The work is to protect property rights, freedom of business, and equal competition for the private sector, and ensure the enforcement of contracts for private businesses.

To participate in this process, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) is responsible for requesting enterprises and associations to provide information and opinions on inadequacies, obstacles, and/or overlaps in the implementation of laws related to investment, production, business, contract conclusion, and execution.

These obstacles include overlapping, inconsistent, unclear, or impractical regulations; unreasonable business conditions and administrative procedures that generate compliance costs and hinder business operations.

The VCCI requests that businesses submit their proposals before May 20 so that they can be compiled and reported to the MoF in time.

Besides that, departments and agencies under the MoF must prepare and submit reports on the situation and preliminary results of the overall review for consolidation before June 10, and simultaneously complete the official report on the overall review results before October.

The Legal Department leads the preparation of the preliminary report on the overall review results of the MoF, to be completed before July 10.

For thematic reports, the evaluation and preparation of the reports will be carried out in two steps, with the preliminary report completed before July 25 and the official report completed before November 20, ensuring the overall consolidation progress from central and local agencies.

Vietnam, India seek deeper cooperation in finance, technology and infrastructure On May 6, in New Delhi, as part of the state visit to India by General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietnamese Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan held bilateral talks with Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

Ministry of Finance tightens fiscal discipline amid global pressures Facing mounting inflation, trade and investment pressures, the Ministry of Finance is stepping up institutional reforms, tightening fiscal discipline and accelerating policy action to safeguard growth momentum and macroeconomic stability.

Vietnam moves to repeal inter-agency scrap import regulation Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance is proposing to repeal a key inter-agency scrap import regulation as environmental rules mature, and the government pushes to simplify overlapping administrative procedures.

FDI in first four months rises over 35 per cent on-year A report released on May 13 by the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance said Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors amid the ongoing relocation, restructuring, and diversification of global supply chains.

FDI a crucial component to double-digit growth Foreign investment is considered a crucial component contributing to the economic prosperity, especially the realisation of double-digit growth across 2026-2030.

Supported by the EU, the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), and the four provinces Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, the initiative addresses the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations from escalating climate threats.

Crucially, a €5 million ($5.82 million) grant from the EU ensures that the project goes beyond simply "grey" infrastructure. This funding transformed the initiative into a comprehensive, people centred resilience initiative.

In line with the EU's Global Gateway strategy and its commitment to high-impact, sustainable development, this initiative has provided local engineers, urban planners, and community leaders with the hands-on training and advanced tools needed to effectively manage flood risks and operate modern wastewater systems long into the future.

"Infrastructure is only as resilient as the people who manage it," said Kristina Bünde, head of Cooperation at the Delegation of the EU to Vietnam. "By investing heavily in local capacity building and environmental health alongside physical construction, we have expanded the ambitions of this initiative. We are ensuring that local authorities are fully empowered with the lasting knowledge to protect their communities and sustainably manage climate risks for generations."

The enduring impact of this technical phase is an illustration of the strength of the collaboration between international donors and Vietnamese provinces. The methodologies and equipment introduced over the past four years are actively shifting how these communities prepare for and respond to climate emergencies.

"Financing climate adaptation is ultimately about safeguarding human lives and securing futures," said Julien Seillan, country director of the AFD in Vietnam. "The successful closing of this phase highlights the power of our partnership with Vietnam. By combining financial resources with shared expertise, we are building resilient systems that will stand strong against unpredictable climate realities, protecting both local economies and the daily wellbeing of families."

The impact of these efforts is tangible. As the physical construction phase continues, the initiative is on track to improve flood safety for 116,000 residents, keeping streets navigable, businesses open, and homes dry during severe storms. Furthermore, over 110,000 people will gain critical access to modern wastewater treatment, significantly improving public sanitation, reducing waterborne diseases, and restoring local environmental health.

"For our communities, extreme weather and urban flooding are not abstract concepts; they are urgent, daily realities that disrupt lives," said Nguyen Cao Son, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee.

"This project reflects the strong and growing partnership between Vietnam and Europe in addressing shared global challenges, particularly climate resilience and sustainable urban development. The tangible benefits it brings to our people – from improved flood protection to reliable wastewater services – demonstrate how international cooperation can directly improve lives, safeguard public health, and build a more secure future for our communities."

The closing event in Ninh Binh provided a platform for stakeholders to celebrate these human centred milestones and share lessons learned. With a foundation of strong local expertise now firmly in place, these communities are prepared to step confidently into a safer, more resilient future.

Australia contributing to Vietnam’s climate change responses Australia is balancing innovation, digital transformation, and economic development while ensuring green growth. Australian Ambassador to Vietnam GILLIAN BIRD talked to DUC HANH about the efforts of the Australian government in supporting Vietnam to implement sustainable development in key industries.

JICA and Vietnam sign ODA loan agreements for climate-resilient infrastructure development The Japan International Cooperation Agency on May 7 announced that it had signed a loan agreement with Vietnam to provide Japanese official development assistance loan for the two projects developing small-scale infrastructure in northern and mountainous regions.

Swedfund invests in MSME growth and climate action in Vietnam Swedfund announced on December 18 an investment in Vietnamese EVF General Finance JSC (EVF) through a loan of up to $20 million.

According to the update, Vietnam’s economy has demonstrated notable resilience in an uncertain global environment. The country's growth is driven by strong exports and investment, a resilient domestic economy, and a sweeping reform agenda amid the largest administrative rationalisation and reorganisation since the economic reforms in the 1980s reforms.

