News related to
growth

New report, authored by GSMA Intelligence in partnership with Huawei, released at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week

  • Digital literacy – not coverage – is the main barrier keeping 3.1 billion people offline.
  • AI could potentially widen the digital literacy gap.
  • Bridging the usage gap could boost global GDP by $3.5 trillion from 2023 to 2030.
  • Citing Huawei’s Skills on Wheels initiative, the report urges policymakers, telcos, and tech vendors to treat AI literacy as critical infrastructure.

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – More than one in three (38%) people remains offline despite being covered by mobile broadband – and a lack of digital literacy skills is often to blame, according to new research published today.

Closing Digital Literacy Gap Could Unlock Trillions of Dollars in Global GDP Growth

The new report, “Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era,” authored by GSMA Intelligence and produced in collaboration with Huawei, identifies a digital divide impacting 3.1 billion people caused by a shortage of digital skills, user trust and AI literacy.

AI raises both access and risk

Existing industry projections suggest closing the capability gap could add around $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with more than 90% of those gains flowing to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical mobile broadband coverage currently reaches 96% of people worldwide.

The report, unveiled at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week, suggests artificial intelligence could act as both a bridge and a barrier for underserved communities. AI-powered voice assistants and applications that work with images, audio and video can all help low-literacy users bypass the need to input text. At the same time, they raise the security and critical-thinking standards required to participate safely. However, the study warns that users must now be able to understand data privacy and identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes.

The research cites World Bank statistics that GenAI literacy represents the highest-value skill category, with wage premiums up to 36%, far exceeding returns for both digital and traditional AI skills.

Without targeted interventions in basic digital training, the authors warn, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities even in areas with full network coverage.

Mobile classrooms build skills in remote areas

Digital inclusion initiatives typically target those most at risk of digital exclusion, including rural and remote communities, children and teachers in rural schools, older people, and women and girls.

The report emphasizes the need for community-based delivery models, citing Huawei’s Skills on Wheels initiative as a field-tested example — particularly its solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms, which bring hardware, rural connectivity and hands-on training, including AI literacy, to off-grid regions.

Since 2019, training courses delivered by Skills on Wheels projects have reached more than 130,000 people across 21 countries, with more people benefiting indirectly. DigiTruck trainers encourage trainees to share their new skills, which is shown to occur in practice. A report on DigiTruck by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy shows that 79% of DigiTruck trainees surveyed had passed on their newly acquired digital skills to family members and peers.

Policymakers urged to treat AI literacy as core infrastructure

To bridge the usage gap, the report urges policymakers, telecom operators and technology vendors to work together and focus on four priorities:

  • Treating practical AI awareness, online safety and information verification as a baseline national qualification.
  • Adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces across public services to minimise user-side technical hurdles.
  • Scaling up mobile learning units through cross-sector partnerships that combine operator connectivity, vendor technology and local NGO networks.
  • Measuring performance by independent task completion and fraud resilience rather than trainee numbers.

“Digital literacy can no longer be defined by static thresholds,” said Tim Hatt, head of research and consultancy at GSMA Intelligence. “Connectivity alone is insufficient — capabilities, system design and trust must evolve together. To capture this multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, stakeholders must integrate layered AI literacy directly into daily livelihoods through trusted community channels.”

“Mobile classrooms have demonstrated immense value in helping underserved populations break through physical and psychological barriers to technology,” said Gavin Allen, Executive Editor-in-Chief at Huawei. “We will continue working alongside local governments and industry partners to drive digital literacy, ensuring that no one is left behind as we transition into the AI economy.”

A new DigiTruck program will launch in France this autumn, covering several cities in the Île-de-France region and targeting low-income and underserved communities with digital skills training.

The full report is available on the GSMA Intelligence research portal:
https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/bridging-the-divide-enhancing-digital-literacy-in-the-ai-era

FAQ

Q1: What is the main purpose of this report?
A: The report analyzes the critical importance of enhancing digital skills in the AI era, highlighting digital literacy as a layered and evolving capability. It calls on all stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating global digital inclusion and skill development.

Q2: What does it mean for policymakers to treat “AI literacy as core infrastructure”?
A: It means shifting policy focus from just building physical base stations to funding human capabilities. The report urges governments to integrate baseline AI awareness, online security, and media verification into national qualification frameworks, treating digital skills as an essential public utility alongside electricity and broadband.

Hashtag: #Huawei

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

Abu Dhabi-based BlueFive Capital has completed the acquisition of a 30% equity stake in Bugatti Rimac from Porsche, becoming the second-largest shareholder in the producer of Bugatti supercars. The transaction closed on September 9 after regulatory approvals were secured, BlueFive said. Rimac Group retains its 55% controlling stake in Bugatti Rimac, while BlueFive now holds the largest position after the Croatian automotive group. BlueFive will gain a […]

Mubadala Investment Company has agreed to acquire a significant minority interest in Luckin Coffee alongside controlling shareholder Centurium Capital in a transaction valued at about $1 billion, extending the Abu Dhabi sovereign investor’s exposure to China’s consumer sector. The transaction is structured through Success Cup Limited and is expected to give a Mubadala affiliate the right to nominate a director to Luckin Coffee’s board while it maintains […]

Hong Kong-based New Sparkle Roll International Group is considering selling its holding in Bang & Olufsen, potentially reshaping the ownership of the Danish luxury audio maker, people familiar with the matter said. The deliberations concern a stake of more than 10 per cent in the Copenhagen-listed company, making New Sparkle Roll one of Bang & Olufsen’s two largest disclosed shareholders. The process remains under consideration and no […]

Canada has used its lead-nation role at Poland’s MSPO arms fair to push its defence industry more forcefully into European markets, pairing a large trade mission with a renewed defence agreement with Warsaw. Defence Minister David McGuinty and International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu led Ottawa’s presence at the International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, where Canada was designated the 2026 lead nation. The government said its mission […]

Artificial intelligence is widening the investment divide between the United States and Europe, with American companies absorbing the overwhelming majority of global AI venture capital while European firms continue to face shortages of large, late-stage funding. OECD data show US-based AI companies attracted about $194 billion in venture capital in 2025, roughly 75% of worldwide AI deal value. Companies across the EU27 drew $15.8 billion, or 6%, […]

Uber and Wayve have begun offering supervised autonomous rides to London passengers, deploying 15 electric vehicles in the first public robotaxi service of its kind in the UK. The service, launched on September 3, allows customers booking UberX, Uber Electric or Uber Comfort to be matched with a Ford Mustang Mach-E fitted with Wayve’s autonomous-driving system. A trained, Transport for London-licensed private hire driver remains behind the […]

Advertisements
The rupee weakened 25 paise to 95.33 against the US dollar on Thursday as elevated crude oil prices increased concern over India’s import bill and kept demand for dollars firm.

The currency came under pressure after Brent crude held above $100 a barrel amid continuing tensions in West Asia, reinforcing worries about higher energy costs for a country that imports more than three-quarters of its crude oil requirements. The rupee had settled at 95.1050 against the dollar on Wednesday after touching 95.2250 during the session.

Dealers said demand for dollars from oil importers, corporate debt repayments and hedging activity added to the pressure. State-run banks were also seen supplying dollars during trading, an action market participants associated with efforts by the Reserve Bank of India to limit excessive volatility in the foreign-exchange market.

Brent crude traded around $101-$102 a barrel during Asian hours after crossing the $100 mark on Wednesday. The move followed renewed military tensions involving the United States and Iran and heightened concern about shipping and energy supply through the Gulf, including routes linked to the Strait of Hormuz.

Higher oil prices are particularly significant for the rupee because petroleum imports are paid largely in dollars. A sustained rise in crude can widen India’s trade deficit, increase demand for foreign currency from refiners and add to inflationary pressure, creating a less favourable backdrop for the local currency.

