnamese officials and experts access modern management knowledge and experience.
Against the backdrop of the vigorous Fourth Industrial Revolution, the potential for cooperation between the two countries remains vast. The two sides can expand their cooperation into emerging areas such as Artificial Intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity, fintech, and biotechnology, aiming for the goals of co-development and co-innovation.
Environmental cooperation and sustainable development are gradually expanding
In the context of increasingly complex climate change, environmental cooperation between Vietnam and India is becoming an important component of the bilateral agenda. Areas such as renewable energy, water resource management, circular economy, and disaster-resilient infrastructure are receiving growing attention and promotion from both sides.
Cooperation agreements in marine science, along with Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) supporting communities, such as clean water supply, drought mitigation, and saline intrusion prevention in the Mekong Delta, have delivered practical results. Vietnam’s participation in the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), initiated by India, also opens up opportunities to strengthen cooperation in sustainable infrastructure and climate change adaptation.
In the coming period, areas encompassing solar energy, energy storage, waste management, marine pollution monitoring, and early warning systems for natural disasters are considered promising directions for cooperation.
Prospects for cooperation
The prospects for cooperation in the coming period are assessed as positive. With the economic and scientific-technological complementarity, along with strong political will from both sides, Vietnam-India relations have many favorable conditions to grow more strongly, particularly in areas such as the digital economy, green economy, innovation.
Orientations for promoting cooperation in the coming period
With a foundation of excellent relations and significant room for cooperation, the two countries have the basis to elevate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership to a new height, making it increasingly substantive and effective in the new phase, particularly in the context of the two countries heading towards new high-level engagements with the state visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to India in May 2026.
To effectively capitalize on opportunities, both sides need to continue maintaining high-level exchanges, intergovernmental mechanisms and specialized dialogues, and further translate strategic commitments into cooperation programs and projects with clear roadmaps and resources.
In the economic field, efforts should be intensified to remove trade barriers, improve logistics connectivity, and promote the review and upgrading of the ASEAN – India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA); strengthen the development of large-scale investment projects in priority areas such as pharmaceuticals, the marine economy, renewable energy, and supporting industries.
In the field of science and technology, establishing joint research cooperation mechanisms, strengthening linkages between research institutes, universities, enterprises, as well as promoting expert exchanges, technology transfer, and human resource training will play an important role.
In the environmental field, efforts should be directed toward building a comprehensive green cooperation framework, focusing on water management, marine science, plastic pollution reduction, clean energy, and disaster-resilient infrastructure, while also effectively leveraging regional initiatives such as the CDRI.
Hashtag: #MAE
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Matein Khalid As the world’s leading trading power, China’s vast export engine fuelled a $1.2 trillion current account surplus in 2025. At the same time, it is the largest importer of crude oil globally, with around 40 percent sourced from the Middle East. This exposure gives Beijing a clear stake in Gulf stability – prioritising secure maritime transit through energy chokepoints and uninterrupted access to the GCC’s trillion-dollar development […]
By K Raveendran Election-season restraint on fuel pricing is giving way to a harsher economic reality, and Indian consumers are likely to feel the impact first through the everyday costs that rarely appear as headline inflation until they have already entered household budgets. Petrol, diesel and cooking fuel are not merely energy products in India; […]
The article With Elections Over, Realistic Pump Prices Only A Matter Of Time appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Prof. Dr. Yodchanan spoke about elevating “SPACE-F Batch 7” to the policy level and building awareness, stating that MHESI aims to present food innovation products from the startups in this batch at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. This will allow the Prime Minister to taste them, raising awareness that FoodTech is the nation’s new future. The products will be presented to the Cabinet in the next two weeks.
Regarding the core concept of combining technology with “Thai taste,” Prof. Dr. Yodchanan emphasized that no matter how advanced the technology is, it must maintain the “Nice taste of Thailand.” He cited a “high-tech omelet” he previously tasted as an example, noting that there is still room for improvement to make it taste closer to an authentic Thai omelet so that the technology can truly win over consumers’ hearts.
The MHESI Minister continued that regarding food innovation under the Wellness Economy, this year focuses on using the Wellness Economy as a New Growth Engine. This is not limited strictly to food but includes AI, ICT, and software, aiming to push Thailand into a global Wellness Tourism Hub with support from the BOI in connecting investment opportunities.
Prof. Dr. Yodchanan further stated that regarding the use of biodiversity and quality ingredients (Biodiversity & GI), startups will be encouraged to utilize Thailand’s rich biodiversity and GI products as substitutes for imported raw materials. This will help reduce costs and create a unique identity.
