PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for August 13, 2026 – Full Text

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – Vinpearl has officially been named the strongest hotel brand globally in 2026 by Brand Finance, the world’s leading brand valuation consultancy, with its brand value surging 86% to US$381 million. This marks the first time a Vietnamese brand has claimed the No. 1 position in global hotel brand strength and entered the Top 50 Most Valuable Hotel Brands in the World. Vinpearl’s remarkable breakthrough not only elevates the stature of the company, but also helps establish a new position for Vietnamese tourism on the international stage.

With a Brand Strength Index (BSI) score of 95.4/100 and an AAA+ rating, Vinpearl has surpassed a host of renowned hospitality names to rank No. 1 globally in hotel brand strength.

The Brand Strength Index (BSI) score reflects a brand’s overall strength, encompassing investment performance, customer and partner consideration, and its ability to generate business value.

The AAA+ rating is the highest level in Brand Finance’s brand strength rating system.

Alongside its No. 1 ranking, Vinpearl’s brand value also recorded a record increase of 86% to US$381 million year on year, enabling the company to enter the Top 50 Most Valuable Hotel Brands in the World for the first time.

Vinpearl’s position in brand strength has been driven by accelerated growth across all areas of its operations.

Specifically, in terms of financial strength, in 2026, VPL shares were included in the VN30 Index. Vinpearl also successfully raised US$255 million from SeaTown Holdings, Oman Investment Authority and Vietnam Oman Investment.

In terms of market development, Vinpearl has continued to expand its global connectivity in 2026, signing strategic cooperation agreements with leading international and regional partners, including Agoda, AirAsia MOVE, BeMyGuest, GlobalTix, Klook, CAITO, Thomas Cook India, SOTC Travel, MakeMyTrip, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International, among others. These partnerships aim to increase international visitor flows and enhance service quality across Vinpearl’s system.

In terms of products and services, Vinpearl has continued to expand its multi-segment tourism, hospitality and entertainment ecosystem in 2026. Key initiatives include the launch of Vinpearl Legendlux, a six-star ultra-luxury hotel brand; the introduction of VinFun, a new-generation hotel brand designed to cater to a broader range of guests; the development of Vin New Horizon, a wellness and senior living offering; the premiere of the spectacular stage production “The Grand Epic of Vietnam”; and the launch of The Vietnam Grand WeddX 2026, a new-generation platform for exhibitions and industry connections in Vietnam’s wedding sector.

The collective efforts of the entire ecosystem in 2026 have driven Vinpearl’s remarkable rise in rankings, from being the leading hotel brand in Southeast Asia to becoming the strongest hotel brand globally .

Beyond Brand Finance, the strength of the Vinpearl ecosystem has also been continuously recognized by leading global tourism organizations and platforms. In 2026, VinWonders Nha Trang became the only representative from Vietnam to be included in the Top 100 Global Best Family-Friendly Attractions; Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An received the ASEAN Green Hotel Award 2026; while Vinpearl’s hotels and resorts and VinWonders properties have continued to receive recognition from Booking.com, Agoda and Trip.com, among others, through rankings and awards.

Recognition from the world’s leading tourism rating organizations serves as an important source of motivation for Vinpearl to further elevate its ecosystem, bringing destinations and experiences imbued with Vietnamese identity closer to domestic and international travelers. The company is moving toward its goal of becoming a leading global tourism and hospitality brand, while contributing to elevating Vietnam’s position on the world tourism map.

