“The OPPO Find N series has always led the foldable market by being on the front end of innovative technologies,” said Pete Lau, Senior Vice President and Chief Product Officer at OPPO. “With Find N6, we have achieved a major breakthrough in hinge architecture and display materials. By introducing the industry’s first Zero-Feel Crease, we are opening up new possibilities for what a foldable smartphone experience can be.”

Since the first days of foldable technology, screen creases have always been a key user concern, taking something away from the natural appeal of foldable devices’ fuller displays. The OPPO Find N Series has relentlessly pursued solutions. In 2021, the original Find N reshaped the foldable experience with its pioneering waterdrop Flexion Hinge, turning deep, noticeable creases into something subtle and shallow. Since then, each successive generation has refined this technology, leading the industry in both visual and tactile smoothness.

Find N6 marks a leap forward with its Zero-Feel Crease, allowing users to be fully immersed in an expansive, large-screen experience with seamless visuals and smooth touch response. And even better, it’s built to stay that way, keeping flat and smooth even after years of use.

Building on its predecessor’s ultra-slim legacy, Find N6 is among the thinnest book-style foldables on the market. It rivals conventional bar-style flagship smartphones in ergonomics, offering a comfortable, fatigue-free grip even during extended use. The refined, symmetrical Cosmos Ring houses the all-new 200MP Hasselblad Ultra-Clear Camera, delivering professional-grade imaging without the typical bulk of a massive camera protrusion.

Find N6 will be available in two stunning colorways: the deep, classic Stellar Titanium and the vibrant Blossom Orange. To achieve a perfectly uniform rose gold finish on the titanium alloy hinge casing, Find N6 in Blossom Orange features Gold Hinge Trim that utilizes a precise gilding technique incorporating genuine gold, adding a touch of timeless luxury to its durable titanium frame.

To further boost productivity, Find N6 supports OPPO AI Pen so users can take full advantage of the bigger screen. More than just a stylus, it is an AI-powered tool that turns Find N6 into a true mobile workstation, helping users accomplish more with integrated intelligent features.

Stay tuned to discover more about OPPO Find N6 at the upcoming global launch.

Hashtag: #OPPO

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

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Kiztopia brings its award-winning “Play to Learn, Learn through Play” concept to Southern Malaysia, marking its 3rd outlet in Malaysia and 22nd across APAC

JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 March 2026 – Kiztopia, Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, officially celebrated the grand opening of its newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre, Johor Bahru on February 26, 2026. This milestone marks Kiztopia’s third outlet in Malaysia since 2024 and its 22nd family edutainment centre across the Asia-Pacific region.

Founded in Singapore in 2019 with its flagship outlet at Marina Square, Kiztopia was awarded “Best Attraction Experience” at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2021. Today, the brand operates across Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia, with sub-brands including Kiztopia Club, Bouncetopia, SkyPark, Kiztopia Prestige, and Xventure — a sports and adventure concept designed for teens, adults and thrill-seekers.

The Johor Bahru outlet represents Kiztopia’s continued commitment to expanding its footprint in Malaysia, bringing innovative and immersive family experiences to the southern region.

Speaking at the grand opening ceremony, Ms. Heidi Tian, Founder and CEO of Kiztopia, said:
“A very warm welcome to our grand opening ceremony at Toppen Shopping Centre today. This marks our third outlet opened in Malaysia since 2024 and our 22nd outlet in the APAC region. We are honoured to collaborate with Ikano Group and delighted to bring memorable experiences and timeless fun to all families in Johor and across Malaysia.

We are fully committed to Malaysia’s market development and hope to bring more innovative and creative concepts and experiences to Malaysian families.”

Ms. Su Wei, General Manager of Kiztopia Malaysia, added:
“This expansion reflects how much we value families in the South. Beyond the play zones, our team is here to create lasting memories — and we can’t wait to see the smiles begin at Toppen.”

Mr. Sergey Aristarkhov, Centre Manager of Toppen Mall, shared: “Toppen is not just a shopping mall; it is a place that creates meaningful experiences for families and children. This is what we believe in. We are proud to welcome Kiztopia as part of our experiential offerings, strengthening Toppen’s position as a destination for family bonding and interactive play.”

A world of imaginative play and active learning

Kiztopia is built around its core philosophy of “Play to Learn, Learn through Play.” The Johor Bahru outlet features vibrant thematic play zones inspired by Kiztopia’s eight unique IP-registered characters, each designed to stimulate creativity, physical activity, and social development.

Children can explore large-scale interactive playground structures, role-play zones that spark imagination, obstacle courses that encourage physical agility, and immersive activity areas that nurture teamwork and problem-solving skills.

Designed as a safe, engaging and enriching environment, the centre allows children to build confidence while strengthening family bonds through shared experiences.

Beyond daily play sessions, Kiztopia also offers curated birthday party packages and school visit programmes, providing customised, guided experiences that combine fun, education and memorable celebrations for children of all ages.

Strengthening Malaysia’s family entertainment landscape

The launch at Toppen Shopping Centre reinforces Kiztopia’s long-term commitment to Malaysia as a key growth market in Southeast Asia. By collaborating with Ikano Group and Toppen Mall, Kiztopia aims to deliver not just entertainment, but holistic family experiences that blend education, physical play and emotional connection.

With Malaysia’s growing demand for premium indoor family attractions, Kiztopia continues to innovate with new concepts, seasonal events and cross-brand experiences such as Jumptopia™ and Splashtopia — signature inflatable event experiences that have delighted families across the region.

Visit Kiztopia at Toppen Shopping Centre

Families in Johor Bahru and surrounding areas are invited to experience Kiztopia’s newest outlet at Toppen Shopping Centre and discover a dynamic space where imagination, learning and fun come together.

For more information, please visit:

Website: https://kiztopia.com.my/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kiztopiamy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kiztopiamy
Media Assets: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1cA9ojcjEx2vOqVwoccUblUwR1UDLX4Y6?usp=sharing
Marketing: Rachel – 014-7196961
Hashtag: #KiztopiaToppen #Edutainment #ToppenShoppingMallJB #JohorBahru

https://kiztopia.com.my/
https://www.facebook.com/kiztopiamy
https://www.instagram.com/kiztopiamy

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

Kiztopia

Founded in 2019 with its flagship outlet at Marina Square, Kiztopia is Singapore’s leading family edutainment brand, awarded “Best Attraction Experience” at the Singapore Tourism Awards in 2021. Featuring eight unique IP-registered characters, Kiztopia offers a range of programs and activities where children can “Play to Learn, Learn through Play.” Today, Kiztopia operates 22 family edutainment centres (FECs) across Asia, including Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan, with sub-brands such as Kiztopia Club, Bouncetopia, SkyPark, Kiztopia Prestige, and Xventure, a sports and adventure concept for teens, adults, and thrill-seekers. In 2024, Kiztopia secured its first round of private equity funding to support regional growth and expansion. Beyond its FECs, our signature bouncy castle event, Jumptopia™ and Splashtopia, has delighted families across the region, alongside co-organized events like the Children’s Festival and TriFactor Kids Run, family staycation collaborations, and a kids’ travel product line with American Tourister. For more information, visit http://www.kiztopia.com.my/.

Hashtag: #AllianzCommercial

https://commercial.allianz.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/allianz-commercial/

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

About Allianz Commercial

Allianz Commercial is the center of expertise and global line of Allianz Group for insuring mid-sized businesses, large enterprises and specialist risks. Among our customers are the world’s largest consumer brands, financial institutions and industry players, the global aviation and shipping industry as well as family-owned and medium enterprises which are the backbone of the economy. We also cover unique risks such as offshore wind parks, infrastructure projects or film productions. Powered by the employees, financial strength, and network of the world’s #1 insurance brand, we work together to help our customers prepare for what’s ahead: They trust us in providing a wide range of traditional and alternative risk transfer solutions, outstanding risk consulting and Multinational services as well as seamless claims handling. Allianz Commercial brings together the large corporate insurance business of Allianz Global Corporate & Specialty (AGCS) and the commercial insurance business of national Allianz Property & Casualty entities serving mid-sized companies. We are present in over 200 countries and territories either through our own teams or the Allianz Group network and partners. In 2024, the integrated business of Allianz Commercial generated around €18 billion in gross premium globally. https://commercial.allianz.com/

The first OWA dates back to 1999, 3 years after HKWPEA was inaugurated, and has been running at a few years’ interval since. The 2026 OWA is the 9^th to be organized to recognize outstanding Hong Kong women professionals and entrepreneurs, to celebrate excellence, spotlight role models and to showcase the continuous contribution made by women in the current age and New Economy.

The press conference was hosted by HKWPEA represented by office bearers including Ms. Julianne Doe, President; Partner of Hui Doe & Sum Law Firm LLP; Ms. Jennifer Tan, Chairperson, Organizing Committee of 2026 OWA; Senior Advisor of Ant Digital Technologies – International Business and Partner of 01F Group; Ms. Marina Wong, JP, Chartered President; Ms. Helen Kan, Immediate Past President, HKWPEA; Ms. Sandra Mak, Director, Ms. Angel Hon, Director, and Ms. Agnes Koon, Director, HKWPEA.