The rupee has lost roughly 0.7 per cent over the previous two sessions, with traders saying the effect of higher oil prices has become more visible after the currency had initially shown resilience. The movement has also coincided with caution across Asian markets and pressure on domestic equities.

Benchmark share indices were subdued on Thursday after suffering sharp losses in the previous session. The Sensex had dropped 813.35 points, or 1.08 per cent, on Wednesday to close at 74,764.23, while the Nifty 50 fell 203.60 points, or 0.86 per cent, to 23,431.50. The sell-off reflected concern that expensive crude could complicate the inflation and growth outlook.

The Reserve Bank has intervened intermittently in the currency market during periods of sharp rupee weakness. Traders said dollar sales by state-run banks helped the currency recover from Wednesday’s intraday low, although market participants expected central-bank support to restrain volatility rather than reverse pressure created by oil prices and capital flows.

Foreign-exchange dealers were also monitoring overseas portfolio movements. Expectations of capital outflows and demand linked to corporate payments have increased near-term dollar requirements, while the dollar index remained close to 99 against a basket of major currencies, offering only limited relief to emerging-market currencies.

The rise in crude has revived concern over India’s external balances. A higher oil import bill can feed into the current-account deficit if export earnings and other inflows do not offset the additional cost. It can also increase costs for transport, manufacturing and other energy-intensive sectors, depending on the extent to which international prices are passed through domestically.

Domestic fuel prices have so far remained comparatively insulated from the latest jump in international crude, but refiners and oil-marketing companies face greater pressure when global prices rise sharply while retail prices are unchanged. That gap can affect corporate margins and, if sustained, increase the broader fiscal and inflationary policy challenge.

Bond and equity markets are also watching the oil move for its implications for monetary policy. Higher imported energy costs can make inflation management more difficult, while weaker risk appetite may intensify foreign portfolio selling. Traders said those factors could keep the rupee volatile even if the central bank continues to provide dollar liquidity during periods of disorderly movement.

Growth reflects Prudential’s continued investment in adviser development and career progression

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Prudential plc (“Prudential”) has retained its No. 2 position among multinational companies in the 2026 Million Dollar Round Table (MDRT) rankings. First-time qualifiers increased 14 per cent year-on-year, reflecting continued momentum in Prudential’s agency business and the impact of its strategy to build a more professional and productive agency force across Asia and Africa.

This momentum is reflected across Prudential’s markets:

  • Indonesia has held the No. 1 in-country ranking for more than a decade and continues to have the largest number of MDRT members in the market.
  • Hong Kong climbed three places in MDRT rankings to No. 3 globally and No. 2 in-country, with the second-highest number of Top of Table (TOT) and Court of Table (COT) qualifiers.
  • Singapore ranked No. 1 in-country for TOT qualifiers, with an 83.8 per cent MDRT member retention rate, and sits in the global top three. It also led the 2026 MDRT Culture of Excellence Awards, with 29 Agency Leader award recipients from a total of 68 winners worldwide.
  • In Africa, Prudential remains the only insurer represented in the MDRT Global Top 100 company rankings in the last three years, with Nigeria and Ghana each ranked No. 1 in-country.
  • In the Chinese Mainland, Prudential grew MDRT qualifiers 40 per cent year-on-year in the first half of 2026.

Prudential’s base of quality producers is driving year-on-year double-digit growth in new business profit per MDRT agent, as reported in its 2026 Half Year Results.

Pankaj Banerjee, Group Chief Agency Officer, Prudential plc, said: “Our agency transformation is gathering pace, and our direction is clear: we are building a higher-quality, more professional and more productive agency force, equipped to deliver the trusted advice our customers increasingly need, at every stage of their lives. The continued growth in first-time MDRT qualifiers reflects the progress we are making and the commitment of our advisers, agency leaders and colleagues to raising professional standards across the industry.”

As customer needs become more complex, particularly in health, protection and wealth planning, the demand for trusted, high-quality advice is rising. For Prudential, upholding agency excellence is about providing advisers access to learning, role models, communities and opportunities that help them progress and deliver better outcomes for customers.

This commitment is reflected in Prudential’s long-standing partnership with MDRT, which gives advisers access to a global professional community, learning opportunities and standards of excellence. At every stage of the adviser journey, Prudential continues to invest in attracting high-quality talent, strengthening capabilities and productivity. This includes equipping advisers with deeper wealth planning capabilities, insights and AI-enabled tools to meet evolving customer needs and drive sustained MDRT growth.

To accelerate this progress, Prudential recently established the MDRT Advisory Council, a Group-wide platform bringing together leading producers in 11 agency markets to share best practices, accelerate adviser growth and support advisers in their professional progression across the force.

Prudential’s commitment to adviser development was also reflected at the 2026 MDRT Global Conference in Sydney, where it was recognised as MDRT Premier Sponsor and joined by 400 of its advisers and agency leaders from across different markets.

As MDRT approaches its 100th anniversary, Prudential looks forward to continuing its partnership with MDRT with a focus on expanding development pathways, raising professional standards, and supporting the next generation of advisers to achieve their full potential.

Hashtag: #Prudentialplc

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

About Prudential plc

Prudential provides life and health insurance and asset management in Greater China, ASEAN, India and Africa. Prudential’s mission is to be the most trusted partner and protector for this generation and generations to come, by providing simple and accessible financial and health solutions. The business has dual primary listings on the Stock Exchange of Hong Kong (HKEX: 2378) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE: PRU). It also has a secondary listing on the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX: K6S) and a listing on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: PUK) in the form of American Depositary Receipts. It is a constituent of the Hang Seng Composite Index and is also included for trading in the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme and the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect programme.

Prudential is not affiliated in any manner with Prudential Financial, Inc. a company whose principal place of business is in the United States of America, nor with The Prudential Assurance Company Limited, a subsidiary of M&G plc, a company incorporated in the United Kingdom.

Snow Suen, 6 Wing, Tracy Chu and Karen Cheng join forces to support students

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – As the new school year begins, children are meeting new teachers, making new friends and taking on new challenges. They may feel excited about what lies ahead, but they may also experience nervousness and uncertainty. Save the Children Hong Kong has launched Every Moment Matters, a public awareness campaign on children’s mental health. The campaign brings together Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen, celebrities 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, Karen Cheng and a group of child stars in a series of back-to-school cheer-up videos. The celebrity parents also share their parenting experiences to encourage the community to pay closer attention to children’s emotional needs during times of change, adjustment and growth.

Every Moment Matters brings together Children's Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen, celebrities 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, and Karen Cheng to support students and share tips for navigating the return to school
Every Moment Matters brings together Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen, celebrities 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, and Karen Cheng to support students and share tips for navigating the return to school

Every Moment Matters reminds the public that emotional distress does not have a single, fixed appearance, and children may not always express their struggles in words. A quiet response, avoiding eye contact, or a closed door may point to pressure and distress that a child does not yet know how to communicate. With the campaign line “Before the moment is gone, start with a knock”, the campaign calls on parents, caregivers and the wider community to pay closer attention to children’s emotional needs. A simple knock represents respect, companionship and a readiness to listen. It can also create a moment in which a child feels safe enough to express themselves.

Celebrities join to help children navigate a new school year
Every Moment Matters brings together Snow Suen, 6 Wing, Tracy Chu, Karen Cheng and a group of child stars in the Starting the School Year Together video series. In addition to offering encouragement to students, the celebrity parents share practical ways to support children as they return to school.

Preparing for school begins with building a sense of security
A new school year may bring new teachers, classmates, school environments and more challenging schoolwork. Children may feel excited about these changes, but nervousness and uncertainty may also arise. Instead of repeatedly reminding children about the challenges ahead, parents can help them understand what to expect, give them time to adjust and offer positive yet practical support.

