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The agreements were signed at the Vietnam-Thailand Business Forum and the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum, held as part of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visits to the Kingdom of Thailand, the Republic of Singapore, and the Republic of the Philippines from May 28 to June 1, 2026.

In Thailand, Vinpearl announced the expansion of its strategic partnerships with Agoda and AirAsia MOVE to strengthen the international presence of its integrated tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem.

Through Agoda, one of the world’s largest online travel platforms, Vinpearl aims to optimize business performance across its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment portfolio while expanding its reach in key markets including Southeast Asia, India, the Middle East, Australia, and long-haul international traveler segments. The partnership also marks a new milestone for VinWonders, with its integrated leisure and hospitality products now being offered directly through Agoda’s global platform.

The partnership with AirAsia MOVE is designed to broaden international access to Vinpearl and VinWonders hospitality, leisure, and entertainment offerings in Phu Quoc, Nha Trang, and Da Nang-Hoi An through one of the region’s leading digital travel platforms. Via AirAsia MOVE, travelers can conveniently book flights, accommodations, and attractions within a single itinerary, making it easier to choose integrated Vinpearl and VinWonders experiences when visiting Vietnam.

With access to a network of more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide, AirAsia MOVE is expected to further strengthen the visibility of the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem among international travelers, while also enhancing Vietnam’s appeal as a destination for visitors from ASEAN and other key global markets.

In Singapore, Vinpearl also signed partnership agreements with BeMyGuest and GlobalTix, two of the Asia-Pacific region’s leading technology and distribution platforms for travel experiences.

Supported by extensive partner networks and some of the region’s most diverse travel product portfolios, these collaborations are expected to strengthen the presence of the VinWonders brand across Southeast Asia, China, and India, while expanding international access to unique experience offerings in Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Nang.

Through these agreements, the partners will leverage their respective strengths in technology, distribution, and customer ecosystems to progressively expand the international footprint of Vinpearl and VinWonders while enhancing the global appeal of Vietnamese tourism.

Ms. Ngo Thi Huong, Chief Executive Officer, Vinpearl, said: “These partnerships not only expand Vinpearl’s network of strategic partners but also create a strong foundation for the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem to connect more deeply with global traveler segments through some of the region’s leading travel, aviation, and distribution platforms. This represents an important step in our strategy to strengthen international competitiveness and position Vinpearl destinations among the top choices for travelers across Asia.”

Mr. Krishna Rathi, Associate Vice President, Supply, Agoda, said: “With its extensive scale of operations, diverse portfolio, and ability to develop integrated destinations, Vinpearl is one of the most outstanding partners in Vietnam’s tourism industry today. We believe this partnership will help the Vinpearl and VinWonders ecosystem engage more deeply with rapidly growing international traveler segments across Asia and global markets.”

Ms. Nadia Omer, Chief Executive Officer, AirAsia MOVE, said: “We highly value the opportunity to partner with Vinpearl in unlocking strategic collaboration potential within one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and fast-growing tourism markets. As an OTA platform with a comprehensive travel ecosystem and extensive regional connectivity, AirAsia MOVE is committed to further enhancing travel connectivity and intra-regional tourism flows. Vietnam is emerging as one of the region’s brightest tourism destinations, and we believe the combination of Vinpearl’s leading hospitality and entertainment ecosystem with AirAsia MOVE’s distribution and connectivity capabilities will create significant growth opportunities for the tourism sector in the years ahead.”

The partnerships with Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, and GlobalTix mark another milestone in Vinpearl’s strategy to internationalize its tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem while expanding the presence of Vinpearl and VinWonders accommodation, leisure, and experience offerings across global travel platforms.

Hashtag: #Vinpearl

https://vinpearl.com/en

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

About Agoda

Agoda is a global online travel platform offering more than six million accommodation options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, and vacation villas, as well as flight bookings, travel activities, and related travel services. Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG). The platform operates in 39 languages, provides 24/7 customer support, and employs more than 7,500 people worldwide.

About AirAsia MOVE
AirAsia MOVE (MOVE) is the digital travel platform of Capital A Group and has been recognized by the World Travel Tech Awards as Asia’s Best Travel Booking App for three consecutive years since 2023. Focused on building a comprehensive travel ecosystem, MOVE delivers affordable, seamless, and personalized travel experiences across Southeast Asia and international markets.

The platform currently connects travelers to more than 700 airlines and over one million hotels worldwide while offering a wide range of services including attraction tickets, airport transfers, travel insurance, and integrated travel products. AirAsia MOVE also enhances user experience through its loyalty program and AskBo, an AI-powered travel chatbot.

