The ministry is seeking public comments on a draft resolution concerning the extension of preferential tax measures for petrol, oil and aviation fuel.

Under the proposal, the application of zero-rate most-favoured nation import duty, environmental protection tax and VAT on petroleum products would be extended until September 30, three months longer than the current policy. However, the special consumption tax (SCT) on petrol would be reinstated from July 1, with rates set at 10 per cent for mineral petrol, 8 per cent for E5 biofuel and 7 per cent for E10 biofuel.

The proposal comes as global oil prices have eased following a peace agreement between the United States and Iran and the restoration of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Nevertheless, the MoF noted that risks in the global energy market remain significant. The possibility of renewed conflict cannot be entirely ruled out, while global petroleum supplies continue to be influenced by geopolitical developments.

The MoF also pointed out that most petroleum currently available on the domestic market was purchased earlier at higher prices and remains in inventory. Imports reflecting lower international prices often reach the market with a delay due to price negotiations between importers and suppliers, as well as lengthy transportation times.

Previously, in response to escalating tensions in the Middle East, the government reduced all major taxes on petroleum products to zero until June 30.

Domestic retail fuel prices have declined steadily in recent pricing periods. E10 petrol is currently priced at VND20,750 (8.1 cents) per litre, while diesel costs VND23,530 (9.2 cents) per litre, the lowest levels recorded in nearly three months. However, prices remain 5.9-33.8 per cent higher than before the outbreak of the Middle East conflict.

According to the MoF, domestic fuel prices could surge by 43-67 per cent, depending on the product, if all petroleum-related taxes, except the SCT on petrol, were immediately restored to pre-conflict levels. Such a scenario could add approximately 0.78 percentage points to the average consumer price index (CPI) this year, putting pressure on inflation control targets.

Under the proposed extension of tax exemptions through September, excluding the reinstatement of the SCT on petrol, retail prices of E5 and E10 petrol would rise by around 7-8 per cent, while diesel prices would remain largely unchanged.

Overall, the average fuel price level would increase by about 5 per cent, with an estimated impact of only 0.11 percentage points on the CPI, significantly lower than under a full tax reinstatement scenario. State budget revenue is expected to decline by around $604 million during the final three months of the third quarter as a result of the tax relief measures.

The MoF said the proposal struck a balance between inflation control, energy supply security and the gradual restoration of budget revenues. Maintaining the MFN import duty at zero would also allow fuel importers to diversify supply sources beyond ASEAN markets, reducing dependence on traditional suppliers.

Under the draft, the new measures would take effect from July 1 through September 30. If necessary, the Ministry of Industry and Trade may propose adjustments to the implementation period in line with market developments and macroeconomic management requirements.

EU to Vietnam flights face mounting pressure as jet fuel supply tightens Airlines across Europe and Vietnam are scaling back flights amid a tightening jet fuel supply, driven by ongoing disruptions in the Middle East.

Vietnam’s business aviation growth fuels rising demand for MRO support Vietnam’s business aviation market may still be modest in size, but it is emerging as the fastest-growing segment in Southeast Asia, creating new momentum for maintenance, repair and overhaul providers across the region.

Infrastructure boom fuels expansion of non-life insurance market Resilient exports, rising public investment and sustained FDI inflows are expected to create new growth momentum for Vietnam’s non-life insurance market in 2026, particularly across infrastructure, construction and logistics segments.

The Innovation Window aims to expand access to finance for women-owned and women-led businesses, particularly those that continue to face barriers in accessing conventional sources of capital.

The transaction also represents an important milestone in TIMEC’s growth journey, providing additional resources for the company to further enhance service quality and expand its operations.

Founded in 2018 with the aspiration of building a modern, compassionate, and accessible healthcare model for the community, TIMEC has chosen a distinctive path: delivering high-quality healthcare services at affordable costs, rather than pursuing a high-cost international healthcare model.

Over the years, TIMEC has expanded its operations and invested in key specialties, including gastrointestinal endoscopy, colorectal care, dentistry, rehabilitation, corporate health screening, and a range of other specialised healthcare services. The clinic remains committed to supporting the community through disease prevention awareness-raising, early screening, and comprehensive healthcare education.

Having navigated the challenges of COVID-19 and the subsequent recovery period, TIMEC has gradually built a strong reputation among individual patients, corporate clients, and insurance partners.

Beacon Fund’s investment will provide additional resources for the company to strengthen its facilities, enhance clinical capabilities, develop its workforce, and expand healthcare services in the years ahead.

Vu Thi Phuong Nga, founder and CEO of TIMEC said, “We see Beacon not simply as an investor, but as a strategic partner accompanying TIMEC on our journey to improve healthcare quality for the people of Vietnam. Our partnership demonstrates that businesses creating meaningful value for society can find partners who share the same vision and mission.”

In addition to providing capital, Beacon Fund is committed to supporting TIMEC as a long-term partner in its sustainable growth journey through improvements in healthcare quality.

The loan has been structured with an impact-linked incentive mechanism, allowing TIMEC to receive up to a 2 per cent reduction in interest rates if the company successfully standardises its patient experience measurement and monitoring system and achieves agreed targets for improving patient satisfaction.

This mechanism directly links business performance with customer experience, while creating a strong incentive for the company to continuously improve healthcare service quality and strengthen its impact on the communities it serves.

Shuyin Tang, co-founder and CEO of Beacon Fund, said, “This deal marks the first investment under the Innovation Window, and I couldn’t think of a better company to open with. Under the Innovation Window, we committed to going smaller and earlier, and to more innovative lending structures – all with the goal of backing promising ‘missing middle’ SMEs that face challenges in accessing finance from conventional sources."

"TIMEC stood out for their deep commitment to improving healthcare in Vietnam, a solid business foundation built up over eight years, and their openness to an impact-linked structure that ties a lower interest rate to improved patient experience.”

Beyond its growth potential, TIMEC also meets all Innovation Window eligibility criteria. The company is women-founded, women-owned, and women-led, with women representing more than 30 per cent of board members and over 40 per cent of management positions.

The investment also qualifies under three of the five 2X Challenge criteria for gender-smart investing: ownership, leadership, and quality employment for women.

The investment signing ceremony acknowledged that support from the government of Australia underpinned the Innovation Window and made the deal possible.

Kate Wallace, Australia’s consul-general, Ho Chi Minh City, outlined the rationale for Australia’s support, “Australia is pleased to support Vietnam’s ambition for inclusive economic growth driven by the private sector. Women-owned and -led businesses play a vital role in the Vietnamese economy, yet face a financing gap of $5-6 billion."

"Closing this gap will unlock sustainable, inclusive economic growth for Vietnam. Australia is pleased to work with impact investing partners like Beacon Fund in Vietnam to pilot innovative financial structures that work for women-owned and -led small businesses. Australia welcomes this partnership between Beacon Fund and TIMEC, which will pave the way for a more gender inclusive financial system,” she said.

Beacon Fund invests in beauty retailer HSVG Beacon Fund, a gender lens and impact investment firm, announced on March 8 that it has invested in Hoa Sen Viet Group (HSVG), one of the largest multi-brand beauty retailers in Vietnam.

Beacon Fund backs CAS Energy on renewable energy expansion Beacon Fund and CAS Energy reached an initial investment agreement in April to advance renewable energy projects integrated with circular agriculture under the climate-smart agriculture model in Vietnam.

Impact investing goes a step further for positive gains Impact investing is at a nascent stage in Vietnam, but there have been some new developments in the space recently. Shuyin Tang, co-founder of the Beacon Fund, spoke with VIR’s Thanh Van about Vietnam’s impact investing landscape.

Following a comprehensive evaluation, Dr. Do Quang Minh, MD, MSc, head of the Urology and Andrology at FV Hospital, said the tumour measured more than 5cm in diameter, with approximately half of it embedded deep within the kidney parenchyma.

“In addition, the tumour was in close contact with the renal collecting system, making surgical dissection particularly challenging,” Dr. Minh said.

Dr. Do Quang Minh, head of the Urology and Andrology at FV Hospital, examines a patient. Photo: FV

The complexity of the case was increased by an anatomical variation: the patient had two renal arteries instead of the single renal artery typically found in most individuals. This made controlling blood flow to the kidney during surgery more difficult.

After careful consideration, the surgical team opted for robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery using the da Vinci Xi system – one of the most advanced robotic surgical platforms available in Southeast Asia.

The technology is particularly well suited for complex urological procedures, thanks to its ability to facilitate highly precise movements within confined anatomical spaces.

The urology team performed robot-assisted kidney tumor removal using the da Vinci Xi surgical system. Photo: FV

The surgery lasted approximately four hours. According to the treatment team, the main challenge was not only the tumour’s location, but the strict time constraints involved in preserving kidney function.

