du said its National Hypercloud has received certification and endorsement from the UAE Cybersecurity Council, a step the company described as making it the first compliant, secure and sovereign cloud infrastructure approved for deployment across both public and private sectors in the UAE. The announcement places the telecom group at the centre of a fast-moving contest over where sensitive data is stored, who controls the infrastructure, and […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Uber has launched a five-day promotion in the UAE offering 20 per cent off rides to selected destinations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in a campaign aimed at steering more residents and visitors towards local shopping, dining and cultural districts at a time when consumer-facing businesses are navigating softer momentum across the non-oil economy. The offer began on April 3 and runs until […]
Gold prices surged on 27 March as bargain hunters returned to the market after a sharp pullback earlier in the week, lifting bullion by more than 3% and sending other precious metals higher as investors weighed signs that tensions in the Middle East might ease. Spot gold climbed as much as $4,554.39 an ounce during the session before trading around $4,491.78 by mid-afternoon in New York, while […]
France is preparing targeted support for motorists who rely on their cars for work and daily life after the war involving Iran drove up oil prices and sharpened pressure on household budgets, with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu signalling that broad-based fuel subsidies remain off the table even as pump costs climb. Speaking in Bordeaux, Lecornu said ministers had been asked to draw up measures for people who […]
Washington has doubled to $40 billion a US-backed maritime reinsurance facility aimed at coaxing commercial vessels back through the Strait of Hormuz, as the five-week war with Iran continues to unsettle one of the world’s most important trade arteries. The expanded programme, announced on Friday by the US International Development Finance Corporation and Chubb, adds AIG, Berkshire Hathaway, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, Starr and CNA to the scheme, […]
Wall Street’s rush to treat hyperscalers as the safest way to profit from artificial intelligence is running into a harder question: whether all that spending will generate returns fast enough to justify the cost. Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta are pushing capital expenditure to extraordinary levels as they race to build data centres, secure chips and expand cloud capacity, but investors are facing a business model that […]
America’s labour market delivered a stronger headline performance in March, but the underlying picture still points to a jobs backdrop that remains exposed to shocks. Nonfarm payrolls rose by 178,000 and the unemployment rate edged down to 4.3 per cent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, offering relief after February’s revised loss of 133,000 jobs. Yet the rebound was flattered by temporary factors, including the return […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai UAE equities ended Friday on a divided note as investors weighed the prospect of a wider Middle East conflict after U. S. President Donald Trump signalled that Washington could intensify attacks on Iranian infrastructure, a message that added to concern over energy supplies, shipping routes and regional risk appetite. Dubai’s main index fell, while Abu Dhabi’s benchmark edged higher, reflecting a market torn […]
Dubai Municipality has unveiled a Dh150 million plan to install electric-vehicle supercharging facilities across 600 public parking spaces at parks, beaches and recreational sites, in a move aimed at widening access to charging beyond roadsides, malls and fuel stations. The scheme, announced on Friday, is being rolled out with Emarat EV Charging Stations Company, known as UAEV, and its first phase will bring 75 supercharging stations serving […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 April 2026 – ICONSIAM, the global landmark on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, in collaboration with leading public and private sector partners, announces the return of its flagship Water Festival, “ICONSIAM THAICONIC SONGKRAN 2026.” Taking place from April 10–15, 2026 at River Park, this six-day riverside celebration reimagines Thailand’s most beloved New Year festival into a world-class cultural phenomenon—recognized by UNESCO as part of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Designed as a true THAICONIC experience, the festival seamlessly blends the richness of Thai cultural heritage with contemporary entertainment, offering visitors an extraordinary multi-sensory journey. From exhilarating water festivities along the Chao Phraya River, featuring a spectacular 9-meter Thai elephant water landmark and family-friendly play zones to an unprecedented lineup of 76 top artists, vibrant Songkran parades led by iconic figures, and meaningful merit-making rituals with revered Buddha images and sacred waters from nine renowned temples, the celebration captures the full spirit of Songkran across every dimension. Building on its success in welcoming over 1.4 million visitors last year, ICONSIAM continues to elevate Songkran onto the global stage, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a premier cultural tourism destination while driving economic momentum and tourism growth in the second quarter of the year.
