Luang Prabang celebrated its annual Boat Racing Festival on 23 August along the Nam Khan River, marking the ninth lunar month of 2025.
LG SHOWCASES ADVANCED COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY SOLUTIONS AT CLEAN SHOW 2025
Company Exhibits Latest Energy-efficient Innovations at Major Tradeshow in Orlando, Aims to Boost Profitability and Growth in North American Market
SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — LG Electronics (LG) is presenting its advanced commercial laundry solutions at Clean Show 2025, North America’s largest commercial laundry industry tradeshow, in Orlando, Florida (August 23–26). LG’s exhibit features a wide range of professional and commercial laundry products tailored to the diverse needs of laundromats, hotels, healthcare facilities and other commercial operators. Equipped with AI-driven precision washing technologies, the company’s latest solutions deliver powerful performance, excellent energy efficiency and significant operational savings.
LG is presenting its advanced commercial laundry solutions at Clean Show 2025, North America’s largest commercial laundry industry tradeshow, in Orlando, Florida.
LG’s showcase demonstrates its unmatched ability to meet both industry demand for high-efficiency equipment and consumer expectations for convenience and premium service. By leveraging these strengths, the company aims to further improve its position in the North American commercial laundry market.
Flagship Professional Lineup: Performance Meets Efficiency
At the LG Professional AI Zone, the spotlight is on the flagship LG PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY lineup. Though not yet distributed in the U.S., the series makes its debut at Clean Show 2025, highlighting LG’s dedication to the industry and its technology expertise. Engineered for high-volume environments, these solutions combine durability with advanced efficiency.
Making its debut at Clean Show 2025, LG’s PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY lineup is engineered for high-volume environments, combining durability with advanced efficiency.
The PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY Combo units employ LG’s cutting-edge AI technology, which intelligently adjusts water usage and optimizes wash/dry times based on load size. Completing a full cycle in just 60 minutes,* they minimize energy consumption while maintaining the high-quality results professional operations demand.
Additionally, the PROFESSIONAL LAUNDRY products utilize LG’s Ball Balancing System, which enables the laundry drum to spin stably at speeds of up to 1,100 RPM (with a g-force of 520). It also contributes to reduced vibrations, enhanced water extraction and shorter cycle times. Another innovation applied is the Dual Action Heat Exchange System, which ensures fast, even drying by efficiently transferring heat to fabrics and lowers energy usage without compromising performance. In addition, a ductless design allows for flexible installation, helping businesses save on setup costs and operate more efficiently in space-constrained environments.
Full-spectrum Portfolio for Real-world Applications
In the LG Commercial Laundry Zone, visitors can explore the full range of front- and top-loading washers, dryers and combo units designed for hotels, hospitals, student housing and more. Modeled after real laundromats, the zone demonstrates the scalability and spatial adaptability of LG’s solutions, showcasing their ability to meet the needs of a wide range of commercial businesses. This comprehensive display underscores LG’s commitment to providing premium solutions for every stage of the laundry process.
Visitors to the LG Booth can explore the full range of washers, dryers and combo units designed for a wide range of commercial businesses.
Smart Laundry LAB: Connectivity for Operational Excellence
LG is also spotlighting connected innovations in its Smart Laundry LAB, presented in collaboration with Rinse, a leading North American laundry and dry-cleaning delivery service. The two companies are exploring new opportunities to deliver innovative laundry and dry-cleaning solutions to a wider customer base.
LG highlights its innovative approach to connected laundry operation with the convenient Laundry Crew 3.0 and the Smart API.
The Smart Laundry LAB highlights LG’s approach to connected operation with the convenient Laundry Crew 3.0 and the Smart API. Laundry Crew 3.0 provides an integrated interface that connects store managers and end users, enabling real-time product monitoring and coordinated support. A simulated online-to-offline (O2O) service illustrates how LG’s solutions facilitate seamless digital-to-physical workflows. Visitors can attend live demonstrations of these customized systems to gain a better understanding of LG’s connected strategy for streamlining management and enhancing efficiency in commercial laundry operations.
LG’s participation in Clean Show 2025 reinforces its determination to achieve product excellence and brand leadership in the commercial laundry market.
In addition to providing a complete lineup of solutions, LG is strengthening its position in the North American market through strategic partnerships. The company’s recent agreements with leading commercial laundry service providers, including CSC ServiceWorks and WASH, reflect a deep commitment to fostering customer engagement and bolstering operational excellence across the region. Building on its successful appearance at Texcare 2024, LG’s participation in Clean Show 2025 reinforces its determination to achieve product excellence and brand leadership in the commercial laundry market.