“As for connecting the ‘Thinker’ with the ‘Doer,’ this program emphasizes linking startups with large industrial corporations and investors. This helps startups in the Accelerator group advance toward Series A or B funding, while helping the Incubator group learn business and pitching experiences from their seniors to cross the business ‘Death Valley.’ Furthermore, regarding food and nutrition security in the era of war: in the current global conditions facing wartime situations, Food Security and Nutrition Security are vital. This program is an opportunity for startups to create innovations that help solve problems for the whole world, with the government working closely with SPACE-F to create new services and products,” the MHESI Minister said.
However, “SPACE-F Batch 7” features 20 participating startups from 10 countries, focusing on the Proof of Concept (POC) strategy to ensure they can tangibly grow toward commercialization on an international scale.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that NIA aims to strengthen the potential of startups and innovative entrepreneurs to overcome business crises and grow commercially in a tangible way. Over the past 6 years, the SPACE-F program has concretely reinforced its role as a regional food innovation hub by incubating and accelerating over 100 startups from 18 countries worldwide, generating a total funding value of over 5.1 billion THB. For the SPACE-F Year 7 program, it marks another major milestone of leapfrog growth, setting a new international record with an all-time high of 204 applicants, continuously increasing from 156 in Cohort 6 and 148 in Cohort 2, reflecting the confidence of global startups in the program’s potential. Concurrently, the program has significantly expanded its international reach, with applicants from 57 countries worldwide, up from 34 countries in the previous cohort, affirming that SPACE-F is a truly global platform connecting and driving world food innovation.
“The SPACE-F program is considered a vital mechanism in driving the development of a strong and comprehensive foodtech startup ecosystem by systematically connecting knowledge, technology, and the industrial sector together. Particularly, it provides opportunities for startups to co-develop and test real products (Proof of Concept: POC) with large corporate partners, as well as access expert networks and world-class infrastructure. This includes testing protein innovations focused on appearance, freshness, and taste with Thai Union; developing modern health and nutrition solutions with ThaiBev and Nestlé; utilizing deep-tech research laboratories from Mahidol University; and enhancing fundraising capabilities from Foodland Ventures, which plays a crucial role in reducing business risks and effectively increasing the chances of commercialization. For SPACE-F Year 7, it aims to elevate startup development through 2 main programs: the Incubator Program, which focuses on laying business foundations and developing prototypes into market-ready products, and the Accelerator Program, which focuses on accelerating business expansion through connections with strategic partners and investors. This covers 7 key areas of the food industry: 1) Personalized Nutrition, 2) Future Protein, 3) Circular Food Systems, 4) Smart Manufacturing, 5) Sustainable Production, 6) Food Safety, and 7) Novel Consumer Experience, to build high-potential startups capable of developing quality new products that directly meet market demands, ready to compete and grow sustainably on the global stage.”
Ms. Sirichit Jiraruangkiat, Senior Director – Group Innovation at Thai Union Group PCL, revealed, “As a co-founding partner of the SPACE-F program, Thai Union Group PCL continues to drive the development of Thailand’s foodtech startup ecosystem. We aim to support breakthrough growth by promoting the development and testing of innovations at the industrial level, particularly through the Proof of Concept (POC) process, to elevate the standards of future protein products to compete internationally. Thai Union prioritizes the application of modern food production and preservation technologies, covering everything from maintaining product quality and freshness and developing appealing appearances to sensory research to create textures and flavors that effectively meet the demands of global consumers. Simultaneously, the SPACE-F program remains committed to a ‘No Equity Taken’ approach, allowing startups to retain full ownership of their innovations, maintain business agility, and grow independently and sustainably in the long term.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasit Pakawatpanurut, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, further added, “With expertise in food science, nutrition, biotechnology, and related fields, Mahidol University serves as an academic powerhouse and innovation infrastructure, providing startups with access to advanced laboratories, pilot plants, and modern research equipment. They also receive in-depth consultation from a team of expert researchers to successfully transition research into products that truly meet global market demands (Lab-to-Market). This collaboration is therefore a key mechanism in driving sustainable food innovation and enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness as a global foodtech hub. Mahidol University’s involvement in the SPACE-F program also plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s foodtech startup ecosystem in the long run.”
In addition, another key partner is Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, which places great importance on continuous research and development, believing it to be essential for startups. As a sponsor of the SPACE-F program, they are pleased to be part of an ecosystem that enhances the potential of foodtech startups and provides business and technological guidance to help startups discover solutions that truly meet the needs of the global food market.