During tumour excision, surgeons must temporarily clamp the renal artery to stop blood flow to the kidney. In most cases, warm ischemia time should be kept below 30 minutes to minimise the risk of permanent kidney damage.

“This becomes a race against time because prolonged warm ischemia can result in greater injury to healthy kidney tissue,” Dr. Minh said.

Thanks to close coordination among the surgical team and the support of the da Vinci Xi robotic system, the operation achieved its primary objective: complete tumour removal while keeping renal ischemia time within safe limits and preserving as much healthy kidney tissue as possible.

“I recovered quite quickly, was able to eat and resume normal daily activities soon after surgery, and did not even require pain medication,” the Australian patient said.

Regular screening

According to Dr. Do Quang Minh, kidney cancer is often difficult to detect at an early stage because it frequently causes no obvious symptoms. Most cases are discovered incidentally during routine health examinations.

Dr. Do Quang Minh, head of the Urology and Andrology at FV Hospital. Photo: FV

Abdominal ultrasound is a simple, fast, and cost-effective screening tool that can help detect kidney abnormalities. However, many people do not undergo screening unless symptoms appear.

Doctors recommend maintaining regular health check-ups, particularly abdominal ultrasound examinations, to identify potential diseases at an early stage and improve treatment outcomes.

Race against time: FV doctors save elderly patient from stroke and acute myocardial infarction An 80-year-old man suffering from both a stroke and an acute myocardial infarction was saved within minutes thanks to FV Hospital's 24/7 "Golden Hour" cardiac response team and international-standard Cathlab.

FV doctors use cutting-edge system to remove complex fibroids A 52-year-old patient with multiple large fibroids was treated using the da Vinci Xi robotic surgery at FV Hospital – eliminating the pathology and preserving the uterus.

Robotic surgery advances women's health at FV Hospital A French obstetrician and gynaecologist with more than three decades of experience is applying robotic surgery at FV Hospital to enhance precision, fertility preservation, and recovery outcomes for women.

The three state-owned groups play a pivotal role on both the supply and demand sides of the economy.

According to reports presented at the meeting, in implementing government Resolution No.109/NQ-CP on achieving double-digit economic growth, Vietnam National Industry-Energy Group (Petrovietnam), Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries (TKV) have executed their production and business plans, overcome difficulties and maintained stable operations.

Despite adverse impacts from global geopolitical and economic developments, particularly the conflict in the Middle East that has disrupted global energy supply chains, all three enterprises have delivered encouraging results and contributed directly to the country’s overall growth.

Ministry of Finance's meeting with EVN, PetroVietnam, and TKV to bolster energy security and economic expansi

EVN ensured adequate electricity supply for socioeconomic development in the first half of the year. Electricity generation and purchases are estimated at 163.9 billion kWh, while consolidated revenue reached $13.8 billion, equivalent to 51 per cent of the annual target.

To support double-digit growth and ensure energy security, EVN is expected to be assigned targets based on the high-load scenario, under which electricity generation and purchases would total 347.1 billion kWh, allowing consolidated revenue to reach around $28.5 billion, up 11.6 per cent. However, achieving a double-digit growth scenario would require electricity production in the second half of the year to increase by 16.9 per cent, posing a major challenge and demanding maximum efforts from the utility.

For TKV, coal output reached 19.7 million tonnes in the first six months. Consolidated revenue amounted to $3 billion.

For the full year, TKV’s consolidated revenue is projected to reach $5.9 billion, representing growth of 10 per cent compared with 2025. The group has the critical task of ensuring sufficient fuel supply for power generation and therefore needs to raise coal output, balance imported supplies and expand production of other minerals, including bauxite, copper, iron and zinc, to secure raw materials for downstream industries.

Representative from TKV

According to the State-owned Enterprise Development Agency, the combined value added generated by Petrovietnam, EVN and TKV accounts for 6.04 per cent of Vietnam’s GDP. Every 1 per cent increase in the growth of the three groups contributes around 0.05 percentage points to national GDP growth. As such, the role of these energy champions has become increasingly crucial in realising the country’s double-digit growth ambitions.

To support the economic growth target for the 2026-2030 period, the three groups put forward a total of 20 recommendations, focusing on three key areas: institutional mechanisms, policies and legal reforms; mobilisation and management of financial resources and investment capital; and the removal of impediments affecting major projects.

Specifically, Petrovietnam submitted nine proposals centred on special financial mechanisms, resolving historical issues, restructuring loans and matters related to the state budget.

EVN raised seven recommendations, mainly concerning investment in power generation and transmission projects, the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, capital mobilisation and credit access, investment procedures and the implementation of nationally important projects.

TKV’s recommendations focus on adjustments to mineral development planning, mechanisms allowing production beyond existing capacity limits to ensure energy security, solutions for mining investment projects and higher coal prices for power producers.

Draft law to boost SOE autonomy through decentralisation reforms The draft Law on Management and Investment of State Capital in Enterprises includes amendments to increase decentralisation and delegation, with a focus on enhancing the autonomy, accountability, and transparency of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

PM promotes role of entrepreneurs in the era of transformation Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on October 9 with top national business representatives on the occasion of Vietnamese Entrepreneurs' Day (October 13).

Finance ministry urges SOEs to lead tech drive for growth Chairing a conference on March 19 to outline priorities for the months ahead, Minister Nguyen Van Thang underscored the pivotal role of state-owned enterprises under the Ministry of Finance’s purview.

According to the Q2 market trends observation by For You Education, an esteemed tutoring and admissions consulting institution in Hong Kong, TTPS parents demonstrate highly strategic foresight in planning their children's education. Most favor international schools or a "dual-track" pathway via Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, triggering an exponential increase in consultation and registration volumes for international examinations such as IB, IGCSE, and A-Level. For You Education identifies three core reasons behind this phenomenon: first, parents view studying abroad as a critical pathway to cultivating a global worldview and expanding horizons; second, international curricula offer rigorous academic depth, allowing students to focus on their strengths and achieve higher academic merit; third, international examinations feature flexible pacing and allow retakes, granting students greater autonomy in their preparation.

Bridging the Dual Gap of "Language and Academic Depth": Comprehensively Enhancing the Support System via "Private Candidate Programs"

When transitioning into the Hong Kong or international education systems, cross-border students often encounter two major hardships: the "language adaptation period" of moving from a Chinese-medium to an all-English teaching environment, and the "systemic differences" in curriculum breadth and depth between mainland and international examinations. Taking International A-Level (IAL) as an example, though it offers fewer subjects than the Mainland National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao), it requires deeper academic exploration and a higher degree of self-directed study within specific disciplines.

Traditional mainland education focuses heavily on intensive test-drilling, whereas international curricula (such as IB and IAL) emphasise critical thinking and research writing, such as IB's Extended Essay. Unlike the high-stakes Gaokao, which allows students to take the exam only once, international tracks offer greater subject flexibility and an elevated margin for error. For instance, GCE A-Level allows students to choose three to four specific subjects based on their personal strengths for deep focus, while permitting modular retakes, resulting in significantly greater autonomy in preparation.

For You Education observes that many TTPS families discover that, after relocation, their local schools do not offer international curricula such as IB or IAL. Consequently, despite students' willingness to sit, they lack institutional support and resources within their schools. To address this market gap, For You Education has carefully designed its "Private Candidate Programs" to fully support students registering for international public examinations as private candidates. Through comprehensive curriculum structuring and pre-exam coaching, the team helps students overcome institutional barriers and seamlessly transition to top global universities.

Official Opening of Fo Tan Campus: One-on-One and High-Efficiency Group Tutoring Aimed Directly at Return on Investment (ROI) in Education

To better serve newly arrived TTPS families, For You Education announced the official opening of its new branch campus in Fo Tan this quarter. The new campus features upgraded teaching facilities and a centralized team of core professional tutors. Most For You Education tutors possess prestigious international academic backgrounds and extensive cross-border teaching experience, equipping them with a nuanced understanding of the linguistic, psychological, and academic blind spots faced by mainland students transitioning to Hong Kong. Following a comprehensive service upgrade, the center offers an array of solutions encompassing Hong Kong international school admissions, IB tutoring, IGCSE curriculum, and A-Level subject selection.

In response to growing parental expectations regarding the Return on Investment (ROI) of international education, the new Fo Tan campus will prioritize personalized one-on-one and high-efficiency small-group teaching models. Practicing a modern philosophy of "individualized teaching," the tutoring team assists students in precisely selecting subjects aligned with their personality traits and academic strengths (such as guiding suitable students to pivot from DSE to IAL tracks where they can better leverage their core academic capabilities). Over the past few years, the institution has successfully guided numerous cross-border and local students through their academic transition periods, securing placements at top global institutions across the UK, the US, and Hong Kong.

