News related to
network

Cisco has said that a sophisticated group of China-linked hackers is actively exploiting a previously unknown vulnerability to breach the networks of its customers, raising concerns across governments and large enterprises that rely on the company’s equipment for critical communications and data traffic. The company disclosed that the attackers have been using a zero-day flaw to gain unauthorised access to affected systems before patches were available, allowing […]

  • Chee Choong Ng is appointed as Senior Vice President, Human Resources for Asia Pacific
  • Samuel Lee is named Managing Director for Taiwan

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – DHL Express has made two key leadership appointments in Asia Pacific: Chee Choong Ng as Senior Vice President of Human Resources (HR) for Asia Pacific, and Samuel Lee as Managing Director for Taiwan. These appointments, which take effect on January 1, 2026, underscore DHL’s commitment to strengthening its people strategy and accelerating growth in one of the region’s most dynamic markets.

From L to R: Chee Choong Ng and Samuel Lee
From L to R: Chee Choong Ng and Samuel Lee

Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express, said, “Finding the right talent is more critical than ever, particularly in today’s volatile environment, where we need to balance the demands of a changing workforce with business priorities. Offering our people pathways to growth also makes us a Great Place to Work, which is why I am proud to see two crucial roles within the region taken up by Chee Choong and Samuel, both with extensive experience in the business.

Chee Choong’s experience in operations and country leadership, combined with his strong focus on people development, makes him the ideal choice to lead our HR strategy. At the same time, Samuel’s track record proves that he will further strengthen our position in Taiwan, a market that is vital to our regional network and global trade.”

Chee Choong Ng is Asia Pacific’s new HR head

Previously the Managing Director for Taiwan, Chee Choong, takes over the Asia Pacific region’s HR portfolio from Mateen Thiruselvaam, who has retired after many years of dedication at DHL Express. Chee Choong brings over two decades of experience within DHL Group and the logistics industry. He first joined DHL in 2004, holding various operational roles before becoming Hong Kong’s Vice President for Operations in 2017. In the last few years, he was tasked to lead Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively, in 2020 and 2024, where he achieved a record employee engagement rate, and improvements in customer satisfaction and operational excellence levels.

In his new role, Chee Choong will lead strategic initiatives to position DHL Express as the employer of choice in a rapidly evolving workplace landscape. With emerging technologies, changing labor patterns and segment sizes shaping the future of work, Chee Choong’s achievements in people development and engagement will be instrumental in driving HR transformation across the region.

Chee Choong Ng said, “I am honored to take on this role at such a pivotal time. The workplace is undergoing profound changes. We need to remain close to our employees to ensure their needs are met. I look forward to aligning our people strategy and creating an environment where our people can thrive, innovate, and feel valued so that we can better support business goals.”

Samuel Lee as new leader for DHL Express Taiwan

Following Chee Choong’s move, Samuel Lee will take over the role of Managing Director for DHL Express in Taiwan. He has been a seasoned DHL Express leader since 1998. He has an impressive career spanning Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, where he played a key role in building and expanding DHL’s strategic hubs in those territories. He was most recently the General Manager of the Central Asia Hub in Hong Kong, achieving record-breaking performance, exceptional employee engagement scores, and the seamless completion of a EUR376 million expansion project in 2023.

Taiwan’s robust technology sector, thriving e-commerce industry, and strong export-oriented economy make it a critical market for DHL Express. Samuel’s deep operational expertise and years of leadership will ensure DHL continues to deliver world-class service and support the growth of businesses in this dynamic market.

Samuel Lee said, “Taiwan is a vibrant market with immense potential, and it holds a unique position in global trade, particularly as a hub for technology and innovation. The team has established a remarkable reputation in Taiwan, and I am proud to be working alongside them. Our focus remains on delivering exceptional service and creating new opportunities for growth to better enhance Taiwan’s role in global supply chains.”

Asia Pacific continues to grow as a powerhouse in global trade, driven by strong manufacturing bases, booming e-commerce, and rapid digitalization. These leadership appointments reaffirm DHL Express’s commitment to delivering excellence and enabling businesses to connect seamlessly across borders.
Hashtag: #DHL

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

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 400,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 84.2 billion euros in 2024. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 December 2025 – IX Asia Indexes today announced the 2nd Half 2025 Review of the IX Digital Asset Industry Classification System (“DAICS®“), aiming to provide professionals worldwide with a transparent and standardized classification scheme to determine sector and exposure of particular digital assets. DAICS® classifies digital assets into 2 main categories: a) Cryptocurrencies and b) Asset Backed Tokens (ABTs) in a 3-tier system for each category. For Cryptocurrencies: Tier 1-Industry/ Tier 2-Sector/ Tier 3-Sub-sector; and for ABTs: Tier 1-Asset Type/ Tier 2-Branch/ Tier 3-Sub-branch. The results are as follows:

  • DAICS® coin coverage: As of 3rd December, the top 50 coins by average market capitalization across the past 90 days
  • DAICS® market capitalization coverage: 96.98%*
  • The % coverage of market capitalization of the 50th ranked coin: 0.048%**
  • Member changes within the Top 50 Coins in DAICS®: eight coins added and nine coins deleted
  • Additions: Zcash (ZEC), World Liberty Financial USD (WUSD), PayPalUSD (PYUSD), Memecore (M), Worldcoin (WLD), Story (IP), Arbitrum (ARB), KuCoin (KCS)
  • Deletions: Mantra (OM), GateToken (GT), Official Trump (TRUMP), VeChain (VET), Render (RENDER), First Digital USD (FDUSD), Filecoin (FIL), Cosmos (ATOM), Algorand (ALGO)
  • 9 Green Coins labelled: Cronos (CRO), Pi (PI), Internet Computer (ICP), Hedera, Sui (SUI), Toncoin (TON), Arbitrum (ARB), Mantle (MNT), Tron (TRX)

Note:
*Special currency treatment of DAICS® applies, where any wrapped or second-level cryptocurrency is not considered in the calculation for the market capitalization of DAICS®

**Based on 3rd December 2025
G: Green Coin

The rankings of additions and deletions for the DAICS® top 50 cryptocurrencies are listed in Appendix 1. All classification changes, including the ixCrypto Infrastructure Index and ixCrypto Stablecoin index, will take effect on 23rd January 2026, with market capitalization, rankings, and weightings available at www.ix-index.com.

1. Cryptocurrencies

1.1. Structure and Definitions

Tier 1: Industry Changes
The industry groups remain unchanged, with 5 industries and the respective weightings as follows:

Industry Weighting (%)
Payment (110) 73.87%
Infrastructure (120) 19.89%
Financial Services (130) 4.82%
Tech & Data (140) 0.22%
Media & Entertainment (150) 1.20%

Tier 2: Sector Changes
The number of sectors has increased from 17 to 18. There is one new sector added under the industry group “Tech & Data (140)”:

Identification (14040)
Definition: Cryptocurrencies that facilitate decentralized identity authentication and/or blockchain-based validation of digital intellectual property rights. The classification emphasizes trust, data consent, and privacy as core architectural features while the crypto by itself is not an identity token.

1.2. Reclassification Changes
This review doesn’t have any reclassification of the existing coins. The DAICS® 2H 2025 cryptocurrencies classification is available in Appendix 2.

