Japfa Group first invested in Vietnam in 1996. Over the past three decades of continuous investment and expansion, it has been a pioneer in developing a fully integrated feed - farm - food value chain in Vietnam.

The company currently operates eight feed and aqua feed mills, four central hatcheries, and cooperates with more than 1,400 partner farms.

Speaking at the event, Renaldo Santosa, executive chairman and CEO of Japfa Group, said that Japfa was one of the largest animal protein producers in the region, with operations across five countries across Asia, and headquarters in Singapore.

Vietnam is Japfa’s second major market in the region, with a fully integrated value chain that has been invested in at scale and supported by modern technology.

“We have strong feed and poultry operations here. Vietnam is also the group’s centre of excellence for swine. Last year, we inaugurated the Vaksindo veterinary vaccine factory in Vietnam. All of this represents thirty years of presence, investment, and trust in Vietnam,” Santosa said.

“Thirty years of shared growth teach us one thing above all else: growth is only worth building if it lasts. That is why we continue investing in innovation, technology and green farming systems to support the long-term development of Vietnam’s livestock industry.”

Over the past 30 years, innovation, sustainability, and partnership for shared prosperity have been central to Japfa Vietnam’s growth, helping drive the company’s long-term development. Among these, innovation has been identified as a key driver of Japfa Vietnam’s growth.

Leveraging the group's strong technological capabilities, including the Centre of Excellence for AI and Quantum Computing in Singapore, Japfa Vietnam is accelerating the digitalisation of farm operations. This initiative aims to facilitate real-time monitoring, AI-enabled alerts, and data-driven insights for timely decision-making.

At poultry hatcheries, Japfa applies an AI-integrated camera system to monitor and assess chick quality in real-time. In-ovo vaccination technology is being deployed to enhance biosecurity standards.

At its swine farms, Japfa is progressively digitalising operations through real-time data monitoring, automated alerts, and decision-making increasingly driven by data analytics and AI, helping ensure greater accuracy.

These innovations not only help Japfa improve productivity and operational efficiency, but also contribute to transforming the future of Vietnam’s livestock industry, making it more modern, precise, and sustainable.

Clemens Tan, general director of Japfa Vietnam

At the event, Clemens Tan, general director of Japfa Vietnam, outlined the company’s long-term strategy and emphasised the importance of responsible development. “We believe that every innovation in the food and livestock industry must ultimately serve a greater purpose: sustainable growth,” he said.

Vietnam is entering a critical phase of transformation in agriculture and animal husbandry. The national livestock development strategy towards 2030 envisions large-scale farming models contributing the majority of production output. The roadmap to eliminate antibiotic growth promoters is approaching. Export markets are also demanding greater traceability and transparency across the value chain.

“Japfa Vietnam is not standing outside this transformation. We choose to move with it and help lead it,” Tan said.

Currently, renewable energy accounts for 37 per cent of Japfa Group’s total energy consumption. In Vietnam, Japfa has completed life cycle assessments for its entire poultry and swine value chains, thereby identifying improvements to reduce environmental impact.

Many of Japfa’s farms are now operating circular wastewater treatment systems combined with solar energy solutions. These are concrete steps supporting Japfa Vietnam’s long-term ambition towards net-zero.

Beyond the environmental dimension, sustainability for Japfa is also about maintaining livelihoods for farmers, rural communities, and the broader agricultural ecosystem.

“More than 1,400 partner farms across Vietnam are working together with Japfa to build a new livestock farming model that provides more stable income, lower risks, and access to a more transparent and modern value chain,” Tan said.

Sanjeev Kumar, deputy general director of Japfa Vietnam, delivered a presentation on comprehensive solutions that integrate technology across the company’s entire value chain. Following the presentation, a panel discussion on green growth and green development, featuring leaders of Japfa Vietnam and international experts, offered valuable perspectives and insights that can be applied to the livestock industry in Vietnam as the sector undergoes a transformation towards a greener future.

After a 30-year journey, Japfa Vietnam identifies cost leadership, value creation, and people development as the three core pillars for its sustainable growth in the next phase. On this foundation, the company remains committed to its purpose of “Growing Towards Mutual Prosperity” for farmers, customers, and Vietnam.

Japfa Long An Feed Mill marks 20 years of fostering sustainable agriculture Japfa Long An Feed Mill is marking two decades of growth, affirming its role as one of the company's key production facilities in southern Vietnam.

Japfa maintains position in top 10 animal feed firms Japfa Comfeed Vietnam has been named among the country's top animal feed producers for 2025, reflecting strong performance and industry credibility.

Japfa Vietnam hosts annual customer conference On January 27-28 in Ho Chi Minh City, Japfa Comfeed Vietnam hosted the Customer Conference 2026, welcoming more than 300 customers and strategic partners from the southern region.

Issued in December 2024, Resolution 57 focuses on science and technology development and national digital transformation.

One of the most significant achievements has been the strong performance of the digital economy. In 2025, the digital economy had a share of GDP estimated at 14.02 per cent, equivalent to approximately $72.1 billion, a 1.64-fold increase compared with 2020.

The digital economy in 2025 was worth $72.1 billion

This growth has occurred both in breadth and depth. Core digital economy sectors accounted for 8.42 per cent of GDP, equivalent to around $43.3 billion, representing more than 60 per cent of the total value of the digital economy.

At the same time, the level of digitalisation across industries and sectors has continued to expand.

The digital economy also demonstrated superior growth momentum, expanding by 18.4 per cent at current prices and 11.8 per cent at constant prices in 2025. The effectiveness of the digital economy is further reflected in tax revenues generated from e-commerce activities.

Through the establishment of integrated management mechanisms and data-sharing arrangements with ministries and agencies, tax collections from organisations and individuals engaged in e-commerce reached nearly $8.35 billion in 2025, showing a sharp increase of 66.5 per cent.

During the first four months of 2026, collections continued to rise, reaching nearly $4.57 billion, up 9 per cent on-year.

At the local level, the digital economy has emerged as a differentiating factor in economic growth, with several localities reporting digital economy contributions exceeding 20 per cent of their regional GDP.

To create a supportive legal framework for the digital economy, institutional reforms have been implemented at an accelerated pace.

The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has completed a comprehensive overhaul of financial and state budget legislation, while issuing a series of regulatory guidelines to institutionalise the Party’s policies.

In public investment, full authority to approve investment policies and investment decisions has now been decentralised to ministries, sectors, and local authorities, except for nationally significant projects.

The elimination of capital notification procedures has shortened project approval and fund allocation timelines by as much as nine months.

In public procurement, new regulations grant investors greater autonomy in selecting procurement methods and expand the scope of special direct contracting.

As a result, overall procurement timelines have been shortened by 30 to 80 days, while the actual direct-contracting process now takes only three to seven days.

Notably, the highest levels of incentives for corporate income tax, personal income tax, import-export duties, and land-use fees have been introduced for digital enterprises and digital investment projects.

Regarding digital administrative reform, the MoF has issued five legal documents aimed at eliminating physical paperwork and replacing traditional applications with digital data.

The new regulations also recognise the legal validity of electronic administrative decisions automatically generated by digital systems.

These changes have enabled the Taxation and Customs sectors to transition from a management model based on manual declarations to a system driven by data, risk analysis, and electronic invoices.

As a result, 236 administrative procedures have been abolished and 556 procedures simplified, with estimated savings of more than $1.57 billion.

The 2026 state budget approved by the National Assembly ensures the minimum requirement of 3 per cent of total state budget expenditure for sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation. This amounts to approximately $3.8 billion, meeting the requirements set out in Resolution 57.

Nevertheless, one of the major challenges remains fund disbursement. Although sufficient funding has been allocated, the detailed allocation process and actual disbursement rates have progressed slowly.

To date, agencies and organisations have completed detailed allocations totalling approximately $1.52 billion. Actual disbursements have reached $339.6 million, equivalent to 22.3 per cent of allocated funding and approximately 9 per cent of the total budget.

According to the report, one of the primary causes of delayed allocation and disbursement is the need for many large-scale digital transformation projects to review and revise their documentation to comply with centralised infrastructure requirements at the National Data Centre under the Ministry of Public Security. In addition, challenges persist in achieving real-time interoperable data sharing across agencies.