Cultivating Critical Thinking in the AI Era: "Learning Supplement" Rather Than "Replacement"

Global education frameworks are undergoing a paradigm shift, and the rise of AI technology has introduced parental anxiety regarding future academic majors and career landscapes. Addressing these concerns, Terry Lo, the Founder and Director of For You Education, stated:

"In the AI era, the core assessment metrics of international examinations like the IB program are shifting away from pure knowledge transmission toward 'critical thinking' and 'knowledge application'. While consolidating our foundation in traditional academic tutoring, For You Education actively guides students on how to properly leverage advanced AI tools to assist their preparation and enhance learning efficiency. However, AI can never replace a tutor's emotional care, the discovery of a student's unique potential, or intellectual mentorship. We believe that learning to master AI tools to boost personal productivity is vital today, and we look forward to exploring this boundary alongside our students. We aim to utilize technological advantages to shorten students' adaptation phases while maintaining close communication with parents who care about educational cost-effectiveness, ensuring children steadily build adaptability and competitiveness along their admissions journey."

To assist parents in staying up to date with the latest trends in international education, the new Fo Tan campus of For You Education is now open for consultations. Parents are welcome to visit in person or browse online for successful case studies and academic consulting (admissions advice) assessment services, tailoring the optimal breakthrough path for their children's inclusive education.

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

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

Employability also depends on how students translate classroom learning into career action. At SIM GE, career preparation is supported through Career Connect, which provides career workshops, career guidance, résumé reviews, mock interviews, profiling support, internship and job opportunities, as well as career events such as company visits, networking sessions, career talks and fairs.

This structured support is important because many students do not only need a qualification, they also need guidance in understanding industries, articulating their strengths, preparing for interviews and building professional networks. These practical areas can influence how confidently graduates enter the job market.

Through CareerSense, SIM students can also access an integrated online platform to browse and apply for internships, jobs and career events. This helps students take a more proactive approach to career planning while creating a clearer bridge between academic life and employment opportunities.

Real world exposure through internships and traineeships

One of the strongest contributors to graduate employability is exposure to work before graduation. Internships allow students to understand workplace expectations, test their skills in real business scenarios and build confidence before entering full time employment. SIM GE supports this through internships with a range of employers, from SMEs to multinational corporations. Its Work Integrated Learning for Life initiatives and internship related awards further encourage students to gain practical experience and develop holistically across cognitive, interpersonal and applied skills.

For fresh graduates, SIM's Graduate Traineeship Programme provides structured traineeship opportunities across industries, typically lasting three to six months. The programme is designed to help graduates gain hands on experience, build workplace confidence and develop industry relevant capabilities as they transition into full time employment. This emphasis on work exposure responds directly to a key concern among prospective students, which is whether they will be ready for employment after graduation. By combining academic learning with career guidance, internships and traineeships, SIM GE helps students build not only credentials but also workplace familiarity.

The value of practical exposure is reflected in the experience of Keisha Shevila, a SIM-University of Wollongong Computer Science graduate who secured a Software Engineer role before completing her degree. In sharing her journey, she credited Career Connect with helping her better understand the job search process and preparing her "more confidently for entering the workforce".

Building future ready graduates through skills and adaptability

The future of work is increasingly shaped by AI, automation, sustainability and cross functional collaboration. In this environment, students need more than role specific knowledge. They need adaptability, communication skills, critical thinking, creativity, cultural awareness and the confidence to keep learning.

SIM GE's broader student experience supports this development. Beyond academic programmes, students can participate in more than 70 student clubs and co-curricular activities that build leadership, communication and teamwork skills. The EDGE Award, developed in partnership with employers, recognises students' cumulative achievements across their learning journey and encourages a more holistic approach to personal and professional growth.

SIM GE's diverse learning environment also plays an important role. With students from more than 50 nationalities, the campus experience provides opportunities for cultural exchange, collaboration and global awareness. These are qualities that are increasingly valuable in multinational and regional workplaces.

Aligning with Singapore's skills first economy

Singapore's workforce strategy continues to place strong emphasis on skills, lifelong learning and adaptability. National reports and government agencies have highlighted rising demand in areas linked to the digital, green and care economies, as well as the importance of AI literacy and transferable skills. This makes higher education choices more consequential. Prospective students are not simply choosing a programme. They are choosing a platform for long term career resilience.

SIM GE's approach aligns with this direction by combining academic pathways, global university partnerships, employability support, industry exposure and continuous skills development. Its graduate outcomes also reflect this emphasis, with SIM reporting a secured employment rate of 81 per cent based on the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025.

Preparing graduates for Singapore today and tomorrow

Employability in Singapore today is shaped by industry relevance, practical exposure and future ready skills. SIM GE's proposition sits at the intersection of these priorities. For students, this means access to internationally recognised academic pathways, career services, internships, traineeships, employer engagement, student development opportunities and a diverse campus environment. For employers, it means a pool of graduates who have been encouraged to build both knowledge and workplace ready capabilities.

As prospective students consider their higher learning options, the question is no longer only what they can study. It is also how that education will prepare them for the future of work. For SIM GE graduates, the answer lies in an education experience designed not only to support academic achievement but also to develop employable, adaptable and globally minded individuals ready to contribute to Singapore's evolving economy.

References

1. The SIM Advantage - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/sim-advantage
2. SIM Career Services - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
3. Achieving the three "Beyond" at individual, industry and institutional levels: Minister Chan Chun Sing at the inaugural SIM Future of Work Series - https://www.sim.edu.sg/news-events/achieving-the-three-beyonds-at-individual-industry-and-institutional-levels
4. How One International Student Graduated Career-Ready: Keisha Shevila's Journey at SIM - https://www.sim.edu.sg/articles-inspirations/how-one-international-student-graduated-career-ready-keisha-shevila-journey-at-sim
5. Job Vacancies 2025: Labour demand gradually shifting to growth areas as firms adjust hiring plans - https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0320-job-vacancies-report-2025
6. Opening Address by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State, Ministry of Education for the Launch of the Skills Demand for the Future Economy Report 2025, Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre - https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/20250122-opening-address-by-ms-gan-siow-huang-minister-of-state-ministry-of-education-for-the-launch-of-the-skills-demand-for-the-future-economy-report-2025-marina-bay-sands-expo-and-convention-centre
7. SDFE 2025 report - https://jobsandskills.skillsfuture.gov.sg/sdfe-2025

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

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

The pilot programme, which will run until May 31, 2027, focuses on agriculture, logistics, healthcare, and digital mapping.

Illustration photo: VNP

The pilot activities include transporting agricultural products, agricultural supplies, medicines, medical supplies, test samples, and essential goods; assisting with sowing, spraying pesticides, fertilising, monitoring crop growth, and detecting pests and diseases; surveying the terrain, creating digital maps, and developing Digital Elevation Models.

The province plans to conduct approximately 6,000 UAV flights during the trial period.

The sandbox programme was implemented in several key agricultural and healthcare production areas of the province. In the agricultural sector, the pilot sites include tea plantations in Sinh Phinh commune, coffee plantations in Muong Ang, macadamia plantations in Tuan Giao, and rice cultivation areas in Thanh Nua.

In the healthcare sector, the province will establish an emergency transport network using UAVs connecting the Muong Ang health centre with the Na Tau commune health stations and the health stations in Muong Dang, Ngoi Cay, and Ang To to transport medicines, medical supplies, and specimens, contributing to improving access to healthcare services.

Vietnam Post is the lead unit in conducting the pilot operation. FPT, along with other UAV manufacturers, is responsible for technical aspects, providing technological solutions, UAV equipment, and flight control software systems. Other businesses and organisations are also involved in coordinating the evaluation of the model's effectiveness.

Initially, flight permits are issued on a monthly basis for evaluation and learning lessons before considering expansion in subsequent phases.

The deployment of a UAV-based low-altitude economic development sandbox model in Dien Bien is expected to generate important data and practical experience, serving as a basis for evaluating socioeconomic effectiveness, operational capabilities, risk management, and proposing improvements to policies to encourage the development of low-altitude space economy in Vietnam.

No-fly, restricted zones to UAVs, ultra-light craft to be test operated The Ministry of Defence has issued a plan to publicise the test operation of no-fly and restricted zones to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ultra-light flying craft.

CT UAV to implement international aerospace quality standards CT UAV is adopting international aerospace quality standards in partnership with SGS to enhance operational excellence across its entire system.

The announcement comes as OR marks its third consecutive year as the No. 1 ranked company in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2026 in the retail industry category, placing it among the top 1% of more than 9,200 companies assessed globally. OR has also been selected as a member of the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices (DJBICI) for the third straight year, reflecting the company's consistent performance across environmental, social, and governance (ESG) dimensions.