1.3. Green Coin Label
This review identifies 9 Green Coins, classified based on their energy-per-unit-transaction, which is defined as the amount of energy consumed for a successful single unit transaction of the coin in the blockchain network. The coins selected rank in the top 20 percentile of the least energy-consuming cryptocurrencies out of the 50 DAICS® constituents. The top 20 percentile’s threshold in this review is ≤ 0.150 Wh. The table below lists these low-energy coins.

Industry Low Energy-per-transaction (≤ 0.150 Wh)
Payment (110) CROG
PIG
Infrastructure (120) ICPG
SUIG
ARBG
TRXG
HBARG
TONG
MNTG
Financial Services (130) NIL
Tech & Data (140) NIL
Media & Entertainment (150) NIL


Note: G as ‘Green Coin‘ labelling for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability

2. Asset Backed Tokens (ABT)

2.1. Structure and Definitions

Tier 1: Asset Type Changes
The asset types remain unchanged at 6 as follows:
1) Culture (205),
2) Real Estate (215),
3) Financials (235),
4) Entertainment (255),
5) Natural Resources (265), and
6) Green Economy (275)

Tier 2: Branch Changes
The number of branches has increased from 31 to 32, with a new branch added under Financials (235): Tokenized funds (23540).

2.2. Classification Changes
This review doesn’t have any reclassification of the existing assets.

2.3. Coverage of DAICS®
A classification summary and definition table of both cryptocurrencies and ABTs are available in Appendices 3 and 4. For further information regarding the methodology of the DAICS®, please refer to the “IX Digital Asset Industry Classification System”- principle and guiding methodology on the company website https://ix-index.com/daics.html.

For more details on DAICS® qualification criteria, please email [email protected].

Appendix 1

Additions and Deletions in DAICS® Top 50 Cryptocurrencies

Additions
Current Rank Cryptocurrencies
28 Zcash (ZEC)
31 World Liberty Financial USD (WUSD)
41 PayPal USD (PYUSD)
45 MemeCore (M)
46 Worldcoin (WLD)
49 Story (IP)
50 Arbitrum (ARBG)
51 KuCoin (KCS)

Deletions

Prev. Rank Cryptocurrencies Current Rank
34 Mantra (OM) 300+
41 GateToken (GT) 67
43 OFFICIAL TRUMP 56
45 VeChain (VET) 55
46 Render (RNDR) 58
47 First Digital USD (FDUSDG) 71
48 Filecoin (FIL) 61
50 Cosmos (ATOM) 54
51 Algorand (ALGO) 52

G: Green Coin

Appendix 2

Classification of the Top 50 Coins by Industry and Sector
Category

Industry Sector Cryptocurrencies
Cryptocurrencies (1) Payment:

Blockchain based money, designed for transactional purposes. This includes daily transactions usage and stablecoins.

Transaction & Payment BTC
XRP
BCH
XLM
LTC
XMR
CROG
ZEC
PIG
KAS
Stablecoin USDT
USDC
USDe
DAI
WUSD
PYUSD
Infrastructure:

Bedrock blockchain that facilitates the operation of other decentralised applications. This includes the creation and running of dedicated blockchain platforms, achieving interoperability between networks, increasing the amount or speed of transactions etc

Application Development Protocol & Smart Contract ETH
SOL
TRXG
ADA
HYPE
SUIG
AVAX
HBARG
TONG
NEAR
ETC
APT
ICPG
Interoperability LINK
DOT
ATOM
Scaling & Sharding MNTG
ARBG
POL
Supporting System NIL
Financial services:

Tokens that provide on-chain asset management services, crypto-exchange services, funding, lending and other capital markets related services

Exchange Tokens BNB
LEO
BGB
UNI
OKB
KCS
Lending & Borrowing AAVE
Staking ENA
Financial Asset Tokenization ONDO
Tech & Data:

Provision of data management and storage, and development of innovative crypto technology

Storage & Sharing NIL
Data Management NIL
Artificial Intelligence TAO
Identification
(NEW)
WLD IP
Media & Entertainment:

Recreational and media services. Including content creation and distribution, advertising through crypto-asset incentive mechanisms, gaming and collectibles

Social Media & Community DOGE
SHIB
PEPE
M
Streaming NIL
Gaming NIL
Metaverse NIL

Note:
G as ‘Green Coin‘ for cryptocurrencies that adhere to the principles of sustainability

NEW for newly added sector

Appendix 3

DAICS® Industry and Sector Definition

Category Industry Sector Sector definition
Cryptocurrencies (1) Payment: (110)

Definition
Blockchain based money, designed for transactional purposes. This includes daily transactions usage and stablecoins.

Transaction & Payment
(11010)
Cryptocurrencies that are used for store of value, unit of account, medium of exchange
Stablecoin
(11020)
Cryptocurrencies where price is pegged to a / a basket of, reference asset
Infrastructure: (120)

Definition
Bedrock blockchain that facilitates the operation of other decentralised applications. This includes the creation and running of dedicated blockchain platforms, achieving interoperability between networks, increasing the amount or speed of transactions etc.

Application Development Protocol & Smart Contract
(12010)
layer-1 blockchain network that facilitates DApp creation and smart contract execution and smart contract
Interoperability
(12020)
Network that increases inter-connectivity and integration of the fragmented cryptocurrency ecosystem
Scaling & Sharding
(12030)
Networks that increase the ability to cope with the influx of many transactions at a time and blockchain network that can be split into smaller partitions, to improve scalability and process transactions quicker
Supporting System
(12040)
Networks/sidechains that improve functionality of layer-1 network
Financial services: (130)

Definition
Tokens that provide on-chain asset management services, crypto-exchange services, funding, lending, and other capital markets related services

Exchange Tokens
(13010)
Cryptocurrencies that represent the stable coin in the exchange ecosystem and allow users to covert from digital asset on decentralised or centralised system int fiat currencies
Lending & Borrowing
(13020)
Borrowing and lending crypto assets with interest in return and other secondary financial tools derived from primary underlying asset, such as crypto futures and options
Staking
(13030)
Holding and “staking” of certain amount of cryptocurrency in a wallet to facilitate network operations
Financial Asset Tokenization (13040)

Cryptocurrencies/protocols that focus on the tokenized issuance and management of financial assets
Tech & Data: (140)

Definition
Provision of data management and storage, and development of innovative crypto technology

Storage & Sharing
(14010)
Crypto protocols that provide decentralized storage and/or sharing of data filing and resources.
Data Management
(14020)
Networks/Protocols that facilitate the indexing and querying of data from blockchain(s), enabling efficient data retrieval and management for decentralized applications
Artificial Intelligence
(14030)
Cryptos/Protocols that facilitate the use of AI powered apps or projects directly using blockchain platform.
Identification
(14040) (NEW)
Cryptocurrencies that facilitate decentralized identity authentication and/or blockchain-based validation of digital intellectual property rights. The classification emphasizes trust, data consent, and privacy as core architectural features while the crypto by itself is not an identity token.
Media & Entertainment: (150)

Definition
Recreational and media services. Including content creation and distribution, advertising through crypto-asset incentive mechanisms, gaming and collectibles

Social Media & Community
(15010)
Cryptos that provides mast social community and followers without a close secondary industry sector
Streaming
(15020)
Cryptos that provides rights to access decentralised video-streaming sites
Gaming
(15030)
Cryptos which mainly used in gaming or gaming supporting industry
Metaverse
(15040)
Cryptos that is commonly used in collective virtual open space, created by the convergence of virtually enhanced physical and digital reality. This includes the use of VR and/or AR and/or 3D.

