The head of the International Monetary Fund on Monday defined the direction of glbal economic travel with unusual clarity. “All roads now lead to higher prices and slower growth,” said managing director Kristalina Georgieva in an interview. The IMF had expected global growth of 3.3% in 2026. Six weeks of war centred on Iran and the disruption of the Strait of Hormuz have already forced a rethink. […]
The rebound matters because EAF steel has long struggled to gain ground in China despite official support for cleaner production. The route relies mainly on scrap rather than iron ore and coking coal, making it structurally less carbon intensive than the blast furnace-basic oxygen furnace model that still dominates the country’s steel industry. World Steel Association figures show the global production mix is far more tilted towards EAF than China’s, with electric-arc furnaces accounting for 28.6% of world crude steel output, while average carbon intensity for scrap-based EAF steelmaking is markedly below that of the conventional blast furnace route.
For Chinese mills, the immediate story is not only about decarbonisation but about economics. Higher finished-steel prices and steadier demand for construction steel have made it easier for some EAF operators to restart or raise run-rates after a prolonged spell in which many were squeezed by electricity bills, uneven scrap supply and patchy orders. Reuters reported in late February that warmer weather and the resumption of building activity typically support steel demand in March, while temporary production curbs in northern blast-furnace regions also helped firm futures prices. That backdrop has narrowed the gap between scrap-fed mills and traditional producers, even if the advantage remains fragile.
Yet the broader steel market in China remains difficult. Official and consultancy data cited by Reuters show crude steel output in 2025 fell to 960.1 million tonnes, down 4.4% from 2024 and below one billion tonnes for the first time since 2019. That decline reflected a managed effort by Beijing to address overcapacity, but it also underscored softer domestic demand and the long shadow cast by the property downturn. State-backed forecasts cited by Reuters indicate steel demand is expected to slip again in 2026 after contracting sharply in 2025, suggesting that EAF mills are recovering within a shrinking overall market rather than riding a broad-based industrial boom.
That tension helps explain why Beijing continues to press for structural change. The National Development and Reform Commission said in March that China would curb excess capacity in steel and other heavy industries in an orderly way, renewing a campaign that has featured repeatedly in official policy language. The cleaner EAF route fits that policy direction because it uses recycled feedstock and can reduce reliance on imported iron ore, but steelmakers still take their cues from margins first. When profits weaken, producers often retreat to whichever process best matches raw material costs, local power tariffs and available supply chains.
The environmental case for EAF expansion remains strong. Reuters reported last year that China had aimed to raise EAF steel’s share of crude steel production to 15% by 2025 and 20% by the end of the decade, but the actual share had been stuck around 10%. A 2025 review by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said missing the 15% milestone would add more than 160 million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions compared with a stronger shift towards cleaner steelmaking, while high electricity costs, unreliable scrap flows and financial strain had kept many EAF operators on the back foot.
China’s steel industry also faces an external pressure point: trade. Even as domestic demand softened, exports climbed to a record 119.02 million tonnes in 2025, up 7.5% from a year earlier, according to Reuters. That export surge helped keep mills running, but it also intensified complaints abroad over cheap supply and raised the risk of more trade barriers. For EAF producers, this creates a mixed picture. Strong export channels can support domestic steel prices and improve mill economics, yet any escalation in trade restrictions would feed back into the entire sector, including the greener producers now regaining confidence.
Israel has warned civilians across Iran to avoid trains and railway lines, signalling a new phase in its expanding campaign against Iranian infrastructure as the conflict entered a more dangerous stage on Tuesday. The Israeli military issued the message in Persian on its official account, telling people not to travel by rail or go near railway tracks until 9pm local time, and saying their presence there could […]
This marks the first time an Asia-wide environmental hackathon exclusively for undergraduate and master’s students is held in Vietnam. The competition aims to identify and develop technology-driven solutions to pressing environmental challenges, while fostering innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration among the younger generation.
Participants will advance through three main stages: Registration & Preliminary (April 6 – May 17, 2026); Online Training Phase (June 2 – June 28, 2026); and Final Round & Hackathon at VinUniversity (July 2 – July 5, 2026, tentative).
During the Registration & Preliminary Round, participants register online in teams of up to four members. Eligible applicants must be current undergraduate or master’s students at universities across Asia.
Application materials include an idea proposal and an introductory video. Based on evaluation by the Technical Board, the Top 30 teams will be selected to advance to the next stage.
The competition encourages interdisciplinary ideas that integrate multiple fields—including technology, environmental sciences, economics, and social sciences—with the aim of creating solutions that are innovative, feasible, and socially impactful.
Proposed ideas should address one of three key challenge areas: Renewable Energy and Low-Carbon Mobility; Urban Air Quality and Climate Resilience; Water Resources and Climate-Resilient Agriculture.
