The investment is part of a total of approximately $5.05 billion at its Sejong business site and Vietnam subsidiary, according to a press release published on September 29. By site, $3.18 billion will be invested to expand flip-chip ball grid array (FCBGA) production capacity at the Sejong site, while approximately $1.85 billion will go towards expanding the FCBGA plant at the Vietnam subsidiary.

The Vietnam subsidiary aims to complete construction and begin operations by June 2030. Through this investment, Samsung Electro-Mechanics will significantly expand its FCBGA production capacity both in South Korea and overseas.

FCBGA is a highly integrated semiconductor substrate that connects high-performance chips such as AI accelerators, GPUs, and CPUs to the mainboard, supplying electrical signals and power. It is a key component determining the performance and stability of AI semiconductors.

As the AI server and high-performance computing markets have grown rapidly, demand for FCBGA has surged. AI semiconductors are evolving to integrate high-performance chips for high-speed computation and large-scale data processing, and as a result, FCBGA is advancing towards large-area, high-layer-count, and highly integrated structures.

With this investment, Samsung Electro-Mechanics aims to respond to growing demand for high-value-added semiconductor substrates in high-growth markets such as AI servers, high-performance chips, and automotive electronics. The investment is being pursued based on mid- to long-term cooperation with global big tech and semiconductor customers, including customer funding support and volume guarantees. This is expected to strengthen the competitiveness of the company's FCBGA business on a stable demand foundation.

The roles of the two sites are also clear. The Sejong business site, South Korea's production base for semiconductor substrates, will serve as a key hub for mass production of high-value-added products, responding to increasing demand for AI server substrates.

The Vietnam subsidiary, a major overseas production base with accumulated global manufacturing competitiveness, will operate as a strategic hub to meet global volume demand and enhance production efficiency through a stable supply system. With this FCBGA expansion, Samsung Electro-Mechanics will respond to global customers' mid- to long-term volume expansion needs while further improving production efficiency and supply stability.

President Chang Duckhyun said, "As the AI and high-performance computing markets grow rapidly, high-value-added semiconductor substrates are becoming increasingly important as key components that determine semiconductor performance and supply chain stability."

"Based on differentiated substrate technology and stable supply capabilities, Samsung Electro-Mechanics will be able to strengthen the competitiveness of its FCBGA business in high-growth markets such as AI servers and automotive electronics," he added.

Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam operates a plant in Yen Binh Industrial Park, the northern province of Thai Nguyen. The project received its initial investment certificate in 2013, with registered capital of $1.2 billion, and began operations in February 2015. After several adjustments, the project’s registered capital rose to nearly $1.35 billion in May 2020.

When operations began, the plant mainly manufactured and assembled high-density interconnection boards and a number of electronic components and parts, including camera modules, power converters, touch modules and linear motors.

The company announced plans to invest $850 million to build FCBGA semiconductor packaging substrate production lines and infrastructure at its Vietnam plant in late 2021. The investment was expected to be carried out in phases through 2023.

According to Samsung Electro-Mechanics’s audited 2025 financial statements, its subsidiary in Vietnam acquired revenue of $2.19 billion and profit of $35.1 million during the year.

As of the end of 2025, Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam had total assets of $1.95 billion and total liabilities of $1.25 billion. Samsung Electro-Mechanics owns 100 per cent of the subsidiary.

Samsung introduces 2026 AI television lineup The Korean electronics manufacturer launched its annual range featuring enhanced artificial intelligence processing and personalization capabilities.

Minister of Finance meets Samsung delegation to discuss economic role Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan has received a delegation from Samsung Group to discuss the company's contributions to Vietnam's economy.

Samsung Vietnam takes 28MWp rooftop solar system into operation Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex (SEHC), an electronics manufacturer based in Ho Chi Minh City, has brought a 28MWp rooftop solar power system into operation, marking a milestone in its sustainability strategy.

Samsung Biologics launches all-cash bid for PolyPeptide Samsung Biologics launched an all-cash public tender offer to acquire 100 per cent of PolyPeptide Group, accelerating its multi-modality strategy and expanding its global manufacturing network across the US, Europe and India.

Samsung’s newest foldable smartphones hit Vietnam SamCenter Z-Day, marking the handover and sales launch of Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold8, Z Fold8 Ultra and Z Flip8 series, took place at the AEON Mall Long Bien in Hanoi on August 8.

At the ceremony, Stavian IP was also granted the award 'For Distinguished Contributions to Vietnam's Industrial Property Sector.'

This recognition is a testament to Stavian IP’s commitment to developing green industrial parks, advancing eco-industrial park (eco-IP) standards, and driving the sustainable growth of Vietnam's industrial real estate.

Nguyen Tuan Anh, general director of Stavian Industrial Park JSC, said, "The growing foreign capital flows are creating additional demand for industrial real estate. Vietnam boasts a strategic position to create supply chain advantages for investors. Today, investors are shifting towards labour quality rather than low-cost labour to ensure long-term development in Vietnam."

"To develop eco-IPs, we must start from the reality of each industrial park to formulate a step-by-step roadmap. First, we should achieve green industrial park standards related to infrastructure, greenery, and waste treatment. Next, we move towards eco-IP standards, which involve strict requirements regarding industrial symbiosis and recycling cycles," he said.

The eco-IP model is relatively new in Vietnam. It requires the efforts of developers to achieve eco-IP criteria, but also manufacturers to perform green and sustainable operations within the park. Manufacturers must collaborate closely with the IP developer to meet those eco-friendly criteria and form a complete chain.

Stavian IP is gradually building green industrial parks following an eco-industrial park roadmap to reach net-zero standards in the long term. To achieve eco-IP status, it must first meet foundational green industrial park criteria. To operate as an eco-industrial park in the future, the company is making efforts to establish comprehensive sets of criteria and standards. Stavian IP has also engaged consulting firms to build these framework criteria so that every metric is measurable.

"We build a complete service ecosystem for our IPs. We do not just sell industrial infrastructure; we provide a full suite of integrated services," said the general director of Stavian IP.

Stavian IP was granted the award 'For Distinguished Contributions to Vietnam's Industrial Property Sector'. Photo: Le Toan

Stavian IP is building a self-supplied power grid system to distribute electricity directly to investors through its 110kV substation. This initiative aims to guarantee a stable power supply for manufacturers.

At the same time, the company is procuring renewable energy alongside traditional power sources to supply clean energy to investors who require green certificates to export goods to demanding international markets.

Regarding water supply, the company is constructing water treatment facilities, sourcing raw water at the origin and treating it to ensure high-quality standards.

Energy efficiency is also vital to reducing tenant production costs. Stavian IP is building rooftop solar systems and battery energy storage systems (BESS) at its parks. Thus, tenants can leverage renewable energy, rooftop solar power, and BESS to lower operational costs.

According to its calculation, electricity expenses are projected to decrease by at least 30 per cent with these solutions. In addition, all street lighting and traffic signals across Stavian IP's IPs are powered by solar energy.

"All of our industrial parks are developed towards becoming green and eco-friendly IPs in the future. Therefore, the company is implementing a wide range of green initiatives step-by-step to achieve its sustainability goals," said Tuan Anh.

Industrial parks need comprehensive ecosystems to retain investors Industrial parks should develop a comprehensive manufacturing environment for investors to make investments and expand production, according to Nguyen Tuan Anh, general director of Stavian Industrial Park JSC.

Stavian IP accelerates its modern expansion Stavian Industrial Park is speeding up the expansion of a network of modern and integrated industrial parks across Vietnam, targeting a land bank of around 5,000 hectares before 2030. Nguyen Tuan Anh, CEO of Stavian Industrial Park, spoke with VIR’s Thanh Van about the company’s development orientation.

Vietnam emerging as an industrial location of choice The sixth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum (VIPF) was held in Ho Chi Minh City last week, jointly organised by Vietnam Investment Review and the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association.

In Danang, policy credit is being used by many women to start or expand their production and business activities. Doan Ngoc Chung, director of the Danang Branch of the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP), said that in 2025, the Danang Branch of VBSP disbursed loans through the Vietnam Women’s Union to 26,774 customers, with total disbursements of $78.72 million. In the first eight months, the corresponding figures were 16,369 customers and $56.52 million.

Danang is one example of a broader flow of policy credit being deployed nationwide. According to VBSP data, as of June 30, outstanding policy credit managed in coordination with socio-political organisations reached $17.88 billion, accounting for 98.39 per cent of the bank’s total outstanding loans.

Outstanding loans managed through the Vietnam Women’s Union alone reached $6.69 billion, an increase of $552.04 million from the end of 2025 and accounting for 37.40 per cent of total entrusted outstanding loans. The union manages 59,770 Savings and Credit Groups, serving nearly 2.5 million customers.

This scale shows that women are among the major beneficiaries of policy credit, with demand for financing coming not only from those who already operate production or business establishments, but also from those seeking to establish new livelihoods.

