SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 May 2026 – As students increasingly evaluate higher education options through the lens of employability, internships have emerged as a critical factor influencing decision-making, reflecting a broader shift towards experience-based learning. Recent findings from Singapore’s Graduate Employment Survey show that employment outcomes for graduates from autonomous universities and the private education sector are closely tracked, with data generally collected approximately six months after graduation to capture early career transitions.
While overall employment rates remain relatively resilient, education and labour market observers note that graduates are increasingly expected to demonstrate practical experience in addition to academic qualifications. Industry commentary linked to the survey highlights that internships and prior work exposure can play a key role in improving employability, particularly in a tighter job market.
Internships as a Bridge Between Education and Employment
Internships are widely regarded as a critical bridge between academic learning and professional employment. They provide students with opportunities to develop workplace competencies, understand organisational environments and build networks that can support job placement after graduation. With Graduate Employment Survey data indicating increased competition for full-time roles, early exposure to industry has become an important differentiator for students entering the workforce.
Embedding Internships into the Student Experience
The Singapore Institute of Management (SIM) has incorporated internships as a core component of its employability strategy through its Career Connect department. Internships are positioned as a key pathway that “bridge students and graduates into the realities of the working world,” allowing them to apply academic knowledge in real business environments.
SIM works with a network of companies ranging from small and medium enterprises to multinational organisations, providing students with access to internship opportunities across sectors.
Students may source internships independently or tap into structured opportunities within SIM’s ecosystem, including in-house placements through initiatives such as the Talent Development Programme.
Technology Enabled Access to Internship Opportunities
To support access at scale, SIM has introduced CareerSense, a digital platform that aggregates internship listings, job opportunities and career events into a single interface. Through this platform, students can connect with employers, explore opportunities and participate in career development activities, reflecting a broader shift towards digital career services in higher education.
Recognising the Value of Internship Participation
SIM has also introduced initiatives to recognise student participation in internships and experiential learning. The SIM60 Work-Integrated Learning for Life WILL Award highlights the role of internships in developing both technical and transferable skills such as communication, adaptability and problem solving. Such initiatives reflect a wider industry view that structured work experience is an increasingly important component of graduate readiness.
A Growing Expectation Among Students
The emphasis on internships reflects a broader shift in student priorities. As employment outcomes become more closely tied to educational choices, students are seeking clearer pathways from classroom learning to career opportunities.
With Graduate Employment Survey data pointing to a more competitive hiring environment, institutions that provide strong access to internships and industry engagement are likely to play a more significant role in shaping graduate success.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About SIM Global Education
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes with some of the world’s most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE’s cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE’s holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg
By Saifur Rahman The total value of 139.55 million payments through UAE FTS and ICCS last year exceeded Dh25.9 trillion (US$7.06 trillion), according to the UAE Central Bank. This includes the processing of 23.78 million physical cheques valued at Dh1.5 trillion through the UAE Central Bank’s Image Cheque Clearing System (ICCS) in 2025. A large chunk of these payments are linked to sale and purchase transactions by […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Saudi Arabia, Russia and five other Opec+ producers agreed on Sunday to raise their collective oil production quota by 188,000 barrels per day from June, pressing ahead with a planned supply increase despite severe disruption to Gulf exports and the UAE’s exit from the alliance. The decision was taken at a virtual meeting of Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman, […]
Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 has won Best Game at the BIG Festival Awards during Gamescom Latam 2026, strengthening Sandfall Interactive’s claim to one of the most striking debut successes in modern role-playing games. The French studio’s title also took Best Sound at the São Paulo ceremony, giving it two honours at a festival that has become a major showcase for Latin American and international game development. The […]
Apple’s March-quarter sales climbed sharply as demand for the iPhone 17 line helped the company deliver its strongest quarterly revenue growth in more than four years, easing investor anxiety over a slower consumer electronics market and its uneven progress in artificial intelligence. The Cupertino-based group reported revenue of $111.2 billion for the fiscal second quarter ended March 28, up 17 per cent from a year earlier. Diluted […]
Matein Khalid As the world’s leading trading power, China’s vast export engine fuelled a $1.2 trillion current account surplus in 2025. At the same time, it is the largest importer of crude oil globally, with around 40 percent sourced from the Middle East. This exposure gives Beijing a clear stake in Gulf stability – prioritising secure maritime transit through energy chokepoints and uninterrupted access to the GCC’s trillion-dollar development […]
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 May 2026 – Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), led the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA, along with Thai Union Group PCL, Mahidol University, and leading corporate partners including Thai Beverage PLC, Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., and new partner Foodland Ventures from Taiwan, to launch “SPACE-F Year 7”. This is Thailand’s first global foodtech startup incubator and accelerator program, continuing the success of solving food industry challenges through sustainable innovation.
SPACE-F Batch 7
Prof. Dr. Yodchanan spoke about elevating “SPACE-F Batch 7” to the policy level and building awareness, stating that MHESI aims to present food innovation products from the startups in this batch at the upcoming Cabinet meeting. This will allow the Prime Minister to taste them, raising awareness that FoodTech is the nation’s new future. The products will be presented to the Cabinet in the next two weeks.
Regarding the core concept of combining technology with “Thai taste,” Prof. Dr. Yodchanan emphasized that no matter how advanced the technology is, it must maintain the “Nice taste of Thailand.” He cited a “high-tech omelet” he previously tasted as an example, noting that there is still room for improvement to make it taste closer to an authentic Thai omelet so that the technology can truly win over consumers’ hearts.
The MHESI Minister continued that regarding food innovation under the Wellness Economy, this year focuses on using the Wellness Economy as a New Growth Engine. This is not limited strictly to food but includes AI, ICT, and software, aiming to push Thailand into a global Wellness Tourism Hub with support from the BOI in connecting investment opportunities.
Prof. Dr. Yodchanan further stated that regarding the use of biodiversity and quality ingredients (Biodiversity & GI), startups will be encouraged to utilize Thailand’s rich biodiversity and GI products as substitutes for imported raw materials. This will help reduce costs and create a unique identity.
“As for connecting the ‘Thinker’ with the ‘Doer,’ this program emphasizes linking startups with large industrial corporations and investors. This helps startups in the Accelerator group advance toward Series A or B funding, while helping the Incubator group learn business and pitching experiences from their seniors to cross the business ‘Death Valley.’ Furthermore, regarding food and nutrition security in the era of war: in the current global conditions facing wartime situations, Food Security and Nutrition Security are vital. This program is an opportunity for startups to create innovations that help solve problems for the whole world, with the government working closely with SPACE-F to create new services and products,” the MHESI Minister said.