Ms. Jenica Conde Cruz, Business Manager – Cereal Partners Worldwide & Incubator at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., also stated, “Nestlé, a global leader in food and beverages, plays a vital role as a strategic partner of the SPACE-F program. We aim to elevate foodtech startups through the transfer of Research & Development (R&D) knowledge and product development experience under the ‘Good food, Good life’ concept. Nestlé also provides in-depth consultation to support the development of products that meet Nutrition, Health, and Wellness needs, while promoting the use of innovation to tackle global food industry challenges. In parallel, Nestlé also drives the development of innovations that align with sustainability goals by opening opportunities for startups to learn together with experts from our global research center network, in areas of food preservation technology, eco-friendly packaging, and responsible sourcing.”
Victor Chen, CEO of Foodland Ventures Co. closed with, “Foodland Ventures, a leading Venture Capital firm and Accelerator from Taiwan, has joined as a strategic partner in the SPACE-F program to push foodtech startups to expand their businesses into international markets. We aim to act as a bridge connecting innovation from Taiwan with food industry networks in Thailand and Southeast Asia. With expertise in key technologies such as Restaurant Automation, Alternative Protein, and Smart Supply Chain, Foodland Ventures is ready to support startups through access to the Taiwanese market and resources, providing investment and business strategy consultation, and connecting them with the industrial sector to test solutions in real-world environments. This collaboration marks a significant step in building a ‘FoodTech Corridor’ between Thailand and Taiwan to elevate startup potential and drive the food industry toward a sustainable global future.”
The “SPACE-F Year 7” program also introduced 20 startups from 10 countries worldwide: South Korea, Spain, Canada, USA/Argentina, Australia, Singapore, UK, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Thailand, selected for this year’s program. All will have the opportunity to co-develop and test real innovations with leading industry partners, covering product development, industrial-level testing, and commercialization in the real market
Such collaboration is a key highlight of the program, providing startups the opportunity to test technology and innovations in real-world environments, reducing development limitations, and increasing the chances of creating business models that accurately meet market demands.
10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Accelerator Program
10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Incubator Program
Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Oil at $80 would once have been considered elevated. Now it would be interpreted as stability, and that shift alone reveals how fundamentally the market has changed. Brent crude moving beyond $120 this week is widely being described as a spike driven by geopolitical tension. That interpretation is too narrow. Price action reflects something deeper and more consequential: a structural reset in how energy is priced, traded, […]
Apple is turning restraint into a strategic advantage as rivals pour record sums into artificial intelligence infrastructure, betting that a narrower, device-centred approach can protect margins while keeping investors focused on earnings rather than data-centre bills. The iPhone maker’s latest quarterly performance has strengthened that argument. Apple reported March-quarter revenue of $111.2 billion, up 17 per cent from a year earlier, with diluted earnings per share rising […]
Tehran has sharpened its confrontation with Washington and Gulf shipping powers after Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be “managed by new rules”, signalling Iran’s intention to tighten political and operational control over the world’s most sensitive energy corridor. Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the waterway would no longer be treated as a passage subject […]
Japan’s yen rallied sharply against the dollar on Friday as traders braced for further official action from Tokyo after suspected currency intervention jolted global markets during a packed week of central bank decisions.
The dollar fell to around 155.60 yen at one point in London trading, before recovering part of the move to trade near 156.40. The rebound in the yen followed a dramatic reversal on Thursday, when the Japanese currency strengthened by about 3 per cent after the dollar briefly climbed above 160 yen, a level widely viewed in markets as politically sensitive for Tokyo.
Japan’s top currency official Atsushi Mimura said authorities remained concerned about speculative moves and were watching markets closely. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama had already warned that Tokyo was ready to take decisive action if currency movements became disorderly. The comments reinforced market expectations that further intervention could follow, particularly during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, when thinner trading conditions can magnify exchange-rate swings.
Bank of Japan money-market data suggested authorities may have spent about 5.48 trillion yen, or roughly $35 billion, to support the currency on Thursday. The scale would be close to the size of Japan’s July 2024 intervention, when authorities moved after the yen weakened to a 38-year low near 162 per dollar. Tokyo typically does not confirm intervention immediately, preferring to disclose monthly figures later, but unusually large projected fund flows at the central bank often provide an early signal of official activity.
The pressure on the yen has been building for months as the interest-rate gap between Japan and the United States remains wide. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at around 0.75 per cent this week, although three board members dissented and argued for a rise to 1 per cent. That split underlined growing concern inside the central bank that imported inflation, higher energy costs and yen weakness could feed into domestic prices.
The Federal Reserve also left rates unchanged, keeping its target range at 3.5 to 3.75 per cent. The gap between US and Japanese yields continues to encourage carry trades, in which investors borrow cheaply in yen and invest in higher-yielding dollar assets. Such positioning has made the yen vulnerable whenever markets believe Tokyo’s warnings lack force.
