Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi medical devices distributor ProMedEx has renewed an 84 million riyal Islamic financing package with Riyad Bank for one year, extending a facility the company says will be used to fund existing projects and back expansion plans as healthcare suppliers across the kingdom continue to seek working capital for inventory, imports and contract execution. The facility is equivalent to about $22.4 million. The […]
Vietnam’s Macroeconomic Resilience Amid Global Volatility
Amid global volatility, geopolitical fragmentation, and monetary tightening cycles, Vietnam has distinguished itself as a rare convergence of macroeconomic stability and long-term growth potential. International analysts now recognize the country as a strategic hub for institutional capital.
Political consistency is the bedrock of Vietnam’s appeal. The country’s high-growth trajectory is underpinned by strong governance coherence, with a unified government that minimizes execution risk. Over the past five years, a series of legal reforms have strengthened land valuation transparency, financial discipline, and environmental compliance. These regulatory improvements systematically align Vietnam’s real estate market with international institutional standards.
Infrastructure investment serves as another structural catalyst. With public investment reaching approximately 7% of GDP, Vietnam is undertaking one of the region’s most aggressive infrastructure expansion programs. Flagship projects such as Long Thanh International Airport, Cai Mep deep-sea port, and metropolitan ring roads are not merely improving connectivity, they are fundamentally reshaping spatial economics and unlocking new real estate frontiers.
Urbanization further amplifies this trajectory. Unlike many regional peers that have reached saturation, Vietnam remains in an early-to-mid stage of urban transformation, creating a sustained demand pipeline for residential, commercial, and mixed-use developments. From a capital markets perspective, Vietnam demonstrates stronger growth across key indicators compared to neighboring countries, with robust FDI inflows and a favorable demographic profile positioning it as a top-tier emerging market in Asia’s real estate investment landscape.
Vinhomes Green Paradise (Can Gio): A New Urban Wonder of Asia
As global investor preferences shift from fragmented, single-asset developments toward integrated urban ecosystems, Vinhomes has emerged as a master developer capable of delivering internationally competitive megaprojects. At the center of this evolution is Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, a coastal development that international experts describe as unmatched in Asia.
Infrastructure plays a catalytic role in unlocking such projects. The transformation driven by Long Thanh Airport and Cai Mep Port significantly improves accessibility to Can Gio, redefining peripheral land into high-value development corridors. Vietnam’s coastal real estate, long overlooked, now offers a unique opportunity to develop globally competitive destinations, provided they are master-planned and executed at scale.
The defining factor is achieving critical mass. A large-scale integrated development that combines education, healthcare, entertainment, and residential zones within a single master plan is what truly differentiates a project. This philosophy is embedded from inception in Vinhomes’ development model. From an international vantage point, investors are increasingly looking for “urban wonders”, destinations that act as economic engines and catalysts for regional development. Vinhomes Green Paradise is regarded as truly a wonder, featuring world-class infrastructure and amenities.
Stephen Higgins, representing Cushman & Wakefield, emphasized the project’s unique positioning: “There is currently nowhere else in Asia delivering a project like Vinhomes Green Paradise in Can Gio, located adjacent to an existing major city.”
When benchmarked against global icons such as Marina Bay Sands and Palm Jumeirah, the project signals Vietnam’s emergence as a new frontier for landmark urban developments. In this paradigm, Vinhomes transcends the role of a conventional developer, positioning itself as a place-maker that engineers destination ecosystems, an increasingly critical concept in global real estate investment strategy.
Competitive Advantages of Scale, Pricing, and a Strategic Entry Point
A defining characteristic of Vietnam’s real estate market is the rare combination of high growth potential and relatively attractive pricing at scale. With a population of 100 million and a median age of 32, ideal within the region, Vietnam benefits from a demographic dividend that underpins long-term housing demand, absorption rates, and market liquidity.
Vietnam’s strategic geographic positioning near major economic hubs such as China, Singapore, and Hong Kong enhances its role within regional supply chains and capital flows. Importantly, the country can deliver world-class developments at a much more competitive price point. This pricing arbitrage creates significant upside potential as the market continues to mature and converge toward regional benchmarks.
