Nguyen Van Dinh, chairman of Vietnam Association of Realtors at the launch of the report "Market consolidation and value repositioning driven by real demand" held in Ho Chi Minh City on July 16

"This is a necessary adjustment to put the market on a more transparent, healthy, and sustainable growth path. At the same time, the shift is creating positive pressure on developers to improve product quality, strengthen project development capabilities, and better adapt to increasingly demanding customer expectations," Dinh said at the launch of the report organised by the VARS in Ho Chi Minh City on July 16.

The consolidation process is evident in transaction activity but is also becoming increasingly apparent across the real estate business community.

Data from the National Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance) shows that in the first half, the number of newly established real estate businesses rose by 23 per cent on-year, while their total registered capital surged by 71 per cent. The figures suggest that financially strong developers continue to enter the market, expand operations, and proactively prepare resources for the next growth cycle.

Considering both newly established and reactivated companies, and subtracting those that temporarily suspended operations or were dissolved, the market still recorded a net increase of around 1,200 real estate enterprises.

According to Dinh, these figures confirm that the ongoing market consolidation does not signal a downturn, but rather reflects a restructuring of the sector towards higher-quality market participants.

"Companies with strong financial capacity, sizeable land banks, clear legal status, and proven execution capabilities are continuing to expand, while those with limited resources or unable to meet the market's evolving requirements are being forced to scale back or exit. This is the natural progression of a market entering a more mature and sustainable stage of development," he said.

According to Pham Thi Mien, deputy director of the Vietnam Institute for Real Estate Market Research and Evaluation, Vietnam's housing market continued to show encouraging signs of recovery as legal obstructions were gradually resolved, project approvals accelerated, and the rollout of large-scale developments helped unlock new supply.

“However, the actual number of homes launched remained below the number of projects eligible for sale. Many developers have adopted a cautious approach, delayed new launches or extending marketing and booking periods to gauge market sentiment before bringing projects to market,” Mien said.

In the second quarter, nearly 34,000 new housing units were launched nationwide, down around 10 per cent from the previous quarter and 8 per cent on-year.

Despite the quarterly decline, Mien said, the market recorded approximately 98,000 housing units launched in the first half, up about half from the same period last year. Of these, more than 70,000 were newly launched units, representing a 40 per cent on-year increase.

“New housing supply continued to be concentrated in large-scale developments, integrated urban townships, and projects benefiting from major transport infrastructure investments,” she said.

However, Mien added that the persistent mismatch between supply and demand remains unresolved, as most newly launched products were in the high-end segment.

“Affordable commercial housing has remained virtually absent from the market. Meanwhile, landed residential products, including villas, townhouses, and residential land plots, accounted for just 25.3 per cent of total new supply, down from both the previous quarter and the same period in 2025. Most of these were villas and townhouses located within master-planned integrated townships,” she said.

According to Luu Tien, former vice director of Dat Xanh Service, genuine housing demand, together with medium- and long-term investment demand, has become the market's most important growth driver.

"This momentum is being underpinned by rapid urbanisation, economic growth, and the emergence of new development hubs. Demand is recovering in a more selective manner, focusing on locations that offer products aligned with buyers' affordability, particularly suburban areas, satellite cities, and localities where transport infrastructure has moved beyond the planning stage into actual implementation," Tien said.

Buyer preferences have also shifted markedly, with increasing interest in assets capable of generating stable cash flows, such as apartments, rental properties, or products that not only meet owner-occupier demand but also offer long-term capital appreciation and income potential.

Notably, purchasing decisions are no longer driven primarily by expectations of short-term price appreciation, as was the case in previous market cycles.

According to Tien, buyers are increasingly relying on a broader range of data before making purchasing decisions, including selling prices, credit policies, legal status, construction progress, handover quality, and rental yield potential.

"The number of prospective buyers continues to increase, but so does the tendency to conduct more thorough due diligence. Site inspections, legal verification, and assessments of an asset's income-generating potential have become top priorities, replacing the previous focus on chasing short-term price surges. This indicates that market capital is clearly shifting from a 'riding the wave' mindset to one centred on long-term value," he said.

As a result, investors are increasingly favouring assets with transparent legal status, tangible construction progress, strong income-generating potential, and stable liquidity, while speculative short-term capital continues to retreat.

SBV credit policy shift puts banks and developers in spotlight The State Bank of Vietnam's easing of capital rules and special credit treatment for strategic projects is expected to expand lending capacity, with banks, property developers and infrastructure companies emerging as the biggest beneficiaries.

Vietnamese investors building more structured portfolios Vietnamese investors are building more structured portfolios, placing greater emphasis on resilience, holding higher expectations for trust, and increasingly taking a multi-generational investment perspective.

Rather than relying solely on credit growth, they argued that Vietnam must build a more diversified and resilient financial ecosystem capable of supporting long-term investment and sustainable economic growth.

Bui Hoang Hai, vice chairman of the State Securities Commission (SSC), said broadening investment channels would be central to that transformation. Alongside the Ministry of Finance's plan to restructure the investor base and develop the fund management industry, regulators are working to introduce new markets and financial products capable of attracting capital with different risk appetites.

Bui Hoang Hai, vice chairman of the State Securities Commission. Photo: Chi Cuong

“Among the initiatives under consideration is a dedicated market for innovative startups, allowing companies that do not yet meet listing requirements to access equity financing through an appropriate regulatory framework. At the same time, the SSC is studying the development of a gold derivatives market as a way to unlock idle capital currently tied up in physical gold holdings,” said Hai. "Today, investors have to purchase physical gold in full. A gold derivatives market would allow investors to gain exposure with only a small margin requirement, releasing the remaining capital back into productive investment across the economy."

Policy reforms, however, must be accompanied by stronger market infrastructure, according to Nguyen Son, chairman of the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation (VSDC).

He revealed that VSDC is working closely with the World Bank, the SSC and international partners to introduce a central counterparty clearing model for the cash equity market based on the KRX trading platform.

“If implemented as scheduled, the CCP framework is expected to become operational in early 2027, removing settlement bottlenecks, improving capital efficiency and making Vietnam's securities market more attractive to both domestic and international investors,” he added.

Nguyen Son, chairman of the Vietnam Securities Depository and Clearing Corporation. Photo: Chi Cuong

Alongside the CCP project, VSDC is expanding voluntary supplementary pension initiatives while supporting the development of Vietnam's fund management industry. Nevertheless, Son cautioned that attracting long-term foreign capital will require more than technical upgrades.

“VSDC is currently collaborating with several credit rating agencies to build a platform for independently and objectively evaluating and recognising top performers, based on international standards, to provide market signals,” said Son.

While regulators focus on strengthening market foundations, Trinh Quynh Giao, general director of PVI Asset Management, argued that Vietnam's greatest challenge is not a shortage of capital.

“Despite ranking among the world's largest markets for gold ownership and cryptocurrency participation, Vietnam has yet to channel sufficient savings into long-term investment vehicles. Restructuring the investor base essentially means shifting capital from retail investors towards professional institutions, with banks, insurance companies and investment funds forming the three pillars of a healthier financial system,” Giao said. "The banking sector has performed remarkably well in mobilising savings by earning depositors' trust. Insurance, however, still has significant untapped potential. Insurance assets account for only around 7.5 per cent of GDP, far below approximately 30 per cent in China and 50-70 per cent in Singapore. Restoring market discipline will be essential for the industry to become a stronger long-term institutional investor."

Trinh Quynh Giao, general director of PVI Asset Management. Photo: Chi Cuong

While banks and insurers play a critical role in mobilising long-term savings, Giao argued that investment funds remain the weakest pillar because of limited investor confidence.

Trinh Hoai Giang, CEO of Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation argued that improving market liquidity should be treated as an equally important priority.

Drawing on his experience helping reform Vietnam's government bond market two decades ago, Giang recalled how fragmented issuance had severely limited trading activity until authorities adopted benchmark-sized bond issues based on yield curves rather than nominal coupon rates.

"That reform significantly improved liquidity and the market's capacity to absorb capital," he said. "Vietnam's capital market now needs a similar approach in product development."

Trinh Hoai Giang, CEO of Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corporation. Photo: Chi Cuong

Although exchange-traded funds and other new products have been introduced, Giang believes innovation remains insufficient to materially deepen market liquidity. Following Vietnam's market upgrade, international investors are paying increasing attention to derivatives, where, as he put it, flow attracts flow.

"A well-developed derivatives market liquidity and also strengthens the resilience of the underlying cash market during periods of volatility," he said. Rather than launching too many products simultaneously, policymakers should focus on building liquidity around a small number of flagship products, including gold, US dollar and commodity futures.

For Nguyen Duy Linh, CEO of Saigon-Hanoi Securities, however, liquidity is ultimately a consequence rather than the starting point.

"When confidence returns, capital will naturally follow, and liquidity will recover," he said. "I see liquidity as the market's thermometer, reflecting both investor confidence and the broader market cycle."

Nguyen Duy Linh, CEO of Saigon-Hanoi Securities. Photo: Chi Cuong

Linh noted that although international investors remain optimistic about Vietnam's long-term growth story, their investment priorities are shifting rapidly.

“Instead of traditional sectors such as real estate and financial services, global institutions are increasingly seeking opportunities in green energy, innovation and industries aligned with Vietnam's next growth drivers. Yet Vietnam's listed market has not evolved at the same pace,” he added.

He also stressed the importance of expanding the institutional investor base, suggesting measurable targets to increase institutional trading activity from around 5-10 per cent currently to 15-20 per cent over time.

Dang Thanh Tam, chairman of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation. Photo: Chi Cuong

Dang Thanh Tam, chairman of Kinh Bac City Development Holding Corporation, argued that the ultimate success of capital market reform would depend on the quality of businesses rather than financial engineering alone.

"The quality of assets in the capital market ultimately determines its ability to pull in long-term capital," Tam said. "Listed companies must strengthen corporate governance, improve operational efficiency and create genuine economic value. Investor confidence is built through sound policies as well as transparent, high-quality businesses."

He added that Vietnam is entering a new phase of foreign direct investment, where technology transfer, innovation, green growth and domestic supply-chain development matter far more than investment volume alone.

