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Riyadh Zoo has positioned itself as a family-centred destination within Riyadh Season 2025, offering child-focused environments designed around safety, comfort and controlled engagement with wildlife, according to official details released at the start of the year. The attraction, one of the season’s designated zones, is being presented as a model for how large-scale entertainment events in the capital are adapting to the needs of families with young children.

The zoo’s layout has been organised to prioritise safe movement and visibility, with dedicated pathways that reduce congestion and limit close contact points. Low-height viewing areas have been built to allow children clear sightlines to animals without the need for lifting or crowding, a feature aimed at reducing accidents while improving the overall experience. These design choices form part of a broader emphasis on balancing entertainment with parental reassurance.

Family seating areas are distributed throughout the zone, providing spaces for rest and supervision while maintaining visual access to enclosures. Organisers say this approach allows families to remain engaged without feeling overwhelmed by noise or foot traffic, an issue that has challenged other high-density attractions during the season. The emphasis on controlled flow and defined activity zones reflects planning standards that have been applied across several Riyadh Season venues.

Riyadh Zoo’s children’s facilities include interactive learning areas intended to introduce younger visitors to animal behaviour and conservation in an age-appropriate format. Educational elements are integrated into play-based experiences, with staff trained to manage group sizes and maintain clear boundaries between visitors and animals. This structure is designed to minimise stress for both children and wildlife while encouraging curiosity and awareness.

Safety protocols extend beyond physical design. Organisers have highlighted strict operational standards, including routine checks of barriers, continuous monitoring of visitor movement and the presence of trained personnel in high-traffic areas. Emergency response procedures have been aligned with wider Riyadh Season safety frameworks, ensuring coordination with medical and security teams operating across the city’s entertainment zones.

The focus on child-friendly environments aligns with Riyadh Season’s stated objective of expanding family-oriented destinations as part of the capital’s cultural and leisure transformation. Over successive editions, the festival has broadened its appeal beyond concerts and sporting events to include attractions that cater to younger audiences, reflecting demographic demand and changing leisure habits within the Kingdom.

Urban planners and event management specialists note that such initiatives also serve a longer-term purpose. By embedding safety-first design principles into popular venues, organisers can set benchmarks for future projects, particularly those involving children. The Riyadh Zoo model demonstrates how entertainment infrastructure can be adapted to local expectations while meeting international standards for visitor welfare.

Riyadh Season 2025 has placed increased emphasis on organisation and crowd management following feedback from earlier editions, when high attendance at certain zones led to congestion. The zoo’s structured layout and controlled entry points are intended to mitigate those risks, offering a calmer environment compared with more high-energy attractions elsewhere in the season.

Parents visiting the zoo have highlighted the value of clearly marked routes and viewing points that allow children to engage independently within defined limits. This approach reduces reliance on physical barriers alone, instead combining design, supervision and education to create a safer setting. For organisers, the challenge has been to preserve a sense of exploration while maintaining order, particularly during peak attendance periods.

The zoo’s role within Riyadh Season also reflects broader investment in leisure infrastructure as part of national diversification efforts. Family-oriented attractions are increasingly viewed as essential to building a sustainable entertainment economy, encouraging repeat visits and longer dwell times while appealing to residents and visitors alike.

Plans to turn India into a major semiconductor manufacturing hub are moving from policy to execution, with four companies scheduled to begin chip production during 2026 and the government setting its sights on becoming one of the world’s leading producers by 2035. The transition marks a decisive phase for a country long dependent on imported chips but now seeking to embed itself in global electronics supply chains amid geopolitical realignments and rising demand for secure manufacturing bases.

The most advanced of the announced projects is the large-scale fabrication facility planned at Dholera in Gujarat, a joint venture between Tata Electronics and Taiwan’s Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation. The plant, cleared with government backing and financial incentives under the Semiconductor Mission, is designed to manufacture mature-node chips used in automobiles, power electronics, consumer devices and industrial equipment. Construction work has progressed through 2025, with commercial production targeted to start the following year, according to timelines shared with policymakers and industry partners.

Alongside the Dholera fab, three other facilities are slated to commence output in 2026, primarily in the assembly, testing, marking and packaging segment. Micron Technology’s ATMP plant at Sanand in Gujarat is expected to be the first major operational unit, focusing on memory products for global markets. Two domestic groups, Tata Electronics and Kaynes Semicon, are also developing advanced packaging facilities, while CG Power, in partnership with Japan’s Renesas Electronics and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics, is setting up an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test unit in Gujarat. Together, these projects are intended to establish a foundational ecosystem rather than a single flagship plant.

Government officials argue that the emphasis on both fabrication and packaging reflects a deliberate strategy. While advanced-node fabs require decades of experience and heavy capital, mature-node manufacturing and packaging are seen as realistic entry points that align with India’s strengths in engineering talent, scale and cost efficiency. Officials involved in the programme say the objective is to capture value across the semiconductor chain while gradually building capabilities for more complex processes.

Public funding has played a central role. Under the incentive framework, the central government is offering support covering up to half the project cost for approved semiconductor and display manufacturing units, with additional incentives from host states. The total committed investment across approved projects runs into tens of billions of dollars, according to official estimates, making it one of the most capital-intensive industrial initiatives undertaken in the country.