Scale is another decisive factor. Mega-scale developments exceeding 1,000 hectares provide a rare opportunity to design entirely new urban environments. Globally, such large contiguous land parcels are increasingly scarce, making Vietnam one of the few markets capable of delivering next-generation master-planned cities. Within this landscape, Vingroup stands out as a dominant force, with Vinhomes at the forefront of executing these large-scale visions. By integrating residential, commercial, and smart-city infrastructure within a unified master plan, Vinhomes is not merely supplying real estate, it is institutionalizing a new asset class for global investors.
Highlighting the requirements for market competitiveness, Troy Griffiths from Savills stated: “Vietnam must compete through pricing, quality, and the value delivered within a master-planned estate.“ When these three pillars converge, real estate evolves from a transactional asset into a long-term value platform.
With global capital increasingly reallocating toward markets with structural growth and scalable opportunities, Vietnam is transitioning from an emerging destination to a strategic investment hub.
As a central figure in this transition, Vinhomes is playing a significant role in evolving Vietnam’s urban landscape and elevating the nation’s standing within the global real estate sector.
Hashtag: #Vinhomes
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Sub-Saharan Africa’s growth is set to hold at 4.1% in 2026, but the World Bank has cut its earlier projection and warned that a more hostile external backdrop, led by conflict-linked jumps in fuel and fertiliser costs, is making the region’s recovery harder to sustain. The lender said the outlook had been revised down by 0.3 percentage points from its October 2025 estimate, even as governments across […]
South Africa is drawing a broader mix of overseas visitors who are staying longer, travelling with more intention and looking beyond checklist tourism, as global travel habits tilt towards slower, experience-led holidays and the country posts record inbound numbers. Official data show South Africa welcomed about 10.5 million international tourists in 2025, the highest annual total on record and above pre-pandemic levels. Statistics South Africa separately said […]
DataBank and Goodman Group have formed a 50-50 joint venture to build a 32MW data centre in Vernon, California, betting that one of the most capacity-starved digital infrastructure markets in the United States will stay tight as demand from artificial intelligence, cloud and enterprise customers keeps rising. The project is due to begin operations in December 2026 with an initial 6MW, with the remaining capacity scheduled to […]
Lumen Technologies has used its latest letter from chief executive Kate Johnson to sharpen a message it has been building for more than a year: the company wants investors, customers and partners to see it less as a legacy telecom carrier and more as a high-capacity digital networking platform built for artificial intelligence workloads. In the letter, Johnson said 2025 was a “pivotal year”, set out plans […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Mubadala Capital has closed its biggest Brazil-focused investment vehicle at about $900 million, exceeding its original $750 million target in a sign that large overseas investors still see room for opportunistic deals in Latin America’s biggest economy despite a tougher global fundraising climate. The fund, Brazil Special Opportunities Fund III, was backed by a $250 million anchor commitment from Mubadala Capital, the investment […]
Commercial Bank of Dubai will redeem $600 million of perpetual additional tier 1 securities on April 21 and seek to cancel their listings on Euronext Dublin and Nasdaq Dubai once the repayment is completed, marking the planned exit of a capital instrument the lender issued in 2020 as Gulf banks were strengthening balance sheets during a volatile funding period. The securities were issued on October 21, 2020 […]
The ratings agency said elevated oil prices are likely to widen the current-account deficit this year and weaken external buffers, even as it still expects the economy to expand at a healthy pace and the fiscal deficit to narrow over the next two years. S&P projected growth of 5.8% in 2026 after the economy expanded 4.4% in 2025, with softer momentum in the first half and a rebound later in the year.
The decision lands at a delicate moment for Manila. The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas warned this week that higher fuel costs were already feeding into broader prices after March inflation accelerated to 4.1%, above the central bank’s 2% to 4% target band and sharply higher than February’s 2.4%. Transport costs were the main driver, with diesel prices up 59.5% from a year earlier and gasoline up 27.3%, while core inflation also edged higher, suggesting second-round effects may be starting to build.
That inflation pulse helps explain why S&P has become more cautious. A country that depends heavily on imported fuel is especially exposed when conflict disrupts Middle East energy flows, and the Philippines has been among the Asian economies hit hardest by the latest oil shock. Reuters reported that Brent crude had risen 55% since the Iran war began on February 28, while the Philippine peso slid to record lows against the dollar, adding another layer of imported inflation pressure.