About BeMyGuest
BeMyGuest is a Singapore-based travel technology company founded in 2012, specializing in booking and distribution solutions for attractions, tours, and travel experiences across the Asia-Pacific region. Its ecosystem includes the Distribution Network and Xplore Booking System, which support sales management, multi-channel distribution, and digital operations for thousands of partners in the experience tourism industry. BeMyGuest is connected to numerous online travel platforms and international distribution partners while providing multilingual solutions and flexible pricing models for integrated systems.

About GlobalTix
GlobalTix is a global technology and distribution platform for attractions, tours, and travel experiences, headquartered in Singapore with operations across multiple Asia-Pacific markets. Founded in 2013, GlobalTix enables attractions and experience operators to connect with travel agencies, online travel platforms, and international distribution partners through a unified platform. Its partners include major brands such as Mount Faber Leisure Group, Taman Safari Indonesia, Mandai Wildlife Group, National Gallery Singapore, and Singapore Airlines.

About Vinpearl

Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading hospitality, tourism, and entertainment brand, currently operating 60 properties across 20 provinces and cities nationwide. Its ecosystem includes a network of five-star hotels and resorts with more than 17,500 rooms; 15 VinWonders theme parks featuring attractions for visitors of all ages; six world-class golf courses; and three VinPalace convention and performing arts centers. The portfolio also includes two semi-wildlife conservation and care parks, an equestrian academy, and million-dollar live-action performance shows in destinations such as Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The unit sits under the president’s office and is evaluating AI start-ups globally, with long-serving executive Zhang Endong leading the effort. The move places investment activity closer to Sea’s top management at a time when the company is trying to convert its scale across Shopee, Garena and Monee into a stronger position in the next phase of consumer internet competition.

The new team is part of a wider internal reorganisation aimed at accelerating AI adoption across Sea’s businesses. Zhang is also involved in projects examining how the technology can be deployed inside the group, from product recommendations and seller tools to game development and financial services. A company spokesperson declined to comment on the investment unit.

The initiative follows a series of signals from chief executive Forrest Li that AI has become central to Sea’s long-term strategy. Li told investors last year that a trillion-dollar market capitalisation could be possible if the company doubled down on artificial intelligence and made the right calls. That ambition is now being tested against tougher operating conditions, heavier competition and investor scrutiny over margins.

Sea’s pivot comes as its core businesses remain sizeable but increasingly contested. Shopee continues to dominate e-commerce across South-east Asia, where price-led competition, live commerce, faster delivery expectations and merchant services have raised both growth potential and operating costs. Rivals including TikTok Shop, Lazada, Amazon and Rakuten are intensifying their own use of AI to personalise shopping, automate seller support and streamline logistics.

Artificial intelligence is already being built into Shopee’s customer and merchant systems. Its applications include recommendation engines, search improvements, advertising tools and seller assistance functions. The strategic logic is straightforward: more effective targeting can increase conversion, better seller tools can deepen merchant loyalty, and automated service functions can reduce costs across markets with different languages, payment habits and logistics infrastructure.

Sea has also expanded its partnership with Google to develop AI-powered tools across e-commerce and gaming. The companies are exploring an agentic shopping prototype for Shopee, designed to move beyond basic search and recommendation functions towards digital assistants capable of helping consumers complete tasks across the shopping journey. Garena is expected to use AI to improve game development productivity, an area where faster content cycles and lower development costs can carry significant commercial value.

Financial performance has given Sea room to invest, though not without pressure. First-quarter revenue rose 46.6 per cent year on year to US$7.1 billion, while gross profit increased 40.7 per cent to US$3.1 billion. Net income reached US$438.2 million, up 6.7 per cent, and adjusted EBITDA rose 9.3 per cent to US$1 billion. The figures showed continued momentum, but also reflected the cost of defending market share and expanding services.

Shopee delivered gross merchandise value of US$37.3 billion in the quarter, up 30.2 per cent from a year earlier, while gross orders climbed 29.3 per cent to 4 billion. Revenue from the e-commerce arm rose 45.1 per cent to US$5.1 billion, though adjusted EBITDA fell to US$223.2 million from US$264.4 million a year earlier, underlining the margin trade-off behind its expansion strategy.

Monee, Sea’s digital financial services unit, has become another pillar of growth. Revenue rose 57.8 per cent to US$1.2 billion, while consumer and small-business loans outstanding reached US$9.9 billion. Non-performing loans more than 90 days past due remained at 1.1 per cent, a key metric as the company expands credit services across emerging markets where risk controls are critical.

