Source: Environmental Protection Authority

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is seeking feedback on a proposal to amend the Graphic Materials Group Standard 2020, following a request from the New Zealand Toy Distributors Association and the Australian Toy Association.

Group standards set rules for managing groups of hazardous substances with similar characteristics or uses. The Graphic Materials Group Standard applies to art materials like paints and crayons that are imported or made in New Zealand, particularly products used by children.

The proposal aims to clarify and make it easier to comply with the group standard while continuing to manage risks in line with recognised overseas regulators.

Dr Shaun Presow, Manager Hazardous Substances Reassessments, says “The main change we are proposing is removing pens, pencils, and similar products from the standard because they pose a negligible risk to children.”

Safeguards will remain in place as these products are covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act and the Fair-Trading Act.

Dr Presow says, “We are also proposing to reduce the age definition for children under the group standard. We welcome feedback on what age people consider appropriate, noting that studies show children are at much lower risk from graphic materials once they are around eight years old.”

We propose updating wording in the group standard to clarify that products with hazardous ingredients still need to follow the group standard rules, even if the products themselves are not classified as hazardous.

The EPA is looking for feedback on element leaching limits and on a number of other proposed changes as well.

“We want to hear from iwi/hapū representatives, importers and manufacturers, researchers, parents and people in charge of children, and anyone with an interest in art materials and this proposal. We’ll use this feedback to help decide what changes should be made,” says Dr Presow.

Public consultation opens on 29 July and closes on 29 September 2026.

Find out more and have your say: https://www.epa.govt.nz/public-consultations/open-consultations/proposed-amendments-to-the-graphic-materials-group-standard/

MIL OSI

Newly opened Dunearn Village store offers free appraisals of gold, jewelry, luxury watches, and branded goods

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 July 2026 – Nota Sign, the global e-signature platform of Fadada (Shenzhen Fadada Internet Technology Company Limited), has officially integrated with iAM Smart, Hong Kong’s official digital identity platform. The integration connects cross-border electronic signatures with Hong Kong’s digital identity ecosystem, providing government bodies, businesses and individuals across the Greater Bay Area with a secure, compliant and one-stop digital signing solution.

As Hong Kong continues to advance its digital government infrastructure, iAM Smart has become an important gateway connecting public services with digital commercial services. By the first quarter of 2026, the iAM Smart mobile application had recorded more than 10 million cumulative downloads and connected users to over 1,400 online services and electronic forms provided by government departments, public organisations and private institutions.

Through its integration with this digital identity ecosystem, Nota Sign has further strengthened its local digital signing capabilities in Hong Kong.

Designed to support electronic signature and data privacy requirements in more than 100 countries and regions, Nota Sign complies with major international regulatory frameworks, including the EU eIDAS Regulation, the US ESIGN Act, Hong Kong’s Electronic Transactions Ordinance and the GDPR.

The platform has completed ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701 certifications, as well as SOC 2 Type I and Type II audits. It supports local digital identity systems in markets including Hong Kong and Singapore and operates data centres in key regions worldwide to meet data localisation requirements, fulfilling its commitment to “Sign with Global Trust.”

Through its deep integration with iAM Smart, Nota Sign enables both corporate and individual users to complete trusted identity verification and legally valid digital signatures using their iAM Smart accounts.

The integration connects Nota Sign directly with Hong Kong’s official digital identity infrastructure and further embeds the platform into the city’s digital government ecosystem. It provides government organisations, businesses and individuals in the Greater Bay Area, particularly those in Hong Kong, with a safer, more efficient and standardised one-stop digital signing solution.

01 Seamless Integration with Hong Kong’s Official Authentication Framework

Developed by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, iAM Smart is a one-stop digital identity authentication platform. Its compliant digital signing framework is established in accordance with Hong Kong’s Electronic Transactions Ordinance.

The platform serves as a key gateway through which Hong Kong residents and businesses access digital government and commercial services. It provides trusted identity verification, encrypted security and fully traceable records and is widely used across public service applications, commercial transactions and identity verification scenarios.

The integration brings together the core capabilities of iAM Smart and Nota Sign. Hong Kong users can authorise access to Nota Sign with one click using their iAM Smart accounts, eliminating repeated registration and data entry and significantly simplifying identity verification during cross-border signing processes.

Users can also verify their identities through iAM Smart and use Nota Sign to sign contracts, commercial documents and official records online. Data is encrypted throughout the process, all actions are recorded and signing activities remain fully traceable, helping ensure that the resulting signatures meet applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

02 Supporting Four High-Frequency Scenarios with Digital Signing at Users’ Fingertips

For users, the integration between Nota Sign and iAM Smart creates a more convenient and trusted digital signing experience for both businesses and individuals.

Whether handling local transactions in Hong Kong, collaborating across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area or conducting cross-border commercial activities, users can reduce repeated identity checks, paper document circulation and in-person procedures, improving both operational efficiency and the overall digital service experience.

Nota Sign supports a wide range of high-frequency signing scenarios, including business operations, financial services, human resources, commercial collaboration and personal affairs. Typical applications include the following:

1. Commercial Collaboration

Nota Sign can be used for local Hong Kong business activities and cross-border collaboration across the Greater Bay Area, including supply chain coordination, procurement transactions and service partnerships.

Businesses can initiate cooperation agreements, procurement contracts, service agreements, supply chain reconciliation confirmations and other commercial documents through Nota Sign.

Signatories can then use iAM Smart to complete identity authentication and digital signing, improving business collaboration efficiency and delivering a smoother signing experience.

2. Talent and Human Resources Management

For cross-regional employment, businesses can initiate online signing processes for offer letters, employment contracts, confidentiality agreements, non-compete agreements and overseas or cross-border assignment documents.

Employees can authenticate their identities and sign digitally through iAM Smart, allowing onboarding documentation to be completed entirely online. This reduces the costs associated with manual identity verification and paper document circulation while improving the efficiency of human resources management.

3. Financial and Corporate Services

Nota Sign can support digital processes involving account opening, insurance applications, wealth management and corporate services.

Businesses can embed iAM Smart’s identity authentication capabilities into Nota Sign signing workflows. Once customers have completed identity verification, they can immediately sign account-opening agreements, authorisation documents, service agreements and other materials.

This reduces repeated authentication and duplicate data entry, providing customers with a smoother and more efficient online service experience.

4. Personal Affairs

Hong Kong residents can use iAM Smart to verify their identities and sign digitally when entering into tenancy agreements, granting personal authorisations or handling cross-border mandates.

Users no longer need to repeatedly enter their identity details or attend multiple in-person verification appointments. This improves the efficiency of a wide range of digital processes and makes signing more convenient and intuitive.

Huang Xiang, Founder and CEO of Fadada, said that the integration with iAM Smart represents an important strategic step in Nota Sign’s continued development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It also strengthens the platform’s local compliance service ecosystem and regional service capabilities.

