PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for June 24, 2026 – Full Text
1. Kiwi Distillery Eyes Global Expansion After Whey-Based Gin Judged World-Leading
June 23, 2026
A Tauranga craft distillery is set for global expansion after its whey-based gin was judged the highest-rated gin at one of the world’s leading international spirits competitions in London, prompting a surge in international enquiries from consumers and distributors.
The win also coincides with the signing of the New Zealand-India free trade agreement, with the company now in discussions with a major Indian retail chain as it looks to enter one of the world’s fastest-growing premium gin markets.
Clarity Distilling Company’s Clarity Navy Gin, which is made using ethanol derived from grass-fed New Zealand dairy whey, has just been awarded 99 points and a Gold Outstanding medal at the 2026 International Wine & Spirit Competition.
The Tauranga-made spirit was the highest-scoring gin entered in this year’s competition.
Co-founder George White says the result has created a potential pathway for the company to move from a small New Zealand craft producer into a multimillion-dollar export business.
“We have had enquiries go through the roof almost overnight. People in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia are contacting us directly asking where they can buy the product, and we are having to explain that we are not exporting yet. That tells us there is real demand if we can put the right distribution in place and a window to capitalise on this momentum if we can move quickly.
“For a small New Zealand producer to be competing against some of the most established spirits brands in the world and come out with this level of recognition is a significant moment for us.”
The win follows a series of major international and local awards for the Bay of Plenty producer, including Double Gold at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition for Clarity Dry Gin, Gin of the Year and Spirit of the Year New Zealand at the 2026 London Spirits Competition for Clarity Navy Gin, Best London Dry Gin at the New Zealand Spirits Awards and Distillery of the Year at the 2025 Small Batch New Zealand Gin Awards.
White says one of the company’s key differences is its use of whey-based ethanol, produced from a natural by-product of grass-fed New Zealand dairy.
The alcohol base is sourced from regional suppliers and comes from the production of ethanol from casein whey, a by-product of milk processing. The whey contains lactose, or milk sugar, which is fermented in an anaerobic process before the ethanol is recovered through distillation and concentrated.
While most ethanol used in spirits is traditionally made from molasses, cane sugar or grain, White says its operation is one of the few in the world where casein whey is used as the feedstock for ethanol production.
He says the whey-based ethanol gives them a distinctive production story that is increasingly valuable in premium export markets.
“The locally sourced whey in our base spirit gives the gin a texture and softness that people notice, changing the mouth-feel of the product and giving us a point of difference in markets such as the United States, where the grass-fed New Zealand dairy story is already well understood and highly regarded.
“Most gin globally is built on a grain or sugar-based spirit. We are starting from a very different raw material, and we think that is one of the reasons international judges are responding so strongly to the product.”
“New Zealand has spent decades building a reputation around grass-fed dairy and clean food production. We are taking that same story into premium spirits,” he says.
White says the US market presents a major opportunity for Clarity because while spirits continue to command a large share of American alcohol sales, gin remains less developed as a premium category than whiskey, tequila and vodka.
“That creates an opening for differentiated products with a clear point of origin. For us, the combination of New Zealand provenance, grass-fed whey-based ethanol and international award recognition gives us a story that is very different from what US consumers usually see in gin,” he says.
The company’s distilling approach also differs from many commercial gin producers because it individually distils each botanical before blending the final spirit. White says the method allows greater control over flavour, balance and consistency, while still being scalable if export orders are secured.
White says the company has already been approached by India-based importers/distributors, including a Mumbai retailer with more than 70 stores.
“India is a huge opportunity it is the fastest growing spirit market in the world and the FTA has definitely helped open the door to a consumer base we may previously struggled to access. We are talking about a market where one city can be several times the size of New Zealand’s entire population.
“The trade agreement has created momentum and confidence around New Zealand products entering India, we are hoping we can be part of that wave.”
White says any significant export deal would have flow-on benefits for the Bay of Plenty, including the need to take on new staff for production and logistics.
“Right now we are operating at only about five percent of our capacity so we are able to scale quickly if we can secure the right distribution agreement”.
Co-founder Stephanie Downer says the business has been built by hand from the start, including the product presentation and label artwork.
She says export growth would allow the company to move from a two-person founder-led operation into a larger regional manufacturing business.
“George and I are involved in every part of the process at the moment. We distil, bottle, label, pack orders and send them out ourselves,” she says.
The company’s domestic footprint has also grown, with its products now stocked through a range of online retailers, bars, restaurants and liquor stores across New Zealand.