To address implementation delays and accelerate disbursement, the MoF has proposed several tasks.

Among them, the government is urged to issue criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of investments in sci-tech, innovation, and digital transformation projects to ensure they deliver economic breakthroughs.

The Ministry of Science and Technology should establish principles for allocating the remaining funding in a targeted manner, prioritising digital platforms and avoiding fragmentation of resources.

Relevant ministries, sectors, and local authorities must also urgently coordinate with the Ministry of Public Security to review digital transformation documentation, clearly defining the scope of implementation at the local level and integration with the National Data Centre, providing a basis for fund disbursement.

Government agencies are required to register their capital requirements promptly for the 2026-2030 public investment plan, which includes more than $108 billion in central government funding and more than $176.8 billion in local government funding. They must also prepare and consolidate the 2027 state budget estimates to ensure continuity in technology investment.

PM sets five key tasks to accelerate sci-tech development Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has outlined five key tasks for ministries and agencies to accelerate sci-tech and digital transformation.

Vietnam enters next phase of e-commerce export growth Vietnam’s fast-growing e-commerce sector is increasingly viewed as a contributor to export growth.

Vietnam targets $300 billion digital technology industry by 2030 Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung approved a key decision on May 13, approving the digital technology industry development programme for 2026-2030.

Microinsurance is poised for wider adoption as market conditions evolve

Dinh Nhu Tuynh, CEO of Military Insurance Corporation (MIC), told VIR that fewer than 3 per cent of Vietnam’s population currently hold insurance policies.

“With a population of more than 100 million, an estimated 20-25 million people fall into the low-income and vulnerable segments, including informal workers, industrial park employees, farmers and small household business owners. These groups are also among the most exposed to risks arising from natural disasters, illness and accidents.

However, a significant proportion of workers remain uninsured because insurance costs are still relatively high to their ability to pay, enrolment procedures and documentation requirements remain cumbersome, while insurance benefits are often difficult for consumers to understand and access,” he said.

In fact, insurance companies have targeted these groups for years as a potentially attractive customer base due to their strong demand for protection against risks and health-related contingencies.

According to the MIC, around 23 per cent of the population – equivalent to approximately 23 million people – incur medical treatment expenses each year, with average costs of about $140 per case.

Yet, the market remains notably short of genuinely mass-market insurance products offering broad coverage at affordable premiums.

In Vietnam, micro-insurance has been available for many years but has achieved only modest success. One reason is that a strong focus on profitability has reduced insurers’ willingness to develop this segment actively.

By contrast, in the Philippines – a country with a broadly similar economic structure and population size to Vietnam – micro-insurance has developed strongly, achieving one of the highest penetration rates in Asia.

One insurer in the country has reportedly provided micro-insurance coverage to 24 million customers, generating annual revenue of around $40 million.

A key obstacle to the development of micro-insurance in Vietnam is customer acquisition cost. Under traditional business models, micro-insurance revenue is often insufficient to offset these costs because premiums are low while claim ratios tend to be high.

However, this situation could change as digitalisation makes it easier and more cost-effective to distribute micro-insurance products.

Many insurers are seeking to expand sales through digital channels, with annual premiums of just over $4.

Some companies have redesigned existing products into more affordable offerings by reducing coverage amounts and corresponding premiums.

For example, MIC recently launched its MIC 360 product suite with an ultra-low premium of less than $5 per year, distributed through the insurer’s mobile application.

Talking to VIR, MIC executive said they expect the low-cost product range to reach 2.5 million workers, including around 100,000 customers in 2026 alone.

Notably, under the National Financial Inclusion Strategy for 2026-2030 approved by the government on May 25, insurance premium revenue is targeted to reach approximately 3.3-3.5 per cent of GDP by 2030.

The Ministry of Finance has been assigned to lead implementation, monitor progress and report on the achievement of this objective.

Regarding micro-insurancee, the MoF is also responsible for reviewing and proposing amendments to relevant mechanisms to establish a coherent legal framework and improve access for vulnerable groups, poor and near-poor households.

Once the new policy framework is completed and effectively implemented, the goal of providing micro-insurance coverage to 20-25 million low-income and vulnerable individuals by 2030 is expected to become achievable.

Income Insurance explores strategic partnership opportunities to expand in Vietnam Income Insurance, a composite insurance company in Singapore, is exploring potential partnership opportunities, including mergers and acquisitions (M&A), to expand its presence in Vietnam.

Life insurance market heats up despite slowing new sales Vietnam’s life insurance market posted a double-digit decline in new business premiums in early 2026, but rising competition from emerging insurers is rapidly reshaping market share dynamics.

Vietjet and Muang Thai Insurance join hands on community development and Vietnam–Thailand friendship On May 28, Vietjet and Muang Thai Insurance, Thailand’s leading insurance company, signed a strategic cooperation agreement to boost insurance, sports, cultural exchange, and community development initiatives in Vietnam, Thailand and the wider region.

Exports totalled $215.6 billion, while imports reached $229.4 billion, up 19.5 per cent and 30.8 per cent, respectively, from the same period last year.

The figures underscore the resilience of Vietnam’s trade despite challenges facing the global economy and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties.

Mobile phones and components continued to be among the largest contributors to Vietnam’s export value

Of the country’s total export value of $215.6 billion, the domestic sector contributed $43.5 billion, up 2.5 per cent and accounting for 20.2 per cent of total exports.

The foreign-invested enterprises, including crude oil exports, generated $172.16 billion, up 24.7 per cent and representing 79.8 per cent of total export turnover.

During the first five months, 26 categories recorded export value exceeding $1 billion, accounting for 90.7 per cent of total exports.

Among them, seven categories surpassed the $5 billion mark: electronics, computers and components ($56.19 billion); machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts ($26.97 billion); mobile phones and components ($26.37 billion); textiles and garments ($15.13 billion); footwear ($9.78 billion); transport vehicles and spare parts ($7.99 billion); and wood and wood products (more than $7 billion).

Imports also posted strong growth. Of the total import value of $229.4 billion in the first five months, the domestic sector accounted for $64.2 billion, up 22.7 per cent, while the foreign-invested sector imported goods worth $165.2 billion, an increase of 34.3 per cent.

Over the same period, 36 import categories recorded values exceeding $1 billion, accounting for 91.2 per cent of total imports. Of these, six categories posted import turnover of more than $5 billion, representing 60.7 per cent of the total.

Overall, Vietnam’s trade performance remained robust. However, speaking at the government’s regular monthly meeting for May on June 3, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan noted that exports of several key products produced by local businesses, including textiles and garments, seafood, rice and coffee, either declined or posted only modest growth during the first five months.

Specifically, exports of textiles and garments worth $5.41 billion, were down 1.4 per cent on-year; seafood exports reached $4.29 billion, up 11.3 per cent; wood and wood products valued at $3.82 billion, up 8.4 per cent; coffee exports amounted $2.61 billion, down 18.7 per cent; and rice exports stood at $1.96 billion, down 7.3 per cent.

Meanwhile, import growth was driven primarily by computers, electronic products and components, which reached approximately $88.22 billion, up 57.1 per cent from a year earlier, as well as energy imports, including coal, crude oil, petroleum products and natural gas, which approximated $13.3 billion, an increase of 31.7 per cent.

According to Minister Tuan, the trade deficit continued to widen. Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of $5.21 billion in May, higher than the $4 billion deficit recorded in April and the $3.65 billion deficit posted during the first quarter of the year. For the first five months of 2026, the cumulative trade deficit reached $13.8 billion.

“If the trade deficit remains at its current elevated level, it could affect economic growth. The situation needs to be closely monitored and assessed so that appropriate measures can be adopted,” Minister Tuan said.

Progress clear on Vietnam’s trade path After more than two decades of robust growth, Vietnam has again shown an exceptionally strong economic development in the past year. In the last 10 years, the volume of trade with the European Union has increased 2.3 times, and the EU is now Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner.

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Electronics drive Vietnam’s trade growth as exports hit record in 2025 Vietnam's electronics exports boomed in 2025, bringing in nearly $165 billion, with computers, electronics, and components surpassing the $100 billion mark for the first time to become the main driver of trade growth.