Depending on the specific programme and eligibility requirements, women can access financing for poor households, near-poor households, households that have recently escaped poverty, as well as programmes supporting job creation, job retention and expansion, alongside various other policy credit programmes.

For a woman starting a business, a loan may be used to purchase breeding stock, invest in livestock facilities, purchase inventory, or supplement working capital. For those who already have an established business model, financing can help expand its scale and generate additional income.

“The effectiveness of the capital must first stem from the borrower’s own capacity and the actual conditions of the family. A good business plan does not necessarily have to involve a large-scale model,” Chung said. “For many households, a small production facility, a small shop, a herd of livestock, a suitable production model, or a service business with stable demand can all generate significant income. What matters is that the loan is used for its intended purpose, in line with the planned business model, and has the capacity to generate income for debt repayment.”

Policy credit is expanding women’s access to finance. Photo: VBSP

More than just a loan

For a production or business model to operate effectively, borrowers need to understand how they will use the funds, who will buy their products, and how cash flow will be generated and recycled. This is why policy credit is organised in close coordination with local authorities and entrusted socio-political organisations.

At the grassroots level, these organisations work together to communicate policy information, provide guidance, assess loan applications, conduct monitoring and accompany borrowers throughout the lending process.

The Vietnam Women’s Union plays an important role in bringing financing closer to its members. The network of Savings and Credit Groups provides an additional community-level channel through which borrowers can exchange experience, maintain savings and jointly monitor the use of funds. As of June 30, the four entrusted socio-political organisations were managing 165,185 Savings and Credit Groups, of which 87.72 per cent were rated Good.

For women, this support is particularly meaningful because many loans are directly linked to household economic activities. A small shop, livestock model, production facility or service business can be established with a relatively modest amount of capital. Once a stable income is generated, women gain greater financial resources and a stronger degree of economic independence within their households.

However, for these efforts to go further, capital needs to be embedded within a broader support ecosystem.

“Alongside access to capital, borrowers also need support in production knowledge, management, sales skills, technology adoption and market linkages. This is also an area where the Vietnam Women’s Union and other socio-political organisations can play a very effective role,” Chung said.

From a nationwide perspective, the nearly $6.7 in outstanding loans managed through the Vietnam Women’s Union, serving nearly 2.5 million customers through 59,770 Savings and Credit Groups, demonstrates how policy credit is becoming increasingly closely connected with women’s economic activities and livelihoods.

The value of this capital therefore lies not only in the amount of money reaching borrowers, but also in its ability to support sustainable economic activities, turning a small-scale model into a stable source of income, and enabling women who contribute to their household economies to become creators of additional employment for others.

The ‘infrastructure’ connecting VBSP with borrowers Vietnam’s policy credit system relies on a grassroots network that connects VBSP with borrowers, channels capital to communities, monitors its use and strengthens financial discipline.

How policy loans help STEM students build their future For many families, policy loans do more than ease the cost of university education – they give young people the time and opportunity to build skills, earn income, and gradually become financially independent.

Policy credit builds sustainable livelihoods from the grassroots Policy credit is reaching deeper into local communities, turning modest loans into productive livelihoods, jobs and income while creating a grassroots mechanism for sustainable economic development.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) announced the figures on October 6, showing that international arrivals reached 1.77 million in September alone, up 16.1 per cent on-year.

The nine-month result means Vietnam has achieved nearly 71 per cent of its target of welcoming 25 million international visitors in 2026.

The strong growth came as global international tourism showed signs of slowing. According to United Nations Tourism, international tourist arrivals worldwide rose by only 0.4 per cent in the first half of 2026. The organisation also lowered its forecast for full-year international tourism growth to 1-2 per cent, from the 3-4 per cent forecast issued in January.

"Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s double-digit growth in international arrivals reflects the destination’s appeal and stability, as well as efforts to diversify source markets, expand tourism products, improve air connectivity and strengthen service capacity, " said Nguyen Trung Khanh, director general of VNAT said.

Europe recorded the strongest growth among major source regions, with arrivals rising 55 per cent. Arrivals from Oceania increased 21 per cent, the Americas 20 per cent and Africa 29.4 per cent, while arrivals from Asia rose 7.6 per cent.

Among European markets, Russia remained the largest, with more than one million visitors, representing a sharp 160.6 per cent increase. Demand for beach holidays, longer stays and winter escapes, together with improved air connectivity, supported the growth.

Other European markets also recorded significant increases, including Poland at 49 per cent, the Czech Republic at 26.6 per cent, Switzerland at 25.7 per cent, Sweden at 23.6 per cent and Belgium at 19.5 per cent. Arrivals from Germany increased 16.1 per cent, France 13.6 per cent and the UK 9.7 per cent.

The VNAT said the continued strong performance of European markets since the beginning of 2026 was a positive sign for Vietnam’s efforts to attract higher-value visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more, with growing demand for cultural and heritage tourism, nature, cuisine, resorts and immersive experiences.

Asia, meanwhile, remains Vietnam’s largest source region, accounting for 74.5 per cent of total international arrivals despite growth of only 7.6 per cent. The overall pace was weighed down by several major Northeast Asian markets, with arrivals from China increasing just 1.5 per cent, while South Korea declined 5.5 per cent and Taiwan (China) rose 4.1 per cent.

China and South Korea remained Vietnam’s two largest source markets, together accounting for nearly 40 per cent of total international arrivals.

China ranked first with 3.9 million visitors, accounting for 22.4 per cent of the total, followed by South Korea with 3 million visitors, or 17.3 per cent.

The VNAT said the two markets benefit from large populations, geographical proximity, strong air connectivity and diverse travel demand, providing a substantial visitor base for beach holidays, resorts, urban tourism, shopping, cuisine and entertainment.

According to the World Economic Forum, Vietnam’s Travel and Tourism Development Index score reached 4.15 in 2026, up 6.3 per cent from 2024. The country climbed seven places to 52nd globally, recording the second-highest growth in the index worldwide.

Vietnam welcomes over 12 million international visitors in seven months

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International arrivals to Vietnam hit record high in October

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Vietnam welcomes over 2.2 million international visitors in February

Vietnam welcomes 12.2 million international visitors in H1

Binu Jacob, CEO of Nestlé Vietnam. Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Jacob used a single coffee bean to illustrate a broader economic question: how can Vietnam move from growth driven by volume to growth driven by value, while making that growth more sustainable?

The answer, he argued, lies in upgrading every link in the value chain. “Every big ambition must start small. So let me start with something very, very small. And that’s a coffee bean,” Jacob said, drawing a parallel between the journey of a coffee bean and Vietnam’s efforts to build a stronger and more resilient competitive advantage.

Vietnam has come a long way in coffee production. The country is now the world’s leading Robusta producer and the second-largest coffee exporter, while its coffee productivity per hectare is around three times the global average, according to Jacob.

The industry is also moving further into processing. According to the International Coffee Organization’s August 2026 coffee market report, Vietnam overtook Brazil that month to become the world’s largest exporter of soluble coffee.

Yet most of Vietnam’s coffee export value still comes from green coffee beans. This means the next stage of development will depend less on expanding production and more on increasing the value captured domestically.

“There is no more land left in Vietnam for agriculture. And there’s very, very little water. And the climate is proving to be more and more difficult year-on-year,” Jacob said. “So the answer is certainly not to produce more. The answer is, how do we keep more of that value here in Vietnam?”

Sustainability begins with the farmer

For Jacob, the starting point of that transformation is the farmer. Nestlé Vietnam has worked with coffee-growing communities in the Central Highlands for more than a decade through its NESCAFÉ Plan, focusing on practices designed to improve productivity while protecting the long-term health of farms.

Under the programme, Nestlé says it has worked directly with more than 23,000 farmer households and indirectly reached more than 200,000 farmers through training. More than 100 million high-yielding, disease-resistant coffee plantlets have been distributed to farmers at subsidised rates.

The programme has also promoted regenerative agricultural practices, including water-saving irrigation, the use of organic and microbial fertilisers, and digital farming tools. According to Nestlé, these efforts have contributed to the replanting of more than 100,000 hectares of ageing coffee plantations, while farms participating in its programmes have reduced irrigation water use by 40-60 per cent and the use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides by around 20 per cent.

For farmers, Jacob said, sustainability is ultimately an economic issue rather than simply an environmental commitment. “For them, sustainability is not a commitment, it’s not a target, it’s not a report that they make at the end of the year. For them, sustainability boils down to: is my soil healthy enough?” he said.

A healthy soil supports stronger coffee trees, better water retention, and continued production through dry seasons, while helping preserve agricultural potential for future generations.

Jacob also urged a shift in how farmers are viewed in the wider value chain. “Many of us, when we think of farmers, we think of them as beneficiaries. But I’d like to offer a different perspective: think of the farmer as an entrepreneur, or more precisely, as an agripreneur,” he said.

The farmer, he noted, carries both climate and market risks, while also acting as the coffee value chain’s first quality controller. Quality that is lost at farm level cannot simply be restored through processing later.

Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Adding value beyond the farm

The next stage is to transform more of the coffee inside Vietnam. Nestlé operates a major coffee manufacturing facility in Dong Nai city, which Jacob described as the company’s largest and most diverse coffee factory globally. The facility combines quality control, roasting, extraction, formulation, food safety, automation, packaging, and other technologies to produce coffee products for both domestic and international markets.

This processing can significantly increase the value of Vietnamese coffee. Jacob illustrated the potential by comparing the value of green coffee with increasingly processed products. At current market prices, a kilogramme of green coffee can be more than double in value after roasting, approach three times the value when converted into soluble coffee, and reach around four times the original value when packaged and branded.

The precise economics vary by product and market, but the broader message is clear: processing, branding, technology, and market access can allow Vietnam to capture substantially more value from the same agricultural output.

This also creates opportunities beyond large manufacturers. “Whether it’s the packaging, or whether it’s logistics, or whether it is leveraging technical engineering companies to come and set up the factory, there is opportunity for local Vietnamese companies to be part of this value chain and benefit,” he said.

He cited the example of a Hanoi-based logistics supplier that began working with Nestlé around 12 years ago with four trucks and the company as its sole customer. Through the transfer of international practices in areas such as safety, quality, hygiene, and palletisation, the supplier has since expanded to serve five multinational companies and now operates more than 50 trucks.

For Jacob, this illustrates how foreign investment can contribute to domestic capability beyond capital. “From Resolution 10, the expectation from the government is not this any more . The question is not how much capital are you bringing to the country. The question, and rightly so, is how much value are you bringing to the country? How much value are you keeping in the country?” he said.

This approach places supplier development at the heart of the next phase of foreign investment, allowing Vietnamese companies to acquire capabilities that can subsequently be applied across a broader customer base and international markets.

Photo: Nestlé Vietnam

Turning global standards into competitive advantage

The final link in the chain is market access. As international markets impose increasingly stringent requirements on sustainability, traceability, and environmental performance, Vietnamese coffee producers will need reliable data and systems to demonstrate where and how their coffee is produced.

The European Union Deforestation Regulation, for example, will require coffee entering the EU market to meet deforestation-free and traceability requirements from the end of 2026.

Jacob said such requirements should not be viewed solely as technical barriers. “If you’re unprepared, this is a huge threat. But if you’re ready, it’s a competitive advantage,” he said.

Digital records of farms and production areas can provide the traceability needed to meet international requirements while becoming an asset that helps Vietnamese coffee gain access to higher-value markets.

This is where sustainability, technology, and competitiveness increasingly converge. “For the value addition to stay here in Vietnam, we need the government, companies like us, the farmers, and the small- and medium-sized enterprises to work together, because every link in that value chain is a critical part of the value addition,” Jacob said.

Nestlé’s experience in Vietnam reflects this longer-term approach. After more than three decades in the country, the company has invested close to $1 billion in Vietnam, with around $500 million invested over the past five years, according to Jacob.

The company’s coffee-related activities, however, point to a broader ambition: linking sustainable agricultural production with domestic manufacturing, supplier development, technology transfer, and access to global markets.

“Growth and sustainability” therefore need not be competing objectives, Jacob argued. They can reinforce each other when improvements in environmental performance also improve productivity, resilience, quality, and market access. “Sustainable farming is not a cost. It’s improvement in productivity, it’s investment for the future of the farm,” he said.

Ultimately, Vietnam’s natural advantages in coffee: its climate, soil, and agricultural expertise, provide only the starting point. Building skills, developing suppliers, adopting technology, and creating trusted systems for traceability can turn those natural advantages into capabilities that are harder for competitors to replicate.

“Nature gives, nature can take away,” Jacob said. “What’s more important and was more difficult to create is created advantage. That created advantage, will depend on the ability of farmers, businesses, domestic suppliers, foreign investors, and policymakers to build the value chain together. “When the value chain moves up, Vietnam moves forward”

Jacqui Smith - the Right Honourable Baroness Smith of Malvern, Minister for Skills at the UK Department for Education

Long before I joined the Department for Education, I was a secondary school economics and business teacher in Redditch and Worcester. One lesson that has stayed with me throughout my career: a country’s true economic engine is built not only in its businesses, but in its classrooms, workshops and training centres.

Education is one of the UK’s most important national assets and exports. It leads to stronger trade, greater investment and long-term economic growth for both countries involved.

In the UK, we are placing greater emphasis on high-quality technical and vocational education alongside traditional academic routes. As technological change reshapes economies and transforms the world of work, the importance of equipping young people with the skills they need to succeed is recognised by both our countries.

It is one of the driving forces behind my visit to Vietnam, the first by any Minister from the UK Department for Education.

Vietnam is pursuing an ambitious programme of economic and educational reform, focused on developing the skilled workforce needed to support its next phase of growth. From artificial intelligence and digital technology to advanced manufacturing, green industries and professional services, many of the sectors driving Vietnam’s future prosperity are the same sectors where the UK has world-leading expertise.

That creates a significant opportunity for us to work together.

Education is already one of the UK’s most valuable exports. Through universities, technical training, professional qualifications, English language teaching and education technology, the UK helps equip people around the world with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. In return, international education supports jobs, investment and growth across every part of the United Kingdom.

Vietnam is one of only five priority countries in the UK’s International Education Strategy, reflecting the importance we place on this partnership. There is already a strong foundation to build on. The UK is Vietnam’s largest international education and training partner, with more than 70 UK transnational education programmes delivered in-country, alongside long-standing partnerships in schools, vocational education, English language teaching and professional qualifications.

During my visit, I will speak at the International Education Conference and Exhibition, hosted by the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training. The conference brings together educators, institutions, businesses and policymakers from around the world to explore how innovation and international cooperation can help prepare learners for the opportunities of the future.

I will also meet senior Vietnamese ministers, including the Minister of Education and Training, and the Deputy Prime Minister, to deepen cooperation on education, skills and workforce development. A key milestone will be signing a renewed UK-Vietnam Memorandum of Understanding on education and training, providing a framework for stronger collaboration in the years ahead.

Alongside Professor Sir Steve Smith, the UK’s International Education Champion, I will lead a delegation of more than 20 UK education and technology organisations showcasing the breadth of British expertise. Together, we will explore opportunities to expand partnerships in higher education, technical training, professional qualifications and English language learning.

This is particularly important as both our countries place increasing emphasis on high-quality skills training. Whether it is developing expertise in AI, supporting the green transition, strengthening advanced engineering capability or improving English language proficiency, cooperation between the UK and Vietnam can help create opportunities for learners, employers and communities in both countries.

We are already seeing what this partnership can achieve through initiatives such as the British Council’s Skills for Employability Programme, British University Vietnam and the many Vietnamese students and professionals who have benefited from Chevening Scholarships and UK qualifications. These programmes do more than develop skills. They build lasting relationships, deepen mutual understanding and create connections that endure for decades.

The UK and Vietnam share a belief that education is one of the most powerful investments any nation can make. By working together to equip young people with the skills they need to succeed, we can support economic growth, drive innovation and create greater prosperity for both our countries. I am confident this visit will help take that partnership to the next level.

Organised by Vinexad National Trade Fair & Advertising JSC and Yorkers Trade & Marketing Service Co., Ltd., the Vietnam International Textile and Garment Industry Exhibition (VTG 2026) will be held alongside the Vietnam International Footwear Machinery and Material Industry Exhibition, the 24^th Vietnam International Textile and Apparel Accessories Exhibition, and the Vietnam International Dyeing and Chemical Industry Exhibition.

Covering the production chain from textiles and dyeing to garment and footwear manufacturing, the four-show lineup will feature automated machinery, functional fabrics, eco-friendly chemicals, innovative accessories, digital solutions, and more, presented by exhibitors from Bangladesh, Bulgaria, China, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Photo: VTG 2025

According to Vietnam’s National Statistics Office, the country’s garments and textiles exports reached $26.9 billion in the first eight months of 2026, up 1.6 per cent on-year. As the market continues to grow, manufacturers are seeking to strengthen competitiveness and meet rising demands for quality, speed, and flexibility, making investment in automated, efficient, high-precision machinery increasingly important.

Among the exhibitors presenting garments and textiles equipment and machinery at VTG 2026, Roshow, CBL, and Embprin will showcase advanced computerised embroidery machines, while Brother, Pegasus, Kansai, Hashima, and Juita will introduce high-performance sewing machinery designed for a wide range of fabrics. Epson, Sansin, DTF, Infinite Creation, THN Vietnam, and Golden Light will also present digital textile printing equipment for diverse production applications.

Meanwhile, green transition and product differentiation are playing a greater role in Vietnam's shift towards higher-value-added manufacturing, with functional and natural-fibre fabrics attracting growing interest. Jay Jay, Regen-Tech, Reo Eco, and Tungtex will showcase innovative and traceable fabric solutions at the exhibition.

