On August 21, FTSE Russell announced the results of its semi-annual review of the series, which covers the Asia-Pacific region.

Photo: baodautu.vn

Three Vietnamese stocks were classified as large cap – VCB (Vietcombank), VIC (Vingroup), and VHM (Vinhomes). In the mid-cap segment, the three stocks added were BID (BIDV), VPB (VPBank), and HPG (Hoa Phat).

The same six stocks were also added to the FTSE All-World Index, one of the major global equity indices focusing on large- and mid-cap stocks. The index tracks thousands of stocks across developed and emerging markets worldwide and serves as a benchmark for numerous investment funds.

In the small-cap segment, 21 stocks were added to the index. Notable names across various sectors include FPT, Gelex, HDBank, Masan Group, Novaland, SSI Securities, Techcom Securities, and Vinamilk, among others.

The list also includes the micro-cap segment, which features 90 Vietnamese stocks.

According to FTSE's announcement, the changes will take effect after the close of trading on Friday, September 18, meaning they will be effective from the following Monday.

The index provider also noted that the changes listed in the index review may continue to be adjusted through the close of trading on September 4. From September 7, the changes resulting from the index review will be considered final.

After that point, any further changes will generally be considered only in exceptional circumstances, in accordance with FTSE Russell's policies and guidelines governing index recalculations.

This is a special review ahead of Vietnam moving from frontier market status to secondary emerging market status under FTSE Russell, effective September 21.

Vietnam steps up market reforms as FTSE Russell reviews upgrade progress On February 5 at the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Deputy Minister Nguyen Duc Chi received a working delegation from FTSE Russell, led by CEO Fiona Bassett.

SSC steps up engagement with FTSE Russell on market reforms The State Securities Commission of Vietnam is strengthening its engagement with FTSE Russell to advance market reforms and deepen Vietnam’s integration into global capital markets.

FTSE Russell, SSC discuss next steps after Vietnam market upgrade The State Securities Commission and FTSE Russell have held talks on next steps following Vietnam's stock market upgrade, focusing on index development and regulatory reforms.

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.

The production line aims to enhance operational capacity and increase the value added to coffee beans.

The commissioning of the new line reflects Nestlé’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s socioeconomic development goals, promoting technology transfer, developing suitable personnel, and strengthening links with the domestic business ecosystem, the company said.

The glass jar production line is designed with a high level of automation and seamless operation from raw material intake to finished products. The closed-loop production model helps improve productivity, ensure operational stability, and maintain consistent product quality in accordance with Nestlé’s global standards.

The line is capable of flexibly handling multiple Nescafé Gold and Nescafé Classic product lines, meeting various packaging specifications tailored to the requirements of each market. The state-of-the-art production line boasts an initial capacity of over 350,000 jars per day, significantly expanding Vietnam’s instant coffee production and packaging capacity.

The line also represents a step forward in the digital transformation of the Nestlé Tri An factory. Its sensors, cameras, and real-time data management systems enable comprehensive monitoring of the production process, supporting faster decision-making and improving data-driven operational efficiency.

Instant coffee products packaged in glass jars will be exported to 11 international markets, with further expansion expected in the future.

Binu Jacob, CEO of Nestlé Vietnam, said the project reflects the company's strategic direction of promoting technology adoption and developing people.

"It demonstrates our commitment to combining the application of technology with knowledge transfer, human resource development, and innovation. It also provides a foundation for further enhancing the value of the coffee industry and contributing to Vietnam’s position in the global value chain,” Jacob said.

Before the operation of the production line, Vietnamese engineers and employees participated in training programmes in the UK, Spain, and Australia, while also working directly with international experts during installation, commissioning, and process standardisation. To date, the team at the Nestlé Tri An factory has been able to operate and manage the line independently in accordance with Nestlé’s global standards.

The project also opens up additional opportunities for cooperation with domestic enterprises in areas including packaging, raw materials, logistics, equipment maintenance, and product quality inspection, the company added.

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Regenerative agriculture helps Vietnamese coffee tackle green barriers In light of stricter requirements on sustainability, traceability, and carbon emissions, regenerative agriculture could enhance the competitiveness of Vietnam’s coffee industry while improving livelihoods.

The Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso) and the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP) have urged the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) to address the delays in issuing certificates of origin (C/O), which are directly affecting the progress of documentation, delivery, and export activities of members of these two associations.

According to VASEP, since responsibility for issuing C/Os was transferred from the Agency of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of Industry and Trade to the departments of industry and trade in localities on August 1, there have been delays in processing applications in several areas due to a sharp increase in the number of applications, while the process, personnel, and system have not kept pace.

“In addition, businesses have to re-register or update their trader profiles when transferring to a new C/O issuing authority. The problem is that during the time waiting for the profiles to be approved, which often takes up to 10 days, businesses cannot submit or complete the application for the certificate for export shipments. Meanwhile, businesses’seafood export activities are ongoing, with many orders having short delivery times and deadlines for submitting documents,” VASEP noted in a document submitted to the MoIT on August 14.

Meanwhile, Lefaso’s members have also encountered similar obstacles, impacting export activities to main markets such as the US, South Africa, Chile, and Asian regions China and the Philippines.

“According to feedback from Lefaso member businesses, the delay in issuing C/O is causing exporting businesses to face the risk of increased costs. In markets requiring C/O for customs clearance, delays cause shipments to be held at ports, incurring storage and warehousing costs and the risk of penalties for delays,” Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, vice president and general secretary of the Lefaso, said at the meeting on August 17.

“Lefaso believes that the risks associated with C/O Form B in the US market are serious. Although it is a non-preferential certificate, it is a crucial legal basis for determining product origin. Without C/O Form B when importing into the US, Vietnamese goods risk being suspected of or subject to tariffs as if they originated from China. In that case, businesses may face high trade defence taxes such as anti-dumping duties, countervailing duties, or other additional taxes, directly threatening the stability of export turnover to the US.”

Vasep and Lefaso warn that delays in issuing this certificate can prevent businesses from completing the necessary documents in time for customers to complete import procedures and benefit from preferential tariffs under free trade agreements; it also incurs warehousing and storage costs, delays in payment, and the risk of penalties for late document delivery.

In addition, the two associations say that delays in delivery and document completion also affect brand reputation and orders by disrupting the distribution plans of international brands. This reduces the credibility of the Vietnamese manufacturing industry, causing partners to consider shifting orders to other countries.

“Lefaso proposes allowing an automatic transition mechanism, inheriting the data of registered traders on the electronic origin certification management system to the provincial Departments of Industry and Trade, avoiding the need for businesses to start over,” said Xuan

“During the transition period, the association proposes the application of a “temporary trader profile” mechanism or permit to submit a trader profile at the same time as the application for C/O so that businesses can submit applications for C/O concurrently with the assessment process. Lefaso also proposes to supplement personnel, training, and provide technical support to Departments of Industry and Trade in localities that have many factories, such as Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai."

Immediately after receiving feedback from businesses regarding delays in issuing C/O, the Import-Export Department under the MoIT, on August 17, held a meeting with the Department of Customs, the E-commerce and Digital Economy Department, the Departments of Industry and Trade of 34 cities and provinces, regional Import-Export Management Offices, to discuss and resolve difficulties arising in the process of receiving, processing, and issuing C/O at the local level.

The meeting took place amid a rapid increase in the number of applications submitted to local C/O-issuing agencies after Circular No.26/2026/TT-BCT came into effect on August 1, regarding regulations on the authority to issue C/O.

According to the report of Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, in the first week of implementation, some applications did not meet the required components as stipulated in Decree No.31/2018/ND-CP. In some cases, the list of goods lacked signatures and seals, and supporting documents such as invoices and copies of the farmer's citizen identification cards were missing. Some businesses also mistakenly selected the wrong C/O issuing agency due to a recent change in receiving units, resulting in applications being repeatedly circulated or returned.

“The department stated that it will continue to coordinate with the E-commerce and Digital Economy Department to review issues related to both operational and technical aspects,” Hai said.

Nguyen Anh Son, director of the Agency of Foreign Trade, said, “The department will continue to coordinate with the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy to review emerging issues. It needs to focus on resolving outstanding issues related to pending applications at several agencies, especially at the departments of Industry and Trade in Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City."

“The department directed the organisation of additional training courses in the southern region this month. It also plans to organise a working group to visit localities to exchange information, provide guidance, and address requests regarding administrative procedures related to the origin of goods,” he said.

Seafood exporters deliver strong Q1 though challenges persist Vietnam's leading seafood producers posted strong first-quarter earnings and export growth, but rising trade barriers, compliance costs and market uncertainty continue to cloud the industry's outlook for 2026.

Vietnam's seafood exports approach $5.8 billion in first half of 2026 Vietnam's seafood exports reached nearly $5.8 billion in the first half of 2026, up 12.8 per cent on-year, driven by stronger demand, market diversification, and improved product restructuring.

China imports $1.4 billion of Vietnamese seafood in first half of 2026 Stronger demand from China – Vietnam's largest shrimp export destination – is creating fresh momentum for the industry's growth amid continuing uncertainty in the US market.

Seafood Expo Asia draws exhibitors from four continents Seafood Expo Asia drew first-time exhibitors from four continents, with new national pavilions spanning wild-capture fisheries to smart aquaculture technology reflecting Asia's growing seafood demand.

Vietnam's seafood exports grow in first seven months Vietnam’s seafood exports rose 11.5 per cent to nearly $6.86 billion in the first seven months of 2026, with headwinds ahead.

Global exhibitors converge in Ho Chi Minh City for VTG 2025 Over 400 international exhibitors are gathering for the 23rd Vietnam International Textile and Garment Industry Exhibition (VTG 2025) to tap into Vietnam’s billion-dollar garment and textile market.

US footwear firm OrthoLite opens new manufacturing facility in Vietnam OrthoLite, an American manufacturer of footwear materials, on November 21 announced the opening of a new facility in Ninh Binh.

Alpro and Skechers Launch Senior Safety Footwear The nutritional brand partnered with the footwear manufacturer to introduce the Silver Line collection designed to reduce fall risks for elderly wearers.

Nike boosts sourcing from Vietnam as manufacturing share rises Footwear giant Nike has increased its sourcing from factories in Vietnam, reinforcing the country's role as its largest global manufacturing base.

Despite strong growth over the past three decades, the current model is constrained by infrastructure gaps, shortages of skilled labour, and limited integration into high-value global supply chains. As global supply chains shift and technology reshapes manufacturing, the country’s industrial parks (IPs) face new demands and new opportunities.