"Improving localisation rates, strengthening supporting industries and building stronger domestic supply chains will allow Vietnam to capture greater value from future FDI," Tam said.

Expansion of capital channels being urged There are calls for Vietnam to develop a more diverse financial ecosystem capable of supporting businesses at every stage of development, particularly private and innovative companies.

Among the sectors with the strongest long-term prospects, Minh placed energy at the top of the list, arguing that achieving Vietnam's ambitious growth targets will require substantial investment in electricity generation and supporting infrastructure.

"We are targeting a high level of economic growth. Energy will be a core pillar in the coming period, and I believe this is a sector that requires substantial investment," he said.

Semiconductors were also identified as a promising destination for future investment. While the global restructuring of technology supply chains is creating new opportunities, Vietnam's semiconductor industry still has only a limited presence in the capital market.

“Domestic technology companies such as CMC Corporation have made initial moves into the sector, but their contribution to the global semiconductor value chain remains modest,” he added.

Minh pointed to growing openness in technology transfer, particularly from China, as an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen their capabilities. Although Beijing is gradually tightening controls over advanced technologies, the broader market environment continues to create opportunities for Vietnamese companies to access new technologies and integrate more deeply into global supply chains.

“However, turning these opportunities into investment will require easier access to long-term capital,” Minh said.

One obstacle lies in the relatively high cost of capital faced by Vietnamese businesses, whose funding structures continue to rely heavily on bank credit. Lower financing costs, Minh argued, would enable companies to invest more aggressively while strengthening their competitiveness over the long term.

“Access to international funding presents another challenge,” he said.

Vietnamese companies remain subject to the country's sovereign credit rating ceiling, meaning their international credit ratings cannot exceed Vietnam's own rating regardless of their financial strength. Minh compared the mechanism to margin lending limits in the stock market, where borrowing capacity is constrained despite the quality of the underlying assets.

“The impact can be seen even among Vietnam's largest companies,” Minh said. “Vinamilk, for example, holds the highest domestic credit rating of AAA but cannot obtain an international rating higher than Vietnam's sovereign rating, currently BB+. As a result, leading Vietnamese enterprises may still find it difficult to secure funding from major international financial institutions because they fall short of global credit rating requirements.”

Improving both Vietnam's sovereign credit rating and the credit standing of domestic companies should therefore become a priority in the coming years. Besides expanding businesses' access to overseas funding, stronger credit profiles would also help banks diversify their own funding sources.

Nguyen The Minh, head of Investment Banking and member of the Executive Board at ABS Securities. Photo: Chi Cuong

According to Minh, two years ago, when domestic liquidity was abundant, banks relied primarily on local funding. With domestic funding costs now approaching those in international markets, many lenders have started issuing bonds overseas to secure medium- and long-term capital.

Beyond conventional financing channels, Minh identified ESG finance as another important source of long-term funding that remains largely underdeveloped in Vietnam.

Although more businesses are incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) into their development strategies, the country still lacks a clear and consistent framework capable of attracting meaningful ESG investment. Most ESG transactions continue to take the form of private placements, where financing is arranged with a limited group of designated investors rather than through broader capital mobilisation.

International financial institutions, including the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and International Finance Corporation, remain willing to provide ESG financing at competitive costs. Unlocking these funding sources, however, will require Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen investor confidence while demonstrating greater alignment with internationally recognised ESG standards.

“Improving access to affordable capital will ultimately determine how quickly strategic industries such as energy and semiconductors can expand, attract investment and become new drivers of Vietnam's next phase of economic growth,” Minh said.

VIR to host capital restructuring seminar in Hanoi with policymakers VIR is set to host a seminar in Hanoi on restructuring capital channels, bringing together policymakers and market participants.

Capital channel reform critical to Vietnam's next growth phase Restructuring Vietnam's capital channels has become increasingly urgent as the country seeks to mobilise an estimated $1.54 trillion to support its double-digit growth ambitions over the next five years, delegates heard at a seminar in Hanoi.

Capital concentrated in later-stage startups, leaving funding gaps for early ventures Capital remains available for Vietnam's innovation economy, but it is becoming increasingly concentrated in later-stage companies, exposing critical funding and exit gaps that could constrain the next generation of startups.

The State of AI in Marketing 2026 report was released by the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) and Decision Lab on July 15, mapping how far AI has moved into the marketing operating model across Southeast Asia. The findings draw on an online survey of 143 MMA members across five markets: Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Singapore, conducted between January and April 2026.

Marketing in Southeast Asia has moved past the experimental phase of AI. Advanced adopters, the organisations at Stage 3 (Early Adoption) and Stage 4 (Expansion), now account for 57 per cent of the market, and 80 per cent of organisations include AI in their marketing plans at a moderate level or higher. Only 4 per cent remain at the Awareness stage. Adoption now functions as the price of entry to the market, no longer a source of advantage for the few. The open question is no longer whether to adopt, but how deeply to integrate.

What separates the leaders is the number of functions scaled at the same time. Media allocation and measurement are where AI converts into commercial decisions, which is where the advantage of advanced adopters is hardest to close. Organisations that stop at scaling content are leaving the larger prize in insight and media decisions unclaimed.

Rohit Dadwal, CEO MMA Global Asia Pacific and global head of Smarties Worldwide, said, “This is where advanced adopters are pulling ahead. Their advantage comes less from owning more tools than from a scaled application across use cases, functions, and decision points. They are turning disciplined micro-actions into macro-impact.”

The real constraint on the next phase for marketers in the region is organisational capability. Skills and training are the challenge marketers name most often when integrating AI, at 78 per cent, and 34 per cent go further and say AI is not yet effectively understood inside their organisation. Advanced adopters are turning that concern into action, with 63 per cent already running AI training programmes for their marketing teams, against 36 per cent among early adopters.

Risk governance follows the same pattern. The risk marketers worry about most is data privacy, at 62 per cent, and awareness of the ethical implications of AI reaches 83 per cent among advanced adopters against 62 per cent among early adopters. Governance has not kept pace with that awareness, with only 44 per cent of advanced organisations holding a formal AI risk strategy and the figure falling to 21 per cent among early adopters. Recognising a risk and being ready to manage it are two different capabilities, and most organisations still hold only the first.

Investment plans for 2026 show the leaders across Southeast Asia moving to extend their lead. Advanced organisations expecting a budget increase reach 42 per cent, made up of 18 per cent expecting a significant rise and 24 per cent a moderate one, against 29 per cent among early adopters. Fewer of the leaders plan to hold budgets flat, at 26 per cent among advanced organisations against 34 per cent among early adopters.

The leaders' expected budget growth gives them greater capacity to reinvest in AI capability, and the gap with organisations holding budgets flat through 2026 may widen further. Adoption has become the baseline across Southeast Asia, and the report points to depth of integration as the factor separating the leaders from the rest.

Vietnam’s workforce ready for AI era As Vietnam’s workforce becomes increasingly AI-ready, businesses need to accelerate their transformation to remain competitive.

Vietnam, Singapore aim to shape ASEAN's future through AI and green growth Business executives, policymakers and experts from Vietnam and Singapore gathered on June 26-27 for the 2026 Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum, where discussions centred on how companies can balance profitability with long-term sustainability.

Vietnam leads region in using AI in academia Vietnam leads Southeast Asia in the academic use of Gemini and boasts the highest vernacular adoption rate regionally.

With investment demand expected to rise sharply in the coming years, they agreed that Vietnam can no longer rely primarily on bank lending. Instead, the capital market must assume a much larger role in mobilising long-term funding, broadening investment products, diversifying the investor base and improving capital allocation.

Experts shared insights on reshaping Vietnam's capital markets during the panel discussion. Photo: Chi Cuong

One priority is strengthening the stock market's ability to attract long-term domestic and foreign capital.

Nguyen The Minh, head of Investment Banking and member of the Executive Board at ABS Securities, said that expanding passive investment products, particularly exchange-traded funds (ETFs), should be high on the agenda.

"Without ETFs, foreign investors simply cannot invest effectively. That's why I believe ETFs are an essential investment product," Minh said.

Alongside product innovation, Minh believes Vietnam should establish a more robust framework for assessing corporate transparency.

"We already have ESG indices, but we could also develop indices based on investor relations ratings. Such benchmarks would provide institutional and foreign investors with an objective measure of corporate transparency before making investment decisions," he said.

Looking ahead, he proposed allowing fund management companies to develop proprietary indices and launch ETFs based on those benchmarks, rather than relying solely on exchange-developed indices.

As retail investors increasingly prioritise investment efficiency over frequent trading, ETFs are expected to become an increasingly important vehicle for channelling long-term capital into the market.

While the equity market requires broader investment products, experts argued that the corporate bond market faces a different challenge: restructuring its investor base.

Nguyen Thi Trieu, CEO of Blue Bridge Investment Partners, said that although the market has recovered significantly from its recent downturn, its underlying structure has changed little.

Around 80 per cent of corporate bond issuance continues to come from banks and real estate developers, while banks remain the dominant investors. "In essence, today's corporate bond market remains a funding channel for the banking system," Trieu said.

“As long as banks remain both the largest issuers and buyers, the market will struggle to reduce the economy's dependence on bank credit. Instead, both issuers and investors must become more diversified, while capital should increasingly be directed towards sectors capable of generating sustainable long-term economic value,” Trieu added.

She welcomed ongoing efforts to establish a legal framework for public-private partnership (PPP) project bonds, describing infrastructure financing as one of Vietnam's most pressing investment needs. However, she cautioned that infrastructure projects typically generate relatively modest returns while requiring investment horizons stretching over several decades.

"If PPP bond issues still require bank guarantees, we ultimately return to the same dependence on the banking system," said Trieu.

Rather than encouraging greater participation from retail investors, Trieu believes priority should be given to developing a much deeper institutional investor base.

"Individual investors should not be encouraged to buy corporate bonds directly. These products are designed for professional investors capable of properly assessing corporate credit risk," she added.

Among Vietnam's available pools of long-term capital, she identified insurance companies as one of the country's most underutilised funding sources.