However, “SPACE-F Batch 7” features 20 participating startups from 10 countries, focusing on the Proof of Concept (POC) strategy to ensure they can tangibly grow toward commercialization on an international scale.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that NIA aims to strengthen the potential of startups and innovative entrepreneurs to overcome business crises and grow commercially in a tangible way. Over the past 6 years, the SPACE-F program has concretely reinforced its role as a regional food innovation hub by incubating and accelerating over 100 startups from 18 countries worldwide, generating a total funding value of over 5.1 billion THB. For the SPACE-F Year 7 program, it marks another major milestone of leapfrog growth, setting a new international record with an all-time high of 204 applicants, continuously increasing from 156 in Cohort 6 and 148 in Cohort 2, reflecting the confidence of global startups in the program’s potential. Concurrently, the program has significantly expanded its international reach, with applicants from 57 countries worldwide, up from 34 countries in the previous cohort, affirming that SPACE-F is a truly global platform connecting and driving world food innovation.
“The SPACE-F program is considered a vital mechanism in driving the development of a strong and comprehensive foodtech startup ecosystem by systematically connecting knowledge, technology, and the industrial sector together. Particularly, it provides opportunities for startups to co-develop and test real products (Proof of Concept: POC) with large corporate partners, as well as access expert networks and world-class infrastructure. This includes testing protein innovations focused on appearance, freshness, and taste with Thai Union; developing modern health and nutrition solutions with ThaiBev and Nestlé; utilizing deep-tech research laboratories from Mahidol University; and enhancing fundraising capabilities from Foodland Ventures, which plays a crucial role in reducing business risks and effectively increasing the chances of commercialization. For SPACE-F Year 7, it aims to elevate startup development through 2 main programs: the Incubator Program, which focuses on laying business foundations and developing prototypes into market-ready products, and the Accelerator Program, which focuses on accelerating business expansion through connections with strategic partners and investors. This covers 7 key areas of the food industry: 1) Personalized Nutrition, 2) Future Protein, 3) Circular Food Systems, 4) Smart Manufacturing, 5) Sustainable Production, 6) Food Safety, and 7) Novel Consumer Experience, to build high-potential startups capable of developing quality new products that directly meet market demands, ready to compete and grow sustainably on the global stage.”
Ms. Sirichit Jiraruangkiat, Senior Director – Group Innovation at Thai Union Group PCL, revealed, “As a co-founding partner of the SPACE-F program, Thai Union Group PCL continues to drive the development of Thailand’s foodtech startup ecosystem. We aim to support breakthrough growth by promoting the development and testing of innovations at the industrial level, particularly through the Proof of Concept (POC) process, to elevate the standards of future protein products to compete internationally. Thai Union prioritizes the application of modern food production and preservation technologies, covering everything from maintaining product quality and freshness and developing appealing appearances to sensory research to create textures and flavors that effectively meet the demands of global consumers. Simultaneously, the SPACE-F program remains committed to a ‘No Equity Taken’ approach, allowing startups to retain full ownership of their innovations, maintain business agility, and grow independently and sustainably in the long term.”
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pasit Pakawatpanurut, Deputy Dean for Research and Innovation, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, further added, “With expertise in food science, nutrition, biotechnology, and related fields, Mahidol University serves as an academic powerhouse and innovation infrastructure, providing startups with access to advanced laboratories, pilot plants, and modern research equipment. They also receive in-depth consultation from a team of expert researchers to successfully transition research into products that truly meet global market demands (Lab-to-Market). This collaboration is therefore a key mechanism in driving sustainable food innovation and enhancing Thailand’s competitiveness as a global foodtech hub. Mahidol University’s involvement in the SPACE-F program also plays a vital role in strengthening the country’s foodtech startup ecosystem in the long run.”
In addition, another key partner is Thai Beverage Public Company Limited, which places great importance on continuous research and development, believing it to be essential for startups. As a sponsor of the SPACE-F program, they are pleased to be part of an ecosystem that enhances the potential of foodtech startups and provides business and technological guidance to help startups discover solutions that truly meet the needs of the global food market.
Ms. Jenica Conde Cruz, Business Manager – Cereal Partners Worldwide & Incubator at Nestlé (Thai) Ltd., also stated, “Nestlé, a global leader in food and beverages, plays a vital role as a strategic partner of the SPACE-F program. We aim to elevate foodtech startups through the transfer of Research & Development (R&D) knowledge and product development experience under the ‘Good food, Good life’ concept. Nestlé also provides in-depth consultation to support the development of products that meet Nutrition, Health, and Wellness needs, while promoting the use of innovation to tackle global food industry challenges. In parallel, Nestlé also drives the development of innovations that align with sustainability goals by opening opportunities for startups to learn together with experts from our global research center network, in areas of food preservation technology, eco-friendly packaging, and responsible sourcing.”
Victor Chen, CEO of Foodland Ventures Co. closed with, “Foodland Ventures, a leading Venture Capital firm and Accelerator from Taiwan, has joined as a strategic partner in the SPACE-F program to push foodtech startups to expand their businesses into international markets. We aim to act as a bridge connecting innovation from Taiwan with food industry networks in Thailand and Southeast Asia. With expertise in key technologies such as Restaurant Automation, Alternative Protein, and Smart Supply Chain, Foodland Ventures is ready to support startups through access to the Taiwanese market and resources, providing investment and business strategy consultation, and connecting them with the industrial sector to test solutions in real-world environments. This collaboration marks a significant step in building a ‘FoodTech Corridor’ between Thailand and Taiwan to elevate startup potential and drive the food industry toward a sustainable global future.”
The “SPACE-F Year 7” program also introduced 20 startups from 10 countries worldwide: South Korea, Spain, Canada, USA/Argentina, Australia, Singapore, UK, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, and Thailand, selected for this year’s program. All will have the opportunity to co-develop and test real innovations with leading industry partners, covering product development, industrial-level testing, and commercialization in the real market
Such collaboration is a key highlight of the program, providing startups the opportunity to test technology and innovations in real-world environments, reducing development limitations, and increasing the chances of creating business models that accurately meet market demands.
10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Accelerator Program
Terra Bioindustries Inc (Canada): Upcycles agricultural and food industry waste into high-value ingredients such as sugar, protein, and fiber for use in the food, biotech, and chemical industries.
Nucaps (Spain): Develops functional protein ingredients using microencapsulation technology to wrap active substances and probiotics, enhancing nutritional value, reducing costs, and improving taste to effectively promote consumer health.
BeNatureBioLab (South Korea): Develops functional ingredients using nano and microencapsulation technology from natural proteins to wrap active substances and probiotics, increasing the stability, absorption, and efficiency of substances in food, supplements, and health products.
Kinava (South Korea): Converts food waste into biofertilizer, biochar, and biogas within hours using HydroThermal Carbonization (HTC) technology, which reduces odor, energy use, and emissions.