During the Online Training Round, the Top 30 teams will participate in a series of intensive training sessions and expert consultations with multidisciplinary specialists. These sessions are designed to equip teams with deeper domain knowledge and up-to-date insights on sustainability trends and relevant technologies, enabling them to further refine and expand their proposed solutions.
During the Final Round and Award Ceremony, all travel and accommodation expenses for the Top 30 teams will be fully covered. The teams will take part in a 24-hour hackathon at VinUniversity (Hanoi), where they will further develop and refine their technology-driven solutions before presenting them to the Judging Panel. Based on this evaluation, the Top 9 teams will be selected to advance to the final assessment round, from which the winning team will be determined.
The Chair of the Judging Panel is Prof. Duong Nguyen Vu, Vice Provost of Graduate Education at VinUniversity and Chief Scientific Officer at the Center for AI Research. He had been a Professor of Aerospace Engineering at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore until July 2025, where he served as Scientific Director at the Air Traffic Management Research Institute (ATMRI). Under his leadership—as Executive Director until 2025—the institute has emerged as a global leader in air traffic management research, thanks in large part to the scientific foundation he helped establish. Before joining NTU, Prof. Vu was the founding Director of the John von Neumann Institute at Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, spearheading university-industry collaborations and championing innovation and entrepreneurship in education.
Prior to returning to Vietnam in 2010, he was Head of Innovative Research and Senior Scientific Advisor at the European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (EUROCONTROL). He also advised Vietnam’s Minister of Planning and Investment on innovation strategy, contributing to the establishment of the National Innovation Center.
The competition offers a total prize pool of USD 24,000, comprising one First Prize of USD 8,000, one Second Prize of USD 5,000, two Third Prizes of USD 3,000 each, and five Consolation Prizes of USD 1,000 each. Beyond the awards, participating teams will gain valuable opportunities to engage with leading experts from across the region, expand their professional networks, and strengthen their access to the broader innovation ecosystem.
Dr. Le Thai Ha, Managing Director of the “For Green Future” Foundation and Head of the Organizing Committee, shared: “We believe that ideas with the power to shape the future do not always emerge from large laboratories or well-established institutions; they often arise from the insight, initiative, and determination of young people to make a difference. Through the Asian Hackathon for Green Future, we seek to create a platform where students across the region can transform their environmental awareness into tangible, innovative solutions that deliver meaningful impact for communities and the future.”
The Asian Hackathon for Green Future is expected to foster innovation aligned with sustainable development, while contributing to the development of a new generation of young talents capable of cross-border collaboration to create solutions with lasting, positive impact across the region.
Interested candidates may register for the competition via: https://forms.gle/o3L5BVLExUYKQtGJA
For any inquiries, please contact the Organizing Committee at hackathon@foundationforgreenfuture.com for further assistance.
Hashtag: #ForGreenFutureFund
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Greenlogue/AP Solar power capacity across the Gulf Cooperation Council has expanded at an exceptional rate, with a new GCC-Stat report showing average annual growth of 88.1 per cent between 2013 and 2024, underscoring how one of the world’s leading hydrocarbon-producing regions is accelerating investment in cleaner energy while also strengthening climate resilience measures. The same report said electricity generated from solar energy climbed from 0.13 thousand gigawatt-hours […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai and Abu Dhabi have retained places among the world’s leading smart cities in the latest IMD Smart City Index, underscoring how the two emirates have turned digital infrastructure, public services and urban planning into a defining part of their global profile. The 2026 index placed Dubai sixth and Abu Dhabi tenth out of 148 cities, while the 2025 edition had ranked them […]
Greenlogue/AP Parched hillsides and a sharply weaker winter rain pattern are putting Darjeeling tea under fresh strain, with planters warning that the famed first flush harvest is again under pressure and that the flavour profile underpinning the tea’s global prestige is becoming harder to preserve. Rainfall deficits across eastern and north-eastern parts of the country were severe through early February, and Darjeeling itself was reported to have […]
Greenlogue/AP Al-Baha Municipality has launched a one-hour lights-off campaign aimed at cutting carbon emissions and building public support for sustainability, joining a broader national effort to link local action with Saudi Arabia’s environmental targets. The “Al-Baha Green Hour” initiative saw non-essential lighting switched off in 28 buildings and across several neighbourhoods, while safety-related lighting remained in operation. The move, announced on March 28, was framed as both […]
Dubai Municipality has unveiled a Dh150 million plan to install electric-vehicle supercharging facilities across 600 public parking spaces at parks, beaches and recreational sites, in a move aimed at widening access to charging beyond roadsides, malls and fuel stations. The scheme, announced on Friday, is being rolled out with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, known as UAEV, and its first phase will bring 75 supercharging stations serving […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Kingdom Holding Company has agreed to buy Prince Alwaleed bin Talal AlSaud’s stake in Breakthrough Energy Ventures for 255 million riyals, or about $68 million, in a deal that pushes the Riyadh-listed investment firm further into climate-focused venture capital while underlining the growing role of Gulf capital in technology bets beyond conventional energy. The company disclosed the transaction on 2 April and said […]
Greenlogue/AP TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar have signed a binding agreement to create a $2.2 billion joint venture that will combine their onshore renewable energy activities across nine Asian markets, in a move that underlines how large energy groups are shifting capital towards power demand growth in the region. The partners said the new platform will be owned equally, based in Abu […]
The agreement marks the next phase of cooperation between Green SM Indonesia and BCA, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting sustainable, well-governed business development in Indonesia’s urban mobility sector.
