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The expansion is being backed by more than $300 billion in announced investment commitments across data centres and associated digital infrastructure, putting the sector among the country’s fastest-growing infrastructure segments. The development pipeline could lift installed data centre capacity beyond 6.7 gigawatts by the end of the decade from more than 1.8 GW in the first half of 2026.

The scale of investment reflects a fundamental shift in the market as generative AI dramatically increases computing requirements. Cloud migration, digital payments, video streaming, 5G networks, enterprise digitisation and growing demand for local processing capacity are adding to workloads that require high-density computing facilities operating around the clock.

Forecasts differ considerably because industry studies use different definitions of operational capacity, committed projects and IT load. A separate assessment released in July projects operational data centre capacity at 12 GW by 2030, compared with 2.2 GW in 2025, as AI-focused capacity expands sharply. AI-dedicated capacity alone could rise from about 275 MW in 2025 to more than 6.5 GW by the end of the decade.

Power availability is emerging as one of the biggest constraints on that growth. Electricity demand from data centres is estimated to reach 13.56 GW by 2031-32, requiring major additions to generation, transmission and renewable-energy infrastructure. Developers are also adopting direct-to-chip liquid cooling, immersion cooling and other technologies designed to reduce the electricity and water requirements of increasingly dense AI computing installations.

Mumbai Metropolitan Region and Chennai remain the largest established data centre markets, benefiting from submarine cable connectivity, fibre infrastructure and concentrations of enterprise customers. Their position at international cable routes connecting Europe, West Asia and Southeast Asia has helped establish both regions as major gateways for hyperscale capacity.

Hyderabad, Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru are now attracting a larger share of planned development as operators seek new land, power and connectivity options. Hyderabad could add 600-700 MW by 2030 to its existing capacity of about 178 MW, while Delhi-NCR is expected to receive another 500-600 MW against a current base of roughly 179 MW.

Global technology companies and large domestic groups are driving the investment cycle. Google has begun construction of an AI hub in Visakhapatnam as part of an approximately $15 billion investment planned between 2026 and 2030. The project combines gigawatt-scale computing infrastructure with subsea connectivity and new energy capacity, making Visakhapatnam an emerging data centre location on the east coast.

Reliance Industries is developing a 168 MW AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar that Meta will lease, with an option to expand capacity. The facility, expected to be delivered within two years of the June 2026 announcement, will use renewable electricity and desalinated seawater for cooling. It will become Meta’s first built-to-suit data centre capacity in the country.

Real estate groups are also moving into infrastructure traditionally dominated by specialised data centre operators. Lodha Developers has earmarked about 400 acres at Palava near Mumbai for a data centre park and plans roughly 1 GW of powered-shell capacity, with Amazon Web Services and STT Global Data Centres identified as anchor operators. The powered-shell development alone is expected to require roughly ₹10,000 crore to ₹11,000 crore.

Other projects are expanding the competitive field. Yotta Infrastructure is developing additional capacity in Greater Noida, Anant Raj is targeting 357 MW of IT load across locations in Haryana by FY2032, while Prestige Group and NTT Data have agreed to develop a Bengaluru facility with 100 MW of overall capacity and 67.2 MW of critical IT load. NTT is also among the companies pursuing substantial additions in Hyderabad.

The Summit was honored to have Miss Yvonne Ip, Acting Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, as the Guest of Honour. In her address, Miss Ip highlighted the power of design to drive business growth and emphasized that the Hong Kong Design Summit, now in its third year, has become a key platform for industry exchange and collaboration, bringing design talent and enterprises together through flagship initiatives like DesignMatch, to turn creative ideas into commercial results. The Hong Kong Designers Association has been a pioneering force in the local design ecosystem for half a century, and CCIDA is proud to partner with HKDA to nurture design professionals, accelerate industrialization, and help local enterprises expand into international markets — advancing Hong Kong’s creative economy together.

Chairman’s Welcome: Driving Real Impact Through Strategic Focus

Opening the evening gala, Ms. Mui Kinoshita, Chairman of HKDA, delivered a heartfelt welcoming address reflecting on the Association’s post-pandemic transformation and strategic vision.

Reflecting on the Association’s post-pandemic vision, Ms. Kinoshita highlighted HKDA’s core strategy—”Two Awards, One Summit, One Platform“—designed to deliver tangible benefits by recognising individual design excellence, honoring corporate design investment, and driving commercial partnerships through DesignMatch. She celebrated HKDA’s expansion from 900 to over 1,300 members, calling it a testament to industry trust. Honoring the Association’s 50-year legacy, she paid tribute to founding pioneers whose dedication laid the foundation for Hong Kong’s creative sector. She concluded with a passionate call for open dialogue and unified collaboration to build a stronger, more caring design industry for the next generation.

Star-Studded Gathering of Design Icons and Industry Leaders

The Gala Dinner was anchored by an extraordinary gathering of creative heavyweights, founding pioneers, and distinguished guests across the design, creative sectors, and corporate leaders. Joining Guest of Honour Miss Yvonne Ip and Officiating Guests, including Dr. Kan Tai-Keung, SBS, BBS, Former Chairman of HKDA (Tenure: 1986, 1987, 1988), ⁠Mr. Steve Leung, BBS, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Centre, ⁠Mr. Alan Cheung, MH, Chairman of Hong Kong Design Council, Federation of Hong Kong Industries, ⁠Mr. Kevin Yeung, Chairman of Hong Kong Fashion Designers Association, were celebrated global design icons and industry leaders who attended in strong support of the Summit, including Ms. Vivienne Tam, Designer and Founder, Vivienne Tam Fashion House, Mr. Tino Kwan, Founder and Principal Consultant of the Tino Kwan Lighting Consultants Limited, and Mr. Gu Wei, Head of AIGC Design Business, Alibaba International Digital Commerce Group. The evening was further graced by prominent design masters, industry executives, and organisational representatives. Their presence, alongside premier corporate partners and judging leaders, underscored the unified strength and collective vision of Hong Kong’s creative community.

The annual event unfolds in two key segments: the Hong Kong Design Summit, featuring the Kick-off Ceremony, DesignMatch business matching, and a landmark MOU signing; followed by the BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony.

Hong Kong Design Summit 2026

The opening segment convenes industry leaders and creative professionals to foster commercial growth and educational innovation:

1. DesignMatch Business Matching Sessions: An exclusive, high-impact B2B networking initiative designed to bridge corporations and design professionals, driving immediate business opportunities and accelerating the translation of creative capital into commercial success.

2. Award-Winning Brands Showcase: A curated, high-visibility showcase where outstanding design firms and corporate awardees demonstrate successful project outcomes and share strategic market insights.

3. Strategic Tripartite MOU Signing: A milestone collaboration between School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Alibaba International Design, and Hong Kong Designers Association. The parties intend to explore opportunities for collaborative initiatives in design and AI-related education in the creative industry, as well as strategic collaboration for industry development across Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area (GBA). Key potential areas of collaboration include:
A) Joint development and delivery of academic and professional training courses (with AI courses as the initial program collaboration);
B) Industry–academia partnerships to foster design-tech innovation and applied research;
C) Co-organisation of training courses, flagship events, forums, and summits to promote design excellence and cross-sector collaboration.

BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony

The second part of the event highlights design leadership and commercial results through an elite evening program, the BDA Brand Award 2026 Presentation Ceremony. An elite gathering celebrating outstanding brand design applications and recognizing excellence across diverse industries. This year’s competition attracted 150 brand entries from diverse industries, further solidifying BDA’s authoritative position as one of Hong Kong’s top brand awards. The BDA Brand Award invites nominations from professional designers or organizations, with submissions evaluated by a panel of experts based on three aspects: brand story, development, and achievements. Additionally, five assessment criteria are considered: 1) Environmental & Social Impact, 2) Cultural Impact, 3) Innovation & Technology, 4) Brand Image, Identity & User Experience and 5) Market Performance & Value.

The awards celebrated winners across multiple categories, including 1) Best Branding Image Award, 2) Best Cultural & Heritage Award, 3) Best ESG Award, 4) Best Innovation & Technology Award, 5) Best Media & Communication Award, as well as Best Award, Grand Award, and the prestigious Best of the Best Award.

