Category: What’s News Asia

Amid rising textile waste crisis, environmental NGO Redress’ world-leading sustainable fashion competition winner proves that designing out waste is one of fashion’s biggest opportunities

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Redress, the Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO accelerating circular fashion, announced the winner of the Redress Design Award 2026, the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition, at a star-studded runway finale at CENTRESTAGE, Asia’s annual fashion showcase. The finalists’ runway collections, designed using circular techniques including factory surplus, discarded garments, excess new stock, furnishings waste, tackled the global textile waste crisis and highlighted what most fashion consumers do not realise: an estimated 80% of a product’s environmental impact is locked in at design stage^[1], long before the clothes hit the shop floor.

“My generation of designers won’t be judged just on aesthetics. We must understand circularity – durability, repairability and recyclability – from the drawing board to fill the racks with what more consumers hope to buy. Coming into this wasteful fashion industry is intimidating and we must respond with courage,” said Jon Liesenfeld, from Germany, Redress Design Award 2026 First Prize Winner, who outdesigned seven other finalists from Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, United Kingdom, Austria, and Israel.

As Lead Sponsor, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) has supported the Award as a cornerstone project for 14 consecutive years. “Creativity and sustainability have never been more closely intertwined than they are today,” shared Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, CCIDA. “We take great pride in the legacy of the Award: over 350 alumni across more than 40 regions, many of whom have gone on to translate circular design principles into thriving, real-world practice — a clear testament to the Award’s wide-reaching impact.”

The fashion industry must reinvent itself – from the drawing board up

Textile waste is a global crisis, with an estimated 120 million tonnes generated annually, of which 80% ends up in landfills or being incinerated^[2]. The global textile industry is only 0.3% circular^[3].

“Whilst the fashion industry faces serious challenges – from geopolitical pressures, inflation, complex global supply chains to incoming legislation – it is catastrophically still on its wasteful, runaway trainwreck,” said Dr. Christina Dean, Founder, Redress. “Circularity is flat-lining despite circular textile business models being estimated to generate US$700 billion in economic value by 2030^[4] and whilst clothing waste sky rockets, which will be exacerbated by global dominance of ultra fast fashion brands. Redress’ work to catalyse circular fashion is critical and our educational movement has reached millions of designers in almost 100 countries worldwide,” she said.

All finalists join Redress’ Alumni global network of 350+ designers who continue sparking solutions. Alumnus Kevin Germanier closed Paris Couture Week this spring with a collection made entirely from LVMH-owned brands’ excess inventory across. Alumnus Angus Tsui and Eric Wong have transformed retired DHL courier uniforms into accessories.

Upcycling continues moving mainstream, with LVMH Group, Miu Miu, Coach, Uniqlo, Converse, Wrangler and Vivienne Westwood, developing various upcycled collections, selling its creativity and uniqueness rather than sustainability alone.

Incoming regulation, particularly the European Union’s Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), Extender Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the ban on destroying unsold clothing and footwear, have given brands more incentive to embrace upcycling than just a few years ago.

Redress Design Award 2026 Prizes expose winners to array of British businesses

Jon Liesenfeld wins an educational journey to British fashion businesses; from design-led apparel manufacturers, Simple Approach who produce 50 million apparel pieces annually for brands including Primark and Next; luxury womenswear brand Roksanda, worn by Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales, Michelle Obama, Kate Blanchett and Anne Hathaway. This prize is supported by GREAT Britain & Northern Ireland Campaign.

The runner-up, Jasmine Cheuk from Hong Kong, wins a mentorship with distinguished British fashion activist and competition judge, Orsola de Castro, who has mentored Redress’ competition winners every cycle for the last decade and has been a judge since the competition’s inception. Jasmine also won the Hong Kong Best prize.

Redress empowers emerging designers to help close the educational skills gap

Redress recognises the urgent need to equip designers with the skills required to narrow the educational gap within the fashion industry. An integrative review of 81 papers found that mainstream fashion design courses still “scarcely incorporate sustainability within their curricula”, underscoring the need to strengthen sustainability education through both theoretical understanding and practical application.^[5] To date, Redress has directly educated 36,500+ fashion designers and educators and has generated 18 million views across its online educational resources.

In addition to education, Redress builds strategic industry partnerships to create real-world pathways for designers. During the Redress Design Award 2026, finalists remade discarded, unwearable post-consumer clothing waste into retail-ready collections for multi-brand fashion retailer, D-mop, in collaboration with TAL Apparel, leading global garment manufacturer. This work was delivered as part of the ‘Remake to Retail’ challenge; the resulting collection is scheduled to launch with D-mop later this year.

Redress Design Award turns consumer concern into sustainable demand

Engaging with consumers to drive the sustainable fashion movement is critical, given rampant overconsumption and clothing underutilisation, which results in the majority of clothing being landfilled or burned within one year of production.^[6] Whilst the majority of consumers believe brands have a responsibility to make positive change in the world^[7], an intention gap between what consumers think and what they do persists, whereby 71% of global consumers are concerned about sustainability in fashion, yet only 3% of them are willing to pay a premium for it.^[8]

Through the Redress Design Award, finalists demonstrate that sustainable fashion can be desirable. By showcasing exceptional design and compelling storytelling, and by bringing remade clothing into mainstream spaces, these next-generation designers motivate consumers to actively choose more sustainable options, turning concern into demand.

Editor’s Notes

• Data and Statistics Insights: Redress Design Award: Redress Design Award Additional Resources – The Issues
• Competition Criteria: The Redress Design Award 2026 was open to global applications from emerging designers and students with less than four years’ professional experience focusing on womenswear and menswear original collection designs. Competition brief here.
• The People’s Choice winner, voted by the public, was Tal Zohar from Israel.
• Judges are: Orsola de Castro, Author and Fashion Activist; Rachel Franklin, Director of ESG, Simple Approach; Cherry Mui, Editorial Director, Vogue Hong Kong; Rod Henderson, President, TAL Apparel Ltd; Angus Tsui, Creative Director, ANGUS TSUI and Alumnus, Redress Design Award; and Dr. Christina Dean, Founder and Board Chair, Redress.
• Sponsors Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) as the Lead Sponsor. Other key partners include DHL and TAL Group.
• Redress Alumni Networkoffers designers ongoing support as they develop their careers in sustainable fashion.