Hashtag: #Vinpearl

About Brand Finance

About Vinpearl

Phase 3 Pavilion Expansion 100% Committed, Opening in September 2026

HONG KONG SAR and SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – Hang Lung Properties Limited (“Hang Lung” or the “Company”; SEHK stock code: 00101) today announced the upgrade of Plaza 66 in Shanghai, adding and reconfiguring a total of 6,749 square meters of commercial and community space to anchor its position as a leading, next generation, world-class luxury retail destination in the Chinese Mainland. As part of the enhancements, the Pavilion Expansion, i.e. Phase 3 of Plaza 66,will officially open in September 2026, adding approximately 4,300 square meters of retail space and a 645-square-meter Art Pavilion, an open-air leisure and community area. In addition, the mall will introduce a 1,080-square-meter Roof Garden,and enlarge its exclusive VIC Lounge by 65% to 724 square meters. Together with an expanded dining offering, these enhancements will further attract affluent customers seeking arrays of sophisticated lifestyle experiences.

The Pavilion Expansion has already achieved full commitment. Building on the mall’s existing portfolio of flagship maisons from leading international luxury brands, the project will introduce 27 new brands, including first-in-market and concept stores from some of the world’s most prestigious names (see Appendix for details). The expansion will further strengthen the mall’s luxury retail offering while introducing a new curation of premium dining concepts.

Plaza 66 is further enriching its placemaking and community-focused spaces and experiences:

• Art Pavilion (near the intersection of Nanyang Road and North Shaanxi Road): An open-air landscaped sanctuary designed for leisure and community engagement.
• Roof Garden (Level 6 of the mall): An urban resort-inspired placemaking venue scheduled to open in Q4 2026.
• VIC Lounge (relocating to Level 5 of the mall): The expanded lounge, scheduled to open in Q1 2027, will feature additional outdoor space, enhancing brand experiences, bespoke hospitality, and its positioning as a diverse lifestyle partner.
• Enhanced Dining Portfolio (across the mall and the Pavilion): Approximately 20 restaurants are being rolled out, ranging from Michelin-starred establishments to Shanghai first-to-market concepts.

Ms. Janice Cheung, Director – Mainland Business Operation of Hang Lung Properties, said:”This year marks the 66^th anniversary of Hang Lung and the 25^th anniversary of Plaza 66. Over the years, Plaza 66 has continuously upgraded its retail offering and tenant mix, enriching its ecosystem of refined luxury experiences to meet evolving market demand. Our latest advancements address strong interest from leading international brands while curating novel experiences that blend emotional engagement with authentic cultural resonance. The project will further reinforce Plaza 66’s luxury retail leadership in the Chinese Mainland and on West Nanjing Road, support Shanghai’s development as an international consumption center, and meet the expectations of our new generation of discerning customers.”

Looking ahead, Hang Lung will continue to optimize its retail and spatial offerings across its portfolio, leveraging the success of Plaza 66 to tailor sophisticated lifestyle experiences that integrate commerce, culture, and community.

Appendix: Overview of the Plaza 66 Development

Appendix: Brands at the Plaza 66 Pavilion Expansion

1. B1ock (Featuring Shanghai’s first CAFÉ ASTIER DE VILLATTE and B1OCK GALLERY contemporary art gallery)
2. Balmain
3. BegL
4. Berluti
5. Borsalino (First official boutique in Greater China)
6. Brunello Cucinelli (First flagship store in Chinese Mainland)
7. Crave
8. Dunhill
9. Huawei (World’s first flagship store featuring the brand’s latest premium retail concept)
10. Hublot (Exclusive flagship store in China)
11. John Lobb
12. La Moda
13. Messika (First store in Greater China featuring the brand’s latest concept)
14. Montblanc
15. NUITS (Michelin Guide Recommended)
16. Piaget
17. Santa Maria Novella (First directly operated boutique in China)
18. Somsak Thai Fan (First store in China)
19. Thom Browne (New Shanghai flagship store)
20. Tod’s
21. WooYoungMi (First boutique in Shanghai)
22. Xingrong Sichuan Bistro (First store in China)
23. Zegna

The remaining four brands will be announced later.

