Organized under the theme "Bridging Critical Gaps, Unlocking Urgent Opportunities," ADPR Expo 2027 focuses on promoting knowledge exchange and resource allocation to enhance emergency response capabilities at both local and ASEAN levels. Over the past decade, the ASEAN region has faced more than 5,000 disaster events, affecting over 230 million people. This exhibition will serve as a vital hub for global solution providers, technology innovators, and industry leaders to collaborate and drive a safer, more sustainable, and resilient future, with Thailand serving as the regional centerpiece.

Mr. Loy Joon How, General Manager of IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., stated: "Thailand is facing a pivotal turning point with multi-faceted risks—ranging from climate-driven hazards to emerging fire risks and urban vulnerabilities—converging with growing public awareness, policy focus, and investment readiness. In particular, the growth of Thailand's safety industry is projected to soar to USD 8.6 billion by 2031. Hosting this event presents a monumental opportunity for Thailand and Southeast Asia to gather the latest innovations in one place and drive coordinated action."

Mr. Tim Bostridge, Managing Director of Hannover Fairs Asia Pacific (under Deutsche Messe AG), added: "This joint venture is an exciting opportunity to expand the global footprint of the INTERSCHUTZ brand, the world's largest trade fair for fire and rescue services. Our goal is to deliver a world-class innovation platform that provides the latest products, services, and solutions to emergency first responders and disaster management agencies across the ASEAN region."

Over the course of the 3-day event, the exhibition will be packed with industry-focused activities dedicated to protecting life and property. The showcased technologies and innovations will be categorized into 11 strategic segments:

1. Clean Air & Environmental Control Solutions
2. Next-Generation Building & Fire Protection Systems
3. Multi-Hazard Monitoring & Early Warning Systems
4. CBRN Defense & Risk Management Solutions
5. Flash Flood Prevention & Rapid Recovery Solutions
6. Advanced Firefighting Technologies for Emerging Risks
7. Life-Saving Rescue Equipment & Systems
8. Smart Fire Detection & Alarm Systems
9. Integrated Disaster Management & Communication Systems
10. Disaster-Proof Urban Infrastructure & Planning
11. Simulation, Training & Emergency Preparedness Technologies

Furthermore, the event features key programs designed to drive business opportunities and knowledge exchange, including the Innovation Showcase, Workshops, International Conferences with certificates, Business Matching programs, Live Demonstrations, and firefighter and rescue competitions.

ADPR Expo 2027 is more than just a global innovation showcase; it represents a critical step forward in preparing for future challenges. Organizations, institutions, and businesses looking to present cutting-edge solutions, expand their professional networks, or play a key role in driving public safety across the ASEAN region are invited to explore participation opportunities. For more information and pre-registration, please visit the official website at www.adprexpo.com

For media outlet, please select photos from the link below:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/13LlA6oaEHcVSBfQngY-0YDarqxkMa3Fm

About the organiser

IMPACT Exhibition Management Co. Ltd.

IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. is the leading exhibition organizer in Thailand. We organise and manage professional trade and public exhibitions, conferences, meetings and training, working in hand with international trade associations, organisers, and corporations across a broad spectrum of industries.

PR Newswire is the Official Press Release Distribution Partner of ADPR EXPO 2027.

Commencing in September 2026, the new course, "Advanced Technologies", will run for 12 weeks and cover six areas of applied science and technology: photonics, quantum technologies, intelligent wearable systems, artificial intelligence of things, advanced manufacturing, and textiles for future fashion. Designed and delivered by PolyU experts, together with guest speakers from relevant industries, the course aims to broaden participants' understanding of emerging technologies and their applications in driving innovation, industrial transformation and societal advancement.

The course will introduce the latest developments in optical fibre communications and smart sensing, quantum technology, wearable intelligence and multisensory technologies, neuromorphic intelligence and AI-driven semiconductor research and development, smart manufacturing and lightweight structural components in Industry 4.0, as well as smart and sustainable fashion and textiles. Through these topics, participants will gain insights into pressing global challenges, PolyU-led innovations that address them, and technological opportunities emerging across related fields.

The course is open, free of charge, to eligible members of the public, and no prior background in the relevant disciplines is required. It will be offered in dual mode, with both in-person and online options, enabling participation by learners in Hong Kong and overseas. Participants who meet the attendance requirements may apply for a certificate of completion with minimal administration fees.

Enrolment closes on 31 August 2026. Places for in-person attendance are limited, while online places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For details and registration, please visit:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/pair/education/

CONTACT:
Anna Lee
Mobile: +852-91501890
Email: annaswlee@gmail.com

SHANGHAI, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- AGIBOT, a global leader in embodied AI and robotics, today unveiled four new products at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference 2026 in Shanghai: the AGIBOT A3 Ultra, X2 Edu, G2 Max, OmniHand 3 Ultra-M. Together, the new products expand AGIBOT's portfolio across full-size humanoid platforms, heavy-payload industrial task robots and direct-drive dexterous manipulation systems.

At its 200-square-meter exhibition space at Booth H3-C101 in the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center, AGIBOT is presenting the three new products alongside its manipulation foundation models, industrial deployment cases and live robot demonstrations. Beyond the booth, more than 30 AGIBOT robots are operating across WAIC venues, providing visitor guidance, information services, demonstrations and other forms of on-site support.

"The industry should no longer judge embodied AI by whether a robot can complete an impressive demonstration once, but by whether it can be manufactured, delivered and integrated reliably into real operating environments," said Peng Zhihui, Co-founder, President and CTO of AGIBOT. "AGIBOT A3 Ultra, G2 Max and OmniHand 3 Ultra-M address three essential layers of that challenge: the humanoid platform, industrial task execution and dexterous manipulation. Together with our recent production and factory-deployment milestones, these launches reflect our focus on building robots that can deliver consistent and practical value at scale."

Three New Products Designed for Real-World Work
The AGIBOT A3 Ultra is a full-size humanoid robot developed for long-duration operation in public-facing, commercial and service environments. Standing 1.74 meters tall and weighing 60 kilograms, it features 51 active degrees of freedom, a five-kilogram payload capacity per arm and up to eight hours of combined operating time. Its perception system includes 3D LiDAR, RGB-D cameras, fisheye cameras and binocular vision, while GPS, RTK and UWB positioning support navigation and coordinated operation across different environments. Powered by NVIDIA Thor for high-level embodied AI processing, A3 Ultra supports direct charging, battery replacement and autonomous charging, allowing it to remain available for extended service workflows rather than isolated appearances.

The AGIBOT X2 EDU is a humanoid robotics development platform designed for education, competitions and scientific research. Standing approximately 1.3 meters tall, it features 29 degrees of freedom across the body, including seven degrees of freedom in each arm, and supports an end-effector payload of up to three kilograms. Its fully modular architecture allows the robot to be disassembled and reconfigured throughout the hardware chain, while open motion-control and hardware interfaces provide access for secondary development. Developers can flexibly integrate end effectors, sensors and additional computing modules according to different teaching and research requirements.

The AGIBOT G2 Max is the company's first heavy-payload, force-controlled embodied task robot, developed for material handling, palletizing and other industrial operations. G2 Max combines higher load capacity with force-controlled arms, adjustable working height and omnidirectional wheeled mobility. It is designed to operate alongside existing production equipment and factory systems, undertaking repetitive physical tasks that require both strength and controlled interaction. Its energy system supports battery replacement and autonomous charging to reduce operational interruptions in continuous production environments.

The OmniHand 3 Ultra-M is a flagship direct-drive dexterous hand designed for embodied AI training, teleoperation, demonstration capture and contact-rich manipulation. It integrates 20 active degrees of freedom into a human-scale form factor weighing 630 grams. The hand supports a whole-hand gripping load of up to 5 kilograms, with a typical opening or closing time of 0.3 seconds and repeatability of ±0.2 millimeters. Vision-based tactile sensors at the fingertips and a tactile array in the palm enable the hand to detect changes in contact, force and object position, while its fully direct-drive architecture supports responsive force regulation during complex manipulation tasks.

Industrial Deployments Demonstrate Continuous Task Execution
AGIBOT is also presenting industrial deployments developed with Longcheer Technology, PIA Automation and other partners. The applications cover tasks including tablet quality-inspection loading and unloading, chip handling, production-line material movement and other repetitive industrial processes.

At Longcheer Technology's Nanchang manufacturing facility, AGIBOT G2 robots have been integrated into a live tablet mass-production quality-inspection line. The robots complete a closed-loop workflow covering material collection, precision placement, equipment interfacing and finished-product return. Production-line integration was completed within 36 hours, and the deployment has supported approximately 3,000 units per shift and more than 64 hours of cumulative continuous operation, with downtime loss kept below 4%.

These cases differ from one-off motion demonstrations because the robots must maintain production rhythms, repeat tasks consistently, respond to changes in object position and surrounding conditions, and coordinate with upstream and downstream equipment. The deployments show how embodied AI systems can become part of existing production processes without requiring manufacturers to rebuild an entire line around the robot.

AGIBOT is also presenting applications in cultural tourism, transportation and commercial services, including projects developed with Sichuan Cultural Tourism and Guangzhou Railway. In these environments, robots support guided tours, route guidance, visitor interaction, information services and on-site assistance, moving from general-purpose showcase roles toward defined service workflows.

Live Demonstrations Connect Technical Capabilities with Practical Tasks
At Booth H3-C101, AGIBOT is presenting a series of live demonstrations spanning dynamic motion, human-robot collaboration and multi-step commercial service tasks.

In the table tennis demonstration, the robot uses real-time visual perception, trajectory prediction and closed-loop motion control to respond to a fast-moving ball in a dynamic environment. The boxing demonstration highlights teleoperation, whole-body coordination and low-latency motion response, showing how a robot can translate an operator's movements into coordinated physical actions.

A beverage-service demonstration presents an end-to-end commercial workflow. The robot identifies and picks up cups, operates beverage-making equipment and delivers the finished drink to a visitor. Rather than demonstrating an isolated grasping action, the workflow combines perception, navigation, manipulation and task sequencing to show how a robot can complete a connected series of service tasks.

During WAIC 2026, AGIBOT has deployed more than 30 robots across key public areas of the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition and Convention Center and the West Bund venue. The robots are supporting visitor guidance, information services, live demonstrations and other on-site interactions throughout the event.

The deployment moves the robots beyond scheduled appearances at AGIBOT's booth and places them within the conference's wider service environment. Operating in busy public spaces requires the robots to navigate around visitors, respond to changing conditions and maintain consistent performance over extended periods, providing a practical test of their mobility, interaction and operational reliability.