Ms. Jennifer Tan, Chairperson, Organizing Committee of 2026 OWA, said: “Coming out of the challenging pandemic years, we found ourselves faced with global economic uncertainties and severe geopolitical issues calling for strong leadership and audacity to innovate and advance. Against this backdrop, we find it even more meaningful to celebrate outstanding women professionals and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong and thank them for their tireless contributions to society. Their accomplishments are leading lights for the younger generation. By highlighting their success, we encourage future leaders to chase their dreams and pursue sustainable initiatives to benefit communities and mankind.”

Nomination for the 2026 OWA recognising achievements in professions and business categories begins today until April 30, 2026. Six awardees will be selected by an eminent judging panel. The nomination form can be downloaded from HKWPEA website: https://www.hkwpea.org/

47 outstanding women have been selected in the past 8 OWA events. A few past OWA awardees were present at the press conference for a brief fire-side chat at the media conference. They are Dr. Eliza Yi Wah HO FOK, Winner, 2021 OWA, Chairman of the Hong Kong Breast Cancer Foundation; Prof. Helen MENG, Winner, 2017 OWA, Patrick Huen Wing Ming Professor of Systems Engineering & Engineering Management, The Chinese University of Hong Kong and Dr. Rebecca LEE, Winner, 1999 OWA, Founder of Polar Museum Foundation. While sharing their key to success, they also encourage women from different fields to come forward and join the award scheme.

Ms. Marina Wong, Founding President of HKWPEA, announced the 2026 OWA Judging Panel composition:

• Mr. Benjamin HUNG Pi Cheng, BBS, JP, President, International for Standard Chartered (Head Judge)
• Ms. Agnes CHAN Sui Kuen, BBS, Chairman, Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce
• Ms. Teresa KO Yuk Yin, BBS, JP, Former Senior Partner, Hong Kong and China Chairman, Freshfields
• Hon. Jeffrey LAM Kin Fung, GBM, GBS, JP, Member of the Executive Council
• Professor Charles NG Wang Wai, PhD, Vice-President for Institutional Advancement, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• Dr. Rosanna WONG Yick Ming, DBE, JP, Senior Advisor, The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups

Independent Advisor:

Professor Andrew CHAN Chi-fai, SBS, JP, Emeritus Professor, Department of Marketing, The Chinese University of Hong Kong Business School

Since the inception in 1999, the award has achieved recognition in selecting women who provide outstanding examples to business leaders, peers and youth alike, in their high standard of integrity and ethical values. HKWPEA was established in 1996 as a non-profit organization by a group of local women professionals and entrepreneurs. They have come together to develop a strong support network, to create practical and innovative learning and business opportunities for themselves and for others, to promote high professional standards, and to respond to consultations of the HKSAR Government on various policy issues.

HKWPEA website: https://www.hkwpea.org/

Special thanks to Hong Kong Economic Times, our Media Partner

Hashtag: #HKWPEA

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

Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award

Past Winners of Outstanding Women Professionals and Entrepreneurs Award

1999

Professor Rosie Young, Dr. Polly Cheung Suk-yee, Ms. Rebecca Lee Lok-sze,
Ms. Augusta Chui, Ms. Chong Kin-wo, Mrs. Anna Sohmen

2002

Professor Felice Lieh Mak, Professor Hu Shiu-ying, Ms. Rita Chan Pui-kwan,
Ms. Ella Cheong Shuk-ki, Ms. Mary Ma Xue-zheng, Dr. Magdalena Wong Man-kun

2005

Professor Nancy Y Ip, Ms. Vivien Chen, Professor Grace W K Tang, Ms. Sandy Yip Fung-ying, Ms. Vivienne Tam, Ms. Chiang Lai-yuen

2008

Professor Karen Lam Siu-Ling, Professor Vivian Yam Wing-Wah, Ms. Yao Jue,
Ms. Eleanor Law Kwai Chun, Ms. Bianca Ma Kin San, Ms. Deborah Wan Lai Yau

2011

Dr. Edith Mok Kwan Ngan Hing, Ms. Starry Lee Wai King, Mrs. Margaret Leung,
Dr. Margaret Chung Wai Ling, Ms. Gao An Feng, Ms. Wong Siu Ling

2014

Ms. Susanna Chiu Lai-kuen, Professor Leung Suet-yi, Ms. Nancy Sit Ka-yin,
Ms. Daisy Poon, Mrs. Annie Tse Yau On-yee, Mrs. Viola Wong Ho Suk-ying

2017

Professor Pascale Fung Ngan, Professor Helen Meng Mei-ling, Ms. Judy Chan, Professor Karen Chan Ka-yin and Dr. Jane Lee Ching-yee

2021

Ms. Ashley Galina DUDARENOK, Dr. Eliza Yi Wah HO FOK, Ms. Vivian Ying Shih LEE, Prof. Christine Kung-wai LOH, Ms. Winnie Wan Chi TAM, Ms. Jennifer Yuen Chun TAN

The event marked the rollout of new on-device AI capabilities, progress on the jointly developed Omni Model, and advances in cross-ecosystem connectivity — outlining a shared vision for the next generation of AI Phones.

From Chip to Experience: Advancing On-Device AI

As mobile experiences become increasingly AI-driven, OPPO is advancing its AI strategy centered on “New Computing, New Perception, and New Ecosystem.” At the core of this strategy is “On-device Compute”, enabling low-latency, privacy-preserving, and personalized AI experiences. As Jason Liao emphasized, “On-device Compute is a cornerstone of OPPO’s AI strategy, making AI a perceptible, real-time experience integrated into everyday usage.” This shared vision underpins the deep collaboration between OPPO and MediaTek on flagship chip platforms, accelerating the transition of on-device AI from technical concept to scalable deployment.

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 platform, OPPO’s self-developed on-device AI Translate and AI Portrait Glow now deliver performance comparable to cloud-based solutions. These features will soon roll out to OPPO Find X9 Series through the upcoming ColorOS 16 software update.

The on-device AI Translate can run directly on the device, achieving an average 15% improvement in accuracy over conventional approaches while supporting seamless multilingual translation. It maintains stable output even without internet connectivity or under weak signal conditions, enabling reliable translation across diverse scenarios.

Meanwhile, on-device AI Portrait Glow enhances portraits captured in challenging lighting environments. By intelligently analyzing and reconstructing scene illumination, it improves results in dim or backlit conditions while maintaining natural rendering — all without network reliance. Demonstrations have showcased exceptional performance in both visual realism and adaptability to various scenes.

OPPO and MediaTek also unveiled a technology preview of Omni, the industry’s first on-device full-modal AI model designed for multi-modal understanding and interaction. Supporting voice, video, and text inputs, Omni enables live scene understanding and interactive Q&A directly on a smartphone. This advancement strengthens on-device AI’s ability to perceive and interpret the physical world, laying the foundation for more proactive and natural human–computer interaction.

Demonstrating Ecosystem Integration and Innovation

The collaboration was further showcased in the interactive experience zone at the MediaTek booth, where attendees explored Find X9 Pro’s on-device AI capabilities alongside its telephoto imaging with the OPPO Hasselblad Teleconverter. Reno15 Pro was also featured, presenting creative AI imaging tools including AI Motion Photo Eraser, AI Motion Photo Popout, and the AI Flash Photography.

Coming soon, OPPO’s Find X9 Series will bring Android™ Quick Share, enabled in close collaboration with MediaTek and Google. Without installing third-party applications, users can conveniently and securely transfer files between OPPO smartphones and iOS, iPadOS and macOS devices, improving cross-platform interoperability. The feature is expected to begin rolling out via software update starting in March.

At MWC 2026, OPPO Find X9 Pro was shortlisted for the “Best Smartphone” award at the GLOMO Awards, gaining recognition for its innovation across performance, imaging, and AI integration.

Looking ahead, OPPO and MediaTek will continue strengthening collaboration in frontier areas such as on-device AI to advance user experience. Together, the two companies remain committed to delivering more powerful and reliable AI experiences to users worldwide.

* Google, Android and Quick Share are trademarks of Google LLC.

Hashtag: #OPPO

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

About OPPO

OPPO is a leading global smart device brand. Since the launch of its first mobile phone – “Smiley Face” – in 2008, OPPO has been in relentless pursuit of the perfect synergy of aesthetic satisfaction and innovative technology. Today, OPPO provides a wide range of smart devices spearheaded by the Find and Reno series. Beyond devices, OPPO also provides its users with ColorOS operating system and internet services. OPPO has footprints in more than 70 countries and regions, with more than 40,000 employees dedicated to creating a better life for customers around the world.

Leveraging Know Your Customer’s cutting-edge digital compliance platform, DBS Hong Kong will gain real-time access to comprehensive business verification data — including instant retrieval of official company documents and automatic identification of complex ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) networks across more than 140 jurisdictions.

This AI-powered automation addresses the traditionally manual and cumbersome SME onboarding processes by streamlining the end-to-end business KYC process, efficiently verifying corporate structures and ownership, reducing manual effort and accelerating onboarding timelines. The result is significantly enhanced operational efficiency and a faster, more seamless onboarding experience for DBS Hong Kong’s business customers.

[Lareina Wang, Head of SME Banking, DBS Bank Hong Kong] said,

” At DBS Hong Kong, we are dedicated to reimagining the customer onboarding experience through continuous digital innovation. By engaging Know Your Customer, we leverage advanced technology to streamline CDD workflows, delivering faster service to our customers. This collaboration also represents a major advancement in automating SME onboarding processes that have historically been complicated and manual, solidifying SME banking position of DBS in the market of Hong Kong. “

Claus Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Know Your Customer, added,

“Our service provided to DBS Hong Kong exemplifies how financial technology can simplify complex onboarding challenges. With our global data coverage and AI-powered automation, we empower DBS Hong Kong to accelerate KYC processes and provide business customers with an unrivalled onboarding journey. Together, we are shaping the future of digital banking.”