Industry analysts note that the timing coincides with a global rethinking of chip supply chains. Disruptions during the pandemic years, coupled with trade and technology tensions, prompted governments and companies to seek diversified manufacturing locations. India’s pitch combines policy stability, a large domestic electronics market and strategic partnerships with established chipmakers. Executives at electronics firms say the presence of local chip production could shorten supply chains and reduce vulnerability to external shocks.

Challenges remain substantial. Semiconductor manufacturing demands ultra-reliable power, water and logistics, as well as a deep supplier base for chemicals, gases and equipment. Skills development is another constraint. While India produces large numbers of engineers, chip fabrication requires specialised expertise built through years of hands-on experience. To address this, training collaborations with overseas partners and academic institutions have been initiated, and several universities have launched semiconductor-focused programmes.

There is also scepticism about the 2035 ambition. Market researchers point out that becoming a “top” producer can be defined in different ways, whether by volume, value or technological sophistication. Countries such as Taiwan, South Korea and the United States dominate advanced-node manufacturing, while China has invested heavily across the value chain. India’s near-term projects focus on mature technologies, which serve vast markets but command lower margins. Supporters counter that demand for such chips is set to remain strong due to electric vehicles, renewable energy systems and industrial automation.

The greenback edged higher against a basket of major peers in early European dealings, with the yen drifting back towards levels last seen in the spring and the euro slipping slightly after gains built up over the previous year. Market participants described the move as cautious rather than decisive, reflecting thin liquidity and lingering uncertainty over policy direction in Washington.

Currency strategists said the dollar’s fragile recovery followed heavy selling through much of last year, when expectations of rate cuts by the Federal Reserve and easing inflation undercut the yield advantage that had supported the currency in earlier cycles. At the same time, improving growth prospects outside the United States encouraged investors to rotate towards higher-yielding or undervalued alternatives.

Against the yen, the dollar climbed back towards the upper end of its trading range, hovering near a ten-month high. The Japanese currency has remained under pressure amid a persistent gap between domestic borrowing costs and those in the United States, even as Tokyo has signalled a gradual move away from ultra-loose policy. Traders noted that the yen’s slide was less abrupt than in past episodes, reflecting continued sensitivity to the risk of official intervention.

The euro eased after a strong performance last year, when slowing inflation and steady growth in parts of the euro zone boosted confidence in the region’s economic resilience. Analysts cautioned that the single currency’s trajectory would depend heavily on whether European policymakers deliver further easing or pause to assess wage pressures and fiscal spending plans.

Sterling traded in a narrow band, supported by signs of stabilising inflation but weighed by questions over the durability of domestic growth. Emerging market currencies showed mixed moves, with higher-yielding units holding up better as investors searched for carry opportunities, while those linked to commodities reacted to softer prices in energy and metals.

Market focus remains fixed on forthcoming United States data releases, including employment and inflation indicators that could shape expectations for policy adjustments later in the year. While inflation has moderated from its peak, officials have stressed that decisions will be driven by incoming data rather than preset timelines, a stance that has kept rate forecasts in flux.

Some investors argue that the dollar’s decline last year went too far, pointing to the size and liquidity of United States markets and the economy’s capacity to absorb tighter financial conditions. Others counter that structural forces, including a narrowing growth gap with other advanced economies and rising fiscal deficits, could cap any sustained rebound.

Central banks outside the United States are also recalibrating. In Japan, policymakers are weighing how quickly to normalise after years of stimulus without destabilising markets. In Europe, debates continue over balancing support for growth with the need to anchor inflation expectations. These cross-currents have injected volatility into foreign exchange markets, even as overall trading ranges remain narrower than during periods of crisis.

Commodity prices have added another layer of complexity. Oil has softened amid ample supply, trimming support for currencies of major exporters, while gold’s pullback has reduced its appeal as a hedge against currency weakness. Equity markets have started the year on a cautious note, reinforcing demand for safe and liquid assets.

Largest-ever Hong Kong Tech Pavilion features 3 Innovation Award-winning game-changers showcasing immense potential to scale

LAS VEGAS, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 January 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) and Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) will join hands in spearheading the largest-ever Hong Kong Tech Pavilion to the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas from January 6-9 (Tue-Fri). The showcase features 61 tech companies in a dynamic mix of early-stage and mature companies in AI, robotics, healthtech, and sustainability, to signify Hong Kong’s fast-rising technology advancements and the ability to empower innovators in and out of the city to scale imagination to global impact.