Hashtag: #RedressDesignAward

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

The Redress Design Award

The Redress Design Award (www.redressdesignaward.com) is the world’s leading sustainable fashion design competition that educates and empowers emerging fashion designers about circular design techniques to reduce fashion’s negative environmental impacts. Organised by Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO Redress since 2011, the competition partners with academic institutions globally and attracts designer applicants from over 50 countries and regions to win prizes that connect them with global-leading fashion businesses to accelerate the change to a circular fashion industry.

Redress (www.redress.com.hk) is a Hong Kong-based, Asia-focused environmental NGO founded in 2007 accelerating the change to a circular fashion industry by educating and empowering designers and consumers to reduce clothing’s negative environmental impacts. Locally, Redress has collected 208 tonnes of clothing for recirculation and educated 21,000+ Hong Kong students and teachers. Globally, they have directly educated 36,500+ fashion designers and teachers, amassing 18 million online views of their sustainable design educational content and building a social media reach of 46 million users.

The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) (www.ccida.gov.hk), formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK) since 2009, was established in June 2024. CCIDA is a dedicated office under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR Government) to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative sectors with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate development of the arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. CCIDA’s strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary collaboration, promoting industrialisation of the arts, culture and creative sectors under the industry-oriented principle, and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community, thereby reinforcing Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and our positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange.

Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to the project only, and does not otherwise take part in the project. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these materials/events (or by members of the project team) are those of the project organisers only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.

• New and expanded facilities include DHL Supply Chain’s upcoming Pharma Hub 2, DHL Global Forwarding’s Singapore Coldchain Hub, and a dedicated GDP-compliant (Good Distribution Practice-compliant) healthcare space at DHL Express’ South Asia Hub
• The investments position Singapore as a regional hub for temperature-sensitive and high-value healthcare supply chain

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Following the opening of its Pharma Hub last year, DHL Group is further strengthening its Life Sciences and Healthcare (LSHC) capabilities in Singapore through a series of investments that enhance its DHL Health Logistics network and expand its capacity to transport, store and distribute pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinical trial materials and other healthcare products across Asia Pacific. The investments focus on three pillars: infrastructure, specialist expertise, and strategic partnerships. Together, they help maintain product integrity throughout the healthcare supply chain.

Asia Pacific’s pharmaceutical logistics market is projected to grow from US$163 billion in 2025 to nearly US$239 billion by 2031, driven by rising demand for biologics, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products that require specialized storage and transportation. As healthcare supply chains become increasingly complex, manufacturers are looking for logistics partners, who can protect product integrity and meet stringent regulatory requirements.

To accede to that demand, DHL is putting new infrastructure across its Express, Global Forwarding and Supply Chain businesses, while continuing to grow its healthcare expertise and build closer ties across the broader logistics ecosystem.

The investments also build on DHL Group’s broader commitment to LSHC and the continued expansion of DHL Health Logistics including the €500 million earmarked for Asia Pacific as part of €2 billion global investment in the sector announced in 2025. The program covers infrastructure and technology across storage, order fulfilment, distribution, global transportation and last-mile delivery.

Infrastructure: Singapore Coldchain Hub, Pharma Hub 2, and dedicated GDP-compliant space at South Asia Hub

DHL Global Forwarding is strengthening Singapore’s role in regional healthcare trade through the DHL Singapore Coldchain Hub, a dedicated healthcare logistics facility that will form part of DHL’s broader Health Logistics Air Freight Network connecting key pharmaceutical and life sciences markets worldwide. By combining global air connectivity with specialized healthcare handling capabilities, the network helps customers move sensitive pharmaceutical and life sciences shipments with greater reliability, visibility and temperature integrity across critical healthcare trade lanes. Together with a pharmaceutical corridor initiative being developed with ecosystem partners, the investment will help create more seamless, compliant and resilient healthcare supply chains across Asia Pacific and key healthcare trade lanes.

Located within Changi’s 24/7 Free Trade Zone at Changi Nexus One, the S$22 million (€15 million) facility will provide 3,047 sqm of GDP-aligned temperature-controlled infrastructure for high-value, time- and temperature-sensitive healthcare cargo, including pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and biologics. With dedicated 2°C to 8°C and 15°C to 25°C handling environments, the facility is designed to support an unbroken cold chain from aircraft to a DHL facility and onward to customers’ warehouses, minimizing temperature excursions and reducing the need for supplementary temperature-control measures and packaging while preserving product integrity throughout transit. The facility is slated for launch in late 2027.

“In healthcare logistics, precision is non-negotiable. A temperature excursion of just a few degrees can compromise the integrity of high-value medicines, biologics and other critical healthcare products. That is why building an end-to-end, unbroken cold chain is essential. Beyond protecting products, it gives healthcare companies the confidence that life-saving therapies can move safely, compliantly, and reliably across increasingly complex global supply chains. By combining specialized infrastructure, direct airside connectivity and dedicated temperature-controlled handling solutions, our new Singapore Coldchain Hub will help minimize product exposure throughout the shipment journey and give customers greater assurance that their products will arrive in the right condition, at the right time, to the patients who depend on them,” added Praveen Gregory, CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

DHL Supply Chain is building on the success of the Pharma Hub first launched in Singapore last year with a second pharma hub to further expand its healthcare logistics footprint in the country. The new $S7 million (€5 million) facility will provide additional controlled ambient storage capacity for pharmaceutical and medical device customers, supporting services such as warehousing, distribution, kitting and value-added healthcare logistics operations.

Spanning over 8,000 sqm, the facility is designed as a 100 percent temperature-controlled ambient facility operating at temperatures between 15°C and 25°C with humidity control below 60 percent. The facility will accommodate approximately 7,680 pallet positions and incorporate GDP-compliant and GMP-aligned (Good Manufacturing Practice-aligned) infrastructure, including dedicated redressing rooms to support specialized healthcare logistics requirements. With both pharma hubs, DHL Supply Chain’s total pharmaceutical logistics footprint in Singapore will amount to approximately 16,000 sqm and accommodate around 12,000 pallet positions. It is expected to begin operations by the first half of 2027.

