PM Edition: Top 10 Business Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for November 5, 2026 – Full Text

• Cyberport Community Cumulative Funding Surpasses HK$74.5 Billion, Welcoming 19 Listed Companies and 2 Unicorns over the Past Year
• Cyberport Investors Network (CIN) Celebrates 9th Anniversary, Facilitating Over HK$6 Billion in Cumulative Funding
• Cyberport Signs MoUs with Gobi Partners and Thailand’s National Innovation Agency to Unlock Global Growth Corridors

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – The annual flagship event Cyberport Venture & Capital Forum 2026 (CVCF) officially opened today at Hong Kong Cyberport. The two-day forum, themed “Scaling in a Changing World: Winning the Next Competitive Cycle”, brings together over 80 influential global venture capitalists, entrepreneurs and industry leaders to explore new frontiers in global venture trends, capital rerouting, Enterprise and Agentic AI, One-Person Companies (OPCs), digital assets, frontier technologies, and tokenisation economy, aiming to spotlight Hong Kong’s unique position as a strategic gateway connecting the Chinese Mainland, ASEAN, the Middle East, Central Asia and global innovation and funding networks. The forum also showcases the latest fundraising achievements of Cyberport start-ups.

The forum was inaugurated by Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry and Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, and other distinguished guests at the opening ceremony, marking the official start of this global forum.

Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said “Turning AI potential into sustainable growth requires more than technology. It also requires investment, business expertise and access to markets. This is where today’s forum can make a difference – bringing innovators and investors together to explore emerging technologies, support promising ventures and open doors to new opportunities. The HKSAR Government will continue to strengthen the support that helps promising ventures grow as well its investment to mobilise more private capital, consolidating Hong Kong’s position as an international innovation and technology centre, and as a premier hub for AI.”

Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said: “In a shifting global capital landscape, Hong Kong’s role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’ between the Chinese Mainland and the world is more valuable than ever. The cross-border dialogue and partnerships forged here will create fresh opportunities for innovation, investment and collaboration.”

Cyberport Start-ups Show Robust Fundraising as AI and the Agentic Economy Take Centre Stage

Cyberport’s start-ups have demonstrated robust fundraising performance over the past year. Cyberport gathers over 2,400 companies, Cyberport start-ups have raised over HK$74.5 billion in funding. During the year, Cyberport proudly welcomed 19 listed companies and 2 unicorns to its community. Recent high-value fundraising rounds include Finloop, Qupital and Premialab, leverage AI, blockchain and digital assets — reflecting sustained market confidence in these emerging technologies and underscoring Cyberport’s success in fostering their development.

CIN Celebrates 9th Anniversary, Connecting Global Capital with High-Potential Start-ups

As Hong Kong’s digital tech hub, AI accelerator and key incubator, Cyberport actively connects global investors with start-ups through diverse funding channels.

The CIN 9th Anniversary Celebration commemorated a successful nine-year milestone while ushering in a new chapter of leadership, as the chairmanship passed from Hendrick Sin to John Ng. To honour this pivotal handover, Hendrick Sin, Hon. Duncan Chiu, and Cindy Chow were officially designated as Honorary Chairs of CIN in recognition of their distinguished contributions to the ecosystem.

Hendrick Sin, Honorary Chair of CIN; Co-Founder of CMGE Technology Group Limited; Chairman of China Prosperity Capital, stated in his video speech, “CIN has facilitated over HK$6 billion in investments across more than 130 projects since its inception, reflecting strong investor confidence in Cyberport companies. Looking ahead, we will strengthen the quality and depth of our deal flow, enhance structured capital partnerships to broaden access to funding at different growth stages, and deepen our relationships with CVCs, PE firms, family offices and LPs, further diversifying CIN’s investor network. Through these efforts, CIN will continue to connect promising companies with the right capital, expertise and networks needed to scale and succeed.

John Ng, Chairman of CIN, added in his speech, “I’m honoured to be appointed Chairman of CIN. The network has grown to nearly 250 investment firms, an achievement that reflects the tremendous efforts of Hendrick and the CIN team over the past years. Drawing on my background in corporate venture capital and family offices, one of my priorities will be to expand CIN’s network within these communities and take CIN into its next chapter.”

Another key financing channel, CMF, has invested in 30 start-up projects as of September 2026, with total investment including co-investments exceeding HK$2.7 billion and a co-investment ratio of over 1:9.3. Further augmenting ecosystem liquidity, Cyberport, BOCHK Asset Management and BOC Group Investment formed a strategic partnership in May 2026, as well as with Taiping Financial Holdings in Aug 2026 on venture capital funds to back promising Hong Kong I&T start-ups.

Strategic Partnerships to Unlock Global Growth Corridors

At the Forum, Cyberport signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), with Gobi Partners and with Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA), to solidify global corridors for cross-border expansion.

