Category: What’s News Asia

HONG KONG – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Sohar International has officially opened its Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong, marking an important milestone in the Bank’s international growth journey and establishing an on-the-ground presence to deepen relationships with financial institutions, investors, businesses and strategic partners across Hong Kong and wider Asian markets.

The opening was marked by an official gala ceremony at Grand Hyatt Hong Kong, held in the presence of The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, as Guest of Honour; His Excellency Sheikh Abdulaziz Abdullah Al Hinai, Ambassador-at-Large, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; His Excellency Pankaj Khimji, Advisor for Foreign Trade and International Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Investment Promotion (MoCIIP); His Excellency Muneer Ali Nasser Al-Muneeri, Deputy President of the Oman Investment Authority for Operations; Mr. Said Mohamed Al-Aufi, Chairman of Sohar International; and Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, alongside the Board of Directors and other senior representatives from Oman and Hong Kong, regulators, financial institutions, corporate and institutional clients, investors, trade organisations and members of the business community.

The launch follows Sohar International’s receipt of approval from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority in April 2026, followed by final approval from the Central Bank of Oman in May 2026 to establish the Asia Pacific Office. The new presence provides Sohar International with a platform to strengthen institutional relationships, deepen its understanding of Asian markets and develop greater connectivity between opportunities across the region and its clients and relationships in Oman.

On the sidelines of Sohar International’s participation in the 11th Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, the Bank signed two strategic Memoranda of Understanding, further demonstrating its commitment to strengthening business and investment connectivity between China, Asia, Oman and the wider GCC. The Bank signed an MoU with Templewater, an Asia- and GCC-focused alternative asset manager with a presence across Hong Kong, Singapore and Muscat. The partnership provides a framework to explore investment opportunities for eligible Sohar International clients, potential co-investments, project-financing opportunities, and banking services for Templewater’s portfolio companies operating in Oman.

Sohar International also entered into a strategic and reciprocal partnership with E-Fund, one of China’s leading asset management institutions, with a broad investment platform and a significant presence across China and international markets. The partnership positions Sohar International as E-Fund’s exclusive partner in Oman and the wider region, facilitating the marketing of E-Fund’s investment products through the Bank’s Asset Management and Origination & Placement businesses, while E-Fund will promote Sohar International’s investment and capital markets offerings to its client network in China.

Together, these partnerships represent early tangible outcomes of the Bank’s growing presence in Hong Kong and demonstrate its role in building institutional relationships, facilitating investment and capital flows, and creating new opportunities connecting China and Asia with Oman and the wider GCC.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Financial Secretary, Mr Paul Chan, highlighted that Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government warmly welcomes the opening of Sohar International’s representative office – the first presence of an Omani bank in Hong Kong, and Sohar International’s first office in Asia. Its arrival affirms confidence in Hong Kong as an international financial centre and a gateway connecting the Middle East, the Chinese Mainland and Asia. Oman’s strategic position along the maritime Belt and Road, combined with Hong Kong’s strengths in capital markets, asset and wealth management, banking, professional services and offshore Renminbi business, can facilitate trade, investment and project financing. Hong Kong-Oman collaboration is already taking good shape, including the Oman Investment Authority’s plan to participate in Hong Kong’s vibrant startup ecosystem by investing up to HK$250 million as a partner to the Innovation and Technology Venture Fund. Under the “one country, two systems” framework, Hong Kong serves as a “super connector” and “super value-adder”. HKSAR Government looks forward to deepening financial links with Sohar International, helping businesses find the right opportunities in the Gulf and across Asia, and turning new connections into lasting, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Commenting on the milestone, Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International, said: “Oman has looked east for centuries, building strong commercial and cultural connections across Asia, with Sohar playing an important role in this history. Today, we are building on that legacy in a modern economic context. Our presence in Hong Kong is a strategic step in Sohar International’s international growth, giving us closer access to one of the world’s most important financial and commercial centres and a stronger platform from which to engage with investors, financial institutions, businesses and strategic partners across China and Asia. Our objective is to turn this connectivity into tangible opportunities for Oman and our clients — attracting investment and capital into the Sultanate, supporting Omani businesses seeking to access Asian markets, and creating stronger channels for investment, trade, knowledge and business between Asia, Oman and the wider GCC. Hong Kong therefore represents more than a geographic presence for us; it is an important gateway through which Sohar International can build meaningful relationships and create value across these interconnected markets.”

The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Ms Alpha Lau, said that InvestHK is proud to have facilitated Sohar International’s setup in Hong Kong, from its business delegation to Oman in May 2025 to high-level government exchanges and local regulatory alignment. Beyond enriching Hong Kong’s banking sector, Sohar International’s arrival enables businesses to reimagine what the stronger investment ties between the Middle East and Asia can achieve, capitalising on the city’s strengths in fundraising, risk management, and professional services. Sohar International will also serve as a key partner for Chinese enterprises seeking to expand into Oman and the wider GCC.

Sohar International’s presence in Hong Kong also reflects a much broader history of engagement between Oman and Asia stretching back more than a thousand years. Oman’s geographical position and maritime tradition placed its sailors, merchants and ports within extensive trading networks connecting the Arabian Peninsula with India, Southeast Asia and China. These routes formed part of the wider maritime networks now referred to as the Maritime Silk Roads, facilitating not only the movement of goods but also the exchange of knowledge, ideas, culture and commercial relationships between East and West.

Sohar played an important role within these historic networks. Historical research documented by UNESCO identifies Sohar as an important Omani trading port and entrepôt for vessels travelling between East and West. By the tenth century, it had developed into one of the region’s most significant trading centres, with archaeological evidence demonstrating commercial links with markets including China.

This historical context provides a meaningful backdrop to Sohar International’s presence in Hong Kong today. While the nature of connectivity has evolved from maritime trade to modern flows of capital, investment, technology, knowledge and enterprise, the importance of building enduring relationships between markets remains central to the Bank’s international strategy.