White says the business has seen steady growth despite difficult trading conditions for premium discretionary products, but international markets are increasingly important because gin demand is seasonal in New Zealand.
“The New Zealand market is important to us, but it is small and seasonal. We want to expand into the northern hemisphere markets as well. When it is winter here, it is summer there, and that gives us the ability to smooth out demand across the year.”
Downer says the latest award is less about a single medal and more about proving that a young New Zealand manufacturer can compete with the world’s best.
“We started as a small Tauranga distillery and in three years we have achieved recognition across San Francisco, London and the International Wine and Spirit Competition.
“The challenge now is to leverage this international recognition and build Clarity into a New Zealand export success story that creates jobs, drives regional growth and takes Bay of Plenty craft spirits to the world,” she says.
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2. OR Sets 2030 Sustainability Goals Amid Global Energy Transition, Targeting Inclusive Growth for People, Planet, and Performance
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (OR), Thailand’s leading energy and lifestyle retail operator, has announced its OR 2030 Goals – a comprehensive sustainability framework across three dimensions: Economic Prosperity, Living Community, and Healthy Environment – as the global energy industry undergoes accelerating transition, navigates geopolitical uncertainty, and responds to climate imperatives.
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.
Hashtag: #OR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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3. EIT Beauty Therapy graduate opens business with mum
June 23, 2026
Source: Eastern Institute of Technology
3 minutes ago
An EIT beauty therapy graduate who was inspired to enter the industry by her mother has now opened a business alongside her.
Shakilah Araia (Ngāti Porou) graduated in April with the New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) after previously completing the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy (Level 4) at EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus in Taradale.
“I’ve always had a passion for beauty therapy and the beauty industry, helping people feel confident, beautiful and empowered, and encouraging them to take time for self-care,” the 20-year-old says.
Shakilah Araia (Ngāti Porou), pictured with her mother Jordyn Lee Snowling (left), has graduated with a New Zealand Diploma in Beauty Therapy (Level 5) from EIT’s Hawke’s Bay campus.
That interest led her to study beauty therapy at EIT before opening a studio with her mother, Jordyn Lee Snowling.
The pair recently opened MADD Beauty together, with the business name standing for Mother and Daughter Duo.
Alongside beauty therapy treatments, Shakilah offers nail and eyelash extensions, while her mother specialises in general and cosmetic tattooing.
“We wanted it to be a one-stop shop where clients could come for a range of beauty services.”
Shakilah says her mother, who has worked in tattooing for more than 10 years, played a major role in inspiring her career choice.
“Seeing the confidence that beauty treatments gave Mum and experiencing that confidence myself through getting my lashes and nails done made me think about working in the beauty industry and helping others feel the same way.”
After completing the Level 4 certificate, Shakilah decided to continue on to the Level 5 diploma.
Shakilah says she chose to study at EIT because it was close to home and offered flexibility through both part-time and full-time study options.
“Beauty therapy at EIT covers a wide variety of services, including facials, hair removal, body and spa treatments, nail care, massage and advanced treatments. I wanted to learn a little bit from each area.”
She says continuing her studies gave her a stronger understanding of the industry and helped prepare her for running a business.
She says the hands-on learning environment helped build her confidence before entering the workforce.
“I really enjoyed the practical learning, working with clients and gaining industry knowledge. It gave me confidence, great friendships and helped me work out exactly what I wanted to do.”
Shakilah says she would recommend EIT to others because of its practical, industry-focused approach.
“There are courses to suit lots of different interests, the learning is hands-on, and the support is excellent. Many courses also include work placements, which give students valuable real-world experience.”
Now graduated, Shakilah is focused on growing MADD Beauty alongside her mother.
Beauty Therapy Programme Coordinator Jodee Reid says: “The beauty tutors and I are incredibly proud of Shakilah’s journey and achievements”.
“She demonstrated strong commitment, creativity, and a genuine passion for the industry throughout her studies, particularly in her engagement with practical, hands-on learning and client care. Shakilah embraced every opportunity to build her skills and confidence, and it has been wonderful to see her translate that learning into launching MADD Beauty alongside her mother.
“Her story reflects exactly what we aim for in our programme; graduates who are not only technically capable but also inspired, entrepreneurial, and dedicated to empowering others through beauty therapy. We wish her every success as she continues to grow her business.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/23/eit-beauty-therapy-graduate-opens-business-with-mum/
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4. Citi Commercial Bank Drives Dialogue on the Future of Business at Annual Executive Summit in Hong Kong
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Over 120 business leaders gathered at the summit under the theme “Empowering Growth Through Capital Convergence and Digital Innovation”
The annual flagship forum featured a series of discussions centered on how companies can strategically leverage Hong Kong’s unique strengths to achieve sustainable growth and international expansion.