The intervention threat gained urgency after oil prices climbed on concerns over disruption linked to the Iran conflict and risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, heavily dependent on imported energy, faces a double blow from higher crude prices and a weaker currency, which raises the local cost of fuel, food and raw materials. That dynamic complicates the Bank of Japan’s effort to normalise policy gradually without damaging a fragile recovery.
The broader central bank backdrop added to volatility. The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2 per cent while signalling that inflation risks had intensified. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent in an 8-1 vote, with one policymaker favouring an increase. Across major economies, policymakers are balancing weaker growth signals against renewed price pressures from energy and supply disruptions.
Currency traders said Japan’s challenge is that intervention can slow a slide but rarely reverses a trend unless supported by monetary policy or a shift in global rates. A one-off operation may force investors to cut speculative positions, but renewed dollar strength can quickly restore pressure on the yen if US yields remain elevated and the Bank of Japan moves cautiously.
The timing of the suspected intervention was also significant. With European markets partly thinned by the May Day holiday and Japan heading into an extended holiday stretch, liquidity conditions were expected to remain fragile. Authorities have often chosen moments of thin trading to maximise the impact of currency operations, but such moves also increase the risk of sudden reversals when full market participation returns.
For households and companies in Japan, the exchange-rate battle has direct economic consequences. A weaker yen benefits exporters by raising the value of overseas earnings, but it also lifts import bills and squeezes consumers through higher costs. Large manufacturers have been able to absorb some of the pressure, while smaller businesses reliant on imported inputs face tighter margins.
Light as a Bridge: A Garden of Light in Miniature
Centered on the theme of “Garden of Light,” the pop-up event blended Putuo’s cultural heritage with Milan’s artistic aesthetic, transforming the compact newsstand into four themed spaces: the Light of Development, the Light of Vitality, the Light of Warmth and the Light of Craftsmanship. Together, they created a refined and richly layered exhibition of urban aesthetics.
The Garden Walk zone conveyed the “Light of Vitality,” with artificial greenery recreating the energy of the Suzhou Creek waterfront. Cultural and creative products from the “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” collection, including sand-art magnets, liquid-motion coasters and custom scarves, added to the lively atmosphere. The Interactive Experience zone embodied the “Light of Warmth,” linking stamp collecting, message sharing and film screenings to create a welcoming space where every visitor could take part in the cross-cultural exchange. The Craftsmanship Heritage zone interpreted the “Light of Craftsmanship,” featuring century-old Hero pens, intangible cultural heritage bamboo weaving and pieces from the Shanghai Mint, highlighting the brilliance of Eastern craftsmanship through light and shadow. The Light and Shadow Window zone represented the “Light of Development.” Warm light passed through suspended golden bookmarks, casting colorful reflections across the walls and floor, echoing the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral.
At the event, local residents and visitors posed for photos with light-and-shadow bookmarks, wrote heartfelt messages on postcards, and captured joyful moments with instant cameras. They collected commemorative stamps as keepsakes, experienced the elegance of Eastern writing with Hero pens, and watched the VR film “HI, This Is Half Marathon Suzhou Creek” for an immersive introduction to Putuo. The pop-up event transcended barriers of language and distance, bringing the urban charm of Putuo to people in Milan through experiences that were tangible, engaging and memorable.
Spring Echoes: Suzhou Creek’s Story Continues in Light
The “Spring Shanghai” themed pop-up was not only a city showcase in Milan, but also a dialogue between two cities across Europe and Asia. To extend the memory of this celebration of light, Putuo has created a “Garden of Light” themed corner at the Half Marathon Suzhou Creek Café & Cultural Creative Store, allowing cultural exchanges between the two places to continue to grow.
Inside the store, white magnolias and azaleas feature throughout the décor, symbolizing friendship and dialogue between the two cities. Decorative decals inspired by the stained-glass windows of Milan Cathedral cast colorful patterns of light across the floor, creating an aesthetic connection between Shanghai and Milan. Messages from visitors collected during the Milan event, handwritten postcards and instant photos will be displayed in artistic installations, including a corridor of greetings and a light-and-shadow photo wall reflecting a blend of Chinese and Italian culture. Limited-edition light-and-shadow bookmarks and other themed merchandise will also be introduced, while messages written by Shanghai residents in response will be compiled into a collection, creating a two-way bond of mutual goodwill.
From Milan to Suzhou Creek, Putuo used light as a bridge to continue the friendship between China and Italy across the two cities, while enabling more people to see and understand the story of “Half Marathon Suzhou Creek.”