Michelin unveiled the 2026 restaurant selection of the MICHELIN Guide Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City – Danang at The Ascott Tay Ho, Hanoi on June 4.

Now in its fourth edition in Vietnam, the latest selection features 193 establishments, including 11 One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 72 Bib Gourmand eateries, 110 MICHELIN Selected venues, and three MICHELIN Green Star restaurants recognised for their commitment to sustainable gastronomy.

This year’s selection includes two new One MICHELIN Star restaurants, 11 new Bib Gourmand establishments, and nine newly recognised MICHELIN Selected venues. Hanoi contributed seven new additions, Ho Chi Minh City added 11, while Danang welcomed four new entries.

One restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City also joined the MICHELIN Green Star community in recognition of its commitment to a zero-waste philosophy and plant-based gastronomy.

Most notably, 2026 marks the first time since the MICHELIN Guide arrived in Vietnam that the number of starred restaurants has exceeded 10, reflecting the rapid development and increasing sophistication of the country’s culinary landscape.

Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the MICHELIN Guide, said Vietnam had evolved from an emerging culinary discovery into a confident gastronomic destination over the past four years.

“What excites us most this year is the talent and passion behind each restaurant. A new generation of Vietnamese chefs is leading the way, with young cooks who have trained abroad and returned home to create cuisine that is deeply rooted in local ingredients, memories, and identity,” Poullennec said.

He added that the MICHELIN Guide had always sought to celebrate authentic culinary stories and that Vietnam was becoming one of the most dynamic destinations where such stories continue to unfold.

A representative of Sun Group, the destination partner of the MICHELIN Guide in Vietnam, said cuisine had become an increasingly important element in shaping the attractiveness and identity of tourism destinations.

“The most encouraging achievement after four years of the MICHELIN Guide’s presence in Vietnam is not simply the growing number of recognised restaurants, but the fact that more Vietnamese chefs are establishing their own distinctive voices through local ingredients, culture, history, and Vietnamese identity,” the representative said.

This year marks the fourth consecutive year that Sun Group has partnered with the MICHELIN Guide in Vietnam. According to the group, the partnership forms part of broader efforts to elevate the quality of Vietnam’s tourism offerings, with gastronomy playing an increasingly important role in enhancing visitor experiences and strengthening the country’s destination brand.

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On June 4, LG Innotek signed an MoU with Haiphong city. Under the agreement, LG Innotek will expand its semiconductor substrate factory in the city, directly funded by LG Innotek’s Vietnamese subsidiary.

Covering approximately 330,000 square metres, the facility is scheduled to begin construction in July 2026 and be completed by May 2027.

The factory will specialise in producing semiconductor substrates, including radio frequency system-in-package (RF-SiP), flip chip-chip scale package (FC-CSP), and flip chip-ball grid array (FC-BGA).

The company’s representative said, “Under the dual-manufacturing strategy, our local facility in Gumi will serve as a mother factory dedicated to developing new technologies and producing new models and high-value products, while the expanded Vietnam facility will function as a mass-production base for general-purpose semiconductor substrates.”

The dual-manufacturing strategy is expected to improve the company’s productivity and profitability while raising its competitiveness.

The expansion is driven by the growing global demand for semiconductor substrates. RF-SiP demand is on the rise amid the widespread 5G adoption and future rollout of 6G.

Meanwhile, FC-CSP growth is fuelled by on-device AI drives that require low-power, high-performance chips. FC-BGA substrates are also experiencing rising demand as global big tech companies ramp up AI infrastructure investment.

LG Innotek is currently operating its semiconductor substrate production lines at its Gumi facility near full capacity. The company seeks to expand production capacity through additional investment.

The company has selected Haiphong for various reasons, including ease of infrastructure construction, proximity to major semiconductor back-end companies, and relatively low production costs.

Vietnam making the leap into AI and semiconductors Vietnam is increasingly focusing on AI and semiconductor-related activities as part of a broader recalibration of its industrial development model. Among European and international investors, this ambition is no longer seen as aspirational. It is increasingly seen as executable, underpinned by a clear national strategy and two decades of industrial upgrading.

AIC to build $2.1bn AI data centre in Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City continues to attract billions of dollars in foreign investment, with a key focus on data centres, semiconductors, and high-tech sectors.

AI and semiconductors drive new wave of Vietnam-South Korea business ties Vietnam and South Korea are entering a new phase of business cooperation, with companies from both sides expanding investment and partnerships in AI, semiconductors and digital infrastructure.

Under the MOU, Nature's Miracle and FF will collaborate to develop a network of Robotics PAR facilities, including showrooms, user operation centers, and service centers designed to support robotics deployment, customer engagement, after-sales service, and operational infrastructure. The partnership is expected to leverage Nature's Miracle's nationwide operational capabilities and infrastructure development expertise to support FF's robotics ecosystem.

The Robotics PAR program introduces an innovative internet-based platform designed to align the interests of robotics manufacturers, promoters, operators, and end-users. In addition to traditional hardware and service revenues, participants may have opportunities to share in ecosystem-generated revenues and future value creation throughout the lifecycle of robotics deployments, subject to the terms of definitive agreements.

As part of the collaboration, Nature's Miracle will support robotics promotion activities, customer operations, infrastructure deployment, and service network development in accordance with FF's operational standards and branding requirements. FF will provide product training, operational support, and customer acquisition resources to help accelerate adoption.

Tie "James" Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nature's Miracle, commented:

"We are excited to partner with FF AI-Robotics as we continue to expand our strategic focus beyond agriculture into high-growth technology sectors including robotics, AI infrastructure, energy, and advanced manufacturing. We believe autonomous robotics will play a critical role in transforming industries such as agriculture, logistics, data centers, and public infrastructure. Through this partnership, Nature's Miracle is positioned to participate in the development of a scalable robotics ecosystem while leveraging our operational footprint and infrastructure expertise."

Chris Chen, Chief Executive Officer of FF AI-Robotics, added:

"We are pleased to partner with Nature's Miracle to support the expansion of our Robotics PAR program. Nature's Miracle brings valuable operational capabilities, infrastructure experience, and customer service expertise that will help us accelerate deployment and enhance user engagement throughout North America."

A key highlight of the event was the launch ceremony, where Dr. Jimmy Li, WuXi XDC CEO and Chairman of BioDlink; Dr. Jian Zhang, BioDlink Acting CEO; and fellow leadership representatives, including Dr. Marie Zhu, WuXi XDC CTO; Lily Yin, BioDlink CTO; and Dr. Jun Hu, Head of APAC Business Development & Global Commercial Operations and Head of Singapore Site Management, officially inaugurated the "Stronger Together" initiative. The ceremony symbolized the successful transition from strategic integration to operational collaboration, reinforcing the companies' commitment to delivering seamless support from development through commercial manufacturing.

During the leadership presentations, Dr. Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC and Chairman of BioDlink, shared the long-term strategic vision for the integrated platform, outlining how the combination of complementary expertise, global resources and industrial capabilities will create greater value for customers across the bioconjugate development lifecycle. Dr. Jian Zhang, Acting CEO of BioDlink, introduced BioDlink's strategic positioning within the combined organization, highlighting its technology platforms, manufacturing capabilities and proven track record in supporting complex ADC/XDC programs from process development to commercial supply.

The event also featured perspectives from biotechnology partners. Dr. Junhua Qiao, CTO of GenSci shared insights on effective collaboration models between biotech companies and CDMO partners, drawing on experience from both biotech and biopharma environments. Dr. Yu Zhang, CMC Head of DualityBio, analyzed the trends of the global XDC market, the differentiated competitive landscape of the industry, and the strategic collaboration considerations for long-term cooperation between Biotech and CDMO, drawing on his own practical experience.

A panel discussion on "The XDC Era: Opportunities, Challenges and New Collaboration Models" was moderated by Dr. Jian Zhang, Acting CEO of BioDlink , and featured Dr. Changjiang Huang, CSO of BioCombo Therapeutics ; Dr. Zheng Wu, CEO of ArkBio; Dr. Tao Xu, CEO of SmartNuclide; Dr. Jifeng Zhang, CTO of Lepu Biopharma; and Dr. Jimmy Li, CEO of WuXi XDC and Chairman of BioDlink. Discussions focused on key industry topics including molecular complexity, CMC challenges, cross-functional collaboration and emerging partnership models. Panelists agreed that integrated development and manufacturing capabilities will play an increasingly critical role in enabling the next generation of bioconjugate innovation.

