HEPZA and SHTP leaders, together with representatives of specialised departments, engage directly with businesses at the event. Photo: ITCP

The event attracted nearly 300 delegates representing government departments and agencies, local authorities, business associations, and enterprises operating in these zones.

Businesses raised difficulties in implementing policies, navigating administrative procedures, and conducting investment, production, and business activities. Relevant authorities discussed the issues and provided guidance on solutions within their mandates.

Le Anh Hoang, deputy director of ITPC, explained that addressing difficulties faced by businesses in export processing zones, industrial parks, and high-tech parks was essential to boosting production and business activities and enhancing the city's competitiveness.

“These zones play an important role in attracting investment, developing manufacturing, boosting exports, and advancing technological innovation. Simplifying administrative procedures and resolving shortcomings in policy implementation would therefore help businesses maintain and expand their operations,” Hoang said.

Tran Viet Ha, deputy head of HEPZA, said the city was shifting from a focus on administrative procedures to monitoring and managing the entire project implementation process, from investment preparation through to the commencement of operations.

According to Ha, export processing zones and industrial parks in the city currently have more than 5,400 registered projects, with total investment of approximately $82 billion. From the beginning of 2026 to the date of the conference, foreign direct investment reached around $5.6 billion.

However, Ha added, obstacles remain in project implementation. HEPZA aims to facilitate the early implementation of projects following registration and reduce procedures related to planning and construction. Some areas have yet to meet expectations.

“HEPZA will directly resolve issues within its authority, while coordinating with other agencies to address cross-sectoral matters,” he said.

At the dialogue, leaders of HEPZA, SHTP and relevant agencies discussed and responded to various groups of business recommendations, focusing on investment procedures, financial obligations, customs, environmental issues, and infrastructure.

Answering questions addressed by representatives from enterprises, on taxation, the authorities provided guidance on resolving issues related to non-agricultural land use tax, reconciling tax payment data, adjusting tax deductions, and late payment interest arising from disruptions in the transfer of management data. Other issues included the consideration of tax exemption and reduction decisions, as well as VAT regulations applicable to bank service fees and the business activities of export enterprises.

In investment, land allocation, and business registration, discussions covered procedures for processing applications to amend investment policy approvals in parallel with land allocation applications, handling investment security deposits, and adding business lines. The acceptance of electronic Investment Registration Certificates and Business Registration Certificates in administrative procedures was also discussed as a means of reducing time and costs for businesses.

In customs and import-export activities, the authorities discussed procedures for returning imported raw materials that fail to meet quality standards, declaring goods descriptions and HS codes, and re-exporting raw and auxiliary materials overseas for machinery testing.

The dialogue also addressed difficulties involving coordination among management agencies, the protection of property rights, and the settlement of disputes between domestic suppliers and enterprises operating in non-tariff zones.

On green transition and energy, discussions covered environmental criteria for existing industrial parks, procedures for upgrading production lines, installing energy-saving equipment, recovering waste heat, and improving environmental protection facilities.

Delegates also discussed the direct power purchase agreement mechanism, plans for developing clean hydrogen energy, electricity supply, water supply and drainage infrastructure, and waste treatment.

Regarding market support and supply chains, businesses proposed solutions on pricing mechanisms, measures to boost domestic sales of high-tech products, and incentives for foreign-invested enterprises to procure solutions and equipment from domestic agents and distributors, thereby developing a high-tech services ecosystem.

Many businesses attend the event. Photo: ITCP

HEPZA proposes 30 per cent slash on CIT to relieve burden on businesses Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zone and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA) has made a number of proposals to the municipal People’s Committee to support businesses and workers during the COVID-19 pandemic, including reducing corporate income tax (CIT).

Ho Chi Minh City introduces special procedures for industrial zone investment projects Ho Chi Minh City Export Processing Zones and Industrial Parks Management Authority will apply special investment procedures to special investment projects.

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.

Melatec Dental Clinic is a dental system with multiple branches located in renowned tourist cities across Vietnam, offering services ranging from routine oral care and pathology treatment to advanced dental procedures such as dental implants, orthodontics, porcelain crown restorations, and veneers.

The system's headquarters is located at 26 Doan Thi Diem street, O Cho Dua ward, Hanoi.

Melatec Dental Clinic – bringing together a team of highly specialised doctors and modern equipment to deliver an international-standard smile care experience. Photo courtesy of Melatec Dental Clinic.

Investing in technology and developing advanced dentistry

Melatec Dental Clinic is focused on developing specialised dental services, catering to treatment needs ranging from simple to complex cases. Among these, dental implants and aesthetic dental restorations are areas of focused investment.

The clinic regularly updates and integrates advanced equipment for diagnosis, treatment planning, and execution, such as 3D Cone Beam CT scanners, Osstem SM3 surgical, and extraction units, and bite analysis and adjustment devices.

The application of modern equipment provides doctors with precise data during the evaluation of dental conditions, jawbones, and related factors, enabling them to build customised treatment plans tailored to each individual client.

Alongside technology, infection control and sterilisation are top priorities at Melatec Dental Clinic. According to the clinic, all medical equipment and instruments across its branches are processed and monitored under strict sterilisation protocols to help ensure client safety during treatment.

The dentist provides a detailed consultation for the client. Photo courtesy of Melatec Dental Clinic

Professionally trained medical team

Alongside state-of-the-art facilities, the team of doctors is one of the core elements prioritised by Melatec in developing its services. Its practitioners are trained at Vietnam’s leading medical universities, holding professional practicing certificates and full legal documentation.

For clients requiring dental implants, doctors conduct thorough examinations and evaluations of oral health, jawbone conditions, missing tooth locations, and related factors before advising on a treatment plan.

Depending on each specific case, clients may be prescribed single implants, implant-supported restorations, or full-arch restorations. Formulating a tailored treatment plan aims to restore chewing function, aesthetics, and long-term oral health.

Over 20,000 international clients

Alongside domestic clients, Melatec Dental Clinic actively develops dedicated services for international visitors. The clinic has welcomed over 20,000 international clients to Vietnam for procedures such as dental implants, porcelain crowns, and veneers.

Treatment cost is also a major consideration for international patients. Melatec Dental Clinic notes that service costs in Vietnam can be approximately one-third of those in certain Southeast Asian markets, one-tenth of North America, and one-fifth of Australia, depending on the specific service and treatment plan.

An overview image capturing the modern, clean, and comfortable space of Melatec Dental Clinic. Photo courtesy of Melatec Dental Clinic

For foreign clients, choosing a dental facility abroad involves not only professional considerations but also concerns regarding language, transportation, accommodation, and itinerary scheduling.

To address this, Melatec Dental Clinic deploys comprehensive support services for international clients, including visa application assistance, complimentary hotel accommodation, airport transfers, and a dedicated 1-on-1 English-speaking interpreter throughout the service process.

Treatment plans are formalised through binding contracts with clients, accompanied by long-term warranty policies. According to Melatec Dental Clinic, should any issues arise that fall under the clinic's responsibility per the agreed terms, the facility is prepared to support clients with flight tickets.

Combining dental treatment with tourism

A strategic development direction emphasised by Melatec Dental Clinic is the integration of dental services with tourism.

Instead of travelling to Vietnam solely for medical care, international clients can opt for comprehensive packages combining dental treatment with guided tours. During their stay, clients have the opportunity to explore Vietnam's unique culture, cuisine, and top destinations.

These programmes are structured to support clients seamlessly throughout their journey, from pre-trip consultations, visa assistance, and airport pickups to hotel arrangements, clinical examinations, treatments, and post-treatment care.

Through this model, an international client's trip transcends routine dental care and recovery, transforming into an enriching cultural and travel experience.

Amid the growing global interest in dental tourism, Melatec Dental Clinic is committed to building a world-class service model for international clients centred on expertise, technology, rigorous treatment protocols, transparency, and exceptional service experiences.

Through continued investments in facilities, specialised talent development, and bespoke international support services, the clinic aims to establish itself as a premier destination where clients can seamlessly combine oral healthcare with an unforgettable journey in Vietnam.