In recognition of its visionary digital strategy, DBS Hong Kong was named Asia’s Best Digital Bank in 2025 by Euromoney. The bank also continues to lead digital innovation, evidenced by over 70% of Hong Kong SMEs already integrating or exploring AI and digital technologies as part of their operations, according to its recent SME survey.

This transformative collaboration underscores DBS Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering safe and trusted digital onboarding solutions in Asia’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.

Hashtag: #KnowYourCustomer

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

About DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025. In 2026, DBS won the “Triple A award – Best Digital Customer Onboarding Experience – Hong Kong”

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.

About Know Your Customer Limited

Know Your Customer Limited is an award-winning RegTech company specialised in next-generation business verification solutions for financial institutions and regulated organisations worldwide. For teams struggling with inefficient client due diligence and onboarding processes, Know Your Customer offers an intuitive digital compliance workspace that combines unmatched real-time registry data, covering over 140 countries, seamless integrations, and AI-powered smart automation. This streamlined approach transforms the compliance function at its core, allowing customers to customise their solutions by selecting only the functionalities they need, all accessible via a robust REST API.

Founded in Hong Kong in 2015, with a local presence in Singapore, Dublin, London, and Shanghai, Know Your Customer has built a global customer base across 11 verticals and 18 jurisdictions. The company also maintains a wide network of technology and data partners, ensuring high-quality entity data and enhanced compliance processes for its customers.

For more information visit https://knowyourcustomer.comor follow Know Your Customer Limited on LinkedIn or X.

Purpose-built for explosive and high-risk conditions, HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe devices meet stringent international safety standards, including ATEX and IECEx certification. These solutions enable reliable communication for industries requiring certified intrinsically safe phone technology, including oil and gas, marine, defence, and heavy industrial sectors.

Enabling Safe Communication in Hazardous Zones
Workers operating in hazardous environments require devices that can perform safely without creating ignition risks. HAEXC Mobile’s intrinsically safe (IS phone) and explosion-proof devices are specifically engineered to function safely in environments classified as Zone 1 and Zone 2, where explosive gases may be present.

The company’s portfolio includes certified Zone 1 phone and Zone 2 phone models designed to support mission-critical communication for:

• Industrial workers using phones for oil and gas operations

• Personnel requiring reliable hazardous area phone solutions

• Defence and specialised applications requiring IECEx phones for military environments

• Maritime professionals seeking durable phones for marine & offshore deployment

These devices provide dependable performance while protecting workers and ensuring regulatory compliance.

Integrated Safety Features Including EX Camera and EX Proof Camera Technology
In addition to intrinsically safe communication, HAEXC Mobile devices incorporate advanced imaging solutions such as EX camera and EX proof camera capabilities. These explosion-proof camera systems enable workers to safely capture images and videos for inspection, reporting, and compliance documentation without compromising safety.

The company’s intrinsically safe phone solutions also feature:

• Push-to-Talk communication for instant team coordination

• Lone worker protection and emergency alert features

• Rugged, shock-resistant and waterproof design

• Long battery life for extended field operations

• Secure enterprise mobility integration

These features make HAEXC Mobile’s devices ideal for organisations seeking reliable IS phone solutions in demanding environments.

Supporting Critical Industries Worldwide
“As industries continue to digitise their operations, the need for reliable and safe communication tools becomes even more important,” said Raymond Tan, Managing Director of HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd.

“Our intrinsically safe phone and hazardous area phone solutions are designed to protect frontline workers while enabling seamless communication in even the most hazardous conditions, including oil and gas facilities, marine environments, and military applications.”

HAEXC Mobile’s rugged devices are widely used as certified phones for oil and gas, marine, and industrial sectors, helping organisations enhance safety compliance and operational efficiency.

Driving the Future of Industrial Safety Technology
With increasing demand for intrinsically safe mobile solutions, HAEXC Mobile continues to innovate in explosion-proof communication technology, including intrinsically safe smartphones and integrated EX camera solutions.

The company’s mission is to empower organisations with reliable communication tools that protect workers and support safer industrial operations worldwide.

For more information, visit:
https://www.haexc-mobile.com/
Hashtag: #IntrinsicallySafe #ExplosionProof #ISPhone #Zone1Phone #Zone2Phone #HazardousAreaPhone

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

HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd

HAEXC Mobile Pte Ltd specialises in rugged and intrinsically safe mobile communication devices designed for hazardous industrial environments. Its product portfolio includes Zone 1 phone, Zone 2 phone, intrinsically safe phone, hazardous area phone, and explosion-proof devices with integrated EX proof camera technology.

These solutions are widely used across oil and gas, marine & offshore, defence, petrochemical, and industrial sectors where safety-certified communication is essential.

Learn more at:
https://www.haexc-mobile.com/

Building on the acquisition of Illumex by NVIDIA, the firm validates its Seed-to-Exit thesis and reinforces its mission to bridge Asian capital with world-class DeepTech.

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 March 2026 – Cardumen Capital, a leading European DeepTech venture capital firm, today marks a pivotal milestone in its international momentum following the acquisition of its portfolio company, Illumex, by NVIDIA. This landmark exit further solidifies the firm’s strategic presence in the Asia-Pacific region and cements its 2019 vintage fund’s position as a leading performer within its vintage cohort.

A Seed-to-Exit Success Story

Cardumen Capital was Illumex’s first investor and led its 2021 seed round, supporting the company from inception through to exit. General Partners Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra and Igor de la Sota identified the startup’s potential at the seed stage, guiding it toward this landmark milestone.

“This acquisition validates our DeepTech thesis,” said Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra. “By backing visionary founders early, we demonstrate our ability to identify the core building blocks of the AI era.”

Igor de la Sota added: “The success of the Illumex exit underscores the global demand for robust data infrastructure in the age of Generative AI. We are proud to have supported the team from day one in building a platform that now sits at the heart of the world’s AI computing network.”

Strengthening the Bridge to Asia-Pacific

Illumex joining NVIDIA serves as a powerful catalyst for Cardumen Capital’s mission in Asia. Led by Taipei-based APAC Venture Partner Stan Yu, a serial entrepreneur turned venture capitalist, the firm is intensifying its efforts to bridge Asian strategic capital with world-class innovation hubs in Europe, Israel, and global DeepTech ecosystems.

“Building on this milestone exit to NVIDIA, we are seeing unprecedented momentum for our strategy in the APAC region,” said Stan Yu. “The journey of Illumex proves the caliber of opportunities we bring to our partners. From our base in Asia, we are uniquely positioned to facilitate these high-stakes connections, ensuring that Asian institutional capital has exclusive access to the next wave of transformative DeepTech and frontier innovations.”

As a pioneering venture capital firm with a dedicated partner presence in Taipei bridging the EMEA tech ecosystem, Cardumen Capital is uniquely positioned to drive cross-border synergies and deliver the performance expected by the institutional investment landscape in Asia.

Hashtag: #CardumenCapital #Illumex #NVIDIA #DeepTech #AI #VentureCapital #M&A #Taiwan

https://www.cardumencapital.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cardumencapital/posts/?feedView=all

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

About Cardumen Capital

Cardumen Capital, a leading global venture capital firm supervised by the CNMV (Spanish Securities Market Commission), was founded in 2018 by Gonzalo Martínez de Azagra and Igor de la Sota. With over 15 years of investment experience and a presence across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia, the firm specializes in investing in private market companies and funds, supporting innovation, disruptive technologies, and long-term value creation.

Backed by leading institutional investors, corporations, and family offices, Cardumen Capital focuses on generating sustainable long-term returns through its specialized DeepTech investment strategies and a demonstrated track record of connecting strategic capital with the global innovation frontier.

“Effective execution of our strategy drove strong financial performance and higher shareholder returns in 2025, despite a challenging retail environment. Our significant progress made in portfolio simplification creates investment capacity for strategic priorities, enabling greater value for our customers and accretive inorganic opportunities to drive sustainable growth and returns.”

Lincoln Pan

Chairman

DFI RETAIL GROUP HOLDINGS LIMITED

PRELIMINARY ANNOUNCEMENT OF RESULTS

FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2025

INTRODUCTION

It is my honour and privilege to join DFI Retail Group (‘DFI’ or the ‘Group’) as Chairman of the Board, supporting Group Chief Executive, Scott Price, and his leadership team in executing its strategic priorities and delivering shareholder returns. On behalf of the Board, I would also like to express our gratitude to John Witt for his invaluable contributions to DFI over many years.

As Asia’s leading multi-format retail platform, DFI has a unique set of assets – strong customer trust, an extensive store network across markets, deep data insights from a powerful loyalty programme, and a strengthening Own Brand portfolio – that will serve as a foundation for growth over the coming years.

Amid macroeconomic volatility and evolving consumer needs, the Group has been responding effectively through a stronger value proposition and enhanced omnichannel capabilities. This strategy is yielding early and encouraging results, demonstrated by a 35% increase in underlying profit in 2025. We remain particularly optimistic about the growth prospects in Health & Beauty and Convenience, as well as the opportunities emerging in digital.