The external vulnerability is not new, but the conflict has made it harder to ignore. Philippine officials have been scrambling to secure energy supplies, including seeking assurances over safe passage for Philippine-flagged ships and fuel cargoes through the Strait of Hormuz. Manila has also explored alternative sources of crude and emergency measures to protect domestic supply, underlining how quickly a geopolitical crisis can turn into a ratings issue for an energy-importing economy.
For investors, the key point is that S&P did not cut the rating itself. The agency kept the BBB+ grade in place, indicating that it still sees underlying strengths in the economy, including growth potential, remittance support and expectations of gradual fiscal repair. That distinction matters. An outlook change signals rising risk over the medium term, but it is not the same as a downgrade, and it leaves room for the sovereign to stabilise if external pressures ease and macroeconomic management holds firm.
Still, the downgrade in outlook will sharpen attention on the government’s fiscal path. The Philippines has already lowered its medium-term growth targets to reflect the impact of Middle East tensions and shifts in US trade policy. Official forecasts now put 2025 growth at 5.5% to 6.5%, down from 6% to 8%, while targets for 2026 to 2028 have been narrowed to 6% to 7%. That softer growth backdrop makes deficit reduction harder, particularly if the state is forced to spend more on fuel relief, transport support or other measures to cushion households and businesses.
There are signs, however, that the fiscal picture is not uniformly worsening. Treasury data showed the budget deficit in February narrowed marginally from a year earlier, while year-to-date figures improved sharply because of stronger revenues and earlier remittance of dividends. S&P’s own statement suggests it still expects fiscal metrics to improve, even if the war has made that path more vulnerable to setbacks.
Beyond the government balance sheet, the social cost of the energy spike is becoming harder to miss. Reuters reported that some farmers in Benguet province were abandoning harvests because higher fuel, labour and transport costs made it uneconomic to bring produce to market. That kind of strain matters for credit analysis because it shows how an oil shock can move from shipping lanes and currency markets into household spending, food supply chains and political pressure for intervention.
The firm was recognised across various categories, a testament to its continued outperformance:
Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director said, “We are honoured to be recognised by LSEG Lipper for our consistent performance in 2025 against a backdrop of volatility, underpinned by heightened trade wars. During the year, geopolitical risks and trade tensions caused sudden swings in sentiment, which affected small- and mid-cap stocks. We steered clear of headlines and focused on sustainable earnings. This allowed us to selectively position ourselves for when valuations turned compelling while reducing exposure when risks escalated which proved effective and underscores our expertise in Malaysian equities”.
Since the launch of KGF in 2000 and KGFS2 in 2018, both funds have demonstrated consistent performance. As of December 2025, each has surpassed RM1 billion in assets under management1, underscoring Kenanga Investors’ disciplined investment approach and commitment to long term value creation. This year’s Awards also mark KGF’s sixth Lipper title while KGFS2 celebrates its inaugural win.
Lee Sook Yee, Chief Investment Officer, elaborated on the firm’s approach, “We maintained a disciplined bottom‑up stock‑picking strategy anchored in company fundamentals, giving us the conviction to stay invested in high quality businesses with strong balance sheets and structural growth drivers. This was supported by a strict risk management framework focused on sector diversification, prudent buffers, and incremental rebalancing. In 2026, we will emphasise themes such as artificial intelligence and data centre expansion, infrastructure, utilities, and selective REITs, while remaining true to our investment philosophy”.
Over the five‑year period ended 31 December 2025, KGF delivered a total return of 48.82%, significantly outperforming its benchmark2 of 3.25%. Similarly, KGFS2 achieved a robust 49.92% return compared to its benchmark’s3 46.93%. KMIF also recorded solid results with a 32.67% return against a benchmark4 of 5.26%, while KMGF posted a commendable 25.88% return, exceeding its benchmark’s5 11.32%.
The firm also recently introduced the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 3 (“KGFS3“), the third fund within its flagship conventional fund series. The KGFS3 utilises the firm’s proven investment philosophy and is managed with an active investment strategy depending on the market conditions and outlook, combining a top-down asset and sector allocation process with a bottom-up stock selection methodology.
The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards, granted annually, highlight funds and fund companies that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. The Awards are based on the Lipper Leader for Consistent Return rating, which is a risk-adjusted performance measure calculated over 36, 60 and 120 months. This year’s achievements will serve to strengthen Kenanga Investors’ market leadership and drive its focus on creating enduring value for its investors.