Over the past three decades, Vietnam’s IPs have been the backbone of the country’s manufacturing surge. Since the economic reforms of the 1980s, more than 430 IPs have sprung up, powering export growth and attracting sustained foreign direct investment.

Electronics, machinery, and garments have led the charge, with electronics exports alone more than doubling from $45 billion in 2020 to $108 billion in 2025. Today, over half of Vietnam’s export turnover is generated within these zones.

But the landscape is changing. Multinational corporations are diversifying production away from China, and Vietnam has emerged as a key beneficiary. Annual registered foreign direct investment (FDI) has exceeded $20 billion since 2022, reinforcing the country’s status as a manufacturing hub.

Yet, this success brings new challenges: infrastructure gaps, a shortage of skilled labour, and a concentration in low-value assembly threaten to limit future growth.

Roland Berger’s analysis shows that Vietnam’s current IPs model, focused on low-cost land and basic manufacturing, faces three structural limitations.

First, infrastructure is lagging global standards, especially in energy, logistics, and environmental, social, and governance compliance. Only a handful of parks has achieved eco-industrial certification, and power grid constraints pose risks for energy-intensive sectors.

Second, the talent gap is widening. Only 24 per cent of the manufacturing workforce is formally trained, and high-tech sectors like semiconductors face acute shortages of engineering talent. As investment shifts towards advanced manufacturing, the need for skilled labour and research and development (R&D) capabilities becomes critical.

Third, Vietnam’s position in the global value chain remains anchored in assembly and low-value activities. Localisation rates in electronics are still low, and competition from ASEAN peers is intensifying.

To move upstream, Vietnam must foster innovation, technology development, and deeper integration with global supply chains.

Regional leaders offer valuable lessons. China, Singapore, and South Korea have all transitioned from basic manufacturing parks to integrated, high-tech ecosystems through coordinated public-private action. These models emphasise sector specialisation, digital infrastructure, and strong links to R&D and talent.

Vietnam is already taking steps in this direction. The emergence of eco-industrial and high-tech parks, such as Saigon Hi-Tech Park, signals a shift towards more sophisticated, sustainable, and digitally enabled ecosystems. New legislation, including the Law on the Digital Technology Industry, is reinforcing this trend by prioritising strategic sectors and offering targeted incentives.

As Vietnam enters a new industrial era, the stakes are high. The choices made now will determine whether the country can move up the value chain and reinforce its position as a leading Asian industrial hub.

Future IPs will increasingly function as integrated platforms combining advanced manufacturing, logistics, digital infrastructure, R&D, sustainability solutions, and urban services within a unified environment.

Ho Chi Minh City calls for investment in 38 new industrial parks Ho Chi Minh City is preparing to seek for developers for 38 new industrial parks covering a total area of more than 23,000 hectares under its master plan through 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Vietnam's industrial property sector shifts towards green growth Vietnam’s industrial property sector is entering a new phase of green development, requiring developers to adapt their strategies to an increasingly competitive landscape.

Amata CEO champions high-tech growth and smart cities As global foreign direct investment shifts towards green and high-tech standards, Amata CEO and founder Vikrom Kromadit has concluded a tour of Vietnam alongside a delegation of Chinese technology investors.

The event brought together more than 80 representatives from government agencies, education and training departments from all 34 provinces and cities, universities, vocational education institutions, enterprises, and business associations.

Mitsue Pembroke, Officer-in-Charge at IOM Vietnam, speaks at the workshop on qualifications recognition and labour mobility. Photo: IOM

The AQRF provides a common regional framework for comparing qualifications across ASEAN member states. By building mutual understanding and trust in national education and skills systems, it supports the mobility of students and workers while encouraging lifelong learning through formal, non-formal, and informal pathways.

Endorsed by the AQRF Committee in October 2025 and published by MoET in December 2025, Vietnam's AQRF Referencing Report marks an important step towards making Vietnamese qualifications more transparent, comparable, and trusted across ASEAN and beyond. It is expected to support qualifications recognition, labour mobility, and safe, regular, and skills-based migration pathways.

Vu Thi Tu Anh, deputy director-general of the Department of Vocational and Continuing Education, said the endorsement of the report provided an important foundation for enhancing the transparency, comparability, and recognition of qualifications.

“However, referencing alone does not automatically result in recognition. For recognition to be meaningful and effective, we must continue strengthening our education and training system, including curricula, learning outcomes, assessment approaches, quality assurance arrangements, and consistency in the recognition of qualifications,” Anh said.

Participants discussed Vietnam's post-referencing implementation plan, exchanged regional experiences, and identified recommendations for benchmarking Vietnam's education and training system against those of other countries in the region. They also highlighted the need for stronger coordination among education and training, labour migration, and industry stakeholders.

The workshop examined how Vietnam could build on AQRF referencing by benchmarking competency assessment and certification systems against the ASEAN Guiding Principles, helping move from greater transparency and comparability towards stronger trust in skills standards, assessment, certification, and quality assurance.

Thailand, for example, has aligned its national quality assurance and workforce verification systems to enable employers and authorities to better assess the competencies and skills of migrant professionals.

Thunyamart Limugsorn, a Thai expert, said the experience highlights the importance of linking qualification recognition with competency assessment and certification to support skilled labour mobility.

“Effective recognition requires not only transparent qualifications frameworks, but also trusted assessment and certification systems that allow employers to understand and value workers’ competencies,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Philippines has used the AQRF to strengthen trust in the skills and educational qualifications of its workers and graduates, making them more readily recognised when seeking opportunities elsewhere in ASEAN.

These experiences demonstrate how the AQRF can strengthen institutional coordination, improve quality assurance and certification systems, boost lifelong learning, and better connect qualifications and skills with labour mobility.

Photo: IOM

For Vietnam, greater recognition of workers' qualifications and skills in destination countries could improve job matching, labour migration outcomes, and worker protection. Recognition of prior learning (RPL) acquired overseas could also help returning migrant workers reintegrate into the domestic labour market, access suitable employment, and continue their learning pathways.

“Workers’ skills and qualifications must be visible, transferable, and matched with labour market needs if labour mobility is to deliver meaningful benefits,” Mitsue Pembroke, officer-in-charge at IOM Vietnam said.

“Effectively referencing Vietnam’s Qualifications Framework with the AQRF can help Vietnamese migrant workers access decent jobs that better reflect their competencies and offer equal benefits, while reinforcing the government's efforts to develop high-quality human resources that meet industry requirements both at home and abroad,” she added.

The issue is particularly important as Vietnam seeks to improve the quality and international competitiveness of its workforce. The country has a labour force of more than 53 million people, while fewer than one-third hold formal training certificates.

Vietnam also sends approximately 150,000 workers overseas under contract each year and aims to increase the proportion of skilled workers among them to 40 per cent by 2030.

More portable and widely recognised qualifications could help Vietnamese workers demonstrate their competencies, access better-matched jobs, and meet certification requirements in destination markets, while RPL could help returning workers transfer skills gained overseas to employment opportunities in Vietnam.

IOM will continue working with the MoET, the Ministry of Home Affairs, other government agencies, education and training institutions, employers, and development partners to translate Vietnam's AQRF referencing into practical action and support regular, fair, and skills-based labour mobility within ASEAN and beyond.

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In the first seven months of 2026, total cumulative export value to Canada exceeded $5.05 billion, representing an increase of 20.42 per cent on-year. The result highlights the positive growth momentum of Vietnamese goods in the North American market, amid stable consumer demand and import activities in Canada.

Notably, growth in exports to Canada during the first seven months was driven by processed industrial products, machinery and high-tech goods.

Machinery and equipment secured the highest export value to Canada in the first seven months. Photo: baodautu.vn

Leading the growth was the group of machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts, with export turnover reaching $733.3 million, up 54.92 per cent on-year. This was followed by computers, electronic products and components, which generated $715.18 million, up 44.5 per cent.

Other goods also recorded export value approximating $697 million, up 46.4 per cent. Several products posted particularly strong growth, including chemicals, up 135.09 per cent, and cashew nuts, up 54.09 per cent.

The strong increase in industrial and high-tech products indicates positive shifts in the structure of Vietnam’s exports to Canada, with technology-intensive and higher-value-added products accounting for an increasingly larger share.

One key advantage is the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which both Vietnam and Canada are members.

The implementation of the agreement from January 2019 has helped reduce tariffs and facilitate greater access for Vietnamese goods to the Canadian market.

In addition, Canada’s efforts to diversify its supply chains and reduce reliance on certain traditional sources of supply are creating further opportunities for Vietnamese businesses.

Demand for machinery, electronic equipment and components used in manufacturing and digital transformation is expected to continue increasing.

Diverging trends among product groups indicate that significant room for growth remains in the Canadian market.

However, Vietnamese businesses need to continue diversifying their products, increasing value added and actively adapting to changes in market demand.

Leveraging upbeat achievements in the first seven months, Vietnam’s exports to Canada are expected to maintain their growth momentum in the rest of 2026, with full-year export value projected to reach approximately $8.5-$9 billion.

Electronics, machinery, equipment and components are forecast to remain key growth drivers as Canadian import demand for manufacturing and year-end consumption increases.

Nevertheless, Vietnamese businesses also need to respond to increasingly stringent market requirements, particularly those related to trade remedies, rules of origin, and environmental, social and governance standards.

Meeting these requirements effectively will help businesses maintain their market share in Canada and provide a foundation for expanding exports to other developed markets across North America.

Bilateral trade between Vietnam and Canada reached $8.6 billion in 2025, up 18.8 per cent. Vietnam’s exports to Canada surpassed $7.5 billion for the first time, rising 18.2 per cent on-year, while imports from Canada exceeded $1 billion for the first time, increasing 23.7 per cent.

Vietnam is currently Canada’s seventh-largest import partner globally and its largest trading partner for imports within ASEAN, accounting for 43.6 per cent of Canada’s total imports from the region.

Polish businesses seek food export opportunities in Vietnam Polish businesses are looking to expand food exports to Vietnam and to source shrimp, pepper and other Vietnamese agricultural products for the domestic market.

AI agents pave way for greener exports AI agents are emerging as a driving force helping Vietnamese businesses optimise operations, reduce emissions, meet green standards, and strengthen their competitiveness in international markets.

Fruit and vegetable exports top $1 billion for first time in July According to the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association, fruit and vegetable exports reached approximately $1.06 billion in July, up 38 per cent on-year. This marked the first time monthly fruit and vegetable export turnover surpassed the $1 billion threshold.

Vietnam's seafood exports grow in first seven months Vietnam’s seafood exports rose 11.5 per cent to nearly $6.86 billion in the first seven months of 2026, with headwinds ahead.