Gunjan Kalra, Head of Citi Commercial Bank for Japan, Asia North and Australia, and Asia South, said, “Companies today are going global at an unprecedented pace. We are also witnessing the rising global prominence of Asian companies, which are making rapid advances and emerging as industry leaders in areas including AI, technology and innovation, healthcare, advanced manufacturing and clean energy.”
Citi Commercial Bank provides global banking solutions to mid-sized companies that are looking to grow rapidly and expand internationally. “Citi is uniquely positioned to support their growth ambitions, offering integrated treasury and capital solutions in over 90 countries through our integrated global platform, as well as advisory and financing capabilities from our investment banking franchise,” she continued.
According to InvestHK, more than 310 companies had established or expanded operations in Hong Kong as of May 2026, with mainland firms accounting for over half of the total.
Joy Cheng, Head of Citi Commercial Bank for Hong Kong,said, “Hong Kong serves a critical dual role as both the launchpad for Chinese companies pursuing international expansion and a strategic gateway for multinationals deepening their presence in mainland China and the region. We are committed to being the banking partner of choice for fast-growing companies as they scale and grow across borders. Our value proposition lies in our ability to simplify complexity and connect visionary companies to opportunities worldwide through our unparalleled global network.”
Key themes explored at the Hong Kong Executive Summit 2026 included:
- Investing for future growth
- Leveraging Hong Kong’ssuper-connector role for outbound success
- Bridging Hong Kong’s AI and tech landscape with global market opportunities
The summit featured a distinguished line-up of speakers, including:
- Clara Chan, Chief Executive Officer, Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited
- Evan Chen, Managing Director, FountainVest
- Shang Chuang, Chief Financial Officer, Klook
- CY Guan, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, MOZA Racing
- Jerry Hu,Managing Director, Full Vision Capital
- Wesley Ng, CEO and Co-Founder, CASETiFY
- Jonathan Song, Chief Commercial Officer, Plaza Premium Group
- Andy Wong, Head of Innovation & Technology and Life & Health Sciences, Invest Hong Kong
- Dennis Wong, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Master Concept
- Queenie Wong, Managing Director, EQT Asia Growth
- Danny Yeung, CEO, Chairman and Co-Founder, Prenetics
- Ethan Yuan,Vice President, International Business, Regional General Manager, APAC North, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence Group
Citi Commercial Bank offers a comprehensive suite of products and solutions, including trade and working capital, treasury and liquidity management, global markets capabilities, capital markets solutions, and advisory services. Citi Commercial Bank serves clients in 12 markets in Asia including Australia, mainland China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Hashtag: #Citi
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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5. Thailand Launches FastPass Program, Unlocking USD 21 billion in Strategic High-Tech Investment
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul formally launched Thailand FastPass at Government House, mobilizing over USD 21 billion (approximately 700 billion baht) in strategic high-tech investment. The program integrates eight government agencies to cut regulatory approval timelines by up to 50 percent, accelerating approved investments from license to operating factory.
FastPass targets high-value sectors including advanced electronics, aerospace technology, precision machinery and automation systems, and recycled plastics.
By coordinating eight key government agencies—including Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), the Department of Industrial Works, the Customs Department, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), the Industrial Estate Authority of Thailand (IEAT), the Energy Regulatory Commission, the Metropolitan Electricity Authority, and the Provincial Electricity Authority—the initiative removes historical friction in permitting, environmental approvals, and infrastructure connectivity.
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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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 Mr. 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,” Mr. 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
Hashtag: #BIO #Thailand #FastPassProgram
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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6. Awards – Primary Industries Award winners announced
June 23, 2026
Source: Federated Farmers
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7. Hong Kong unlocks new opportunities with Central Asia
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Led by Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), John Lee, a high-level delegation visit to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan (May 31 – June 5) is already paying dividends, forging fresh opportunities to deepen ties between Central Asia, Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.
The business delegation comprised over 70 representatives from Hong Kong and Mainland enterprises of various sectors.
During the visit, 96 bilateral memoranda of understanding and agreements were reached, including a total of 15 co-operation documents at the government level between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan respectively.
A high-level Hong Kong business delegation’s visit to Kazakhstan has unlocked new opportunities.