A professional jury panel comprised of esteemed first-round judges—Prof Anthony Kong (Assistant Professor, School of Design, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University), Mr. Kirin Leung (Founder, Kirin+lab), Mr. Joe Wong (Founder, Joe Wong Design), Mr. Kenny Li (Founder, FM+ Concepts & FAVEbyKennyLi), and Mr. Jay Leung (Founder, Starz Group) as well as final-round judges—Ms. Mui Kinoshita (Chairman, HKDA), Prof. Viveca Chan (Founder and Chairman, WE Marketing Group), Ms. Hilda Chan (Chief Marketing Officer, HKSTP), Mr. Bosco Leung (Social Responsibility Lead, MTR Corporation Limited), and Mr. Jimmy Li (Head of Brand Partnership, Harvey Nichols Hong Kong). The judges meticulously assessed submissions through a rigorous process, including an initial online evaluation and live presentations.

From a pool of 150 exceptional brand entries, the jury evaluated each brand’s overall excellence, market impact, and alignment with the selection criteria in their respective fields. It is with great pleasure that we announce Sino Group「GoCircular」as the winner of the Best of the Best Award and fwah! as the winner of the Best of the Best Award (Startups). These brands have demonstrated unparalleled excellence, and their selection as winners is a testament to their outstanding achievements.

Additionally, 14 outstanding brands have been recognized with the Grand Award, including (in alphabetical order)

The full winner list of BDA Brand Award 2026 is listed on Appendix A.

Fostering Strategic Synergies and Future Growth

The 2026 Summit reinforces HKDA’s commitment to elevating design as a core commercial driver while empowering the next generation of designers through AI-driven education and regional integration. Through structured business matching, strategic academia-industry partnerships, and award recognition, the event continues to solidify Hong Kong’s position as a premier global hub for commercial design innovation.

For more details on the event and program updates, please visit the official website at https://www.hkda.hk/

Appendix A – BDA Brand Award 2026 Winners (*in Alphabetical order)

Corporate – Best of the Best

Corporate – Grand Award of the Year

Corporate – Best Award

Corporate – Best Innovation & Technology Award

Corporate – Best ESG Award

Corporate – Best Media & Communication Award

Corporate – Best Cultural & Heritage Award

Corporate – Best Branding Image Award

Startups – Best of the Best

Startups – Grand Award of the Year

Startups – Best Award

Startups – Best Innovation & Technology Award

Startups – Best ESG Award

Startups – Best Cultural & Heritage Award

Startups – Best Branding Image Award

Hashtag: #HKDA #BDABrandAward #BDA品牌大獎

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

About Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA)

Established in 1972, the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA) was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and is a founding member of the Hong Kong Design Centre. Its core mission is to promote design’s public interest, cultivate young designers, and elevate the professional status of practising designers across sectors.

HKDA’s flagship programmes include the Global Design Award (GDA) (formerly known as Asia Design Awards), which has been celebrating outstanding global designs biennially since 1975; the Hong Kong International Poster Triennial (HKIPT), which has been documented the development of local and international poster design through competition, exhibition and symposium since 2000; the Sponsorship for International Design Awards (SIDA), a distinguished funding scheme for local designers and design-applying enterprises who are winners of international design awards, which has been running since 2011; Design X Technology (DXT), a progressive programme that integrates design and technology as core components in business strategy to drive innovation and competitive advantage since 2020; and BDA Brand Award (BDA) (formerly known as BDA Brand Design Awards), this award evaluates outstanding brand performance through a professional design lens, honoring long-term strategic commitment to design excellence, and was debuted in 2023, also other strategic initiatives including the Hong Kong Design Summit and the DesignMatch business matching programme connect design professionals directly with market demand across government, commercial, and industrial sectors.

With over 1,300 individuals and corporations in its diverse membership base, HKDA offers a wide range of membership options for professionals, associates, affiliates, students, and corporations that cover six design disciplines: Graphics, Spatial, Product, Digital, Fashion, and Education. Prioritising design excellence, education, technology integration, sustainability, business support, diversity, and inclusivity, HKDA has established itself as a vital platform for its members, as well as designers, businesses, and organisations throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Through its commitment to advancing these key areas, HKDA provides valuable resources, networking opportunities, and expert guidance to its members while also serving as a hub for innovation and collaboration in the design industry.

HKDA is committed to raising public awareness of the value and importance of design in society. It partners and collaborates with other design organisations and institutions worldwide, such as the World Design Organization (WDO) and International Council of Design (ico-D), to promote global design excellence, cultural diversity, and international design exchanges. By working with other design organisations on a global scale, HKDA aims to contribute to the development and advancement of the design industry, both locally and internationally.

Partnership creates new pathways for accountancy students in Guangdong to pursue the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification and gain professional exposure in Singapore

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 August 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies (GDUFS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen Singapore–Guangdong collaboration in accountancy education and talent development, creating greater opportunities for GDUFS students in Guangdong to connect with the accountancy profession and pursue international professional pathways.

The MOU was signed in Singapore in conjunction with the 16th Singapore-Guangdong Collaboration Council (SGCC) Meeting, underscoring the strategic significance of the partnership and the growing links between Singapore and Guangdong in education, professional services and talent development.

Under the partnership, GDUFS’ Accounting, Auditing and Financial Management programmes will apply for accreditation under the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification (SCAQ) programme. Once accredited, graduates of these programmes will be eligible for fee waivers relating to five SCAQ Foundation Programme modules, providing a more streamlined pathway towards attaining the Chartered Accountant of Singapore, or CA (Singapore) designation upon fulfilling the remaining SCAQ requirements.

The partnership will also provide GDUFS students with opportunities to connect with ISCA and the wider accountancy profession, which includes industry and professional networks, events and activities. Students will have access to relevant ISCA membership opportunities and the relevant benefits, while those pursuing the SCAQ pathway will receive study support and opportunities such as internship and job-matching recommendations, SCAQ scholarships and access to ISCA’s publications.

Developing Internationally Connected Accountancy Talent

The partnership reflects ISCA and GDUFS’s shared commitment to developing the next generation of accountancy professionals with the capabilities, professional networks and international exposure to contribute across markets.

The two institutions will also collaborate on professional learning and development, including guest lectures, workshops and seminars for GDUFS faculty, students and alumni, as well as access to ISCA publications and online resources. Continuous professional development collaboration via ISCA’s specialisation programmes in financial forensics, sustainability and subscription-based online learning platforms for accounting professionals will ensure GDUFS graduates remain updated on evolving industry standards and best practices.

ISCA President Mr Lee Boon Teck said: “Our partnership with GDUFS is about building stronger links between Singapore and Guangdong in accountancy education and talent development. By connecting students with professional pathways, networks and industry exposure and opportunities in Singapore, we hope to equip the next generation of accountancy professionals with the capabilities and international exposure ready to contribute in an increasingly interconnected business environment.”

Professor Yu Pengyi, Dean of the School of Accountancy at GDUFS, said: “This partnership with ISCA marks an important milestone in our internationalisation journey, creating new professional pathways and opportunities for our students. By combining our strengths in language and accounting education with ISCA’s professional expertise and networks, we look forward to developing globally minded accounting professionals who can contribute across markets.”

The five-year partnership provides a framework for ISCA and GDUFS to further develop cooperation in accountancy education, professional development and engagement with the accountancy profession.
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy #MOU #GDUFS

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

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.

ISCA supports over 46,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

The facility, launched on August 18, expands the company’s Korea region only about 14 months after its second data centre began operating. Alibaba Cloud established its first South Korean data centre in 2022 after entering the market in 2016, reflecting a faster infrastructure build-out as demand for generative AI and enterprise AI agents increases.

The third site adds capacity for computing, storage, networking, databases, security, containers and cloud-native services. It will also support workloads requiring lower latency and stronger disaster-recovery arrangements, while giving customers more options to distribute applications across separate facilities.

Alibaba Cloud has not disclosed the new centre’s power capacity, investment cost, number of graphics processing units or current utilisation rate. The company has indicated that additional computing equipment can be installed as customer demand expands.

Operating three data centres also changes the resilience of Alibaba Cloud’s South Korean infrastructure. With two facilities, disruption at one centre could leave the remaining location handling workloads alone. The addition of a third allows applications to remain distributed between two facilities if another suffers an outage.

The expanded configuration has enabled Alibaba Cloud to raise the service-level availability commitment for its Korea region from 99.95% to 99.99%, strengthening its pitch to companies running business-critical applications and AI services.

Enterprise AI is becoming an increasingly important part of that strategy. Alibaba Cloud is introducing six agentic AI services in South Korea covering development, testing, deployment, operations and cybersecurity. They include AgentRun, STAROps, ACS Agent Sandbox, Agent Security Center, AI Security Guardrails 2.0 and Agentic SOC.

The services are aimed at companies seeking to move AI agents from experimental projects into production environments, where governance, reliability and security become more demanding. Enterprises are increasingly looking beyond access to large language models towards infrastructure capable of operating autonomous or semi-autonomous software agents at scale.