According to the statement on August 13, the partnership is supported by the government of France and the EU. The move marks an important step in connecting Petrovietnam’s industrial and energy capabilities with international expertise, technical assistance and long-term financing to turn energy transition ambitions into concrete projects.

The two sides will cooperate to strengthen capacity in project preparation and implementation, align environmental and social standards with international practices, and expand access to green and long-term financing for strategic energy investments.

The partnership comes as Petrovietnam accelerates its transformation into Vietnam’s national industry-energy group. Alongside its core responsibility of safeguarding national energy security, Petrovietnam is taking an increasingly active role in advancing Vietnam’s energy transition and supporting the country’s net-zero target by 2050.

The cooperation is also expected to facilitate Petrovietnam's access to European expertise in areas including offshore wind, power systems and integration, digital solutions, energy efficiency, and advanced engineering. It will also help mobilise international resources for Vietnam's next generation of energy projects.

Julien Seillan, the French Development Agency (AFD) country director in Vietnam, said, "The quality of project preparation is crucial to successful financing. Well-prepared projects are more likely to be sustainable, while compliance with high environmental, social, and governance standards can also improve access to financial resources."

"Through the MoU, AFD is ready to support Petrovietnam in the years ahead. AFD will not only provide technical assistance, but also facilitate Petrovietnam's access to international best practices, expertise, and long-term financing for strategic projects."

Vietnam eyes partnership with South Korea for Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant Vietnam will select the official partner for the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant in the third quarter of 2026 to ensure the commissioning of the plant by 2035.

BIDV, VietinBank sign $281-million credit deal for O Mon IV power plant BIDV, VietinBank, and Petrovietnam have signed a credit agreement to finance the O Mon IV Thermal Power Plant.

Petrovietnam, PV GAS and Nebula Energy partner on LNG-powered data centre On July 28, Petrovietnam, PV GAS and Nebula Energy signed a cooperation agreement to explore an integrated data centre utilising LNG infrastructure at Vung Ang Economic Zone, Ha Tinh.

The policy dialogue provided a platform to review Vietnam’s progress, exchange international experience and good practices, discuss legal and implementation challenges, and identify priorities for strengthening child online protection in Vietnam. The discussions focused on ways to both strengthen the legal and policy framework, and translate laws and policies into effective action for children.

The legal policy dialogue. Photo: UNICEF Vietnam

Research by the ‘WeProtect’ Global Alliance – which aims to protect children from sexual exploitation and abuse online - estimates that more than 300 million children under the age of 18 have been affected by online child sexual exploitation and abuse.

In Vietnam, the 2022 “Disrupting Harm” study by ECPAT, INTERPOL and UNICEF found that 89 per cent of children aged 12–17 were internet users, and that 2 per cent of children aged 15–17 reported having exchanged sexual images or videos for money or gifts.

Vietnam has demonstrated strong leadership in international efforts to combat cybercrime and protect children online. In April 2026, Vietnam became the second country in the world to ratify the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime (the Hanoi Convention), a landmark treaty that addresses online child sexual abuse and exploitation material, online grooming, and other cyber-enabled crimes.

This milestone underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation and enhancing protection for children in the digital environment.

Speaking at the dialogue, Hoang Thanh Tung, Minister of Justice, said, “Protecting children in the digital environment is no longer simply a matter of theoretical warnings, nor is it the sole responsibility of any individual or group of organisations. It has become an urgent national and global imperative, requiring a whole-of-society effort and the highest level of shared responsibility.”

Hoang Thanh Tung, Minister of Justice. Photo: UNICEF Vietnam.

“Every child has the right to safety, dignity, privacy, participation, development, and access to justice. In the digital environment, these rights must be upheld just as firmly as in the offline world,” said Julien Guerier, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam. “We are committed to supporting efforts that strengthen the justice sector, uphold child rights, and build a safer digital environment for every child”

Julien Guerier, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation to Vietnam. Photo: UNICEF Vietnam

“Digital technologies are transforming children’s lives, creating new opportunities while also exposing them to risks such as cyberbullying, online exploitation and privacy violations. Every child has the right to participate in the digital world safely. UNICEF remains committed to supporting Vietnam in advancing laws and policies that protect children’s rights in the digital age,” said Silvia Danailov, UNICEF representative in Vietnam.

Silvia Danailov, UNICEF Representative in Vietnam. Photo: UNICEF Vietnam

The dialogue builds on Vietnam’s existing legal and policy foundations, including the Law on Children, the Cybersecurity Law, the Penal Code and other relevant instruments, while recognising that rapid technological change requires continued legal review, stronger enforcement capacity and more effective support for children affected by online harms.

Participants emphasised that laws alone were not enough. Effective child online protection requires trained professionals, child-friendly reporting and complaint mechanisms, accessible support services, digital literacy for children and caregivers, and strong collaboration across justice, law enforcement, education, health, social welfare, civil society and technology sectors.

The event is expected to contribute to identify priority actions to build a safer, healthier and more enabling digital ecosystem for children in Vietnam.

Minister Tuan welcomed the Baran delegation, describing the group as a leading Israeli engineering and project management company with extensive experience in engineering consultancy, design, project management, construction and high-tech solutions for a wide range of infrastructure projects. He expressed his hope that the visit would open a new chapter in investment and trade cooperation between the two countries.

To translate the principle of mutually beneficial, or win-win, cooperation into concrete opportunities, the Vietnamese side had actively prepared information on two high-potential projects in the Hanoi area for presentation to the group. These include a healthcare and elderly care complex associated with Hanoi Medical University, and a university development project – the University Village Complex in Thuan An commune, Hanoi.

Outlining Vietnam’s development priorities, the minister said the country is prioritising more than 70 per cent of its public investment capital for logistics and energy infrastructure. Mobilising social resources and foreign direct investment for social infrastructure, particularly healthcare and education, is therefore essential.

As Vietnam implements the policy directions set out in Resolution No.10-NQ/TW, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) considers Baran’s capabilities to be well aligned with the country’s goal of attracting high-quality investment, enhancing competitiveness and helping domestic enterprises participate more deeply in global value chains.

The MoF also called on Baran to explore and boost investment in Vietnam by Israeli businesses with relevant expertise and strengths in areas such as processing and manufacturing, supporting industries, electronic component production, high technology, transport infrastructure, healthcare, education and environmental protection, as well as to support access to high-quality financing with significant preferential components.

The ministry encouraged Baran to undertake investment and business activities and technology transfers in Vietnam, support human resource development, and strengthen linkages with Vietnamese enterprises.

It also called on the group to help domestic businesses improve their management capabilities and participate more deeply in supply and value chains in areas where Baran has strong expertise, including semiconductor manufacturing plants, oil refineries, pharmaceuticals, seaports, airports and expressways.

Minister Tuan also asked Baran to support Vietnamese businesses in developing and establishing supply and value chains between the two countries and with international partners. The group was also encouraged to help Vietnamese enterprises build supply and value-chain linkages with Baran and facilitate their access to information and opportunities to develop investment projects in Israel, Vietnam and other international markets.

Photo: Duc Minh

Tzur stated Baran’s strong capabilities as a contractor and comprehensive operator of large-scale facilities, ranging from high-tech data centres, semiconductor and pharmaceutical plants to seaports, airports and energy infrastructure. He highlighted that Baran is involved not only in project implementation but also has substantial financial arranging capacity, backed by approximately €6 billion ($7 billion) in its own capital.

The Baran representative said the group could help arrange preferential loan packages from international financial institutions worth up to $164 million for infrastructure projects in Vietnam.

The financing packages would come with highly competitive terms, including grants of up to 35 per cent; loan maturities of 16-17 years guaranteed by an export credit agency; and a fixed interest rate of zero, subject to project feasibility and final approval. The grace period would cover the construction period plus an additional one to two years. For a five-year construction project, for example, repayment of principal and interest would begin only in the sixth year.

Welcoming Baran’s attractive financing proposals, Minister Tuan agreed in principle to cooperation on providing preferential loans from financial institutions for infrastructure development projects in Vietnam.

To ensure effective access to and use of the financing, the minister asked Baran to provide detailed information so that the MoF could assign agencies to examine the specific lending conditions. The MoF will also introduce the financing opportunities to the domestic business community to explore potential cooperation.

MoF outlines strategy to attract high-quality foreign resources Speaking at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference on August 4, Deputy Minister of Finance Nguyen Thi Bich Ngoc called for a fundamental shift in Vietnam's approach to attracting international resources, arguing that economic diplomacy should focus on mobilising capital, technology, and strategic partnerships.

Vietnam and Australia explore agriculture minerals and energy cooperation Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan has held talks with Australian Trade and Tourism Minister Don Farrell on promoting trade, investment, development cooperation, and green transition.

Vietnam seeks Australia's technical support in four key financial areas Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan has held bilateral talks with Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers to review financial cooperation and agree on future technical and multilateral coordination.

Announced on August 19, this is the group's first international capital raise and lands as it prepares to leave Vietnam's Unlisted Public Company Market (UPCoM) market. BIG is targeting a listing on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange by September 2026, a step that would take it from the unlisted public company board onto Vietnam's main exchange, with the higher disclosure, governance and free-float requirements that come with it.

The commitment carries no debt onto BIG's own balance sheet and is non-dilutive to existing BIG shareholders. Sized against the group's own financials, the commitment is still substantial.

$5 million is equivalent to about 38 per cent of the group's charter capital and more than three times its 2025 net profit after tax. The capital functions as anchor firepower for an acquisition programme in the hospitality and food, beverage, and entertainment sectors in central Ho Chi Minh City, with individual transactions financed separately as they close.

Vietnam drew 21.2 million international visitors in 2025 and recorded 2.5 million arrivals in January 2026 alone, the highest monthly figure on record and 21 per cent up on the previous month. The government is targeting 25 million foreign visitors this year and 35 million by 2030, compared with a compound annual growth rate of about 10 per cent since 2011.

The hotel market has tightened accordingly. Ho Chi Minh City occupancy reached 83 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2025, with an average daily rate of VND3.6 million (about $137), and revenue per available room back at pre-pandemic levels.

JLL expects a surge in hotel transactions this year, concentrated in the four- and five-star segments in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and notes that foreign buyers are underwriting Vietnamese hotel assets at 7 per cent to 9 per cent returns, compared with 3 per cent to 4 per cent in mature markets such as Japan and Australia.

The gap BIG is targeting the night economy. Ho Chi Minh City, a city of more than 14 million, has set out to become one of Asia's leading centres for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism and the night-time economy, with the Saigon River as the spine for new night tourism products.