https://www.hanglung.com

Hashtag: #HangLungGroup

About Hang Lung Properties

About Plaza 66, Shanghai

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – Hony Media Group (“Hony Media Group“, the “Company“; Stock code: 419.HK; together with its subsidiaries collectively known as the “Group“) today announced that it has jointly established a joint venture, AIROBO (HK) LIMITED, in Hong Kong with AIROBO PTE. LTD (“AIROBO”), marking the Group’s official entry into the robotics platform operation business. The Group holds 70% equity interest in the joint venture, with AIROBO holding the remaining 30%. The joint venture has also set up a wholly‑owned subsidiary, AIROBO (Chengdu) Technology Co., Ltd., in the China (Sichuan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, which serves as the Group’s independent operating entity in Mainland China, taking full responsibility for business development, platform technology operationand customer service for the robotics platform in the PRC market. Both the joint venture and AIROBO (Chengdu) have become subsidiaries of the Group, and their financial results will be consolidated into the Group’s consolidated financial statements, further strengthening the Group’s asset and business foundation.

This business expansion signifies that the Group is extending its artificial intelligence and digitised operation capabilities from the existing healthcare industry sector into physical space scenarios. The Group has long been deeply engaged in digitised operations in the healthcare industry, having accumulated robust capabilities in AI algorithms, data platform operations and intelligent system development. The robotics platform operation business represents an innovative application of these core technologies in the physical world, sharing a common technical foundation with the Group’s existing technology systems, thus enabling efficient synergy and capability reuse. With the rapid advancement of AI, the Internet of Things and automation technologies, the robotics industry is evolving from pure hardware manufacturing toward platform‑based operations, presenting vast market opportunities. The Group’s timely entry into this emerging sector not only represents a meaningful expansion of its existing application scenarios, but also reflects the management’s keen insight into industry trends and forward‑looking strategic planning.

The Group’s partner, AIROBO, brings professional experience in robotics platform operations and technology research and development, while the Group contributes mature corporate management capabilities, abundant market resources and proven hands‑on expertise in digitised operations. The complementary strengths of both parties will provide solid support for the joint venture’s business development, help accelerate technology deployment and market penetration, and achieve resource sharing and capability superimposition. The Board firmly believes that this collaboration will inject new growth momentum into the Group, further diversify its revenue structure, and create sustainable value for shareholders over the long term. The Group will continue to focus on its core competitiveness in AI and digitised operations, actively explore further possibilities for technological innovation and industrial integration, and steadily advance its strategic transformation and upgrade.

Mr. Yuen Hoi Po, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of Hony Media Group, said: “This joint venture marks the official extension of the Group’s AI and digitised operation capabilities from the healthcare industry into physical robotics scenarios – a significant cross‑domain application of our technological strengths. As the robotics industry evolves from hardware manufacturing towards platform‑based operations, the Group is seizing this structural opportunity and extending the existing artificial intelligence and digital operation capabilities to robotics platform scenarios. AIROBO brings professional experience in robot platform operation and application scenarios, while the Group contributes market resources and management expertise. The complementary strengths of both parties will provide solid support for the business deployment of the joint venture. We believe this initiative will inject new growth momentum into the Group and generate long‑term sustainable value for our shareholders.”

Hashtag: #HonyMedia

About Hony Media Group

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – Living between cities is fast becoming part of everyday life. People travel from elsewhere in Thailand to Bangkok for health checks and recovery; parents come to care for their children during term time or attend important family occasions; business travellers commute regularly for work; executives and expatriates relocate to begin new roles; and hybrid workers and specialists take on short-term assignments. As the boundaries between travel, work and everyday life continue to blur, accommodation is no longer simply a place to stay. It has become a space where guests can live comfortably, naturally and flexibly, maintaining their everyday routines much as they would at home.

Shama, the serviced apartment brand under ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading management company for hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences across the Asia-Pacific region, responds to this evolving way of life through its ‘The Joy of Living’ philosophy. Shama believes that a fulfilling stay comes not only from a well-connected location, but also from an environment that enables guests to live and follow their daily routines in a way that feels true to who they are. Guests are also encouraged to experience the character of each neighbourhood and connect naturally with the surrounding community through a warm, friendly atmosphere and a genuine sense of belonging from the first day of their stay. This reflects Shama’s role as more than accommodation: it is a living space that helps each day unfold smoothly and meaningfully.