With liabilities typically extending 20-30 years, insurers are naturally suited to investing in infrastructure assets and long-dated corporate bonds. Unlocking this capital, however, will require effective credit enhancement mechanisms that provide sufficient protection for institutional investors.

Meanwhile, Duong Kim Anh, director of Investment at Vietcombank Fund Management, said that transformation begins with changing investor behaviour.

"The most important change is moving investors from speculation to investment. As long as the market is viewed primarily as a place for short-term speculation, it will be difficult to build the stable, long-term capital base that the economy requires," she said.

Although securities firms, fund managers and fintech companies have invested heavily in financial education, investor interest in long-term investment products remains limited compared to direct stock trading.

Yet the bottleneck no longer lies in the availability of investment products, but in their distribution to a wider investor base. She suggested that commercial banks could become a critical channel alongside digital investment platforms.

"In many developed markets, banks provide customers with a comprehensive financial ecosystem covering deposits, insurance and investment products. In Vietnam, however, mutual fund distribution through banks remains relatively limited," said Anh.

Allowing qualified banks to distribute fund certificates would improve accessibility while strengthening investor confidence through an additional layer of due diligence. “Nevertheless, any expansion must be accompanied by stronger governance standards, professional advisory practices and tighter supervision, drawing lessons from Vietnam's bancassurance market,” she warned.

Nguyen Anh Khoa, director of Analysis at Agribank Securities, cautioned against expecting banks to expand lending to the securities sector. Vietnam's stock market remains young, corporate quality varies widely, and share prices often diverge from intrinsic values, making prudent risk management essential when extending credit linked to listed securities.

“When banks assess collateral, value listed shares or forecast corporate cash flows, numerous uncertainties come into play. Effective risk management is therefore essential when extending credit related to securities investments,” Khoa said.

He added that a clearer division of responsibilities between banks and securities firms would better align Vietnam with international practice, allowing banks to focus on lending while securities firms specialise in advisory services, underwriting and capital raising.

Khoa also said Vietnam's credit-to-GDP ratio of around 140-145 per cent should be viewed in the context of the country's open economy, where import-export turnover equals roughly 200 per cent of GDP and naturally creates strong financing demand. Nevertheless, the economy remains heavily reliant on bank credit because capital markets are still underdeveloped. Corporate bonds account for only around 10 per cent of GDP, while stock market capitalisation stands at about 80 per cent. New capital raised through the equity and bond markets in the first half of the year amounted to 1-2 per cent of GDP.

“Over the next five years, banks will remain the primary source of financing. However, both the equity and bond markets must develop much faster to gradually share that responsibility,” Khoa said.

Capital channel reform critical to Vietnam's next growth phase Restructuring Vietnam's capital channels has become increasingly urgent as the country seeks to mobilise an estimated $1.54 trillion to support its double-digit growth ambitions over the next five years, delegates heard at a seminar in Hanoi.

Capital concentrated in later-stage startups, leaving funding gaps for early ventures Capital remains available for Vietnam's innovation economy, but it is becoming increasingly concentrated in later-stage companies, exposing critical funding and exit gaps that could constrain the next generation of startups.

Dragon Capital: Vietnam has 3–5 years to cut bank reliance Vietnam has a three-to-five-year window to reduce its reliance on bank credit, making the restructuring of its capital channels an urgent priority, according to Dragon Capital.

Documentation remains the biggest administrative burden for clinicians, with 88% identifying it as their most time-consuming task across every geography, specialty and career stage. That burden is driving rapid AI adoption. Today, 86% of clinicians use AI daily or several times a week, with usage highest among the most experienced practitioners. Clinicians with more than 21 years' experience are also the most likely to recommend AI to colleagues, reflecting the value they see in reducing administrative work.

More than half (57%) now consider AI a routine part of practice, yet 83% are using it without guidance from their employer, a formal policy or a recommended tool.

The report found 68% of clinicians cite hallucinations and accuracy as their biggest concern when using AI, ahead of patient privacy (59%), over-reliance (47%) and erosion of clinical judgement (41%). Despite this, 75% say patients are comfortable with AI being used in their care.

"Clinicians are already embracing AI while regulation catches up," said Yass Omar, Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at Heidi. "Healthcare organisations now have an opportunity to support that momentum with clear frameworks for privacy, safety and clinical oversight, giving clinicians confidence to adopt AI safely and consistently."

The findings come as the World Health Organization projects a global shortfall of 11 million health workers by 2030. Against this backdrop, 73% of clinicians say AI is helping them sustain a longer, more manageable career.

"The debate about whether clinicians will adopt AI is over. They already have." said Dr Simon Kos, Global Chief Medical Officer at Heidi."Clinicians are turning to AI because the pressures of modern medicine demand new tools. When documentation is finished before they leave the clinic, they get their evenings back. Over time, that's what helps more clinicians stay in medicine."

This report lands alongside 'Relief, on repeat', Heidi's new global brand campaign exploring relief at scale and in its smallest, everyday moments.

View the full Pressure points report at: https://www.heidihealth.com/en-gb/blog/pressure-points-2026-report

Learn more at heidihealth.com.

The demand for ethanol as Vietnam implements E10 petrol is expected to create opportunities for the US to increase exports, given that the US is currently the largest supplier of ethanol to Vietnam.

According to a report released by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), Vietnam’s increasing population and rapidly growing GDP have benefitted US agricultural exports, including ethanol.

The report pointed out that the US was the largest supplier of ethanol to Vietnam at $4.3 million in 2025, with a market share of 58 per cent, followed by China (26 per cent), and Japan (6 per cent).

The International Energy Agency forecasts Vietnam to consume around 11 billion litres in 2026 and expects consumption to continue growing throughout the decade.

Vietnam recently expanded its ethanol blending rate, increasing demand for ethanol for on-road fuel use. Previously, Vietnam had a 5 per cent ethanol blend rate mandated for only one grade of petrol.

On June 1, Vietnam successfully began implementing a national requirement that all 95-octane unleaded petrol must contain 10 per cent ethanol (E10). This development will most likely boost ethanol demand.

In addition, on March 31, 2025, in advance of the E10 ethanol mandate, Vietnam announced the unilateral reduction of most-favoured-nation tariffs on ethanol from 10 to 5 per cent.

In June 2025, the Vietnamese government agencies signed 20 memoranda of understanding worth $3 billion to buy US agricultural and timber products, aiming to balance trade and strengthen supply chains.

In October 2025, the US and Vietnam announced the Agreement on the Framework for Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade. Negotiations for this agreement continue. This agreement aims to grant US exporters access to Vietnam's market while enhancing US national and economic security. Vietnam will offer preferential market access for US exports by eliminating tariffs on nearly all goods, including food and agricultural products.

The US and Vietnam are working together to identify and eliminate obstacles to US agricultural products in the Vietnamese market. This work includes ensuring Vietnam respects US regulatory oversight and continues to quickly process US biotech applications. Additionally, efforts will be made to facilitate trade in agricultural products and ensure ongoing access for US goods.

Vietnam moves towards market-based fuel management with E10 rollout The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has implemented the nationwide use of E10 biofuel, in line with Vietnam’s emission reduction commitments and efforts to manage the petroleum market under market-based mechanisms.

E10 petrol to be rolled out nationwide, cutting 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually Vietnam will expand the nationwide sale of E10 biofuel petrol from June 1, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing long-term energy security.

E10 rollout yields positive early signs on emissions Vietnam's nationwide rollout of E10 biofuel petrol has shown encouraging initial results in reducing emissions, although authorities say a longer monitoring period is needed before drawing firm conclusions about its environmental benefits.

Building on the success of Saudi LEAP, LEAP East 2026 brought together more than 25,000 professional visitors and 300 exhibitors, serving as a platform for innovation and business collaboration across artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech and other emerging technologies.

At the exhibition, Coremail demonstrated how its AI-Native Secure Email System integrates a large language model (LLM) with enterprise email workflows to improve productivity while strengthening security. The solution is built around two core capabilities: AI Agent-driven Intelligent Workflows and Comprehensive Security Protection.

Powered by AI Agents, the system supports intelligent email classification, scheduling, approval workflows, email analytics and collaborative work. With the ReAct autonomous execution framework and MCP (Model Context Protocol), it securely connects enterprise applications and third-party tools, transforming email into an intelligent gateway for enterprise workflows.

To address increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, the platform combines AI-driven phishing detection and defense, sender identity verification, spam protection, LLM-powered semantic analysis and multimodal threat detection to help organizations defend against phishing attacks, business email compromise (BEC) and other emerging threats. A user-level sandbox model, together with the principle of least privilege, further enhances data security and compliance.

"AI is transforming the way enterprises work, but security remains the foundation of AI adoption," said Tim Lin, CTO of Coremail. "We will continue integrating AI with enterprise email to deliver smarter, safer and more efficient communication and collaboration experiences."

During the exhibition, Coremail exchanged insights with industry professionals on AI-native enterprise applications, email security and intelligent workplace solutions. Looking ahead, the company will continue advancing AI-native innovation and working with global partners to build a more intelligent, secure and efficient future for enterprise communications.

For more information, please visit: www.coremail.co.th

The round brings together a coalition of climate-focused and development finance investors committed to scaling Rize’s model across Vietnam, Indonesia, and the wider region.

The equity raise was led by BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, and joined by The Rockefeller Foundation, alongside renewed commitments from existing investors Temasek and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. Debt financing is catalysed by BIDV, Temasek Foundation, and UOB.

The cash injection brings Rize’s total funding to date to $47 million, and will be deployed across export expansion, AI-powered tools for farmers and field teams, carbon and innovation initiatives, and organisational growth. In the two years since its Series A, Rize has scaled operations more than tenfold.

The Series B will support Rize’s efforts to strengthen market linkages into export markets, underpinned by traceability across the value chain, to bring low emission rice at no premiums. The funding will accelerate the adoption of alternate wetting and drying practices and maximum residue limit compliance, bringing the core practice that cuts emissions and raises farmer income to more farmers, faster, while ensuring more of Rize's rice meets the residue and safety standards required by demanding export markets.