The investment loan facility is intended to support Green SM Indonesia’s operational readiness and service continuity. The facility provides a stable financial structure to underpin the company’s disciplined growth approach and support consistent service delivery across its existing urban operations.
The signing builds on earlier cooperation between the two parties, which began with Green SM’s market launch in Jakarta in December 2024. Since then, BCA and Green SM Indonesia have collaborated on customer-focused programs and initiatives to improve service accessibility and raise awareness of environmentally responsible transportation solutions. The transition from cooperation activities to a formal financing arrangement reflects the maturation of this partnership and BCA’s support in Green SM Indonesia’s operational model and governance standards.
The cooperation also reflects BCA’s broader role in supporting business sectors that are adapting to evolving urban development needs, including shifts toward more efficient and forward-looking mobility solutions.
Representing BCA, Mr. Denny Haryanto, SVP Corporate Banking BCA said: “This agreement reflects our approach to supporting businesses with a long-term outlook. Sustainable transportation is increasingly important to Indonesia’s urban development. Through this cooperation, we support initiatives that align with long-term economic resilience and environmental responsibility.”
Mr. Deny Tjia, Managing Director of Green SM Indonesia, said the agreement reflects trust built through consistent cooperation and shared values. “The investment loan agreement reflects recognition of the disciplined operating model and long-term development orientation that Green SM Indonesia has pursued since its early stages. The facility further strengthens the company’s financial foundation, supporting stable and consistent service delivery across the cities where it operates.”
Since commencing operations, Green SM Indonesia has established a presence in several major urban centers, including Jakarta, Makassar, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Bali. These cities face increasingly complex urban mobility requirements alongside rising expectations for cleaner, more responsible transport solutions. In the Indonesian market, Green SM provides all-electric taxi services that support routine urban travel while reducing emissions and noise. The company’s operating approach emphasizes reliability, professional service standards, and scalability aligned with city-level transport planning.
Through this agreement, Green SM Indonesia and BCA reaffirm their shared view that the transition to sustainable urban mobility requires not only electric vehicle technology but also sound financial structures, responsible governance, and long-term commitment. The investment loan agreement is a practical step to support that transition in Indonesia’s evolving mobility landscape.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GSM (Green Smart Mobility) is the world’s first company to operate an all-electric ride-hailing service across multiple platforms. As a pioneer in sustainable transportation, GSM has built the foundation for a cleaner, smarter, and more responsible mobility model powered entirely by VinFast electric vehicles. GSM is committed to developing a future-ready mobility ecosystem and inspiring greener lifestyles in countries rapidly embracing sustainability.
Green SM is GSM’s official global brand, representing the company’s vision and values in every market it serves. In Southeast Asia, Green SM operates in Indonesia; under the name Xanh SM in Vietnam and Laos; and as Green GSM in the Philippines. Across all markets, the brand offers a refined travel experience with VinFast electric cars, professional drivers, and a service culture centered on safety and care.
Green SM represents progress toward a future where technology, the environment, and humanity advance together in harmony. The brand is committed not only to providing zero-emission transportation but also to fostering an environmentally conscious society in every market it serves.
Security researchers at Varonis have identified a new infostealer dubbed Storm that appears to mark a more polished phase in credential theft, using server-side decryption to extract browser passwords, session cookies, crypto-wallet data and other sensitive material while avoiding many of the on-device traces that endpoint tools have grown used to flagging. The malware was observed on underground forums in early 2026 and is being sold as […]
Chinese state-backed hackers have stepped up espionage operations against European government targets after shifting attention away from the region for much of the period after 2023, according to new threat intelligence that points to a sustained campaign aimed at diplomatic missions, NATO-linked networks and European Union institutions. Researchers tracking the activity said the actor known as TA416 returned to European targeting in the middle of 2025 and […]
The recognition marks the 17th consecutive year the same store has been included in the Michelin Guide—a milestone achieved during Tim Ho Wan’s first full year under the Jollibee Group following its acquisition in January 2025. Over the past year, the brand has focused on strengthening systems, chef training, and food quality, reinforcing the consistency that has long defined Tim Ho Wan in its home market.