Taking centre stage this year, Hong Kong Tech Pavilion stars with several CES Innovation Award winning solutions, as well as world-firsts, in a display of technology strength across the Eureka Park and Global Pavilion that includes companies less than five years old and more established ventures. Highlights include:

• Widemount Dynamics Tech: named Best of Innovation for Product in Support of Human Security for All, their Smart Firefighting Robot is designed to detect fires, navigate smoke-filled environments, provide real-time mapping, and determine the best extinguishing agent to minimize costs and risks for losses of life and asset.
• PointFit: honored under the Digital Health category, the PF-Sweat Patch is an ultra-thin wearable built with patented biomarkers tracking technology, it offers a non-invasive alternative with continuous monitoring of vitals and performance for athletes and wellbeing enthusiasts.
• Eieling Technology: honored under the Digital Health category, FattaLab® is the world’s first intelligence-driven compact fatty liver diagnostic device, delivering assessment results with medical-grade accuracy in just 30 seconds. The high level of convenience promotes early treatment to those who suffer from the disease, enabling immediate preventive care, and potentially boosts longevity.

Happenings such as announcement, product launches and briefings, and conversations to business-match at the Pavilions are lining up. That includes an introduction of GumAI, a smart oral healthcare solution developed by Dentomi, sharing more on the “Dentist coming in handy” approach; a demonstration of how DRESIO puts forth its “AI Physiotherapy for Everyone” solution; the launch of “wuBiee & wuBiee wrap” that moftBODY integrates neuroscience into smart textile onto daily shapewear, and more awaits at the Pavilions. Click here for the full line-up at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, and schedule your visit now.

In addition, a Hong Kong Tech Networking Reception will be held on Day 2, welcoming all interested parties to engage in conversations of potential partnerships, and explore on business opportunities with Hong Kong tech companies. Registration is now open with details of the Reception as follows:

• Date: 7 January 2026
• Time: 5:30 – 7:30 pm
• Venue: Mercato Della Pescheria, The Venetian

Appendix: List of 61 tech companies at Hong Kong Tech Pavilion, including 47 within the HKSTP ecosystem (in alphabetical order)

Remarks:

• The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion is located across Eureka Park (booth #63200, Hall G) and Global Pavilion (booth #50732, Hall A-D) at The Venetian Expo.

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HKSTP

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

Showcasing transparent MicroLED, ultra-bright HUD, and naked-eye 3D displays to redefine the display landscape across retail, cockpit, and smart device applications

LAS VEGAS, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 January 2026 – Innolux will showcase its next-generation display technology in Las Vegas, USA from January 6 to 8, under the theme “Display the Future, TOGETHER.” Powered by high brightness, high resolution, and immersive experiences, Innolux meets the evolving demands of smart retail, cockpit displays, smart homes, and commercial exhibitions, demonstrating its forward-looking strength in cross-domain integration, application innovation, and market deployments.

Next-generation MicroLED transparent displays reshape the visual experience across retail settings

For the first time, Innolux will unveil its next-generation “MicroLED Display Window,” delivering a clearer, more eye-catching spatial visual experience through high clarity, high transmittance, high brightness, and high resolution. Featuring self-illuminating technology, an advanced optical structure, and a wide color gamut, the product delivers outstanding visibility even in strong ambient light, while its high-resolution design blends visual elegance with clear and efficient information recognition. Transparent displays can simultaneously showcase product information, dynamic advertisements, and navigation content, cutting wait times and easing operational demands, while accommodating a variety of sizes and shapes with the world’s largest modular splicing unit. This solution seamlessly integrates digital information into real-world settings, making it ideal for applications such as commercial window displays and museum exhibits, while delivering a new immersive display experience for retail and smart environments.

Dual MicroLED technology debuts, upgrading marine and automotive displays with ultra-high brightness and minimalist aesthetics

Innolux is unveiling its first “Ultra-High Brightness MicroLED HUD,” delivering ultra-high direct brightness (50,000 nits) and reflective virtual image brightness (10,000 nits). This breakthrough solves the challenges of reflections and image blurring caused by intense light in marine and automotive environments. Even under strong sunlight or reflections from the sea surface or deck, the HUD clearly presents waterways, sea conditions, and navigation instructions, thereby enhancing cockpit visibility. Critical information can be projected directly in the line of sight or front field of vision, minimizing eye movement while improving operational safety and application flexibility.

This year’s event will also highlight the next-generation “MicroLED Decoration Display,” which pair high brightness with an elegant wood grain design, ideal for ship cabins and car interiors. When powered off, the display blends seamlessly into its surroundings like a wood panel; when on, its specialized optical structure delivers high transmittance with minimal brightness loss, meeting ESG standards. Leveraging MicroLED technology, the display achieves 2,000 nits brightness, 229 PPI resolution, and 115% NTSC color gamut, ensuring clear visibility even under strong light. By merging aesthetics with functionality, it broadens the range of applications for interior displays.

Multi-view 3D and mirror displays dramatically boost product display efficiency

Innolux has launched the industry’s first “65″ Multi-Users N3D & Kirameki Display(8K)” for retail and exhibition applications. The display combines exclusive N3D multi-view naked-eye 3D technology with the Kirameki algorithm, overcoming the limitations of traditional 2D displays and delivering a more immersive, lifelike stereoscopic experience. N3D allows multiple users to view 3D content simultaneously, maintaining comfort over extended periods while clearly rendering the product’s three-dimensional form. Meanwhile, Kirameki enhances luster, texture, and material details, creating a natural lighting effect from every angle. This boosts product recognition, extends customer engagement, and enriches the interactive experience, making it ideal for retail and boutique displays as well as digital advertising.

