PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for August 29, 2026 – Full Text

Empowering SMEs and Working Professionals to Embrace AI and Foster Widespread AI Adoption in Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) today held the Launching Ceremony of the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, aligning with the National 15th Five-Year Plan and the “AI+” initiative, and supporting the HKSAR Government’s policies of “industries for AI, AI for industries” and “AI for All”. Coordinated by the Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB), the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme aims to promote the widespread adoption of AI across society. As one of the programme implementation partners, HKPC will lead the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” sub-programme, focusing on practical business applications, talent development, and inclusive technology adoption. The initiative will provide targeted support to SMEs, professionals, labour groups, and underprivileged communities through a range of training courses, hands-on application programmes, and industry-academia-research collaboration, promoting AI literacy and the practical deployment of AI technologies.

Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, officiated at the ceremony, joined by Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, and Mr Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director of HKPC. The event also brought together representatives from leading international and Chinese Mainland technology enterprises, chambers of commerce, and industry leaders, who shared successful case studies and practical insights, fostering collaboration across sectors to advance Hong Kong’s AI ecosystem.

Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said: “AI has become a key factor in global industrial upgrading and driving the development of the digital economy. Helping SMEs to achieve digital transformation and enhance competitiveness through AI is one of the focal points of the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme. This time, HKPC as the third implementing organisation for the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, leverages its years of experience serving businesses to provide targeted and professional support to SMEs, helping them seize opportunities in the AI era. I hope that through the ‘AI for All’ inclusive programme, AI will not only serve as an empowering tool to enhance corporate value and competitiveness but also transform into a super dividend that benefits SMEs and the general public. Let ‘AI for All’ become Hong Kong’s vision for ‘Upgrading for All’ and ‘Opportunities for All’.”

Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, said: “AI should not be a privilege reserved for large enterprises. It should become a productivity tool that every business, every employee, and people from all walks of life can leverage. HKPC has long been committed to helping enterprises, particularly SMEs, enhance productivity, drive digital transformation, and convert innovative technologies into tangible business value. We focus on integrating AI technologies across different industries by providing practical, scalable and replicable solutions that support smart transformation. As one of the implementation organisations of the ‘AI for All’ Inclusive Programme, HKPC will centre its efforts on ‘AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment’, connecting Government, industry, academia, technology partners and social service organisations to help enterprises, SMEs, professionals and underprivileged communities acquire AI capabilities and transform AI into real productivity and business value, thereby advancing Hong Kong’s high-quality development and digital inclusion.”

“AI for All” Officially Launches with “Business Empowerment” Series to Drive Widespread AI Adoption

To advance the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, HKPC has launched the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” training series, centred on practical business applications. Through a two-year training and promotion programme, HKPC will work with technology companies, chambers of commerce, labour groups and community partners to help SMEs, professionals, working individuals, labour organisations, underprivileged groups and the general public acquire AI knowledge and application skills. The initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of AI and support digital and smart transformation across industries, sectors and communities through three key focus areas:

1. Business and Industry Upgrading: Through AI-focused programmes such as “AI+ Industry Boost Training” and “SME AI Connect”, enterprises can rapidly adopt AI technologies to enhance productivity and competitiveness. Key training topics include:

• Practical Applications of Generative AI: Learning how to use generative AI tools for content creation, data analysis, and workflow optimisation.
• AI Applications Across Industries: Exploring how AI enhances efficiency, optimises operations and drives innovation in sectors including education, healthcare, manufacturing, retail and logistics.
• AI Project Workshops: Providing hands-on experience in AI application development and implementation, enabling participants to integrate AI solutions into real business scenarios.

2. Human Resources and Leadership: HKPC will continue conducting the “Hong Kong Enterprise AI Application Trends Survey” and share insights through “AI Talent Winning Tips”, helping organisations understand AI talent management and application trends while preparing for future workforce needs. Key topics include:

• AI and Career Development: Examining the impact of AI on the future workplace and helping professionals understand emerging skills requirements.
• AI Talent Management and Application Strategies: Sharing successful corporate experiences and practical strategies for AI transformation and talent development.

3. AI for ALL: Through the free online learning platform “AI BiteClass”, HKPC will provide convenient AI learning resources for SMEs, professionals, senior citizens and underprivileged communities, enabling people from all backgrounds to access AI fundamentals and the latest application trends anytime, anywhere. Key topics include:

• Introduction to AI Fundamentals: Covering basic AI concepts, operating principles, common use cases and future trends.
• Getting Started with Generative AI: Introducing generative AI tools and their everyday applications.
• AI Ethics and Responsible Use: Building awareness of responsible AI adoption, including issues relating to data privacy, bias and transparency.

“AI BiteClass” Debuts at Launch Ceremony, Bringing Global Technology Expertise to Hong Kong

As part of the launch event, HKPC presented a live edition of the “AI BiteClass”, featuring experts from HKPC and leading global technology companies, including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Huawei Cloud, Lenovo, Samsung, Tencent Cloud and Microsoft. The sessions shared practical AI techniques and real-world application cases tailored for SMEs. Through concise yet insightful presentations, the guest speakers highlighted the best practices and implementation strategies for AI, demonstrating how businesses can leverage AI to drive growth and enhance operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, the “AI BiteClass” will introduce a range of free online courses covering popular topics such as generative AI, AI agents, workflow automation, data analytics and enterprise transformation. Members of the public will be able to access practical AI learning resources at any time through the online platform or via iAM Smart.