Melatec Dental Clinic

Headquarters: 26 Doan Thi Diem street, O Cho Dua ward, Hanoi

WhatsApp: +84 98 940 22 11

Vietnam's dental industry is expected to reach a revenue of $435 million by 2023 Growing dental hygiene, coupled with a surge in foreign dental tourists, is expected to drive the growth of Vietnam's dental services industry, which will reach a revenue of $435 million by 2023, according to a report by Ken Research.

Robust growth trends projected for investment in healthcare Vietnam’s healthcare and pharmacy chains are increasingly getting new funds to expand their operations in local market, thereby securing access and availability of medical supplies and drugs for locals. However, concerns over adequate human resources in the sector dampen the bright prospects and could cause supply issues.

Vietnam’s dental industry strengthens position on global medical tourism map Vietnam's dental industry is strengthening its position on the global medical tourism map through advances in technology, materials, and policy.

The tour offered investors first-hand insights into an integrated industrial park model that connects manufacturing with clean energy, environmental infrastructure, amenities and social welfare, supporting the development of a sustainable industrial ecosystem in Tay Ninh province.

Investors were briefed on the development potential of Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Park. Photo: Le Toan

Nguyen Van Hong, VIR deputy-editor-in-chiefspoke at the tour. Photo: Le Toan

Le Thanh Kiet, deputy head of Tay Ninh Economic Zone Management Authority, shared the province’s development direction. Photo: Le Toan

Representatives of Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Park introduce the park to potential investors. Photo: Le Toan

Nguyen Quoc Minh, vice chairman of the Industrial Park Suppliers Association, addressed a question to TTC Industrial Park. Photo: Le Toan

The delegation inspected key facilities, including the dedicated wastewater treatment plant and rooftop solar power system developed by TTC Energy, and visited TTC Trang Bang Aqua Park and Thanh Thanh Cong Residential Area, where the TTC social housing project is under development and is expected to be completed and handed over in 2028. Photo: Le Toan

From production infrastructure and clean energy to environmental solutions, amenities and housing, the Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Park ecosystem is shaping a modern, green and sustainable industrial space, providing a foundation for businesses to pursue long-term growth in Tay Ninh. Photo: Le Toan

TTC reaping rewards for IZ and logistics endeavours Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Real Estate Corporation’s ownership and operation of two industrial zones, one cluster and a warehouse network in Tay Ninh and Long An provinces have been advantageous alongside Vietnam’s economic development towards modernisation.

Thanh Thanh Cong residential area a promising urban hub in Tay Ninh province A promising urban development project is being developed by Thanh Thanh Cong Industrial Zone (TTC IZ) as the investor and Saigon Thuong Tin Real Estate Joint Stock Company (TTC Land) as the project developer.

According to the National Statistics Office on October 5, GDP growth in the third quarter reached 9.95 per cent compared to the same period, approaching double digits and 1.45 percentage points higher than the growth rate of six months (8.49 per cent).

In the first nine months, the northern city of Quang Ninh led the group with growth of 12.54 per cent, followed by Ha Tinh province (12.36 per cent), the northern port city of Haiphong (12.06 per cent), and Bac Ninh city (11.81 per cent), and Ninh Binh province (11.31 per cent).

In the third quarter particularly, Quang Ninh led the way with a GDP growth rate of 15.54 per cent, followed by Ha Tinh at 12.36 per cent, Haiphong at 12.08 per cent, and Bac Ninh at 11.81 per cent.

Other localities posting double-digit growth included Thai Nguyen province (11.24 per cent), Hung Yen province (11.22 per cent), Khanh Hoa province (11.21 per cent), Danang city (10.31 per cent), Tay Ninh province (10.30 per cent), Phu Tho province (10.01 per cent), and Dong Nai city (10.01 per cent).

The strong performance across localities was primarily driven by robust growth in the industry, construction, and services sectors.

Under Resolution No.312/NQ-CP, issued on October 5 following the government's September 2026 meeting and online conference with localities, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung called for closer coordination of monetary, fiscal, and other macroeconomic policies to control inflation, maintain macroeconomic stability, and meet growth targets.

He also emphasised the need to stabilise monetary and foreign exchange markets, ensure liquidity, lower lending rates, and improve businesses' access to capital.

The government is looking to focus resources, prepare thoroughly, and ensure the progress and quality of reports and proposals submitted to the fourth Plenum of the 14^th Central Committee, and draft laws and resolutions submitted to the 16^th National Assembly for consideration and approval at its second session.

In addition, the PM asked for research and the incorporation of public opinion on important draft laws such as the amended land, housing and real estate business laws.

The resolution issued a key task for localities. The government requires nine localities to grow over 15 per cent in the fourth quarter, including Hanoi (16.55 per cent), Haiphong (15.39 per cent), Thanh Hoa (17.10 per cent), Can Tho (16.08 per cent), Vinh Long (17.25 per cent), Ca Mau (16.70 per cent), Quang Tri (16.64 per cent), Tuyen Quang (15.04 per cent), and Lang Son (18.41 per cent).

The government also called for faster disbursement of public investment capital and the urgent allocation of the remaining VND19.58 trillion ($744 million) in central budget funds, with the aim of disbursing 100 per cent of the assigned plan.

SOTRANS targets chemical warehousing growth with Ho Nai project As safety, environmental, and supply chain transparency standards become increasingly stringent, building a chemical warehouse is no longer simply a matter of capacity.

Expanding education partnerships to drive mutual growth Vietnam and the United Kingdom are cementing training and education cooperation. Jacqui Smith, the Right Honourable Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills at the UK Department for Education, is going to pay a visit to Vietnam to deepen educational cooperation and support national ambitions of making English a second language in schools by 2035.

World Bank raises Vietnam's 2026 GDP growth forecast to 7.4 per cent The World Bank has raised its forecast for Vietnam's economic growth in 2026 by 1.1 percentage points to 7.4 per cent, the largest upward revision among Asia-Pacific economies.

Coteccons targets 'Quality Growth' with 25 per cent dividend plan Coteccons has marked another step forward in its recovery and growth, with stronger profitability, cash flow, governance, and financial foundations in the 2025-2026 fiscal year. Dinh Thi Hong Tham, corporate secretary and authorised spokesperson for information disclosure at Coteccons, shared her perspectives with VIR.

Photo: Minh Vui

The upgrade reflects R&I's positive assessment of Vietnam's economic growth fundamentals, prospects for structural reforms, fiscal headroom and resilience to external shocks.

R&I expects Vietnam to sustain high growth, supported by its transition towards a productivity- and innovation-driven growth model, expanded public investment and continued foreign direct investment inflows.

During the sovereign credit rating review in April and May 2026, the Ministry of Finance coordinated with relevant ministries and agencies and engaged directly with R&I, providing updated information on Vietnam's macroeconomic and fiscal conditions, public debt and reform achievements.

This work drew on the country's macroeconomic performance in recent years and experience working with international credit rating agencies, including Moody's, Fitch Ratings and S&P.

R&I assessed that Vietnam had maintained strong growth momentum, outperforming other Southeast Asian countries.

According to R&I, the reforms being implemented by the government, focusing on streamlining the state apparatus, boosting the private sector, improving the institutional framework and developing capital markets, will help strengthen growth potential and enhance the economy's resilience.

R&I welcomed this comprehensive reform programme and expects the consistent implementation of reform measures to help Vietnam sustain high growth on a more stable basis.

On fiscal policy, R&I noted that Vietnam’s public debt as a share of GDP remained relatively low, providing fiscal headroom to increase development investment spending.

Although the budget deficit and public debt ratio are projected to rise in the coming period, R&I sees no concerns over debt sustainability, as expanded public investment is expected to support future growth while the Vietnamese government remains committed to controlling recurrent expenditure.

R&I noted that Vietnam continues to record a current account surplus, maintain foreign direct investment inflows and keep the country’s external debt burden relatively low, supporting the economy's resilience to external shocks.

At the same time, R&I highlighted several areas requiring continued attention, including credit growth, banking liquidity, real estate lending, the financial system's capacity to provide adequate funding and the level of foreign exchange reserves.

Amid continued volatility and challenges in the global economy, Vietnam's first-ever upgrade to investment grade by an international credit rating agency marks an important milestone in the country's reform process and efforts to improve its sovereign credit standing.