Also on display will be an industry first—the “InnoMirror,” which features high-reflection coated glass and local dimming technology to enhance contrast and sharpness while reducing mirror reflection interference. When powered off, the display appears as a mirror; when on, it delivers product information and enables virtual try-on, color matching, and item switching, thus reducing wait times, minimizing wear, and easing staff workloads. This makes it perfect for a range of environments, from boutiques and beauty retailers to smart homes.

Exclusive N3D display technology, paired with low-latency performance and eye-tracking, delivers an immersive naked-eye 3D experience

Innolux is unveiling its “16″ Single User N3D Display,” featuring exclusive N3D technology and a 2D restoration algorithm. The system limits 3D latency to under 1 millisecond, effectively reducing crosstalk and visual discomfort. It also supports seamless switching between 3D and 2D, while eye-tracking ensures a natural, immersive viewing experience.

At the exhibition, Innolux will showcase a range of innovative displays for applications including laptops, AI notebooks, and outdoor and in-flight entertainment, highlighting its latest breakthroughs in display technology. Products on display include the “Multi-Frequency Display (MFD)” and the “Integrated Touch Display.” The former leverages multi-frequency display technology to automatically switch between 24Hz, 60Hz, and 120Hz refresh rates depending on the content, thus optimizing video quality, gaming and graphics smoothness, and energy efficiency. Meanwhile, the Integraded Touch Display incorporates a tTED IC chip design, supports refresh rates from 30Hz to 120Hz, streamlines the PCBA assembly, and features a thin, lightweight form factor. Also on display are the “Ultra Slim and Light LCD Display with Carbon Fiber Bezel,” the “17.3″UHD MiniLED Local Dimming” and the “13.3″ MiniLED for in Fly Entertaiment Display.” Through these debuting products, Innolux exemplifies the integration of high performance, energy efficiency, and portability, reinforcing its leadership in defining the next generation of smart display technology.

Hashtag: #Innolux

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As crowds gathered for the New Year Countdown, they were able to enjoy a new format experience, with this year’s main event taking place at the Chater Road pedestrian zone in Central, sitting next to the Winter Wonderland display, which transformed Statue Square Gardens into a magical Christmas Town complete with a magnificent 20-metre tree and charming decorations.

A series of events including music performances and a light show were arranged by the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) with the aim of conveying positive energy, care, and blessings of peace to both locals and visitors, and to welcome a hopeful new year together.

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government had anticipated a large number of visitors during the festive season, which included a four-day long weekend over Christmas, while January 1 coincided with the start of a three-day long holiday on the Chinese Mainland.

The Government said the number of non-Chinese Mainland visitors reached a post-Covid record every day during the Christmas holiday with around 50,000 visitors daily from December 25 to 27, accounting for around 33% of the total number of travellers during that period.

This influx of festive visitors provided a further boost to Hong Kong’s tourism sector. In 2025, Hong Kong received 50 million visitors, marking a 12% year-on-year rise. This included 38 million visitors from the Chinese Mainland (up 11% year-on-year) and 12 million non-Chinese Mainland visitors (up 15% year-on-year).

In the Euromonitor International Top 100 City Destinations Index 2025, Hong Kong ranked second globally for international arrivals, behind only Bangkok.

The large number of visitors over festive period provided further impetus to the local tourism industry, which had already been buoyed by a series of mega events at the new Kai Tak Sports Park. Since its opening in March 2025, KTSP has become a new hub for major sports and entertainment events.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #tourism #megaevents #newyear #countdown #kaitaksportspark

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By K Raveendran As Indian corporates step into the new year buoyed by stronger growth momentum and easing inflationary pressures, a sense of anticipation is spreading across boardrooms and policy circles alike over a dispute that dwarfs most corporate battles seen in the country’s history. At the heart of this confrontation lies the Indian government’s […]

The article Sensation Building Up Around Country’s Biggest Ever Arbitration Award appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Saudi Arabian Mining Company, widely known as Saudi Arabian Mining Company, has outlined plans to establish a joint venture with Midana Exploration Pay Ltd to advance minerals exploration, development and mining across licensed areas of the kingdom, in a move that underscores the country’s push to expand its non-oil resource base.

Under the proposed structure, the joint venture will be capitalised initially at $5 million, with Maaden holding a controlling 50.1% stake and Hancock owning the remaining 49.9%. The vehicle is expected to focus on early-stage exploration as well as the development and eventual sale of mineral resources identified within approved concession blocks, subject to regulatory clearances.

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia accelerates efforts to map and commercialise its estimated multi-trillion-dollar mineral endowment, a pillar of the Vision 2030 strategy aimed at diversifying fiscal revenues and building domestic industrial supply chains. Officials and industry executives have repeatedly highlighted underexplored deposits of gold, copper, zinc, phosphate, bauxite and rare earth elements as areas of strategic interest.

Maaden, majority owned by the Public Investment Fund, has over the past decade evolved from a single-commodity operator into a diversified mining champion spanning gold, aluminium, phosphate fertilisers and industrial minerals. The proposed partnership with Hancock signals a renewed emphasis on upstream exploration, an area that demands specialised geological expertise, patient capital and risk-sharing arrangements.