Nota Sign previously established a partnership with Digi-Sign, the first commercial recognised certification authority under Hong Kong’s Tradelink.

Overseas users who do not have an iAM Smart account can use Tradelink iD-One, together with passport-based electronic Know Your Customer verification, to complete identity verification and apply for a digital certificate.

Following the integration with iAM Smart, Hong Kong residents can now complete identity authentication and digital signing directly through their iAM Smart accounts.

These two identity verification channels serve different user groups and further strengthen Nota Sign’s identity authentication network in Hong Kong.

Looking ahead, Nota Sign will continue to leverage its mature cross-border signing technology and compliance framework to provide reliable digital signing infrastructure for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas, Hong Kong and Macao businesses entering the Chinese mainland, and cross-border industrial collaboration across the Greater Bay Area.

Through these capabilities, Nota Sign aims to establish a leading cross-border electronic signing platform rooted in the Greater Bay Area and serving organisations worldwide.

About Nota Sign

Nota Sign is Fadada’s global electronic signature platform. It is designed to support electronic signature and data privacy requirements in more than 100 countries and regions and complies with regulatory frameworks including the EU eIDAS Regulation, the US ESIGN Act, Hong Kong’s Electronic Transactions Ordinance and the GDPR.

The platform integrates with dozens of recognised overseas certification authorities and provides electronic signature solutions at multiple assurance levels.

Nota Sign has completed ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701 certifications, as well as a SOC 2 Type I audit. It operates data centres in key regions worldwide to meet data localisation requirements and supports localised signing services such as Singapore’s Singpass.

The platform has also introduced a GxP-compliant electronic signature solution designed to meet international regulatory requirements, including FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11.

Powered by a legal-specific large language model, Nota Sign provides artificial intelligence capabilities such as intelligent contract review and multilingual document comparison.

It also supports integration with mainstream enterprise systems, including Salesforce and SAP, significantly shortening cross-border signing cycles and helping businesses “Sign with Global Trust.”

Contact Us

Fadada
www.notasign.com
zenglc@fadada.com

Hashtag: #FaDaDa #NotaSign

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Island Innovation

27 July, 2026: The Virtual Island Summit (VIS), the premier free online conference for island communities worldwide, will return on 15-17 September 2026.

Now in its eighth year, VIS marks a significant shift from previous editions. The three-day event will follow a narrative arc, with each day building on the last and programming spanning time zones from the Pacific to the Caribbean so audiences everywhere can join live at times that work for them.

• Day 1, Adapt to Change, looks at how island communities are responding to conditions that have already shifted, from decarbonising marine transport and adapting to coastal erosion, to the generational knowledge and ocean governance practices that have sustained island communities for decades.
• Day 2, Transform Systems, examines the models and mechanisms already reshaping island futures: rethinking tourism before pressures become irreversible, turning waste into a circular local economy, reviving indigenous languages, and building food sovereignty in the face of import dependence.
• Day 3, Mobilise Action, turns to what moves people, capital and political will: the funding structures, coalitions and leadership approaches that turn plans into results.

The event is free to attend and open to the public, continuing the Summit’s commitment to accessible, Zero-Carbon knowledge sharing between islanders and global partners alike.

“The Virtual Island Summit is our flagship online event and we are proud to deliver a high-level knowledge-sharing platform that puts islands at the heart of global discussions,” said James Ellsmoor, Chief Executive Officer of Island Innovation. “The Summit highlights islands not simply as places facing shared challenges, but as places developing practical solutions with relevance far beyond their own shores. This year we are evolving the format to reflect how island communities actually work through challenges: understanding the problem, finding what works, and mobilising the resources to scale it. We want attendees to leave VIS 2026 with a clearer sense of where islands stand and what comes next.”

The first confirmed speakers for VIS 2026 include heads of government and senior policy leaders such as:

• Lourdes Leon Guerrero, Governor of Guam;
• Feleti Penitala Teo, Prime Minister, Government of Tuvalu;
• Cora Richardson-Hodge, Premier of the Government of Anguilla;
• Albert Bryan, Governor of the US Virgin Islands
• Jache Adams, Minister of Public Works and the Environment, Government of Bermuda;
• Hannah Mary Goodlad, MSP for Shetland Islands & Minister for Public Finance, Scottish Government;
• Chris Lee, Senator, Hawaii State
• Kalani Kaʻanāʻanā, Chief Executive Officer, Hawai’i Green Growth
• Rachel Kyte, UK Special Representative for Climate;
• Chris Elmore, MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Multilateral, Human Rights, Latin America and the Caribbean at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
• Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, President of the Corsican Assembly & President of the Islands Commission of the Conference of Peripheral Maritime Regions (CPMR)

They are joined by researchers, educators and sector experts including:

• Dr Dai-Yeun Jeong, Director of the Asia Climate Change Education Center;
• Maria Ackrén, Director of the Stefansson Arctic Institute;
• Laurie Brinklow, Chair, Institute of Island Studies, University of Prince Edward Island, University of Prince Edward Island;
• Peter Van Aert, Researcher and Teacher at the Institute of Culture, Society and State, National University of Tierra del Fuego;
• Chalapan Kaluwin, Director of Momis Ocean and Climate Research institute & Dean of School of Sustainable Resources Management & Business Studies, PNG University of Natural Resources and Environment;
• Olly Newton, Executive Director of The Edge Foundation.

Additional speakers will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Previous editions have brought together heads of state, ministers, and senior practitioners from over 500 island communities across the Caribbean, Pacific, Atlantic, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, and beyond, drawing more than 10,000 attendees.

All sessions will be available free of charge. Registration is now open at islandinnovation.co/events/virtual-island-summit-2026.

MIL OSI

Award-winning Philippine digital marketing agency reinforces its proprietary growth framework with EOS to help finance, real estate, and ecommerce brands achieve sustainable business growth through greater operational discipline and experimentation.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

https://www.alpropharmacy.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/alpro-pharmacy/
https://www.facebook.com/alpropharmacy
https://www.instagram.com/alpropharmacy.official
Nitori Website: https://www.nitori.my/
Nitori Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nitorimalaysia
Nitori Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nitorimalaysia

Hashtag: #AlproGroup #AlproPharmacy #Nitori #AlproxNitori #SleepHealth #HealthyLivingStartsAtHome

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI

Retains Fastest, Best Fixed Broadband and Top-Rated Network
Earns Hong Kong’s Most Consistent Fixed Network recognition for the first time

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – HKT’s (SEHK: 6823) Netvigator has once again secured six top honours from the renowned global independent connectivity intelligence leader, Ookla^®‘s Speedtest^®, including Fastest and Best Fixed Network in the newly released first-half 2026 report. For the first time, it was also recognised as Hong Kong’s Most Consistent Fixed Network^*, further cementing its position as a leading broadband service provider in Hong Kong and across the East Asia region.

