Category: What’s News Asia

• Jungheinrich marks 25 years of presence in Singapore, as country’s backbone for material flow of goods and a driver of sustainable intralogistics solutions, with more than 7,000 machines in the market and over 100 warehouse solutions implemented
• Jungheinrich Singapore established itself as one of the few full-liner suppliers of material handling equipment and solutions in the country, and the pioneer of electrification, with an estimate market share of 25% in electrified machines
• Milestone marked with an anniversary dinner on 28 August 2026, attended by Guests of Honour: Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, and Nadine Despineux, Member of the Board of Management, Chief Sales Officer, Jungheinrich

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 August 2026 – Jungheinrich, a global leader in sustainable material handling solutions, celebrated 25 years of presence in Singapore as country’s backbone for material flow of goods and a driver of sustainable intralogistics solutions, with more than 7,000 machines in the market and over 100 total warehouse solutions implemented.

On 28 August 2026, Jungheinrich celebrated this silver jubilee with an anniversary gala dinner at Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore, graced by Guests of Honour: Thomas Motak, Deputy Head of Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to Singapore, and Nadine Despineux, Member of the Board of Management, Chief Sales Officer, Jungheinrich, alongside key attendees such as, Manojit Acharya, Vice President – Asia Pacific & Managing Director, India, Benedict Kothe, Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Jungheinrich, Jens Rübbert, President of the European Chamber of Commerce, Singapore, Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Global Enterprises, Singapore Economic Development Board, and the various Jungheinrich teams, customers and partners in the APAC region.

A special toast was raised to mark Jungheinrich Singapore’s 25-year journey and its evolution into a strategic hub for Asia-Pacific (APAC). Established on 21 February 2001 as the first country unit in APAC, Jungheinrich Singapore is now part of a regional network spanning eight country units and 14 partner companies, supported by over 1,500 employees. The Singapore operation oversees key regional functions including training, automation, dealer management, sales, customer service and human resources, with the APAC spare parts distribution centre also based here.

Jungheinrich has also established itself as one of the few full-liner suppliers of material handling equipment and solutions in Singapore, offering warehouse trucks, racking, automation, digital solutions and customer service all under one roof. The Singapore team, comprising of 150 employees, works closely with Jungheinrich’s partners across APAC, supporting the company’s regional reach and market development.

Over the past 25 years, Jungheinrich Singapore has pioneered the adoption of electric material handling equipment in the country, with an estimated 25% share of the electrified machines market. Its team of 50 technicians strive to provide industry-benchmark service, supporting the logistics sector’s shift towards more efficient and professional operations. In recognition of its innovation and education initiatives, Jungheinrich Singapore was named Supply Chain Innovator of the Year (CSR) at the prestigious Supply Chain Asia Awards 2025, and has also achieved Great Place To Work® Certified™ status.

Notably, Jungheinrich Singapore was the first in APAC to open a Jungheinrich Experience Centre, established in May 2024, to showcase product innovation and illustrate how material flow interacts within a warehouse setting. The centre has since welcomed visitors including Kuehne & Nagel, Supply Chain Asia, the German Embassy in Singapore, and a slew of students from Republic Polytechnic (Singapore) and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

Jungheinrich Singapore has also played an active role in supporting the local community, serving as the official logistics sponsor for the annual National Day Parade for 2 consecutive years in 2025 and 2026, deploying electric forklifts, pallet trucks and reach trucks to help distribute close to 250,000 fun packs to spectators. The organisation also donated warehouse trucks to support Willing Hearts and Food Bank Singapore in their operations, and provided pallet jacks and forklifts for the United Buddy Bears Exhibition at Gardens by the Bay in September 2025, which marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Germany.

Since 2024, Jungheinrich Singapore and Malaysia have jointly run the “The Environment Wins Twice” campaign with Animal Projects & Environmental Education (APE) Malaysia, planting a tree for every electric forklift sold, and as of 2025, 455 trees have been planted, turning each sale into a tangible contribution to reforestation while supporting Jungheinrich’s global sustainability commitments.

While Southeast Asia’s warehouse automation market is projected to nearly double from US$0.87 billion in 2025 to US$1.95 billion by 2032, and Singapore’s land and labour constraints driving to demand for smarter, space-efficient solutions, Jungheinrich sees significant opportunities for further growth in the region.

Looking ahead, Jungheinrich Singapore will focus on developing localised automation solutions, expanding the rollout of AntOn by Jungheinrich, and introducing sustainable material handling solutions tailored to customers across APAC. Building on the launch of its first electric van in July 2025, the organisation is also targeting a fully green-energy service fleet by 2030, supporting its commitment to Carbon Neutrality by 2030 for Scope 1 emissions.

“As we celebrate 25 years in Singapore, we are proud of the strong foundation we have built with 150 intralogistics experts who support our customers across industries. Our journey has been defined by innovation, partnership, and a commitment to improving material flow efficiency. Looking ahead, we remain focused on helping businesses enhance productivity, increase warehouse safety and quality, and achieve sustainable growth through advanced material handling solutions,” said Benedict Kothe, Managing Director, Singapore and Malaysia, Jungheinrich.

“We congratulate Jungheinrich on 25 years in Singapore. Over the years, Jungheinrich has grown its Singapore operations into a strategic APAC hub, driving initiatives such as automation, innovation, and sustainability. We look forward to deepening our partnership with Jungheinrich as it contributes to Singapore’s logistics sector and develops solutions for the region,” said Soo Haw Yun, Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board.

As Jungheinrich Singapore enters its next chapter, the organisation remains committed to supporting customers’ growth with innovative, sustainable and increasingly automated material handling solutions.Hashtag: #Jungheinrich #Manufacturing #Logistics

https://www.jungheinrich.com.sg
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Jungheinrich Singapore

As one of the world’s leading providers of material handling solutions, Jungheinrich has advanced the development of innovative, sustainable products and solutions for material flows for more than 70 years. The family-owned, listed business generated revenue of €5.5 billion in the 2025 financial year with a workforce of over 21,000, and service and sales companies across 42 countries. In APAC, the company has established eight country units and over 14 partner companies, supported by over 1,500 employees. Established in Singapore in 2001, Jungheinrich Singapore marks its 25th anniversary in 2026 as the company’s strategic hub for the region.

Find out more at www.jungheinrich.com.sg.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 August 2026 – The annual flagship event Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 (DELF 2026), organised by Cyberport, concluded successfully today. Under the theme “The Dreamatic Circus”, this year’s forum focused on key topics including artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, IP economy development, and innovation in the cultural and creative industries. Over three consecutive days, the forum featured four themed experience zones — Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones — bringing together leaders and experts from technology, entertainment, culture and arts, education, and the creative industries to explore the latest trends and directions in empowering content creation, cultural preservation, and business applications through innovative technologies.

Building on the strong response on the first day, the second and third days focused on creative practice, technology experiences, and community engagement, presenting more than 35 innovative technology showcases, interactive experiences, and exciting activities. Highlights included the immersive interactive art exhibition of the Hong Kong original animation IP Another World, Nikopicto’s interactive phygital activation, Jin Technology Limited’s combat robots, and Genesis ONE’s AI- and 3D-powered fashion platform. The event also featured an Art-Tech Concert, AI game creator workshop, movie screenings, doujin event, and accessible esports experiences, enabling the public to experience first-hand the new possibilities that frontier technologies bring to entertainment, everyday life, and business applications, while showcasing the growth potential and opportunities created by the convergence of AI and digital entertainment.

Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, said, “Artificial intelligence is accelerating transformation across the entertainment and creative industries. It is not only changing the way content is created, but also creating new opportunities for cultural preservation, artistic expression, and industry development. DELF has long served as a cross-sector exchange platform, fostering collaboration among technology companies, creators, industry organisations, and talent to explore innovative application scenarios together. Cyberport will continue to actively promote the integration of AI and the creative industries, nurture I&T talent, and support start-up development, helping Hong Kong strengthen its position as an international innovation and technology centre.”