I am confident that under the capable leadership of Scott and his team, DFI will continue to deliver retail excellence to customers across Asia while driving long-term value creation and growth.

Under a new 70% dividend payout policy announced in December 2025, the Board recommends a final dividend of US¢10.50 per share (2024 final dividend: US¢7.00).

STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

Over the course of 2025, the Group executed effectively against its strategic framework of Customer First, People Led, Shareholder Driven. This approach enables DFI to navigate market challenges while capturing opportunities that build on its strong platform for sustainable growth.

The retail landscape is rapidly evolving, driven by shifting consumer behaviour and digitalisation. The Group remains focused on strategic priorities that place customers first – delivering quality, value and convenience in everyday moments. Across its businesses, the Group made good progress in strengthening value propositions, expanding customer reach in growth markets, driving deeper customer engagement with data-driven insights and accelerating digital monetisation. These initiatives enhance its ability to better serve customers and supplier partners while delivering returns to shareholders.

Investing in talent development remains at the top of the agenda. During the year, the Group achieved an improved team member engagement score. Inclusive leadership, a purpose-driven culture and engaged team members are critical to driving stronger performance and delivering exceptional customer experience. In parallel, the Group continues to enhance its organisational agility in meeting customer needs while reducing overhead costs.

In 2025, the Group completed the divestments of minority stakes in Yonghui and Robinsons Retail, as well as Singapore Food business, enabling reinvestment in subsidiary businesses and strategic priorities with stronger growth and return potential. This approach, combined with a sharpened business focus and a strengthened balance sheet, delivered a total shareholder return exceeding 90% in 2025, including the distribution of a US$600 million special dividend in October.

PROSPECTS

Transformation is an ongoing journey for today’s retailers. Serving diverse communities across Asia, where economic conditions and consumer expectations vary widely, the Group must stay agile and locally relevant guided by a customer-first mindset and a disciplined focus on growth opportunities that further build on its competitive advantages. Over the year, DFI has invested in delivering better outcomes for customers through price reinvestment, Own Brand innovation, omnichannel expansion and data-driven personalisation – focus areas that will remain central to its growth plans in the years ahead. An expanded digital ecosystem also unlocks new avenues to drive deeper value for supplier partners and enhance shareholder returns.

I would like to end by expressing the Board’s appreciation to our team members. We could not be more proud of the work they have done over the year, particularly in responding to the deeply tragic Tai Po fire in Hong Kong. Their unwavering dedication to serving our customers across Asia is what will continue to drive our business forward and build long-term value for shareholders.

Lincoln Pan

Chairman

GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REVIEW

INTRODUCTION

We are pleased to close 2025 on a strong note, with underlying profit attributable to shareholders up 35% year-on-year to US$270 million, reaching the high end of our guidance range. This strong performance was driven by a recovery in LFL subsidiary sales, improved margins and proactive portfolio actions, including the divestment of our minority stake in Yonghui.

Customers across Asia, including in our home market of Hong Kong, are increasingly seeking quality and convenience at great value. While macro challenges remain, we are encouraged to see early signs of recovery in key retail segments, including 3% growth in health and beauty sales in Hong Kong, supported by a 12% increase in tourist arrivals. As Asia’s leading multi-format omnichannel retail platform, we are uniquely positioned to meet customers’ evolving needs effectively across all channels through relevant and compelling customer propositions.

With a renewed focus on balancing profitability with capital discipline, the Group ended the year in a net cash position, after distributing a US$600 million special dividend, and delivered a significantly improved return on capital employed (ROCE) of 9.4%. Our strengthened balance sheet allows us to reinvest for growth as we deepen our focus on higher-return subsidiary businesses and strategic priorities that sustain value creation for shareholders. For the full year 2025, we returned a total of approximately US$740 million to shareholders, including the special dividend.

In December, we held our inaugural Investor Day where DFI announced a new dividend policy with an increased payout ratio of 70%. Dividends paid during the year, combined with a share price increase of more than 70%, resulted in a total shareholder return exceeding 90% in 2025. We also outlined our three-year plan for realising our financial ambitions and accelerated growth goals, including a target of US$310-350 million in underlying profit (representing 11% CAGR at the mid-point compared to 2025¹) and an improved ROCE of at least 15% by 2028.

As we enter the new financial year, we remain firmly focused on executing our strategic priorities to drive sustained, profitable growth.

STRATEGIC DELIVERABLES – KEY PROGRESS

Over the past year, we have made significant progress in our transformation from a portfolio business into a strategically focused operating company. We have been advancing our strategy across five key deliverables to create greater value for our customers, supplier partners and shareholders.

Retail Excellence

By delivering best-in-class customer propositions, we see a wide range of opportunities for driving higher store sales density and market share gain across all business segments.

Health & Beauty

Mannings and Guardian continue to strengthen their position as the trusted advisor for wellness, unlocking strong cross-category growth opportunities through an assortment with high functional value across supplements, derma skin care and hair care. Customers across Asia are increasingly shifting to retailers that best fulfil their broad, diverse and unique wellness goals. Our technology-enabled personalised services – including skin, scalp and health assessments – drive higher purchase conversion and basket size by deepening customer understanding of their wellness needs. These capabilities will be expanded to 25% of our Health & Beauty store network to enhance our competitive differentiation and leadership in wellness.

Convenience
7-Eleven is broadening its shopper missions towards higher-margin, non-cigarette categories with a strategic focus on ready-to-eat (RTE) offerings, which accounted for 24% of Convenience sales in 2025. Across markets, consumers are seeking more convenient, high-quality and value-driven meal solutions. The expansion of Food Bars to 1,250 locations in South China and the rollout of RTE-focused store revamp across the entire Hong Kong network by 2028 will further strengthen 7-Eleven’s RTE proposition.

Food

Given consumers’ pivot towards value, continued northbound travel and increasing competition from Chinese mainland e-commerce platforms, the Wellcome team has focused on enhancing food basket value for customers by advancing our Everyday Low Price strategy. Investment in reduced pricing through strategic direct sourcing of core basket items, particularly in fresh, has resulted in a 2% growth in volume driven by higher footfall and increased items per basket. Direct sourcing allowed us to reduce prices while protecting gross profit, resulting in a 30-basis point gross margin improvement. These efforts further supported the narrowing basket price gap compared to the Greater Bay Area to a currently low single-digit price difference².

Home Furnishings

Similar to Food, IKEA has focused on enhancing its affordability and accessibility by reinvesting in the pricing of high-volume products, broadening the range of entry price points, rationalising the tail of slow-selling assortment, and further expanding digital touchpoints through third-party marketplaces. We are also strengthening IKEA Food as a key draw for customers seeking exciting and affordable food experiences as part of their store journey. These efforts are supported by significant cost transformation initiatives across our operating markets.

Own Brand

Our reset in Own Brand strategy across Food and Health & Beauty is driving higher customer loyalty and sales penetration through greater exclusivity and value. By refining our product range to align closely with customer needs and maximising cross-selling across our formats, we achieved meaningful improvements in margins and sales productivity.

Access to Customers

We continue to strategically expand our network in high-growth, profitable markets, primarily through a capex-light franchise model, with 114 net new openings³ in 2025. In particular, we will deepen 7-Eleven’s presence in Guangdong province to around 2,400 stores and expand Guardian’s footprint in Indonesia to approximately 750 stores by 2028.

Omnichannel and Data Ecosystem

DFI’s expanded omnichannel ecosystem is elevating our relevance and engagement with customers, providing us deep data insights across daily consumer needs that few peers in Asia can match. This ecosystem now allows our customers to engage with DFI brands across more than 90 digital channels, including apps, websites, third-party marketplaces, quick-commerce partnership with food delivery platforms and click-and-collect services. Our strengthened digital proposition was underpinned by a 140-basis point increase in online sales penetration to 6.4%⁴ as at year-end 2025, with order volume more than doubled year-on-year. Our overall digital ecosystem, comprising e-commerce, retail media, insights monetisation and yuu, continues to drive improved financial returns for the Group.

Retail Media (DFIQ Media)

Positioned to become Asia’s leading omnichannel retail media network, DFIQ Media offers a differentiated online and offline advertising proposition, enabling brands to execute cross-format campaigns through our digital assets and more than 10,000 in-store digital screens across markets. DFIQ Media delivered strong sales growth, albeit from a low starting base, achieving a fourfold increase in revenue over 2024, supported by proprietary data insights from over 7 million monthly active users across our growing digital portfolio.

DFIQ Portal

We aim to empower our supplier partners with actionable insights that drive greater business impact and better outcomes for customers. The DFIQ Portal – a vendor platform combining DFIQ Media, DFIQ Insights and trade capabilities – was launched in December 2025, providing suppliers real-time access to critical analytics that enables optimised inventory management and more effective strategic planning.

Retail Analytics

Leveraging cross-format data insights from over 5 million yuu Rewards members in Hong Kong, we continue to enhance our assortment and promotional decisions to help expand both in-store sales and gross profit.

Lean & Agile Model

Maintaining a lean and agile operating model is essential to ensuring efficient decision-making in a rapidly evolving retail landscape. Continued cost optimisation and better product sourcing will support both strategic price reinvestment and sustainable margin expansion in the coming years. Overhead reductions are expected to translate into lower SG&A costs beginning 2026. We remain disciplined in capex, driving network growth primarily through a franchise model with a strong focus on paybacks.