This philosophy is reflected across Shama properties in Thailand and overseas. Each is located in a neighbourhood with convenient connections to business districts, leading hospitals, international schools, public transport and key lifestyle destinations, and is surrounded by local restaurants, cafés, shops and communities. Guests can settle naturally into the rhythm of local life, whether staying for a few weeks, several months or many years, or moving to begin a new chapter in a different city.

In Thailand, for those looking to escape the bustle of the city while remaining within easy reach of Bangkok’s business districts, Shama Yen-Akat Bangkok offers the charm of a peaceful residential neighbourhood surrounded by local restaurants, shops and an established community. With convenient connections to Sathorn, Silom and Rama III, guests can enjoy a more relaxed pace of life while balancing work, leisure and everyday living. The property is also pet-friendly.

For those whose daily lives combine work with living in the heart of the city, Shama Lakeview Asoke Bangkok presents another side of city-centre living. Located in Asoke, one of Bangkok’s main transport hubs, the property is well connected by both BTS Skytrain and MRT, making everyday journeys easy and efficient. It is also surrounded by the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Terminal 21 and The EM District, while views over Benjakitti Park provide welcome moments of calm amid the energy of the city. The property is therefore well suited to business travellers, executives and families seeking the convenience of life in central Bangkok.

Meanwhile, Shama Sukhumvit Bangkok captures the energy of city-centre living, surrounded by restaurants, shopping destinations and key business districts. Its proximity to Bumrungrad International Hospital also makes it an ideal choice for guests travelling to Bangkok for work, health checks or time with family.

By contrast, Shama Sukhumvit 101 Bangkok offers a calm, welcoming residential atmosphere in the outer Sukhumvit area, which has been designated as one of Bangkok’s Creative Districts. Close to Cloud 11 and True Digital Park, hubs for young professionals and start-ups, the property offers convenient access via the BTS Skytrain and expressway. It is ideal for guests seeking a balance between work, relaxation and life in a warm, connected community, clearly reflecting Shama’s ‘Connected Neighbourhood’ philosophy.

For guests travelling to Bangkok for medical treatment or a temporary work assignment, Shama Petchburi 47 Bangkok offers comfort and convenience in a quiet yet well-connected residential neighbourhood. Located next to Bangkok Hospital and just five minutes from Phetchavej Hospital, it also provides easy access to Rama IX, Thonglor and Ekkamai. Guests can enjoy a relaxed way of life in peaceful surroundings while remaining close to the city’s main business districts.

Meanwhile, Shama Ekamai Bangkok offers a different perspective on urban living in the vibrant neighbourhoods of Ekkamai and Thonglor, surrounded by popular restaurants, cafés and lifestyle destinations. Despite its prime location, the property provides a peaceful, private retreat amid lush greenery, just minutes from the energy and convenience of Ekkamai and Sukhumvit. It also invites guests to discover the character of the local community, learn about the neighbourhood’s way of life and experience a genuine connection with the people who live there.

In addition, every Shama property offers Shama Social Club and Shama Friends, two lifestyle programmes that give guests opportunities to meet, share experiences and build relationships with neighbours and the surrounding community. By gradually becoming familiar with the people and everyday life of each neighbourhood, guests can feel part of the community from the very first day of their stay.

Creating experiences for diverse ways of life reflects ONYX Hospitality Group’s ‘More of What You Love’ philosophy, which focuses on delivering hospitality that meets the needs of travellers across different lifestyle segments. Through a portfolio of distinctive brands, ONYX elevates each stay beyond accommodation with benefits from ONYX Rewards, dining experiences from ONYX Dining, and services that connect guests with local people, communities and destinations, making every journey more meaningful.