Manipulation Foundation Models and the Embodied AI Forum
A dedicated Manipulation Intelligence Zone at the AGIBOT booth is presenting the company's manipulation foundation models, dexterous systems and task-development technologies. The exhibition shows how perception, reasoning, action planning and physical control are connected to support task execution in complex environments.

On July 19, AGIBOT will host the WAIC 2026 Embodied AI Forum at the Golden Hall of the Shanghai World Expo Center. The forum will bring together researchers, technology leaders and robotics entrepreneurs from China and overseas to discuss the development of Physical AI, advances in embodied intelligence and the technical and operational requirements for scaling robots from research systems into real-world applications.

Through its new products, venue-wide robot deployment, industrial cases and live demonstrations, AGIBOT is presenting a connected path from foundation models and robotic hardware to systems that can carry out defined tasks in factories, commercial environments and public spaces.

For more information, please visit AGIBOT.com and follow AGIBOT on:
X: https://x.com/AGIBOTofficial
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agibot/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AGIBOTofficia
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/agibotofficial/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@agibotofficial
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AGIBOTofficial/

About AGIBOT
AGIBOT is an Embodied AI foundation model company developing both the intelligence layer and the corresponding robotic embodiments needed to bring general intelligence into the physical world. AGIBOT's "Three Intelligences in One" architecture integrates Locomotion Intelligence, Interaction Intelligence, and Manipulation Intelligence into a unified embodied system. Its portfolio spans humanoid robots, quadrupeds, dexterous systems, and commercial cleaning solutions. In June 2026, AGIBOT announced that its 15,000th robot had rolled off the production line.

Available through the JD.com app in both English and Chinese, the service allows eligible foreign visitors, as well as travelers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, to shop online from more than one million products across nearly 800 sub-categories. Eligible purchases may receive VAT refunds of up to 9% under China's departure tax refund policy, helping travelers save on everything from consumer electronics and home appliances to beauty products, fashion and cultural merchandise.

The upgraded experience makes online shopping simple from start to finish. Travelers can browse products marked with the tax refund label, enter their travel information during checkout, and have the required electronic tax refund documents generated automatically—eliminating paper forms and simplifying the refund process.

JD.com has also enhanced payment convenience by enabling users to securely link internationally issued bank cards directly to their JD.com accounts through JD PAY, creating a seamless checkout experience without requiring a local payment method.

For even greater convenience, shoppers can choose the instant VAT refund option when placing eligible orders. Once authorized, an advance payment equivalent to the estimated VAT refund is credited directly to the linked bank card, allowing travelers to enjoy their tax savings immediately instead of waiting until departure.

Unlike traditional tax-free shopping, JD.com's online service lets travelers shop anytime, anywhere without visiting a physical store. During the current pilot in Beijing, eligible purchases can be delivered directly to hotels or other designated addresses through JD.com's signature same-day and next-day delivery service, combining the convenience of online shopping with one of China's fastest retail fulfillment networks.

"JD.com is committed to making shopping in China easier and more enjoyable for international visitors through technology and supply chain innovation," said a JD.com spokesperson. "We will continue expanding our selection of tax-free products, enhancing digital services, and bringing this convenient online tax-free shopping experience to more cities across China."

SINGAPORE, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KINS Clinic, a Singapore clinic specialising in acne treatment and seeing more than 150 acne patients monthly, today announced the launch of KINS BioRevive Gel Mask, a rinse-off gel mask formulated for acne-prone and sensitive skin. The product is powered by SmartArrow®, a patented precision microbiome ingredient developed by ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd. and turned into Market-Ready Innovative KINS BioRevive Gel Mask by CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services Pte. Ltd.

THE CHALLENGE: RETHINKING ACNE SKIN MICROBIOME CARE IN SINGAPORE

Acne affects approximately 88% of adolescents aged 13–19 in Singapore^[1], and for many it persists well into adulthood.  Post-adolescent acne accounts for around 30% of all cases seen in specialist settings^[2]. In Singapore's year-round humid climate, elevated sebum production and pore congestion create conditions where the skin's bacterial environment plays a central role in how acne develops and recurs.

Conventional approaches, antibiotic-based regimens and broad-spectrum actives, can disrupt the skin's natural microbial balance^[3], and antibiotic-resistant strains of C. acnes have already been detected in local community studies in Singapore^[1]. Precision approaches that selectively target only the bacterial subtypes linked to acne, while preserving beneficial strains, represent a meaningful complement to existing care. KINS BioRevive Gel Mask was developed with this in mind. Formulated to support the skin's microbiome while promoting a visibly cleaner, calmer complexion, without antibiotics or harsh actives.

SINGAPORE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ACNE SKIN MICROBIOME RESEARCH

Singapore's research community is actively advancing microbiome-based approaches to acne care. In November 2024, Sanofi, A*STAR, and the National Skin Centre Singapore formalised a research partnership focused on microbiome-based acne intervention^[4]. In April 2026, A*STAR's Genome Institute of Singapore published a landmark study in Nature Biotechnology introducing new methods to analyse active skin microbes, opening new avenues for acne and skin disease research^[5].

The science behind SmartArrow®, selective C. acnes biofilm disruption while preserving the broader skin microbiome, reflects the same foundational direction that Singapore's national research community is now actively exploring.

THE SMARTARROW® TECHNOLOGY: INGREDIENT SCIENCE

At the core of KINS BioRevive Gel Mask is SmartArrow®, a proprietary active ingredient developed by ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd., a Singapore biotech company with roots in research conducted at the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) and NTU Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine. SmartArrow is a patented ingredient engineered to selectively disrupt Cutibacterium acnes biofilm on acne-prone skin, while leaving beneficial bacterial strains intact, a precision approach that distinguishes it from conventional broad-spectrum actives.

SmartArrow® Ingredient Clinical Study: Key Findings

The following data reflects the performance of SmartArrow® as a standalone active ingredient in a 28-day dermatologist-supervised clinical study. These findings relate to the ingredient, not to any specific finished product.

At Day 28, 94% of participants reported smoother skin, 85% reported visibly clearer-looking skin, and 79% were satisfied with long-term effects.^[6] SmartArrow® contains no antibiotics and is formulated for rinse-off use. It is patent-pending protected, while the foundational targeting technology was awarded a Gold Award in the Active Ingredient category at in-cosmetics Asia Innovation Zone 2025 (ArcherZyme®).

ANTIBIOTIC-FREE. MICROBIOME-FRIENDLY.

KINS BioRevive Gel Mask developed by CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services contains no antibiotics and no harsh chemical actives. The formulation is designed to work in harmony with the skin's existing bacterial ecosystem. It is suitable for sensitive skin and well-positioned for use alongside the full range of options available in acne-focused dermatological care, including prescription topicals, and procedural treatments. Rather than replacing existing approaches, BioRevive Gel Mask is designed to complement them: supporting the skin's microbial balance as part of an integrated daily skincare routine, at every stage of the care pathway.

A THREE-PARTY COLLABORATION

KINS BioRevive Gel Mask was developed through a structured collaboration between three Singapore-based organisations, each contributing distinct expertise:

• KINS (KINSLABO SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.) — Clinical protocol design, patient application framework, and brand
• ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd. — SmartArrow® active ingredient, intellectual property, and clinical evidence
• CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services Pte. Ltd. — Formulation development and GMP-compliant manufacturing

This clinic-led model — where a medical clinic specialising in acne treatment translates patented biotech ingredient science directly into patient-accessible skincare — remains uncommon in Singapore's skincare landscape.

QUOTES

For many years, skin care has focused largely on what we can see. Today, attention is increasingly turning to the skin's invisible microbial ecosystem. As understanding of the skin microbiome continues to evolve, it is becoming an important consideration in the daily care of acne-prone skin. The KINS BioRevive Gel Mask reflects that shift in perspective, bringing microbiome-conscious thinking beyond the clinic and into everyday routines at home."
-- Dr. Silver Chua, Medical Director, KINS Clinic
Profile: https://www.kins-clinic.com/our-team/dr-silver-chua

"At ArrowBiome, our mission is to turn cutting‑edge microbiome science into practical solutions that clinicians and patients can trust. SmartArrow® is a great example of that ambition in action: a precision, antibiotic‑free technology that respects the skin ecosystem while directly addressing the bacteria linked to acne. Partnering with a clinical leader like KINS allows us to demonstrate that science where it matters most, on real patients, in real‑world care."
-- Dr. Bert Grobben, CEO, ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bertgrobben/

"With SmartArrow®, we engineered a way to selectively disrupt acne‑linked C. acnes biofilms while leaving the rest of the skin microbiome largely undisturbed. Seeing this technology embedded into a clinic‑led product like KINS BioRevive Gel Mask is exactly why we built ArrowBiome: to move beyond theory and deliver precise, antibiotic‑free solutions that fit seamlessly into real acne care."
-- Dr. Boon Chong Goh, Founder & CTO, ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gohboonchong/

"Rigorous formulation expertise is essential to translating advanced microbiome science like SmartArrow® into a clinically relevant and patient-ready product experience like KINS Clinic, where its full potential can be realized. A minimalist yet highly functional KINS BioRevive Gel Mask designed for both microbiome compatibility and patient experience, delivering strong skin adhesion, while delivering a soft, fresh feel after rinse-off. 

What makes this collaboration especially meaningful is KINS's commitment to bringing scientifically credible, patient-conscious innovation into real clinical care. By combining KINS's clinical vision with ArrowBiome's microbiome science and CHAKS's formulation expertise with precision trade-secret manufacturing process, we were able to create a product that not only reflects technological innovation, but also delivers an elevated treatment experience designed for real patients and real-world use. We are honored to support KINS in pioneering the next generation of precision acne care."
-- Nobuaki Matsuoka, CEO, CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services Pte. Ltd.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nobuaki-matsuoka-07037b50/

AVAILABILITY

KINS BioRevive Gel Mask is NOW available through KINS Clinic for patients under active care protocols. To learn more about KINS Clinic's approach to acne care or to book a consultation, visit Acne Treatment page at KINS Clinic Singapore.

About KINS Clinic  https://www.kins-clinic.com

KINS Clinic is a dedicated acne treatment clinic in Singapore, led by Medical Director Dr. Silver Chua (PgDip Practical Dermatology, Cardiff University), who specialises in the day-to-day medical care of acne, with clinical oversight from Dr. Henry Loh (FAMS Dermatology). The clinic sees more than 150 acne patients monthly through personalised care pathways combining prescription medicine, laser, facial treatments, and microbiome-focused skincare. KINS is founded as an extension of a Japan-based biohealth group holding proprietary skin microbiome data from over 18,000 Asian subjects.