For more information about Kenanga Investors, please visit kenangainvestors.com.my.
1 Source: Lipper, 31 December 2025
2 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia KLCI CR
3 Benchmark: 8% p.a.
4 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia Top 100 CR
5 Benchmark: FTSE Bursa Malaysia Top 100 Index (50%) & All MGS Index by RAM Quant Shop (50%)
Hashtag: #Kenanga
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
We provide investment solutions ranging from collective investment schemes, portfolio management services, alternative investments, as well as wills and trusts for retail, corporate, institutional, and high net worth clients via a multi-distribution network.
The LSEG Lipper Fund Awards 2026 recognised four funds under the Malaysia Provident Funds category; Kenanga Growth Fund was named Equity Malaysia (5 Years), Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 was awarded Equity Malaysia Diversified (3 Years), Kenanga Malaysian Inc Fund was awarded Equity Malaysia Diversified (10 Years) while Kenanga Managed Growth Fund was recognised with the title Mixed Asset MYR Balanced – Malaysia (10 Years).
The Hong Kong-based Asia Asset Management’s (“AAM“) 2026 Best of the Best Awards awarded Kenanga Investors under the following categories, Malaysia Best Impact Investing Manager, Best Impact Investing Manager in ASEAN, Malaysia Best Equity Manager, Malaysia CEO of the Year (Co-Winner), Malaysia CIO of the Year, Malaysia Best House for Alternatives and Malaysia Best ESG Engagement Initiative.
At the AAM ETF Awards 2026, Kenanga Investors received an accolade under the category Malaysia Leverage and Inverse ETF of the Year for the Kenanga KLCI Daily 1x Inverse ETF. The IFN Investor Awards 2025 awarded the Kenanga Islamic Balanced Fund under the categories of “IFN Investor Best Balanced Mixed Assets Fund in Malaysia — MYR 2025”, “IFN Investor Best Balanced Mixed Assets Fund in Asia Pacific 2025”, and “IFN Investor Best Global Balanced Mixed Assets Fund 2025”.
The FPAM Financial Planning Leadership Award 2025 presented Kenanga Investors with the Platinum Award under the Charter Member Category, highlighting our dedication to shaping the future of financial planning. The FSMOne Recommended Unit Trusts Awards 2025/2026 has awarded the Kenanga Growth Fund Series 2 with the “Sector Equity — Malaysia Focused” award for the fourth consecutive year since 2022. For the ninth consecutive year, we were affirmed an investment manager rating of IMR-2 by Malaysian Rating Corporation Berhad, since first rated in 2017. The IMR rating on reflects the fund management company’s well-established investment processes and sound risk management practices.
This Press Release was issued by Kenanga Group’s Marketing, Communications & Sustainability department.
Matein Khalid The US-Israel war with Iran has now stretched beyond five weeks, inflicting extensive damage on energy infrastructure, airports, ports and commercial and technology hubs across the six GCC states. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz to Gulf oil and gas exports is, in itself, an economic catastrophe. It forces the GCC to conclude that energy export security is not national security. Drone and missile attacks triggered a sharp […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2026 – SC has announced its first major rebrand in 20 years, repositioning the brand as “Beyond Residential”. The company is moving forward with the strategy “Reform to Perform” to rebalance its business portfolio through three business engines, diversifying revenue sources, increasing recurring income, and building new S-curves for future growth. SC has set a total revenue target of THB 25.5 billion for 2026 and aims to achieve a new profit high by 2030.
Mr. Nuttaphong Kunakornwong, Chief Executive Officer of SC Asset Corporation Public Company Limited or SC, said that the fragile global economic environment has prompted the company to proactively adapt over the past two to three years. These efforts include organizational restructuring, financial discipline, expanding joint investment partnerships, and initiating new businesses in line with its risk diversification strategy. The company has gradually reshaped its business structure into a portfolio built around three business engines. These include Engine 1 Residential Property, Engine 2 Recurring Income Property, and Engine 3 New Businesses for a Better Future.
SC is also targeting to increase the profit contribution from Engine 2 and Engine 3 to more than 30 percent in order to drive the company’s overall profit to reach a new high again by 2030, while ensuring that all businesses continue to create value for people and the planet.