With the fresh funding, Rize will double down on innovation and modern farming practices – driving higher yields, lower emissions and better outcomes for farmers. The startup will also expand into new markets across borders, growing its footprint beyond Vietnam and Indonesia through and explore additional markets in the region. Rize will open the platform to new ecosystem partners, so that input and services players and agri-tech providers can access its farmer network and help farmers grow more, and grow better.

Rize emerged in late 2022 from a shared vision between Temasek, 100x100 and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, with 100x100 playing a key role in the early-stage build. The company now works with 17,000 smallholder farmers across over 50,000 hectares in Vietnam and Indonesia, with a team of 250 people on the ground across technology, agronomy, and field operations.

Dhruv Sawhney, co-founder and CEO, Rize, said, "This is a very special moment for Rize. Our platform and approach for transforming and modernising rice cultivation by small holder farmers is getting a big thumbs up by all - the investors, partners and farmers."

"The team at Rize has successfully woven together positive climate impact and improving farmer resilience into the fabric and foundation of our solutions and business. This investment allows us to unlock the next phase of growth by further expanding scale, investing in market linkage and exports, and cutting-edge technologies to deliver better decision-making, better productivity, and better outcomes across the whole value-chain."

Alexandre Martin-Min, head of Natural Capital & Impact Investments at BNP Paribas Asset Management Alts, said, "We see our investment in Rize as reflective of our conviction that capital deployed into high-impact, durable platforms in underserved markets can deliver meaningful and measurable environmental outcomes to help address climate challenges."

"Rize has positioned itself at the intersection of sustainable agriculture, carbon finance, and verified commodity trade; very much aligned to our strategy to protect, restore, and sustainably manage natural ecosystems while delivering competitive financial returns for investors.”

Slav Gatchev, vice president of Innovative Finance at The Rockefeller Foundation, said, "Small shareholder farmers across Asia face challenges with resource management, access to financing, and unreliable market access – leading to lower agricultural yields and reduced farmer welfare. We are proud to support Rize’s efforts to boost the adoption of tech-enabled regenerative practices, ultimately driving higher yields and increasing incomes for those who need help the most."

Singapore's agritech platform Rize raises $14 million in Series A funding to expand into Vietnam and Indonesia Pioneering agritech platform Rize is aiming to make sustainable rice cultivation viable through innovative and data-driven practices following its $14 million Series A funding round.

Every Half Coffee Roasters raises $8 million in Series A financing Every Half Coffee Roasters has closed an $8 million Series A funding round, fully subscribed by existing investors.

TechCoop subsidiary secures $11.75 million financing from Symbiotics As part of its broader capital strategy, which includes a planned Series B equity raise later this year, TechCoop’s domestic trading arm in Vietnam, Farmnet, on April 14 announced disbursement of an $11.75 million senior secured loan from Symbiotics, the Geneva-based impact investment firm.

This year's theme, "From Platform to Applications: Powering the B2B Ecosystem for AI Smartglasses," reflects Solos' growing focus on enabling partners across health, lifestyle, enterprise, and accessibility to build on its open ecosystem.

"Every year at this symposium, the conversations get more concrete," said Kenneth Fan, co-founder of Solos. "The use cases are real, the partners are building, and the hardware is ready. With V2 available today and A6 on the horizon, we're at an inflection point for what wearable AI can do in everyday life."

Solos AirGo™ A6: A New Category of Everyday AI Smart Wearables

Designed for those who want AI always within reach without a camera in the frame, the AirGo™ A6 builds on the foundation of the AirGo™ A5 with a refined, fashion-first form for professionals, privacy-conscious users, and anyone who wants the benefits of wearable AI in eyewear they can wear comfortably from morning to night. The A6 features hands-free access to SolosChat™, automatic power-on/off, wake-word activation, and a simplified, instant-on experience. It supports full prescription lens compatibility and is powered by an open AI platform designed to evolve with SolosAI, SolosChat, the Solos SDK, and additional AI assistants, making A6 not just a product but a wearable that grows with the technology around it.

• Fashion-First, Featherlight Design: ~19g before lenses, with eyewear-grade hinge durability targets and a transparent design language built to look and wear like premium eyewear, not a gadget.
• AI Personal Assistant: Ask, retrieve, and get things done hands-free.
• Full Rx Support: Complete prescription lens compatibility for everyday, all-day wear.
• Open-Ear Audio: Stay connected to calls, music, and AI responses while remaining aware of your surroundings.
• Everyday AI Toolkit: Voice memo capture, real-time translation, calls and messaging, calendar and reminders, and personalized audio tuning via the Solos App.

"With AirGo A6, we wanted to prove that AI glasses don't have to look or feel like AI glasses," said Fan. "At under 19 grams with full prescription support and fashion-first design, A6 is eyewear first and AI second, built in so naturally you forget it's there until you need it."

Introducing the Solos Privacy Kit

Alongside the AirGo™ V2, Solos is introducing the Privacy Kit: a set of physical accessories that give users direct, tangible control over their camera presence. The Privacy Kit combines the ClearView Temple, a transparent, non-powered replacement temple available in various colors, with the Clip-On Bundle, which includes one Clip-On Privacy Shield and one Clip-On Polarized Sun Lens (available in Dark Green, Dark Grey, and Gradient Brown).

The Clip-On Privacy Shield physically blocks the camera from both usage and outside view, while the Sun Lens adds on-demand UV protection and glare reduction.

Solos AirGo™ V2: Now Available Worldwide

Designed with an eyewear-first approach, the AirGo™ V2 brings camera-enabled AI to a lightweight, prescription-ready frame with patented SmartHinge™ modularity that gives users flexibility across style, use case, and privacy preferences. Starting at $299 and available now at solosglasses.com, V2 is the company's most advanced visual AI smartglasses to date.

AirGo™ V2 Key Features:

• Ultra-Slim 16MP Camera with 2K Video: An advanced first-person camera captures high-resolution photos and up to 2K video at 30fps with Anti-Shake Electronic Image Stabilization, ideal for travel, content creation, and everyday hands-free capture. YouTube live streaming support is planned as a coming-soon feature.
• Privacy-Forward Modular Design with SmartHinge™: AirGo V2's SmartHinge™ architecture supports modular frame-front flexibility, giving users more choice across style, use case, and privacy needs.
• Comprehensive Prescription Support: Supports most common lens configurations, including single vision, digital progressive, transition/photochromic, polarized sun, and anti-blue light lenses. Users can upload their prescription directly at checkout.
• Hands-Free AI with SolosChat™ 4.0: Say "Hey Solos" to take photos, record video, control music, ask real-time questions, use translation, and access supported assistant features.
• Industry-Leading Battery Life: All-Day Mode supports up to 10-12 hours of typical operation. Optional spare battery temples and charging storage can extend use for multi-day travel or events.
• High-Fidelity Open-Ear Audio: 0920 directional speaker drivers deliver clear open-ear audio with strong bass for music, calls, AI responses, and translation playback, while keeping users aware of their surroundings. V2 also supports 7 music profiles and left/right balance adjustment.
• Real-Time Translation with SolosTranslate™: Break language barriers with hands-free translation across supported languages for conversations, travel, meetings, lectures, and everyday communication.

Additional Accessories and Add-Ons

A dedicated Charging Case for the AirGo™ V2 platform is planned for August 2026. Designed to support AirGo V2's swappable battery-temple system, the compact case protects the glasses while recharging the battery temples on the go. With USB-C charging, LED status indication, and an internal charging base, the case extends everyday usage for AirGo V2 users. Final pricing and detailed compatibility will be announced closer to availability.

Availability & Pricing

AirGo™ V2: Available now at solosglasses.com, starting at $299. AirGo™ A6: Availability and pricing TBD. Privacy Kit: ClearView Temple $39, Clip-On Bundle $49, full kit $79, with the bundled kit expected 2-4 weeks post-July 7 launch. Charging Case: Planned for August 2026; pricing TBD.

Solos also offers a 20% commission through its affiliate partnership on AWIN for publishers.

Additional images and materials can be found in the press kit here.

For more information, visit www.solosglasses.com.

Developed in partnership with Chelsea Football Club, the landmark project has seen strong demand from investors and end-users, reinforcing the appeal of its waterfront location, branded residential proposition and lifestyle-led design. The launch of the final tower now presents the last opportunity to own an apartment within the world's first football-branded residence.

Amira Sajwani, Managing Director, DAMAC Properties, said: "Chelsea Residences by DAMAC brings together an iconic global football brand, a prime waterfront setting and DAMAC's signature approach to luxury living. With the launch of the final tower, investors have a rare opportunity to be part of a distinctive seafront community defined by panoramic sea views, wellness-led amenities and a lifestyle inspired by performance, leisure and resort-style living."

As of 2025, Dubai leads the global branded residences market, with strong growth in transaction volumes of 26 percent YoY and growth in value of 51 percent YoY. Prices command a significant premium, going as much as 64 percent over non-branded units.[1]

Against this backdrop, Chelsea Residences by DAMAC offers a unique proposition, combining branded real estate, all sea-view apartments and curated amenities centered around football, wellness and resort-style living.

Chelsea Residences Tower C has a limited number of units available for sale, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom residences. Prices start at JPY 112.9 million (USD 697,073), with sizes starting from 827 sq ft.

Apart from the unobstructed views of the sea and the Dubai skyline, residents also enjoy access to several amenities including the UAE's only rooftop football pitch, a stunning blue-sand beach inspired by the team colours, a beach club and Athlete Training Centre.

Having delivered more than 50,000 homes and another 8,800 to be delivered in 2026 across Dubai, DAMAC is committed to creating lifestyle-driven communities that elevate everyday living into an immersive experience.

[1] https://www.cbre.ae/insights/figures/uae-branded-residences-report-2025

Septa and CeeNU Logo (CNW Group/Septa Pharmaceuticals Inc.)

CeeNU® (Lomustine) represents an important therapeutic option for many individuals battling severe health conditions. Consequently, Septa is deeply committed to ensuring continuous, uninterrupted patient access to this vital medication across Canada. Recognizing the critical need for a robust and stable supply of essential medicines in today's complex healthcare landscape, Septa is fiercely prioritizing the long-term availability of CeeNU® (Lomustine).