“Tim Ho Wan’s recognition in the Michelin Guide is a reflection of the care and discipline behind the brand,” said Ernesto Tanmantiong, Jollibee Group Global President and CEO. “At the Jollibee Group, we are committed to growing brands like this in a way that stays true to their roots while allowing more people around the world to experience what makes them special.”
Founded in Hong Kong in 2009 by chefs Mak Kwai Pui and Leung Fai Keung, Tim Ho Wan quickly rose to prominence after earning a Michelin star within its first year. Its Sham Shui Po branch, opened in 2010, has since remained a consistent presence in the Michelin Guide, underscoring the brand’s enduring culinary standards.
Scaling a Heritage Brand Through Operational Discipline
Under the Jollibee Group, Tim Ho Wan has strengthened its operating model to support consistent execution and long-term growth across markets.
Ongoing investments in kitchen systems, chef training, menu development, and store operations have enhanced consistency across locations while preserving the craftsmanship rooted in its Hong Kong origins. The continued recognition in Hong Kong reinforces the market’s role as the brand’s culinary and operational benchmark.
“These capabilities allow us to stay true to what makes Tim Ho Wan special, while ensuring we can deliver that same experience consistently as we grow,” said Sheng Lee, Chief Executive Officer of Tim Ho Wan.
“This recognition reflects the discipline of our teams in delivering consistent quality day in and day out. We remain focused on elevating our craft through rigorous training, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful service so that high-quality meals remain welcoming to guests around the world,” Lee added.
A Distinct Concept for Global Expansion
Tim Ho Wan’s combination of quality and value positions it as a distinctive concept in the global restaurant landscape.
Supported by strengthened systems and operating discipline, the brand offers a compelling platform for growth across international markets—anchored on consistency in its home market and enabled by replicable operating standards.
A Global Brand Rooted in Hong Kong
From a 20-seat dim sum shop in Hong Kong to a globally recognized brand, Tim Ho Wan continues to demonstrate how culinary heritage and operational discipline can come together to create a strong and scalable business.
The latest Bib Gourmand recognition reinforces Tim Ho Wan’s position as a globally relevant dim sum brand—rooted in Hong Kong and supported by the Jollibee Group’s platform for sustained and disciplined growth.
Disciplined Growth Backed by the Jollibee Group
The continued recognition also reflects the Jollibee Group’s approach to scaling heritage brands through operational excellence and long-term stewardship.
“Tim Ho Wan’s sustained recognition reflects the strength of its heritage and the discipline behind its execution,” said Richard Shin, CEO of JFC International and Global Chief Financial and Risk Officer of the Jollibee Group. “At the Jollibee Group, we focus on strengthening the systems and platforms that allow brands like Tim Ho Wan to grow while preserving the authenticity and craftsmanship that made them successful.”
System-wide sales (SWS) expanded significantly from Php1.3 billion in 2024 to Php8.1 billion in 2025, highlighting the brand’s accelerating scale and growing contribution to the Group’s global operations.
In its home market, Tim Ho Wan has strengthened its core Hong Kong footprint, doubling its store network to 10 locations within approximately one year. Recent store openings have delivered attractive payback periods (circa 1.5 years) and profitability, reinforcing confidence in the brand’s unit economics and disciplined growth approach.
Growth has been broad-based across both company-operated and franchise markets. Sales performance strengthened across markets such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and China, while franchise markets, including the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan, continue to build momentum, further validating the brand’s strong international resonance and scalability.
The brand also reached an important milestone in its global expansion with the opening of its first company-operated North America store in Irvine, California, marking a significant step in establishing a direct presence in one of the world’s largest consumer markets. This re-entry into North America reflects the transportability of the brand’s operating model and positions Tim How Wan for a new phase of long-term growth and further global brand development.
Hashtag: #JollibeeGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Jollibee Foods Corporation (PSE: JFC) (the “Company”) is one of the world’s fastest-growing restaurant companies, driven by its purpose of spreading joy through superior taste. It manages and operates a portfolio that includes 19 brands (the “Jollibee Group”) with over 10,000 stores and cafés across 33 countries.
The Jollibee Group’s portfolio includes nine (9) wholly-owned brands (Jollibee, Chowking, Greenwich, Red Ribbon, Mang Inasal, Yonghe King, Hong Zhuang Yuan, Smashburger and Tim Ho Wan), five (5) franchised brands (Burger King, Panda Express, Yoshinoya, Common Man Coffee Roasters, and Tiong Bahru Bakery in the Philippines), and ownership stakes in other key brands like The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf (80%), Compose Coffee (70%), SuperFoods Group that operates Highlands Coffee (60%), and bubble tea brand Milksha (51%). The Company also has membership interests in Tortazo, LLC, along with Chef Rick Bayless, for Tortazo in the U.S. and in Botrista, a leader in beverage technology.