“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,” Mr 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,” Mr 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.”
New partnerships have emerged following a high-level Hong Kong business delegation’s visit to Uzbekistan.
The Chief Executive also encouraged companies in Central Asia to leverage Hong Kong’s advantages under the “one country, two systems” principle.
“Under this unique principle, Hong Kong has its own economic, social, legal, legislative and judicial systems. We are the only common law jurisdiction in China. We have our own currency, with no capital or foreign exchange controls. We are, as well, a separate customs territory,” Mr Lee said.
Building on the positive outcomes from the delegation’s mission to Central Asia, Mr Lee welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, to Hong Kong (June 10) and they both attended the Alatau City Investment Round Table (June 11).
Speaking at the event, Mr Lee said Hong Kong could contribute to the future success of Kazakhstan’s innovative, high-tech Alatau City in three concrete ways: as a gateway to global capital; a gateway to the Chinese Mainland and the Greater Bay Area; and as a partner in talent and technology.
“We share a development vision with Alatau City and Kazakhstan,” Mr Lee said, “Today, right here, right now, is a golden opportunity to bring our two economies closer together.”
He looked forward to Hong Kong and Kazakhstan achieving complementary advantages and co-ordinated development across different sectors and welcomed enterprises in Kazakhstan to make good use of Hong Kong’s premier financial and innovation and technology platforms, as well as its world-leading professional services, to explore more business opportunities.
https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
https://x.com/Brand_HK/
https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isd
https://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong
Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #CentralAsia #Kazakhstan #Uzbekistan #Belt&Road #NewOpportunities
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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8. Blackwall Enters Vietnam: European Web Traffic Security Firm Launches Southeast Asia Expansion with 19-Year Hosting Partner HostVN
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Estonian web traffic security company Blackwall announces its first publicly disclosed Southeast Asia partnership, bringing integrated traffic security to Vietnam’s digital infrastructure market through HostVN
Mr. Madan Rai (Blackwall) and Mr. Vuong Duy Nam(HostVN) sign the MOU formalising Blackwall’s first publicly announced Southeast Asia partnership, bringing enterprise-grade web traffic protection to Vietnam’s digital business community.
Under the agreement, HostVN integrates Blackwall’s all-in-one traffic security platform into its hosting infrastructure, offering Vietnamese businesses integrated website protection covering L7 DDoS defence, advanced bot mitigation, web application firewall (WAF), SSL management, and content caching, delivered seamlessly by HostVN, requiring no in-house security expertise from the customer.
A New Category: Traffic Quality as a Business Problem
The partnership addresses a challenge that most Vietnamese businesses have not yet named: according to Statista Research, more than half of all web traffic today is generated by automated bots and not human visitors. The consequences extend beyond traditional security risks into hidden operational costs, skewed business intelligence, and revenue leakage.
“Vietnam is ready, and Blackwall is committing to it,” said Madan Rai, VP Sales Asia at Blackwall. “More than half the traffic hitting a website today is not a real customer. Bots and automated requests consume bandwidth, distort analytics, and drain advertising spend — silently, every day. Through HostVN, we are placing enterprise-grade traffic security directly into the infrastructure that Vietnamese businesses already rely on. This partnership anchors Blackwall’s broader expansion across Southeast Asia. We chose Vietnam as our launchpad because its digital economy is scaling rapidly, and it requires infrastructure that matches that ambition.”
HostVN: 19 Years, Six Reinventions
Founded in 2007, HostVN has served Vietnamese businesses across five successive phases of the digital economy: from web hosting to cloud infrastructure, content delivery, digital transformation services, and AI-related offerings. The Blackwall partnership represents the company’s sixth strategic evolution, adding intelligent traffic security to its infrastructure stack.
“Nineteen years ago, we started HostVN with one purpose: to give Vietnamese businesses a strong foundation on the internet,” said Duong Thanh Binh, Chairman of HostVN. “Vietnam has not stood still, and neither have we. Every phase of our growth has been driven by the same commitment – to give the businesses that trust us the infrastructure they need to thrive. Today, the threat is not just downtime. It is invisible traffic that costs money, corrupts data, and goes undetected. HOSTVN Website Protection, powered by Blackwall, is our answer and our commitment to Vietnam’s digital future.”
Technology Built for Service Providers Partners
Blackwall operates on a channel-first model. Its traffic security platform is designed to be delivered exclusively through hosting and cloud infrastructure providers. This model gives partners full control over pricing and packaging, while allowing them to retain the direct customer relationship.