The report notes that while Vietnam’s outlook remains solid, risks remain elevated in the near term. Although manufacturing and exports would continue to anchor growth, the economy’s ability to retain more value domestically, deepen linkages between foreign-invested and domestic firms and raise productivity will be critical for sustaining momentum over the medium term.

“Softer global conditions are making Vietnam's external environment more challenging, with the oil shock adding to downside risks. At the same time, climate shocks, rapid technological change, demographic shifts, and rising infrastructure needs are reshaping the foundations of long‑term growth,” said Mariam J. Sherman, World Bank division director for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

“This calls for further strengthening macroeconomic management, while accelerating reforms. The real test will be to implement, finance, and sustain the ambitious reform agenda now underway, while managing external risks and domestic vulnerabilities, and unlocking the full potential of the domestic private sector to create more and better jobs.”

The report highlights that while Vietnam’s reform agenda is moving in the right direction, translating reforms into results – ensuring that investments are productive, financing is adequate, and reform implementation keeps pace with ambition – requires sustained efforts. Done well, these efforts can help Vietnam build a virtuous cycle of investor confidence, private investment, growth, and resilience, while making credible progress towards high-income status.

The Vietnam Economic Update is a biannual report assessing recent economic developments, the outlook, and selected policy priorities.

Vietnam GDP projected to grow 7.4 per cent in 2026 The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office on April 6 released its annual flagship report, the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook 2026, projecting Vietnam's GDP growth of 7.4 per cent in 2026.

World Bank forecasts Vietnam GDP growth of 6.3 per cent The World Bank Group’s April 8 EAP Economic Update forecasts Vietnam is expected to grow by 6.3 per cent in 2026, supported by strong public and private investment, and sustained FDI inflows.

AMRO notes Vietnam's economic resilience despite global uncertainties Vietnam's economy has demonstrated notable resilience despite global uncertainties, according to the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office.

According to Nguyen Van Hoi, director of the Institute for Strategic and Policy Studies on Industry and Trade, the centre is expected to serve not only as a trade promotion venue, but as a platform linking businesses, scientists, experts, international organisations, and consumers.

“The formation of the centre is an important step towards developing Vietnam’s Halal industry professionally and sustainably,” Hoi said. “We also plan to propose the inclusion of Halal promotion activities in the national trade promotion initiative, which would help mobilise more state resources to support enterprises and international market connectivity.”

The move reflects growing recognition that participation in the global Halal value chain requires more than competitive pricing or abundant supply. Businesses must also meet strict requirements related to certification, traceability, food safety, and compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary standards.

The global Halal market is estimated to have surpassed $8 trillion and is forecast to reach $10 trillion before 2028. Food products account for around 65 per cent of the market and continue to record annual growth rates of more than 10 per cent, supported by a global Muslim population of approximately two billion people.

Vietnam is considered well-positioned to participate more deeply in this ecosystem thanks to its strong agricultural production base, improving manufacturing capacity, and strategic location within ASEAN, which offers direct connectivity to major Halal markets in the Middle East and Asia.

However, industry experts said the country’s biggest issue lies in its ability to satisfy market-specific standards and certification systems rather than in production capacity itself.

To address those challenges, the centre has been designed as a multi-functional platform providing consulting services on standards, certification, and competitiveness improvement for enterprises and cooperatives. It will also feature product showcases and cultural experience spaces aimed at introducing Vietnamese Halal products to international buyers and consumers.

One notable component is the planned development of the HalalViet.com e-commerce platform, which is expected to facilitate both business-to-business and business-to-consumer transactions in overseas markets.

Alongside the launch event, an international scientific seminar focused on key issues shaping the Halal industry, including changing consumer trends, technical barriers, traceability requirements, and solutions for building transparent supply chains through innovation and digital transformation.

Vu Ba Phu, director general of the Trade Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said many Vietnamese enterprises still view Halal simply as a certification label rather than a comprehensive production and management system.

“The Halal market extends far beyond food products into cosmetics, fashion, logistics, finance, and various services,” Phu said. “With the global Halal economy estimated at $2.5-3 trillion annually, the growth potential for Vietnamese businesses remains enormous.”

He noted that Halal standards involve the entire value chain, including sourcing, processing, logistics, and distribution, meaning companies need to adopt a more holistic approach if they want to compete effectively.

Meanwhile, Imam Abbas Mieu said that there was currently no universal Halal certification framework applicable to all countries. Each market has its own requirements regarding management systems, inspection procedures, and Fatwa regulations.

“Vietnamese businesses need to understand the specific standards of each target market to develop suitable market-entry strategies,” Mieu said, adding that Vietnam possesses several advantages thanks to its neutral position and lack of cultural conflicts with Muslim-majority countries.

He also noted that Vietnam could potentially become a strategic bridge connecting ASEAN’s manufacturing capabilities with major Halal consumption markets in the Middle East.

Experts attending the seminar shared the view that the Halal sector could emerge as a new growth driver for Vietnam’s exports in the coming years, particularly as global demand continues to diversify beyond traditional markets.

They stressed that building a comprehensive Halal ecosystem, improving certification capacity, and developing integrated supply chains would be essential for enhancing the international competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises.

The launch of the HalalViet Promotion and Experience Centre is therefore being viewed not merely as a standalone trade promotion activity, but as part of a broader strategy to position Vietnam more firmly within one of the world’s fastest-growing consumer economies.