Vibrant Putuo: Half Marathon Suzhou Creek in Full Flow
Putuo District is actively participating in China’s Yangtze River Delta integration strategy. It supports the development of the Shanghai–Nanjing Industrial Innovation Belt, advances the “one belt, one core, one city” framework, and promotes a vision of a coordinated innovation zone and a high-quality Half Marathon Suzhou Creek area. A digital-driven upgrade of the bulk commodity trade supply chain is currently taking shape. Along the Suzhou Creek waterfront, ecological landscapes are increasingly being transformed into spaces for industrial development. The Zhenru sub-center is speeding up its digital transformation, combining heritage with modern urban functions and integrating cultural and commercial activity. Taopu Smart City is emerging as a hub for R&D and advanced manufacturing, as it moves toward becoming a model for integrated urban-industrial development. Together, these developments are helping drive Putuo’s high-quality growth.
Industrial growth brings urban vitality, and a vibrant city improves people’s quality of life. Building on a solid foundation of high-quality development, Putuo is shaping a livable and business-friendly district defined by energy and human warmth. It is both a hub for sports and an appealing place to live. Major events such as the Suzhou Creek Half Marathon, dragon boat races, the 10km Elite Race and the National Curling Championships showcase the district’s dynamism and competitive spirit. Daily life offers a different rhythm. TOP Central Park provides expansive green space, the RV Music Festival draws crowds with live performances, M50 Creative Park remains a center for arts and culture, and Hong Shou Fang blends Shanghai-style charm with the atmosphere of neighborhood street life. Putuo is working to build a district-wide “15-minute community living circle,” giving residents convenient access to education, healthcare, eldercare and retail services. It is advancing child-friendly urban development, expanding the silver economy to better serve seniors, and creating homes and support services for the city’s builders and frontline workers. Through these efforts, openness, inclusiveness and warmth have become defining features of the district.
To learn more about Spring Shanghai and Spring Putuo, please watch the video here: https://youtu.be/196Fmmbrsio.
Hashtag: #PUTUO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
America’s four largest AI spenders are pushing capital outlays towards a record level this year, betting that demand for computing power will justify one of the most expensive investment cycles in corporate history. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta are preparing to spend roughly $680 billion to more than $700 billion on data centres, chips, servers, networking equipment and related infrastructure in 2026, after quarterly earnings showed […]
Global internet reliability came under sharper pressure in the first quarter of 2026 as shutdowns, war damage, power failures and cable incidents disrupted connectivity across several regions, exposing a widening risk for enterprises that depend on cloud platforms, cross-border data flows and always-on digital services. Cloudflare’s review of disruptions from January to March showed that the most damaging incidents were not dominated by software faults alone. Political […]
Australia’s data centre industry is moving from rapid expansion to sharper scrutiny as new forecasting shows a widening gap between announced projects and capacity likely to be delivered by 2030. A joint market intelligence initiative by Data Centres Australia and DC Byte has put operational IT capacity at about 1.4 gigawatts at the end of 2025, with the market projected to reach 3.1GW to 3.2GW by 2030. […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai US President Donald Trump urged Iran to “get smart soon” and agree to a deal as Washington weighed a longer blockade of Iranian ports, raising the stakes in a confrontation that has already unsettled energy markets, shipping routes and diplomacy across the Gulf. Trump’s message on Truth Social followed several days of stalled contacts aimed at ending the conflict and securing restrictions on […]
Cyber literacy has become the leading global people risk as employers confront ransomware, AI-enabled fraud, technology skills gaps and fragile workforce readiness, Marsh’s 2026 People Risks survey has found. The report, based on views from 4,517 human resources and risk professionals across 26 markets and 12 industries, places inadequate cyber threat literacy at the top of the global risk list. Technology skills shortages, including cyber and artificial […]
By Nitya Chakraborty Just two weeks before the scheduled summit of U.S President Donald Trump with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15, the report of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on the status of AI related applications, has unnerved the U.S. administration as the latest Chinese supremacy in robot related […]
The article China’s Lead Over U.S. In AI Patent Applications Casts Its Shadow Over Trump-Xi Summit appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
US President Donald Trump has urged Iran to “get smart soon” and sign a deal, sharpening pressure on Tehran as efforts to end the conflict remain stalled and Washington weighs keeping a naval blockade of Iranian ports in place for months. Trump used a Truth Social post on Wednesday to accuse Iran of failing to reach what he called a “non-nuclear deal”, saying Tehran “couldn’t get its […]
In his speech, GWM CEO Mu Feng emphasized that commitment and integrity are essential to accelerating high-quality growth. Guided by the GWM ONE (Guiyuan) philosophy, GWM continues to focus on real user needs, building solid product strength, technological excellence, and global brand value.