“We are proud to be a part of Clean Show 2025, where we are showcasing next-generation commercial laundry solutions with AI-driven technologies and industry-leading energy efficiency,” said Lyu Jae-cheol, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. “These innovations reveal LG’s commitment to helping businesses operate more sustainably while delivering the performance and value our brand is known for.”
* Based on an IEC standard load of 7 kilograms for washing and drying courses. Actual results may vary depending on usage environment and washing conditions.
About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company
The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers’ quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG’s Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LGnewsroom.com.
Asia’s First All-in-One TCG Marketplace App Launches in Singapore, Enabling Secure, Cross-Border Trading
SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Once seen as a fringe subculture, trading card game (TCG) collectors have stepped into the global spotlight, shaping mainstream culture, commerce, and community.
Riding this wave, TCG Unite, Asia’s first fully functional all-in-one TCG marketplace app, marks a breakthrough for the region’s TCG community by combining a comprehensive marketplace with in-app features including:
- Buy & Sell Marketplace – List and purchase cards, backed by secure transaction processes.
- Portfolio Value Tracking – Monitor the value of your card collection.
- Card Pricing Data – Access up-to-date market prices through aggregated comparables from multiple trusted data sources.
- Integrated Logistics – End-to-end shipping via DHL, SingPost, or self-collection in Singapore; similar arrangements are being explored in Japan and Malaysia to facilitate cross-border trading.
- Escrow and Dispute Resolution – Safe custody of funds with transparent dispute resolution processes to facilitate refunds.
- Enhanced Security – Singpass KYC verification for Singapore-based seller onboarding (by end 2025), ensuring a safer trading environment.
The TCG Unite app will formally be unveiled at the company’s inaugural launch event on 30 August at SingPost Centre, with the ticketed event already experiencing sell-out demand. More than 700 attendees are anticipated at the on-ground event, with one of the main draws being a Card Show which will feature an unprecedented app-only mode of transacting, as well as app-exclusive discount vouchers of up to 10% off card purchases.
TCG Unite was founded by a team whose collective experience spans decades across MNCs, high-growth SMEs, and entrepreneurial ventures. The group saw an opportunity to tackle two persistent challenges in the TCG scene: widespread fraud in the digital age and the absence of a trusted hub for Asia’s diverse TCG community.
COO Mango Teo remarked: “As TCG enthusiasts ourselves, we thoroughly understand the pain points faced by various sub-communities. That drives us to make TCG trading more secure and accessible, with fairer prices across the board. The TCG Unite app, with proprietary features such as a handcrafted card info database, has been more than a year in development, and its upcoming formal launch is testament to our hard work. App registration rates have been encouraging, and we will not stop in our quest to create the perfect TCG trading experience for hobbyists in Asia and beyond.”
About TCG Unite
TCG Unite is a cross-border app marketplace and community platform built by trading card game (TCG) enthusiasts — for TCG enthusiasts. Headquartered in Singapore, we exist to solve several problems the global TCG scene has long had to deal with: fragmented ecosystems, limited access to geographically restricted collectibles, unreliable pricing data, and fraudulent transactions.
More than just a buy-sell platform, we are reimagining how TCG-centric-communities can grow and flourish — local tournaments, verified giveaways, educational content, as well as grassroots partnerships across Southeast Asia and beyond. All with the lofty goal of making TCG trading trusted, inclusive, and borderless.
For more information, please visit https://tcgunite.co
Vietnam to Evacuate 300,000 as Typhoon Kajiki Nears

AFP – On 24 August, Vietnam announced it plans to evacuate more than 300,000 people and has cancelled over a dozen domestic flights as Typhoon Kajiki approaches.
Shanghai Disney Resort Welcomes a Golden Autumn With All Things Duffy and Friends, a Wicked-Fun Halloween, and Holiday Celebrations
Additional tiers will be added into Shanghai Disneyland’s current pricing structure, providing even more options as guests plan their visits starting this autumn
SHANGHAI, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The golden season has arrived at Shanghai Disney Resort, bringing with it blissful weather and beautiful vistas for guests from near and far to enjoy. Starting with the beloved Duffy Month featuring flower-filled offerings and the return of the spectacular Shanghai Opera performance in September, to a spellbinding Halloween with brand-new pirate-themed experiences coming to Treasure Cove and an extended eight-day Spook-tacular, guests can look forward to an ever-changing lineup of events and activities, with surprises around each corner this autumn at Shanghai Disney Resort.