Garena, once Sea’s dominant profit engine, also showed stronger momentum. Bookings rose 20.1 per cent to US$931.4 million, while quarterly active users stood at 666.5 million. The unit remains anchored by Free Fire, but Sea’s AI push suggests management sees broader potential in development tools, content generation, player engagement and operational efficiency.

Sea’s AI Centre of Excellence in Singapore adds another layer to the strategy. The centre is intended to strengthen local AI capabilities, support enterprise adoption and develop talent in areas such as engineering, research and product development. Its launch aligns the company with Singapore’s broader ambition to become a regional AI hub and gives Sea a clearer institutional base for experimentation.

The investment team could give Sea access to external innovation at a time when start-ups are moving faster than large platforms in areas such as autonomous commerce, generative game design, fraud detection, credit scoring and AI-enabled logistics. The challenge will be distinguishing durable business models from inflated valuations in a crowded funding environment.

Investors will be watching whether Sea’s AI spending produces measurable gains in revenue growth, user engagement and margin improvement. The company has already shown that it can rebuild profitability after years of expansion-led losses. Its next test is whether AI can become more than an efficiency tool and help create the next major growth curve for one of South-east Asia’s most valuable technology groups.

15-year-old Filipino Crimson Arradaza achieves a historic 5.33 second One-Handed solve at the Inaugural Philippine National Speed Cubing Open

TAGAYTAY CITY, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Southeast Asia has made its mark on the global speed cubing stage.

In a moment that electrified the international speed cubing community, Filipino prodigy Crimson Arradaza shattered the 3x3x3 One-Handed World Record with a blistering 5.33-second solve at the inaugural Philippine National Speed Cubing Open, organised by the Asian Mind Sports Association (AMSA) and the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC).

Held from 27–28 May at the Tagaytay City Combat Arena, the tournament was the first major nationally-backed speed cubing event under the Philippine Olympic movement — and immediately, it made history.

Arradaza’s stunning performance broke the previous 5.66-second record set by Switzerland’s Dhruva Sai Meruva in 2024. More significantly, it pushed the boundaries of what many believed possible in one-handed solving, placing the Philippines in the spotlight of global mind sports. It is an extraordinary achievement for the rising speed cubing powerhouse.

“I have been speed cubing for the past four years and this is the best birthday gift for myself,” said Arradaza, who turned 15 the day before.

The teenager from Baguio City travelled eight hours to compete in Tagaytay, accompanied by his parents — a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and support behind every young champion.

“This is not just a Philippine achievement. This is an Asian achievement,” said AMSA Director-General Jim Yu. “The future of mind sports belongs to the younger generation, and today the Philippines showed the world what Southeast Asian talent is capable of.”

POC President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Tagaytay City Mayor Ross Tolentino were also present to witness the historic achievement.

“Sports is not only about physical strength. It is also about mental sharpness, discipline, and focus,” said POC President Tolentino. “Filipinos are naturally talented in mind sports, and this world record proves we can compete with the very best globally.”

Beyond competition, the two-day event featured referee training programmes, operational workshops, and development dialogues aimed at strengthening the speed cubing ecosystem.

AMSA reaffirmed its commitment to developing mind sports across Asia through partnerships with National Olympic Committees, federations, and local organisers.

The organisation plans to continue growing regional competitions, talent pathways, livestream infrastructure, referee systems, youth engagement programmes, and international exchanges to elevate mind sports to unprecedented mainstream recognition across Asia.
Hashtag: #AMSA

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

A draft framework under consideration would expand the role of monitoring agencies, usually SEBI-registered credit rating firms, and give them a stronger channel to flag diversion, delays or non-cooperation in the deployment of funds raised through equity issues. The proposals cover initial public offerings, rights issues, preferential allotments and qualified institutional placements, widening the regulatory lens beyond conventional IPO scrutiny.

Central to the plan is a proposal to lower the threshold for mandatory monitoring of issue proceeds from ₹100 crore to ₹50 crore. That change would bring a larger number of mid-sized fundraisings under independent review, particularly at a time when companies are using public markets not only for expansion but also for debt repayment, acquisitions, working capital and general corporate purposes.

The proposed framework would also require monitoring agencies to report directly to stock exchanges, rather than depend mainly on issuers for the onward dissemination of their findings. This would mark a significant shift in the balance of responsibility, as exchanges would receive a clearer view of whether the stated objects of an issue match actual fund utilisation.

Companies that fail to cooperate with monitoring agencies could face penalties, including fines of ₹50,000 for each violation. The measure is intended to address a weakness in the current structure, where monitoring agencies review deployment but have limited power when issuers delay information, provide incomplete data or fail to explain deviations from stated plans.