Hong Kong’s position as one of the world’s leading international financial centres, together with its connectivity with the Mainland and global markets, makes it a strategically important platform for Sohar International’s engagement with Asia.

Through its Asia Pacific Office, Sohar International aims to strengthen relationships with financial institutions, corporates, investors and strategic partners, while promoting greater awareness of the investment and business opportunities emerging within the Sultanate of Oman. The presence will also support the Bank in developing deeper market understanding and relationships that can benefit Omani clients and businesses seeking greater engagement with Asian markets.

The initiative reflects Oman’s broader economic direction under Oman Vision 2040, which places emphasis on private-sector development, international cooperation, investment and greater integration with the global economy. Sohar International’s international growth supports this direction by creating stronger financial and institutional links between Oman and strategically important international markets.

The Asia Pacific Office in Hong Kong also builds on the Bank’s expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and represents a further step in Sohar International’s ambition to strengthen its regional and international presence and support its clients across increasingly interconnected markets.

The official opening ceremony brought together senior representatives from Oman and Hong Kong, reflecting the growing economic and institutional ties between the two markets. The Honourable Paul Chan Mo-po, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, addressed the occasion, followed by Mr. Abdulwahid Mohamed Al Murshidi, Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International.

The ceremony also celebrated the longstanding cultural ties between Oman and Asia, combining elements from both regions while showcasing Sohar International’s growth journey, expanding international presence and ambitions for the future.

Through its presence in Hong Kong, Sohar International aims to support greater two-way connectivity between Oman and Asia, helping bring international investors, institutions and opportunities closer to Oman while developing stronger relationships for Omani businesses across international markets.

The milestone further reinforces Sohar International’s broader ambition to contribute to bringing the best of Oman to the world and the best of the world to Oman.

Download high-res images HERE

Hashtag: #SoharInternational

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

About Sohar International:

Sohar International is guided by a clear vision to become a world-leading Omani service company that helps customers, communities, and people prosper and grow. With a purpose to help people ‘win’ by delivering responsive banking for their ever-changing world, the bank offers innovative solutions across Commercial and Investment Banking, Wealth Management, Islamic Banking, and more. Operating with a strong digital-first approach and an expanding regional footprint—including presence in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—Sohar International is committed to driving value through strategic partnerships and a dynamic customer experience. Learn more at www.SIB.om.

BERLIN, GERMANY – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Following the debut of its SpaceMaster Built-in Oven Series at IFA 2026, Midea concluded its Berlin showcase with live cooking demonstrations and a clearer roadmap for the future of its built-in cooking business in Europe.

At IFA, the SpaceMaster Series put two technologies at the center of Midea’s cooking showcase: temperatures of up to 350°C and Graphene Turbo Hot Air technology. On Midea’s Culinary Stage in Hall 5.1, Michelin-starred chefs used the built-in ovens to prepare dishes live, demonstrating how high-temperature cooking and fast thermal response could translate from technical specifications into real culinary applications.

During an onsite Q&A at Messe Berlin, Midea executives also explained why pizza was selected as a key proof point for the SpaceMaster Series. Pizza places several demands on an oven at once, requiring intense heat, fast thermal response and precise temperature control to achieve a crisp exterior without burning. Midea positioned the 350°C pizza application as a way to address consumer expectations for shorter preheating times and restaurant-quality results at home.

At the core of the SpaceMaster Series is Midea’s Graphene Turbo Hot Air technology. The graphene heating element has a thermal response time of as little as 0.2 seconds, while the oven supports cooking temperatures of up to 350°C. Midea also re-engineered the thermal system, airflow and control algorithms as part of its broader approach to high-performance built-in cooking.

Beyond the technologies demonstrated at IFA, Midea outlined how SpaceMaster fits into its longer-term European product roadmap. Graphene is expected to serve as a common technology thread across its future premium built-in cooking portfolio. Plans include extending the technology to steam-combi models tailored for European artisanal bread baking, followed by space-saving compact formats for urban apartments.

This roadmap reflects Midea’s “design for Europe from Europe” approach. Its European R&D team leads local user research, engineering and compliance while collaborating with global R&D teams to translate regional cooking habits and kitchen requirements into product development.

Midea has set an ambition to become one of Europe’s top-three cooking brands within five years, spanning built-in ovens and freestanding cookers. Following its IFA 2026 showcase, the SpaceMaster Series is planned for market launch in 2027.

Hashtag: #Midea

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About Midea & Midea MOA

Midea is a global technology group ranked No. 246 on the 2025 Fortune Global 500 and No. 39 among the world’s most valuable technology brands in the Brand Finance Top 100 2026. Midea has ranked No. 1 globally in microwave appliances for 10 consecutive years (Euromonitor, 2016–2025). Its Microwave & Oven Appliance (MOA) division generated USD 3.05 billion in revenue in 2025.

Midea operates seven global R&D centers, holds more than 5,500 granted patents and serves markets in more than 160 countries and regions.

Key Messages:

• The NPO Standards Industry Summit brought together global standards and industry giants, who reached a consensus on international NPO standards, laying a solid foundation for the industry upgrade and large-scale commercial use of NPO.
• Multiple vendors from countries like China, the US, and Japan held a joint exhibition of connectors, NPO modules, and switches, strengthening industry confidence in building an open and prosperous NPO ecosystem.

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – On September 10, the NPO Standards Industry Summit, co-hosted by IPEC and OIF, was held at the Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center. The event was attended by top players from across the global industry chain, including experts from OIF, CAICT, Tencent, Alibaba Cloud, Baidu, Huawei, Broadcom, SENKO, Amphenol, and Yamaichi. The summit focused on NPO evolution and international standards development, with in-depth discussions being held on topics like ecosystem upgrade and industry chain collaboration. Ultimately, a consensus on international NPO standards was reached at the summit, laying a solid foundation for the industry upgrade and large-scale commercial use of NPO.