As ONYX Hospitality Group marks its 60th anniversary, the company continues to develop its brands and guest experiences, offering a wider range of choices to meet the evolving needs of today’s travellers. Shama, meanwhile, continues to strengthen its role as more than a place to stay by creating spaces that connect people with local communities and fill every stay with the joy of everyday living under its ‘The Joy of Living’ philosophy.

https://www.onyx-hospitality.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/onyx-hospitality-group/
https://www.facebook.com/ONYXHospitalityGroup
https://www.instagram.com/onyxhospitalitygroup/

Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup

About ONYX Hospitality Group

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2026 – Artificial intelligence is driving one of the largest infrastructure investment cycles in decades, but the rapid global build-out of data centers is also creating a new era of construction, operational, climate and insurance risks, according to the latest Allianz Commercial The data center construction boom: risks and claims trends report. Annual investment in data centers is projected to double from around US$500bn in 2024 to more than US$1trn as early as 2027. The investment opportunity extends far beyond server halls to electricity generation, grid infrastructure, cooling, networking, and semiconductors. According to Allianz Research, the US and China are expected to account for around 62% of new global capacity additions through 2030, but the next wave of investment is becoming increasingly global. In Europe, Germany, the UK and Ireland remain major markets, but faster expansion is expected in Spain, Finland and Denmark, where power availability and permitting conditions can be more favorable. Across Asia Pacific, excluding China, installed capacity is projected to increase from around 9GW today to more than 28GW by 2030, with Malaysia expected to grow more than tenfold.

“AI is turning the latest generation of data centers from a specialist real estate asset into mission-critical infrastructure,” says Thomas Lillelund, CEO of Allianz Commercial. “The scale of investment is extraordinary and, as these centers evolve beyond traditional data storage to high-performance compute demands, success will increasingly depend on resilience: access to power, reliable supply chains, robust construction controls, as well as climate-aware site selection and insurance programs that reflect the true accumulation risk. Indeed, comprehensive insurance cover has become a prerequisite for financing many large-scale AI infrastructure projects.”

Resilience must be central to data center operations
The sector’s biggest constraints are increasingly physical rather than financial. Competitive advantage is increasingly determined by access to electricity, grid connections, permitting, specialized equipment and skilled labor. In the US alone, the construction industry faces a shortage of around 439,000 skilled workers, while an estimated 349,000 additional workers may be needed in 2026. Climate resilience is increasingly a strategic consideration rather than an operational afterthought. Around 79% of global data center capacity is already located in areas exposed to heightened natural catastrophe risk, while 54% is exposed to chronic heat and drought stress. Some of the fastest-growing AI infrastructure markets are also among the most climate-exposed, including Northern Virginia, US, Johor in Malaysia, and Marseille, France. Acute flood, wildfire and wind exposure is highest in the Americas, affecting 86% of capacity, while chronic heat and drought stress is greatest in Asia Pacific, where 89% of capacity is exposed.

Global data center insurance market will more than double by 2030
Insurance is evolving alongside the sector. As data centers assume a more critical role in infrastructure, comprehensive insurance cover has become a prerequisite for financing many large-scale AI infrastructure projects. Construction costs for a single AI campus can exceed US$20bn, with insured values rising substantially once high-performance computing equipment is installed. The global data center insurance market is projected to grow from around US$11bn today to more than US$24bn by 2030, reflecting rapid capacity expansion, rising insured values and increasing operational complexity. Demand is expected to extend beyond traditional property cover towards integrated solutions spanning construction, engineering, property, business interruption, cyber and liability, while also creating new opportunities in areas such as energy resilience, operational continuity, and technology risk.

Risk and claims trends: fire drives severity; water damage frequency
Allianz Commercial analysis of insurance industry data center-related claims shows that fire is the leading driver of loss severity, accounting for well over 50% of around €700mn (US$800mn) worth of losses. Natural catastrophe activity ranks second, followed by willful acts, which include crime and cyber incidents, followed by power failure. Water damage is the most frequent cause of data center claims, followed by willful acts, fire, and equipment breakdown. Business interruption is the primary driver of claims severity by line of insurance, highlighting the significant financial impact of operational downtime.