Guests also conducted a guided tour of BioDlink's state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, gaining first-hand insight into the infrastructure, operational excellence and quality systems that support commercial-scale production.

The event marked the first joint appearance of WuXi XDC and BioDlink since the integration and underscored their shared commitment to advancing bioconjugate innovation. Moving forward, the two organizations will continue to expand their integrated CRDMO capabilities and empower global innovators to bring transformative therapies to patients worldwide.

For more information about WuXi XDC, please visit: www.wuxixdc.com

To celebrate the 618 Mid-Year Shopping Festival, Taobao Malaysia is offering an additional 700,000 shipping vouchers, available daily at 12 PM, together with air delivery that can reach key cities in as fast as five days. This enables Malaysian users to easily shop for celebrity-inspired fashion and lifestyle products from top stars such as Zhang Linghe and Esther Yu without leaving home.

Ye Tian, General Manager of Taobao & Tmall Overseas said: "More than 200 markets worldwide now offer access to high-quality Chinese goods through Taobao. Last April, the Taobao app ranked first in downloads in 16 overseas markets. Thanks to the efforts made in recent years to improve the localized experience in various markets, Taobao's overseas market business has achieved a milestone of doubling in size. These achievements demonstrate that the global demand for purchasing China's most innovative and distinctive products through Taobao continues to grow steadily."

He further emphasised: "Malaysia is one of Taobao Overseas' key markets. This year, we will continue strengthening our differentiated merchant and product offerings, investing in localised services, increasing marketing efforts, and accelerating the adoption of AI applications. We hope to encourage more users to discover the unique merchants and products available on Taobao and experience the appeal of cross-border shopping on the platform."

This "treasure hunt" browsing and shopping trend, driven by platform optimization, is also reflected in the booming popularity of celebrity-related stores on Taobao. Malaysian consumers often start with celebrities they are familiar with and then gradually explore more niche brands and categories. For example, sunglasses and other products endorsed by Zhang Linghe in China, as well as Esther Yu-inspired pyjamas, dresses, shapewear often serve as entry points for discovery. Lifestyle products such as premium home-care brand LYCOCELLE, associated with Cheng Yi, further showcase the diversity of products users encounter as they browse across categories.

On the shopping experience, Taobao continues to enhance its platform features while introducing exclusive offers tailored for Malaysian consumers, serving as a key driver behind this growing trend. For instance, during the 618 mid-year shopping festival, a limited number of RM12 shipping vouchers, totalling approximately 700,000 throughout the campaign, were made available daily at 12pm for users to redeem. This, coupled with air freight delivery services that can arrive in as fast as five days, has significantly improved the convenience and enjoyment of cross-border shopping, further encouraging Malaysian users to embrace more exploratory purchasing behaviours.

Against this backdrop, Taobao Malaysia's 618 mid-year shopping festival, held from 21 May to 21 June, is widely recognised by Malaysian consumers as the most worthwhile and value-driven shopping window of the year. After weeks of building up their wish lists, users are now presented with a wide array of promotions and sitewide surprise discounts, making it easy for browsing behaviour to translate into actual purchases, marking the perfect moment to finally check out their carts.

Key 618 Campaign offers include:

• 700,000 exclusive shipping vouchers: A limited number released daily at 12pm for redemption. Users can enjoy an instant RM12 off air freight shipping, with delivery to major cities in as fast as five days.
• Limited-Time Instant Discount (18 June & 21 June): Spend RM340 to enjoy RM68 off, or RM300 to enjoy RM30 off, unlocking greater savings with higher spend.
• Limited-Time 3% transaction fee waiver: Eligible orders can enjoy a waiver of up to RM8 payment processing fee.
• Exclusive Promo Code for Malaysian Consumers: Enjoy RM15 off with a minimum spend of RM150 by entering the promo code TB618WOW at checkout.
• Exclusive RHB Credit Card Rewards: Customers who pay with an RHB credit card during the campaign period stand a chance to win a luxurious two-day, one-night stay for two at the prestigious Merdeka 118 Park Hyatt hotel, valued at over RM1,950.

For full details on the 618 campaign and updates, follow Taobao Malaysia on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, or visit the app.

According to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine, male factors are the sole cause of infertility in approximately 20% of cases and contribute to another 30 to 40%, with the World Health Organization placing overall male factor involvement at roughly half. Yet most consumer fertility tools focus exclusively on one partner's data. Soonr is built around dyadic health, a category Vespexx has been advancing in recognition that conception, pregnancy outcomes, and long-term family health are shaped by both partners' biology and behavior.

From Signaling to Soonr Health

Soonr builds on Vespexx's flagship app Signaling, which has pioneered couple-based period tracking since 2023 and now serves more than 800,000 users across Asia and beyond. As Vespexx prepared to enter the U.S. market, the team identified preconception as the moment when dyadic health matters most, when a couple's biology, behavior, and daily decisions most directly shape an outcome they share. Soonr is purpose-built for that moment.

"Most fertility products were designed for a woman to use alone, often with the quiet assumption that her partner would cheer her on from the sidelines," said Scarlett Joowon Jung, CEO of Vespexx. "We've spent the last three years proving with Signaling that couples want to share this experience, and Soonr brings that conviction into the moment that matters most. The science backs it up, and the experience of trying to conceive deserves to reflect that."

Built as a behavioral platform, not just a tracker

Beyond cycle and hormone tracking, Soonr is structured as a behavioral platform that both partners actively use. Habit, symptom, meal, and exercise logging gives each partner a way to contribute to their shared fertility picture, alongside a gamified visualization that grows as the couple's data accumulates. The result is a preconception experience that reflects how couples actually live, with both people engaged in the same daily rhythm.

A platform designed to grow with the science

Soonr connects with at-home testing so couples can bring real biological signals into their daily routine. The first integrated device is Surearly SMART, an at-home hormone testing device that reads ovulation and key reproductive hormone markers. Test results flow into Soonr, where both partners can view and track them together.

Surearly SMART is manufactured by Sugentech (KOSDAQ: 253840), Vespexx's parent company and a publicly listed Korean biotech with 15 years of in-vitro diagnostic expertise spanning ovulation, pregnancy, and clinical testing.

Additional device integrations are planned across the preconception spectrum, including male reproductive health testing, as Soonr expands its platform.

Availability

Soonr Health is available now as a free download in the U.S. on iOS and Android. Premium features are available at $12.99 per month or, as a limited-time launch offer, $65.99 per year. The Surearly SMART Starter Kit (Test Reader and Test Sticks) is available now on Amazon at a limited-time launch price of $119, reduced from the regular price of $169.

For more on Soonr Health and the dyadic health framework, visit https://soonr.health/.

As early-stage development programs of peptides and their conjugates continue to expand, the need for downstream process scale-up and manufacturing has become increasingly significant. The first peptide pilot-scale GMP will robustly support client programs transitioning from early-stage R&D and kilogram-scale GMP manufacturing to pilot-scale GMP production.

End-to-End GMP Facility: Integrated Capabilities from Synthesis and Cleavage to Purification and Lyophilization

1. Core Synthesis Platform:

The facility is equipped with a core cluster of solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) reactors with a total volume of 600 L, comprising 100 L, 200 L, and 300 L configurations. This flexible setup supports scalable needs ranging from process development to production campaigns over 10 kilograms. The platform integrates automated fluid handling systems and high-purity inert gas protection technology, ensuring efficient, stable and batch-to-batch consistency.

2. Full-Chain Processing and Downstream Capabilities

• Cleavage and Purification: The facility is equipped with two integrated cleavage systems, which are constructed with corrosion-resistant materials, enabling fully enclosed processing from cleavage and concentration to precipitation, to maximize product purity and operational safety.
• Separation and Drying: High-speed centrifuges and 12-tray large-scale drying ovens support large-scale post-processing needs.

3. Classified Clean Areas

The facility is zoned and managed in accordance with Grade D and Class C cleanroom standards, with Grade D areas enabling flexible front-end production operations. Class C areas comply with stringent production control requirements and are dedicated to critical downstream steps including purification, lyophilization and packaging of peptide APIs.