Alibaba Cloud is pairing those services with its broader full-stack AI offering, including infrastructure, development platforms and the Qwen family of AI models. Qwen models have recorded more than 3 billion downloads globally, while developers have created more than 300,000 derivative models based on the family.

South Korean companies are already using parts of Alibaba Cloud’s AI ecosystem. Gwangju-based Gendive has integrated Alibaba models including Wan for video generation and HappyHorse for image generation into its DevDive enterprise automation platform. NAVER Z’s ZEPETO platform also uses Alibaba Cloud infrastructure to support real-time 3D avatar generation and immersive services across Asian markets.

Alibaba Cloud has built local partnerships with companies including Megazone Soft and Team Sparta, seeking to combine its infrastructure with consulting, implementation and industry-specific services. Such alliances are important in a South Korean cloud market where global hyperscalers compete with strong domestic technology groups.

Data sovereignty is another factor shaping cloud investment. Businesses handling sensitive information increasingly want workloads hosted within national borders, particularly as regulators pay greater attention to cybersecurity, resilience and governance surrounding AI systems. Alibaba Cloud says its South Korean infrastructure is designed to comply with applicable local data-protection and cybersecurity requirements.

The Korea expansion forms part of Alibaba’s wider commitment to spend about 380 billion yuan, roughly $53 billion when the programme was announced, on AI and cloud infrastructure over three years. The group has already committed substantial capital to computing capacity, chips and AI development as it attempts to establish cloud services as a larger growth engine.

Alibaba Cloud revenue rose sharply in the April-June quarter of 2026, with cloud and AI-related sales reaching about 48.4 billion yuan and growing 45% from a year earlier. The expansion has come at a cost: Alibaba’s quarterly capital expenditure climbed to nearly 67.7 billion yuan as spending on computing infrastructure and semiconductor components increased.

The company has also expanded cloud infrastructure in France, Japan, Malaysia and Mexico. With the new South Korean facility, Alibaba Cloud says its global network has reached 104 availability zones across 30 regions.

The London-headquartered banking group said it will help qualifying customers integrate HKDAP into financial and commercial operations. Planned applications include money-market fund subscriptions, settlements with asset managers, transfers between entities within the bank’s international network and cross-border payments.

The move gives HKDAP a major banking distribution channel less than two weeks after Anchorpoint began its limited institutional rollout on August 12. The stablecoin, whose name stands for HKD At Par, is designed to maintain a one-to-one value with the Hong Kong dollar and is currently available through a controlled beta programme.

Standard Chartered is the majority shareholder in Anchorpoint, which was established with HKT and Animoca Brands. The venture received one of Hong Kong’s first stablecoin issuer licences in April, alongside HSBC, following the introduction of the territory’s Stablecoins Ordinance in August 2025.

Standard Chartered’s role as distributor is distinct from Anchorpoint’s function as issuer. Under Anchorpoint’s business-to-business-to-consumer model, authorised distributors provide access to the token after conducting customer onboarding and know-your-customer checks. That structure is intended to connect regulated tokenised money with banks, exchanges, asset managers, companies and, eventually, individual users.

Access remains restricted during the beta stage to corporates and professional investors. Anchorpoint aims to broaden availability to retail users as early as the end of 2026, subject to operational and market readiness.

HKDAP currently operates on the Ethereum mainnet. Its reserves are held under a trust arrangement for token holders, with Standard Chartered Trustee acting as trustee. The token does not pay interest and is not positioned as an investment product. Instead, it is designed as digital cash for payments, settlement and movement of funds.

Early activity remains deliberately limited. Anchorpoint disclosed circulation of HK$522,000 and transaction volume of HK$658,160 as of August 19, with reserve assets of about HK$1.62 million. Issuance over the preceding 30 days totalled HK$524,130, while HK$4,170 had been redeemed. The small amounts reflect the controlled institutional testing phase rather than a mass-market launch.

The distribution agreement nevertheless represents an important step towards commercial use. Standard Chartered plans to introduce additional HKDAP applications over the coming month, expanding beyond experiments into transactions that could demonstrate whether regulated stablecoins can reduce settlement times and connect conventional banking infrastructure with blockchain-based markets.

The bank has been accelerating its digital-asset strategy across several areas. It already provides institutional trading in deliverable spot Bitcoin and Ether, has expanded digital-asset custody services and has developed blockchain-based settlement and collateral arrangements. In July, it also launched integrated institutional access to Circle’s USDC minting and redemption infrastructure.

Standard Chartered’s scale could give HKDAP a distribution advantage. The group operates across 55 markets and reported total assets of about $993.4 billion at the end of June 2026, up from roughly $920 billion at the end of 2025. First-half operating income reached a record $11.6 billion, while pre-tax profit rose to $4.8 billion.

Hong Kong’s regulated stablecoin experiment is taking shape cautiously. The monetary authority has imposed capital, reserve-management, redemption, governance, anti-money-laundering and risk-management requirements on licensed issuers, seeking to distinguish supervised fiat-backed tokens from the less regulated stablecoins that dominate global cryptocurrency trading.

HSBC, the other initial licensed issuer, is preparing its own Hong Kong dollar stablecoin for launch during the second half of 2026. The entrance of two globally significant banks places Hong Kong among the jurisdictions attempting to develop regulated alternatives to dollar-denominated tokens such as USDT and USDC, which account for the overwhelming majority of global stablecoin activity.

HKDAP’s first commercial targets centre on areas where settlement speed can offer measurable benefits. Tokenised investment products can potentially be subscribed to and redeemed using programmable money without waiting for traditional banking hours. Cross-border corporate transactions and intragroup treasury transfers could similarly move continuously while maintaining a direct link to regulated fiat reserves.

From surging sports interest to last-minute purchase, Hong Kong users are eager for greater access to live entertainment experiences

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 August 2026 – With the excitement of football events and chart-topping concerts still reverberating across the city, Hong Kong is carrying the momentum into a vibrant summer of live entertainment. Capturing the pulse of the moment, MoreTickets, Asia’s No.1* live event ticket resale platform, releases Hong Kong’s top international and local live events[1] scheduled for the summer period (July and August), alongside consumer insights into platform users’ ticket-buying behavior.

Concerts Top Summer Searches as Sports Interest Surges

MoreTickets offers a wide range of live entertainment events worldwide, including popular concerts, sporting events, theatre performances and many more. Concerts continue to drive the summer entertainment landscape, capturing the majority of user interests. According to MoreTickets data1, the “Concert” category accounts for nearly two-thirds of all searches for live events or shows scheduled in July and August, reinforcing the city’s demand for major headline acts. Interest in “Sports” category is also rising, with searches up about 150% year on year, reflecting heightened appetite for major matches and global tournament moments this summer.

Top 10 Most–Searched Live Events Scheduled for July and August[1]:

Local Hong Kong artists and city-based performances remain highly searched, representing more than 70% of total searches, led by Sammi Cheng and MC Cheung, two renowned local singers who appeal spans generations. Fueled by global FIFA World Cup fever, the Hong Kong Football Festival emerged as a breakout hit, ranking the third among the top searches.

Hong Kong Live Event Goers Made Last-Minute Purchase, and Rise in Single-Ticket Purchases

In Hong Kong, MoreTickets users are deciding closer to the event date. MoreTickets purchase data[2] shows that nearly two out of five ticket transactions were made within seven days of the show (37%), signaling a more spontaneous approach to live entertainment planning. This last-minute pattern is strongest in event categories such as pop music concerts (55%) and fan meetings (40%). Among those last-minute buyers, 60% of the purchases opted for single-seat tickets, underscoring strong eagerness to attend live shows, supported by the platform’s real-time availability andtransparent pricing. MoreTickets helps users compare across the spectrum and secure the best fit with confidence.

Top 10 Events Purchased Within 7-Days of Event Date in May 2:

A Safer Way to Find Tickets with MoreTickets

As live entertainment demand becomes more immediate and fragmented, many consumers still struggle when trying to secure tickets through various channels. MoreTickets offers an alternative as a safer platform with real-time availability, transparent-priced listing, and a secure refund guarantee, making it a reliable choice for live-event goers. It operates with two core safeguards – vetted sellers supported by a verified ticket-sourcing network, and escrow-based payment held until successful event entry.

Trusted by millions of users, MoreTickets helps users secure ticket access safely, ensuring they can enjoy the live entertainment moments that matter.