Strategic pivot from portfolio to a focused operating company

We conduct strategic reviews of our businesses guided by return on capital and total shareholder return priorities. During the year, we completed the divestment of our minority stakes in Yonghui and Robinsons Retail, as well as our Singapore Food business, generating total gross proceeds of approximately US$1 billion in cash consideration. In line with our capital allocation priorities, these proceeds were redeployed towards debt repayment, resulting in a net cash position of US$70 million as at year-end 2025. In addition, a special dividend of US$600 million was distributed to shareholders in October 2025. The Group remains focused on maximising total shareholder return while maintaining strategic flexibility for inorganic growth opportunities that are accretive to long-term shareholder value.

2025 PERFORMANCE

Total revenue from subsidiaries in 2025 was US$8.9 billion, up 1% on a LFL basis, excluding cigarettes. Organic revenue, excluding divested businesses⁵ for the comparable period, grew 0.5%. Strong sales growth in the Health & Beauty division was offset by lower contributions from other segments.

Excluding the impact of the minority stake divestments in Yonghui and Robinsons Retail completed in 2025, total revenue for the Group, including 100% of associates and joint ventures, remained broadly stable.

The Group reported total underlying profit attributable to shareholders of US$270 million for the year, up 35% year-on-year. This was supported by improved profitability from subsidiary businesses, lower financing costs and higher underlying profit from associates following the divestment of Yonghui.

Underlying profit from subsidiaries was US$183 million, 15% higher than the prior year. This was driven by strong Health & Beauty performance in addition to earnings recovery in Singapore Food and Home Furnishings segment, partially offset by lower contribution from Convenience due to reduced cigarette volume.

The Group’s share of underlying profit from associates was US$88 million, an improvement of US$45 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to the divestment of minority stake in loss-making Yonghui and higher contribution from Maxim’s as a result of improved mooncake sales and restaurant performance in Southeast Asia. Despite challenging trading conditions in Hong Kong and Chinese mainland, Maxim’s delivered profit growth in these regions through cost optimisation.

The Group reported operating cash flow after lease payments of US$430 million, 30% higher than the prior year, supported by underlying operating profit growth. Free cash flow⁶ for the period was US$281 million, up 78% year-on-year. As at 31 December 2025, the Group’s net cash was US$70 million, compared to US$468 million net debt at 31 December 2024.

SUSTAINABILITY

We remain firmly committed to our purpose to sustainably serve Asia for generations with everyday moments – with a focused, balanced, collaborative approach taking into account the macroeconomic environment and consumer sentiment. We are driving progress on our pathway to reduce our Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 50% by 2030 from a 2021 baseline, with our targeted investments in refrigerant emissions management, energy efficiency, and behaviour-change initiatives across our operations gaining momentum throughout the year. From 2025 to 2030, we will further increase the share of renewable energy use in our portfolio, helping to accelerate the energy transition in the key markets where we operate.

As advocates for our customers and the communities we serve, we are committed to delivering affordable, sustainable products. In 2025, we delivered 380 tonnes of Own Brand low-carbon rice to our Hong Kong markets and added multiple products through our Grounds to Green programme to our 7-Eleven RTE range. These award-winning initiatives demonstrate our ability to anticipate customer expectations and deliver on market demands. We maintained strong discipline in waste and packaging management, keeping us on track to meet our 2030 targets.

BUSINESS REVIEW

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Sales for the Health and Beauty division grew 7% year-on-year or 5% on an LFL basis to US$2.6 billion. Underlying operating profit was US$228 million for the year, representing an increase of 8% compared to 2024.

Both Mannings and Guardian achieved strong LFL sales performance, supported by growing wellness sales penetration towards the mid-term target of over 35%. To further strengthen our leadership in wellness – a cross-category opportunity spanning health, beauty and personal care – Mannings and Guardian complemented their wellness-focused assortment with in-store health, skin and scalp assessments in selected outlets. Our personalised consultations and tailored product recommendations deepen our engagement with customers, supporting larger basket sizes and higher purchase conversion.

Hashtag: #DFIRetailGroup #Mannings #Guardian #7-Eleven #Wellcome #MarketPlace #IKEA #yuu #Maxim’s

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DFI Retail Group

Under the partnership structure, Green SM provides the technology platform, all-electric vehicle fleet, operational standards, and driver development system, while Taksi Komotra contributes its established local expertise and network across Bali. The collaboration integrates electric mobility technology with on-the-ground operational capabilities to deliver a scalable, governance-driven transportation model.

Operations in Bali are implemented under Green SM’s “5 Green Promises” service commitment framework. Established as a foundational operating standard since the company’s inception, the framework ensures that each ride delivers an excellent customer experience, professional drivers, high-quality and safe vehicles, fair and transparent pricing, and a meaningful contribution to environmental sustainability.

The service operates an all-electric fleet that produces no exhaust emissions or fuel combustion. All vehicles are maintained under strict technical and safety protocols to ensure consistent service performance while contributing to cleaner air and quieter urban environments.

A central pillar of the launch is the Green SM Driver ecosystem. Drivers are positioned as professional green mobility ambassadors guided by five core values: Respect, Professionalism, Dedication, Discipline, and Competitive Income with Stable Career Pathways. Structured training, transparent earnings mechanisms, and disciplined service governance aim to elevate driving into a respected profession while maintaining safety and reliability as foundational standards. This framework aligns income stability with environmental responsibility, reinforcing the role of drivers in supporting Bali’s sustainable tourism trajectory.

The launch comes amid rising mobility demand driven by tourism growth and daily transportation needs across the island. The Indonesia Tourism Outlook 2025 report notes a sustained shift toward environmentally responsible travel, underscoring the relevance of electric mobility in long-term development planning. According to projections from Indonesia’s National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), green employment nationwide is expected to reach 4.8-5.3 million by 2029, reflecting the broader economic potential of sustainable industries.

Mr. Deny Tjia, Managing Director of Green SM Indonesia, said: “The partnership with Taksi Komotra reflects our long-term commitment to building a high-quality, well-governed mobility ecosystem in Indonesia. By combining electric vehicles with professional driver development and clear operational standards, we aim to support Bali’s sustainable tourism ambitions while delivering safe, reliable, and comfortable rides for the community.”

H. Hasbi, Chairman of Koperasi Komotra, said: “We are proud to partner with Green SM to introduce electric taxis in Bali. Electric mobility will become part of the new standard for tourism and daily transportation on the island, and this collaboration helps us better serve local residents and visitors while preparing for the future of sustainable transport.”

The Bali launch marks another strategic milestone in Green SM’s expansion in Indonesia, following earlier operations in key markets including Jakarta, Makassar, Bekasi, and Surabaya. In these cities, the service has been positively received by local residents and international visitors alike, who value its clean electric fleet, professional drivers, and structured safety standards that enhance travel confidence.

With its growing presence across the country, Green SM continues to build a scalable electric mobility ecosystem that balances environmental responsibility, service excellence, and inclusive economic growth.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

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About GSM and Green SM

GSM (Green Smart Mobility) is the world’s first company to operate a fully electric ride-hailing service across multiple platforms. As a pioneer in sustainable transportation, GSM has laid the foundation for a cleaner, smarter, and more responsible mobility model powered entirely by VinFast electric vehicles. Founded by Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, GSM is committed to building a future-ready mobility ecosystem while promoting more environmentally conscious lifestyles in markets that are rapidly embracing sustainability.

Green SM is GSM’s official global brand, representing the company’s vision and values in every market it serves. In Southeast Asia, the brand operates as Green SM in Indonesia, Xanh SM in Vietnam and Laos, and Green GSM in the Philippines. Across all markets, the service consistently delivers a modern travel experience through VinFast electric vehicles, professional drivers, and a service culture that prioritizes safety and passenger comfort.

Green SM symbolizes progress toward a future where technology, people, and the environment move forward in harmony. Beyond providing zero-emission transportation, the brand is also committed to fostering environmentally aware communities in every market where it operates.

About Taxi Komotra
Taksi Komotra Bali is part of the Koperasi Mobil Transport Bali, which was established in 1993 under its original name, KOMITRA Bali. In 1996, the cooperative officially changed its name to KOMOTRA Bali and has continued to grow as one of Bali’s local transportation operators.

Today, Taksi Komotra Bali manages two core transportation services: rural bus services and taxi operations. For more than three decades, Komotra Bali has remained committed to providing safe and reliable transportation while supporting local mobility and the tourism sector across the Island of the Gods.

The theme of the 2026-27 Budget, the fourth Budget of the current-term Government, is “Driving High-quality, Inclusive Growth with Innovation and Finance”.

“Over the past year, as a result of the booming economy and capital market, our tax revenue has increased. Coupled with the reinforced fiscal consolidation programme gradually bearing fruit, our public finances have improved sooner than expected,” Mr Chan said.

The Financial Secretary revealed that Hong Kong’s Consolidated Account was expected to register a surplus of $2.9 billion in the current fiscal year, instead of a deficit of about $67 billion as originally estimated. The Operating Account for 2025-26, which was originally estimated to record a deficit of about $3 billion, will register a surplus of $51.3 billion, he said.

It was also confirmed that Hong Kong’s economy expanded by 3.5% in 2025, with growth forecast to be between 2.5% and 3.5% for 2026.

Mr Chan noted that this year marks the beginning of the National 15th Five-Year Plan, and he stressed the need for Hong Kong to actively align with the Plan.