360 Orchard Road, #11-09 International Building, Singapore 238869
Tel: +65 6015 0977
www.kins-clinic.com  |  Google Maps  |

About ArrowBiome Pte. Ltd.  https://www.arrowbiome.com

ArrowBiome is a Singapore-headquartered biotech company developing precision microbiome-targeted active ingredients for skincare and personal care brands. The company combines proprietary strain targeting, bioengineering and ingredient development to create high-performance actives that selectively modulate the skin microbiome for conditions such as acne and body odour. Led by an experienced leadership team with deep expertise in biomedical science, consumer insight and global brand building, ArrowBiome partners with formulators, OEMs and brand owners worldwide to bring clinically validated, microbiome-first products to market.

3 Biopolis Drive, Synapse, Singapore 138623

About CHAKS Cosmetic Design & Services Pte. Ltd. 

https://www.chaksprofessional.com

With over 35 years of industry experience, CHAKS is a Singapore-based cosmetic formulation and ODM/OEM manufacturing company specializing in science-led, fully customized skincare formulations for Asian and global consumers. CHAKS provides end-to-end development from concept and formulation through to GMP-compliant manufacturing and market entry.

25 Kallang Avenue #05-01, Singapore 339416

Exhibition Scale doubled, Creating a Complete Showcase Loop

This year's exhibition has been expanded in scale, with a total exhibition area of 30,000 square meters. The event encompasses four specialized shows: in addition to CMES Vietnam International Machine Tool Exhibition, it also includes CMES Vietnam International Automation and Robotics Exhibition, CMES Vietnam International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition, and CMES Vietnam International Electronic Components, Materials and Production Equipment Exhibition.

The machine tool section covers five major categories—metal cutting, forming, grinding and measuring tools, industrial automation, and accessories—creating a complete display loop spanning from core processing equipment and production line automation to application scenarios, featuring a large scale and a full range of product categories.

Spotlight on Local High-Demand Applications，Direct from Source Factories at Factory Prices

The exhibition focuses on high‑frequency local demand across 3C electronics (precision parts for smartphones/laptops), automotive and motorcycle components (engine blocks, brake discs, etc.), mold manufacturing, and general machining (shafts, valve bodies, etc.), delivering high‑precision, high‑efficiency batch production solutions. It brings together global machine tool source factories for direct price negotiations, with over 300 company leaders expected on‑site. The concurrent "Vietnam Machine Tool Agents Cooperation Conference," organized in partnership with the Vietnam Mechanical, Electronics, and Automation Associations, will target over 100 local agents and distributors for participation.

About CMES Vietnam International Machine Tool Exhibition

Mr. Tang Nan, General Manager of CMES, commented: "With determination and action, CMES Vietnam is fully committed to building a renowned local machine tool show and an efficient matching platform for global manufacturers in the sector." The exhibition will take place on August 26–28, 2026, at VEC Hanoi. We sincerely invite all stakeholders to visit and explore fresh prospects in Vietnam's manufacturing industry.

For more exhibition information and visitor pre‑registration, please visit the official link: https://cmesvietnam.expocme.cn/en/regVisitor?src=zimeiti&uis=PR

The integration gives leading AI assistants direct access to Omni HR data — scoped entirely to each user's existing permissions, with nothing stored at the connector level.

SINGAPORE, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Omni HR today announced the launch of its native MCP integration, enabling the AI assistants HR teams already use, like Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor, to read and act on live HR data. Every action the AI takes is scoped to what the authenticated user is already authorized to see in Omni, with no new access granted or HR data stored at the connector level.

The launch marks the next step in Omni's expanding AI capabilities. In June 2026, Omni released Mino, its AI agent built to work inside the platform. The MCP integration extends that intelligence outward: the AI tools teams are already using can now reach into Omni's unified data layer and act on it in context, without switching systems or copying data between tools, or loosening the access controls governing who sees what.

Omni's State of AI in HR report found that only 21% of HR leaders across Singapore and the Philippines trust AI outputs enough to act on them without manual review, a confidence gap the report traces directly to fragmented, inconsistent HR data. Because Omni consolidates all HR data into one centralized, real-time system, the integration has something reliable to work from, and users can trust what it returns.

Together, Mino and the MCP integration form two sides of the same commitment: making Omni's HR data work harder for every team. With the integration connected, teams can ask their AI assistant to pull who's on leave this week, run a headcount snapshot by department, or update an employee's profile data, and get the answer or take the action in plain language. The integration works across Omni's core HR modules today, spanning employee data, lifecycle management and time off, and gets more capable as the toolset expands.

"Mino brought AI into Omni. The MCP integration brings Omni into the AI tools your teams are already using every day. What makes both of them different is that your access controls travel with the data. The AI doesn't get a bigger view of your business than the person operating it — and we think that's the standard the whole industry should be held to."

— Brian Ip, CEO, Omni HR

MCP is available now in early access for Omni HR customers. To see it, book a demo at omnihr.co/demo.

About Omni HR

Omni HR is the AI-native, all-in-one HR and payroll platform built for Asia. It runs hiring, people operations, performance, and payroll for multi-country teams across the region, with built-in compliance support for the regulatory complexity that comes with operating across borders in Asia. Learn more at omnihr.co.

The Intelligent Manufacturing Expo Southeast Asia (IME 2026) will take place from July 22-24, 2026, at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center in Bangkok. Jointly organized by the Trade Development Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China, DEXPO Shanghai Industry & Commerce Exhibition Co., Ltd., and Hannover Milano Fairs Shanghai Ltd., IME 2026 is the first overseas exhibition independently organized by the organizers of the China International Industry Fair (CIIF).

Covering 5,000 square meters, the event will bring together nearly 150 leading companies from China and other markets to showcase industrial automation, intelligent control, AI, robotics, system integration, smart production lines, CNC machine tools, advanced manufacturing equipment, and industrial digitalization solutions. Chinese manufacturers increasingly view Thailand as a gateway to the regional market, while Thai companies are seeking automation, industrial internet, artificial intelligence and green manufacturing solutions to raise productivity, energy efficiency and competitiveness. Additionally, 10 specialized events — featuring forums and business-matching — will seamlessly connect Chinese and Thai enterprises to align technologies with market needs and unlock commercial opportunities.

The exhibition will highlight manufacturing solutions already implemented and validated in Thailand and other Asian markets. Han's Laser has delivered Thailand's first 40 kW bevel laser-cutting system in Chonburi, helping a local manufacturer improve processing efficiency and reduce overall production costs. DENAIR's oil-free air compressor solution has been deployed by a pharmaceutical company in Bangkok, helping the customer achieve energy savings of approximately 20%. HSG Laser's equipment has also been adopted on a larger scale by THACO in Vietnam, where 17 machines have been put into operation.

Leading exhibitors will also introduce advanced products to the Southeast Asian market. Bodor Laser will showcase its A Series sheet laser-cutting machines, with power options ranging from 1.5 kW to 60 kW to meet requirements from precision processing to thick-plate cutting. HSG Laser will present its R2 general-purpose laser tube-cutting machine, featuring a professional chuck and an automatic follow-up support system for efficient tube processing. Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Limited will display the MD630 Series general-purpose AC drive, designed to support intelligent control and the digital upgrading of equipment and production lines.

To turn technology displays into business opportunities, IME 2026 is combining promotion through Facebook, Google and LINE with targeted outreach using Southeast Asian manufacturing databases. Promotion teams have also visited major industrial areas, including WHA industrial estates, Rojana Industrial Park and the Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone.

IME 2026 has received strong support from industrial organizations and partners in Thailand and China. Supporting organizations include: The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), Thai IoT Association (TIoTA), National Metal and Materials Technology Center (MTEC), Thai-German Institute (TGI), Thai Automation and Robotics Association (TARA), Thailand Automotive Institute (TAI), Thai-Chinese Rayong Industrial Zone (TCRIZ), Shanghai International Cooperation Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (SIAB), New Energy Nexus China, China-Thailand Convention and Exhibition Industry Trade Association, National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC), Sustainable Manufacturing Center (SMC), Thai Machinery Association (TMA), Technology Promotion Association (Thailand-Japan) (TPA), Nava Nakorn Public Company Limited (NNCL), and Cyber Innovation Promotion Association of Technology (CIPAT).

By bringing together advanced technologies, proven applications, professional buyers and regional industrial resources, IME 2026 aims to connect Chinese manufacturing capabilities with Thailand's industrial transformation and the wider growth opportunities of ASEAN.

The result is Every Day CO₂ Challenge, a game designed to help players understand Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), an internationally recognized framework used to assess the environmental impacts of products throughout their life cycle. The game was developed under the MA-RE DESIGN project, supported by GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit).

Varoon was inspired to create the game after years of working as an Eco Design consultant and seeing how difficult LCA was to explain through conventional presentations. A lifelong game enthusiast, he believed that complex concepts could be learned more effectively through interaction, discussion, and play.

Designed for everyone from elementary school students to adults, the game challenges participants to collect cards with the lowest total environmental impact score. Action Cards add an element of surprise and strategy, while a Game Master encourages players to explain their choices and reflect on the environmental consequences behind them.

What sets the game apart is its emphasis on active learning. Players are encouraged to question assumptions and explore why certain materials, manufacturing methods, transportation choices, or disposal options result in higher or lower environmental impacts.

What began as a simple paper prototype has evolved into 50 bilingual (Thai-English) game sets made from recycled plastic, with support from the Thai Packaging Design Association (ThaiPDA) and GIZ. The game has been tested with students, educators, business professionals, and the public, receiving highly positive feedback.

Perhaps the most encouraging outcome is that players begin asking questions of their own: Why does one product have a higher score than another? Why does recycling matter? Why do transportation methods affect emissions differently? For Varoon, that curiosity is the real objective.

In an era when AI can provide information instantly, he believes the value of learning lies not only in access to knowledge, but also in discussion, shared experiences, and asking the right questions. Ultimately, Every Day CO₂ Challenge demonstrates that meaningful learning can begin with something as simple as sitting down together and playing a game.

Read more at https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/415033/ 

Media Contact:  
Chula Communication Center 
Email: Pataraporn.r@chula.ac.th

HONG KONG, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As summer reaches its peak, Hong Kong's most anticipated annual family cultural event officially takes the stage! The International Arts Carnival 2026 (IAC 2026), presented by the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD), opens in July with a spectacular summer family arts festival featuring theatre, film, exhibitions, interactive experiences, and more—offering families across Hong Kong a creative and heartwarming summer arts programme.