Photo: VTG 2025

Beyond machinery and fabrics, VTG 2026 will cover solutions across other key stages of textile production. Perka will present advanced testing equipment, Huntsman will introduce chemicals for efficient dyeing and consistent production, and Van Nang Banok will showcase textile accessories for garment tagging and identification. This range gives buyers access to machinery, fabrics, chemicals, testing systems, and production support within the same sourcing visit.

Vietnam’s footwear industry reached a new milestone in the first half of 2026, overtaking China as the largest supplier to the US market for the first time. Export revenue totalled $11.95 billion during the six months, edging up 0.5 per cent on-year. This stronger market position is placing greater emphasis on production capacity, process control, and manufacturing technology.

The Vietnam International Footwear Machinery and Material Industry Exhibition will cover equipment for each stage of footwear production, from material preparation and shaping to bonding and final inspection. Taiwei Machinery, Guangsu, Jingneng, and Nippy Kikai specialise in splitting and skiving machinery; Chuanli, Tengyulong, Sincere, and Fulide focus on shaping, roughing, and bonding equipment; and Erlangshen and Tianhong provide inspection solutions for quality control.

As Vietnam solidifies its position as a global footwear powerhouse, these advanced manufacturing solutions will be instrumental in helping producers sustain their competitive edge and meet stringent international standards.

More than an exhibition, VTG 2026 will team up with top industry associations – including the Vietnam Waste Recycling Association (VWRA), the Association of Garment-Textile-Embroidery-Knitting in Ho Chi Minh City (AGTEK), the Shoe and Leather Association of Ho Chi Minh City (SLA), and the Vietnam Cotton and Spinning Association (VCOSA) to host a powerful three-day seminar series.

Photo: VTG 2025

These sessions will share practical, must-know strategies to help garment, textile, and footwear manufacturers build a smarter, greener, and world-class supply chain.

As global markets shift faster than ever, staying competitive requires bold action, smart innovation, and strong partnerships. VTG 2026 provides a platform for industry professionals to connect with key players, discover innovative solutions, and gain insights needed to future-proof their businesses.

For this year's event, VTG receives backing from co-organisers the Guangdong Sewing Equipment Chamber of Commerce, the Guangdong Shoe-Making Machinery Association, and Paper Communication Exhibition Services, with further support from key local associations including VCOSA, AGTEK, the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Industry, VWRA, and SLA.

The future of manufacturing is opening its doors soon. From game-changing innovations to powerful industry networks, everything needed to scale a business is waiting at VTG 2026.

For more information, please visit: https://vtg.chanchao.com.tw/en

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VTGexpo

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Textile-garment thrives with technology As workforce grows scarce and production costs mount, adopting advanced technology and improving the localisation ratio of materials and accessories are textile and garment enterprises’ best chance to reduce labour, raise product quality, and protect the environment.

Securities firms raise capital in anticipation of market upgrade Securities firms are planning massive capital hikes in 2025 as the stock market awaits positive news with long-term supporting factors.

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.

VTG 2025 finances Vietnam’s leap towards garment sustainability As the world's top largest garment exporter and a key supplier to the US, EU, and Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership markets, Vietnam enjoys the advantages of 16 free trade agreements (FTAs) in force, yet now faces mounting pressure as new sustainability and due diligence frameworks redefine global market access.

The transaction covers the decorative paints business in Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Papua New Guinea and Australia. After taxes and payments to minority shareholders, AkzoNobel expects to receive approximately $1 billion in proceeds.

Decorative Paints is one of AkzoNobel’s two main business segments, alongside Performance Coatings. Based on analyst consensus estimates updated in July 2026, the segment is expected to generate around $4.5 billion in revenue this year.

The deal follows AkzoNobel’s divestment of its decorative paints business in India for $1.6 billion and its operations in Pakistan for $55.8 million.

The transaction in Indonesia is expected to close by the end of 2026, while the remaining transactions are expected to be completed around mid-2027, subject to the necessary approvals and closing conditions.

AkzoNobel said it will now focus on completing its planned merger with US coatings maker Axalta, which was announced in November last year.

Nippon Paint had previously made several attempts to acquire AkzoNobel assets. In July 2026, AkzoNobel said Nippon Paint had submitted several proposals to acquire its decorative paints business, valuing the unit at around $8.44 billion.

The proposals came after Nippon Paint and US paint maker Sherwin-Williams withdrew a $14 billion offer to acquire AkzoNobel in June.

Founded in 1792 and headquartered in Amsterdam, AkzoNobel operates in more than 150 countries, with brands including Dulux, Sikkens, International and Interpon.

In 2025, AkzoNobel reported revenue of $11.3 billion, down 5 per cent on-year. Operating income stood at $1.3 billion, while adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) reached $1.61 billion, representing an adjusted EBITDA margin of 14.2 per cent. The group had around 31,500 employees at the end of 2025.

AkzoNobel has operated in Vietnam since 1992 and currently has four manufacturing facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai city and Bac Ninh province. Its Ho Chi Minh City plant produces decorative paints, while its facilities in Dong Nai and Bac Ninh manufacture various industrial paints and coatings.

“Successfully completing the portfolio review in Asia is part of our ongoing strategy to focus our portfolio on areas where we can achieve sufficient scale to make a difference and strengthen our position,” said AkzoNobel CEO Greg Poux-Guillaume.

At an investor update on July 22, Poux-Guillaume said AkzoNobel held a leading position in Vietnam when discussing the group’s decorative paints business in Southeast Asia.

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AkzoNobel and IUCN partner to boost marine conservation in Ly Son

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AkzoNobel introduces air-purifying Dulux paint to Vietnam

The vision was further explored at the SiBionics industry symposium, "From Sensors to Integrated Care: Emerging Technologies Shaping the Future of Diabetes Management." The symposium was chaired by Prof. Mark Evans, of the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Hospitals, United Kingdom, and Dr. Guido Freckmann, of the Institute for Diabetes-Technology GmbH (IfDT), Germany.

Prof. Karolina Kędzierska-Kapuza discussed CGM and individualized care in type 3c diabetes. Prof. Wei Qiang presented CGM accuracy findings and future multimodal sensing concepts. Prof. Andrej Janež explored continuous ketone monitoring in the GLP-1 era. Prof. Ahmad Haidar presented ketone monitoring research and the first findings of the SMART02 feasibility study on integrated glucose sensing and insulin delivery.

SMART02 evaluated an early prototype of niia signature, an investigational device jointly developed by PharmaSens and SiBionics since the two companies announced their collaboration in June 2025. niia signature will combine continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), insulin delivery and an automated glucose control (AGC) algorithm in one wearable patch. It aims to reduce the burden of managing separate devices for automated insulin delivery (AID).

The study addressed a central integration challenge: maintaining glucose measurement performance when insulin is delivered close to the sensor. Temporary interference after a bolus was uncommon overall and occurred mainly with doses of 10 units or more, where the probability was 20 to 25%. On average, the sensor signal fully recovered approximately 20 minutes after bolus delivery. In the second part of the study, the prototype was also tested together with the AGC algorithm developed by Prof. Ahmad Haidar. The PharmaSens niia patch pump, the SiBionics sensor and the AGC algorithm performed consistently throughout the study. The findings, also featured at the SiBionics booth, mark an early development milestone.

Together, the exhibition and symposium connected clinical needs with emerging technologies. Through niia signature, PharmaSens and SiBionics are exploring how integration could make future AID easier to wear and use. Further research is needed to establish its performance and clinical potential.

niia signature is an investigational device. It is not approved or cleared in any market and is not available for sale.

Learn more at www.sibionicscgm.com.

and PharmaSens.com.

Launched in 1989, the TTG Travel Awards is an annual benchmark celebrating outstanding organisations and individuals across the Asia-Pacific travel and hospitality industry.

The “Best Integrated Resort” title is voted on annually by readers of TTG Asia, the leading travel trade publication in the Asia-Pacific region. While a single accolade highlights a standout year, back-to-back wins in the same category serve as a clear testament to sustained, long-term industry recognition.

In 2025, The Grand Ho Tram became the first resort in Vietnam to receive this award. Winning again in 2026 reflects the consistency of its guest experience and operational standards. This year has also brought new momentum to the resort, with the introduction of local gaming for eligible Vietnamese guests under the government's pilot programme (Resolution No.08/2025/NQ-CP) and a growing entertainment calendar featuring popular Vietnamese and regional artists.

Looking ahead, The Grand Ho Tram is preparing to debut Ixora Grand Ho Tram by Fusion in Q4/2026. The fourth hotel in the complex will join InterContinental Grand Ho Tram, Holiday Inn Resort Ho Tram Beach and Ixora Ho Tram by Fusion, bringing the resort's combined inventory to more than 1,800 rooms and villas, alongside 19 restaurants and bars.

Sharing his thoughts on this milestone, Timothy Tan, vice president of Sales & Marketing at The Grand Ho Tram, said, “Securing this prestigious award for two consecutive years is invaluable recognition of our steadfast commitment to delivering consistent guest experiences and upholding international operational standards."