Cyberport and Gobi Partners signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen collaboration in nurturing innovation and technology enterprises, facilitating market expansion and investment opportunities, and strengthening the innovation ecosystems of Hong Kong, Asia and the Middle East.

Building on a longstanding partnership, Gobi has invested in more than 24 Cyberport companies, including CMF co-investments. Witnessed by Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, and Chibo Tang, Managing Partner, GBA Team of Gobi Partners, the MoU was signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, and Fred Li, Managing Director, GBA Team of Gobi Partners.

Meanwhile, Cyberport and Thailand’s National Innovation Agency (NIA) signed an MoU to promote cross-border innovation collaboration, startup development and knowledge exchange in AI, smart city and other digital technologies. It will cover soft-landing and market expansion, business matching, innovation programmes and community engagement, joint events, and proof-of-concept and pilot opportunities. The MoU was witnessed by Lillian Cheong, Acting Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, and Preechaya Panyakrua, Innovation Counsellor of NIA, and signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport, and Dr Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of NIA.

Decoding the New Playbook for Scaling in the Age of AI

This year’s CVCF programme is organised around three umbrella themes: Mega Trends & AI Frontiers, Regional Market Focus & Global Corridors, and Market Focus & Strategic Capital Dynamics.

Opening the main stage, Mahesh Krishnaswamy, Founder and CEO of Taara, delivered the keynote “The Innovation Playbook: Capitalizing on Moonshots and Faster Cycles in the Age of AI”, sharing how Taara evolved from a radical moonshot into a real-world high-speed optical communications solution — a timely lens on compressed innovation cycles and how breakthrough technology scales.

The forum also brought together venture capital leaders from Gobi Partners, Alumni Ventures, Rasmal Ventures, Primavera Capital, Draper Dragon, Pegasus Tech Ventures, Plug & Play and more to examine AI-driven capital shifts, high-growth corridors across the Middle East, ASEAN and the Greater Bay Area, and how public-private and corporate strategic capital can accelerate tech scale-ups.

Beyond the thought leadership sessions, the event further reinforced Cyberport’s role in connecting capital, innovation and global market opportunities. It also provided a dynamic platform for business matching and startup empowerment. This year’s Founder Pitch attracted strong interest from local and international venture capital firms, enabling startups from early-stage innovators to high-growth scale-ups to present their cutting-edge solutions to investors and ecosystem partners.

Throughout the first day, the event floor featured tailored Investor Matching sessions, dynamic Innovator Showcases featuring elite, high-potential startups across key tech sectors from local and global partner networks, and dedicated Startup Clinics offering practical strategic guidance. Coupled with engaging networking exchanges, Day one concluded on a positive note, reinforcing Cyberport’s ongoing role in connecting capital, innovation, and global market opportunities.

Day two will feature the CVCF’s spotlight event “Agentic Economy Summit”, themed “Intelligent Frontiers, Tokenised Horizons”, featuring a keynote address by Joseph Chan, Under Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury, and will explore how agentic AI is reshaping business and how digital assets are redefining the way value moves. The summit will examine digital identity, institutional tokenisation, HKD stablecoins, programmable payments and machine-to-machine commerce, alongside the rise of OPCs. Day two also features hands-on startup workshops designed to equip founders with practical playbooks for pitch mastery and market scaling.

For more information on Cyberport Venture & Capital Forum 2026 and the speaker line-up, please visit http://cvcf.cyberport.hk/.

Hashtag: #Cyberport

About Hong Kong Cyberport

The seed round scales mamun’s capital infrastructure for trade finance along the Greater Bay Area – Oman – UAE corridor — anchored in Muscat, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong SAR.

MUSCAT, ABU DHABI/HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – mamun, the Sharia-compliant platform building capital infrastructure for trade finance, has raised a US$3 million seed round led by Phaze Ventures through its Oman Fund, with participation from Jasoor Ventures.

An exporter in Muscat ships today and gets paid in 60 to 90 days. Banks rarely bridge that gap, as they usually rely on a long financial track record that many small exporters find hard to provide. The Asian Development Bank puts the global trade finance gap at US$2.5 trillion, and 41% of SME trade finance applications are turned down.

mamun’s AI-native underwriting assesses the company behind the trade, alongside the shipment itself: the contract, the buyer, the trade documents and the trading history between them. Its origination engine finds and screens that trade as it forms. Then investors on the platform finance the gap.

The hard part is the border. A cross-border transaction spans two regulators, two banking systems and two legal regimes, with settlement that has to land in another jurisdiction on time, and the collateral is in motion, travelling with the goods along the route.

That complexity is why most of the region’s financing platforms have stayed domestic, and it is mamun’s moat. The platform was built across the corridor: an FSA-regulated home and origination base in Muscat; Abu Dhabi for Gulf capital and UAE flows; and Hong Kong SAR, the financing gateway of the Belt and Road Initiative, for the Greater Bay Area and the Gulf–Asia trade routes.