Hashtag: #MoreTickets

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

About MoreTickets

MoreTickets is Asia’s No.1* live event ticket resale platform, dedicated to providing convenient, secure, and hassle-free ticketing services. The platform covers a wide range of live entertainment, including popular concerts, sporting events, theatre performances, and more. To date, MoreTickets is trusted by millions of users in Hong Kong and Macau, with its ticket sourcing network spanning major global live events across Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, as well as Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas.

By integrating comprehensive event information and ticket sources, MoreTickets helps users quickly search and compare options while offering end-to-end services, including secure payment, order protection, and post-sale support. The platform is committed to delivering a seamless, intuitive, and reliable ticketing experience, ensuring users never miss out on their most anticipated shows.

*Measured by GMV of live event ticket resale platform in Asia in 2025 (According to Frost & Sullivan’s research on the live event resale platform industry in Asia, as of May 2026

For more information, please visit https://www.moretickets.com/.

From a Vietnamese barbershop to an international network of more than 130 locations

In the global men’s grooming industry, building an international brand requires barbershop chains to solve a fundamental challenge: How can they standardize services, train staff, maintain a consistent customer experience and scale their model without losing their identity?

This is the formula behind many of the world’s leading names in the hair and grooming industry, including Great Clips, Supercuts, Sport Clips Haircuts, TONI&GUY, QB House and Jawed Habib Hair & Beauty. These brands have transformed a service industry traditionally dependent on individual craftsmanship into scalable business systems.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is pursuing a similar path. Founded in Vietnam in 2018, the company has grown into a network of more than 130 locations, with over 1,000 barbers, while gradually expanding into international markets. At this scale, East West operates in a different league from independent barbershops.

The value of a barbershop chain with hundreds of locations lies in its ability to deliver a consistent experience across the entire network. This is also why East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has been ranked among the Top 10 large-scale grooming brands in the world.

But as it prepares to enter the U.S. market, the key question is whether this model can be successfully transferred and operated in a completely different market.

Beyond the haircut: When a barbershop becomes an experience

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) seeks to differentiate itself by developing an “Experiential Barbershop” concept, combining grooming with relaxation and entertainment.

From the moment customers walk through the door, they are greeted by a space filled with greenery, along with relaxation areas featuring pool tables, chess, a piano, a bar and bookshelves. The chain, which caters exclusively to men and boys, also features car-themed barber chairs and dedicated play areas for its younger customers.

Its services extend well beyond a haircut, including hair washing, ear cleaning, massage, hair restoration treatments, perming, coloring, nail care, shoe cleaning and phone sanitization.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) aims to change the way customers perceive a barbershop. Rather than simply purchasing a grooming service, customers can take time to relax, look after themselves or bring their children along to a space designed around the overall experience.

As consumers increasingly value the overall experience alongside service quality, this approach reflects the changing dynamics of the men’s grooming market.

The United States: East West Barbershop’s next major test

The United States is no random choice. It represents the next step in East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s international strategy, building on a business model that has already been tested in Vietnam and several overseas markets.

The U.S. is home to many major barbershop and salon brands and is one of the world’s most mature markets for franchising in the service sector.

Great Clips is a prime example. With thousands of salons across the United States and Canada, the brand demonstrates the scale a haircut business can achieve when its model is standardized and successfully replicated.

Supercuts, Sport Clips and many other chains have likewise spent years building strong brand recognition and extensive customer networks.

Against this backdrop, the Vietnamese brand must answer a fundamental question: Why would American consumers choose a brand from Vietnam over names they already know and recognize?

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s answer is not simply to compete on price. Its goal is to “export” a business model that combines customer experience, workforce training, operating standards and franchising.

This requires the company to turn its operational experience into a transferable system while addressing the many differences between Vietnam and the United States.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) identifies barber training, skills standardization and the ability to adapt to a new environment as key foundations of this process. International expansion also creates opportunities for Vietnamese barbers to gain exposure to international working environments.

East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) has also linked its development with social initiatives, including free vocational training for young people, mobile haircut programs offering free services, and contributions to charitable activities. These efforts contribute to a distinctive brand story: a service business seeking to develop its brand, its profession and its community at the same time.

After nearly a decade of establishment and development, East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) is gradually proving that a business model built in Vietnam can be standardized, franchised, and compete on the same playing field as the major players in the global hair industry.

If successful in the U.S., East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop)’s story will go beyond being a Top 10 brand or a network of more than 130 locations. It will be the story of how a Vietnamese service business transformed capabilities built at home into a model capable of reaching the global stage.

Hashtag: #EastWestBarbershop #Dongtaybarbershop

https://dongtaybarbershop.com

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

East West Barbershop Vietnam Joint Stock Company

Special Exhibition Launches Ahead of Hong Kong Stop of the Age of Romance World Tour

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 August 2026 – Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is pleased to announce the arrival of renowned singer-songwriter Silence Wang’s wax figure for a special six-month exhibition in its Glamour zone. The exhibition coincides with the Hong Kong stop of Silence Wang’s highly anticipated Age of Romance World Tour, offering fans an additional opportunity to celebrate the artist’s visit to the city.

This marks the first time Silence Wang’s wax figure has been exhibited in Hong Kong and the first collaboration between Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and the acclaimed artist. Running alongside his Hong Kong concerts from 4 to 6 September, the exhibition extends the concert experience beyond the stage, allowing visitors and fans to get up close to the star in an immersive themed setting.

Silence Wang Wax Figure Makes Hong Kong Debut

Since his debut, Silence Wang has established himself as one of the most influential singer-songwriters and music producers in the Chinese music industry. With 12 albums and more than 200 original songs to his name, he has built a strong following through hits including One Hundred Thousand Volts, 21st Century Romance, and Age of Romance ACT I. His upcoming Hong Kong concerts will also mark an important milestone, as he becomes the first Mainland Chinese artist to headline three consecutive shows at Kai Tak Stadium.

To celebrate Silence Wang’s achievements and his upcoming concerts in the city, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong has brought his wax figure from Shanghai to Hong Kong for a limited-time exhibition. Located at Victoria Peak, one of Hong Kong’s most iconic attractions, the exhibition offers local and visiting fans a unique opportunity to experience the figure in person. Created by Madame Tussauds’ studio artists in the United Kingdom over more than 240 days, the figure faithfully captures Silence Wang’s distinctive stage presence, from his signature pose to the intricate details of his performance styling.

From Beijing’s National Stadium to Hong Kong

The figure was first unveiled in March 2025 during Silence Wang’s One Hundred Thousand Volts 2.0 concert at Beijing National Stadium, commonly known as the Bird’s Nest. The launch marked a milestone for Madame Tussauds, representing the first time a celebrity wax figure had been officially unveiled on stage during a major concert production.

The figure is dressed in a replica of the custom-made outfit worn during Silence Wang’s The Great Entertainer New Year’s Concert, recreating one of the artist’s most memorable stage looks. Following its successful display in Shanghai, the figure now makes its Hong Kong debut ahead of the Age of Romance World Tour concerts. The exhibition offers fans an opportunity to revisit key moments from Silence Wang’s musical journey while celebrating his latest concert tour in Hong Kong.

Immersive Fan Experiences and Exclusive Ticket Offer

To celebrate the exhibition, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong will introduce a series of exclusive fan experiences. Inspired by the Age of Romance World Tour, a dedicated themed zone featuring lighting, sound and visual effects will recreate the atmosphere of a live concert.

In addition, an exclusive “Xiao Long Bao” Fans Ticket will be available via the official Madame Tussauds Hong Kong Douyin account for HK$199. Fans can enjoy close-up interactions with Silence Wang’s wax figure, take photographs in themed settings, listen to an exclusive greeting, receive a limited-edition souvenir ticket, and stand a chance of winning autographed memorabilia. Availability is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last. Visitors can also purchase an Admission + VR Experience Package on-site for just HK$210, offering excellent value access to both Madame Tussauds Hong Kong and its immersive virtual reality experience.

With limited quantities available, fans are encouraged to visit and experience the excitement surrounding Silence Wang’s Age of Romance World Tour at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
Hashtag: #MadameTussaudsHongKong

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About Madame Tussauds

Madame Tussauds has been inviting people to walk the red carpet and get closer to the revered for over 250 years. With 17 Merlin-operated attractions in the world’s top destination cities, we are dedicated to giving millions of visitors the opportunity to mingle with the mighty from A-listers to music legends, heroes of sport, to world leaders. Today, we continue to partner with the global icons of a generation to create astonishing lifelike figures from sittings and offer exciting and interactive experiences to ensure guests have never felt closer to fame.