Children’s Mental Wellness Ambassador Snow Suen shared that when her younger child started kindergarten, she explained in advance that there would be teachers and classmates at school. She also reassured her child that she would be there to pick him up at the end of each school day, helping him develop a greater sense of security.

Actress Tracy Chu’s son also began pre-nursery at a new school. Before the term started, she took him to the area surrounding the school so that he could become familiar with the new environment and feel less unfamiliar or afraid on his first day.
Singer 6 Wing believes that ordering textbooks and completing summer homework are important back-to-school preparations, but helping children approach new challenges with a positive mindset matters even more. He said, “For a child, returning to school may mean entering a completely new environment. Parents can first give children time to experience the new environment and adjust at their own pace. Rather than focusing only on how difficult the new school year will be or how hard they must work, we can let them take things one step at a time.”

Begin with what matters to the child
When children return home from school, parents may be eager to ask what they have learnt or whether they are keeping up with their work. However, the celebrity parents featured in the videos believe that conversations can begin with the school experiences and feelings that matter most to the child.

Snow Suen shared that she usually begins by asking her children: “How was your day?”, “Did you have fun?” or “Did anything new or interesting happen today?” She noted that adults also want someone to care about how they feel after a day at work, and children need the same kind of attention. She also encourages parents to share their own experiences and feelings from the day, making communication a two-way exchange rather than a series of questions directed at the child. When daily sharing becomes a habit, children may become more willing to talk not only about interesting things that happen at school, but also about experiences that have made them unhappy. Snow Suen said, “Young children may not yet have enough experience to manage their emotions, so they need parents to talk with them and show that they care. Most importantly, children should know that, whatever happens, someone will support them and their parents will be there for them.”

6 Wing shared that when his children return home after the first day of school, he asks whether they were happy, whether school was fun and whether they made any new friends. He believes parents can first ask how children are adapting to the new school environment and social relationships, instead of immediately asking whether they are keeping up with the curriculum. Radio presenter Karen Cheng likewise believes that parents can begin with the matters children care about most. These might include who their class teacher is, which classmate sits beside them, and what they did with their friends during recess. Specific questions can help children recall and share their experiences, making it easier for the conversation to continue.

Karen Cheng believes parents can approach conversations from their child’s perspective by asking first about the people and experiences that matter most to them.

Adults may not be able to solve every problem a child encounters immediately, but they can pause, understand and respond to the child’s emotional needs in that moment. Continued presence and attentive listening can help children feel that they are not facing challenges alone and support them in developing a stronger sense of security.

Expert insights and thematic videos help caregivers respond to children’s mental health needs
Save the Children Hong Kong is rolling out a series of public education content and support resources on the campaign website. These include celebrity sharing, expert insights, public education videos and the thematic short film No Regrets. Together, these resources help parents, caregivers, and the public better understand the emotional distress children may experience, as well as how adults can respond.

Every Moment Matters is launching a series of public education content and support resources through the campaign website.

The thematic short film No Regrets, starring child actor Ariel So from Warriors of Future, calls on parents and caregivers to make the most of every opportunity to care for children’s emotional needs.

Kalina Tsang, CEO of Save the Children Hong Kong, said, “Every child deserves to be heard, and every adult has an important role to play. Adults may not be able to solve every problem a child faces immediately, but every seemingly ordinary moment can become an opportunity to make a difference.” She added, “Parents and caregivers can begin with everyday observation, patient presence and attentive listening. When a child is not yet ready to express themselves, adults can first offer respect and space. By noticing more and missing fewer moments, we have a greater chance of responding to children’s needs early.”

Save the Children Hong Kong calls on parents, caregivers, schools, child-facing organisations and the wider community to begin from this moment and continue paying attention to children’s emotional needs. Every Moment Matters will raise public awareness of children’s mental health in phases. The first phase focuses on recognising the signs, reminding adults that a child’s struggles may not always be visible. The campaign will then introduce a series of activities encouraging adults to create safe opportunities and spaces for children to express themselves, and to make respect and listening part of everyday family and community life: smallest knock, biggest talk.
Notes to Editors
Public education and support resources, including:

Hashtag: #SavetheChildrenHongKong #香港救助兒童會 #EveryMomentMatters #童你每一刻 #ChildrensMentalWellbeing #兒童精神健康





YouTube:

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

Save the Children Hong Kong

Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In Hong Kong and around the world, we do whatever it takes – every day and in times of crisis – so children can fulfil their rights to a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. With over 100 years of expertise, we are the world’s first and leading independent children’s organisation – transforming lives and future.

Established in 2009, Save the Children Hong Kong is part of the global movement which operates in around 100 countries. We work with children, families, schools, communities and our supporters to deliver lasting change for children in Hong Kong and around the world.

Visit our , or follow us on , , , and .

China’s oil demand is expected to fall by 600,000 barrels a day, or 8.9%, in 2026, marking a third consecutive annual decline as high crude prices and faster electric-vehicle adoption curb fuel consumption, according to Sinopec Group’s research arm.

The Sinopec Economics & Development Research Institute said petrol and diesel would account for most of the reduction, with petrol demand projected to drop 8.7% from a year earlier to 149 million tonnes and diesel consumption to fall 11.4% to 164 million tonnes. Jet fuel demand, by contrast, is forecast to rise 1.3% to 41.55 million tonnes.

The forecast underscores a sharper structural shift in the world’s biggest crude importer, where transport electrification is steadily reducing dependence on petroleum fuels while the US-Iran war has pushed up energy prices and disrupted supplies through the Strait of Hormuz. The institute said the combination of high prices and changing transport patterns was weakening consumption across key refined products.

China’s oil demand has now declined for three straight years, according to the institute, strengthening evidence that growth in transport fuel use has peaked. The International Energy Agency has separately estimated that electric vehicles displaced about one million barrels a day of oil demand in China during 2025, roughly 15% of the road-transport demand that would otherwise have been required if the fleet had remained dominated by internal-combustion vehicles.

The IEA expects the displacement effect to deepen as the electric fleet expands, with electric vehicles in China projected to displace about 2.7 million barrels a day by 2030 under current policy settings. China already has the world’s largest stock of electric vehicles, and electrification is spreading beyond passenger cars into buses and heavy trucks, where diesel use has historically been substantial.

The IEA has said China’s transport oil consumption has flattened despite economic growth, as electric vehicles, gas-powered trucks and high-speed rail increasingly replace petroleum-based travel and freight.

The Sinopec research unit also lowered its outlook for crude processing, putting China’s 2026 refinery throughput at 697 million tonnes. Sinopec itself, the world’s largest refiner by capacity, has set a second-half oil throughput target of 113 million tonnes, broadly unchanged from the first half, according to its interim results.

Refining capacity is nevertheless expected to reach 952 million tonnes a year, equivalent to about 19.04 million barrels a day, in 2026. The research institute said tighter policy requirements and falling domestic demand would speed the closure of inefficient plants, particularly smaller and medium-sized refineries with limited product ranges.

It estimated that facilities representing 80 million to 100 million tonnes of annual refining capacity could leave the market. That would reduce national refining capacity to between 900 million and 910 million tonnes a year by the end of 2030, a contraction of as much as 5.5% from the 2026 level.

Weakness is also evident in petrochemicals. Although profits in China’s chemical industry rose by more than 50% year on year during the first seven months of 2026, the institute said apparent demand remained subdued. It forecast full-year ethylene-equivalent consumption to decline 8% because of high costs and inventory pressures.

The demand outlook has wider implications for global oil markets because China’s purchases have long been a major source of incremental consumption. Lower demand has helped restrain crude imports and limit price gains even as the conflict involving the United States and Iran has disrupted Gulf supply routes and tightened physical markets.