The city's own tourism authorities have identified the constraint: too few quality venues trading after 10 pm for international visitors, and nothing at the scale of the night entertainment complexes that Singapore and Bangkok have built.

"Occupancy is back, rates are back, and the assets are still priced as though neither had happened," said Huy Nhat Vo Phi, founder and CEO at BIG Investment Group. "What has been missing for a company our size is capital that arrives before the transaction rather than after it. That is what this investment brings. It lets us move on a District 1 asset when it comes up, instead of raising funds deal-by-deal and losing to whoever already has capital in place."

BIG operates through five member companies covering hospitality, food and beverage, agricultural commodity trading, export and property brokerage. Its stated plan is to run hotels on an asset-light model, taking on management mandates, leasebacks and franchises rather than tying up capital in freehold property. It also plans to bundle co-living, co-working, dining, and entertainment into a single building under a membership scheme.

The group's published targets are for 650 hotel rooms in 2026, rising to 2,750 by 2029 and 8,750 by 2035. Group revenue is targeted at $20.81 million this year, rising to $78 million by 2031, with hospitality overtaking commodity trading as the largest revenue line over that period, based on the company’s internal targets.

Singapore's Skyform invests in Enouvo Skyform, a leading Asia-Pacific digital and AI transformation group, made a strategic investment in Enouvo Singapore, an agile technology, AI, and engineering services firm.

Messer expands production capacity in Northern Vietnam Messer is expanding by investing around $40 million in two new production projects in Thai Nguyen province, strengthening its supply capacity for northern Vietnam’s fast-growing high-tech industries.

SCIC divestment drive opens investment opportunities across key sectors SCIC's 2026-2030 divestment plan puts dozens of major businesses in focus, offering investors access to valuable assets, strong brands, market positions and growth prospects.

By Dang The Duc, managing partner, Nguyen Thi Hong Duong Senior associate and taxation head, Indochine Counsel and Bui Truc Anh - legal assistant

Vietnam’s rules on such transactions are set to sharpen the focus on economic substance, transparency, and transfer pricing compliance, while also widening certain documentation exemptions and bringing reporting requirements closer into line with international standards.

The figures recorded during the 2020-2025 period underline the level of attention that related-party transactions continue to receive from the tax authorities. However, the existence of such transactions does not, by itself, mean that an enterprise is engaged in transfer pricing practices or has breached tax regulations.

Instead, related-party transactions are treated as an area carrying heightened tax risks because the nature and pricing of transactions between connected parties may affect the allocation of revenue, costs, and profits.

Certain operating and financial patterns may therefore attract closer scrutiny from tax authorities. One example is where management fees, intra-group interest expenses, or parent-company cost allocations contribute to persistently low profits.

Another area of attention involves changes in profitability around tax incentive periods. An enterprise that reports profits while benefiting from tax incentives but subsequently sees its profits fall, or begins recording losses after the incentive period ends, may face questions over whether its financial results appropriately reflect its business activities and related-party arrangements.

Transactions with related entities located in jurisdictions applying low corporate income tax (CIT) rates or no CIT may similarly receive closer examination. Against this backdrop, the government issued Decree No.255/2026/ND-CP in June, which applies from the 2026 CIT tax period onwards.

One of the notable changes under Decree 255 is the expansion of the scope of related-party relationships. The new framework covers certain borrowing and lending arrangements involving controlling individuals and certain related family members. The change is aimed at ensuring that the determination of related-party relationships more accurately reflects the underlying economic substance of transactions, rather than focusing solely on their legal form.

The decree also expands the circumstances in which enterprises may be exempt from preparing transfer pricing documentation. However, an exemption from preparing such documentation does not necessarily remove the obligation to declare related-party transactions. Enterprises falling within an exemption still need to consider disclosure responsibilities under the new framework.

Another significant development is the formal recognition of a national database as an official source for the declaration, determination, and administration of related-party transaction prices. Decree 255 also establishes a priority order for the use of publicly available databases, commercial databases, and databases held by the tax authorities.

This hierarchy is important for enterprises conducting transfer pricing analyses because the selection and use of comparable data is a key part of assessing whether related-party transaction prices are consistent with the applicable requirements. The new provisions provide a clearer framework for the sources that should be considered when enterprises prepare and support their transfer pricing positions.

Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) requirements have also been revised. Under Decree 255, the reporting threshold is aligned with recommendations from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with the requirement applying to ultimate parent entities whose consolidated global revenue reached €750 million ($865 million) or more in the preceding fiscal year.

The revised threshold is another indication of Vietnam’s continuing effort to bring its related-party transaction regime closer to international practices. At the same time, it places an additional responsibility on enterprises that are part of large multinational groups to determine whether CbCR obligations are relevant to their structure and reporting position.

More broadly, Decree 255 marks a further step in aligning Vietnam’s related-party transaction regulations with the Law on Tax Administration and internationally recognised practices. The changes seek to improve transparency and tax administration efficiency, while also reducing unnecessary compliance costs for enterprises that meet the conditions for documentation exemptions.

Nevertheless, the emphasis on economic substance means enterprises should pay close attention not only to whether related-party transactions are properly declared, but also to whether the underlying transactions can be commercially justified and supported by adequate evidence.

Decree 255 represents a significant step towards aligning Vietnam’s related-party transaction framework with the Law on Tax Administration and international best practices. Enterprises engaged in related-party transactions should proactively assess their transfer pricing risks, ensure complete and accurate disclosure of relevant information, and maintain robust supporting documentation to demonstrate the commercial substance of transactions.

To comply with the new framework, enterprises should promptly review their transfer pricing policies and documentation processes, apply the prescribed hierarchy of databases when conduct transfer pricing analyses, and assess whether any CbCR obligations may apply.

Frontline operators understand their industries' needs and are best positioned to develop practical applications for our products. For this reason, DJI Enterprise has opened our drone SDK and computing power to support customized AI applications. With access to onboard chip computing power, algorithm deployment tools, and simplified model customization, operators can run AI models directly on their DJI Enterprise drone platforms and adapt the technology to a broader range of field scenarios.

The challenge recognizes the most innovative solutions using the onboard AI algorithm that can be deployed on DJI Enterprise drones (Matrice 4/4D Series, Dock 3, Matrice 400) or the Manifold 3 platform. Participants were encouraged to develop solutions with real-world applications in various industries, from agriculture to public safety.

Delivering Real-World Solutions with AI-Enabled Flights

Winning solutions ranged from tracing air pollution and helping identify beach litter and cracks on bridges to supporting search-and-rescue operations and counting crops from the air.

Daniel Tovar's "AgroCount AI – Onboard Crop Counting System" was developed and validated at Finca La Suiza, a 50-hectare commercial banana plantation in Colombia. It combines drone technology, computer vision, and geospatial analysis to automate a process that traditionally requires four to six field workers for four days or around seven days of manual counting from aerial imagery. The planned architecture pairs the DJI Matrice 4E with the Manifold 3 to process imagery and GPS-tag plants onboard during flight. The project shows how edge AI can turn aerial data into actionable information in the field, making crop monitoring faster and more precise.

Another example is Hangzhou New Modal Technology Co.'s "9-in-1 Onboard Fusion Algorithm + Edge-Cloud Collaborative Smart Transportation Full Closed-Loop Inspection", developed in China on DJI FlightHub 2 and Manifold 3 platforms. The solution combines nine critical inspection capabilities across traffic enforcement, road maintenance, facility management, and traffic flow control. The integrated system demonstrates how AI complements drone technology to support more efficient, comprehensive, and closed-loop traffic management – from automated detection and evidence collection to alerting and resolution.

Challenge Winners

The Challenge recognized winners in two categories:

Best Onboard AI Model

Five winners received the Best Onboard AI Model Award, recognizing outstanding AI models developed for deployment on DJI enterprise drone and onboard computing platforms:

• Aoshi Cangqiong
• Cheng'an Zhilian (Chongqing) Information Technology Co., Ltd.
• Hangzhou New Modal Technology Co., Ltd.
• Huineng Technology
• Zhongke Beiwei (Beijing) Technology Co., Ltd.

Industry Application Excellence Award

Ten winners received the Industry Application Excellence Award, recognizing solutions that apply onboard AI to practical industry challenges:

• Bridge Inspection Master
• Chongqing Guangruida Technology Co., Ltd.
• Daniel Tovar
• East China Normal University Estuarine and Coastal Data Center Team
• Lanzhou University Grass Flying Team
• Muniu Hetu Algorithm Team
• Shangtejie AI R&D Department
• Shenzhen Public Welfare Rescue Volunteer Federation (SRVF)
• Sky Patrol Smart Inspection
• Wuhan Luanchuang Digital Technology Co., Ltd.

In addition to receiving DJI products, winners will also receive global exposure through DJI Enterprise's official channels, inclusion in the Onboard AI Solutions Catalog, and fast-track access to the DJI Enterprise Ecosystem partner audit, with opportunities including new-product beta testing and direct technical support.

Learn More: https://developer.dji.com/innovation-contest/
Website: https://enterprise.dji.com

In the first half of 2026, Brii Bio generated additional clinical data supporting its differentiated hepatitis B virus (HBV) functional cure strategy while continuing to expand its internal discovery capabilities and advance its RNA-based technology platforms.

In its HBV clinical program, the Company presented end-of-study data from its Phase 2 ENSURE study at the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) Congress 2026. On July 3, the Company also announced topline end-of-treatment data from its Phase 2b ENRICH and ENHANCE studies. To date, findings across the ENSURE, ENRICH and ENHANCE studies have consistently supported the potential of BRII-179 to improve functional cure outcomes as part of a combination regimen. Detailed data from the ENRICH and ENHANCE studies are expected to be presented in the second half of 2026.

Beyond its HBV portfolio, the Company continued to advance its internal discovery capabilities and invest in the development of RNA-based technology platforms. Subsequent to the reporting period, the first participant was dosed in a clinical study evaluating BRII-5395, an internally discovered mRNA therapeutic vaccine for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This milestone represents the first clinical evaluation of an RNA-based therapeutic originating from Brii Bio's internal discovery efforts. While BRII-5395 is an mRNA therapeutic vaccine, the Company's broader RNA platforms encompass multiple RNA modalities. During the first half of 2026, Brii Bio progressed multiple internally discovered candidates across various stages of discovery and preclinical development, including programs that extend the application of its technology platforms into additional therapeutic areas beyond infectious diseases.