About Merlin Entertainments

Merlin Entertainments is a world leader in branded entertainment destinations, offering a diverse portfolio of resort theme parks, city-centre gateway attractions and LEGOLAND Resorts which span across the UK, US, Western Europe, China and Asia Pacific. Dedicated to creating experiences that inspire joy and connection, Merlin welcomes more than 60 million guests annually to its diverse global estate in over 20 countries. An expert in bringing world-famous entertainment brands to life, Merlin works with partners including the LEGO Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Peppa Pig, DreamWorks and Ferrari to create destinations where guests can immerse themselves in a wide array of brand-driven worlds, rides and uplifting learning experiences.

See www.merlinentertainments.biz for more information.

Autonomous AI Attack-and-Defence Demonstrates Next-Generation Cybersecurity Talent and Advance Regional Digital Security Talent Development

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 August 2026 – The AI x Cybersecurity Challenge, jointly organised by the Digital Policy Office of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government, the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, and China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, and co-organised by Hong Kong Cyberport Management Company Limited, the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force, the Hong Kong Productivity Council, Venustech Group Inc., and Hong Kong Cloud Peak Technology Co., Limited, held the Finals today.

Following a 12-hour online qualifying round, a total of 40 teams advanced to the Final Competition, including 20 teams from the Chinese Mainland, 18 from Hong Kong, and two from overseas regions. The Challenge adopts an innovative AI-Driven Dual (AID) competition format, in which artificial intelligence (AI) executes the competition and enables autonomous defence by AI agents. Teams of up to three members showcase their capabilities in leveraging AI technologies for automated vulnerability discovery and exploitation, competing for total prize money of HK$180,000.

The event brings together representatives from Government, industry, academia and research organisations to witness the latest developments in AI-powered cybersecurity innovation. Officiating guests at the Opening Ceremony included Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Mr LI Shuguang, Director-General of the General Office of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr WANG Jiang, Director-General of the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, Mr Daniel CHEUNG, JP, Acting Commissioner for Digital Policy, Mr WANG Minwei, Deputy Director of the Cyberspace Administration of Guangdong Province, Dr Rocky CHENG, JP, President of the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, and Ms SHI Xiaoping, Director and Chief Executive Officer of China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited.

In his opening remarks, the Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Professor Sun Dong, said that AI is reshaping every aspect of people’s life at a breathtaking speed. He noted that although innovation may at times bring new threats, these same technologies can also spur defensive capabilities. As such, the Government champions an “AI versus AI” strategy, leveraging AI to forge the strongest shields to effectively manage risks associated with the use of AI.

Professor Sun added that the Government is continuously strengthening related policies, guidelines and ethical frameworks, as well as conducting regular cyber-attack-and-defence drills to better prepare for cybersecurity readiness. Through multi-pronged efforts, the Government hopes to guide society to apply AI responsibly, foster a healthy ecosystem, and strengthen city-wide resilience in face of cyber attacks.

Addressing AI-Era Cybersecurity Challenges Through Talent Development

The rapid advancement of AI is reshaping the global cybersecurity landscape. AI has evolved from a supporting tool for security analysis and threat monitoring into a technology capable of autonomously constructing attack chains and bypassing existing defence mechanisms. This has significantly lowered the technical barriers to cyberattacks, making sophisticated attack techniques more automated and accessible. Threat actors can leverage AI for intelligent vulnerability discovery, automated penetration testing, and even the creation of highly convincing deepfake content, enabling stealthier and more persistent cyberattacks.

As emerging threats such as model security risks, data poisoning, model theft, phishing attacks, supply chain vulnerabilities and automated exploitation continue to evolve, the demand for interdisciplinary talent with expertise in both AI and cybersecurity is becoming increasingly urgent. In response, the organisers aim to promote the practical application of AI technologies through this hands-on competition while cultivating a new generation of cybersecurity professionals equipped with cross-disciplinary expertise.

AI-Driven Attack-and-Defence Competition Platform

Unlike traditional Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions, this year’s Challenge adopts an innovative AI-Driven (AID) competition format. Participating teams leverage AI-powered automated systems to analyse the competition environment provided by the organisers, identify vulnerabilities and exploit them. The automated capabilities of the AI agents include information gathering, vulnerability discovery and flag submission. The competition environment incorporates both vulnerabilities found in real-world scenarios and simulated zero-day vulnerabilities that may exist in software systems.

The challenge design draws on concepts from international cybersecurity competitions and incorporates practical operating scenarios as well as simulated zero-day attack-and-defence environments, testing participants’ ability to apply AI technologies to real-world cybersecurity challenges. The Challenge aims to enhance participants’ practical attack-and-defence experience and innovation capabilities, promote the research and application of AI security technologies, and nurture a new generation of cybersecurity talent equipped with both strategic vision and practical expertise. Through these efforts, the competition seeks to strengthen capabilities in addressing AI-driven cyber threats.

Government, Industry, Academia and Research Communities Join Forces to Advance AI Security

This year’s Challenge brings together stakeholders from government, industry and research institutions to drive innovation in AI security technologies, strengthen cybersecurity capabilities and cultivate future talent.

Mr Wang Jiang, Director-General of the Chinese Academy of Cyberspace Studies, said, “AI technologies are reshaping the global cyber attack-and-defence landscape. While they lower the barriers to cyberattacks, they also drive the evolution of security protection from reactive response to proactive and intelligent defence. In this technological contest, using technology to counter technology has become an inevitable trend. By focusing on practical AI attack-and-defence capabilities, this competition aims to identify emerging talent and contribute to building a more trustworthy and intelligent cyberspace.”

Ms Shi Xiaoping, Director and Chief Executive Officer of China Mobile Hong Kong Company Limited, said, “As one of the organisers of this competition, China Mobile Hong Kong has devoted substantial resources to building an innovative AI attack-and-defence competition platform. Through continuous technology investment and ecosystem development, we actively fulfil our corporate social responsibility while showcasing Hong Kong’s innovation and leadership in AI cybersecurity to the world.”

Dr Rocky CHENG, JP, President of the Hong Kong Cybersecurity Professional Association, concluded, “AI-driven cyberattacks and agentic AI-related risks have emerged as some of the most significant cybersecurity threats today. Against this backdrop, cultivating interdisciplinary talent with expertise in AI system design, development and practical attack-and-defence capabilities has become an important pillar in strengthening Hong Kong’s overall cyber resilience.”

The Awards Presentation Ceremony will be held in late September 2026 during the China Cybersecurity Week to recognise teams that have demonstrated outstanding performance in the competition. The organisers encourage enterprises and organisations to continuously strengthen their cybersecurity governance, regularly review information system risks, enhance data protection measures and improve cyber incident response capabilities. Young talents are also encouraged to pursue opportunities in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, developing their expertise through training, professional certifications and hands-on competitions. Members of the public and organisations may also make use of the cybersecurity information, training programmes and support services provided by the Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) and other relevant organisations, helping to foster a safer, more secure and trustworthy digital ecosystem.

Please download the high-res photos HERE.

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About Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre

Managed by the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT) is the centre for coordination of computer security incident response for local enterprises and Internet Users. Its missions are to facilitate information disseminating, provide advices on preventive measures against security threats and to promote information security awareness.

HKCERT collaborates with local bodies to collect and disseminate information, and coordinate response actions. HKCERT is also a member of the Forum of Incident Response and Security Teams (FIRST) and the Asia Pacific Computer Emergency Response Team (APCERT). We exchange information with other CERTs and act as a point of contact on cross-border security incidents.

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.

For the first time, people in Asia can access a multimodal, objective assessment that moves beyond subjective questionnaires and interviews. The service leverages functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a non-invasive and painless technology that uses weak, harmless near-infrared light to measure brain activity in the frontal and temporal lobes. This is the same technology developed and validated by a team of psychological scientists whose work has been published in academic journals, including this publication and this publication, and featured in The Straits Times.

The principal investigator, who ranks among the world’s top 1–2% most highly cited psychological scientists, developed this approach to bring objective measurement to human functioning. The technology measures oxygen levels in the brain’s frontal and temporal lobes during cognitive tasks. Combined with eye-tracking and continuous performance tests, it provides a comprehensive and objective picture of inattention and hyperactivity.

This service is invaluable for parents concerned about their child’s inattention and hyperactivity, young adults, and working professionals who have long suspected neurodivergent difficulties but have lacked clear answers. By providing measurable biomarker data, the assessment helps people understand their own brain function, leading to more targeted support and interventions.

“This field often involves assessment without objective tools,” some scientists have stated, drawing a parallel to a simple test that provides a clear indication. This breakthrough offers a definitive, data-backed path towards understanding and managing one’s challenges.