Dr. Zhao Wenyu, Vice Chairman of IPEC and Deputy Director of the Technology and Standards Research Institute of China Academy of Information and Communications Technology (CAICT), emphasized: “As SuperPoDs continue to expand in scale, traditional optical modules are consuming huge amounts of energy, and co-packaged optics (CPO) faces constraints like a closed industry chain and complex operations and maintenance. In contrast, near-packaged optics (NPO) – with its excellent energy efficiency, a favorable trade-off in port density, and strong compatibility with existing pluggable ecosystems – is expected to become the preferred solution for SuperPoD interconnect in the near term, and coexist and evolve alongside CPO and other solutions in the long term. We call upon stakeholders across industry, academia, research institutions, and user groups, to join hands in developing NPO standards and driving the NPO ecosystem to evolve from ‘usable’ to ‘easy-to-use at scale’”.

Jiang Zhibin, the Optical Network Architect at Tencent, highlighted: “As SuperPoDs expand in scale and GPUs and switch chips increase their SerDes data rates, optical interconnect solutions will advance more rapidly towards 6.4T NPO.” Looking ahead, there is an urgent need to use opto-electronic collaborative design to overcome the challenges introduced by advanced packaging processes.

Dr. Man Jiangwei, Director of the Advanced Opto-Electronics Laboratory at Huawei, stated: “In exploring the optimal interconnect solution – NPO – for SuperPoDs, Huawei has launched the industry’s first high-bandwidth 7.2T NPO product and successfully conducted a demonstration of dynamic transmission at the IPEC exhibition booth. Furthermore, with the introduction of key technologies like built-in light sources and highly-integrated SiPh chips, this NPO product features ‘high bandwidth, high reliability, and high availability’ while achieving ‘low latency, low power consumption, and low cost’.”

Meanwhile, at the China International Optoelectronic Exposition (CIOE), the IPEC booth showcased the latest achievements of the global NPO industry chain, particularly those from the US, Japan, and China. The display showcased high-density connector solutions from leading vendors in the US and Japan, as well as the NPO modules of various capacities developed by multiple Chinese vendors, alongside several NPO switches, demonstrating a high level of commercial maturity.

The success of this summit and exposition marks a milestone for the development of the global NPO industry. At the summit, a consensus was reached on international NPO standards and the paths for collaboration between standards organizations and the industry chain were streamlined, laying a solid foundation for the large-scale commercial use of NPO. Furthermore, the joint exhibition of industry ecosystem products has strengthened industry confidence in building an open and prosperous NPO ecosystem.

Hashtag: #Huawei

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Hashtag: #HKT #PCCWGlobal

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

About PCCW Global

PCCW Global is a leading digital infrastructure provider, empowering businesses with agile, scalable and secure connectivity solutions. By combining a best-in-class network with our award-winning on-demand platform Console Connect, we help businesses navigate the network complexities of the digital world with ease. With extensive reach across international markets, we make it simple to connect and move data between clouds, apps, data centres and devices. At the core of our business is a belief that automated, high-performance network infrastructure has the power to elevate business and society. For more information, visit www.pccwglobal.com.

HANOI, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Vietnam Industry and Technology Week 2026 (VITW 2026) officially opened today, bringing together more than 2,000 booths from leading Vietnamese and international companies. Under the theme “Technology Leads – Industry Transforms – Breakthrough Beyond”, VITW 2026 combines exhibitions and technology demonstrations with specialised conferences and business matching, offering an up-to-date view of the trends shaping global industry.

The exhibition runs until 11 September at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh, Hanoi, and is expected to draw more than 70,000 visits.

Exhibitors include hundreds of leading companies in vehicle electrification, automation, green manufacturing and supply-chain restructuring, from Vietnam and around the world. Over the three days, they will look for buyers and investment partners, extend their networks and gain an early read on the latest trends in the industry.

In 2026, VITW brings together more than 2,000 booths across more than 70,000 m² at VEC, organised into seven exhibition, fair and conference zones: the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2026 (VIIF 2026); the International Manufacturing Congress 2026 (IMC 2026); the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 (Hanoi MIP Fair 2026); Automation World Vietnam 2026; the Vietnam International Technology Exhibition Series 2026; the 3rd International Clean Energy, Power and Energy Storage Industry Exhibition Series; and the 3rd Vietnam International Hardware, Hand Tools, Fasteners and Electromechanical Equipment Exhibition 2026.

Among these, the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2026 (VIIF 2026) is one of the flagship events, spanning three exhibition halls. It showcases complete motor vehicles alongside their ecosystem of components, batteries, charging infrastructure, robots, machinery and manufacturing software.

In vehicles and supporting industries, the highlights include VinFast with its electric vehicle range and Hai Au with its Chenglong trucks; Tinh Nhue Hung Yen together with Hatico, Bristar, Navicom and FECO Vietnam, presenting mechanical products, components, seats, displays, dashcams and emission-reduction equipment; and battery and charging-infrastructure players such as Mikano and Wanxianghui.

Next comes the mechanical engineering and automation group, with industrial robotics solutions from CNCTech and Roboworld; high-precision machinery and mechanical equipment from AKC Engineering, T&T Vina, XYD Vietnam and AIT Innovation; industrial software from VINIS; and smart home appliances from VPlus Vietnam.

The gathering of major industry names at VIIF 2026 – from electric vehicles, components and energy to robotics, mechanical engineering and software – reflects the shift in Vietnamese industry towards electrification, automation and stronger domestic supply capacity. VIIF also opens the door for companies to find suppliers, partners and markets in a new phase of growth.

Adjoining VIIF 2026 is the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 (Hanoi MIP Fair 2026), organised by the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade. Across more than 9,000 m², the fair presents five strategic sectors: microchips and semiconductors; information technology; electrical, electronics and refrigeration; mechanical engineering and automation; and healthcare, textiles and garments, leather and footwear, and food and beverage. Visitors can see technology applications first-hand and speak with companies at their booths, connecting Hanoi’s businesses with manufacturers, buyers and technology partners from around the world.