Brent crude climbed above $100 a barrel on Wednesday as renewed attacks raised fears of further supply losses. Yet weaker consumption in China remains an important counterweight to the supply shock, with traders weighing the effects of reduced imports against disruption across the Middle East.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition ended its 23rd edition with more than 481,576 visitors over 10 days, a 27 per cent increase from 2025, setting new records for attendance, participation and exhibition scale. The event, held from August 28 to September 6 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi, brought together 2,405 exhibitors and brands from 71 countries across 15 sectors. Six countries […]

The transaction follows the landmark property’s March 2026 debut and marks the completion of the joint venture transformation of the Lake Como site into a five-star EDITION hotel

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2026 – Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, and Omnam Group, a Europe-based hospitality real estate developer and investor, recently announced the sale of The Lake Como EDITION to Sansiri Capital, the hospitality trophy asset fund of Sansiri Public Company Limited, a leading Thai real estate developer with more than 40 years of experience. The transaction marks the culmination of the partners’ transformation of the landmark Lake Como property into one of Italy’s most significant new luxury hospitality destinations. The transaction is expected to be completed in the next several weeks. Completion remains subject to customary closing conditions and required third-party approvals. Financial terms were not disclosed.

The Lake Como EDITION
The Lake Como EDITION

Set on the shores of Cadenabbia, the property occupies a rare waterfront position opposite Bellagio, with access to Milan and Malpensa International Airport in approximately one hour. The landmark 19th-century palazzo was acquired by Bain Capital and Omnam Group in late 2021. An extensive redevelopment began in April 2022, reimagining the historic property as The Lake Como EDITION. The hotel opened in March 2026, just under six months ago, as part of Marriott International’s EDITION Hotels portfolio, introducing a new expression of contemporary luxury to one of Italy’s most iconic destinations.

Penthouse
Penthouse

At acquisition, Bain Capital and Omnam identified an opportunity to create a new luxury hospitality offering in a market characterized by strong international demand, limited five-star supply and significant barriers to new lakeside development. Acquiring the property with vacant possession enabled the partners to undertake a comprehensive repositioning rather than an incremental refurbishment.

The sale reflects growing international investor interest in distinctive, experience-led European hospitality assets and marks Sansiri’s strategic expansion into Europe’s luxury hospitality sector through the Sansiri Capital fund, further strengthening its portfolio of trophy assets. For Bain Capital and Omnam Group, the transaction demonstrates the value created by combining real estate investment, development expertise and leading hospitality partners to reposition a complex asset.

The redevelopment substantially reconfigured the property, reducing the former hotel’s room count from nearly 300 to 148 larger rooms and suites and creating a new spa and wellness building, alongside an extensive food and beverage and leisure offering. The transformation also incorporated the property’s distinctive waterfront amenities, including its floating pool and beach club.

The Pool
The Pool

Ali Haroon, a Partner and Head of Europe Real Estate for Bain Capital, said:

“Lake Como is a strong example of how we approach real estate investing in Europe. We focus on sectors supported by long-term structural demand and opportunities where our capital, local relationships and hands-on capabilities can fundamentally transform an asset. Together with Omnam, we have taken a highly underinvested property in an irreplaceable location and created a contemporary luxury destination for the international market. This is exactly the type of complex, execution-led opportunity we seek across our Europe Real Estate strategy.”

The Lake Como EDITION
The Lake Como EDITION

David Zisser, CEO and Founder of Omnam Group, said:

“The Lake Como EDITION has been an ambitious undertaking from the outset. Our vision was to take a remarkable historic property in one of the world’s most iconic destinations and give it new relevance through architecture, design and hospitality, while remaining deeply connected to the character of Lake Como.

Together with Bain Capital and an exceptional group of partners, we have taken that vision from acquisition and development through to the opening of a landmark new hotel. We are immensely proud of what has been created. The completion of this transaction is a significant milestone for Omnam and a testament to the strength of our development approach, while marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter for The Lake Como EDITION.”

The sale of The Lake Como EDITION marks the latest chapter in Omnam Group’s expanding presence across Europe, where an ambitious pipeline of projects is currently underway in Florence, Venice, Puglia and Sicily — each reimagining distinctive properties into internationally relevant lifestyle destinations.

The acquisition also marks a significant international investment for Sansiri Public Company Limited, bringing one of Lake Como’s newest luxury hospitality assets into its trophy-asset portfolio through Sansiri Capital, the hospitality trophy-asset investment arm.

Napat Thavisin, President of International Operations, Sansiri Public Company Limited and Managing Director of Sansiri Capital, said:

“The acquisition of The Lake Como EDITION marks a significant milestone in advancing Sansiri’s New S-Curve strategy. It strengthens our financial resilience and diversifies risk across our global hospitality portfolio. We remain focused on ultra-luxury trophy assets in gateway cities and high-demand leisure destinations—markets characterised by robust demand and inherently constrained supply. This disciplined capital-allocation approach is designed to maximise long-term shareholder value.

As Thailand’s No.1 most trusted luxury real estate developer, with 40 year of experience, Sansiri brings a proven record in global markets from The Manner SoHo, New York to the growth of Standard International prior to its acquisition by Hyatt Hotels Corporation. Leveraging this expertise, we look forward to stewarding this exceptional investment in The Lake Como EDITION under Sansiri Capital’s ownership, in collaboration with Marriott International, which will continue to operate the hotel, while further diversifying our revenue streams across major global currencies. Looking ahead, Sansiri will actively pursue trophy-asset investments in premier leisure and gateway destinations worldwide, reinforcing our position as a fully integrated global real estate and lifestyle investment platform.”

Hashtag: #Sansiri

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

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2026 – In 2024, East West Barbershop (Dong Tay Barbershop) opened its first branch in Hungary, marking a milestone in its journey to take a Vietnamese barbering brand global. For Chairman Nguyen Hoai Thanh, Europe represents a demanding test of the company’s operational capabilities, technical expertise and adaptability.

East West Barbershop initially accepted losses to establish its foothold in Europe
East West Barbershop initially accepted losses to establish its foothold in Europe

Europe: A demanding test for a Vietnamese barbering brand

Founded in Vietnam in 2018, East West Barbershop has grown from a local men’s barbershop into a global men’s grooming brand.

In less than a decade, the chain has expanded across Vietnam and into international markets, becoming one of Asia’s prominent men’s grooming brands.

While expansion in Vietnam has been driven by growing demand for men’s grooming, operating in Europe presents a more complex challenge.

Tax regulations, business requirements, labor laws and working-hour rules are strictly regulated, while costs for premises, personnel and operations are significantly higher.

“Europe is a demanding market, with high service expectations and stringent regulations. To integrate into the market, we did not simply replicate our Vietnamese model in Europe.

I have traveled to Europe several times to study the market, adjust our operating procedures and enhance the customer experience,” said Nguyen Hoai Thanh, Chairman of East West Barbershop Vietnam Joint Stock Company.

These efforts are beginning to yield results. Its Hungary branch has built a base of returning customers, demonstrating that a Vietnamese brand can earn trust in a demanding market by respecting local standards while leveraging its own strengths.

East West Barbershop brings Vietnamese and European barbers together to exchange expertise, share experiences and learn from one another, turning its international expansion into a two-way journey of professional growth.

This reflects the spirit behind the name “East West”: Connecting professionals from different cultures to grow together.

From a haircut to an East-West cultural exchange

Vietnamese and European barbers differ in their professional cultures. In Vietnam, barbers often build close relationships with customers through everyday conversations, personalized advice and an ability to remember individual preferences.

East West Barbershop preserves these values internationally while adapting to European expectations of professionalism, precision, personalization and service consistency.