ComexSoft (Spain): A near real-time market intelligence platform that collects and organizes retail data, matching similar products specifically developed for accurate decision-making.
PROTINOS (Thailand): High-protein noodles made from egg whites and soybeans containing complete essential amino acids, created using enzyme incubation techniques, serving as food to help care for and protect health.
SicPama (South Korea): A QR ordering and payment platform with a CRM system that links social media with actual service usage and repeat visits, helping restaurants measure returns and increase revenue.
Nourish Ingredients (Australia): High-performance animal-free fats created via precision fermentation to solve the taste and texture issues of plant-based alternative foods by mimicking the key fats found in meat and dairy products.
Kresko RNAtech (USA/Argentina): Nutrients from biological RNA found in natural foods, developed by AI and biotechnology to be more stable and better absorbed, for use in dietary supplements and health products.
Agrifreeze (Singapore): Develops freezing technology using Electromagnetic Fields (EMF) to control the formation of small ice crystals, reducing food damage and maintaining quality close to fresh products.
10 FoodTech Startups Joining the Incubator Program
Eatwellconcept (Thailand): An AI-powered personalized therapeutic diet platform for NCD patients, offering real-time nutritional guidance by dietitians to improve health and quality of life.
AmaranthLab (UK): Protein ingredients from amaranth for GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) nutrition to control blood sugar levels and satiety, for use in various functional food products.
Openfarming (Saudi Arabia): An AI operating system for food distributors that converts orders from multiple channels into real-time data, enabling automated demand forecasting and dynamic inventory management without changing existing workflows.
Zuppar Reborn (Thailand): Biodegradable fruit and bakery stickers made from pineapple waste, replacing plastic labels with an alternative that can decompose into fertilizer.
VeriPura (Thailand/Singapore): An AI and Blockchain platform for automated document management and product traceability, making food exports to Europe easier and more compliant with regulations (EU).
YiXingYuan (Taiwan): A modular small-scale fruit processing factory (Factory-in-a-box) utilizing High Voltage Electric Field (HVEF) technology to process fruits directly at the source, preserving product quality while reducing energy use, costs, and spoilage.
JOLA (Thailand): Vitamin-infused jelly pet food that develops DIY treat products, such as jellies for dogs and cats, focusing on natural ingredients, good nutrition, and creating a shared experience between owners and pets.
UPLI (UK): A precision fermentation platform to create functional proteins with characteristics similar to human breast milk, used to increase nutritional value in food at an industrial scale.
Emerald Plast (Thailand): Biodegradable food materials and packaging made from starch and bioplastics to replace traditional plastics, reducing environmental impact and enhancing sustainability image.
Squizify (Thailand): A digital food safety platform integrating software and IoT devices to automatically track, monitor, and manage food business standards, complete with real-time data analysis.
NEGERI SEMBILAN, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 May 2026 – Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) has formalised a strategic collaboration with MILA University through the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA), marking a significant step in enhancing academic progression pathways for students.
This partnership reflects a shared commitment to supporting diploma graduates in continuing their studies at degree level, while ensuring a smoother and more structured transition into higher education.
A Strategic Collaboration for Student Progression
The agreement was formalised by Dr. Chua Ping Yong, Chief Executive Officer of MCKL, and Mr. Cao Qi, Deputy Chief Executive Officer of MILA University, in the presence of representatives from both institutions.
Through this collaboration, a clear articulation pathway is established for MCKL students to continue their academic journey at MILA University, enabling a smoother transition into undergraduate studies with greater confidence and direction.
Expanding Opportunities Through Articulation Pathways
As part of this collaboration, students from selected MCKL diploma programmes have the opportunity to progress into MILA University’s bachelor’s degree programmes in Computer Science and Business Management.
The pathway covers diploma fields such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Digital Business, Digital Marketing, and Financial Technology, ensuring that students from diverse academic backgrounds have access to relevant progression pathways.
Strengthening Industry-Relevant Education Through Collaboration
Beyond academic progression, this collaboration underscores a mutual commitment to delivering industry-relevant education that equips students with practical skills and real-world competencies. By aligning curriculum pathways and fostering closer engagement between both institutions, MCKL and MILA University aim to ensure that graduates are not only academically prepared but also adaptable to evolving industry demands. This partnership creates opportunities for enhanced learning experiences, bridging the gap between classroom knowledge and professional application, and ultimately empowering students to thrive in a competitive global workforce.
For over four decades, MCKL has built a strong reputation for nurturing students who not only excel academically but also develop the values, character, and critical thinking skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world. With a student-centred approach, the college emphasises holistic education, balancing academic rigour with personal growth, leadership development, and community engagement, so that graduates are well-prepared for both university and life beyond the classroom.
MCKL provides prospective students and parents with valuable opportunities to explore its diverse programmes, interact with lecturers, and gain insights into campus life and progression pathways. Whether students are seeking a strong academic foundation, clear progression routes, or a supportive learning environment, MCKL continues to position itself as a trusted launchpad for future success. To learn more, visit mckl.edu.my or connect with the MCKL team at upcoming events.
Original Source: MILA University Original Article: MILA University Strengthens Academic Pathways Through Collaboration with MCKL Website: https://www.mila.edu.my
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL)
Methodist College Kuala Lumpur (MCKL) was founded by the Methodist Council of Education in 1983, its campus sitting in the heart of Kuala Lumpur and branch campus in Pykett, Penang, known as the MCKL College (Penang, Pykett Campus). MCKL is now an QA Approved Centre delivering Advanced Diplomas focusing on Business and Computing: Software Development. It also offers programmes in the pre-university pathway for subjects including Cambridge A-Level, Australian Matriculation; the American Degree Transfer, Diploma courses Digital Business, Digital Marketing, IT (Internet of Things Focused), Computer Science (data science focused), Early Childhood Education, Social Work, and Financial Technology. Over the years, MCKL has been highly recognised for its track record and gold standard achievements of its pre-university programmes and its overseas degree pathways.
Oil at $80 would once have been considered elevated. Now it would be interpreted as stability, and that shift alone reveals how fundamentally the market has changed. Brent crude moving beyond $120 this week is widely being described as a spike driven by geopolitical tension. That interpretation is too narrow. Price action reflects something deeper and more consequential: a structural reset in how energy is priced, traded, […]
Tehran has sharpened its confrontation with Washington and Gulf shipping powers after Mojtaba Khamenei declared that the Strait of Hormuz would be “managed by new rules”, signalling Iran’s intention to tighten political and operational control over the world’s most sensitive energy corridor. Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader and the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said the waterway would no longer be treated as a passage subject […]
Attackers are shifting credential theft campaigns towards QR codes, fake CAPTCHA pages and ClickFix-style prompts, turning familiar security checks into tools for large-scale account compromise. Fresh threat telemetry for the first quarter of 2026 shows email-based phishing remains vast in scale, with about 8.3 billion threats detected between January and March. Although monthly volumes eased from 2.9 billion in January to 2.6 billion in March, the composition […]
Japan’s yen rallied sharply against the dollar on Friday as traders braced for further official action from Tokyo after suspected currency intervention jolted global markets during a packed week of central bank decisions.