HKPC has long positioned itself as a “technology adopter and enabler”, committed to helping enterprises transform innovation into tangible business value. Since 2024, HKPC has organised more than 600 AI training sessions, serving over 32,000 participants, including SMEs, large enterprises, HR professionals, industry leaders, students, educators and members of the public. These efforts have played a pivotal role in fostering a more competitive AI application ecosystem in Hong Kong.

A series of “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” activities will be rolled out progressively. Enterprises and members of the public are welcome to register via iAM Smart and stay updated on the latest programmes. Through collaboration with global technology enterprises, industry organisations and community partners, HKPC aims to bring AI into businesses, workplaces and communities, advancing the vision of “AI for All” while empowering enterprises and co-building Hong Kong’s intelligent future. For details, please visit: https://www.hkpcacademy.org/en/aiforall/

Please download the high-res photos HERE.

Photo Captions:

1. Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, delivers a speech at the ceremony, sharing the Government’s vision for advancing the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, accelerating AI adoption and fostering innovation and technology development in Hong Kong.
2. Professor SUN Dong, JP, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government (middle), Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC (left), and Mr Mohamed Butt, MH, Executive Director of HKPC (right) officiate the HKPC Launching Ceremony of the “AI for All” Inclusive Programme, jointly promoting AI literacy and application.
3. Mr Emil YU Chen-on, BBS, JP, Deputy Chairman of HKPC, says HKPC will help enterprises and talent master AI technologies through the “AI with HKPC – Business Empowerment” series, supporting the transition from AI awareness to practical application.
4. The “AI for All” Inclusive Programme attracts representatives from the business and innovation and technology sectors to explore the latest AI developments and application opportunities.
5. HKPC hosts an “AI BiteClass” sharing session on the day of the Launching Ceremony, inviting technology companies and industry experts to present practical AI experiences and success stories, helping enterprises enhance productivity and competitiveness through AI.

Hashtag: #HKPC

About the Hong Kong Productivity Council

Strengthening Competitiveness via Online-to-Offline Integration and Supply Chain Agility

Results Highlights

• Revenue reached US$301.51 million, representing a strong increase of 23.2%.
• Gross profit grew by 28.2% to US$93.98 million, with gross profit margin expanding to 31.2%.
• Operating profit increased by 30.1% to US$24.29 million.
• Net profit surged by 30.0% to US$18.30 million, with net profit margin improving to 6.1%.
• Business-to-consumer (B2C) platform YesStyle recorded revenue of US$215.07 million, up 30.5%, accounting for 71.3% of the Group’s total revenue. Offline expansion was enhanced with the opening of its first physical concept store in the US.
• Business-to-business (B2B) platform AsianBeautyWholesale (ABW) recorded revenue of US$82.75 million, up 6.2%, accounting for 27.4% of the Group’s total revenue.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – YesAsia Holdings Limited (“YesAsia Holdings”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (2209.HK), a leading e-commerce platform operator recognized for its expertise in curating Asian beauty and lifestyle products, announced today its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Reporting Period”).

The Group continued to capture strong global demand for Korean Beauty (“K-Beauty”) products, driving revenue up by 23.2% year-on-year to US$301.51 million. Gross profit increased by 28.2% to US$93.98 million, with gross profit margin expanding by 1.2 percentage points to 31.2%. Operating profit grew by 30.1% to US$24.29 million. Benefiting from forward-looking investments in localized and tech-driven logistics infrastructure, which successfully mitigated geopolitical and freight cost pressures, profit for the period surged by 30.0% to US$18.30 million, after recognition of an one-off expense of approximately US$1.24 million in termination benefits arising from the organizational streamlining. Net profit margin improved to 6.1%. Basic earnings per share were US4.39 cents (1H 2025: US3.43 cents).

Navigating Uncertainties through Market Diversification and Logistics Agility

A global market footprint remains pivotal in mitigating geopolitical risks. The US, the Group’s largest market, has absorbed the tariff shock and delivered progressive improvement during the Reporting Period, with revenue exceeding 2H 2025 even outside the typical holiday peak season. Among non-core markets (excluding the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia), robust demand across Europe and Latin America, unlocked new growth momentum, with revenue from Europe and associated countries and Latin America growing by 22.1% and 178.4%, respectively. In the Middle East, the Group navigated the regional tensions to achieve steady revenue growth of 33.4%.

Complementing market diversification, strategic investments in logistics infrastructure spanning Hong Kong, South Korea, the US, and Europe, alongside the adoption of automation technologies like AMRs, have built a highly resilient and scalable supply chain. These capabilities enabled the Group to maintain a stable baseline for business costs and absorb freight and fuel price spikes stemming from Middle East conflicts during the Reporting Period. Consequently, the increase in operating costs remained well below revenue growth, with freight cost as a percentage of revenue dropping to 19.0%, demonstrating the Group’s robust cost control and operational agility.

Integrating O2O Experiences to Drive B2C-B2B Dual-Engine Synergy

Social media marketing remained one of the Group’s core strengths during the Reporting Period, supported by an ecosystem of over 557,000 unique influencers that generated US$85.70 million and contributed nearly 40% of YesStyle‘s revenue. To amplify this online impact, the Group strategically expanded its global offline presence to seamlessly bridge online and offline customer experiences. YesStyle debuted a 1,500 sq. ft. concept store in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the same time, the Group staged high-profile activations, including a Madrid café pop-up that generated over 2 million impressions and brand events at Seoul’s Yesful Land that accumulated over 3 million impressions. Together, these physical and digital touchpoints successfully converted customer engagement into sustained loyalty.