"As we integrate CeeNU® (Lomustine) into our growing portfolio, our primary focus remains firmly on the patients and the medical professionals who treat them," said Devinder K., President & CEO of Septa Pharmaceuticals Inc. "We are working collaboratively and closely with all relevant stakeholders, including regulatory bodies and supply chain partners, to ensure a seamless transition. This acquisition is a profound testament to our core mission of providing high-quality, reliable pharmaceutical products that tangibly improve health outcomes both across the country and globally."

As Septa rapidly broadens its diverse product portfolio and expands geographic territories, the company is actively seeking new strategic partnerships and licensing opportunities. We welcome collaborations with pharmaceutical companies to out/in-license, launch and commercialize such high-impact therapies globally. Together, we can drive mutual growth and ensure vital medicines reach global markets.

The vision was outlined at the Investment Connectivity – Strengthening Regional Linkages for Smart Agriculture and Green Economy Development conference on July 15, where representatives from the three localities proposed deeper cooperation in technology, logistics, research, investment promotion, and supply chain development.

Local officials said closer regional integration has become increasingly important as agriculture undergoes rapid transformation driven by digital technologies, AI, biotechnology, big data and low-emission production models. At the same time, food security, climate resilience, emissions reduction, and rising quality standards are reshaping agricultural production and investment priorities.

Speaking at the event, Le Trung Hieu, deputy director of Hanoi Department of Finance, said regional cooperation should become a key driver for creating new development space, mobilising investment, and raising the value of agricultural production across northern Vietnam.

He said the three localities each possess complementary strengths that could be combined into a single investment ecosystem. Hanoi serves as the region's centre for science, technology, innovation, finance, trade, and consumption, while Bac Ninh has developed into a major hub for high-tech manufacturing, smart production, and foreign investment. Hung Yen, meanwhile, has strong potential in high-quality agricultural production, raw material development, and food processing.

"When these advantages are effectively connected, they can create a modern agricultural ecosystem covering research, production, processing, logistics, trade, and exports," Hieu said, adding that such integration would generate more opportunities for businesses, investors, and farmers.

He also called for a new approach to investment promotion, moving away from promoting individual provinces towards presenting investors with an integrated regional development space that offers a complete value chain.

According to Hieu, Hanoi will continue working closely with neighbouring localities and investment promotion agencies to improve information sharing, introduce investment opportunities, connect businesses with partners, and facilitate projects in high-tech agriculture, logistics, digital transformation, and the green economy.

He encouraged investors to view Hanoi, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen as a single interconnected investment destination capable of attracting high-quality foreign direct investment, advanced technologies, and sustainable development projects.

Representing Bac Ninh, Nguyen Manh Cuong said agriculture must evolve from traditional production towards an agricultural economy based on value chains, market demand, digital technologies, and green production standards.

He said regional cooperation would improve the utilisation of land, infrastructure, technology, and markets while strengthening the competitiveness of agricultural products.

Cuong described the three localities as playing distinct but complementary roles. Hanoi acts as the region's research, technology, finance, distribution, and consumer centre, supported by universities, research institutes, technology companies, and a large retail market. Hung Yen contributes strengths in commercial agriculture, fruit cultivation, livestock production, food processing, and transport connectivity.

Bac Ninh combines high-tech industrial capabilities with extensive agricultural production areas. The province recorded agricultural, forestry and fishery production valued at approximately VND16.8 trillion ($650 million) in 2025, with more than 35,000 hectares of vegetable cultivation and nearly 30,000ha of lychee plantations. More than 17,000ha of lychee are produced under VietGAP standards, while over 1,300 ha meet export requirements. High-tech agriculture now accounts for more than 35 per cent of the province's agricultural production value.

Under its provincial master plan, Bac Ninh aims to expand concentrated farming areas meeting VietGAP and GlobalGAP standards while boosting Agriculture 4.0 through AI, big data, and smart farming technologies. The province also plans to develop an ecological agricultural zone focused on fruit production, forestry products, medicinal plants, deep processing, cold-chain logistics, e-commerce, and carbon credit development.

To strengthen regional integration, Bac Ninh proposed five priority areas for cooperation. The first is developing a shared database and digital map of regional production areas, including crop zones, production volumes, quality standards, packing facilities, processing plants, cold storage, and distribution networks.

The second focuses on creating a joint network for agricultural research, technology transfer, and demonstration projects. Hanoi's research institutions and technology companies would work more closely with agricultural enterprises and cooperatives in Bac Ninh and Hung Yen to accelerate the commercial application of innovations in crop breeding, pest management, automation, precision irrigation, and post-harvest processing.

The third priority is building an integrated regional system for processing, cold-chain logistics, and green distribution. Officials said the three localities should coordinate the development of cold storage facilities, logistics centres, wholesale markets, and retail distribution, with Hanoi serving as the main consumption and distribution hub while Bac Ninh and Hung Yen expand processing and preservation capacity near production areas.

The fourth proposal involves establishing common standards and branding for safe, green agricultural products across the region. The region should create a 'Green Agricultural Products of the Capital Region' certification framework that builds upon existing VietGAP, GlobalGAP and organic standards while incorporating requirements on water efficiency, emissions reduction, waste management, environmentally friendly packaging, and product traceability.

Finally, Bac Ninh called for coordinated investment promotion targeting projects in high-tech agricultural infrastructure, seed research, food processing, cold-chain logistics, traceability platforms, e-commerce, and circular economy solutions for agricultural by-products.

Cuong stressed that regional cooperation should move beyond memoranda of understanding towards practical action plans with clearly defined objectives, responsibilities, and implementation timelines.

Rather than encouraging every locality to produce the same products, he said development should be based on comparative advantages, while high-tech agricultural zones should be closely connected with production areas, businesses, cooperatives, and farmers.

At the conference, Dang Thai Son, deputy director of Hung Yen Investment Promotion Centre, said the province's location on the doorstep of Hanoi positions it as a major supplier of fresh and processed agricultural products to the capital and the wider Northern Key Economic Region.

Hung Yen has developed more than 1,000 VietGAP and VietGAHP-certified production models applying modern farming technologies, covering products including longan, lychee, rice, vegetables, and ornamental plants.

However, Son said regional agricultural development continues to face several major issues, including planning and land availability, logistics infrastructure, inconsistent certification standards, and weak value-chain linkages.

To address these challenges, Hung Yen proposed establishing a 'Hanoi Technology Centre - Hung Yen Smart Farming' model, under which Hanoi would focus on research, biotechnology, seed development, and processing technologies, while Hung Yen would provide large-scale production areas for commercial deployment.

The province also proposed joint investment in specialised cold-chain logistics centres along Ring Road No.4 and major expressways to improve the movement of fresh agricultural products to Hanoi's wholesale markets, supermarkets, and Noi Bai International Airport for export.

A third proposal calls for harmonising technical standards across the region under a 'one certification, multiple acceptance' approach, allowing products certified in one locality to gain easier access to distribution channels throughout the region. Officials also advocated wider adoption of blockchain technology to improve traceability and strengthen consumer confidence.

The conference concluded with a shared commitment from the three localities to deepen regional cooperation and create an integrated smart agriculture ecosystem capable of attracting quality investment, accelerating technological innovation, and supporting the transition towards a greener, more competitive agricultural sector.

Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan. Photo: The Ministry of Science and Technology

Quan suggested that parties focus on clarifying the functions, operating model, financial mechanisms, and the ability to mobilise businesses to participate in VAMRC. The centre's activities should stem from actual needs of production, creating results that can be tested, transferred, and implemented in factories.

VAMRC is envisioned to become a platform connecting businesses, universities, research institutes, and technology solution providers in advanced manufacturing.

The centre will receive problems from businesses, develop, test, and verify technologies before implementing them in production lines. This approach helps businesses assess the effectiveness of solutions, reduce risks, and lower costs when investing on a large scale.

Priority areas are expected to include automation, robotics, AI in manufacturing, factory digital transformation, green manufacturing, and enhancing supply chain resilience.

VAMRC also aims to build a system of shared laboratories and research facilities. Foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and universities can use its infrastructure for research, prototyping, technology testing, and new product development.

Rajpal Singh, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam. Photo: The Ministry of Science and Technology

For existing factories, the facility can assist businesses in applying technology to upgrade equipment, optimise processes, and improve productivity, instead of having to replace the entire production line.

Experience from A*STAR's Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre shows that the initial phase requires investment in infrastructure, equipment, a core team, and initial research programmes. Participating businesses need to contribute funding, human resources, and specific production solutions to ensure research results align with market needs.

As the centre develops its capacity and achieves practical results, revenue from business projects and competitive funding programmes can gradually increase, creating a foundation for long-term operation.

Minister Quan highly appreciated the initiative to establish VAMRC and stated that the ministry will accompany Becamex and A*STAR in the process of investing in and building the facility in Vietnam.

The Ministry of Science and Technology will consider supporting VAMRC under a national-scale shared research centre model, with state resources. It will create conditions for FIEs, SMEs, and universities to participate in research, testing, and the creation of new technological products.

Photo: The Ministry of Science and Technology

The minister proposed Becamex coordinate with A*STAR to promptly develop a specific plan, clearly defining the objectives, priority areas, governance model, investment needs, financial mechanisms, and the roles of each party.

Based on the proposal, the MST will work with relevant units to determine the content and form of support. The ministry will also consider training programmes for human resources, developing a team of engineers and experts to serve research, testing, and technology transfer activities at VAMRC.

VAMRC is expected to become a new model of cooperation between the state, research institutes, universities, and businesses, and a concrete result of cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore following the visit of General Secretary and State President To Lam to Singapore in late May.

Vietnam, Singapore aim to shape ASEAN's future through AI and green growth Business executives, policymakers and experts from Vietnam and Singapore gathered on June 26-27 for the 2026 Vietnam-Singapore Business Forum, where discussions centred on how companies can balance profitability with long-term sustainability.