The dollar fell to around 155.60 yen at one point in London trading, before recovering part of the move to trade near 156.40. The rebound in the yen followed a dramatic reversal on Thursday, when the Japanese currency strengthened by about 3 per cent after the dollar briefly climbed above 160 yen, a level widely viewed in markets as politically sensitive for Tokyo.
Japan’s top currency official Atsushi Mimura said authorities remained concerned about speculative moves and were watching markets closely. Finance Minister Satsuki Katayama had already warned that Tokyo was ready to take decisive action if currency movements became disorderly. The comments reinforced market expectations that further intervention could follow, particularly during Japan’s Golden Week holiday period, when thinner trading conditions can magnify exchange-rate swings.
Bank of Japan money-market data suggested authorities may have spent about 5.48 trillion yen, or roughly $35 billion, to support the currency on Thursday. The scale would be close to the size of Japan’s July 2024 intervention, when authorities moved after the yen weakened to a 38-year low near 162 per dollar. Tokyo typically does not confirm intervention immediately, preferring to disclose monthly figures later, but unusually large projected fund flows at the central bank often provide an early signal of official activity.
The pressure on the yen has been building for months as the interest-rate gap between Japan and the United States remains wide. The Bank of Japan kept its policy rate at around 0.75 per cent this week, although three board members dissented and argued for a rise to 1 per cent. That split underlined growing concern inside the central bank that imported inflation, higher energy costs and yen weakness could feed into domestic prices.
The Federal Reserve also left rates unchanged, keeping its target range at 3.5 to 3.75 per cent. The gap between US and Japanese yields continues to encourage carry trades, in which investors borrow cheaply in yen and invest in higher-yielding dollar assets. Such positioning has made the yen vulnerable whenever markets believe Tokyo’s warnings lack force.
The intervention threat gained urgency after oil prices climbed on concerns over disruption linked to the Iran conflict and risks around the Strait of Hormuz. Japan, heavily dependent on imported energy, faces a double blow from higher crude prices and a weaker currency, which raises the local cost of fuel, food and raw materials. That dynamic complicates the Bank of Japan’s effort to normalise policy gradually without damaging a fragile recovery.
The broader central bank backdrop added to volatility. The European Central Bank kept its deposit rate at 2 per cent while signalling that inflation risks had intensified. The Bank of England held Bank Rate at 3.75 per cent in an 8-1 vote, with one policymaker favouring an increase. Across major economies, policymakers are balancing weaker growth signals against renewed price pressures from energy and supply disruptions.
Currency traders said Japan’s challenge is that intervention can slow a slide but rarely reverses a trend unless supported by monetary policy or a shift in global rates. A one-off operation may force investors to cut speculative positions, but renewed dollar strength can quickly restore pressure on the yen if US yields remain elevated and the Bank of Japan moves cautiously.
The timing of the suspected intervention was also significant. With European markets partly thinned by the May Day holiday and Japan heading into an extended holiday stretch, liquidity conditions were expected to remain fragile. Authorities have often chosen moments of thin trading to maximise the impact of currency operations, but such moves also increase the risk of sudden reversals when full market participation returns.
For households and companies in Japan, the exchange-rate battle has direct economic consequences. A weaker yen benefits exporters by raising the value of overseas earnings, but it also lifts import bills and squeezes consumers through higher costs. Large manufacturers have been able to absorb some of the pressure, while smaller businesses reliant on imported inputs face tighter margins.
By Dr. Gyan Pathak The theme of May Day 2026 focuses on “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment” which reminds us how the working environment has deteriorated in recent times. In India, the recent workers unrests in April in Noida and the states in the National Capital Regions, show it. Protesting workers demanded chiefly two […]
Wireshark has issued version 4.6.5 after a large batch of security flaws was identified across its packet dissection engine, protocol parsers and file-handling components, underscoring the risk faced by administrators and security teams using the tool to inspect untrusted network traffic. The release fixes more than 40 vulnerabilities, including several flaws that may allow arbitrary code execution when malformed packets, crafted trace files or malicious configuration profiles […]
Australia’s data centre industry is moving from rapid expansion to sharper scrutiny as new forecasting shows a widening gap between announced projects and capacity likely to be delivered by 2030. A joint market intelligence initiative by Data Centres Australia and DC Byte has put operational IT capacity at about 1.4 gigawatts at the end of 2025, with the market projected to reach 3.1GW to 3.2GW by 2030. […]
The current trend creates increased demand for tangible assets which provide investors with actual possession and permanent worth. The market has started to recognize rare diamonds as a valuable investment option. The current financial climate presents traders with an attractive investment opportunity through diamonds because their limited supply and high fundamental value create a trading asset that operates outside normal banking systems. The main advantage of rare […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Samsung Electronics has signalled plans to expand its wearable device ambitions into AI glasses, even as it warned that a deepening global memory shortage could intensify through 2027 and raise costs across consumer electronics, servers and mobile devices. The remarks came during the company’s first-quarter 2026 earnings call, where executives linked the squeeze in RAM and storage supply to the rapid build-out of […]
A fake video meeting can now be enough to breach a Web3 company, with North Korea-linked BlueNoroff hackers using bogus Zoom calls, clipboard tricks and fileless PowerShell malware to steal credentials from cryptocurrency targets across multiple countries. The campaign marks a sharper turn in social engineering against the digital assets sector, where attackers are no longer relying only on malicious attachments or crude phishing pages. Instead, they […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – AI for Global Civilization: China-Singapore Dialogue was held in Singapore on April 28. The event gathered around 100 participants, including experts, scholars, and representatives from Chinese and Singaporean academic institutions, cultural organizations, as well as technology and cultural enterprises. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on China-Singapore digital industry cooperation and how digital and intelligent technologies empower inter-civilizational mutual learning. They also jointly showcased innovative achievements and frontier practices of both sides in the integrated field of culture and technology.
Event Highlights
Opening remarks were delivered by Yuan Lin, Executive Assistant to the President of the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, and Wang Donghai, Associate Director of NUS Enterprise. Keynote speeches were delivered by Cai Yiyu, Professor at Nanyang Technological University; Director of the Computer-Aided Engineering Labs and The Strategic Research Program on Virtual Reality; Co-President of Association of Global Technomics Education and Exchange; Cui Kai, Director of the Digital Culture Promotion Department, Center for International Cultural Communication, China International Communications Group (CICG); and Yang Jianwei, Visiting Professor at the National University of Singapore.