“Trust built on commitment and integrity is the strongest foundation in business,” Mu said. From a global perspective, he reaffirmed GWM’s commitment to deepening its roots in international markets, constructing a complete business ecosystem, and advancing what he called “ecosystem-based globalization.” Based on respect, long-term dedication, and genuine local cultivation, the company aims to forge lasting bonds of trust with users worldwide.
A Robust Portfolio Defining Elevated Product Excellence
At Auto China 2026, GWM showcased a comprehensive portfolio spanning six major lineups. From family SUVs to premium off-road vehicles, from urban commuting to long-distance motorcycle touring, the offerings are thoughtfully engineered to meet the diverse demands of today’s mainstream global consumers.
The WEY V9X is the first flagship model built on the GWM ONE S Platform. With its spacious six-seat layout, native AI agent, and Super Hi4 hybrid architecture, the V9X was developed not just for China, but as a global model for users worldwide.
The all-new TANK 700 made a strong impression with dual-flagship powertrain options: 3.0 Hi4-T and 2.0 Hi4-Z, making it the first body-on-frame model to integrate a VLA large model. The GWM P300 Hi4-T adopts the Hi4-T hardcore off-road super hybrid architecture, equipped with the Coffee OS 3 smart cockpit and high-power external discharge, delivering intelligence, reliability, and all-scenario adaptability. The P500 Hi4-T offers higher performance and greater luxury, ushering pickups into a new 4.0 era of “all-scenario, intelligent, and new energy.”
For key markets such as Australia and Thailand, where off-road culture is deeply rooted, these two models powerfully demonstrate GWM’s localized product expertise.
Designed for young users seeking individuality and a lifestyle-oriented mobility experience, the GWM ORA 5 Sport has already generated strong interest in Europe and Southeast Asia. During the auto show, overseas media also took part in in-depth test drives, allowing the product itself to prove GWM’s technological claims.
The entire SOUO Motorcycles lineup stole the spotlight with the world’s only 2,000 cc horizontally opposed eight-cylinder engine, redefining the premium long-distance motorcycle touring experience. Within GWM’s brand matrix, SOUO is the clearest expression of the brand’s “confidence in driving culture.”
Multidimensional Breakthroughs Highlight GWM’s Competitive Edge
Behind every compelling vehicle lies deep technological strength. The GWM technology zone drew large crowds eager to explore the company’s latest R&D advancements firsthand.
High-Performance V8: At the auto show, GWM introduced a new high-performance powertrain architecture headlined by an all-new in-house high-performance V8 engine — a major step forward in GWM’s powertrain capabilities. The company also showcased a world-class lightweight solution featuring extensive carbon fiber, as well as a newly adopted mid-engine layout designed to deliver exceptional handling performance.
GWM ONE Platform: In intelligent technology, GWM has built a formidable competitive moat across data, algorithms, and computing power. Its VLA assisted-driving large model and other intelligent technologies have received wide acclaim. The GWM ONE Platform supports five powertrain variants: PHEV, HEV, BEV, FCEV, and ICE. It enables one platform to support multiple powertrains, product categories, body styles, and global markets. Built on native AI, the platform integrates dual VLA large models and creates a native full-stack intelligent agent. It also uses AI to redefine safety logic, deeply fusing active and passive safety systems and reinforcing GWM’s commitment to safety.
GWM Hi4 has evolved into a comprehensive powertrain family tailored to different driving scenarios and user needs. The new-generation Hi4 technology continues to deliver “the performance of four-wheel drive with the energy consumption of two-wheel drive,” making advanced all-wheel-drive capability more accessible than ever. Hi4-Z is designed for general off-road scenarios, while Hi4-T is for hardcore off-road demands, each bringing distinctive strengths and further consolidating GWM’s leadership in off-road mobility.
GWM also presented its forward-looking diesel hybrid technology for demanding off-road and towing scenarios. The new powertrain is expected to cut urban fuel consumption by 15% while boosting acceleration performance by 40%.
Ecosystem-Based Globalization Builds Stronger Global Brand
At Auto China 2026, the GWM booth attracted large numbers of overseas visitors, media journalists, dealers, and investors, becoming a key platform connecting GWM with global users. The invitation of 1,500 media and dealers reflects GWM’s growing global appeal. According to some overseas media reports, Chinese automakers are reshaping industry norms through shorter R&D cycles, innovative concepts, and well-coordinated supply chains.
Amid rising complexities and tariff barriers, GWM is shifting its global strategy from simple product exports toward comprehensive local ecosystem development — an approach increasingly recognized across the industry. The future of global competition will no longer be about exporting products, but about the coordinated global expansion of technology standard-setting, supply chains, and brand value as an entire ecosystem.
At Auto China 2026, GWM showcased core technologies including the super V8, Hi4 Hybrid, and ADAS — technologies that will help the company participate in setting global industry standards and building a lasting brand moat.