"Alongside maintaining our standard of excellence, the complex proactively expands and refines its service ecosystem – from the safe, professional operation of our casino over the past year to the upcoming launch of Ixora Grand Ho Tram by Fusion, our fourth hotel property. The enduring trust and partnership from the regional travel trade community serve as a great motivator for us to continuously elevate the guest journey, working together to position Ho Tram as a premier resort, entertainment, and MICE destination in the region,” Tan said.

The Grand Ho Tram seeks responsible entertainment with pilot casino access The Grand Ho Tram has started admitting Vietnamese guests under the government’s pilot programme for prize-based gaming.

The Grand Ho Tram to host the first-ever IBF convention in Southeast Asia The Grand Ho Tram announced on January 27 that it will host the 41st Annual Convention of the International Boxing Federation (IBF), scheduled to take place May 24-28.

The Grand Ho Tram opens 2026 with awards and casino pilot entry The Grand Ho Tram has started the year with industry recognition, festive programming, and new regulatory participation, strengthening its standing in Vietnam’s integrated resort sector.

The event, held by Shanghai Media Group, brought together nearly 100 prominent figures from China and the United States across the political, business, technology, cultural and arts sectors. Song Jiongming, President of Shanghai Media Group, and Susan Lee, Secretary of State of Maryland, attended the event and delivered remarks. Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng was also in attendance.

In the afternoon, the National Mall was transformed into a "mini Shanghai" carnival. The carnival featured 50 stalls showcasing international cuisine, a "Shanghai Charm" themed exhibition area and displays of China's intangible cultural heritage.

Visitors got a glimpse of Shanghai's cutting-edge technological innovation through a model of the C919 passenger jet, explored the city's latest trends through a model of the Oriental Pearl Tower and popular Chinese cultural and creative IPs, and took a virtual journey through Shanghai's past and present with VR headsets provided by the Shanghai Museum. Time-honored brands such as White Rabbit candy, Hero fountain pens and Lao Feng Xiang offered visitors a taste of Shanghai's iconic homegrown brands. Meanwhile, an IP SHANGHAI lenticular art exhibition brought the city to life through dynamic images that changed as visitors moved around the displays.

From such an immersive experience showcasing Shanghai as a first stop for international visitors entering China to distinctive IPs spanning culture, commerce, tourism, sports and exhibitions, the carnival offered Americans and international visitors a glimpse of the city and a chance to experience Shanghai firsthand at one of Washington's most iconic landmarks. Many visitors said they hoped to visit Shanghai in person and explore the city on foot through a "city walk."

As the sun began to set, its golden glow fell over the Capitol dome. Against an iconic backdrop featuring the two cities, the "Future Resonance" outdoor concert got underway.

Young performers from China and the United States took the stage alongside renowned artists from both countries. The One Voice Children's Choir from the United States and the Manhattan Philharmonic joined forces to perform "We Are Together," a song created in Shanghai to celebrate friendship between the two countries.

The program featured a rich mix of symphonic works, traditional Chinese music, Chinese opera and anime music. Footage from Shanghai's city image film "UP! SHANGHAI" played on the large screen behind the stage throughout the concert.

Later that evening, nearly 100 guests from China and the United States, including prominent figures from politics, business, technology, culture and the arts, took part in the ShanghaiEye Night dialogue session.

Themed "Invest in China for a Win-Win Future," the dialogue highlighted the China International Import Expo and Shanghai's development as an international economic, financial, trade, shipping and technological innovation center. It also showcased the city's world-class business environment and provided a platform for high-level dialogue and practical cooperation between Chinese and U.S. companies.

The dialogue also featured a "Shanghai Charm" city image reception area. On one side, twenty selected historical photographs capturing key "Shanghai moments" in China-U.S. relations were displayed, including the signing of the Shanghai Communiqué, the launch of the first China-U.S. air route, the opening of Apple's first store in China, the Tesla Gigafactory and the 10th anniversary of Shanghai Disney Resort.

On the other side, 20 photographs from the IP SHANGHAI platform, under the theme "Chasing Dreams in Shanghai," showcased Lujiazui Financial City, Yangshan Deep-Water Port, Shanghai Grand Opera House, the North Bund shipping hub, and the Huangpu River and Suzhou Creek. Together, the displays offered guests a visual introduction to the city and created lasting memories of Shanghai.

With the support of the Information Office of the Shanghai Municipal Government and co-hosted by Shanghai Media Group, the World Intangible Cultural Heritage Conservation Center and the Washington Chinese Community Alliance, the event brought together guests from a range of sectors in China and the United States.

The event brought Shanghai closer to American audiences and the international community through city promotion, cultural performances, interactive experiences and high-level dialogue. It also provided a platform for people-to-people and cultural exchange between China and the United States. Reflecting the theme "Future Resonance," the event hoped to give a warm and positive boost to people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

Under the three-year agreement, First Graphene's proprietary epoxy concentrates will be used to optimise the incorporation of PureGRAPH^® into Aeropreg's existing carbon fibre prepreg manufacturing process.

Carbon fibre prepreg is a composite material that has been pre-infused with partially cured polymer resin and is often used to strengthen components used in aerospace, defence, automotives and sporting goods.

The development program will focus on achieving controlled and repeatable graphene loading within prepreg before validating the strength, durability, performance and manufacturability of the resulting material.

Subject to trial results, First Graphene and Aeropreg will advance the material towards commercial launch, leveraging Aeropreg's existing sales channels across the aerospace, automotive, marine and sporting goods industries.

The new partnership represents the next stage in First Graphene's strategy to convert its technical development in carbon fibre composites into commercial opportunities for PureGRAPH^®.

It also follows First Graphene's track record of positive results from customer development programs and grant-funded research on graphene-enhanced carbon fibre composites.

Securing a commercial prepreg solution and an experienced manufacturing partner is an essential step towards addressing defence, aerospace and automotive applications. Modern commercial aircraft make extensive use of carbon fibre prepreg in their airframes, for primary structures.

The collaboration aligns with First Graphene's increased focus on the US market and its recent acquisition of MITO Materials, which expanded the Company's composites technology and customer relationships in North America.

Importantly, Aeropreg has in-house resin development and testing capabilities, providing First Graphene with a manufacturing partner to advance this technology towards commercial production.

This agreement provides First Graphene with a potential pathway into the global carbon fibre reinforced plastics market, which is estimated to grow to the value of US$43.7 billion by 2033^[1].

First Graphene Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said:

"The new partnership with Aeropreg represents an important step in progressing our carbon fibre development work towards commercialisation in key industries such as aerospace and defence.

We have built considerable knowledge around incorporating PureGRAPH^® into composite materials and the next step was to combine that expertise with an established manufacturer capable of producing and taking a product to market.

Aeropreg brings extensive prepreg manufacturing and resin development capabilities, as well as established global sales channels across a number of high-value industries.

Our immediate focus will be on successfully validating the material within Aeropreg's manufacturing process, with the longer-term objective of establishing another commercial route to market for PureGRAPH^®."

This announcement has been approved by the Chairman.

At the ceremony on September 29, the company was recognised as 'Outstanding Sustainable Enterprise in Industrial Parks 2026' and received the award 'For Distinguished Contributions to Vietnam's Industrial Property Sector.'

The recognition reflects Tien Phong Plastics' efforts to pursue innovative, eco-friendly solutions for the industrial real estate segment.

Tran Nhat Ninh, deputy general director of Tien Phong Plastics, said, "Traditional industries have increasingly shifted towards eco-industrial practices and green industrial parks. Today's parks centre on quality, emphasising environmental efficiency and social responsibility alongside economic returns. Three core pillars anchor this transformation: industrial symbiosis, cleaner production, and robust infrastructure, which together form the foundation for digital transformation."

In line with these criteria, Tien Phong Plastics has developed technologies to meet modern green industrial standards, focusing on material efficiency, carbon footprint reduction, and addressing climate challenges facing industrial parks.

"Tien Phong Plastics places special emphasis on piping solutions for wastewater treatment systems," Ninh said. "The company continuously innovates its pipe products to achieve near-zero leak rates, ensure recyclability, and help parks effectively control effluent quality."

Tien Phong Plastics honoured 'For Distinguished Contributions to Vietnam's Industrial Property Sector' at the 2026 Green Future Awards. Photo: Le Toan

Furthermore, Tien Phong Plastics aims to resolve localised climate impacts on industrial parks, such as severe flooding from excessive rainfall and water shortages during prolonged droughts. To safeguard water resources, the company has developed high-efficiency water storage systems.

A prime example is its Crosswave underground regulation reservoir named. Built entirely from recycled materials, Crosswave fully satisfies technical requirements for underground installation and load-bearing capacity, allowing facilities to store clean water and harvested rainwater for production reuse.

The system offers a dual benefit: mitigating urban localised flooding and preventing the waste of rainwater, which currently runs off or worsens flooding due to extensive urbanisation and concrete coverage. Crosswave is already being deployed across several new urban projects in Vietnam.

"As Vietnam accelerates its transition toward eco-industrial parks, companies that embrace emerging technologies to build competitive edges will strengthen their brand reputation in line with green industry trends and Net Zero commitments," Ninh added.