Roughly 40% of the platform’s trade finance settlements already clear through Hong Kong-based financial institutions and businesses.

mamun’s licence sits within the FSA’s crowdfunding framework, which allows the platform to bring in investors from inside and outside the Sultanate, and to finance companies inside and outside the Sultanate, subject to the platform’s eligibility criteria and the laws applicable in each investor’s country.

The corridor is growing. Oman’s non-oil exports ran about 10% higher year-on-year through the first seven months of 2026 and re-exports 13.6% higher, with the UAE its largest non-oil trading partner. New corridors bring new counterparties: businesses trading together for the first time, with no shared history for a lender to underwrite against.

The round brings together capital from Oman and the UAE: Phaze Ventures invests through its Oman Fund, dedicated to homegrown, AI-enabled Omani businesses, and Jasoor Ventures is an early-stage venture capital firm backing technology founders across the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey.

The US$3 million will scale that AI-native origination and underwriting, growing the volume of trade the platform can originate, assess and finance along the Greater Bay Area – Oman – UAE corridor. It is where the industry is heading: 84% of banks in the Asian Development Bank’s January 2026 survey already apply AI to trade finance risk. mamun was built that way from origination onward.

mamun was founded by Saleh Al Tamami, Co-Founder & CEO, Mohammed Al Tamami, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer, and Ahmed Al-Issaei, Co-Founder & CTO, and was named a Rising Star on the Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Middle East 2025, ranking 26th.

This announcement is for information only and does not constitute an offer or invitation to invest. mamun is not licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong (SFC).

Hashtag: #mamun

ABOUT mamun

ABOUT PHAZE VENTURES

ABOUT JASOOR VENTURES

Group signs seven strategic Memoranda of Understanding with partners from the United States, Greater China, Malaysia and the Maldives, as the Hong Kong hub prepares the ground for a sister hub in the Maldives

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – AEI Capital Group, an international alternative investment and asset management group, celebrated the grand opening of its expanded new Hong Kong headquarters office located at the China Resources Building. As the Group now expands its Hong Kong operations through the launch of this new Hong Kong headquarters, its international offshore affiliates manage aggregate alternative assets exceeding USD 7 billion as of December 2025. Located within the Hong Kong CBD with an exceptional Victoria Harbour view, the expanded office is directly annexed to the St. Regis Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will significantly lubricate AEI Capital Group’s strategic initiatives to organise global or regional events in Hong Kong via its expanded Hong Kong headquarters office. To ensure seamless operational continuity, the Group’s respective licensed associated entities will maintain their existing office premises until further official notification is submitted to their respective regulators.

Being dual-headquartered in Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong, emboldened by its other satellite offices in Singapore, London, Washington DC and Chengdu for global market coverage, AEI Capital Group is aspired to ride on Hong Kong’s recently crowned status as the No.1 global wealth centre (surpassing Switzerland lately) to develop its onshore Global Asset & Wealth Hub in Hong Kong. This newly launched Hub operates exclusively as a strategic platform dedicated to international enterprise matchmaking, cross-border commercial networking, and global corporate facilitation, to be complemented by AEI’s upcoming launch of its offshore Global Asset & Wealth Hub in Maldives, the world-renowned top luxurious travel destination recently emerged to grow its own offshore financial centre.

AEI Capital Group’s official launch ceremony of its Hong Kong new headquarters office was witnessed by a long list of spectacular special guests, such as Mr Abdulla Jihad, the former Vice President and Finance Minister of Maldives Republic; Dato Iskandar Mohd Nuli, the President and CEO of Maldives International Financial Centre; Dato Hafizi Bin Abdul Mutolif, the Deputy Chairman of Malaysian Armed Forces Co-operative, a sovereign wealth entity associated with Malaysian armed forces; Shaikh Humaid Abdulla Ali Abdulla Almualla, a UAE royal family member who is one of the anchor partners for AEI’s royal & billionaire-focused multi-family office; Datuk Wira Dr Lim Zhao Qi (Ken), the Chairman of Labuan Investment Banks Association & CEO of European Credit Investment Bank; Victor Deng, the President of Sensegain Asset Management, a Beijing-headquartered prominent investment firm; Hongtao Duan (段宏涛), the Chief Executive of Hoping China, a China quality-brand development organisation mandated by the China government for the overseas growth of China nationwide quality-brands; Warren Baker, Managing Partner of LDA Capital, a prominent global emerging markets investment firm based in Los Angeles and Madrid, and some key senior officials from Invest HK in family office and global financial services segments to support AEI’s aspiration to grow its Hong Kong global headquarters.