The data center risk profile is changing as facilities become larger, more complex, and more increasingly interdependent. Hyperscale and colocation of campuses can bring together multiple tenants, construction works, servers, supporting utilities and on-site infrastructure in one physical or operational space. A single event can therefore trigger claims across property, construction, business interruption, liability, cyber, and financial lines. Real-life claims case studies show that in hyperscale facilities, damage to external cooling systems, hot works-related fire damage, and a delay in start-up caused by power disturbances have each resulted in losses in the US$50mn to US$100mn range.

“For insurers, the key question is not only the value of the building, but the concentration of value and dependency inside and around it. Power, cooling, batteries, fiber routes, testing and commissioning, and business continuity planning are all part of the same risk picture. Effective risk mitigation must begin early and continue throughout the data center lifecycle. Resilience must be designed in from the earliest planning stage,” explains Christian Kolbe, Global Head of Construction Claims at Allianz Commercial.

Clarity between policies essential to avoid ambiguity
Data center projects encompass different project phases with several stakeholders and interests involved, which can create complications. During the construction phase, stakeholders include the owner, developer, contractor, and subcontractors, whereas in the operational phase, the stakeholders include the owner-operator, and potentially multiple tenants or end users. For example, different policies could respond to a hot works-related fire resulting in damage to a data center nearing completion, and this would impact different stakeholders.

“Clarity is critical with an insurance claim,” says Charlotte Field, Regional Head of Short-tail Claims, Asia, at Allianz Commercial. “Clearly documented handovers are essential between your construction all-risk policy and operational policy. There must be no ambiguity about practical completion, in order to avoid disputes over which policy responds to a particular event and the extent of cover.”

Source: Buy NZ Made

Buy NZ Made says local councils are dragging their feet on procurement reform, a year after central government overhauled its own rules to give New Zealand businesses a fairer shot at public contracts – and did nothing to bring councils along with it.

The 5th edition of the Government Procurement Rules came into force on 1 December 2025, introducing a mandatory economic benefit to New Zealand test and a clear expectation that lower-value contracts go to capable local suppliers. It was a hard-won admission that decades of procurement practice had treated New Zealand businesses as an afterthought.

However, local councils, which between them control billions of dollars a year in ratepayer money on everything from civil works to professional services, are not covered by the new rules.

Procurement at the council level is still set by each authority’s own policy under the Local Government Act, and Buy NZ Made’s engagement with members over the past year shows the vast majority have made no move to apply anything like the same test.

The result is a public procurement system running on two different sets of values at once: one that increasingly backs New Zealand businesses, and one – closer to home, spending ratepayers’ own money, in their own communities – that still doesn’t ask the question at all.

“Central government worked out that shovelling public money offshore while local firms go under is a bad look and bad economics,” Buy NZ Made executive director Dane Ambler says.

“Councils are some of the biggest buyers in their regions. Every contract they hand to an out-of-town or offshore supplier by default, without even weighing the local benefit, is ratepayer money that could have kept a local business, and local jobs, alive.”

In the latest horror story, Buy NZ Made has uncovered councils moving ahead with the purchase and installation of container-mounted shelters supplied by companies importing Chinese-made shelters.

Many firms present themselves as “NZ Made” when they are, in fact, only New Zealand-owned. Councils must take note of this important distinction: NZ ownership does not mean a product is made in New Zealand.

Buy NZ Made is not asking councils to abandon value for money or open competition. It is asking them to stop pretending local economic benefit is someone else’s problem. That means adopting an economic benefit test equivalent to central government’s, publishing how local benefit is weighed in tender evaluations, and stripping out the compliance barriers that quietly favour large out-of-town incumbents over capable local and New Zealand-owned suppliers.