Speaking at Hanoi MIP Fair 2026, Mr. Tran Duc Hai, Member of the Hanoi Party Committee and Director of the Hanoi Department of Industry and Trade, said: “Organising the Hanoi Major Industrial Products Fair 2026 demonstrates the effort and commitment of the city of Hanoi to actively and effectively implementing the Central Committee’s resolutions on industrial development, science and technology, innovation and private-sector development.”

Alongside the exhibitions, dmg events – one of the world’s leading exhibition organisers – and VEC are co-hosting the International Manufacturing Congress 2026 (IMC 2026), bringing together 60 speakers: policymakers, business leaders, investors and experts from Vietnam and abroad. Through 17 in-depth sessions, IMC focuses on the issues now shaping companies’ competitiveness, including advanced manufacturing, AI and automation, attracting high-value investment, supply-chain restructuring, energy security, green manufacturing and workforce development.

Alongside IMC, the Business Matching programme gives companies a direct channel to buyers, distributors, investors and technology partners – to find outlets for their products, evaluate solutions and build future partnerships.

IMC 2026 also marks the start of a long-term partnership between VEC and dmg events. dmg events’ international organising experience, combined with VEC’s operating capability and domestic partner network, will continue with the Vietnam International Industrial Fair 2027 (VIIF 2027). Building on VIIF’s 35-year history and 32 editions, the two sides aim to expand the exhibition footprint, raise the quality of stands and the visitor experience, and deepen the professional content through the accompanying conferences, forums and investment-matching activities.

Representing the organiser, Ms Lý Hoa Liên, Deputy General Director of Business Development and External Relations at the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC), said: “Through Vietnam Industry and Technology Week 2026, VEC hopes to help realise the vision of making Hanoi a major innovation hub of the Asia-Pacific region by 2045 – a place where ideas grow into projects and connections create value for the capital and the country. From VITW 2026, VEC will continue to bring international industrial and technology event series to Vietnam, widening the opportunities for Vietnamese companies to partner and reach global markets. We believe that, drawing on our own strength and the support of our international friends, Vietnam will achieve new breakthroughs in the nation’s era of rising.”

As a partner to VEC and to the Vietnamese market more broadly, Mr Christopher Hudson, President of dmg events, said: “Vietnam is well positioned to benefit from the trends reshaping global industry. Manufacturing contributes about 24.5% of GDP, while manufactured exports reached more than US$421 billion in 2025, close to 89% of total exports – evidence of Vietnam’s growing role in global production and supply chains. As manufacturing enters a period of deep transformation in AI, automation, digitalisation, energy and talent, dmg events wants to work with VEC to build a strategic platform that strengthens the competitiveness of Vietnamese manufacturing.”

VITW 2026 builds on the success of VITW 2025. In 2025, more than 70,000 visits and VND 600 billion in signed contracts showed that VITW’s model of “multiple specialised exhibitions in one space” works, helping to lift the competitiveness and appeal of Vietnamese industry.

Programme details: https://vec.global/events/vitw2026

Hashtag: #VEC

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

About the Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC)

The Vietnam Exposition Center (VEC) in Co Loa, Dong Anh, Hanoi opened on 19 August 2025 with a total area of 900,000 m² and is a large-scale exhibition and convention complex in Vietnam. With the mission “Bringing Vietnam to the world and the world to Vietnam”, VEC works with international organisers to develop a system of annual specialised exhibitions in industry, energy, healthcare and education.

About dmg events:

Founded in 1989, dmg events has spent 37 years creating connections that drive growth, innovation and commercial opportunity across markets worldwide. With 13 offices globally, dmg events organises more than 30 events a year in energy and policy. Spanning four continents, the company’s flagship events – including ADIPEC and Gastech – bring together policymakers, industry leaders, investors and innovators to address the issues shaping the future of energy systems and global markets.

According to the GII 2025 report themed “Innovation at a Crossroads,” the global innovation system is reaching a critical turning point. This comes amidst rapid advancements in emerging technologies—such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), clean energy, biotechnology, and digital systems—while nations simultaneously navigate economic challenges, technological competition, and geopolitical shifts.

Thus, the GII serves as more than just a national ranking; it is a crucial tool that reflects the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of each country’s innovation ecosystem. Thailand is ranked 41st globally and continues to perform above expectations relative to its economic development level (Innovation Overperformer) within the upper-middle-income group. The nation shows strong innovation potential, particularly in digital infrastructure, innovative business development, and the linkage of knowledge between academia and industry.

This ranking highlights Thailand’s progress toward an innovation-driven economy through the promotion of research and development, support for innovative entrepreneurs and startups, and the strengthening of the national innovation ecosystem. Key organizations like the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) or NIA play a pivotal role in bridging collaboration among universities, the private sector, and government agencies to ensure research and technology are commercially deployed.

One of the key innovation indicators in the GII is “University–Industry R&D Collaboration,” which reflects the depth of joint research and development between academic institutions and industrial sectors—a fundamental driver for creating innovation and sustaining long-term national competitiveness.

Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), explained that the NIA acts as a crucial “Innovation Intermediary” among academia, private enterprises, government sectors, and financial institutions. Its mission is to facilitate the translation of knowledge, research, and technology into tangible commercial and social benefits. Currently, Thailand’s main challenge is not a shortage of research, but rather the “gap” between academic research and its industrial application. Many university research projects possess high potential but lack the supporting mechanisms for business prototyping, market testing, or connecting with entrepreneurs and investors. Therefore, the NIA’s role is essential in building platforms and support programs that enable efficient collaboration between universities and the business sector.

The NIA supports University–Industry R&D Collaboration across multiple dimensions, including providing innovation grants, incubating and accelerating deep-tech startups, creating collaborative networks between universities and private entities, and promoting Innovation Ecosystems in strategic sectors such as FoodTech, AgTech, HealthTech, ClimateTech, and Deep Tech. These areas heavily rely on combining academic expertise with market capabilities and industrial investment.