SEBI’s initiative comes after a period of heavy fundraising through equity markets, followed by a more cautious phase shaped by global risk aversion, pressure on domestic stocks and foreign portfolio outflows. Large companies and new-age firms have kept IPO plans alive, but several issuers have deferred listings as valuations became harder to defend. The regulator’s draft reflects a view that investor confidence depends not only on disclosure before fundraising but also on verifiable use of proceeds after capital is raised.

Under existing rules, companies raising equity funds must disclose the objects of the issue in offer documents and provide periodic updates on utilisation. Monitoring agencies submit reports on whether the proceeds are being used as promised. These reports are placed before audit committees and submitted to stock exchanges, but the enforcement burden largely remains with the issuer and the regulator.

The proposed changes would make monitoring more active and less dependent on company-led disclosure. Rating firms would be expected to examine bank statements, payment trails, board approvals and project progress more closely. They may also need to identify whether funds have been parked for long periods, shifted to purposes not approved by investors, or routed through related-party arrangements.

For investors, the changes could improve visibility over post-issue conduct, especially in cases where companies raise money for broad purposes and later alter business plans. Fund diversion has long been a concern in equity markets because public shareholders bear the risk when proceeds are used for objectives that differ materially from those advertised during the fundraising process.

For issuers, the proposals may raise compliance costs and increase documentation burdens. Smaller companies crossing the proposed ₹50 crore threshold would have to engage monitoring agencies and respond to periodic queries. Market participants expect some pushback from companies that argue existing audit committee and exchange disclosure requirements already provide sufficient oversight.

The regulatory argument is that tougher monitoring could reduce the gap between promise and performance. When a company raises money to build capacity, buy assets or reduce debt, the market prices the issue partly on those declared plans. If funds are later diverted or left idle without adequate explanation, minority shareholders have limited ability to intervene.

Credit rating agencies would gain a more prominent governance role under the proposed structure. Their task would move beyond checking utilisation statements to becoming a stronger early-warning mechanism for exchanges and investors. That may also bring questions over capacity, liability and conflict management, since the same agencies operate across ratings, surveillance and advisory-linked functions.

SEBI has been refining capital-raising rules across public issues, preferential allotments, rights issues and qualified institutional placements as it seeks to balance ease of fundraising with protection for minority investors. The latest proposal fits into a broader regulatory push to make market access faster while demanding greater transparency after money is raised.

Over 80% Optimistic About Overseas Trade, Yet Tariffs and Costs Pose Key Hurdles

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – To support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in expanding into international markets, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and DHL Express Hong Kong (DHL) will co-host the “Blueprint for Global Expansion: Market Entry, Logistics & Risk Management” Forum on 12 June.

Amid an increasingly complex and rapidly evolving global supply chain landscape, the forum will delve into market strategies, logistics optimization, and risk management —equipping local businesses with the insights needed to navigate challenges and capture opportunities in global trade. As the first SME-focused forum jointly launched by HKPC and DHL, the initiative marks the beginning of a series of collaborative efforts to share practical expertise and support businesses in strengthening their international presence.

From Data to Strategy: Addressing the Three Key Barriers for SMEs Going Global
According to the latest quarterly “DHL Hong Kong Air Trade Leading Index (DTI)” survey, commissioned by DHL and conducted by HKPC, the primary challenges faced by enterprises expanding overseas are: “Complex tariff and customs clearance procedures” (23%), “High logistics and delivery costs” (20%) and “lack of local sales channels/ business partners” (12%). Despite these hurdles, over 85% of air traders remain neutral or positive about overseas trade prospects. In terms of readiness, 68% of respondents reported moderate confidence, while a further 18% showed high confidence, indicating a pragmatic and risk-aware approach among businesses pursuing global expansion.

In light of these findings, the forum will address the three critical dimensions of market, logistics, and risk management, offering professional guidance and targeted resources to help SMEs formulate immediate and actionable go-global strategies.

Andy Chiang, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, said, “DHL has long been committed to supporting SMEs in navigating the complexities of international trade. Through our GoTrade programme, we provide practical tools and expertise to help businesses manage cross-border logistics and customs processes more effectively. Our collaboration with HKPC focuses on equipping SMEs with actionable insights and strengthening their operational capabilities for global expansion. We look forward to continuing our partnership to deliver knowledge-sharing and networking opportunities that empower businesses to grow internationally with confidence.”

