• Effective October 1, 2026, Julian Neo succeeds Andy Chiang as Managing Director for DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau; Andy will retire from DHL Group on January 1, 2027
• Julian brings more than 25 years of experience across sales, commercial and general management roles at DHL Express in Asia Pacific

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 September 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Julian Neo as Managing Director for DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, effective October 1, 2026. He succeeds Andy Chiang, who will retire from DHL Group on January 1, 2027, following more than 34 years of service with the company.

Julian brings more than 25 years of experience with DHL Express across sales, commercial and management roles in Malaysia, Singapore and Asia Pacific. As Managing Director of DHL Express Malaysia and Brunei since 2019, he has achieved sustained revenue and EBIT growth, strengthened market leadership and delivered outstanding customer quality results. Under his leadership, the company has fostered a high-performance culture, earning Great Place to Work® certification for seven consecutive years and being recognised as the No. 3 Best Workplace in Malaysia in 2026. Prior to his leadership role in Malaysia, Julian served as Vice President for Global Multinational Customers for the Asia Pacific region, where he led strategic relationships with multinational customers, driving profitable growth and strengthening long-term customer partnerships in diverse markets.

Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express, said, “Julian has demonstrated exceptional leadership throughout his career with DHL Express. His strong commercial acumen, customer-centric mindset and proven track record of developing high-performing teams have consistently delivered outstanding results across the region. Hong Kong’s position as a major international trade and logistics hub, particularly for growing intra-Asia trade, presents significant opportunities for businesses across the region. I am confident Julian’s extensive experience across Asia Pacific will enable him to build on our strong foundation and further strengthen our market leadership, customer partnerships and growth in Hong Kong and Macau.”

Julian Neo, incoming Managing Director for Hong Kong and Macau, DHL Express, said, “I am honored to take on this role and lead our talented team in Hong Kong and Macau. As one of the world’s most connected economies and a critical gateway for international trade, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to capture emerging opportunities in the region. Supported by our world-class international network, we are well placed to help customers navigate evolving supply chains and expand across borders. I look forward to working closely with our employees, customers and partners to deliver exceptional service, support business growth and animate our purpose of ‘Connecting People, Improving Lives’.”

Reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as a gateway to global trade
In his new role, Julian will be based in Hong Kong to focus on strengthening DHL Express’s position as the partner of choice for businesses pursuing international growth. Hong Kong is one of the world’s most connected economies, ranking sixth¹ globally for international connectedness, and is a leading international logistics and aviation hub. Leveraging these strengths, Julian will support customers, particularly SMEs, in accessing global opportunities and expanding into new markets.

Building on his extensive commercial and leadership experience, Julian will also drive closer collaboration across DHL’s business units to deliver integrated logistics solutions and support customers’ evolving supply chain needs, including newly introduced offerings such as Heavyweight Express services. These efforts will help customers unlock new growth opportunities while further strengthening Hong Kong’s competitiveness as a global logistics hub.

DHL Express was established in Hong Kong in 1972 and boasts a robust network, including the Central Asia Hub, one of DHL’s three global hubs, three service centers, approximately 750 retail outlets and service points and a committed team of more than 1,700 employees.

Hashtag: #DHL

DHL – The logistics company for the world

EL SALVADOR, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 September 2026 – Green GSM officially launches its all-electric taxi service in Northern Mindanao, Philippines, marking the brand’s next expansion in the market. With the launch of the first all-electric taxi service in the region, Green GSM brings modern, safe and comfortable mobility at reasonable prices, helping enhance the everyday travel experience for local residents.

Green GSM in El Salvador, Philippines, helps provide local communities with a green, safe, and reliable mobility experience.

Starting today, customers can use Green GSM’s mobility services in key areas of Northern Mindanao, including El Salvador, CDO, Laguindingan, Alubijid and Opol, by booking rides through the Green GSM app, contacting the customer service hotline, or simply hailing an available vehicle on the street. With its extensive operating network, Green GSM aims to meet diverse mobility needs, from daily travel and intercity journeys to airport transfers.

Every journey with Green GSM is not only a convenient mobility experience, but also a green choice, empowering people to actively contribute to emissions reduction while helping limit air and noise pollution through their everyday choices. The company upholds its “5 Green Promises,” comprising Good Cars, Good Drivers, Good Prices, Good Experiences and Good for the Environment, helping establish a new standard for local mobility services.

Powered by a 100% all-electric fleet of VinFast vehicles, Green GSM offers quiet, relaxing rides with no emissions. The comfortable cabin and smooth operation of electric vehicles provide passengers with a pleasant experience, even on longer journeys.

Green GSM’s drivers are thoroughly trained in driving skills, professional conduct and road safety. In particular, fares are transparently displayed on the app or through the official in-car meter. Knowing the cost of a ride in advance also gives customers greater control when planning their journeys, particularly for intercity trips or airport transfers.

To mark the launch, new users who register with Green GSM will receive 15 Green Points, equivalent to 15 peso. The points can be used to receive discounts on Green GSM rides.

Green GSM’s presence in Northern Mindanao is expected to create meaningful value for the local community. The development of electric vehicle-based transportation will help strengthen regional connectivity while creating more employment opportunities for service drivers, while passengers gain an additional safe, modern and convenient mobility option with more affordable costs than other ride-hailing companies.

The official launch of the service in Northern Mindanao follows positive results from its trial period, which began in late August. Previously, Green GSM had launched electric taxi services in key urban areas across the Philippines, including Metro Manila in Luzon, Central Visayas and Mindanao.

Mr. Pham Nhat Minh Hoang, Global CEO of Green SM, said: “Expanding into Northern Mindanao enables Green GSM to increase our service coverage in a region with strong potential, while giving more residents access to electric mobility with consistent service quality and reasonable costs. We will continue to develop our network and work with local partners to build a scalable electric transportation model that can create long-term value for the Philippines.”

With a focus on innovation, sustainable development and a people-centered approach, Green GSM aims to contribute to the green transition in the Philippines. Going forward, the company will continue to enhance service quality, develop its network and consistently uphold its “5 Green Promises”, delivering safer, more convenient and sustainable mobility experiences.

Hashtag: #GreenSM

Bringing Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) Technology to Local Market, Targeting Aviation Maintenance, Electronics Manufacturing, and Medical Devices Launch Event Successfully Held at Hong Kong Productivity Council

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2026 – Markforged, a leading provider of industrial additive manufacturing solutions, today proudly announced the official appointment of Unotech Limited (“Unotech”) as its exclusive distributor in Hong Kong. Unotech will fully manage the sales, technical support, and application development for Markforged’s product portfolio in the region, delivering comprehensive end-to-end support for local industries. The official launch event was held at the Inno Network of the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC).

The event kicked off with an opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by executives from both companies, followed by the first live demonstration of Markforged’s patented Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) technology. This breakthrough technology overcomes the material limitations of traditional 3D printing by precisely laying down continuous strands of carbon fiber, Kevlar, and high-strength, high-temperature fiberglass inside the part during printing. The resulting components match the strength and rigidity of machined aluminum, making them ready for quick use in manufacturing jigs, fixtures, robotic grippers, production tooling, and end-use functional parts.

Local manufacturing and engineering units face pressing dual challenges: compressed lead times and a growing share of high-mix, low-volume orders. Custom manufacturing tools—such as fixtures, assembly jigs, inspection gauges, and automated grippers—are the hardest hit. Markforged’s additive manufacturing platform effectively shifts production capabilities directly back to the facility floor. By enabling “print-on-demand” iterations right after design changes, it significant reduces traditional tooling lead times that usually stretch into weeks. For Hong Kong’s manufacturing environment, characterized by limited space, high labor costs, and tight delivery schedules, this digital solution significantly leverages operational and clinical efficiencies.

Leveraging Unotech’s robust industrial technology network in Hong Kong, Markforged’s advanced hardware and materials can be efficiently and reliably integrated across universities, research institutes, and manufacturing facilities. Backed by an in-house

team of application engineers, Unotech provides on-site installation, professional training, and tailored application development to help clients shorten supply chains, reduce inventory, and enhance production resilience.

Ivan Siu, Sales Director of Unotech Limited, stated: “We are deeply honored to partner with Markforged, a pioneer in industrial 3D printing. Combining Markforged’s technological dominance with our local footprint, we are confident in delivering highly cost-effective, reliable, and innovative manufacturing choices to Hong Kong. Our dedicated technical team will focus on mission-critical industries, including aviation maintenance, electronics manufacturing, medical devices, and precision engineering. These sectors demand superior part strength and rapid turnaround times, which perfectly match the capabilities of CFR technology. We will continue to strengthen our local engineering capabilities to drive the long-term growth of Hong Kong’s smart manufacturing ecosystem.”

Brian Chen, General Manager of Greater China and Vietnam at Markforged, added: “Hong Kong stands as a vital technology and trade hub within the Greater Bay Area, with a sophisticated customer base spanning multiple advanced manufacturing sectors. We chose Unotech as our exclusive partner because of their deep local technical expertise and comprehensive after-sales service network. An exclusive partnership concentrates accountability, ensuring our customers have a single, seamless point of contact for total peace of mind. Markforged will directly share our extensive repository of case studies and validated material data from the Greater China region with the Unotech team, empowering them to maximize operational efficiency for our medical, aviation, and precision engineering clients.”

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1. Markforged appointed Unotech as its exclusive distributor in Hong Kong, with executives from both companies hosting the opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony.

2. Brian Chen, General Manager of Greater China and Vietnam at Markforged said that the company chose Unotech as their exclusive partner because of Unotech’s deep local technical expertise and comprehensive after-sales service network.

3. Ivan Siu, Sales Director of Unotech Limited said they were deeply honored to partner with Markforged.

4.&5 First live demonstration of Markforged’s patented Continuous Fiber Reinforcement technology at the event.

6. Markforged and Unotech ‘s management pose for a group photo with industry representatives.

Hashtag: #Unotech

About Markforged

Markforged is an industrial additive manufacturing company that enables manufacturers to create strong, end-use parts, fixtures, and spares right on the factory floor through its Digital Forge platform and Continuous Fiber Reinforcement (CFR) technology. This approach shortens supply chains, reduces inventory, and enhances production resilience. Its product line includes industrial-grade composite and metal additive manufacturing systems, serving sectors such as aerospace, automotive, electronics, medical devices, and precision engineering.

About Unotech Limited

Unotech Limited is an industrial technology solution provider in Hong Kong. By introducing smart manufacturing and 3D printing technologies, Unotech delivers equipment supply, application development, and technical support services to local research, educational, and manufacturing institutions.

HAIKOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2026 – Six months have passed since the Hainan Free Trade Port officially launched island-wide special customs operations on December 18, 2025. On June 18, Malaysia’s Nanyang Siang Pau, in collaboration with Hainan Daily Press Group, launched the financial video series Nanyang Interview: Exploring Opportunities in China’s Largest Free Trade Port, examining the development potential of the Hainan Free Trade Port and investment opportunities for ASEAN businesses.

Economists interviewed for the series said that, as a key gateway to the world’s second-largest single market, ASEAN businesses cannot afford to overlook the historic opportunity to enter the Chinese market through Hainan. Chen Bo, Senior Research Fellow at the East Asian Institute of the National University of Singapore, said that with multiple policy incentives taking effect, the next decade represents a golden opportunity for Hainan. Xiao Saizi, a professor at the University of Nottingham Malaysia, noted that in the six months since the launch of special customs operations, the number of foreign trade companies registered in Hainan has grown rapidly. High-end manufacturing and processing industries—including chip packaging and testing, premium food processing, aviation maintenance, green energy, medical devices, and biopharmaceuticals—are among the sectors most likely to benefit.

Located at the southernmost tip of China, Hainan is within a four-hour flight of 21 Asia-Pacific countries. This natural geographic advantage makes it an important springboard for ASEAN businesses seeking to enter the Chinese market. Xiao said that Hainan received 106 million domestic and international tourist visits in 2025, making it an ideal testing ground where foreign investors can test the market at relatively low cost.

Previous surveys have shown that foreign exchange settlement is one of the key concerns for foreign investors. By the end of 2025, 11 banks in Hainan had launched EF accounts, enabling cross-border fund flows with 91 countries and regions, with total transaction volume equivalent to CNY 350.9 billion.

Several economists advised ASEAN businesses to conduct thorough internal assessments before making investment decisions. If they determine that the Chinese market will form part of their future growth strategy, they should consider entering Hainan early while the benefits of the Free Trade Port’s policies continue to unfold.

Hashtag: #FreeTradePort

• Under the renewed agreement, SIA pilots will continue to operate five Boeing 777 freighters based at Singapore Changi Airport for DHL Express
• SIA will also oversee the maintenance of the aircraft, supporting reliable, time-definite express and e-commerce shipments
• The aircraft connect DHL’s South Asia Hub in Singapore with key destinations in the United States, strengthening air cargo links between the Asia-Pacific and global markets

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2026 – DHL Express and Singapore Airlines (SIA) have renewed their crew and maintenance agreement for five Boeing 777 freighters based at Singapore Changi Airport.

Under the agreement, SIA pilots will continue to operate the five freighters, while SIA engineers will oversee their maintenance. These five freighters support DHL’s intercontinental air network, connecting its South Asia Hub in Singapore with key destinations in the United States.

“The renewal of this agreement underlines our commitment to building and investing in the network capacity that keeps global trade moving,” said Travis Cobb, Executive Vice President for Network Operations & Aviation, DHL Express. “These five Boeing 777 freighters have become an integral part of our intercontinental operations, helping our customers move time-definite shipments with speed and reliability. Singapore remains one of the world’s leading air logistics hubs, and together with Singapore Airlines’ proven operational expertise, gives us the strong foundation for enabling international trade and connecting businesses to global markets.”

“The renewal of our agreement with DHL Express reflects the strength and continuity of our partnership, which has supported the movement of express air freight between the Asia-Pacific region and key global markets via Singapore since 2022. This partnership leverages SIA’s operational expertise and DHL Express’ global logistics network to reinforce Singapore’s role as a leading air freight hub, particularly in the e-commerce segment,” said Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer, Singapore Airlines.

The five Boeing 777 freighters, which entered service progressively from 2022, provide reliable air capacity needed to support time-sensitive cross-border trade. Each aircraft can carry up to 102 tons of cargo and is among the world’s largest, longest range, and most capable twin-engine freighters.

With Singapore as the home base for the dual-liveried Boeing 777 freighters, the partnership deepens DHL’s global aviation capabilities while anchoring more long-haul cargo capacity at Changi. It reflects both companies’ confidence in the long-term growth of international trade and the central role of reliable air connectivity in supporting global supply chains.

https://group.dhl.com/press

Hashtag: #DHLExpress #SingaporeAirlines

DHL – The logistics company for the world

About Singapore Airlines

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and his fifth Policy Address on September 16, rolling out measures to further sharpen Hong Kong’s edge amid global competition, consolidate development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) and promote green transformation.

Initiatives aim to support high-quality development of the GBA, align rules and mechanisms within the region, and promote cross-boundary collaboration.

“The HKSAR Government will continue its efforts in fostering synergistic development of the GBA,” said Mr Lee. “We will strengthen co‑operation in technological innovation, promote ‘hard connectivity’ in infrastructure, foster ‘soft connectivity’ by deepening the alignment of rules and mechanisms, and achieve ‘connectivity of hearts’ among residents of the three places.”

The HKSAR Government will continue to actively participate in the development of the various major co-operation platforms, including Qianhai of Shenzhen, Nansha of Guangzhou, Hengqin of Zhuhai and the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Co-operation Zone, to promote mutual benefits.

In terms of “hard connectivity” the HKSAR Government will support Nansha in its role as a high‑standard gateway for opening up, including encouraging the trade to participate in Nansha’s infrastructure development.

“To promote the co‑ordinated development of rail transit in Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, we are pressing ahead with the Northern Link Project and the Hong Kong‑Shenzhen Western Rail Link (Hung Shui Kiu‑Qianhai), with target commissioning in 2034 and 2035 respectively, to fully connect the rail transit networks of Hong Kong and Shenzhen,” Mr Lee said.

Regarding “soft connectivity”, Mr Lee said the HKSAR Government will set up a Task Force to explore ways to advance the alignment of rules and mechanisms within the GBA.

To achieve “Connectivity of Hearts” among residents across the GBA, Hong Kong will strengthen co-operation between its higher education institutions and those in other GBA cities by establishing cross‑disciplinary partnerships, facilitating scientific research, knowledge transfer, and commercialisation, with a view to promoting high‑level research.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs, Janice Tse, noted that the First Five-Year Plan clearly states that Hong Kong will participate in the development of the GBA into an international first‑class bay area and a world‑class city cluster with global influence.

“Hong Kong will forge closer alignment and synergy with the nine GBA cities in Guangdong Province and Macao, making full use of our respective advantages to jointly promote the high-quality development of the GBA,” Miss Tse said.

To foster financial development in the GBA, Hong Kong will continue to capitalise on institutional innovation, financial infrastructure upgrading and enhanced regulatory alignment to encourage the orderly flow of financial elements among GBA cities.

The Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited’s Core Climate, in collaboration with the Guangzhou Power Exchange Centre, is working towards the pilot trading of national renewable‑energy, green electricity certificates in Hong Kong in 2026.

“On connecting the Chinese Mainland and the world, the HKSAR Government will continue to support green technology development through the HK$400 million (aboutUS$51 million) Green Tech Fund, leveraging Hong Kong’s function as a springboard for green technology and assisting national green technologies and products in going global,” said Hong Kong’sSecretary for Environment and Ecology, Tse Chin-wan. “On the development of hydrogen energy, we have participated in drafting national hydrogen energy standards with a view to helping these standards align with international practice.”

To meet the country’s “dual carbon” targets and fulfil Hong Kong’s commitment to achieving carbon neutrality before 2050, the HKSAR Government steered the establishment of a production base for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) in Dongguan, leveraging the leading position of Hong Kong enterprises in the international SAF industry.

“By combining technology strengths with industrial foundation, Hong Kong and Guangdong will jointly develop a globally influential green industry,” Mr Lee said.

The HKSAR Government will take forward the construction of an SAF blending facility in Hong Kong to build an end‑to‑end SAF value chain and reduce logistics costs to make SAF prices more competitive. The target is to achieve an SAF consumption ratio of 1% to 3% for flights departing from Hong Kong International Airport in 2030.

Hong Kong’s Five-Year Plan promotes the integrated development of culture, sports, and tourism, to develop the GBA into a cultured bay area.

Under the strategic framework of the Agreement on Strengthening of Sports Cooperation and Promotion of Integrated Development, Hong Kong will deepen co-operation, and strive to co‑organise important regional and international single‑sport events. It will also strengthen cultural exchanges, pass on Cantonese opera and the characteristics of Lingnan culture, and promote the sales and cross‑boundary exhibition of Hong Kong publications.

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https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/
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Hashtag: #HongKong #PolicyAddress #First5YearPlan #GBA #Green #Transformation

The move comes as Singapore’s aerospace output surges past S$18 billion amid Asia’s fastest aviation MRO growth.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Allinton, a Singapore-based engineering and industrial solutions provider, will participate in MRO Asia-Pacific 2026 from 22 to 24 September at Singapore Expo Meeting Rooms, Hall 3, Booth 2529, presenting its trading, engineering and business development capabilities as Asia’s aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) sector continues to expand.

Asia’s Aerospace Growth Accelerates, Singapore Plays Central Role

Asia’s aerospace sector is expanding at a pace unmatched by any other region, according to the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Singapore’s aerospace output exceeded S$18 billion in 2024, up 19% year on year, EDB figures show.

Singapore accounts for about 10% of global MRO output and close to 20% of global engine MRO output, the equivalent of one in 10 aircraft and one in five engines worldwide serviced in the country, according to EDB. It is against this backdrop that Allinton is expanding its presence in the aviation MRO sector.

Allinton’s New Capabilities Span the Aerospace Value Chain

MRO Asia-Pacific 2026 brings together airlines, MRO providers, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), lessors and suppliers across the aviation aftermarket ecosystem. Allinton Group’s participation marks its entry into the aviation aftermarket ecosystem, where it will present its new aviation engineering capabilities, developed through a structure that spans three business functions addressing this range of needs: Allinton Engineering & Trading, which provides industrial supply and engineering solutions; Allinton Ventures, which handles business development and strategic partnerships; and Aik Lee, which focuses on automation, digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

Within this structure, Aik Lee’s work in AI and digital automation forms one part of Allinton’s broader offering and remains at an exploratory stage, the company said.

Together, Allinton’s three functions cover sourcing and supply, engineering execution, and long-term growth and expansion to support a range of aviation MRO needs. These capabilities aim to address both internal operational needs, such as workflow and process efficiency, and external aerospace applications.

“The MRO sector is under growing pressure to improve turnaround times, manage supply challenges and work more efficiently,” said Chin Chit Loong, Chief Executive Officer of Allinton. “By combining our sourcing and industrial supply experience with engineering, automation and digital capabilities, Allinton can help address these operational gaps with practical solutions built around how our customers actually work.” This approach reflects the broader growth trajectory of Asia’s aerospace sector, particularly in Singapore.
https://allinton.com.sg/
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Hashtag: #Allinton

Allinton

Source: Whole Earth Farming

18 September 2026

At full maturity, regenerative “whole earth farming” practices could also offset CO2 emissions equal to the entire airline industry’s

NEW YORK – Hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers could play an outsized role in feeding humanity’s growing population while restoring nature, but a new book underlines that they are the least supported producers in global agriculture.