East West Barbershop brings Vietnamese craftsmanship and identity to Europe
East West Barbershop brings Vietnamese craftsmanship and identity to Europe

From popular styles such as fades, undercuts and hair tattoos to services including shampooing, facial shaving, ear cleaning and massage, the brand aims to create a personalized grooming experience.

Its stores also feature greenery, bookshelves and relaxation areas, turning a haircut into a genuine moment of leisure.

Today, East West Barbershop operates more than 130 branches globally, with over 1,000 employees.

Behind these figures remains a simple ambition: To take Vietnamese barbering further through the skill and dedication of its barbers.

East West Barbershop’s European journey is more than opening another store. It demonstrates that a Vietnamese brand can enter international markets through craftsmanship, professionalism and a distinctive identity.
Hashtag: #EastWestBarbershop

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

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2026 – On September 4, Qwen Conference Thailand 2026 was held in Bangkok, bringing together industry leaders, developers, AI creators, government organizations, universities, and technology partners to explore advances in AI and the future of AI-powered industries.

AMAP Platform, Alibaba’s global provider of spatial intelligence and location-based solutions, joined the conference to share its technologies and real-world applications in global location services and spatial intelligence with businesses and developers from Thailand and around the world.

At the event, AMAP Platform’s Head of Overseas Business presented the company’s global strategy for spatial intelligence and highlighted solutions across key industries, including two-wheeler mobility, logistics and delivery, and travel.

For two-wheeler mobility, AMAP Platform provides multilingual POI search, motorcycle route planning, restricted-road avoidance, ETA estimation, and navigation, helping businesses deliver smarter and more efficient mobility experiences.

For logistics and delivery, location services support key stages across the delivery lifecycle, from order planning and delivery operations to network optimization, helping businesses improve delivery efficiency and operational decision-making.

For travel, multilingual POI search, multimodal route planning, and real-time navigation support a seamless journey from destination discovery to on-the-go navigation.

AMAP Platform is also expanding spatial intelligence into a broader range of industries, including e-commerce and AIoT. Through standardized, easy-to-integrate location services, AMAP Platform enables businesses worldwide to embed mapping and spatial intelligence into their products and operations, unlocking new opportunities for business growth and AI-powered industry innovation.

Hashtag: #AMAPPlatform

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

Scientists examining Nepal’s catastrophic August glacier collapse have identified accelerating movement in satellite images before the slope failed, strengthening hopes that high-resolution monitoring could provide warning of some future Himalayan glacier disasters. The 26 August failure high in the Lhende catchment near the Nepal-China border sent ice, rock, mud and water down the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli river system, devastating settlements and infrastructure. Nepalese authorities say the disaster has […]

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2026 – Global digital business services leader TP (ex-Teleperformance) has been named Frost & Sullivan’s 2026 Asia-Pacific Company of the Year in Customer Experience Management Services, the analyst firm’s top honor recognizing the market participant that exemplifies visionary innovation, market-leading performance and customer care. TP was recognized for combining AI orchestration, operational discipline, and measurable customer impact across Asia-Pacific.

TP named Frost & Sullivan's 2026 Asia-Pacific Company of the Year in Customer Experience Management Services

Frost & Sullivan credited TP’s ability to move AI from experimentation into live operations, which Frost identified as one of the most urgent gaps in the industry. TP applies AI across the service delivery lifecycle to help teams become productive faster and improve service quality at scale. This starts with AI-enabled recruitment and onboarding, extends into simulation-based training that helps customer experts build proficiency before handling live interactions, and continues through workforce management and AI-assisted coaching. In quality assurance, TP now reviews every transaction rather than the small sample the industry has traditionally relied on, sharpening coaching precision, compliance visibility and operational learning.

“As AI becomes embedded into customer operations, enterprises need outcome-based models that orchestrate AI and human agents to improve productivity and deliver measurable business value,” said Dave Rizzo, President and CEO, APAC, TP. “TP designs workflows that use AI to elevate human work, while linking productivity gains to the business outcomes clients want to achieve. Being named Frost & Sullivan’s Asia-Pacific Company of the Year recognizes the progress we are making in delivering that transformation for clients across the region.”

Frost & Sullivan highlighted TP’s work with a major hospitality brand in Singapore as an example of this approach in practice. The engagement went beyond operational delivery to integrate technology across legacy and modern systems, while also implementing an AI-enabled knowledge platform that delivers trusted, context-aware answers to customer inquiries across multiple operational teams and lines of business. Together, these capabilities supported a broader redesign of the service infrastructure behind a high-touch, premium customer experience. Beyond individual client engagements, TP’s operations across Asia-Pacific play a dual role in TP’s strategy as both a delivery engine and a business development engine in a high-growth demand market. Frost & Sullivan noted that TP’s regional footprint enables it to respond to different language, regulatory, cultural, and operational requirements.

“The company’s centers of excellence in Asia-Pacific contribute to the development of solutions across AI, machine learning, natural language processing, analytics, and automation. This gives the region a role beyond labor delivery. It becomes a capability engine for global transformation,” said Krishna Baidya, Vice President, ICT Practice, Frost & Sullivan.

Frost & Sullivan also highlighted TP’s approach to reframing the traditional onshore-versus-offshore debate. Across Asia-Pacific, TP supports offshore, nearshore, onshore and hybrid delivery models, using technology and local market capabilities to balance cost efficiency, service quality, language requirements and regulatory needs. This flexibility allows TP to tailor delivery models to the realities of individual markets rather than relying on a single approach.

With operations in close to 100 countries and services spanning more than 170 markets, TP combines global scale with regional delivery depth, technology and human expertise. Across Asia-Pacific, this is translating into measurable outcomes, including an agentic triage use case that reduced referral-to-booking turnaround from approximately 24 hours to minutes while improving booking conversion. The recognition reflects how TP is evolving its digital business services for the next phase of AI-enabled transformation while keeping human oversight, empathy, judgment and relationships central to the service model.

Hashtag: #TP




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

AboutTP in SINGAPORE

TP in Singapore is part of the , a global leader in digital business services which consistently seeks to blend the best of advanced technology with human empathy to deliver enhanced customer care that is simpler, faster, and safer for the world’s biggest brands and their customers. The Group’s comprehensive, AI-powered service portfolio ranges from front office customer care to back-office functions, including high-value digital transformation services, collections and operations consulting. It also offers a range of specialized services such as interpreting and localization, visa and consular services, and recruitment process outsourcing services. The teams of multilingual, inspired, and passionate experts and advisors, spread in close to 100 countries, as well as the Group’s local presence allows it to be a force of good in supporting communities, clients, and the environment.

For more information: .

Unveils Cross-Sector Rewards with Up to HK$2,600 Early Bird Savings on Designated Handset

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 September 2026 – Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank”) marks its 6th anniversary through a cross-sector collaboration alongside 3 Hong Kong and 3SUPREME, mobile brands of Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited (“HTHK”). The joint initiative debuts an exclusive dual promotion designed to elevate customers’ smart digital financial and mobile communications experiences, adding further excitement to Ping An Digital Bank’s suite of 6th-anniversary celebrations!

Mr. Ronald Iu, Chief Executive of Ping An Digital Bank, said, “As Ping An Digital Bank celebrates its 6th anniversary, our retail banking segment continues to experience rapid growth, a testament to the long-standing trust and support of our customers. On this special occasion, we remain dedicated to thinking ahead and going the extra mile for our customers. Collaborating with 3 Hong Kong and 3SUPREME allows us to combine the strengths of both parties, empowering customers to upgrade to the latest digital products while enjoying seamless and high-quality retail banking services.”

New Handset Rewards: HK$400 Upon Account Opening, Mobile Plan Subscription and Handset Purchase Up to HK$2,600 in Early Bird Savings

From now until 30 November 2026, eligible customers1 who successfully open a Ping An Digital Bank personal savings account using the designated promotion code [3HKPA] will receive a HK$400 cash rebate2 from Ping An Digital Bank.