Photo: LS Eco Energy's website

On May 14, the company said the move forms part of its strategy to strengthen its foothold in the region’s fast-growing AI infrastructure market.

LS Eco Energy said its manufacturing subsidiary in the northern port city of Haiphong, LS-VINA, will provide cables for the hyperscale AI data centre project in Hanoi, which is expected to become one of the largest AI infrastructure developments in northern Vietnam.

The facility will have a total capacity of 60 MW and is designed to meet rising demand for GenAI and cloud computing services. LS Eco Energy’s products will be used to connect the power grid, substations, and the data centre infrastructure.

In August 2025, Viettel commenced construction of its An Khanh data centre in Hanoi, one of the group’s two hyperscale data centre projects in Vietnam. The project carries total investment capital of $664 million and spans 1.9 hectares.

Viettel’s second hyperscale facility is the 140-MW Tan Phu Trung data centre in Ho Chi Minh City.

LS Eco Energy CEO Lee Sang-ho said the global AI data centre market was shifting beyond competition in server capacity towards competition in power and telecommunications infrastructure.

The company plans to further expand its presence in the global AI infrastructure market through ultra-high-voltage cable products as well as integrated power and optical communication solutions for data centres, he added.

“This shows that the banking system remains the main ‘bloodstream’ of the economy, especially as the capital market has yet to develop proportionately,” Luc said.

To ensure system safety and maintain macroeconomic stability, the State Bank of Vietnam has set a 2026 credit growth target of 15 per cent, relatively lower than the 19.07 per cent increase recorded in 2025.

Credit will continue to be prioritised for production and business activities, growth drivers and key projects

Credit will continue to be prioritised for production and business activities, growth drivers and key projects, while capital flows into high-risk and speculative sectors will remain under strict control.

The message clearly reflects one reality: banks remain the dominant funding channel, but they can no longer continue bearing the entire burden of economic growth.

Meanwhile, the real estate sector continues to maintain enormous capital demand as multiple large-scale projects are implemented simultaneously.

According to Dr Luc, this will remain a major source of pressure on the banking system’s capital balance.

While credit demand remains high, funding sources for the banking system are no longer as abundant as before. Liquidity pressure is expected to persist throughout 2026, extending from the tight conditions seen in 2025.

One of the reasons behind liquidity pressure, according to Luc, is the relatively slow growth of capital mobilisation.

“The cash holding ratio increased in 2025, partly because household businesses expanded cash transactions during the initial phase of implementing new mechanisms related to invoices, documentation and VAT. This caused cash flows to return to the banking system more slowly,” he said.

In addition, foreign investors have also tended to withdraw capital from Asian stock markets, including Vietnam. In 2025, foreign investors posted net sales of $5.2 billion on Vietnam’s stock market and continued net selling of another $1.2 billion in the first quarter of 2026.

“Moreover, credit institutions proactively repurchased bonds ahead of maturity and reduced new issuance amid a rising interest rate environment. Meanwhile, other investment channels such as gold, silver, foreign currencies, stocks, real estate and digital assets have become more attractive than deposit interest rates, drawing money away from the banking system,” Luc said.

Speaking to VIR, senior economist Le Xuan Nghia said preliminary analysis showed that in just the first two months of 2026, the number of deposits withdrawn by residents from the banking system was equivalent to the total figure for the whole of 2025.

“Low interest rates may help businesses breathe more easily in the short term, but if the banking system’s funding base becomes increasingly strained, maintaining ‘cheap money’ for a prolonged period will place enormous pressure on financial stability and system safety. In other words, monetary policy can support growth, but it cannot replace more fundamental solutions,” he said.

According to Nguyen Ba Hung, senior country economist at ADB in Vietnam, the economy currently relies on two major credit supply channels: banks and bonds.

“However, each channel has very different advantages and if their functions are not allocated appropriately, excessive pressure will be placed on the banking system,” Hung said.

In principle, Hung explained, short- and medium-term credit should flow through banks, while long-term credit should be mobilised through the bond market. In reality, however, Vietnam has deviated from this principle.

“Long-term capital still mainly flows through the banking system, while the bond channel accounts for only a small proportion. More notably, more than half of the bonds currently on the market are issued by banks themselves. This means direct capital flows from bond investors into production and business enterprises remain very limited,” Hung said.

Dinh Duc Quang, head of Global Markets at UOB Vietnam, said that besides traditional channels such as foreign direct investment and portfolio investment, there is another highly important but often overlooked source of capital: cross-border funding through international financial institutions operating in Vietnam.

“Similarly, the corporate bond market also represents a potential space for connecting domestic enterprises with international capital flows,” Quang said. However, according to Quang, what foreign investors are currently most concerned about is the market’s credit risk assessment infrastructure, pricing mechanisms and benchmark yield curve system.

In his view, that is precisely the foundation for foreign investors to build risk assessment models, price assets and establish confidence when participating in Vietnam’s corporate bond market.

“If regulators such as the Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam coordinate with market participants to improve pricing infrastructure and develop benchmark yield curves for both the short-term money market and long-term capital market, the ability to draw in new capital inflows will improve significantly,” he said.

Crafting successful M&A deals: strategies for long-term growth and resilience At the second panel of the 2024 Vietnam M&A Forum, themed "A Blossoming Market" and hosted by VIR on November 27 in Ho Chi Minh City, industry insiders emphasised that due diligence, adaptability, and robust partnerships are essential for achieving long-term M&A success.