Whole Earth Farming: Smallholders and the Great Regenerative Transformation says there are roughly 475 million smallholder farms in the Global South, typically operating on less than two hectares (five acres). Together, these farmers already produce about 30% of the world’s food, despite severely limited access to finance, markets, technical and practical education support.

In his book, development expert Hugh Locke says helping just half of the smallholders farmers worldwide – about 240 million farming families – to adopt regenerative agriculture and agroforestry could yield all the additional food required by population growth through 2050 while improving rather than degrading nature.

And those farms would occupy only about 12% of the world’s arable land.

“The world’s smallholder farmers are too often treated as beneficiaries of development assistance when they should be recognized as architects of the next agricultural transformation,” says Locke, co-founder of the Smallholder Farmers Alliance in Haiti.

The world population is expected to increase by roughly 1.5 billion by 2050, he notes, with that growth concentrated in developing countries. Locke’s central proposition is that meeting that additional food does not have to come at the cost of further soil degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change.

Instead, he argues, the same investment needed to increase smallholder productivity could help turn agriculture into a regenerative force.

Haiti: a working laboratory

Many of the insights in Whole Earth Farming are based on Locke’s experience with the Smallholder Farmers Alliance (SFA), which he co-founded with Haitian agronomist Timote Georges in 2010.

The organization now works with roughly 10,000 member farmers in Haiti.

When participating smallholders receive basic agricultural support based on sustainable practices, their yields increase by an average of about 40%, he notes, while household incomes rise between 50 – 100%, depending on local conditions.

SFA members also plant an average of approximately 1 million trees a year.

With SFA’s leadership and help, Haiti’s farmers began transitioning production to a regenerative approach that combines agroforestry with what the SFA calls “tree currency”: farmers plant and care for trees in exchange for agricultural services, training, seeds and other inputs. The model connects increased farm productivity directly with environmental restoration.

The Haiti experience helped shape one of the book’s central conclusions: hundreds of millions of smallholder farmers are producing below their potential because agricultural policies, research, financing and extension systems have disproportionately supported large-scale agriculture for decades.

“This is not about nostalgia or returning agriculture to the past,” Locke says. “It is about recognizing where one of the greatest opportunities for the future now exists.”

Farming that restores instead of extracting from nature

Rather than simply reduce the damage farming causes, regenerative agriculture is a holistic approach to farming that aims to improve the natural systems on which agriculture depends.

It draws on three streams of knowledge: Indigenous and ancestral farming traditions; decades of experience with organic farming, agroecology, permaculture and other sustainable approaches; and contemporary science, including advances in soil biology, ecosystem science and impact measurement.

Depending on local conditions, regenerative farmers can employ techniques including crop rotation, cover crops, intercropping and diverse cropping systems, composting and other methods of building soil organic matter, reduced tillage, agroforestry and integration of livestock.

The objective is not adherence to a universal checklist. It is measurable improvement in outcomes such as soil health, biodiversity, water quality and availability, carbon storage, food production, farmer livelihoods and community resilience.

Locke describes this as regenerative agriculture’s “dual revolution”: a farming methodology and a framework for determining whether farming is actually producing regenerative results.

This distinction is important because practices appropriate to a smallholder in Haiti, India or Kenya may be very different from those suitable for a farm in Canada or the United States.

“The question is not simply, ‘Are you using regenerative practices?’” says Locke. “The more important question is, ‘Is the land, the ecosystem and the farming community measurably better as a result?’”

The approach represents a shift, he says, from shifting agricultural practices to “do less harm” to practices designed to produce net positive outcomes.

Climate dividend

The book also examines how such a transformation could affect climate change.

Healthy soils and growing plants remove carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and store carbon in soil and biomass. Regenerative systems can also reduce emissions associated with the manufacture and transportation of synthetic fertilizers.

Drawing on peer-reviewed research, Locke says approximately 240 million smallholder farms making the transition to regenerative agriculture across an estimated 480 million hectares could eventually remove every year up to 0.72 gigatons of CO2 from the atmosphere annually during the period in which soil carbon is actively accumulating.

Furthermore, reduced reliance on synthetic fertilizer could provide an additional climate benefit of roughly 0.1 gigaton of CO2 equivalent annually, bringing the estimated combined benefit to approximately 0.6 to 0.85 gigatons per year at mature adoption.

That is roughly comparable in scale to the annual CO2 emissions of global aviation.

Locke stresses that soils cannot absorb carbon indefinitely. Soil carbon generally accumulates over one to three decades before approaching a new equilibrium, and outcomes vary substantially with soils, climate, farming practices and farmers’ starting conditions.

“Regenerative agriculture is not a license to keep emitting carbon elsewhere,” says Locke. “Its climate potential is important precisely because it comes alongside other benefits we urgently need anyway: healthier soil, greater biodiversity, more resilient farms, increased food production and stronger rural communities.”

Measuring what “regenerative” actually means

The book arrives as regenerative agriculture is moving rapidly into the mainstream but still lacks a universally agreed definition.

Locke argues that this makes credible measurement especially important.

Rather than allowing a farm or company to be considered regenerative because it has adopted one favoured technique, Whole Earth Farming advocates assessing a broad range of environmental and social outcomes.

The book highlights the emerging “Regen10 Outcomes Framework,” developed through more than two years of global consultation, as an important step toward establishing a common reference for assessing regenerative agriculture while allowing farmers to choose methods appropriate to local circumstances.

The framework encompasses ecological health, farmer livelihoods, food quality, community resilience and other outcomes.

The distinction also guards against reducing regenerative agriculture to carbon alone.

A farming system that sequesters carbon while degrading biodiversity, water resources or farmer livelihoods, Locke argues, cannot meaningfully be called regenerative.

A great regenerative transformation

Locke calls the opportunity a “Great Regenerative Transformation,” comparable in ambition to the Green Revolution that dramatically increased agricultural production during the second half of the 20th century.

But there is a fundamental difference. Where the Green Revolution relied heavily on improved crop varieties, irrigation, synthetic fertilizers, pesticides and increasing standardization, Locke envisions a transformation that combines traditional agricultural knowledge with ecological science, locally adapted practices and modern systems for measuring outcomes.

The goal is not simply more food per hectare. Success would instead be measured by what agriculture produces and what it leaves behind: healthier soils, restored ecosystems, greater biodiversity, improved water systems, climate resilience and viable farming communities.

Locke argues that smallholders are particularly well positioned to lead such a transformation because many retain traditional agricultural knowledge, operate diversified farms and have not adopted industrial farming systems as extensively as producers in wealthier countries.

The challenge is giving them access to the training, finance, research, markets, data and extension services needed to make that potential real.

Alongside its practical exploration of smallholder farming and regenerative agriculture, Whole Earth Farming makes a less expected case: that the Bahá’í Faith offers principles relevant to agriculture’s future; its teachings connect farming with humanity’s spiritual, social and economic development.

Locke focuses particularly on ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, who from 1901 to 1921 directed the farming community of ‘Adasíyyih in the Jordan Valley. He argues that practices used there anticipated many now associated with regenerative agriculture, including crop rotation, agroforestry, integrated livestock and soil-building, while applying broader principles of equality, consultation and justice.

Locke extends these ideas globally, arguing that the faith’s principle that “the earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens” provides a framework for treating farmers, governments, companies and international institutions as parts of an interdependent agricultural system. He stresses that the principles require no religious belief, describing them as “open-source foundational truths” that could help regenerative agriculture scale across cultures, continents and generations without fragmenting into competing definitions.

“Not a measure of the problem, but a measure of the possibility”

The book carries a foreword by Roy Steiner, Senior Vice President, Food Initiative, The Rockefeller Foundation, who describes the world’s 475 million smallholder farming households as “not a measure of the problem, but as a measure of the possibility.”

Steiner writes that regenerative transformation cannot be reduced to carbon or measured by crop yield alone, and that it cannot succeed without farmers themselves being active agents of change.

The book has also drawn endorsements from leaders spanning agriculture, humanitarian action, conservation, development and public policy.

Former U.S. President Bill Clinton says Locke shares lessons from his work with smallholders “with both rigorous evidence and genuine humanity.”

Chef and humanitarian José Andrés writes that farmers have the power not only to produce food but to strengthen local economies and nourish the future, concluding: “Read this book. Then do something.”

Other contributions and endorsements have been provided by

• Elizabeth Dowdeswell, former UN Environment Programme Executive Director and Lieutenant Governor of Ontario;
• Danielle Nierenberg, Food Tank President;
• Rainn Wilson, actor and environmental advocate, who wrote the introduction;
• Paula Caldwell St-Onge, former Canadian Ambassador to Haiti;
• Tara Shyam, Executive Director of Regen10; and
• Leaders from organizations working in agriculture, food security, reforestation and international development.

The book includes 21 stories from 18 countries illustrating regenerative agriculture through the experiences of farmers and farming communities rather than presenting it solely as an abstract global model.

Its examples range from Colombia and Thailand to Canada, the Netherlands and farming communities across Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Launched during Climate Week NYC, Whole Earth Farming offers a deceptively simple proposition: The world need not choose between feeding more people and restoring the planet. It’s possible to do both if hundreds of millions of farmers who have long operated at the margins of agricultural policy are finally given the means.

By the numbers

• 570 million – Approximate number of farms worldwide.
• 475 million – Smallholder farms in the Global South with less than two hectares (five acres).
• ~2 billion – People living and working on those smallholder farms, approximately one-quarter of humanity.
• 30% – Approximate share of the world’s food already produced by smallholders.
• 1.5 billion – Approximate increase in world population expected by 2050, concentrated in developing countries.
• 240 million – Smallholder farming families the book proposes supporting in a global regenerative transition.
• 12% – Approximate share of global arable land those farms would cultivate.
• 0.48–0.72 gigatons CO2/year – Estimated potential annual soil carbon removal at mature adoption during the active accumulation period.
• 0.6–0.85 gigatons CO2e/year – Estimated combined mature annual climate benefit when avoided emissions associated with reduced synthetic fertilizer use are included.
• 10,000 – Approximate number of Smallholder Farmers Alliance members in Haiti.
• 1 million – Approximate number of trees planted annually by SFA members.
• 21 stories / 18 countries – Farmer and regenerative agriculture stories featured in Whole Earth Farming .