Hancock, through its local exploration arm, has built a portfolio of prospecting licences and geological data across several regions of the kingdom. Industry observers say its familiarity with Saudi Arabia’s licensing framework and field operations complements Maaden’s balance sheet strength, project development experience and access to downstream markets.

According to people familiar with the matter, the joint venture is designed to move swiftly from desktop studies to on-ground surveys, including geophysical mapping and targeted drilling. Any commercial discoveries would then be evaluated for standalone development or integration into Maaden’s existing asset base, depending on scale, mineral type and infrastructure considerations.

The modest initial capital reflects the early-stage nature of the venture, with provisions allowing for additional funding rounds as projects advance. Mining analysts note that exploration budgets often expand sharply once priority targets are identified, particularly for metals linked to energy transition technologies such as copper and battery minerals.

Saudi Arabia has spent heavily on geological surveying over the past few years, releasing high-resolution data to attract private and foreign investors. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has also reformed the mining law to streamline licensing, strengthen environmental oversight and provide longer concession terms, measures that have been welcomed by global miners.

Within this policy backdrop, Maaden’s majority stake ensures strategic alignment with national priorities while allowing its partner operational flexibility. The 50.1-49.9 split also gives Maaden consolidation rights over any successful projects, a factor likely to reassure lenders and potential offtake partners at later stages.

Market participants see the joint venture as part of a broader trend of collaborative exploration models in the kingdom, where state-backed entities pair with specialised firms to spread risk and accelerate discovery timelines. Similar structures have been adopted in other resource-rich jurisdictions seeking to build domestic mining ecosystems without shouldering all the geological risk alone.

Environmental and social governance considerations are expected to feature prominently as projects move forward. Saudi regulators have tightened requirements around land rehabilitation, water use and community engagement, and Maaden has publicly committed to aligning new developments with international sustainability benchmarks.

The programme generated approximately Rp5.5 billion in premium sharing, which will be distributed to 76 Village Unit Cooperatives (KUDs), benefitting more than 30,000 smallholders. The initiative underscores Asian Agri’s long-term commitment to improving smallholder welfare while advancing environmentally responsible palm oil management.

Head of Partnership at Asian Agri, Rudy Rismanto, said RSPO certification plays a critical role in expanding market access for smallholder-produced palm oil.

“Through RSPO certification, palm oil produced by our partner smallholders can be accepted in global markets, including Europe, which requires sustainably produced products,” Rudy said. “The premiums received are reinvested to improve productivity, upgrade infrastructure, strengthen KUD facilities and support alternative sources of income. In this way, sustainability delivers tangible economic benefits for smallholders.”

Rudy emphasised that Asian Agri’s sustainability approach goes beyond environmental stewardship to include social and economic impact.

“Through strong collaboration with smallholders, we ensure that sustainable practices also translate into improved livelihoods. This reflects Asian Agri’s philosophy of creating benefits for society, the environment, customers, and ultimately the company itself—so that sustainability and prosperity grow together.”

Representing partner cooperatives, Subiyono, Head of Karya Bersama KUD, said the premium sharing scheme has delivered clear and measurable benefits.

“The premium has provided meaningful support to both smallholders and the cooperative,” he explained. “In 2026, we plan to allocate these funds to improve and maintain roads that serve as the main access routes for transporting Fresh Fruit Bunches to palm oil mills. Better infrastructure will help ensure smoother operations for smallholders.”

Karya Bersama KUD is currently participating in a replanting partnership with Asian Agri. The replanted oil palm area, now 49 months old, has achieved an average productivity of 2 tons per hectare per month.

Similarly, Waluyo, Head of Makmur Rezeki KUD, highlighted how the premium strengthens institutional capacity while supporting sustainable practices.

“The funds are allocated to strategic priorities, including improvements to fertiliser and herbicide warehouses, road upgrades, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) for smallholders, and the installation of owl nesting boxes as part of natural pest control,” he said. “These initiatives enable more environmentally friendly and efficient plantation management.”

According to Waluyo, the programme also reinforces smallholders’ commitment to sustainability.

“This support not only improves cooperative facilities and operations but also strengthens members’ dedication to sustainable practices. We hope Makmur Rezeki KUD can continue to grow together with Asian Agri, so the benefits can be felt more widely by our members and surrounding communities.”

Through the Certified Palm Oil Premium Sharing Programme, Asian Agri, a member of the RGE group of companies founded by Sukanto Tanoto, continues to invest in the long-term resilience of smallholders and cooperatives, ensuring that sustainable palm oil development delivers enduring social, economic, and environmental benefits for generations to come.
Hashtag: #RGE #AsianAgri #CSR #palmoil #Indonesia #smallholders #sustainability #RSPO #certification #KUD

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About Asian Agri

Founded in 1979, Asian Agri is one of Indonesia’s foremost companies in crude palm oil production, managing over 100,000 hectares of oil palm plantations and employing over 20,000 people.