Furthermore, the NIA actively promotes “Open Innovation” and “Co-Creation”—core concepts aligned with the direction of GII 2025, which indicates that the global innovation system is entering an era of multi-stakeholder collaboration and co-creation. The NIA creates platforms to match industry demands with university research capabilities, while also supporting activities such as Hackathons, Accelerator Programs, Innovation Bootcamps, and Regulatory Sandboxes to test innovations in real-world environments.

Another key responsibility is developing “Innovation-Based Enterprises” and “Startups” originated from university research (University Spin-offs). Spin-offs serve as a major driver in leading innovative nations like the United States, South Korea, and China to turn university knowledge into global tech enterprises. The NIA offers early-stage support ranging from business model development and capital access to investor networking and market connection locally and internationally.

Trends in GII 2025 demonstrate that countries with strong university-industry collaboration consistently generate continuous innovation and maintain high competitiveness. Hence, the NIA operates not merely as an innovation support agency, but as a “systemic mechanism” that bridges the gap between research and business, connects knowledge with market demand, and drives Thailand toward a long-term, knowledge-based economy.

Ultimately, elevating Thailand’s performance in the University–Industry R&D Collaboration indicator requires concerted efforts among universities, the private sector, government entities, and innovation-enabling organizations like the NIA. Together, they build a comprehensive ecosystem covering knowledge creation, research, testing, investment, and market expansion—forming a solid foundation to boost the country’s future competitiveness.

Lessons Learned: Startup Success Through University–Industry R&D Collaboration

Mr. Krerkchai Panyabaramee, Managing Director of Tleum Co., Ltd., shared that the commercial application of advanced material technology—derived from R&D by Dr. Supan Yodyingyong from the Institute for Innovative Learning, Mahidol University, who holds a patent for “Synthesis of Silica Aerogel from Sodium Silicate Solution at Atmospheric Pressure”—stands as a clear case study of University–Industry R&D Collaboration. The business originated from translating pilot-scale research on Silica Aerogel within the university into industrial-scale manufacturing in partnership with the private sector.

Currently, Tleum Co., Ltd. has successfully commercialized Silica Aerogel into a diverse range of products, including heat-reflective paints for buildings and industrial applications, heat-resistant cement and materials, oil absorbents for spill remediation, and cosmetic ingredients. This demonstrates the immense potential of Thai Deep Tech in value creation through advanced materials and collaborative research.

This success was not achieved by any single entity, but through the synergy of academia, business, and supporting bodies like the NIA. The NIA stepped in to bridge knowledge gaps, provide resources, and mitigate technology development risks, allowing entrepreneurs to overcome cost, testing, and scaling limitations rapidly. This highlights the NIA’s role as an “Innovation Bridge” turning academic research into commercial reality.

Dr. Krithpaka concluded: “The ‘University–Industry R&D Collaboration’ indicator under Pillar 5: Business Sophistication measures the level of R&D collaboration between universities and industry in each country. It relies on data from the Executive Opinion Survey conducted by the World Economic Forum (WEF), which assesses business leaders’ perceptions regarding the quality and effectiveness of joint R&D efforts—specifically how well they meet industry needs, achieve practical application, and generate economic value.”

Therefore, this indicator does not merely evaluate the volume of research papers or joint projects; it reflects a country’s capacity to transform knowledge into economic impact through cross-sector collaboration—a core hallmark of a mature innovation ecosystem.

The case of Tleum Co., Ltd. serves as a clear illustration of this concept. By licensing pilot-scale research and patents for Silica Aerogel, the private sector scaled the technology into full industrial production, yielding various commercial products globally—ranging from heat-reflective coatings and heat-resistant materials to oil absorbents and cosmetics.

This outcome underscores the importance of the NIA as an Innovation Intermediary that reduces technical and financial risks for businesses. Beyond this case, the NIA continues to drive numerous initiatives—funding, networking, tech startup incubation, and University Spin-offs—ensuring academic innovations translate into market-ready products, services, and new ventures that deliver true economic impact and strengthen Thailand’s long-term competitive position.

Hashtag: #NIA #NationalInnovationAgency

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

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

Check the Lazada app for final-day deals, Stack & Save savings, RM19 drops and limited-time offers, and complete your purchase before it all ends at 11:59pm on 11 September.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Lazada’s 9.9 Mega Brands Sale ends tomorrow, 11 September, at 11:59pm, marking the final stretch for shoppers to complete their planned purchases before campaign offers end.

If household essentials, long-awaited upgrades or favourite brands are still sitting in your cart, now is the time to open the Lazada app, claim available vouchers and complete your checkout before the sale ends. Throughout the final stretch, Lazada will continue releasing limited-time deals and offers at selected times, giving shoppers more reasons to keep checking the app and catch the next drop while it is available.

Do not stop at “Add to Cart.” Complete your purchase while promotional stock and campaign offers remain available. Once the clock hits 11:59pm tomorrow, 9.9 is over.

Catch these final 9.9 offers before time runs out

• Stack & Save: Claim and combine eligible vouchers across participating LazMall stores to maximise savings at checkout.
• RM19 All Out Surprise Deals*: Look out for limited-time surprise offers during selected timeslots, while promotional stock lasts.
• Surprise Box*: Catch daily mystery-box drops throughout the day until 11 September.
• Semua Free Shipping* & Lowest Price Guarantee*: Enjoy applicable free shipping vouchers and price protection on eligible purchases.

Last chance for 9.9 savings on Malaysian favourites

The final countdown is also an opportunity to shop homegrown brands through Lazada’s partnership with the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) under Jom Beli Produk Malaysia (Jom Malaysia).

Participating Malaysian brands are showcasing new collections, exclusive launches and campaign offers through their official LazMall stores, spanning home appliances, fashion, wellness, groceries and automotive essentials. Shoppers can explore Russell Taylors, KHIND, OGAWA, PerySmith, TTRacing, POH KONG, Case Valker, Dr Cardin, Trapo, Hoppi Malaysia, Signature Market and Beacon Mart, giving them one last chance to add Malaysian favourites to their 9.9 checkout.