"At OR, we believe that growth and responsibility are not trade-offs - they are the same pursuit. Our 2030 Goals reflect our commitment to ensuring that as OR grows, so do the people, communities, and environments we operate within. Inclusive growth is not a vision statement. It is how we run our business," said M.L. Peekthong Thongyai, Chief Executive Officer, PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR).

OR's 2030 Goals are built on the 3Ps framework - People, Planet, and Performance, with three concrete targets: driving inclusive growth with more than one million partners, entrepreneurs, employees, and community stakeholders; improving quality of life across more than 17,000 communities, reaching over 12 million people; and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by more than one-third against the 2022 baseline, with a long-term commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

Across all three dimensions of its sustainability framework (Economic Prosperity, Living Community, and Healthy Environment), OR's commitments are grounded in existing operations and measurable outcomes.

On the Economic Prosperity front, OR's PTT Station network in Thailand - spanning over 2,400 stations nationwide, serving 4 million customers daily alongside 681 partner brands - provides small entrepreneurs and investors with direct access to one of Thailand's largest retail ecosystems. OR also opens sales channels within Café Amazon stores for community bakery entrepreneurs.

On the Living Community front, the Café Amazon for Chance program has opened more than 500 branches, each employing at least one hire from vulnerable groups - elderly, disabled, or otherwise disadvantaged individuals - creating over 400 jobs through an accessible franchise model. The Thaidet program, which promotes local SME products through OR's retail network, has expanded to 487 outlets nationwide, creating a direct sales channel for community entrepreneurs. The Sustainable Coffee Project develops farmers across the full supply chain from cultivation to processing, providing stable income to agricultural communities while reducing the carbon footprint of production.

On the Healthy Environment front, OR's EV Station PluZ network has expanded to more than 1,300 locations across all 77 provinces, with 2,931 DC charge connectors including Ultra-Fast Charge technology delivering up to 480 kW - capable of serving six vehicles simultaneously. OR also supplies Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) to leading airlines at Suvarnabhumi Airport, contributing to the decarbonization of Thailand's aviation sector. Solar installations - spanning Solar Rooftop, Solar Floating, and Solar Farm formats - are being scaled across PTT Station sites and beyond under 15–25-year Private Power Purchase Agreements. The company has also invested in Thai Pipeline Network, operator of Thailand's oil pipeline infrastructure, strengthening energy supply security while reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

As the energy transition reshapes markets across Asia, OR's 2030 Goals chart a clear path toward inclusive and sustainable growth, with a long-term commitment to Net Zero Emissions by 2050.

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

Chairmen of the two groups exchange souvenirs during the working session

The Maersk delegation was led by Robert Maersk Uggla, chairman of the Board of Directors, while Hateco Group was represented by chairman Tran Van Ky, alongside the group's executive management and HHIT leadership.

The meeting underscored the growing partnership between the two companies in maritime infrastructure and logistics development.

According to Ky, the operation of berths 5 and 6 at Lach Huyen Port reflects the effectiveness of cooperation between the two groups. In its first year of operation, the facility handled more than 800,000 TEUs, with throughput expected to reach 1.4 million TEUs in 2026.

The terminal is projected to maintain strong growth momentum in 2027, with throughput forecast at between 1.8 million and 2 million TEUs.

To support increasing cargo volumes and accommodate larger vessels, Hateco proposed that both sides work with relevant Vietnamese authorities to study investment in Turning Basin No.2 in front of berths 5 and 6 at Lach Huyen Port. The project is expected to improve navigation conditions for ultra-large container ships.

The two companies also discussed potential cooperation opportunities in infrastructure, logistics, and supply chain projects aimed at expanding Vietnam's modern logistics ecosystem and strengthening international connectivity.

Uggla noted Hateco's implementation capabilities and long-term development approach, adding that HHIT is emerging as a modern deepwater port within Vietnam's maritime network.

Maersk representatives highlighted that cooperation between the two groups has expanded through several strategic projects, including HHIT, Lien Chieu Port in Danang, and Giang Bien Inland Waterway Port in Hanoi.

According to Maersk, combining the global operational expertise of Maersk and APM Terminals with Hateco's local execution capabilities could support the development of a more integrated logistics ecosystem and reinforce Vietnam's role in global supply chains.

The ceremony symbolises the spirit of sustainable cooperation between Hateco and Maersk

During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on cooperation opportunities, focusing on port operations, logistics infrastructure, supply chain development, and initiatives to enhance connectivity across regional and international supply chains.

The visit coincided with the arrival of MATZ MAERSK, a Triple-E class container vessel with a deadweight of more than 213,970 DWT and carrying capacity of approximately 18,270 TEUs.

As one of the world's largest classes of container ships, the vessel's successful call at HHIT demonstrates the terminal's capability to accommodate ultra-large vessels and reflects its growing role within international shipping networks.

As the global logistics sector continues to evolve towards greater integration and modernisation, cooperation between Hateco and A.P. Moller - Maersk is expected to contribute to the development of logistics infrastructure and supply chain connectivity in Vietnam.

AI assistants are quickly gaining the ability to act in the real world. The Model Context Protocol (MCP) has become a common standard for connecting them to outside tools and data: documents, calendars, databases, and software. What they have not been able to do is sense the physical state of the person in front of them. NervoScan MCP adds that missing layer. Every health tool in the MCP ecosystem so far has been a passive reader of data a device already captured. NervoScan MCP is an active sensor that takes a fresh reading on demand.

The timing reflects two trends converging. Millions of people now track their health through wearables and apps, while a fast-growing group of power users are wiring agentic AI assistants into their daily tools and routines. NervoScan MCP sits where those meet, giving a personal AI assistant a direct, on-demand read of the user's physiology, the one input it has never had.

How it works

With NervoScan MCP, an assistant calls a single tool, scan_vitals, and the user looks at a camera for about 10 seconds. The assistant receives estimates of six everyday vital signs: heart rate, heart rate variability, blood oxygen, respiratory rate, blood pressure, and a stress score. The reading runs on remote photoplethysmography (rPPG), which detects minute colour changes in facial video from a standard camera, with no wearable and no extra hardware. NervoScan MCP is model-agnostic, working with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, Cursor, and any MCP-enabled client, and it never carries the assistant's language-model cost. Users connect once through the standard MCP authorization flow, and new users start with 20 free scans.

"NervoScan MCP allows AI to go beyond its ability to reason. Now it can sense," said Jonathan Lau, Founder and CEO of Nervotec. "For the first time, an AI assistant can access a real-world physiological signal through a simple camera interaction, giving it a layer of context beyond text, documents, and software tools."

NervoScan MCP is built for users of agentic AI: the people running assistants like Claude, ChatGPT, hermes agent, biohackers, and self-trackers who want their AI to factor in how their body is actually doing. Connect it once, and a 10-second face scan hands the assistant real-time vital signs to reason over, on a camera the user already owns.

"We're building the world's first health-sensing layer for AI," said Lau. "Assistants can already read your emails, book flights, and plan your day. Now they can sense how you're actually doing, and that makes them more useful almost everywhere, from health and training to the everyday decisions people make."

Built on research

NervoScan's technology was developed through research conducted with Singapore General Hospital, with peer-reviewed results published in JMIR Formative Research (2025).

"Putting our work through peer review mattered to us," said Lau. "It means the method was examined by independent experts, not simply asserted by the company that built it. That foundation is what we're building on as we bring health sensing to AI."

Private by design

As AI systems gain access to more personal information, privacy and data governance are central to how NervoScan is designed.

"NervoScan does not store scan results. The scan happens, you see it. When you leave, it's gone," said Lau.

NervoScan is built as a biosensing system, not an identification system: its purpose is to extract physiological signals from facial video, not to identify a person from their face. Every scan requires the user's consent, and NervoScan retains only a timestamp of when a scan took place, never the readings themselves. As Lau puts it: "We don't sell your data, because there is nothing to sell."

https://nervotec.com

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

From the outset, NAMAA chose to focus its energy on fundamentals: understanding the regional landscape, forging meaningful partnerships, and putting physical infrastructure in place. That groundwork has since translated into a portfolio of facilities spanning Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain. The portfolio currently comprises three core offerings:

• KitchenPark facilities - Ready-to-use CloudKitchens® commercial kitchens and Central Processing Units (CPUs) for F&B brands looking to scale without the capital burden of traditional premises
• ProFood Bespoke builds — Tailored culinary infrastructure designed around specific operational requirements
• CloudRetail - Purpose-built to close the gap between production and the end consumer
• HungerHub - The region's #1 chain of digital food courts
• Picnic & Future Foods - Two new brands soon to be launched in the region

Significant and Sustained Investment

In 2025, NAMAA deployed close to $100 million across the Middle East, directed entirely towards expanding its footprint, supporting existing operators, and responding to the sustained demand it continues to see across markets. That investment is not slowing.