This year's programme is packed with highlights, headlined by the blockbuster "IMAGINE! PLAY!" interactive art exhibition—a groundbreaking new milestone in Hong Kong's public art promotion. The LCSD, together with Arts Outreach Partner the First Initiative Foundation (FIF) and Community Innovation Partner Garden, brings together deep expertise in arts promotion, community connection, and innovative thinking to co‑present a truly unique public art experience. Music ignites creativity, art touches everyday life, and citizens are invited to explore, discover, and create—feeling the warmth of art within reach, as art becomes part of daily life and creates unforgettable moments for every family.

Children can become "Art Explorers" as they venture into the immersive "Enchanted Forest" art space at the heart of the exhibition. Inspired by the exciting programmes of IAC 2026, the exhibition blends visual art with original music to create a whimsical, fantasy‑filled art environment that encourages children to experience art in multiple ways: discovering hidden details with their eyes, responding to flowing musical rhythms with their bodies, and boldly creating unique artworks with their hands—unleashing boundless imagination and building their own artistic wonders.

The exhibition features four themed interactive zones, each with its own distinct character—balancing dynamic and static experiences, and brimming with fun for visitors of all ages:

Highlights of the Four Interactive Art Zones

1. Little Composer
The centrepiece interactive installation of the exhibition. Each "magic golden petal" on every mushroom holds a distinct musical note. With a gentle touch, children can compose their own unique melodies, while synchronised light patterns shift and respond to the music—transforming auditory art into visual imagery in real time. Upon completion, scanning the "Light Code" (QR Code) on the fantasy room screen lets visitors take their creations home!

2. Blooming Flowers
A paper‑flower garden masterfully crafted by STICKYLINE, reimagining the beauty of nature through contemporary geometric aesthetics. The vibrant three‑dimensional paper sculptures feature rich layers and unique forms, immersing children in an artistic landscape where they can experience the fusion of creativity and nature, sparking infinite imagination.

3. Glowing Dance Meadow
An energetic light‑and‑shadow interactive installation featuring multiple magical illuminated pads on the floor. Children can simply step on them to trigger bursts of light that follow their movements, creating their own luminous art performance using their bodies as the medium.

4. Magic Tree Hollow
A recreation of a mysterious scene from the Enchanted Forest. Equipped with a special "magic torch," children explore this fantastical realm to unlock various hidden glowing patterns throughout the space—each discovery brings new surprises, honing observation skills and a spirit of exploration.

"IMAGINE! PLAY!" Interactive Art Exhibition – Free Admission – Two Sessions:

• 10 July – 2 August | Atrium, East Kowloon Cultural Centre
• 7 August – 16 August | Atrium, Yuen Long Theatre

To bring art closer to everyday life and promote arts education, this year's carnival features the special "Picnic and Play!" themed activity, held at the newly opened East Kowloon Cultural Centre—a state‑of‑the‑art arts technology performance venue launched at the end of last year—and the Yuen Long Theatre, which has served the New Territories West community for many years. The events take place on two Sundays: 12 July and 9 August. The activity redefines the boundaries of traditional arts events, transforming public cultural spaces into cool, comfortable indoor family art leisure havens. With a brand‑new "music interaction + casual picnic + art exploration" format, art steps out of the theatre and into the community, becoming part of family life.

The activity kicks off with a professional yet playful music workshop led by World-Champion harmonica player, Gordon Lee. Through free‑form improvisation and creative interactive sessions, the instructor guides children to unleash their imagination, perceive musical rhythms, and inspire artistic thinking and creativity. To extend the musical joy beyond the event, each participant receives a complimentary harmonica and music booklet—ensuring the artistic experience continues in daily life.

Following the music workshop, an enjoyable indoor family picnic experience begins. As Community Innovation Partner, Garden provides participating families with exquisite custom picnic baskets filled with classic Hong Kong‑style baked treats, along with branded picnic mats. Surrounded by melodious music, families can savour delicious food, chat, and bond—creating precious warm moments together amid the bustling city. At the same time, picnic attendees can also join the "IMAGINE! PLAY!" interactive art exhibition, experiencing family art fun from multiple perspectives.

This interactive exhibition brings together three outstanding Hong Kong creatives, harnessing local creative talent to interpret childlike artistry and enrich the immersive experience for young audiences:

Artist Introductions

STICKYLINE | Geometric Sculpture Art Collective
Founded by Soilworm Lai and Mic Leong, this collective transforms ordinary paper into large‑scale three‑dimensional sculptures and installations with masterful geometric paper‑cutting techniques—like magicians of paper craft. Their distinctive aesthetic has won acclaim from major international brands. For this exhibition, they have created the central centrepiece work that turns children's wondrous imaginations into tangible, touchable realities.

MOON NOON | Innovative Visual Artist
As a forward‑thinking artist of the new generation, Moon uses digital language to transform abstract data into futuristic audiovisual experiences. His cross‑disciplinary work has garnered international attention. In this exhibition, he translates musical melodies into shifting light and motion, immersing audiences in a sensory art experience.

GORDON LEE | World-Champion Harmonica Player
Lee has performed in prestigious concert halls across Europe and America and has collaborated with renowned orchestras. He has studied under world‑class masters, integrating the sheng (Chinese mouth organ) and qigong breathing techniques to develop innovative performance methods, and invented the dual‑resonance harmonica. He has received the ISME Music Advocacy Award and was named one of Hong Kong's Ten Outstanding Young Persons. Next year, he will perform with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra in the world's first harmonica‑sheng concerto. For this exhibition, he collaborated with other artists to design the "Little Composer" installation and also serves as the harmonica instructor for the "Picnic and Play!" activity.

Click here to download high-resolution images.

About the International Arts Carnival, the First Initiative Foundation, and Garden

International Arts Carnival – Presented by the LCSD, the International Arts Carnival has been a beloved annual summer tradition since its inception in 1982. Each year, it features over 100 performances and activities, inviting artists from overseas, Chinese Mainland, and Hong Kong to present a diverse and enriching summer arts experience for the whole family.

First Initiative Foundation (FIF) – A registered charity that supports and organises local and global initiatives to benefit the arts, education, community welfare, and promotion of Hong Kong's unique culture on the world stage.

Garden – Rooted in Hong Kong communities for nearly a century, Garden has long been interwoven into daily neighbourhood life—never absent when the community needs support. Evolving from a "product provider" to a "community companion," Garden embodies through concrete action the core spirit of its century‑long journey: Hope, Possibilities, and Community Leader.

#IAC2026 #領賢慈善基金 #FirstInitiativeFoundation #Garden #嘉頓 #Gyeahyeah

Media Enquiries

Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Email: enquiries@lcsd.gov.hk 

Peter Wong (IPS)
Tel: 2890 7330 Email: peter@ipshkg.com

As an AI-enabled bank with a heart, DBS is scaling AI responsibly, including through strengthened
governance and controls

SINGAPORE, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- DBS has been named Asia's Best Digital Bank at the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, underscoring the bank's leadership in harnessing artificial intelligence and digital innovation to shape the future of banking. This is in addition to three other regional wins, including Asia's Best Digital Bank for Corporates, Asia's Best Bank for Customer Experience for the second consecutive year, and ASEAN's Best Bank.

Recognised for demonstrating measurable business impact from AI in banking

Being named "Asia's Best Digital Bank" reflects DBS' longstanding commitment to reimagining banking through technology and its mission to be an AI-enabled bank with a heart. Across the organisation, DBS has embedded AI into customer and employee journeys, moving beyond experimentation to driving transformation at scale. In 2025, over 2,000 models and more than 430 use cases had been deployed across the bank. In all, DBS' data analytics and AI/ ML initiatives generated approximately SGD 1 billion in economic value.

"In 2025, artificial intelligence was a theme discussed widely across investor calls in the banking sector, but few institutions demonstrated its value with the same clarity and consistency as DBS," Euromoney said in its award citation. "At the core of this performance is a bank-wide capability to move ideas from experimentation to scaled deployment with discipline and speed."

DBS scales AI responsibly to deliver trusted banking experiences

DBS' digital transformation has evolved from reimagining customer journeys to transformative initiatives which have enterprise-wide impact, or Operating Model Transformations (OMTs). OMTs involve re-engineering processes for human and AI collaboration; leveraging tools to enhance workflows; reskilling employees for new and augmented roles; and implementing simplified, adaptive organisational structures. These efforts are helping employees reduce toil, improve productivity and focus on higher-value activities, while enabling the bank to scale innovation across its businesses.

"As banking enters a new phase shaped by generative and agentic AI, DBS has moved early, demonstrating what scaled, real-world application can look like," Euromoney noted.

Central to DBS' approach is a strong emphasis on trust and responsible adoption. As the bank scaled its use of generative and agentic AI, it strengthened governance frameworks and implemented enterprise-wide controls to manage AI risks and ensure that AI is deployed in a safe and ethical manner.

Tan Su Shan, DBS CEO, said: "We are honoured to be named Asia's Best Digital Bank by Euromoney. This recognition reflects our leadership in harnessing AI, while staying grounded in trust, empathy, safety and governance. As we expand the use of agentic AI across the bank, we will continue investing in our people and technology infrastructure to deliver seamless and more intuitive experiences for our customers."

 DBS has been recognised over the years for its digital leadership. Euromoney named DBS World's Best Digital Bank in 2016, 2018 and 2021, and most recently, Asia's Best Digital Bank in 2025. Global Finance also recognised DBS as the inaugural World's Best AI Bank in 2025 and has named it World's Best Corporate Digital Bank twice. This latest accolade reinforces DBS' longstanding leadership in reimagining banking through technology and innovation.

About DBS

DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank's "AA-" and "Aa1" credit ratings are among the highest in the world.

Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named "World's Best Bank" by Global Finance, "World's Best Bank" by Euromoney and "Global Bank of the Year" by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named "World's Best Digital Bank" by Euromoney and the world's "Most Innovative in Digital Banking" by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the "Safest Bank in Asia" award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025.

DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region's most dynamic markets.

DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.