Nation’s long-term growth stability can begin now Along with the prospect of market upgrade, Vietnam’s stock market is expected to bring many opportunities for investors. Trinh Ha, a financial market analyst from Exness Investment Bank, outlined to VIR’s Thu Trang the likely scenarios ahead.

Vietnam should harness AI to boost long-term growth Vietnam should better prepare for AI adoption to sustain strong growth and achieve high-income status by 2045.

A prestigious benchmark in transaction banking

The TAB Global Transaction Finance Awards is among the world’s most rigorous and independent evaluation programmes in transaction banking, payments, trade finance and foreign exchange. Participating institutions are assessed through a standardised methodology including financial performance metrics, customer surveys, in-depth interviews and field research.

The awards bring together leading financial institutions across Asia-Pacific and globally such as Bank of America, Mizuho Bank, United Overseas Bank, CIMB Bank, Bangkok Bank, Bank of China and Deutsche Bank. Recognition for Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) alongside these global names reaffirms the competitiveness of Vietnamese banks on the international stage and highlights MB’s expertise, technological innovation and customer service at international standards.

According to the judging panel, MB stood out with its customer-centric strategy, combining advisory-driven FX solutions, hedging products and a fully integrated digital platform across international payments, trade finance and cash management.

Leading structured FX and derivatives solutions

MB offers a full suite of hedging tools including Spot, Forward, Swap and customised derivative structures tailored to client needs. This proactive advisory approach helps businesses lock in exchange rates for FX transactions, improve foreign currency cash-flow forecasting accuracy, and reduce profit volatility amid FX market fluctuations.

MB has also expanded its capabilities to serve the foreign direct investment segment – a customer group with large transaction volumes, complex multi-currency flows and high demand for sophisticated hedging solutions. The bank provides highly customised FX and derivatives products through a flexible omnichannel model, combining digital platforms and dedicated advisory services. This approach helps businesses optimise funding costs, stabilise cash flows and reinforces MB’s position as a trusted FX partner for domestic and international enterprises.

Strong progress in FX digital transformation

Although part of Vietnam’s big 5 banks, MB has established a market-leading position in digital transformation. The bank currently operates two major digital platforms: BIZ MBBank, serving nearly 300,000 enterprises, and the MBBank App, the largest banking app in Vietnam with 35 million users.

A key factor behind MB’s 2026 recognition is its largely in-house developed Digital FX ecosystem, enabling deep integration with core banking, risk management and corporate digital banking platforms.

Key capabilities include Real-time FX pricing and instant FX execution; full automation of trade-to-confirmation-to-settlement via Straight-Through Processing; direct integration of FX into international payments and trade finance flows, and real-time limit setting, compliance monitoring and transaction tracking

Nearly 90 per cent of FX transactions are now conducted via digital channels, placing MB among the industry leaders while improving operational efficiency and customer experience.

FX innovation supporting cross-border trade

MB continues to innovate its FX product suite to encourage faster, more transparent and cost-efficient cross-border payments. In 2026, the bank pioneered bilateral payment connectivity with major trading partners via QR code and account-to-account transfers, reducing FX conversion costs by 15–20 per cent and shortening settlement time from days to seconds.

MB also strengthened its leadership in the Vietnam–China trade corridor through a comprehensive CNY/VND payment ecosystem, strategic correspondent banking network and tailored FX hedging solutions for businesses. These initiatives have made MB a trusted FX partner for thousands of import-export companies and contributed to sustainable cross-border trade and investment.

Reaffirming a long-term growth strategy

Domestically, MB’s FX business continues to grow strongly, maintaining a top four market share in Vietnam. The bank now serves nearly 300,000 corporate customers using FX services, demonstrating strong market reach and trust. The award reaffirms MB’s strategic direction in building a modern transaction banking franchise that integrates digital innovation with advisory-driven services.

Looking ahead, MB will continue investing in technology, expanding its digital FX ecosystem and strengthening integration with global payment and trade value chains to deliver optimal efficiency and superior experiences for both domestic and international customers.

MB digital leadership celebrated from Asia-Pacific to Vietnam Hanoi-headquartered Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank (MB) has reinforced its digital leadership with a streak of prestigious recognitions, underscoring its innovative approaches and consistent performance in the regional business landscape, while contributing commendably to community service.

MB Economic Insights 10th: A decade of accompanying import-export businesses The 10th annual 'MB Economic Insights' conference took place on October 25, in Ho Chi Minh City amid significant global economic and political upheavals.

MB partners with Visa, KOTRA to launch new MB Visa Hi BIZ card The launch of the MB Visa Hi BIZ corporate card provides a powerful catalyst for enterprise digital transformation, offering the comprehensive momentum and practical tools businesses need to advance in the digital economy.

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

• Alipay+ and Antom, the Company's Global Payment pillars, now connect 2 bn user accounts globally to over 150 mn merchants. This vibrant ecosystem of interoperability links up more than 10 national QR systems and supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, and 50 digital wallets, bank apps and BNPL apps.
• Beyond payment, WorldFirst and Bettr, our Global Account and Embedded Finance services, support over 1.6 mn SMEs and provide credit access to 30 mn MSMEs and underserved users, integrating new AI and blockchain capabilities.
• The inclusion metric was built systemically into major innovation projects, for instance, more SME-friendly agentic payment and AI commerce tools, AI-as-a-Service platform for emerging markets, and the EPOS SME AI solutions.