Seven strategic collaboration MoUs

The signing ceremony of a series of strategic collaboration MoUs between AEI Capital Group and its global strategic partners was organised on the same day too at the Runnovation Event Hall, a premier international innovation and exchange platform under China Resources Group in Hong Kong, subsequent to the grand launch ceremony of the AEI Global Asset & Wealth Hub in the afternoon.

AEI has entered into the following strategic collaboration MoUs with its respective global institutional partners of regional market importance:

1. MoU with Regal Prestige Multi Family Office (under AEI Capital Group) and FYSEN Group of Companies (Maldives) – for strategic investment and development in various industries in the Maldives, including the financial sector
2. MoU with Regal Prestige Multi Family Office (under AEI Capital Group) and Malaysian Armed Forces Co-operative (the sovereign wealth entity associated with Malaysian Armed Forces) – for capitalisation and strategic investment for various assets held by the co-operative
3. MoU with LDA Capital Group LLC, a leading emerging markets equity investment group – for collaboration on growth equity deal opportunities across Asia and Europe
4. MoU with Hoping China Development Promotion Centre (好品中国发展促进中心) – for strategic collaboration to support the capitalisation and growth of its global halal commerce platform
5. MoU with Hoping International Financial Group Co., Limited (好品国际金融集团有限公司) – for collaboration on growth equity deal opportunities
6. MoU with Labuan Investment Banks Association – for strategic collaboration in the asset and wealth space
7. MoU with Sensegain Asset Management Group Co., Ltd. – for collaboration on growth equity deal opportunities

Why Hong Kong, and why now

There is a widely repeated claim that capital has grown scarce. It has not. Capital is abundant, arguably more so than at any point in a generation, but it has been concentrated in the western world rather than in Asia, the largest growth engine in the world. The scarcity is not of capital; it is of capital willing to cross the distance to where the growth actually is. Hong Kong sits at that crossing.

“Hong Kong is where Asia’s growth meets the world’s capital, and that is exactly the bridge we exist to build,” said John Tan, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AEI Capital Group. “The innovation and the growth are here. What is missing is the pricing and the liquidity. We exist to close that gap, one company at a time.”

A two-way bridge

The AEI Global Asset & Wealth Hub is a corporate and strategic platform that brings the group’s partners together for cross-border collaboration and network-building between Asia, the Gulf, Europe and the United States. The Hong Kong hub is the first; a sister hub in the Maldives is in preparation.

The group sees the partnerships as a bridge that runs in both directions. Asian companies with real fundamentals but depressed valuation and liquidity can be strategically supported and, where it serves them, carried outward toward deeper pools of capital. In the other direction, US and European investors and companies seeking Asian exposure gain a strategic partner whose home advantage is the very market they are trying to enter. Asia-out and world-in are, in the group’s view, the same competence seen from two sides.

IMPORTANT COMPLIANCE NOTICE & DISCLAIMER:

To ensure the highest standards of regulatory compliance, this Hub does not engage in, and is completely separated from, any regulated financial services or asset management activities within Hong Kong. All regulated financial services within the region are, or will in the future be, conducted strictly and exclusively by the Group’s associated licensed entities registered with and supervised by the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) of Hong Kong holding Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) licenses, as well as its relevant registered trust companies and other associated licensed or regulated entities in Hong Kong, which maintain entirely separate corporate governance, designated physical operating areas, and absolute informational barriers (Chinese Walls). While the Group expands its Hong Kong operations through the newly launched headquarters, its respective licensed associated entities in Hong Kong shall maintain their existing office premises until relevant statutory notifications are officially served to their respective regulators.

To ensure absolute compliance with the Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO) of Hong Kong, all strategic collaboration Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) referenced in this press release—including all related activities concerning growth equity deal opportunities, investment, and capitalisation—are entered into, managed solely by, and executed exclusively through independent offshore affiliates of the Group operating entirely outside of Hong Kong.

These offshore entities are properly licensed, registered, or authorised outside Hong Kong for their relevant activities in their respective jurisdictions; however, they do not hold any regulated licenses under the SFO, do not conduct any regulated activities within Hong Kong, and do not engage in the active marketing of any investment, asset management, or financial products to the public in Hong Kong.

This press release is issued for information only. It does not constitute an offer, invitation or solicitation to invest in, or an advertisement for, any financial product, security or regulated service, and is not directed at any person in any jurisdiction where such an offer would be unlawful.

Hashtag: #AEICapitalGroup #CorporateExpansion #HongKongBusiness #StrategicPartnerships #CrossBorderBusiness

AEI Capital Group

New research from KPMG China and GS1 Hong Kong highlights three key priorities for retailers: building trust in AI, delivering market-specific strategies for the growing silver economy, and strengthening brand confidence across Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – Consumer confidence in artificial intelligence is rising across Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area (GBA), but new research from KPMG China and GS1 Hong Kong shows that retailers will need markedly different strategies to convert that confidence into growth. While consumers in other GBA cities show greater openness to personalised experiences and Chinese Mainland brands, Hong Kong consumers place more emphasis on value for money.