Three Thematic Sessions: A Comprehensive Global Expansion Blueprint for SMEs
The forum is specifically designed to address the pain points identified in the survey, featuring three expert speakers offering targeted insights:

￮ Professor Roy Liang TAN, Practitioner Professor of Management and Business Strategy at the HKU Business School will provide an in-depth analysis of how to assess target market maturity, avoid common pitfalls, and leverage government funding schemes to optimise financial planning — transforming the go-global vision into a concrete action plan.

￮ Ms Julian Tsoi, Director, Marketing Communications and Direct Sales, DHL Express Hong Kong, will share insights on how businesses can leverage global logistics networks and technology to enhance customs clearance efficiency and improve operational performance, while navigating the complexities of cross-border logistics and addressing common challenges in international expansion.

￮ Mr Kenneth POON, Assistant General Manager – Business Division at the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation, will analyse export trade risks across different stages in emerging markets and guide enterprises on using credit insurance tools to guard against bad debts and strengthen financing capabilities.

Beyond expert presentations, the forum will feature interactive networking and Q&A sessions, allowing participants to exchange practical experiences directly with speakers and fellow SMEs, and explore business growth opportunities together.

Registration is now open. Seats are limited, first come first served!

“Blueprint for Global Expansion: Market Entry, Logistics & Risk Management” Forum

Date: 12 June 2026 (Friday)
Time: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Venue: LG1, Future Manufacturing Hall, HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon
Language: Cantonese and Putonghua
Registration Link: https://campaigns.hkpc.org/zh-hk/rsvp-blueprint-for-global-expansion

Hashtag: #HKPC

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

About Hong Kong Productivity Council

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a statutory body established in 1967, dedicated to enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of Hong Kong enterprises through world-class applied R&D, innovative technology services, and integrated manufacturing solutions. As a market-oriented, international R&D organisation, HKPC leverages its deep expertise and extensive industry experience in key areas such as AI, advanced manufacturing, life and health technology, green technology and new energy to drive new industrialisation and support the growth of emerging and future industries.

HKPC focuses on addressing businesses challenges and industrial technology needs, promoting the full integration between technological and industrial innovation. Through technology transfer, product innovation, intellectual property protection and commercialisation of R&D outcomes, the Council fosters collaboration with the local business community as well as top global R&D institutions, delivering added value to industries and advancing the development of new productive forces. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades, reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city.

To help enterprises capitalise on Hong Kong’s strengths in international connectivity to expand into global markets, HKPC offers comprehensive overseas expansion services tailored to critical areas including product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, enabling businesses to successfully go global from Hong Kong.

HKPC is also committed to providing timely and practical support to SMEs and startups with timely and practical , assisting them in accessing Government funding programmes. Through its FutureSkills training initiatives, HKPC helps both industry and academia stay ahead in latest digital and STEM technologies, nurturing a future-ready talent pool for Hong Kong.

For more information, please visit HKPC’s website: www.hkpc.org/en.

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 389,000 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 82.9 billion euros in 2025. 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.

The logistics company for the world.

Robert Walters Taiwan’s 15th anniversary report Reveals Structural Shift in the Local Talent Market

• Taiwan’s talent market has officially shifted from an employer-driven to a candidate-driven market, with critical skills increasingly replacing tenure and job titles as the core measure of talent value.
• AI adoption and global supply chain restructuring are accelerating salary polarisation. Professionals in semiconductors and high-tech industries are seeing salary increases of 15–20% when changing jobs, while those with AI, HPC and cross-border supply chain expertise can command increases of up to 30%.
• Career priorities are evolving beyond compensation. 54% of professionals cite learning and development opportunities as a key reason for staying with their current employer.
• By 2030, Gen Z is expected to account for 30–33% of Taiwan’s workforce, making flexibility, work-life balance and transparent workplace culture critical factors in talent attraction and retention.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2026 – Taiwan’s talent market has gradually shifted from an employer-driven to a candidate-driven market through globalisation, digital transformation and pandemic-driven disruption. Meanwhile, the rapid advancement of technology and AI is not only accelerating demand for critical skills, but also reshaping industry structures and redefining the rules of talent competition.

Robert Walters, the world’s most trusted talent solutions business, said in its latest 15th anniversary report, Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition, that “critical skills” are increasingly replacing tenure and job titles as the primary indicators of talent value and compensation. Particularly as Taiwan’s semiconductor industry strengthens its strategic position within the global technology supply chain, professionals with in-demand capabilities are seeing salary growth significantly outpace the broader market, making salary polarisation an increasingly structural feature of Taiwan’s labour market.

As competition for high-skilled talent intensifies, candidates are placing greater emphasis not only on compensation, but also on Career Value Proposition (CVP), including career development, workplace flexibility and management culture. The report also highlights the rise of a candidate-driven market, where professionals are becoming increasingly selective about what they expect from employers.