• Antom Copilot 2.0 completes payment integration, onboarding, risk and chargeback resolution in secure, automated workflow.
• Antom Agentic Payment Solution enables AI agents to securely initiate and complete card- and APM-based transactions in a pioneering payment mandate model.

• FinAI-as-a-Service platform, the GenAI Cockpit gives toolkits to fintechs, such as Malaysia's TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan's first digital bank, to build flexible and autonomous AI commerce solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots.
• Custom-made agentic AI assistants such as Alipay+ Voyager, an agentic AI travel companion embedded in super apps.
• Open-sourced AI FX solution delivers FX forecasts with up to 93% prediction accuracy across complex, volatile currency markets.
• EPOS360, an AI-powered SME operation and financing platform, rolls out in Southeast Asia.

• SHIELD 3-in-1 Transformer model, supported by 7 bn parameters, identifies high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while raising payment success rates by up to 13.5%.
• Digital Wallet Guardian Partnership shares risk tech, anti-fraud and funds protection solutions among wallet partners to protect consumers and merchants.
• The Alipay+ Privacy Enhancing Technology (PET) programme was cited by Singapore's Personal Data Protection Commission in its practical guidance for industry application.

• Our Risk Management Committee mechanism, which implements a comprehensive risk governance framework from the corporate down to the ground unit level.
• Our 3-layered Anti-Money-Laundering programme is anchored in a global baseline of minimum control standards to ensure consistency and integrity across all markets. We also use AI-powered risk detection and security review tools to improve accuracy and efficiency.

• As the Innovation Partner for Sustainability of the New York Liberty, Alipay+ began supporting New York Liberty, the WNBA champion team on Liberty Sneaker Drives for underprivileged groups, Math Hoops project to build youth skills, and Threes for Trees project in NYC and Brooklyn.
• AlipayHK launched a main digital channel for charity fundraising after the Tai Po fire, raising HK$200 million from 450,000 super app users in first three days.
• Ocean Buddy, an in-app mini-programme for whale-shark protection in Indonesia, was launched in collaboration with DANA and Konservasi Indonesia, leveraging gamification to connect users' everyday digital activities to marine protection.
• 10x1000 Tech for Inclusion, a joint initiative with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and over 50 global partners, has certified 9,504 since 2018, 55% of whom are women.

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

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

Learn more at: https://vinfastauto.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Approximately 90% of founders operate remotely from abroad, while 10% or less are based in Hong Kong.
• Entrepreneurs aged 35 to 44 represent the largest age cohort at 38%, demonstrating that Hong Kong attracts founders in their prime career years rather than just younger digital nomads.
• Serial entrepreneurs make up 60% of Air Corporate's client mix, utilizing Hong Kong as an operational base for multiple companies, while first-time founders account for the remaining 40%.
• A total of 89% of new companies are launched by solo founders (58%) or small teams of two to five individuals (31%).
• Mainland China, Hong Kong, Turkey, India, the UAE, Australia, France, and Morocco rank among the top source markets for these founders.

Furthermore, 73% of new Hong Kong incorporations are directly tied to physical goods trade with China. This consists of e-commerce and dropshipping businesses (38%) and the trading of goods (35%). The recovery of in-person trade flows, including events, such as the Canton Fair and various industrial fairs, is pulling foreign founders back into the Greater China orbit and establishing Hong Kong as the natural entry point and financial layer over the world's largest manufacturing base.

Air Corporate's data recorded a 20% year-over-year growth in founders originating from the Middle East. This shift highlights a reverse migration where founders previously incorporated in Dubai are now choosing Hong Kong. Based on Vivian's observations, founders often arrive in Dubai expecting fast incorporation and low costs, but discover that incorporation and maintenance are significantly more expensive than in Hong Kong, and banking remains difficult. Consequently, many founders move to Hong Kong after 12 to 24 months in the UAE, a trend accelerated by the Hong Kong government's strategic outreach to the region.

For lean, remote-first businesses, speed-to-market is a critical factor. A founder located anywhere in the world can incorporate in Hong Kong and open a working bank account in approximately 7 days using digital banking partners. Currently, 90% of Air Corporate's clients utilize these digital banking partners.

"Hong Kong and Singapore are the only places in Asia where you can set up your company, get a corporate account, and be in business in less than a week," concluded Vivian.

Air Corporate is a service provider facilitating company formation and incorporation in Hong Kong for serial entrepreneurs, first-time founders, and remote-first business owners operating globally.

Media Inquiries
To learn more about Hong Kong company formation, visit Air Corporate’s website or contact their team directly.

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

Designed for real-world gaming environments, the GO27Q24G maintains clarity and visual impact even under challenging lighting conditions. The RealBlack Glossy coating minimizes reflections for improved visibility, while MLA+ technology delivers 275 nits of typical brightness and up to 1300 nits peak brightness. Certified to VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 400 and covering 99% of DCI-P3, the display delivers deep blacks, accurate shadow detail, and vivid color reproduction across games and multimedia content.

To accommodate different playstyles, the GO27Q24G integrates GIGABYTE's exclusive HyperNits technology, which intelligently boosts the overall brightness of HDR content in Peak 1300 mode while preserving highlight detail, offering HyperNits High and HyperNits Medium optimized for varying ambient lighting conditions. Building on this visual clarity, Tactical Features turn performance into precise control, particularly in fast-paced FPS and MOBA titles. Tactical Switch 2.0 enables instant resolution and aspect control, while Ultra Clear reduces motion blur and Black Equalizer reveals hidden details, empowering players with faster reactions and more precise in-game decisions during competitive matches.