This heightened brand exposure across end-consumer markets directly catalyzed overseas B2B purchasing demand. During the Reporting Period, ABW consolidated its newly built partnerships with retailers in the US and Latin America. Notably, ABW Online’s average order size surged 38.6% year-on-year to US$3,590.60. This uptick reflects substantially stronger purchasing appetite and inventory confidence for K-Beauty products among retailers, underscoring the powerful synergy of the Group’s B2C-B2B dual-engine model.

Mr. Joshua Lau, Founder, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of YesAsia Holdings, said: “K-Beauty remains on an upward trajectory as it becomes a mainstream player in the global beauty business. Looking ahead, we believe that there is ample room for growth for YesAsia Holdings in both the retail and wholesale spheres worldwide. Amid geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties, we are continuously reinforcing our competitive moat and market leadership through AI-empowered customer services, a highly agile supply chain, and a strategy that seamlessly converts online traffic into immersive physical experiences, thereby driving long-term value for our shareholders in a fast-evolving market landscape.”

Hashtag: #YesAsia

About YesAsia Holdings Limited (02209.HK)

AI Unlocks the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, Reshaping Digital Entertainment and Smart Living Experiences

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Cyberport’s annual flagship event, the “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026” (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Themed “The Dreamatic Circus“, this year’s forum focuses on how innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, are reshaping the cultural and creative industries, driving their transformation while unlocking new opportunities for the development of new quality productive forces. The three-day forum features four themed experience zones — Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones — presenting more than 35 innovative technology showcases, interactive experiences and programmes. Highlights include the immersive interactive art exhibition of Hong Kong original animation IP Another World, dynamic technology experiences by Nikopicto, combat robots by GJS Technology, the intelligent fashion platform developed by Genesis ONE using AI and 3D tools, and other attractions, enabling the public to experience first-hand the new possibilities that frontier technologies bring to entertainment, lifestyle and business applications. The event also includes AI interactive workshops, film screenings, drone performances and various competitions, creating a vibrant and engaging digital entertainment experience for participants.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said in his opening remarks, “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2026 explores how agentic AI is transforming the creative industry, positioning AI not as a replacement for human imagination, but as a collaborative partner that helps deliver creators’ dreams more boldly. Over the past year, the HKSAR Government has transitioned from AI strategy formulation to active execution, steering Hong Kong towards “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” through “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” in AI development. AI is transforming the digital entertainment industry, and DELF has always been about celebrating Hong Kong’s creative spirit. With robust computing infrastructure, a supportive policy environment, and a thriving creative community, Hong Kong is well-positioned to lead the AI+ era of digital entertainment.”

Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “Under the theme ‘The Dreamatic Circus’, this year’s forum invites us to explore what becomes possible when human imagination is empowered by technology. AI is expanding what creators can imagine and produce. To better support technology companies and their innovative work, with the recent completion of Cyberport 5, we are thrilled to inject new energy into Hong Kong’s I&T industry. Combined with our AI Supercomputing Centre, this advanced infrastructure provides an world-class environment for technology development, industry collaboration and commercialization. DELF is not only about seeing what technology can do today. It is about imagining what we can create together tomorrow. I hope the forum inspires fresh thinking, leads to meaningful collaboration and helps turn more of Hong Kong’s creative ideas into innovations with lasting impact.”

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 innovation and technology business leaders, content creators, academics, experts and investors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and other frontier innovations are advancing the cultural and creative industries into a new stage of development and transforming modern smart living experiences. Guest speakers include Ms Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency; Mr Samuel Lo, General Manager, NVIDIA AI Technology Center, Hong Kong and Macau; Mr Leo Tsou, Head of Infrastructure Solutions Group Specialty, Hong Kong, Macau & China South (Greater Bay Area), Dell Technologies; Mr Zhaobo Zhou, Head of Solution Sales, Huawei Cloud Hong Kong; Mr Joe Chang, Regional Director, BytePlus; Ms Monica Zhang, AI Games Program Lead, Tencent Institute of Games; Mr Samuel Lam, CEO, X Social Group; Ms Ankie de Hoon, Board Member, Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur; Dr Jeff Tang, Lecturer, Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ms Polly Yeung, CEO, Gudo Inc., among other industry experts.

The forum will feature in-depth discussions on key topics such as AI collaboration, IP ecosystem development, the cultural and creative economy, and smart living, focusing on how AI can become an important collaborator for creators and enterprises, facilitate the industrialisation of local creativity and original IP, and expand broader market horizons. A series of keynote speeches and panel discussions will also examine the impact of AI and immersive technologies on film, television, gaming, animation and other cultural and creative sectors. Topics include “Good Game: Building Healthier Entertainment Communities and Creating Lasting Social and Economic Value” and “Boundless Realities, Intelligent Imaging: AI + XR Empowering the Future Film and Television Industry Ecosystem”. Speakers include Mr Kun Gao, Director of GGWP Inc.; Prof Mike Fischer, Professor of Interactive Media at the University of Southern California; Mr Jixuan Wang, Director of the Management Office of Xi’an XR Film Industry Base, Deputy General Manager of Xi’an Film Studio, Xiying Group; Dr Tony Wong, Hong Kong Comic Legend; President, Comics and Animation Federation who will explore how AI can promote the development of original IP and create new opportunities for the cultural and creative economy.