4. Advanced Preparative Chromatography

• High-Resolution Preparative Purification Platform: High-performance prep-HPLC systems featuring GMP-compliant flow-path designs and outstanding corrosion resistance. Engineered for multi-system, complex-process purification environments.

5. Intelligent Sterile Lyophilization Platform

Equipped with a fully automatic lyophilizer that integrates multiple functions. Through precise control of lyophilization process parameters, it efficiently ensures the reliability and stability of the lyophilization process.

Dr. Minmin Yang, Chairman of PharmaBlock Group, commented:

"The commissioning of the first peptide pilot-scale GMP plant is a major milestone in PharmaBlock's strategic expansion into new molecular modalities. Since our founding in 2008, we have taken building block design as our core competitive edge and gradually built up a full-process CRDMO service system. Following our IPO in 2017, we accelerated our platform upgrades and expanded into new modalities, including oligonucleotides, peptides, and complex conjugates, culminating in the establishment of the OPC (Oligonucleotides, Peptides, Conjugates) Division.

In the peptides field, our deep expertise in building block and proven synthetic capabilities enable us to deliver differentiated chemical solutions for peptide and peptide conjugates programs. Based on the extensive unnatural amino acid library and green and intelligent peptide synthetic technologies, PharmaBlock has built up its strong differentiated advantages in this area."

Built around the core principles of green chemistry and intelligent manufacturing, PharmaBlock's Next-Generation Peptide CRDMO Platform extends beyond conventional SPPS routes. It innovatively integrates multiple cutting-edge technologies including LPPS (liquid-phase peptide synthesis), CF-LPPS (continuous-flow LPPS), and EAPS (enzyme-assisted peptide synthesis), enabling flexible customization of optimal manufacturing processes tailored to each client's unique peptide structure.

The program expansion reflects a critical need: while treatment may end, the physical, emotional and practical challenges of cancer often do not. According to Osara Health's The Cancer Care Cliff whitepaper, nearly 54% of cancer survivors live with clinically relevant fear of recurrence and 1 in 4 experience psychosocial distress. Osara's new survivorship product helps individuals navigate the often overlooked transition after diagnosis, offering personalized support to rebuild confidence, manage uncertainty and move forward in daily life. This can look like fear of recurrence, lingering fatigue, reduced confidence in the body and emotional adjustment.

The new survivorship extension combines one-to-one human coaching with digital tools and personalized content. The enhancement also comes alongside Osara's latest outcomes, reinforcing the value of structured support throughout and beyond treatment:

• An independently validated 25:1 return on investment
• New published research showing improvements to physical and mental health from ~66% of participants

Together, these outcomes highlight both the human and business value of cancer-specific support, helping deliver meaningful impact while strengthening benefit offerings in an increasingly competitive market.

"Each June, we recognize National Cancer Survivors Day and Cancer Survivors Month, a time to celebrate the growing number of people living beyond a cancer diagnosis while acknowledging that the end of treatment is often not the end of the cancer experience," said Dr Raghav Murali Ganesh, CEO and Co-Founder of Osara Health and Radiation Oncologist. "Many survivors continue to face challenges as recovery does not begin and end in the clinic. People need support not only to get through treatment, but to live well beyond it. Our survivorship expansion reflects our commitment to evidence-based support throughout every stage of their journey."

Addressing an international delegation of telecom executives, Frank Zhang, Senior Director of Product Development at uCloudlink, introduced two high-efficiency strategic frameworks engineered to resolve traditional industry bottlenecks:

1. Terminal-Side Solutions:

Shifting network scheduling intelligence entirely to the device edge via uCloudlink's proprietary All-SIM Architecture (Based on uCloudlink's patented CloudSIM technology) and cloud-orchestrated SaaS/PaaS layers. This asset-light approach structurally bypasses sluggish network-side bilateral agreements, granting operators instant multi-network aggregation across 200+ countries and 390+ carriers. Backed by AI HyperConn® routing, the framework delivers mission-critical fault tolerance and highly resilient handovers, slashing single-network blind spots and user churn with zero upfront infrastructure cost.

2. New Business Blue Oceans:

Monetizing breakthrough product innovations to capture premium adjacent markets beyond the smartphone. Anchoring this framework is the global release of the GlocalMe eSIM Trio Integrated Card. This hardware-level Multi-IMSI scheme establishes a powerful technological foundation designed to potentially bring digital-first eSIM capabilities to the world's 4 billion legacy physical-SIM devices—a massive blue ocean that uCloudlink envisions driving and realizing through deep, joint collaboration with global operators. Additionally, uCloudlink showcased The PetPhone—the world's first AI-powered smartphone for pets leveraging Emotion AI to drive fresh subscriber lines—and the MeowGo G50 Max hotspot, delivering Air-Ground-Satellite connection assurance for executive business travel and enterprise disaster preparedness.

The strategic frameworks received widespread praise from the MVNO World Congress committee and international exhibitors, cementing uCloudlink's leadership and practical service-delivery capabilities. Guided by its core ideal—"Connecting everything is technology; caring for life is the ideal"—uCloudlink solidifies its market position, utilizing structural innovation to ensure an always-connected digital fabric in the accelerating AI era.

The alliance comes as demand in Ho Chi Minh City’s commercial real estate market continues to favour high-quality projects backed by developers with strong execution capabilities and long-term stability. As one of Vietnam’s leading banks in terms of scale, financial strength, and brand reputation, Vietcombank is regarded as a trusted financial provider that shares UOA Group’s commitment to quality developments and sustainable growth.

Nguyen Chi Linh (left), director of Vietcombank, Tan Son Nhat Branch and Wyeren Yap, CEO of UOA Vietnam

Beyond providing a solid financial foundation, the alliance is also expected to strengthen market confidence in UOA Group’s projects. According to Wyeren Yap, CEO of UOA Vietnam, Vietnam is one of UOA Group’s key markets in its long-term growth plans.

“Our current portfolio in Vietnam includes three office developments and one residential project, delivering more than 120,000 square metres of office space and 3,500 residential units. To date, our total investment in Vietnam has reached more than $470 million. We aim to expand and target to double our investment scale over the next three to five years with a focus on high quality residential, commercial and office development,” Yap said.

“Our alliance with Vietcombank secures the financial resources for the two office developments currently under construction and establishes a foundation for broader collaboration opportunities in the future as UOA Group continues to expand,” he added.

Wyeren Yap, CEO of UOA Vietnam

The current arrangement focuses on two projects: UOA Parc Tower and Millennial Tower.

UOA Parc Tower is located in the central area of Ho Chi Minh City, with a gross floor area (GFA) of approximately 20,160 sq.m. The project is positioned as a Grade A office tower featuring modern architecture and a sustainability-oriented development approach. With its prime central location, the undertaking is expected to capture demand from financial institutions and international enterprises as Ho Chi Minh City advances its ambition to become an International Financial Centre.

UOA Parc Tower is designed to cater to multinational corporations, professional service firms, and high-growth technology companies.

In the southern part of the city, Millennial Tower is being developed within the Phu My Hung urban area, with a gross floor area of approximately 60,495 sq.m. The initiative is envisioned as one of the largest office developments in the area. Rising 24 storeys, Millennial Tower features contemporary architecture and flexible workspace solutions that accommodate diverse operational needs of businesses.

Inspired by the dynamic pace of the new generation of enterprises, Millennial Tower aims to create a working environment that emphasises connectivity, flexibility, and adaptability. The development contributes to expanding office supply in the southern corridor of Ho Chi Minh City while strengthening UOA Group’s portfolio in Vietnam.

The combination of UOA Group’s development expertise and Vietcombank’s financial strength is expected to accelerate project delivery while elevating development standards within Ho Chi Minh City’s office sector.

In the long term, this alliance extends beyond the two current developments, opening up opportunities for further collaboration between the two parties in future projects, while contributing to the sustainable growth of Vietnam’s commercial real estate market.

Dang Hoai Duc, deputy CEO of Vietcombank said that Vietcombank highly valued the project development capabilities of UOA Group and expresses strong confidence in its long-term investment direction in Vietnam.