Yuan Lin stated that the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology has injected new momentum into China-Singapore cultural exchanges. He stressed the importance of innovating cultural expression forms empowered by digital intelligence, upholding a correct value orientation in technological application, deepening people-to-people exchanges enabled by smart technologies, and actively exploring the profound value of intelligent technologies in advancing cross-cultural understanding.
Wang Donghai pointed out that it is essential to prioritize the integration of technological applications with social needs. Leveraging cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence to build bridges for civilizational exchange helps enhance cross-cultural understanding, enabling technology to better serve humanity and drive social progress.
Cai Yiyu noted that Singapore is forging ahead in cutting-edge fields including semiconductors, aerospace and artificial intelligence, opening up broad prospects for bilateral cooperation between China and Singapore. He emphasized that digital and intelligent technologies can be harnessed to revitalize and inherit traditional culture via youthful, trendy formats, thereby further deepening scientific, technological and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
Cui Kai stated that intelligent imaging technology is profoundly reshaping the logic of cross-cultural narrative. Digital content creation is not merely about keeping pace with technological advancement; more importantly, it should take emotional resonance as the bond to break down cultural barriers, foster in-depth empathy, mutual learning and appreciation among global civilizations, and enable more outstanding civilizational achievements to be seen, understood and respected worldwide.
Yang Jianwei noted that artificial intelligence is becoming an important vehicle for inter-civilizational mutual learning, while cultural differences remain a core obstacle to cross-cultural communication. He advocated for the innovative and rational use of artificial intelligence in the future to eliminate prejudices and enhance civilizational understanding through technological power.
In the Case Sharing Session, guest speakers included Lisa Meng, Head of Singapore of Tencent Cloud International; Koh Chin Yee, Managing Director of Singapore Eye; Bai Yu, Director and Partner of LAiPIC; Hu Chengchen, Founder & CEO of ClariPpi (Singapore); Jane Zhao, SVP and Head of Global Business at Mininglamp Technology; and Jerry Tuo, AI Technology Director of Red Fun Planet. They delivered insightful presentations on the application prospects of artificial intelligence in content production as well as inter-civilizational mutual learning and exchange.
The participating guests agreed that artificial intelligence has brought revolutionary changes to the intelligent production, targeted communication and immersive presentation of cultural content. China and Singapore boast strong complementarity in digital infrastructure and cultural resources. Going forward, the two sides may deepen cooperation in joint research and development and scenario-based application, develop benchmark cultural-technology products and integrated solutions tailored for Southeast Asia, and jointly advance the high-quality development of the digital cultural industry.
This event was jointly hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the Center for International Cultural Communication,CICG, with Nanyang Technological University and other cultural and business exchange institutions participating as supporting partners.
Hashtag: #ACCWS
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
By Nitya Chakraborty Just two weeks before the scheduled summit of U.S President Donald Trump with the Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on May 14-15, the report of the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) on the status of AI related applications, has unnerved the U.S. administration as the latest Chinese supremacy in robot related […]
With Leisure Plus, Redefining Hong Kong’s Bathroom Experience Through AI Smart Toilets and Bathroom Cabinets for a New Era of Intelligent Living
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – As urban life in Hong Kong places growing emphasis on efficiency, health and space utilisation, a truly future-facing bathroom brand has officially arrived. Leisure Plus Building Products Company Limited, which has been rooted in Hong Kong for nearly three decades, has officially announced its appointment as the Hong Kong sole agent for global bathroom leader JOMOO. Together, the two companies are bringing world-renowned premium smart bathroom products to the Hong Kong market, using JOMOO’s leading AI-powered digital technology to deliver innovative bathroom solutions tailored to the city’s unique living environment. This partnership not only marks the arrival of a heavyweight international brand in Hong Kong’s bathroom market, but also signals a new AI-driven era for local homes and commercial spaces.
For Hong Kong people, the bathroom has never been a purely functional space. Within a limited footprint, it carries cleansing, grooming, care, storage, and the rhythm of how each day begins and ends. Space is compact, humidity is high, storage must be efficient, and expectations for the user experience keep rising. JOMOO’s arrival in Hong Kong answers the city’s pursuit of efficiency, comfort, health and aesthetics with world-leading AI bathroom technology. The brand is also introducing several smart toilets and innovative bathroom mirror cabinets for their Hong Kong debut, showing how bathroom AI can move from concept into daily life and become a real part of improving everyday living.
Leisure Plus Building Products said: “Bringing JOMOO to Hong Kong reflects Leisure Plus’s deep insight into the future of living. We see Hong Kong’s premium bathroom market moving beyond traditional hardware into a new stage that combines smart technology, health management, space integration and sensory experience. By partnering with JOMOO, Leisure Plus is bringing globally leading AI smart bathroom technology to Hong Kong, not only adding an international-calibre brand to the market, but also redefining daily life through technology, enabling the bathroom to evolve from a single-function space into a core living space that delivers comfort, efficiency and wellness value.”
JOMOO: Reshaping the Bathroom Experience with AI and Unrivalled Global Leadership
Founded in 1990, JOMOO has long ranked No.1 in China’s bathroom industry and among the world’s top three. With technology-driven bathroom living at its core, the brand combines R&D, intelligent manufacturing and innovative design, and is committed to redefining premium living through AI. As the pioneer behind the “AI BATH” scene-based brand, JOMOO breaks away from conventional product thinking with pioneering motorised flip-and-discharge cleansing technology that significantly improves performance while achieving library-level quietness. Combined with AI robotic self-cleaning and contact-free health sensing technologies, it deeply integrates artificial intelligence, biosensing and everyday bathroom use, delivering more proactive and thoughtful health support for users.
In this high-profile move into Hong Kong, JOMOO is guided by the strategy “Tech Bathroom, Global JOMOO”, bringing not only products but also a lifestyle upgrade powered by AI. Tailored to Hong Kong’s compact and humid living environment, the brand offers smart, space-saving and health-enhancing bathroom solutions, helping lift the overall standard of bathroom living in the city.
From Smart Toilets to Bathroom Cabinets: A Powerful New AI Bathroom Lineup Arrives in Hong Kong
G06 and G08 Smart Digital Toilets
In Hong Kong’s space-constrained homes, bathroom spaces often face multiple challenges, including limited room, humidity and restricted functionality. Tailored specifically for Hong Kong homes, JOMOO is introducing two flagship smart toilets and one smart bathroom cabinet that use AI-powered digital technology to resolve the tension between space and functionality in one stroke, bringing consumers a world-leading premium smart bathroom experience. The G06 Smart Digital Toilet is an entry choice that balances intelligence, comfort and practicality, while the G08 Smart Digital Toilet comes with an upgraded digital display and a more comprehensive smart feature set, taking comfort, convenience and technology to a new level.