Vietnam and Singapore launch cross-border QR payment service At a ceremony on July 2 in Hanoi, the National Payment Corporation of Vietnam (NAPAS), in collaboration with Liquid Group (Singapore) and VietinBank, launched cross-border QR payment service between Vietnam and Singapore, enabling users of participating Singapore payment apps to make QR payments at VietQRGlobal acceptance points in Vietnam.

Southeast Asia's energy transition enters a new phase Investment in energy generation is accelerating across Southeast Asia, but building more generation alone will not be enough.

This mission to Ho Chi Minh City will directly connect American farmers, ranchers and producers with buyers in one of the fastest growing and rapidly developing markets in Asia. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting applications through July 27.

“Vietnam is a clear example of how the administration’s policies are leading to real successes, opening up markets, breaking export records, and reducing historically high agricultural trade deficits,” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Luke J. Lindberg. “This mission will build on our rapid response TRUMP mission we just wrapped up in March and lock in wins for American farmers and agricultural producers in this critical market.”

Vietnam is the seventh-largest export market for US agriculture – valued at $5.6 billion in 2025 – making the US Vietnam’s second-largest supplier of agricultural goods. With a population of more than 100 million, Vietnam is also Southeast Asia’s third-most-populous country.

Combined with rising incomes and a rapidly growing GDP, Vietnam offers US agribusinesses tremendous export potential, due to its booming food processing, hospitality, and retail sectors, especially for products including fresh fruits and dairy; poultry and poultry products; feed, feed ingredients and cotton; ethanol, seafood and forestry products.

Younger Vietnamese consumers are also putting greater emphasis on health and wellness, which opens opportunities for “free-from” and “better-for-you” products from American health and wellness brands, organic producers and premium snack manufacturers.

The mission directly connects US exporters with potential buyers from both Vietnam and Cambodia during site visits and targeted business-to-business meetings. This is coupled with networking events and in-depth market briefings.

US launches trade mission to Vietnam for agricultural exports The US Department of Agriculture has launched a trade mission to Vietnam aimed at expanding market access and strengthening export opportunities for American agricultural producers.

US wheat sees rising demand in Vietnam Vietnam is emerging as a promising market for US wheat farmers, driven by steadily rising domestic demand.

The US ready to cement partnership with Vietnam and ASEAN The United States is ready to deepen its partnership with Vietnam and ASEAN across every dimension of the relationship, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has said.

The rankings land in a market entering its breakout phase. IDC puts global shipments of commercial cleaning robots in a market worth US$760 million, up 48.5%. Gausium stands at the forefront of this expansion, with No.1 positions across regions and application segments.

Behind the rankings is breadth that is increasingly scalable. Gausium has served more than 6,500 flagship customers across over 70 countries and regions — among them Heathrow, Changi and Doha airports; retail chains Carrefour, Auchan and Rossmann; and warehousing and logistics operations for Coca-Cola and DHL. The company says it is the first in its category to enter the scale-replication phase: standardized hardware, software and delivery that let chain customers roll out fleets across industries and countries.

"The No.1 rankings from IDC are a vote of confidence cast by customers around the world in real purchase orders. We will keep pairing full-stack AI with a full-scenario product portfolio and localized service worldwide to deliver measurable results for commercial, industrial and public spaces - and to lead this industry into the era of full-process intelligence."
_ Edward Cheng, Founder and CEO, Gausium

IDC expects the commercial service robot market to keep growing through 2030, with cleaning robots among its most certain applications. Gausium sees the decade's competition shifting from single-machine automation to full-process intelligence: robots that combine multiple cleaning functions, deploy out of the box, and increasingly maintain themselves.

It is part of the strategic cooperation agreement between G-Group, the Hanoi People’s Committee, and OTECH – a subsidiary of Omantel Group and Oman’s leading ICT solutions provider. By directly engaging in the venture, the three sides share a vision of developing and operating AI data centres and high-performance computing in Vietnam.

The deal stems from an introduction by VOI, the investment and asset management arm of the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) in Vietnam.

VOI accompanied G-Group during its business trip to Oman in April, facilitating the Vietnamese company in connecting with leading Gulf corporations and financial institutions. The fund’s prestige contributes to accelerating the investment promotion. Thus, it took less than three months for the parties from signing the MoU to obtaining the investment certificate.

The representatives of VOI and G-Group during the business trip to Oman in April 2026

VOI is a joint venture between the OIA and State Capital Investment Corporation of Vietnam, established in 2008. Over 18 years of operations in Vietnam, VOI has facilitated the flow of strategic capital from Gulf countries into Vietnam through direct investments.

In recent years, VOI has acted as a gateway for many Gulf partners to execute large-scale investment deals in Vietnamese businesses. The fund has reinforced its role as a connector thanks to its reputation, extensive relationship network, and understanding of the needs of both investors and recipients.

The Oman–Vietnam Digital Corridor venture serves as a powerful testament to this approach. Leveraging VOI's connection, the parties have formed the venture under a partnership model. Among them, the Hanoi People's Committee acts as a strategic partner while providing support in completing the legal framework. OTECH will contribute its expertise in operating national-scale AI-ready data centres and sovereign cloud platforms. Meanwhile, G-Group will oversee investment and commercialisation in the domestic market.

G-Group received the investment registration certificate for a $300 million high-tech data centre

“We view this deal as a way to realise our core mission of becoming a gateway for capital and partnerships between Oman, the Gulf region, and Vietnam. We take pride in facilitating the transformation of initial handshakes into tangible projects within a very short period of time. This achievement motivates us to continue playing this role in the future,” the representative of the VOI Management Board said.

In Vietnam, VOI has executed ventures like investing in inter-level school systems to support Vietnam’s education sector, large-scale hospitals like Vinmec and a Mekong Delta-based hospital with over 300 beds to serve the local community. Other key infrastructure projects include the Trung Luong – My Thuan Motorway and TM14. These ventures have made a significant contribution to advancing sustainable socioeconomic development.

At the same time, the fund also invests in Vietnam’s leading rooftop solar power developer, providing renewable energy solutions for industrial parks and foreign-invested manufacturing enterprises.

The VOI's Management Board stated that the fund would step up its efforts to transform new partnerships into tangible initiatives. Beyond a strategic capital channel, the fund is increasingly making a more diverse contribution to the Gulf-Vietnam economic relationship.

Oman remains stable investment source amid Middle East turmoil Amid escalating conflict across the Middle East, Oman has emerged as a stable source of investment, supporting Vietnam's economic growth.

VOI drives fivefold trade growth between Vietnam and Oman Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Oman reached $250 million last year, marking a fivefold increase over the past 15 years. This remarkable growth underscores the Vietnam-Oman Investment (VOI) Fund's expanding role as a strategic investment partner and key economic bridge between the two nations.

Oman’s Credit Outlook Improves as OIA Reforms Bolster Financial Stability The Sultanate of Oman's recent credit rating affirmation at BBB- with a positive outlook by Standard & Poor's reflects the government's effective fiscal consolidation efforts and improved economic management.

According to Minh, Vietnam's economy and financial market have achieved remarkable progress over the past decade. However, the country's ambition to become a high-income economy by 2045 requires a fundamentally different scale of capital and a higher quality of growth.

"Our estimates show that maintaining double-digit GDP growth over the coming years and achieving the 2045 development target will require around $1.46 trillion in total investment, equivalent to roughly 2.5 times Vietnam's 2025 GDP," she said. "Against this backdrop, developing the capital market is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for entering a new growth cycle. Bank credit can currently meet only around 20-25 per cent of the economy's financing needs, while foreign direct investment contributes another 15-25 per cent. The remaining funding will have to come from the bond and equity markets over the next five years."

Dang Nguyet Minh, head of Research at Dragon Capital. Photo: Chi Cuong

Minh noted that Vietnam's credit-to-GDP ratio currently stands at around 146 per cent. While this remains below the highest levels in Asia and has not yet reached a warning threshold, it already exceeds that of comparable emerging economies such as India.

"If bank credit continues to expand by 15-16 per cent annually, Vietnam's credit-to-GDP ratio will rank among the highest in Asia within the next three to five years, behind only China, South Korea and Singapore. We have only three to five years before a growth model driven primarily by bank lending reaches its limits," she warned.

"At the same time, rising capital demand will continue to put upward pressure on interest rates. The banking sector's capital adequacy ratio remains relatively thin at around 11-12 per cent, while deposit growth continues to lag credit growth, adding further pressure on system-wide liquidity. We cannot build a 40-year economy on funding with maturity of only 12 months," said Minh.

She explained that in developed economies, banks primarily provide financing to small- and medium-sized enterprises and retail customers, while long-term funding for infrastructure, large-scale manufacturing and innovation is mainly raised through the bond and equity markets.

"Equity is the longest-term source of capital, while bonds allow companies to raise funding for specific investment purposes with appropriate maturities, creating a better balance between financing needs and capital structure," said Minh. "To support Vietnam's development ambitions, the stock market should expand to around 120 per cent of GDP, compared with the current 60-70 per cent. Likewise, the bond market needs to grow to around 40 per cent of GDP, from less than 20 per cent today."

"This clearly shows that the stock market will play a pivotal role in mobilising long-term capital for the economy," she added.

Minh argued that Vietnam possesses many of the fundamentals needed to attract international capital, including sweeping administrative reforms, an increasingly important position in global supply chains, benefits from the China+1 manufacturing shift, favourable demographics and consumption trends, the prospect of a stock market upgrade, and ongoing market modernisation aligned with international standards.

"The paradox, however, is that FII continues to record persistent net outflows," she said. "Foreign investors now account for only around 12 per cent of total market capitalisation, roughly half the level recorded at the peak in 2016. While Indonesia and Malaysia have experienced similar trends, Vietnam's net outflows have been significantly larger."

According to Minh, the problem lies on both the supply and demand sides of the capital market. On the supply side, the structure of listed companies has failed to keep pace with the transformation of the economy.

"Financial services and real estate currently account for around 68 per cent of total market capitalisation, while manufacturing represents only about 15 per cent and services around 11 per cent. High-tech companies and large-scale manufacturers remain severely underrepresented," she said. "The market lacks high-quality listed companies capable of attracting long-term investment."