On the first day of the forum, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively withAlibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts andHong Kong Shue Yan University. Its collaboration with Alibaba Cloud will support start-ups and enhance digital skills through the AI-Builder Program, joint training, technical resources, investment, and exchange opportunities. Together with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Cyberport will promote art tech, AI innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development, while exploring the establishment of the Cyberport Academy × HKAPA Immersive Studio for the research, development, and showcase of art tech and immersive technology projects. In partnership with Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Cyberport will focus on AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies to encourage tertiary students to participate in project-based initiatives, company visits, internships, and employment opportunities, thereby strengthening innovation and technology talent development.

These strategic partnerships underscore the value of DELF 2026 as a key platform for advancing academiaindustryresearch collaboration, while highlighting Cyberport’s pivotal role in connecting crosssector resources and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading regional and international innovation and technology hub. The three Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, with representatives from each partner organisation. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, together with delegates from partner institutions, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Following the opening of DELF 2026 today, a diverse range of exciting programmes, experiences and competitions will continue over the next two days, including eVTOL aircraft trial flight demonstrations, accessible gaming esports experiences, and senior esports and experience days, enabling participants of different ages and backgrounds to experience the vibrant world of digital entertainment. Members of the public can also join Cyberport Academy: DELF 2026 – AI Cultural and Creative Micro-Academy to learn creative skills such as art concept design and audio-visual production, and enjoy selected works from the Future Animation: 3rd AI-assisted animation production support scheme and the 2nd HKUST AI Film Festival Selected Projects, experiencing the new possibilities created by the convergence of digital entertainment and creative technology.

To encourage the public to further explore the world of digital entertainment, DELF 2026 has also launched a special “Play to Earn” campaign that combines gamified missions with rewards. Participants can collect stamps by visiting the four themed experience zones and completing designated missions, and redeem prizes along the way. Those who collect all stamps will have the opportunity to win limited-edition merchandise from the Hong Kong original animation IP Another World.

For details of the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 and the full speaker line-up, please visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index.

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

https://www.cyberport.hk/en

Hashtag: #Cyberport #DELF2026 #DigitalEntertainment

About Hong Kong Cyberport

Close to 15,000 professionals join national AI capability effort within two months as employers build practical AI workforce capabilities

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Singapore’s ambition to build an accountancy profession fluent in artificial intelligence (AI) is gaining strong momentum, with more than 15,000 accountants and finance professionals enrolled in the ISCA AI Fluency Programme just two months after the launch. The strong early participation marks an important milestone in a broader national effort to build practical AI capabilities across the accountancy profession.

ISCA AI Fluency Programme is Singapore’s national AI learning initiative for the accountancy profession, aimed at building practical AI capabilities across the profession. It aims to equip 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals over the next three years, representing approximately half of Singapore’s accountancy profession. It also develops professionals who combine professional judgement and technical expertise with practical AI capabilities that can be applied effectively and responsibly at work.

From AI awareness to workplace capability

As organisations invest in AI platforms and enterprise solutions, successful AI adoption depends not only on technology, but also on whether people have the skills and confidence to apply AI responsibly and effectively in their daily work.

The programme is designed to bridge this gap by helping professionals become AI fluent as it is built around more than 180 practical accounting and finance AI use cases spanning six professional roles, including audit, finance, tax, internal audit, governance and board reporting. It also contains over 600 practical learning activities, enabling professionals to explore how AI can be applied directly to their everyday work.

Participants learn how AI can be applied to practical workplace tasks, including financial analysis and reporting, preparing board and management materials, supporting audit planning and testing, and accelerating tax research and internal audit planning.

Strong early momentum across the profession

Participants include professionals at different career stages and in different workplace settings: from students preparing to enter the workforce and small firm practitioners to senior business leaders. To date, over 250 learners have earned their AI Fluency digital badge. Almost 80 learners have completed the full 30-hours of structured online learning, equivalent to around 10 days of instructor-led practical workshops and have been recognised as AI Champions. Early learner feedback has also been positive, with the programme receiving an average rating of 4.85 out of 5.

The strong early take-up reflects growing interest in building practical AI capabilities and recognition of their increasing relevance to accountants and finance professionals.

Employers are investing in AI capable workforces

The programme is also seeing encouraging support from employers, as organisations explore how AI learning can translate into practical workplace applications. Professionals from organisations including EY, Deloitte, DBS, SP Group and the Accountant-General’s Department (AGD), among others, are also participating in the programme, reflecting the breadth of interest and the growing relevance of AI fluency across the profession as Singapore’s workforce adapts to an increasingly AI-enabled economy.

The AGD has enrolled more than 400 officers in the AI Fluency programme, with plans to progressively extend the programme to some 4,000 public sector finance and internal audit officers across the Whole-of-Government.

The programme is also beginning to demonstrate measurable workplace impact. At Accredify, AI workflows have been developed to reduce time spent on selected finance and contract processing activities by an estimated 50 to 80 per cent, demonstrating how practical AI capability can translate into tangible business outcomes.

A profession united by lifelong learning

AI Fluency is bringing together professionals across generations. Among the programme’s earliest AI Champions is ISCA Distinguished Lifetime Member Mr Boon Swan Foo, who has completed the full 30-hour programme. His completion demonstrates a commitment to lifelong learning.

Mr Boon said: “Throughout my career, I have seen our profession evolve with every major technological shift. AI is simply the next chapter. What impressed me about the programme is that it is not about replacing professional judgement. It is about strengthening it. Continuous learning has always been the hallmark of a trusted professional and AI Fluency is becoming an essential part of that journey.”