The Jollibee Group’s global sustainability agenda, Joy for Tomorrow, underscores its commitment to sustainable business practices across food safety, employee welfare, community support, good governance, and environmental responsibility, among others. These focus areas are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
The Company has been recognized as the Philippines’ Most Admired Company by the Asian Wall Street Journal, named one of Asia’s Fab 50 Companies, and listed among Forbes’ World’s Best Employers and Top Female-Friendly Companies. The Company is also a four-time Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award recipient and featured in TIME’s World’s Best Companies and Fortune’s Southeast Asia 500 List.
www.jollibeegroup.com Voltify has raised $30 million in seed funding to push an ambitious plan to electrify freight rail without the cost and disruption of stringing overhead wires across vast rail networks, positioning the startup at the intersection of climate technology, industrial infrastructure and freight logistics. The company said the round was co-led by venture capital firm Aleph and Fortescue, with backing from Menomadin, J-Impact, The Dock and other […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Danube Properties has moved beyond its apartment-led playbook with the launch of Greenz by Danube, a master-planned townhouse and villa community in Dubai International Academic City, as developers race to capture demand for larger family homes even as caution is building around the wider property cycle. The project is the company’s first large-scale integrated community of this kind, with handover targeted for the […]
Bhutan has moved another 374.9 bitcoin, valued at about $25.2 million, out of wallets linked to the Royal Government, extending a wave of transactions that has sharply reduced one of the world’s most closely watched sovereign crypto holdings. Blockchain data tracked by Arkham and cited by multiple market outlets showed the transfer took place on March 31, with the coins routed to an external address beginning with […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Gold edged higher on Tuesday but remained on course for its sharpest monthly decline since October 2008, as investors weighed a powerful mix of delayed hopes for US rate cuts, a surge in energy prices linked to the Iran war and a stronger dollar through much of March. Spot gold was up about 3.2% at $4,652.31 an ounce by Tuesday, yet still showed […]
In addition, Linklogis has always placed shareholder interests at the core of its corporate governance, rewarding investors’ trust through sustained and tangible actions. In August 2025, the Board approved a new share repurchase program of no less than US$80 million to be implemented over a one-year period. Under this repurchase program, the company has cumulatively repurchased shares totaling HK$365 million (approximately US$47 million), demonstrating its confidence in its long-term value through concrete actions.
Focusing on Core Business, Accelerating Business Structure Optimization
In 2025, Linklogis remained focused on its core business and accelerated the optimization of its business structure. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by its technology solutions reached RMB508.1 billion, up 27% year-on-year. With a market share of 22%, the company ranked first in the industry for the sixth consecutive year. The number of anchor enterprises served increased to 3,145, including 54 of China’s Top 100 enterprises and 151 of China’s Top 500 enterprises, while the number of financial institution partners reached 428, further improving the efficiency of industry-finance collaboration.
Linklogis’ supply chain finance technology solutions include Anchor Cloud, which consists of Multi-tier Transfer Cloud, AMS Cloud and Treasury Cloud, as well as FI Cloud, which consists of ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud. In 2025, the total volume of supply chain assets processed by Anchor Cloud reached RMB369.6 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 31%. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by Multi-tier Transfer Cloud reached RMB304.2 billion, surging 47% year-on-year, with its contribution to the group’s total asset volume rising from 52% in 2024 to 60% in 2025. The total volume of supply chain assets processed by AMS Cloud, however, was RMB65.4 billion, down 13% year-on-year due to the continued decline in issuance volume in the supply chain asset securitization market.
The total volume of supply chain assets processed by FI Cloud reached RMB128.9 billion, up 20% year-on-year. Both ABS Cloud and eChain Cloud recorded solid double-digit growth in transaction volume, contributing to a 25% year-on-year increase in FI Cloud revenue. In the ABS Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB69.1 billion, rising 28% year-on-year. In the eChain Cloud segment, the total volume of supply chain assets processed reached RMB59.7 billion, increasing 13% year-on-year.
Linklogis focused on six key industries, including infrastructure and construction, new energy and advanced manufacturing, and worked with its subsidiary Bytter Technology to deepen targeted cross-selling, achieving breakthroughs in high-quality customer acquisition. Leveraging its one-stop comprehensive industrial-finance solutions and innovative scenario-based applications, Linklogis worked with a number of central and state-owned enterprises and leading private enterprises, including Shougang Group, China Coal Mine Construction Group Corporation and JA Solar Technology, to launch integrated industrial-finance platform projects. At the same time, it provided targeted support to 17 high-quality enterprises, including Shanghai Construction Group, Yunnan Construction and Investment Holding Group and Luzhou Laojiao, covering scenarios such as order financing, bill collateral, and supply chain bill transfer, supporting coordinated growth in both scale and value creation.