“UOA Parc Tower and Millennial Tower are well-positioned to meet the growing demand from both domestic and international enterprises, particularly as the market increasingly prioritises quality, operational standards, and sustainability considerations,” said Duc.

"The collaboration with UOA Group underscores Vietcombank’s focus on partnering with professionally developed projects that are underpinned by solid market fundamentals, directed towards delivering sustainable, long-term value," he added.

The announcement of the collaboration between UOA Group and Vietcombank therefore represents a milestone for both organisations while reflecting a broader transformation of the market, where financial capability, brand credibility, and development standards are becoming increasingly interconnected.

UOA expands Vietnam presence with $68 million land deal in Ho Chi Minh City United Overseas Australia has expanded its footprint in Vietnam with a $68-million acquisition of a prime land site in central Ho Chi Minh City. The move strengthens the developer’s long-term growth strategy and positions it to capitalise on the city’s future as a regional financial hub.

UOA recognised for standout M&A deal in Ho Chi Minh City United Overseas Australia Ltd (UOA Ltd) has been recognised for one of 2024-2025's standout transactions, earning accolades for its latest move to strengthen its commercial real estate footprint in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

CBD office demand drives fresh development in Ho Chi Minh City Tighter office supply and resilient demand from international occupiers are creating fresh development opportunities in Ho Chi Minh City.

The success of Hanoi Centre represents an important milestone for Keppel Ltd. in Vietnam and reflects the company’s long-term commitment to creating quality destinations that contribute to the growth of the retail sector and enhance customer experiences in major urban centres.

Located in the centre of Hanoi, Hanoi Centre was conceived as a vibrant lifestyle destination that brings together leading international brands, diverse entertainment offerings, and contemporary retail experiences.

Joseph Low (second from left), chief representative, Vietnam and President, Vietnam, Real Estate, Keppel Ltd and other high-level representatives receiving the trophy

The development is distinguished by its design, which draws inspiration from nature and local culture, creating a harmonious blend of heritage, architecture and modern urban living. Notable examples include the preservation of a century-old banyan tree and a historic French-era mint found within the development site.

Prior to its opening last December, Hanoi Centre achieved an occupancy rate of over 90 per cent, reflecting strong interest from both local and international retailers. Within a short period of operation, the mall has emerged as one of Hanoi’s most popular lifestyle destinations, attracting strong visitor traffic and generating significant engagement across digital platforms.

Positioned as a destination for both local and international visitors, Hanoi Centre offers a diverse mix of retail, dining and entertainment experiences. The development also contributes to enhancing the retail experience in Hanoi and supports the continued evolution of the city’s modern retail sector.

"We have many years of experience developing and running commercial projects across the region," said Joseph Low, chief representative of Vietnam and president of Vietnam Real Estate at Keppel. "Our approach is simple: we turn everyday malls into exciting destinations for everyone to enjoy. Hanoi Centre reflects this vision by bringing together heritage, thoughtful design, and modern lifestyle experiences in the heart of Hanoi."

The Retail Asia Awards is an annual awards programme that celebrates outstanding retailers, brands and retail developments across the Asia Pacific region. Established by Retail Asia magazine in 2004, the awards mark their 21^st edition in 2026 and recognise innovation, leadership and significant contributions to the advancement of the retail industry.

The recognition of Hanoi Centre as Mall of the Year – Vietnam further underscores Keppel’s capabilities and experience in creating and managing high-quality retail assets.

Hanoi Centre

Globally, Keppel has a strong track record in retail development and a presence across East Asia, including established retail markets such as Singapore and China. Leveraging its integrated capabilities spanning concept development, tenant management and mall operations, Keppel provides customised retail solutions tailored to the needs of different markets and stakeholders.

Keppel’s involvement in Vietnam’s retail sector spans multiple asset classes and functional areas, including ownership, joint ventures, master leases, development, advisory, and third-party management.

Hanoi Centre: a multi-experiential retail landmark More than a shopping destination, Hanoi Centre is envisioned as an integrated experiential hub, where modern amenities converge with the cultural richness of urban life.

Hanoi Centre: A strategic landmark in Vietnam’s booming retail landscape Hanoi Centre, a flagship retail development managed by Keppel, is emerging as a focal point in Vietnam’s fast-changing retail landscape – reflecting the country’s shifting consumer habits and rising demand from international brands.

For the last 15 years, MSA Asia has supported international businesses expanding into Asia to set up local subsidiaries, manage ongoing accounting and compliance obligations, and hiring and paying workers through Employer of Record (EOR) services. With the addition of EOR services in Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand, companies can now build local teams quickly while MSA Asia acts as the legal employer, taking care of employment contracts, payroll and ongoing compliance.

"Many companies want to hire in new markets, without committing to full entity setup," said Raoul Schweicher, Managing Partner at MSA Asia. "Employer of Record services provide a practical solution for initial expansion in a market, while maintaining full compliance with local employment laws."

The expansion supports hiring across three of Southeast Asia's most important markets for international business.

Vietnam currently attracts strong global investment in its manufacturing and technology sectors. In addition to its existing company incorporation, accounting and tax advisory services, MSA Asia can now hire manufacturing and tech talent on your behalf, without the need for full entity setup.

Malaysia offers a diversified economy and strong regional connectivity for global businesses. MSA's Malaysia EOR solution means that companies that are not yet ready for a full local entity can still easily hire locals and expats in Malaysia.

Thailand remains a key regional hub for manufacturing, trade and corporate headquarters in Asia. Through its EOR solution, MSA Asia supplements existing market entry support by hiring and paying top Thai talent on your behalf.

By expanding Employer of Record services across these jurisdictions, MSA Asia provides businesses with a flexible and low-risk pathway to enter Southeast Asian markets while maintaining compliance from day one.

To learn more, visit www.msadvisory.com or follow MSA Asia on LinkedIn.

The scale of Optellum's impact is accelerating rapidly, and the company is now helping one patient every 14 seconds. Optellum pioneered the world's first FDA-cleared, CE-marked, and Medicare-reimbursed AI solution for image-based lung cancer risk stratification – Lung Cancer Prediction (LCP) AI, under the CPT codes 0721T and 0722T. LCP AI is helping to reduce the uncertainty associated with indeterminate lung nodules, ensuring that no nodule patient is left behind. Further, the wraparound Virtual Nodule Clinic (VNC) solution supports guideline-aligned decisions and has been shown to improve clinicians' efficiency while reducing time to recommended treatment.[1]

This growth reflects a broader shift toward the adoption of evidence-based innovation in thoracic care. Optellum continues to expand LungOS^Ⓡ, its end-to-end AI-powered lung health platform, powered by the world's first Thorax CT Foundation Model built for real-world precision lung care. This foundation model is the only model in the world to leverage DART, the world's largest lung cancer CT dataset. LungOS^Ⓡ brings VNC together with modules for triage and detection,[2] diagnostic support,[3] and therapy guidance.[4] Looking ahead, Optellum is poised to expand its clinical suite with the upcoming European launch of LungDetect, an exciting addition designed to simplify and accelerate nodule identification and characterization.

"Optellum is incredibly proud to be helping more health systems and clinicians provide timely, life-saving care to a growing number of patients," said Dr. Johnathan Watkins, Optellum's CEO. "Reaching 250 sites and analyzing millions of cases each year is a testament to the dedication of our team and the trust of our clinical partners. However, we are just getting started; we continue to build LungOS^Ⓡ into the must-have "operating system" for lung cancer and thoracic care more broadly. We invite the global healthcare community to join us on our mission to help solve lung cancer by ensuring early diagnosis and early intervention become the standard for everyone everywhere."

Results from Optellum's continued growth and real-world clinical use will continue to be shared with clinicians, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to reach the broader goal of improving outcomes for every thoracic care team, in every hospital, for every patient.

[1] Hill NR et al. Employment of artificial intelligence for early lung cancer diagnosis: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open Respiratory Research. 2025;12: e003225. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjresp-2025-003225

[2] Both text-based detection with Patient Discovery and Patient Safety Net as well as image-based detection. Product availability depends on your region, please contact Optellum for more information.

[3] Commercially available in the US, EU/UK, and Australia.