Your final checkout checklist

• Review your cart: Check that the items you have been planning to buy, including your preferred colours, sizes or models, are still available.
• Apply your savings: Claim eligible vouchers and make sure they are applied before completing payment.
• Complete your checkout: Finish your purchase by 11:59pm on 11 September 2026, before the 9.9 Mega Brands Sale ends.

Last call: Shop before 9.9 ends tomorrow

Open the Lazada app now and catch the final deals and limited-time drops before 11:59pm on 11 September. Miss the deadline. Miss the 9.9 deals.Hashtag: #LazadaMalaysia #Lazada99 #MegaBrandsSale #JomMalaysia #ShopLocal

https://www.lazada.com.my
https://x.com/LazadaMY
https://www.facebook.com/LazadaMalaysia
https://www.instagram.com/lazada_my/

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

About Lazada Group

Lazada Group is Southeast Asia’s pioneer eCommerce platform. For the last 14 years, Lazada has been accelerating progress in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam through commerce and technology. Today, a thriving local ecosystem links about 160 million active users to more than one million actively selling sellers every month, who are transacting safely and securely via trusted payments channels and Lazada Wallet, receiving parcels through a homegrown logistics network that has become the largest in the region.

Feasibility stage Lac Knife Project to be showcased to global capital with C$2.76 billion in projected life-of-mine revenue and C$236.9 million in estimated pre-production capital

Ottawa, Ontario – Newsfile Corp. – September 10, 2026 – Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) (“Focus” or the “Company“), a Canadian developer of high-grade flake graphite deposits and advanced graphite materials for battery, defence and industrial applications, is pleased to announce that it will participate in the Canada Investment Summit 2026 (the “Investment Summit” or the “Summit“), taking place September 14-15 in Toronto and hosted by Prime Minister Mark Carney in partnership with CPP Investments and PSP Investments, and that the Company’s 100%-owned Lac Knife Graphite Project (“Lac Knife” or the “Project“) has been included in the investment deal book prepared in connection with the Summit.

The inaugural Investment Summit will bring together leading global investors, Canadian CEOs and public-sector representatives in a practical forum focused on long-horizon capital, commercial opportunities and productive Canadian assets. The Government of Canada has positioned the Summit within its broader objective of catalyzing C$1 trillion in total investment in Canada over the next five years, with critical minerals identified among the sectors expected to help drive new investment and strengthen Canada’s economic resilience.

“The Canada Investment Summit provides Focus with an important opportunity to engage directly with some of the world’s leading institutional and strategic investors, while Lac Knife’s inclusion in the investment deal book ensures the Project is part of that broader investment conversation,” said Dean Hanisch, Chief Executive Officer of Focus Graphite. “With strong feasibility-stage economics, a defined capital requirement and growing government support for Canadian critical mineral development, we believe Lac Knife is well positioned for this next stage of investor and strategic engagement.”

Lac Knife Investment Highlights

Located near Fermont, Québec, Lac Knife is one of North America’s highest-grade feasibility-stage natural graphite projects. The 2023 NI 43-101 Feasibility Study Update (“FSU“) defines 9.31 million tonnes of Probable Mineral Reserves grading 14.97% graphitic carbon (Cg) and supports a 27-year mine life producing approximately 50,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate annually.

The FSU base-case economic analysis includes:

• C$2.76 billion in projected total life-of-mine revenue;
• C$1.76 billion in pre-tax total cash flow;
• C$500.6 million pre-tax Net Present Value (NPV) at an 8% discount rate, a 29.1% pre-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) and a 2.88-year payback period;
• approximately C$236.9 million in estimated pre-production capital; and
• C$284.8 million after-tax NPV at an 8% discount rate, a 22.6% after-tax IRR and a 3.38-year payback period.

On an after-tax basis, the FSU estimates approximately C$1.08 billion in total cash flow over the Project life.

The combination of projected life-of-mine revenue and defined pre-production capital provides Lac Knife with a capital-efficient development profile relative to the scale of the opportunity. The Project’s high-grade orebody also supports a relatively low annual ore-processing requirement of approximately 365,000 tonnes to produce approximately 50,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate per year. Pilot-scale process work supporting the FSU produced a calculated concentrate grade of 98.2% total carbon, with the salable concentrate product grading 97.8% total carbon.

“Critical mineral security now comes down to execution and capital formation,” said Jason Latkowcer, Vice President, Corporate Development of Focus Graphite. “Lac Knife has the grade, the defined resource and the feasibility work behind it. As permitting, infrastructure and commercial work advance, the Project is moving into a stage where institutional and strategic capital can help bridge the gap between a proven Canadian resource and an operating asset. That is the conversation we are bringing to the Canada Investment Summit.”

Potential Capital Advantage

Importantly, the 2023 FSU predates the introduction of Canada’s Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit (“CTM ITC“), and therefore no potential benefit from the incentive is incorporated into the Project’s published NPV, IRR or capital estimates.

The CTM ITC provides a refundable tax credit equal to 30% of the capital cost of eligible property associated with qualifying activities, including the extraction and processing of graphite, for qualifying property acquired beginning January 1, 2024 and becoming available for use on or before December 31, 2031.

For illustrative purposes, if the full approximately C$236.9 million initial capital estimate were eligible for the 30% credit, the potential refundable tax credit value would be approximately C$71.1 million, equivalent to reducing the net effective cost of that capital to approximately C$165.8 million. This illustrative calculation is not an updated capital estimate or economic analysis for Lac Knife. Actual eligibility, timing and the amount of any CTM ITC ultimately available to the Project will depend on the classification, use and timing of individual property and expenditures and compliance with applicable tax legislation.

Government-supported pathway toward development

Focus continues to advance Lac Knife through permitting, environmental studies, infrastructure planning, engineering, Indigenous engagement, customer qualification and commercial partnerships.