Following its sweep of six Ookla^® Speedtest^® awards in the second half of 2025, Netvigator has once again earned a series of fixed broadband accolades, demonstrating its high-speed, reliability, ultra-low-latency, and seamless network performance.

Ookla^® Speedtest^® awards for the first half of 2026:

• Fastest Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Best Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Best Fixed Gaming Network in Hong Kong
• Top-Rated Fixed Network in Hong Kong
• Fastest Fixed Network in East Asia
• Best Fixed Network in East Asia

Bruce Lam, CEO, Consumer, HKT, said, “Netvigator is committed to enhancing our network quality and user experience. Winning six awards again and being recognised as the Most Consistent Fixed Network in Hong Kong clearly reflects our dedication to providing reliable, low-latency connectivity for the public. Modern families expect more from their networks than just speed. Netvigator’s F5G‑A Super Broadband^{^}, Hong Kong’s first and only fibre network compliant with the F5G-A standard^@, delivers stable support for network-intensive AI applications, meeting the rapidly growing network demands of AI, empowering users to adopt and keep pace with evolving AI technologies, while also supporting bandwidth-intensive applications such as high-resolution streaming. This enables multiple family members to binge-watch, play online games, or work in the cloud at the same time. With a next-generation fibre network that meets international standards, Netvigator is setting a new benchmark for ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency and highly reliable fixed network in Hong Kong, enabling Hong Kong to master the AI era. We will continue to elevate our service quality to deliver a faster, more stable, and smarter digital experiences for our customers.”

Ricky Kwong, Head of Fixed Network Engineering, HKT and CEO, Fiber Link Global, said, “With the rapid emergence of various AI applications, the demand for stable, high-speed and low-latency networks is growing at an unprecedented pace. HKT has been committed to enhancing network performance. In addition to our F5G-A standard-compliant fibre network^@, which continues to expand, we are actively upgrading our network through technological innovation, including the use of AI for real-time traffic monitoring and resource optimisation, ensuring a more seamless, smooth, and reliable network experience for our customers.”

Ookla^® Speedtest^® has long been widely referenced across the telecommunications industry. The sample data is drawn from over ten million tests conducted globally by actual users in real-world network environments. The results evaluate operators’ performance in terms of network speed, stability and overall user experience across various usage scenarios, making it one of the world’s most widely adopted and trusted platforms for measuring internet speed.

^*The recognition is based on Ookla® Speedtest Intelligence® data, measuring the percentage of users achieving minimum speeds of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload compared with other providers in Hong Kong
^{^} Super Broadband refers to the Netvigator fibre broadband service plan that meets the ETSI F5G-A standard. As of 31 May 2026, HKT’s fixed broadband has met the ETSI F5G-A standard in the fibre networks of 57,000 designated buildings. 2500M Fibre-to-the-Home plans correspond to a maximum upstream and downstream bandwidth of 2500Mbps respectively. Actual speed experienced using the Service will be less than the network specifications and may be affected by your device, technology, network and software used, network configuration and coverage, usage levels, international bandwidth and other extraneous factors. 2500M Fibre-to-the Home plans depend on the support of the end device.
^@ According to the public market information of major telecommunications service providers in Hong Kong as of 2 August, 2024, Netvigator is the first network in Hong Kong to meet the F5G-A standard in designated buildings. As of 20 July 2026, based on publicly available information, no other telecommunications service provider in Hong Kong has announced compliance with the ETSI F5G-A standard apart from HKT.

Hashtag: #HKT

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI

• Novum Studio has raised a new round of funding to launch Ahoy Project, its enterprise AI solution, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.
• Ahoy Project is positioned as the infrastructure for AI-native enterprise transformation – an AI-native communication platform serving as the underlying system, delivered as an end-to-end tailored solution.
• The launch expands the company beyond Frog, its Gen Z consumer social app that has reached 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe.
• Novum Studio said it is applying lessons from operating high-frequency social platforms at scale to workplace communication and knowledge systems.

NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 July 2026 – Novum Studio, the company behind Frog – a Gen Z social app often described as a “new-generation Snapchat” – said it has raised a new round of funding and will use the proceeds to launch Ahoy Project, an AI-native enterprise communication and collaboration platform, with internal testing scheduled for July 2026.

Unlike conventional workplace software, Ahoy Project will not be sold as a standalone software subscription, the company said. Novum Studio provides the infrastructure and a full tailored solution for enterprises undergoing AI-native transformation, with the communication platform serving as the underlying system on which that transformation is built.

Founded as a consumer social company, Novum Studio has reached more than 20 million users across the U.S. and Europe. Frog gained traction among younger users through spontaneous, real-time sharing designed around authenticity and low-pressure interaction. The company said its experience building large-scale social “spaces” – where millions of people communicate, form groups and coordinate in real time — directly informs its approach to enterprise collaboration.

The new funding will support the launch and international expansion of the enterprise business as artificial intelligence reshapes how organizations communicate, collaborate and operate, the company said.

Novum Studio was founded by Anna Danyi, who graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in 2018 and began her career in consulting and technology. Before founding Novum Studio, she built multiple consumer applications and exited through an acquisition. In 2025, Forbes China recognized her among the Top 100 most influential global Chinese figures in AI digital products area.

“We spent years understanding how millions of users communicate online,” Anna Danyi said. “In the AI era, communication itself is becoming intelligent. We believe the next generation of platforms will not only connect people — they will understand workflows, collaboration and organizational behavior.”

From Consumer Social to Enterprise AI

Modern organizations face growing challenges as critical knowledge, decisions and workflows become fragmented across chats, meetings and disconnected tools, the company said. Ahoy Project addresses this as a conversation-driven, AI-native collaboration layer: it captures context from day-to-day communication to build a searchable enterprise knowledge base and support workflow coordination.

Core capabilities include conversation-based knowledge organization, AI-assisted collaboration and workflow support integrated directly into team communication. Because the platform sits at the layer where work is discussed and decided, it can serve as the foundation for a broader AI-native operating model – with Novum Studio designing and delivering the surrounding transformation solution for each enterprise client.

A New Direction for Social Technology

Novum Studio said its expansion reflects a broader shift across the technology industry. Platforms such as TikTok and Instagram defined how content was distributed and consumed in the mobile social era; as AI becomes embedded in digital products, the company believes the next stage will center less on feeds and more on intelligent systems that understand communication and coordination.

“We are no longer just building products where people post content,” Anna Danyi said. “We are building systems that understand how humans communicate and operate together.”

Hashtag: #NovumStudio #AhoyProject #Frog

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Consumer NZ says shoppers could save money on dishwasher detergents without sacrificing cleaning performance, after new testing found little connection between price and results.

Consumer NZ tested 26 dishwasher detergents, including tablets, capsules and powders, and found some lower-priced products matched the performance of detergents costing significantly more.