Tien Phong Plastics highlights sharing resources for industrial symbiosis Developing modern industrial parks requires stronger links between businesses, resource data sharing, and integrated infrastructure for electricity, water, and waste treatment.

A competitive advantage for next-generation industrial parks At the third session of the sixth Vietnam Industrial Property Forum, co-organised by Vietnam Investment Review and the Vietnam Industrial Real Estate Association in Ho Chi Minh City on September 29, experts and business representatives discussed how to build competitive advantages for next-generation industrial areas.

Honouring businesses in Vietnam’s industrial property development Sixteen businesses and one organisation were honoured at the 2026 Green Future Awards for their contributions to the development of Vietnam’s industrial property market in 2026.

The Blokees Model Kits portfolio covers hero collecting, model kit collecting, animal-themed products and fashion-oriented products, featuring more than 10 global IPs including ULTRAMAN, TRANSFORMERS, Saint Seiya, Evangelion and DC. Products for collectors aged 16 and above were a key focus, with nearly 40 products exhibited across Champion, Champion Lite, Fantastic and Legend series , including more than 20 new products making their debut. Notably, DC made its first commercial appearance in the Legend series.

Blokees continues to expand its product ecosystem. Blokees also exhibited the latest products from its TERRAVENTURE Series and DaaLaMode Series. The TERRAVENTURE Series features animal-themed model kits based on Jurassic World, while the DaaLaMode Series combines assembly, articulation, and fashion play, expanding Blokees' offerings across different consumer segments.

In the Blokees Wheels category, Blokees exhibited its C, E, and S Series, featuring IPs including Transformers, Ultraman, and Batman. New products based on Cyberpunk 2077, Fast & Furious × Ford and Fast & Furious × Dodge were also exhibited for the first time, further expanding the category's offerings for vehicle enthusiasts.

Beyond products, Blokees also exhibited winning works from the "Dawn" and "Awakening" seasons of the 2026 BFC Creation Contest. Through BFC, Blokees connects players worldwide through creation and sharing, with the community now spanning 21 countries and regions.

Blokees will continue to strengthen its two core categories and expand its global product and creator ecosystem under its strategy of "Universally appealing, Stepwise pricing, Globally promoting."

Established in 1995, Radha is a leading FMCG retailer in Singapore, operating more than 200 outlets through ABC Bargain Centre, ValuDollar and Japan Home. As an importer, wholesaler and retailer, Radha sought a future-ready solution to optimise space, streamline material flow and support continued growth.

To meet these requirements, Körber engineered a solution that integrates a five-floor interfloor pallet lifter system with advanced smart shuttle technology. This high-density automated storage system will accommodate nearly 9,000 pallets within a compact volumetric space of approximately 61,200 m³, enabling seamless, accelerated goods movement across multiple facility levels.

Körber will integrate its Warehouse Control System (WCS) with Radha's Warehouse Management System (WMS), linking storage and material flow to create a coordinated warehouse operation.

"As our retail footprint expands, automation has become essential to managing higher volumes and accelerating fulfillment. Körber partnered closely with our team to understand our operational needs and develop a scalable solution that meets today's needs while supporting future growth," commented Sunil Advani, Chief Operating Officer, Radha Exports Pte Ltd.

For Körber, the project demonstrates the value of combining proven technologies with a customer-focused approach. Louis Kok, Head of Marketing & Sales, Körber Business Area Supply Chain Singapore, said: "Radha's multi-floor operations demanded a customized approach. Through transparent communication and close collaboration, we developed a system tailored to their workflows, building on our track record of delivering warehouse automation solutions in Singapore and across Southeast Asia."

"Across APAC, different industries and markets present varying growth opportunities. Our vertical strategy helps us recognize these market dynamics and bring the right solutions and capabilities together with the industry expertise, to respond to specific requirements of our customers by creating greater value for our customers and Radha Exports Pte Ltd is a perfect example," says Suunil Dabral, Senior Vice President & Regional Head APAC, Körber Business Area Supply Chain.

Find out more on www.koerber.com.

Tigerhop, powered by Dohop's RetailConnect platform, allows Tigerair Taiwan to sell multi-carrier journeys that combine its own flights with onward services operated by partner airlines. At launch, tigerhop will offer connections from Taipei and Da Nang to Singapore via Scoot, and travelers departing from Singapore can transfer at Taoyuan International Airport to other destinations, including Akita, Hanamaki, and Tottori.

"Tigerair Taiwan demonstrates how airlines can use Connected Travel to expand their network without the cost and complexity of bilateral interlining," said Hugh Aitken, Chief Operating Officer at Dohop. "Launching tigerhop with Scoot gives Taiwanese travellers access to more destinations through Tigerair Taiwan's own channels, while enabling the airline to capture bookings that might otherwise go to OTAs. With additional carriers joining the platform in the coming months, tigerhop also marks an important expansion of Dohop's presence in Asia."

For Tigerair Taiwan, the partnership adds connections with other carriers without complex interline or codeshare agreements, expanding its commercial reach with minimal technical investment. By selling these itineraries through tigerhop under its own brand, the airline can compete more effectively with online travel agents while giving passengers access to Dohop's ConnectSure disruption support and travel protection services.

"Working with Dohop, we can grow our international reach without traditional interline structures while maintaining our brand promise to our passengers," said Joyce Huang, Chairperson of Tigerair Taiwan. "We look forward to partnering with new carriers and expanding our coverage in the APAC region through Dohop's technology."

The Tigerair Taiwan launch extends Dohop's presence across Asia, where its platforms are already live for Scoot, Thai Vietjet, Citilink and Air India Express, with others in development. These deployments reflect growing demand among Asian carriers for flexible connectivity that can integrate into existing retail channels without individual codeshare or bilateral interline agreements, supporting the industry's broader move toward modular, multi-carrier connectivity and modern retailing.

For more information about the partnership between Dohop and Tigerair Taiwan

Visit www.dohop.com/airlines to learn more.

and www.tigerairtw.com.

• Letter of Intent ("LOI") signed with the City of Matagami for the planned transshipment of spodumene concentrate, transferring the concentrate inbound from the mining site via trucks to rail cars outbound to port at Matagami's transshipment yard.
• LOI establishes a framework for the infrastructure upgrades and long-term transshipment services required to support the planned concentrate logistics route to market.
• LOI represents an important step in advancing the Project's supporting infrastructure and logistics. The Company is targeting a definitive commercial agreement with Matagami prior to a Final Investment Decision for Shaakichiuwaanaan.

PMET's chief Operating Officer, Frédéric Mercier-Langevin, commented: "The LOI with Matagami marks another tangible step in advancing the infrastructure required to support the development of Shaakichiuwaanaan. Transshipment at Matagami is expected to provide a key link in our planned logistics chain, connecting concentrate trucked from the Project to onward rail transportation. We look forward to working closely with the City of Matagami to progress the required infrastructure and commercial upgrades as we continue to advance Shaakichiuwaanaan towards a Final Investment Decision."

PMET Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "PMET") (TSX: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent ("LOI") with the City of Matagami for transshipment services to support the Company's Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in Quebec.

Under the planned transportation arrangement, spodumene concentrate would be trucked from Shaakichiuwaanaan to Matagami's existing transshipment yard, where it would be transferred to rail for onward transportation to port. The LOI establishes the principles for infrastructure upgrades and operating arrangements required to support this activity, advancing an important component of the project's planned logistics chain.

The parties intend to finalize a definitive commercial agreement before the Company announces a Final Investment Decision for Shaakichiuwaanaan. Infrastructure contributions, service pricing, and detailed operating arrangements remain subject to further negotiation and agreement between the parties.

To meet surging Southeast Asian demand, E&R Engineering is upgrading its global strategy for the packaging materials business unit. While its plant in China continues to experience steady business growth, E&R is strategically shifting a portion of its production focus to Malaysia while expanding overall capacity. The new facility is currently undergoing sample testing and qualification, with mass production scheduled to begin early next year. The plant is expected to create 50 local job opportunities and strengthen E&R's supply capabilities for semiconductor and OSAT customers in Southeast Asia.

Deepening Roots in Southeast Asia's Packaging Hub: Localized Mass Production of Advanced Carrier Tapes

Accounting for approximately 13% of the world's backend packaging and testing capacity, Malaysia's semiconductor market is projected to reach $16.51 billion by 2030, driven by robust policy support. Capitalizing on this momentum and increasing regional customer demand, E&R has established a footprint in Phase III of the Batu Berendam Free Trade Zone in Melaka. The facility brings its manufacturing expertise in high-end Embossed Carrier Tapes and Cover Tapes directly to local production.

Through "local manufacturing and fast response," the new plant directly addresses the needs of OSAT and semiconductor customers—shortening lead times while providing high precision, excellent electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and robust packaging interfaces to support advanced packaging trends such as chip miniaturization and Chiplet integration.