In today’s market, growing uncertainty and increasing business complexity are shifting competition away from workforce scale towards the ability to secure critical capabilities and high-value talent. John Winter, Country Manager of Robert Walters Taiwan, noted: “Since entering the Taiwan market in 2011, we have seen talent strategy evolve into a core business strategy. Organisations that can identify critical capabilities early, integrate talent effectively and continuously strengthen organisational resilience will be best positioned for long-term success.”

Global Supply Chain Restructuring Accelerates the Shift Towards a Skills-Based Talent Market and Salary Polarisation

Amid geopolitical uncertainty and ongoing global supply chain restructuring, organisations are increasingly reshaping their structures and global workforce strategies to strengthen resilience and competitiveness. As a result, hiring priorities are shifting away from narrow technical expertise towards cross-functional integration, strategic thinking and problem-solving capabilities. At the same time, talent assessment is moving beyond tenure and job titles, with greater emphasis placed on practical capability, skill scarcity and immediate business impact.

Rapid AI adoption is further accelerating demand for critical skills, driving increasingly concentrated salary growth across the market.

In semiconductor and high-tech industries, professionals changing jobs may see salary increases of 15–20%, while talent with expertise in AI, High-Performance Computing (HPC), Edge Computing and cross-border supply chain management may achieve salary growth of up to 30% reinforcing the growing shift towards a labour market increasingly defined by “skills value”. In contrast, salary growth among execution-focused roles has remained relatively moderate. According to Taiwan’s Directorate-General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS), nearly 70% of employees in 2025 earned below the average salary level — the highest proportion on record — highlighting widening salary polarisation across the labour market.

Candidate-Driven Market Takes Shape:

Career Value Proposition Emerges Alongside Salary as a Key Driver of Employer Attractiveness

The rise of in-demand skills is accelerating Taiwan’s shift towards a candidate-driven labour market, with professionals becoming increasingly selective about what they expect from employers. According to Robert Walters Taiwan’s 15th Anniversary Report, candidates are moving beyond a compensation-led mindset and placing greater emphasis on Career Value Proposition (CVP), including career growth, workplace flexibility and management culture.

As AI adoption and industry transformation continue to reshape the workforce, professionals are placing greater importance on long-term career development and employability. Robert Walters Taiwan’s research found that 54% of professionals view continuous learning and development opportunities as a key reason for staying with their current employer.

Expectations around workplace culture and working models are also evolving. The report shows that beyond salary and benefits (75%), professionals increasingly prioritise flexible working arrangements (36%) and an open, effective management culture (32%) when evaluating employers. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s National Development Council projects that Gen Z will account for approximately 30–33% of the labour force by 2030. As the influence of this generation continues to grow, priorities such as work-life balance, workplace flexibility and transparent organisational culture are becoming defining factors in employer attractiveness.

Reflecting on the findings, John Winter noted: “The rise of a candidate-driven market reflects a broader shift in how professionals evaluate employers. Beyond compensation, talent is increasingly prioritising long-term growth, flexibility and organisational culture. Companies that can provide meaningful career development and adaptability will be better positioned to attract and retain top talent.”

Five Strategies Reshaping Talent Competition:

Building Organisational Resilience Through Critical Capabilities and Skills Value

As geopolitical uncertainty, global supply chain restructuring and rapid AI adoption continue to reshape business environments, organisations are increasingly competing on critical capabilities and organisational resilience rather than scale alone. In this context, talent strategy is no longer a back-office HR function, but a core driver of transformation, competitiveness and long-term business sustainability.

Robert Walters Taiwan’s report identifies five key strategies organisations should focus on to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market:

1. Shift from workforce expansion to critical capability planning
Hiring success will increasingly depend on the ability to identify and secure high-value talent with in-demand, business-critical skills.

2. Build compensation strategies around skills value
As skills replace tenure as the key measure of talent value, organisations must redesign salary structures and talent evaluation frameworks to remain competitive.

3. Strengthen long-term learning and capability development
AI-driven transformation will require organisations to proactively build reskilling and upskilling cultures to reduce future capability gaps.

4. Redesign workplaces around flexibility and employee experience
Beyond compensation, organisations must strengthen career development, flexibility and workplace culture to attract and retain high-performing talent.

5. Elevate talent strategy to a core business priority
Future talent competition will increasingly shape organisational agility, transformation capability and long-term competitiveness.