Head of Product at Consumer NZ Joe Slater says the findings challenge the assumption that paying more guarantees cleaner dishes.

“We’ve found shoppers don’t necessarily need to spend top dollar to get excellent cleaning results. Some relatively inexpensive products delivered results that were comparable to products costing two or three times as much.”

Traditional dishwasher powders generally offered the lowest cost per wash, with one powder detergent scoring highly while costing around 20 cents per load. By comparison, some premium capsules cost more than $1 per wash.

“If you’re looking to cut household costs, there are genuine savings to be made by choosing carefully,” Slater says.

The testing also identified a clear loser. Exonic Dishwashing Tablets scored just 55 out of 100 overall, struggling across several food stains and falling well behind the majority of products tested.

Consumer NZ found important performance differences depending on the type of food being cleaned.

Rice starch proved particularly challenging, with scores ranging from 30 to 85. Egg yolk was another that separated strong performers from weak ones, while coffee was comparatively easy for most detergents to remove.

Consumer NZ found several New Zealand-made detergents performed strongly, matching or exceeding many well-known international brands.

Beyond cleaning performance, the organisation noted product information and safety labelling, finding some products provided limited advice on first aid, poisons information and recyclability.

Consumer NZ says it’s worth considering overall value rather than assuming the most expensive option is the best choice.

“The message from our testing is simple: check the results before you buy. A higher price tag isn’t a guarantee of cleaner dishes.”

For full test results, visit consumer.org.nz

About Consumer

Consumer NZ is an independent, non-profit organisation dedicated to championing and empowering consumers in Aotearoa. Consumer NZ has a reputation for being fair, impartial and providing comprehensive consumer information and advice.

MIL OSI

Hawkers, cafés and restaurants can claim their pages and set up no-app loyalty and referral programmes at no upfront cost

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 July 2026 – Market research consultancy Alylytiq LLP today announced the launch of Automytiq, a suite of AI-powered research solutions designed to make professional-grade market insights accessible to Singapore’s small and medium-sized enterprises.

For decades, professional market research has been the preserve of large corporates — the only players who could justify studies routinely costing tens of thousands of dollars. SMEs, who arguably have the least room for error, have been left to make market decisions on instinct. AI has now broken that equation. A commissioned study that would typically cost SGD 30,000 can be delivered through Automytiq for around SGD 6,000 — an 80 per cent reduction. The savings come from using AI to automate the most labour-intensive stages of the research process, while Alylytiq’s senior researchers remain in the loop at every stage for interpretation and quality control.

Automytiq is a distinct, productised offering, separate from Alylytiq’s core consulting practice. An Automytiq engagement runs to a standardised scope — sharply defined questions, streamlined fieldwork, and a focused report — which is what makes the lower price point possible. Alylytiq’s bespoke engagements for corporate clients are a different service: fully custom-designed, senior-led from research design through to analysis and strategic recommendation, often spanning multiple markets and methodologies, and priced to reflect that depth. The firm positions Automytiq as extending professional research to businesses that could never access it, not as a repricing of its consulting work.

Automytiq covers the full research cycle through four connected solutions:

Market Intelligence. AI-assisted secondary research that maps an SME’s target market — market size, competitor landscape, and customer trends — drawing on licensed and publicly available data sources.

Guided Brief-to-Proposal. A simple structured questionnaire captures what the business owner wants to learn. Automytiq transforms those answers into a full research proposal, giving SMEs a professionally scoped study without needing in-house research expertise.

Automated Research Design. Approved proposals are converted directly into fieldwork-ready research instruments — discussion guides, screeners, and questionnaires — cutting design time from weeks to days.

Bespoke Story Reporting. Once data is collected, Automytiq translates the raw results into fully customised reports built around a narrative that tells the business what the numbers mean and what to do next — not a template dashboard.

Automytiq has already been deployed in live client work. For SME payments fintech Handshake Finance, Alylytiq used Automytiq to map the company’s target market and competitive landscape, sharpening the focus of its go-to-market efforts. For business consultancy Anton Solutions Group, the platform supported a larger client engagement by delivering insights into financial risk management opportunities across new markets.

Anton Solutions Group, which engaged Alylytiq on a client project, said it was “genuinely impressed” by the firm’s approach. Using AI, a short discovery call, and a focused questionnaire, Alylytiq delivered a comprehensive primary research report within a day, enabling a faster transition into in-depth market analysis. The consultancy added that it looks forward to referring suitable projects to Alylytiq.

“As an early-stage company, every dollar and every week counts. Alylytiq gave us a clear, evidence-based picture of our market, our competition, and the customers we should lead with — and just as importantly, told us which questions still needed real fieldwork to answer. It sharpened decisions we would otherwise have made on instinct, at a price a company our size could actually justify,” said Christopher Chan, Co-Founder of Handshake Finance.

“SMEs make the same high-stakes decisions large corporates do — which market to enter, which customers to serve, where to spend a limited marketing dollar — but they’ve been asked to make them on gut feel because proper research was priced for someone else,” said Wei Shen, Founder and Principal Strategist of Alylytiq.

The launch lands in the middle of a wider debate about whether AI is making professional research obsolete. Alylytiq’s position is that the barrier for SMEs was never just cost — it was expertise: knowing what to ask, how to structure a research question, and how to tell when an answer is wrong.

“Any business owner can ask a chatbot for a market estimate today. The problem is they have no way of telling whether that answer is grounded in real data or invented — and acting on a confident wrong answer costs far more than a study ever would,” said Wei Shen. “That’s why Automytiq isn’t a tool we hand over. Our senior researchers design the questions and validate every output before it reaches the client. The AI changes the economics; the humans protect the answer.”

Automytiq is available to Singapore SMEs now. Businesses can learn more at www.alylytiq.com.

https://www.alylytiq.com/

Hashtag: #Alylytiq

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI

PETALING JAYA, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 July 2026 – LOCUS-T, a leading Malaysian digital marketing agency, has been recognized with four honours at the Advertising + Marketing (A+M) Agency of the Year Awards 2026, reaffirming its position as a trusted digital growth partner for businesses across Malaysia.

The awards were presented during the A+M Agency of the Year Awards gala dinner held on 16 July 2026 at Le Méridien Petaling Jaya.

LOCUS-T received:

• Gold – B2B Agency of the Year
• Local Hero – B2B Agency of the Year
• Silver – Performance Marketing Agency of the Year
• Bronze – Lead Generation Agency of the Year

The recognition reflects the agency’s continued commitment to delivering measurable business outcomes through strategic digital marketing solutions that combine data-driven planning, performance optimization and long-term partnership with clients.

The Gold and Local Hero awards in the B2B Agency of the Year category recognize LOCUS-T’s expertise in helping businesses navigate complex buying journeys, engage decision-makers and generate qualified business opportunities through effective digital marketing strategies.