The result underscores Vietnam's solid macroeconomic foundations, sustained efforts to achieve high and sustainable growth, prudent public debt management and implementation of far-reaching reforms.

This, in turn, further strengthens Vietnam's credit standing in international markets, boosts investor confidence and creates more favourable conditions for mobilising long-term resources to propel socioeconomic development.

The Ministry of Finance and other government agencies will continue to work closely with R&I and other credit rating agencies, providing comprehensive and timely information on socioeconomic conditions, fiscal performance and public debt to ensure that assessments of Vietnam's sovereign credit profile are based on accurate and up-to-date information.

Status upgrade crucial to stock market growth The upgrade of Vietnam’s stock market from frontier to emerging status is a driving force for the future.

The barriers associated with market status upgrade As Vietnam’s stock market stands poised on the threshold of significant upgrades, there is an air of anticipation among experts and investors alike. Such a move would send positive signals, heralding both increased market liquidity and foreign investor participation, while also driving greater transparency in the marketplace.

Identifying key drivers for VN-Index in second half of 2025 Vietnam’s stock market is showing strong momentum heading into the second half of 2025, buoyed by economic growth, policy support, and potential reclassification, but key risks remain.

Stock market reforms target greater flexibility and efficiency Vietnam is studying stock market trading reforms, including longer trading hours and wider price bands, while preparing market infrastructure upgrades to improve efficiency without compromising safety and stability.

According to the announcement on October 8, the five finalists are AirX Carbon, IBAS, Mamibabi, Ngu Thuyen Hueritage and Real Bean Coffee. From bio-based pallets made of agricultural by-products and microbial technology for shrimp farming to an AI-enabled family care platform, heritage tourism, and Fine Robusta, this year's Top 5 spans a wide range of sectors and business models. What they share is a product or service already in the market. Some already have exports, revenue, a customer network, or an established sourcing area.

As the private sector plays a growing role in economic growth, young businesses in Vietnam are actively seeking new models, applying technology and tapping market needs that remain underserved. The diversity of the CYE 2026 Top 5 partly reflects the spirit of experimentation, the adaptability, and the way a new generation of entrepreneurs approaches specific business problems.

Themed "Hardened by Challenges," CYE 2026 focuses on businesses that have moved past the idea stage and are testing their models directly in the market.

The Top 5 were selected after more than two months of evaluation rounds, Pitch Day and 1:1 mentoring. From the Top 20 onwards, teams reviewed their business models, growth strategies, finances, and investor pitches with mentors from a range of fields.

Through this process, CYE aims to give businesses a setting where they receive critical feedback from people with operating, financial, and investment experience, and can keep testing their business assumptions before the Final.

Photo: CYE 2026

AirX Carbon (Ho Chi Minh City) develops NetZero Pallet, a bio-based pallet made from agricultural by-products, aimed at reducing the use of wood and plastic in logistics. According to company figures, revenue grew about sixfold between 2023 and 2025. The product is supplied in Vietnam and in markets including Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the United States.

IBAS (Ho Chi Minh City), founded in 2022, develops and transfers microbial technology for agriculture and aquaculture. Its model lets partners multiply microbial biomass on site at the farming area, without having to transport finished products from a production facility. According to the company's profile, the process currently achieves a culture success rate above 90 per cent.

Mamibabi (Ho Chi Minh City) develops a technology platform for pregnancy support and family care. The company combines AI with expert involvement to provide information, support monitoring, and connect users to care services. The product has been commercialised, and the company is expanding its partner ecosystem.

Ngu Thuyen Hueritage (Hue) offers an experiential tourism product on the Perfume River, combining a river cruise, cuisine, Ca Hue (Hue traditional singing), and introductions to local culture. The model began operating in 2025. According to company figures, it has reached 2.1 million views on Meta Business Suite and currently generates annual revenue of $192,000–$385,000.

Real Bean Coffee (Ho Chi Minh City) runs a Fine Robusta model from sourcing area to market. It works directly with more than 200 farming households on about 130 ha of agroforestry land, and its products have been exported to eight countries. According to company figures, revenue rose from about $116,000 in 2020 to about $480,000 in 2024.

Tran Anh Khoi, head of the CYE 2026 Organising Committee, said, "What stands out about this year's Top 5 is that all of them have moved past the idea stage and are solving specific market problems. Each model takes a different approach, but all show a spirit of experimentation, adaptability, and initiative in finding room for growth. Mentoring and Pitch Day help the teams look at their models again from the standpoint of operations, finance, and real-world growth potential."

Between now and the Final, the five businesses will continue refining their pitch decks and presentations for the judging panel. The CYE 2026 prize structure includes a First Prize worth VND150 million ($5,770), including VND30 million in cash and a support package worth VND120 million; a Second Prize worth VND75 million; a Third Prize worth VND30 million, and two Consolation Prizes worth VND30 million in total. The representative selected at CYE Vietnam will have the opportunity to compete at CYE ASPAC 2027 in Taiwan.

Italian Design Day 2026: a contemporary architecture and urban development dialogue Italian Design Day 2026 took place in Ho Chi Minh City in early March under the theme “RE-DESIGN. Regenerating Spaces, Objects, Ideas, Relations.”

Moonfolks launches in Vietnam to fuel ASEAN expansion for outbound domestic brands Moonfolks, one of Southeast Asia’s most awarded independent advertising agencies, has launched operations in Vietnam.

Kinh Do sparks the Mid-Autumn spirit across millions of Vietnamese homes Kinh Do has recently launched its Mid-Autumn 2026 campaign with a fresh creative direction, connecting millions of families through quality products, nationwide reach, and a multi-platform experience ecosystem that brings the festive spirit into modern life.

Some 83 per cent of employers say AI has changed, or is beginning to change, their hiring criteria, while 94 per cent report higher expectations for digital and AI capabilities than they had two to three years ago. However, businesses are not necessarily looking for AI engineers. Instead, they want graduates who can use common AI tools fluently in their daily work or apply them to solve problems specific to their roles.

These are among the key findings of the Vietnam Employability Report 2026: Beware the Gap – Are Graduates Set up for Success in a World of New Possibilities?, released on October 8 by British University Vietnam (BUV) in collaboration with research firm Decision Lab. The research surveyed 375 domestic and international companies on their hiring decisions for fresh graduates.

The findings were presented at the International Conference on Educational Cooperation in the Digital Era and Education & EdTech Exhibition, hosted by the Ministry of Education and Training.

Widest gaps emerge in real-world working situations

The report assessed seven capability areas among fresh graduates. Employers considered all seven important, with between 74 and 86 per cent rating each as important. Yet graduates fell short of employers’ expectations in six of the seven areas.

Time management recorded the widest gap, at 26 percentage points, followed by problem-solving at 23 points. Communication and adaptability showed gaps of 12 and 11 points, respectively. Digital literacy was the only capability area in which graduates exceeded expectations, by three percentage points.

These shortcomings become particularly apparent when young employees face urgent tasks, incomplete information, or work requiring coordination with several people. In such situations, employers need staff who can manage their commitments, flag potential delays early, and propose solutions independently rather than wait for detailed instructions.

Source: BUV

The findings suggest that the gap between education and employment is not simply a matter of academic knowledge. It also concerns graduates’ ability to apply what they have learnt, organise their work independently, and make decisions in real-world situations.

Employers also tend to favour international degrees, with more than half expressing a preference for graduates with such qualifications. Their perceived advantages extend beyond English-language proficiency. Employers describe these graduates as typically more confident, more comfortable working in multicultural environments, and more willing to ask questions, challenge assumptions, and present their views to senior colleagues.

While 83 per cent of employers say AI has changed, or is beginning to change, their hiring criteria, only 3 per cent require AI programming or data analysis skills. Instead, 79 per cent want graduates to use common AI tools fluently in their daily work or apply AI to the specific problems they encounter in their roles.

This points to a shift towards combining technological proficiency with problem-solving and adaptability. As AI tools become more widely available, candidates’ competitive advantage will depend not only on their ability to use technology, but also on how effectively they evaluate information, choose appropriate approaches, and take responsibility for their work.