Note: NEW for newly added sector

Appendix 4

DAICS® Asset Type and Branch Definition
Category

Asset Type Branch Sub -branch
Asset-Backed Tokens (2) Culture: (205)

Definition
Real asset relating to sports, art, cultural drama, festive collectibles and design IPs etc.

Art
(20510)

This shall be further developed in the future with more digital assets available in the market

Sports
(20520)
Festive Collectibles
(20530)
Design IPs
(20540)
Drama and Play IPs
(20550)
Real Estate:(215)

Definition
Assets that mainly derived its valuation from property, real estate, and land

Commercial Property
(21510)
Residential Property
(21520)
Governmental Property
(21530)
Residential and Commercial Land
(21540)
Financials: (235)

Definition
Real financial asset including listed company shareholdings on regulated centralised exchanges and private company shareholdings; debt instruments; property trusts and derivatives that settled on regulated exchange (CeFi and DeFi).

Tokenised Securities (Company Securities, ETF)
(23510)
Tokenised Debts
(23520)
Tokenised REITs
(23530)
Tokenised Funds(NEW)
(23540)
Entertainment: (255)

Definition
Ownership of the IPs assets in the area of entertainment in real world such as concert, play, shows, circus, musicals, songs, movies, games, events and programs, and souvenir collectibles that is derived from the above areas.

Movies
(25510)

This shall be further developed in the future with more digital assets available in the market

Songs
(25520)
Concerts
(25530)
Gaming
(25540)
All Other Entertainment Events and Collectibles
(25550)
Natural Resources: (265)

Definition
Natural resources asset that derived directly from sea, sky, atmosphere and underground and can be classified as a commodity with standardisation such as precious metals, agricultural, energy and metals.

Precious Metals
(26510)
Agricultural
(26520)
Energy
(26530)
Metals
(26540)
Green Economy (275)

Definition
Ownership of Projects Asset that falls under the definition of the UN 17SDG²s, with over 80% of the income or jobs provided on these 17 initiatives.

No Poverty & Zero Hunger
(27510)

Following definition of the United Nations
17 sustainable development goals²

Good Health and Well-Being
(27520)
Quality Education
(27530)
Gender Equality
(27540)
Clean Water and Sanitation/Affordable and Clean Energy
(27550)
Decent Work and Economic Growth/ Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure/ Partnerships for the Goals
(27560)
Reduced inequalities/ Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
(27570)
Sustainable Cities and Communities/Responsible Consumption and Production
(27580)
Climate Action
(27590)
Life Below Water & Life on Land
(27500)

Note: NEW for newly added branch

² United Nations 17 sustainable development goals covering 1) No Poverty 2) Zero Hunger 3) Good Health and Well-Being 4) Quality Education 5) Gender Equality 6) Clean Water and Sanitation 7) Affordable And Clean Energy 8) Decent Work and Economic Growth 9) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure 10) Reduced inequalities 11) Sustainable Cities and Communities 12) Responsible Consumption and Production 13) Climate Action 14) Life Below Water 15) Life on Land 16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and 17) Partnerships for the Goals https://sdgs.un.org/goals

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

About DAICS®

DAICS® covers both cryptocurrencies and asset-backed tokens (“ABTs”), to be reviewed semi-annually at the end of June and December. On the cryptocurrency side, it is a three-tier system that groups cryptocurrencies into 5 main industries: 1) Payment, 2) Infrastructure, 3) Financial services, 4) Technology & Data, and 5) Media & Entertainment. These industries are further divided into sectors and sub-sectors to be introduced in the future. Under asset-backed tokens, there are 6 asset types: 1) Culture, 2) Real Estate, 3) Financials, 4) Entertainment, 5) Natural Resources, 6) Green Economy. These asset types are further divided into branches and sub-branches to be introduced in the future.

About the IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee and Working Group

The establishment of the IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee (“Advisory Committee”) is to pursue the goal and vision of formulating a standard for a global tokenization framework in a compliant and transparent way. The key role of the Advisory Committee is to formulate the guidelines and references for tokenization in terms of infrastructure, business, financial stability, sustainability, internal control, and classification. The Advisory Committee is comprised of industry-recognised leaders from blockchain consultancy, sustainable projects, and the field of the Art industry.

The establishment of the Working Group is to identify, evaluate and recommend key directions and founding principles according to their specific industry knowledge and expertise in relating to the creation of the specified token. It will examine and propose improvements to the guidelines and references for tokenization. The working group is formed of a diverse group of market experts representing relevant sectors and markets, to provide input and discuss case studies for creation of tokenization framework, best practices and development of real-world projects.

For more information about IX Asia Tokenization Advisory Committee & Working Group, please visit .

Active Apparel Group Strengthens Lever Style’s Activewear Capabilities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – Lever Style Corporation (HKEX: 1346, “Lever Style”), has acquired designated assets from Active Apparel Group (“AAG”) through an asset purchase agreement. This marks Lever Style’s seventh acquisition since its initial public offering in 2019. This transaction strengthens Lever Style’s activewear expertise.

Active Apparel Group is a well-established apparel specialist with 38 years of experience serving premium global brands, and deep expertise across activewear, outerwear, and swimwear. AAG’s activewear segment is the fastest growing one in the apparel industry, and it complements Lever Style’s existing strength in the fashion segment. AAG’s product sophistication and customer tier are also on par with Lever Style’s premium positioning, enabling cross-selling opportunities in other product categories and enhancing operating leverage.

Lever Style already has a strong foundation in activewear and performance apparel, serving leading global brands such as Arc’teryx, Columbia Sportswear, Helly Hansen, Spanx, Skims, and J.Lindeberg. The Group also works with a broad portfolio of premium and contemporary brands including Alexander Wang, Theory, Todd Snyder, and others, as well as digitally native brands such as Bonobos and Ministry of Supply.

Active Apparel Group is a production partner for leading technical and lifestyle apparel brands, including Greyson, Johnnie-O, Sun Day Red, Boggi, and Bandit Running.

With the US market rocked by tariffs and Europe still mired in war, 2025 has become a challenging year for the apparel industry. Given the increasing risk of a tariff-induced US recession in 2026, the Group has put more focus on pursuing inorganic growth.

“Bad times are the best times to buy” said Stanley Szeto, Executive Chairman of Lever Style. “This acquisition strengthens our activewear expertise and enables us to deliver greater value to our clients across an even broader range of product categories.”

For more details, please visit: https://www1.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/1217/2025121701296.pdf

Hashtag: #LeverStyle





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

About Lever Style

Listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Lever Style (HKEX 1346) is the world’s premier apparel production platform for premium contemporary and designer brands such as Alexander Wang, Theory, Todd Snyder, and Aimé Leon Dore; active and performance brands such as Arc’teryx, Columbia Sportswear, Helly Hansen, Spanx, Skims, and J.Lindeberg; and digitally native brands and platforms such as Bonobos and Ministry of Supply.