Meanwhile, the Silver award for Performance Marketing Agency of the Year acknowledges the agency’s ability to develop and optimize campaigns that deliver measurable marketing performance. The Bronze award for Lead Generation Agency of the Year further highlights LOCUS-T’s strength in transforming online visibility into meaningful customer enquiries and business growth.

Commenting on the achievement, Deric Wong, Managing Director of LOCUS-T, said:

“These awards are a meaningful recognition of the trust our clients place in us and the dedication of our team. At LOCUS-T, we believe digital marketing should go beyond delivering campaigns, it should create measurable business growth. Every strategy we develop is guided by data, continuous optimization and a commitment to helping businesses achieve sustainable results.”

“Receiving recognition across B2B, performance marketing and lead generation reflects the breadth of our capabilities and reinforces our mission to help businesses navigate an increasingly competitive digital landscape. As the industry continues to evolve, we will remain focused on innovation, delivering greater value to our clients and growing together with them.”

LOCUS-T provides end-to-end digital marketing solutions encompassing Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Paid Ads, Website Design & Development, Website Maintenance and Google Business Profile. Through these integrated services, the agency helps businesses strengthen their online visibility, attract qualified customers and achieve measurable digital growth.

The four honours reflect the collective effort of the LOCUS-T team and the continued trust of its clients and partners. They also reinforce the agency’s commitment to professionalism, innovation and delivering practical digital marketing solutions that generate measurable business impact.

The latest recognition adds to LOCUS-T’s growing track record of industry achievements. In 2025, the company was recognized by the Malaysia Book of Records for achieving the Most Active SEO Service Contracts by an Agency. The A+M Agency of the Year Awards 2026 further reinforce LOCUS-T’s commitment to delivering measurable digital growth for businesses through strategic, performance-driven marketing solutions.

As businesses continue to adapt to evolving consumer behaviour and digital technologies, LOCUS-T remains committed to strengthening its expertise, enhancing its solutions and helping organizations achieve sustainable, measurable digital growth.

https://www.locus-t.com.my
https://www.linkedin.com/company/locus-t/
https://www.facebook.com/locust.my
https://www.instagram.com/locust.my/

Hashtag: #ThisIsLOCUST #ThriveTogether #DigitalMarketing #SEO #PaidAds #Webdesign #Webdevelopment #GBP

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

MIL OSI

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 22 July 2026 – St Francis Methodist School International (SFMS) has released its latest academic results for students in the Western Australian Certificate of Education (WACE) programme. The outcomes reflect steady ATAR performance and a range of university placements through the school’s pre-university programmes.

Overview of the WACE Curriculum at SFMS

SFMS International is among a small number of institutions in Singapore offering the WACE curriculum and has delivered this programme for over 23 years. The WACE is a recognised senior secondary qualification awarded by the School Curriculum and Standards Authority (SCSA) on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Western Australia. It prepares students for university admission both locally and internationally.

SFMS is also currently the only school in Singapore offering a Senior High Preparatory Pathway (WACE) for students in Years 9–10. This introduces students to the structure and expectations of the curriculum earlier, building familiarity with subject content and assessment formats before progressing to the senior years. Additionally, subject selection in Years 11A and 12A is structured to meet university entry requirements and reflect students’ academic interests.

Academic Outcomes and University Placements

In 2023, 8 out of 12 WACE graduates from SFMS International achieved ATAR scores above 90, meeting the eligibility criteria for universities such as the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). The cohort’s top scorer, Wang Dawei, recorded an ATAR of 96.15 and enrolled at NTU to study Business and International Trading. In addition to local placements, graduates were admitted to international universities such as the University of Melbourne and Fudan University in China.

In 2024, 2 out of 8 graduates also attained ATAR scores above 90. The highest scorer, Youn Chae-Won, achieved an ATAR of 95.3. Her university placement is currently pending.

Student Journeys and Holistic Development

Students in the WACE programme at SFMS International engage in both academic and co-curricular activities as part of their overall learning experience. Recent graduates have taken part in service learning, subject specialisation, and personal reflection throughout their time in the pre-university programme.

Youn Chae-Won, the 2024 valedictorian, joined SFMS International from Korea in 2021. Over time, she adjusted to a new academic environment and explored subjects such as accounting, which influenced her interest in finance-related pathways. She also took part in various aspects of school life, including a service learning trip to Bintan in 2023, where students supported local sanitation efforts. Her involvement in both academic and co-curricular settings marked a broad engagement with school life during her time at SFMS.

Andrew Zhuang, who enrolled in SFMS International in 2019, pursued subjects such as Business Management, Accounting, and English as an Additional Language (EALD). Beyond academics, he was involved in community fundraising and joined the same Bintan service trip. He also attended weekly chapel sessions and received support from peers and teachers during a period of health-related absence.

These outcomes reflect the ongoing role of the WACE programme at SFMS International in supporting students through both academic pathways and broader educational experiences. Under the leadership of Principal Mr Lee Hak Boon, the school continues to emphasise academic planning, subject selection, and student wellbeing as part of its overall approach to pre-university education.

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MIL OSI

Actively Integrating into China’s Dual Circulation Development Strategy:Junfa–New Luosiwan and SF International Form Strategic Partnership to Strengthen Yunnan’s Role as China’s Gateway to South and Southeast Asia

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 July 2026 – A Singapore company looking to expand into Vietnam may need a lawyer, accountant, tax adviser, HR consultant and local business connections. Today, businesses often have to find these services one by one, in each market they enter.

A new regional network aims to change that.

The Professional Services (PS) Centre Singapore, officially launched today by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office, Second Minister for Finance and National Development, is the latest addition to a growing network of Professional Services Centres that connects businesses with trusted professional expertise across Asia.

Located at Level 2 of ISCA House, the Singapore PS Centre will serve as the anchor hub of the regional network, linking businesses to PS Centres in Hongqiao (Shanghai), Ho Chi Minh City and Nanjing, with Jakarta expected to join later this year. Future centres are also planned in Bangkok, Johor Bahru and Shenzhen.

Rather than building another office, the PS Centre is building something different, a trusted regional network where businesses can access local knowledge, professional expertise and business connections through one coordinated platform.

The initiative is led by the PS Centre Alliance, comprising the Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, Institute of Valuers & Appraisers, Singapore Business Federation, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Tax Academy of Singapore, The Law Society of Singapore and the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA).

Helping businesses solve real problems
As businesses expand across borders, the challenges they face have become more complex. They are no longer limited to setting up an office or understanding local regulations. Companies today are responding to geopolitical shifts, changing trade policies, supply chain realignment, AI disruption, cyber risks and growing sustainability expectations, while trying to build trusted relationships in unfamiliar markets. No single profession can solve these challenges alone.