Reliable products remain GWM’s promise to users. Accessible technology is its contribution to the industry. Ecosystem-based globalization is its commitment to local communities. GWM is taking root and growing in every aspect of its global operations — from technical architecture and product definition to manufacturing, after-sales service, compliance, and cultural integration. While the industry remains focused on overseas sales growth, GWM has already elevated “deep localization” as a new benchmark for global success, building a shared future with users through genuine, long-term commitment.
Hashtag: #GWM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 April 2026 – Direct Travel today announced the expansion of Avenir, its global travel platform, across its specialty market divisions, including Energy, Marine and Mining. Delivered through ATPI’s specialist businesses, Avenir provides a single global platform and unified service model for executive and project-based business travel, complementing the company’s established sector specific logistics and workforce mobility solutions.
With this expansion, organizations operating in complex and logistically demanding environments will benefit from a more consistent and scalable approach to business travel, bringing modern infrastructure to corporate travel while continuing to rely on proven specialist solutions for crew and workforce logistics.
A Comprehensive Approach to Specialty Travel
Industries such as energy, marine and mining manage multiple types of travel simultaneously, from large scale workforce and crew movements to executive, commercial and project travel. These needs are fundamentally different and require distinct solutions.
Avenir is designed to support traditional business travel within these sectors, bringing structure and consistency to:
This sits alongside ATPI’s established specialist services, which continue to manage:
Together, this creates a more coordinated and complete travel framework.
Strengthening Sector Expertise with a Modern Business Travel Platform
Avenir enhances ATPI’s specialist offerings by introducing a consistent global foundation for business travel, while preserving the depth and specialization of existing solutions.
“Our long-standing leadership in specialty travel is built on deep sector expertise and a strong focus on our customers, and we remain committed to strengthening how we serve these markets,” said Christal Bemont, Chief Executive Officer of Direct Travel. “As travel becomes more complex, that foundation becomes even more important. Avenir is an important step forward, giving our customers a more consistent approach to global business travel, combined with the specialized solutions they rely on to support their operations.”
Energy
With decades of experience supporting global energy organizations, ATPI delivers specialized travel solutions across offshore, project and executive travel. From complex international operations to high risk environments, the focus is on operational continuity, cost control and the safety and wellbeing of traveling personnel.
Marine
With a long history in maritime travel, ATPI supports global shipping and offshore organizations with highly coordinated travel services. Expertise in crew movements, vessel rotations and global logistics ensures reliable, efficient operations across ports and regions worldwide.
Mining and Other Specialty Markets
In mining and similarly complex sectors, ATPI provides tailored travel management solutions designed for remote operations and workforce mobility. This includes managing fly in fly out schedules, navigating challenging destinations and supporting safe, efficient travel for workers and project teams globally.
Specialist Technology and Capabilities
These sector specific services are supported by ATPI’s specialist technology and service capabilities, including Crewhub and Crewlink, which are designed to manage workforce mobility and crew travel at scale.
Improving Visibility and Consistency for Business Travel
While workforce and crew travel remain highly specialized, business travel within these sectors is often managed across fragmented regional systems.
Avenir brings greater consistency by enabling:
The result is better oversight, improved efficiency and a more streamlined experience for business travelers operating within complex global organizations.
Hashtag: #atpi #directravel #avenir #globaltravelplatform
https://www.dt.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/directtravelinc
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Direct Travel is one of the world’s largest travel management companies, focused on delivering exceptional, innovative solutions to every client and traveler. With a long history of proven market expertise, we blend advanced technology, superior service and expert insight to drive tangible value and meaningful savings across Corporate Travel, Leisure Travel, Meetings & Events and specialty travel businesses.
Through Avenir, our next-generation platform developed with leading technology partners, we provide the industry’s broadest inventory and a modern, real-time shopping experience that empowers travelers and simplifies program management. What truly sets us apart is the human care behind the technology, delivered by an experienced, passionate team dedicated to anticipating needs and delivering exceptional service at every step.
For more information about Direct Travel, visit www.dt.com
For more information about Energy, Marine, and Mining specialty travel, visit: https://www.atpi.com/energy-travel/, https://www.atpi.com/marine-travel/ and https://www.atpi.com/mining-travel/
By K Raveendran Abu Dhabi’s decision to walk away from OPEC marks more than a dispute over barrels. It signals a recalibration of Gulf power, energy strategy and security alignments at a moment when the Iran war has exposed the limits of regional consensus. For decades, the UAE operated inside a cartel system dominated by […]
The article UAE Break From OPEC Reshapes Gulf Oil Politics appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
The city’s merchandise trade gap widened to HK$89.1 billion in March 2026, equal to 12.6 per cent of the value of imports. Total exports rose 35.8 per cent year on year to HK$618.4 billion, while imports jumped 41.2 per cent to HK$707.5 billion, underscoring the unusual scale of the surge in cross-border goods flows through one of Asia’s main trading hubs.