On the demand side, Minh pointed out that Vietnam still lacks sufficient pools of long-term domestic capital.

"We need to accelerate the development of domestic investment funds while introducing stronger incentives to expand long-term institutional capital, including pension funds, mutual funds and other long-term investment vehicles," she stressed. "If both the supply- and demand-side delays can be addressed simultaneously, Vietnam's capital market will be able to grow faster, become more resilient, and truly serve as a new engine of economic growth."

VIR to host capital restructuring seminar in Hanoi with policymakers VIR is set to host a seminar in Hanoi on restructuring capital channels, bringing together policymakers and market participants.

Capital concentrated in later-stage startups, leaving funding gaps for early ventures Capital remains available for Vietnam's innovation economy, but it is becoming increasingly concentrated in later-stage companies, exposing critical funding and exit gaps that could constrain the next generation of startups.

Stock market urged to take bigger role in financing next growth phase With investment demand expected to far exceed the capacity of the state budget and bank lending, restructuring capital channels and strengthening the stock market's financing role have become essential to sustaining Vietnam's next phase of economic growth.

IBM Power has long been IBM's platform for mission-critical enterprise workloads. As AI becomes part of that critical infrastructure, Power is built to support it. IBM introduced Power11 last year as autonomous IT for the AI era, built for availability, resiliency, and scale across on-premises and IBM Cloud environments. IBM Power Virtual Server is a fully managed cloud service on which enterprises can run AIX, IBM i and Linux workloads while offloading much of the routine management for system operations. Now, IBM is embedding autonomous IT across the Power platform, from code to runtime, with new capabilities and systems.

According to the IBM IBV 2026 Tech Leader Study: Building the IT foundation for agentic AI at scale, by 2027, enterprises expect to deploy an average of 1,661 AI agents—a 38% increase. At that rate, tech leaders are tasked with managing hundreds of thousands of autonomous decisions daily. And manual governance can't keep up with that math.2 Additionally, according to the IBM Institute for Business Value, Enterprise 2030 study, AI is changing what companies do and how they do it.3 Closing that gap in scale requires an IT foundation that can run and optimize itself while teams focus on innovation.

These newly announced capabilities utilize AI agents to build automation directly into IBM Power across operations, security, and application development so clients can innovate with AI while prioritizing control and resilience. Power Autonomous Operations automates running and optimizing systems, with an embedded agent that lets teams manage Power through simple chat-style prompts. IBM Bob Premium Package for i makes IBM i development accessible to a broad range of engineers, expanding who can build and modernize their applications on the platform.

"Enterprises should not need to choose between moving at the speed of AI and keeping their systems stable and secure," said Hillery Hunter, General Manager for IBM Power and CTO, IBM Infrastructure. "We're making Power increasingly self-operating, so the routine work of helping to keep systems available, optimized, and secured can happen autonomously, and our clients' teams can spend their time on innovation instead of upkeep. That's how a business scales AI with control and resilience."

IBM Power S1112: Extending the Capabilities of Power Servers

As enterprises push AI workloads beyond the data center, the IBM Power S1112 is a new one-socket Power11 system built for compact on-prem deployment. The S1112 runs AI workloads locally using Power11 on-chip Matrix Math Acceleration (MMA) for faster inferencing. Power S1112 offers 2x better core performance versus Power S914⁴ and 3x better core performance versus Power S814⁵ — with up to 69% greater energy efficiency than the S914⁶.

To provide clients with the right level of support for this new system, IBM Technology Lifecycle Services is introducing IBM Power Expert Care Premium Essentials, a new incident-focused support tier available exclusively for the Power S1112. Premium Essentials delivers priority access to IBM experts, accelerated response, and intelligent support automation.

IBM Power Autonomous Operations: Managing Infrastructure Through Conversation

IBM Power Autonomous Operations resolves capacity constraint issues up to 15x faster than manual intervention⁷. Today's enterprise systems can seem to demand constant attention, but manual operations management can make it difficult to manage. IBM Power Autonomous Operations redefines this model by automating and optimizing day-to-day operations across the IBM Power environment. An embedded AI agent that enables natural, conversational interaction can help teams to manage, tune, and streamline their environments without relying on deep domain expertise for every task. The result is a resilient, self-optimizing infrastructure architected to reduce operational burden while accelerating performance and uptime.

IBM Bob Premium Package for i: Making IBM i Development Accessible to More Engineers

IBM i is a fully integrated operating system that remains a vital part of the core business of many companies across major industries, yet modernizing IBM i applications has historically required specialized skills for RPG applications. To help address this challenge, IBM Bob is an AI-powered development assistant that offers an agentic SDLC experience for enterprise developers.

IBM Bob Premium Package for i is engineered to provide built-in support for IBM i conventions and patterns across the full development lifecycle, to help engineers make changes faster, onboard sooner, and evolve applications while prioritizing team capacity along the way. From understanding complex code to moving modernization and AI projects forward, IBM Bob can expand the pool of developers who improve the IBM i applications that organizations depend on every day. Early adopters are already seeing results: Heartland Co-Op estimates 60% faster time for new-to-platform developers to understand complex applications.⁸

Client Momentum

Clients and partners are already running IBM Power on premises and in the cloud, drawn by its performance, resilience, and hybrid flexibility:

"For a business like ours, reliability and simplicity matter because our customers depend on us every day. IBM Power and IBM i have consistently delivered the stability and security we need to support our operations with confidence. And that continues with the introduction of IBM Bob and the IBM Power S1112. What excites me most about the new Power S1112 is the ability to do more with less through increased capacity, energy efficiency, and the growing focus IBM has on automation, making systems easier to manage for small and midsized businesses. We are also excited about how IBM Bob for IBM i can help our team accelerate modernization by quickly interpreting older RPG code, tracing field logic, generating documentation, and making decades of system knowledge easier to understand and act on. Together, IBM Power, IBM i, and IBM Bob give us a forward-looking foundation to modernize with confidence while continuing to deliver the reliability our business depends on." Jasmine Kaczmarek, vice president of technology, M.R. Williams.

"What I noticed about IBM Bob almost immediately was the level of detail provided as compared to other AIs. I like using AI to build and execute plans for specific projects. Given the exact same prompt, Bob's planning was always 10-fold more detailed than other AIs. More specifics, more details, and provided a better understanding of the steps through the project from beginning to end." Bob Richardson, ERP Support Analyst, Wynne Systems, Inc.

"The new IBM Power S1112 provides us with the flexibility to expand beyond traditional workloads and explore new AI opportunities by running Linux partitions alongside our IBM i environment," said Andy Buchholtz, Owner, Innovative Software Solutions. "Combining that flexibility with the security, reliability, and resilience we trust from the IBM Power platform gives us confidence as we continue to innovate and modernize our business."

"We're no longer reacting to weather. We're prepared for it," said Chad Simpson, CIO, City Home. "Our infrastructure is built to keep the business running, no matter what. We've honed our process to perform role swaps every quarter, and this capability gives us great confidence in our business continuity posture. It's a powerful thing, and it's all thanks to IBM Cloud and Power Virtual Server."

Availability

IBM Power S1112 is expected to be generally available on July 24, 2026, IBM Power Autonomous Operations is expected to be generally available on September 23, 2026, and IBM Bob Premium Package for i was made generally available on June 24, 2026. To learn more, visit ibm.com/power.

Statements regarding IBM's future direction and intent are subject to change or withdrawal without notice and represent goals and objectives only.

Additional Sources

• Power S1112 and autonomous IT capabilities blog
• IBM Power S1112 product page
• IBM Institute for Business Value Enterprise 2030 study

¹ Disclaimer 1: The performance and capacity management efficiency claim is based on IBM internal testing conducted in a controlled, representative IBM Power infrastructure environment consisting of eleven IBM Power systems. Capacity thresholds and alerting policies were preconfigured prior to test execution. Under this configuration, the manual operational process entailed—navigating to the performance dashboard for each system, exporting performance data to CSV/XLS format, reviewing and analyzing the data to identify required capacity adjustments, and implementing the changes—required on average 52.59 minutes to detect and resolve capacity‑related conditions across the eleven systems. In a comparable scenario, IBM Power Autonomous Operations, which includes alert ingestion and AI-based, agent-driven diagnostic analysis producing recommended and remedial actions with human-in-the-loop approval to remediate, completed the same process in on average 3.33 minutes.
² https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/c-suite-study/cxo
³ https://www.ibm.com/thought-leadership/institute-business-value/en-us/report/enterprise-2030
⁴ Based on published CPW results comparing Power S1112/4 core to IBM Power S914/4 core. Valid as of 7/14/2026 and available at: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10c31775c5d40fed
⁵ Based on published CPW results comparing Power S1112/4 core to IBM Power S814/4 core. Valid as of 7/14/2026 and available at: https://www.ibm.com/downloads/documents/us-en/10c31775c5d40fed
⁶ Based on system capability of Power S1112/10c performance 291,300E CPW (extrapolated from 116,500 CPW for 4-cores) @ 540E Watts (539 Performance/Watt) compared to Power S914/8cperformance of 122,500 CPW @ 383 Watts (319 Performance/Watt); 539 / 319 = 1.69 more Performance/Watt
⁷ Disclaimer 1: The performance and capacity management efficiency claim is based on IBM internal testing conducted in a controlled, representative IBM Power infrastructure environment consisting of eleven IBM Power systems. Capacity thresholds and alerting policies were preconfigured prior to test execution. Under this configuration, the manual operational process entailed—navigating to the performance dashboard for each system, exporting performance data to CSV/XLS format, reviewing and analyzing the data to identify required capacity adjustments, and implementing the changes—required on average 52.59 minutes to detect and resolve capacity‑related conditions across the eleven systems. In a comparable scenario, IBM Power Autonomous Operations, which includes alert ingestion and AI-based, agent-driven diagnostic analysis producing recommended and remedial actions with human-in-the-loop approval to remediate, completed the same process in on average 3.33 minutes.
⁸ Heartland Co-op Modernizes Grain Operations with IBM i and IBM Bob

OPTIMAL-e is a single-arm, open-label trial, evaluating adaptive-dosed TLX597-Tx in combination with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and an androgen receptor pathway inhibitor (ARPI) in men with mHSPC. The study will evaluate the impact of TLX597-Tx on PSA^[4] response rate in an earlier treatment setting, assessing its potential to improve both the depth and durability of PSA response, while further evaluating the safety of dose intensification.