About the author

Hugh Locke has spent his career working at the intersection of environmental conservation, international development, humanitarian service and interfaith collaboration. Since co-founding the Smallholder Farmers Alliance in Haiti in 2010, he has focused much of his work on smallholder agriculture and regenerative farming. He is President of the Impact Farming Foundation and serves on the board of the global reforestation nonprofit One Tree Planted.

Whole Earth Farming: Smallholders and the Great Regenerative Transformation

September 2026

George Ronald Publisher

ISBN 978-0-85398-688-1

Official release

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee rolled out various measures to develop Hong Kong’s key economic centres when he unveiled the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and his fifth Policy Address on September 16.

Under Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan, Hong Kong will focus on strengthening the four centres, developing the hub for high-calibre talent, consolidating and enhancing its competitive edge as an international city.

#HongKong#PolicyAddress#First5YearPlan#FourCentres

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Hong Kong’s Chief Executive, John Lee, today (September 16) announced the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (2026-2030). This inaugural Five-Year Plan for Hong Kong is of monumental significance, which aims to enhance the city’s all-round strategic development in the medium- to long-term. Priority initiatives include upholding and enhancing the executive-led system, improving the efficacy of governance and proactively aligning Hong Kong with national development strategies in order to fully grasp the opportunities for growth and prosperity.

“Not only is it an action agenda for Hong Kong to better capitalise on the aggregate advantages arising from national and international opportunities, but also a pathway for continuously enhancing social well-being. By formulating the Five-Year Plan, it shall shed light on Hong Kong’s directions of development, optimise resource allocation, enhance social expectation certainty, and better protect social well-being as well as the interests of investors across the world. Hong Kong will become a more attractive, vibrant and opportunity-rich world city,” Mr Lee said.

Hong Kong will continue to boost economic growth led by “four centres and one hub”, namely its status as an international financial centre, international trade centre, international maritime centre and international aviation hub, while expediting the city’s development into an international innovation and technology (I&T) centre. Hong Kong will also become an international hub for high-calibre talent, attracting global capital, talent, and financial enterprises.

Hong Kong will continue to leverage its advantages as an international city. With the unique edge as a common law jurisdiction under the principle of “one country, two systems”, Hong Kong will deepen its development into a centre for international legal and dispute resolution services, including a global capital of mediation and hub for high-calibre legal talent. Hong Kong will develop a regional intellectual property trading centre, an East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, a centre for major international sports events and a core demonstration zone for multi-destination tourism.

A pleasant, vibrant and innovative Northern Metropolis will be developed through an approach that is planning-oriented, infrastructure-led, industry-driven, and people-oriented. Development objectives revolve around the Northern Metropolis University Town, I&T, industry, and providing an environment suitable for living, work, and travel.

Hong Kong will continue to participate in the development of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in terms of both “hard” and “soft” connectivity. This includes taking forward infrastructure plans, such as cross-boundary railway projects, while also enhancing alignment rules and mechanisms within the GBA. To achieve “connectivity of hearts” among the residents of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, Hong Kong will advance collaboration in areas such as health care, elderly care, environmental protection, sports, culture and tourism, establishing the GBA as an international first-class bay area with global influence. At the same time, Hong Kong actively participates in the work of international organisations, and fully participates in the high-quality co-operation under the Belt and Road Initiative, so as to create an international collaboration network.

The Five-Year Plan sets out clearly the strategic direction in livelihood-related areas such as education, youth and women’s development, a harmonious and inclusive society, health care, housing, strengthened support for the disadvantaged groups, labour protection, elderly care, green transformation. This will strengthen the sense of fulfilment, happiness, and security in the community, enabling people to benefit from the high-quality development of the country and the city.

“The Government will stay committed to the ‘people-oriented’ ethos, strive relentlessly to enhance social well-being, and sustain economic development, so as to build a Hong Kong that is more open, more inclusive, more liberal, more prosperous and safer,” Mr Lee concluded.

For the full document of Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and related information, please visit the dedicated website (www.hk5yplan.gov.hk).

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Hashtag: #HongKong #First5YearPlan #Economic #Social #Development #Vision

• Launched in H1 2026, Heavy Weight Express service saw a 16% increase in Weight per Day growth for the region (excluding China)
• High-value, technology-related cargo, engineering & manufacturing, and automotive are the biggest drivers, making up two-thirds of the total weight of heavyweight segment

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 16 September 2026 – Following DHL Express’s introduction of Heavy Weight Express (HWX) this year, DHL Express recorded a 16% growth in its Time Definite International Weight per Day in Asia Pacific (excluding China) between January and July2026. This reflects how DHL’s Smart Industrial Growth Strategy is yielding positive outcomes as businesses are moving heavier, critical components, machinery, and industrial equipment across borders.

The heavyweight market has been gaining traction in recent years. Industry research shows that an estimated 10.2 million tons of heavyweight shipments¹ are being moved in Asia Pacific (excluding China) each year. Many companies have spent years reducing inventory and improving efficiency across their supply chains. However, companies today operate in a far less predictable environment marked by trade disruptions, manufacturing bottlenecks, and fluctuating demand. The rise in heavyweight shipment volumes mirrors a shift in how businesses are managing supply chain risks, as they increasingly turn to express logistics not only to handle sudden shifts in demand but also to have greater agility, certainty and control over timelines.

“Behind the numbers is a simple reality: Businesses are shipping heavy when timing matters and when it’s critical,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express. “As companies continue to navigate a complex landscape where uncertainty has become the norm, speed and reliability have also become part of the business decision. Customers are making deliberate decisions on what they ship through our network. Our Heavy Weight Express solution helps companies avoid downtime, protect working capital and keep operations moving when supply chains don’t go exactly as planned.”

Technology, Engineering & Manufacturing, and Automotive top Asia Pacific’s heavyweight contributors

Across the region, high-value, technology-related cargo, such as computer chips and semiconductors, accounts for the largest share of DHL Express’s heavyweight segment at over 34%, driven by rapid investment in data centers to support the growing demandfor computing capacity, data storage, cloud services, as well as artificial intelligence. This has fueled demand for technology-related shipments, from semiconductors and servers to cooling systems and electrical infrastructure. However, a data center crunch is creating supply chain bottlenecks as demand for semiconductor manufacturing outpaces infrastructure supply. As a result, express logistics services are urgently activated to move critical components quickly and efficiently, helping to keep projects on schedule.

The other main contributors to the heavyweight segment are businesses in engineering & manufacturing as well as the automotive industry.

Automotive is the fastest growing sector

HWX service is also gaining strong momentum in the automotive sector, with its shipment weight increasing at a rate of nearly 20%. As the leading export region for this sector, Asia Pacific is also seeing a surge in Asian automotive brands, particularly Electric Vehicle (EV) manufacturers from China and Southeast Asia. As these brands expand into new markets, they are also moving vehicle parts sourced from different suppliers and manufacturers across borders. This has created the appetite for expedited shipments to keep production running. In this sector, a single late or failed shipment could instantly cost automotive manufacturers millions of dollars.

Asia affirms role as a vital trading hub

In Asia Pacific (excluding China), the fastest growth in heavyweight shipments for the first seven months of the year came from India, the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan and Hong Kong. These markets reflect two of the region’s strongest trade corridors – Southeast Asia’s firm role as a manufacturing and sourcing base, and North Asia’s strategic position as a hub for high-value technology, industrial and automotive supply chains. Additionally, India, the Philippines, and Vietnam are also recognized as key markets of the geographic tailwinds initiative.

“As companies continue to manufacture out of Asia, balancing project timelines and building more resilient and agile supply chains become a priority. To maintain production continuity and ensure certainty, they are consolidating goods into heavier shipments. These non-negotiable conditions are also “urgency drivers” that put us at an advantage to help deliver our customers’ shipments at a definite time,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.

In recent years, DHL Express has added several new infrastructures across the region, including an expanded global hub in Hong Kong, facilities near Cebu and Manila airports, gateway at Christchurch airport, Hanoi gateway near Noi Bai airport, as well as Delhi gateway, culminating in approximately 1,000 facilities in the Asia Pacific region. This is further supported by a robust aviation network of around 810 flights per day.

¹McKinsey/IHS Markit (2024)

Hashtag: #DHLExpress #GlobalTrade #HeavyWeightExpress

DHL – The logistics company for the world

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 September 2026 – Fresh graduates entering Singapore’s workforce continue to find opportunities across financial and insurance services, professional services, information and communications, healthcare and social services, even as employers become more selective and artificial intelligence reshapes entry-level work.

According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), entry-level professional, managerial, executive and technician (PMET) openings increased from 32,500 in December 2025 to 32,800 in March 2026, despite an overall decline in job vacancies. MOM also reported that around nine in 10 university graduates from the 2025 cohort found employment within 12 months of graduation, suggesting that fresh graduate employment has remained relatively resilient.

Financial services, professional services and technology remain active hiring sectors

Financial and Insurance Services, Professional Services, and Information and Communications were among sectors identified by MOM as experiencing active PMET hiring and wage growth. Together, these sectors recorded approximately 14,200 PMET vacancies as of September 2025, compared with 12,600 a year earlier, including roles suitable for fresh graduates.

Opportunities span finance, risk, compliance, accounting, consulting, software, systems and data functions. Increasing digitalisation also means these boundaries are becoming less distinct, with banks and professional services firms increasingly recruiting technology and data talent.

Information and communications continue to require digital capabilities

Singapore’s technology workforce reached 214,000 in 2024, according to the Infocomm Media Development Authority’s Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025, with AI and Data and Cybersecurity among the fastest-growing technology occupations. The latest MOM data also shows concrete entry-level demand. As at March 2026, Information and Communications recorded 200 vacancies for software developers, 130 for IT support technicians and 80 for computer engineers among its entry-level jobs with higher vacancy counts.

Technology graduates are therefore finding opportunities not only within technology companies but also across finance, manufacturing, professional services and other industries.

Financial and professional services are evolving with technology

Singapore’s financial sector continues to provide opportunities across banking, insurance, investment, risk and compliance. As at March 2026, MOM identified financial compliance officer or risk analyst, insurance sales agent or broker, and financial or investment adviser among the entry-level Financial and Insurance Services roles with higher vacancy counts, with 30 vacancies recorded for each occupation. Technology is also changing the nature of financial services, with institutions applying analytics, automation and AI across areas such as fraud detection, customer service and risk management.

Professional Services provides opportunities across both corporate and technical functions. MOM’s March 2026 data identified 100 vacancies for resident technical officers, 60 for auditors and 50 for IT support technicians among the sector’s entry-level jobs with higher vacancy counts. As AI increasingly assists with research, analysis and routine processes, graduates who combine professional knowledge with digital capabilities, communication and judgement may be better positioned for changing roles.