With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com

- Seoul, Jeju, Busan, Incheon, and Gangneung topped domestic destinations, while Tokyo, Osaka, Fukuoka, Jakarta, and Da Nang led international travel

SEOUL, South Korea, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- While traveling with family, friends, or loved ones has its own appeal, a growing number of South Koreans are choosing to set off on their own. Solo travel offers the freedom to explore at one's own pace and provides an opportunity to recharge without having to accommodate others' preferences. Reflecting this shift, the latest insights from digital travel platform Agoda revealed that interest in solo travel among South Koreans increased by 9% compared to last year, with accommodation searches rising 7% for domestic travels and 11% for international getaways.

Based on accommodation searches made by South Korean solo travelers during the first five months of the year, Seoul emerged as the most in-demand domestic destination. Jeju, Busan, Incheon, and Gangneung completed the top five.

Regional Government Initiatives Spark Growing Domestic Solo Travel Interest

Among them, Gangneung continues to attract travelers seeking a relaxing escape by the sea. Located just two hours from Seoul by KTX, the coastal city offers a wide range of experiences, from scenic beaches and lifestyle complexes to trendy cafes, restaurants, and picturesque photo spots. In response to the growing number of independent visitors, many local eateries also provide single-serving options, allowing travelers to enjoy the region's culinary offerings with greater convenience.

Meanwhile, Donghae recorded the fastest growth among domestic destinations, with accommodation search volume from solo travelers increasing by 28% year-on-year. The city's efforts to enhance the experience for independent visitors and promote regional tourism, including its "Solo Traveler-Friendly Business Certification Program", are likely contributing factors behind the rising interest.

Japan Remains Overseas Solo-travel Favorite; Jakarta Emerges as Rising Star

Looking beyond South Korea, Japan dominated the overseas rankings. Tokyo ranked first, followed by Osaka and Fukuoka, as favorites among South Korean solo travelers. Their proximity to South Korea, reputation for safety, and efficient public transportation networks make them particularly attractive for those traveling alone. Solo travelers also have their eyes on Southeast Asia, with Jakarta and Da Nang rounding out the top five.

Jakarta stood out with the highest increase in interest, recording a more than 30x rise in accommodation searches. The Indonesian capital has gained attention following the launch of a new flight route in April, alongside special promotional fares, and as a destination where various K-pop idol concerts and fan meet-ups are held. Popular artists like ATEEZ, aespa, EXO, and NCT WISH, among others, held concerts in Jakarta in the first half of this year. In addition, the city is gaining recognition for its diverse offerings, including historical attractions, island-hopping opportunities, shopping, and local cuisine, all available at relatively affordable prices given the weakening rupiah.

As for travel timing, March emerged as the most popular month for solo travel during the first five months of the year, followed by January, April, February, and May. The popularity of March may be attributed to the arrival of spring, when mild weather and blooming flowers, as well as diverse festivals and events create ideal conditions for both domestic and international trips.

Alex Park, Country Director, South Korea at Agoda shared, "More travelers are expressing interest in solo journeys, drawn by the convenience, flexibility, and opportunity to recharge on their own terms. Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report also found that nearly one in four respondents plan to travel solo this year. Agoda is committed to supporting all types of travelers, including solo adventurers, by offering great value across flights, accommodations, and activities, helping them experience more for less."

With over 130,000 flight routes, more than 6 million holiday properties, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda ensures solo travelers can seamlessly combine their bookings in one convenient platform throughout their journey. Discover the best deals on Agoda's mobile app and visit Agoda.com to plan the perfect summer getaway.

As part of its second-half business strategy, Bluewash will strengthen its brand identity through a refreshed design language, enhanced customer experiences, and a series of offline initiatives that reflect its vision of wellness-driven living.

Moving beyond conventional detergent packaging focused solely on functionality, Bluewash has introduced a minimalist aesthetic designed to complement modern living spaces. By combining refined design with everyday practicality, the company aims to position its products as lifestyle objects that seamlessly integrate into consumers' daily routines.

In addition to its design philosophy, Bluewash continues to reinforce its premium wellness positioning through low-irritation formulations developed with skin health in mind. Supported by its in-house manufacturing facilities and rigorous quality control system, the brand emphasizes ingredient transparency and product safety while delivering a gentle laundry care experience.

Bluewash's offline brand campaign will begin with a lifestyle pop-up store in July, followed by the opening of a flagship showroom at its new headquarters in August. The showroom will introduce the company's brand philosophy alongside new product offerings and provide an opportunity for consumers and industry partners to experience the Bluewash brand firsthand.

Looking ahead, Bluewash plans to expand its presence through major offline retail channels while continuing to strengthen its global brand strategy. By combining wellness-focused innovation, premium design, and transparent manufacturing, the company aims to establish itself as a leading lifestyle brand in the global laundry care market.

Achieve Hydrated, Glowing Summer Skin from the Inside Out

This summer, iHerb has carefully selected a range of highly-discussed and well-reviewed products. Addressing the three core needs of summer skincare—hydration, protection, and repair—these selections help create a more comprehensive summer skincare routine.

With the growing Beauty & Wellness trend, an increasing number of people are tailoring their daily nutritional supplements to their lifestyles, seamlessly extending skincare into their everyday routines. A highly popular item from iHerb's in-house brand, California Gold Nutrition's "Hyaluronic Acid Complex," combines hyaluronic acid, L-Proline, French grape seed, and French maritime pine bark extracts. It is highly favored by consumers who prioritize daily hydration and support healthy-looking skin, making it a top choice on many summer skincare shopping lists.

For Vitamin C supplementation, the popular iHerb brand Doctor's Best offers "Vitamin C with Q-C," providing a reliable daily source of Vitamin C. It is ideal for individuals with busy lifestyles looking to secure their nutritional intake and remains a favorite choice for daily supplementation. Furthermore, to cope with hectic schedules and frequent outings, another highly sought-after product—Life Extension's "BioActive Complete B-Complex"—provides a comprehensive source of B vitamins, serving as an essential daily supplement for busy professionals and those with fast-paced routines. 

Beyond standard vitamins, Nature's Way "Alive! Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies" feature a delicious strawberry flavor and a convenient chewable design, making daily nutrition an effortless part of life. It has become a highly popular item among women, bringing both convenience and a sense of ritual to their daily care habits.

Sun Protection and After-Sun Repair Are Key to Summer Skincare

Prolonged outdoor activities make the skin more vulnerable to UV rays and high temperatures. Therefore, everything from sun protection to after-sun care represents a crucial step in summer skincare. Ranking high on iHerb's charts for baby sun protection and safe care, the brand think (Thinkbaby®) offers its "Zinc Oxide Sunscreen, SPF 50". Utilizing a zinc oxide formula, it boasts a comfortable texture free of harmful chemicals, making it suitable for daily commutes, outdoor activities, and family trips.

After the skin endures prolonged sun exposure, timely hydration and soothing care are equally vital. The popular iHerb brand Lily of the Desert offers a "99% Aloe Vera Gelly" primarily made from organic aloe vera. Its refreshing texture is deeply loved by consumers, making it a perfect component of daily moisturizing and after-sun soothing routines.

718 Limited-Time Offer Begins: Enjoy Up to 25% Off on iHerb Must-Buys

iHerb notes that consumers' summer skincare needs are no longer limited to a single product, but instead focus on a comprehensive care rhythm built upon sun protection, repair, and daily nutritional supplementation. Through a diverse product selection and cross-border direct shipping services, iHerb hopes to help consumers craft a lighter, more efficient summer skincare strategy. From now until July 25 at 11:59 PM, new customers can enter the promo code "26PRN7" for a 30% discount, while existing customers can use "26SUM77" for a 25% discount. Seize the 718 limited-time event to stock up on iHerb's must-buy and best-selling products to beat the summer heat.

iHerb: Your One-Stop Global Health Shop

Headquartered in California, USA, iHerb is a leading global online retail brand for health and wellness products. iHerb's greatest advantage is providing Hong Kong consumers with a safe, reliable platform where they "don't need to look for proxy buyers and don't have to worry about counterfeits". All products are shipped directly from logistics centers in the US and Asia, guaranteeing 100% authenticity across the site, alongside an exceptionally convenient shopping experience:

• Fast Delivery: Orders can arrive as fast as the next day.
• Free Shipping: Enjoy free shipping on orders over HKD 150.
• Easy returns & refunds: For purchases made on the iHerb website or app, returns are accepted within 30 days from the day the order is received, while iHerb brand products enjoy an extended 90-day return period.

This summer, take advantage of the 718 promotion to treasure hunt on iHerb and discover even more highly-talked-about and highly-rated bestsellers!

About iHerb ( https://hk.iherb.com/)

iHerb is a globally renowned US-based cross-border e-commerce platform specializing in high-quality health supplements, nutritional products, beauty and personal care, and daily essentials. Offering a curated selection of over 50,000 items and serving more than 180 countries and regions, iHerb is dedicated to helping global consumers access health and beauty options at reasonable prices. All products are shipped directly from multiple advanced logistics centers in the US and Asia, maintaining product freshness through rigorous cold-chain and temperature-controlled warehousing management . iHerb also continuously enhances its multi-language customer service and localized payment methods to ensure a safe, transparent, and convenient shopping experience for users worldwide.

SEOUL, South Korea, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in South Korea will keep their access to Neuronata-R® (lenzumestrocel) — a stem cell therapy for ALS — after the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) approved its continued use in May 2026, updating the label to reflect data from the completed Phase 3 clinical trial.

The MFDS approved a product license modification for the therapy, which was first conditionally approved in the country in 2014. The update keeps Neuronata-R® on the market.

CorestemChemon said it is now working to resume manufacturing so patients can keep receiving the therapy, while also building a research footprint in the United States that could support broader access over time.

What the updated approval means for patients

In the ALSUMMIT (NCT04745299) Phase 3 trial, Neuronata-R® did not reach statistical significance across the full study population. In the subgroup of slow progressors, however, the therapy met its primary endpoint, the Combined Assessment of Function and Survival (CAFS), and a secondary endpoint, the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R), alongside consistent improvement in slow vital capacity (SVC).

In the same subgroup, treatment lowered neurofilament light chain (NfL), a marker of axonal damage released when neurons are injured. NfL is gaining acceptance as a key biomarker in ALS and is increasingly recognized as a basis for regulatory decisions on disease-modifying therapies.

Building a U.S. research base

CorestemChemon has also been establishing a presence in the United States through the regenerative medicine research community. In late 2025, it became the first South Korean company to join an innovation engine supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) — the Piedmont Triad Regenerative Medicine Engine, anchored by the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine (WFIRM).

Joining the engine gives the company access to WFIRM's research infrastructure and network, and it has consolidated its U.S. operations in North Carolina to anchor that work.