Building the “Second Growth Curve”, Unlocking Global Trade Finance Potential
2025 marked a pivotal year for Linklogis’ international business as the company embarked on a new chapter and accelerated the development of its “second growth curve.” During the year, Linklogis officially launched a comprehensive rebranding of its international business, introducing “Unloq” as its new identity for the global market, reflecting its vision of unlocking the potential and efficiency of global trade finance. Guided by a core strategy centered on cross-border trade corridors, scenario-based finance and technology-driven risk management, Unloq is committed to building a globally connected digital supply chain finance platform with strong local execution capabilities.
In line with its core strategy, the company has leveraged its cloud-native technology to launch the innovative “SC+ Platform”, designed to connect global real-world trade with digital finance. The “SC+” signifies its core function of connecting smart contracts with compliant digital payment instruments, forming a technology-enabled solution for global trade finance. The platform is dedicated to building the next-generation digital infrastructure for global trade finance and addressing systemic challenges in cross-border trade, including credit verification, fund turnover, and clearing and settlement efficiency. Through the platform, funders can utilize various compliant payment methods to purchase trade receivables.
To date, Unloq has completed the deployment of the core architecture of the SC+ Platform. Working with multiple commercial partners, Unloq has advanced the rollout of innovative applications leveraging compliant digital payment methods. In 2025, Linklogis successfully secured the bid for a Web3.0-based supply chain finance platform project for a leading central state-owned enterprise, marking a new milestone in its technological capabilities and industry recognition in the field of digital trade infrastructure.
In its international business, Unloq accelerated the expansion of cross-border trade services. In addition to traditional B2B goods trade, cross-border e-commerce and online travel agencies, it also expanded into cross-border logistics, bringing the total number of platform customers to 1,550, representing a net year-on-year increase of 451. With the deeper penetration of the SC+ Platform in cross-border trade finance, the continued expansion of its global localized service network, and the accelerated integration of solutions supporting Chinese enterprises’ overseas expansion, Linklogis’ cross-border and international business is expected to enter a phase of exponential growth in both asset volume and revenue in 2026, embarking on a new chapter of high-quality and sustainable development.
Advancing the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” Strategy: From Internal Empowerment to Industry Value Co-Creation
Linklogis remains committed to its “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy and continues to promote the deep integration of AI with supply chain finance across the entire value chain. Built on years of technological expertise and scenario-based refinement, its AI capabilities have evolved from internal productivity tools into a sophisticated intelligence engine that empowers the entire industrial ecosystem. By deeply integrating leading domestic large language models with its proprietary supply chain finance scenario knowledge graph and multimodal business elements, the company has systematically advanced the ongoing iteration and capability enhancement of its self-developed vertical model, LDP-GPT. Building on this foundation, Linklogis has developed the “BeeLink AI Agent” product matrix, covering more than ten core scenarios including intelligent trade document checking, intelligent PBOC registration, intelligent KYC, and intelligent risk management.
In 2025, BeeLink AI Agent continued to deliver breakthroughs in market penetration and commercialization. The number of customers served rose to 42, including domestic and overseas financial institutions and industry leaders such as Standard Chartered Bank, Bank of Hangzhou, and China Electrical Equipment Finance. Processing efficiency improved by 20 times, while accuracy in key processes reached 99%. As AI continues to evolve toward an agent-based paradigm, Linklogis will take “AI Agent+” as a strategic lever to comprehensively upgrade BeeLink AI Agent from functional tools to intelligent collaboration. It will prioritize breakthroughs in advanced capabilities such as cross-system task coordination, natural-language interactive decision-making, and adaptive workflow optimization, enabling customers to move from point intelligence to enterprise-wide intelligence, and from business insights to intelligent decision-making, thereby delivering end-to-end value across the entire value chain.
Linklogis actively responded to China’s “dual carbon” strategy and high-quality development agenda by embedding ESG principles into product innovation and the entire service lifecycle, leveraging technology to advance green finance, inclusive finance, and sustainable development. In 2025, the volume of sustainable supply chain assets served by the company exceeded RMB66.8 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 80%, with its share of total serviced assets rising from 9% in 2024 to 13% in 2025. During the year, SMEs that obtained financing through Linklogis Supply Chain Multi-tier AR Transfer Platform benefited from an average financing cost of only 2.85%. The company continued to deepen its presence in four key sectors—renewable energy, rural revitalization, environmental protection, and public health—while further expanding into sustainable sectors such as the new energy vehicle supply chain, green buildings, and the circular economy. Through these initiatives, it directed financial resources more precisely to key segments that generate both green and low-carbon benefits and strong social impact, gradually building a broader and more influential sustainable development ecosystem that integrates industry and finance.