Expanding AI capabilities across the region

Building on the encouraging response in Singapore, ISCA is preparing Chinese, Thai and Vietnamese versions of the AI Fluency programme to support wider regional adoption. Discussions are also underway with professional accountancy organisations, accounting firms and corporates across ASEAN, with the ambition of sharing Singapore’s AI capability model more broadly across the region.

Within Singapore, ISCA is working towards its goal of upskilling 60,000 accountancy and corporate finance professionals over three years, while deepening adoption across organisations and supporting more learners in completing their AI Fluency journey.

The programme will also continue to evolve with new AI tools, emerging accountancy use cases and industry developments to ensure professionals remain current in an increasingly AI-enabled workplace.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of ISCA, said: “AI will not replace professional judgement. Its greatest value will come from professionals who can combine AI capabilities with their expertise and judgement to deliver better outcomes for clients, employers and society. The strong response to AI Fluency programme demonstrates that our profession is ready to embrace this next chapter as we work towards our ambition of building an AI-fluent accountancy profession in Singapore.”

Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #AIFluency #AIBilingualism #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Company recorded total revenue of RMB 31.31 billion, representing a year‑on‑year increase of 49.23%; net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 11.69 billion, up 54.87% year‑on‑year. Revenue from the Company’s major business segments, wealth management, institutional services, investment management and international business all recorded year‑on‑year growth, driving operating performance to a record high for the period.

Reflecting its strong financial performance, the Company has declared an interim dividend of RMB 1.80 per 10 shares, reaffirming its commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders.

Huatai Securities believes that sustainable competitive advantage can only be achieved through a systematic and enterprise-wide approach to artificial intelligence (AI). Since the beginning of 2026, the Company has focused on establishing AI as a future‑ready strategic infrastructure, accelerating its integration with professional financial expertise, business processes and organizational frameworks. By advancing an AI‑native business ecosystem that combines human judgement with machine intelligence, Huatai Securities is empowering employees to enhance productivity, strengthen innovation and deliver more sophisticated professional insights. This approach enables the Company to respond to clients’ evolving needs with greater efficiency, precision and service quality.

AI-driven Business Transformation

From large models to AI agents, AI technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Huatai Securities is firmly advancing its “ALL IN AI” strategy, leveraging technology not only to enhance quality and efficiency, but also to systematically re-engineer business workflows through AI-native thinking. The Company is embedding AI across key business functions, including investment research, investment banking, trading and wealth advisory, while also strengthening foundational capabilities in compliance, risk management and corporate decision‑making. As AI moves from the back office to the front line, Huatai Securities is transforming service delivery from reactive engagement to proactive support, creating a more intelligent, efficient and client-centric operating model.

Huatai Securities’ next‑generation AI‑native trading platform, the “AI ZhangLe” App, has redefined the traditional service model by shifting from an approach where clients actively seek out services to one where services proactively reach clients. The platform provides individual investors with intelligent, end‑to‑end support throughout the investment lifecycle. By deeply integrating investment research capabilities with advanced algorithms, AI ZhangLe replaces conventional command‑based interactions with natural language conversations, enabling the platform to understand investor needs, anticipate scenarios and provide proactive strategies. Before trades are executed, it scans market signals in real time to uncover potential targets based on objective indicators. During execution, it interprets investment intent through natural language interactions and translates it into actionable tasks for investors’ reference. Following execution, it delivers multi‑dimensional portfolio analysis, performance attribution and personalized optimization strategies, while proactively providing scenario‑based insights and professional decision‑support information. Since its launch in October 2025, the “AI ZhangLe” App has surpassed 5 million cumulative downloads.

As the AI transformation progresses, Huatai Securities is accelerating the development of a unified financial middle-office platform that provides a shared capability framework and data infrastructure across key business segments, including wealth management and institutional services. This platform enables the reuse of specialized expertise, integration of data assets and accumulation of organizational knowledge, driving continuous enhancement through real‑world business scenarios and iterative learning. At the core of this effort is the Company’s AI‑powered industry map, which systematically structures and embeds industry knowledge generated across investment research, investment banking and investment management activities. By transforming fragmented individual expertise and relationship networks into organizational intelligence, the platform enhances asset discovery capabilities and supports more accurate asset valuation and pricing. The AI‑powered industry map currently covers a range of strategic sectors, including lithium battery energy storage, semiconductor equipment, new energy vehicles, intelligent driving and innovative pharmaceuticals, and incorporates more than 60 specialized investment research capabilities, serving as a reusable, continuously evolving and highly scalable research foundation for all business segments across the Company.

Advancing the Real Economy Through Industrial Investment Banking

Building a modern industrial system and advancing the comprehensive upgrading of China’s industrial landscape are key priorities under the 15th Five‑Year Plan period. Huatai Securities remains committed to supporting the real economy by leveraging its full‑lifecycle service capabilities to meet the evolving needs of enterprises at every stage of development. At the same time, it is embedding AI across the upstream and downstream of investment banking industry chain to drive the intelligent transformation of core business procedures. For years, Huatai has supported more than 300 technology‑driven and innovation-focused companies, which today represent a combined market capitalization of approximately RMB 15 trillion.

The Company has continued to deepen its expertise across strategic sectors including AI and semiconductors, biomedicine, commercial aerospace, quantum computing, new energy and energy storage. Through extensive coverage of the upstream and downstream industry chain, Huatai Securities has developed a deep understanding of the underlying drivers of industrial development, enabling it to identify emerging opportunities and support enterprises in accessing capital markets, revitalizing assets and achieving long‑term sustainable growth.