The objective assessment represents a significant step forward in psychological assessment in Asia and has the potential to be extended to children and adults globally. For many, it marks the end of a long, uncertain struggle and the beginning of a clear, science-backed journey towards greater clarity and understanding.

Hashtag: #ObjectiveADHDassessment

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About www.objectiveADHDassessment.sg (Singapore)

The entity is dedicated to translating research findings into real-life applications, focusing on objective, state-of-the-art psychological multimodal assessments for children and adults, leveraging technology validated by leading experts from renowned local and overseas universities.

The new facility at Meenakshi Eco Park strengthens Hyderabad’s position within TDCX’s international delivery network and makes the country its fourth-largest operations base. The expansion is aimed at supporting global technology and digital economy clients requiring customer experience, sales, digital support and technology-enabled services.

The campus was formally opened on August 20 by TDCX founder and chief executive Laurent Junique, alongside Group chief information officer and executive vice-president Byron Fernandez and country director Ananth Premkumar.

The move marks a substantial expansion from TDCX’s initial entry into the market in 2022, when it established a 45,000 sq ft operation at Skyview 20 in Hyderabad’s technology corridor. That facility was designed both as a customer experience delivery centre and a digital innovation hub, with the company initially targeting specialists in software development and emerging technologies.

TDCX said the expansion reflects strong demand for services delivered from Hyderabad and the availability of skilled employees across technology, sales and customer operations. Its local business has developed from a relatively small start-up operation into a significant delivery centre serving international accounts.

The company’s growth also points to a wider shift in the outsourcing sector. Customer experience providers are increasingly moving beyond conventional voice-based support towards higher-value work covering digital sales, content operations, artificial intelligence-assisted customer service, trust and safety and technical support.

Hyderabad has benefited from that transition because of its established technology ecosystem and large pool of engineering and multilingual talent. Global technology, financial services and digital businesses have expanded operations in the city, while major property transactions during 2026 have underlined continued demand for large technology campuses.

TDCX operates in sectors including technology, e-commerce, digital advertising, financial services, travel, gaming and social media. Its services range from customer acquisition and sales to customer support and online community protection, placing its delivery centres at the intersection of the business process outsourcing and technology services industries.

The company currently operates dozens of locations across Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Americas and has more than 20,000 employees globally. Its network has expanded beyond its traditional Southeast Asian strongholds as clients seek greater geographic diversification and access to specialised talent.

The Hyderabad investment comes as the outsourcing industry adapts to rapid advances in generative artificial intelligence. Automation is increasingly handling routine customer queries, prompting service providers to focus employees on more complicated interactions, sales activity, problem resolution and specialist support.

Rather than eliminating the need for large delivery centres, the shift is changing the skills expected within them. Providers are investing in analytics, automation tools, AI-assisted workflows and employee training while competing for workers capable of managing sophisticated customer interactions.

For TDCX, the scale-up in Hyderabad offers access to a workforce that can support those higher-value functions while maintaining the cost and operating advantages associated with major outsourcing locations. The company has previously identified the city’s technology talent as a factor behind its decision to establish its first operation there.

The new campus also gives TDCX additional capacity as global companies review the resilience of their service networks. Businesses increasingly spread operations across several locations to reduce concentration risks and ensure uninterrupted customer support across different time zones.

That trend has strengthened the position of established technology hubs capable of handling large international accounts. Hyderabad competes with Bengaluru, Chennai, Pune and the National Capital Region for investment from technology companies, global capability centres and business services providers.

TDCX’s expansion is significant because its workforce growth in the country has occurred even as parts of the global technology and outsourcing industries have faced pressure to improve productivity and restrain costs. The company has continued to build capacity in markets where it sees demand for specialised digital customer experience services.

The Meenakshi Eco Park operation will complement the existing Hyderabad facility rather than replace it, giving TDCX a larger local platform from which to support international clients.

The company is also positioning workplace design and employee development as elements of its expansion strategy as competition for skilled customer experience and technology professionals intensifies. Its campuses combine operational delivery areas with training and collaborative spaces intended to support technology-enabled working.

New Meenakshi Eco Park campus supports a more than 600% increase in TDCX’s India headcount over three years, reinforcing the country’s role in serving global technology and digital economy clients

HYDERABAD, INDIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2026 – TDCX, a leading global customer experience solutions firm, today opened its second campus in India at Meenakshi Eco Park in Hyderabad. The new site reinforces India’s position as the company’s fourth-largest operations base and follows a more than 600% increase in TDCX’s India headcount over the past three years.

Hyderabad is one of TDCX’s fastest-growing locations, supported by the city’s strong technology ecosystem, deep talent pool, and growing reputation as a center for customer experience, sales, digital support, and technology-enabled services.

Hashtag: #TDCX #CX #Outsourcing #EnableTheFuture

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About TDCX

For more information, please visit www.tdcx.com.

Collaboration could extend Singapore-developed AI training to ICAI’s members and students, alongside greater recognition of relevant professional learning

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 August 2026 – The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) are deepening their longstanding collaboration through two initiatives focussed on strengthening AI capabilities among accounting professionals and enhancing professional qualification recognition.

ISCA today signed a Letter of Cooperation setting out a framework for proposed Global AI Fluency Initiative centred on ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme. The proposed cooperation will explore how ISCA and ICAI can work together to extend practical and responsible AI learning to ICAI members and students, subject to relevant approvals and mutually agreed implementation arrangements.

ISCA also announced its approval of a proposed Module Exemption Agreement (MEA) with ICAI relating to their professional qualification pathways.

Extending Singapore-developed AI capability internationally

The proposed AI collaboration builds on the early momentum of ISCA’s AI Fluency Programme. Through the proposed collaboration, ISCA and ICAI will explore opportunities to extend access of the programme to ICAI’s professional community of more than 1.5 million members and students, broadening the international reach of Singapore-developed AI capability building for the accountancy profession.

The approximately 30-hour programme comprises 180 hands-on cases based on workplace applications, structured around three areas:

• AI Fluency Foundations: Building essential AI confidence for everyday professional work;
• AI for Accounting Specialisations: Applying AI across accounting, audit, finance, tax and related professional functions; and
• AI Leadership & Governance: Developing the capability to lead AI adoption responsibly, with appropriate governance and oversight.

The practical approach is designed to help learners identify where AI can add value while continuing to exercise professional judgement, appropriate oversight and responsibility for their work.

The proposed collaboration will explore:

• Programme promotion: Supporting the promotion of respective AI programmes to each institute’s members through mutually agreed arrangements;
• Member outreach and promotion: Promoting the AI Fluency Programme to ICAI members in India and, where appropriate, across ICAI’s global network through mutually agreed communications;
• Professional application: Exchanging views and use cases on the application of AI in accounting, audit, finance, tax and related professional work;
• AI leadership and responsible adoption: Sharing perspectives on appropriate governance, oversight and responsible adoption of AI within the profession; and
• Knowledge exchange: Exploring further opportunities for thought leadership, professional learning and capability development relating to AI.

Strengthening professional recognition

ISCA has approved a proposed Module Exemption Agreement (MEA) with ICAI. The proposed arrangement would provide specified exemptions under the respective qualification pathways for eligible ICAI and ISCA members, supporting greater recognition of professional qualifications.

While the MEA has yet to be formally executed, ISCA will implement the specified exemptions from the SCAQ for eligible ICAI members with effect from 21 August 2026. Eligible candidates must continue to meet the applicable entry, assessment and remaining qualification requirements. ¹

The AI initiative and proposed module exemption arrangement collaborations are built on the longstanding relationship between ISCA and ICAI and their shared commitment to developing a future-ready, internationally connected accountancy profession.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI is reshaping the accountancy profession and building AI fluency alongside strong professional expertise will be critical to enabling the profession to adapt and create greater value. Through the proposed Global AI Fluency initiative, we hope to share Singapore’s experience in practical and responsible AI capability development with a wider professional community and contribute to responsible AI adoption across the global accountancy profession. Our longstanding relationship with ICAI also provides opportunities to strengthen the recognition of relevant professional learning and reduce extent of duplication for qualified professionals. Together, these initiatives contribute to a future-ready and internationally connected accountancy profession.”

Mr Prasanna Kumar D, President of ICAI, said: “The exchange of letters between ICAI and ISCA on 21st August marks a defining step in our shared journey and a clear statement of intent to work towards strengthening recognition between our professional qualifications. For our members, this opens up the potential for greater opportunities and professional recognition. At the same time, our discussions on Artificial Intelligence capability building reflect our shared commitment to strengthening AI capabilities across the profession. We look forward to working closely with ISCA to explore mutually beneficial opportunities for knowledge sharing, capacity building and preparing a future ready profession.”