“Capacity on its own isn’t the goal. It’s what that capacity allows our customers to do,” said Eunis Hew, Managing Director, DHL Supply Chain Singapore. “Pharma Hub 2 builds on the strong foundation we have established with Pharma Hub, giving our customers additional room to grow while maintaining the quality and compliance standards their products require. As healthcare supply chains become more sophisticated, purpose-built infrastructure becomes increasingly important.”

DHL Express has installed a GDP-compliant handling and storage space of around 20 sqm at its South Asia Hub at Changi Airport. The controlled ambient room with a temperature range of 15°C to 25 °C allows temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical shipments to move securely through one of the region’s most important air logistics gateways. This also marks the first GDP-compliant healthcare logistics space within a DHL Express facility globally.

GDP-compliant processes help ensure that medicines are handled under appropriate conditions, remain traceable and maintain their quality throughout the distribution journey.

“When it comes to healthcare shipments, every handoff matters,” said Christopher Ong, Managing Director, DHL Express Singapore. “By expanding GDP-compliant handling and storage capabilities within our South Asia Hub, we’re helping customers reduce risk during transit and maintain the integrity of temperature-sensitive products throughout their journey. That reliability is critical especially when those shipments support clinical trials, hospital treatments and patient care.”

People: Building expertise in teams

Infrastructure is only one part of healthcare logistics. DHL is also investing in specialized healthcare logistics expertise across its operations to help ensure temperature-sensitive and regulated products are handled consistently at every stage of the journey. Teams across Express, Global Forwarding and Supply Chain receive ongoing training in areas such as temperature-controlled handling, GDP requirements, quality management and regulatory compliance, supported by DHL’s Certified Life Sciences Specialist program. These programs keep employees up to date with evolving industry standards and equip them with the knowledge needed to support increasingly complex healthcare supply chains.

The company is also growing its pool of healthcare logistics specialists, such as pharmacists, combining operational expertise and industry knowledge to support increasingly stringent supply chain requirements.

Ecosystem and partners: Building stronger healthcare supply chains

DHL is working closely with airlines, airport partners, healthcare manufacturers and logistics providers to strengthen the broader healthcare logistics ecosystem.

One example is DHL Express’ latest partnership with Life Science Incubator (LSI), a life sciences innovation ecosystem partner. Through the collaboration, DHL will give start-ups, SMEs, researchers and healthcare innovators access to specialized logistics capabilities at LSI’s incubator and conduct workshops and training programs covering international trade, supply chain management and cross-border regulatory requirements. By bringing logistics expertise closer to where innovation takes place, DHL aims to help emerging healthcare businesses scale more effectively and navigate global supply chains.

Together with Changi Airport Group (CAG), DHL Global Forwarding is enhancing healthcare trade lanes across Asia Pacific to support the safe and reliable movement of pharmaceuticals, vaccines and other temperature-sensitive products through Singapore. By combining Changi Airport’s extensive global connectivity and airside access with DHL’s global healthcare logistics expertise, dedicated cold-chain capabilities, and expanding Health Logistics network, the Singapore Coldchain Hub collaboration aims to give customers greater consistency, visibility, and confidence across their supply chains.

Collectively, these investments position Singapore as an increasingly important gateway for healthcare and life sciences supply chains in Asia Pacific. Leveraging its specialized infrastructure, skilled teams and strong industry partnerships, DHL is helping customers navigate growing supply chain complexity while maintaining the integrity of critical healthcare products.

Hashtag: #DHLGroup

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

DHL – The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivaled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.

DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.

LSAF Global, in partnership with ISCA and the Professional Services (PS) Centre Alliance, brings the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia.

The challenge is often not finding advisers. It is knowing where to start.

LSAF Global, in partnership with the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) and the Professional Services (PS) Centre Alliance, is bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia, connecting them with professional expertise, trusted networks and opportunities across Singapore, Indonesia and the region.

The PS Centre is a collaborative network that aims to make that easier by giving businesses a trusted starting point to find professional expertise, local market knowledge and business connections when expanding across the region.

Businesses in Indonesia can tap on the wider PS Centre network, which currently spans Hongqiao in Shanghai, Ho Chi Minh City, Nanjing and Singapore.

The network is set to grow further, with Johor, Shenzhen and Bangkok among the next locations being developed.

Together, the PS Centres and wider ecosystem are intended to create trusted business corridors across the region so that companies entering a new market do not have to start from zero.

Cross-border business is getting harder

The collaboration in Indonesia comes at a time when companies are looking overseas for growth while facing a more complicated business environment.

Tariffs and geopolitical tensions are changing where companies manufacture and source their products. Supply chains are being redesigned. AI and cyber risks are creating new business questions. Sustainability requirements are changing how companies operate and report.

Increasingly, these problems do not sit neatly within one profession.

A company may start with a tariff question only to discover that it also needs tax, legal and supply chain advice. Another may see an opportunity in Indonesia but need help finding local partners and understanding how best to enter the market.

The PS Centre ecosystem brings different forms of expertise and business networks together so companies do not have to navigate these issues alone.

The collaboration comes amid strong economic links between Singapore and Indonesia.

From Singapore to Indonesia and from Indonesia to the region

The PS Centre ecosystem is designed to work across markets.

Singapore businesses entering Indonesia can connect with local professional advisers, business networks and partners on the ground through LSAF Global and the wider PS Centre ecosystem.

Indonesian businesses looking towards Singapore can tap the Singapore PS Centre and Singapore’s professional services ecosystem.

A business looking beyond Indonesia and Singapore can tap the wider network for support in Vietnam and China. As new centres open, the network will extend into more markets.

Across its existing locations, the PS Centre network has already facilitated more than 90 business connections, supported 100 companies and engaged over 700 businesses and professionals.

The ambition goes beyond opening centres in different cities.