The PS Centre brings together professionals from different disciplines, including legal, accounting, tax, corporate secretarial, HR, valuation, sustainability and business consulting, so businesses can access coordinated support instead of approaching each profession separately.

Beyond professional advice, businesses can tap on local business associations, government agencies, chambers of commerce and ecosystem partners connected through the PS Centre network.

More than a networking platform
The Singapore PS Centre will also introduce the Business Growth Clinic, a new initiative where business owners can bring real business challenges to a multidisciplinary panel of professionals.

Whether the challenge is expanding overseas, adopting AI, raising capital, restructuring a business or planning succession, businesses will receive practical guidance and be connected with the right professionals to help move their plans forward.

Early results from the network
Although the network is still in its early stages, businesses are already seeing results. Through the Shanghai PS Centre, Singapore based accounting firm Unity Assurance secured new business opportunities in China and subsequently established a joint venture with a local partner.

The Nanjing PS Centre supported firms such as Morningstar and Fiducia LLP with local business introductions, office setup and talent connections as they expanded into China. In Vietnam, the Ho Chi Minh City PS Centre has supported Singapore businesses such as Koda Ltd and JDI Ventures in navigating different aspects of regional expansion, such as guidance on pressing cross-border matters and local business introductions to support market entry. The Centre has also connected Vietnamese technology companies such as Techvify and Vinova with relevant networks and market insights to support their entry into Singapore.

These examples demonstrate how trusted local networks can shorten the time needed for businesses to enter new markets while reducing uncertainty.

Strengthening Singapore’s position as a trusted business hub
The Singapore PS Centre complements Singapore’s position as a global business and financial hub by extending trusted professional services into key markets across Asia.

As more centres are established, businesses will be able to tap on one connected network instead of building relationships from scratch in every country.

For Singapore professional services firms, it also creates new opportunities to support clients expanding overseas and to build partnerships with firms across the region.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President, ISCA, said: “Business is becoming increasingly regional, but professional services are still largely organised country by country. Companies expanding overseas often spend months trying to identify trusted advisers and build local networks. The PS Centre network changes that. We are bringing together trusted professional firms, business associations and local partners across Asia, making it easier for businesses to expand with confidence. Our vision is simple. Wherever a business chooses to grow in Asia, there should be a Professional Services Centre ready to support that journey.”

Ms Junie Fo, Vice President & Head, Professional Services, Singapore Economic Development Board, said “Professional services firms play a critical role in helping Singapore-based enterprises navigate the rapidly evolving global business environment. The Singapore PS Centre will provide access to different professional services to support enterprises’ regional growth needs. EDB looks forward to working with members of the PS Centre Alliance to advance the Professional Services ecosystem.”

About the Professional Services Centre
The Professional Services Centre is a collaborative initiative by the PS Centre Alliance to support businesses expanding across borders through trusted professional expertise, local business networks and market access. The network currently spans Singapore, Hongqiao (Shanghai), Ho Chi Minh City and Nanjing, with further expansion planned across Asia and the Middle East.

Hashtag: #ISCA #CharteredAccountants #ProfessionalServices #ProfessionalServicesCentre #DifferenceMakers #Accounting #Accountancy

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Strategic collaboration to reinforce Batam’s position as a digital hub connecting Indonesia and Singapore to global markets

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MIL OSI

Milestone reflects Malaysians’ growing demand for quality grab-and-go food and coffee, with KLIA café bringing greater convenience to millions of travellers

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SHANGHAI, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 July 2026 – The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC 2026) opened in Shanghai on July 17 and runs through July 20 under the theme “Intelligent Partners, Co-create the Future,” covering three major exhibition areas: the Expo area, Zhangjiang area, and West Bund area. Matrix Robotics, a technology company focused on general-purpose humanoid robots and Physical AI, presented four third-generation general-purpose humanoid robots, MATRIX-3, at the event. The company showcased the core capabilities of its self-developed WAVE Physical World Foundation Model, its full-stack technology system and multi-scenario deployment achievements, demonstrating the general-purpose capabilities and scalable commercial potential of China-developed Physical AI and humanoid robotics.

During WAIC 2026, Matrix Robotics moved beyond conventional static displays by creating four live demonstration zones. The four hardware-identical MATRIX-3 units, supported by a unified general-purpose Physical AI foundation, flexibly switched between diverse and complex tasks, directly demonstrating the core commercial value of general-purpose Physical AI: low cost, high adaptability and rapid transferability. The company delivered continuous multidimensional live robot demonstrations, announced the latest technical upgrade to the WAVE model, shared updates on its RAAS ecosystem partner program, and officially launched the MATRIX Global Partner Program for regional market expansion, presenting its progress in technology iteration, commercialization and global ecosystem development.

WAVE Physical World Foundation Model Lays the Core AI Foundation for General-Purpose Humanoid Robots

Unlike large language models trained primarily on internet text, Matrix Robotics’ self-developed WAVE Physical World Foundation Model is purpose-built for physical robots operating in real-world environments. It serves as the core “brain” that enables MATRIX-3 to perform intelligent tasks and human-like interactions. Trained on large-scale real-world and simulated interaction data, the model has learned patterns of physical dynamics, allowing it to adapt precisely to complex real-world task scenarios and move beyond traditional robots’ reliance on fixed scripts and single-scenario constraints.

Architecturally, WAVE uses a proprietary “brain–cerebellum” collaborative architecture: the WAVE model, as the “brain,” is responsible for global scene understanding, logical reasoning, task planning and generalized operations; the general-purpose motion control model, as the “cerebellum,” generates natural and smooth full-body motion. Together, they enable the robot to “think clearly and move naturally,” delivering human-like intelligent performance.

Relying on training infrastructure and an end-to-end data toolchain that it has fully developed and built in-house, Matrix Robotics can independently manage the full end-to-end process, from model iteration and data acquisition to data annotation and governance. Through large-scale real-robot deployment and continuous feedback of real-world scenario data, the company is building a technical flywheel in which “more data leads to stronger models and broader scenario adaptability,” continuously improving cross-scenario generalization and providing core intelligent support for multi-scenario robot deployment.

Full-Scenario Live Demonstrations Validate Commercialization Readiness of General-Purpose AI

Empowered by the WAVE Physical World Foundation Model, MATRIX-3 completed multiple standardized live task demonstrations at the event, covering four core scenarios: commercial service, empathetic human-robot interaction, fine manipulation and humanoid motion. The demonstrations validated the deployment value of general-purpose Physical AI in commercial services, daily-life assistance, cultural tourism and science education, public services and other fields.

1. Live Consumer Service Demonstration: End-to-End Autonomous AI Barista Operations

The exhibition featured a live coffee service experience area, where MATRIX-3 served as an AI barista. With multimodal perception and precise force-control capabilities, the robot autonomously operated coffee machine buttons, picked up cups and collected prepared beverages. The stable and coherent workflow recreated a commercial reception service scenario and validated its deployment feasibility in retail service, exhibition reception and commercial service settings.