On the regulatory front, CorestemChemon said it is pursuing a Type C meeting with the FDA, with the goal of filing a Biologics License Application (BLA) for U.S. approval next year.

Full-scale production of Neuronata-R® is expected to be up and running early next year, when treatment is set to resume. From that point, patients from outside South Korea will also be able to travel to the country to receive the therapy.

CorestemChemon has framed the MFDS decision as a step toward keeping a cell-based option available for the patients most likely to benefit, and toward extending that option to patients beyond South Korea over time.

How Neuronata-R works

Neuronata-R® uses autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), grown in the lab from the patient's own bone marrow and delivered by intrathecal injection.

Rather than replacing motor neurons, the MSCs are thought to act through the factors they secrete. These include anti-inflammatory factors — TGF-β1, IL-4 and IL-10, which help dampen the neuroinflammation that contributes to motor neuron loss — and neuroprotective factors such as VEGF, BDNF and IGF, which support neuronal survival. Together, these factors are proposed to slow the death of motor neurons.

To date, the therapy has been given to more than 400 patients in South Korea, building a body of real-world experience and safety data. It holds Orphan Drug Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), granted in 2018, and from the European Medicines Agency (EMA), granted in 2019.

• Samsung Biologics to launch an all-cash public tender offer for 100% of PolyPeptide's fully diluted share capital (excluding therefrom any treasury shares) at CHF 44.31 per share, representing an equity value of approximately CHF 1.46 billion.
• Strong transaction support, with a unanimous recommendation from PolyPeptide's Board members (acting through its independent and non-conflicted members) and an irrevocable tender undertaking from PolyPeptide's largest shareholder, representing approximately 55.65% of outstanding shares (excluding treasury shares).
• PolyPeptide's specialized peptide expertise and global multi-site network to strengthen Samsung Biologics' multi-modality and global manufacturing excellence
• Strategic investment to propel Samsung Biologics' long-term growth strategy spanning portfolio, geography, and capacity

INCHEON, South Korea, July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) today announced the launch of an all-cash public tender offer to acquire 100% of the fully diluted share capital of PolyPeptide Group AG ("PolyPeptide") (ISIN CH1110760852, ticker symbol: PPGN), a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specializing in peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs).

Under the terms of the offer, PolyPeptide shareholders will receive CHF 44.31 in cash for each PolyPeptide share, representing an implied equity value of approximately CHF 1.46 billion. The transaction is expected to be completed towards the end of 2026, subject to customary offer conditions, including a minimum acceptance threshold of 66⅔%, applicable regulatory approvals, and other conditions described in the pre-announcement published today (Link), and the offer prospectus to be published in accordance with Swiss takeover law.

After a comprehensive review of strategic options, PolyPeptide's Board of Directors, acting through its independent and non-conflicted members, unanimously recommend that PolyPeptide shareholders accept the tender offer, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the offer prospectus. The Board determined that the transaction represents an attractive outcome for shareholders and PolyPeptide while positioning PolyPeptide for its next phase of growth as part of Samsung Biologics' global CDMO platform.

With this transaction, Samsung Biologics will expand its capabilities beyond antibodies and ADCs to include peptide therapeutics, one of the fastest-growing segments of the biopharmaceutical industry, driven by surging global demand for obesity treatments and the continued expansion of peptide-based therapies into new disease areas. The transaction brings together Samsung Biologics' global manufacturing scale with PolyPeptide's specialized peptide expertise to create a differentiated, end-to-end multi-modality CDMO platform. PolyPeptide stands as one of the industry's top peptide CDMOs, distinguished by its advanced technology platform and proven track record, with more than 70 years of API manufacturing heritage and over 1,000 therapeutic peptides produced to date.

PolyPeptide operates an integrated development-to-commercial model with growth focused on a modular, automation approach, giving it the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing market demand. Through PolyPeptide's peptide capabilities, innovative technologies, and proven commercial manufacturing track record, Samsung Biologics aims to serve clients across a broader range of therapeutic modalities by addressing growing demand for peptide-based therapeutics, particularly in obesity and diabetes, including GLP-1 therapies, while advancing innovation across high-growth areas such as oncology and other emerging indications.

The planned acquisition extends beyond adding capacity; it lays the foundation for Samsung Biologics' next phase of growth, supported by a strong pipeline of active peptide projects that includes a deep late-stage portfolio. PolyPeptide operates global sites across Sweden, Belgium, France, the United States, India, together with a corporate office in Switzerland and a separate Innovation Center in Strasbourg, France, with capabilities encompassing R&D, development, and commercial manufacturing.

Upon completion of the transaction, Samsung Biologics will bring together PolyPeptide's highly experienced team and specialized peptide expertise, further enhancing its capabilities. By combining the companies' scientific strengths, manufacturing excellence, and global operations, the transaction is expected to enhance operational excellence, unlock additional growth opportunities, and further strengthen Samsung Biologics' position as a leading global multi-modality CDMO.

"This acquisition reinforces our long-term growth strategy by not only broadening our service portfolio with modality expansion into peptides including GLP-1, but by also boosting our geographic reach and proximity further within the US, Europe, and India," said John Rim, Chairman of the Board of Directors and CEO of Samsung Biologics. "We highly value PolyPeptide's world-class employees, industry-leading capabilities, and global operational footprint, and look forward to leveraging the complementary strengths of PolyPeptide and Samsung Biologics in our continued growth supporting clients as the CDMO of choice for decades to come."

"PolyPeptide was built on the dedication of our employees, deep scientific expertise and strong customer focus. After a comprehensive review of strategic options, the Board is convinced that Samsung Biologics' offer is compelling for our shareholders, delivering an attractive cash price and immediate, certain value today," said Peter Wilden, Chairman of the Board of Directors of PolyPeptide. "At the same time, it represents a transformational opportunity to accelerate our strategic ambitions at a scale we could not reach alone – creating a stronger global partner for customers and a platform uniquely positioned to lead the next phase of growth in peptide-based therapeutics."

Samsung Biologics is launching an all-cash public tender offer for all publicly held shares in PolyPeptide. The Offer Price represents a 40% premium to the undisturbed share price of CHF 31.65 (the "Unaffected Price"), being the last closing price of PolyPeptide's shares on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX") as of 10 April 2026, which was the last trading day prior to the emergence of market rumors regarding a potential acquisition of PolyPeptide. The Offer Price represents an approximately 11.6% premium to the volume-weighted average share price over the last 60 trading days prior to the publication of this announcement. The Board of Directors of PolyPeptide, acting through its independent and non-conflicted members, unanimously recommends that shareholders accept the offer. The transaction is further supported by PolyPeptide's largest shareholder, who holds approximately 55.65% (based on total shares, excluding therefrom any treasury shares) and who has undertaken to tender all of its shares into the offer.

Indicative timeline
The offer by Samsung Biologics is conditioned upon at least two-thirds of all PolyPeptide shares on a fully diluted basis being tendered into the offer at the end of the offer period, together with other customary offer conditions, including the regulatory approvals set out in the pre-announcement.

The tender offer is expected to be launched by the end of August 2026 by publication of the formal offer prospectus and will remain open for a minimum of twenty trading days on the SIX Swiss Exchange ("SIX"), following a ten trading-day cooling-off period under Swiss takeover law. The pre-announcement, published together with this press release, sets out the tender offer procedure and the specific terms and conditions of the offer.

Once the offer has been successfully completed, Samsung Biologics intends to pursue a squeeze-out of any remaining minority shares and to delist PolyPeptide from the SIX, at which point PolyPeptide would become a wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Biologics.

J.P. Morgan is acting as exclusive financial advisor to Samsung Biologics, with Ernst & Young Han Young serving as accounting and tax advisor. O'Melveny & Myers LLP and Schellenberg Wittmer Ltd are acting as legal advisors to Samsung Biologics.

About Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Biologics (KRX: 207940.KS) is a leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), offering end-to-end integrated services that range from late discovery to commercial manufacturing.

With a combined biomanufacturing capacity of 785,000 liters across Bio Campus I and II in Korea, and 60,000 from the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Rockville, Maryland, U.S., Samsung Biologics holds total global manufacturing capacity of 845,000 liters. Samsung Biologics has also secured land for Bio Campus III, laying the groundwork for future capacity expansion to support next-generation therapies and emerging modalities.

Samsung Biologics leverages cutting-edge technologies and expertise to advance diverse modalities, including multispecific antibodies, fusion proteins, antibody-drug conjugates, and mRNA therapeutics.

By implementing the ExellenS™ framework across its manufacturing network with standardized designs, unified processes, and advanced digitalization, Samsung Biologics ensures plant equivalency and speed for manufacturing continuity.

Samsung Biologics' global manufacturing and commercial network spans Korea, the U.S., and Japan. Samsung Biologics America supports clients based in the U.S. and Europe, while its Tokyo sales office serves the APAC region. Samsung Biologics continues to invest in new capabilities to maximize operational and quality excellence, ensuring flexibility and agility for clients. Samsung Biologics is committed to the on-time, in-full delivery of safe, high-quality biomedicines, as well as to making sustainable business decisions for the betterment of society and global health. For more information, please visit https://samsungbiologics.com/.

Media Contacts
Samsung Biologics
[Claire Kim / cair.kim@samsung.com]

Investor Contacts
Samsung Biologics
[Jaewan Jun / jae.jun@samsung.com]

For additional information about the offer, please visit https://samsungbiologics.com/offer.

About PolyPeptide
PolyPeptide Group AG and its consolidated subsidiaries ("PolyPeptide") is a specialized Contract Development & Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for peptide-based active pharmaceutical ingredients. By supporting its customers mainly in pharma and biotech, it contributes to the health of millions of patients across the world. PolyPeptide serves a fast-growing market, offering products and services from pre-pre-clinical to commercial stages. Its broad portfolio reflects the opportunities in drug therapies across areas and with significant exposure to metabolic diseases, including GLP-1. Dating back to 1952, PolyPeptide today runs a global network of six GMP-certified facilities in Europe, the U.S. and India. PolyPeptide's shares (SIX: PPGN) are listed on SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, please visit polypeptide.com.

Disclosure Notice
The pre-announcement of the offer, which has been published today, is available at https://samsungbiologics.com/offer.

The public tender offer is subject to customary terms and conditions as well as regulatory approvals and is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2026.