It is to build a connected ecosystem and trusted business corridors that connect opportunities in one market with trusted expertise and networks in another.

Helping businesses solve cross-border challenges

A key initiative being expanded across the PS Centre network is the Business Growth Clinic.

Its premise is simple.

Businesses do not always know which professional they need. They simply know they have a problem to solve.

A manufacturer may produce different parts of the same product across several countries and need help understanding how changing tariffs affect its business.

A professional services firm may want to access talent in another market but is unsure how to structure its operations.

Another business may be looking for an overseas partner, considering an acquisition or trying to understand how geopolitical changes could affect where it invests next.

Instead of figuring out which adviser to approach first, businesses can bring their problem to the Business Growth Clinic.

Depending on the issue, accountants, lawyers, tax specialists, valuers, consultants and other professionals can come together to understand the problem and connect the business with the expertise it needs.

Businesses in Indonesia will also be able to tap the Business Growth Clinic through the PS Centre ecosystem. A Singapore company facing a business issue in Vietnam can tap expertise through the Ho Chi Minh City PS Centre. An Indonesian business looking to establish operations in Singapore can connect with professionals through the Singapore PS Centre. A business exploring China can access support through Hongqiao.

As the PS Centre network expands, the reach of the Business Growth Clinic will expand with it.

Mr Lee Boon Teck, President of the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA), said: “Businesses do not always know which professional they need. They simply know they have a problem to solve. The strength of the PS Centre lies in the network we are building together: connecting businesses with professional expertise, trusted networks and opportunities across markets. The PS Centre Alliance can help businesses in Singapore and Indonesia make the connections they need to grow across the region.”

Connecting businesses with professional expertise

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

The Alliance brings together organisations representing both sides of the equation: businesses looking for opportunities and professional services firms with the expertise to help them pursue those opportunities.

In Indonesia, this gathering of the PS Centre Alliance partners to build relationships with local business and professional organisations, including the Indonesian Employers Association (APINDO), Singapore Chamber of Commerce Indonesia, The Indonesia Capital Market Institute (TICMI) and Kongres Advokat Indonesia (KAI).

These relationships will help connect businesses with people who understand the local market while linking them to the wider PS Centre network.

Building sustainability capabilities in Indonesia

ISCA and Universitas Sahid (USAHID) will enter a three-year collaboration to strengthen sustainability capabilities in Indonesia.

The collaboration will facilitate access to the ISCA Sustainability Professional Certification for eligible USAHID students, faculty members, alumni and other participants. It will also support learning and knowledge sharing in sustainability reporting and related areas.

The collaboration aims to connect academic learning with professional practice and build a stronger pool of professionals who can support businesses as sustainability requirements evolve.

Prof. Dr. Ir. Giyatmi, M.Si., Rector of Universitas Sahid, said: “Bringing the Professional Services Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia represents an important step in strengthening collaboration between Indonesia and Singapore’s professional and business communities. We believe the ecosystem can serve as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange, professional development, and stronger connections between academia and industry. Universitas Sahid is pleased to support this initiative and looks forward to contributing to the development of future-ready professionals who can support sustainable and regional economic growth.”

The collaboration in Indonesia marks another step in building a regional network where businesses, professional services firms and local partners can connect across markets.

As businesses increasingly look beyond their home markets for growth, the aim is simple: when a business sees an opportunity across borders, it should not have to start from zero.

For additional quotes from PS Centre Alliance partners, please refer to the attached Annex.

ANNEX

Ms Hamidah Aidillah, Vice President, Association of Small & Medium Enterprises, said: “For Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) looking to grow overseas, finding the right connections and trusted support in a new market can be challenging. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, businesses can gain access to professional expertise and local networks, helping Singapore SMEs better navigate the Indonesian market and pursue opportunities for growth across the region. This move is also in line with ASME’s internatiolisation efforts across ASEAN. ”

Mr Lie Kok Keong, Council Chairperson, Institute of Valuers and Appraisers Singapore, said: “Bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia creates meaningful new opportunities for Chartered Valuers and Appraiser (CVA) holders to connect with a wider network of professionals in Indonesia through fostering knowledge exchange and capacity building. We encourage CVA holders to leverage on the wider network to build ties with their Indonesian counterparts to grow and create opportunities together.”

Mr Mark Lee, Chairman of Singapore Business Federation, said: “Businesses today need to remain agile and diversify their markets to build long-term resilience. Indonesia’s long term growth prospects and close ties with Singapore offer significant opportunities for our companies. By bringing PS Centre Jakarta and SEC@Jakarta together, we can make it easier for businesses to access our collective networks, advisory expertise and facilitation support, and help them turn these opportunities into meaningful partnerships and growth.”

Mr Ernie Koh, Council Member, Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI), said: “Indonesia is an important market for many Singapore businesses seeking to expand their regional presence. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, enterprises can access trusted professional support and local networks, helping them better navigate the market and build the connections needed for cross-border growth.”

Mr Wayne Yap, Chief Executive Officer of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, said: “Professional services firms are important partners in helping manufacturers understand new markets, manage business requirements and expand with confidence. Through the PS Centre ecosystem, businesses will bring together professional expertise, industry networks and local market connections to support manufacturers and other businesses pursuing opportunities in Indonesia and across the region.”

Mr Dennis Lui, Chief Executive Officer, Tax Academy of Singapore, said: “Tax is not a footnote to cross-border investment – It can determine whether opportunity becomes reality. Tax Academy of Singapore sits at the intersection of government, industry, and academia, enabling us to translate policy into practical capability and connect the people who make investment happen. Through the PS Centre Alliance’s collaboration in Indonesia, we want to bring that strength to the Singapore-Indonesia corridor – helping businesses move from opportunity to execution.”

Ms Peggy Yee, Treasurer and Council Member of The Law Society of Singapore said: “With more businesses expanding across borders and industries, the ability to navigate legal and regulatory complexities will become a critical skill for both businesses and firms. Bringing the PS Centre ecosystem to businesses in Indonesia will further provide valuable and trusted support for enterprises in the region, ensuring access to trusted legal expertise along with other professional services.”