¹ The formal execution of the MEA remains subject to the necessary approvals in India and completion of the remaining formalities.
Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

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Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

Strategic Selection: A Global Education Hub
For students planning to study abroad, choosing a university often means balancing academic reputation with a curriculum that aligns with current industry needs and global trends. Hong Kong’s blend of Eastern and Western cultures, strong academic institutions, and global career pathways makes it a natural draw. Through CUHK’s Scholarship Nomination Programme for Vietnamese students, Dat identified a programme that stood apart. “CUHK quickly became my top and only choice because of its strong reputation, supportive community, and the unique major I was passionate about,” he shared.

Bridging Technical Rigour and Holistic Education
Since joining the Faculty of Engineering, Dat’s academic experience reflects a broader transformation in engineering education. The SEEM curriculum continuously challenges students to think critically and solve complex operational problems. Its unique blend of engineering principles and economic theory equips students to tackle real-world business challenges. Dat has especially valued courses that combine quantitative problem-solving with practical business applications.

Beyond his major, CUHK’s University General Education courses has allowed Dat to explore interdisciplinary fields beyond engineering, reinforcing a holistic perspective that is increasingly valued by global employers.

A Vibrant Campus Environment and Cross-Cultural Connection
Outside the lecture hall, Dat has built a rich university life. He participates in cultural exchange workshops, joins language exchanges with international students, volunteers at campus events, and explores Hong Kong through hiking trips.

One memory stands out in particular: celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival on campus with close Vietnamese friends. “Sharing these special cultural moments made me feel truly at home and gave me more confidence adapting to university life,” he noted. For Dat, CUHK is defined by the balance of academic rigour and inspiring community.

CUHK’s Systems Engineering and Engineering Management Programme
The SEEM programme prepares graduates to manage complex, data-driven systems across modern industries by integrating engineering technology with management. Key highlights include:

• Specialised Streams: Offers focused specialisation streams in Business Information Systems and Decision Analytics.
• Analytical Toolkit: Trains students in advanced mathematical tools including optimisation, stochastic modelling, and computer simulation.
• Technology at the Core: Infuses core engineering studies with cutting-edge expertise in machine learning, big data analytics, and artificial intelligence.
• Global Career Paths: Equips competitive graduates for prominent positions in asset management, information technology consulting, and e-commerce supply chain management.

For more information about CUHK’s undergraduate programmes, visit https://admission.cuhk.edu.hk/.

Hashtag: #CUHK

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Firmly Implementing the “Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels” Strategy; Super BOOM Capsule Technology Achieves Full Commercialization; Deepens Global Professional Sports Resources Together with Curry

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

• In the first half of the year, the Group recorded the following operating results:
  • Revenue rose by 2.8% to RMB15,235 million; gross profit margin increased by 0.9 percentage points to 50.9%
  • Net operating cash inflow was RMB954 million
  • Net profit attributable to equity holders was RMB1,816 million with net profit margin of 11.9%, and EBITDA margin was 22.1%
• Working capital remained at a healthy level:
  • The percentage of gross average working capital to revenue was 7.8%
  • The cash conversion cycle was 35 days, an increase of 4 days compared with the same period last year
• The Board resolved to declare an interim dividend of RMB35.12 cents per ordinary share of the Company issued or to be issued upon conversion of convertible securities for the six months ended 30 June 2026.

OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

• The retail sell-through for the overall platform increased by low-single-digit from last year, including online and offline channels.
• Offline channel new products sell-through accounted for 83% of overall offline channel sell-through, maintaining a healthy and reasonable level.
• Channel inventory-to-sales ratio of 4 months; and inventory level and ageing structure remained at a healthy level.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 August 2026 – Li Ning Company Limited (“Li Ning” or the “Company”, together with its subsidiaries, collectively the “Group”; Hong Kong Stock Exchange stock codes: 2331 (HKD counter) and 82331 (RMB counter)) today announced the unaudited interim results of the Group for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Reporting Period”).

FINANCIAL RESULTS

In the first half of 2026, the Group continued to enhance product technology performance, optimise channel efficiency and deepen its professional brand mindset, maintaining steady operations. During the period, the Group’s revenue reached RMB15,235 million, up 2.8% year-on-year (2025: RMB14,817 million). Gross profit was RMB7,751 million, up 4.5% year-on-year (2025: RMB7,415 million), and the Group’s overall gross profit margin was 50.9%, up 0.9 percentage points year-on-year (2025: 50.0%).

During the period, profit attributable to equity holders of the Group was RMB1,816 million (2025: RMB1,737 million); the margin of profit attributable to equity holders was 11.9% (2025: 11.7%); and return on equity attributable to equity holders was 6.5% (2025: 6.5%). Basic earnings per share were RMB70.40 cents (2025: RMB67.43 cents). The Board resolved to declare an interim dividend of RMB35.12 cents per ordinary share of the Company issued or to be issued upon conversion of convertible securities for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (2025: RMB33.59 cents).

In terms of cash flow management, net cash generated from operating activities during the period amounted to RMB954 million (2025: RMB2,411 million). As at 30 June 2026, cash and cash equivalents (including cash at banks and in hand, and fixed term deposits with original maturity of not more than three months) amounted to RMB13,003 million, a decrease of RMB3,713 million compared with 31 December 2025. Adding back amounts recorded in bank time deposits, the cash balance was RMB19,389 million, a net decrease of RMB585 million compared with 31 December 2025. During the period, revenue increased year-on-year while cash expenses such as marketing expenses and taxes increased, resulting in a year-on-year decrease in net cash generated from operating activities; an increase in time deposits led to a significant increase in net cash used in investing activities. The Group will continue to prioritise cash flow management to ensure the stable development of the Company in the long term.

BUSINESS OVERVIEW

In the first half of 2026, the Group firmly implemented its core development strategy of “Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels”. On one hand, it continuously strengthened the core of professional sports technology and product performance, consolidating the brand’s professional mindset in niche segments; on the other hand, it continuously deepened its highly efficient operating model, maintaining solid operating fundamentals and a healthy inventory level.

In terms of product upgrades, the Group drove iterative upgrades in the performance of its core category products through technological innovation, and coordinated the synergistic development of the core categories of running, basketball, training, badminton, table tennis and sports casual. The Group launched its “Super BOOM Capsule” technology, applied to racing running shoe series such as Feidian and Red Hare, covering the full-scenario needs of competitive training, elite and mass runners; the LI-NING Aerospace Dynamic Thermal Technology was applied to the award equipment of the Chinese Sports Delegation at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics. The Group also expanded its outdoor product matrix and accelerated its layout in the outdoor market.

In terms of brand communication, the Group focused on building an all-round sports resource system represented by its cooperation with the Chinese Olympic Committee (the “COC”) and top international athlete IPs. During the period, the Group continued to strengthen its strategic partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee, developing podium wear for the Chinese sports delegation competing at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics, and establishing a presence at the “China House” in Milan, working alongside the Chinese Olympic Committee to showcase the strength of Chinese sports. In addition, the Group entered into a long-term strategic partnership with NBA superstar Stephen Curry and his brand “Curry Brand”, cooperating on the research and development of professional basketball equipment, the promotion of event culture, and the expansion of new-generation consumer groups, enhancing LI-NING’s professional sports brand perception and international exposure.

In terms of channels, the Group continued to deepen strategic synergy with leading commercial complexes and orderly carried out the planning and roll-out of innovative store formats. During the period, the standalone outdoor store “COUNTERFLOW” officially opened in Chongqing, laying the foundation for the Group’s outdoor category to deepen its presence in the Southwest regional market; the Group’s cooperation with quality commercial resources also entered a new stage, creating favourable conditions for the concentrated opening of multiple “Loong Stores” in the second half of the year. At the same time, the Group continued to optimise its rental structures and commercial cooperation models, enhancing the overall operating health of its channels.

In terms of retail operations, the Group promoted dual-driven growth in products and brand by establishing a high-tier market operating model and a distribution business operating model. In high-tier markets, the Group strengthened its brand image around three dimensions, namely channel structure optimisation, refinement of store product mix and upgrading the shopping experience, driving incremental capture of brand elevation and category depth. In terms of distribution business, the Group concurrently established a distribution management model to enhance distribution efficiency and the sustainable operating capability of the channel. In terms of terminal operating capability, the Group continued to drive the implementation of retail standards on a project basis, strengthened coordination efficiency between headquarters and terminals, and enhanced sports advisors’ customer reception capability and professional service standards, comprehensively improving consumers’ shopping experience in LI-NING stores and laying the foundation for enhanced single-store operating efficiency.