However, collaboration between businesses and universities remains largely concentrated on recruitment. Although 59 per cent of surveyed employers take on student interns, only 15 per cent contribute to curriculum design, while 23 per cent do not collaborate with any university.

The report identifies three conditions for internships to genuinely build capability: meaningful work, close supervision, and evidence of the student’s contribution. Expanding internship opportunities therefore needs to go hand in hand with improving the quality of workplace experience and encouraging businesses to play a more active role in education and training.

Source: BUV

From qualifications to workplace capabilities

Against this backdrop, BUV introduced its new “Degree Plus” education model, which combines an academic degree with additional professional and personal skills development, alongside international experiences. Under the model, students receive a Global Employment Passport upon graduation, in addition to a degree awarded by a UK university.

The model is built around three pillars. The Professional Skills pillar includes modules on time management, project management, applied AI, and digital literacy. The Personal Skills pillar focuses on strategic thinking, problem-solving, resilience, and adaptability. The International Mobility pillar provides opportunities for students to participate in exchanges, study programmes, and internships abroad through the university’s international partner network.

Students can also apply their knowledge through internships and real-world projects with more than 500 corporate partners in BUV’s network. The approach aims to bring academic learning closer to labour-market requirements, moving beyond qualifications alone as a measure of graduate readiness.

The model is also positioned in the context of Politburo Resolution No.71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development. The resolution highlights the need to raise digital and AI competency standards, develop the qualities and capabilities of Vietnamese people for a new era, and prepare Vietnamese citizens to become global citizens.

“The more powerful technology becomes, the sharper human judgement needs to be. The key question is no longer simply what qualification a student holds at graduation, but what their actual capabilities allow them to do on their first day at work,” said Paul Bennett, chief marketing officer at BUV.

According to the report, closing the gap between qualifications and capabilities requires action from government, employers, universities, and students alike. Stronger dialogue between educational institutions and the labour market, more responsive curricula, and regular feedback mechanisms will be essential to preparing graduates for an evolving economy.

Rick Bennett, deputy vice-chancellor and vice-president at BUV, said, "The university was making the full report publicly available and would continue the research regularly for the benefit of the wider education sector."

These issues were also explored at a panel discussion, “Shaping the Talent Profile for the Industry 4.0 Era,” which examined how universities, employers, and other stakeholders could work more closely together on curriculum design, expanded workplace opportunities, and regular feedback from the labour market.

Vietnam job market hits new milestone with rising salaries and race for AI talent

Caution and stability drive Vietnam’s workforce trends

Vietnam's recruitment market shows resilience in H1

New Zealand boosts education engagement with Vietnam

"Advancing to the third stage of DARPA's Quantum Benchmarking Initiative validates the strength of IBM's path to building a fault-tolerant quantum computer," said Jay Gambetta, Director of IBM Research and IBM Fellow. "IBM expects to deliver the first fault-tolerant system in 2029, and we plan to scale the value of quantum computing well beyond that timeline. We look forward to working with DARPA's team of experts as they advance their review of approaches to fault-tolerant quantum computing into the testing phase."

As an independent research and development arm of the U.S. Department of Defense, DARPA launched the QBI in 2024 to determine whether an industrially useful fault-tolerant quantum computer can be built by 2033. The program defines such a system as one whose computational value will exceed its cost. IBM has successfully progressed through the QBI's assessment process, including the first two stages that analyzed comprehensive R&D plans and risk mitigation approaches.

IBM has built the strongest quantum foundation in the industry, anchored by the largest fleet of quantum computers across the globe and Qiskit, the world's most popular quantum software. IBM's quantum computers are already being used today as scientific tools by a network of more than 340 organizations across financial services, healthcare, materials science, academia, and government as they build industrial applications and pursue algorithms to unlock the full potential of fault-tolerant quantum computing.

Last year, IBM laid out its plans to deliver the world's first fault-tolerant quantum computer, IBM Quantum Starling. Starling will combine advances in error correction, processor design, systems engineering, and more. Since then, IBM's progression has remained on course, including the demonstration of core hardware components for fault tolerance and breakthroughs in efficient error correction decoding.

Advancing to Stage C

Each successful QBI performer has progressed through three stages of the program thus far:

• Stage A required organizations to submit an initial technical concept of a cost-effective, fault-tolerant quantum computer that has a plausible path to realization in the near term. Several Stage A performers were announced in April 2025.
• Stage B called for a comprehensive research and development plan from each company detailing how to realize such a quantum computer, as well as the risks associated with this plan and mitigation approaches.
• Announced today, those selected for Stage C will move beyond conceptual plans and progress to evaluation by DARPA's QBI independent verification and validation (IV&V) team as they test the companies' hardware.

Alongside its participation in QBI, IBM continues to collaborate with partners across industry, government, and academia to accelerate the timeline toward fault-tolerant quantum computing.

For more information about the Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, visit the DARPA website.

For more information, visit https://research.ibm.com.

Via Verde represents ABF II's first investment and marks CIP's entry into the Italian biomethane market. The investment will create local jobs and supply domestically produced biomethane, which will replace imported fossil gas, supporting both Italy's energy independence and decarbonisation efforts.

Via Verde comprises a development pipeline of 20 projects strategically located across multiple regions of Italy, including Lombardy, Abruzzo, and Campania. Each plant is expected to process approximately 60,000 to 100,000 tonnes of agricultural waste annually.

Once the 20 projects are fully operational, the Via Verde platform will deliver approximately 1 TWh of biomethane annually, equivalent to the annual gas consumption of around 60,000 Italian households.

Andreas F. Brandt, Partner at CIP, says of the new investment: "Via Verde marks our entry into one of Europe's most attractive biomethane markets, giving us a strong foothold as Italy scales towards its 2030 biomethane targets. CIP will leverage its advanced bioenergy expertise to support Via Verde's experienced local team and substantial project pipeline, laying a strong foundation for long-term growth. We believe biomethane will play a key role in strengthening Italy's energy independence and supporting its transition to a lower-carbon energy system."

Supported by favourable market fundamentals and policy support mechanisms, Via Verde is expected to establish an early at-scale position in the Italian biomethane market and support the expansion of domestic renewable gas production.

For more information, visit www.cip.com.

C3 is a leading provider to New Zealand's ports and to Australian and New Zealand forestry sectors, delivering essential infrastructure services to blue-chip customers across national import and export supply chains. It operates 15 strategic port and inland sites throughout New Zealand and Australia, supporting port-side container logistics as well as large exporters across diversified sectors.

Specialist materials handling in timber and forestry is C3's largest sector focus and a core area of operational expertise. The company has an extensive presence at key New Zealand and Australian seaports and mill-integrated sites, operating specialist fibre-processing and export infrastructure. It provides a full terminal to vessel solution, including log marshalling, debarking and chipping, and loading onto vessels. C3 handles approximately half of New Zealand's total log exports, which represents c.NZ$3.4bn of annual export revenue. C3 offers a stable base from which to grow, with key customer tenure exceeding 20 years.

C3 also operates critical container logistics operations and port equipment in key locations across New Zealand, providing integrated logistics services to exporters across multiple sectors including dairy, agriculture and energy. It handles c.50% of containers at the country's busiest port, Tauranga.

With exporters requiring greater efficiencies in their routes to market, C3 is well-positioned for sustained growth from adjacent opportunities. Continued investment is planned to build on its well-established platform, developing its port presence and logistics capabilities to expand its customer offering across the logistics value chain.

C3 reflects InfraRed's value-add approach: a platform with strong fundamental infrastructure characteristics, offering attractive opportunities to apply growth capital and operational expertise to build and de-risk the business.

Sven Stubican, head of European and APAC Investments, Value-Add at InfraRed, said:

"What makes C3 particularly compelling is the opportunity to enhance its established position in the container handling and forestry supply chain by broadening the services it offers customers. Over decades, the business has developed a strategic port presence, deep customer relationships and specialist operational capabilities, providing a strong platform for expansion. C3 benefits from a resilient base of core earnings, and we will seek to build on this via attractive adjacent opportunities.

"InfraRed has been active across Australia and New Zealand for more than 15 years and has made and realised multiple value-add investments in the region. In acquiring C3, we are backing an experienced management team with a strong track record and will leverage our long-standing local experience to support the business in delivering its next phase of growth."