To reward first movers, an exclusive early bird offer is available from now until 17 September 2026. Eligible customers1 will enjoy a waiver of the HK$500 prepayment amount3 from 3 Hong Kong and 3SUPREME, alongside handset discounts of up to HK$2,2003. Combined with the HK$400 cash rebate2 from Ping An Digital Bank, customers can unlock total savings of up to HK$2,600.

Deposit Rewards: Enjoy 16% p.a. 1-Month HKD Time Deposit Interest Rate

Additionally, new Ping An Digital Bank customers4 who open a Ping An Digital Bank personal savings account on or before 30 September 2026, and successfully place a 1-month HKD time deposit can enjoy an attractive annual interest rate of 16%5,6 on their first HK$100,000 deposit. This enables customers to effortlessly lock in privileged high-yield returns while upgrading to the new handset.

Looking ahead, Ping An Digital Bank will continue to uphold its vision of “Always with You, Always Ahead.” Dedicated to thinking ahead and going the extra mile, the Bank will actively explore cross-industry synergies and continuously enhance its diversified suite of financial products and services to deliver superior digital financial experiences for customers.

1 Eligible Customers refer to customers who have never held any account with Ping An Digital Bank, successfully open a savings account with promotion code “3HKPA” during the Promotion Period, subscribe to, renew or upgrade to a designated 3 Hong Kong / 3SUPREME service plan with a minimum contract period of 24 months and hold a valid Hong Kong Identity Card or Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macau at the time of such subscription, renewal or upgrade during the Promotion Period (from 7 September 2026 to 30 November 2026) , and successfully purchase a designated handset on or before 31 March 2027.

2 HK$ 400 cash rebate is available only to Eligible Customers who satisfy all relevant requirements. Each Eligible Customer can enjoy the HK$ 400 Cash Rebate and other offers once only. The Cash Rebate and other offers are non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash or other gifts. Cash Rebate will be credited to the savings account of eligible customer on or before 31 May 2027.

3 The waiver of HK$ 500 prepayment amount, up to HK$2,200 discount upon purchase of a designated 3HK handset model, designated service plans, designated handset models, and other designated 3HK offers are provided and managed by 3 Hong Kong / 3SUPREME, and are subject to relevant terms and conditions.

4 New Ping An Digital Bank customers refer to customers who have never held any account with the Bank and successfully open a savings account during the 1 September 2026 to 30 September 2026 using a promotion code obtained through any channels.

5 The 16% p.a. HK$ Time Deposit rate offer will be displayed on the Time Deposit page in the Ping An Digital Bank’s personal mobile banking app within 3 working days (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays) after successful account opening.

6 HKD Time Deposit interest rate is calculated daily on the basis of a 365-day year and is subject to the Bank’s decision from time to time.

Ping An Digital Bank is not the supplier of any products or services provided by 3 Hong Kong / 3SUPREME and shall not be liable for any matters relating to the quality, supply, use, payment, refund, handset collection, warranty or after-sales services of 3 Hong Kong / 3SUPREME’s products or services. Offers subject to the relevant terms and conditions. For details, please refer to the “Ping An Digital Bank x 3 Hong Kong / 3SUPREME New Customer Exclusive HK$400 Cash Rebate Promotion Terms and Conditions” and “New Customer Time Deposit High Interest Offer Programme Terms and Conditions”

Hashtag: #平安數字銀行 #PingAnDB #3HK #3Supreme

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

Ping An Digital Bank

Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank,” “PingAnDB”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufax Holding Ltd (“Lufax”) (SEHK: 6623; NYSE: LU) and a member of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An”) (SEHK: 2318; SSE: 601318). Ping An Digital Bank was granted a banking licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in May 2019 to offer retail banking and business banking services. Backed by Ping An’s advanced technology, Ping An Digital Bank is elevating banking experience, serving customer in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, establishing itself as Ping An Group’s comprehensive financial platform in Hong Kong.

Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited

Hutchison Telecommunications (Hong Kong) Limited (“HTHK”), a leading mobile operator in Hong Kong, offers diverse and advanced mobile telecoms services under the 3 Hong Kong, 3SUPREME, SoSIM and MO+ brands, addressing different needs of the consumer market. HTHK is also dedicated to developing business and enterprise solutions under the 3Business brand in the corporate market spanning mobile commerce, information technology, smart city, the Internet of Things and big data. HTHK channels the latest technologies into innovations that set market trends and steer industry development.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi low-cost carrier flynas has agreed to acquire a 10 per cent stake in Swissport Saudi Arabia for about SAR50 million, pairing the investment with a five-year exclusive ground-handling agreement covering its network across the kingdom. The transaction, signed on September 6 and disclosed to the Saudi Exchange on Monday, also gives flynas an option to buy an additional 10 per cent of […]

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Etihad Salam Telecom Company signed 29 strategic partnerships during LEAP 2026 in Riyadh, using the four-day technology gathering to widen its portfolio across connectivity, cloud services, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and enterprise digital solutions. The company, known as Salam, said the agreements formed the centrepiece of its participation as a strategic sponsor and supported its shift from a traditional telecommunications provider towards an integrated […]

Alibaba Cloud has launched its first cloud region in Brazil, bringing two data centres in São Paulo into operation and extending its infrastructure network into South America. The new region gives businesses, start-ups, developers and public institutions access to Alibaba Cloud services hosted inside Brazil, including computing, storage, containers, networking, security, databases, big-data and cloud-native products. The company said the local infrastructure was designed for workloads requiring […]

More than 25 years after its founding, AlarmSystemStore.com continues to earn industry recognition, receiving Alarm.com’s Silver Premier Partner designation for the third consecutive year.

INDIANA, US – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – AlarmSystemStore.com, a security solutions provider founded in Columbus, Indiana, in 1997, has been recognized as an Alarm.com Silver Premier Partner for 2025, marking the third consecutive year the company has earned the distinction. The recognition reflects performance during the previous calendar year and highlights the company’s continued commitment to helping homeowners and businesses adopt smarter, more reliable security solutions.

A Nearly Three-Decade Success Story
When AlarmSystemStore.com was founded in 1997, the security industry looked very different. Traditional alarm systems relied heavily on landline communication, remote access was virtually nonexistent, and smart home technology had yet to enter the mainstream.

Over the past 28 years, the company has evolved alongside the industry—embracing alarm monitoring, cloud-based security, video surveillance, smart automation, and connected property management solutions. As an authorized dealer for DSC, Qolsys, Alarm.com, Honeywell, Resideo, Alula, Uplink Security, and a supporter of most other major brands, including 2Gig and GE Security, for its monitoring and interactive services, the company has built its reputation on selection, expertise, and value.

A Different Model: DIY and B2B, Without the Markup
Unlike traditional alarm companies, AlarmSystemStore.com caters to the do-it-yourself, direct-to-consumer, and direct business-to-business markets as a discount provider of professional-grade equipment and services.

Customers typically save more than 50% off the same equipment and services offered by traditional alarm companies. The company backs every sale with free technical support and offers a pre-programming and setup option for customers who prefer a more plug-and-play experience.

Three Consecutive Years of Recognition
The latest award marks a significant milestone for the company:

  • 2023 Alarm.com Silver Premier Partner
  • 2024 Alarm.com Silver Premier Partner
  • 2025 Alarm.com Silver Premier Partner

Because each designation reflects the prior year’s performance, the three-year streak points to sustained engagement and consistent growth within the Alarm.com partner network.

“Alarm.com has quickly become our top recommended service for customers, surpassing all others. It’s truly a top-notch service, which is apparent from both their tremendous growth and our growth with them as a dealer. We are proud to be affiliated with them,” said Andy Bowman, President at AlarmSystemStore.com.