In terms of e-commerce operations, the Group leveraged key promotional opportunities including Tmall Celebration Day, Goddess Festival and 618 to precisely target new-customer acquisition and deeply reach female consumer groups, effectively driving simultaneous growth in sales scale and brand influence. The Group also converted cutting-edge technology into quality product experiences, coordinated Olympic champions and celebrity spokesperson resources, and worked with fashion magazines, trend events and social media platforms to continuously consolidate its professional sports mindset. Flagship products including basketball shoes Gamma 2, LI REN 6V2 and DLO 2, as well as the running shoe matrix of Wushi, Youzhi and Zhui Feng, all achieved notable results in expanding awareness and increasing sales, while the Feeling family remained ranked first in searches in the thin-soled shoe segment.

In terms of new retail business, the Group established a new retail department to focus on mapping out its omni-channel growth business model. Through the O2O model, it connected online and offline merchandise pools, providing consumers with a more consistent and efficient shopping experience. The Group also accelerated its layout on mainstream instant-retail platforms, making concerted efforts across three areas: channel store expansion, merchandise matching and refined single-store operations. On the one hand, it fully leveraged the Group’s multi-category advantages, expanding product coverage on the basis of core categories such as running shoes, basketball shoes and lifestyle apparel in combination with sports and lifestyle scenario needs; on the other hand, it strengthened the supply of seasonal categories such as outdoor and sun protection around consumption nodes such as holiday travel, driving stable growth in sales scale for the instant-retail channel.

In terms of product management, to respond to market competition, the Group increased its technology investment in high-end professional running shoes, leveraging the “Feidian” family driven by “Super BOOM Capsule” technology and the brand-new “Red Hare ULTRA” series to consolidate the brand’s product mindset and market position among professional runners. While the basketball shoe market faced challenges, the Group relied on core signature models combined with an e-commerce-channel-led promotion strategy to keep basketball shoe sales stable across directly-operated and e-commerce channels. The Group also actively applied flexible supply models such as segmented production and rolling replenishment orders, dynamically adjusting order scale according to actual sales and, in particular, carrying out refined control of the inventory structure for the running shoe category, maintaining healthy inventory levels amid a challenging market environment.

In terms of supply chain and logistics, the Group continued to advance the building of a large supply-chain system across five directions: planning management, quality control, cost management, development management and digital-intelligence transformation. The Group actively advanced the development of its Glory Gold Label series to safeguard the supply of top-tier event equipment, while also promoting the implementation of AI and 3DVR design and development processes for footwear, substantially shortening the R&D cycle. On the logistics front, the Group advanced omni-channel logistics integration, connecting online and offline inventory, and continued to drive warehouse automation and the application of RFID technology, improving the efficiency of goods flow and the precision of inventory management.

OUTLOOK

Looking ahead to the second half of 2026, the Group will continue to seize the development opportunities arising from the ongoing release of domestic demand potential, uphold its core value of ” Serve With Sportsmanship “, continuously refine the “LI-NING’s experience value”, and strive to become the preferred professional sports brand trusted by consumers in the sports consumption sector.

1. Technology-driven product upgrades: The Group will continue to adhere to technological innovation as its core driving force, strengthening the core competitiveness of its products through the three major levers of its technology innovation platform, a full-scenario category matrix and Eastern aesthetics, while reinforcing its layout in high-potential tracks such as professional sports and urban outdoor.
2. Top-tier resources empowering the brand: The Group will coordinate its domestic and overseas marketing resources. By leveraging core resource deployments such as its partnership with the Chinese Olympic Committee and collaborations with superstar IPs, the Group will build a multi-dimensional, long-term and high-conversion communication system. The Group will continue to deepen its long-term cooperation with the Chinese Olympic Committee, supporting the Chinese sports delegation as it competes in international events such as the 2026 Asian Games, and will deepen its strategic cooperation with Stephen Curry and “Curry Brand”.
3. Elevating both the quality and efficiency of business operations: The Group will focus on the three core pillars of channel layout, merchandise systems and supply chain integration, accelerating online-offline integration, prioritising the scalable replication of innovative store formats such as “Loong Store”, and building a flexible supply chain system that is high-efficiency, low-cost and fast-response.
4. Strengthening the foundation to safeguard development: The Group will reinforce its operating foundation across talent, finance and digital intelligence, building out its talent pipeline, maintaining ample cash flow and a rigorous risk control mechanism, and advancing the deep penetration of artificial intelligence and digital technologies across the full scenarios of R&D, production and channels.

Mr. Li Ning, Executive Chairman and Joint Chief Executive Officer of the Group, commented,“The year 2026 marks the opening year of the ’15th Five-Year Plan’. Although the external trade landscape was complex and volatile in the first half of the year and structural divergence in the domestic consumer market persisted, consumption in functional niche segments such as professional sports and urban outdoor remained resilient, supported by a series of national policies to expand domestic demand and promote consumption. Facing a challenging external environment, the Group firmly implemented its core development strategy of ‘Single Brand, Multi-categories, Diversified Channels’, achieving steady growth in both revenue and profit while maintaining healthy inventory and working capital levels, a clear demonstration of the resilience of the Group’s operating fundamentals.

Looking ahead to the second half of the year, we will stay rooted locally while looking to the future, seizing the structural opportunities brought by the ’15th Five-Year Plan’ policies to expand domestic demand and build a leading sports nation, advancing the scalable replication of innovative store formats such as ‘Loong Store’, deepening the dual drivers of technological innovation and top-tier sports resources, so as to deliver higher-quality and more sustainable steady operations in return for the long-term trust of our consumers and shareholders.”

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About Li Ning Company Limited

Li Ning Company Limited is one of the leading sports brand companies in China, mainly operating professional and leisure footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories under the LI-NING brand. The Group has comprehensive research and development, design, manufacturing, marketing, distribution and retail management capabilities. It has established an extensive retail distribution network and supply chain management system in China. We are committed to be the most prominent, stylish, world-leading sports brand from China.

In addition to its core LI-NING brand, the Group also manufactures, develops, markets, distributes, sells various sports products which are self-owned by or licensed to the Group, including Double Happiness (table tennis), AIGLE (outdoor sports) and Kason (badminton), which are operated through joint venture/associate with third parties of the Group.

Mr Munafò joined Allianz Trade in 2015 as part of the Multinationals team and has spent over a decade shaping the company’s commercial strategy across four regions. Rising through key account management roles spanning MMEA, APAC, and Northern Europe – including his appointment as Regional Account Director for Northern Europe in 2021 – he was named Group Head of Broker Management and Partnerships in 2025, where he was responsible for defining and executing Allianz Trade’s global commercial and distribution strategy and strengthening broker partnerships across multiple regions. Mr Munafò holds an MBA from POLIMI Graduate School of Management (Politecnico di Milano) and a degree in Law from Università Bocconi with a major in Public Sector and Law.

On this appointment, Rodrigo Jimenez, Regional CEO at Allianz Trade in Asia Pacific, says: “Over the past decade, Scott has built extensive experience across various regions, demonstrating a strong track record in growing commercial portfolios, building strategic partnerships, and maintaining exceptional customer retention. His international experience, commercial leadership, and deep understanding of our business make him exceptionally well positioned to lead our China operations. I am confident that, together with the local management team, Scott will successfully drive our growth ambitions and deliver continued success in this important and fast-growing market.”

Mr Munafò remarks: “Allianz Trade has been part of China’s trade story for nearly two decades – built on the strength of our team, our partners, and our customers who have trusted us through every cycle. I am honoured to be entrusted with what so many have built together. My commitment is simple: to keep listening, to keep creating lasting value and to ensure the next chapter sets a new standard.”
Hashtag: #allianztrade #tradecreditinsurance

https://www.allianz-trade.com/en_HK.html
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Allianz Trade

Allianz Trade is the global leader in trade credit insurance and a recognized specialist in the areas of surety, collections, structured trade credit and political risk. Our proprietary intelligence network is based on instant access to data of 289 million corporates. We give companies the confidence to trade by securing their payments. We compensate your company in the event of a bad debt, but more importantly, we help you avoid bad debt in the first place. Whenever we provide trade credit insurance or other finance solutions, our priority is predictive protection. But, when the unexpected arrives, our AA credit rating means we have the resources, backed by Allianz to provide compensation to maintain your business. Headquartered in Paris, Allianz Trade is present in over 40 countries with 5,900 employees. In 2025, our consolidated turnover was EUR4 billion and insured global business transactions represented EUR1,400 billion in exposure. For more information, please visit allianz-trade.com.