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

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

About the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA)

The Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants (ISCA) is the national accountancy body of Singapore. Established in 1963, ISCA administers the Singapore Chartered Accountant Qualification programme and is the designated entity by the Singapore Ministry of Finance to confer the Chartered Accountant of Singapore [CA (Singapore)] designation.

ISCA supports over 46,000 members across industries in Singapore and globally, with members in more than 40 countries. With a growing international presence, ISCA has 12 overseas chapters, 7 offices across 10 countries and a network of over 150 strategic partners, strengthening professional connections and opportunities across borders. ISCA is also a member of Chartered Accountants Worldwide, a global network representing more than 1.8 million Chartered Accountants and students across over 190 countries.

ISCA advances professional development and lifelong learning through ISCA Academy, its training arm and drives community impact through ISCA Cares, its charity arm.

For more information, visit www.isca.org.sg.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – At a time when enterprise AI adoption is gaining momentum, Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) launched its Centre for Shaping Human-First Transformation (SH1F+) on 29 July 2026. This workforce transformation initiative is built to support people whose roles are evolving and the organisations they work in, so that change is made to last. The event was graced by Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment.

A Human-First Approach to Workforce Transformation
While technology is a powerful catalyst for change, it does not drive workplace transformation. Research by the TIAA Institute noted that technology adoption is fundamentally a human and organisational challenge that requires workforce readiness, capability development and buy-in^[1]. In the face of AI-driven changes, ADP Research Institute also found that only about 15 percent of workers in Singapore feel secure in their current jobs, reflecting growing uncertainty about the future of work^[2].

As an institute of higher learning with close links to both industry and capability development, NP is uniquely positioned to help organisations transform from within. Specifically, SH1F+ does this through its rigorous methodology that focuses on how people experience and respond to change, providing end-to-end consultancy, training and support to ensure viability.

SH1F+’s people-centred approach is evident in two main ways. Firstly, its proprietary Sandbox software is a key toolkit used for stakeholders – from leaders, managers, to teams – to assess current workforce capabilities, explore future possibilities, and align transformation strategies to business priorities. Employees remain firmly at the centre of this human-led and data-driven process, helping to shape redesigned roles, identify new skills, and prepare for new ways of working. Secondly, based on capability needs, SH1F+ designs and delivers structured programmes to build the competencies, mindsets and confidence of their employees. The result is workforce transformation that creates lasting value for both organisations and the people within them.

“Technology is accelerating the need for workforce transformation, but many organisations still face gaps in strategy, culture, capabilities and job redesign. Leveraging NP’s experience in consultancy and training anchored in human-centricity and behavioural insights, coupled with our high-touch support, SH1F+ will help organisations make and sustain change for the long term,” said Mr Lim Kok Kiang, Principal and CEO of Ngee Ann Polytechnic.

Funding Support for Transformation
NP is collaborating with global professional services organisation Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd. (EY) to provide end-to-end consultancy services through SH1F+, from advisory, capability building, technology adoption to workplace learning. Eligible organisations can tap on the SkillsFuture Workforce Development Grant (Job Redesign+) scheme, with funding support of up to 70 percent for SMEs and 50 percent for non-SMEs, capped at S$150,000 per enterprise.

“Workforce transformation in the age of AI must be human-first, not technology-first. As organisations accelerate AI adoption, many are rethinking how jobs are designed, how people are trained and how work is organised. Through SH1F+, EY and NP bring together complementary strengths to help organisations redesign roles, upskill talent and enable meaningful human-AI collaboration,” said Mr Goh Jia Yong, Partner, People Consulting of Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd.

Transformation Begins with People
SH1F+ draws and builds on NP’s growing ecosystem of centres that help organisations support people through change. Since 2022, NP’s Human-Centred Design Institute (HCDI) has been helping teams strengthen their creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills. NP later established the Centre for Organisational Resilience and Inclusion (CORI) in 2024 and the Centre for Behaviour and Nudge Design (BaND) in 2025, expanding its work in building organisational resilience and harnessing behavioural insights.

NP will further strengthen this ecosystem with the Centre for Workplace Well-Being (coWELL), which will promote workplace mental well-being through wellness and stress management initiatives.

Together, these centres give SH1F+ its edge – a human-centric approach that helps organisations transform by strengthening its people’s capacity and confidence to change.

(Please refer to Annex A for details on the SH1F+ model and how it draws on NP’s ecosystem.)

Real-World Shifts: Supporting Workforce Transformation in Practice
The human-first workforce transformation approach adopted by SH1F+ has already been piloted successfully.

Through UOB’s Better U Pivot Programme, NP is supporting up to 500 employees transitioning into evolving job roles through structured training, personalised coaching and workplace learning. Early results have been positive: Employees participating in the programme have successfully moved into new roles and are continuing to deepen their skills in areas such as AI and digital capabilities.

Murata Electronics Singapore partnered NP to create a talent growth and capability development framework. As part of the project, the company’s New Business Architect role, including its job scope and required skills, was redesigned and standardised across six countries. Through structured on-the-job training, the team effectively gained and applied new competencies, proving that transformation works best when employees are supported.

(Please refer to Annex C for partner quotes on the impact of workforce transformation initiatives delivered in collaboration with SH1F+.)

Annex A – The SH1F+ Model & NP Ecosystem Integration

SH1F+ draws on the expertise of the signature centres in NP’s ecosystem according to the workforce transformation needs of each organisation. These centres include:

Annex C – Partner quotes on the impact of workforce transformation initiatives delivered in collaboration with SH1F+

Hashtag: #NgeeAnnPolytechnic

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

About Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic started in 1963 and is today one of Singapore’s leading institutions of higher learning with over 13,000 enrolled students in close to 40 disciplines. It seeks to develop students with a passion for learning, values for life, and competencies to thrive in a global workplace. The polytechnic also supports Continuing Education and Training (CET) through its CET Academy, which offers a wide range of part-time programmes and short courses. It works closely with industry partners to curate programmes for emerging skills, develop talent pipelines for the industries and help adult learners stay agile in today’s rapidly changing global economy. For more information, please visit www.np.edu.sg.