“Our country’s sustained high-standard two-way opening-up, coupled with scientific and technological innovation, have presented us with new opportunities,” he said. “We must embrace the 15th Five-Year Plan with an innovative mindset, fostering new quality productive forces in accordance with local conditions.”

Mr Chan set out a series of measures to drive I&T development, including establishing the Committee on AI+ and Industry Development Strategy; taking forward the Sandy Ridge data facility cluster project; promoting AI training; and accelerating digital intelligence transformation of the Government.

“We are pressing ahead with the industrialisation of AI and deepening its integration across various industries, while encouraging wider AI application, thereby achieving the target of adoption and utilisation by all,” he said.

The International Clinical Trial Academy will, he said, also be established to help enable the Chinese Mainland’s biomedicine technology to go global, attract foreign investment, and help develop Hong Kong into an international health and medical innovation hub.

To facilitate the development of new industrialisation, the Budget has earmarked resources for establishing in Hong Kong the first national manufacturing innovation centre outside the Mainland, and the New Industrialisation Elite Enterprises Nurturing Scheme will be launched.

The Government will promote the full integration of technological innovation and industrial innovation through key infrastructure, including the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone, and the San Tin Technopole in the Northern Metropolis.

To support financial services, Hong Kong will proactively align with national development strategies, advance the internationalisation of the Renminbi, and continuously reform the securities market.

The Government will legislate this year to enhance tax regimes for family offices and funds, as well as establish licensing regimes for digital asset dealing and custodian service providers.

“Despite the complex and ever-changing external environment, Hong Kong’s financial market has performed strongly and our financial system remains robust,” Mr Chan said. “We will continue to consolidate our existing strengths, tap into emerging fields, strengthen market systems and risk control and deepen financial co-operation in the GBA (Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area).”

Noting that Hong Kong saw a year-on-year 12 per cent increase in visitor arrivals last year, which had created business and job opportunities for related sectors, the Budget will allocate $1.66 billion (US$212 million) to the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).

“The HKTB will scale up its flagship events and promotion, introducing new elements and extending event duration, and organise more signature festive events to highlight Hong Kong’s East-meets-West uniqueness,” Mr Chan said.

The Budget also earmarks an additional funding of $1 billion (US$128 million) for the Built Heritage Conservation Fund to enrich city culture. Elsewhere, the Government will launch the Northern Metropolis Urban-rural Integration Fund as a pilot scheme to support rural tourism projects.

To further promote sports development in Hong Kong, the Financial Secretary will inject $1.2 billion (US$154 million) to the sports portion of the Arts and Sports Development Fund.

Mr Chan said that the global environment has remained volatile over the past year, and Hong Kong has continued to undergo economic transformation.

“Technological innovation, in particular the development of AI, has brought us a mix of opportunities and challenges. Yet, Hong Kong has always thrived amid changes and progressed through innovation. We must make full use of our strengths and leverage the resolute support of our country to speed up and scale up our economic development sustainably for creating better development opportunities for the people and enhancing their quality of life,” Mr Chan said.

For more details on the 2026-27 Budget, click here.

Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #Budget #Inclusive #Growth #Innovation #Finance

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 February 2026 – In the wake of Budget 2026 and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s announcement of a National AI Council to accelerate mission-driven artificial intelligence deployment, EtonHouse International Education Group has collaborated with OpenAI to roll out ChatGPT Edu across its global education network, establishing a secure, enterprise-grade AI workspace designed to strengthen governance, operational excellence and institutional capability.

The implementation spans the Group’s schools and education brands, including EBridge Pre-School, an Anchor Operator, extending AI integration beyond classroom experimentation into enterprise-wide infrastructure supporting operations, marketing and admissions, finance, human resources, school administration and technology development.

While education was not named among the initial priority sectors identified under Singapore’s national AI strategy, EtonHouse views schools as foundational to building long-term AI capability and literacy across society.

Governance-led AI deployment

The rollout has been structured around enterprise governance principles. Access is managed through role-based access controls, single sign-on authentication and automated provisioning, ensuring that AI tools and information remain aligned to defined job responsibilities and permission boundaries.

ChatGPT Edu operates within a centrally managed internal workspace governed by consistent policies across the Group. External sharing and third-party integrations are enabled only where explicitly approved and aligned with business requirements, reinforcing a secure and compliant AI environment.

This governance-first approach reflects a deliberate shift from isolated experimentation to structured, scalable adoption.

From classroom innovation to enterprise infrastructure

EtonHouse previously developed Lumina, its proprietary AI-powered lesson planning platform. The deployment of ChatGPT Edu represents the next phase of integration, extending advanced artificial intelligence capabilities into enterprise functions.

Within the secure workspace, teams can upload documents for structured analysis, generate comparative reports, conduct scenario modelling and retrieve institutional knowledge more efficiently. Technology teams are also leveraging Codex, OpenAI’s agentic coding tool, to enhance development workflows, supporting code drafting, review and testing while maintaining human oversight and established engineering standards.

The Group is concurrently developing internal AI assistants and structured workflows within defined governance parameters to streamline routine processes and standardise how knowledge is accessed and applied across departments.

Augmentation, not replacement

EtonHouse emphasises that artificial intelligence is being implemented as an augmentation layer rather than a substitute for professional judgement.

“Artificial intelligence is not a shortcut or a replacement technology. It is a learning infrastructure,” said Mr Ng Yi-Xian, Group CEO of EtonHouse International Education Group. “We are developing tools that help students learn more confidently, support teachers to plan and differentiate more effectively, and equip HQ teams to serve schools faster and with higher quality. AI should amplify good practice, not replace it, so we are building the governance and capability to deploy it responsibly at scale.”

The rollout will be supported by structured staff training alongside OpenAI experts clear usage guidelines and ongoing oversight to ensure transparency, responsible usage and alignment with internal policies and regulatory obligations.

“As Singapore advances its national AI ambitions, many institutions are working to bridge the gap between rapidly advancing AI technologies and their ability to deploy them effectively and responsibly. EtonHouse’s rollout of ChatGPT Edu shows how forward-thinking education organisations can translate AI into practical, trusted enterprise-wide systems that empower teams today, while building confidence for the long-term.” added Oliver Jay, Managing Director, International at OpenAI.

Education’s role in Singapore’s AI future

Budget 2026 outlined the formation of a National AI Council to guide coordinated deployment across priority sectors including advanced manufacturing, connectivity, finance and healthcare.

EtonHouse’s implementation reflects how education institutions can apply similar principles of governance, security and enterprise readiness, positioning schools not only as adopters of technology but as contributors to Singapore’s broader AI capability building.

With this move, EtonHouse signals a transition from exploratory AI usage to secure, scalable integration across its global network, reinforcing its commitment to innovation anchored in institutional discipline and responsible deployment.

Hashtag: #ArtificialIntelligence #EnterpriseAI #AIGovernance #AIDeployment #EdTech

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About EtonHouse International Education Group

In 2015, the EtonHouse Community Fund (ECF) was established, dedicated to enhancing the lives of underserved children and youth through education.

The Eton Academy was launched in 2020, providing English, Maths, and Science academic programmes for Nursery 1 to Primary 6 in centres across the island. Building on this success, The Eton Academy expanded in 2025 with the introduction of Elevate After School Care, offering primary school children a holistic, well-rounded after-school experience that complements their academic development.

EtonHouse International Education Group remains unwavering in its commitment to shaping futures and making a meaningful impact on the world through education.

Tata Group, Tata Consultancy Services and OpenAI unveiled a landmark strategic partnership that aims to redefine the landscape of artificial intelligence deployment across enterprise, infrastructure and workforce development. With a multi-year agreement signed at a major AI summit in New Delhi, the collaboration is centred on building out AI infrastructure in India, rolling out Enterprise ChatGPT to thousands of employees and co-creating industry-tailored AI solutions.

Under the pact, TCS’ HyperVault unit will lead the development of large-scale AI-ready data centres, starting with an initial capacity of about 100 megawatts of power and a roadmap to scale to 1 gigawatt. OpenAI is anticipated to become the first anchor customer for this infrastructure, supporting advanced AI computation and inference workloads within the country.

Central to the partnership is the deployment of Enterprise ChatGPT across Tata Group companies, designed to enhance productivity and accelerate innovation within one of India’s largest conglomerates. Thousands of employees are set to receive access to the enterprise version of the generative AI platform, enabling broader internal adoption of AI tools for knowledge work and decision support.

Beyond productivity tools, the alliance will explore the development of “agentic” AI solutions that combine OpenAI’s cutting-edge models with TCS’ industry knowledge and engineering capabilities. This approach aims to address complex sector-specific challenges across fields such as manufacturing, financial services and healthcare, rather than offering generic AI applications.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman positioned the collaboration as part of a larger initiative to expand the company’s footprint and capabilities in emerging markets like India, where demand for AI services and local data processing is accelerating. He emphasised the need for robust infrastructure and local partnerships to scale AI responsibly and securely.

Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran described the partnership as a cornerstone in the group’s wider AI strategy, underscoring its potential to strengthen both domestic capacity and global competitiveness. The agreement aligns with TCS’ ambition to become a leading AI-driven technology services provider on the world stage, building on its existing HyperVault platform and ongoing investments in state-of-the-art data centres.