The figures point to a mixed signal for Hong Kong’s externally oriented economy. Export growth was the strongest since early 2021, reflecting robust global demand for electronic components, telecommunications equipment, semiconductors and related supply-chain goods. Yet the sharper rise in imports left the city with a deficit larger than any monthly gap recorded over more than seven decades, highlighting the pressure created by front-loaded purchases, supply-chain repositioning and higher input costs.
For the first quarter of 2026, total exports climbed 32 per cent from a year earlier, while imports increased 37 per cent. The visible trade deficit for the quarter reached HK$168.4 billion, equivalent to 9.8 per cent of imports. On a seasonally adjusted basis, exports rose 18.4 per cent from the previous quarter, while imports advanced 20 per cent.
The most striking gains came from technology-linked categories. Exports of electrical machinery, apparatus, appliances and related parts rose by HK$99.8 billion, or 47.9 per cent, in March from a year earlier. Telecommunications and sound recording equipment exports increased by HK$40.2 billion, or 94.7 per cent, while non-ferrous metals shipments rose by HK$10.2 billion, or 175.9 per cent.
Imports showed a similar pattern, but with larger absolute increases in several categories. Purchases of electrical machinery and related parts grew by HK$106.2 billion, or 49.5 per cent. Telecommunications and sound recording equipment imports rose by HK$45.3 billion, or 93 per cent. Non-ferrous metals imports surged by HK$30.4 billion, a rise of more than 400 per cent, suggesting strong demand for materials used in electronics, data-centre infrastructure and advanced manufacturing supply chains.
The widening deficit also reflects Hong Kong’s role as a re-export centre rather than a conventional manufacturing economy. Goods imported into the city often move onwards to mainland China, Southeast Asia, the United States and Europe after financing, logistics, testing, repackaging or redistribution. During periods of strong global technology demand, import values can rise faster than exports if companies build inventories, reroute shipments or accelerate procurement to avoid transport delays.
Geopolitical tensions have added another layer of volatility. The war in the Middle East has pushed up energy prices, raised shipping risks and complicated trade routes linking Asia with Europe and the Gulf. Higher freight and insurance costs can lift the recorded value of imports, while uncertainty over maritime routes may encourage companies to bring forward shipments or diversify logistics channels. Hong Kong, with its deep financial links and dense regional supply-chain networks, is exposed to those shifts even when final demand originates elsewhere.
The export destination data showed broad-based strength across Asia and beyond. Shipments to Singapore more than doubled, while exports to Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan and mainland China recorded strong gains. Exports to the United States also rose sharply, reflecting resilient demand for electronics and technology-linked goods despite continuing trade friction and tariff risks. Shipments to the United Kingdom declined, indicating uneven demand across advanced markets.
On the import side, increases were recorded from most major suppliers. Purchases from the United Kingdom, Korea, India, Vietnam, the United States and mainland China all rose substantially, underlining the geographically diverse nature of the procurement surge. Mainland China remained central to the city’s trade flows, both as a supplier and destination, while Southeast Asian economies continued to gain prominence in electronics and component supply chains.
The data suggest that Hong Kong is benefiting from the global investment race in artificial intelligence, cloud computing and advanced electronics, but the gains come with greater exposure to external shocks. Demand for AI servers, chips, networking equipment and related components has lifted trade volumes across Asia, while higher energy prices and shipping uncertainty are adding costs and complicating timing decisions for importers.
Abu Dhabi’s decision to leave OPEC and the wider OPEC+ alliance from May 2026 is set to redraw the balance of influence inside the oil producers’ bloc, with the first market impact likely to be muted while Gulf export routes remain constrained by the war around Iran. The move removes one of OPEC’s biggest producers from a system built on coordinated supply limits, voluntary cuts and quota […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s decision to leave OPEC and the wider OPEC+ framework from May 1, 2026 has introduced a new fault line in global oil diplomacy, raising questions over the future discipline of a producer alliance that has shaped crude supply policy for decades. The move ends nearly six decades of UAE participation in OPEC and removes one of the group’s most important Gulf […]
France has set deadlines to end the use of coal, oil and fossil gas for energy, placing itself among the first major economies to publish a full fossil-fuel exit timetable as governments debate how to turn climate pledges into enforceable national plans. The roadmap, presented at the international talks in Santa Marta, Colombia, commits France to phasing out coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and fossil gas […]