Expanding Full-scenario Deployment, Enhancing the Smart Industrial Finance Treasury Product Matrix
Through the acquisition of Bytter Technology, Linklogis made a strategic entry into the corporate treasury management sector. By synergizing management teams and business operations, the company successfully established the Treasury Cloud product line, providing diverse customers with end-to-end treasury management services covering settlement operations, cash planning, financing management, risk monitoring, and intelligent decision-making. As a key component of Linklogis’ “Smart Industrial Finance Treasury” strategy, Treasury Cloud is anchored by a dual-engine approach powered by AI and data, and has established a comprehensive product matrix, including the F1 treasury management system and T6 cash management system for anchor enterprises, the bank treasury system for financial institutions, and the Yingzilian SaaS platform for SMEs.
Since September 11, 2025, Bytter Technology has been consolidated into the group’s financial statements. The integration of the Treasury Cloud business has been fully completed. Linklogis will continue to deepen resources integration and business collaboration between Treasury Cloud and the group’s other supply chain finance technology businesses in areas such as product R&D, channel expansion and customer service. The company will accelerate the development of an integrated, intelligent and scalable Smart Industrial Finance Treasury platform, providing customers with one-stop digital solutions covering treasury management and industrial-finance collaboration.
Charles Song, founder, Chairman and CEO of Linklogis, said: “The year 2026 marks the tenth anniversary of Linklogis. As we stand at the threshold of a new decade, we will remain firmly committed to a core strategy of being technology-driven and globally connected, while steadfastly advancing our dual-engine approach of deepening domestic industrial finance and expanding global digital trade. We will seize opportunities amid transformation and strengthen our competitive advantages through innovation. In the domestic market, we will continue to advance the “AI-powered Industrial Finance” strategy. Anchored by the comprehensive upgrade of BeeLink AI Agent, we will accelerate AI’s evolution from scenario-based enablement to ecosystem-level collaboration. At the same time, leveraging our full-stack capabilities in Smart Industrial Finance Treasury solutions, we will continue to refine our integrated one-stop solutions, consolidate our market leadership, and ensure the steady growth of our core business. In international markets, we will accelerate the expansion of global cross-border digital trade networks through Unloq and roll out the SC+ Platform along key global trade corridors. We aim to become a key builder and connector in the ongoing digital and intelligent transformation of global trade finance. The future is already unfolding. Only the adaptable can prevail, and only the persistent can go the distance. With technology as our oar and industry as our vessel, Linklogis will continue to join forces with our partners, embarking together on the magnificent journey toward a digital and intelligent future for global industrial finance.”
Hashtag: #Linklogis
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 March 2026 – The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and Voxovation together with Thailand’s S2O Productions and Channel 3 today announced the debut of Eurovision Song Contest Asia in 2026, with Bangkok selected as the Host City for its inaugural edition, bringing together ten countries across Asia.
South Korea, Thailand, the Philippines and Vietnam are confirmed alongside Malaysia, Cambodia and Laos, as well as Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, with more countries expected to join as the competition expands.
Bringing the world’s largest live TV event to Asia, Eurovision Song Contest is now opening a new chapter shaped by the region’s diversity, creativity and cultural identity, and grounded in the same spirit that has always defined the contest: United by Music.
ZOOP is the revolutionary new social media platform launching globally on 9th of April with a dedicated channel covering the new Eurovision Song Contest Asia. ZOOP will place the audience at the centre of the action, driving participation, community and interaction, with cutting-edge technology behind the experience.
Evolving Eurovision Song Contest with Asia
For seven decades, the Eurovision Song Contest has brought countries together through music, storytelling and live television, reaching audiences of hundreds of millions every year.
Now, in collaboration with leading broadcasters and production companies across Asia, Eurovision Song Contest Asia will build on that legacy, creating a new shared stage where cultures meet, voices are amplified, and creative communities connect across borders.
Rooted in the same spirit that has defined Eurovision Song Contest for generations, the contest carries forward a simple but powerful idea, connecting people through music and shared experiences. In Asia, that idea will take on new meaning, shaped by the region’s extraordinary diversity and creative energy.
Martin Green, Director of the Eurovision Song Contest, said:
“As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent.
This is about evolving the show together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special.
Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music.”
Shaping the Future of Eurovision Song Contest in Asia
Designed to grow with the region, the format brings together countries representing more than 600 million people. With no comparable pan-Asian platform today, it is set to become one of the region’s most talked-about entertainment events.
Powered by exclusive social partner ZOOP, the contest will introduce a fan participation platform where audiences do more than watch. ZOOP gives fans new ways to engage with artists, join communities, and be recognised and rewarded for real participation, while helping create a more direct and meaningful connection between talent and audience.