Opening a New Chapter with "Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth"

E&R President KS Chen stated: "To address growing customer demand in Southeast Asia, we have shifted part of our production focus for packaging materials to Malaysia while expanding capacity. Furthermore, this facility serves as a local hub for E&R's semiconductor equipment Field Service Engineers. We will focus on hiring local talent and building our specialized equipment engineering team, enabling us to provide immediate, localized technical support and after-sales services."

AK Ong, General Manager of the Malaysia plant, added: "The completion of our new facility allows us to stay closer to our customers, offering real-time support. We remain committed to delivering top-quality products and strictly monitoring every quality checkpoint to create a win-win future for all."

E&R Website: https://en.enr.com.tw/

Gokhan Kocak, chief Technical Operations Officer, Karpowership, said, "The successful delivery of LNGT Türkiye and the award of LNGT Akdeniz are important milestones in the continued growth of Karpowership's LNG-to-Power business. Together, these FSRUs strengthen our ability to provide reliable and flexible energy solutions to markets where energy security is critical. Seatrium has been a key enabler of this journey, consistently delivering high-quality FSRU conversions that support our operational requirements and long-term growth plans. As global demand for flexible energy infrastructure continues to grow, we look forward to advancing our ongoing projects and exploring new opportunities together."

Alvin Gan, executive Vice President, Repairs and Upgrades, Seatrium, said, "What began as a bold vision in 2018 has evolved into a strong and enduring partnership built on trust, shared success and a commitment to excellence. The award of LNGT Akdeniz, our ninth FSRU project with Karpowership and the second unit in Karpowership's next-generation FSRU series, is a testament to the strength of this collaboration and further reinforces Seatrium's position as a global leader in floating LNG infrastructure solutions. Featuring a regasification capacity of up to 600 MMscfd[1], LNGT Akdeniz will play a vital role in supporting reliable and flexible energy supply. We are grateful to Karpowership for its continued trust and confidence in Seatrium, and we look forward to building on this successful partnership to deliver innovative energy solutions for the future."

The newly awarded LNGT Akdeniz project involves the conversion of an LNG carrier into a FSRU, with work scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2027. Seatrium's scope includes the engineering, conversion, integration, installation and commissioning of regasification equipment and associated systems. Upon completion, LNGT Akdeniz will enhance LNG import and regasification capabilities in its target market, supporting energy security and a reliable supply of cleaner energy.

Following the award of LNGT Karadeniz, LNGT Akdeniz is the second project to materialise under the previously announced Letter of Intent (LOI) between the two parties. Apart from three FSRU conversions, the LOI had also provided for the potential integration of up to six new-generation Powerships, creating opportunities for both companies to support evolving global energy needs through integrated floating energy solutions.

With a track record of 22 successful FSRU and FSU conversion projects completed since 2007, Seatrium is a global leader in floating LNG infrastructure solutions, setting industry benchmarks in engineering excellence and project execution. Karpowership, meanwhile, operates the world's only Powership fleet, comprising 45 vessels, while Kinetics, its energy transition initiative, will expand its LNG fleet to 12 vessels with the addition of LNGT Akdeniz. Together, these capabilities reinforce the companies' ability to deliver integrated floating power and LNG infrastructure across global markets.

The award was presented on September 30 as VIB marks 30 years of development. The recognition reflects the bank's efforts to innovate products, services, and retail experiences.

Since focusing on retail banking in 2017, VIB has transformed its product design, business organisation, and technology investment, translating into retail credit growth above the industry average and stronger customer connectivity.

From 2017 to 2025, VIB's retail credit grew at an average annual rate of 23 per cent, about 1.6 times the industry average, demonstrating a resilient growth engine.

In cards, VIB became one of five banks in Vietnam with one million credit cards in 2025, while annual spending rose approximately 17 times compared with 2018. The bank ranked among the top three for card spending, with average spending per cardholder around 50 per cent higher than the market average.

Behind these results is VIB's ability to organise its business around customers, developing specialised models for different needs. For home lending, solutions are designed around repayment capacity; for cards, benefits are linked to spending behaviour; and for deposits, yields are aligned with cash flow needs.

Technology and talent bring these designs to life, enabling VIB to scale while maintaining service quality and risk control. During the same period, total assets grew at an average annual rate of 21 per cent, while profit grew by 26 per cent per year on average.

The success of the transformation is reflected in the bank's business performance and in the capabilities it has built – understanding customer needs, developing solutions, operating efficiently, and serving customers at scale. This provides the foundation for VIB to expand value from individual products to the entire customer relationship.

VIB builds its retail banking advantage on three pillars: financial benefits, customer experience, and technology. Product flexibility is connected with service speed and operational capabilities, bringing personalisation across multiple financial needs.

On benefits, VIB brings flexibility into solution design. One Card and Max Card allow customers to change monthly benefit categories or select fee packages suited to their needs. Deposit solutions expand options for generating returns based on cash flow plans, including Super Accounts with daily returns of up to 8 per cent per year, and flexible certificate of deposit products with interest payment terms of 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. For home lending, VIB offers flexible solutions throughout the homeownership journey, from principal repayments starting at VND1 million ($38.45) per month for every VND1 billion ($38,455) borrowed in the initial years, to fixed interest rates for up to five years.

Photo: VIB

VIB Up connects deposits, loans, and cards while offering preferential benefits through a membership model, with benefits determined by the overall level of customer engagement. Each additional product can enhance the value customers receive throughout their relationship with the bank.

On experience, VIB puts customers in control from accessing services to using products. MyVIB connects everyday banking needs, while Max enables customers to open cards, manage benefits, register for instalment plans and cash loans online, track applications, and sign contracts within the app. In 2025, 97 per cent of individual customer transactions were conducted through digital channels, and home lending approval time has been shortened to approximately 4–8 hours for eligible applications.

On technology, VIB has made integrated investments in core systems, data infrastructure, and service channels under its 'Mobile First – Cloud First – AI First' strategy. Modernising its core banking system on AWS, together with a unified data architecture, provides a foundation for scaling services and accelerating product development. On MyVIB, ViePro, powered by AWS GenAI, along with GenAI Chatbot and VoiceBot, provides 24/7 support in Vietnamese. Visa recognised VIB as the first bank in Vietnam to apply AI to personalise credit cards, and AI and scoring technology enable customers to apply entirely online for credit cards and unsecured loans within 5–15 minutes.

VIB Privilege Banking demonstrates how the three pillars converge in a single service model. Financial solutions are designed around cash flow needs; the Ownrora space on MyVIB uses AI to support asset allocation based on individual preferences; and Relationship Managers provide personalised advice aligned with each customer's goals. Lifestyle privileges further enhance the experience.

This model was recently recognised by Global Business Outlook as 'Most Innovative Privilege Banking – Vietnam 2026,' demonstrating how VIB's personalisation strategy has evolved beyond product-level choice to connect finance, technology, and advisory services across the entire customer relationship.

Photo: VIB

The capabilities VIB has built have taken the bank toward a broader ambition: to become a leading transaction bank through innovative solutions, personalised experiences, and deeper partnerships.

This direction extends VIB's retail banking strengths into customers' cash flows and everyday transactions – from receiving a salary to booking a trip or saving for a home. VIB aims to connect these needs so that banking services are conveniently available whenever customers need them, with solutions that adapt to their income, priorities, and life plans.

Nearly a decade of transformation has brought VIB above-market retail growth, a top-three position in card spending, and large-scale personalisation capabilities. The 'Outstanding Retail Bank 2026' award marks this achievement. Building on this foundation, VIB aims to transform its competitive strength in individual customer needs into a leading position in transaction banking – becoming an integral part of customers' everyday cash flows while accompanying them throughout their long-term financial decisions.

VIB 30 years: from digital transactions to personalised banking experiences VIB is marking its 30-year journey as the bank moves from digital transactions to personalised banking experiences.

VIB scales up operating footprint over 30 years Across 30 years in the business, VIB has scaled up its operating footprint, strengthening its position across the banking landscape.

VIB deploys Front Arena treasury and foreign exchange trading system on AWS On September 28, Vietnam International Bank put into operation its core system supporting treasury, foreign exchange, and financial-market trading activities, powered by Front Arena, the financial technology platform developed by FIS Global, on Amazon Web Services cloud infrastructure.

The participating investors cited CLD-001's development progress and its therapeutic potential as key factors in their investment decisions. The new participation from pharmaceutical companies represents significant momentum for Celaid as it advances the U.S. development of CLD-001.

CLD-001 is a novel ex vivo-expanded hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) therapy product being developed for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases. Celaid is advancing the CLD-001 program toward the initiation of a first-in-human clinical trial in the United States, with preparations underway across the nonclinical, cell manufacturing and CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls), clinical, and regulatory activities. To date, the CLD-001 program has achieved the following key milestones:

Key Development Milestones for CLD-001

• Positive nonclinical data supporting the efficacy and safety profile of CLD-001 in animal models
• Established the manufacturing process for CLD-001 and completed technology transfer to a U.S. contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO)
• Completed a Pre-IND Meeting with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and advanced preparations toward an IND submission and clinical trial initiation

Proceeds from this financing will be allocated primarily to manufacturing, safety assessment, clinical development, and regulatory activities in support of CLD-001's IND application and the initiation of clinical trials in the United States. Celaid will also continue to strengthen its proprietary hematopoietic stem cell expansion platform and pursue its application to new therapeutic modalities and business opportunities in the cell and gene therapy field.