Healthcare and social services continue to offer graduate pathways

Health and Social Services continues to provide entry-level opportunities for graduates. As at March 2026, MOM identified 210 vacancies for social workers, 190 for registered nurses and other nursing professionals, and 80 for social work associates among the sector’s entry-level jobs with higher vacancy counts. These roles demonstrate that graduate demand extends beyond digital careers. Specialised professional knowledge and interpersonal skills remain important in sectors where human interaction and service delivery are central.

AI is changing entry-level roles rather than simply removing them

Generative AI has raised concerns among students and parents about its impact on graduate employment. MOM data presents a more nuanced picture. Among firms that had adopted AI, 6 per cent reported reducing headcount and 8 per cent lowering hiring activity, while 19 per cent redesigned roles and 14 per cent created AI-related jobs. The impact of AI has therefore been more visible in job redesign than broad-based hiring reductions. Fresh graduates may increasingly be expected to use AI tools, interpret data, assess AI-generated information and focus on areas requiring judgement, communication and problem-solving.

Skills-based hiring is changing how graduates compete

Employers are also looking increasingly beyond qualifications alone. MOM’s Job Vacancies 2025 report found that academic qualifications were not the main consideration for 79.6 per cent of vacancies.

This places greater emphasis on what graduates can demonstrate alongside their qualification, including internships, technical capabilities, communication, teamwork and analytical thinking. For students choosing a degree, employability is therefore not only about entering a growing industry but also about developing skills and experience that employers value.

SIM graduate outcomes reflect employment across diverse industries

Graduate employment data provides another way for students and parents to assess career outcomes. According to the Private Education Institution Graduate Employment Survey 2024/2025, 81.0 per cent of SIM fresh graduates surveyed secured employment, while 47.0 per cent were in full-time permanent employment. The median gross monthly salary was S$3,565. Across all private education institutions surveyed, 78.9 per cent of fresh graduates secured employment, with a median gross monthly salary of S$3,500.

SIM’s Graduate Employment Survey also shows graduates entering sectors including banking and financial services, ICT and cybersecurity, consulting and professional services, aviation and engineering, healthcare and social services, logistics and transportation, retail and manufacturing. Employment outcomes remain dependent on factors including programme choice, individual skills, work experience and labour-market conditions.

Parents can consider employability alongside programme fit

For parents supporting higher education decisions, current hiring trends provide useful context, but today’s strongest industry may not necessarily offer the greatest opportunities several years from now. A broader assessment can include a student’s interests and strengths, programme curriculum, awarding university, recognition, fees, career support and graduate employment outcomes.

The SIM Parent Resource Hub brings these considerations together, covering degree pathways, programme recognition, fees and financial support, student care and graduate employability. Its Graduate Outcomes & Employability resource provides information on SIM’s PEI Graduate Employment Survey results, industries and organisations where SIM graduates have worked, and career and internship support available to students.

These resources can help parents consider not only where jobs are available today, but how a higher education pathway can help their child develop relevant knowledge, experience and transferable capabilities.

Career resilience increasingly depends on transferable skills

Singapore’s labour-market data shows that opportunities for fresh graduates remain spread across multiple industries. Financial Services, Professional Services and Information and Communications continue to offer professional opportunities, while Healthcare and Social Services, also show meaningful entry-level demand.

For students entering higher education, career preparation may therefore be less about identifying one “future-proof” industry and more about developing disciplinary knowledge, practical experience and transferable skills that can remain valuable as employment needs change. Parents and students can refer to the SIM Parent Resource Hub, including its Graduate Outcomes & Employability resource, when evaluating degree pathways, employability, recognition, fees and student support.

References

1. Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Fresh Graduate Employment – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2026/0804-written-answer-to-pq-on-fresh-graduate-employment
2. Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Trends in Job Vacancies – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2026/0805-written-answer-to-pq-on-trends-in-job-vacancies
3. Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Sectors with Active Hiring and Wage Growth – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/parliament-questions-and-replies/2026/0113-written-answer-to-pq-on-sectors-with-active-hiring-and-wage-growth
4. Ministry of Manpower, Singapore. Job Vacancies 2025 – https://www.mom.gov.sg/newsroom/press-releases/2026/0320-job-vacancies-report-2025
5. Manpower Research and Statistics Department, Ministry of Manpower. List of Entry-Level PMET Job Opportunities for Fresh Graduates – https://stats.mom.gov.sg/iMAS_PdfLibrary/List-of-top-entry-level-PMET-job-opportunities-for-fresh-graduates-Q1-2026.pdf
6. Infocomm Media Development Authority. Singapore Digital Economy Report 2025 – https://www.imda.gov.sg/resources/press-releases-factsheets-and-speeches/factsheets/2025/ar-sgde-2025
7. Singapore Institute of Management. Parent Resource Hub: Helping Your Child Choose the Right Degree Pathway – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub
8. Singapore Institute of Management. Graduate Outcomes & Employability – https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/parent-resource-hub/graduate-outcome-employability

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Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills

SALALAH, OMAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – On September 7, local time in Oman, witnessed by Bater, Executive Vice Governor of Hainan Province, and Khamis bin Mohammed Al-Shamakhi, Undersecretary for Transport at Oman’s Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology (MTCIT), Maple Leaf and MTCIT signed a comprehensive agreement on the next phase of cooperation in autonomous driving. Officials from relevant Hainan provincial authorities and the Chinese Embassy in Oman attended the ceremony. Earlier that day, Maple Leaf founder and Chairman Liang Yi joined His Excellency Eng. Said bin Hamoud Al Maawali, Minister of Transport, Communications and Information Technology, and executives from Oman Airports for a test ride in a Maple Leaf autonomous shuttle at Salalah International Airport, completing all on-site validation procedures. Led by Maple Leaf and jointly organized by MTCIT and Oman Airports, the test represents an important official step in Oman’s deployment of smart and sustainable mobility technologies and a milestone for the operation of Chinese autonomous driving technology in the country. Future Fund Oman under the Oman Investment Authority (OIA) and Temple Water Capital are also accelerating Maple Leaf’s Series B financing round, worth tens of millions of US dollars.

The cooperation demonstrates how Hainan Free Trade Port technology companies can leverage local advantages to expand internationally. Maple Leaf previously received strategic investment from Chengmai, Hainan, and key policy support from Haikou, using Hainan as a base to expand its new energy vehicle and technology businesses overseas. At the Salalah Airport test site, officials from various Omani authorities experienced the vehicle firsthand. The test covered key functions including sensing and real-time monitoring, route recognition, environmental perception, and obstacle handling, comprehensively assessing the vehicle’s ability to operate safely and intelligently under real-world conditions using autonomous driving technology. After confirming the vehicle’s stable operation and efficient dispatching, His Excellency Al Maawali praised Maple Leaf’s technical capabilities and rapid deployment, describing it as “China speed.” From domestic trials and vehicle commissioning to airfreighting the vehicle to Muscat and quickly launching on-site tests, Maple Leaf’s execution efficiency earned strong recognition from the Omani side and led to a clear path for deeper cooperation.

His Excellency Al Maawali stated on site that Oman would fully support Maple Leaf’s participation in smart city, airport electrification, and energy transition projects. He set a specific target for the company to establish last-mile passenger and logistics networks across Muscat and Salalah within one year. MTCIT has also set an official timetable requiring Maple Leaf to begin commercial operations of autonomous vehicles in the third quarter of 2027. Under the plan, Maple Leaf will deploy 30,000 to 50,000 autonomous shuttles and driverless logistics vehicles across Oman over the next five years. The broader cooperation is expected to help Oman become the first of the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries to achieve transport electrification, commercial deployment of autonomous driving, and energy transition. The plan aims to position Oman as a regional benchmark for transport transformation in the Middle East, support the implementation of Oman Vision 2040, and align with the country’s 2050 net-zero target and the goals of the Sustainable Dhofar initiative.

Following the tests, Maple Leaf Chairman Liang Yi said that with investment from OIA, Oman’s sovereign investment fund, and Temple Water Capital accelerating, together with progress toward commercial operating licenses, Maple Leaf will use Oman as a regional hub to bring China’s successful autonomous driving experience to the wider Middle East and establish a proven model for smart mobility.

Hashtag: #MapleLeaf

Advancing low-altitude economy development across the Belt and Road regions

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – HKT (SEHK: 6823) – PCCW Global, the international telecommunications service provider under HKT, and Harmony Tech Innovation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the 11th Belt and Road Summit to jointly promote the low‑altitude economy across the Belt and Road regions, facilitating Chinese enterprises and innovative technologies as they expand overseas.

Frederick Chui, CEO, PCCW Global (left) and Jacqueline Kang, Chairman, Harmony Tech Innovation (right) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Belt and Road Summit 2026.

PCCW Global plans to leverage its global communications networks and international market resources, together with Harmony Tech Innovation’s low-altitude airspace traffic management technology, to explore and promote low‑altitude airspace traffic management solutions and related smart city solutions in Belt and Road markets. The collaboration will also explore applications in areas such as transportation, logistics, and emergency rescue, to support the development of smart cities and the low-altitude economy in local markets.

Frederick Chui, CEO of PCCW Global, said: “The low-altitude economy is a strategically important emerging industry for the nation, and also a key direction for developing new quality productive forces. As countries along the Belt and Road accelerate urban development, demand for low-altitude airspace management and communications technologies continues to grow. PCCW Global is ready to further extend our network capabilities into the low‑altitude economy, providing efficient and reliable communications support for low‑altitude airspace traffic management. In collaboration with Harmony Tech Innovation, we will help bring Chinese innovative technologies to the global market, and support the advancement of smart cities and the digital economy along the Belt and Road.”

Jacqueline Kang, Chairman, Harmony Tech Innovation said: “Communications networks and management systems are critical foundations for the low-altitude economy. We are delighted to collaborate with PCCW Global, combining our digital management capabilities with PCCW Global’s extensive communications networks to provide robust support for low-altitude operations. Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing our collaboration, driving the practical application of low-altitude technologies, and seizing opportunities in overseas markets.”

Harmony Tech Innovation is a global leading provider of low-altitude airspace traffic management and unmanned aerial vehicle ecosystem, focusing on low‑altitude economy and 3D low‑altitude traffic management platform. Its “Low Altitude Airspace Coordination and Service System”, launched in Zhuhai in 2024, is interconnected with China’s Unmanned Aircraft Integrated Management Platform and offers capabilities including regional remote low‑altitude surveillance, centimetre‑level satellite positioning, providing data support for smart city management and laying the foundation for the development of the low-altitude economy in the Greater Bay Area.

PCCW Global’s network infrastructure spans five continents and is backed by extensive international operational experience, enabling it to actively help drive the overseas expansion of China’s advanced technologies. PCCW Global delivers customised network solutions for low‑altitude economy scenarios, supporting real‑time data transmission and the management of low‑altitude aircraft.