As at June 30, 2026, the total committed capital of private equity funds under management of Huatai Zijin Investment Co., Ltd. reached RMB 72 billion, with 34 new investment projects carried out during the first half of the year. Meanwhile, Huatai Securities’ A‑share equity underwriting volume reached RMB 53.3 billion, representing a significant year‑on‑year increase, while total bond underwriting across all product categories amounted to RMB 718.9 billion. Huatai Securities also acted as independent financial advisor on 7 M&A and restructuring transactions approved by stock exchanges during the period, while Huatai Asset Management served as manager for 87 enterprise asset-backed securities (ABS) programs, both ranking first in the industry. Leveraging its cross‑border capabilities and integrated business model, Huatai Securities continued to facilitate the international expansion of high‑quality Chinese enterprises through Hong Kong’s capital markets. During the first half of 2026, Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited completed 12 Hong Kong IPO sponsorship mandates, ranking third in the market.

“One Huatai”: Delivering Client–Centric Solutions

Against a backdrop of profound macroeconomic adjustment and ongoing structural market transformation, wealth and institutional clients are increasingly seeking sophisticated asset-allocation strategies, enhanced risk management and highly customized solutions. In response, Huatai Securities has further strengthened its “One Huatai” integrated service platform, leveraging AI to broaden its capabilities, enhance client engagement and respond more effectively to evolving market conditions.

The Company continued to enhance its trading and asset-allocation capabilities across its wealth management platform. On a consolidated basis, net revenue from securities brokerage reached RMB 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, representing year‑on‑year growth of 61%, while net revenue from the distribution of financial products increased 114% to RMB 600 million. Sales volumes, assets under custody and revenue from private fund products all recorded strong growth during the period. To further elevate advisor productivity and client service, Huatai Securities launched an AI‑powered advisor workbench, underpinned by a multi‑agent collaborative architecture that optimizes key business processes, including product introduction and evaluation, asset allocation and investment strategy development. The platform incorporates a suite of role‑specific intelligent agents that support end-to-end execution across core advisory workflows. Leveraging its proprietary technology infrastructure, the Company delivers AI capabilities consistently across the organization while enabling personalized workflow orchestration and tailored service delivery.

Within its institutional services business, Huatai Securities continued to strengthen its global client franchise, with its institutional client network now spanning more than 6,500 domestic and international institutions, with the number of newly opened sovereign wealth fund accounts increasing 64% year‑on‑year. The Company has established a comprehensive prime brokerage ecosystem, providing institutional clients with integrated solutions across the full investment lifecycle. Huatai Securities ranked fifth in public fund brokerage trading volume in 2025, and second in the industry for margin financing and securities lending interest income in the first half of 2026. The Company also maintained a leading position in market-making for the STAR Market and among listed funds. To further enhance its institutional service capabilities, Huatai Securities has embedded professional expertise into AI-powered solutions, enabling the systematic delivery of research and investment insights. During the period, the Company launched “Huatai Zhiyan”, an AI-enabled investment research toolbox that provides clients with access to proprietary data, research methodologies, the latest insights, valuation models and other intelligent agents. By offering round-the-clock access to professional resources and analytical capabilities, the platform supports more informed and efficient investment decision‑making.

Looking ahead, Huatai Securities will remain firmly focused on its clients, while continuing to strengthen its integrated financial services platform and enhance its ability to deliver comprehensive, high-quality solutions across business segments. The Company will continue to cultivate new growth drivers through AI innovation, further strengthen its industrial investment banking capabilities to support the development of China’s modern industrial system and facilitate the growth of strategic emerging industries. Building on the strength of its “One Huatai” service platform the Company will deepen cross‑border collaboration and connectivity across its global network, enabling it to better serve domestic and international clients and make even greater contributions to the high‑quality development of the real economy.

Hashtag: #HuataiSecurities

Hong Kong: A Strategic Choice for Global Ambitions

A recipient of two prestigious entrance scholarships, Clarrence is currently enrolled in CUHK’s Integrated Bachelor of Business Administration (IBBA) programme. A graduate of SMAK 1 BPK Penabur Jakarta, she saw the city as a gateway to global opportunity. “I think of Hong Kong as a financial hub, a bridge between countries. For someone who wants to study international business or finance, Hong Kong is the answer.”

She first encountered CUHK at her secondary school’s education fair and was drawn to its world-class standing (ranked second in Hong Kong and 18th globally). “I fell in love with CUHK’s environment, the buildings, the nature and all the diversity. The various organisations and events sealed it. For me, CUHK is just right.” On top of her University Admission Scholarship and top-up scholarship by the CUHK Business School, her commitment was further recognised with two scholarships upon admission: the Shum Wai Yau and Kong Fook To Belt and Road First-in-the-Family Tertiary Education Admission Scholarship and the United College CUHK Golden Jubilee First-in-the-Family Tertiary Education Admission Scholarship.

Building Belonging in the CUHK Community

Since arriving on campus, the transition was not without challenges. Language barriers initially meant she missed updates and campus events, but CUHK’s support network for international students helped her find her footing. The atmosphere, she says, is family-like, giving students space to stay connected to home while building friendships across borders. A mentorship programme also gave her early exposure to Hong Kong’s professional landscape. “It really opened my eyes to the real job market here,” she said.