In 2026, the company will implement a comprehensive rebrand, including a new logo and refreshed corporate identity, marking its first such transformation in 20 years. The move reinforces SC’s position as “Beyond Residential,” supported by a more flexible and diversified portfolio, enabling the company to engage more effectively with customers, employees, partners, investors, and stakeholders.
2026 Business Targets and Plans
– Low-rise housing: Revitalizing of eight single-detached home series across 17 projects under a concept focused on deeply understanding life needs.
– Condominium: Launch of a new ultra-luxury branded residence and a new riverside project, with a combined value of THB 25.5 billion across two projects.
– Introduction of “GenSCription” (Living Subscription Program by SC), responding to the growing shift toward renting instead of homeownership among younger generations, increasing accessibility and flexibility in housing.
– Expansion of hospitality portfolio by 450 rooms in key seaside destinations such as Pattaya and Phuket.
– Development of an additional 170,000 square meters of warehouse space in the Bangna–EEC zone.
– Investment in alternative energy businesses to support data center growth under SCX 360.
– After-sales services will expand from 150 projects to 260 projects, alongside the launch of LINTON, a concierge service designed for ultra luxury residents.
– SC has allocated an investment budget of THB 1 billion over the next three years to support the growth of this business segment.
– The company continues to operate in accordance with international sustainability assessment standards of FTSE Russell.
– SC is advancing its greenhouse gas reduction efforts in line with its five-year target of reducing 100,000 tons of carbon emissions from 2025 to 2030.
– The company is also introducing SC Green Mark, a green building development standard covering environmental performance and residents’ quality of life, which will be applied across all engines and projects.
“Brands are like living things. They survive through evolution, and brands that fail to adapt will eventually become extinct. SC therefore continues to evolve. Rebranding and organizational reform are part of that evolution. A more flexible and diversified business portfolio will enable SC not only to survive but to grow sustainably in the highly volatile and challenging real estate industry, while creating greater value for people more broadly,” Nuttaphong said.
Hashtag: #SC #SCisQuality #SCBusinessDirection2026 #ReformtoPerform
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai shares posted their strongest one-day rise in more than a decade on Wednesday after a two-week ceasefire between the United States and Iran eased fears over a wider regional conflict, soothed concern over energy shipping routes and triggered a broad relief rally across Gulf markets. Dubai’s benchmark index jumped as much as 8.5% intraday, while Abu Dhabi’s main market also recorded its […]
Li Huidi pointed out that artificial intelligence is currently reshaping the ways of production and life with unprecedented speed and breadth, deeply restructuring the competitive landscape of global industries. AI is already the core engine driving the leap in social productivity and leading the transformation of the global industrial system. The overseas development of Chinese enterprises is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade from the traditional export of products and production capacity to the synergistic development of digital capabilities and industrial chains driven by AI.
Li Huidi stated that, in the face of a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation, China Mobile is accelerating the transition from a “telecommunications operator” to a “technology services enterprise.” With the vision of building a world-class technology services enterprise, it comprehensively promotes the integrated innovation of communication technologies, information technologies, and AI technologies, in order to strengthen, optimize, and expand the three major businesses of “communications services, computing services, and AI services.” China Mobile will deeply integrate its AI capabilities into the entire chain of its three core businesses, paving a digital and intelligent highway for globalization, featuring the integration of networks and intelligence, safety and reliability, and universal access across all domains for Chinese enterprises going global:
First, China Mobile will strengthen communications services and empower “AI connectivity”, weaving a dense network of global intelligent interconnection. The scale of China Mobile’s international information infrastructure continues to grow. China Mobile have expanded the capacity of submarine and terrestrial cables, bringing total international transmission bandwidth to 406T and Points of Presence (PoPs) to 446. Notably, the eastern section of 2Africa, the largest submarine cable system in the world circling Africa, has been activated. The sections are expected to be completed and put into operation in the first half of this year. Spanning a total length of approximately 45,000 kilometers, this submarine cable is laid along the coastline of the African continent. It connects 33 countries and regions across the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, providing high-quality, low-latency international communication services for a population of roughly 3 billion along its route. This major information artery, which connects six continents and four oceans, provides safe and reliable guarantees for end-to-end connections. It supports the scheduling of transnational AI applications and the integration of global business for enterprises going global. Global roaming is now available in 268 destinations, and the total number of users for the JegoTrip app has exceeded 90 million. China Mobile’s international ecological cooperation continues to expand, and the “Hand-in-Hand Program” covers over 3 billion users worldwide. China Mobile have consecutively hosted events such as the Southeast Asia Cooperation Conference and the China Mobile Digital Empowerment Cooperation Conferences for Chinese Enterprises Going Global. These events have been widely praised and have strengthened China Mobile’s influence within the global ecosystem. In recent years, China Mobile’s revenue from international business has consistently maintained a trend of high-speed, double-digit growth.