With effective cost control measures and optimized operating structure in place, Brii Bio remains well-capitalized, with a cash position of approximately US$260 million as of June 30, 2026, providing financial flexibility to support its late-stage HBV programs and early discovery initiatives.

"Our progress in the first half of the year reflects meaningful advances across both our late-stage HBV portfolio and our expanding discovery capabilities," said Dr. Zhi Hong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Brii Bio. "Data generated across our HBV studies continue to inform our functional cure strategy. At the same time, the initiation of clinical evaluation for BRII-5395 demonstrates our ability to translate internal discovery into pipeline assets. We look forward to sharing additional milestones later this year. Together, these efforts are building a more diversified pipeline and strengthening the foundation for sustainable innovation and long-term value creation."

Corporate and Clinical Updates

HBV Program

Brii Bio continued to advance its HBV pipeline with a focus on achieving higher functional cure rates through novel combination regimens. The Company's differentiated HBV portfolio, including BRII-179, a recombinant protein-based HBV immunotherapeutic, and elebsiran, an HBV-targeting siRNA, has generated a growing body of clinical data supporting Brii Bio's functional cure strategy through the completed Phase 2b ENSURE study and ongoing ENRICH and ENHANCE Phase 2b studies.

• The Phase 2b ENSURE study was designed to assess the safety and efficacy of combination approaches aimed at improving functional cure outcomes. Cohorts 1-3 evaluated elebsiran in combination with PEG-IFNα compared to PEG-IFNα monotherapy. Cohort 4 evaluated the potential role of BRII-179 in enhancing immune responsiveness and improving hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) loss rates. In the first half of 2026, end-of-study data from Cohorts 1-4 of the Phase 2 ENSURE study were presented at EASL 2026, demonstrating that:
  • The HBsAg loss benefit observed in the elebsiran and PEG-IFNα combination cohorts resulted in a higher functional cure rate compared to the PEG-IFNα alone cohort.
  • BRII-179-experienced participants achieved higher functional cure rates, particularly among anti-HBs responders, suggesting that BRII-179 may play an important role in achieving durable immunological control of HBV.
• To further define the role of BRII-179 in HBV treatment and identify an optimal combination regimen for potential registrational development, the Company is evaluating BRII-179 in two additional ongoing Phase 2b studies: ENRICH and ENHANCE studies.
  
  The ENRICH study evaluates BRII-179 as a priming therapy administered prior to elebsiran and PEG-IFNα treatment. The ENHANCE study evaluates a concurrent triple combination regimen of BRII-179, elebsiran, and PEG-IFNα to enhance the functional cure rates. In July, the Company announced topline end-of-treatment data from its Phase 2b ENRICH and ENHANCE studies.
  • At EOT, the ENRICH study evaluating pre-treatment with BRII-179 followed by elebsiran and PEG-IFNα achieved HBsAg loss rates of 42.9% (42/98) and 40.0% (20/50) across two BRII-179 dosing schedules (five doses administered every 3 weeks and 7 doses administered every 2 weeks, respectively). These results were consistent with the 41.9% (13/31) HBsAg loss rate observed in ENSURE Cohort 4 among patients previously treated with BRII-179, supporting the potential immune-priming role of BRII-179.
  • Subgroup analyses from the ENRICH study suggest potential differentiation in subjects with higher baseline HBsAg levels (1000-3000 IU/mL) comparing with other HBV functional cure regimens under development by other companies, consistent with prior findings from ENSURE Cohort 4, indicating that BRII-179 may induce beneficial immune responses regardless of baseline HBsAg levels in this difficult-to-treat population.
  • At EOT, the ENHANCE (Part A-1) study evaluating a concurrent triple combination did not demonstrate improved HBsAg loss rates compared with ENSURE Cohorts 2 and 3, 29.7% (11/37), with an observed rate of 25.5% (25/98). Higher HBsAg loss rates, however, were observed compared with the PEG-IFNα control arm, 10.2% (5/49).
  • The ENHANCE study also evaluated a sequential approach designed to potentially shorten PEG-IFNα therapy in its Part A-2 by administering BRII-179 plus elebsiran during the first 24 weeks followed by 24 weeks of elebsiran and PEG-IFNα. At EOT, this combination regimen achieved an HBsAg loss rate of 22.5% (18/80), suggesting that a full course of PEG-IFNα therapy may be important for achieving optimal functional cure outcomes.

No new safety concerns have been identified across ENSURE, ENRICH and ENHANCE to date.

On August 19, 2026, the Company received an email notification from one of its central laboratory service providers of a product recall involving a commercial assay kit^[1] used for HBsAg testing in the ENHANCE study. Based on the information currently available and the Company's preliminary assessment, the potential impact on the clinical data of the Company's sponsored trials publicly disclosed to date appears limited to the EOT HBsAg data for Part A-2 of the ENHANCE study. The Company is working with the service provider to identify potentially affected samples and arrange retesting using unaffected assay kits. Subject to completion of the retesting and further analysis, as at the date of this announcement, the Company has not identified any indication at this stage that the matter would materially affect its overall interpretation of the study results or the program development decisions announced to date. The Company will continue to evaluate the matter and provide updates as appropriate if any material developments arise.

The Company plans to present detailed data from the ENRICH and ENHANCE studies, including additional efficacy, safety and subgroup analyses, at a scientific conference in the second half of 2026.

Discovery Program Update

Brii Bio is expanding its RNA platforms beyond infectious diseases into new therapeutic areas. In the first half of 2026, the Company progressed multiple early-stage candidates spanning various stages of discovery and pre-clinical development, with a focus on generating differentiated therapeutic opportunities in diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

• BRII-5395 is a novel mRNA therapeutic vaccine internally developed by Brii Bio. It is being evaluated as part of a combination immunotherapy approach for HBV-related HCC.
  • On August 12, 2026, subsequent to the reporting period, the first participant was dosed in a clinical study evaluating BRII-5395 in participants with advanced HCC. The study, conducted at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, immunogenicity and preliminary anti-tumor activity of BRII-5395 in combination with an anti-PD-1 antibody and an anti-VEGF antibody. The current standard of care of immune checkpoint inhibitors have limited efficacy against HCC.
  • As the first internally developed mRNA-based cancer therapeutic vaccine from Brii Bio to enter clinical evaluation, BRII-5395 represents an important milestone in the advancement of the Company's internal discovery capabilities and RNA-based technology platform.

While BRII-5395 is an mRNA therapeutic vaccine, the Company's broader RNA platforms encompass multiple RNA modalities. In addition, the Company has extended the application of its technology platforms into additional therapeutic areas beyond infectious diseases.

Further program updates are expected throughout the remainder of 2026. The Company is actively exploring partnership opportunities to advance selected discovery programs to maximize the value of its emerging pipeline.

Additional Clinical Programs

• Brii Bio is actively seeking strategic partnerships for long-acting anti-HIV and multidrug resistant (MDR) antibacterial therapeutic candidates to maximize the development and commercialization potential.

Other Corporate Updates

On April 16, 2026, the Company and Brii Biosciences Offshore Limited, a subsidiary of the Company, submitted a Demand for Arbitration to the United States-based Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services, Inc. against Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (the "Arbitration").

The Company announced the commencement of the Arbitration on April 16, 2026 and provided a further update on May 22, 2026. As of June 30, 2026, the Arbitration remained in its early stages, and the parties had not reached a resolution of the claims.

In light of the ongoing arbitration, the Company is not currently advancing elebsiran into Phase 3 development and future development plans for elebsiran remain under evaluation pending resolution of the Arbitration. The Company will continue to monitor developments and update shareholders as appropriate.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the Company remains focused on advancing its differentiated HBV portfolio while continuing to progress its RNA-based discovery efforts.

The Company plans to continue investing in its internal discovery capabilities and RNA platform to support the advancement of future pipeline candidates. Through these efforts, Brii Bio aims to generate new therapeutic opportunities and build a sustainable pipeline of innovative medicines addressing diseases with significant unmet medical needs.

With a strong balance sheet and disciplined execution, Brii Bio is well positioned to pursue value-creating opportunities and deliver on its strategic priorities.

Interim 2026 Financial Results

• The Company maintains a strong cash position to support its operations through 2029. Our bank deposits and cash and cash equivalents were RMB1,770.8 million as of June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB170.2 million or 8.8% compared with RMB1,941.0 million as of December 31, 2025. The decrease was primarily due to payout of research and development activities and daily operations.
• Through pipeline prioritization, resource optimization, internalization of certain clinical development activities, and cost-saving measures of third-party vendors, we have effectively controlled our operational expenses. Research and development expenses were RMB98.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB18.7 million or 16.0%, compared with RMB117.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease was primarily attributable to organizational optimization, compensation framework adjustments, and lower third-party contracting costs as Phase 2 study activities for the HBV programs wound down, partially offset by increased investment in early-stage discovery.
• Administrative expenses were RMB52.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB5.6 million or 9.6%, compared with RMB58.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. The decrease primarily reflected lower employee costs following organizational optimization and adjustments to the senior management compensation framework, partially offset by the increase in professional fees and the depreciation and amortization cost.
• Other income was RMB19.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2026, representing a decrease of RMB8.6 million or 30.6%, compared with RMB28.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This was mainly due to the decrease in bank interest income of RMB7.9 million attributable to the declining interest rates on time deposits.

Conference Call Information

The Company will host a live conference call in Chinese on August 21 at 8:30 a.m. HKT (8:30 p.m. ET on August 20). For the registration link, please click here.

All participants shall use the link provided above to complete the online registration process prior to the conference call. A replay of the conference call will be available after the call and can be accessed by visiting the Company's website at www.briibio.com under the Investor Relations section.

This press release contains references to third-party information. Such information is not deemed to be incorporated by reference in this press release. Brii Bio disclaims responsibility for such third-party information.

For more information, visit www.briibio.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

The information communicated in this press release contains certain statements that are or may be forward-looking. These statements typically contain words such as "will," "expects," "believes," "plans" and "anticipates," and words of similar import. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend on circumstances that will occur in the future. There may be additional material risks that are currently not considered to be material or of which the Company is unaware. These forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance. Against the background of these uncertainties, readers should not rely on these forward-looking statements. The Company assumes no responsibility to update forward-looking statements or to adapt them to future events or developments.

Returning with Purpose: A Response to Overwhelming Support

The inaugural TTED 2025 exceeded all expectations, drawing over 120,000 participants across Malaysia and generating significant awareness.

As a technology retailer, ALL IT recognises a responsibility beyond selling the next device. Improperly disposed electronics release toxic materials into landfills - and TTED was built on the belief that tech retail can be a force for good.