The Growth Reimagined: Building Consumer Trust in the AI Era report identifies three themes which have emerged as a roadmap for future growth:

• Trusted AI builds consumer confidence: AI can enhance personalisation and speed up service delivery, but privacy, accuracy, transparency and a human touch will determine consumer adoption.
• Silver shoppers diverge by market: To capture the growing silver economy, brands must prioritise price in Hong Kong, and brand reputation and engaging experiences in other GBA cities.
• The low-cost-only label no longer fits Chinese Mainland brands: Their advances in quality and innovation are forcing competitors to rethink where future brand advantage will come from.

AI trust is rising but a transparency gap persists, creating new opportunities for growth

Trust in AI has risen significantly since last year’s survey. In Hong Kong, 48% of consumers now trust AI at least somewhat, up from 28%, while trust in other GBA cities has increased from 59% to 76%. Yet growing trust has not translated into the same willingness to share personal data: just 10% of Hong Kong consumers who trust AI are comfortable doing so, compared with 32% in other GBA cities.

The difference in AI trust between Hong Kong and other GBA cities is particularly pronounced among silver shoppers, defined in the report as consumers aged above 55. Just 38% of Hong Kong silver shoppers trust AI, compared with 76% in other GBA cities, underscoring the challenge retailers face in building AI confidence among older Hong Kong consumers.

To bridge this gap, retailers in Hong Kong need to demonstrate clear value before asking consumers to share more data, while providing transparency and control over how their data is used. Consumer confidence should extend across the entire retail journey: from payment and product authenticity to returns and customer support. AI should help consumers find what they need more easily, while maintaining accuracy, fairness and access to human support.

Anna Lin, Chief Executive, GS1 Hong Kong, says: “AI is increasingly shaping how consumers discover and evaluate products, and it tends to recommend those backed by data it can readily interpret and trust. Businesses with trusted, standardised product data that is structured for machines to understand and use and traceable to an identifiable source will be best positioned to earn consumer confidence and influence future purchasing decisions.”

The silver economy is not a single consumer market

Across all age groups, value remains a priority for 73% of Hong Kong consumers, compared with 45% in other GBA cities.

When asked to describe their shopping style, 57% of silver shoppers in Hong Kong identify primarily as value shoppers, compared with only 23% in other GBA cities, where brand reputation, at 37%, and shopping experience, at 27%, emerge as their leading considerations.

The findings suggest that age alone is not enough to define the silver shoppers. Retailers looking to capture the opportunities created by the region’s ageing population will need to understand how expectations differ by market, and develop propositions that reflect those differences.

Alice Yip, Partner, Head of Consumer & Retail, Hong Kong SAR, KPMG China, says: “Growth in the silver economy depends on recognising that shoppers’ priorities differ across markets. Hong Kong’s silver shoppers prioritise competitive prices, while those in other GBA cities place greater emphasis on brand reputation and shopping experiences. Capturing this opportunity involves understanding what matters locally and tailoring the retail offer accordingly, rather than treating the silver economy as one uniform market.”

Chinese Mainland speed raises the stakes for Hong Kong and global brands

Chinese Mainland brands are emerging as a stronger force in innovation and speed. In other GBA cities, that progress is already reflected in consumer perceptions: 64% choose them for value for money, 58% for safety and reliability and 50% for brand reputation.

In Hong Kong, however, they are still seen primarily through the lens of value. While 81% of consumers choose Chinese Mainland brands for value for money, fewer cite safety and reliability (39%), higher quality (33%) or brand reputation (31%). Their next opportunity is to turn Chinese Mainland speed and improving quality into stronger brand confidence.

Hong Kong brands retain a clear advantage in trust. Consumers in Hong Kong (74%) and other GBA cities (61%) cite safety and reliability as the leading reason for choosing Hong Kong brands. Among Hong Kong consumers, preference for Hong Kong brands is particularly strong in airlines (78%) and food and beverages (71%).

But trust cannot be taken for granted. As Chinese Mainland brands strengthen their safety and reliability credentials, Hong Kong brands will need to combine their reputation for reliability with greater innovation, sharper value and faster execution.

Anson Bailey, Head of Consumer & Retail, Asia Pacific, KPMG China, says: “Any brand that still sees Chinese Mainland competitors as a low-cost threat is looking in the rear-view mirror. Chinese Mainland speed is now producing better products, sharper design and faster innovation at a scale few markets can match. The real shift is that Chinese Mainland brands are learning to build brand equity at the same pace as they have built scale through value and speed. This is increasingly influencing who can win – not only in the GBA, but in consumer markets worldwide.”