With exciting festivals and holidays from Shanghai Tourism Festival in September, to the Golden Week holiday and Mid-Autumn Festival in October, autumn brings with it countless ways for guests to explore Shanghai Disney Resort. For example, in celebration of the Golden Week national holiday, from October 1 to 3, Shanghai Disneyland will present a special castle projection featuring fireworks after the iconic nighttime spectacular “ILLUMINATE! A Nighttime Celebration,” bringing an extra-magical finale to the day.
To help provide more flexible options for guests planning their visit to Shanghai Disneyland, starting this Mid-October, additional ticket price options will be inserted within the current price band between RMB 475 and RMB 799. There will be no change to the top or bottom tier price, and the current rolling 30-day pricing calendar will continue to be provided to guests with the information they need to plan in advance their park visit.
Let’s be friends this Duffy Month!
From September 1 to 30, 2025, there’s a plethora of heartwarming and adorable fun waiting for guests with the arrival of Duffy Month. This year’s celebrations are fabulously floral as Duffy and Friends prepare gifts with flowers to celebrate their friendship with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse. Throughout the month, guests will have plenty of opportunities to discover the flower-filled stories of Duffy and his friends, from the Duffy floral to the interactive social wall, as well as miniature sets around Mickey Avenue to capture imaginative photos with Duffy and Friends plushes.
This love of flowers also blooms into Duffy and Friends’ dazzling new outfits. Duffy has chosen a camellia theme, while ShellieMay wears a hat adorned with a Chinese rose. Gelatoni wears a top with cymbidium ensifolium-inspired embroideries, while ‘Olu Mel has hibiscus embroideries on his outfit. StellaLou’s headwear is made of multiple hosta blooms, and CookieAnn has picked lotus for her accessories. LinaBell’s stand-collar jacket and headpiece are also delicately adorned with osmanthus blooms. Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse will join the celebration as well, wearing their new outfits adorned with hibiscus.
Duffy month also heralds the return of the daily show, “Enjoying the Moon with Duffy and Friends,” throughout September. The story unfolds with Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse joining Duffy and Friends to “enjoy the moon” and celebrate friendship together. Starting September 7 and continuing every Sunday throughout the month, the resort will proudly reprise the much-anticipated special edition of the show during selected performances of the day. In collaboration with Shanghai Huju Opera Theatre, the special edition incorporates Shanghai Opera into the show taking place in front of the Enchanted Storybook Castle, allowing guests of all ages to immerse themselves in the renowned cultural charm of Shanghai. This year will see two young performers take turns in performing Duffy Month’s theme song “Let’s Get Together,” using Shanghai dialect mixed with unique Shanghai Opera rhythms. The performance will also feature classic Shanghai Opera melodies, including “The Melody of Purple Bamboo” and “Four Seasons,” enchanting guests with an infusion of classical elegance.
Towards the end of the month, the entire resort will come together to celebrate LinaBell’s fourth anniversary, and this year, the celebration is extended to a whole week from September 23 to 29!
Guests can also uncover Duffy Month enchantment in a mouthwatering selection of treats that taste like autumn itself:
- The smell of fragrant osmanthus fills not only the air but the palate in sumptuous desserts like the Osmanthus Mini Dumpling Crepe with Strawberry Ice Cream and Minnie Mouse Osmanthus Muffin at CookieAnn Bakery Café, or the osmanthus-flavored gelato and ice cream cones at Il Paperino.
- For an extra special celebration, the fan-favorite Duffy and Friends Themed Afternoon Tea at the Royal Banquet Hall and the Autumn Season Brunch at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel’s Lumière’s Kitchen are filled with a dazzling selection of lovely treats and flavors of the season to tantalize taste buds.
Guests seeking a more immersive dress-up experience, or a memento of their trip will have plenty of choice thanks to a new series of merchandise:
- In the Mickey and Friends Garden Stroll Collection, plushes and plush keychains of Mickey and Friends are wearing elegant outfits featuring blossoms, butterflies, and persimmons. Guests can match with a new floral-themed headband adorned with laces, ribbons, and pearls.
- Duffy and Friends also brings its floral outfits to a range of charming collectibles in the Duffy and Friends Floral Dream Collection. With elegant accessories like cross-body bags, headbands, and jewellery, guests can add floral elements to any look this autumn. For the perfect gift this holiday season, the Duffy and Friends mooncake set and tea set are crafted for sharing with families and friends.
Guests can also enjoy exclusive ticket offers and staycation packages to make the most of their visit:
- Duffy Month One-day Ticket with Free Duffy Month Celebration Pack and Ice Cream Bar: a one-day dated park ticket, F&B offerings, and a Duffy-themed giveaway.