Spotlighting the Integration of AI Creation and Art-Tech

The second day of the forum centred on creative technology practices, showcasing the latest applications of AI in content creation, art, and entertainment through a series of interactive activities. The “Art-Tech Concert”, powered by the Hong Kong Innovative Technology Development Association, combined innovative technologies with live performance to demonstrate how digital tools can bring new forms of expression to music and the arts. The “Hong Kong AI Game Jam 2026 & Creator Workshop 2026”, powered by Honor U Ministry Ltd & Hong Kong Game Development Association, combined competition and learning, allowing participants to use AI tools for game development and inspiring creative thinking through hands-on challenges and guidance from industry experts. The event also featured the Accessible Gaming and Esports Experience powered by Hong Kong Blind Union.

Film and digital content creation were also key highlights. The event featured Cyberport Academy: DELF 2026 – AI Creative Micro-Academy, enabling the public to explore cutting-edge creative tools from leading brands and learn how to use generative AI and other frontier technologies for audiovisual storytelling, interactive game design, and other content creation. The forum also hosted a masterclass for the original animated film Another World, inviting Ms Polly Yeung, Chief Executive Officer of Gudo Inc., and Ms BeeWon Lee, CEO and producer of SuperString Inc, to share insights of reimagining “Another World” for a global webtoon audience.

In addition, popular programmes including XODIAC: Cosmic Code and Drone Cirque: A Circus in the Air attracted plenty of audience, combining performing arts, visual technology, and interactive entertainment in innovative formats and demonstrating new directions for technology-driven entertainment.

Bringing Together Culture, Education, and Community to Drive Innovation for All

On the final day, the forum further demonstrated the value of technology popularisation and cross-generational inclusion. Powered by Rotary Club of Smart Hong Kong, the “Elderly eSports Tournament & Experience Day” attracted senior participants to take part in various esports and interactive experience activities, showcasing the potential of digital entertainment in promoting social connection, intergenerational exchange, and lifelong learning, while further advancing gerontechnology development.

The event also hosted the “2nd Edition of Gen AI Student Social Challenge Award Ceremony and AI for Culture & IP Forum”, recognising young talent who applied generative AI to address social issues and promote cultural innovation. Industry experts were also invited to discuss how AI can empower the cultural sector and intellectual property development, opening up further possibilities for Hong Kong’s creative economy.

For the creator community, the “Creator Conflicts Doujin Exchange”, powered by Lifetime Memory, brought together illustrators, creators, and anime culture enthusiasts to promote creative exchange and collaboration, highlighting the vibrancy of Hong Kong’s original culture community.

For the movie programme, the event screened the local animation film To a Beautiful Time Gone By, selected works from companies shortlisted under the “Future Animation: 3rd AI-assisted animation production support scheme”, and selected works from the “2nd HKUST AI Film Festival Selected Projects”, including Tai Lung Fung – Full Throttle Kitchen, Tuen Min Vs. Tin Shui Wai, Cirkillation, Project J, In a Second, Where The Ink Stays, and Weaving, showcasing innovative achievements in video creation, animation production, and storytelling.

Three-Day Event Creates an Innovation Experience Platform for AI Entertainment

Throughout DELF 2026, more than 35 interactive experiences were presented, alongside 27 on-site workshops covering applications of AI and innovative technologies. Through the “Play to Earn” campaign, the public was encouraged to explore frontier technology applications while fully enjoying the fun of discovery.

The first day of the forum also facilitated a number of industry and academia collaboration outcomes. Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding with Alibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Hong Kong Shue Yan University, covering areas including start-up incubation, AI applications, art-tech project research and development, and talent cultivation, further strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors as well as the development of the technology ecosystem.

An “eVTOL Trial Flight Demo“ was also held at Cyberport Waterfront Park, showcasing the latest achievements in Hong Kong’s low-altitude economy and smart mobility. The demonstration attracted close to 1,000 visits and became another highlight of the forum.

Promoting Hong Kong as an International Hub for Digital Entertainment and AI Innovation

Through forum exchanges, creative showcases, technology demonstrations, and community activities, DELF 2026 successfully brought together the strengths of the technology, culture, arts, and entertainment sectors to explore the future development direction of the digital entertainment industry in the AI era.

Cyberport will continue to play its role as Hong Kong’s digital technology hub and AI accelerator, promoting the implementation and application of innovative technologies while nurturing a new generation of I&T and creative talent. Together with the industry, Cyberport will help open a new chapter for Hong Kong’s digital entertainment sector.

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

Hashtag: #Cyberport #DELF2026 #DigitalEntertainment

https://www.cyberport.hk/en

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

About Hong Kong Cyberport

Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,400 companies, including 29 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 28 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.

Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.

Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.

For more information, please visit https://www.cyberport.hk/en.

LiDAR and camera vision in place of the buried wire and the RTK antenna — Booth CCBB-154, 4-8 September

BELIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 August 2026 – Xcanbot arrives at IFA Berlin 2026 with two machines on Booth CCBB-154: the XcanMow Mix 2000 robot mower, making its European debut, and the Mate X seated mobility robot. Demonstrations run daily, 4-8 September, at Messe Berlin.

Where robot mowers fail is rarely the open lawn. It is the narrow passage beside the house, the corner under a tree where satellite reception dies, the front garden the machine cannot reach. Wire-guided mowers need a cable buried around the whole plot. RTK mowers lose their fix under canopies and beside walls.

The Mix 2000 does without both. Its XcanSense system fuses LiDAR with camera vision to map the garden automatically on the first run, with no wire, no antenna, no base station and no boundary walk, and holds roughly 2 cm positioning accuracy in shade, beside walls and after dark.

It passes through gaps as narrow as 55 cm, climbs 25-degree slopes, clears 5 cm obstacles and covers up to 2,000 m² at around 180 m² per hour. Cutting height runs from 30 to 60 mm. It works at 61 dB, carries an IPX6-rated body, and ships with 4G, GPS, a rain sensor, a swappable battery and multi-zone mapping as standard.

“Every robot mower is advertised on the same flat, open lawn,” said Zhanbin Li, founder and CEO of Xcanbot. “We built the Mix 2000 for the garden with a narrow gate, a slope and a big tree. That is most gardens.”

The Mate X shares the stand: a seated mobility robot sold as consumer technology, driving itself to a chosen destination while watching 180 degrees ahead. It appears next at REHACARE International 2026, Düsseldorf, 23-26 September, Booth 1A57-3.

The Mix 2000 launches on Kickstarter later this year. Sign up at launch.xcanmow.com for launch notice and an early discount.

Hashtag: #Xcanbot

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

About Xcanbot

Xcanbot develops consumer robotics for everyday life, including the Mate X smart mobility companion robot and the XcanMow Mix 2000 robot lawn mower.

Forest City SFZ sets out who may qualify for its 5% special corporate tax rate, how the separate Malaysia Digital tax incentive works, and which activities and conditions apply to each scheme.

JOHOR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 August 2026 – Forest City has, over the past decade, built a recognised track record in green-building and sustainability credentials. Since the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City Special Financial Zone (“SFZ”) incentive package on 20 September 2024, the development has added a financial-services and digital-economy dimension. The Forest City Special Financial Zone (“FC-SFZ”) Tax Incentive offers a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, to eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, Financial Global Business Services (“FGBS”) or Foreign Payment System Operator (“FPSO”) activities in Pulau 1, Forest City. Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (“MDEC”) is the appointed government agency to process applications, which are assessed by the National Committee on Investment (“NCI”).

The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is separate from Malaysia Digital (“MD”) Status and the MD Tax Incentive. A company does not need MD Status to qualify for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive. Under MDEC’s current rules, an FC-SFZ applicant must also not have been granted another tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. Eligible MD Status companies may separately apply for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the applicable criteria and approval process.

Key Incentives at a Glance

Forest City’s first decade was defined in part by its green-building and sustainability record. Forest City reports nearly 40 international awards and certifications as at August 2026, including LEED for Core and Shell (“LEED-CS”) Gold pre-certification and GreenRE Gold ratings. On 20 September 2024, the Malaysian Government announced the Forest City SFZ incentive package, adding a financial-services and digital-economy dimension to the development.