Hashtag: #KPMG #GS1HongKong

About KPMG

About GS1 Hong Kong

DKSH Business Unit Healthcare wraps up “Patient Purpose Day 2026”, its annual global initiative to enhance patient outcomes, by delivering meaningful healthcare activities across 14 markets globally. This year’s initiative continued the theme, “Driving Equity in Women Health”, aligning with DKSH’s commitment to supporting under-served communities and advancing equitable access to healthcare, particularly for women.

Hashtag: #DKSH

About DKSH

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Participating presidents issue a consensus declaration on the mission of higher education in the age of Artificial Intelligence

The 2nd Summit Explores Three Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Generational Themes: Higher Education, Legal System, and Youth Development

Bringing together university presidents and senior management from over 50 global institutions to establish a dynamic exchange platform with local higher education institutions

Discussions focus on leveraging the Northern Metropolis University Town to attract international talent and telling the “Hong Kong Legal System” story well under “One Country, Two Systems”

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – The “Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026”, organized by the Hong Kong Association for External Friendship (HKAEF), has successfully concluded. This year’s summit achieved fruitful outcomes. Beyond establishing an exchange platform that gathered presidents and senior management from over 50 universities across more than 20 countries and regions to interact and explore collaboration opportunities with local tertiary institutions, participating university presidents reached a vital consensus on the mission of university education in the current era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) before the event concluded. They have released a joint declaration that underscores the importance of liberal arts education to human social development alongside the promotion of AI education.

Prof. Priscilla Leung Emphasizes Human Leading Role in the New AI Era

Speaking at the summit, Prof. Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, Member of the Legislative Council of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), pointed out that humanity must maintain a leading role in the new AI era, ensuring that ultimate decision-making is never entirely surrendered to AI. The new consensus document released at this year’s summit likewise emphasizes that AI education must value technology while remaining firmly human-centric.

Participating Presidents Issue Consensus Declaration on the Mission of University Education in the AI Era

Universities participating in this year’s summit reached a consensus on the mission of university education in the AI age and jointly issued a joint declaration prior to the event’s closing. As university leaders, they committed to advancing education that is both inclusive and future-oriented, alongside responsible innovation. Upholding the rule of law while nurturing a diverse civilization and an industry-academia-research integrated innovation ecosystem that prioritizes human well-being, they will advocate for the human-value-oriented responsible development of AI and uphold high standards of corporate social responsibility. While vigorously promoting AI education and leading its advancement, they will deeply keep in mind the significance of liberal arts education for the development of human society.

Summit Features Groundbreaking Format with Two Venues and Three Core Themes

“Global University Presidents and Leaders Summit 2026” stands as Hong Kong’s most premier educational event of the year. In addition to discussing higher education topics centered around the Northern Metropolis University Town, the summit hosted parallel sessions addressing the legal system and youth development, creating a cross-disciplinary and cross-generational forum.

Presidents and Leaders from Over 50 Global Universities Visit Hong Kong, Providing a Timely Exchange Platform for Local Tertiary Institutions

Boasting a stellar lineup, the summit once again received the full support of the University Grants Committee and the active participation of 10 local universities. Internationally, presidents and senior executives from over 50 universities across more than 20 countries and regions across North America, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Belt and Road nations traveled specifically to Hong Kong to attend and share insights. Participating institutions included the University of Cambridge (UK), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), Athens University of Economics and Business (Greece), and Umm Al-Qura University (Saudi Arabia), among many others. This timely platform fosters new opportunities for inter-institutional cooperation while allowing overseas university leaders to witness firsthand Hong Kong’s extraordinary educational achievements and superior systems as well as its global vision, telling the good “Hong Kong Education” story effectively.

Following the practice of the inaugural event, this year’s summit also invited overseas university management to nominate an outstanding student representative to join the delegation. This enables students to experience Hong Kong’s opportunities, development, and internationalized faculty firsthand, thereby strengthening Hong Kong’s “Study in Hong Kong” brand.

Legal System Parallel Session Focuses on “Hong Kong’s Role as an International Legal Hub under ‘One Country, Two Systems’” and Telling the “Hong Kong Legal Story” Well

Complementing the education forum, the second day of the summit featured two specialized parallel sessions. The legal parallel session concentrated on how “One Country, Two Systems” contributes to China’s overall national development, Hong Kong’s positioning as an international legal hub along the Belt and Road, dedicated legislation for the development of the Northern Metropolis, and how legal professionals from the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area can “go global” together.