"Malaysians genuinely care about the environment - they just need a platform that makes it easy and rewarding to act. We are in the business of technology, and with that comes a responsibility to ensure it does not burden our planet. By partnering with Atome and Blueshark, we are building something that goes far beyond a campaign - a long-term commitment to a greener Malaysia."

- Cagen Tan, Head of Marketing, ALL IT Hypermarket Sdn Bhd

Atome Joins as Preferred BNPL Partner - Making Green Choices More Accessible

TTED 2026 is co-branded as Atome x TTED by ALL IT, with Atome as Preferred BNPL Partner. Through Atome's 0% interest instalment plan, Malaysians can invest in green technology without financial barriers.

"At Atome, we believe that financial flexibility and sustainability go together. When we make green choices more affordable and accessible, we empower more Malaysians to make smarter and more responsible choices. Our partnership with ALL IT through TTED 2026 is a meaningful step in that direction - connecting our platform's reach with a campaign that truly matters. We are proud to play our part in driving positive environmental impact, one purchase at a time,"

- Danny Lim, Head of BNPL, Atome Malaysia

Blueshark Malaysia Champions Green Mobility as Official EV Bike Partner

As Official EV Bike Partner, Blueshark Malaysia brings its Solo 1C EV Bike as the campaign's Grand Prize. Two lucky winners will be announced on 8 January 2027.

"Meaningful change happens when sustainable choices become the easiest choices. That's why this partnership is such a natural fit for Blueshark. Together with ALL IT and Atome, we're proudly mobilising that shift by bringing technology, retail and smart mobility together to encourage more Malaysians to make everyday decisions that collectively have a lasting impact. Whether it's recycling an old device, choosing cleaner, smarter transport or simply becoming more conscious of our footprint, every small action matters. We hope TTED 2026 inspires more Malaysians to take that first step towards smarter, more sustainable living."

- Eric Lim, Head of Marketing Strategy & Communications, Blueshark Malaysia

E-Waste Drop-Off Available at All ALL IT Outlets Nationwide

ALL IT Hypermarket provides convenient e-waste collection points at all its retail outlets across Malaysia, channeling all collected items to authorised recycling partners for responsible processing.

Win a Blueshark Solo 1C EV Bike or MacBook Neo - Just by Going Green

Participants can earn lucky draw entries by recycling e-waste at any ALL IT outlet (1 free entry, no purchase required), spending a minimum of RM200 in a single receipt (1 stamp entry), or paying with Atome (1 additional bonus entry). Sign up as an ALL IT Rewards Lite Member (FREE) via the ALL IT Rewards web-app to collect and track stamps digitally.

Prizes: 2 x Blueshark Solo 1C EV Bike - Grand Prize, 2 winners announced on 8 January 2027. 3 x Apple MacBook Neo (512GB) - Bi-Monthly Prize, 1 winner each in August, October and December 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

For more information on the Atome x Tech The Emissions Down 2026 campaign, e-waste drop-off locations and prize details, visit ALL IT Hypermarket's official website and social media channels:

Website: www.allithypermarket.com.my

According to the company, a useful recording does not always begin under studio lights. Product demonstrations, interviews and social clips are often captured quickly, leaving creators with footage that appears soft, compressed or flat. The updated Video Enhancer addresses these common limitations through generative enhancement, scene-specific processing and output resolutions of up to 8K.

The newly added options include:

• Master model: Available exclusively to members, Master provides cinema-grade video quality intended to rival the appearance of professional photography. It supports 2K, 4K and 8K resolutions.
• Portrait Pro: This member-exclusive scene builds on the existing Portrait option. Its AI large-model enhancement generates richer, more realistic skin texture while improving facial definition and overall clarity.
• Studio: The new Studio scene applies premium texture restoration to real-life recordings, giving casual footage a more polished and cinematic appearance.

These additions give creators greater control over how different types of footage are processed. Portrait Pro concentrates on faces and natural skin detail, while Studio is suited to clips that need broader visual refinement. Master provides the highest enhancement tier for projects requiring greater resolution and a professionally photographed finish.

"Many valuable videos are captured in ordinary settings, where lighting, equipment and time may be limited," states a Vmake Labs spokesperson. "The new Master model, Studio scene and Portrait Pro scene are intended to help creators preserve the original moment while producing clearer, more cinematic results."

Beyond the new features, the Video Enhancer offers three processing levels for different production needs:

• Fast: Provides a quick fix for clearer, smoother footage and supports Original, 2K and 4K resolutions.
• Quality: Uses AI intelligent reconstruction to recover richer detail and supports 2K, 4K and 8K resolutions.
• Master: Delivers cinema-grade enhancement for a professional-photography look, with support for 2K, 4K and 8K resolutions.

The tool also includes specialist scenes for Portrait, Product, Lowlight, De-AI, Game and Anime content. Product focuses on e-commerce footage and visible item details. Lowlight is intended for nighttime and dimly lit recordings, while De-AI reduces the artificial appearance sometimes found in generated video. Game and Anime provide processing suited to gaming footage and animation.

Not only that, but batch processing for up to 30 assets allows creators and marketing teams to enhance multiple files within one workflow. Generative enhancement helps restore missing visual information rather than relying solely on conventional enlargement, making the tool suitable for product clips, social posts, advertisements and archival footage.

Vmake Labs Video Enhancer combines resolution upscaling, detail reconstruction, scene-aware processing and batch enhancement in an integrated online tool. Users can select a model and specialist scene according to the source footage, intended presentation and publishing platform.

For more information, please visit Vmake Labs: https://vmake.ai/.

The company made the proposal at the meeting with Vu Hai Quan, Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology (MST) on August 20.

Vu Hai Quan, Vietnam’s Minister of Science and Technology and Vikram Rao, vice president, Enterprise ASEAN, Nvidia. Photo: The MST

Vikram Rao, vice president, Enterprise ASEAN, Nvidia said that Vietnam has made significant progress in building an AI ecosystem, with the participation of enterprises, educational institutions, and technology partners. Nvidia is currently collaborating with Vietnamese companies such as FPT, Viettel, and GreenNode, among others, to develop AI infrastructure and capabilities.

The company stated that it is developing open-source models–including Nemotron–while also providing the tools, data, and support solutions that enable nations to develop models tailored to their specific data, languages, and needs.

Regarding the development of AI infrastructure and GPU capacity, it said that Vietnam currently possesses approximately 10,000–15,000 GPUs. In contrast, countries like South Korea already have around 50,000–60,000 GPUs and plans to expand this figure to 200,000–250,000 over the next five years. The company proposes that Vietnam formulate a national-scale plan to develop AI computing capabilities to serve government agencies, enterprises, universities, and research and development activities.

In regard to human resources, startups, research, and AI education, Nvidia proposes expanding the programmes of its Deep Learning Institute in Vietnam, aiming for nationwide implementation and deeper integration into educational curricula.

For the startup ecosystem, the company views Vietnam as one of the most dynamic startup markets in ASEAN and aims to strengthen cooperation with and support for Vietnamese AI startups. The two sides also discussed providing support for researchers, doctoral candidates, and students to engage with Nvidia’s AI ecosystem.

NVIDIA also proposes connecting Vietnam’s AI ecosystem with the global ecosystem, initially by integrating Vietnam’s AI products, enterprises, and capabilities more deeply into the ASEAN market, and subsequently expanding into international markets.

Minister Quan assessed that the four areas proposed align with Vietnam's strategy and direction for the development of sci-tech and innovation. The minister requested the ministry's focal units to coordinate to translate the four key areas into a joint action plan, clearly defining tasks, resources, and implementation.

Siemens and NVIDIA expand partnership to build industrial AI operating system Tech majors Siemens and NVIDIA on January 6 announced a significant expansion of their strategic partnership to bring AI into the real world.

Dassault Systèmes and Nvidia to build platform powering virtual twins Dassault Systèmes and Nvidia on February 3 announced a long-term strategic partnership to establish a shared industrial architecture for mission-critical AI across industries.

FEV partners with Microsoft on in-car AI using NVIDIA FEV is collaborating with Microsoft to integrate generative AI capabilities into vehicles, built on NVIDIA GPU-accelerated compute and AI model microservices, the companies announced in Aachen, Germany.

On August 20, the two companies announced the collaboration spanning key regional markets including Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, with opportunities to support selected global programmes.

As the automotive industry accelerates the shift towards software-defined, connected, autonomous, and sustainable mobility, global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are increasingly looking for engineering partners who can combine deep domain expertise with strong regional execution capabilities.

Southeast Asia is emerging as an important hub in this transformation, driven by growing engineering talent, expanding manufacturing ecosystems, and increasing investment in mobility innovation.

The collaboration brings together KPIT’s three decades of mobility-focused software expertise, global OEM relationships, and technology accelerators with Vietsol’s regional presence, engineering talent, and delivery capabilities. Together, the companies aim to help customers accelerate product development, improve engineering efficiency, and deliver differentiated mobility experiences.

The MoU strengthens KPIT’s growing presence in Vietnam following the recent launch of its Hanoi technology centre and university partnerships, reinforcing its commitment to developing local talent and supporting the region’s mobility ecosystem.

For Vietsol, the collaboration extends its ability to connect local automotive engineering capabilities with global software expertise and support larger regional and international OEM programmes.

Under the collaboration, KPIT and Vietsol will jointly engage customers, pursue market opportunities, and deliver engineering programmes for OEMs and mobility ecosystem players across the region.

Sachin Tikekar, president and joint managing director of KPIT Technologies, said, “Southeast Asia is becoming an increasingly important hub for mobility innovation, engineering talent, and manufacturing excellence. Through our collaboration with Vietsol, we are combining global mobility software expertise with strong regional execution capabilities to help OEMs and mobility ecosystem players accelerate their journey towards cleaner, smarter, and safer mobility. This partnership further strengthens our commitment to customers and the broader mobility ecosystem in the region.”

Tuan Nguyen, founder and CEO of Vietsol, said, “This collaboration brings together complementary strengths that can create greater value for automotive customers in Southeast Asia and selected global market. By combining Vietsol’s regional engineering capabilities with KPIT’s deep automotive software expertise and global experience, we can help customers accelerate innovation, scale engineering programmes, and bring next-generation mobility solutions to market faster.”

The MoU also establishes a reciprocal commercial framework that enables both companies to jointly boost selected solutions, engineering services, and software accelerators across agreed markets. This approach expands the combined value proposition available to customers while supporting deeper collaboration in market development, solution delivery, and customer engagement.