Dubai, in particular, has become a focal point. In 2026, NAMAA plans to invest approximately $40 million into the emirate alone, a marked increase from the $28 million committed there in 2025. It is a market NAMAA has come to regard as one of the most dynamic in the region: fast-moving, receptive to new models in food and logistics, and broadly supportive of the kind of infrastructure-led approach the company brings.

A Region at an Inflexion Point

The Middle East's food landscape is shifting. Consumer demand is rising, supply chains are being rethought, and resilience has become a genuine priority for operators and governments alike. Against that backdrop, NAMAA sees a clear and enduring role for dedicated infrastructure not as a complement to the broader ecosystem, but as its foundation.

For NAMAA, the region is not just a deployment target. It is a long-term commitment that is built around empowering operators, supporting businesses of all sizes, and ultimately serving the communities these food systems exist to feed.

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

The launch ceremony was held in Almaty with the attendance of Nguyen Thanh Le, Appointed Ambassador of Viet Nam to Kazakhstan; Berikbol Shatabayevich Mandibayev, Head of the Department of Entrepreneurship and Investment of Almaty; along with representatives of the Government of Kazakhstan, the Embassy of Vietnam in Kazakhstan, and strategic partners, businesses and organizations across the transportation, energy, technology, finance, infrastructure and service sectors.

In its initial phase, Green SM will operate in Almaty with a fleet of VinFast VF 6 Eco vehicles, an all-electric SUV designed to meet the needs of everyday urban travel. Combining quiet operation, a comfortable cabin, and modern safety features, the VinFast VF 6 Eco is expected to provide residents and visitors in Almaty with a more convenient, reliable, and enjoyable mobility experience.

Alongside its electric vehicle fleet, Green SM continues to invest in the development of its Green Drivers through comprehensive training programs covering operations, safety, and customer service. This forms part of the company's ongoing efforts to maintain consistent service standards and deliver safe and dependable transportation experiences for users in Kazakhstan.

To celebrate the launch, Green SM is offering a promotion of 26%, up to KZT 2,626 for customers booking rides through the Green SM application. Users in Kazakhstan can now access Green SM services via the Green SM app, available on both the App Store and Google Play.

In parallel with the service launch, Green SM has established partnerships with five strategic partners across the transportation, tourism, technology, and service sectors through the Green Alliance Frontier initiative. The initiative serves as a platform connecting organizations that share a commitment to sustainable development and creating positive impacts for local communities across multiple markets.

Nguyen Quoc Tuan, Global Chief Executive Officer of GSM, said: "Kazakhstan is a market with strong potential, dynamic growth, and rising expectations for modern services. We come to Kazakhstan with respect for the market, a long-term commitment to investment, and a desire to work alongside local partners in developing high-quality mobility solutions that meet the everyday needs of the community. At Green SM, we believe sustainable growth must be built on trust and meaningful value for society. That is the foundation we hope to build together with our customers, partners, and the people of Kazakhstan in the years ahead."

Kazakhstan is experiencing the rapid development of modern urban centers alongside rising expectations for quality of life and better services. Green SM's presence in Kazakhstan reflects the company's long-term vision of bringing all-electric mobility solutions closer to users in more regions around the world. Green SM enters Kazakhstan with the aspiration of contributing to better mobility experiences for local communities: quieter journeys along busy city streets, more comfortable travel in everyday life, and greater reliability through service standards that are consistently maintained across every trip.

Founded in Vietnam in 2023, Green SM currently operates a green mobility ecosystem across Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and Kazakhstan. With an all-electric fleet, a technology-driven platform, and consistently applied operational standards, Green SM is steadily expanding its green mobility ecosystem across international markets, with the goal of providing modern, safe, and sustainable transportation solutions for communities around the world.

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

https://youtu.be/LgPe9R4ThII?si=Tw3RR_-vyRR6DLMU

"The examples of agreements and co-operation are just so abundant that they range from the service sector to heavy industries such as mining and infrastructure development," Lee said. "I think the sky is the limit."

The multiple outcomes achieved during the trip demonstrate Hong Kong's role as a functional platform for the Belt and Road (B&R) Initiative, as the city actively plays its roles as a "super connector" and "super value-adder" to promote broader and deeper co-operation between the two places and establish a hub-to-hub co-operation model.

"Kazakhstan is an important commercial and logistics hub connecting China and Europe. It is also the place where the Belt and Road Initiative was first proposed, and is Hong Kong's largest trading partner in Central Asia. There are broad prospects for further co-operation," Lee said, adding that a lot of B&R projects are also being pursued in Uzbekistan.

"For example, Uzbekistan sits in the heart of the corridor of Asia and Europe, so logistical development, railway development, and also how we can complement and supplement each other in cargo handling will be an area for a very wide range of co-operation."

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

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), Vietnam exported 4.5 million tonnes of rice in the first five months of 2026, generating $2.09 billion in revenue, up 6.6 per cent in volume but down 3.6 per cent in value compared to the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the EU periodically reviews and updates the list of fragrant rice varieties eligible for preferential tariffs under the EVFTA, while applying different conditions to fragrant rice, high-quality white rice, and rice used for processing. For fragrant rice in particular, the EU maintains a specific list of eligible rice varieties, including several of Vietnam’s speciality aromatic varieties that have already been recognised by the bloc.

“The EU’s periodic review and update of the list of eligible fragrant rice varieties is necessary to reflect production realities and creates opportunities for new Vietnamese rice varieties to enter high-value markets,” Nghiem Quang Tuan, deputy director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection under the MAE said.

He added that maintaining and expanding Vietnam’s presence in the EU market would not only support export growth but also reinforce the international positioning of Vietnamese premium and low-emission rice, creating opportunities to penetrate other high-value markets such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and North America.

According to information released last week by the Vietnam Rice Industry Association (VIETRISA), from the first shipment of over 400 tonnes of low-emission green Vietnamese rice exported to Japan last year, Vietnam has now exported approximately 70,000 tonnes of this product line to the international market.

This is considered an important step in the venture to develop one million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta, which is currently being implemented.

Le Thanh Tung, vice president of VIETRISA, said that this success opens doors to demanding markets such as Japan, Europe, and Australia, and also demonstrates that Vietnam's approach to producing high-quality rice and reducing emissions is yielding positive results.

“Our market research results indicate that consumers are willing to pay a higher price for environmentally friendly rice. However, the key factor is transparency in the certification process and the early synchronisation of domestic and international standards to reduce costs and increase competitiveness,” he said.

The average export price of rice in the first four months of 2026 was only about $470/tonne, the lowest level in the past five years.

The MAE believes the cause stems from difficulties arising from geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East, which have impacted global agricultural supply chains. This has forced many farmers in Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia to consider reducing input investments or adjusting production plans.

Furthermore, extreme climate change, rising production costs, and logistics disruptions are also putting significant pressure on Asian rice prices. Amidst declining production and export prices, the rice industry has shifted towards the low-emission, high-quality rice segment.

Do Ha Nam, chairman of the Vietnam Food Association, said that high-quality rice currently accounts for about 90 per cent of total exports in the first five months of 2026, with 60-70 per cent consisting of fragrant and speciality rice.

Rice varieties such as ST24, ST25, and Japonica are gradually penetrating high-end markets like the EU, the US, and Japan. In early May, the price of Vietnamese Jasmine rice reached around $515/tonne, an increase of about $30 per tonne compared to the previous month, while fragrant rice with 5 per cent broken grains increased by 5-7 per cent.

"At current prices, Vietnamese rice is being offered at the highest price among the top five rice-exporting countries in the world. Vietnam's advantage is on price but now also in its increasingly diversified product structure, with a continuously increasing proportion of fragrant and high-quality rice," Nam said.

Low-emission rice is creating significant added value for export businesses. Pham Thai Binh, chairman of the board at Trung An High-Tech Agriculture, said that after successfully exporting 500 tonnes of Japonica rice under a low carbon rice brand to Japan at $820 per tonne, the company continued to export an additional 1,000 tonnes to Europe and Australia at an export price exceeding $1,000 per tonne.

“Importing markets are now increasingly interested in low-emission criteria and sustainability in production,” he said. “As many localities in the Mekong Delta accelerate the approval of large-scale projects for businesses to implement the million-hectare high-quality rice cultivation scheme, low-emission rice production will boom in the near future,” Binh said.

Similarly, A An Food JSC has identified the development of green rice cultivation areas as a long-term competitive advantage. For the 2025-2026 crop year, the company will collaborate with farmers and cooperatives in the Mekong Delta to implement over 5,000 ha of cultivation using low-emission models.