About Alarm.com and the Premier Partner Program
Alarm.com began offering cloud-based interactive security services and integrations with security hardware in 2002 and went public in 2015 — the same year AlarmSystemStore.com Store became an authorized dealer. Today, the platform offers a range of cloud-based services, including alarm system command and control, smart home automation, and video and access control, and currently serves more than 6 million active residential and commercial subscribers globally.

Alarm.com services are available only through authorized dealers such as AlarmSystemStore.com, who provide activation and ongoing service support for the end user. The Premier Partner Program recognizes dealers that demonstrate strong performance, customer engagement, and commitment to delivering exceptional experiences on the platform — placing AlarmSystemStore.com among a select group of recognized partners.

Looking Ahead
As security technology continues to evolve through artificial intelligence, video analytics, and connected devices, AlarmSystemStore.com remains focused on helping customers adopt solutions that are both effective and easy to manage — at a price that undercuts the traditional alarm model. The same principle that guided the company in 1997 still applies today: trusted guidance, professional-grade equipment, and long-term support, without the premium price tag.

Hashtag: #AlarmSystemStore.com

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

About AlarmSystemStore.com

Founded in 1997 and headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, provides professional-grade security systems, smart home automation solutions, video surveillance products, and technical support for homeowners and businesses throughout the United States. The company specializes in helping customers design, install, and manage security solutions powered by industry-leading technology.

Student Flag-guard Team debuts new signature uniforms, embodying vigour and a sense of mission

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) today (7 September) commenced the 2026/27 academic year with a solemn Flag-raising Ceremony this morning, with the CUHK Flag-guard Team, clad in student-designed new uniforms, conducting the ceremony – demonstrating vigour and a sense of mission. The national flag, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region flag and the CUHK flag were solemnly raised to the national anthem, marking the start of the new academic year.

It was followed by the Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates 2026. The events come at a landmark moment for the University, following its recent rise to 18th place in the QS World University Rankings and the official launch of its new strategic plan, CUHK 2026–2030: Leaping to Greatness.

The Flag-raising and Flag-guard Team Recognition Ceremonies

The Flag-raising Ceremony was attended by more than 130 guests, including the Hon Alice Mak Mei-kuen, Secretary for Home and Youth Affairs of the HKSAR Government, Ms Wan Ning, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Education and Youth Affairs of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Professor Hon Jasper Tsang Yok-sing, Honorary Professor in CUHK’s Faculty of Social Science, Dr Norman Chan Tak-lam, Vice-Chairman of the CUHK Council, Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President, alongside Legislative Council members, members of the University Council, senior management, representatives of Colleges and Faculties, staff, students and alumni.

CUHK Flag-guard Team with guests
CUHK Flag-guard Team with guests

Following the Flag-raising Ceremony, the University held the Recognition Ceremony for the CUHK Flag-guard Team. Miss Mak, Dr Chan and Professor Lo presented 18 Appointment Certificates and 5 Certificates of Appreciation respectively. In addition, a student received the “Best CUHK Flag-guard Team Member Award 2025-2026” in recognition of her outstanding performance and dedication to the team.

Three awards for the Flag-guard Team Uniform Design Competition were also presented. The final design of the new uniforms was developed from the winning concepts of the champion students and further refined with valuable input from Professor Lo. Featuring CUHK’s signature purple and gold – representing devotion and loyalty, and perseverance and resolution, respectively. The new uniforms reflect the team’s professionalism and vibrant spirit, while embodying the youth’s loyalty and commitment to the nation, Hong Kong and the University, as well as their steadfast dedication to promoting patriotic values.

Navigating the AI era through virtue and ethics

CUHK holds the Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates 2026
CUHK holds the Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates 2026

At the Inauguration Ceremony for Undergraduates 2026 held at Sir Run Run Shaw Hall, Professor Lo welcomed the incoming cohort, encouraging them to regard CUHK as their second home for intellectual and personal growth.

Addressing how students could navigate the artificial intelligence (AI) era, Professor Lo emphasised the importance of developing both technical capabilities and sound moral judgement. He encouraged students to use AI responsibly, with honesty, independent judgement and respect for others. He noted that, as routine tasks became increasingly automated, human strengths such as empathy, critical reasoning and moral judgement would become even more important, highlighting why the University motto, “Through Learning and Temperance to Virtue”, was more relevant today than ever.

Professor Lo added that a journey at CUHK would open up opportunities for students to become responsible global citizens, “Social responsibility begins with an awareness that our actions and attitudes can make a difference. As an ancient Chinese saying goes, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step’ (「千里之行,始於足下」). The idea of changing the world may seem daunting. Yet social responsibility often starts with small, everyday actions on campus and in the local community: volunteering, supporting community initiatives, embracing sustainability or extending kindness to those around us. Meaningful change is built one step at a time: start locally while thinking globally, using knowledge and talent to contribute to the common good.”

Professor Lo invited students to actively participate in the journey of shaping CUHK’s future trajectory, adding that their curiosity, integrity, fresh ideas and willingness to contribute would play a vital role in the University’s development.

Hashtag: #CUHK #Inauguration #Flag-raising #newacademicyear #Flag-guard #uniform






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

With 30 Years of Industry Dedication, A-Share Listed Enterprise Huali Shares Achieves Over 50% Growth Against Market Trends
HUAFULI Makes Its First Foray into Hong Kong with the Grand Opening of the 2,800 sq. ft. “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery”
Executive President Xie Zhikun Reveals Deep Ties with Hong Kong; Hong Kong Regional Manager Ken So Addresses Industry Pain Points and Sets HK$100 Million Sales Target

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – HUAFULI, a high-end decorative panel brand under the Shanghai Stock Exchange main board listed company “Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.” (Stock Code: 603038.SH), has leveraged its 30 years of brand heritage and formidable R&D and supply chain strength to achieve a rapid growth of over 50% against recent market downturns! Backed by a robust brand history, HUAFULI served as a supporting furniture materials supplier for top-tier international events, including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games, and the 2011 Shenzhen Summer Universiade, earning national-level recognition for its quality.

(From left) Mr. Wang Tangxin, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung, Brand Spokesperson of HUAFULI; Mr. Jacky Tan Xujie, Vice Chairman of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Ji Juntao, Vice President of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Lu Xuqiu, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd. jointly officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new showroom.
(From left) Mr. Wang Tangxin, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung, Brand Spokesperson of HUAFULI; Mr. Jacky Tan Xujie, Vice Chairman of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; Mr. Ji Juntao, Vice President of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd.; and Mr. Lu Xuqiu, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd. jointly officiate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the opening of the new showroom.

HUAFULI today officially announced its full-scale entry into the Hong Kong market, establishing its presence in the heart of Lockhart Road, Wan Chai—renowned as “Hong Kong’s Building Materials Street.” A grand opening ceremony was held for its brand-new 2,800 sq. ft. flagship exhibition hall, the “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery”. The brand offers an Integrated Door-Wall-Cabinet solution and localized services, using Hong Kong as a strategic pivot to expand into the global market!

The ceremony, themed “Huafuli: A New Chapter in Hong Kong”, was officiated by management representatives, including Mr. Jacky Tan Xujie, Vice Chairman of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Lu Xuqiu, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Wang Tangxin, Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., Mr. Ji Juntao, Vice President of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., and Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli. The event also featured a heavyweight guest, three-time TV King, renowned artist, and Brand Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai, who attended the ribbon-cutting and conducted a live contract signing ceremony, witnessing this significant milestone in HUAFULI’s development in Hong Kong.