The current incentive landscape has four main components:

• Forest City SFZ corporate tax rate: Eligible companies undertaking qualifying fintech, FGBS or FPSO activities in Pulau 1 may receive a 5% special corporate tax rate for 10 consecutive years of assessment, extendable for a second 10-year period, subject to approval and continued compliance. The qualifying activity must use at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC.
• Single Family Office (“SFO”) Scheme: A qualifying Single Family Office Vehicle (“SFOV”) may receive a 0% tax rate on chargeable income from its qualifying holding and investment activities for an initial 10 years, with a possible extension for a further 10 years, subject to the Securities Commission Malaysia (“SC”) requirements.
• Knowledge workers: Eligible knowledge workers working within the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (“JS-SEZ”), which includes Forest City as a designated flagship area, may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, subject to the applicable conditions.
• Malaysia Digital tax incentive: This is a separate national incentive administered by MDEC. For New Investment, eligible companies may choose between a reduced tax rate — 0% on qualifying intellectual-property (“IP”) income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and 5% or 10% on qualifying non-IP income for up to 10 years — or an Investment Tax Allowance (“ITA”) of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure for up to five years. Different rates apply to the Expansion Incentive. Applications are open until 31 December 2027.

Taken together, these measures position Forest City SFZ as a potential regional base for qualifying financial-services and technology-enabled businesses assessing Malaysia’s tax framework, proximity to Singapore and access to ASEAN markets. However, the schemes are separate and should not be treated as automatically cumulative.

Forest City Tax Framework for Fintech and Technology-Enabled Financial Services

The FC-SFZ Tax Incentive is not a blanket 100% tax exemption for fintech, AI or technology companies. It is a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying activities under the FC-SFZ framework. MDEC is the appointed agency to process applications, while applications are assessed by the NCI.

The 5% rate applies to qualifying fintech activities, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City. The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler: artificial intelligence (“AI”) or big data analytics (“BDA”); Internet of Things (“IoT”); cybersecurity; cloud; blockchain; creative media technology, including extended reality (“XR”) or mixed reality (“MR”); robotics or automation; or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology. Eligibility is not automatic based on location alone; companies must also satisfy the applicable corporate, activity, substance, regulatory and compliance conditions.

The “up to 100%” figure sometimes cited in relation to Malaysia Digital refers to the ITA available under the MD New Investment Incentive. It is an allowance on qualifying capital expenditure, not a 100% income tax holiday. The MD Tax Incentive is also separate from the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive and should not be assumed to stack with it for the same qualifying activity.

Comparison table:

For accurate and current policy information, companies should refer directly to official sources, including:

• MDEC — Forest City Special Financial Zone (FC-SFZ) Tax Incentive FAQ and application guidance
• MDEC — Malaysia Digital Tax Incentive FAQ and MD Status guidelines
• Securities Commission Malaysia — Single Family Office Incentive Scheme and gazetted tax rules
• Ministry of Finance / MRT Corp — JS-SEZ incentive package and Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link information

Malaysia Digital Status and Tax Incentive: A Separate National Framework

MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC. An MD Status company may then be eligible to apply separately for the MD Tax Incentive, subject to the relevant criteria. Under MDEC’s current framework, qualifying Malaysia Digital Activities comprise the research, development or commercialisation of solutions, or the provision of services, using promoted technology enablers such as AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, drone technology, creative media technology, integrated-circuit design with embedded software, robotics or automation, and advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.

Under the current MD Tax Incentive, the available options differ between New Investment and Expansion:

• New Investment: A 0% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and a 5% or 10% reduced tax rate on qualifying non-IP income, for up to 10 years; or an ITA of 60% or 100% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.
• Expansion: A 15% reduced tax rate on qualifying IP income, subject to the modified nexus approach, and non-IP income, for up to five years; or an ITA of 30% or 60% of qualifying capital expenditure against up to 100% of statutory income, for up to five years.

The “100%” figure therefore refers to the ITA rate under the New Investment Incentive. It does not mean that all company income is tax-free.

The MD Tax Incentive is open for applications until 31 December 2027. A company must first obtain MD Status before submitting an application for the MD Tax Incentive.

MD Status also provides access to non-tax benefits under the MD Bill of Guarantees, including the ability to apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes, subject to the relevant immigration requirements. MDEC’s Expats Service Centre administers the related Foreign Knowledge Worker processes for eligible companies.

Eligibility Summary: Entities, Sectors and Permitted Activities

Forest City SFZ 5% rate

• Activity-based: Qualifying services are limited to fintech-related activities, FGBS and FPSO activities.
• Technology condition: The qualifying activity must utilise at least one promoted technology enabler specified by MDEC, including AI or BDA, IoT, cybersecurity, cloud, blockchain, creative media technology, robotics or automation, or advanced network connectivity or telecommunications technology.
• Location condition: The qualifying activity must be carried out in Pulau 1, Forest City.
• Substance and compliance conditions: Approved companies must meet the conditions set out in their approval letter, including commitments relating to full-time employees, knowledge workers, annual operating expenditure, ESG requirements, relevant regulatory approvals or licences, and annual compliance reporting verified by an independent auditor.

Malaysia Digital (MD) Status and MD Tax Incentive

• Activity-based: MD eligibility is tied to Malaysia Digital Activities that use the promoted technology enablers specified by MDEC. Merely operating an AI, cloud, fintech or digital business does not automatically confer tax-incentive eligibility.
• Status and tax-incentive process: MD Status is granted by MDEC. The MD Tax Incentive is a separate application available to eligible MD or MSC Malaysia Status companies, depending on the relevant incentive category.
• Geographic scope: MD Status is a national programme and does not require a company to be located in Forest City.
• No automatic stacking: MDEC states that an FC-SFZ Tax Incentive applicant must not already have been granted a tax incentive for the same qualifying activity. MDEC also confirms that MD Status is not required to apply for the FC-SFZ Tax Incentive.

Accordingly, companies should assess the FC-SFZ and MD frameworks separately. Any proposed structure involving different activities, income streams or incentive programmes should be verified with MDEC and qualified tax advisers before any combined tax outcome is assumed.

Strategic Rationale: Proximity, Talent Incentives and Regional Access

Forest City’s location proposition is based on three interlocking factors: proximity to Singapore, targeted talent incentives and early investor interest.

• Proximity as operational leverage: Forest City lies approximately 2 km from Singapore at its nearest point, placing qualifying operations close to one of Asia’s major financial and technology hubs. The Johor Bahru-Singapore RTS Link will connect Bukit Chagar in central Johor Bahru with Woodlands North in Singapore. MRT Corp has stated that service is targeted to commence on 31 December 2026. The RTS Link does not serve Forest City directly, so onward road transport between Forest City and central Johor Bahru will still be required.
• Talent as a bundled enabler: Eligible knowledge workers in the JS-SEZ may qualify for a special 15% personal income tax rate for 10 years, while eligible MD Status companies may apply for foreign knowledge-worker quotas and passes through MDEC’s expatriate facilitation framework. These are separate benefits with their own eligibility and approval requirements.

By June 2026, Invest Johor reported that the Forest City SFZ had recorded 260 cumulative investor enquiries through the Invest Malaysia Facilitation Centre-Johor, against an RM2 billion investment target. Separately, the SC reported in October 2025 that six families had received conditional approval under the SFO Incentive Scheme, with indicative assets under management close to RM400 million.

This incentive framework sits alongside Johor’s rapid emergence as a major Malaysian data-centre market. JLL has highlighted strong data-centre expansion in Johor and the wider JS-SEZ, supported by major hyperscale investments and infrastructure development. This broader digital-economy momentum strengthens the regional technology narrative, but it should not be presented as a direct operating benefit or guaranteed outcome for individual Forest City SFZ companies.

Decision Framework: Two Pathways and a Diligence Caveat

The incentive structure is best assessed through two distinct pathways, with a separate due-diligence lens for investors and advisers.