From Classroom to the Global Stage

Clarrence’s ambitions are clearly defined: a Big Four internship, an exchange semester, and a career in Hong Kong before returning to make her mark in Indonesia. “For business, Hong Kong is the answer, and CUHK’s reputation as one of the top universities in the world says it all. With the scholarship opportunities on top of that, it’s truly a win-win.”

CUHK’s Integrated BBA Programme

Offered by the region’s first business school, CUHK’s Integrated BBA programme gives students the freedom to shape a curriculum around their ambitions. Key highlights include:

• Unmatched Flexibility: Nine concentration areas with no intake limits, plus options for double majors, dual degrees and minors.
• A Truly Global Community: Students from over 19 nationalities, fostering cross-cultural exchange and an international outlook.
• Real-World Readiness: 89% of students complete at least one internship before graduating, and 93% access global experiential learning opportunities.
• Comprehensive Support: A dedicated mentorship programme, partnership courses and internship placements prepare students for an ever-changing business landscape.

Graduates leave with analytical, communication and ethical decision-making skills, and access to a network of over 45,000 Business School alumni worldwide.

For more information about CUHK’s Integrated BBA programme, visit

Hashtag: #CUHK

The moderation was uneven across the half. After a notably quiet first quarter of about US$88 million across 26 deals, activity rebounded to some US$411 million across 27 deals in the second quarter. That recovery rested almost entirely on a single US$320 million round for a cross-border payments platform in June, which alone accounted for close to two-thirds of Singapore’s total fintech investment for the half.

Anton Ruddenklau, Partner, Head of Financial Services, KPMG in Singapore said: “The headline number tells only part of the story. What we are seeing in Singapore mirrors the global market — investors are being far more selective, consolidating capital behind a small number of scaled, high-conviction platforms rather than funding behaviour we saw in prior years. A single deal carrying most of the half is a signal of that concentration. However, the fundamentals that make Singapore a strategic hub for fintech — a trusted regulatory environment, deep cross-border connectivity, and strength in payments and digital assets — remain intact, and these remain the stronghold areas where capital is still flowing.”

Investment clustered around three familiar verticals: payments, digital assets and cryptocurrency, and artificial intelligence and machine learning. Most investments clustered towards earlier-stage companies building tokenisation, digital-asset and AI-enabled infrastructure, pointing to a market that is still forming at the foundations even as growth-stage funding thins.

Globally, the picture ran in the opposite direction on value. Fintech investment across venture capital, private equity and M&A rose from US$72.2 billion in H2’25 to US$103.1 billion in H1’26, putting the sector on pace for its strongest annual performance in four years. Deal volume, however, remained soft at just 2,100 deals globally in H1’26 against 2,500 in H2’25, as investors concentrated capital on large transactions centred on mature fintechs with well-proven business models. Singapore’s half was a local expression of that same dynamic, fewer deals, larger concentration, and a clear premium on proven models.

Figure 1: Singapore’s half-year fintech deal value and volume, H1 2019 – H1 2026

Source: KPMG Pulse of Fintech, PitchBook.

Figure 2: Singapore fintech investment by vertical, H1 2026

*Deals are frequently tagged to more than one vertical

Payments remains one of Singapore’s anchor verticals

Cross-border payments proved to be one of Singapore’s anchor verticals, although it was largely supported by a US$320 million deal in June. That single transaction accounted for nearly all of the US$332 million recorded across the three payments deals in the half. Two of the three deals belonging to the later stage even in a tighter funding climate reflects sustained investor appetite for scaled platforms that can move money across borders while managing compliance, currency conversion and settlement – capabilities that only grow more valuable as global trade and commerce fragment.

Digital assets and cryptocurrency continue to drive deal activity

Digital assets and cryptocurrency again accounted for the largest share of Singapore’s deal count, even if individual cheque sizes were relatively modest. The larger, later-stage names were built around regulated market infrastructure, including companies such as digital-asset services providers and crypto payments firms, while the seed and early-stage cohort skewed towards exchange, brokerage and cross-chain tooling platforms. With most capital concentrated at seed and early stage (15 of the 27 deals) rather than in large growth rounds, it signals continued confidence in Singapore as a base for regulated, institutional-grade digital-asset businesses, even as the sector’s weight in the market rests on young companies rather than proven, scaled platforms.

AI and machine learning stays central to the fintech thesis

Artificial intelligence and machine learning was the most active vertical of the half, featuring in 18 of Singapore’s 53 deals and US$365.9 million of disclosed value. The deals were split equally across early and late stage deals.

The later-stage deals clustered around applied software that embeds AI into established financial workflows, spanning cross-border payments, investment research, insurance and claims, credit-risk modelling and document processing. These are revenue-generating platforms using AI to improve productivity and margins rather than to build entirely new markets, which is why they continued to attract the larger capital even in a more selective climate, as investors are willing to pay up for proven models where AI deepens an existing commercial edge.

At seed and early stage, the profile shifts towards agentic software and infrastructure, including agentic execution platforms, agentic networks and cross-chain automation, alongside broader AI-and-crypto tooling. This could signal that investors are expecting that autonomous, AI-driven agents may become core infrastructure for how money moves and how financial decisions are executed.