This publication does not constitute a prospectus or a similar notice according to articles 35 et seqq. and 69 of the Swiss Financial Services Act, is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer document or an offer of securities for purchase or subscription, nor a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for securities, in any jurisdiction. The terms and conditions of the tender offer will be set out exclusively in the offer prospectus to be published in accordance with applicable Swiss takeover law, including the Swiss Financial Market Infrastructure Act and the Takeover Ordinance. Investors and holders of PolyPeptide shares are advised to carefully read the pre-announcement and the offer prospectus, as well as all other documents relating to the tender offer, once available, as they will contain important information about the offer. These documents will be made available in accordance with applicable law.

Offer Restrictions
General
The public tender offer for the registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.01 each (each a PolyPeptide Group Share) of PolyPeptide as described in the documents available on this website (the Offer) will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which it would be unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require Samsung Biologics, Ltd., Incheon, Republic of Korea, (Samsung Biologics) or any of its direct and indirect subsidiaries launching the Offer, (the Offeror) to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the Offer. It is not intended to extend the Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Any document relating to the Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction, and must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of securities of PolyPeptide by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction. Terms and conditions of the Offer have been and/or will be published in the Offer Documentation.

United States of America
The Offer will be made in the U.S. pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act), subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(c) under the U.S. Exchange Act (the Tier I Exemption) and Rule 14e-5(b)(10) under the U.S. Exchange Act and any exemptions that may be granted by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights, settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and laws.

Any financial statements or figures included or referenced in the offer prospectus have been or will be prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards of, or recognized in, Switzerland and/or the Republic of Korea, which may not be comparable to the financial statements of U.S. companies.

In accordance with the laws of Switzerland and subject to applicable regulatory requirements, Samsung Biologics and its subsidiaries (including the Offeror) and affiliates or their respective nominees or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror) may from time to time after the date of the offer prospectus, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase PolyPeptide Group Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for PolyPeptide Group Shares from their holders who are willing to sell them outside the Offer from time to time, including purchases in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices, and shall comply with applicable laws and regulations in Switzerland and applicable U.S. securities laws, rules and regulations, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act (subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14e-5(b)(10) under the U.S. Exchange Act). Any such purchases will not be made at prices higher than the offer price or on terms financially more favorable than those offered pursuant to the Offer, unless the offer price is increased accordingly. Any information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be publicly disclosed in the U.S. on offer website if and to the extent that such information is made public in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of Switzerland. In addition, the financial advisor to PolyPeptide and, subject to applicable Swiss and U.S. securities laws, rules and regulations, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act (subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14e-5(b)(10) under the U.S. Exchange Act), the financial advisor to Samsung Biologics and its subsidiaries (including the Offeror) and affiliates may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of PolyPeptide, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

It may be difficult for holders of Company Shares in the U.S. (U.S. Holders) to enforce their rights and any claim they may have arising out of U.S. securities laws, since the Offeror and PolyPeptide are located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. Holders may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a U.S. or non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. Holder may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each shareholder of PolyPeptide is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Offer.

Neither the SEC nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (a) approved or disapproved of the Offer; (b) passed upon the merits or fairness of the Offer; or (c) passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in this Pre-Announcement. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the U.S.

U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their own legal (including with respect to Swiss law), financial and tax advisors regarding the Offer.

United Kingdom
The communication about this Offer is not being made by, and has not been approved by, an authorised person for the purposes of Section 21 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended. In the United Kingdom (U.K.), this communication and any other documents relating to the Offer is/will be directed only at persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (as amended, the Order), (ii) falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). No communication in respect of the Offer must be acted on or relied on in the U.K. by persons who are not relevant persons. The Offer and any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is / will be available in the U.K. to relevant persons only and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Australia, Canada and Japan
The Offer will not be addressed to shareholders of PolyPeptide whose place of residence, seat or habitual abode is in Australia, Canada, or Japan, and such shareholders may not accept the Offer.

Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements that reflect Samsung Biologics' current expectations and views of future events. These statements can often be identified by terms such as "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "target," "believe," "will" and similar expressions. They include, among other things, statements relating to the expected timing, structure and completion of the tender offer; the anticipated benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction; and the future business, operations, financial performance and strategy of Samsung Biologics and PolyPeptide.

These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Samsung Biologics' control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such factors include, among others, the satisfaction of the conditions to the tender offer, the receipt of required regulatory approvals, the level of acceptance of the offer by PolyPeptide shareholders, the ability to successfully integrate PolyPeptide's business, developments in the peptide and broader CDMO markets, and general economic and market conditions. No assurance can be given that the transactions described herein will be completed or as to the final terms.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement and are based on information currently available to Samsung Biologics. Except as required by applicable law, Samsung Biologics undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Yiwu, a city in east China's Zhejiang province, is neither a coastal hub nor a border town. Yet it has built a trade network that reaches across the globe. Today, the city is home to more than 10,000 foreign-invested businesses and around 38,000 foreign merchants who live and work there.

People's Daily reporters recently visited Yiwu to meet foreign entrepreneurs who have built successful businesses and settled down in the city. They shared stories of growing alongside Yiwu and becoming part of its remarkable transformation.

"I wouldn't be where I am today without Yiwu," said Senegalese businessman Sourakhata Tirera, a sentiment he often expresses. He first came to Yiwu in 2003 to source hardware products and was immediately impressed by the Yiwu International Trade Market. He noted, "If you can't find something here, it's probably because you haven't searched carefully enough."

In 2007, Tirera opened a foreign trade agency in Yiwu. In 2012, leveraging Yiwu's comprehensive foreign trade pilot reform project, he established a wholly foreign-owned trading company. Today, his company ships 200 to 300 containers every month, dealing in more than 1,000 product categories and providing one-stop sourcing services for clients across Africa.

"Everyone is fascinated by Yiwu because it's a place full of opportunities. Things that once seemed impossible can become reality here," Tirera told People's Daily after he finished receiving a trade delegation from Gabon.

Yemeni businessman Maged Mohammed Ali Al-Huraibi came to Yiwu alone in 2008 to pursue his entrepreneurial dream and founded a cosmetics trading company. In 2024, Yiwu launched a one-stop entrepreneurship service for foreign talent, offering factory leasing, policy consultation, and talent recruitment. Seizing the opportunity, Al-Huraibi invested in a cosmetics factory early that year, successfully transitioning from trader to manufacturer.

"Yiwu made my entrepreneurial dream come true. Now I want to bring cosmetics made in Yiwu to even more countries and regions around the world," Al-Huraibi said.

Yiwu's success is not simply about gathering products. More importantly, it comes from the city's ability to create what the market needs -- pioneering new approaches where none exist and forging new paths through continuous exploration.

Nepalese businessman Khadka Raj Kumar first came to Yiwu in 2002. In 2011, Yiwu pioneered a dual-track system for representative offices and foreign-invested business entities, addressing challenges related to residency, employment and business operations for foreign entrepreneurs. The following year, Kumar established his own trading company in Yiwu and later bought a home there.

In 2013, Yiwu established China's first people's mediation committee dedicated to foreign-related disputes, inviting foreign businesspeople to serve as mediation processes. Kumar has served in this role since 2017 and has participated in resolving more than 150 foreign-related disputes.

"In Yiwu, we're not outsiders -- we're part of the local community," he said.

As Yiwu's sixth-generation marketplace, the Yiwu Global Digital Trade Center marks the city's transition from traditional trade to a digital trade ecosystem.

Pakistani businessman Sheikh Jamil, who has operated in Yiwu for 21 years, has witnessed this transformation firsthand. According to him, more and more business is now conducted online. With the help of AI, he can quickly generate product solutions tailored to different market demands. "I can do business with the whole world without leaving my office," he said.

Yemeni businessman Hasan Mohammed entered Yiwu's cosmetics business as a distributor a decade ago. In 2018, he registered his own cosmetics brand in Saudi Arabia. With its products registered in Saudi Arabia, manufactured in China and sold worldwide, his business model delivers both high-quality products and a strong competitive edge.

"Yiwu is more like an ecosystem where ideas can quickly become reality. It offers not only opportunities, but also the potential for continuous growth," said Mohammed.

For Brazilian businesswoman Ana Garcia, Yiwu's transformation from "Made in Yiwu" to "Created in Yiwu" has been fueled by broad support in branding, digital innovation and global expansion. She founded a business consultancy that helps overseas clients identify market opportunities and sourcing needs, connect with qualified suppliers, and manage every step of the supply chain -- from product selection and quality inspection to logistics and customs clearance.

Yiwu belongs not only to China, but also to the world. Together with entrepreneurs from around the globe, the city will continue turning the impossible into the possible, further burnishing its reputation as the "world's supermarket" and ensuring that products created in Yiwu benefit people in more countries.

SHANGHAI, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, is showcasing its full portfolio of intelligent robotics solutions at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held from July 17–20 in Shanghai. A key highlight of this year's exhibition is the offline global debut of the PUDU D7, Pudu's next-generation semi-humanoid robot. In tandem with its exhibition highlights, Pudu Robotics was also honored with the 36Kr "Most Investor-Attractive AI & Embodied Intelligence Enterprise" Award, recognizing the company's growing influence in the embodied AI sector and continued confidence from the investment community.

Full Product Matrix on Display: Demonstrating Multi-Scenario Capabilities

Pudu's comprehensive presentation at WAIC 2026 showcased its complete technical and product layout, spanning service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied intelligence.

The PUDU D5 quadruped robot demonstrates advanced terrain adaptability and autonomous navigation across an on-site obstacle course mimicking sand, gravel, steps, and slopes, simulating autonomous inspections in complex environments such as power substations and industrial parks. Additionally, the D5 performed high-speed "drifting" demonstrations at the booth, reaching peak speeds of up to 5 m/s and showcasing industry-leading mobility and responsiveness.

Making its global offline public debut, the PUDU D7 engaged visitors with several immersive and interactive live experiences. Attendees posed for photos with the D7, instantly receiving unique snapshots taken directly from a "robotics perspective." The robot also demonstrated advanced multi-robot coordination by autonomously walking and guiding the PUDU D5 quadruped around the booth while seamlessly avoiding pedestrian traffic, vividly illustrating collaborative workflows between different robotic form factors.

Pudu is also exhibiting its mature commercial robotics portfolio, including the BellaBot service delivery robot, the PUDU T300 industrial delivery robot, and the PUDU MT1 Max and PUDU CC1 Pro commercial cleaning robots. Together, these products highlight Pudu's proven deployments across hospitality, retail, F&B, manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries.

Winning the "Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise" Award Amid Sustained Capital Traction

The "Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise" award from 36Kr arrives alongside sustained backing from major global institutional investors. In April 2026, Pudu Robotics completed a new financing round of nearly USD 150 million, bringing its valuation to more than USD 1.5 billion. This brings Pudu's cumulative funding to more than USD 300 million.