The GO27Q24G is equipped with GIGABYTE's AI OLED Care, utilizing an AI-based algorithm to minimize the risks of burn-in issues. Beyond panel care, all-around eyecare with UL certification helps reduce eye strain, while OLED VRR Anti-Flicker precisely adjusts the VRR range to mitigate screen flickering, together providing comprehensive protection for both display quality and user comfort. The GIGABYTE GO27Q24G is available now. Availability may vary by region. For more information, please visit the where to buy.

Unlike many more general-purpose NPUs on the market, aiWare was designed from the ground up specifically for automotive inference. aiWare5 delivers many significant enhancements over the production-proven aiWare4 by maintaining industry-leading efficiency while significantly scaling up the massive throughput required for next-generation systems. While aiWare4 has already demonstrated its capability by delivering full L2+ driving solutions on cost-effective platforms like the Nextchip APACHE6, aiWare5 introduces many new features and upgrades, including:

• Enhanced support for future leaps in AI workloads such as LLMs, Vision Transformers, and SSMs
• Support for dynamic FP8 scaling
• Further extending leadership in tooling with a unique GPU-optimized emulator enabling faster-than-real-time bit-accurate modeling prior to first silicon

This unique combination of performance scalability and ease of use in system modeling enables faster design cycles from edge sensor processors to centralized high-performance vehicle compute platforms.

As the world's first ISO 26262 ASIL B-certified NPU IP, aiWare provides a safety-first foundation for production automotive programs. Developed as a Safety Element out of Context (SEooC), it is backed by comprehensive safety documentation and compliance support, simplifying integration into ASIL B and higher-compliance systems.

Beyond hardware, aiWare5 is complemented by industry-leading development tools. The unique aiWare GPU-optimized emulator enables large-scale software-in-the-loop (SiL) validation of the final AI-based ADAS software stack without target silicon. Combined with aiWare Studio – which enables offline neural network optimization and performance estimation within 5% of final silicon – development teams can complete the majority of workload optimization before hardware availability, significantly reducing development timelines and integration risk.

The architecture's deterministic design further supports certification efforts and ensures predictable, production-ready performance across safety-critical automotive deployments.

"aiWare5 represents a major step forward in scalable, production-ready automotive AI acceleration," said Márton Fehér, SVP of Semiconductor Engineering. "From day one, we have dedicated ourselves to automotive-native inference. While others adapt general-purpose designs, our focus on the specific rigors of the vehicle environment allows us to provide OEMs and semiconductor partners with an unrivaled, safety-certified, and future-proof NPU IP solution."

aiWare5 is available now for immediate licensing and IP delivery, suitable for integration into next-generation automotive SoCs, dedicated AI accelerator coprocessors, or chiplets.

For more information, visit: www.aimotive.com

Not a single lot was 'passed', reflecting a buoyant international market for rare and fine timepieces.

FutureGrail CEO, Ali Nael, said: "Strong demand from collectors and institutions has driven increased competition for exceptional timepieces across the spring auctions. This was reflected in our May sale, where collectors from around the world appreciated the rarity and condition of the selected timepieces. As expected, there was real excitement around these unique and historically important watches."

One of the most visually stunning watches to break new boundaries was a Patek Philippe in 18-carat yellow gold with diamonds and rubies. The Reference 4700 / 160J rocketed past top-end estimates, hammering at $400,000. There was also strong demand for Patek Philippe watches with rare 'lugs', including a Reference 1579J 'Spider Lugs' and a Reference 2549/1 J 'Turtle Lugs', and a Rolex Reference 2057 single-button chronograph.

While the popularity of extraordinary wristwatches is set to continue, Nael also believes vintage pocket watches are returning to fashion, with every pocket watch lot across the May auction meeting or exceeding estimates.

"Whether it's popular TV shows like Peaky Blinders or the latest eye-catching collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Swatch, there is a cultural renaissance around pocket watches. Collectors are realising the true beauty and heritage of these classic timepieces," added Nael.

FutureGrail is a leading auction house with global reach via its online auction platform and public museum. It continues to grow from its Singapore origins, with expansion across Switzerland and United Arab Emirates throughout 2026.

Collectors interested in consigning at one of FutureGrail's upcoming auctions can visit futuregrail.com/sell.

Positioned at the heart of the world's fastest-growing demand region, where rapid urbanisation and electrification have placed extreme pressure on energy systems to deliver affordable and reliable power, Gastech 2026 will provide a platform for the partnerships, investments and strategic dialogue that will drive energy delivery at scale and strengthen economic resilience across Asia and all global markets.

As the world's largest exhibition and conference for natural gas, LNG, low carbon solutions, electrification and AI for energy, Gastech 2026 will gather the entire energy value chain under the theme "Where Global Energy Demand Meets Supply", aligning the full mix of resources, capital and technologies required to meet today's immediate demands and fuel tomorrow's low-carbon growth.

Speaking on the event's role at a defining time for the energy industry, Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, stated: "The global energy industry is operating in one of the most complex and pressured environments in recent history. Supply disruption, rising demand, affordability and infrastructure resilience have become defining priorities for governments and industry alike.

Gastech 2026 has been designed to bring together the leadership, investment and practical solutions needed to secure supply, accelerate infrastructure delivery and support resilient energy systems at scale. Bangkok will provide a critical meeting point for the international energy industry at a time when coordination and collaboration have never been more important."