Hashtag: #HKT #PCCWGlobal

About PCCW Global

• The 15th ZTE Global Summit & User Congress officially opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, co-located for the first timewith the GSMA M360 ASEAN
• Ministerial leaders from Malaysia, the Chinese Ambassador, GSMA leadership, global operator executives, and industry partners jointly explored network evolution, AI-driven innovation, and digital economy prosperity
• ZTE showcases full-scenario AI network solutions, the TCO-optimal AI Factory, and innovative AI devices, mapping out an end-to-end commercial roadmap

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 September 2026 – ZTE Corporation (0763.HK / 000063.SZ), a global leading provider of integrated information and communication technology solutions, officially opened the 15th ZTE Global Summit & User Congress today under the theme “Architecting Infinity–From Connectivity to Digital Value”. Co-located for the first time with the GSMA M360 ASEAN, this event marks ZTE’s largest annual overseas self-hosted forum. It gathers over 500 distinguished participants, including government officials, ICT industry leaders, operator executives, innovative enterprises, and ecosystem partners, to engage in deep discussions on future network evolution, the integration of AI and digital innovation, and regional digital economic growth.

YB Dato’ Seri Fahmi Fadzil, Minister of Communications, Malaysia, emphasized that Malaysia’s next digital phase must move beyond connectivity deployment towards creating tangible value through better public services, stronger businesses and greater opportunities for Malaysians. Calling on global technology partners to “not only sell into Malaysia, but build with Malaysia,” he highlighted the importance of developing local talent, strengthening national capabilities and fostering innovation that can serve the wider ASEAN market.

YB Gobind Singh Deo, Minister of Digital, Malaysia, pointed out, “Malaysia’s next phase of digital competitiveness hinges on translating artificial intelligence into tangible economic and societal value, boosting productivity, improving public services and opening higher-value opportunities for our people. To become an AI Nation by 2030, we must look beyond infrastructure to cultivate local talent, foster trusted governance and empower homegrown innovators to scale global solutions.”

Ouyang Yujing, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary of the People’s Republic of China to Malaysia, noted, “Connectivity defines our era, and innovation shapes our future. While digital networks bridge the world, AI is powering a new era of shared prosperity. Embracing the global digital wave, China champions growth that is open, inclusive, secure, and mutually beneficial. We stand ready to work with global partners to deepen tech exchanges, drive industrial synergy, co-create standards, and unite in collaborative governance.”

Xie Junshi, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of ZTE, delivered a keynote address on behalf of the organizer. He noted, “Across the globe, connectivity and computing are coming together. This is a major industry trend. Global 5G keeps expanding with steady growth. At the same time, AI has become a key growth driver for the industry. Different markets move at different paces, yet we all share one clear direction: from building computing power, to making good use of computing power.

Against this market backdrop, ZTE has upgraded our strategy to Connectivity plus Computing. We see AI as the brain, communication infrastructure as the nervous system, and terminals as the carrier. When these three elements come together, they will reshape our society and daily life. Solid underlying technologies are our foundation. This defines where we are heading.”

He emphasized: “Connectivity built our foundation. Intelligence is our momentum. Infinity is our horizon — and together, we will Architect it.”

Zhang Wanchun, Senior Vice President of ZTE, delivered a keynote speech titled “A New Phase of Digital Infrastructure”. In his speech, he emphasized, “Our quest is a four-fold journey: vision means finding our long-term direction, volume means deploying innovations with scale and quality, value means turning the infrastructure into value-creation systems, and venture means pushing boundaries even further.”

During the summit, ZTE comprehensively demonstrated AI-empowered and redefined connectivity, efficient Token production, and value realization, mapping out a commercial roadmap from connectivity and computing infrastructure to scenario-based terminals.

Deepening Infrastructure Construction: Building AI-Native Network and Computing Power Foundations

• AIR MAX three-layer systematic upgrade architecture: ZTE AIR MAX builds the optimal solution for mobile networks in the 6G+AI era, completing network upgrade from AI enhancement and single-scenario intelligence to full-scenario AI-native intelligence, connecting traditional traffic economy with the new Token economy. ZTE AIR RAN, based on a fully digital infrastructure, includes site intelligence and network intelligence to enable experience monetization and efficiency improvement with 4 Turbos (Experience, Spectrum, Energy and O&M), increasing revenue and reducing OPEX. ZTE AIR Net adopts a full-stack AI architecture and a “1+N” model matrix, leveraging large language models and intelligent agent technologies to help operators achieve L4 and above high-level autonomous networks. Meanwhile, ZTE AIR Core drives a paradigm shift from traditional “connectivity pipes” to intent-driven intelligent services, integrating AI, computing, data, and security to construct an Agent Service Network (ASN) that empowers individuals, smart homes, connected vehicles, and massive emerging AI agents. For experience monetization, NWDAF and AI-UPF work in synergy to deliver precise service identification with over 98% accuracy, real-time QoE assessment, and dynamic policy adjustments, making premium experiences perceptible and quantifiable. Through ASN, service scope expands beyond humans and machines to AI entities such as home robots, digital humans, and virtual assistants, providing dynamic and flexible networking with trusted identity management for agentic communication. With deep NTN integration, ZTE extends ubiquitous connectivity from terrestrial to space-air-ground integration for remote, maritime, aviation, and emergency scenarios.
• HI-NET and AI All-Optical Network: ZTE’s HI-NET solution leverages AI-powered Scale-Across lossless OTN to deliver zero-packet-loss transmission of training and inference data across thousands of kilometers between AIDCs. Equipped with the industry’s highest-capacity core router with 28.8 Tbps per slot and high-performance 100GE/400GE access and aggregation routers, and combined with AI-driven traffic optimization, security protection and dynamic energy-efficiency optimization, it builds an ultra-broadband, green and intelligent IP network, comprehensively boosting AIDC computing efficiency and accelerating the closed-loop implementation of AI commercialization. ZTE’s AI All-Optical Network solution features the industry’s highest-integration 16-port Any PON 2.0, supporting dual-path, same-capacity smooth evolution to 50G-PON. The industry-first AI Radio technology enables seamless roaming, greatly simplifying campus network deployment. As the industry’s first OLT integrated with a 100T computing card, it enables edge AI computing and real-time network quality analysis, helping operators shift from pipe-based to experience-centric operations.

Unlocking the Token Economy: System-Level Synergy Empowering Computing Efficiency and New Application Paradigms

• TCO-Optimal AI Factory: ZTE’s intelligent computing solution utilizes a full-stack AI infrastructure supported by comprehensive hardware, including AI Compute, AI Storage, and AI Network. By combining architectural innovation with system-level synergy, it minimizes cost-per-token, helping customers build AI factories with optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and facilitating a shift from “stacking” computing power to “efficiency-driven” performance.
• Token Operation and Ecosystem: ZTE aims to realize the token economy by enabling the full chain of token production, delivery, routing, governance and application, while creating direct token sales gains, indirect operational benefits and ecosystem value.
• Ecosystem Collaboration: ZTE works with global operators, industry partners, and developers to build an open Token ecosystem. By promoting cross-domain interconnection standards and opening API capability interfaces, ZTE accelerates the incubation and commercial deployment of Token-based applications, enabling all ecosystem players to precisely position themselves and share incremental dividends within the intelligent value network.

Innovating Device Experiences: AI Redefines Smart Homes and Diverse Personal Terminals

• AI Home: ZTE builds an all-optical whole-home deterministic network underpinned by three pillars: connectivity as foundation, AI as core, and screens as medium. Its full portfolio, including AI smart displays, AI-powered STBs and IPC cameras, covers entertainment, wellness and home-care scenarios. It delivers diversified business models such as subscription and retail for operators to expand subscriber base and unlock commercial value, making advanced technologies visible, tangible and user-friendly.
• Diversified AI Devices: In the consumer segment, ZTE continued to deepen its “AI + gaming” strategy and introduced two headline gaming smartphones at the congress: nubia Neo 5 GT featuring an active fan-cooling system, and nubia Neo 5 Max, which pioneers the PadPhone category with a 7.5-inch display. Meanwhile, ZTE G6 Ultra, the world’s first 5G-A Wi-Fi 8 CPE, sets a new benchmark for next-generation connectivity. Extending from mobile entertainment to a full-scenario smart life, ZTE also presented a diverse portfolio of innovative AI devices including iMoochi, the lifelike AI pet creating a warm and engaging experience; ZTE TOPFLOW, a live-streaming hub for premium outdoor streaming and mobile productivity; and ZTE U15S Global, the pocket Wi-Fi for seamless connectivity worldwide.

As a vital bridge connecting technology, markets, and the industrial ecosystem, ZTE Global Summit & User Congress 2026 is committed to delivering an innovative and forward-looking industry event. ZTE looks forward to exploring with all industry stakeholders, building COMPETITIVENESS driven by shared VISION, realized through rise of VOLUME, translated into industrial VALUE, and extended via collaborative VENTURE.

Hashtag: #ZTE

  

GUANGZHOU, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 September 2026 – On September 7, Huawei officially unveiled the latest addition to its tri-fold lineup, the HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN. As the first smartphone to feature the LogicFolding Tau (τ) Chip, HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN marks the chip’s official entry into mass commercialization.

Ultimate Design: A Wing-Like Form for Intuitive Control

The phone debuts with a wing-like tri-fold design, continuously pushing the boundaries of ultimate aesthetics, craftsmanship, and innovation. It is the first device powered by the Kirin 9050 Pro chip and introduces several industry-first features and experiences, including the Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture, Smart Shield Privacy Screen, True-to-Color Camera 3.0, and the HarmonyOS 7 large-screen experience. As the pioneer of tri-fold phones, this new generation once again redefines the extraordinary.

The new HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN features a wing-like tri-fold design that opens from both sides, offering a more intuitive unfolding experience. The design philosophy draws on Chinese aesthetics, with a cloud pattern on the back panel created using Brocade Cloud craftsmanship. It is available in three colors: Purple, White, and Black. The camera ring inherits the iconic Star Diamond Glow design, crafted from Yttrium Crystal and fired at 1,800°C. Combining gemstone design and cutting techniques, it undergoes eight steps of fine polishing to form 33 star diamond facets, delivering a dazzling gemstone-like luster.

The device features the Xuanwu Ultra-Durable Tri-Fold Architecture, which re-engineers the hinge and screen technology for layered protection from the inside out. It is the first tri-fold phone to support IP58/59 dust and water resistance. The cover screen, made of Xuanwu Kunlun Glass, resists daily scratches and impacts with ease. It also features anti-glare technology, ensuring clear visibility even under direct sunlight. The main screen uses a multi-layer composite ultra-tough structure, including a large UTG glass layer, aerospace-grade ultra-thin high-strength steel, and a carbon fiber support layer, providing robust impact resistance. The Advanced Precision Hinge System 2.0 employs a 5 curved arm structure and a synchronized linkage mechanism for even force distribution and reliable pressure resistance.