As a pioneer of the Indonesian Government’s Smallholder Transmigration Core Plantation Programme (PIR-Trans), Asian Agri has partnered with 30,000 scheme smallholders in Riau and Jambi, who collectively manage 60,000 hectares of oil palm plantations. The company also fosters partnerships with independent smallholders to enhance their welfare and drive socio-economic growth.

Committed to sustainable practices, Asian Agri upholds a zero-burning policy and implements plantation best management practices to help smallholders boost productivity, increase crop yields, and improve supply chain traceability while supporting their journey towards certification. Asian Agri’s mills leveraged advanced technology and self-generated green energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.

Asian Agri’s plantations, as along with their scheme smallholder plantations, are full Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) and International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) certified, underscoring the company’s commitment to responsible and sustainable palm oil production.

Please visit Asian Agri’s website for more information.

William Zhang, President of Enterprise Business at Huawei Thailand, stated, “The new power system faces trends such as green energy integration and interactive power consumption. Digitalization and intelligence are key to addressing these challenges. As critical nodes in the grid, substations must be upgraded to enhance overall reliability. The solution we launched with PEA uses optical-visual linkage and AI-based predictive maintenance to enable intelligent inspections and efficient O&M, ensuring substations run safely, reliably, and efficiently.”

Pantong Thinsatit, Assistant Governor for Grid Network Operations at PEA, added, “Digital transformation is essential for high-quality development in the power industry. PEA is accelerating substation intelligence by harnessing innovation to reshape energy services. We’ve deployed intelligent unattended systems in 467 substations, using cutting-edge technology to ensure safe operations. Moving forward, we will push for full automation, eliminate data silos, and integrate smart poles, license plate recognition, battery monitoring, and emergency buttons for rapid, precise responses. This will make intelligent substations central to the energy ecosystem and provide a replicable model for industry-wide digital transformation.”

Traditional substations often struggle with three major issues: limited security monitoring, inefficient and error-prone manual inspections, and outdated cabling that causes high latency and poor stability, restricting multi-service processing and intelligent scheduling. Huawei’s solution tackles these challenges with three core capabilities:

Perimeter Protection—All-Weather Digital Security

Using fiber optic sensing and AI algorithms, the system automatically detects intrusions, links with video surveillance devices, and allows remote verification—shifting from reactive to proactive security with round-the-clock monitoring.

Intelligent Inspection—Innovative Maintenance

Multi-scenario AI inspection algorithms, computer vision models, and cloud-edge collaboration support automatic meter reading and transformer oil leakage warnings, enabling real-time remote management and minute-level fault responses.

Full Connectivity—Comprehensive Sensing Network

Intra-station passive optical networks (PONs) significantly reduce deployment time and costs, forming the power grid’s “nervous system” to deliver reliable, high-speed connectivity for intelligent O&M.

This joint achievement underscores Huawei and PEA’s progress in technological innovation and ecosystem cooperation. Looking ahead, Huawei will continue to work closely with Thai power companies and partners to accelerate the digital and intelligent transformation of the power sector.
Hashtag: #Huawei

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A “One-of-a-Kind” Branded Asset on the Global Map

Speaking at the seminar “Advancing to the Sea with ESG++ Mega-Cities: A Strategy for Sustainable Investment,” Dr. Le Xuan Sang, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Institute of Economics and World Economy, emphasized that for investors, a “branded real estate asset” must meet four criteria: An unmatched location, elevated development standards, limited supply, and a compelling story recognized by global markets. “Vinhomes Green Paradise meets all four,” Sang shared.

He highlighted the integrated ecosystem of the Vinhomes Green Paradise urban development, where affluent residents can enjoy a full spectrum of experiences within one cohesive environment, from work, leisure, wellness, and recreation to business trips and retirement living. When every component reaches a premium standard, the project’s merits speak for themselves.

In Southeast Asia, he noted, it is exceptionally difficult to find a coastal megacity of comparable scale that not only aligns with ESG++ benchmarks but is also connected to high-speed infrastructure and backed by a powerhouse metropolis like Ho Chi Minh City.

“It is entirely justified to call this a rare, hard-to-find branded real estate asset,” he said.

Supporting this viewpoint, Associate Professor Dr. Architect Hoang Manh Nguyen, Chairman of the Institute for Green Urban Science & Technology, highlighted Can Gio’s unparalleled ecological advantage, “backed by forest, facing the sea”, a combination almost impossible to replicate globally and one that carries immense economic value.

He further underscored the “expensive” and “highly complex” nature of ESG++ coastal reclamation cities. Vinhomes Green Paradise being recognized by New7Wonders as the first official participant for the “7 Wonders of Future Cities” title is, in his view, strong evidence that it represents a new global benchmark in urban innovation.

“This places Vinhomes Green Paradise among the world’s truly ‘singular’ real estate assets, naturally becoming a prime target for elite residents and discerning investors,” he stated.

From a legal and institutional perspective, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Quang Tuyen, Vice Chairman of the University Council and Head of the Faculty of Economic Law at Hanoi Law University, noted that the distinction of “branded real estate” lies in clear legal frameworks, stable planning, and professional operations, attributes that can withstand the test of time and policy shifts. These are precisely the strengths of Vinhomes Green Paradise, further reinforced by the credibility of the Vingroup brand.