2026 – Key Global highlights

• Global fintech investment has grown considerably over the past three six-month periods, rising from $50.5 billion in H1’25 to $72.2 billion in H2’25 to $103.1 billion in H1’26.
• Global deal volume fell from 2,500 deals in H2’25 to 2,100 in H1’26; this remains below historic norms, reflecting continued investor selectivity despite higher capital deployment.
• The Americas attracted over 80 percent of global fintech investment in H1’26 ($86.9 billion across 1,120 deals), of which the US accounted for $80.8 billion across 933 deals.
• Coming off a strong 2025 that saw $39.5 billion invested across 1,714 deals, the EMEA region saw $11.3 billion invested across 626 deals in H1’26 – on pace for a decade-low for both deal volume and value.
• Fintech investment in the ASPAC region remained muted, declining from $7.1 billion across 426 deals during H2’25 to $4.6 billion across 350 deals in H1’26.
• Global fintech M&A activity strengthened, with deal value increasing from $37.2 billion across 514 deals in H2’25 to $67.9 billion across 394 deals in H1’26
• Venture capital investment remained strong across the global fintech sector, led by the US which saw $16.8 billion in VC investment.
• At the sector level, payments led the way, attracting $44.2 billion in H1’26: well over 2025’s annual total, as a result of several large megadeals.
• AI-focused fintechs attract $21.4 billion across VC, PE, and M&A.

Hashtag: #KPMG

About KPMG International

Industry leaders and practitioners gathered in Hong Kong to advance climate adaptation, building transformation and AI-enabled solutions for a more resilient built environment across Asia.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Arup and Saint-Gobain hosted the Asia launch (Hong Kong) of their global report, Adapting Buildings to Climate Change, alongside a technical seminar on AI-enhanced building design and operation. Supported by the Hong Kong Green Building Council, BEAM Society Limited, Business Environment Council, the Hong Kong Institute of Architects, Royal Institute of British Architects and American Institute of Architects Hong Kong, the event brought together more than 100 industry leaders, developers, architects, engineers and sustainability practitioners to examine how the built environment can respond to the growing challenges of climate change. The Hong Kong edition follows the report’s European launch in Brussels earlier this year and marks the beginning of a wider conversation across the Asia Pacific region.

Reflecting the value of collaboration between government and industry, Mr Sammy Yeung, JP, Commissioner for Climate Change, Environment and Ecology Bureau, HKSAR Government; and Mr Benjamin Hubin, Deputy Consul General of France in Hong Kong and Macau, graced the launch ceremony as distinguished guests. Their presence underscored a shared commitment to addressing climate challenges and strengthening the resilience of Hong Kong’s built environment.

The urgency of that shared agenda framed the evening’s discussions. The scale of the challenge is significant. More than 7,000 major climate-related disasters caused nearly US$3 trillion in losses worldwide between 2000 and 2019, and the frequency and severity of heatwaves, floods, storms and extreme rainfall continue to rise. As one of the world’s most densely developed cities, Hong Kong faces distinct pressures, with rising temperatures, intensifying rainfall and a large existing building stock reinforcing the need for adaptation alongside decarbonisation. The pressure is particularly acute in dense urban areas, where Arup’s research has found the urban heat island effect can raise city temperatures by up to 8.5°C compared with rural surroundings, putting lives at risk and driving up cooling demand. Against this backdrop, the report examines how buildings can better withstand extreme heat, flooding and storms while supporting the transition to a low-carbon future.

Building on these themes, distinguished speakers and panellists from across the built environment sector shared their perspectives throughout the evening. Through a series of presentations and a panel discussion, they explored how building owners, investors and industry professionals can extend asset life, strengthen resilience and create lasting social and economic value through climate-responsive design, retrofitting and advanced technologies, as well as the growing role of digital innovation and artificial intelligence in enabling smarter, more sustainable decision-making across the building lifecycle.

Ir Dr Vincent Cheng, Arup Fellow and APAC Environment, Climate and Sustainability Services Leader, said, “Climate adaptation is no longer a future consideration. It is a present-day imperative for our cities, communities and economies. Buildings account for a significant share of our urban assets, and enhancing their resilience is essential to protecting people, livelihoods and long-term prosperity. Through this report, Arup and Saint-Gobain aim to provide practical insights that help the industry move beyond identifying climate risks and towards implementing solutions. By combining adaptation, decarbonisation and digital innovation, we can create buildings that are not only more resilient, but also healthier, more efficient and better equipped to support thriving communities.”

Mr Ludovic Weber, CEO Asia, Saint-Gobain, said, “Building adaptation to climate change cannot be addressed through one discipline, one stakeholder or one product alone. This report reinforces and accelerates Saint-Gobain’s long-standing approach of combining materials, systems and building-science expertise to deliver integrated, performance-based solutions tailored to specific climate risks and local needs. Together with Arup, we aim to turn knowledge into practical action and help create buildings that are more resilient, sustainable and valuable over the long term.”

About the report
Adapting Buildings to Climate Change explores the impacts of climate change on buildings and sets out strategies to strengthen resilience across the asset lifecycle. It identifies three complementary design approaches, namely robustness, adaptiveness and flexibility, and presents practical families of construction solutions ranging from thermal envelope and solar protection systems to green infrastructure and enhanced-resistance measures. The report highlights the business and societal value of investing in adaptation, showing how proactive measures can safeguard assets, improve occupant wellbeing and support more sustainable, resilient cities.

Hashtag: #Arup #Saint-Gobain

About Arup

About Saint-Gobain

Worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain designs, manufactures and distributes materials and services for the construction and industrial markets. Its integrated solutions for the renovation of public and private buildings, light construction and the decarbonization of construction and industry are developed through a continuous innovation process and provide sustainability and performance. The Group, celebrating its 360th anniversary in 2025, remains more committed than ever to its purpose “MAKING THE WORLD A BETTER HOME”.