Empowering SMEs to Expand Globally

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank”) has launched Purchase Order Financing product that specifically designed for cross-border e-commerce businesses, becoming the first digital bank in Hong Kong to offer dedicated factoring financing solution to export cross-border e-commerce merchants. Requiring no traditional collateral, eligible businesses can obtain financing of up to 95% of their accounts receivable based on eligible invoices, meeting their operational needs and enabling SMEs to take an important step toward global expansion.

Mr. Thomas Tung, Chief Business OfficerofPing An Digital Bank, said, “As the Hong Kong’s first digital bank dedicated to SMEs, Ping An Digital Bank has always been committed to supporting businesses and driving transformation in the trade finance ecosystem through financial technology. By harnessing years of experience in exploring the potential of commercial data, and combining multidimensional data spanning trade and finance, we have redefined the credit assessment process to effectively resolve financing bottlenecks for businesses. The launch of Purchase Order Financing seamlessly integrates credit insurance with risk management, providing cross-border e-commerce merchants with more efficient and flexible liquidity support. Moving forward, we will continue to leverage our fintech prowess and synergistic financial services to help SMEs capture global cross-border trade opportunities, serving as a reliable backer for cross-border trading enterprises.”

Ping An Digital Bank’s Purchase Order Financing is designed specifically for cross-border e-commerce businesses operating on open-account payment term With just eligible invoices, businesses can apply for financing with a ratio of up to 95% of accounts receivable, up to USD 5 million and a repayment period of up to 120 days. To address the urgent cash flow needs of cross-border e-commerce businesses, the approval and drawdown process can be completed as fast as T+1 business day. Unlike traditional approaches that rely on financial statements and collateral, Ping An Digital Bank innovatively utilises real-time sales data from cross-border buyers to gain insights into clients’ actual operational performance, thereby breaking through the cumbersome constraints of traditional credit assessment. The product architecture directly aligns with supply chain liquidity needs, empowering clients to deploy capital with flexibility and mitigate cash flow pressures with ease.

Looking ahead, Ping An Digital Bank will continue to deepen the application of data analytics and financial technology, driving product innovation to empower trade businesses to achieve digital transformation and business upgrades. The Bank remains dedicated to refining its one-stop digital financial ecosystem, spanning business account opening, foreign exchange transactions, cross-border settlement, and flexible credit facilities—delivering holistic support for enterprise operational challenges, facilitating global expansion, and acting as a dedicated and trusted partner for SMEs growing on the international stage.

Hashtag: #平安數字銀行 #PingAnDB #採購貿易融資 #PurchaseOrderFinancing

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Ping An Digital Bank

Ping An Digital Bank (International) Limited (“Ping An Digital Bank,” “PingAnDB”) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lufax Holding Ltd (“Lufax”) (SEHK: 6623; NYSE: LU) and a member of Ping An Insurance (Group) Company of China, Ltd. (“Ping An”) (SEHK: 2318; SSE: 601318). Ping An Digital Bank was granted a banking licence by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in May 2019 to offer retail banking and business banking services. Backed by Ping An’s advanced technology, Ping An Digital Bank is elevating banking experience, serving customer in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area, establishing itself as Ping An Group’s comprehensive financial platform in Hong Kong.

CANNES, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – MIRAVA, a new-generation smart boat company, is preparing for its European debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, following three years of product development and $5M in angel funding to support further development and small-batch production and deliveries.

Designed around the idea of giving people greater freedom on the water, MIRAVA combines intelligent navigation, modular design and multiple recreational functions within a single 7.9-metre boat.

Unlike conventional boats designed primarily around one activity, MIRAVA is positioned as a flexible recreational platform for cruising, family time, watersports, fishing and socialising. Its modular stern can transform the aft area into an expanded platform or be separated from the main boat to operate independently as a small tender.

The company is also integrating autonomous boating technologies designed to reduce the complexity of operating a boat. These include autonomous docking, autonomous departure, dynamic positioning and autonomous following. A smart wearable allows the boat to follow its user while they are swimming, paddle boarding or diving.

MIRAVA’s product development has been refined over the past three years, with the company focusing on making advanced marine technology practical and intuitive rather than simply adding more onboard technology.

The boat will be presented in both fully electric and petrol versions. The electric model features a 100 kWh battery, 150 hp maximum power and a top speed of 20 knots, while the petrol version delivers up to 250 hp and 30 knots. Both versions measure 7.9 metres in length, with a beam of 2.44 metres and capacity for up to eight people.

The $5M angel funding will support further product development as well as small-batch production and deliveries as MIRAVA moves towards its next stage of commercialisation.

MIRAVA will make its European debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2026, Port Canto, Stand POWER132, before continuing its European presence at boot Düsseldorf 2027.

The company sees Europe as an important market for demonstrating how intelligent technology, modular design and a more flexible approach to recreational boating can create a new experience on the water.

Hashtag: #MIRAVA

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About MIRAVA

MIRAVA is a smart boat company developing a new generation of intelligent recreational boats. Combining advanced autonomous navigation, modular design and flexible recreational functions, MIRAVA aims to give people greater freedom in how they use and experience the water.

Website: https://miravaboats.com/contact

Singapore-based Oryon joins OpenAI’s SMB channel ecosystem to accelerate ChatGPT Business adoption among SMEs across Asia.

https://oryon.net/chatgpt-business
Hashtag: #Oryon #OpenAI #ChatGPTBusiness #ArtificialIntelligence #GenerativeAI #SMB #SMEs #AIAdoption #BusinessAI

https://oryon.net/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/oryon-networks-pte-ltd/
https://www.facebook.com/oryon.asia/

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

Oryon Networks Pte Ltd

Oryon offers leading workplace and AI technologies including ChatGPT, ChatGPT Business, Microsoft 365, Microsoft Office 365, Microsoft 365 Copilot and Google Workspace. As a Microsoft Solutions Partner, Oryon helps businesses select suitable Microsoft 365 subscription plans and adopt Microsoft cloud productivity solutions.