This strong capital interest is supported by concrete commercial performance. According to the "2025 Global Embodied Intelligence and Commercial Service Robotics Independent Market Research Report" released by Frost & Sullivan, Pudu Robotics accounts for 25% and 23% of the global commercial service robotics market in terms of revenue and shipments respectively, ranking No. 1 worldwide in both categories. Furthermore, Pudu Robotics has maintained a year-over-year revenue growth rate exceeding 100%, with international markets accounting for more than 80% of total revenue for consecutive years. While the broader Embodied AI industry remains in early exploratory phases, Pudu has approached a positive EBITDA, achieving large-scale commercial viability ahead of the market.

From Product Export to Ecosystem Integration: A Blueprint for Global Expansion

According to the Research Report on Chinese Enterprises' Overseas Expansion from 2025 to 2026 published by the 36Kr Research Institute, Pudu Robotics was featured as a primary benchmark case study for Embodied AI. The report attributes Pudu's international success to its systematic combination of technological innovation, product capabilities, and localized global operation. Analysts noted that Pudu has successfully transitioned from exporting products to exporting global brand equity and integrated robotics ecosystems, establishing a core reference blueprint for hard-tech global expansion.

By deploying versatile product forms that span specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid forms, Pudu Robotics continues to focus on integrating Embodied AI directly into real-world environments—transforming Physical AI from a technical concept into a practical productivity partner.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics sector, is dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that serves 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu Robotics has developed key core technologies and components, including robotic joint modules and motion controllers, and has filed more than 1,900 patent applications worldwide. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered a "One Brain, Multiple Embodiments" architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.

Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.

To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 85 countries and regions.

SHANGHAI, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pudu Robotics, a global leader in commercial service robotics, is showcasing its full portfolio of intelligent robotics solutions at the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC), held from July 17–20 in Shanghai. A key highlight of this year's exhibition is the offline global debut of the PUDU D7, Pudu's next-generation semi-humanoid robot. In tandem with its exhibition highlights, Pudu Robotics was also honored with the 36Kr "Most Investor-Attractive AI & Embodied Intelligence Enterprise" Award, recognizing the company's growing influence in the embodied AI sector and continued confidence from the investment community.

Full Product Matrix on Display: Demonstrating Multi-Scenario Capabilities

Pudu's comprehensive presentation at WAIC 2026 showcased its complete technical and product layout, spanning service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery, and general embodied intelligence.

The PUDU D5 quadruped robot demonstrates advanced terrain adaptability and autonomous navigation across an on-site obstacle course mimicking sand, gravel, steps, and slopes, simulating autonomous inspections in complex environments such as power substations and industrial parks. Additionally, the D5 performed high-speed "drifting" demonstrations at the booth, reaching peak speeds of up to 5 m/s and showcasing industry-leading mobility and responsiveness.

Making its global offline public debut, the PUDU D7 engaged visitors with several immersive and interactive live experiences. Attendees posed for photos with the D7, instantly receiving unique snapshots taken directly from a "robotics perspective." The robot also demonstrated advanced multi-robot coordination by autonomously walking and guiding the PUDU D5 quadruped around the booth while seamlessly avoiding pedestrian traffic, vividly illustrating collaborative workflows between different robotic form factors.

Pudu is also exhibiting its mature commercial robotics portfolio, including the BellaBot service delivery robot, the PUDU T300 industrial delivery robot, and the PUDU MT1 Max and PUDU CC1 Pro commercial cleaning robots. Together, these products highlight Pudu's proven deployments across hospitality, retail, F&B, manufacturing, warehousing, and other industries.

Winning the "Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise" Award Amid Sustained Capital Traction

The "Most Investor-Attractive Enterprise" award from 36Kr arrives alongside sustained backing from major global institutional investors. In April 2026, Pudu Robotics completed a new financing round of nearly USD 150 million, bringing its valuation to more than USD 1.5 billion. This brings Pudu's cumulative funding to more than USD 300 million.

This strong capital interest is supported by concrete commercial performance. According to the "2025 Global Embodied Intelligence and Commercial Service Robotics Independent Market Research Report" released by Frost & Sullivan, Pudu Robotics accounts for 25% and 23% of the global commercial service robotics market in terms of revenue and shipments respectively, ranking No. 1 worldwide in both categories. Furthermore, Pudu Robotics has maintained a year-over-year revenue growth rate exceeding 100%, with international markets accounting for more than 80% of total revenue for consecutive years. While the broader Embodied AI industry remains in early exploratory phases, Pudu has approached a positive EBITDA, achieving large-scale commercial viability ahead of the market.

From Product Export to Ecosystem Integration: A Blueprint for Global Expansion

According to the Research Report on Chinese Enterprises' Overseas Expansion from 2025 to 2026 published by the 36Kr Research Institute, Pudu Robotics was featured as a primary benchmark case study for Embodied AI. The report attributes Pudu's international success to its systematic combination of technological innovation, product capabilities, and localized global operation. Analysts noted that Pudu has successfully transitioned from exporting products to exporting global brand equity and integrated robotics ecosystems, establishing a core reference blueprint for hard-tech global expansion.

By deploying versatile product forms that span specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid forms, Pudu Robotics continues to focus on integrating Embodied AI directly into real-world environments—transforming Physical AI from a technical concept into a practical productivity partner.

About Pudu Robotics

Pudu Robotics, a global leader in the commercial service robotics sector, is dedicated to empowering easier work and better lives through AI and robotics, with a vision of building a global intelligent robotics infrastructure that serves 10 billion people worldwide.

Pudu Robotics has developed key core technologies and components, including robotic joint modules and motion controllers, and has filed more than 1,900 patent applications worldwide. Built on three core technologies—Embodied Navigation, Embodied Manipulation, and Embodied Interaction—Pudu Robotics has pioneered a "One Brain, Multiple Embodiments" architecture, establishing a comprehensive product portfolio that includes specialized, semi-humanoid, and humanoid robots.

Currently, Pudu offers four major product lines: service delivery, commercial cleaning, industrial delivery and general embodied AI. Its solutions are widely deployed across industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, real estate and property services, healthcare, entertainment and sport, education, and public services.

To date, Pudu Robotics has shipped over 130,000 units globally, with a presence in more than 85 countries and regions.

SAN ANTONIO, July 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan is pleased to honor Singtel with the 2026 Southeast Asia IoT Connectivity Service Provider Company of the Year, 2026 Singapore Network Transformation Customer Value Leadership, 2026 Singapore Cybersecurity Services Company of the Year, and 2026 Singapore SD-WAN and SASE Service Provider Company of the Year recognitions. These acknowledgements reflect Singtel's outstanding achievements in delivering secure, intelligent, and scalable digital infrastructure that enables enterprises to modernize operations, simplify complexity, and accelerate digital transformation across Singapore and Southeast Asia. They underscore the company's consistent leadership in strategy execution, customer value creation, and innovation across enterprise connectivity, cybersecurity, software-defined networking, and IoT connectivity services.

Frost & Sullivan evaluates companies through a rigorous benchmarking process across two core dimensions: strategy effectiveness and strategy execution. Singtel excelled in both, demonstrating its ability to anticipate evolving enterprise requirements while consistently translating long-term vision into measurable customer outcomes. Through platforms such as Singtel CUBΣ (CUBE) and its multidomestic IoT connectivity architecture, the company continues to unify networking, cybersecurity, automation, and AI-driven intelligence into integrated solutions that address the growing complexity of hybrid, multicloud, and connected environments. "Singtel has established itself as a benchmark for enterprise digital infrastructure by converging connectivity, cybersecurity, network intelligence, and IoT orchestration into a unified, customer-centric ecosystem. Its disciplined execution, platform-led innovation, and commitment to simplifying complex enterprise environments continue to strengthen operational resilience and deliver sustained value for organizations across the region," said Kenny Yeo, Director at Frost & Sullivan.

Guided by a long-term strategy focused on digital innovation, intelligent infrastructure, and customer-centric transformation, Singtel has moved well-beyond traditional telecommunications to a trusted technology partner for enterprises navigating increasingly connected and data-driven environments. Its strategic investments in AI-enabled operations, cloud-native platforms, secure connectivity, and ecosystem partnerships enable organizations to modernize critical infrastructure while maintaining the flexibility to support future business growth.

The company's strategic agility and sustained investment in integrated digital platforms have enabled it to scale innovative services across local, regional, and global enterprise environments. Innovation remains central to Singtel's approach through solutions including the CUBΣ connected intelligence platform, multidomestic IoT connectivity powered by eSIM orchestration, managed cybersecurity services, AI-driven network automation, and network-as-a-service capabilities. These solutions simplify network and security management, strengthen cyber resilience, improve operational visibility, and provide enterprises with scalable, secure, and high-performing connectivity across cloud, edge, IoT, and hybrid infrastructures.

By streamlining service delivery through intelligent automation, centralized orchestration, proactive monitoring, and flexible managed and co-managed service models, Singtel continues to help organizations reduce operational complexity while improving service reliability and business agility. Its ability to integrate best-of-breed technologies in a unified operational framework, combined with strong regional network ownership and localized expertise, enables customers to confidently scale digital initiatives while maintaining security, governance, and operational excellence.

Frost & Sullivan commends Singtel for setting a high standard in competitive strategy, execution, and customer value across multiple technology domains. By combining intelligent networking, secure digital infrastructure, AI-enabled operations, and cross-border IoT capabilities in an integrated platform strategy, the company is shaping the future of enterprise connectivity while helping organizations build resilient, future-ready digital ecosystems.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents its Company of the Year and Customer Value Leadership recognitions to organizations that demonstrate outstanding strategy development and implementation, resulting in measurable improvements in customer satisfaction, competitive positioning, and business performance. These recognitions honor forward-thinking companies that continuously raise industry standards through innovation, operational excellence, and long-term value creation.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Recognition
Frost & Sullivan's Best Practices Recognitions honor companies across regional and global markets that exhibit exceptional achievement and consistent excellence in areas such as leadership, technological innovation, customer experience, and strategic product development. Each recognition is the result of a rigorous analytical process in which Frost & Sullivan industry experts benchmark performance through comprehensive interviews, deep-dive analysis, and extensive secondary research. The goal is to identify true best-in-class organizations that are driving transformative growth and setting new industry standards.
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Contact:
Tarini Singh
E: Tarini.Singh@frost.com