The Company has secured up to C$1.38 million in non-repayable funding through Natural Resources Canada’s (“NRCan“) First and Last Mile Fund (“FLMF“) to advance road and grid-power planning for Lac Knife. Focus is also advancing its broader Canadian mine-to-market strategy through up to C$14.1 million in NRCan funded support under the Global Partnerships Initiative (“GPI“) for development and demonstration of a Canadian continuous electrothermal graphite purification platform. Together, these initiatives represent approximately C$15.5 million in announced federal funding supporting Lac Knife infrastructure and Focus’s downstream graphite strategy.

Lac Knife is located within the traditional territory of Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam (“ITUM“). Focus and ITUM entered into a Pre-Development Agreement in 2014 that established a framework for ongoing engagement, collaboration and future economic participation as the Project advances. Ongoing dialogue with ITUM continues as Focus advances Lac Knife through its environmental and permitting work and toward completion of the mine permitting process.

Focus is pursuing potential equity, debt, project finance, strategic partnership, joint venture and offtake relationships as part of its broader strategy to advance Lac Knife toward development and establish a secure Canadian source of natural graphite for North American and allied supply chains.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this news release was reviewed and approved by Richard Pearce, PE, President of Brasil Insight Capital LLC., a consultant to the Company, and a qualified person as defined under National Instrument NI 43-101.

About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.

Focus Graphite is building an integrated graphite platform to supply the industries shaping the future. Through the development of world-class graphite resources, advanced processing technologies and higher-value advanced materials, the Company is positioning itself to support battery, defence, advanced manufacturing and other strategic industries across North America and allied markets.

The platform is anchored by the Company’s two 100%-owned graphite assets in Quebec. Lac Knife is one of North America’s highest-grade feasibility-stage graphite deposits, while Lac Tetepisca is one of the largest identified graphite resources globally. Together with strategic technology partnerships and government-supported innovation initiatives, these assets provide the foundation for a secure, scalable and increasingly integrated graphite supply chain.

For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit http://www.focusgraphite.com.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/focus-graphite/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focusgraphite
X: https://x.com/focusgraphite

Investors Contact:

Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
dhanisch@focusgraphite.com
+1 (613) 612-6060

Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
jlatkowcer@focusgraphite.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words “could,” “intend,” “expect,” “believe,” “will,” “projected,” “estimated,” and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company’s current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events.

In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the Company’s participation in the Canada Investment Summit 2026 and its anticipated engagement with institutional investors, strategic partners, potential financing parties and offtake participants; the potential benefits arising from Lac Knife’s inclusion in the Investment Summit deal book; the continued advancement, financing, development and potential construction and operation of the Lac Knife Graphite Project; the production, revenue, cash flow, capital cost, net present value, internal rate of return, payback period and other economic projections contained in the 2023 Feasibility Study Update; the potential availability, eligibility and value of Canada’s Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit to Lac Knife, including the illustrative potential reduction in the effective cost of eligible initial development capital; the nature, timing and qualification of property and expenditures for purposes of the CTM ITC; the continued availability of federal funding under Natural Resources Canada programs and the Company’s ability to satisfy applicable funding conditions and project requirements; the continued advancement of road and grid-power planning, permitting, environmental studies, engineering, Indigenous engagement, customer qualification and commercial partnerships; the potential for infrastructure planning and government-supported initiatives to reduce development uncertainty and support the advancement and financing of Lac Knife; the potential reduction in power-related capital requirements relative to assumptions contained in the 2023 Feasibility Study Update; the continuation of dialogue and engagement with Innu Takuaikan Uashat mak Mani-utenam as the Company advances environmental, permitting and development activities and works toward completion of the mine permitting process; the development and commercialization of Focus’s downstream graphite purification strategy; and the potential role of Lac Knife and Focus’s broader mine-to-market strategy in supplying graphite for battery, defence, nuclear, industrial and other strategic markets.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company’s public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

About Focus Graphite Inc.

New report, authored by GSMA Intelligence in partnership with Huawei, released at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week

• Digital literacy – not coverage – is the main barrier keeping 3.1 billion people offline.
• AI could potentially widen the digital literacy gap.
• Bridging the usage gap could boost global GDP by $3.5 trillion from 2023 to 2030.
• Citing Huawei’s Skills on Wheels initiative, the report urges policymakers, telcos, and tech vendors to treat AI literacy as critical infrastructure.

PARIS, FRANCE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – More than one in three (38%) people remains offline despite being covered by mobile broadband – and a lack of digital literacy skills is often to blame, according to new research published today.

The new report, “Bridging the Divide: Enhancing Digital Literacy in the AI Era,” authored by GSMA Intelligence and produced in collaboration with Huawei, identifies a digital divide impacting 3.1 billion people caused by a shortage of digital skills, user trust and AI literacy.

AI raises both access and risk

Existing industry projections suggest closing the capability gap could add around $3.5 trillion to global GDP by 2030, with more than 90% of those gains flowing to low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Physical mobile broadband coverage currently reaches 96% of people worldwide.

The report, unveiled at UNESCO’s Digital Learning Week, suggests artificial intelligence could act as both a bridge and a barrier for underserved communities. AI-powered voice assistants and applications that work with images, audio and video can all help low-literacy users bypass the need to input text. At the same time, they raise the security and critical-thinking standards required to participate safely. However, the study warns that users must now be able to understand data privacy and identify risks such as fraud and deepfakes.

The research cites World Bank statistics that GenAI literacy represents the highest-value skill category, with wage premiums up to 36%, far exceeding returns for both digital and traditional AI skills.

Without targeted interventions in basic digital training, the authors warn, rapid AI adoption risks entrenching existing inequalities even in areas with full network coverage.

Mobile classrooms build skills in remote areas

Digital inclusion initiatives typically target those most at risk of digital exclusion, including rural and remote communities, children and teachers in rural schools, older people, and women and girls.

The report emphasizes the need for community-based delivery models, citing Huawei’s Skills on Wheels initiative as a field-tested example — particularly its solar-powered DigiTruck mobile classrooms, which bring hardware, rural connectivity and hands-on training, including AI literacy, to off-grid regions.