2. Empathetic Human-Robot Interaction: Creating Warm, Human-Like Intelligent Experiences

Matrix Robotics also demonstrated flexible, human-like interaction capabilities. Supported by visual recognition and advanced speech and semantic understanding, MATRIX-3 can move beyond fixed scripts for natural interaction and perform a range of interactions such as musical finger dances, rock-paper-scissors games with audiences, biomimetic handshakes and all-day voice Q&A. With differentiated emotional response capabilities, it enables warmer human-robot collaboration and is suited to science education exhibitions, public services and cultural tourism interactions.

3. Fine Manipulation for Everyday Tasks: Generalized Handling Capabilities for Diverse Objects

In the everyday fine manipulation demonstration, MATRIX-3 showcased its ability to handle objects across different categories and forms, autonomously completing compound tasks such as grasping fruit and bottled water and delivering items. The robot can adapt to objects of different sizes, weights and materials, reflecting the generalized operation capabilities of general-purpose Physical AI and broad applicability across household assistance, retail sorting, warehouse support and other use cases.

4. Humanoid Gait and Intelligent Interaction: Recreating Natural Human-Like Motion

The on-site gait demonstration area showcased MATRIX-3’s humanoid motion capabilities. The robot walked with coordinated, natural and stable movements, autonomously identified visitors in the exhibition crowd, proactively paused, and delivered standardized brand and product introductions, fully demonstrating its whole-body motion control performance and real-time human-robot interaction capabilities.

MATRIX-3 Hardware Advantages Strengthen the Foundation for Commercial Deployment

As Matrix Robotics’ third-generation general-purpose humanoid robot designed for real-world commercial scenarios, MATRIX-3 was developed around the three core concepts of “safety, dexterity and generality.” Its hardware platform is designed to fit human living and working environments and serves as the core carrier for the deployment of general-purpose Physical AI. The robot is 1.70 meters tall and weighs 65 kilograms, matching adult human proportions and enabling seamless adaptation to spaces and workstations designed for people.

In terms of core performance, MATRIX-3 is equipped with a 27-DOF tendon-driven dexterous hand that replicates human hand anatomy and offers lightweight, high-speed and high-precision characteristics, enabling it to use standard human tools, operate precision components and handle flexible fabrics. It is also equipped with 3D-knitted biomimetic safety skin and whole-body distributed tactile sensing, with fingertip sensing precision as low as 0.1 Newton, enabling safe close-proximity human-robot coexistence. Through Matrix Robotics’ self-developed integrated linear joint control algorithm and general-purpose motion control model, the robot achieves near-human natural gait and whole-body coordinated movement. It also supports 4 hours of continuous stable operation in a single session, fully matching the rhythm of real-world commercial operations.

In terms of commercial accessibility, MATRIX-3 is priced from RMB 580,000 per unit. Leveraging its scaled smart manufacturing system, the company continues to reduce production costs and is driving humanoid robots from high-end demonstration scenarios toward broader industry and household applications.

Vertically Integrated Full-Stack System Drives Scalable Industrial Deployment and Ecosystem Collaboration

Matrix Robotics is one of the industry’s most vertically integrated companies, with all nine layers of its technology stack, from data to deployment, independently developed and built in-house. This creates a hard-to-replicate technological and industrial compounding effect and provides strong support for scaled product deployment. The company has built its own full-chain data engine and toolchain, model training infrastructure, core components and end-to-end smart manufacturing system, creating a closed loop from technology R&D to mass production.

On the industrialization front, Matrix Robotics’ Zhangjiang MFH Smart Manufacturing Base in Shanghai has established independent end-to-end production capabilities, with a planned annual capacity of 5,000 units in 2026 and a target annual capacity of 10,000 units in 2027. To date, the company has accumulated approximately 1,000 robot orders across diverse scenarios, including chain restaurant services, hotel services, research, culture and entertainment. In mid-2026, Matrix Robotics launched initial partner pilot deployments, laying the foundation for the product’s transition from demonstration verification to scaled application. The company is also continuing to advance its RAAS (Robot-as-a-Service) ecosystem partner program, opening interfaces to the industry ecosystem and working with partners to build an embodied intelligence ecosystem.

Continuous Technology Iteration Broadens Applications for China-Developed Humanoid Robots

The multidimensional live demonstrations at WAIC 2026 provide a focused validation of Matrix Robotics’ general-purpose Physical AI technologies and industrialization capabilities. Guided by real-world scenario needs, the company continues to iterate core technologies such as WAVE model intelligence, fine robotic manipulation, stable long-duration operation and human-like interaction, broadening applications for humanoid robots. Its technology solutions can be widely adapted to summit receptions, commercial retail, household assistance, exhibitions and cultural tourism, smart warehousing and other scenarios.

Looking ahead, Matrix Robotics will continue to focus on Physical AI, iterate and upgrade its full-stack technology system and MATRIX-3 product capabilities, and deliver standardized, replicable integrated humanoid robot solutions. The company aims to accelerate the accessible, large-scale deployment of China-developed general-purpose humanoid robots, empowering intelligent upgrades across real-economy industries through advanced Physical AI technologies.

MATRIX Global Partner Program Launched to Recruit Regional Partners in China and Overseas

As its technology, product capabilities and production capacity continue to mature, Matrix Robotics has officially launched the MATRIX Global Partner Program, openly recruiting regional partners in China and overseas markets to jointly expand the global commercial footprint of humanoid robots.

The program focuses on recruiting enterprises and institutions with regional customer networks, government, enterprise and industry resources, scenario development capabilities, and local sales, delivery and after-sales service capabilities. Partners will participate in local customer expansion, project implementation, scenario operations and service system development for MATRIX, helping accelerate the application of humanoid robots in commercial services, cultural tourism and exhibitions, public services, industrial manufacturing and other key sectors.

Matrix Robotics will open key regional cooperation opportunities and provide systematic support across products, technology, branding, marketing, training and delivery. Together with its partners, the company aims to create regional benchmark projects and develop, refine and replicate mature industry solutions.

As the program moves forward, Matrix Robotics will accelerate the construction of a global commercial and service network, driving MATRIX from exhibition stands into real-world scenarios and from single-point demonstrations toward scaled applications.

Hashtag: #MatrixRobotics

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• Deep dive into the DNA of Thailand’s wellness giants—BDMS Wellness Clinic and Chiva-Som—and their strategic blueprints to transform the kingdom into the ultimate global wellness destination.