[4] Pending; for research use only

These were among the key points, shared by Tony Isidro, the President and CEO of Fuse Financing Inc., the lending arm of GCash, at the Money20/20 Asia 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Unlocking access to capital for MSMEs

Most micro-enterprises in the Philippines operate informally. That means they have no collateral, credit history, or financial statements—typical requirements of traditional financial institutions.

As a result, around 57% of Philippine MSMEs still rely on informal lenders with extremely high interest rates, leaving businesses without access to formal credit and making it harder for them to restock, expand, or manage daily operations.

Fuse Financing addresses this issue by providing a more transparent alternative to lending within the GCash app, giving access to simplified loan process and collateral-free loans.

"By integrating financial services directly within the app, we are dismantling traditional barriers to lending, such as heavy documentary requirements and physical distance. This evolution isn't just about speed; it's about meaningful financial inclusion," Isidro said.

Empowering grassroots entrepreneurs

Products like GLoan Negosyo give merchants access to up to Php 350,000 (USD 5,700) within the GCash app, while GLoan Negosyo under the GCash for Business portal gives users access to up to Php 2 million (USD 32,500) in working capital, structured around their actual sales cycles and inventory needs. Disbursements and repayments occur entirely through the GCash app, which matters most for borrowers in remote areas who cannot easily reach a physical branch.

Backing this is a Php 1.75 billion credit facility from the Asian Development Bank (ADB), aimed at women-led and rural micro, small, and medium enterprises. This signifies how institutional capital is beginning to follow where fintech has already gone.

For more information, please visit www.gcash.com.

TenPay Global's cross-border remittance platform connects the Weixin ecosystem with global remittance institutions. It has currently partnered with over 60 major international banks and remittance institutions, including DBS, Panda Remit, LemFi, Remitly, Wise, Gmoneytrans, Hanpass and GME, supporting remittances to China from over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Services are available 24/7, with funds arriving within minutes, ensuring security, compliance, and convenience.

Foreigners residing in China can receive remittances within the country using their mobile numbers linked to WeChat. Once the funds have been credited, international users can directly utilize funds to access a full suite of lifestyle services conveniently —including online shopping, mobile top-ups, and utility bill payments—meeting their diverse payment needs across various scenarios such as working, studying, traveling, and daily living in China.

TenPay Global is committed to connecting the Weixin ecosystem with global partners, continuously expanding the reach and service scenarios of cross-border payments. In addition to cross-border remittances, it further upgraded Weixin Pay's "Pay with Your Home E-Wallet" services through China's unified cross-border QR-code gateway, provides diverse payment options for international visitors to China to enhance the travel and spending experience for international visitors and support cross-border tourism and cultural exchange.

TenPay Global has partnered with over 40 overseas wallets globally, supporting more overseas wallets to make payments in Chinese mainland through Weixin Pay QR codes. Currently, 36 e-wallets from 13 different countries and regions have gone live, including PayPal (US), LiquidPay and ChangiPay (Singapore), ZaloPay and MOMO (Vietnam), BCEL (Laos), and HiPay (Mongolia).

The transaction includes:

• the acquisition of the Travel Insurance Direct (TID) brand
• a twenty year white labelled distribution agreement with nib Group in both Australia and New Zealand,
• and acquisition of a large portion of nib's established intermediary relationships in Australia.

The transaction establishes Allianz Partners as a leading force in the Australian travel insurance market enabling a more comprehensive presence across both digital and in-person channels.

Critically, it marks Allianz Partners' expansion into the offline travel distribution channel in Australia: the bricks-and-mortar agent channel that remains a vital point of purchase for Australian travellers, particularly those booking complex or high-value itineraries. The ability to support customers across both digital and intermediary channels is becoming increasingly important - particularly for higher-value and more complex travel.

For Australian travellers, the result will be greater access to Allianz Partners' world-class insurance and assistance products - wherever and however they choose to book. For the business, it will deliver the scale, footprint and channel depth to compete at the top of one of the Asia Pacific region's most dynamic insurance markets.

"This acquisition is a landmark moment for Allianz Partners Australia. It will significantly expand our capacity to reach and serve Australians through their preferred channel with the world-class insurance and assistance products they deserve. It will also strengthen our offering in a highly competitive market and gives us the scale to continue investing in our customers, partners and service delivery." Chris McHugh, Chief Executive Officer, Allianz Partners Australia

This transaction is a clear signal that APAC - and Australia specifically - is a priority growth region for Allianz Partners. We have strong conviction in the opportunity here, and this acquisition reflects that conviction in a very tangible way. Australia has a dynamic, growing travel insurance market and a team that has demonstrated the capability and commitment to lead in it. This is the kind of strategic investment that builds long-term value, and I am proud to see it come to fruition." - Phil Hoffman, Chief Officer Travel, Allianz Partners

The acquisition will build on Allianz Partners' global momentum. Since 2024, the company has surpassed €10 billion in total revenues globally, with APAC identified as a key growth region.

Record quarterly billings were driven by continued AI-related investment, including capacity expansion and technology upgrades supporting leading-edge logic, DRAM, and advanced packaging.

"The strong start to 2026 reflects continued industry investment in the capacity and infrastructure needed to support AI-driven semiconductor growth," said Ajit Manocha, SEMI President and CEO. "Record first-quarter billings highlight ongoing momentum in leading-edge manufacturing and advanced packaging."

Compiled from data submitted by members of SEMI and the Semiconductor Equipment Association of Japan (SEAJ), the WWSEMS report is a summary of the monthly billings figures for the global semiconductor equipment industry.

The following are quarterly billings data in billions of U.S. dollars, with quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year changes by region:

About SEMI Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS)

The Equipment Market Data Subscription (EMDS) from SEMI provides comprehensive market data for the global semiconductor equipment market. A subscription includes three reports:

• Monthly SEMI North American Billings Report, an early perspective of equipment market trends
• Monthly Worldwide Semiconductor Equipment Market Statistics(WWSEMS), a detailed report of semiconductor equipment billings for seven regions and more than 22 market segments
• Bi-annual Total Semiconductor Equipment Forecast – OEM Perspective, an outlook for the semiconductor equipment market

For more information about the report or to subscribe, please contact the SEMI Market Intelligence Team at mktstats@semi.org. More details are also available on the SEMI Market Data webpage.

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

Following Hong Kong's first astronaut, Dr Lai Ka-ying, into space, the local innovation and technology ecosystem has attracted even greater attention. This year's Science Fair has specially incorporated aerospace engineering elements, enabling the public to learn about the daily work and challenges of payload specialists, gain insight into the reality of aerospace research and development, and spark greater interest among young people in space exploration. Dr Lai launched aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spacecraft and is expected to remain in space for approximately six months to conduct space science experiments and maintenance tasks. Visitors can express their support and encouragement by creating message cards for her. In addition, UBTECH Robotics, a globally leading enterprise in embodied AI robotics, will participate in the exhibition, showcasing multiple humanoid robots and offering visitors the opportunity to experience the appeal of embodied intelligence up close.

Professor Sun Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, stated: 'The Hong Kong SAR Government is fully committed to developing Hong Kong into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre, with talent being a key driver of this growth. Now in its fifth edition, the Hong Kong Science Fair – organised by the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation – has become an annual flagship I&T education event. It offers students a valuable platform to turn their innovative ideas into practice, deepen their interest and confidence in I&T, and help bring I&T into schools and the wider community, thereby fostering a more innovation-friendly atmosphere. I look forward to seeing more young people unleash their potential through this platform, pursue careers in I&T, and contribute to the high-quality development of Hong Kong and our nation.'

Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation and Chairman of Sino Group, said 'Innovation and technology are key to Hong Kong's long-term sustainable development and are integral to the country's 15th Five-Year Plan. It is vital for Hong Kong to strengthen its I&T capabilities and actively contribute to national development, as underscored by the historic moment when Dr Lai Ka-ying became Hong Kong's first astronaut. We are encouraged to see growing recognition of I&T opening up new opportunities for young people aspiring to pursue scientific research. As the Hong Kong Science Fair enters its fifth edition, its growth has been made possible by the support of the HKSAR Government, industry partners, tertiary institutions, research organisations, and our panels of judges. This year, we are grateful for the guidance and support of the Foundation for the Development of Science and Technology in China. Moving forward, the Science Fair will remain committed to nurturing talent from an early age, bringing together all sectors to promote I&T and inspire more young people to pursue careers in science and technology.'