Our supply chain solutions encompass fashion design, prototype development, raw material procurement, production, quality control, and logistics. Our innovative, modularized multi-country platform delivers high-mix, low-volume orders and reduces excess inventory and stockouts. Our versatile approach is rooted in decades of technical expertise gained from working with many of the world’s highest-quality and most demanding brands. We support production for more than 150 brands through a network of more than 100 factories across seven countries: Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and India. A certified B Corp, Lever Style is a committed ESG leader in the apparel production sector.

Learn more at

Apple is evaluating the assembly and packaging of iPhone chips in India as part of a broader effort to rebalance its global supply chain, with CG Semi emerging as a potential partner, according to people familiar with the matter and public disclosures by companies involved in India’s semiconductor push. The move would mark a deeper localisation step beyond final device assembly and signal confidence in India’s ability to host advanced backend semiconductor operations.

The discussions centre on outsourced semiconductor assembly and test, a critical stage that follows wafer fabrication and precedes integration into devices. Apple’s A-series and M-series chips are designed in California and fabricated by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Packaging and testing have largely been concentrated in East Asia, with China playing a central role through specialised facilities. Shifting part of this work to India would reduce geographic concentration risk while aligning with policy incentives offered by New Delhi to attract high-value electronics manufacturing.

CG Semi, the semiconductor arm of CG Power and Industrial Solutions, has been positioning itself as a contender in this space through a joint venture with Japan’s Renesas Electronics and Thailand’s Stars Microelectronics. The consortium has outlined plans for an OSAT facility in Gujarat, supported by central and state incentives under the Semiconductor Mission. While timelines and customer commitments have not been formally disclosed, the venture has been presented by partners as targeting advanced packaging for automotive and consumer electronics chips, an overlap that fits Apple’s requirements.

People tracking the talks caution that Apple’s evaluation remains exploratory. The company typically subjects suppliers to multi-year qualification processes covering yield, reliability, intellectual-property safeguards and environmental standards. Any decision would depend on CG Semi’s ability to meet Apple’s exacting specifications at scale and to integrate with the existing manufacturing ecosystem that includes contract assemblers such as Foxconn and Tata Group entities already producing iPhones in India.

India’s pitch rests on a combination of incentives and momentum. Production-linked incentive schemes have helped lift smartphone assembly volumes, with Apple accounting for a growing share of exports. The government has since widened support to semiconductors, offering capital subsidies, infrastructure backing and fast-tracked approvals. Backend operations are viewed as a pragmatic entry point, requiring lower capital expenditure and shorter build times than wafer fabs, while still delivering skilled jobs and technology transfer.

Industry analysts say Apple’s interest reflects a global trend among chip designers to diversify OSAT footprints amid geopolitical tensions and supply disruptions. Packaging has become more complex as chips move to advanced nodes and heterogeneous integration, raising the strategic value of reliable partners. “Advanced packaging is no longer a commodity step; it’s a differentiator,” said one semiconductor consultant who advises multinational clients on Asia manufacturing strategies. “Design houses want redundancy without sacrificing quality.”

For CG Semi, an Apple engagement would be transformative. CG Power, part of the Murugappa Group, has roots in electrical equipment rather than semiconductors. Its partnership with Renesas brings process know-how and credibility, while Stars Microelectronics contributes OSAT experience from Thailand. Securing a marquee customer would accelerate learning curves and help anchor a local supplier network for substrates, testing equipment and specialised chemicals.

There are constraints. India’s semiconductor ecosystem remains nascent, with gaps in materials, talent depth and logistics that could challenge tight production schedules. Power reliability, water availability and customs efficiency are under scrutiny by global manufacturers. Apple has previously paused or redirected supplier plans when execution risks appeared elevated, underscoring the need for consistent policy implementation at the state level.

Apple has not commented publicly on specific supplier discussions. CG Power has also refrained from naming potential customers, reiterating in filings that its semiconductor venture is at a development stage. Officials involved in the Semiconductor Mission have said backend projects are progressing and that customer announcements will follow commissioning milestones.

Dubai Airports has kicked off what executives describe as one of the most extensive winter flight programmes in its history, as Dubai International and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International roll out new airline services, increased frequencies and expanded connectivity to capitalise on sharply rising travel demand. Airlines from Europe, Central Asia and the wider region are boosting capacity, while direct traffic now makes up more than half of passenger movements at DXB, a marker of strong point-to-point travel confidence that underpins the broader network growth.

The winter schedule enhancements come as carriers add new routes and upgrade equipment, signalling robust airline confidence in Dubai’s appeal as an international hub. FlyArystan has joined DXB’s network with twice-weekly flights from Aktau, Kazakhstan, and Austrian Airlines has reinstated five weekly services from Vienna, reflecting growing European engagement. Virgin Atlantic has deployed its larger A350-1000 aircraft on flights into Dubai, increasing seat capacity significantly, and British Airways has restored Airbus A380 operations from London Heathrow, reinforcing transcontinental connectivity. These moves underscore the increasing demand for direct travel to and from Dubai across key long-haul markets.

Connectivity from South Asia and the Middle East is also strengthening, with Varesh Airline initiating twice-weekly flights from Sari, Iran, and Fly Jinnah adding twice-weekly services from Lahore, enhancing point-to-point traffic flows that traditionally surge during the winter travel period. Saudi Arabia continues to be a pivotal market for both airport hubs, remaining DXB’s second-largest country market by passenger share, with combined traffic across DXB and DWC reaching millions of passengers and marking a year-on-year increase. At DWC, passenger numbers have grown sharply, reflecting its rising importance as a complementary gateway within Dubai’s aviation landscape.

DWC’s strategic role has expanded markedly as airlines take advantage of its available capacity to broaden their offerings alongside DXB operations. The airport recorded a substantial rise in passenger volumes over the year and has seen notable increases in cargo and aircraft movements, pointing to broader growth in both passenger and freight activities. Eurowings has played a significant role in this growth, launching a daily service from Stuttgart to DXB, operating a thrice-weekly service from Düsseldorf into DWC, and increasing frequencies to Berlin, Cologne and Hannover, including its Premium Bizclass product on select services.

Dubai Airports’ research leadership highlights this period as pivotal for the sector, emphasising that the breadth of the winter network reflects evolving travel patterns and confidence from airline partners. Direct traffic growth across both airports is attributed to a mix of inbound tourism, outbound resident travel and medium-term relocations, illustrating a diversified demand base that supports sustained connectivity expansion.

Industry observers point out that Europe and Central Asia have been particularly dynamic contributors to the uplift in capacity. FlyArystan’s entry into the market and Austrian Airlines’ service reinstatement exemplify the shifting landscape of global travel demand, with carriers recalibrating their networks to capture increased passenger flows. At the same time, regional carriers are leveraging expanding demand from neighbouring markets, reinforcing Dubai’s position as a central aviation node connecting different parts of the world.

Capacity enhancements on existing routes are another hallmark of this winter schedule. Carriers such as Virgin Atlantic and British Airways have not only increased frequency but also introduced larger, more efficient aircraft to meet peak season travel. This reflects a broader industry trend toward optimising fleet deployment on high-demand city pairs, balancing cost efficiency with passenger comfort.

While the expanded passenger schedule captures much of the spotlight, cargo operations have also seen parallel growth, particularly at DWC where infrastructure and available slots have encouraged carriers and freight operators to scale up activities. Cargo volumes have continued to rise alongside passenger growth, underscoring the dual role of Dubai’s airports as critical hubs for both people and goods movements.