"We are greatly encouraged by the participation of Shionogi & Co. and Teikoku Ventures as new investors in this round. We are also deeply grateful for AMED's approval of our advancement to Stage 3 under the "Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem" and for its continued support. Through this financing and AMED's support, we will steadily advance our preparations toward initiating clinical trials for CLD-001 in the United States. Our goal is to become a global leader in the hematopoietic stem cell field and, from Japan, deliver innovative treatment options to patients worldwide by advancing both our HSC-based pipeline and our platform business."
— Nobuyuki Arakawa, President and CEO, Celaid Therapeutics, Inc.

Series B Second Close Overview

Amount Raised: JPY 400 million (approximately USD 2.6 million)
Method: Third-party allocation of new shares (private placement)
New Investors (Underwriters):

• Shionogi & Co., Ltd.
• Teikoku Ventures, Inc. (a corporate venture capital company within the TEIKOKU SEIYAKU Group)

Grant Awarded: AMED "Strengthening Program for Pharmaceutical Startup Ecosystem" – Stage 3

Comments from Investors

"Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation can offer the only curative treatment option for certain serious hematologic and inherited diseases, particularly in pediatric patients. However, significant challenges remain, including donor shortages and post-transplant complications. We believe Celaid's hematopoietic stem cell expansion technology represents an innovative approach with the potential to overcome these challenges and provide treatment opportunities to more patients. We highly value Celaid's technology and vision, which strongly align with SHIONOGI's commitment to protecting people's health and addressing societal challenges through the creation of new value. For these reasons, we have decided to invest in Celaid Therapeutics Inc. We look forward to Celaid's continued progress in global development and hope that CLD-001, an innovative cell therapy, will ultimately reach as many patients as possible."
— Keisuke Kusumoto, Director, Head of CVC, Corporate Planning Department, Corporate Strategy Division, Shionogi & Co., Ltd.

"We are highly encouraged by Celaid Therapeutics' novel ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell expansion technology, which has the potential to serve as a foundational platform for cell and gene therapies targeting hematologic malignancies, other severe hematologic disorders, and genetic diseases, as well as for ex vivo hematopoietic stem cell gene therapies.
We also view this investment as an important opportunity to support a Japan-originated startup with innovative scientific capabilities. Furthermore, we believe it represents a significant milestone in our efforts to advance open innovation and contribute to the creation of new treatment options for patients."
— Mitsuhiro Matsumura, Chief Executive Officer, Teikoku Ventures, Inc.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are stem cells capable of differentiating into the various blood and immune cell types, including red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. HSCs also possess the capacity for self-renewal, ensuring lifelong maintenance of the hematopoietic system. Because HSCs are typically present only in very limited quantities within the body or within collected samples, securing a sufficient quantity for therapeutic use remains a significant challenge.

CLD-001 is being developed as an HSC product for severe pediatric non-malignant diseases. For serious diseases such as primary immunodeficiency, inherited metabolic disorders, aplastic anemia, and sickle cell disease, allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation represents an important treatment option with curative potential. However, allogeneic HSC transplantation continues to face significant unmet needs, including donor-related challenges such as a shortage of matched donors and HLA mismatches, as well as serious complications following transplantation, including graft failure, transplant-related mortality, and graft-versus-host disease (GvHD).

Using frozen umbilical cord blood stored in cord blood banks as its cell source, CLD-001 applies Celaid's proprietary hematopoietic stem cell expansion technology to overcome the limited number of hematopoietic stem cells contained in cord blood, while enabling greater flexibility in selecting cord blood units with more favorable HLA matching. Through this approach, Celaid aims to contribute to improved overall survival following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

https://celaidtx.com/en/

The five-day program opens with a welcome dinner on 11 December, followed by specialized investor days, and concludes on 15 December with Global Leaders Day and the GOOD Fellows Awards. Over three core days, SWFI will host parallel sector sessions bringing sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, central bank reserve managers, and state officials into direct alignment. American governors and economic development authorities will present shovel-ready projects across twelve key growth sectors, including energy & LNG, SI & data center infrastructure, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, real estate, private credit, and digital assets.

Announced at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi, the initiative engages allocators across the Global South and allied economies spanning G20 members, the European Union, the African Union, and invited guest nations such as Qatar, Singapore, the UAE, Norway, and Finland.

Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam, chairman, SWFI said: "The G20 sets the direction of the world economy. The I20 is where capital decides whether to follow. We unveiled this project at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi because capital does not belong to a bloc. It looks for scale, rule of law and returns, and no market offers more of all three than the United States."

Chip Rogers, advisor and spokesperson to SWFI, said: "American states have projects that are permitted and ready for capital. What they rarely get is a week in the same city as the funds that can finance them. Miami gives them that week."

The I20 Summit is SWFI's independent convening of long-term investors for the United States' G20 host year. https://i20summit.com/

Established in 2008 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, SWFI has convened sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices across 60 cities in 20 countries, at venues including the House of Commons, Guildhall and Mansion House. www.swfinstitute.org

Lixudebart is currently being evaluated in the ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial in patients with ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies)-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV-RPGN), a rare and potentially life-threatening autoimmune disease that can cause irreversible kidney damage and end-stage renal disease.

With a novel mechanism of action, lixudebart exerts potent anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects to potentially prevent and reverse organ damage in ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) and numerous other kidney, liver and lung diseases. The ongoing phase 2 trial is designed to translate these mechanistic effects into meaningful clinical impact.

The collaboration brings together Alentis' scientific expertise as the leading clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company targeting claudin-1 and CSL's global development and commercialisation capabilities in nephrology, with a shared goal of bringing innovative and highly impactful treatment options to patients with rare kidney and liver diseases. In addition to AAV-RPGN, the two companies will advance lixudebart as a novel treatment for focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a rare progressive kidney disease, and for primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), an autoimmune chronic liver disease.

"This partnership enables us to dramatically accelerate the development of lixudebart in several indications in parallel," said Dr Mark Pruzanski, Chief Executive Officer of Alentis Therapeutics. "We are convinced CSL's demonstrated clinical development and commercialisation capabilities in AAV and kidney diseases makes them the right partner to bring lixudebart to patients. More broadly, this furthers the validation of claudin-1 as a novel therapeutic target and we are excited about the potential to accelerate the advancement of our other clinical stage assets and preclinical pipeline."

"Patients diagnosed with ANCA-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis face rapid kidney function decline, leaving them at risk of irreversible damage even with currently available treatments," said Dr Bill Mezzanotte, EVP, Head of R&D, CSL. "We believe lixudebart has the potential to become an important new therapeutic option to help improve kidney function and prevent progression to end-stage kidney disease, first in AAV-RPGN and hopefully also in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, while potentially showing similar benefit on liver function in primary sclerosing cholangitis. Our partnership with Alentis reflects CSL's commitment to building a leading global nephrology franchise, and our strategic intent to create high-value external partnerships."

Under the agreement, CSL and Alentis will jointly develop and co-promote lixudebart. CSL will make an initial payment to Alentis of US$355 million, with Alentis eligible to receive up to an additional US$1.2 billion in commercial milestone payments. In addition to these payments, CSL will fully fund the completion of the ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial and planned Phase 3 trial in AAV-RPGN, the Phase 2 trials in FSGS and PSC and other supporting development activities. Once commercialised, global profits will be shared 55 per cent to CSL and 45 per cent to Alentis.

ANCA (antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies)-associated vasculitis with rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (AAV-RPGN) is a rare, severe and potentially fatal autoimmune disease in which the body's immune system attacks small blood vessels in the kidney. RPGN is characterized by rapid loss of kidney function over a very short period (days to weeks). Despite potent immunosuppressive treatment, most patients develop significant or total loss of kidney function.

Lixudebart (formerly known as ALE.F02) is an investigational monoclonal antibody that selectively targets exposed claudin-1, a key driver of inflammatory and fibrotic signalling pathways in numerous fibrotic diseases of the kidney, liver, lung, intestine and other solid organs. In an interim analysis of 26 patients with AAV-RPGN in the ongoing Phase 2 RENAL trial, lixudebart showed promising improvement in kidney function as assessed by eGFR and proteinuria at 24 weeks. In the Phase 1b FEGATO trial in 41 patients with advanced F3/F4 liver fibrosis, lixudebart demonstrated improved liver function at 6 weeks. In both studies lixudebart showed dose-dependent claudin-1 target engagement, along with a favourable safety and tolerability profile. Lixudebart has been granted Orphan Drug designation by the FDA for the treatment of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF).

Visit www.alentis.ch