According to Le Anh Nam, deputy general director of A An Food, when the growing area meets low-emission standards, the company's rice products meet the increasingly stringent requirements from the EU, Japan, and other high-end markets, opening up opportunities to label them as green rice or low carbon rice, which international importers are particularly interested in.

"From a business perspective, this is the foundation for us to build a sustainable rice value chain, increasing farmers' income while elevating Vietnamese brands in the global supply chain. Green rice is the future of the rice industry, and we aspire to be a pioneer on that journey," Nam said.

By the end of May 2026,Vietnam had implemented over 354,000 ha of high-quality, low-emission rice cultivation, according to data from MAE. Besides the Mekong Delta, several models are also being tested in Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, and Haiphong.

According to Nguyen Quoc Manh, deputy director of the Department of Crop Production and Plant Protection under the MAE, the crop production sector is oriented towards continuing to expand the area of high-quality rice, developing speciality rice varieties associated with environmental factors, building a distinct identity for low-emission rice, and promoting the application of processing technology and diversifying export markets.

The department plans to issue a rice production process that reduces emissions, covering the entire farming chain.

"In the context of major markets like the EU, Japan, and South Korea increasingly tightening environmental standards and carbon emissions, Vietnam's choice today is not just right, it is also crucial for the future of the rice industry," he added.

VIETRISA forecasts rice exports for the whole year to reach 7-7.5 million tonnes, aiming for a turnover of $4.5-5 billion, with a focus on increasing the proportion of high-quality rice to enhance value instead of chasing production volume.

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Despite missing the recent upgrade, Vietnam has introduced several sweeping market reforms acknowledged by MSCI in its June 19 Global Market Accessibility Review.

Key updates include the new Global Broker model, which eliminates the domestic trading account requirement for foreign investors, and the official establishment of a Central Counterparty Clearing (CCP) mechanism slated for early 2027.

Additionally, a phased mandate by the Ministry of Finance requires all listed companies to make a transition to English-language disclosures between 2025 and 2028.

The MSCI was equally clear about what still stands in the way. Foreign ownership limits in conditional business sectors range from zero per cent to 75 per cent, affecting more than 10 per cent of Vietnam’s total equity market capitalisation.

The foreign room issue also persists, with more than 1 per cent of the MSCI Vietnam Investable Market Index still constrained by fully utilised ownership caps at major listed firms.

On the foreign exchange front, Vietnam does not yet have an offshore currency market, and onshore transactions remain tied to underlying securities deals, limiting flexibility relative to peer Emerging Markets.

Raman Aylur Subramanian, head of Market Classification and Taxonomies at MSCI, noted in the classification review, “Index inclusion and market classification are not static judgments. They must be continuously assessed against market changes and the experience of international institutional investors.”

For Vietnam, the next opportunity to make the watchlist will come at MSCI’s 2027 Annual Market Classification Review, with the full deployment and demonstrated stability of the CCP model likely to be the most closely watched milestone in the interim.

Vietnam enters new phase of capital market development More than 1,000 delegates, including leaders from the government, ministries, local authorities, international financial institutions, investment funds, technology corporations, innovative enterprises, and founders from Vietnam and around the world, attended the Vietnam Innovation and Private Capital Summit 2026 on May 28 in Ho Chi Minh City.

MSCI upgrade hopes fuel momentum in Vietnam's stock market Following its FTSE Russell promotion, Vietnam is now focusing on securing a place on MSCI’s watch list, a key step towards attracting larger foreign investment flows into the country’s capital markets.

MSCI highlights reform gains while flagging barriers in Vietnam’s stock market MSCI has recognised Vietnam’s recent capital market reforms, while highlighting unresolved accessibility issues and pledging to continue monitoring developments ahead of its closely watched market classification review.

The announcement on June 23 said the investment came from SeaTown Private Credit Fund III, managed by SeaTown Holdings International, alongside the Oman Investment Authority and the Vietnam Oman Investment Fund. Vinpearl raised the capital through the issuance of convertible dividend preference shares, with exclusive financial advisory services provided by Jefferies.

A representative of SeaTown Holdings said Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sector offers significant growth potential, supported by rising domestic consumption and the recovery of international arrivals. The Singapore-based investor expects its partnership with Vinpearl to help support the next growth cycle of Vietnam’s tourism industry.

The Vietnam Oman Investment Fund noted that Vietnam remains one of the region’s most dynamic economies. As a bridge for investment flows between Oman, the Gulf region, and Vietnam, the fund selected Vinpearl as a strategic partner as it expands its portfolio into the services sector. It believes the company’s integrated hospitality ecosystem will benefit directly from the industry’s long-term growth prospects.

According to Vinpearl, the new investment will strengthen its financial capacity and support the company’s long-term development roadmap.

“The successful partnership with leading global financial institutions demonstrates our operational capabilities and strategic vision,” a Vinpearl representative said.

In the next phase of development, the company plans to continue upgrading its products and services to meet international standards and attract a broader range of customer segments.

The investors participating in the deal are major financial institutions. Established in Singapore in 2009, SeaTown Holdings International focuses on Asian markets and operates under the asset management platform of Temasek Holdings Seviora Holdings.

Meanwhile, the Oman Investment Authority is the sovereign wealth fund of the Sultanate of Oman, managing a diversified global investment portfolio and investing in Vietnam through the Vietnam Oman Investment Fund.

Established in 2003, Vinpearl currently operates an integrated tourism, hospitality, and entertainment ecosystem comprising 60 facilities across 20 provinces and cities. The company manages more than 17,500 5-star hotel and resort rooms, 16 VinWonders theme parks, six golf courses, three VinPalace international convention centres, and a system of semi-wildlife conservation parks.

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VIFC should open gradually, starting with a narrow pool of reputable firms while strengthening its executive and supervisory bodies, anti-money laundering (AML) enforcement, and beneficial-ownership transparency.

At the same time, reforms should be passed that make it easier to do business outside VIFC, since it ultimately interacts with the economy beyond its ring-fenced boundaries.

The establishment of Qatar Financial Centre (QFC) shows how a phased launch coupled with economic reforms implemented over time can translate into wider economic benefits.

After initially attracting banks and insurers, the QFC expanded into legal, consulting, and management-office services, and by 2020 activity inside the QFC generated nearly 2 per cent of Qatar’s GDP and supported more than 15,000 jobs. In contrast, Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) has had some well-publicised issues including the 2018 collapse of Abraaj, which was headquartered in the DIFC and was once one of the Middle East’s most prominent private-equity firms; that firm collapsed amid a massive fraud investigation, although there were some notable successes including a REIT launched in 2014.

India’s International Financial Services Centre at Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT), which launched in 2015, is arguably the closest parallel to VIFC. Like Vietnam, India is a large, fast-growing emerging Asian economy, and GIFT was built as a ring-fenced IFC with the explicit goal of on-shoring financial activity that Indian corporates had previously been conducting offshore, and of channelling inbound foreign capital into the domestic economy rather than serving as a parking area for private wealth in the mould of Dubai or Qatar. That makes GIFT, rather than the Gulf centres, Vietnam’s closest working peer, and because it is roughly a decade ahead of VIFC on the same road, its successes and stumbles are particularly instructive for Vietnam.

Two key lessons from the GIFT for VIFC stand out. First, India established a single, unified regulator for GIFT consolidating powers that had been split across four separate domestic regulators; Vietnam’s oversight today remains divided across the State Bank of Vietnam, the State Securities Commission, and the Ministry of Finance, so rationalising regulation for the VIFC from day one would reduce friction. Second, the GIFT’s build-out proceeded product-by-product and took years to gain real traction, as can be seen in the chart above, reinforcing the case for VIFC’s deliberately phased rollout.

VIFC officially launched in February. As noted above, key legal infrastructure components were finalised earlier this month, and the top priority will be facilitating the entry and exit of funds by licensing commercial banks in the centre. Once the initial foundational elements are established, particularly banks, fund management companies, and corporate bonds, we expect to see a 'Cambrian explosion' of financial products including aviation and maritime finance, green finance, carbon markets, fintech, and digital assets.

Trade finance, energy finance, and supply chain finance are natural next steps because they connect directly to Vietnam’s role in global supply chains, although there is also an enormous need to finance infrastructure development in Vietnam. However, to realise all of that potential, VIFC will need to build on its initial foundations with clear product-specific regulations, strong supervisory institutions, credible dispute resolution.

Moreover, it also needs a deeper pool of bankers, fund managers, lawyers, accountants, compliance officers, AML/KYC specialists, regulators, and arbitrators; and especially, growing the supply of bankable projects and credible issuers, with audited financials, transparent disclosure, reliable cash flows, and enforceable contracts.