Since 2019, training courses delivered by Skills on Wheels projects have reached more than 130,000 people across 21 countries, with more people benefiting indirectly. DigiTruck trainers encourage trainees to share their new skills, which is shown to occur in practice. A report on DigiTruck by Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications and Digital Economy shows that 79% of DigiTruck trainees surveyed had passed on their newly acquired digital skills to family members and peers.

Policymakers urged to treat AI literacy as core infrastructure

To bridge the usage gap, the report urges policymakers, telecom operators and technology vendors to work together and focus on four priorities：

• Treating practical AI awareness, online safety and information verification as a baseline national qualification.
• Adopting multilingual voice and conversational interfaces across public services to minimise user-side technical hurdles.
• Scaling up mobile learning units through cross-sector partnerships that combine operator connectivity, vendor technology and local NGO networks.
• Measuring performance by independent task completion and fraud resilience rather than trainee numbers.

“Digital literacy can no longer be defined by static thresholds,” said Tim Hatt, head of research and consultancy at GSMA Intelligence. “Connectivity alone is insufficient — capabilities, system design and trust must evolve together. To capture this multi-trillion-dollar opportunity, stakeholders must integrate layered AI literacy directly into daily livelihoods through trusted community channels.”

“Mobile classrooms have demonstrated immense value in helping underserved populations break through physical and psychological barriers to technology,” said Gavin Allen, Executive Editor-in-Chief at Huawei. “We will continue working alongside local governments and industry partners to drive digital literacy, ensuring that no one is left behind as we transition into the AI economy.”

A new DigiTruck program will launch in France this autumn, covering several cities in the Île-de-France region and targeting low-income and underserved communities with digital skills training.

The full report is available on the GSMA Intelligence research portal:
https://www.gsmaintelligence.com/research/bridging-the-divide-enhancing-digital-literacy-in-the-ai-era

FAQ

Q1: What is the main purpose of this report?
A: The report analyzes the critical importance of enhancing digital skills in the AI era, highlighting digital literacy as a layered and evolving capability. It calls on all stakeholders to collaborate in accelerating global digital inclusion and skill development.

Q2: What does it mean for policymakers to treat “AI literacy as core infrastructure”?
A: It means shifting policy focus from just building physical base stations to funding human capabilities. The report urges governments to integrate baseline AI awareness, online security, and media verification into national qualification frameworks, treating digital skills as an essential public utility alongside electricity and broadband.

Hashtag: #Huawei

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

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 September 2026 – Aolani, a Singapore-founded neocloud powering AI growth, today announced a partnership to supply GPU cloud infrastructure to FriendliAI, the San Francisco-headquartered inference cloud for frontier AI to support the rapidly growing demand for inference services.

The global market for AI inferencing is expanding quickly as AI applications become part of everyday business workflows and organisations move from experimentation to deployment at scale. At the forefront of production-scale AI, FriendliAI serves this exact demand to help developers and enterprises deploy open-weight and custom AI models.

FriendliAI was founded by researchers who invented continuous batching, which is now a standard across AI inference serving. The company has built its inference stack end to end, from optimised GPU kernels to global distribution, so that production AI workloads run fast and reliably at scale. FriendliAI consistently ranks as one of the fastest inference providers on OpenRouter, with enterprise clients including LG, Kilo Code, and Liner running their production inference on the platform.

Efficient time-to-value and dependable compute are increasingly important to keep services responsive as usage grows. As access to reliable compute infrastructure becomes a strategic differentiator for companies scaling production workloads, more AI natives are turning to Asia for high-performance compute capacity, attracted by the region’s expanding digital infrastructure, strategic connectivity, and growing AI ecosystem.

As one of the leading neoclouds offering purpose-built next-generation AI infrastructure, Aolani helps AI natives scale more efficiently. Aolani’s infrastructure capabilities across orchestration, automation and lifecycle management actively supports FriendliAI’s services. This partnership equips FriendliAI with the compute to serve the rapid customer demand, both across the globe and increasingly in Asia.

Nicholas Chia, Chief Executive Officer at Aolani said: “We’re seeing inference needs grow faster than companies can find compute to support and service their customers. To narrow the supply and demand gap, we actively partner with companies like FriendliAI to deliver compute capacity on time, at scale, and to rigorous standards. We look forward to partnering with the FriendliAI team to grow its services to bring fast and reliable inference to developers worldwide.”

Byung-Gon Chun, Founder and CEO of FriendliAI said: “We are seeing exponential growth in demand for our frontier AI inference services. Businesses need the freedom to choose the AI models that best suit their applications and the ability to run them efficiently in production. Our job is to deliver high-performance, reliable inference so developers can focus on building their AI applications. Aolani stood out as a trusted infrastructure partner that can help us scale at the pace our customers need. We look forward to working with Aolani to support our mission.”

Media Contact
H/Advisors on behalf of Aolani
pr@aolanicloud.com
Hashtag: #Aolani #Neocloud #FriendliAI #AIinference #Inferencecloud

https://www.aolanicloud.com/
https://linkedin.com/company/aolani-cloud

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

About Aolani

Where AI gets built in Asia. Founded in Singapore, Aolani is backed by compliant and purpose-built infrastructure to deliver the performance capabilities for next-generation AI. Aolani’s AI factories enable organisations to build with confidence, scale ambitiously, and move at hyper-speed in the world’s fastest-growing AI market.

For more information, visit www.aolanicloud.com and follow @AolaniCloud on LinkedIn.

About FriendliAI

FriendliAI is the inference cloud for frontier AI. Headquartered in San Francisco with a team in Seoul, FriendliAI runs open models in production at scale for AI-native startups and enterprises through its Model APIs, Dedicated Endpoints, and Bring Your Own GPU (BYOG) offering. The team built the full inference stack end to end, delivering the speed, reliability and efficiency that agentic AI workloads demand.

For more information, visit friendli.ai.