To address the common problem of compact bathrooms in Hong Kong, both products are equipped with features such as “triple foot-sensing control”, “smart wireless control” and “auto-flush on departure”. Users do not need to twist sideways or make unnecessary movements, and can enjoy a freer, smoother toilet experience even in narrower bathroom spaces. With an IPX4 water-resistance rating, the products also handle Hong Kong’s humid environment with ease, delivering reassurance and durability in everyday use.
Product highlights: – Triple foot-sensing control with automatic lid opening for elegant use even in narrow spaces – AI smart temperature sensing and adjustment for lasting comfort – High-definition digital display showing water and seat temperature at a glance – Multiple cleansing modes with antibacterial nozzle and warm-air drying system – Soft-glow night light and backup flushing during power outages – IPX4 high-efficiency water resistance for humid environments
Pricing: – G06 Smart Digital Toilet: Original price HK$5,980; promotional price HK$4,980
– G08 Smart Digital Toilet: Original price HK$8,580; promotional price HK$5,980
Revolutionary Smart Bathroom Cabinet: VERA Jinci Series
Addressing the core issue of limited bathroom space in Hong Kong’s mainstream residential developments, JOMOO will soon launch the suspended VERA Jinci Series Smart Bathroom Cabinet. Powered by AI technology, it integrates three major functions – beauty-product preservation, dedicated wash care, and smart mirror features – so that every inch of space delivers greater value and daily routines become more precise, smoother and more relaxed, completely reinventing the bathroom experience.
Product highlights: – 998x532x1900mm suspended golden-ratio structure with zero hygiene blind spots – Built-in cosmetics fridge with AI-controlled constant temperature and humidity for skincare freshness – Built-in 0.8kg mini drum washer with six cleansing modes tailored for small items – Mirror with touch-control natural-light ambience and one-touch defogging – High colour-rendering mirror for true-to-tone makeup application – Moisture-resistant eco solid-wood body suited to Hong Kong’s maritime climate
The VERA Jinci Series Smart Bathroom Cabinet is scheduled to officially launch in Hong Kong in mid-2026. Consumers will be able to experience its intelligent features firsthand at JOMOO’s Hong Kong experience store. (Price to be announced)
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Leisure Plus Building Products Company Limited
Established in 1997, Leisure Plus specialises in building products and design solutions for developers, architects and designers. Its services cover the supply of bathroom and kitchen equipment, design consultancy, logistics, technical support and installation. Since entering Mainland China in 2003, the company has established subsidiaries in Shanghai and Hubei and participated in a number of landmark projects, including Vanke Zhongxing Road No.1, Shanghai Sheshan Shimao InterContinental Hotel and Wuhan Tianhe Airport Terminal 3. This sole-agency partnership with JOMOO reflects Leisure Plus’s forward-looking vision: embracing the smart home wave, understanding Hong Kong people’s living needs, and combining its extensive project experience with world-class smart bathroom technology to further enhance living quality and health experiences. (Website: https://leisureplushk.com/)
About JOMOO
Founded in 1990, JOMOO is an international fully integrated enterprise centred on smart digital bathroom solutions, firmly holding a leading global position as “No.1 in China, Top 3 in the World”. The brand has been jointly certified by Frost & Sullivan and Euromonitor as both the “World’s No.1 Smart Toilet Brand by Sales Volume” and the “No.1 Smart Toilet Brand in China”. It operates 16 R&D centres and 15 green lights-out factories worldwide, has accumulated more than 20,000 patents, and invests over 10% of annual sales revenue in R&D, continuously driving the intelligent transformation of the global bathroom industry. Its design strength has earned repeated international recognition, including the Red Dot: Best of the Best and the iF Design Award. JOMOO products are sold in more than 120 countries and regions and are installed in over 300 global landmark projects, including Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, Burj Al Arab Dubai, The Peninsula Hong Kong and Beijing National Stadium (Bird’s Nest). JOMOO’s arrival in Hong Kong not only expands its global footprint, but also brings the market a new bathroom benchmark defined by technology, scenario-driven design and premium lifestyle quality. (Website: https://www.ejomoo.com.hk/)
Porsche Design Tower Bangkok has intensified competition in Southeast Asia’s branded residence market after being presented to global yacht collectors at the Singapore Yachting Festival 2026 as a limited-edition property aimed at ultra-high-net-worth buyers seeking design pedigree, privacy and collectible real estate.
The 21-storey tower, rising 95 metres on Sukhumvit 38 in Bangkok’s Thonglor district, is being developed through a collaboration between Porsche Design and Ananda Development. It is the first Porsche Design Tower in Asia and the third worldwide after projects linked to Miami and Stuttgart, placing Bangkok within a small group of cities being used by luxury lifestyle brands to extend their reach beyond products and into residential property.
The project will comprise only 22 duplex and quadplex Sky Villas, with residences ranging from about 525 to 1,135 square metres. Prices have been positioned from about $15 million to $40 million, making the development one of the most expensive residential offerings in Thailand’s capital. Construction is scheduled to begin before completion targeted for the end of 2028, while the show suite in Bangkok is available by private appointment.
The presentation in Singapore marked a sharper effort to reach buyers whose interests overlap with luxury mobility, yachting, design and private collections. Rather than selling the tower as a conventional condominium, the marketing places it in the category of a scarce lifestyle asset. That approach reflects a wider shift in luxury property, where affluent buyers are increasingly drawn to homes that combine brand identity, service standards, security and membership-like exclusivity.
A defining feature of the Bangkok tower is the “Passion Space” concept, a private garage and display area attached to each residence. These spaces are designed for car collections, private gatherings or personal pursuits, and are accessed through a central spiral car ramp known as “The Loop”. The arrangement gives the building its most distinctive automotive link, turning the owner’s vehicle collection into part of the residential experience rather than a separate amenity.
The tower’s design also draws on Porsche cues. Its automated terrace system is inspired by the movement of the Porsche 911 Targa roof, while the exposed “X-Frame” structure takes references from the Mission R concept car. A lit crown at the top of the building is intended to create a night-time signature on Bangkok’s skyline. The interior proposition includes private lifts, large entertainment areas, wellness zones, pools and high-end kitchen and bathroom fittings.
Chanond Ruangkritya, president and chief executive of Ananda Development, has positioned the tower as a project that embeds Porsche’s design language into the structure rather than merely attaching a name to a luxury address. The developer is betting that a small pool of regional and international buyers will pay a premium for scarcity, brand association and the ability to personalise large-scale residences in a prime district.