Mobility technology firm KPIT launches new technology centre in Hanoi KPIT Technologies, a global technology partner to the Automotive and Mobility ecosystem, on June 18 announced an expansion of its Vietnam presence with the inauguration of a new technology centre in Hanoi.

LG Electronics strengthens Vietnam R&D operations to support future growth LG Electronics has reaffirmed it will continue to expand its Vietnam research and development subsidiary as an overseas innovation hub for LG Vehicle Solution Company.

Vietnam's auto market hits turning point as electric vehicles reshape sector The latest sales figures released by VinFast and the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers' Association point to a defining moment for Vietnam's automotive industry, where competition is increasingly being shaped by the rapid rise of electric vehicles rather than traditional internal combustion models.

Among the notable names are Tien Phong Plastic JSC, Domesco Medical Import Export Corporation, Vietnam Steel Corporation (VNSTEEL), and Vietnam National Seaproducts Corporation (Seaprodex), to name but a few.

The legal framework for SCIC's capital restructuring plan is provided by prime ministerial Decision No.40/2026/QD-TTg, issued on August 5, and government’s Decree No.57/2026/ND-CP, issued on February 12, establishing a clearer legal framework for the restructuring of state capital during 2026-2030.

Photo: Dung Minh

Under the new regulations, state-owned enterprises are divided into three main groups. The first comprises enterprises in which the state retains 100 per cent ownership, including those in railways, air traffic management, postal services, banknote printing, lotteries and Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.

The second consists of businesses in which the state holds at least 65 per cent of the capital, covering airports, seaports and large-scale mineral extraction units.

The remaining group comprises enterprises in which the state holds from 50 per cent to less than 65 per cent, including key petroleum importers with a market share of at least 30 per cent, such as Petrolimex, and telecommunications infrastructure service providers.

According to experts, once ownership limits for each sector are clearly defined, investors will have a better basis for identifying enterprises where state capital could be increased and those where there is room for the state to reduce its ownership.

Of the 66 enterprises on the list for full divestment over the next five years, many own valuable land banks, having established brands, strong market positions or high state ownership ratios.

A notable example is VNSTEEL, where SCIC is currently the controlling shareholder with a 93.93 per cent stake, equivalent to more than 636.8 million shares. With a market share of around 11.6 per cent in the construction steel segment, it is expected to benefit directly from strong growth in public investment in the coming years.

In terms of business performance, VNSTEEL posted impressive results in the first six months of the year, with revenue reaching $989.9 million and pre-tax profit nearly $28.7 million, up 13.2 per cent and 72.4 per cent, respectively, from the same period in 2025.

Notably, this growth follows a recovery that began in 2025, when the company recorded pre-tax profit of $26.4 million, up 69.6 per cent on-year.

Another company of interest in SCIC's portfolio is Seaprodex. As of the end of 2025, SCIC held approximately 63.38 per cent of the company. Seaprodex's appeal to the market extends beyond its seafood export business to its valuable land bank.

At Tien Phong Plastic, SCIC is currently the largest shareholder, holding a 37.1 per cent stake, and the company is on the list of enterprises slated for full divestment. It is one of the major players in the plastic pipe industry, with approximately 60 per cent of the northern market and 30 per cent of the nationwide market.

According to its business performance reports for 2022-2025, Tien Phong Plastic's pre-tax profit has grown by more than 10 per cent annually. In the first six months of 2026, the company posted pre-tax profit approximating $35.2 million, up 38.4 per cent on-year.

Domesco Medical Import Export Joint Stock Corporation – a company operating four factories meeting GMP-WHO standards, including three pharmaceutical chemical plants and one plant producing herbal medicines and health supplements – will also be divested by SCIC.

SCIC had previously launched its divestment plan three times through auctions of more than 12.1 million shares, equivalent to 34.71 per cent of Domesco's charter capital, but the process has yet to be completed. At the most recent offering in 2025, the total starting price for the share lot was set at more than $61.2 million.

SCIC will continue to invest in and retain stakes in 21 entities operating in its strategic areas of strength, including manufacturing, infrastructure, technology and healthcare.

Notable names in this portfolio include Vietnam Dairy Products JSC, Saigon Beer – Alcohol – Beverage Corporation, FPT Corporation, Hau Giang Pharmaceutical JSC, Traphaco JSC, Bao Minh Insurance Corporation, Vietnam National Reinsurance Corporation and Song Da Corporation.

According to a report by BIDV Securities Company (BSC), the equitisation and divestment of state-owned enterprises, along with IPO activities in the stock market, are showing signs of picking up again after a prolonged subdued period.

Alongside the requirement to restructure the state-owned enterprise sector, the need to mobilise resources for economic development and policy changes, BSC expects the market could be entering a new wave of IPOs, equitisation and divestment through share auctions.

SCIC to hold 31.08 per cent of charter capital of Vietnam Airlines State Capital Investment Corporation bought Vietnam Airlines (HSX: HVN) shares to hold at least 31.08 per cent of the charter capital to help the company overcome its difficulties amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

SCIC plans to sell stakes in over 30 enterprises State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) will offload capital in 31 enterprises, including FPT Corporation, Tien Phong Plastic, and other companies on the stock exchange.

SACE and SCIC sign MoU to strengthen cooperation between Italy and Vietnam Italian insurance and finance group SACE announced on October 24 that it had signed an MoU with the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC).

State sector sees broad-based profit surge as major groups deliver strong results A broad-based upswing among state-owned groups and corporations was recorded in 2025, with many key entities recording double-digit growth in both revenue and profit.

The launch introduces the next evolution of Aiper's Smart Yard Ecosystem, featuring the Scuba V3, Scuba S3, and IrriSense N2 SE – a new generation of smart solutions designed to simplify pool and lawn maintenance through intelligent technology, automation, and user-focused design.

The new products were unveiled on August 20th at Aiper's 2026 Pool Party on the Gold Coast, where media, creators and industry experts experienced the future of outdoor living through interactive demonstrations of Aiper's latest innovations.

Building on Aiper's commitment to redefining outdoor maintenance, the new range reflects the brand's focus on creating products that are neat, reliable, and carefree, reducing the time and effort traditionally required to maintain a backyard, while helping Australians make the most of their outdoor spaces.

Designed to make everyday pool care smarter and more effortless, the Aiper Scuba V3 brings Cognitive AI to an essential robotic pool cleaner. Its front-facing camera powers AI Patrol Cleaning to detect and target debris in real time, while VisionPath™ Adaptive Path Planning helps it navigate the pool efficiently and reduce unnecessary repeat cleaning. Cognitive AI Navium™ Mode goes a step further, using pool size, weather conditions and cleaning history to build autonomous cleaning plans for more hands-free maintenance. JetAssist™ Horizontal Waterline Cleaning extends care from the pool floor to the waterline, helping Australians spend less time maintaining their pools and more time enjoying their backyard.

Also joining the range is the Scuba S3, a next-generation robotic pool cleaner designed to provide reliable, hands-free pool care. Engineered for everyday convenience, the Scuba S3 is lightweight, features quick water release, and delivers intelligent cleaning performance while eliminating the hassle of traditional manual pool maintenance.

Expanding Aiper's smart yard capabilities beyond the pool, the IrriSense N2 SE brings intelligent irrigation technology to lawn care, whilst saving up to 40% of water. Designed to provide a seamless watering experience, the smart irrigation system helps homeowners maintain healthier lawns with automated scheduling and efficient water management. Together with Aiper's robotic pool cleaners, the IrriSense N2 SE extends the brand's vision of carefree outdoor living from the pool to the garden.

For those looking to take pool care even further, Aiper will soon introduce the flagship Scuba V3 Ultra to Australia. Combining dual-camera AI with VisionPath™ 2.0 navigation and Cognitive AI Navium™ Mode, it can intelligently identify and tackle areas throughout the pool, from the floor and walls to the waterline and surface. Powerful dual-pump suction and MicroMesh™ ultra-fine filtration further enhance its cleaning performance, delivering a premium, hands-free solution for keeping pools pristine with minimal effort.

"At Aiper, we believe outdoor maintenance should be effortless, giving people more time to enjoy the spaces they love," says Andres Gomez, Aiper's Vice President of Sales. "Our Smart Yard Ecosystem represents our commitment to creating smarter, more sustainable solutions that take the complexity out of pool and lawn care. With our latest innovations, we're continuing to deliver products that are neat, reliable and carefree, helping Australians transform their backyards into places to relax and enjoy."

The Scuba V3 is now available through Aiper's online store and selected retail partners, with the Scuba S3 and IrriSense N2 SE launching in September. For more information, visit aiper.store/au/store.

Customer acceptance marks the completion of a key milestone under the five-year AI Cloud infrastructure agreement, which has a total initial contract value of approximately US$950m. Acceptance also triggers release of cash security currently held in escrow.

The deployment is the first phase of this customer contract, and part of a series of additional NVIDIA GPU clusters that Sharon AI expects to deliver over the coming months. Under the agreement, Sharon AI is deploying AI Cloud solutions across multiple data centers in Australia, with revenue expected to commence in stages across the third and fourth quarters of 2026.

"Delivering AI infrastructure at scale requires coordinated execution across data center readiness, compute, storage, networking and customer integration," said James Manning, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sharon AI. "This successful deployment demonstrates our ability to bring together a global partner ecosystem and coordinate specialist teams to meet customer delivery requirements. The capabilities and operating discipline developed through this project strengthen our delivery platform as we deploy future clusters, bringing our secured and contracted capacity online, and supporting durable long-term growth."

Sharon AI has secured 212MW of AI Factory capacity, of which 120MW is contracted under multi-year take-or-pay agreements. The accepted deployment represents further progress in bringing this secured and contracted capacity online. The Company continues to advance its AI Factory platform to address strong demand for high-performance, sovereign AI infrastructure across Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain, and our officers and representatives may from time to time make, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are not historical facts, and which are not assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. In some cases you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "believe," "may," "will," "estimate," "continue," "anticipate," "intend," "could," "should," "would," "project," "strategy," "plan," "expect," "goal," "seek," "future," "likely" or the negative or plural of these words or similar expressions or references to future periods. Forward-looking statements in this release include specific statements regarding the intended use of proceeds. Examples of such forward-looking statements include but are not limited to express or implied statements regarding Sharon AI's management team's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future including, without limitation, statements regarding:

• Service and product offerings;
• Receipt and use of proceeds;
• The deployment of assets and expansion of network procurement;
• Sharon AI's ability to engage with additional potential customers;
• Expansion of Sharon AI's data center footprint and capacity; and
• The strengthening of Sharon AI's partner network.