Financial markets reacted positively to the announcement, with TCS shares rising after the news broke, reflecting investor confidence in the company’s expanded role in AI infrastructure build-out and its position as a strategic partner to global AI developers.

The infrastructure element of the partnership places a strong emphasis on scalability and sustainability. TCS’ HyperVault facilities are designed to support liquid-cooled, high-density data environments that can handle the demanding computational needs of generative AI models, while also integrating with major cloud regions for broader interoperability.

A social impact component is woven into the alliance through plans to collaborate with the OpenAI Foundation to deliver AI training programmes for youth and underserved communities, equipping individuals with skills to engage with emerging technologies responsibly. The initiative aims to develop a pipeline of talent capable of contributing to the wider AI ecosystem.

This partnership comes amid a broader surge in investment and strategic alignments between global AI firms and Indian technology leaders, as the country seeks to position itself as a competitive hub for innovation and data infrastructure. Industry observers note that similar efforts by other major tech players to localise AI capabilities reflect a global trend towards data residency, regulatory compliance and sovereign control over critical AI workloads.

Critics caution that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure must be balanced with robust governance frameworks to address concerns around data security, ethical use and labour market disruption. Analysts argue that while the partnership promises substantial gains in efficiency and capability, clear policies and oversight mechanisms will be crucial to ensure equitable benefits across society.

• UBT251 is a triple agonist of the receptors for GLP-1, GIP and glucagon (triple G), being jointly developed by United Biotechnology and Novo Nordisk
• In a placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in Chinese people with overweight or obesity, UBT251 led to a statistically significant mean weight loss of up to 19.7% after 24 weeks
• UBT251 appeared to have a safe and well-tolerated profile consistent with incretin-based therapies.

GUANGDONG, CHINA & BAGSVÆRD, DENMARK – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 February 2026 – The United Laboratories International Holdings Limited (TUL) and Novo Nordisk A/S (Novo Nordisk) today announced topline results from a Chinese phase 2 trial of UBT251, a triple agonist of the receptors for GLP-1, GIP, and glucagon (triple G).

UBT251 is being jointly developed by TUL’s wholly-owned subsidiary The United Bio-Technology (Hengqin) Co., Ltd. (United Biotechnology) and Novo Nordisk under an agreement signed in March 2025. United Biotechnology is responsible for development in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan, while Novo Nordisk is responsible for development in the rest of the world.

The trial, conducted by United Biotechnology, investigated the safety and efficacy of once-weekly injectable 2 mg, 4 mg and 6 mg doses of UBT251 compared to placebo in Chinese people with overweight or obesity. From a baseline mean body weight of 92.2 kg, the highest mean weight loss observed for people treated with UBT251 was 19.7% (-17.5 kg) compared to 2.0% (-1.6kg) in the placebo group after 24 weeks of treatment[i].

Moreover, all dose groups of UBT251 showed statistically significant improvements relative to placebo on key secondary endpoints, including waist circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure and lipids.

In the trial, UBT251 appeared to have a safe and well-tolerated profile. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal, and the vast majority were mild to moderate and diminished over time, consistent with incretin-based therapies.

“The success of the phase 2 clinical trial of UBT251 in China represents another significant milestone in TUL’s innovation-driven development,” said Mr Tsoi Hoi Shan, Chairman of TUL. “We will continue to focus on chronic diseases, including endocrine and metabolic disorders, accelerate the further development of UBT251, and strive to bring more high-quality treatment options to patients worldwide at the earliest opportunity.”

“We are very encouraged by these data from the trial in China, which demonstrate the potential of UBT251 and its differentiated clinical profile and safety and tolerability profile,” said Martin Holst Lange, executive vice president, chief scientific officer and head of Research and Development at Novo Nordisk. “We look forward to reporting data from a global trial with UBT251 conducted by Novo Nordisk next year.”

Novo Nordisk recently initiated a global phase 1b/2a trial investigating the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of different doses of UBT251 for up to 28 weeks in around 330 people living with overweight or obesity. Topline data from that trial is expected in 2027. Novo Nordisk also expects to initiate a phase 2 trial with UBT251 in people with type 2 diabetes in the second half of 2026.

United Biotechnology will present detailed data from the Chinese phase 2 trial at a medical congress later this year. Based on the results of this trial, the company is planning to initiate a phase 3 trial in Chinese patients with overweight or obesity.

About the Chinese phase 2 trial

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial enrolled a total of 205 Chinese patients with obesity (BMI ≥ 28.0 kg/m²) or overweight (24.0 kg/m² ≤ BMI < 28.0 kg/m²) with at least one weight-related comorbidity. The baseline mean body weight of the patients was 92.2 kg, with a baseline mean BMI of 33.1 kg/m².

Patients were randomly assigned to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of UBT251 in doses of 2 mg, 4 mg, 6 mg, or placebo for 24 weeks.

The primary endpoint of the trial was the percentage change in body weight from baseline after 24 weeks of treatment.

About UBT251

UBT251 is a long-acting synthetic peptide triple agonist targeting the receptors for GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1), GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and glucagon.

In March 2025, United Biotechnology entered an exclusive license agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S for UBT251. Under the agreement, Novo Nordisk obtained exclusive worldwide rights (excluding Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan) to develop, manufacture and commercialise UBT251. United Biotechnology retained the rights for UBT251 in Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.

Hashtag: #UBT251

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

About TUL and United Biotechnology

Founded in 1990, TUL (HKEX: 3933) is mainly engaged in the research and development, production and sales of pharmaceuticals, and ranks among the leading integrated pharmaceutical companies in China. TUL currently boasts seven production bases, covering intermediate products, bulk medicine, finished products, veterinary drugs, empty capsule casings, and medical devices, with the sales networks dotted across nearly 80 countries and regions. United Biotechnology, located in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, serves as the biopharmaceutical R&D headquarter of TUL. United Biotechnology focuses on the development of high-end biopharmaceuticals to treat major chronic diseases. For more information, please visit www.tul.com.cn.

About Novo Nordisk

Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company, founded in 1923 and headquartered in Denmark. Our purpose is to drive change to defeat serious chronic diseases, built upon our heritage in diabetes. We do so by pioneering scientific breakthroughs, expanding access to our medicines, and working to prevent and ultimately cure disease. Novo Nordisk employs about 68,800 people in 80 countries and markets its products in around 170 countries. For more information, visit novonordisk.com, Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn and YouTube.

The partnership is designed to provide greater confidence throughout the EV ownership journey—ensuring that premium electric vehicles are supported by reliable charging solutions, responsive roadside assistance, and integrated digital services. By combining VinFast’s expanding EV presence in the UAE with PlusX Electric’s on-demand charging capabilities and infrastructure expertise, the two parties will work together to deliver a seamless, convenience-led, and assurance-driven experience for VinFast drivers.

Under the MoU, VinFast and PlusX Electric will collaborate across a structured set of initiatives focused on charging availability, ownership support, and infrastructure enablement across key use cases, including home, workplace, fleet, and on-road assistance.

Specifically, the two parties aim to deploy Portable EV Charging Pods to meet customers’ flexible charging needs during vehicle usage, while enabling access to On-Demand Mobile Charging services designed to assist in time-sensitive situations. The partnership will also explore EV Roadside Assistance (RSA) – Emergency Charging services, helping reduce range anxiety and vehicle downtime while strengthening customer assurance through clearly defined service workflows and operational readiness.

In addition, PlusX Electric may become a preferred partner for the supply, installation, and aftersales support of Home & Office Chargers for VinFast customers in the UAE, in alignment with applicable UAE compliance requirements. For commercial and fleet segments, the two parties will explore scalable solutions such as DC Fast Charger Leasing and dedicated mobile charging support, ensuring operational continuity and efficiency for B2B and fleet customers.

As part of the collaboration, VinFast and PlusX Electric will further explore digital integration initiatives to streamline how customers access charging services, manage bookings, and receive service updates through partner platforms. The two parties will also assess potential integration of EV insurance offerings via the PlusX App and explore co-branding opportunities, including VinFast branding on PlusX Power Pods, with the objective of delivering a cohesive and fully integrated EV ecosystem experience.

Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East, shared: “VinFast is committed to building a long-term and comprehensive EV ecosystem in the UAE—one that gives customers confidence not only in the quality and performance of our electric vehicles, but also in the reliability and accessibility of the supporting infrastructure. Through this MoU with PlusX Electric, we are strengthening the support layer around EV adoption by expanding access to flexible charging solutions, emergency assistance services, and integrated digital touchpoints. By working with a DEWA-approved partner that understands local regulatory requirements and operational realities, we aim to make EV ownership simpler, more dependable, and better aligned with the expectations of customers in the Middle East.”

Chintan Sareen – Founder and CEO of PlusX Electric added: “EV adoption accelerates when customers trust that charging and support are always within reach. Our collaboration with VinFast reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the EV ownership ecosystem in the UAE through dependable infrastructure, responsive roadside services, and customer-centric digital solutions. As a DEWA-approved provider, PlusX Electric brings localized expertise in charger supply and installation, mobile charging operations, and fleet enablement. Together with VinFast, we look forward to delivering practical, scalable solutions that enhance service reliability, reduce range anxiety, and support the continued growth of sustainable mobility in the region.”

Across the Middle East, VinFast continues to expand its presence through strategic partnerships, strengthened aftersales capabilities, and the development of EV-supporting infrastructure. The collaboration with PlusX Electric underscores VinFast’s long-term commitment to supporting customers throughout their ownership journey and contributing to the UAE’s transition toward sustainable and future-ready mobility solutions.