Bangkok provides a strong setting for that strategy. Thonglor remains one of the capital’s most established luxury neighbourhoods, with restaurants, retail, wellness services and transport links that appeal to wealthy local residents, expatriates and regional buyers. The city has also become an important hub for branded residences, helped by tourism, medical services, international schools and its role as a base for high-net-worth families across Asia.
The project arrives as Thailand’s luxury property market shows a split trend. Mass-market condominium developers have faced weaker purchasing power, tighter lending and slower absorption, while the highest end of the market has remained more resilient because buyers are less dependent on mortgages. Limited freehold land in central Bangkok, rising construction costs and demand for larger, service-rich homes have supported pricing in prime locations.
The ultra-luxury segment, however, is not without risk. A 22-unit tower reduces supply pressure but also narrows the buyer base sharply. Sales depend on a small number of wealthy purchasers who must accept not only high upfront prices but also long-term maintenance costs associated with specialised amenities, private garages and brand-level service expectations. Foreign ownership limits for condominiums in Thailand also restrict the share available to non-Thai buyers.
Having led 100+ Hong Kong tech firms to SE Asia over the past year, accelerating global expansion through strategic collaboration
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation continues to deepen its innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration with Southeast Asia, actively playing an orchestrating role in supporting Hong Kong’s tech firms go global. HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Under the theme “Supercharging Innovation for Our Safer Tomorrow”, MTX 2026 is a strategic platform to advance business opportunities through government-backed collaboration. HKSTP showcased 10 park companies presenting breakthrough public safety solutions and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s TechX Ventures (TechX, a private subsidiary by the HTX – Home Team Science and Technology Agency of Singapore) — HKSTP’s first MoU signed with an organization in Southeast Asia — establishing a structured framework to advance cross-border innovation partnerships focused on practical applications in public safety.
HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Gladys Oon, Director of Partnerships and Account Management of HKSTP, officiated the opening of HKSTP Pavilion.
Singapore and Hong Kong share a substantive relationship, grounded in regular high-level engagement. These include the Prime Minister of Singapore’s official visit to Hong Kong last month, during which he met with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop). The I&T connection also features HKSTP-led delegations to Singapore platforms such as Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and SLINGSHOT 2025, etc. Over the past year, more than 100 HKSTP park companies explored Southeast Asian opportunities, securing over HK$25 million in confirmed business deals with additional potential contracts exceeding HK$20 million directly supported by HKSTP.
Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, HKSTP, said, “At HKSTP, we enable innovators to solve real public safety challenges where trust and demonstrated results matter most. Collaborating with TechX and Singapore’s Public Safety ecosystem gives ventures faster access to decision-makers, enables solution testing in operational environments, and supports scaling validated technologies across Asia.”
Eric Chua, Chief Executive Officer, TechX Ventures said: “SPINN District was designed to be more than a startup village — it is a proving ground where bold founders showcase innovations that matter. Seeing HKSTP’s park companies engage meaningfully with the global public safety ecosystem at MTX 2026 reflects exactly the kind of cross-border momentum we built this platform for. This MoU marks the beginning of something lasting: a structured pipeline that turns innovation into operational impact, as we work together to build a safer world.”
The collaboration between HKSTP and TechX is aimed to establish a comprehensive framework to identify, co-create, and validate operational public safety solutions. Under the partnership, HKSTP and its counterparts will move from identified needs to real deployment through annual solution scouting visits to Hong Kong Science Park, funding of around HK$600,000 (S$100,000) per company for proof-of-concept trials with Singapore Public Safety experts, and an ongoing exchange of challenges and insights. This demand-led model accelerates problem-solution fit and reinforces HKSTP’s leadership in regional safety technology collaboration.
The HKSTP Pavilion, themed “Hong Kong’s Technology for Public Safety and Security — Global Application and Global Impact,” featured 10 park companies showcasing solutions proven in deployments across Hong Kong enforcement departments, the Greater Bay Area, and Singapore-related projects. Cutting-edge public safety technologies were showcased across AI-Driven & Robotics, Network & Communications Infrastructure, and Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) & Low-altitude Economy (LAE). MTX is the largest public safety conference in Southeast Asia, the HKSTP pavilion is strategically positioned within the startup-centric SPINN District, effectively facilitated targeted engagements, secured curated matching opportunities with Singapore government agencies for each participating company, and advanced pilot projects and partnerships.
Park companies eSIX and Weitu AI participated in the signature global innovation challenge Dimension X Cohort 6 and the inaugural cohort of the In-Beta tech verification capability programme organized by Hatch, the innovation centre of Singapore’s HTX, achieving significant success. These companies were the only Hong Kong representatives selected for the programmes, underscoring the global competitiveness and real-world impact of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. eSIX, which delivers patented high-speed networking for Industrial IoT and 5G-enabled remote machine control, was awarded a place at Dimension X. The company received S$100,000 in prize money to complete a four-month proof-of-concept and was invited to showcase its solutions. Weitu AI, which provides world-leading multimodal video understanding for fast, accurate analysis across industries was awarded a place at In-Beta, received S$30,000 in prize money with opportunities to verify their promising tech through rapid experimentation and onsite demo.
Building on existing engagement across the region, HKSTP will continue to strengthen collaboration with regional partners, expand support for park companies, and promote technology‑driven solutions that enhance safety and resilience. The initiative reflects HKSTP’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustained innovation and regional cooperation.
Hashtag: #HKSTP
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), established in 2001, has built a thriving innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong, supporting 12 unicorns, nurturing over 17,000 research talents, and hosting more than 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions specializing in biomedicine, AI and robotics, fintech, and smart city development. HKSTP is dedicated to positioning Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.
To align with Hong Kong’s future development, HKSTP is committed to attracting and cultivating I&T talent, accelerating the commercialization of innovative outcomes, and providing comprehensive support for technology companies and professionals on their innovation journey. Its vibrant I&T ecosystem continues to grow, encompassing Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three InnoParks in Tai Po, Yuen Long, and Tseung Kwan O. These facilities drive advancements in applied technology, focusing on industries such as advanced manufacturing, micro- electronics, and biotechnology, steering Hong Kong toward new industrialization.
Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch, located in Futian, Shenzhen, leverages the strategic advantage of “support of the Motherland, connecting to the world.” It serves as a bridge for “bringing in and going global,” actively fostering cross-border I&T collaboration. The Shenzhen Branch supports global technology companies and professionals by providing research and collaboration spaces, with a focus on enterprises in seven key sectors: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech, and sustainable development.
HKSTP is dedicated to advancing Hong Kong’s I&T development by providing research infrastructure, startup and enterprise support services, professional investment and business expertise, fostering partnership networks, and attracting top talent. These efforts drive innovation as a new engine for economic growth for Hong Kong.