A Global Celebration Driving Thailand’s Festival Economy
Mr. Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, Managing Director of ICONSIAM Co., Ltd., stated, “Songkran remains one of the most significant drivers of Thailand’s festival economy, particularly across the tourism, retail, and hospitality sectors. According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, this year’s Songkran period is projected to generate over 30.35 billion baht in domestic economic circulation—an increase of 6% from the previous year, with approximately 500,000 international visitors expected to travel to Thailand, reflecting a 4% year-on-year growth. These figures underscore Songkran’s growing status as a truly global festival and one of Thailand’s most powerful attractions for international travelers.
As a leader in creating iconic, world-class experiences, ICONSIAM continues to elevate ‘ICONSIAM THAICONIC SONGKRAN 2026′ as a landmark celebration that showcases the rare and enduring beauty of Thai cultural traditions. Under the concept of ‘Splashing Fun, Joyful Celebrations, and Auspicious Thai New Year,’ the event brings together the very best of Thailand into one extraordinary riverside experience along the Chao Phraya River. More than a celebration, this festival is a powerful expression of national pride and cultural identity, reinforcing ICONSIAM’s position as a Global Experiential Destination. We are confident that this year’s event will further strengthen Bangkok’s reputation as one of the world’s most compelling cultural destinations, while driving tourism growth and stimulating economic momentum throughout the second quarter of the year.”
Highlights of the “4 THAICONIC Experiences – The Ultimate Songkran Journey”
ExperienceExperience Songkran like never before with an extraordinary water playground inspired by Thailand’s beloved national symbol, the elephant. At its heart stands a spectacular 9-meter-tall water-spraying installation created in collaboration with Dee SweetDrug Studio. The vibrant space also features a dedicated Kids Zone for family-friendly fun, alongside solar-powered drying zones —reflecting ICONSIAM’s commitment to sustainability.
Immerse in an electrifying lineup of Thailand’s top artists and rising stars through dynamic mini concerts and live performances throughout the six-day celebration. Artists include Tle–Firstone, TeeTee–Por, Auau-Save, Daou–Offroad, KT Kratae, New Country, Sornram Namphet, and more.
Witness a magnificent Songkran parade that brings Thailand’s cultural legacy to life through elaborately designed floats inspired by historical eras. For the first time, cultural icons LingOrm, a popular Thai actress duo, and 4EVE, Thailand’s leading T-pop girl group, embody the Songkran Goddess “Rakshasadevi,” reinterpreting Thai tradition through a contemporary global lens. Visitors can further explore authentic Thai culture through traditional performances and regional culinary delights at SOOKSIAM, alongside over 170 dining options across ICONSIAM.
Embrace the spiritual essence of Songkran through a revered Buddha bathing ritual at River Park. Enhanced with holy water from nine esteemed temples across Thailand, this sacred ceremony symbolizes prosperity, renewal, and auspicious beginnings for the year ahead.
A Must-Visit Songkran Destination in Bangkok
Seamlessly blending cultural authenticity, rich traditions, and large-scale entertainment, ICONSIAM continues to redefine Songkran as a truly global celebration.
Join us at “ICONSIAM THAICONIC SONGKRAN CELEBRATION 2026,” where Thailand’s most cherished tradition is brought to life in an unforgettable riverside experience of water, culture, and joy—set against the iconic Chao Phraya River from April 10–15, 2026, with free entry for all visitors. As part of the celebration, international visitors dressed in traditional Thai attire will receive a 300-baht gift card, adding a special touch to their cultural experience.
For more information, please call 1338 or visit Facebook: ICONSIAM.