Second, China Mobile will optimize computing services and drive “AI Computing”, building a globally integrated computing network across the world.As a builder of computing infrastructure, China Mobile will comprehensively increase its investment in Artificial Intelligence Data Centers (AIDC), accelerate the supply of computing, and enhance its operational capabilities for Tokens. China Mobile’s 100-megawatt-level Global Intelligent Center (GIC) in Hong Kong has officially opened, and China Mobile will deploy more nodes for AI computing along the “Belt and Road” initiative in the future. China Mobile have already established a cluster for AI computing with a capacity of 92.5 EFLOPS in China. By linking this with over 1,300 resources from self-owned and cooperative data centers overseas, China Mobile are constructing a global network for computing. China Mobile will promote Mobile Cloud to integrate high-quality global models and streamline the service chain where “Agents use Tokens, Tokens drive Computing, and Computing consumes Electricity.” This will forge a solid foundation of computing for Chinese enterprises going global.
Third, China Mobile will expand AI services and reshape digital services, stimulating new momentum across all domains for enterprises going global.As a promoter of applications for artificial intelligence, China Mobile continuously iterates the capabilities of its “Jiutian” large model. China Mobile have accumulated industrial data exceeding 20 trillion Tokens and independently developed more than 50 industrial large models. This promotes the deep integration of AI agents into the entire process of production and operations for enterprises. Overseas, China Mobile translate its leading domestic AI capabilities into a “smart engine” for Chinese enterprises expanding abroad. Targeting the pain points of enterprises going global, China Mobile have tailored a “1+8” system of products and solutions for all scenarios, which has already served tens of thousands of Chinese enterprises in their global layout. By combining the advantages of Chinese manufacturing and 5G solutions, China Mobile achieve deep integration with local ecosystems overseas. In regions including Europe, Latin America, and the Asia-Pacific, and have successfully established over a thousand benchmark cases of “AI+” digital and intelligent transformation, such as smart factories, smart ports, and smart IoV. This makes the fruits of China’s innovation in AI benefit the global market.
Looking toward the vast blue ocean of the AI era, Li Huidi proposed four initiatives: First, China Mobile will jointly build AI infrastructure to forge a solid “new foundation” for AI+ global development. China Mobile will join hands with global industry partners to accelerate the construction of global communication networks, computing networks, and intelligent networks. China Mobile will jointly optimize the layout of global submarine and terrestrial cables as well as hubs for computing, achieving mutually beneficial cooperation along the “Belt and Road” initiative and around the world. By building more high-standard Artificial Intelligence Data Centers, China Mobile will provide low-latency, highly reliable, high-performance, and widely covered infrastructure of computing networks for Chinese enterprises marching into the world. Second, China Mobile will jointly establish AI standards to build a “new consensus” on intelligence within the industry. China Mobile will continue to promote China’s full-stack AI technologies and standards to the world, covering the entire chain of computing foundations, large models, and industrial applications. This will contribute Chinese wisdom, Chinese solutions, and Chinese standards to the construction of an open, inclusive, and interoperable system of global rules for AI technology. Third, China Mobile will jointly expand AI scenarios to release “new quality productive forces” across thousands of industries. China Mobile will continuously open up China Mobile’s technological foundation and experience in various scenarios, collaborating with enterprises going global to unearth high-value industrial scenarios. By providing exclusive resources for AI computing and support for Tokens, China Mobile will empower the accelerated release of new quality productive forces through AI innovation. In key regions along the “Belt and Road” initiative, China Mobile will create more replicable and promotable benchmark projects of “AI+” digital and intelligent transformation for overseas development. Fourth, China Mobile will jointly cultivate a win-win AI ecosystem to expand the “new circle of friends” for global cooperation. China Mobile will continuously upgrade the cooperative ecological system of the “iSTAR Program. Relying on the three core pillars of “AI+ applications, cloud and AI computing, and connectivity,” China Mobile will unite the strengths of global industries, academia, research, and application. This will help build a more open, inclusive, and mutually beneficial globalized digital and intelligent ecosystem. China Mobile will jointly incubate “AI+” solutions for overseas development across more than 150 scenarios, providing intelligent escorts across the entire chain and full life cycle for Chinese enterprises going global.