Reflecting on the evolving talent landscape, John Winter said: “In the past, talent strategies were largely designed to address immediate hiring needs. Today, the nature of talent strategy has fundamentally changed. Organisations must shift from asking ‘Who do we need now?’ to ‘What capabilities will we need in the future?’ The businesses that can continuously build adaptable talent and resilient organisations will be the ones best positioned for long-term success.”

-END-

About Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition

Published as Robert Walters Taiwan’s 15th anniversary report, Taiwan’s Talent Market: The New Rules of Competition explores how globalisation, digital transformation, the pandemic, AI adoption and geopolitical uncertainty have structurally reshaped Taiwan’s labour market over the past 15 years.

The report combines Robert Walters Taiwan’s long-term market observations, talent insights and findings from the Salary Survey 2026, covering key sectors including semiconductors, high technology, manufacturing, digital transformation and cross-border operations. It also examines the major workforce trends redefining talent competition, salary structures and employer attractiveness in Taiwan’s evolving labour market.

To access the full report, please visit: https://reurl.cc/9W97bn

Hashtag: #RobertWalters

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

About Robert Walters

Robert Walters is the world’s most trusted talent solutions business. Across the globe, we deliver recruitment, recruitment process outsourcing and advisory services for businesses of all shapes and sizes, opening doors for people with diverse skills, ambitions, and backgrounds. We help organisations find the skills and solutions to reach their goals and assist talented professionals to power their unique potential.

The Taipei office specialises in placing candidates in the following specialities: accounting & finance, electronics & industrial, healthcare, human resources, IT & digital transformation, marketing, manufacturing, sales, semiconductors, software, supply chain, logistics & procurement.

Highlights of FY25/26 Results

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – Johnson Electric Holdings Limited (“Johnson Electric”), a global leader in electric motors and motion subsystems, today announced its results for the twelve months ended 31 March 2026.

Group sales for the 2025/26 financial year were US$3,650 million, an increase of 0.1% compared to the prior year. Net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 23% to US$202 million or 21.59 US cents per share on a fully diluted basis. Adjusted net profit, excluding the effects of non-cash foreign exchange rate movements, the impairment of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and adverse fair value movements in investments, declined by 13% to US$234 million.

Sales Performance

The Automotive Products Group (“APG”) achieved sales of US$3,054 million, which amounted to 84% of total Group sales. Excluding currency effects, APG’s sales decreased by 3%.

Global automotive industry production volumes increased slightly over the prior year, but growth remains lacklustre in most markets due to affordability concerns and the challenges faced by OEMs and suppliers in adjusting to geopolitical uncertainty, tariff pressures, and the shifting economics of battery electric vehicles that continue to be shaped by the level of government subsidies available to consumers.

APG’s sales are divided broadly equally across the three major geographic regions of demand, but performance over the past year reflected distinct variations in local market conditions, as well as APG’s own mix of OEM customers and the timing of new program launches.

In Asia, the division’s sales declined by 7% on a constant currency basis primarily due to the ongoing erosion in market share held by Sino-foreign joint venture OEM customers in China. APG has continued to win significant new business awards from Chinese domestic OEMs and their suppliers, which now account for the majority of its sales in China. However, the division’s historically large share among joint venture customers has acted as a drag on its recent sales performance that is taking time to reverse. The domestic passenger vehicle market in China itself experienced a sharp slowdown in sales in the first quarter of 2026 due to the phasing out of trade-in subsidies designed to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles.

APG’s sales to the Americas increased by 1% on a constant currency basis in a market that saw total light vehicle production volumes broadly flat. The predominant factor constraining new car sales in North America is cost of living concerns, with many low to middle income car buyers struggling to afford new vehicles that, on average, have increased in price by over 30% since 2020.

In Europe, APG’s sales decreased by 2% on a constant currency basis. The European auto market continues to experience sluggish consumer demand at the same time that OEMs are hampered by excess production capacity and the impact of shifting emissions regulations on their product model line-ups.

APG’s strategy in the context of the varied and unpredictable operating environment for component suppliers is, firstly, to focus on bringing to market innovative motion technologies that enable electrification, reduce emissions, and enhance passenger safety and comfort. Secondly, APG aims to offer its diverse base of customers an unrivalled total cost and value proposition that combines speed, scale, and reliability of production with an adaptable global operating footprint.

The Industry Products Group (“IPG”) achieved sales of US$596 million – an increase of 2% compared to the prior year on a constant currency basis. After three successive years of declining sales, this marks an important return to growth for the division. In more commoditized product application segments, new business development has been redirected towards the rapidly growing base of Chinese manufacturers who are capturing an increasing share of the global market for consumer and commercial hardware goods – particularly for low-priced, entry-level products. In parallel, IPG is focused on supplying motion subsystem solutions to more specialized, higher-growth segments, including humanoid robotics, warehouse automation, medical devices, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, and liquid cooling applications.