Oryon is also an OpenAI SMB Channel Partner, supporting eligible businesses interested in subscribing to ChatGPT Business. These technologies help organisations improve productivity, collaboration, research, content creation, automation and software development.

With more than 25 years of experience, Oryon continues to evolve from its web hosting roots into a broader technology partner helping businesses adopt cloud, cybersecurity and AI solutions.

New digital capability provides customers with added protection in everyday online transactions

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Citi today announced the upcoming launch of Hong Kong’s first Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic Card Validation Code (CVC), in partnership with Mastercard. The new capability provides an additional layer of protection for online transactions and reinforces Citi’s commitment to delivering innovative digital solutions that help protect customers against fraud in an increasingly digital world.

As digital commerce continues to evolve and become an increasingly important part of daily life, customers are seeking stronger protection against fraud, especially for card-not-present (CNP) transactions, without compromising convenience. The urgency of this need is underscored by the acceleration of digital payments. In 2025, Citi Hong Kong recorded over 20% year-on-year growth in the combined volume of domestic e-commerce and recurring transactions, with even higher growth for these transactions conducted in foreign currency. Globally, 40% of Mastercard transactions are now tokenized and contactless payments represent about 70% of all in-person purchase transactions on Mastercard-branded cards worldwide.

Citi’s data shows that approximately 80% of credit card fraud attempts are related to CNP transactions, highlighting the importance of enhancing protection in online payment environments. Citi’s Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC is designed to address this need by helping customers reduce the exposure of their physical card credentials across digital merchants, while continuing to support online shopping, subscriptions and recurring payments.

How It Works

Accessible through the Citi Mobile® App, the solution combines a Virtual Credit Card number with a Dynamic CVC that generates a one-time-use verification code for each new transaction. If a generated Dynamic CVC is not used within its validity period, it will automatically refresh when viewed in the Citi Mobile ® App.

The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC leverages Mastercard’s tokenization infrastructure, which underpins the security of millions of digital transactions globally. By generating a unique, time-limited code for every online transaction, the solution ensures that even if card details are compromised, they cannot be reused by fraudsters – dramatically reducing the risk of unauthorized transactions.

Complementing the Physical Card Experience

Beyond enhanced protection, the Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC is designed to complement the physical card experience. Customers can continue to use their physical cards for everyday in-person purchases, while the Virtual Credit Card can be used for online subscriptions, recurring payments, e-commerce transactions and mobile wallets.

This new feature gives customers greater control over their digital footprint, enabling them to compartmentalize their online spending and reduce risk exposure without any disruption to their existing card usage.

The upcoming launch forms part of Citi Hong Kong’s ongoing investment in digital capabilities aimed at enhancing customer experience and providing more intuitive, secure and convenient banking solutions.

Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citi Hong Kong, said, “At Citi, we are focused on delivering innovative solutions that help customers navigate an increasingly digital world with confidence. The upcoming launch of Hong Kong’s first Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC reflects how we are leveraging digital innovation to make online payments safer, easier and more reassuring, helping customers transact with greater confidence and peace of mind. With the rapid growth of digital commerce and the persistent threat of card-not-present fraud, solutions like this are not just a differentiator – they are a necessity for responsible digital banking.”

Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard, said, “Mastercard is honored by the trust Citi has placed in us to bring this market-first innovation to their Hong Kong credit cardholders. The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC leverages Mastercard’s tokenization capabilities to safeguard cardholders’ credentials, demonstrating how our security innovations are setting a new benchmark for consumer protection in digital commerce. This launch also reflects Mastercard’s promise to deliver safe and secure payment experiences to every cardholder.”

The Virtual Credit Card with Dynamic CVC will be made available to eligible Citi Mastercard credit card customers in Hong Kong in the coming months through the Citi Mobile® App.

Click HERE to download the photo
Photo: Helena Chen, Senior Vice President, General Manager, Hong Kong and Macau, Mastercard (left) and Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citi Hong Kong (right)

Hashtag: #Citi

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

About Citi

Citi is a preeminent banking partner for institutions with cross-border needs, a global leader in wealth management and a valued personal bank in its home market of the United States. Citi does business in more than 180 countries and jurisdictions, providing corporations, governments, investors, institutions and individuals with a broad range of financial products and services.

Additional information may be found atwww.citigroup.com | X: @Citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi

BERLIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – ECOVACS has been named the global No.1 home robotics brand in a newly released research report by Forbes China, which recognizes its leadership across multiple home robotics categories. Built on in-house R&D and manufacturing capabilities and scalable technology stacks, the company has expanded from floor care to windows, lawns, and pools, with its service robotics now serving more than 38 million households across nearly 180 markets worldwide.

“The future of home robotics is not about adding more products. It is about giving people more freedom from everyday tasks,” said David Qian, CEO of ECOVACS ROBOTICS. “By reusing around 80% of our core technologies and adapting 20% to each scenario, we can bring robotics from floors and windows to lawns and pools. Looking ahead, we will continue to innovate to make robotics more intelligent, autonomous and accessible, helping more people enjoy an easier everyday life.”

From Indoors to Outdoors: Expanding the Role of Home Robotics

For ECOVACS, the vision of “Robotics for All” means bringing the benefits of service robotics into more parts of everyday life.

ECOVACS’ expansion into new household environments began with windows. Since pioneering the robotic window cleaning category with its first WINBOT in 2011, ECOVACS has continuously evolved its robotics to address real consumer needs. The latest WINBOT W3 OMNI, showcased at IFA 2026, features Vortex Wash, an industry-first automatic wiping-pad cleaning technology that eliminates the hassle of manually washing dirty pads. With more than 1.5 million households worldwide using WINBOT products[1], ECOVACS ranks No. 1 globally in category shipments, according to IDC.[2]

The same idea extends outdoors. For many households, lawn care is a recurring task, with edges among the most difficult areas to keep neat. ECOVACS is showcasing the GOAT T Series at IFA 2026, addressing this challenge with TruEdge Trimmer, designed to cut closely along lawn borders and leave less work behind for users, while the industry-exclusive HoloScope 360 Dual-LiDAR Navigation help it handle different yard layouts with greater autonomy. To date, robotic lawn mowers GOAT have covered nearly 1.4 billion sq. m. of lawn globally – equivalent to around 200,000 standard soccer pitches.