Key speakers included Prof. Guiguo Wang, President of the Academy of International Strategy and Law of Zhejiang University; President of International Academy of the Belt and Road Initiatives; Dr. Cheung Kwok-kwan, Deputy Secretary for Justice of the HKSAR; Prof. Priscilla Leung Mei-fun, HKSAR Legislative Council Member; Prof. Teresa Cheng, Secretary General of The International Organization for Mediation; Ms Sophie Zhou, Vice President of the Guangdong Lawyers Association; and Prof. Alex Fan Hoi-kit, HKSAR Legislative Council Member and President of the Hainan International Arbitration Court, alongside numerous scholars and legal representatives from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, and the Belt and Road countries. They discussed from multi-faceted perspectives how Hong Kong can leverage the unique advantages of its legal system under “One Country, Two Systems.” Discussions centered on investment protections under the Basic Law, dedicated legal arrangements for the Northern Metropolis development, the appeal of Hong Kong’s common law system to overseas investors, and Hong Kong’s role as an international mediation and arbitration center.

Stellar Guests Vivian Kong and Laurence Brahm Share Insights at Youth Forum, Encouraging the New Generation to Pursue Dreams with Courage

Another parallel session was staged — a youth forum themed “Intergenerational High-level Talent Dialogue”, and it was well attended by young attendees from overseas, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong. The Olympic fencing gold medalist and HKSAR Legislative Council Member Ms Vivian Kong inspired attendees by sharing her personal journey of pursuing dreams through perseverance and determination. Mr Laurence Brahm (author of Zhu Rongji and the Transformation of Modern China) also shared his engaging personal story of chasing the Chinese Dream.

Five HKSAR Principal Officials and Business Leaders Gather to Advance the Commercialisation of Northern Metropolis University Town Scientific Research Outputs

The summit featured a stellar lineup of keynote speakers. Aside from scholars from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland, and abroad, five key HKSAR Government Bureau chiefs served as key speakers. These senior government officials delivered presentations on topics related to Northern Metropolis development, industry-academia collaboration across local tertiary institutions, and human capital, effectively communicating the concept of the Northern Metropolis and its University Town to international audiences. Additionally, business representatives were invited to attend and speak, bringing government, industry, academia, research, and investment sectors together to collaborate. Their collaborative dialogue helped accelerate business sector’s participation in the development of the Northern Metropolis and drive the commercialisation of university scientific research outputs.

Furthermore, Mr Vuk Jeremic, President of the United Nations General Assembly (2012–2013), was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the High Table Dinner titled “Transition to Multipolarity in the Age of Geopolitical Recession,” broadening attendees’ worldview and delivering significant insights.

For the detailed program schedule and speaker list of the two-day summit, please visit:
https://www.gupls.com.hk/en.

The summit’s photos can be downloaded from this link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OdUhldhve9XoN2oUn6R0WOcuRnSS4wLv?usp=sharing

Hashtag: #HKAEF

Source: NZ Compare

New survey reveals strong interest in residential solar, with more than half of respondents without solar already considering making the switch.

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – 4 November 2026 – New Zealanders are increasingly interested in generating their own electricity, but the upfront cost of installing solar power remains a significant consideration for households, according to a new survey conducted by PowerCompare.co.nz.

The survey of 498 respondents found that almost one in four (23.3%) already have solar power installed at home. Of those who don’t, more than half (51.6%) said they are currently considering installing it, while a further 35.8% are unsure.

The findings suggest there is considerable potential for residential solar adoption in New Zealand, particularly if households can access affordable installation options and practical financial support.

With the November General Election approaching, Power Compare also asked respondents which of the major parties’ proposed solar policies was most attractive to them.

The results were relatively close:

• National – Home Energy Fund: 28.0%
• Green Party – Interest-free loans and community energy: 25.9%
• Labour – SolarSaver: 22.2%
• The Opportunity Party – Low-interest finance and more renewable generation: 6.5%
• None of the above: 12.7%

The results indicate that financial assistance is an important consideration for consumers, with the leading policy options all offering some form of support to help households adopt solar technology.

Election policies could influence future solar adoption

When asked how much more likely they would be to consider solar power after the November election if favourable policies were introduced, respondents gave an average likelihood score of 68.6 out of 100.

Of the 376 people who answered this question, 79.5% gave a score of 50 or higher, suggesting that supportive government policies could play a meaningful role in influencing household decisions.

However, awareness of the parties’ solar policies is not universal. While 66.7% described themselves as somewhat, very or extremely aware, almost one-third said they were either not very aware or not aware at all.

It’s about more than just generating electricity

Power Compare says the survey highlights an important point: while solar power offers households the opportunity to reduce their reliance on the electricity grid and potentially lower their long-term energy costs, the initial investment needs to make financial sense.

Factors raised by respondents included the upfront installation price, access to interest-free or low-interest finance, expected savings, payback periods, the ability to sell excess electricity back to the grid and confidence in installation quality.

For some households, the decision also comes down to how long they expect to remain in their home and whether the investment will pay for itself over time.

Prutha Patel, NZ Compare Sales and Partnerships Manager, says:

“Solar power is a great opportunity for New Zealand households. It can help reduce electricity bills, give consumers more control over where their energy comes from and reduce their reliance on the traditional electricity network.