• Pathway A – FC-SFZ presence on Pulau 1: This is relevant to eligible fintech companies, FGBS providers and FPSO businesses that can satisfy the physical-location, activity, substance and compliance requirements. The 5% special corporate tax rate is available for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to continued compliance and approval.

This route may suit businesses that value proximity to Singapore while maintaining qualifying operations in Pulau 1. The RTS Link is expected to improve connectivity between central Johor Bahru and Singapore, but it does not remove the requirement for companies to maintain the approved substance and qualifying activities in Forest City.

• Pathway B – MD Status and MD Tax Incentive nationwide: This pathway may be relevant to eligible digital companies operating elsewhere in Malaysia. MD Status is granted nationally by MDEC, and eligible companies may subsequently apply for the MD Tax Incentive. The applicable reduced tax rate or ITA depends on whether the company applies under the New Investment or Expansion category and on the conditions it meets.

Investors and advisers should note that headline rates are not the same as effective tax rates. The outcome for any entity depends on qualifying activities and income, approved commitments, substance conditions and the specific incentive secured. Groups with annual consolidated revenue of EUR750 million or more may also be subject to Malaysia’s domestic top-up tax rules where the relevant effective tax rate falls below 15%. Tax outcomes should therefore be modelled only after verification against current primary sources and professional advice.

The Verdict

Forest City’s proposition to fintech and technology-enabled financial-services companies is specific and condition-based: a 5% special corporate tax rate for qualifying fintech, FGBS and FPSO activities carried out in Pulau 1 using promoted technology enablers. The incentive runs for 10 consecutive years of assessment and may be extended for a second 10-year period, subject to compliance and approval. It is neither a blanket 5% rate for all AI or technology companies nor a 100% income tax exemption.

Alongside this are the separate SFO Incentive Scheme, which may provide a 0% tax rate for up to 20 years subject to SC requirements; the JS-SEZ’s special 15% personal income tax rate for eligible knowledge workers for 10 years; and the national MD Tax Incentive, which offers different reduced tax rates or ITA options depending on whether an applicant qualifies under the New Investment or Expansion category. Applications for the MD Tax Incentive are open until 31 December 2027.

Reported traction includes 260 cumulative investor enquiries recorded by Invest Johor by June 2026 and six families granted conditional approval under the SFO Incentive Scheme, with indicative assets under management close to RM400 million as reported by the SC in October 2025. Forest City also benefits from proximity to Singapore, while the RTS Link is targeted to commence service on 31 December 2026 between central Johor Bahru and Woodlands North.

For companies and investors, the key question is not simply whether these incentives exist, but whether their exact activities, income streams, location, substance commitments and corporate structure satisfy the conditions required to access them in practice. Current official guidance and qualified tax advice should be obtained before any investment or structuringHashtag: #ForestCity

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

BATIC 2026 brought together more than 2,700 delegates from over 760 companies across 67 countries, reaffirming that resilient connectivity, cloud, and AI can only be built through solid ecosystem collaboration.

BALI, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 August 2026 – The Bali Annual Telkom International Conference (BATIC) 2026, held from 25 to 28 August 2026, brought together more than 2,700 delegates from over 760 companies across 67 countries, alongside 72 sponsors and exhibitors and more than 4,500 scheduled meetings through the BATIC App, for two conference days of discussions shaping Asia Pacific’s digital economy.

Under the theme “Uniting Ecosystem to Drive Connected Progress,” BATIC 2026 reinforced one central message: the advancement of connectivity, cloud, and AI depends on strong collaboration across the entire digital ecosystem.

Conference Day 1: Strengthening the Foundations of Global Connectivity

Conference Day One opened with Sam Evans of Teneo, who set the stage by highlighting how future economic and societal growth is built on next-generation networks. Dian Siswarini, President Director of Telkom Indonesia, then delivered the opening keynote, “Empowering the Digital Future: Connectivity, Innovation, and Growth,” highlighting how advanced networks, AI-driven automation, and digital infrastructure can unlock new growth opportunities.

Dian Siswarini said, “Building the digital future requires us to strengthen our foundations, embrace intelligence, and collaborate across the ecosystem. Through these efforts, we can transform connectivity into greater innovation, economic opportunity, and sustainable digital growth.”

The Executive Panel “Investment Horizons: Building Resilient Subsea and Fiber Infrastructure” followed, bringing together leaders from Telkom Indonesia, Airtel, BW Digital, HSBC, Alcatel Submarine Networks, Digital Realty, and PCCW Global. The discussion explored investment requirements, funding models, risk mitigation, and cross-ecosystem collaboration needed to advance resilient international connectivity.

China Mobile International’s Dr. Yin Mingming then shared practical lessons through “From AI Vision to Business Value: Lessons from Real Enterprise AI Deployments,” focusing on how enterprise AI can deliver measurable business impact. This was followed by the Executive Panel “Future-Proofing Communications: AI, Immersion and Inclusivity,” featuring Telin CEO Abdul Rahman Ansyori alongside leaders from e&, Mobile Ecosystem Forum, CPaaSAA, Orange, SBTS, and Google, exploring how AI, innovation, and strategic partnerships are shaping the future of communications.

Day One continued with Nokia’s Praveen Kumar on “From Bandwidth to Intelligence: Optical Networking in the AI Era,” exploring the AI-driven use cases and scalability challenges shaping next-generation optical infrastructure. The day also featured a closed-door Leadership Summit co-hosted by Telin and GLF, where C-level executives discussed capital requirements, supply chain constraints, cross-ecosystem collaboration, and access to affordable energy for AI-enabled infrastructure.

Beyond the main stage, Conference Day One also featured a range of side events, including Closed-Door Leadership Forum and Expert Spotlights bringing together industry leaders to exchange insights and explore opportunities across connectivity, AI, digital infrastructure, and the wider digital ecosystem.

Conference Day 2: Accelerating Cloud and AI-Ready Infrastructure

Conference Day Two opened with Sam Evans of Teneo on “Cloud’s Role in Enterprise and Economic Growth in APAC,” setting the scene for discussions on how cloud is transforming enterprises and economies across the region. The programme continued with a Ministerial Keynote, Strengthening Indonesia’s Digital Transformation: Safeguarding Indonesia’s Digital Future in the Age of Cloud and AI delivered by Edwin Hidayat Abdullah, Director General of Digital Ecosystems, Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs, Republic of Indonesia, highlighting Indonesia’s policy direction for a secure, trusted, and innovation-driven digital ecosystem.

Edwin Hidayat Abdullah said, “As cloud and AI continue to reshape our economy and society, Indonesia’s digital future must be built not only on innovation and infrastructure, but also on trust. This requires a strong, secure, and inclusive digital ecosystem, supported by close collaboration between government, industry, and the wider community. Through collaboration, we can ensure that technological progress delivers sustainable growth and benefits all Indonesians.”

The programme then explored the infrastructure and innovation driving APAC’s digital growth through fireside chats with Herson Suindah of SM+ Holdings and Michael McPhail of MoraRepublic on the role of data centres and connectivity in the AI era, followed by Toto Sugiri of DCI Indonesia on the drivers of cloud demand across the region. LARUS Founder and CEO, Lu Heng also examined how BYOIP is evolving into a strategic value layer for cloud, connectivity, and data centre providers.

The Executive Panel “From Demand to Impact: The Next Phase of Cloud Innovation and Adoption in APAC” brought together leaders from across the technology and telecommunications ecosystem to discuss cloud adoption, AI integration, investment, innovation, and partnerships. The main conference programme concluded with iBASIS Chief Growth Officer, Nicolas Barret’s “Beyond the Cloud: Partnerships and Innovation Powering APAC’s Next Digital Frontier,” reinforcing the importance of cross-ecosystem collaboration in shaping the region’s next phase of growth.

Conference Day Two continued with Expert Spotlights program, expanding discussions around cloud, AI, autonomous networks, digital infrastructure, and the future of the APAC digital ecosystem.