Gross Margins and Operating Profitability

The Group’s gross profit of US$840 million, or 23.0% of sales, was essentially flat compared to the prior financial year. Slight increases in production staff costs, depreciation, and raw materials were offset by savings in other production overheads and direct labour.

Reported earnings before interest, tax and amortization (“EBITA”) amounted to US$258 million, a decrease of 22% compared to US$331 million achieved in the prior year. The decline was due to a combination of factors, including higher selling and administrative staff costs and other provisions, an impairment of intangible assets arising from a past acquisition, and reduced other income due to an adverse net change in the fair value of certain investments.

Net Profit and Financial Condition

Net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 23% to US$202 million or 21.59 US cents per share on a fully diluted basis. Adjusted net profit, excluding the effects of non-cash foreign exchange rate movements, the impairment of intangible assets, restructuring charges, and adverse fair value movements in investments, amounted to US$234 million compared to US$268 million in the prior year.

The Group’s overall financial condition remains robust with a total debt to capital ratio of 10%, an interest coverage ratio of 22 times, and year-end cash reserves of US$902 million.

Dividends

The Board considers it appropriate to recommend maintaining the final dividend of 44 HK cents (5.64 US cents) per share, which together with the interim dividend of 17 HK cents per share, represents a total dividend of 61 HK cents (7.82 US cents) per share.

Chairman’s Comments on the Annual Results and Outlook

Commenting on the annual results for the financial year 2025/26, Dr. Patrick Wang, Chairman and Chief Executive, said, “Operating conditions for global manufacturing businesses during the financial year 2025/26 remained challenging, with end-market demand in most regions subdued and geopolitical events and uncertainties placing upward pressure on input costs.”

Dr. Patrick Wang further commented: “In the face of these headwinds, Johnson Electric maintained its long-standing resilience with sales and gross profit margins both holding up comparatively well. The bottom-line result, however, was negatively impacted by the effects of higher overhead expenses on a flat sales base, adverse net changes in the fair value of investments, and a non-cash intangible assets impairment charge.”

Concerning the near-term financial outlook, Dr. Patrick Wang said: “The global economy demonstrated resilience over the past year, despite the protracted conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the geopolitical shock of tariffs being imposed on US imports of goods from almost all countries. Looking ahead, the unstable and unpredictable conditions for trade and global manufacturing have been made even more precarious by the outbreak of war in the Middle East.”

“Johnson Electric has a long-standing track record in successfully navigating volatile global markets. In the near term, with geopolitical and macro-economic dynamics impossible to forecast with precision, management remains focused on cost control, managing the effects of inflation, and maintaining a prudent financial risk profile.”

“In parallel, however, we are also committed to invest in adapting and scaling our business model to meet strong underlying demand for our motion subsystem solutions in several high-growth end-markets and new product applications. Included among these are: thermal management systems for electric and hybrid vehicles that depend on a combination of water pumps, valves and actuators to support optimal vehicle cabin temperature, extend electric vehicle driving range, and contribute to longer battery life; solid oxide fuel cell power generation systems that are becoming established as an important source of low-emission, on-site electricity supply to AI data centres; and AI-enabled humanoid robots, which are widely viewed as one of the most significant industrial and commercial opportunities over the next ten to twenty years.”

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward looking statements with respect to the financial condition, results of operations and business of Johnson Electric and certain plans and objectives of the management of Johnson Electric.

Words such as “outlook”, “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believe”, “estimates”, “projects”, variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results or performance of Johnson Electric to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. Such forward looking statements are based on numerous assumptions regarding Johnson Electric’s present and future business strategies and the political and economic environment in which Johnson Electric will operate in the future.

Note to Editors and Securities Analysts: The full text of the Annual Results announcement, includingfinancial statements, is available through the Investors section of company’s website at www.johnsonelectric.com
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Johnson Electric Group

At Johnson Electric, our vision is to be the world’s definitive provider of innovation and reliable motion systems.

We are a global leader in electric motors, actuators, motion subsystems and related electro-mechanical components, serving a broad range of industries including Automotive, Liquid Cooling, Robotic Joints, Smart Metering, Business Equipment, Ventilation, Home Automation, Large Appliances, Power Tools, Medical Devices and Lawn & Garden Equipment. The Group is headquartered in Hong Kong and employes over 30,000 individuals in more than 20 countries worldwide. We are listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited ( Stock no. 179). For further information, please visit: www.johnsonelectric.com.