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 20 July 2026 – In the modern era, “good health” has redefined the meaning of true wealth. Consumers worldwide are now heavily investing in innovations that promote longevity and extend healthspan—the period of life spent in good health. Even amid economic uncertainty, health and well-being remain top priorities for consumers. This behavioral shift helping drive the global wellness economy to a reached USD 6.8 trillion in 2024, representing a 7.9% growth from the previous year. Furthermore, the Global Wellness Institute (GWI) projects the market to surge to USD 9.8 trillion by 2029, maintaining an average annual growth rate of 7.6%. Driven by this exponential growth, nations worldwide, including Thailand, are aggressively developing wellness services and innovations to serve as a “New Growth Engine” and a key indicator of long-term national competitiveness.

Where Does Thailand Stand in the Global Health & Wellness Industry?

When evaluating Thailand’s potential, Thailand ranks among the world’s leading healthcare destinations. According to the Numbeo Health Care Index 2026, Thailand’s healthcare system is ranked 8th globally, making it the sole ASEAN nation to secure a spot in the Top 10. Focusing specifically on the health and wellness sector, Thailand achieved the highest growth rate globally in 2023, with the market value soaring past USD 40 billion—a remarkable 28.4% increase. The “Wellness Tourism” segment alone skyrocketed by 36.4%, outperforming the global average by threefold.

These figures reflect much more than financial profits; they underscore Thailand’s robust readiness and distinct advantages. The country boasts world-class medical infrastructure, accredited hospitals, highly skilled medical professionals, reasonable treatment costs, and an established reputation as a top wellness destination. Additionally, Thailand possesses unique cultural assets—such as traditional Thai herbs, Thai massage, healthy cuisine, and medical tourism—that can be strategically leveraged into a high-value economy.

Driving a High-Income Economy with Deep Tech in the Wellness Market

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan Wongsawat, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), announced a strategic vision to transform Thailand’s wellness industry from traditional services into a high-value, globally competitive innovation sector. The strategy aims to unlock the potential of Thai culture, local wisdom, and rich biodiversity by implementing modern science and technology to establish evidence-based efficacy. Furthermore, cutting-edge innovations such as Health Tech, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) will be deployed to analyze deep health data. Equipping the sector with Deep Tech will significantly elevate international credibility.

Prof. Dr. Yodchanan emphasized: “MHESI is fully prepared to act as a vital gear in mitigating R&D investment risks for the private sector through an end-to-end support system. We aim to accelerate the commercialization of Thai innovations by systematically connecting the innovation ecosystem. This includes matchmaking entrepreneurs, startups, researchers, and universities, alongside injecting comprehensive financial and resource support. Our assistance spans R&D grants, advanced laboratory access, clinical trials, global production standard upgrades, and intellectual property protection. Collectively, these mechanisms will propel wellness into a New Growth Engine, boosting national competitiveness and establishing Thailand as a true global wellness hub.”

NIA’s Four Strategic Pillars to Propel the Thai Wellness Economy Globally

Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), stated that driving the wellness industry sustainably cannot be achieved by the private sector alone. It requires cross-sector collaboration to foster an innovation ecosystem conducive to research, technological development, standard testing, and global market expansion. The NIA has continuously supported entrepreneurs in health, wellness, and medical technology through capacity-building initiatives like the Wellness Academy, startup incubation, university network integration, and innovation competitions to translate ideas into market-ready businesses.

The NIA prioritizes data, research, and scientific evidence to build trust and add value to Thai wellness products and services. Simultaneously, the agency connects entrepreneurs to vital resources and innovation networks to stimulate the healthcare economy, creating jobs and new revenue streams through four key strategies:

1. Connecting Innovative Businesses: Fostering synergies across the ecosystem.
2. Upgrading Wellness Establishments and Labor Skills: Elevating service standards and workforce capabilities to international levels.
3. Driving Progress via Thailand Innovation Hubs: Utilizing regional hubs to stimulate localized innovation.
4. Scaling Up and Building International Recognition: Enhancing global awareness of Thai wellness as credible, safe, verifiable, and uniquely high-value.

The NIA’s ultimate goal is not merely to create new innovative businesses, but to build a sustainable ecosystem that empowers Thai entrepreneurs to grow robustly and integrate seamlessly into the global health and wellness supply chain.

BDMS Champions “Healthspan” and Preventive Medicine to Secure a Competitive Edge

As longevity becomes a primary aspiration for the global population, BDMS Wellness Clinic—a premier wellness leader in Thailand—is accelerating the preventive healthcare industry. By utilizing health science and personalized medicine, the clinic designs deep-level bodily care to firmly establish Thailand as a pioneer in modern health trends.

Dr. Tanupol Virunhagarun, Chief Executive Officer of BDMS Wellness Group, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Company Limited (BDMS), highlighted that transitioning from treating illnesses to preventing them is an undeniable global megatrend. This aligns with World Health Organization (WHO) data indicating that every 1 Baht invested in wellness yields up to a 35-fold return by reducing public healthcare expenditures and enhancing citizen quality of life. This expertise has positioned BDMS Wellness Clinic as a major private-sector anchor, attracting high-spending global consumers to Thailand through its concept of “Scientific Wellness.” This approach features evidence-based healthcare, ranging from advanced genetic testing and personalized nutrition and vitamin formulations to blending modern medical innovations with traditional Thai medicine for verifiable results. Upgrading these standards shifts Thailand’s image from a leisure destination to a highly credible, advanced medical hub, serving as a crucial mechanism in partnering with the government to promote the nation as “Wellness Hub Thailand, The Land of Life” and a top-of-mind Global Wellness Destination.

Chiva-Som Showcases the “Thai Spirit” to Redefine the Health Economy

Complementing advanced medical dimensions, Thailand possesses iconic brands in health tourism marketing, such as Chiva-Som—the country’s first wellness resort and a pioneer in Asia. Spanning over three decades, Chiva-Som evolved from a modest beachfront holiday home in Hua Hin into one of the world’s top wellness resorts, capturing the loyalty of high-net-worth consumers from the West. What sets Chiva-Som apart is not just its world-class international treatments, but the “Thai spirit of hospitality”—characterized by humility, gentleness, and sincerity—seamlessly integrated with a profound understanding of holistic wellness.

Drawing from this tangible success, Mr. Krod Rojanastien, Consultant to President of Chiva-Som International Health Resort Co., Ltd., shared a pivotal insight: In a digital era where people face chronic stress and burnout, wellness has become mainstream. Thailand holds a distinct competitive advantage through its innate service spirit, gentle culture, and centuries-old traditional Thai medical wisdom. Moving forward, the priority must be backing this traditional wisdom with scientific research to secure international trust. Thailand’s future marketing goal must transcend being a temporary vacation spot; it must elevate into a global “Sanctuary” where people intentionally travel to restore their body, mind, and overall quality of life.

When science, technology, innovation, and Thai wisdom are systematically woven together, the wellness economy will transform from a mere service sector into a powerful economic engine. It will lead Thailand toward becoming a definitive Global Wellness Destination, generating economic wealth and holistic well-being simultaneously.
Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency

https://www.nia.or.th/

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