Progress on these fronts will strengthen VIFC, improve Vietnam's wider financial system, and lower the cost of capital for infrastructure, energy, logistics, housing, and small and medium-sized enterprises. It will also enable the introduction of more financial products and services in the country.

Looking ahead, VIFC can serve as a controlled policy sandbox for innovations such as tokenised securities, AI-driven compliance tools, and blockchain-based settlement, which – if successfully tested on a limited basis – could later be rolled out across Vietnam’s broader economy.

In short, VIFC can serve as a 'beachhead' for the proliferation of wider reforms in the broader financial system and broader economy.

Finally, VinaCapital has been working closely with prospective members and foreign investors, as well as with VIFC’s executive team, to help establish investor-friendly guidelines for its future operations.

Fortuitously, Vietnam is opening its IFC in a phased manner and offering a wide range of benefits to institutions inside the centre, while concurrently implementing major reforms outside.

Those reforms include expediting the approval of major infrastructure and corporate projects in which VIFC members will soon be able to participate, plus a series of capital market reforms that should deepen liquidity and help lower Vietnam’s cost of capital.

VIFC is a purpose-built channel for foreign capital to help close Vietnam’s estimated $1.5 trillion funding gap to industrialise the country. Although it is legally structured like Dubai’s DIFC, it is not meant to compete with it. Economically, it resembles New York during the US’s industrialisation, aiming to finance industry and infrastructure.

Success will depend on a deliberately phased rollout beginning with reputable banks and asset managers, the steady build-out of supervisory institutions and professional talent, a credible pipeline of bankable projects, and critically, parallel reforms in the wider economy beyond the ring-fence.

Managed well, VIFC can act as a beachhead for broader financial and economic reform, while lowering Vietnam’s cost of capital and widening the range of financial products available to foreign investors.

VIFC in Ho Chi Minh City attracts $19 billion in commitments More than $19 billion in committed capital is awaiting regulatory approval to be disbursed into Ho Chi Minh City's International Financial Centre.

VIFC-HCMC, Touchstone Partners, Temasek Foundation to collaborate on green economy On May 29, the Vietnam International Financial Centre in Ho Chi Minh City, Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation signed a trilateral strategic collaboration agreement to mobilise financial resources to advance technology development, contributing to Vietnam’s green transition.

VIFC set to raise the bar for Ho Chi Minh City’s office market Vietnam's International Financial Centre is expected to add substantial office space to Ho Chi Minh City's market while raising competitive standards across the sector.

TrendAI™ managed security teams are already deploying agentic triage capabilities powered by OpenAI's frontier AI models integrated directly into TrendAI Vision One™. Security operations triage agents autonomously surface AI-assisted insights within the SIEM platforms, XDR consoles, and threat intelligence portals analysts already work in – delivering contextual triage decisions at machine speed and measurably reducing mean time to triage. Analysts shift from reactive alert handling to the escalation and validation decisions that require human judgment.

The partnership also strengthens TrendAI™'s vulnerability intelligence programs. With OpenAI's frontier cyber capabilities embedded in TrendAI Vision One™ as part of a managed service workflow, this gives threat researchers greater speed and precision in identifying, prioritizing, and disclosing vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.Intelligence feeds directly into virtual patching and pre-disclosure capabilities, so customers receive protection at the point of discovery, often before a CVE is published or a vendor patch is available.

Insights developed through Daybreak will feed directly into TrendAI™'s global threat intelligence programs and Zero Day Initiative (ZDI) – the industry's longest-running vendor-agnostic bug bounty program – extending the reach and impact of coordinated disclosure across the broader software ecosystem.

"Integrating OpenAI's frontier cyber capabilities directly into TrendAI Vision One™ is a meaningful step forward for enterprise security teams. Our customers benefit from faster, more precise threat analysis and vulnerability research - without ever interacting with the model directly. This is AI working as infrastructure: built into the products and services security teams already rely on, raising the bar for every organization that depends on them." Rachel Jin, Chief Platform and Business Officer, Head of TrendAI™.

As a Trusted Partner, TrendAI™ joins a select community of organizations working alongside OpenAI to advance the responsible use of frontier AI for security. The Daybreak program reflects a shared conviction that the most powerful application of advanced AI is fundamentally proactive - giving defenders the speed, precision, and scale to stay ahead of threats before they materialize.

https://www.trendaisecurity.com

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

At the ceremony, the eight agencies formalized their coordination by signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) committing to reduce approval and licensing timelines by 20 to 50 percent across key investment milestones, including factory permits, free-zone processing, environmental impact assessments, and power grid connections.

The ceremony drew more than 300 attendees, including foreign diplomats, international chambers of commerce, and multinational executives.

"In today's global economy, speed is the ultimate competitive differentiator," said Anutin Charnvirakul, Prime Minister of Thailand. "The Thai government is shifting from regulator to active business facilitator. By removing regulatory hurdles, increasing speed, and ensuring policy transparency, we are driving physical investments that will generate next-generation employment and secure Thailand's long-term regional competitiveness."

The push to turn approved projects into physical factories follows a historic surge in investment applications. BOI received a record USD 54.5 billion (approximately 1.8 trillion baht) in investment applications in 2025. Momentum has carried into 2026, with first-quarter applications already exceeding USD 30.3 billion (approximately 1 trillion baht).

The USD 21 billion total spans two FastPass cohorts. In the first phase, FastPass resolved regulatory bottlenecks for 76 previously approved projects valued at over USD 14.4 billion (approximately 474 billion baht). Today's ceremony launched the second cohort: 25 projects from 23 companies worth USD 6.7 billion (approximately 223 billion baht), each receiving a formal Thailand FastPass certificate.

"We are focusing heavily on 'realized investment' entering the actual economy," said Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance. "The FastPass mechanism is designed to deliver immediate, concrete economic results in the short term, while laying down long-term structural benefits that will distribute wealth across our broader economy. These 25 pilot projects from 23 companies are projected to generate over 13,000 high-skilled jobs. Combined with the 76 projects cleared under FastPass in the preceding phase, total investment mobilized by the program exceeds 700 billion baht."

This mechanism converts corporate capital into domestic benefits across five key dimensions: driving investment-led GDP growth, generating high-skilled careers, transferring technical know-how, integrating local SMEs, and creating localized economic multipliers within regional communities.

"The FastPass program fundamentally changes how Thailand works with global investors," said Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary-General of the BOI. "We put eight agencies into one pipeline. Permit timelines that once stretched for months can now be cut by up to half. That gets factories built, creates high-skilled jobs, and pulls Thai suppliers into global supply chains."

Global corporations participating in the FastPass program cited Thailand's strategic location, modern infrastructure, robust supply chains, skilled workforce, and favorable investment policies as the key drivers for their expansion.

"Thailand possesses the talent, infrastructure, and policy support necessary for next-generation industries," said Simon Gwozdz, CEO of Equatorial Space (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a developer of low-Earth orbit space launch vehicles. "The BOI's one-stop coordination significantly reduces regulatory complexity."

"The availability of raw materials, infrastructure, and proactive government support were critical in our decision to anchor our regional operations here," said Donald Carpenter, CFO of U.S.-based PureCycle Technologies, Inc. "The FastPass mechanism directly improves our operational efficiency."

"The speed of obtaining factory licenses under the scheme has accelerated our operational readiness, creating a smoother path to scale," said Larry Foo of SAM Precision (Thailand), a Malaysia-based manufacturer of precision components for the semiconductor industry.

"The depth of Thailand's electronics supply chain and supportive state policies were critical to our investment decision," said Kris Leetavorn, Director of Advanced Connection Technology, a high-density printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturer. "The FastPass program drastically simplifies state coordination, allowing us to hit aggressive deployment timelines."

To demonstrate Thailand's readiness for advanced industries, the government showcased technologies currently being deployed or manufactured in Thailand, including humanoid robotics, LiDAR sensor systems, aerospace technology, and advanced electronics.

"Thailand FastPass proves what is possible when all agencies move in the same direction—approved investments actually get built," Narit concluded. "The world is reshuffling supply chains. Investors need clarity and speed. Thailand is ready to deliver both. We will keep expanding FastPass to cover more permits and more strategic industries, creating quality jobs, strengthening supply chains, and raising Thailand's long-term competitiveness."

USD conversion based on a reference exchange rate of approximately 33 baht per USD (Bank of Thailand, June 2026).

https://www.boi.go.th

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

Ashley Mastronardi delivers the pre-market update on June 23rd

• Traders monitor new developments across the AI trade and the conflict in the Middle East.
• Disney (NYSE: DIS) releases the result of its latest 'Generation Stream' study at Cannes Lions:
  • 84% of streamers say they feel streaming is the original social network.
  • 87% say it's important for streaming events to happen live or at a culturally significant moment.
  • 67% say ads are seamlessly integrated into streaming experiences.
• NYSE Live will exclusively broadcast Twilio (NYSE: TWLO) CEO Khozema Shipchandler's remarks as the firms celebrates 10 years on the NYSE.
• FIRY CEO Andrew Paradise will join NYSE Live to reveal the strategy behind his company's recent rebranding.