ESG++ Assets: A Long-Term “Safe Harbor” with 25–30% Appreciation Potential

Discussing the issue in greater depth, Associate Professor Dr. Hoang Manh Nguyen asserted that urban livability is the key determinant of real estate value. Locations with cleaner air, lower noise levels, better mobility, richer landscapes, and more refined amenities will always command higher prices and more sustainable appreciation. ESG++ urban models elevate quality of life to a new tier, not only “green” in terms of vegetation and water bodies but green in energy, operations, and lifestyle.

“With these advantages, Vinhomes Green Paradise is not only a pioneer in the development of green coastal cities but also has tremendous potential to preserve and grow value over time,” he noted.

Vinhomes Green Paradise has been described as a “precious gem”, a unique asset on the global real estate map.

Aligning with this view, Dr. Le Xuan Sang added that globally, capital is shifting clearly toward asset classes that deliver growth, sustainability, and climate resilience. Beyond ESG++, the added layers of regeneration and climate adaptation make qualifying assets exceedingly rare.

The demand for ESG++ coastal cities will grow strongly, while supply will remain extremely limited, representing less than 1% of global inventory over the next 10-20 years. This scarcity ensures enduring value and makes speculative fears, such as panic buying or price collapse, highly unlikely.

“When supply is extraordinarily low while demand from the global middle and upper class continues to surge, ESG assets naturally become a ‘blue-chip’ category, scarce, highly valued, and exceptionally defensive across economic cycles,” he explained.

“Today, this elite and exceptionally scarce asset may appear expensive relative to average incomes. But securing a property like the one in Can Gio will be an extraordinary challenge in five to ten years, as the economy expands and incomes rise,” Nguyen Quang Tuyen said.

He added that in OECD countries, urban areas meeting ESG standards are often the focus of state investment in core infrastructure, public services, and high-quality social amenities, creating a robust value foundation. Once this foundation stabilizes, real estate values in these areas tend to rise steadily, often outpacing comparable non-ESG locations.

Multiple international reports show that ESG cities typically achieve 25-30% appreciation, sometimes at a rate 1.5-2 times faster than neighboring districts. Consequently, securing a position in Vinhomes Green Paradise at this stage offers investors a primary-market advantage, akin to sourcing raw value directly from the origin before it reaches the broader retail market.
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Venezuela has begun shutting oil wells in its prolific Orinoco Belt after storage filled up and inventories swelled, a move that underscores the operational strain facing the state producer as financial pressure from Washington tightens. The cutbacks, which started on 28 December, are set to lower heavy crude output by at least a quarter in the belt that holds the world’s largest known oil deposits, according to people familiar with internal operations.

Petroleos de Venezuela SA, known as PDVSA, is aiming to bring Orinoco production down to about 500,000 barrels a day, the people said. That reduction equates to roughly 15% of the country’s total output of around 1.1 million barrels a day. The wells were idled as tanks reached capacity and export bottlenecks left little room to keep pumping.

The Orinoco Belt, stretching across eastern Venezuela, has been the backbone of the nation’s oil recovery over the past two years as PDVSA revived projects, leaned on foreign partners and relied on intermediaries to place barrels abroad. Heavy crude from the belt requires blending and specialised handling, making storage constraints particularly acute when exports slow or logistics falter.

The curtailment comes amid a renewed effort by the Donald Trump administration to financially squeeze Caracas. Measures have focused on limiting cash flows and tightening scrutiny of trade channels that had allowed Venezuelan oil to reach global markets. While PDVSA has navigated sanctions for years through complex trading arrangements, the latest actions have reduced the room for manoeuvre.

Operationally, the impact is immediate. Engineers have prioritised shutting wells with higher water cut or maintenance needs, while keeping strategic upgraders running to preserve reservoir integrity. Restarting heavy-oil wells can be costly and time-consuming, raising the risk that some output may not return quickly even if conditions improve.

For the government in Caracas, the setback dents a fragile rebound that had lifted production from historic lows. Oil remains the main source of hard currency, funding imports and social spending. Lower volumes threaten fiscal plans at a time when inflation has moderated but public finances remain stretched.

Internationally, the cuts add a layer of uncertainty to heavy crude markets. Refineries in Asia and the United States Gulf Coast have relied on Venezuelan grades as substitutes for similar barrels from elsewhere. Traders said tighter availability could widen discounts and prompt buyers to seek alternatives from Canada or the Middle East.

PDVSA’s partners in the Orinoco Belt, including joint ventures with foreign companies, are also affected. Output reductions translate into lower liftings for partners and could complicate investment decisions. Several projects had been ramping up after maintenance and drilling campaigns, betting on stable export routes.

The government has framed the situation as a temporary adjustment driven by logistics rather than geology. Officials argue that reserves remain intact and that production can rebound once storage is freed and exports normalise. Behind the scenes, PDVSA has been exploring options to lease additional floating storage and accelerate shipments to Asia, though payment and insurance hurdles persist.