Hashtag: #Vinfast

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

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC — one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates — is a pure electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with a mission to make EVs more accessible to all. Its current product lineup includes a range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric buses.

VinFast is entering its next phase of global growth by rapidly expanding its distribution and dealership network, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and focusing on key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Learn more about VinFast: https://me.vinfast.com/en

About PlusX Electric

PlusX Electric is a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions company in the UAE, offering end-to-end charging services including charger supply and installation, mobile charging solutions, EV roadside assistance, and fleet charging partnerships. PlusX Electric is committed to making EV charging more accessible, reliable, and convenient for both individual and commercial customers across the UAE.

The tokenized investment model enables Esperanza Securities to issue investment tokens (also known as security tokens) through an investment fund it manages, allowing eligible investors to participate with a significantly lower entry barrier and trade the tokens in secondary markets.

Against the emerging tokenized real-world-asset (RWA) trend worldwide, Esperanza Securities is among the first platforms with a systematic focus on the live entertainment industry. Following the granting of the permission by the SFC, two upcoming tokenized entertainment investments will include the Chris Wong 40^th Anniversary Concert which will take place in Hong Kong on 6 to 7 March 2026 and a Korean boy band concert which will take place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 11 April 2026.

Innovation beyond technology: a focus on product structure

Entertainment industry assets have long benefited from a clear business model and income structure, which include box office receipts, sponsorships and merchandise revenue. Through tokenization, Esperanza Securities offers a new path for asset owners such as concert organizers to access capital without altering their operational models, while enabling investors to directly participate in opportunities linked to real economic activities.

The application of the tokenized investment model spans beyond the live entertainment industry. In fact, opportunities with clear business models and easily valuated underlying assets possess immense potential for tokenization. For instance, cultural and experiential projects with clear community monetization models and assets with stable and predictable cash flows, such as commercial properties, can all benefit from tokenization.

Bridging global investors to Asian assets through a 24×7 platform

Through the proprietary platform, espetopia.com (“Platform“), Esperanza Securities enables eligible investors to back real economy linked Asian projects, anytime and anywhere, without geographical limitations.

Eligible investors from all over the world can access all investment-related information, trade investment tokens and redeem utilities and experiences associated with the underlying assets through the Platform. This infrastructure enhances the visibility of Asian opportunities in global markets and effectively pools global capital to fund real economic developments, across verticals from cultural intellectual properties to the broader experience economies.

Looking ahead: charting a digital financing path for high-quality real assets

Looking forward, Esperanza Securities will continue to advance its asset-backed tokenized investment model under a prudent and compliant framework. The Company aims to progressively build a sustainable digital investment ecosystem centered on real assets with clear economic foundations.

As market acceptance of RWA digitization continues to grow, the Company sees promising potential for asset-backed tokenization to become an integral financing option alongside traditional public listings and private placements.

Hashtag: #EsperanzaFintech

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

About Esperanza Fintech (Securities) Limited

Esperanza Securities is a licensed corporation under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap 571 of the law of Hong Kong) with permission to carry out Type 4 (advising on securities) and Type 9 (asset management) regulated activities. On 13 February 2026, Esperanza Securities received a “no further comment” letter from the SFC in relation to its proposal to tokenize managed funds, effectively granting formal permission for Esperanza Securities to conduct tokenized investment businesses.

About Esperanza Fintech Group

Esperanza Fintech Group is a fintech group headquartered in Hong Kong. The group’s licensed businesses include (i) gold trading and tokenized gold services operated by Esperanza Fintech (Commodities) Limited, a DPMS (dealers in precious metals and stones) Category A Registrant (No. A-B-25-03-08913) with the Hong Kong Customs with permitted businesses including the issuance, redemption and trading of gold backed instruments on www.espetopia.com; (ii) client asset custodian service operated by Esperanza Fintech (Nominees) Limited, a licensed Trust or Company Service Provider in Hong Kong (Licence No. TC010260), regulated by the Hong Kong Companies Registry; and (iii) tokenized investment services operated by Esperanza Securities, an SFC-regulated asset manager with permission to carry out tokenized investment businesses.

Lumen’s Advanced MDR offering delivers comprehensive, AI-powered threat detection and response across cloud, on-premises, identity, and OT environments – helping customers gain full-spectrum visibility and control over their security operations. Built on Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSIAM platform, which unifies XDR, SOAR, ASM, and SIEM capabilities, the solution simplifies SOC workflows, eliminates console switching, and accelerates incident response through automation and advanced analytics. This platform-centric approach not only improves detection accuracy but also reduces operational complexity and licensing overhead.

As a Select Partner, Lumen supports seamless deployment of Cortex XSIAM, empowering customers to transform their security posture with confidence. Customers benefit from continuous threat hunting, tailored playbooks, and asset discovery powered by Lumen’s SOC analysts and Black Lotus Lab. With deep regional expertise, a strategic global network of SOCs, and a customer-first success model, Lumen ensures proactive defence against evolving threats.

Lumen has also recently been recognised in the Major Players Category in the IDC MarketScape: Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) Managed Detection and Response (MDR) Services 2025 Vendor Assessment^[1]. Lumen believes this recognition further validates its leadership in delivering scalable, outcome-driven security solutions.

“Our Advanced MDR offering is designed to give customers clarity and control in the face of growing cyber complexity. Partnering with Palo Alto Networks allows us to deliver a unified, intelligence-driven platform that not only strengthens security operations but also aligns with our customers’ business goals. This specialisation validates our ability to deliver trusted, outcome-focused cybersecurity, backed by deep regional expertise and a commitment to proactive protection,” said Ignatius Wong, Senior Director, Managed & Professional Services, APAC at Lumen Technologies.

Michelle Saw, Vice President, GTM Shared Services and Ecosystems, Asia-Pacific and Japan at Palo Alto Networks, said, “Lumen’s achievement is a significant milestone that reinforces our commitment to a partner ecosystem focused on delivering world-class security outcomes in APAC. In today’s complex threat landscape, customers need the power of a unified, AI-driven platform like Cortex XSIAM, combined with the deep regional expertise and managed services of a trusted partner like Lumen. We are proud to collaborate with Lumen to empower businesses across the region to transform their security posture and confidently face the next generation of cyber threats.”

Hashtag: #LumenTechnologies

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

About Lumen

Lumen is unleashing the world’s digital potential. We ignite business growth by connecting people, data, and applications – quickly, securely, and effortlessly. As the trusted network for AI, Lumen uses the scale of our network to help companies realise AI’s full potential. From metro connectivity to long-haul data transport to our edge cloud, security, managed service, and digital platform capabilities, we meet our customers’ needs today and as they build for tomorrow.

New location expands company’s global infrastructure, while offering faster data processing, robust security measures and regulatory compliance

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – Anaplan, the global leader in AI‑driven scenario planning and analysis, today announced the launch of its new Amazon Web Services data center in Singapore. This strategic expansion is designed to accelerate digital transformation and empower businesses in Southeast Asia with advanced artificial intelligence capabilities for real-time planning and decision-making.

The new data center will significantly enhance Anaplan’s global infrastructure and offer faster data processing, improved security and regulatory compliance. These features are essential for protecting sensitive information and meeting local data sovereignty requirements, which is especially critical for industries such as public sector and financial services.

“The launch of Anaplan on AWS in Singapore represents a strategic milestone and reinforces our shared commitment to customers across Asia-Pacific,” said Carol Potts, general manager for North America ISV sales at AWS.

By leveraging the Anaplan platform, businesses in the region will gain access to leading AI and machine learning technologies, enabling them to:

• Optimize planning processes: AI-driven insights will help businesses make more informed, data-driven decisions in real-time, streamlining operations and improving efficiency.
• Enhance data security: The data center ensures that data remains within Singapore, adhering to local regulations.
• Drive AI innovation: Backed by a reliable and secure infrastructure, companies can scale their operations by embedding cutting-edge AI technology directly into cross-functional planning processes and workflows, empowering teams to move faster, make smarter decisions, and stay ahead of the competition.

“We are delighted to bring the Anaplan platform, including our new suite of role-based AI agents, to Singapore and the broader Southeast Asia region,” said Amit Bagga, managing director, APAC, at Anaplan. “Data sovereignty is a stringent requirement for our clients, and our new location ensures that their data remains within Singapore, adhering to local regulations. Plus, with Anaplan Intelligence, businesses can harness the power of AI to optimize and unify their finance, workforce, sales, and supply chain planning processes, gain deeper insights and make strategic decisions with confidence.”

This regional addition marks another milestone in Anaplan’s $500 million innovation roadmap, aimed at expanding the company’s global reach and supporting local businesses with the latest AI-driven planning and analytics technology. The company has also made other data center expansions in the Asia-Pacific region, including in India, Indonesia, and Australia, further solidifying its commitment to the region.

Hashtag: #Anaplan

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

About Anaplan

Anaplan is the only AI-driven scenario planning and analysis platform designed to optimize decision-making in today’s complex business environment so that enterprises can outpace their competition and the market. By building connections and collaboration across organizational silos, our platform intelligently surfaces key insights — so businesses can make the right decisions, right now. More than 2,500 of the world’s best brands, including nearly half of the Fortune 50, continually optimize their decision-making by planning with Anaplan. To learn more, visit www.anaplan.com.