Gavin Hudson, chief Executive at C3, said:

"C3 plays an important role in connecting New Zealand and Australian exporters to international markets, built on decades of operational know-how and strategic port and inland locations. We're proud of what the team has achieved and excited to be working with InfraRed to broaden our services across the export value chain, as we continue to seek new opportunities to support our customers."

C3 serves clients within forestry and other sectors that are subject to robust environmental regulatory frameworks aligned with international standards.

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

[1] Uses a 5-year average FX between currency pairs as at 31 March 2026: USD per GBP – 1.2889; USD per EUR – 1.1044. EUM of USD 13.86bn.

The new ASU will produce nitrogen and oxygen, critical gases to support the daily operations and long-term growth of key Australian sectors, including food and beverage processing, healthcare and medical facilities, mining and advanced manufacturing.

The ASU is expected to start-up in 2028.

Tim Kehoe, Managing Director of Air Liquide Pacific said: "Expanding our air gas capacity demonstrates Air Liquide's long-term commitment to fueling the growth of Australian industries with essential gases they depend on every day. With the new ASU in New South Wales, we are reinforcing our commitment to serving our customers and enhancing our supply chain resilience."

This project reinforces Air Products' long-term commitment to Malaysia, expands its production capabilities in Southern and Central Malaysia, and marks its fifth LNG-based ASU in Asia.

A document exchange ceremony was held at the PETRONAS Twin Towers to mark this milestone. The ceremony was attended by senior executives, including PETRONAS Gas Berhad's Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer Abdul Aziz Othman, DIALOG Executive Deputy Chairman Chan Yew Kai and Air Products' Asia President, Kurt Lefevere, underscoring the strategic importance of the project and the strength of the long-standing partnership between PETRONAS Gas Berhad and Air Products.

The new plant will supply the merchant market in Southern and Central Malaysia, strengthening Air Products' ability to serve key industrial hubs and support growing demand from the electrical and electronics, petrochemicals, aerospace and manufacturing sectors.

By using cold energy from the LNG regasification process to liquefy air at low temperatures, the plant will improve energy efficiency and reduce production-related emissions, helping customers reduce their carbon footprint through a more energy-efficient and lower-emission supply of industrial gas solutions.

"Our relationship with PETRONAS Gas Berhad spans more than four decades, and we are honored by their continued trust in Air Products to support their and Malaysia's effort to advance lower-emission industrial development," said Ramani Velu, Air Products' Southeast Asia President. "This investment underscores our long-term commitment to Malaysia and our focus on delivering safe, reliable, and energy-efficient solutions that support our customers' growth. It also strengthens our ability to serve customers across the country."

Air Products has operated in Malaysia since 1974 and maintains a strong network of state-of-the-art production facilities and depots strategically located across the country. In the Northern Region, the company serves key industries, including electrical and electronics, through advanced ASUs in the Prai Industrial Area, and a pipeline network in the Batu Kawan and the Bayan Lepas Industrial Park in Penang.

Elevra Lithium is a North American lithium producer with projects in Quebec, Canada, United States, and a joint venture in Western Australia.

Starting later this year, Elevra Lithium will supply LG Energy Solution with 240,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate over a four-year period. The spodumene concentrate will be produced at Elevra's North American Lithium (NAL) project in Quebec, Canada, which is already operational.

With spodumene concentrate set to be sourced from an operational North American mine and supply expected to commence later this year, LG Energy Solution is well positioned to strengthen its responsiveness to local customer needs while supporting the rapid growth of the regional ESS market.

To proactively respond to the rising market demand for energy storage systems (ESS) in North America, LG Energy Solution has five standalone and joint venture facilities in the region that are meeting customers' growing demand for reliable and scalable ESS solutions powered by LFP batteries.

NextStar Energy, the standalone facility in Windsor, Canada, has been serving as a cornerstone of Canada's growing battery ecosystem since commencing production last year.

Backed by more than CAD 5 billion in investment and expected to create up to 2,500 direct jobs at full-scale production, the facility, combined with local supply of spodumene concentrate, will reinforce the local value chain in Canada.

Securing a stable supply of spodumene concentrate not only diversifies the company's raw material sourcing portfolio beyond lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide but also provides greater flexibility to optimize production based on evolving electric vehicle (EV) and ESS market demand and market conditions. As a key intermediate feedstock that can be processed into either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, spodumene concentrate enables greater production scalability, while enhancing supply chain resilience and supporting a stable supply of critical battery materials.

"This agreement with LG Energy Solution represents an important step in implementing the commercial strategy we outlined with our FY26 annual results. It provides Elevra with a committed customer for a meaningful portion of NAL's production while retaining exposure to spodumene concentrate market pricing," said Lucas Dow, chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Elevra Lithium. "Securing a leading global battery manufacturer as a customer further strengthens the commercial position of NAL and supports our strategy of building a diversified portfolio of high-quality customers as we increase production and progress the NAL expansion."

"This agreement marks another important step in strengthening our raw material supply chain in North America and supporting the region's rapidly growing ESS market," said Kang Yeol Lee, procurement Center Leader of LG Energy Solution. "By securing a stable supply of spodumene concentrate from an operational North American source, we are enhancing both the flexibility and resilience of our supply chain while reinforcing our ability to meet evolving customer demand with greater speed and scale."

To learn more about LG Energy Solution's ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com.

The groundbreaking ceremony took place on October 8. The project includes a running-track system, outdoor fitness areas, green spaces, rest areas, scenic viewpoints, and outdoor community spaces.

According to the design, the running-track system comprises an approximately 3.5-km riverside route, a 2-km sunset route, and a 1.5-km oxygen forest route.

The routes connect with the landscape and open spaces throughout the urban area, taking advantage of the waterfront, natural breezes, and expansive views. The sunset route focuses on scenic experiences at the end of the day, while the oxygen forest route guides runners and walkers through a multi-layered green environment.

The running-track system is designed to accommodate various needs, from running and physical exercise to leisurely walks and enjoying the surrounding landscape. Rest areas, scenic viewpoints, and outdoor community spaces are arranged along the routes, creating additional opportunities for residents to meet, connect, and spend time with their families as part of everyday life.

The riverside park landscape at Palm City is being developed around the concept of recharging daily. It is designed to connect people with nature. Under this vision, greenery, water features, and open spaces are interwoven, allowing residents to access nature within the urban environment.

The vegetation is arranged in multiple layers, combined with natural water elements and open areas, with the aim of providing shade, reducing surface heat accumulation, and supporting natural ventilation. These solutions are expected to contribute to improving the microclimate within the park and surrounding areas of Palm City.

The landscape design embodies the concept of an urban resort within the city, where outdoor spaces become an integral part of the daily living experience. A sense of refinement is expressed through quality and experience, reflected in spatial proportions, material selection, and the transitions between different areas.

The perspective view of the riverside park and jogging track. Photo: Huong Viet Properties

The riverfront park and public space will create an additional landscape corridor connecting different sections of Palm City. Residents will be able to access the running tracks, fitness areas, green spaces, and river-oriented outdoor areas from various parts of the urban development.

Among these areas, Palm River is the latest riverside apartment precinct at Palm City, developed in a resort-style concept in the heart of the city. Located along the Giong Ong To River, Palm River has direct connections to the landscape and shared amenities of the urban development, particularly the riverside park and running tracks.

Nguyen Si Toan, managing director of the High-rise Real Estate Business Division at Huong Viet Properties, said, “We do not view the riverside park simply as an additional amenity for the urban development. At Palm City, nature, particularly waterfront, is a component of the urban spatial structure. By developing nearly 3 km of public riverside space, we aim to bring the inherent value of the landscape into residents’ daily lives, allowing them to exercise, relax, connect with nature, and enjoy a quality living environment.”

"A truly liveable urban area is created through buildings, and also through how nature is preserved and harmoniously integrated into everyday life. At Huong Viet Properties, we pursue sustainable development by creating spaces with long-lasting value for the community," Toan added.