At the conference, using full-stack digital and intelligent capabilities to escort Chinese enterprises going global, China Mobile released a series of “AI+” full-stack digital and intelligent infrastructure, products, and services. Together with its ecological partners, China Mobile jointly released the “White Paper on the Digital and Intelligent Ecosystem of the China Mobile International ‘iSTAR Program’ for Chinese Enterprises Going-Global,” collaboratively building a new ecosystem for AI services.
Hashtag: #ChinaMobile
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Compiled by The Straits Times and global research firm Statista, the annual Singapore business growth ranking evaluates companies based on revenue growth performance across a defined assessment period. Fresh Laundry’s placement among the high-growth companies in Singapore underscores its strong performance and growing influence in the laundromat sector.
Hashtag: #freshlaundry #washingmachine #fastestgrowingcompanysingapore
https://freshlaundry.com.sg/
https://www.facebook.com/freshlaundrysg
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Fresh Laundry is a Singapore-based laundromat operator focused on providing modern, convenient self-service laundry solutions for local communities. Operating within the growing laundromat sector, the company has built a network of coin-operated laundry outlets designed to support busy urban lifestyles with accessible washing and drying facilities.
Through a scalable and service-driven model, Fresh Laundry continues to expand its presence across neighbourhoods, supporting the increasing demand for reliable laundry services. The company also shares industry insights for individuals exploring opportunities in the coin laundry business or considering entering the laundromat market, reflecting its broader involvement in Singapore’s evolving self-service laundry ecosystem.
Fresh Laundry’s recent recognition in The Straits Times Singapore’s Fastest Growing Companies 2026 further highlights its progress as a fastest-growing company in Singapore, reinforcing its role within the country’s developing laundry services sector.
Greenlogue/AP VinFast has rolled out a vehicle rental programme for commercial drivers in Indonesia and the Philippines, expanding beyond outright sales as it tries to deepen its position in two fast-developing Southeast Asian electric vehicle markets. The company said the scheme will let service drivers lease Green-series vehicles through authorised dealers in Greater Jakarta and Metro Manila, with daily rates starting at 312,500 rupiah in Indonesia and […]
Afreximbank has been confirmed as a partner for African Energy Week 2026, due to run from October 12 to 16 in Cape Town, in a move that places one of the continent’s most active trade financiers at the centre of discussions over how African-led capital can support oil, gas, power and infrastructure projects. The partnership also signals how the event is seeking to position itself less as […]
Kuka is stepping up its push into the United States and Asia as its leadership warns that too many manufacturers in Europe are moving too slowly on artificial intelligence, creating an opening for competitors in markets where automation spending and industrial policy are advancing at a quicker pace. The shift, outlined by chief executive Christoph Schell, comes as the Augsburg-based robotics group tries to reposition itself around […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Apple’s long-rumoured foldable iPhone appears to remain in line for the company’s autumn product cycle alongside the iPhone 18 family, even as fresh reports have pointed to engineering hurdles that briefly stirred doubts over the timing of its debut. The shifting picture has left investors and supply-chain watchers weighing whether the device will be unveiled with the premium 2026 iPhones, shipped slightly later, […]
Dasho Tashi Wangyal, an Eminent Member of the National Council of Bhutan and a member of the DSP Steering Committee, said, “Our young chefs are receiving valuable exposure at the Chinese Culinary Institute through immersion in professional Asian cuisine, modern culinary techniques and global kitchen standards. I would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to Lee Kum Kee for the vision, partnership and commitment to nurturing the next generation of culinary professionals.”
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
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Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
The De-suung Skilling Programme (DSP) is a Royal Project initiated by His Majesty The King of Bhutan in 2021. As envisioned by His Majesty, DSP imparts a series of short-term high-quality trainings to unemployed Bhutanese youths who have mostly completed high school and are in their early or mid-20s. These youths have all undergone the De-suung training, which is a valued-based personal development programme intended to encourage active citizenry in the process of nation-building. DSP provides short-term training in various fields to Bhutanese youths entering the job market with varying degrees of educational qualification. For more information, please visit www.dsp.org.bt.
The Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI) is one of the 14 member institutions of Vocational Training Council (VTC). It was established in 2000 as one of the Millennium Projects of the HKSAR Government. CCI endeavours to provide systematic training in Chinese cuisine for beginners and practicing chefs who wish to obtain or upgrade their professional qualifications. It also aims to elevate the professional standard and status of Chinese Chefs in order to strengthen Hong Kong’s reputation as the “Culinary Capital of Asia”. Furthermore, CCI strives to establish Hong Kong as a regional training and accreditation centre in Chinese cuisine by introducing “One Trade Test Two Certificates” system. To promote the deep-rooted heritage of the Chinese culinary art, CCI offers culinary interest courses for locals and tourists alike. For more information, please visit cci.edu.hk/en.
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. […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 April 2026 – PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR), Thailand’s largest energy and lifestyle retail operator, reported 2025 EBITDA of 20,357million baht (approximately USD 645 million), a 15.2% increase year-on-year, as net profit rose 47.8% to 11,304 million baht (approximately USD 357 million) despite a 9.0% decline in total revenue. The results reflect stronger cost management and a continued shift in the company’s growth strategy toward ecosystem-led expansion across mobility, retail and digital services.
To support that expansion, OR has committed 58,000 million baht (approximately USD 1.84 billion) under a five-year investment plan running from 2026 to 2030. The plan prioritizes mobility infrastructure development, lifestyle platform enhancement, EV charging network expansion, and innovation investment — with the aim of consolidating OR’s position as an integrated mobility and consumer ecosystem operator across the region.
OR’s existing infrastructure provides a significant base from which to execute that strategy. The company’s nationwide service station network currently serves 3.9 million users per day, one of the consumer touchpoint frequencies in Thailand, with a target to reach 5 million daily users by 2030. The network integrates fuel retail, EV charging under the EV Station PluZ brand, food and beverage, health and wellness, and lifestyle services. Café Amazon, OR’s coffee chain, operates more than 4,600 outlets in Thailand and international markets, contributing to sustained consumer traffic across the network. Most recently, OR announced a joint venture with Centara to develop budget hotels at PTT Stations, targeting 70 to 80 rooms per site alongside existing amenities — a move that extends the network’s role from daily convenience into overnight hospitality.
OR is expanding EV Station PluZ further in step with its existing fuel network as electric vehicle uptake accelerates across Southeast Asia. The move reflects both the region’s shifting policy landscape and growing infrastructure demand, with OR positioning the mobility transition as a long-term growth opportunity and a gateway for partnership-driven market entry across the region.
OR’s digital platform reinforces the physical network’s reach. The blueplus+ loyalty application has accumulated 9.3 million registered members, with a target of 14 million by 2030. Beyond driving repeat visits, the platform gives OR granular visibility into consumer behavior across its entire ecosystem — enabling personalized engagement, cross-selling across business lines, and new revenue streams that a purely physical network could not unlock. With membership scale still growing, OR sees the model as a strong foundation for data-led consumer engagement as it pursues regional expansion across Asia.
OR is also in discussions regarding cross-border expansion models that would allow regional dealers, investors and operators to access its ecosystem infrastructure. OR is positioning itself to potential partners not as a conventional energy retailer but as an integrated lifestyle and mobility platform with the operational scale and digital capabilities to support localized deployment across diverse Asian markets.
“Our strategy is simple: to integrate and create synergy through a scalable and sizable model. We’ve built a profitable digital-physical ecosystem and are now seeking strategic partners to unlock growth in Asia’s fast-moving mobility and consumer sectors.,” said M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer of PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited.
Hashtag: #OR
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PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR) is a leading Thai energy and retail company with operations across 10 countries. OR operates through four core business groups: Mobility Business, providing energy solutions via PTT Station, PTT Lubricants, PTT LPG, and EV Station PluZ; Lifestyle Business, featuring Café Amazon, one of Asia’s largest coffee chains, along with convenience stores and space management; Global Business, driving international growth with over 400 PTT Stations and over 300 Café Amazon outlets; and OR Innovation Business, developing new ventures and sustainable solutions through technology and innovation.
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