Analysts note that the episode highlights structural weaknesses. Venezuela’s oil infrastructure has suffered years of underinvestment, leaving little buffer when trade flows are disrupted. Power outages, pipeline leaks and equipment shortages have repeatedly constrained operations, forcing stop-start cycles that erode efficiency.

In the broader geopolitical context, the pressure campaign reflects Washington’s leverage over energy finance and shipping. Even when licences allow limited trade, banks, insurers and carriers often tread cautiously, amplifying the impact on producers like PDVSA. The result is a stopgap approach that prioritises managing bottlenecks over long-term optimisation.

Under the MoU, Vingroup, Exposure, and the City of Kinshasa, through its relevant authorities, will collaborate to study and promote the procurement and deployment of VinFast’s fully electric vehicles, including electric buses, electric cars, and electric scooters, to meet the transportation needs of the city and its residents. In parallel, the parties will jointly develop a comprehensive electric mobility ecosystem encompassing charging infrastructure and after-sales services.

To support the transition to electric mobility, the cooperation will focus on modernizing and greening Kinshasa’s transportation system across public transport services, mobility solutions for government officials and civil servants, and transportation options for the general public.

Vingroup, through its subsidiary VinFast, will provide detailed commercial and technical proposals for vehicle fleets, including buses, cars, and scooters. Exposure will be responsible for developing a detailed preliminary business plan for vehicle procurement and infrastructure development, as well as initiating the necessary local administrative and legal procedures for importation, distribution, and operations. Meanwhile, the City of Kinshasa will review and propose appropriate incentive mechanisms, covering tax policies, regulatory frameworks, and access to infrastructure, to encourage the development and adoption of green mobility. A designated focal authority will also be appointed to manage and oversee the electric bus fleet.

During the initial phase, expected to run from now through the end of Q1 2026, the parties have agreed on a roadmap to conclude formal contracts to operationalize the above objectives. Under this roadmap, VinFast is expected to supply approximately 500 electric buses and 1,000 electric cars for public fleet operations in Kinshasa. Over the same period, VinFast and Exposure plan to implement supply and distribution agreements to introduce between 10,000 and 20,000 electric cars and between 50,000 and 100,000 VinFast electric scooters to the local market.

In pursuit of a comprehensive green ecosystem, the parties will cooperate in developing an extensive charging station network and an authorized service workshop system, ensuring stable operations and convenience for electric vehicle users.

Specifically, Vingroup reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable development and positive local impact through knowledge transfer and human resource development. These initiatives include training programs for drivers, technicians, and on-site operations personnel, as well as technical design support for electrified transportation infrastructure. Exposure will undertake technical and economic assessments of the charging network and vehicle maintenance and repair facilities. For its part, the City of Kinshasa has committed to supporting land allocation, identifying locations for charging stations, and ensuring reliable power supply solutions, thereby establishing a solid infrastructure foundation for Vingroup’s green mobility ecosystem in the city.

Mr. Jésus-Noël SHEKE WA DOMENE, Provincial Minister of Planning, Budget, Public Service, Employment, Tourism, Transport and Urban Mobility, representative of the City of Kinshasa stated: “The City of Kinshasa highly values our cooperation with Vingroup in advancing green and smart mobility solutions. This is a strategic step aligned with the city’s sustainable urban development vision, aiming to reduce environmental impacts, improve transportation infrastructure, and deliver long-term benefits to our citizens. We believe this partnership will help transform Kinshasa into a dynamic, modern, and livable city in the region.”

Mrs. Phuong NGUYEN, General Director of Vingroup Africa shared: “Vingroup is honored to partner with the City of Kinshasa on the journey toward building a modern, civilized, and sustainable living environment. The deployment of green and smart mobility solutions will not only gradually transform Kinshasa’s urban transportation landscape, but also create long-term, tangible value by improving quality of life for residents and supporting the city in achieving its future sustainable development goals.”

Previously, the Government of Kinshasa and Vingroup also signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore large-scale urban development projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Under the MoU, the two parties will jointly study and develop a large riverside urban project covering approximately 6,300 hectares, strategically located within the capital’s urban expansion plan.

The mega urban development is expected to include residential areas, villas, hospitals, schools, shopping centers, hotels, entertainment complexes, and future government and ministerial offices, positioning it as a new tourism destination and a landmark of Kinshasa’s development. The city is expected to allocate land for the project in accordance with the agreed cooperation framework.

These strategic agreements underscore Vingroup’s international vision and growing global presence, reaffirm its pioneering role in green mobility, and further deepen economic cooperation between Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as both countries pursue green growth and sustainable development.

Vingroup is Vietnam’s largest private conglomerate, operating across six core sectors: Industrials & Technology, Real Estate & Services, Infrastructure, Green Energy, Culture and Social Enterprises, guided by the vision of “To Create a Better Life for People”.

With a strong track record, scale, and proven capabilities, Vingroup continues to expand its international footprint. The Group was recognized by TIME magazine (USA) in the “TIME World’s Best Companies 2025” list, ranking among the world’s top 1,000 companies for outstanding contributions to sustainable development, innovation, and global impact.Hashtag: #Vingroup

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