“But the reality is that installing solar is a significant upfront investment. People need to understand what it will cost, how much they could realistically save and how long it will take to pay for itself.

“Government support and accessible finance could make a real difference, but consumers also need to make sure they’re getting a good deal on the electricity they continue to buy from their retailer.”

Solar is only part of the equation

Power Compare believes households considering solar should also look closely at their electricity plan.

Even with solar panels installed, most households will continue to rely on electricity from the grid at certain times, particularly overnight or during periods of lower solar generation. The buy-back rate offered for excess electricity can also vary significantly between electricity retailers.

“Getting solar installed is one part of the equation. Making sure you’re on the right electricity plan is just as important,” Patel says.

“Consumers should compare electricity prices, daily charges and solar buy-back rates rather than assuming their existing power company will offer the best deal once they have solar.”

Power Compare encourages households considering solar to research installation costs, understand the expected return on investment and compare electricity plans to ensure they are getting the best overall value.

About Power Compare

PowerCompare.co.nz is a New Zealand electricity comparison service helping consumers compare power providers and find competitive electricity deals. Its aim is to make it easier for households to understand their options and make informed decisions about their energy costs.

Survey methodology: Power Compare’s online NZ Solar Power Survey received 498 responses. Individual questions had varying response counts, and percentages are calculated using valid responses to each question. The survey was conducted online and is not a nationally representative probability sample.

Reinforcing ONYX Dining’s approach to developing distinctive restaurants and establishing them as dining destinations

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 November 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group has achieved another milestone in its food and beverage business, with three restaurants in its portfolio receiving accolades at the TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026. The award-winning venues are NILA and ChomSindh at Amari Bangkok, and La Gritta at Amari Phuket, each recognised for its distinctive culinary strengths and dining experiences.

This achievement forms part of the ongoing development of ONYX Dining, which launched in May this year to expand the role of the Group’s food and beverage business beyond serving hotel guests. The initiative focuses on developing a distinctive identity and clear strengths for each restaurant, attracting hotel guests, travellers and local diners who choose to visit for reasons extending beyond a hotel stay, and establishing each venue as a dining destination in its own right.

Under this approach, the three restaurants offer distinct experiences reflecting the individual character of their respective cuisines. NILA at Amari Bangkok received the Best Premium Indian Dining Experience award for its contemporary interpretation of Indian cuisine, while ChomSindh at Amari Bangkok was awarded Outstanding Thai Culinary Experience for its expression of Thai flavours and use of local ingredients. La Gritta at Amari Phuket received the Excellence in Authentic Italian Coastal Dining award for an Italian dining experience that combines meticulous preparation with a setting overlooking the Andaman Sea.

NILA showcases the diversity of cuisine from across India under the concept “Flavours From Every Corner of India”. Traditional recipes are thoughtfully reinterpreted, bringing to life the stories of spices, cooking techniques and distinctive flavours. Recommended dishes include PERI-PERI JHEENGA, Goan-style spice-marinated grilled prawns served with smoked tomato and bell pepper chutney, and KOSHA MANGSHO, Kolkata-style spiced lamb shank served with roasted potatoes seasoned with mustard oil.

ChomSindh conveys the charm of Thai cuisine through traditional recipes passed down through generations, with an emphasis on carefully selected local ingredients, particularly seafood and produce sourced within Thailand. Recommended dishes include crab curry with wild betel leaves and seepweed from Samut Songkhram, combining the rich flavours of Thai curry paste with regional ingredients, and Chaiya-style Pad Thai with river prawns, which expresses the distinctive character of Thai cuisine through traditional flavours and seasonings.

La Gritta, a seaside Italian restaurant, presents cuisine centred on meticulous preparation and carefully selected quality ingredients, with views of Patong Bay completing the experience. Recommended dishes include Fettuccine alla Norcina, homemade fettuccine with truffle cream sauce and Italian sausage, and Insalata di Aragosta alla Catalana, Phuket lobster served with a salad of assorted tomato varieties.

The TOP25 Restaurants Thailand Awards 2026 took place on 26 October 2026 to recognise outstanding restaurants and professionals in Thailand’s culinary industry. The awards use the Restaurant Rating Index assessment approach, combining artificial intelligence (AI) technology with human expertise to reflect the quality and diversity of culinary experiences, while supporting Thailand’s role as an international dining destination.

ONYX Hospitality Group continues to develop ONYX Dining by building on the individual strengths of each restaurant to meet diverse consumer needs. Drawing on more than 60 years of hospitality expertise, the Group creates distinctive dining experiences to broaden recognition and appreciation of its restaurants. This further reinforces ONYX Dining’s role in realising the potential of the food and beverage business and driving long-term growth for ONYX Hospitality Group.

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