Opening Bell
Twilio (NYSE: TWLO) celebrates 10 years on the NYSE

Closing Bell
Devon Energy (NYSE: DVN) celebrates its merger with Coterra Energy

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Enviri at the NYSE on June 22nd

The launch comes as demand for AI-driven hiring surges across the region. More than four in five organizations surveyed in Singapore (82%) are already using AI in hiring, onboarding or training, according to industry research by ManpowerGroup.

Why do hiring teams need an AI recruiting agent?

Moka Eva covers the full hiring process, from sourcing and screening to interviews and candidate communications, acting as a proactive AI teammate that continuously refines its judgment based on each company's own decisions.

The system has screened more than 5 million resumes and assisted in more than 600,000 interviews to date, producing results consistent with human reviewers more than 92% of the time.

At a leading international coffee and tea chain with more than 20,000 locations, Moka Eva cut per-store time-to-hire by 75% and lifted offer-to-onboarding conversion from 14.2% to 35.8%.

How does AI Interview support first-round screening?

Moka Eva also supports automated first-round screening through AI Interview, which sends candidates a single link and conducts a structured interview autonomously, supporting more than 10 languages.

The system probes two to three follow-up questions to test the depth of each answer, flags suspected cheating in real time, and returns a scored report with video playback. Companies using the tool have cut screening time by up to 70%, with shortlist cycles running three times faster.

How does Interview Coach assist human-led interviews?

For human-led interviews, Moka AI's Interview Coach extracts hiring criteria from a company's own past interviews, generates tailored questions before each session and prompts interviewers in real time, scoring each candidate afterward and sharpening its benchmarks as more interviews are completed. The goal is not to replace interviewers, but to help companies turn strong individual judgment into a more consistent organizational capability.

"We want to turn the talent-spotting ability of a few great interviewers into a capability the whole organization can share," said Guoxing Li, co-founder and CEO of Moka AI. "With Moka Eva, hiring becomes less of a black box and more of a compounding asset — every search, screen and interview helps the organization get clearer about who it needs and how to hire better."

Moka AI is trusted by more than 3,000 companies globally, including more than 30% of the Fortune 500. Moka Eva brings that enterprise-grade recruiting intelligence to teams across Asia Pacific.

For more information or to book a demo, visit mokahr.io.

Zafin AIOS Platform

As agentic work expands, work no longer happens in one place. It moves across agents, models, tools, workflows, systems and human decision points. AIOS is designed to orchestrate that movement with enterprise guardrails, cost controls and proof of work built into the path.

According to a recent Deloitte AI survey, only 21% of organizations have a mature governance model for autonomous AI agents. With this shift, regulated institutions face a new operating challenge: turning individual task-level productivity into governed operating capacity across workflows. AIOS addresses this by bringing agents, models, tools and pilot projects into a governed path where work can be directed, reviewed, cost-managed, evidenced and improved over time.

The result is a more controlled operating model: more capacity created, shorter cycle times, stronger cost governance, clearer control and more reusable learning from the work being done.

"Agentic AI is not just another technology cycle. It changes the operating model of the enterprise," said Charbel Safadi, CEO of Zafin. "For the first time, real work will move across people, agents, models, and systems together. Regulated institutions need a way to orchestrate that work while keeping human authority, cost discipline, evidence, and accountability intact. That is what AIOS was built to do: bring people, systems, and AI into a governed work path."

Zafin is Customer Zero for AIOS. The company validated the platform by running AIOS across its own software delivery, modernization, and internal operations before bringing it to customers.

A New Operating Model for Agentic Work

As agents take on more work, the role of people also changes. Human teams no longer need to perform every task manually. But if their role is not redefined, authority, cost discipline and evidence are often the first things to break down.

AIOS defines what agents can access, what they are allowed to do, which models and tools they can use, what controls apply and where human authority is required.

People remain responsible for the decisions that determine whether agentic work can be trusted: defining the right intent, setting the right controls, approving consequential actions, reviewing exceptions and inspecting the evidence behind the outcome.

The goal is not to put a person in every step but to place human authority where it matters most, while allowing agentic work to move through a governed path.

Proof of Work Built into the Work Path

AIOS creates a source of proof for agentic work. It does not only route work across agents, models, tools and workflows. It captures the evidence institutions need to understand how work moved, what controls applied and why it was allowed to proceed.

Every action is traced and linked to the work itself, including:

• What was requested and what context was used
• Which agent or model acted, and what permissions and controls applied
• Where humans reviewed the work and what exceptions surfaced
• What changed, what it cost and what evidence remains

This creates an evidence record that can support policy, control, compliance, and audit review without forcing institutions to reconstruct what happened after the fact from tickets, logs, chats, and disconnected systems.

"Conventional logging can show what happened, but running agentic work in a regulated institution requires more than an audit trail," said Shahir Daya, Chief Product and Technology Officer at Zafin. "It requires a governed execution path. AIOS embeds governance and evidence directly into that execution path, creating a trusted record of what was requested, what was permitted, what occurred, and who was accountable at every step."

AIOS Accelerator for Qualified Institutions

Zafin AIOS Accelerator is a time-limited program for regulated institutions ready to move from AI experimentation to governed agentic work. The Accelerator program helps qualified institutions assess readiness, define their governance and proof-of-work requirements, and apply AIOS to a first use case: software delivery, modernization, regulated research, or another high-control workflow.

Institutions can apply at: https://zafin.com/aios/accelerator.

As China's solar sector faces mounting efficiency bottlenecks and increasingly diverse end-market demands, the shift to BC technology is driven by both evolving market needs and the company's accumulated expertise in passivation and contact techniques.

"BC is the ultimate architecture for crystalline silicon cells," said GengWeng Huang, Executive Dean of GCL SI's Cell Research Division. "We've already explored TOPCon and HJT extensively, but both are reaching their physical limits. BC is opening a broader window for future efficiency gains."

GCL SI's GPC (Graphical Precise-doping Passivation Contact) product line is its flagship BC technology development. GPC 3.0 targets the premium distributed segment of residential rooftops, C&I rooftops, and BIPV-style applications, where full-screen all-black aesthetics, higher energy yield, and stronger reliability are increasingly valued. GCL SI describes GPC 3.0 as a high-efficiency BC-based module designed to deliver greater real-world rooftop value.

Notably, GCL SI confirmed that the first containers of GPC 3.0 modules are already on their way to Europe, marking the beginning of its commercial rollout in the European distributed solar market.

The GPC residential full-screen all-black modules offer a proven benchmark: 475–500 W output, 23.27%–24.05% efficiency, dimensions of 1,800 × 1,134 × 30 mm, a 30-year linear power warranty with 0.35% annual degradation, and a 30-year product warranty. GCL SI has indicated that GPC 3.0 is designed to further enhance both efficiency and reliability beyond this baseline.

According to GCL SI, GPC 3.0 integrates several upgraded technologies including MAX design, advanced passivation, multi-layer gradient dielectric films, GPC metallization, and FBR granular silicon, to boost module efficiency, durability, and suitability across distributed scenarios. The technology offers four core advantages:

• Enhanced light harvesting & aesthetics: GPC 3.0's MAX‑oriented full‑screen design minimizes front‑side visual interruption while expanding light‑receiving area. Combined with multi‑layer gradient dielectric films, it delivers stronger broadband anti‑reflection and improved energy yield under variable rooftop irradiance.
• Higher conversion efficiency via passivation upgrades: GCL SI's advanced passivation path reduces surface recombination losses and boosts voltage performance. Mass‑produced GPC cells have achieved an average conversion efficiency of 28.38%, underscoring the company's BC‑track efficiency trajectory.
• Lower non‑silicon cost via metallization innovation: GPC metallization is a key lever in the GPC 3.0 upgrade. GCL SI also notes progress in advanced metallization such as 0BB and other silver‑reduction approaches, supporting the industry shift toward lower per‑watt silver consumption and improved cost resilience.
• Materials consistency & sustainability with FBR granular silicon: Leveraging in‑house FBR granular silicon, GCL SI enhances material uniformity and strengthens its sustainability profile, supporting both performance consistency and lower‑carbon manufacturing, which is increasingly valued in international distributed markets.

Looking ahead, GCL SI is committed to driving the global large‑scale adoption of BC technology to support worldwide carbon neutrality goals. With GPC 3.0 as a strategic cornerstone, the company will continue pushing efficiency boundaries and low‑carbon innovation across distributed solar applications, and to build a cleaner, more resilient energy future.