Airport officials note that the broader travel ecosystem — including international business events, sports fixtures, cultural festivals and holiday travel — continues to stimulate demand, complementing the seasonal drivers that historically shape winter travel patterns. This diversified demand mix has provided airlines with a degree of resilience as they invest in expanded services and plan capacity well into the year ahead.

A century after Srinivasa Ramanujan wrote down his striking formulas for calculating pi, the mathematics behind those expressions is shaping how scientists describe some of the Universe’s most complex physical systems. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru have shown that the same mathematical structures embedded in Ramanujan’s work also appear in turbulence, percolation processes and theoretical models of black holes, drawing a direct line […]

Advertisements

Oman’s sovereign wealth fund arm ITHCA Group has entered a strategic investment partnership with Saudi Vision Venture Capital, marking a significant step in Muscat’s efforts to deepen the funding pool and regional reach available to start-ups based in the sultanate. The agreement is designed to give Omani founders structured access to the Saudi investment ecosystem, one of the largest and fastest-growing venture capital markets in the Middle […]

Greenlogue/AP Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power has entered into a cooperation framework with the African Development Bank aimed at mobilising as much as $5 billion for sustainable energy and water projects across Africa, signalling an expansion of private capital participation in the continent’s infrastructure financing landscape. The agreement sets out a pathway to identify, develop and finance projects focused on electricity access, water security and low-carbon investment, with […]

Dedicated to Empowering Local Startups and Fostering Hong Kong’s I&T Ecosystem

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – SUNeVision Holdings Ltd. (“SUNeVision”, SEHK: 1686), the largest data centre provider in Hong Kong and the technology arm of Sun Hung Kai Properties Limited (“SHKP”), announced the launch of the third chapter of its Startup Programme. SUNeVision is strengthening its efforts to empower startups by providing robust digital infrastructure and collaborating with leading technology partners to create a broader platform for emerging innovators. This initiative underscores the company’s steadfast commitment to advancing Hong Kong’s innovation and technology landscape.

The SUNeVision Startup Programme aims to offer technological resources and mentorship support to help startups grow and scale at every stage of development, while unlocking the potential of AI and enhancing their market edge. The new cohort is now accepting applications from high-calibre startups specialising in key sectors, including Artificial Intelligence (AI), BioTech, FinTech, GreenTech, HealthTech, Smart City, and other emerging technologies. The programme is open for applications until 10 February 2026 and will support 10 candidates in each cohort.

Shortlisted companies will receive SUNeVision Credits valued at up to HK$160,000, redeemable for support services offered by SUNeVision and the programme partners. The initiative equips startups with a solid digital foundation to deploy and scale AI‑driven applications within SUNeVision’s hyperscale data centre facilities. Participants will also gain access to a vibrant ecosystem of more than 300 technology and business partners, service providers, and key stakeholders. The programme further supports startups in strengthening their presence in the Greater Bay Area and driving expansion across Asia-Pacific region. An array of tailored support, tools, and mentorship will be provided by the programme partners, covering:

  • Angelflow: Syndicate technology infrastructure
  • Dataplugs: Internet and managed hosting
  • Finda Cloud: Value-added cloud service and SaaS
  • Nexusguard: DDoS protection and cybersecurity
  • SUNeVision: Data centre colocation and hosting
  • Sustainable SmartTech Ventures: AI-powered smart building management technologies
  • the Hive.: Co-working space
  • Votee AI: Authentic Cantonese translation
  • WeExpand: Agentic AI services for sales and marketing automation

The Startup Programme has cultivated standout innovators from last year’s cohort, including DeepTranslate and Sustainable SmartTech Ventures (SSV), both recognised for their groundbreaking solutions. DeepTranslate, which combines AI translation with human expertise to deliver financial translation, leveraged SUNeVision’s low-latency network to achieve near-perfect accuracy and faster turnaround times for its customers. SSV, a specialist in intelligent building management technology, deployed its AI applications at SUNeVision’ data centre, enhancing its AI models to produce high-capacity rendering. This advancement has enabled SSV to attract new enterprise customers across the construction sector.

Helen Lo, Executive Director & Director, Commercial at SUNeVision, said, “We are delighted to launch the Startup Programme for its third edition, driven by our mission to nurture high-potential and homegrown startups. We aim to create an all-encompassing platform that empowers visionary innovators to thrive, providing the advanced infrastructure and supportive ecosystem they need to transform bold ideas into real-world impact. We remain committed to accelerating innovation and injecting vitality into Hong Kong’s technology ecosystem.”

To learn more about SUNeVision Startup Programme, please visit our website.

Hashtag: #SUNeVision

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

About SUNeVision

SUNeVision (SEHK: 1686), the technology arm of Sun Hung Kai Properties (SEHK: 0016), is the largest data centre provider in Hong Kong. We provide industry-leading carrier and cloud-neutral data centre services with Asia’s number one connectivity. We connect providers of telecommunications, cloud, ISP, CDN, OTT from local, mainland China and global with enterprises of different businesses on our Asia leading data centre ecosystem.

SUNeVision forms MEGA Campus by extending the connectivity edge from highly connected MEGA-i to other high-tier data centres, including MEGA Gateway, MEGA IDC, MEGA Plus and MEGA Two. Facilities on MEGA Campus are interconnected through a dedicated dark fibre network and around 15,000 cross-connects. Together with City PoPs of major submarine cables in our facilities, we enable our customers for direct connections to multi-cloud platforms and multi-cloud exchanges with the best connectivity in town. The addition of cable landing stations HKIS-1 and HKIS-2 to our data centre portfolio will provide a one-stop-solution to cable owners and users, strengthening our position as the leading connectivity hub in Asia. We are committed to supporting Hong Kong as a regional information hub and a strategic gateway to mainland China.

For more information, please visit SUNeVision’s , or .

Chainlink’s LINK token has settled into a narrow trading range above the $12 level, signalling a period of consolidation as market participants reassess risk appetite across digital assets. Price action around the $13 mark has been marked by subdued volatility, even as broader cryptocurrency markets digest shifting expectations on interest rates, exchange-traded fund flows and regulatory scrutiny. The stabilisation comes after a volatile first half of the […]

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 December 2025 – The SME100 Awards has become one of the most trusted and influential platforms for high growth Malaysian enterprises, recognised for its rigorous evaluation standards and its role in identifying the country’s most promising businesses. Over the years, the programme has evolved into more than an award. It has become a springboard for SMEs seeking credibility, visibility and a supportive ecosystem in an increasingly volatile business landscape.

That landscape has grown more challenging than ever. Malaysian SMEs are operating in a climate defined by rising costs, talent shortages, complex regulatory requirements and tightening cash flow. Inflation continues to push operational expenses upward, while difficulties in hiring and retaining skilled talent have slowed growth for many. These pressures have created a harsh reality. Companies that lack adaptability risk losing market share, while those that act decisively are discovering opportunities in places previously overlooked.

Despite these obstacles, the SME sector has demonstrated a remarkable ability to rebound. Recent data shows that SME GDP grew by 11.6 percent, surpassing the national average and signalling that transformation, not stability, is driving growth. Many businesses have embraced digital tools, streamlined operations and explored new revenue pathways. The divide between surviving and thriving is becoming clearer, and it is defined by mindset, capability and speed.