BATIC 2026 Side Events Series

Beyond the main programme, BATIC 2026 also featured a series of side events from 24 to 27 August 2026 held across several venues, including the Special Side Events Room, Surakarta Stage, and Nusantara Stage. The lineup included Mplify’s APAC Member Workshop, the Future Tech Leaders Summit (co-hosted with GLF and YTC), the Closed-door Leadership Summit (co-hosted with GLF), the MNV Session, i3Forum’s Industry Perspectives, the TM Forum Workshop, and Mplify’s Southeast Asia Council Meeting. The energy was further amplified through Expert Spotlights offering deep insights from industry experts.

Strategic Partnerships Signed at BATIC 2026

BATIC 2026 delivered concrete outcomes through several strategic partnership signings:

• Telin and PEACE – LoI of PEACE Expansion
• Telin and TM Forum – Open API & Open Digital Architecture Manifesto
• Telin and SM+ – Strategic Partnership MoU
• Telin and GTI – MoU on BSC Fiber Pair Project Capacity and Connectivity
• Telin and Mitratel – MoU on Telin’s Asset Transaction Exploration in Timor-Leste

These agreements translate the conference’s collaborative spirit into tangible commitments that will strengthen connectivity and the digital ecosystem across the region.

Abdul Rahman Ansyori, Chief Executive Officer of Telin, said, “BATIC is a platform where the digital ecosystem comes together to turn conversations into meaningful collaboration. As connectivity evolves towards an AI-driven future, the industry needs to work together across infrastructure, technology, and business ecosystems to build digital foundations that are resilient, scalable, and inclusive. Through BATIC, Telin is committed to strengthening these connections and contributing to the development of APAC’s next digital frontier.”

Standing Together in Solidarity

BATIC 2026 unfolded against the backdrop of the earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). With Bali and Nusa Dua remaining operational, more than 2,700 international delegates continued the conference while standing in solidarity with the affected communities. As part of this collective support, BATIC 2026 will contribute USD 10,000, raised from registration and sponsorship proceeds, toward recovery efforts for communities affected by the disaster.

This solidarity became part of the conference’s lasting story. BATIC 2026 was not simply an event that continued through a difficult moment, but a global community that came together and stood for one another when it mattered most.

Hashtag: #BATIC2026 #BATIC #Telin #TelkomIndonesia #DigitalTransformation #DigitalEcosystem #Connectivity #Cloud #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #DigitalInfrastructure #APAC #AsiaPacific #SubseaConnectivity #FutureOfConnectivity #DigitalEconomy #StrategicPartnership #Collaboration #Bali #Indonesia

https://www.telin.net/
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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Telin

Founded in 2007, Telin is a global digital enabler delivering premium international mobility, connectivity, and tailored solutions for wholesale, enterprise, digital, and retail customers.

With 15 global presences across Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, the United States, Timor-Leste, the United Arab Emirates, and Myanmar—supported by representatives in the United Kingdom, the Philippines, India, Australia, Vietnam, and Canada—Telin connects businesses and communities worldwide.
Its infrastructure spans more than 429,167 kilometers of submarine cable systems across 29 global networks, supported by 211 Global Service Presences in 38 countries. Through continuous innovation and a strong commitment to growth, Telin is transforming how the world connects and accelerating digital transformation across borders.

For more information, visit www.telin.net

Strengthening Competitiveness via Online-to-Offline Integration and Supply Chain Agility

Results Highlights

• Revenue reached US$301.51 million, representing a strong increase of 23.2%.
• Gross profit grew by 28.2% to US$93.98 million, with gross profit margin expanding to 31.2%.
• Operating profit increased by 30.1% to US$24.29 million.
• Net profit surged by 30.0% to US$18.30 million, with net profit margin improving to 6.1%.
• Business-to-consumer (B2C) platform YesStyle recorded revenue of US$215.07 million, up 30.5%, accounting for 71.3% of the Group’s total revenue. Offline expansion was enhanced with the opening of its first physical concept store in the US.
• Business-to-business (B2B) platform AsianBeautyWholesale (ABW) recorded revenue of US$82.75 million, up 6.2%, accounting for 27.4% of the Group’s total revenue.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – YesAsia Holdings Limited (“YesAsia Holdings”, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”) (2209.HK), a leading e-commerce platform operator recognized for its expertise in curating Asian beauty and lifestyle products, announced today its interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Reporting Period”).

The Group continued to capture strong global demand for Korean Beauty (“K-Beauty”) products, driving revenue up by 23.2% year-on-year to US$301.51 million. Gross profit increased by 28.2% to US$93.98 million, with gross profit margin expanding by 1.2 percentage points to 31.2%. Operating profit grew by 30.1% to US$24.29 million. Benefiting from forward-looking investments in localized and tech-driven logistics infrastructure, which successfully mitigated geopolitical and freight cost pressures, profit for the period surged by 30.0% to US$18.30 million, after recognition of an one-off expense of approximately US$1.24 million in termination benefits arising from the organizational streamlining. Net profit margin improved to 6.1%. Basic earnings per share were US4.39 cents (1H 2025: US3.43 cents).

Navigating Uncertainties through Market Diversification and Logistics Agility

A global market footprint remains pivotal in mitigating geopolitical risks. The US, the Group’s largest market, has absorbed the tariff shock and delivered progressive improvement during the Reporting Period, with revenue exceeding 2H 2025 even outside the typical holiday peak season. Among non-core markets (excluding the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia), robust demand across Europe and Latin America, unlocked new growth momentum, with revenue from Europe and associated countries and Latin America growing by 22.1% and 178.4%, respectively. In the Middle East, the Group navigated the regional tensions to achieve steady revenue growth of 33.4%.

Complementing market diversification, strategic investments in logistics infrastructure spanning Hong Kong, South Korea, the US, and Europe, alongside the adoption of automation technologies like AMRs, have built a highly resilient and scalable supply chain. These capabilities enabled the Group to maintain a stable baseline for business costs and absorb freight and fuel price spikes stemming from Middle East conflicts during the Reporting Period. Consequently, the increase in operating costs remained well below revenue growth, with freight cost as a percentage of revenue dropping to 19.0%, demonstrating the Group’s robust cost control and operational agility.

Integrating O2O Experiences to Drive B2C-B2B Dual-Engine Synergy

Social media marketing remained one of the Group’s core strengths during the Reporting Period, supported by an ecosystem of over 557,000 unique influencers that generated US$85.70 million and contributed nearly 40% of YesStyle‘s revenue. To amplify this online impact, the Group strategically expanded its global offline presence to seamlessly bridge online and offline customer experiences. YesStyle debuted a 1,500 sq. ft. concept store in the San Francisco Bay Area. At the same time, the Group staged high-profile activations, including a Madrid café pop-up that generated over 2 million impressions and brand events at Seoul’s Yesful Land that accumulated over 3 million impressions. Together, these physical and digital touchpoints successfully converted customer engagement into sustained loyalty.

This heightened brand exposure across end-consumer markets directly catalyzed overseas B2B purchasing demand. During the Reporting Period, ABW consolidated its newly built partnerships with retailers in the US and Latin America. Notably, ABW Online’s average order size surged 38.6% year-on-year to US$3,590.60. This uptick reflects substantially stronger purchasing appetite and inventory confidence for K-Beauty products among retailers, underscoring the powerful synergy of the Group’s B2C-B2B dual-engine model.

Mr. Joshua Lau, Founder, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of YesAsia Holdings, said: “K-Beauty remains on an upward trajectory as it becomes a mainstream player in the global beauty business. Looking ahead, we believe that there is ample room for growth for YesAsia Holdings in both the retail and wholesale spheres worldwide. Amid geopolitical and supply chain uncertainties, we are continuously reinforcing our competitive moat and market leadership through AI-empowered customer services, a highly agile supply chain, and a strategy that seamlessly converts online traffic into immersive physical experiences, thereby driving long-term value for our shareholders in a fast-evolving market landscape.”