Professor Anderson Shum, MH, Chairman of Judging Panel, Hong Kong Science Fair, President of The Hong Kong Young Academy of Sciences, said, 'The Science Fair adopts the format of "integrating competition with exhibition," enabling students to translate their learning into tangible and verifiable outcomes. This plays an important role in nurturing Hong Kong's youth I&T ecosystem. I am delighted to have served as a judge for this major event over the years, witnessing students progressively enhance their presentation skills, build confidence, and broaden their horizons through exchanges with experts, participation in workshops and showcasing their work to the public. The standard of participating projects continues to improve each year, with increasing integration of artificial intelligence and diverse technological applications across different fields. Scientific research is a journey that demands passion and perseverance, and the growth of young scientists often begins with curiosity during their primary and secondary school years. Through these exchanges, we hope to leverage the role-model influence of young scientists, inspiring more students to pursue I&T as their lifelong career. I look forward to seeing our younger generation continue to grow and excel in scientific research and innovation, and officially join the community of scientists in the near future to jointly drive Hong Kong's I&T development.'

Michael Tam, Chief Brand Officer of UBTECH, said, 'Humanoid robots are among the most promising real-world embodiments of artificial intelligence, reflecting a future in which intelligent systems are deeply integrated with the physical world. As a global pioneer in humanoid robotics, UBTECH has remained at the forefront of innovation for more than 14 years, with a long-standing commitment to I&T education. The company is dedicated to translating advanced technologies into practical, accessible educational resources. Through collaboration with like-minded partners such as the Hong Kong Innovation Foundation, we aim to inspire greater interest and engagement among both teachers and students in humanoid robotics and artificial intelligence. We are committed to supporting the development of Hong Kong's I&T education ecosystem, helping to nurture future-ready talent and build a strong, sustainable foundation for long-term growth.'

Since its launch in 2021, the Science Fair has attracted participation from over 400 local schools, engaging nearly 9,000 Primary 4 to Secondary 6 students and their teachers. To date, more than 2,200 creative invention submissions have been received and total attendance has exceeded 120,000 visitors. The Science Fair has gradually established itself as a key platform for youth innovation and technology ('I&T') exchange and one of Hong Kong's most representative I&T education initiatives. This year's response has been enthusiastic, with over 500 project submissions received. Following preliminary judging, around 120 shortlisted teams took part in a series of workshops and mentorship sessions, and will present their projects at the exhibition in late June to compete for top awards. Gold award-winning teams from each category will have the opportunity to participate in the International Exhibition of Inventions Geneva in Switzerland, fostering idea exchange with global I&T talents.

The Hong Kong Science Fair draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. During the exhibition period, the venue will be transformed into a catalyst for city-wide I&T inspiration. In addition to student showcases, five interactive zones will offer hands-on experiences, including DIY bubble bath bomb workshops, freezer-free slushie making, themed games celebrating the Science Fair's fifth anniversary, and modified remote-controlled cars made from upcycled household appliances, allowing visitors of all ages to explore science and innovation through engaging and enjoyable activities.

• Bulu Bulu Bubble Factory: Blending science with sensory experiences, visitors can mix and mould from scratch to create a delightful 'bathroom blind box'.
• Shake Shake Ice Factory: Applying the principle of freezing point depression, participants will see how temperature can be rapidly lowered using only salt, ice and water to create personalised slushies — all without a freezer.
• Scan2Play: Scan the QR Code on your phone to join the themed game celebrating the Hong Kong Science Fair's Fifth Anniversary.
• Racing Homey Kart 2.0: Showcasing the spirit of upcycling and upgrades, visitors can transform old, small household appliances into remote-controlled racing cars and compete on a dedicated track.
• UBTECH Robotics Base: Featuring a wide range of robots, this zone provides a comprehensive showcase of the integration of artificial intelligence with mechanical engineering.

To celebrate the Science Fair's fifth edition, various special experiences will be introduced. The venue will feature a hidden Science Fair character treasure hunt and check-in activity, through which visitors can redeem curated gifts upon completion. Limited-edition souvenirs, including the 'HKSF-5 Metal Standee Collection' and the 'Special Edition Robo K' blind boxes, will also be available in limited quantities. All proceeds from the HKSF Bazaar, with no deduction, will go directly to charity to support local community technology initiatives.

The Fifth Hong Kong Science Fair Details:

• Date: 27 to 28 June 2026 (Saturday and Sunday)
• Time: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Venue: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 3FG
• Admission: Free of Charge (Pre-registration online is required)
• Registration Website: https://reghksciencefair.org.hk/public

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

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

The company's journey began with a clear vision: recognizing the global opportunity for Thai cuisine at a time when the international Asian condiments market remained relatively untapped, while consumers around the world were becoming increasingly open to new culinary cultures. From the outset, Exotic Food chose to focus on international markets by developing Thai food products that meet global standards and are suitable for placement in premium supermarkets worldwide, while building distinctive brands capable of standing out and being remembered internationally.

Today, the global sauces and condiments market continues to experience strong growth, driven by rising consumer interest in home cooking, the growing popularity of Asian cuisine, and increasing demand for bold and spicy flavours. Sriracha sauce, in particular, has become one of the fastest-growing categories within the global condiments sector, fuelled by the worldwide rise of Asian food culture and its versatility across international menus.

According to IMARC Group, the global hot sauce market is expected to reach approximately US$5.7 billion in 2025. Meanwhile, Statista estimates the global sauces and condiments market to be worth around US$280.35 billion, with an average annual growth rate of 6.14%. Fortune Business Insights projects the market will expand from US$259 billion in 2024 to more than US$380 billion by 2032, reflecting continued momentum driven by consumers' growing appetite for diverse international flavours.

For Exotic Food, "Brand Value" remains at the core of long-term business growth and serves as a critical differentiator beyond price competition. The company strategically positions Thai products as premium offerings through modern and eye-catching packaging designed to stand out on supermarket shelves globally, while preserving authentic Thai flavours and adapting products to suit international consumer preferences.

Under the Flying Goose brand, the company offers more than 50 Sriracha sauce flavours, while the Exotic Food brand features over 700 SKUs of Thai condiments and ready-to-cook products. Beyond product development, Exotic Food places significant emphasis on long-term brand building through marketing campaigns and collaborations with renowned chefs, local restaurants, and international lifestyle brands, including Anya Hindmarch® and Percival. These collaborations create new consumer experiences and allow the brand to connect more closely with local food cultures and lifestyles in each market.

Another key pillar of the company's strategy is its exclusive distributor model, appointing only one distributor per country to foster long-term partnerships and improve market efficiency. Today, Exotic Food products are available at more than 30,000 points of sale worldwide.

Ms. Vasana Jantarach, Chief Executive Officer of Exotic Food Public Company Limited, said the company chose to focus on international expansion from the early stages of the business because it recognized a "Blue Ocean" opportunity capable of creating significant added value for Thai products through the right brand positioning strategy.

"We never wanted to be merely a manufacturer of Thai food products. Our goal has always been to build Thai brands that consumers around the world trust and remember. Our success demonstrates that Thai SMEs are fully capable of creating world-class brands when supported by strong quality, international standards, and powerful brand value," said Ms. Vasana.

Ms. Vasana added that both Flying Goose and Exotic Food currently have their strongest market presence in Europe, where demand continues to grow steadily. The company has also begun expanding into new markets across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, reflecting the rising global popularity of Thai cuisine and the significant growth potential of Thai flavours in international markets.

At the same time, the company continues to invest in international quality standards, automation systems, research and development, as well as proactive cost and risk management to strengthen its long-term competitiveness. Exotic Food is also focused on developing new products and innovations aligned with health and sustainability trends, which are increasingly becoming key drivers for modern food brands.

Looking ahead, Exotic Food is preparing to showcase more than 700 SKUs at THAIFEX – Anuga Asia 2026, one of Asia's largest food and beverage trade exhibitions. The event serves as an important platform for expanding international business opportunities and connecting with buyers, importers, supermarket chains, and business partners from around the world — further reinforcing the global rise of Thai food brands under the concept of a "Premium Global Thai Brand."

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