TLX597-Tx is a highly-targeted next generation small molecule RLT^[5] designed to improve efficacy and quality of life in earlier-stage metastatic prostate cancer. It has demonstrated a favorable biodistribution and dosimetry profile in prior studies including OPTIMAL-PSMA^[6], suggesting low exposure to salivary glands and the kidneys, the healthy organs of concern with PSMA RLT, and high uptake in PSMA-expressing tumors.

Louise Emmett, MD, Director of Theranostics and Nuclear Medicine, St. Vincent's Hospital, and Lead Investigator of the OPTIMAL-e study, said, "I am excited to lead the OPTIMAL-e trial, which is evaluating an adaptive treatment approach designed to tailor therapy to each patient's response. By using PSMA-PET^[7] imaging and PSA measurements to monitor disease burden, treatment can be continued when the PSMA target persists, and paused when there is a significant reduction in tumor burden. This individualized strategy aims to maintain disease control while minimizing unnecessary treatment exposure, with the potential to keep patients in a low-volume disease state for longer and support quality of life. The findings from OPTIMAL-e may help shape future treatment strategies and advance precision medicine for men living with prostate cancer."

David N. Cade, MD, Group Chief Medical Officer, Telix, said, "The initiation of OPTIMAL-e marks an important evolution of PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy for earlier metastatic prostate cancer, where maintaining quality of life is paramount. While the currently approved radioligand therapy has demonstrated a modest improvement in overall survival in advanced-stage disease, we believe earlier intervention may offer the potential to further improve outcomes and prolong quality of life for patients."

TLX597-Tx has not received marketing authorization in any jurisdiction.

OPTIMAL-e is a Phase 2, non-randomized pilot study evaluating adaptive-dosed TLX597-Tx (¹⁷⁷Lu-DOTA-HYNIC-panPSMA) in combination with ADT and an ARPI in patients with metastatic hormone-sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC). Adaptive dosing of ¹⁷⁷-Lu-PSMA is the concept of only treating if the PSMA target is persistent, while pausing treatment if there is a marked reduction in the tumor target, with re-treatment at first confirmed PSA rise (once the target has returned). The study is investigating whether intensified, response-adapted PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy can deepen responses, improve disease control and enable treatment pauses for selected patients based on PSMA-PET imaging and PSA outcomes.

TLX597-Tx is being developed alongside TLX591-Tx (lutetium-177 (¹⁷⁷Lu) rosopatamab tetraxetan), Telix's lead antibody-based prostate cancer therapy candidate, currently the subject of the Phase 3 ProstACT Global^[8] trial in mCRPC^[9], which is actively dosing patients in jurisdictions with regulatory approval. TLX591-Tx and TLX597-Tx exhibit complementary modes-of-action, suggesting the potential for distinct applications in mCRPC and mHSPC settings as part of Telix's portfolio approach to treating prostate cancer.

For more information, visit www.telixpharma.com

[1] Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID: ACTRN12626000034336.

[2] Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ID: ACTRN12625000971437.

[3] Prostate-specific membrane antigen.

[4] Prostate-specific antigen.

[5] Radioligand therapy.

[6] Telix media release April 30, 2026.

[7] Imaging of prostate-specific membrane antigen with positron emission tomography.

[8] ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06520345.

[9] Metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition affecting approximately 300 million people worldwide, with prevalence continuing to rise. Despite the availability of treatment options, many patients experience persistent symptoms, frequent exacerbations, and reduced quality of life. Current therapies - mainly inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and bronchodilators - are inadequate for some patients, underscoring the urgent need for more effective, long-acting treatments that address the underlying disease mechanisms.

Dr. Michael Ge, CEO of Kelun-Biotech, stated: "With the company's active efforts, SKB575/HBM7575 has initiated clinical trials for two chronic immune‑mediated diseases, atopic dermatitis and asthma. As a differentially designed and engineered bispecific antibody, SKB575/HBM7575 is expected to achieve potent inflammation control and broad patient coverage through its dual-target synergistic mechanism, whilst offering convenient administration. We will vigorously advance the development of this drug to fully realize its clinical value."

SKB575/HBM7575 is a long-acting bispecific antibody targeting TSLP and an undisclosed antigen, with a dual mechanism of action. On one hand, by blocking the interaction between TSLP and its receptor, it inhibits TSLP-mediated signaling pathways and the activation of Th2 immune cells. On the other hand, binding to and blocking the undisclosed target generates a synergistic effect, with the potential to achieve broader control of inflammation compared to single-target approaches. SKB575/HBM7575 has been engineered to allow for longer dosing intervals and a convenient subcutaneous route of administration. Based on preclinical half-life data, the anticipated human half-life is expected to support dosing intervals of more than three months, positioning it as a potential best-in-class therapy.

According to the collaboration agreement between the Company and Harbour BioMed, SKB575/HBM7575 is led by Kelun-Biotech in its design, global development and commercialization, with Harbour BioMed participating in the investment and development of this asset and sharing the benefits as agreed.

For more information, please visit https://en.kelun-biotech.com/

and http://www.harbourbiomed.com/.

Telix Manufacturing Solutions North Melbourne (TMSNM) is a purpose-built site that combines radiochemistry laboratories, clinical product manufacturing, patient dose administration and imaging. It is a first-of-its-kind Australian facility that integrates these capabilities at a single location. The facility will help address manufacturing capacity constraints and the need to make and administer radiopharmaceutical doses in close proximity to patients. It will link research, clinical trials and treatment, and is intended to significantly reduce the timeframe from early-stage trials to broad patient access.

Patient care and research at the site will be delivered by the Melbourne Theranostic Innovation Centre (MTIC), overseen by world-leading nuclear medicine clinician-researcher Professor Rod Hicks. The Telix and MTIC clinical research collaboration covers Telix-sponsored studies, investigator-initiated trials and select third party collaborations.

Dr. Christian Behrenbruch, Telix Managing Director and Group CEO, commented, "Radiopharmaceuticals are fast becoming an important part of cancer care, but manufacturing capacity for novel treatments, which needs to be near patients, remains a constraint in Australia. This facility will allow us to move new treatments from research into the clinic and patient use more efficiently. It is also an investment in Australia's sovereign manufacturing capability and the specialist workforce needed to build a globally competitive radiopharmaceutical industry."

Professor Rod Hicks, MTIC Founder, Chair and Chief Medical Officer, added, "Bringing these capabilities together will give clinicians faster access to novel radiopharmaceuticals and allow emerging technologies to be assessed in a real-world clinical setting. It will help us select patients more precisely, measure treatment response and generate evidence more quickly as we evaluate new targets and next generation isotopes and treatment approaches."

Radiopharmaceuticals that can reveal the location of tumors on scans and deliver therapeutic radiation directly to cancer cells are rapidly emerging as the 'sixth pillar' of cancer care, alongside surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

TMSNM will also support training in nuclear medicine, radiochemistry, engineering and clinical research, helping develop the specialist workforce required by Australia's health and life sciences sector.

For more information, visit www.telixpharma.com or follow Telix on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

The portfolio combines USD 585 million in commitments from FFO with around USD 458 million in local investment, spanning renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, tourism, healthcare, medical technologies, innovation and food industries.

"This portfolio directs capital toward nationally prioritized sectors and strengthens Oman's appeal to global investors," said His Excellency Mulham Al Jarf, Deputy President of Investment at the Oman Investment Authority. He noted that the Fund has worked to establish itself as an economic catalyst and a trusted investment partner.

The portfolio's most internationally significant bets place Oman inside global supply chains. Its flagship, Orion Solar, will build an integrated solar cell and module facility in SOHAR Freezone with annual capacity of six gigawatts, the first of its kind in the Middle East and a cornerstone of localizing the solar value chain. Alongside it, Gallant Industrial Project will produce 66,000 tonnes a year of lithium iron phosphate cathode material, a core component of electric vehicle batteries, linking the Sultanate to the fast-growing clean-energy and storage markets.

The Fund is also building capacity across tourism, technology and food security. It is backing the As' Sodah Island Resort, an integrated development spanning roughly 10 kilometres of pristine coastline, and Terminal 11, Oman's first integrated innovation hub, which brings startups, venture capital and researchers under one roof. Further investments span Alma, an animal-nutrition manufacturer drawing on Oman's marine and pastoral resources, and XCyber, a sovereign cybersecurity company using artificial intelligence to protect critical national infrastructure under the joint fund between ewpartners and FFO.

The package also draws marquee international capital into the country. FFO committed USD 200 million each to Vivo Capital, a leading global life sciences fund, and Certares, an international tourism and hospitality investor, and launched a new Healthcare Investment Fund capitalized at USD 130 million to localize medical industries and lift the quality of care.

Beyond large-scale projects, FFO continues to back startups and small and medium-sized enterprises at every stage of growth, from incubation through early growth to established firms.

Established in 2024 with a capital of USD 5.2 billion to stimulate economic recovery in Oman following COVID-19, the Fund continues to build specialized partnerships that bring global expertise and knowledge transfer to priority sectors across the Sultanate of Oman. It underscores FFO's expanding role in advancing Oman Vision 2040 through economic diversification, venture investment and foreign capital attraction. Investors, entrepreneurs and institutions interested in these opportunities can explore the targeted sectors and apply through the Fund's digital platform at www.futurefund.om.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast Access
Investors and analysts wishing to access the conference call and audio webcast may do so by dialing +1 800-330-6730 (U.S.) or +1 646-769-9500 (International), and using the passcode: 200200, or by logging onto www.bny.com/investorrelations.

Conference Call and Audio Webcast Replays
An archived version of the second quarter conference call and audio webcast will be available beginning on July 15, 2026, at approximately 3:00 p.m. ET through August 14, 2026, at www.bny.com/investorrelations.

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