The Blackwall platform operates as a reverse proxy positioned in front of customer websites. Traffic is inspected across multiple detection layers, including Layer 4 and Layer 7 signature analysis, comprehensive device fingerprinting, IP reputation scoring, and proprietary behavioural algorithms. Clean traffic is then forwarded to the origin server and malicious requests are blocked or presented controlled responses. The process is transparent to legitimate users, with no added latency.
HOSTVN Website Protection delivers this capability across four integrated components:
- L7 DDoS Protection: application-layer attack mitigation running on HostVN’s Clean Traffic infrastructure
- Advanced Bot Mitigation: Real-time detection and classification of humans, trusted bots, and automated traffic, including AI agents, to identify benign and malicious activity. Web Application Firewall (WAF): OWASP Top 10 aligned protection against injection attacks, cross-site scripting, and common web exploits
- SSL Management and Content Caching: automated SSL certificate handling, encrypted delivery, and performance optimisation that reduces server load and improves page speed
Vietnam as Blackwall’s First Southeast Asia Launch Market
Vietnam’s digital economy has grown substantially over the past decade, with business online presence now standard across sectors. Alongside that growth, the volume of automated and malicious web traffic targeting Vietnamese sites has increased in proportion. HostVN, with more than 50,000 customers and established Clean Traffic infrastructure connected to major domestic carriers, offers Blackwall the operational scale and market knowledge required for an effective regional entry.
Blackwall has indicated that Vietnam is the first in a planned series of Southeast Asia partnerships, with Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand identified as subsequent target markets. The company has also announced a major Series B funding round to support its international expansion.
Availability
HOSTVN Website Protection — powered by Blackwall is available to HostVN customers effective 20 May 2026. Pricing is available through HostVN directly. Further information is available at hostvn.net and blackwall.com.
https://blackwall.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/blackwall-solutions/
Hashtag: #Blackwall
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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9. Green SM officially launches all-electric ride-hailing service in Kazakhstan
June 23, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
ALMATY, KAZAKHSTAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 June 2026 – Green SM has officially launched its all-electric ride-hailing service in Kazakhstan, marking the company’s first presence in Central Asia. The launch also represents Green SM’s expansion into its sixth international market, reinforcing its long-term global growth strategy.
The launch ceremony was held in Almaty with the attendance of Mr. Nguyen Thanh Le, Appointed Ambassador of Viet Nam to Kazakhstan; Mr. 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.
Mr. 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.
Hashtag: #GreenSM
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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10. Funding boost for hospices across New Zealand
June 23, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
Hospices will receive a funding boost to strengthen palliative care services across New Zealand, Health Minister Simeon Brown says.
“Thousands of New Zealanders and their families rely on hospice care every year during some of the most difficult times in their lives,” Mr Brown says.
“Ensuring people receive quality, compassionate end-of-life palliative care is deeply important to me, and investing in these services is critical to making sure that support is there when it’s needed most.
“To support that, Health New Zealand will provide a $12 million funding uplift to hospices for 2026/27.
“This investment follows a recent review of hospice services, undertaken by Health New Zealand in partnership with Hospice New Zealand and hospices, which identified significant variation in funding levels, service models, and the range of services provided across the country.
“Currently, Government funding covers around 64 per cent of total hospice service costs delivered across New Zealand, with the remaining 36 per cent funded by the sector. However, the level of Government support varies significantly between individual hospices, ranging from 22 per cent to 91 per cent.
“To help address these disparities, funding will be more closely aligned with need while ensuring every hospice receives a baseline increase.
“This targeted approach will ensure funding is better aligned to the needs of services and the communities they support, helping to strengthen access to specialist palliative care across the country.
“The funding uplift has been informed by information provided by hospices through Hospice New Zealand, and I want to acknowledge their leadership and advocacy on behalf of hospices and the communities they serve.”
Mr Brown say this investment also builds on wider Government action to strengthen specialist palliative care services.
“Budget 2026 included $15.5 million over four years to establish a nationally consistent specialist paediatric palliative care service, delivered through dedicated teams in both the North and South Islands.
“Together, these investments will strengthen hospice and palliative care services and improve access for families across New Zealand.
“We are committed to supporting palliative care services, including hospices, to ensure care is there for people and their families when they need it most. I want to sincerely thank the dedicated staff and volunteers who provide compassionate care and support during some of life’s most difficult moments.”
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/06/23/funding-boost-for-hospices-across-new-zealand/
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