The perspective view of the riverside park and jogging track. Photo: Huong Viet Properties

Phase I is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2027. Upon completion, the park will serve the Palm City community while connecting with the landscape and amenities across the entire urban development.

The landscape design consultant is a Brazil-based firm with a proven track record of more than 300 projects across three continents.

Huong Viet Properties strengthens integrated real estate vision Real estate developer Huong Viet Properties is building a sustainable growth platform combining development expertise, operational excellence, and long-term value. Nguyen Si Toan, managing director of High-rise Real Estate Business Division, spoke with VIR’s Bich Ngoc about the company's strategies and competitive advantages.

Keppel unlocks $104 million with divestment from Palm City Keppel Ltd has divested its entire 42 per cent stake in South Rach Chiec City LLC (SRC), the developer of Palm City in Ho Chi Minh City, according to a statement released on April 1.

Palm City and Palm River reflect Huong Viet Properties' sustainable vision Huong Viet Properties has been honoured with two prestigious accolades at the 2026 Dot Property Vietnam Awards, reaffirming its vision of creating integrated urban developments that deliver long-term value and elevate residents' quality of life.

The province’s regional GDP at current prices was estimated at $10.36 billion in the first nine months. Industry and construction accounted for around 55.6 per cent of the economic structure, with industry alone accounting for nearly 45.2 per cent. Services represented 26.8 per cent, while agriculture, forestry and fisheries accounted for 11.7 per cent.

Hung Yen GRDP grows 11.2 per cent in the first nine months of 2026. Photo: Quynh Nga

Industrial production continued to record strong growth. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) increased 15.7 per cent on-year in the first nine months. Manufacturing and processing rose 16.3 per cent; electricity production and distribution increased 8.9 per cent; while water supply, waste and wastewater management and treatment grew 16.08 per cent.

Several industries recorded high IIP growth, including machinery and equipment manufacturing, up 99.36 per cent; repair, maintenance and installation of machinery and equipment, up 75.7 per cent; and pharmaceutical, medicinal chemical and botanical product manufacturing, up 38.9 per cent.

Industries related to electronics, equipment and transport vehicles also maintained growth, including the manufacture of electronic products, computers and optical products, as well as electrical equipment manufacturing.

Alongside industry, construction activity continued to expand. Construction production value at 2020 constant prices was estimated at $3.08 billion in the first nine months, representing an on-year increase of around 14.2 per cent.

The services sector grew 9.14 per cent during the period. Total retail sales of goods and consumer service revenue reached $8.9 billion, up 17.5 per cent, while retail sales of goods reached $4.42 billion, up nearly 18.7 per cent.

Revenue from transportation, warehousing and transportation support services reached $882.6 million, an increase of 17.1 per cent.

Public investment and production investment accelerated

Alongside production, total realised investment capital continued to increase. Total investment realised in the province during the first nine months was estimated at $4.7 billion, up 14.3 per cent on-year.

Industrial production continues to be a key driver of economic growth in Hung Yen. Photo: Phuong Lien

Of this, investment by the state sector reached $1.3 billion, up 17.8 per cent; the non-state sector reached $2.76 billion, up around 17.9 per cent; and realised foreign direct investment (FDI) reached $632 million.

According to the Hung Yen Statistics Office, investment from state budget sources managed by the local authorities reached $1.18 billion in the first nine months, up 17.6 per cent on-year and equivalent to 54.03 per cent of the annual plan. Of this, provincial-level budget capital reached $855.2 million, up 50.3 per cent, while commune-level budget capital reached $327.1 million.

In September, Hung Yen continued to add resources to industrial and infrastructure development with the simultaneous groundbreaking of seven industrial park (IP), industrial cluster (IC) and transport projects.

The list included Lien Ha Thai IP (Green iP-3), Tho Hoang IP, IP No. 10, IP No. 15, Da Loc IC, Lac Dao IC, and the project to build frontage roads and overpasses along the route connecting cultural heritage, tourism and economic development areas along the Red River. The projects will add to the province’s industrial land supply and transport infrastructure, while strengthening connectivity between areas.

Local business community also continued to expand, with more newly established enterprises. From December 22, 2025 to September 21, 2026, the province recorded 4,030 newly registered enterprises, with total registered capital of $1.78 billion. In the manufacturing and processing sector alone, 785 new enterprises were established, with registered capital of $337.4 million.

At the September regular meeting on October 7, Chairman of Hung Yen People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen requested that all levels and sectors focus on implementing tasks for the fourth quarter, striving to achieve the highest possible level of the targets and tasks set for 2026.

The province will focus on maintaining production growth, resolving difficulties for businesses, accelerating public investment disbursement, land clearance, and the progress of key projects.

For projects where multiple tasks can be implemented simultaneously, agencies have been asked to organise parallel implementation in accordance with regulations and shorten processing times.

Hung Yen’s regional GDP growth target for 2026 has been set at 11.5 per cent or higher. With growth reaching 11.2 per cent after nine months, the key task for Q4 is to maintain production momentum, encourage investment, and complete the tasks set for full year.

Hung Yen expands space to attract a new wave of industrial investment Industrial production in Hung Yen rose 15.4 per cent in the first seven months of 2026, prompting the province to expand its industrial parks and clusters and develop new industrial space to meet growing demand.

Hung Yen accelerates infrastructure development Hung Yen is accelerating investment in transport and industry, completing key connectivity routes, expanding production resources, and strengthening new investment flows.

Molex opens its expanded manufacturing facility in Hung Yen Global electronics and connectivity solutions provider Molex has completed the initial building phase of its expanded manufacturing plant in Hung Yen, strengthening its high-tech manufacturing footprint in Vietnam as its second site in the country.

Foreign direct investment expands across Hung Yen industrial zones Manufacturing enterprises from Northeast Asia increased direct foreign investment into northern Vietnam's Hung Yen province to leverage regional industrial infrastructure developments.

Diware in crating & Portrait of Shakunona Parata

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

Jamila Nsouli | General Manager at Somerset Diamond Bay Garden Phnom Penh

In the role, Nsouli will lead the property's pre-opening programme and establish its operational and guest-experience priorities. The opening strategy will focus on practical, flexible accommodation for business travellers, leisure guests and families – creating a welcoming home away from home while connecting each stay with the character of Phnom Penh.

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

emart24 x Maryam DurianKimchi: Dua Dunia Satu Seoul

• K-Pizza Tteokbokki – A bold Korean-Italian fusion of chewy rice cakes, tangy pizza sauce, spicy gochujang, bulgogi chicken and melted mozzarella.
• K-Reamy Korean Udon – Chewy udon in a creamy gochujang sauce, loaded with kimchi, mozzarella and chicken strips, topped with an onsen egg.
• Strawberry Pop Yogurt Milk – A refreshing strawberry yogurt drink with bursting popping boba for a deliciously fun Hwachae-inspired treat.
• Mango Pop Yogurt Milk – A refreshing mango yogurt drink with bursting popping boba for a deliciously fun Hwachae-inspired treat.

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

IX Capital International Limited is an award-winning index and investment advisory company. The index business arm- IX Asia Indexes, providing real-time digital asset and innovative indexes, disseminated 24x7 globally and built on robust infrastructure. Since the launch of the first crypto benchmark index ("IXCI") launched in Hong Kong in December 2018, the ixCrypto index series expand into 29 indexes designed for exchange futures products, mark-to-market, and fund managers' portfolio construction purposes. To ensure the professionality and impartiality of the index methodologies and operations, IX Asia Indexes has established its index advisory committee with representation from different industries, including fund management, exchanges, brokerage, financial blockchain experts, crypto service providers, etc. The committee will meet quarterly a year to discuss matters relating to the IX Asia Indexes, including to review and to comment the data sources, methodologies, and operations of IX Asia Indexes, to provide guidance to the future development of new IX Asia Indexes and to handle other issues and decisions on an as-needed basis.

IX Asia Indexes was awarded the Fintech Award (wealth investment and management) 2019 and 2021 organised by ETNet. It as well won an award for Startup of the Year and Basic Technology (Big Data) from Hong Kong Fintech Impetus Awards 2022 by Metro Broadcast and KPMG. It also won Asia Pacific Enterprise Achievement Award 2024 by Echolade. IX Asia Indexes completed its IOSCO compliance statement and obtained ISO/IEC 27001:2022 UKAS certification.