Hashtag: #YesAsia

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

About YesAsia Holdings Limited (02209.HK)

Established in 1997, YesAsia Holdings is a leading e‑commerce platform operator recognized for its expertise in identifying and procuring quality Asian beauty products. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group delivers products promptly and efficiently to a global audience through its strong ties with over 400 leading Asian beauty brand and supplier partners. The Group operates two major channels: YesStyle, a B2C e‑commerce platform serving the growing demand for Asian beauty, fashion and lifestyle products, particularly Korean beauty products; and AsianBeautyWholesale, a B2B‑oriented business for Asian beauty products via online and offline channels. YesAsia Holdings is a constituent of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index.

For more information, please visit the Group’s official website: https://www.yesasiaholdings.com/

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Huatai Securities Co., Ltd. (the “Company”; stock codes: 601688.SH, 6886.HK, HTSC.L), a leading technology‑driven and fully integrated securities firm in China, today announced its consolidated financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2026.

The Company recorded total revenue of RMB 31.31 billion, representing a year‑on‑year increase of 49.23%; net profit attributable to shareholders reached RMB 11.69 billion, up 54.87% year‑on‑year. Revenue from the Company’s major business segments, wealth management, institutional services, investment management and international business all recorded year‑on‑year growth, driving operating performance to a record high for the period.

Reflecting its strong financial performance, the Company has declared an interim dividend of RMB 1.80 per 10 shares, reaffirming its commitment to delivering sustainable value to shareholders.

Huatai Securities believes that sustainable competitive advantage can only be achieved through a systematic and enterprise-wide approach to artificial intelligence (AI). Since the beginning of 2026, the Company has focused on establishing AI as a future‑ready strategic infrastructure, accelerating its integration with professional financial expertise, business processes and organizational frameworks. By advancing an AI‑native business ecosystem that combines human judgement with machine intelligence, Huatai Securities is empowering employees to enhance productivity, strengthen innovation and deliver more sophisticated professional insights. This approach enables the Company to respond to clients’ evolving needs with greater efficiency, precision and service quality.

AI-driven Business Transformation

From large models to AI agents, AI technology is evolving at a rapid pace. Huatai Securities is firmly advancing its “ALL IN AI” strategy, leveraging technology not only to enhance quality and efficiency, but also to systematically re-engineer business workflows through AI-native thinking. The Company is embedding AI across key business functions, including investment research, investment banking, trading and wealth advisory, while also strengthening foundational capabilities in compliance, risk management and corporate decision‑making. As AI moves from the back office to the front line, Huatai Securities is transforming service delivery from reactive engagement to proactive support, creating a more intelligent, efficient and client-centric operating model.

Huatai Securities’ next‑generation AI‑native trading platform, the “AI ZhangLe” App, has redefined the traditional service model by shifting from an approach where clients actively seek out services to one where services proactively reach clients. The platform provides individual investors with intelligent, end‑to‑end support throughout the investment lifecycle. By deeply integrating investment research capabilities with advanced algorithms, AI ZhangLe replaces conventional command‑based interactions with natural language conversations, enabling the platform to understand investor needs, anticipate scenarios and provide proactive strategies. Before trades are executed, it scans market signals in real time to uncover potential targets based on objective indicators. During execution, it interprets investment intent through natural language interactions and translates it into actionable tasks for investors’ reference. Following execution, it delivers multi‑dimensional portfolio analysis, performance attribution and personalized optimization strategies, while proactively providing scenario‑based insights and professional decision‑support information. Since its launch in October 2025, the “AI ZhangLe” App has surpassed 5 million cumulative downloads.

As the AI transformation progresses, Huatai Securities is accelerating the development of a unified financial middle-office platform that provides a shared capability framework and data infrastructure across key business segments, including wealth management and institutional services. This platform enables the reuse of specialized expertise, integration of data assets and accumulation of organizational knowledge, driving continuous enhancement through real‑world business scenarios and iterative learning. At the core of this effort is the Company’s AI‑powered industry map, which systematically structures and embeds industry knowledge generated across investment research, investment banking and investment management activities. By transforming fragmented individual expertise and relationship networks into organizational intelligence, the platform enhances asset discovery capabilities and supports more accurate asset valuation and pricing. The AI‑powered industry map currently covers a range of strategic sectors, including lithium battery energy storage, semiconductor equipment, new energy vehicles, intelligent driving and innovative pharmaceuticals, and incorporates more than 60 specialized investment research capabilities, serving as a reusable, continuously evolving and highly scalable research foundation for all business segments across the Company.

Advancing the Real Economy Through Industrial Investment Banking

Building a modern industrial system and advancing the comprehensive upgrading of China’s industrial landscape are key priorities under the 15th Five‑Year Plan period. Huatai Securities remains committed to supporting the real economy by leveraging its full‑lifecycle service capabilities to meet the evolving needs of enterprises at every stage of development. At the same time, it is embedding AI across the upstream and downstream of investment banking industry chain to drive the intelligent transformation of core business procedures. For years, Huatai has supported more than 300 technology‑driven and innovation-focused companies, which today represent a combined market capitalization of approximately RMB 15 trillion.

The Company has continued to deepen its expertise across strategic sectors including AI and semiconductors, biomedicine, commercial aerospace, quantum computing, new energy and energy storage. Through extensive coverage of the upstream and downstream industry chain, Huatai Securities has developed a deep understanding of the underlying drivers of industrial development, enabling it to identify emerging opportunities and support enterprises in accessing capital markets, revitalizing assets and achieving long‑term sustainable growth.

As at June 30, 2026, the total committed capital of private equity funds under management of Huatai Zijin Investment Co., Ltd. reached RMB 72 billion, with 34 new investment projects carried out during the first half of the year. Meanwhile, Huatai Securities’ A‑share equity underwriting volume reached RMB 53.3 billion, representing a significant year‑on‑year increase, while total bond underwriting across all product categories amounted to RMB 718.9 billion. Huatai Securities also acted as independent financial advisor on 7 M&A and restructuring transactions approved by stock exchanges during the period, while Huatai Asset Management served as manager for 87 enterprise asset-backed securities (ABS) programs, both ranking first in the industry. Leveraging its cross‑border capabilities and integrated business model, Huatai Securities continued to facilitate the international expansion of high‑quality Chinese enterprises through Hong Kong’s capital markets. During the first half of 2026, Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) Limited completed 12 Hong Kong IPO sponsorship mandates, ranking third in the market.

“One Huatai”: Delivering Client–Centric Solutions

Against a backdrop of profound macroeconomic adjustment and ongoing structural market transformation, wealth and institutional clients are increasingly seeking sophisticated asset-allocation strategies, enhanced risk management and highly customized solutions. In response, Huatai Securities has further strengthened its “One Huatai” integrated service platform, leveraging AI to broaden its capabilities, enhance client engagement and respond more effectively to evolving market conditions.

The Company continued to enhance its trading and asset-allocation capabilities across its wealth management platform. On a consolidated basis, net revenue from securities brokerage reached RMB 4.7 billion in the first half of 2026, representing year‑on‑year growth of 61%, while net revenue from the distribution of financial products increased 114% to RMB 600 million. Sales volumes, assets under custody and revenue from private fund products all recorded strong growth during the period. To further elevate advisor productivity and client service, Huatai Securities launched an AI‑powered advisor workbench, underpinned by a multi‑agent collaborative architecture that optimizes key business processes, including product introduction and evaluation, asset allocation and investment strategy development. The platform incorporates a suite of role‑specific intelligent agents that support end-to-end execution across core advisory workflows. Leveraging its proprietary technology infrastructure, the Company delivers AI capabilities consistently across the organization while enabling personalized workflow orchestration and tailored service delivery.