In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. You are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in these forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, among others, all of the risks described in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and other reports subsequently filed with the SEC. Additional assumptions, risks and uncertainties are described in detail in our registration statements, reports and other filings with the SEC, which are available at www.sec.gov.

The forward-looking statements and other information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and Sharon AI does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The Company previously announced on August 17, 2026 that its common stock was expected to begin trading on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol "ADBT" on or about August 18, 2026. The Company now expects trading of its common stock on Nasdaq to commence on August 25, 2026. The rescheduling allows for the final coordination and completion of standard administrative clearing procedures. The Company is currently working alongside its transfer agent, the Depository Trust Company (DTC), and brokerage clearing participants to finalize the electronic intake and credit of shares held by selling stockholders into the DTC system and individual brokerage accounts. This timeline is intended to facilitate an orderly market debut and synchronized execution capabilities across both domestic and international extended-hours trading platforms, including Japanese overnight and after-market sessions.

Nasdaq's regular market session begins at 9:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). However, because the Company's common stock is being listed through a public direct listing, trading in the Company's common stock is not expected to commence simultaneously with the opening of the regular market session at 9:30 a.m. ET. Instead, the opening trading price will be determined through Nasdaq's opening auction process based on buy and sell orders. Following completion of the applicable Nasdaq procedures and the opening auction process, trading in the Company's common stock is expected to commence. Accordingly, the actual commencement of trading may occur after 9:30 a.m. ET and may vary depending on market conditions and order activity.

The Company's registration statement on Form S-1, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), relating to the Company's public direct listing of its common stock was declared effective by the SEC on August 11, 2026, and the Company's common stock has been approved for listing on Nasdaq.

WestPark Capital, Inc. is acting as financial advisor and Anthony, Linder & Cacomanolis, PLLC is acting as securities counsel to ADVASA in connection with the direct listing on Nasdaq.

The direct listing will be made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the Company's effective registration statement. A copy of the prospectus may be obtained without charge by visiting the SEC's EDGAR website at www.sec.gov.

This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

Subject to individual brokerage timelines and account restrictions, trading is expected to be accessible through the following securities firms in Japan upon or shortly after the expected trading commencement date:

• Monex, Inc.
• Rakuten Securities, Inc.
• SBI SECURITIES Co., Ltd.
• Webull Securities (Japan) Co. Ltd.

(Alphabetical order)

Japanese investors should consult their respective Japanese brokerage platforms directly to confirm exact trading hours, potential local restrictions, and fee structures.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this announcement are forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding: the rescheduled anticipated date on which ADVASA's common stock will begin trading on Nasdaq; the final coordination, processing, and completion of standard administrative clearing procedures; the Company's ongoing collaboration with its transfer agent, the DTC, and brokerage clearing participants; the successful electronic intake, processing, and credit of shares held by selling stockholders in registered book-entry form into the DTC system and individual brokerage accounts; and the expectation of an orderly market debut with synchronized execution capabilities across both domestic and international extended-hours trading platforms, including Japanese overnight and after-market sessions. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on the Company's current expectations and projections about future events that the Company believes may affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy, and financial needs, including risks and uncertainties related to: whether or not the Company will consummate the direct listing on the anticipated timeline or at all; prevailing market conditions; investor demand for shares of ADVASA's common stock; the expected availability of trading on specific international platforms; unanticipated delays, technical complications, or administrative bottlenecks encountered by third parties, including the transfer agent, the DTC, or brokerage clearing participants, in processing and crediting book-entry shares; the inability of relevant clearing systems to execute the electronic intake of shares within the expected timeframe; regulatory interventions, operational challenges, or system disruptions affecting domestic or international extended-hours trading platforms, including overnight and after-market sessions in Japan; unexpected market volatility or liquidity constraints that may disrupt an orderly market debut or synchronized trading execution; and the impact of general economic, industry, or regulatory conditions in the United States or internationally. Investors can identify these forward-looking statements by words or phrases such as "may," "could," "will," "should," "would," "expect," "plan," "aim," "intend," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "likely," "potential," "project," or "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, it cannot guarantee that such expectations will prove correct. The Company cautions investors that actual results may differ materially from those anticipated and encourages investors to review the risks and uncertainties and other factors that may affect the Company's future results identified in the Company's registration statement on Form S-1, as amended (File No. 333-292013), declared effective by the SEC on August 11, 2026, the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2026 filed with the SEC on August 12, 2026, and subsequent disclosure documents the Company may file with the SEC, available at www.sec.gov. The Company claims the protection of the Safe Harbor contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for forward-looking statements.

Jeff Kuai, General Manager of Pizza Hut China, said, "We entered the burger category two years ago with Pizza Dough Burgers, which have been well received by consumers. We are now taking the business to the next level through Pizza Hut Burger Bar, while continuously refining the module to meet the diverse needs of our consumers."

Pizza Hut Burger Bar offers great-tasting burgers at compelling value. Its Parmesan-and-parsley buns, made with pizza dough, are freshly baked in-store daily, while patties are seared on a hot griddle in an open kitchen. The focused menu centers on beef burgers, including the signature Pineapple and Beef Burger, while also extending the teppan-style cooking method to other protein options. New offerings include Teppan-Style Black Pork Burger and Sizzling Grilled Chicken Burger with Egg.

The quick-service model has resonated with young consumers and solo diners. Placed side-by-side with Pizza Hut stores, the module requires light investment and shares resources with the parent store. In the second quarter of 2026, Pizza Hut Burger Bars contributed double-digit incremental sales and meaningful profit to their parent Pizza Hut stores.

At its 300th location in Wuhan, Hubei Province, Pizza Hut Burger Bar introduced a limited-edition burger inspired by local flavors: the Crayfish Crispy Lotus Root Cheeseburger. The burger combines crayfish and crispy lotus root for a savory, crunchy contrast designed to reflect local tastes.

The brand is targeting 500 to 600 Burger Bar locations by the end of 2026, representing around 10% of Pizza Hut's nearly 5,000-store portfolio in China. Pizza Hut's burger category, including sales from Pizza Hut stores and Burger Bar locations, is expected to exceed RMB 1 billion in 2026, accounting for around 5% to 6% of Pizza Hut China's sales.

In addition to the rapid rollout of Pizza Hut Burger Bar, Pizza Hut is also accelerating its new store openings in China, following Yum China's acquisition of the Pizza Hut brand ownership in Mainland China on August 7. Pizza Hut now targets more than 800 net new openings in each of 2027 and 2028, up from the previous target of over 600.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements relating to future strategies, growth, business plans, restaurant expansion plans and operating profit targets, the expected benefits and impact of the acquisition of ownership of the Pizza Hut brand in Mainland China from Yum! Brands, Inc. (the "Transaction") and related financing (including plans for long-term financing), including expected license-fee savings, expected margin benefits, expected EPS accretion, and potential long-term value creation. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should," "forecast," "outlook," "commit" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's future strategies, growth, business plans, restaurant expansion plans, operating profit targets, the expected benefits and impact of the Transaction and related financing (including plans for long-term financing), including expected license-fee savings, expected margin benefits, expected EPS accretion, and potential long-term value creation. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, among others, risks related to the ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transaction, including the risk that the transition of brand ownership disrupts operations; risks related to the availability, terms and cost of long-term debt financing to refinance the bridge loan, including interest rate and currency exchange fluctuations; transaction costs, tax and accounting treatment, changes in consumer demand or competitive conditions, failure to achieve anticipated license-fee savings, margin benefits, or EPS accretion; risks related to the ability to open new restaurants at the anticipated pace and achieve targeted payback periods; and risks that the Transaction may not result in the anticipated long-term value creation. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

For more information, please visit https://ir.yumchina.com/.

As more supply chain activity moves onto MINT, manual coordination gives way to trusted, structured information that improves visibility into trading partner activity and drives faster, more intelligent decisions. At scale, this digitalization reduces operational complexity while improving service, productivity, working capital, and resilience—and creates the multienterprise data needed to scale agentic operations.

"AI cannot transform supply chains without trusted operational context spanning companies, systems, business transactions, and processes," said Shabbir Dahod, President and CEO of TraceLink. "As MINT grows, the value of the network grows with it, giving companies richer operational context to coordinate work, automate decisions, and deploy AI across multienterprise operations. This is what makes the network essential to the Agentic Supply Chain Operating Model."

MINT Adoption Expands Across the Supply Network
New MINT live activations in 2026 through early August surpassed the full-year 2025 total by 53%, while the total number of live companies surpassed the year-end 2025 total by 138%.

Every new participant increases the reach and value of the network. Current customers gain more opportunities to digitalize relationships already participating in the ecosystem, while new customers enter a growing network of live companies and links that can accelerate time-to-value. Through the Integrate-Once™ model, those relationships can expand to support additional business transactions over time without recreating the underlying link.

MINT Transaction Growth Expands What Companies Can Digitalize
MINT is also expanding the range of supply chain activity companies can digitalize. New MINT transaction types in 2026 through early August surpassed the full-year 2025 total by 58% and increased 168% from Q1 to Q2 2026, while the total number of live MINT transaction types surpassed the year-end 2025 total by 141% and grew 55% from Q1 to Q2 2026.

Purchase orders, acknowledgments, shipments, invoices, inventory updates, and other business transactions collectively shape the flow of goods and information between companies. Bringing more of these transactions onto MINT gives organizations a more complete digital view of multienterprise operations and allows them to standardize and scale more business processes through the Integrate-Once™ model. The result is richer operational context for people, systems, and governed OPUS Agents, with less dependence on one-off integrations as digital collaboration expands.

Scaling Agentic Operations Across the Supply Network
The growth of MINT is increasing the intelligence available across the network. More participating companies, more digital transactions, and more transaction types create richer operational context that Agentic Business Processes, Agentic Control Towers, and governed OPUS Agents can use to monitor conditions, reason over business activity, and perform work across company boundaries.

MINT builds on the scale and reach of TraceLink's broader Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network, which links more than 315,000 authenticated business entities and supports hundreds of billions of annual supply chain exchanges. Built through decades of digitalizing serialization, traceability, and supply chain collaboration, this trusted network gives organizations the data, governance, and multienterprise context to scale agentic operations beyond the enterprise and across the end-to-end life sciences and healthcare supply chain.

TraceLink was recently recognized with a 2026 Global AI Award for AI in Supply Chain, underscoring the company's continued innovation in applying AI to transform end-to-end supply chain operations.

Join the growing community of peers building the Integrate-Once™ Agentic Business Network at FutureLink Barcelona.

Learn more at www.tracelink.com.

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

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