Ultimate Performance: Kirin Chipset, a Leap in Power

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN is the first to feature the Kirin 9050 Pro chip, delivering a dual leap in performance and energy efficiency. Through deep collaboration between hardware, software, chips, and cloud, overall device performance is improved by 42% compared to the previous generation. The LinxiCore CPU, combined with the Ultra-smooth HUAWEI Ark Engine, enables faster loading of large files and superior performance when running multiple apps or multitasking. The Maleoon GPU features doubled computing units and cache, significantly enhancing rendering performance. In gaming scenarios, it supports 50 MRPS hardware-level real-time ray tracing, delivering a more immersive and realistic experience. The HUAWEI Da Vinci Architecture NPU brings a leap in on-device AI computing power, supporting large models of various sizes. For the first time in the industry, it natively supports the Pangu 30B-A2B MoE LLM, enabling smart experiences such as on-device AI album management with Celia.

The innovative heat dissipation architecture distributes heat sources across three frames, working with ultra-large vapor chambers and highly thermally conductive graphene materials to efficiently conduct heat across axes. Intelligent collaboration of multiple communication systems and 32 distributed antennas ensures faster 5A connectivity. It supports Tiantong satellite communication and Beidou satellite messaging, ensuring connectivity anywhere in the world. The Mobile Security Processor, combined with an independent security chip, enables post-quantum cryptography algorithm detection and has passed EAL5+ CCRC security certification, providing dual protection for personal data and assets.

Ultimate Technology: A Masterpiece of Innovation for Peace of Mind

The industry’s first foldable Smart Shield Privacy Screen is now available, marking the first time hardware-level privacy protection is achieved on a foldable device. It features an independent dual-pixel design, ensuring consistent screen resolution before and after activating Privacy mode, maintaining a clear front-facing view. With intelligent sensing capabilities, it provides smart reminders when entering airports or train stations. It also supports elegant activation of Privacy mode through methods such as double-tapping the cover screen or the Smart controls button.

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN is equipped with ECG analysis software and has obtained the NMPA Class II Medical Device Registration Certificate. Users can initiate an ECG measurement by holding the unfolded large screen with both hands. Celia intelligently interprets and analyzes the report, providing thoughtful care.

Ultimate Photography: True-to-Color Camera 3.0, Capturing Every Moment

The HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN undergoes a comprehensive upgrade from optical hardware to computing power. It is the first to feature the True-to-Color Camera 3.0, which effectively filters out infrared light interference, improving color reproduction by 95% compared to the previous generation. It also features an ultra-HDR main camera, ultra-wide aperture periscope telephoto camera, and Ultra-wide angle camera, delivering true-to-life colors, realistic portraits, and clear night shots, with excellent performance at both close and long distances. Video recording supports an ultra-high dynamic range of 18 EV, ensuring outstanding image quality in every frame.

XMAGE SmartCapture has been upgraded to intelligently recognize people, scenery, and food scenes, and supports AIGC real-time previews for clear composition and lighting recommendations. Its unique tri-fold form enables Desk-calendar mode shooting, making it easy to capture warm moments, whether for selfies or group photos.

Ultimate Experience: A Superior Large-Screen Experience

HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN is powered by the new HarmonyOS 7, redefining the large-screen interaction experience. The Live-Multitask capability supports three windows displayed in parallel, with adjustable window sizes and independent volume control. This large-screen experience covers core scenarios such as financial management, social entertainment, smart office, shopping comparison, and travel guides. Furthermore, it has been deeply adapted to leading industry apps, continuously driving innovation in the tri-fold large-screen ecosystem.

HUAWEI Mate XT 2 | ULTIMATE DESIGN starts at RMB 19,999 and will be available for purchase along with a stylus set, with official sales beginning at 10:08 on September 12^th.

Hashtag: #Huawei

As the industry rewires around electronics and software, Malaysia is trying to move from assembling cars to making the higher-value parts inside them, and to carry its own companies up the supply chain as it does.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – The global automotive industry is undergoing one of its most significant transformations in decades, and Malaysia is preparing for its next chapter. The vehicle of the future will not be defined by its engine or its bodywork. It is becoming a combination of semiconductors, electronics, software, sensors and batteries, more connected, electrified and intelligent than anything before it. The question facing Malaysia, a country that has assembled cars for half a century, is whether its own companies can evolve at the same pace.

For the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), the agency that courts and screens industrial investment, the answer cannot simply be to attract more capital or build more vehicles. Its aim is to create deeper value: stronger technological capabilities, skilled talent, and Malaysian companies embedded more firmly in regional and global supply chains.

Beyond Traditional Manufacturing

Malaysia has spent decades building an automotive and manufacturing base, with established capabilities in electrical and electronics and in semiconductors. The task now, in MIDA’s view, is to connect those strengths and steer investment toward the technologies that will define the next generation of mobility: automotive electronics, power systems, battery technology, advanced sensors, vehicle control systems, charging infrastructure and the software behind connected and automated vehicles.

The foundation is substantial. From 2017 through the first half of 2026, Malaysia approved RM71.7 billion, about US$16.9 billion, in investments across 745 projects in the transportation equipment sector, expected to generate over 59,000 jobs. That momentum has carried into this year. That momentum has carried into this year.

In the first half of 2026 alone, the country approved RM218.5 billion, about US$49 billion, in investments overall, almost 12 per cent more than a year earlier, with foreign investors accounting for RM126.9 billion of the total, an increase of more than 18 per cent. What MIDA says it is chasing now is not scale but depth, and the difference shows in the kind of work arriving.

“We are no longer measuring success by the size of the investment alone,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, the Chief Executive Officer of MIDA. “The RM218.5 billion we approved in just the first half of this year shows the confidence investors have in Malaysia, but the real test is what that investment leaves behind: the technology transferred, the talent built, and the number of Malaysian companies drawn into global supply chains. That is where the next chapter will be won, in the depth of the value we create, not simply the volume of what we attract.”

Deepening Localisation, Strengthening Local Suppliers

Consider Mazda. The Japanese carmaker has maintained a long-standing presence in Malaysia through its partnership with Bermaz Auto, with local assembly providing an important foundation for expanding its manufacturing and supply-chain footprint in the country. In 2026, Mazda moved to deepen that presence through the local assembly of the All-New Mazda CX-5, with a targeted 60 per cent localisation level. The programme represents an important step in strengthening Malaysia’s role as a regional manufacturing and export base for Mazda.

The significance of Mazda’s commitment lies as much in what it creates for Malaysian companies as in the vehicles themselves. The localisation of the All-New CX-5 provides a platform for Malaysian automotive suppliers to participate more deeply in Mazda’s supply chain, while creating opportunities for technology transfer, capability development and stronger industrial linkages between Malaysian and Japanese companies. In this context, localisation is not simply about increasing the percentage of locally sourced components, but about developing effective and higher-value local capabilities that can compete within regional and global automotive supply chains.

This is where MIDA has concentrated its efforts. Through the MIDA–Mazda Strategic Vendor Development and Supply Chain Programme in Hiroshima, Japan, from 19–25 July 2026, MIDA, together with Bermaz Auto, Mazda Malaysia and Mazda Motor Corporation, brought 16 Malaysian automotive vendors from sectors including chassis and suspension, stamping, precision machining, plastic injection moulding, cockpit modules, seating systems and insulation components to engage with Mazda and its Japanese supply-chain partners. The programme resulted in the exchange of five Memorandums of Understanding between Malaysian and Japanese companies, creating concrete opportunities to support the localisation of the All-New Mazda CX-5.

For Malaysia, the deeper significance of Mazda’s commitment therefore lies not only in the vehicles assembled locally, but in the industrial ecosystem developing around them. Each localisation project, supplier partnership and technology collaboration strengthens Malaysia’s automotive manufacturing capabilities and creates opportunities for Malaysian vendors to move into higher-value activities. More importantly, Mazda’s commitment to Malaysia as an ASEAN export hub provides a platform for local companies to integrate into regional supply chains and reinforces Malaysia’s position as a competitive and increasingly sophisticated automotive manufacturing base.

From Tier Two, Upward

If Mazda is the carmaker whose deepening presence lifts others, Pecca Group is a Malaysian company climbing on its own. For a quarter of a century, Pecca has cut and stitched the leather that lines the seats of the cars Malaysians drive, supplying the national marques and the Japanese carmakers as a Tier-2 supplier, essential work that rarely commands the highest margins. It has never treated that as its ceiling.

Listed on the Main Board of Bursa Malaysia since 2016 and employing some 800 people, the company is working toward Tier-1 status through seat assembly, and has carried its craft into aviation, manufacturing and refurbishing aircraft cabin interiors under European airworthiness approval for customers from the United States to Australia and the Gulf. “We have been a Tier-2 supplier for twenty-five years, and we are ready for the next chapter,” said Foo Ken Nee, Chief Executive Officer of Pecca Group. “Moving up the value chain is how a Malaysian company like ours grows alongside the industry rather than beneath it.” Pecca is one of several Malaysian firms, alongside names such as PMB Aluminium, Tomcare Resources and Xenso Tech, whose capabilities are increasingly worth putting before the world.

A Different Measure of Success

The next stage of Malaysia’s industrial development, MIDA argues, will require relationships that go beyond the traditional buyer and supplier model, with local companies drawn earlier into product development and, over time, designing and engineering for international markets. Multinationals bring technology, global networks and market access; Malaysian firms bring manufacturing depth and, increasingly, their own engineering. The task is to bring those strengths together.

“Malaysia has assembled the world’s cars for fifty years, and we are grateful for it,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul. “But our ambition now is larger. We want the next generation of vehicles to carry Malaysian technology, Malaysian engineering and Malaysian companies within them, not just Malaysian hands on the line. That is the future we are building toward, and the investments arriving today tell us it is within reach.”

Ultimately, the country’s success in this phase will not be measured by the number of investments secured, but by the depth of the value created: more Malaysian companies in the higher-value segments of the mobility chain, supplying global carmakers and developing technology, and more multinationals deepening their footprint here through research, engineering and supplier development. Malaysia has the industrial foundation, the electronics and automotive expertise, the talent and access to a growing ASEAN market. The challenge now is to connect those strengths more deeply, so that as the industry enters its next generation, the country is not simply along for the ride, but helping to build the road ahead.

https://www.mida.gov.my/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/malaysian-investment-development-authority/
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https://www.instagram.com/officialmida/

Hashtag: #mida #automotive #industry #investment #business #electronics #manufacturing

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 September 2026 – As global demand for sustainable solutions accelerates amid geopolitical uncertainty, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) and intensifying climate-related challenges, Hong Kong is strengthening its position as a leading international platform for Chinese mainland green technology and sustainability enterprises seeking to go global, according to Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK).