In this environment, the SME100 Awards serves as a crucial platform for SMEs to strengthen their position. The programme provides a structured pathway for benchmarking performance, accessing regional networks and gaining recognition that matters to customers, partners and investors. By combining quantitative financial indicators with qualitative assessments and a full interview process, SME100 identifies companies that are not only resilient, but ready for the next phase of growth. For winners, the programme offers visibility, connection to a strong ASEAN SME community and access to continuous learning and collaboration opportunities.

Datuk William Ng, National President of SAMENTA, underscored the importance of this support. He said, “Malaysian SMEs are confronting some of the toughest market realities in decades. Yet the most progressive among them are proving that adversity can be a turning point. The SME100 Awards highlight these companies not simply for their achievements, but for the mindset they represent. They show the entire SME sector what is possible when we combine innovation, discipline and the willingness to change.”

The SME100 programme is further strengthened by the involvement of key industry partners. CTOS serves as the official credit reporting partner, Baker Tilly Malaysia as the official auditor and CGC Digital as the gold sponsor. Together, they enhance the transparency, credibility and relevance of the awards while reinforcing the broader ecosystem that supports SME growth.

For more information about the SME100 Awards 2025 Malaysia and the complete list of winners, please visit www.sme100.asia

LIST OF WINNERS OF THE MALAYSIA SME100 AWARDS 2025 (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

  1. AA AVIATION SDN BHD
  2. AGENSI PEKERJAAN KAWA GLOBAL SDN BHD
  3. AL HIJRA HEALTHCARE SDN BHD
  4. AMD SOLUTIONS SDN BHD
  5. ARVIA SOLUTIONS
  6. AUTHENTIC TIMBER RESOURCES SDN BHD
  7. BIMAGE CONSULTING (M) SDN BHD
  8. BINA SKK SDN BHD
  9. BLACK GOLD SECURITY SDN BHD
  10. BUMI SENDAYAN SDN BHD
  11. CASA ENTERTAINMENT GROUP SDN BHD
  12. CEE INDUSTRIES SDN BHD
  13. CRILIGHT MARKETING (M) SDN BHD
  14. CRT INSIGHTS TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
  15. CTRM TESTING LABORATORY SDN BHD
  16. DAYASAKTI TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
  17. DREAMAZE SDN BHD
  18. EDCA ENERGY SDN BHD
  19. EF STORE SDN BHD
  20. EG TECH SYSTEM SDN BHD
  21. ELITE MARKETING GROUP SDN BHD
  22. EVOPOINT SDN BHD
  23. FLEX SEAL & PUMP ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  24. FLEXI FLEX HYDRAULICS SDN BHD
  25. GREEN EXCEL ENGINEERING AND CONSULTANCY SDN BHD
  26. HAI SUAR HUAT PILING SDN BHD
  27. HEAP WAH BARAKAH SDN BHD
  28. IDMS TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
  29. IDPM ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  30. INDAH CLEANING SERVICES & MAINTENANCE (M) SDN BHD
  31. INDS CAPITAL SDN BHD
  32. IX REALTY SDN BHD
  33. J20 ADVANCE SDN BHD
  34. JIN SAN CONCRETE SDN BHD
  35. JNDESIGN MARKETING SDN BHD
  36. KIMAL AWNING & IRON WORKS SDN BHD
  37. KMS MANUFACTORY SDN BHD
  38. KPRJ E&C SDN BHD
  39. LES’ COPAQUE PRODUCTION SDN BHD
  40. LOGIX EXPRESS SDN BHD
  41. MABUCO SDN BHD
  42. MALGAZ INDUSTRIES SDN BHD
  43. MARCH INTERIOR STUDIO SDN BHD
  44. MATTECH MANUFACTURING SDN BHD
  45. MEOFCO SDN BHD
  46. MK HARAMAIN TRAVEL & TOURS SDN BHD
  47. MK PORRIDGE SDN BHD
  48. MTC CAFE AND RESTAURANT
  49. NEW KC TRADING SDN BHD
  50. NURSERY HONG SOON SDN BHD
  51. OG MARKETING GROUP SDN BHD
  52. QUANTUM COMPUTING SDN BHD
  53. RADDISH TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD
  54. RAY TECH (MALAYSIA) SDN BHD
  55. RFY ACES (M) SDN BHD
  56. SAI COND SALES & ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  57. SALAM MEDICAL CENTRE SDN BHD
  58. SARAMOLY (M) SDN BHD
  59. SATRIA TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
  60. SAUDAGAAR ASIA SDN BHD
  61. SIN THYE & COMPANY (PRO SAFETY)
  62. SIS INTEGRATED SDN BHD
  63. SK GLOBE BUSINESS CAPITAL SDN BHD
  64. SKA TRANSPORT (M) SDN BHD
  65. SKINVILLE SOLUTION SDN BHD
  66. SKY POWER SDN BHD
  67. SOFTWELL SDN BHD
  68. SOLAR VOLTECH SDN BHD
  69. SOLARLINK ENERGY SDN BHD
  70. SOON LEE STEEL SDN BHD
  71. SPEEDBRICK SDN BHD
  72. SSEMEDX SERVICES SDN BHD
  73. SUPER EDUCATIONAL ALLIANCE SDN BHD
  74. SUSTEN SDN BHD
  75. TERAS IMPIANA SDN BHD
  76. THONG WORLD SDN BHD
  77. TONG SHENG ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  78. TRUZ HOME SDN BHD
  79. UBINGO VACATIONS SDN BHD
  80. V CRITICAL ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  81. VIRTUAL ECONOMY TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD
  82. YPS TECHNOLOGY SDN BHD
  83. ZABSI INDUSTRIAL VENTILATION SDN BHD

SME100 OUTSTANDING INSPIRATIONAL ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS 2025

  • MR. DONAHUE CHONG – BIMAGE CONSULTING (M) SDN BHD
  • MR. EDWARD CHYE WEI YANG – EDCA ENERGY SDN BHD
  • MR. KALVIN CHUA – EVOPOINT SDN BHD
  • YBHG. DATO’ RAVINTHRAN S/O BALAH – INDAH CLEANING SERVICES & MAINTENANCE (M) SDN BHD
  • MR. BENJAMIN GUNG SIE KAI – JIN SAN CONCRETE SDN BHD
  • MR. CHIN KAH SHING – NURSERY HONG SOON SDN BHD
  • MR. YEE HONG HO – RFY ACES (M) SDN BHD
  • MR. DESMOND GOH – SKY POWER SDN BHD
  • MR. SIEW YOUNG MING – SSEMEDX SERVICES SDN BHD
  • IR. BAVANANTHAN A/L SELVAMANY – TERAS IMPIANA SDN BHD