Hashtag: #ICONSIAMSongkran #ICONSIAM #SongkranFestival2026 #GlobalFestival #Thailand
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
President Donald Trump on Thursday sharpened his threat against Iran by publicly celebrating the destruction of a major bridge and warning that more infrastructure could be hit unless Tehran accepts a deal, a move that deepened concern over the direction of the conflict and added to volatility across energy and financial markets. In a social media post, Trump said “the biggest bridge in Iran” had come […]
U. S. defence shares have failed to sustain the geopolitical bounce that often accompanies armed conflict, with the sector sliding in March even as tensions around Iran intensified. The NYSE Arca Defense Index, which tracks 34 large and small-cap companies, fell nearly 8% during the month, a steeper decline than the S&P 500’s roughly 5% drop, underscoring how investors have become more cautious about paying up […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Banks across the Gulf are on course to set aside sharply higher sums for bad loans over the next two years, as investors and analysts weigh the knock-on effects of prolonged regional conflict, softer property sentiment and the possibility that stress in real estate could begin feeding through to bank balance sheets. Estimates compiled by Visible Alpha, part of S&P Global Market […]
Japan’s retail earnings season has opened with a split verdict for two of its best-known consumer groups, as Fast Retailing, owner of Uniqlo, delivered stronger profit momentum while Seven & i Holdings, parent of 7-Eleven, continued to face weaker earnings and a more clouded outlook. The divergence has sharpened investor attention on how Japanese retailers are handling softer demand, overseas expansion and trade uncertainty. Fast Retailing […]
Greenlogue/AP TotalEnergies and Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company PJSC – Masdar have signed a binding agreement to create a $2.2 billion joint venture that will combine their onshore renewable energy activities across nine Asian markets, in a move that underlines how large energy groups are shifting capital towards power demand growth in the region. The partners said the new platform will be owned equally, based in Abu […]
Dubai has moved to shore up business confidence with a fresh set of fee deferrals and administrative easings under a wider AED1 billion support package, as the emirate seeks to protect cash flow, sustain hiring and cushion sectors exposed to regional disruption. The measures, announced this week and effective from 1 April, cover hotels, holiday homes and businesses across the wider economy for periods of three to […]
The agreement marks the next phase of cooperation between Green SM Indonesia and BCA, reflecting a shared commitment to supporting sustainable, well-governed business development in Indonesia’s urban mobility sector.
The investment loan facility is intended to support Green SM Indonesia’s operational readiness and service continuity. The facility provides a stable financial structure to underpin the company’s disciplined growth approach and support consistent service delivery across its existing urban operations.
The signing builds on earlier cooperation between the two parties, which began with Green SM’s market launch in Jakarta in December 2024. Since then, BCA and Green SM Indonesia have collaborated on customer-focused programs and initiatives to improve service accessibility and raise awareness of environmentally responsible transportation solutions. The transition from cooperation activities to a formal financing arrangement reflects the maturation of this partnership and BCA’s support in Green SM Indonesia’s operational model and governance standards.
The cooperation also reflects BCA’s broader role in supporting business sectors that are adapting to evolving urban development needs, including shifts toward more efficient and forward-looking mobility solutions.
Representing BCA, Mr. Denny Haryanto, SVP Corporate Banking BCA said: “This agreement reflects our approach to supporting businesses with a long-term outlook. Sustainable transportation is increasingly important to Indonesia’s urban development. Through this cooperation, we support initiatives that align with long-term economic resilience and environmental responsibility.”
Mr. Deny Tjia, Managing Director of Green SM Indonesia, said the agreement reflects trust built through consistent cooperation and shared values. “The investment loan agreement reflects recognition of the disciplined operating model and long-term development orientation that Green SM Indonesia has pursued since its early stages. The facility further strengthens the company’s financial foundation, supporting stable and consistent service delivery across the cities where it operates.”
Since commencing operations, Green SM Indonesia has established a presence in several major urban centers, including Jakarta, Makassar, Bekasi, Surabaya, and Bali. These cities face increasingly complex urban mobility requirements alongside rising expectations for cleaner, more responsible transport solutions. In the Indonesian market, Green SM provides all-electric taxi services that support routine urban travel while reducing emissions and noise. The company’s operating approach emphasizes reliability, professional service standards, and scalability aligned with city-level transport planning.
Through this agreement, Green SM Indonesia and BCA reaffirm their shared view that the transition to sustainable urban mobility requires not only electric vehicle technology but also sound financial structures, responsible governance, and long-term commitment. The investment loan agreement is a practical step to support that transition in Indonesia’s evolving mobility landscape.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GSM (Green Smart Mobility) is the world’s first company to operate an all-electric ride-hailing service across multiple platforms. As a pioneer in sustainable transportation, GSM has built the foundation for a cleaner, smarter, and more responsible mobility model powered entirely by VinFast electric vehicles. GSM is committed to developing a future-ready mobility ecosystem and inspiring greener lifestyles in countries rapidly embracing sustainability.
Green SM is GSM’s official global brand, representing the company’s vision and values in every market it serves. In Southeast Asia, Green SM operates in Indonesia; under the name Xanh SM in Vietnam and Laos; and as Green GSM in the Philippines. Across all markets, the brand offers a refined travel experience with VinFast electric cars, professional drivers, and a service culture centered on safety and care.
Green SM represents progress toward a future where technology, the environment, and humanity advance together in harmony. The brand is committed not only to providing zero-emission transportation but also to fostering an environmentally conscious society in every market it serves.