The Global Head of Financial Services, FinTech and Sustainability at InvestHK, Mr King Leung, said the convergence of three far-reaching global trends has created unprecedented opportunities for Chinese green technology companies to enter international markets.

The first is geopolitical volatility. Conflict in the Middle East disrupted critical oil supply chains and sent energy prices into sharp fluctuation, prompting governments and companies to accelerate the energy transition and diversify supply risk. The second is the AI wave, whose immense computing demands are driving a staggering appetite for electricity and spurring rapid innovation across the entire ecosystem, from data centres and energy storage facilities to clean energy technologies. The third is extreme heat: this summer’s unprecedented heat waves pushed temperatures in parts of Europe above 40°C, prompting Eurostar to announce that its next generation of trains must be equipped with air-conditioning systems capable of operating at 55°C to meet operating demands in the decades ahead.

“Green technology and sustainability carry lower geopolitical sensitivity than many other sectors and remain a blue-ocean field with vast untapped potential,” said Leung. “Against this backdrop, mainland enterprises have built formidable competitive advantages across energy storage, solar power, wind energy, circular economy solutions, electric vehicles and hydrogen technologies — in both technical sophistication and cost competitiveness. This is a window for them to showcase their technology, brands and even Chinese green standards to the world, and Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to help transform these strengths into international growth opportunities.”

Morgan Stanley’s 2026 Sustainable Signals survey shows that 92 percent of individual investors worldwide have an interest in sustainable investing, a figure that continues to reach new highs, underscoring how firmly sustainability has secured its place among the most closely watched investment themes globally.

Leung noted that Hong Kong’s role as a “super-connector” and “super value-adder” has become increasingly vital in helping mainland enterprises navigate international expansion. “Hong Kong provides far more than capital. From identifying untapped markets and matching the right enterprises with the right destinations and strategic partners, to building relationships and providing sustained support, we connect enterprises with the markets, partners, professional services and international networks essential for successful overseas growth,” he said.

In June, InvestHK led its first New Energy and Sustainability Business Mission to the United Kingdom, jointly organised with the UK Department for Business and Trade. The delegation brought together 25 companies spanning battery and energy storage, renewable energy and hydrogen, smart electric vehicle infrastructure, advanced materials and AI. Approximately half of the participating companies were from the Chinese mainland and seeking international expansion opportunities, while the remainder were innovators from Hong Kong and overseas — a composition that in itself reflects Hong Kong’s role as the pivotal hub of a two-way green investment corridor.

The two-week programme across London, Edinburgh and Aberdeen delivered results that exceeded expectations. A post-mission survey found that more than 80 percent of participating companies planned to expand their UK operations within the next two years, with over half already moving to quantify their investment commitments in concrete terms. Beyond the “go-global” dimension, UK companies also expressed keen interest in conducting green technology research and development and establishing intellectual property in Hong Kong while leveraging the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area for large-scale production. The Northern Metropolis, too, has caught their attention as an area to watch, further validating Hong Kong’s positioning as a two-way investment platform connecting the nation with international markets.

Leung highlighted Hong Kong’s mature green finance ecosystem as a distinctive advantage in mobilising patient capital at scale. The city’s green and sustainable bond issuances have topped the Asian league table for eight consecutive years; in 2025, approximately US$40 billion in related bonds were arranged in Hong Kong, representing around 40 percent of Asia’s total. As of the first quarter of 2026, Hong Kong was home to 190 environmental, social and governance (ESG) funds recognised by the Securities and Futures Commission, with assets under management reaching US$139.1 billion.

“Hong Kong is not only a capital marketplace; it is also an incubator and accelerator for green technology, where innovations can be commercialised, scaled and introduced to global investors,” Leung said. He noted that one mainland energy storage system solution provider in the UK delegation is, with InvestHK’s support, currently undertaking early-stage international market engagement ahead of a planned listing in Hong Kong.

A further advantage that sets Hong Kong apart is its ability to help internationalise China’s leading green technologies and standards. Backed by an internationally recognised legal framework, a robust intellectual property protection regime and world-class professional services, the city offers a rich variety of internationally credible settings — from fully integrated circular economy models spanning electronics recycling through to retail, to photovoltaic vacuum glass panels on the façades of high-rise buildings, and the refining of waste cooking oil into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

“By leveraging Hong Kong’s international connectivity, IP protection and trusted business environment, we are steadily building a compelling narrative around Chinese green standards and telling the story of Chinese green innovation to the world,” Leung said.

As geopolitical, regulatory and operational uncertainty deepens, safeguarding corporate interests during the go-global journey remains a key concern for enterprises. To support them, InvestHK will organise a series of practical go-global workshops, bringing in professional services providers from the banking, insurance and advisory sectors to share the latest market intelligence and practical guidance from a risk management perspective, helping companies prepare for the range of contingencies they may encounter. In parallel, InvestHK will lead another sustainability-focused business delegation to Canada in September, extending the reach of Hong Kong’s two-way green investment platform even further afield.

Leung said mainland green technology and sustainability enterprises have made enormous strides in research, innovation and manufacturing and are, in many respects, already ahead of the curve globally. “InvestHK will continue to press forward on investment attraction and promotion, connecting these outstanding enterprises with the right capital, markets and ecosystems,” he said. “With Hong Kong serving as the showcase window, we will help bring the country’s most compelling green growth stories to the global stage, one by one.”

Hashtag: #InvestHK

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 1 September 2026 – Voicecomm International Ltd. (“Voicecomm International” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 2495.HK), a leading provider of full‑stack trustworthy interactive AI solutions in China, announced its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026. Revenue reached RMB 647 million, up 35.1% year‑on‑year, while profit attributable to shareholders rose 25.8% to RMB 94 million, sustaining strong growth momentum.

Platform Launch and Scenario Deployment Accelerate Commercialisation
In June 2026, the Company officially launched its enterprise‑grade intelligent agent development platform “VocSageX”. Built on the “Voicecomm Brain” foundation, the platform integrates large language models and knowledge graphs, and embodies a three‑tier architecture of “multimodal perception, multi‑model reasoning, and multi‑agent collaboration”, enabling enterprises to build customised agents with low entry barriers. It natively incorporates compliance mechanisms including data isolation, permission controls, log auditing, and content review, meeting the stringent requirements of sectors such as finance, government affairs, and healthcare.

Based on this platform, a number of benchmark projects have been delivered across key verticals:

Transportation – Revenue from the transportation segment grew 73.6% year‑on‑year. The Company won the bid for the smart port autonomous driving shuttle project at Ezhou Huahu Airport, Asia’s first dedicated cargo hub airport, which was delivered in April 2026. Previously, at the Mianyang National Autonomous Driving Testing Base, the Company had accumulated over 209,000 km of operation with six regular routes. This project marked the successful expansion of its autonomous driving capabilities from urban roads to airport hubs.

Healthcare – The segment achieved breakthrough growth. The Company secured the nearly RMB 300 million “South Sichuan Smart Valley” Silver Economy project in Neijiang, Sichuan – its first city‑level flagship project in the “AI+elderly care” space. Adopting a closed‑loop model combining “online platforms+offline service networks+in‑home terminals”, it aims to build a “15‑minute elderly care service circle”, laying a foundation for nationwide replication.

Government Affairs – Revenue from the government segment rose 25.7% year‑on‑year. Together with Chongqing Telecom, the Company built the “Yuzhenan” integrated earthquake prevention and disaster mitigation platform, aggregating data from 774 seismic stations and 35 categories of cross‑departmental government information. The platform delivers end‑to‑end intelligent services covering second‑level early warnings, minute‑level rapid reporting, rapid disaster assessment, and emergency command support. To date, the Company’s government agent has been deployed in over 130 prefecture‑level cities, serving more than 170 million people.

Finance – Revenue remained broadly flat year‑on‑year, holding steady. The “Financial Services Agent” operates as a 24/7 “digital employee” across channels such as telephone banking, autonomously handling transaction processing, precision marketing, identity verification, customer notifications, and business consultations. It also provides AI‑powered training by simulating real‑world business scenarios, enhancing service quality and operational efficiency for financial institutions.

Telecommunications – Revenue from the telecom segment jumped 124.1% year‑on‑year, driven by continued deepening of cooperation with telecom operators and partners. The “Telecom Services Agent” serves as an intelligent middle platform that empowers operators by autonomously understanding and predicting users’ multi‑scenario communication and management needs, delivering high‑intelligence services at lower deployment and maintenance costs, while jointly exploring new commercial scenarios with operators.

Energy – The Company delivered a user‑side electricity sales decision support system in Qinghai. Leveraging an intelligent algorithm library, it enables multi‑period spot price and load forecasting, supports diversified trading strategy generation, and forms a closed loop covering data collection, market analysis, volume/price forecasting, trading decisions, and settlement management – demonstrating the ability to build end‑to‑end AI decision systems in complex vertical industries.

Technological Innovation and Ecosystem Partnership Strengthen Industry Position
On the technology front, the Company’s joint lab with Shanghai Jiao Tong University saw its ReSON method accepted at ICASSP 2026, a top international conference on speech signal processing; its proprietary product “Zhitu” obtained Huawei Ascend certification; and it received the First Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress from the Shanghai Computer Society, was named among Wuhan’s first batch of leading AI enterprises, and was listed in Forbes China AI Top 50 for the third consecutive year – the only conversational AI company selected.

In terms of ecosystem, the Company signed a strategic partnership with IT Park Dushanbe in Tajikistan in May 2026 to establish a “Digital Talent Innovation Centre”, expanding into Central Asian markets. It also signed a cooperation agreement with Huawei Cloud to jointly advance the development of a trustworthy AI and industry agent ecosystem.

Strategic Outlook: Platform‑Driven, Focusing on Three Core Leaps
Going forward, the Company remains committed to its positioning as a “full‑stack trustworthy AI operator with city‑scale delivery capabilities”. Driven by the”VocSageX”platform as its core engine, it will pursue three major strategic leaps: embed security and compliance into a standardised “trust foundation” on the technology side; accelerate the transformation from project‑based delivery to platform‑based operations on the product side; and rapidly replicate the end‑to‑end capabilities from benchmark projects to similar cities and industries on the market side, while leveraging Central Asia as a springboard to expand into Belt and Road markets. Through the virtuous cycle of technology and commercialisation, the Company will continue to solidify its competitive advantages and create long‑term value for customers, shareholders, and society.

Hashtag: #VoicecommInternationalLtd.

About Voicecomm International Ltd.