SME100 SUSTAINABLE BRAND AWARDS 2025
  • EDCA ENERGY – EDCA ENERGY SDN BHD
  • JardinPèau – SKINVILLE SOLUTION SDN BHD
  • SAI COND – SAI COND SALES & ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  • IDMS TECHNOLOGIES – IDMS TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
  • UbinGO VACATIONS – UBINGO VACATIONS SDN BHD
SME100 WOMEN ENTREPRENEUR AWARDS 2025
  • MS. YUNLU LEE – AUTHENTIC TIMBER RESOURCES SDN BHD
  • MS. NURUL AIN BINTI MOHAMAD KHDRI – ARVIA SOLUTIONS
  • MS. FLORENCE GOH SIEW BOEY – CRT INSIGHTS TECHNOLOGIES SDN BHD
  • MS. DOREEN DING – INDS CAPITAL SDN BHD
  • MRS. SURIA HANI BINTI AFFANDI CHEW – MERAQUE SERVICES SDN BHD
  • MS. ELLEN LIM – SKA TRANSPORT (M) SDN BHD
  • TS. KOK SHIN LIN – SUSTEN SDN BHD
  • MS. MICHELLE YEONG – THONG WORLD SDN BHD

SME100 CTOS CREDIT EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025

  • BUMI SENDAYAN SDN BHD
  • IDPM ENGINEERING SDN BHD
  • JNDESIGN MARKETING SDN BHD
  • KMS MANUFACTORY SDN BHD
  • NURSERY HONG SOON SDN BHD

Hashtag: #SME100Awards

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

About SAMENTA

Established in 1986, SAMENTA is Malaysia’s largest association of SMEs, with over 5,500 members across the country. A multi-racial, multi-sector association, SAMENTA has been at the forefront of championing a SME-friendly business environment and connecting SMEs to regional and global opportunities.

About Business Media International

Business Media International is a subsidiary of Audience Analytics Limited, a regional leader in promoting growth for companies in Asia through data-driven brands and initiatives. We own renowned media brands such as SME Magazine, HR Asia, Capital Asia, Energy Asia, Logistics Asia, TruthTV, and CXP Asia as well as business impact assessment brands such as SME100, HR Asia Best Companies to Work for in Asia, Golden Bull Awards and CXP Asia Best Customer Experience Awards. Audience Analytics also owns a number of exhibition brands and has the proprietary software-as-a-service – Total Engagement Assessment Model.

Conviction has entered the fast-growing digital wagering space with the launch of what it describes as the first prediction market platform designed specifically for the Native Asian market, positioning itself at the intersection of decentralised finance, artificial intelligence and cross-chain infrastructure. Built on ZetaChain, the platform aims to allow users to place and settle predictions across multiple blockchains without relying on wrapped assets or custodial bridges, a […]

Matein Khalid 2025 was the year I was convinced that silver would outperform gold in a classic late cycle acceleration trade that is a recurrent theme in full throttle precious metal bull markets. This means, silver has a tendency to lag gold’s ascent until an inflection point at which prices breakout and then accelerate sharply on the upside. This inflection point was $36 an ounce in spot […]

Ford Motor Company has outlined plans to rework its electric pickup strategy by developing an extended-range version of the F-150 Lightning that pairs battery power with an onboard petrol generator, a move aimed at easing customer anxiety over charging access and long-distance capability. The company has indicated that such an extended-range electric vehicle, or EREV, could push total driving range towards 700 miles under certain conditions, a […]

Federal authorities in Washington have issued a fresh warning to consumers and financial institutions as cyber-enabled fraud intensifies during the year-end shopping season, highlighting a sharp rise in sophisticated scams powered by artificial intelligence and automation. The U. S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Cybersecurity and Critical Infrastructure Protection said the scale and complexity of digital fraud now pose systemic risks to household finances and payment […]

Ringing in the New Year, the extended collection promotes moderation and conscious drinking throughout the festive season and beyond

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 December 2025 – Carlsberg Hong Kong is championing moderation and mindful drinking with the launch of its extended No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer product collection to ring in the New Year. Available from January 2026, the perfectly timed launch coincides with the season of gathering and the upcoming Dry January. The collection offers a refreshing, flavourful alternative for those looking to drink more consciously without compromising on taste or experience.

Carlsberg Hong Kong rings in the New Year with extended collection No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer collection for conscious celebrations beyond the festive season
Carlsberg Hong Kong rings in the New Year with extended collection No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer collection for conscious celebrations beyond the festive season

At the heart of this collection is Carlsberg 0.0, the flagship product that sets the standard for mindful drinking. With No Alcohol, No Sugar, and Low Calories, Carlsberg 0.0 delivers all the taste without the compromise – perfect for those who want to celebrate responsibly while maintaining a balanced lifestyle. True to its tagline, “Alcohol Free; Not Flavor Free,” Carlsberg No & Low-Alcohol Range together with its Beyond Beer collection proves that great beer experiences don’t need alcohol to shine.

Carlsberg Hong Kong Toasts to Mindful Drinking Choices

Driven by increasing consumer demand for healthier and more inclusive drinking options, especially among younger generations, Carlsberg Hong Kong’s latest beverage series embraces the shift toward moderation. Whether it’s over a festive meal, after a workout, or out with friends, the No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer products is designed to support all types of occasions.

At the heart of the No & Low-Alcohol Range is Carlsberg 0.0, the flagship product that sets the standard for mindful drinking
At the heart of the No & Low-Alcohol Range is Carlsberg 0.0, the flagship product that sets the standard for mindful drinking

The lineup features new additions to Carlsberg’s expanding No & Low-Alcohol product portfolio, including:

  • Poretti Zero, recognised as the winner of Italy’s “Elected Product of the Year 2025” in the Non-Alcoholic Beer Category, known for its delicate and velvety body crafted from four varieties of hops.
  • Erdinger Alkoholfrei, is a full-bodied alcohol-free beer (ABV <0.5%) filled with notes of spicy malt, caramel sweetness and a touch of fruity acidity.

These are accompanied by trusted favourites like Carlsberg 0.0 – crafted using a unique brewing process that gently removes alcohol through evaporation, preserving the full flavour and refreshing character of traditional beer – Young Master Zero, Young Master Another One, Tetley’s Original Bitter, and the newly rebranded Jolly Shandy Lemon.

This launch also marks the first Dry January since Carlsberg Hong Kong began its strategic partnership with Young Master Brewery, holding exclusive distribution rights for its full portfolio of beers and Ready-to-Drink (“RTD”) products in Hong Kong and Macau since September. With this collaboration, Carlsberg is bringing Young Master’s award-winning products to more consumers than ever before through its extensive distribution network.

Nathaniel Moxom, Managing Director of Carlsberg Hong Kong and Taiwan, said “We are proud to lead the way in promoting mindful drinking and expanding the choices available to our consumers. Through our No & Low-Alcohol Range and Beyond Beer portfolio, we aim to make moderation both accessible and enjoyable, perfectly in tune with today’s evolving lifestyle habits.”

Discover What’s Brewing Beyond Beer

Carlsberg Hong Kong is also introducing a new product category under Beyond Beer, all with purest flavours derived from quality ingredients. This includes a curated range of premium mixers and non-alcoholic beverages designed to elevate the drinking experience, whether enjoyed on their own or as part of creative mocktails. Highlights include:

  • Sophisticated mixers from The London Essence Company ranging from Indian tonic water, soda water and a delicate ginger ale.
  • HIGHERTHAN 0% Salted Lime Soda with Electrolytes from HIGHERTHAN by Young Master, a first-in-market beverage featuring classic Hong Kong salted lime flavour, with added electrolytes – reimagined for modern hydration and boost.