In floor care, ECOVACS pioneered OZMO ROLLER technology to tackle one of the most persistent cleaning challenges: stubborn messes without spreading dirt back across the floor. Featured on the DEEBOT X12S OmniCyclone at IFA 2026, the latest OZMO ROLLER 3.0 combines strong cleaning pressure with continuous self-washing to keep the roller clean as it cleans, helping users achieve a deeper clean with less effort. Since its global introduction in September 2024, OZMO ROLLER-equipped models have reached more than 2.8 million units in cumulative global shipments as of July 2026, according to ECOVACS’ internal data.

Building on its expertise across floor, window and lawn care, ECOVACS is extending the robotics experience to pool cleaning. Showcased at IFA 2026, the ULTRAMARINE L1 PRO is designed to take the time and effort out of pool care, autonomously navigating and cleaning different pool environments with minimal user intervention. By bringing robotics to another traditionally hands-on task, ECOVACS is making pool care simpler.

Technology Stacks Powering Global Multi-Category Leadership

Underpinning this multi-category success is scalable technology stacks spanning robotics, sensing, motion control, cleaning, and power management. Rather than building each category from the ground up, ECOVACS can adapt and scale proven robotics capabilities across different environments and user needs, creating a platform built to move from one scenario to the next.

This strategy is backed by more than 900 R&D professionals, RMB 554 million in R&D investment in the first half of 2026, and more than 3,100 patents [3]. Its vertically integrated R&D and manufacturing model further strengthens this technology advantage, giving ECOVACS greater control over key robotics technologies and shortening the path from innovation to products people can use. Together, these capabilities enable ECOVACS to bring proven robotics expertise into new categories and markets at scale, while staying focused on where robotics can create meaningful value in everyday life.

The results are increasingly visible in global markets. In the first half of 2026, global shipments of ECOVACS service robots increased 44.1% year on year, while revenue from new categories, including robotic window cleaners, robotic lawn mowers and robotic pool cleaners, grew 75.1% in international markets. For the first time, international markets accounted for more than half of ECOVACS’ total revenue in Q2 2026, reaching 51%. The milestone reflects how the company’s robotics portfolio is increasingly scaling beyond China.

As ECOVACS expands into more categories and markets around the world, it is bringing its robotics innovation to more people, making everyday life easier wherever they live. At IFA Berlin 2026, visitors can experience this vision at IFA 2026, Hall 9, Booth 113 at Messe Berlin, September 4 to 8.

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[1] ECOVACS Internal sales tracking record from all countries and regions. (Dec. 2011–Jun. 2025)

[2] According to the International Data Corporation (IDC) “IDC Quarterly Smart Home Tracker – Window Cleaning Robot, 2025 Q3”, ECOVACS ranked No.1 in shipment volume from 2023 through Q3 2025.

[3] ECOVACS 2026 Semi-Annual Financial Report

Hashtag: #ECOVACS

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

About ECOVACS ROBOTICS

Founded in 2006, ECOVACS ROBOTICS is a global leader in home service robotics with a diverse portfolio of products encompassing robotic vacuum cleaners and robotic window cleaners. With its expansion into robotic lawn mowers, commercial cleaning robots, robotic pool cleaners and robotic pet companions, ECOVACS solidified its position as a multi-category leader in home service robotics.

Guided by the vision “Robotics for All”, ECOVACS continues to advance technology and enhance the user experience to make life smarter and more stylish for consumers worldwide. With sales subsidiaries in Germany, the United States, Japan, and Singapore, ECOVACS products reach nearly 180 major markets and serve over 38 million households globally.

A testament to this market leadership, ECOVACS ROBOTICS has ranked first in China’s robotic vacuum cleaner market by share for ten consecutive years (2015-2024).

Regional headlines have raised questions about cleaner vetting, hiring requirements and professional cleaning standards. Kleaner’s 100,000-hour milestone is underpinned by a model designed to address these concerns through trained personnel, oversight and consistent service protocols.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 September 2026 – Kleaner, a professional home and office cleaning provider operating across Kuala Lumpur and the wider Klang Valley, has surpassed 100,000 hours of residential and commercial cleaning. The milestone comes amid renewed regional attention on the safeguards, qualifications and oversight surrounding cleaning roles.

Scaling Professional Cleaning Standards in Malaysia

As informal home-service hiring draws scrutiny, Malaysian authorities have encouraged consumers to use verified, accountable providers. Kleaner addresses these concerns through a digital-first service across Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and the Klang Valley, backed by vetted personnel, documented bookings and an Anti-Theft Policy. The equivalent of more than 11 years of round-the-clock cleaning has been delivered under this model, where screening, traceability and accountability remain central to service delivery.

Confronting Gaps Between Qualifications and Skills

Malaysia’s labor market continues to face a mismatch between qualifications and available work. Government data recorded 1.93 million people in skill-related underemployment in the first quarter of 2026, accounting for 35.2 percent of employed tertiary-educated workers. A Singapore cleaning vacancy offering Malaysians up to RM13,000 while requiring a university degree further highlighted the disconnect between credentials and actual job demands. National Training Week 2026 reflects a push toward practical, job-relevant skills development and clearer employment pathways.

Kleaner’s employment model supports this direction through training, conduct and performance. Its cleaners are given clear responsibilities, fair pay arrangements and a recognized professional role within the company. This supports workforce stability, service continuity and consistent expectations across residential and commercial assignments, while giving staff ownership of service quality and conduct.

Kleaner extends the same accountability to customers through transparent pricing and a Satisfaction Guarantee. By linking workforce recognition with customer safeguards, the company continues to strengthen reliability across its home and office cleaning services.
Hashtag: #Kleaner

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

About Kleaner

Kleaner is a digital-first cleaning services provider serving homes and businesses across Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya and the wider Klang Valley. Its services are delivered by vetted cleaners and supported by an Anti-Theft Policy and a Satisfaction Guarantee. For more information, visit: https://kleaner.my/