The Gastech Strategic Conference will serve as a high-level platform for ministers, CEOs, investors and industry leaders to address the pressing challenges facing global energy markets. Across dedicated strategic and technical programmes, discussions will focus on advancing energy security, unlocking LNG and gas supply, transforming power markets, scaling low carbon technologies, and developing integrated grids that can support intensifying electricity demand.

More than 1,000 speakers and 200 sessions will examine how governments and industry can move from long-term ambition towards implementation, developing practical pathways for infrastructure deployment, market resilience and investment throughout increasingly complex and interconnected energy systems. A selection of the confirmed conference speakers include:

• H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum & Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt
• H.E. Dr. Khalifa Rajab Abdulsadek, Minister of Oil & Gas, Libya
• H.E. Rt. Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Gas), Nigeria
• H.E. Eng. Salim bin Nasser Al Aufi, Minister of Energy & Minerals, Oman
• H.E. Birame Soulèye Diop, Minister of Energy, Petroleum & Mines, Senegal
• H.E. Jassim Alshirawi, Secretary General, International Energy Forum
• Dr. Narin Phoawanich, Governor, EGAT
• Dr. Kongkrapan Intarajang, CEO & President, PTT
• Liz Westcott, MD & CEO, Woodside Energy
• Lorenzo Simonelli, Chairman, President & CEO, Baker Hughes
• Takayuki Ueda, President & CEO, INPEX Corporation

Alongside the conferences, Gastech's exhibition, theatres and feature programmes will showcase the technologies, partnerships and commercial solutions shaping the future of global energy. With over 1,000 exhibiting companies and 50,000 energy professionals from 150+ countries in attendance, the event serves a global marketplace for investment, collaboration and innovation across the full energy value chain.

Gastech's 54^th edition will also see the launch of AixEnergy, a new co-located conference and exhibition positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence, electrification and next-generation energy systems. As the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure accelerates electricity demand growth, AixEnergy will provide an integrated platform for technology leaders, energy executives and strategic investors to align on the power systems, digital infrastructure and scaling strategies required to support the next generation of industrial and economic growth.

Gastech 2026 will be hosted by Thailand's Ministry of Energy and supported by national consortium partners EGAT, Gulf and PTT, alongside national consortium supporters Ratch, EGCO and the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC). Held in partnership with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the event has been designed to address the realities of Thailand's dynamic energy landscape, as well as the evolving power needs of all fast-growing economies.

Building on the momentum of Gastech Milan in 2025, which convened more than 50,000 attendees and facilitated over US $60 billion in commercial agreements and investment activity, Gastech 2026 will stand as the definitive platform for unified action, where the decisions and deals that will shape the world's energy future are made.

Olares OS is the open-source personal cloud operating system that turns local hardware into a privacy-respecting alternative to public cloud services. Its users, such as homelab builders, content creators, design studios, and self-hosting teams, share a clear priority: to keep data, models, and agent activity on hardware they control. Built on a lightweight Kubernetes foundation, Olares OS already provides sandboxed application delivery, GPU resource management, single sign-on, and a curated marketplace of more than 200 one-click applications. NemoClaw layers onto that foundation, adding the NVIDIA OpenShell secure runtime for autonomous agents, letting users grant agents narrow, explicit permissions over their data, network, and tools rather than trusting them broadly.

Olares One is engineered for this end-to-end local AI workflow. The desktop ships with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 Mobile GPU and 24 GB of GDDR7 memory, and Olares OS extends first-class support across NVIDIA accelerated computing, from NVIDIA GeForce RTX GPUs and NVIDIA RTX PRO workstations to NVIDIA DGX Spark, NVIDIA DGX Station, and additional NVIDIA Blackwell systems, such as NVIDIA DGX B200 and NVIDIA DGX GB200. That range lets the same Olares OS run the entire agent stack locally on a user's own silicon: model inference, retrieval and embeddings, tool servers, and the NemoClaw-sandboxed agents that orchestrate them, with no data, prompts, or tool calls leaving the device unless the user's policy explicitly allows it.

Because both projects are Kubernetes-native, the Olares team was able to reuse a substantial set of components across the two stacks. The result is a smaller surface area to maintain, faster uptake of upstream NemoClaw releases, and a consistent operator experience whether an agent is running on an Olares One in a studio, a DGX Spark on a developer's desk, or a Grace Blackwell system in a private rack.

"Our users came to Olares because they refuse to hand their data, their models, or their agents to someone else's cloud," said Dr. Michael Yuan, VP of Research at Olares. "Pairing the OpenShell permissioning and sandboxing model with Olares OS, across every NVIDIA GPU we support, from GeForce RTX to Grace Blackwell, means the entire pipeline, from inference to autonomous agent, can finally run on hardware the user owns, and inside boundaries the user has set."

NVIDIA NemoClaw is an open-source reference stack that builds on the OpenClaw project to simplify the secure deployment of autonomous assistants. It provides guided onboarding, hardened blueprints, and installs OpenShell for layered process and network isolation, and routed inference across local and cloud models so developers can ship always-on, self-evolving agents that respect user-defined privacy and security policies.

NemoClaw on Olares OS is available today. Source code, documentation, and installation instructions are available at http://github.com/beclab/olares and http://github.com/NVIDIA/NemoClaw.

Learn more at https://www.olares.com/.