Exclusive Deals to Sip, Shop and Savour

Carlsberg Hong Kong is rolling out a series of consumer promotions both in retail and on-premises throughout January. Shoppers at major supermarkets like Wellcome, ParknShop, city’super, and HKTVmall can enjoy special pricing and gifts with purchase. Customers who purchase designated amount of Carlsberg 0.0 in selected stores or ECOM platforms will receive a complimentary branded shoe bag. A tasting booth at designated city’super will also offer samples of Carlsberg 0.0, Poretti 0.0 and Erdinger 0.0 for curious shoppers.

On foodpanda, the full No & Low-Alcohol Beer and Beyond Beer range will be featured from January lasting for 6 weeks, with alcohol-free selections featured prominently for easy discovery. Participating restaurant brands will offer special promotions and in-app pick-up discounts to make conscious drinking even more accessible.

Around 70 participating outlets will run a Loyalty Stamp Card Programme throughout January. Guests who collect four stamps – one for each purchase of a Carlsberg 0.0 bottle – can redeem an exclusive Carlsberg 0.0 shoe bag, available while supplies last.

Hashtag: #CarlsbergHongKong

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

About Carlsberg Hong Kong

Carlsberg has grown into one of the world’s leading brewery groups, boasting an extensive portfolio of beer and beverage brands across 150 markets and employing 37,000 staff globally. Carlsberg Brewery Hong Kong Limited offers a diverse range of beers, including Carlsberg, 1664, Somersby, and SKOL.

With a rich tradition spanning 178 years, Carlsberg is driven by a spirit of innovation, curiosity, and an unwavering commitment to progress. The company is dedicated to brewing for a better today and tomorrow, continuously striving to enhance its offerings and foster a sustainable future.

Nikken Sekkei has unveiled an architectural vision for Trump Tower Dubai that signals a renewed push to blend global branding with locally grounded urban design, positioning the project as a high-profile addition to the city’s luxury real-estate landscape. The proposal introduces a vertically articulated tower intended to integrate hospitality, branded residences and curated public spaces, reflecting Dubai’s continued appeal to international developers and design houses. The Japanese […]

The U. S. Senate has deferred action on a highly anticipated crypto market structure bill, with the Senate Banking Committee confirming that it will not hold a markup vote on the legislation this year and plans to resume deliberations in early 2026. The decision prolongs regulatory uncertainty for digital asset markets and leaves unresolved how federal authorities will oversee cryptocurrency trading platforms, brokers, issuers and decentralised finance […]

CME Group has broadened its cryptocurrency derivatives suite with the launch of spot-quoted futures tied to XRP and Solana, offering market participants regulated, transparent tools to trade these digital assets with reference to live spot prices. The new contracts, introduced on 15 December 2025, sit alongside the exchange’s existing spot-quoted Bitcoin and Ether futures and are available for trading under the rules of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange […]

Tether, the issuer of the world’s largest stablecoin, has taken a formal step towards acquiring Juventus Football Club, signalling a deeper push by a major crypto firm into mainstream European sport. Paolo Ardoino, Tether’s chief executive, has confirmed that the company has submitted a proposal to buy the Turin-based club, opening a new chapter in speculation over the future ownership of one of football’s most recognisable names. […]

A public confrontation between cryptocurrency exchange OKX and blockchain project MANTRA has intensified, centring on the migration of the OM token and broader issues of transparency, alleged market manipulation and legal risk as holders await the transition to the upgraded MANTRA token. The dispute has spilt into social media exchanges and official correspondence, leaving investors and market participants grappling with conflicting narratives and uncertainty over timelines and […]

Foxconn will invest $173 million to build a consumer electronics manufacturing facility in Louisville, Kentucky, creating 180 jobs and marking another step in the contract manufacturer’s effort to expand its United States footprint as companies seek to rebalance global supply chains.

The facility, scheduled to begin operations in the third quarter of 2026, will focus on injection moulding, tooling and the production of key components used in consumer electronics. Company executives said the plant would support domestic manufacturing demand and align with a broader push by technology firms and policymakers to strengthen industrial capacity within the US.

State and local officials confirmed that the project has received approvals tied to job creation and capital investment benchmarks. Kentucky’s economic development authorities described the investment as part of a strategy to attract advanced manufacturing and reduce exposure to overseas supply disruptions that became evident during the pandemic and amid geopolitical frictions affecting global trade.

Foxconn, formally known as Hon Hai Precision Industry, is the world’s largest electronics contract manufacturer and a critical supplier to several major technology brands. While the company is best known for its vast manufacturing operations in China, it has been diversifying production across regions including Southeast Asia, Latin America and North America. The Kentucky plant adds to that network but on a scale that contrasts with earlier, more ambitious US plans.

The new facility is expected to employ engineers, technicians and production workers, with roles centred on high-precision manufacturing rather than large-scale assembly. Injection moulding and tooling are considered foundational processes in electronics production, supplying parts used across a range of devices. Industry analysts note that locating these processes closer to end markets can shorten lead times and reduce logistics costs, even if final assembly remains globally distributed.

Foxconn executives have framed the project as a “Made in America” initiative designed to support customers seeking domestic sourcing options. Several technology companies have been under pressure from governments and consumers to demonstrate resilience and transparency in their supply chains, particularly for components linked to critical infrastructure or sensitive technologies.

The Kentucky investment comes against the backdrop of Foxconn’s mixed history in the US. The company’s high-profile Wisconsin project announced in 2017 promised tens of thousands of jobs and billions in investment but was later scaled back significantly, leading to criticism from local communities and policymakers. That experience has made state governments more cautious, with incentives increasingly tied to verifiable outcomes rather than headline commitments.

In Kentucky, officials emphasised that the Foxconn deal is structured around realistic employment numbers and phased investment. The projected 180 jobs are modest by the standards of traditional manufacturing plants, but they reflect the capital-intensive and automated nature of modern electronics production. Wages are expected to be above the regional manufacturing average, according to preliminary workforce plans shared with state authorities.

For Foxconn, the move aligns with a broader recalibration of its global strategy. Rising labour costs in China, trade restrictions affecting technology exports, and growing scrutiny of cross-border dependencies have pushed manufacturers to adopt a “China plus one” or even “plus many” approach. The US has also introduced incentives aimed at encouraging domestic manufacturing, particularly in semiconductors and advanced electronics, although Foxconn’s Kentucky plant does not fall directly under federal chip subsidy programmes.

Supply chain experts say the investment reflects a pragmatic approach rather than a wholesale shift. Building a specialised plant focused on components allows Foxconn to serve US customers without replicating the scale of its Asian campuses. It also limits financial exposure while testing the economics of domestic production in a high-cost environment.

Local economic impact assessments suggest the project will have secondary benefits for suppliers, logistics firms and technical training providers in the Louisville area. Community colleges and workforce agencies have begun discussions with the company on skills development, particularly in precision tooling and materials processing.

Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Mubadala Investment Company and Barings have launched a $500 million global real estate debt partnership, signalling growing institutional appetite for private credit strategies tied to property markets across major economies. The partnership brings together Mubadala’s balance sheet strength and global reach with Barings’ long-standing experience in real estate debt, at a time when banks have become more selective in property lending and borrowers […]

VISHNU RAJA
RYO YAMADA
HITORI GOTOH
IKUYO KITA