The announcement signals how sharply competition for AI infrastructure has intensified across Asia. Microsoft said the programme will focus on adding computing capacity inside Japan at a time when governments and corporations are demanding secure, local processing for sensitive workloads. Brad Smith, Microsoft’s vice-chair and president, disclosed the plan during a visit to Tokyo, where the company also set out training and security goals tied to the investment.
Under the plan, Microsoft intends to train one million engineers and developers by 2030, a figure that underlines the labour challenge facing Japan as it tries to scale AI use across the economy. The company is also expanding cybersecurity collaboration with the Japanese government, including work around threat intelligence and cybercrime prevention. Those elements give the package a dual purpose: commercial expansion for Microsoft and strategic support for a country that has made digital resilience and industrial competitiveness central to policy.
The new commitment builds on a smaller programme announced in April 2024, when Microsoft said it would invest $2.9 billion over two years to expand cloud and AI infrastructure in Japan, while also launching wider digital skilling efforts, opening its first Microsoft Research Asia lab in the country and deepening cooperation on cybersecurity. The latest package therefore appears less like a standalone move than the next stage of a longer campaign to lock in market share and policy relevance in one of Asia’s most advanced economies.
Japan offers Microsoft an attractive mix of high-value enterprise customers, a technologically sophisticated manufacturing base and a government that has been openly supportive of industrial uses for generative AI. Tokyo’s policy stance has increasingly favoured the deployment of advanced digital tools to lift productivity, offset labour shortages and bolster economic security. That political environment has made Japan a focal point for global technology groups seeking not just customers, but durable alignment with state priorities on data sovereignty and national resilience.
Market conditions also help explain the scale of the move. Reuters reported that around one-fifth of working-age people in Japan are now using generative AI tools, showing that adoption has advanced but remains well below leading global levels, leaving substantial room for growth. At the same time, labour projections point to a steep shortage of AI and robotics specialists by 2040, raising the stakes for corporate training programmes and local infrastructure investment. For Microsoft, that creates an opening to sell both computing capacity and the wider ecosystem needed to make AI usable at scale.
Partnerships with local players will be central to execution. Microsoft said it would work with firms including SoftBank and Sakura Internet to expand domestic AI computing capacity and provide more secure local access to Azure services. That matters in Japan, where demand from public institutions and regulated industries often hinges on where data is processed and how operational control is shared. Collaboration with established domestic groups may also help Microsoft navigate competitive pressure from rival cloud providers and home-grown digital infrastructure ambitions.
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai A three-way alliance between the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and the International Energy Agency has opened a new front in the battle against the widening energy and economic turmoil linked to the war in the Middle East, with the institutions agreeing to form a coordination group to help governments manage price shocks, funding strains and supply disruptions. The move, announced […]
Rising global energy prices are adding a fresh inflation risk to the United States even as the International Monetary Fund said the world’s largest economy remains on a solid growth path, with trade and fiscal changes expected to narrow the current-account deficit only modestly over the medium term. The IMF’s latest assessment said growth in the US is projected to reach 2.4 per cent in 2026, while […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Dubai lender Emirates NBD has won approval from the Reserve Bank of India to acquire up to 74 per cent of Mumbai-based RBL Bank, a decision that moves one of the largest cross-border banking deals in the country closer to completion and could reshape the private lender’s ownership, governance and market position. The approval, disclosed on April 2, allows Emirates NBD to […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Majid Al Futtaim has launched Ma’an, a new initiative with Dubai SME that opens parts of its retail, leisure and digital network to homegrown businesses across the UAE, giving selected small enterprises free access to high-footfall venues including Mall of the Emirates, THAT Concept Store, VOX Cinemas, Carrefour and the group’s SHARE loyalty ecosystem. The programme was announced on 1-2 April and positions […]
By Dr. Gyan Pathak While world’s untaxed wealth of the richest 0.1 per cent hidden offshore surpasses entire wealth of the poorest half of the humanity, India remains the receiver of the highest number of the regressive tax recommendations by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that increases tax burden on the lower-income households more than […]
The article India Gets Highest Number IMF’s Advice To Tax Lower-Income Households More appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Real estate developers across the UAE are sticking to original construction and launch schedules despite a regional war that has lifted energy and materials costs, with industry participants signalling that any easing in prices and transaction volumes is more likely to be temporary than structural while the conflict runs on. Market activity has slowed in parts of the sector, but there has been no broad retreat from […]