Within its institutional services business, Huatai Securities continued to strengthen its global client franchise, with its institutional client network now spanning more than 6,500 domestic and international institutions, with the number of newly opened sovereign wealth fund accounts increasing 64% year‑on‑year. The Company has established a comprehensive prime brokerage ecosystem, providing institutional clients with integrated solutions across the full investment lifecycle. Huatai Securities ranked fifth in public fund brokerage trading volume in 2025, and second in the industry for margin financing and securities lending interest income in the first half of 2026. The Company also maintained a leading position in market-making for the STAR Market and among listed funds. To further enhance its institutional service capabilities, Huatai Securities has embedded professional expertise into AI-powered solutions, enabling the systematic delivery of research and investment insights. During the period, the Company launched “Huatai Zhiyan”, an AI-enabled investment research toolbox that provides clients with access to proprietary data, research methodologies, the latest insights, valuation models and other intelligent agents. By offering round-the-clock access to professional resources and analytical capabilities, the platform supports more informed and efficient investment decision‑making.

Looking ahead, Huatai Securities will remain firmly focused on its clients, while continuing to strengthen its integrated financial services platform and enhance its ability to deliver comprehensive, high-quality solutions across business segments. The Company will continue to cultivate new growth drivers through AI innovation, further strengthen its industrial investment banking capabilities to support the development of China’s modern industrial system and facilitate the growth of strategic emerging industries. Building on the strength of its “One Huatai” service platform the Company will deepen cross‑border collaboration and connectivity across its global network, enabling it to better serve domestic and international clients and make even greater contributions to the high‑quality development of the real economy.

Hashtag: #HuataiSecurities

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

About Huatai Securities

Incorporated in April 1991, Huatai Securities is a leading technology-driven securities firm in China, with a highly collaborative business model, a cutting-edge digital platform and a broad and growing client base. It provides comprehensive financial services to individual and institutional clients, spanning wealth management, investment banking, sales and trading, and investment management, with a substantial international presence.

Driving Growth through Facility Upgrades Strategic Expansion into Online Gaming

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – International Entertainment Corporation (the “Company“, together with its subsidiaries, the “Group“; HKEX stock code: 1009), is pleased to announce that its revenue grew by approximately 50.6% period-on-period to approximately HK$852.5 million for the twelve months ended 30 June 2026 (the “Period“), demonstrating resilience and adaptability in a dynamic market environment.

The Group’s revenue from the gaming operation for the Period increased by approximately 60.7% to approximately HK$819.4 million. However, due to the temporary closure of certain hotel rooms for renovation during the Period, the Group’s hotel operation revenue was down to approximately HK$33.1 million, as compared with HK$56.2 million for the twelve months ended 30 June 2025 (the “Previous Period“).

Meanwhile, the Group’s gross profit recorded a notable growth of approximately 66.4% to approximately HK$454.6 million. The increase was driven by higher gaming revenue arising from both land-based casino operation and provision of gaming platform to other authorised gaming operators. Gross profit margin for the Period was approximately 53.3%, up 5.0 percentage points from approximately 48.3% for the Previous Period.

The Group narrowed its loss for the period attributable to owners of the Company by approximately 78.2% as compared with that for the Previous Period, if excluding the non-cash loss arising from the change in fair value in connection with the issue of convertible notes.

Loss for the period attributable to owners of the Company was approximately HK$486.4 million (Previous Period: approximately HK$282.1 million).

Future Outlook

Underpinned by the Philippines’ strategic position in Southeast Asia, supportive government policies for its gaming and tourism sectors, and its rising status as a premier travel destination, the Group is optimistic about its long-term prospects, though short-term momentum in the Philippine gaming sector may soften due to geopolitical tensions and muted consumer spending.

The Group marked a pivotal milestone in its strategic expansion into online gaming through a cooperation agreement signed on 9 June 2026 between its indirect wholly-owned subsidiary, New Coast Leisure Inc., and Total Gamezone Xtreme Incorporated, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Group’s convertible note holder DigiPlus Interactive Corp (“DigiPlus”). Under the agreement, the two parties will collaborate on the integration, aggregation, provision, technical support, and operation of approved online games and related gaming content through or in connection with the online gaming platform and operations of the Group’s casino “LaVie Resort & Casino Manila”, subject to regulatory approvals. Participation in this segment is expected to broaden the Group’s revenue base, improve operational scalability, and create new growth drivers.

Additionally, the completion of renovation works on the Casino’s ground floor in January 2026 successfully expanded the gaming space, enabling the accommodation of more gaming tables as well as additional slot machines. Further to the phase 1 and phase 2 construction works initiated last year, the Group entered into a new construction contract for the Hotel in May 2026 at the contract price of approximately HK$72.17 million, which will continue to improve the appearance and condition of hotel facilities, modernise outdated amenities, enhance the overall quality of the Hotel and elevate customers’ experiences. These improvements are expected to improve the future revenue of the Casino and the Hotel.

Separately, the Group issued the first convertible notes on 3 March 2026 and second convertible notes on 2 June 2026 to DigiPlus, each with a principal amount of HK$800 million. This completion follows the subscription agreement signed between the two parties on 17 November 2025 for the issuance of up to HK$1.6 billion convertible notes with a maturity of five years and an interest rate of 3% per annum. The issuance is expected to significantly bolster the Group’s liquidity and long-term financial position. Furthermore, the potential conversion of these convertible notes into shares would serve to broaden the Group’s Shareholders and capital base.

Looking ahead, the Group is strategically positioned to capture the next phase of growth in the Philippine gaming and tourism sectors. The convergence of the Group’s Hotel and Casino upgrades and a strategic partnership to tap into the expanding online gaming market marks a transformative period for the Group. Supported by a strengthened capital structure and strong regulatory tailwinds, the Group remains confident in its ability to drive sustainable revenue growth and deliver long-term value to its Shareholders.

Hashtag: #InternationalEntertainmentCorporation

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

About International Entertainment Corporation (HKEX: 1009)

International Entertainment Corporation is an investment holding company. The Company and its subsidiaries are principally involved in hotel operations, operating the gaming business under provisional licence, leasing of gaming venues at the hotel complex of the Group in Metro Manila in the Republic of the Philippines to a tenant for authorised gaming operation, provision of gaming platform to other authorised gaming operators for gaming business and live poker events in Macau.

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Cyberport’s flagship annual event, the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Under the theme “The Dreamatic Circus”, DELF 2026 explores how artificial intelligence (AI), immersive technologies, and other innovations are transforming the cultural and creative industries while creating new opportunities for digital entertainment and smart living. Running for three days, the event features four themed experience zones: Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones, showcasing more than 35 technology exhibits and interactive experiences.

Highlights include the immersive art exhibition of Hong Kong animation IP Another World, AI-powered fashion innovations, combat robots, drone performances, screenings, workshops, and competitions, offering visitors first-hand experience of emerging technologies.

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 industry leaders, creators, academics, experts, and investors from Hong Kong, the Mainland, and overseas. The programme includes keynote speeches and panel discussions on AI collaboration, intellectual property development, the creative economy, smart living, film, gaming, animation, and immersive technologies.

On the first day, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively with Alibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Hong Kong Shue Yan University. The partnerships will promote AI innovation, art-tech development, entrepreneurship, skills training, and talent cultivation, further strengthening collaboration among industry, academia, and research sectors.

Over the next two days, DELF 2026 will continue with eVTOL flight demonstrations, esports experiences, AI creative learning programmes, and showcases of AI-assisted animation and film projects. A special “Play to Earn” campaign will also allow visitors to complete missions, collect rewards, and win exclusive Another World merchandise.

For more information, visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index

Please click here to download high-resolution press photos.

Hashtag: #DELF

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AI Unlocks the Potential of Cultural and Creative Industries, Reshaping Digital Entertainment and Smart Living Experiences

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2026 – Cyberport’s annual flagship event, the “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026” (DELF 2026), opened today at Cyberport. The opening ceremony was officiated by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport.