30 Years of Dedication: From Single-Product Champion to System Service Provider; Executive President Xie Zhikun Reveals Deep “Hong Kong Ties”

Founded in 1995, Huali Shares was listed on the SSE main board in 2017. In its early years, the brand took the lead in breaking foreign technological monopolies, spearheading the formulation of China’s furniture edge banding industry standards, and achieving the highest national sales for ten consecutive years. Over 30 years of development, the brand has successfully upgraded from an edge banding sales champion to a whole-house system service provider encompassing decorative panels, edge banding, and home hardware. Amid the transformative challenges faced by the home building materials industry in recent years, HUAFULI has defied market trends with a robust growth of over 50%, demonstrating remarkable business resilience and market leadership.

During his opening speech, Mr. Xie Zhikun, CEO and Co-founder of Dongguan Huali Industries Co., Ltd., shared emotionally: “Thirty years ago, we started with a single edge banding strip, proactively formulating the industry standards for furniture edge banding in China and maintaining the number one sales position nationwide for thirty consecutive years. With this dedication, we successfully upgraded from a ‘single-product champion’ to a complete system covering decorative panels, edge banding, and home hardware. Even when the industry faced challenges recently, HUAFULI still achieved a 50% growth against the trend. In fact, our connection with Hong Kong began back in 2008 when we established a subsidiary here. Hong Kong people are extremely particular about home quality, placing special emphasis on eco-friendliness, moisture resistance, and health, which are precisely HUAFULI’s strengths. The ‘HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery’ unveiled today is not just an ordinary showroom, but a home art gallery that offers peace of mind and lifestyle aesthetics. In the future, we will collaborate with all sectors in Hong Kong using solid products, a professional team, and localized services, opening a new chapter where quality and craftsmanship parallel each other—basing ourselves in Hong Kong, connecting with the Mainland, and radiating globally!”

Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli, Addresses Three Industry Pain Points, Eliminates Northbound Travel Hassles, and Sets a HK$100 Million Sales Target

In an exclusive media interview, Mr. Ken So, Sales Manager of the Hong Kong Region, Huafuli, deeply analyzed the business logic and localized strategy behind the brand’s entry into Hong Kong:

  • Eliminating Cross-border Travel Fatigue to Significantly Boost Deal Success Rates: Mr. So pointed out that local interior designers and homeowners were often limited to brochure samples or had to endure tiring trips to Mainland factories to view actual materials. “We established ourselves directly in the core area of Lockhart Road, Wan Chai, building a 2,800 sq. ft. high-spec exhibition hall. Designers can now bring clients at any time to view 1:1 physical large panels and finished door-wall-cabinet displays. The art gallery does not retail directly to homeowners but serves as a shared design base for Hong Kong designers and contractors, addressing eco-concerns on the spot and significantly improving local designers’ deal success rates.”
  • Insisting on a 100% Direct-Sale Model with Unified National Pricing—”Not a Cent Added”: Differentiating from traditional building material brands that rely on multi-tiered agents, Mr. So emphasized HUAFULI’s commitment to a direct-sale system: “Whether in the Mainland or Hong Kong, HUAFULI is directly operated by the group, ensuring high consistency in product quality, after-sales service, and pricing. Although we have set up a top-tier showroom in the prime location of Wan Chai and hired a star spokesperson, the panel prices remain unified nationally with the Mainland—’not a cent added’—truly yielding benefits to local partners with sincerity.”
  • Eco-friendly Panels Replacing Traditional Laminates; Setting a HK$100 Million Sales Target: Mr. So analyzed that eco-friendly decorative panels are in a golden growth period in Hong Kong, gradually replacing traditional fireproof laminates and veneers. “We see massive market potential, and HUAFULI has set a target of achieving HK$100 million in sales in Hong Kong within 3 to 5 years! The Hong Kong market is strict and aligned with international standards. We are using Hong Kong as a touchstone and strategic hub for adapting to global standards, and will further expand into more overseas markets in the future.”
  • Strong Supply Chain Backing to Achieve “Zero Minimum Order, Next-Day Delivery” Express Fulfillment: Relying on six major production bases in the Mainland (totaling 600,000 square meters) and a network of 14 branch warehouses, HUAFULI breaks the traditional months-long waiting period for imported building materials. It provides the local industry with a localized, one-stop delivery service characterized by “zero minimum order, zero inventory requirements, same-day response, and next-day delivery,” greatly alleviating the financial and warehousing pressures on local partners.

Global Debut of German-Japanese Nano-Microcrystalline EBH Technology; Dual Ultimate Eco-certifications Lead New Trends in HK Building Materials

With Hong Kong’s increasingly stringent requirements for green buildings, indoor air quality, and ESG standards, HUAFULI brings a high-specification product system suitable for the Hong Kong environment:

  • Hong Kong Debut of the German-Japanese EBH Series: Combining German plasma spraying and Japanese precision light-curing technologies, this series boasts top-tier performance across six dimensions: anti-fingerprint (90% reduction), scratch resistance (2H+ hardness), anti-mildew and antibacterial (99.5%+), and yellowing resistance. Its surface presents an advanced, luxurious 5° matte gloss, perfectly adapting to Hong Kong’s humid climate.
  • Dual Highest Eco-certifications: “ENF Grade + JIS JAS F4-star”: Showcasing top-tier eco-friendly panels (including Particle Board, Multi-layer Plywood, and Oriented Strand Board, etc.) that have comprehensively passed the dual certifications of the national highest environmental standard “ENF Grade” (formaldehyde emission ≤0.025 mg/m³) and Japan’s highest environmental standard “F☆☆☆☆ (F4-Star).”
  • Recognized by the “Hong Kong ECO Mark”: The products have obtained the Hong Kong Green Label Scheme certification, achieving extremely low TVOC and formaldehyde emissions from the source. This directly addresses the pain points of Hong Kong’s indoor air quality and aligns with the high standards for ESG inspection by developers.
  • Patented Laser Edge Banding 2.0 and colour matched door-wall-cabinet system: The entire series comes standard with the original factory’s seamless laser edge banding technology, achieving panel edge banding in-one. HUAFULI particularly advocates the “Integrated Door-Wall-Cabinet” concept, where interior doors, wall panels, and custom cabinets are all made from the same original factory batch of substrates with identical colors and textures. This achieves zero color difference and a highly unified whole-house aesthetics with perfectly extended textures, providing unparalleled one-stop quality solutions when paired with original factory moldings and hardware components.

Star Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung Attends the Event, Heavily Endorses Dual Ultimate Eco-friendliness at Contract Signing

The atmosphere at the grand opening ceremony was vibrant, with traditional auspicious lion eye-dotting and lion dance performances kicking off the splendid prologue for the “HUAFULI Hong Kong Home Art Gallery.” Brand Spokesperson Mr. Wayne Lai Yiu Cheung conducted a grand contract signing ceremony on site and joined management guests for a celebratory group toast and photo.

Hashtag: #HUAFULI

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

About HUAFULI

Founded in 1995, Huali Shares was listed on the main board of the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2017 (Stock Code: 603038.SH). Starting from the field of decorative composite materials, the company has adhered to integrity and innovation, inherited the spirit of craftsmanship, and over the past 30 years, has developed into a comprehensive holding enterprise encompassing home building materials, smart water affairs, membrane filtration materials, and industrial digital intelligence businesses. It is committed to leading industry progress through high-level R&D, satisfying people’s aspirations for a better life through technological innovation, and empowering industrial upgrades through digital and intelligent technologies. Its home building materials business primarily focuses on edge banding, decorative panels, and home hardware, mainly used in panel furniture, interior decoration, and commercial space construction. It is the first domestic home materials manufacturing enterprise to break the German technological monopoly and possess independent intellectual property rights, and is the leading formulator of important industry standards for edge banding in China.

VISHNU RAJA
RYO YAMADA
HITORI GOTOH
IKUYO KITA