Website: https://ix-index.com/
Advisory Committee: https://ix-index.com/committee.html

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

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

For more information, visit www.plasticityforum.com.

and https://www.oceanrecov.org/.

The event was supported by AWS Hong Kong as Event Partner and BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited as Strategic Partner, with Hong Kong Institute of Circular Economy and Cantabrigian Consulting Limited serving as Supporting Organisations.

The event featured a distinguished line-up of senior leaders and experts from the financial, technology, GreenTech, business and social impact sectors to exchange perspectives on the future of sustainable transformation., including:

• Ronald Young, Head of Sustainable Banking Development, Hong Kong Monetary Authority
• Dr. William Yu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, World Green Organisation
• Chris So, Managing Director, AWS Hong Kong
• Terry Yung, Chief Investment Officer, BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited
• Vivienne Chiu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer, BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited
• Eugene Li, Head of Outsourcing, GBA NATC Director, IBM
• Ronald Cheung, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Lifewood Data Technology Ltd.
• Annie Cheung, Executive Director and CEO, Peoplebank Hong Kong Limited
• Peter Wong, Deputy CEO, Dialogue-in-the-Dark HK Foundation
• Angus Chan, Senior Manager, GreenTech, Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
• Arthur Lam, Co-founder and CEO, Negawatt Utility Limited
• Terence Chow, Senior Generative AI Go-To-Market Specialist, AWS
• Eric Chau, Enterprise Partner Success Strategist, AWS

From Sustainable Finance to Climate and Technology Innovation

The forum explored how capital, technology, innovation and people can work together to accelerate the transition towards a more sustainable and resilient economy. Speakers shared practical experience and forward-looking perspectives across sustainable finance, GreenTech, artificial intelligence, ESG innovation, talent development, accessibility and social impact.

A keynote presentation by Mr. Ronald Young, Head of Sustainable Banking Development at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, highlighted key initiatives advancing sustainable finance in Hong Kong. Mr. Terry Yung, Chief Investment Officer of BOC Group Life Assurance Company Limited, shared an investment perspective on sustainable transformation, while Ms. Vivienne Chiu, Chief Brand and Communications Officer of BOC Life, highlighted the role of corporate engagement, strategic partnerships and innovation support in advancing ESG solutions and creating wider societal value.

The discussions reinforced Hong Kong's role in international finance, technology and innovation, highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration in turning ESG strategies into measurable business, climate and societal value.

AI as an Enabler of Sustainable Transformation

Artificial intelligence emerged as a key theme throughout the event, with speakers examining how AI and data technologies can support ESG decision-making, improve operational efficiency, strengthen climate and sustainability intelligence, and accelerate innovation across industries.

At the same time, discussions also highlighted the importance of responsible AI adoption, workforce reskilling, accessibility and social inclusion, ensuring that technological advancement creates broader opportunities for businesses and society.

Turning ESG Strategy into Real-World Impact

Speaking at the event, Dr. William Yu, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the World Green Organisation, highlighted that sustainable transformation requires the collective participation of finance, technology, business and society.

The future of ESG transformation will increasingly depend on how effectively organisations combine finance, technology, AI, human capability and cross-sector collaboration to create measurable business, climate and societal value.

WGO will continue to develop the ESG XCHANGE series as a platform to connect different sectors, promote practical partnerships and translate ESG strategies into business value, climate impact and societal value.

https://www.thewgo.org/

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

Rothman Consumer Reputation Index (CRI)

In the first survey, "Made in Germany" had the highest value in all ten countries, with the United States and France also scoring above 7. Since then, Japan has overtaken France and the United States, taking second place behind Germany in most of the countries in the region, and this year it became the most trusted country brand in Poland, as Polish consumers now rate it (7.5) above Germany (7.0), the first time an Asian country has topped a national ranking anywhere in the region.

Japan, however, is far from the biggest winner in terms of improvement. While Japan's average score has risen by 0.43 points since 2021, trust in China as a country of origin improved by 0.63 points, Singapore's score rose by 0.66 points, and South Korea's by 0.72 points over the past five years.

The survey also shows a more mixed picture since 2023 on the regional average, as South Korea and Singapore, the two biggest winners over the five years, and Japan made most of their advance by 2023 and have since consolidated well above their 2021 levels, while China is the only one that has continued to climb. China's rise mirrors the decline of the United States, which has lost exactly as much as its biggest global rival has gained – 0.63 points. As a result, the average consumer trust gap between China and the United States has narrowed from 2.0 points in 2021 to 0.74 in 2026.

In Austria, all four Asian economies now outscore the United States, and South Korea also edges ahead of the United States in Bulgaria and Slovenia. Singapore's strongest ground is Central Europe – Poland, Czechia, Slovakia and Slovenia, where Singaporean origin scores above 6 and ranks ahead of "Made in China".

The "Asian four" are the biggest gainers overall since 2021, increasing their average reputation score by 0.61 points, while Germany and France have remained stable, adding 0.13 and 0.16 points to their 2021 scores respectively.

The 2026 results confirm that a product's country of origin remains a stronger purchase driver in Central and Eastern Europe than the brand itself: 59% of consumers say where a product is made matters to their choice, against 55% for online reviews and 50% for the brand.

Price is still the dominant factor (86%), followed by recommendations from friends and family (64%).

As Zsofia Balatoni, Chief Strategy Officer at Rothman, highlights, "Three years ago our survey already showed that Asia had momentum in Central and Eastern Europe. The 2026 results show the trend has held. Japan now competes with Germany for first place in Poland, China has never been rated higher, and South Korea and Singapore have closed more than half of their gap with America since 2021. Consumers in Central and Eastern Europe buy the country before the brand, and Asia's country brands are increasingly valued."

https://rothmanglobal.com

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

Dr. Emir Hrnjić, Senior Lecturer in Finance, NUS Business School (fifth from left), at a media engagement with Indonesian media in Singapore.

Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is changing what it means to solve a case. Since January 2026, NUS Business School has been piloting an AI-enabled approach in which students are given an AI-simulated problem where they must determine what information they need, decide whom to ask, evaluate the answers they receive and make a recommendation under uncertainty.

The simulation is built on ScholAIstic, a generative AI platform developed by the NUS AI Centre for Educational Technologies (AICET) to support roleplaying and simulation-based learning.

Dr Emir Hrnjić, a Senior Lecturer in Finance at NUS Business School, has been working with AICET to adapt and refine these capabilities for management education, developing executive personas around the business case.

To date, the tool has now been used by close to 100 MBA and Executive MBA students across Singapore and Jakarta, many of whom are senior executives.

Sharpening the human instinct behind good decisions

In the pilot, students interview AI-simulated executives, including a Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Product and Technology Officer, each offering a different perspective to the same business situation. Students must navigate these perspectives, assess the information they gather and reach their own conclusions.

After each interview, students receive personalised feedback on on their questioning, allowing them to reflect and adapt their approach in subsequent interviews.

Dr Hrnjić said: "Students must decide what they need to know, ask the right questions, challenge what they hear and exercise judgement without having the complete picture. The aim is not to replace that human instinct with AI, but to sharpen in by helping students become more discerning about what to ask and trust. That is much closer to how leaders make decisions in the real world."

Early findings suggest that effective use of AI is not about asking more questions but about asking the right ones. Analysis of interview transcripts showed found that stronger interviews had more targeted questions, follow-ups and adaptation as new information emerged, rather than simply working through a prepared list.

The findings point to a broader role for generative AI in management education. Rather than using AI primarily to search for information or generate answers, the technology can recreate the real-world scenarios, sharpening executives' judgement to better navigate uncertainty and competing perspectives they face in real organisations.

NUS Business School sees potential for similar AI-simulated tools to be applied to other areas of business education where students need to question stakeholders, negotiate competing interests and make decisions under uncertainty. The ambition is to move beyond the largely static information environment of the traditional case towards a dynamic one where students actively acquire information, pursue emerging lines of inquiry, challenge assumptions and exercise judgement as the problem unfolds.