Themed “The Dreamatic Circus“, this year’s forum focuses on how innovative technologies, such as artificial intelligence and immersive technologies, are reshaping the cultural and creative industries, driving their transformation while unlocking new opportunities for the development of new quality productive forces. The three-day forum features four themed experience zones — Digital Entertainment, Culture and Arts, Smart Living and Business, and Robotics and Drones — presenting more than 35 innovative technology showcases, interactive experiences and programmes. Highlights include the immersive interactive art exhibition of Hong Kong original animation IP Another World, dynamic technology experiences by Nikopicto, combat robots by GJS Technology, the intelligent fashion platform developed by Genesis ONE using AI and 3D tools, and other attractions, enabling the public to experience first-hand the new possibilities that frontier technologies bring to entertainment, lifestyle and business applications. The event also includes AI interactive workshops, film screenings, drone performances and various competitions, creating a vibrant and engaging digital entertainment experience for participants.

Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, said in his opening remarks, “Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum (DELF) 2026 explores how agentic AI is transforming the creative industry, positioning AI not as a replacement for human imagination, but as a collaborative partner that helps deliver creators’ dreams more boldly. Over the past year, the HKSAR Government has transitioned from AI strategy formulation to active execution, steering Hong Kong towards “industries for AI” and “AI for industries” through “strengthening infrastructure and promoting the application-oriented approach” in AI development. AI is transforming the digital entertainment industry, and DELF has always been about celebrating Hong Kong’s creative spirit. With robust computing infrastructure, a supportive policy environment, and a thriving creative community, Hong Kong is well-positioned to lead the AI+ era of digital entertainment.”

Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “Under the theme ‘The Dreamatic Circus’, this year’s forum invites us to explore what becomes possible when human imagination is empowered by technology. AI is expanding what creators can imagine and produce. To better support technology companies and their innovative work, with the recent completion of Cyberport 5, we are thrilled to inject new energy into Hong Kong’s I&T industry. Combined with our AI Supercomputing Centre, this advanced infrastructure provides an world-class environment for technology development, industry collaboration and commercialization. DELF is not only about seeing what technology can do today. It is about imagining what we can create together tomorrow. I hope the forum inspires fresh thinking, leads to meaningful collaboration and helps turn more of Hong Kong’s creative ideas into innovations with lasting impact.”

DELF 2026 brings together more than 60 innovation and technology business leaders, content creators, academics, experts and investors from Hong Kong, the Chinese Mainland and overseas to discuss how artificial intelligence, immersive technologies and other frontier innovations are advancing the cultural and creative industries into a new stage of development and transforming modern smart living experiences. Guest speakers include Ms Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency; Mr Samuel Lo, General Manager, NVIDIA AI Technology Center, Hong Kong and Macau; Mr Leo Tsou, Head of Infrastructure Solutions Group Specialty, Hong Kong, Macau & China South (Greater Bay Area), Dell Technologies; Mr Zhaobo Zhou, Head of Solution Sales, Huawei Cloud Hong Kong; Mr Joe Chang, Regional Director, BytePlus; Ms Monica Zhang, AI Games Program Lead, Tencent Institute of Games; Mr Samuel Lam, CEO, X Social Group; Ms Ankie de Hoon, Board Member, Vincent van Gogh Etten-Leur; Dr Jeff Tang, Lecturer, Department of Computing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University; and Ms Polly Yeung, CEO, Gudo Inc., among other industry experts.

The forum will feature in-depth discussions on key topics such as AI collaboration, IP ecosystem development, the cultural and creative economy, and smart living, focusing on how AI can become an important collaborator for creators and enterprises, facilitate the industrialisation of local creativity and original IP, and expand broader market horizons. A series of keynote speeches and panel discussions will also examine the impact of AI and immersive technologies on film, television, gaming, animation and other cultural and creative sectors. Topics include “Good Game: Building Healthier Entertainment Communities and Creating Lasting Social and Economic Value” and “Boundless Realities, Intelligent Imaging: AI + XR Empowering the Future Film and Television Industry Ecosystem”. Speakers include Mr Kun Gao, Director of GGWP Inc.; Prof Mike Fischer, Professor of Interactive Media at the University of Southern California; Mr Jixuan Wang, Director of the Management Office of Xi’an XR Film Industry Base, Deputy General Manager of Xi’an Film Studio, Xiying Group; Dr Tony Wong, Hong Kong Comic Legend; President, Comics and Animation Federation who will explore how AI can promote the development of original IP and create new opportunities for the cultural and creative economy.

On the first day of the forum, Cyberport signed memoranda of understanding respectively withAlibaba Cloud, The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts andHong Kong Shue Yan University. Its collaboration with Alibaba Cloud will support start-ups and enhance digital skills through the AI-Builder Program, joint training, technical resources, investment, and exchange opportunities. Together with The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Cyberport will promote art tech, AI innovation, entrepreneurship, and talent development, while exploring the establishment of the Cyberport Academy × HKAPA Immersive Studio for the research, development, and showcase of art tech and immersive technology projects. In partnership with Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Cyberport will focus on AI, blockchain, and emerging technologies to encourage tertiary students to participate in project-based initiatives, company visits, internships, and employment opportunities, thereby strengthening innovation and technology talent development.

These strategic partnerships underscore the value of DELF 2026 as a key platform for advancing academiaindustryresearch collaboration, while highlighting Cyberport’s pivotal role in connecting crosssector resources and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a leading regional and international innovation and technology hub. The three Memoranda of Understanding were signed by Dr Rocky Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Cyberport, with representatives from each partner organisation. Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, and Mr Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, together with delegates from partner institutions, attended and witnessed the signing ceremony.

Following the opening of DELF 2026 today, a diverse range of exciting programmes, experiences and competitions will continue over the next two days, including eVTOL aircraft trial flight demonstrations, accessible gaming esports experiences, and senior esports and experience days, enabling participants of different ages and backgrounds to experience the vibrant world of digital entertainment. Members of the public can also join Cyberport Academy: DELF 2026 – AI Cultural and Creative Micro-Academy to learn creative skills such as art concept design and audio-visual production, and enjoy selected works from the Future Animation: 3rd AI-assisted animation production support scheme and the 2nd HKUST AI Film Festival Selected Projects, experiencing the new possibilities created by the convergence of digital entertainment and creative technology.

To encourage the public to further explore the world of digital entertainment, DELF 2026 has also launched a special “Play to Earn” campaign that combines gamified missions with rewards. Participants can collect stamps by visiting the four themed experience zones and completing designated missions, and redeem prizes along the way. Those who collect all stamps will have the opportunity to win limited-edition merchandise from the Hong Kong original animation IP Another World.

For details of the Digital Entertainment Leadership Forum 2026 and the full speaker line-up, please visit: https://delf.cyberport.hk/tc/index.

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About Hong Kong Cyberport

Wholly owned by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government, Cyberport is Hong Kong’s digital tech hub and AI accelerator, with a vision to empower industry digitalisation and intelligent transformation, to promote digital economy and AI development, and to foster Hong Kong to be an international AI, innovation and technology (I&T) hub. Cyberport gathers over 2,400 companies, including 29 listed companies and 10 unicorns. One-third of onsite companies’ founders come from 28 countries and regions, while Cyberport companies have expanded to over 35 global markets.

Cyberport, with Hong Kong’s largest AI Supercomputing Centre and AI Lab as the engine, has been building the AI ecosystem with industry-leading AI companies and over 500 AI and data science start-ups. Through development of tech clusters, namely AI, data science, blockchain and cybersecurity, Cyberport empowers industries across smart city and government, banking and finance, digital entertainment, culture and tourism, healthcare, education and training, property management, construction, transportation and logistics, green environment and more, while hosting Hong Kong’s largest FinTech community. Commissioned by the HKSAR Government, Cyberport has implemented proof-of-concept and sandbox schemes, subsidisation for digital tech adoption, industry tech training and start-up incubation, to drive technology R&D, translation and commercialisation, thus propelling digital transformation and intelligent upgrade across industry and society.

Also as “State-level Scientific and Technological Enterprise Incubator” and Hong Kong’s key incubator, Cyberport supports entrepreneurs with funding and office space, extensive networks of enterprises, investors, technology corporations and professional services for business growth and expansion to Chinese Mainland and overseas markets, all-round facilitation for landing in Hong Kong, talent attraction and cultivation, ready as a launchpad to take start-ups in any stages of development to the next level.

For more information, please visit https://www.cyberport.hk/en.