Kristen Scholer delivers the pre-market update on May 14th

• The S&P 500 trades at a record high, with equities up Thursday morning, as gains in technology shares boost the large cap index.
• The Global X NYSE 100 ETF jumped 1.7% yesterday, driven by a 3.9% rise in component Alphabet.
• Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust (NYSE: BXDC) will see its shares debut after pricing at $20 each.
• Artificial intelligence operating system Vida Global to ring the first trade bell as it lists on NYSE American.

Opening Bell
Blackstone Digital Infrastructure Trust (NYSE: BXDC) celebrates its IPO

Closing Bell
The Fire Department of the City of New York celebrates National EMS week

For market insights, IPO activity, and today's opening bell, download the NYSE TV App: TV.NYSE.com

The report identifies a widening "Verification Gap" between supply chain documentation and reality. Using cotton as a spotlight commodity, the data shows that after three years of steady progress, exposure to prohibited cotton has surged back to pre-2021 levels.

Oritain's analysis of 1,000 garments annually for 5 years across 40 brands highlights a fundamental shift for leadership. While nearly 94% of UK and 87% of US companies now trace their cotton supply chains, Oritain found that 90% of brands analysed in 2025 recorded at least one prohibited cotton result, up from 64% in 2024.

"Risk isn't disappearing, it's re-emerging," said Alyn Franklin, CEO at Oritain. "As brands pivot manufacturing regions, upstream material exposure hasn't disappeared – it's appearing in new manufacturing hubs. Without independent verification, risk travels quietly through complex trade routes and only surfaces when goods are stopped and costs escalate."

Key Insights

• Prohibited cotton exposure has returned to pre-2021 levels, a challenge traditional paper trails cannot solve.
• There is a trust deficit. 60% of consumers avoid products from untrustworthy origins, while only 3% trust marketing claims.
• Beyond cotton, 69% of consumers support mandatory ethical sourcing proof of leather, reinforcing calls for its inclusion within the EUDR.
• Consequences are no longer theoretical. 80% of UK and 37% of US brands surveyed have already experienced material impact, including border delays, financial penalties, disrupted production.

The report concludes that the future of resilient trade lies in programmatic forensic verification. By moving from reactive compliance to a continuous, science-based model, businesses can substantiate claims with defensible evidence.

"Visibility without verification no longer holds," Franklin added. "Oritain provides the science and network intelligence that allows organisations to build trust that is measurable, defensible and scalable."

Prior to dawn, 1,500 selected participants from Malaysia and five regions—Southeast Asia, East Asia, West Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe—gathered at the start zone. With the participation of prominent local running clubs, the event presented a highly professional, focused and competitive racing atmosphere.

The event received an overwhelming response from the running community. Since registration opened on February 14, nearly 10,000 applications were received within one month, exceeding the 1,500 available spots by more than six times. The strong demand clearly reflects the local market's urgent need for professional, well-organized 10KM racing events.

Runners provided consistent positive feedback, stating that Malaysia has long been lacking professional 10KM races and high-quality event organization. Xtep 10KM TIME TRIAL effectively filled this gap with standardized operation and professional race services. This result demonstrates Xtep's accurate insight into running scenarios, deep understanding of runner needs, and proven experience in delivering professional running platforms.

In response to the strong enthusiasm from runners and running clubs, Xtep is considering hosting an additional large-scale 10KM event in the second half of 2026. The potential event is expected to expand recruitment coverage to the entire Southeast Asia region, introduce a veteran category, engage more running clubs, and launch a running club points ranking system, creating a regional competitive racing festival.

After intense competition, the top performers are as follows:

• Overall Men's Champion: NGARE JOSEPH MWANGI (Kenya), 00:31:28
• Malaysian Men's Champion: YEOW NI JIA, 00:34:37
• Malaysian Women's Champion: CHAN ANNE SZE, 00:44:15
• International Women's Champion: NGETICH EMILY, 00:38:17

The event brought together elite runners across Malaysia, promoting experience sharing and encouraging participants to challenge their personal limits.

Following the race, Xtep held a running footwear workshop at its Mid Valley Megamall store. Wu Lianyin, General Manager of Xtep Running Development Center, delivered a speech, highlighting Xtep's continuous investment in product technology innovation and its support for runners to achieve personal bests and set marathon records.

Zhuang Yan, Senior Manager of Product Development, introduced Xtep's latest running footwear products, including the in-store debut of the 2000KM 5.0 series and the new 360X 3.0 from the brand's Q2 training lineup.

• Xtep 2000KM 5.0: Focused on durability and versatility, DIN abrasion resistance 18mm³, suitable for daily commuting, jogging and training, pace 4:30–8:00 min/km.
• Xtep 2000KM 5.0 PRO: Plate-free design with balanced cushioning and stability, suitable for training, racing and long-distance running, pace 4:30–7:00 min/km.
• Xtep 360X 3.0: Equipped with BT400 composite carbon plate for a smooth running experience, lowers the threshold of carbon plate technology, suitable for daily training, pace 6:30–8:30 min/km.

Zhuang mentioned that the 160X series focuses on racing performance, while the 2000KM 5.0 series and 360X 3.0 prioritize daily training and user experience, helping runners build a stable performance foundation.

As Xtep's second 10KM TIME TRIAL in Malaysia, this event further consolidated the brand's global running positioning. Through professional races, product experience workshops and in-store activities, Xtep continues to build a sound local running community. With high-performance products and professional event platforms, Xtep maintains close connections with runners, supporting their growth from daily training to racing breakthroughs.