The simulation is one part of NUS Business School's broader approach to integrating AI into education. The school is exploring how AI can enhance, rather than replace, meaningful learning, thereby helping students develop the judgement, critical thinking and adaptability needed to navigate an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

This becomes increasingly important as AI takes on a greater role in business. Companies across Asia, including Indonesia, are rapidly adopting AI across their operations, making the ability to question and assess AI-generated information an increasingly important leadership skill. For Indonesia, the economic stakes are significant. A 2020 study by Kearney and EDBI projected that AI could contribute US$366 billion to the country's GDP by 2030, equivalent to 12 per cent of projected GDP.

https://bschool.nus.edu.sg/

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

As Japan's education system prepares for wider adoption of digital learning materials by 2030, school networks will need to support more connected classrooms, higher device density and more flexible teaching models. For the Okinawa City Board of Education, this meant building a resilient and scalable connectivity foundation while simplifying network operations across multiple school sites.

The Okinawa City Board of Education required a high-performance wired and wireless network capable of supporting growing digital learning demands across 24 schools. It also needed centralized visibility and management across both wired and wireless infrastructures, compatibility with existing classroom tools, and reliable wireless performance in environments affected by radio frequency interference from nearby facilities.

Working with Rikei and Prostaff, Alcatel-Lucent designed and implemented a network architecture combining next-generation Wi-Fi 7 access points, high-performance switching and centralized management through OmniVista Network Management Platform. A Proof of Concept was conducted to validate wireless performance, compatibility with existing systems and the ability to operate effectively in complex radio frequency environments.

The deployment provides Okinawa City's schools with a reliable, high-speed network foundation to support digital learning at scale. The new infrastructure delivers Wi-Fi 7 connectivity across the 6GHz and 5GHz bands, improves responsiveness for digital learning applications and enables more consistent classroom connectivity across all schools. The transition from the previous infrastructure was completed smoothly while maintaining support for existing classroom technologies.

The new network also provides a centralized and scalable operational foundation across all 24 schools. By consolidating visibility and management of the wired and wireless infrastructure, the Okinawa City Board of Education can simplify day-to-day network operations and more efficiently manage the growing number of connected devices and digital learning applications.

"Digital learning only works when the network behind it is reliable," said Ms. Yuko Shima, Deputy Chief Administrator, Educational Support Center, Instructional Department. "We needed infrastructure that could support today's classrooms while giving our schools the flexibility to evolve as education becomes more digital. Alcatel-Lucent and its partners understood this requirement and delivered a network foundation that supports both our immediate needs and our long-term goals."

"Our objective was to help Okinawa City build a high-performance and reliable digital learning environment across all schools," said Tee Jyh Chong, Senior Vice President Sales & Services, Asia Pacific. "By combining Wi-Fi 7, high-performance switching and centralized management, we are helping the Okinawa City Board of Education simplify operations, strengthen connectivity and prepare for the next phase of digital education."

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

One of the key proposals is to introduce a mechanism for developing affordable commercial housing for middle- and low-income earners in urban areas – a group that does not qualify for social housing but cannot afford higher-priced homes.

Prices for this segment could range from VND25-30 million ($960-1,150) per square metre in provinces to around VND60-70 million ($2,300-2,690) per sq.m in major cities.

These projects would be eligible for incentives in planning, investment procedures, technical infrastructure support, and preferential credit policies for both developers and homebuyers.

For rental housing, HoREA proposed removing the stringent requirement that applicants must be “facing housing difficulties” and instead requiring only that they “have a need to rent.”

The association also called for provincial-level authorities to establish maximum rental price frameworks to ensure the policy is practical and implementable.

in early September, HoREA also proposed the development of a “reasonably priced commercial housing” segment, under which developers would be free to determine selling prices and profit margins, provided they do not exceed price ceilings set by local authorities.

A notable aspect of the proposal is its approach to price determination. HoREA chairman Le Hoang Chau argued that the state should not impose a maximum profit margin on businesses. Instead, developers should be allowed to calculate their costs and profits and determine selling prices, provided these do not exceed the maximum prices for outright sales, instalment sales and rentals set by local authorities.

According to Chau, reasonably priced commercial housing is, by nature, still commercial housing and therefore should not be subject to a maximum profit margin in the same way as social housing.

“We propose that the Housing Law should only establish the principle of a price ceiling, while provincial-level people's committees would set the maximum prices for outright sales, instalment sales and rentals. They could even set different price ceilings for different areas to reflect local housing price levels,” Chau said.

Chau said businesses have different management capabilities, sources of capital and input costs.

“Some companies may use less financial leverage or have access to more favourable material supplies, allowing them to lower costs while still maintaining profits, while others may need to generate cash flow quickly and accept lower profit margins. Therefore, the state should regulate the final selling price rather than capping profit margins,” he added.

The proposal comes amid a prolonged imbalance in Ho Chi Minh City’s housing supply, which has been heavily skewed towards the high-end segment.

According to data compiled by HoREA, in 2021-2024, the city's market recorded no reasonably priced commercial housing units being launched. Since then, high-end housing accounted for all of the commercial housing supply eligible for capital mobilisation in the area.

A report released in late August by One Mount Group, a real estate brokerage company, highlights the widening gap between housing prices and buyers’ affordability.

Projects priced at $2,300-4,600 per sq.m accounted for more than half of total transactions, with an absorption rate of around 59 per cent. Meanwhile, the ultra-luxury segment, with prices exceeding $4,600 per sq.m, has seen subdued market activity, with a sluggish absorption rate of only around 20 per cent.

Real estate developers are beginning to turn their investments into affordable housing offerings. Dong Nai Waterfront City, the developer of social housing apartments within the Dong Nai Waterfront development, said it will begin accepting applications to purchase nearly 420 social housing apartments in the fourth quarter.

The apartments are located in the township in Long Hung Ward of Dong Nai City. The venture comprises two 10-storey apartment blocks and expected to be completed by the end of October 2027, with units ranging from approximately 40-80 sq.m in floor area. The indicative selling price is $885-960 per sq.m, inclusive of VAT but excluding maintenance fees.

If implemented on schedule, the project will add to the supply of housing for low-income earners, contributing to Dong Nai's target of developing 65,000 social housing units in the city by 2030.

In Di An, now part of greater Ho Chi Minh City, Bcons Group continues to target young families and first-time homebuyers with Bcons Centre City, a 3-hectare development planned around an affordable housing concept.

With the mock-up apartment opening last week, the venture, comprising 2,820 apartments and targeting genuine housing demand among urban residents, is expected to be priced at around $96,000 per two-bedroom unit. The first residents are expected to receive their homes in 2028.

Nguyen Quoc Hiep, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors, said businesses fully recognise the significant potential of the affordable housing segment. However, the development of reasonably priced commercial housing is currently facing considerable barriers as input costs have risen sharply.

According to Hiep, land prices, land use fees, construction materials, labour costs, and financing pressures have all increased significantly in recent years. Meanwhile, to keep products within the reach of homebuyers, developers have to maintain reasonable selling prices, leaving increasingly limited room for profit.

“Businesses want to develop reasonably priced housing, but with the current cost base, it is very difficult to ensure investment efficiency. If selling prices are set too low, profitability cannot be secured, while raising prices would make the products unaffordable for the target customer group,” Hiep said at the Vietnam Real Estate Forum in June in Hanoi. "Notably, the segment with the strongest demand in the market is not necessarily the one offering the most attractive investment returns. While high-end projects can generate wider profit margins, affordable housing requires developers to keep costs under tight control while still ensuring quality, infrastructure and amenities."

Affordability and sustainability to define new real estate cycle In the new real estate cycle, success will favour developers who prioritise genuine affordability and sustainable financial structures over short-term sales tactics, according to Jerry Nguyen, deputy general director of Investment and International Market Development at Hoa Binh Construction Group.

Tighter bank financing to drive divergence in housing supply mix Stricter bank lending conditions in 2026 are expected to widen disparities in housing supply mix, financing structures, and credit profile of developers.

Ministry of Construction proposes $400 million for social housing development The Ministry of Construction is working alongside the Ministry of Finance to propose a capital injection of $400 million for the Central Housing Fund as part of the medium-term social housing development plan for 2026-2030.