More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.
About TechX Ventures
TechX Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) that operates at the intersection of government mandate and entrepreneurial drive. TechX serves as the engine behind a thriving innovation ecosystem where cutting-edge science and technology are put to work protecting people.
At the heart of it, TechX is established to connect global innovators and partners in advancing public safety innovation. Guided by our Safer World philosophy — the belief that progress means nothing if it doesn’t safeguard public safety — TechX approaches safety not as a sector, but as a shared mission. This conviction shapes every partnership forged, every programme designed, and every measure of success. Safety, at TechX, is our purpose.
TechX delivers its mission through two core areas of expertise: to build and to connect. TechX designs and develops innovation initiatives and programmes alongside partners from across the globe, including flagship platforms such as HTX’s Innovation Centre, Hatch — a structured innovation centre that gives frontier deep-tech a clear pathway to validate and deploy solutions for real public safety challenges. TechX also bridges industry, startups, and government agencies into a global network, producing landmark events such as Millipol TechX, and bringing international communities like DEF CON® to Singapore for the first time.
With active partnerships spanning over 30 ecosystems globally — from Hong Kong to South Korea, and the United States, TechX sits at the heart of a growing worldwide alliance united by one ambition: Bringing Together a Safer World.
New strategy highlights synergy among Global Payment, Global Account and Inclusive and Embedded Finance services built on progress in AI and interoperability.
As a foundation to the business, Ant International’s global payment services support over 300 payment methods, including more than 10 national QR systems and 50 digital wallets and bank apps, and exceed 20 million daily transactions on average.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Ant International now connects over 150 million global merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts globally, the company disclosed at its flagship MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company’s global strategy for the era of AI commerce
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. The company now supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, 50 mobile payment partners and more than 10 national QR systems, including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s DuitNow, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Thailand’s PromptPay, Indonesia’s QRIS, Sri Lanka’s LankaPay, and more. It recently onboarded more leading global e-wallets and bank apps such as iFAST Global Bank from the UK, KBank and SCB from Thailand, barq from Saudi Arabia and ShopeePay from Southeast Asia.
With an average of over 20 million transactions daily, Ant International is building broader market reach through new licenses and partnerships in Asia, Latin America and EMEA. In Vietnam, it partners with NAPAS and Vietcombank to roll out cross-border QR payment service, and is also working with the Ho Chi Minh City government on the development of an international financial centre. In Latin America, it formed a strategic partnership with Mexican fintech company R2 in late 2025, supporting the expansion of SME lending across the region. In the Middle East, Ant International collaborates with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and national payment network mada, with plans to introduce Alipay+ cross-border QR payments in 2026. Its recent initiatives also include plans to roll out Islamic finance programs in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.
While serving businesses in their global expansion, Ant International also ranks in first place in terms of the number of global accounts it has been managing for businesses, particularly SMEs, engaged in cross-border commerce.
“New models of financial interoperability and AI commerce give us powerful tools to help global giants as well as mom-and-pop shops to increase resilience and expand revenue streams,” said Peng Yang, CEO, Ant International. “A broader and deeper network means we can work with more partners on more levels to deliver more innovative, trusted, and high ROI fintech solutions in the world’s fastest growing markets.”
Layered solutions for enterprises, SMEs and emerging markets to achieve inclusive growth
Yang underlined a strategy to combine the forces of its four main businesses – Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst – to offer more connected growth solutions for businesses of all sizes.
Global payment: Making payments a growth engine for businesses of all sizes to thrive in the global digital economy.
Global account: Enabling AI-powered borderless global accounts for businesses of all sizes, and serving as the ticket to digital trade and commerce. This makes ‘born global’ a reality for all businesses from day one.
Strategic value boosters: Leveraging innovation and technology to deliver embedded financing, credit and treasury solutions that power inclusive growth.
Innovation and technology leadership: Grounded in extensive expertise in supporting global payments and businesses of all sizes, Ant International’s leading AI and blockchain solutions are co-developed with customers, partners and regulators to deliver real impact while ensuring security and compliance.
Go-to-market FinAI solutions for real-world problem solving
Working with top LLMs, card schemes and other fintechs, Ant International builds out FinAI capacities and solutions for merchants and financial institutions to tackle real-world growth and security challenges. Key examples include:
Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP)
At MoMents 2026, Ant International has introduced the open-sourced AMP – the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces – to help drive AI commerce. The protocol enables secure, AIOps-native agentic payment connection to mobile services including digital wallets, banking apps, super apps, and mobile portals from phones to wearable devices.
AI-as-a-Service Platform
Ant International’s AI-as-a-Service platform GenAI Cockpit equips fintech partners with tools to build a wide range of agentic solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots. Malaysia’s leading e-wallet TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan’s first digital bank, are using the platform to deliver better customer experiences with AI.
AI SHIELD
Ant International’s 3-in-1 risk management transformer maintains trust in the ecosystem by providing a robust security layer underpinning all transactions processed by the company. The model is supported by over 7 billion parameters, and combines graph, sequential and tabular data to identify high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while improving payment success rates by up to 13.5%.
Falcon TST AI FX model
The industry-first MoE-based AI FX model makes long-term forecasts with prediction accuracy of up to 93%, leveraging over 8.5 billion parameters. Deployed internally at Ant International to manage cashflow and FX exposure on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, Falcon TST has helped to cut the company’s FX costs by up to 60%. The model was open-sourced in 2025 to expand access to its capabilities and invite collaboration to advance time-series learning.
EPOS360
A pioneering AI-powered SME app, EPOS360 integrates practical AI tools with POS system, payments, banking, financing and growth operations for small businesses. The suite of AI-powered tools and payment capabilities was launched in Singapore, and is also available to merchants in Malaysia as a mini-programme via TNG eWallet.
Antom Copilot
Antom Copilot provides automation and assistance for merchants based on learnings from real-world cases, improving efficiency of services such as chargeback dispute handling by up to 46%. Within a year of its launch, 72% of Antom-onboarded merchants completed self-service payment integration with the copilot.
At the MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, executives from global payment networks, banks, fintechs, tech companies, and governors came together to discuss the future of financial services in the era of AI commerce. Conversations focused on new forms of payment transformation, multi-layer global interoperability, super app evolution with AI-native tech, innovation of Islamic financing and initiatives around trust and security.
Ant International launched its Digital Business Center in Kuala Lumpur in 2024. Hashtag: #AntInternational
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Ant International
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/
www.sim.edu.sg
https://www.linkedin.com/school/methodist-college-kuala-lumpur/
https://www.facebook.com/share/19qkXtd7P7/?mibextid=wwXIfr
https://www.instagram.com/methodistcollegekl?igsh=MTJzYzFkM203NGlzbg==