Peter Settman, CEO & Co-Founder of Voxovation, the exclusive licensee of Eurovision Song Contest Asia said:
“From day one, our ambition has been to build the Eurovision Song Contest Asia together with the region’s best creative talent, creating a show that truly reflects Asia’s identity and creative energy.
Together with S2O Productions, we are shaping a show where artists and fans connect across borders in new ways, through participation, community and deeper engagement beyond the stage, with ZOOP helping bring that fan experience to life.
To bring this incredible show to a new continent is something very special. I look forward to millions of people in Asia watching the competition and singing in front of the TV, dancing to the performances and predicting the outcome.”
Bangkok: Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow
Bangkok is a city where tradition and modern expression coexist seamlessly, it offers a natural home for a contest built on diversity and exchange, connecting artists and audiences from across the region and beyond.
The Contest will be broadcasted in partnership with Thailand’s Channel 3, alongside broadcasters from at least 10 countries across Asia, each bringing their own voice, identity and storytelling to the stage.
Hosting Eurovision Song Contest Asia is expected to generate strong international visibility for Bangkok, while supporting tourism, job creation and the continued growth of Thailand’s creative industries.
Thailand Welcomes The Region And The World
Eurovision Song Contest Asia will provide a powerful platform for artists to share their music, stories and identities with audiences across the region and globally, strengthening cultural exchange between Asia and Europe.
The event further reinforces Thailand’s position as a destination for world-class cultural and entertainment experiences.
Chuwit Sirivajjakul, Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning, at the Tourism Authority said:
“When I heard that the European Broadcasting Union and Voxovation were considering Bangkok as the home for the Eurovision Song Contest Asia, I thought, of course, it should be Bangkok, because this city has always been a place where cultures come together, where music fills the air, and where celebration is part of everyday life.
It is a place where tradition and innovation do not compete. They collaborate. That is the spirit of Eurovision, which celebrates the unity of diverse musical voices from across Asia and beyond.
We believe travel is in the moments that restore you, inspire you, and connect you to something larger than yourself. Eurovision Song Contest Asia embodies exactly that, and we are proud to welcome it home, marking a new chapter for Thailand’s global presence.”
Participating Countries
The inaugural Eurovision Song Contest Asia will bring together broadcasters from across the region, each representing their country with original music and national talent.
Confirmed participating broadcasters include:
Thailand — Channel 3 produced by S2O productions
South Korea
Philippines — ABS-CBN Corporation
Vietnam — Vietnam Television (VTV3) produced by Dao Music Entertainment
Malaysia — Media Prima (TV3)
Cambodia — TV5 Cambodia produced by GIGIL Cambodia
Laos — Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9) produced by 3SD Group & SG Music
Bangladesh — NTV produced by Bongo Holdings
Nepal — Himalaya TV produced by Saujanya Media
Bhutan — Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)
Additional countries and broadcasters are expected to be announced in the coming weeks as the line-up continues to expand.
Journey to the Grand Final
The Grand Final of Eurovision Song Contest Asia 2026 is scheduled to take place in Bangkok on 14 November 2026.
Be part of the journey and follow Eurovision Song Contest Asia at www.eurovisionasia.com
Hashtag: #Voxovation
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the world’s leading alliance of public service media, representing over 110 member organizations in more than 50 countries, with an additional 30+ associates worldwide. The EBU operates Eurovision, the premier global media exchange network, and produces the Eurovision Song Contest, one of the world’s most watched live entertainment events, reaching hundreds of millions of viewers annually. Through its work, the EBU supports collaboration, innovation and the sharing of high-quality content across borders.
Voxovation is a global entertainment company focused on developing, producing and scaling large-format television and live events. Founded by industry leaders with extensive experience in international entertainment formats, Voxovation specializes in bringing globally recognized IP to new markets and building original formats that connect audiences across cultures. The company is the exclusive licensee of Eurovision Song Contest Asia and is leading its development, production and commercialization across the region.
S2O, one of Asia’s most iconic live entertainment and production companies known for delivering large-scale events and premium experiences across Asia. Renowned for its world-class production, immersive water elements, and high-energy experiences, S2O will bring its creative and technical expertise to reimagine the Eurovision format for audiences across the Asian region and beyond. As a production partner for Eurovision Song Contest Asia, S2O will support the delivery of world-class live experiences in Bangkok.
ZOOP is a next-generation social platform designed to connect creators, fans and communities through interactive digital experiences. As the exclusive social partner of Eurovision Song Contest Asia, ZOOP powers fan engagement across the platform, enabling participation, content interaction and community-driven experiences at scale. Built on Hedera technology, ZOOP delivers secure, transparent and scalable infrastructure for digital engagement, bringing audiences closer to the action than ever before.
For media enquiries on ZOOP, contact: 
Winyee.lai@redhill.asia
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