- Bundle of Two Tickets with Disney Linabell Celebration Party Voucher: admission to her one-week anniversary party in the Duffy and Friends Celebration Hall, featuring special moments with LinaBell, and themed snacks and cake.
- Disney Dream Vacation – Duffy and Friends Package: an overnight stay at Shanghai Disneyland Hotel with LinaBell-themed overlay, breakfast and dinner, two park tickets, and in-park F&B coupons.
Extra thrills await this Halloween with an extended Spook-tacular and new experiences
As the gold of autumn begins to fade and the nights draw in, Disney Villains emerge to celebrate the resort’s legendary Halloween festivities. From October 4 to November 1, 2025, guests are invited to embrace their own spooky side with endless opportunities to join the dress-up tradition throughout the celebration.
This Halloween, Treasure Cove will be filled with the spirit of pirates, featuring two swashbuckling new experiences. In the brand-new experience Buccaneer Bash, guests can join Captain Nova and her crew for an immersive evening of pirate mischief and carnival games. Set against the backdrop of Treasure Cove, the nighttime event combines live performances, interactive activities, carnival games, and food and merchandise experiences, creating thrilling memories for all!
Barbossa’s Bounty, the restaurant in Treasure Cove, will feature an all-new immersive pirate theme, making every meal a journey of adventure as guests “board” as a newly recruited pirate. Guests won’t want to miss the array of brand-new dishes, all served aboard “pirate ships.”
The Halloween magic won’t be complete without the much-anticipated yearly arrival of the Disney Villains. Making her Shanghai Disney Resort debut during this year’s Halloween festivities is Mother Gothel from Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Tangled, who will be appearing alongside other Disney Villains at daily encounters around the park and during surprise appearances on the Enchanted Storybook Castle balcony. But it’s not just the villains who are looking spooky this Halloween—Mickey and Friends, Duffy and Friends, and Winnie the Pooh and his friends are all joining in on the fun with their own special Halloween outfits.
In Zootopia, “Zootizens” can once again “turn” into other species and let out happy howls as they celebrate the blooming of the Night-Howlers during the annual “Howl-o-ween” tradition.
The Halloween atmosphere reaches its peak with the arrival of the iconic Halloween Spook-tacular Days. Now extended to eight whole days, spanning every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from October 17 to November 1, guests will have even more opportunities to enjoy the exclusive Spook-tacular offerings.
This year also sees more blackened snacks appearing on menus across the resort, from the Mini Waffles with Caramel Sauce to the Pulled Pork Mickey Mouse Hand Buns, all turning black this Halloween! The new merchandise collections are filled with exciting items featuring a variety of Disney characters, allowing guests to bring home their very own piece of the Halloween magic.
As night falls, guests can continue to revel in the Halloween atmosphere with even more experiences in Disneytown. Halloween-themed performances to upbeat music keep the party going. For extra chills and thrills, the Disneytown Halloween Tour offers an exclusive experience for children, or wander to the Halloween Market where eerie treats and ghoulish goodies dare the bravest taste buds.
Shanghai Disneyland’s ticketing structure refinement provides even more price options to guests starting this autumn
Beginning this Mid-October, 2025, Shanghai Disney Resort will refine the pricing structure for admission to Shanghai Disneyland, adding additional tiers to its current six-tiered pricing structure. As the resort continues to develop innovative offerings and optimize ticketing to reflect local consumer visitation habits, the new multiple-tier pricing structure will provide more price options to guests by narrowing the gap between current tiers, while further supporting the resort to effectively spread visitation throughout the year based on attendance forecast and maximize guest experience.
Pricing for both entry and top tiers will be unchanged, remaining at RMB 475 and RMB 799 respectively. Exact ticket tiers will be decided based on the theme park’s attendance forecast, with the rolling 30-day pricing calendar continuing to be provided to help guests plan their park visit in advance.
A discount of approximately 25% will continue to be provided to children (aged 3 to 11 years old, both inclusive), seniors (60 years old and above) and guests with disabilities (certificate/proof of disability is required). Infants (under the age of 3 years old) will continue to receive free admission.
The resort is also offering more ticket offers to help guests make the most of their autumn visits. Guests can purchase a Shanghai Tourism Festival Exclusive – Afternoon Ticket, which is valid for entry to Shanghai Disneyland after 15:00 on a pre-selected date from September 13 through September 19, 2025, to enjoy all autumn has to offer.
When Eastern Intangible Heritage Meets the World Stage: Liaoning’s Craftsmanship Blossoms at Expo 2025 Osaka
OSAKA, Japan, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — A report from China Trade News.
Inside the China Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, a cultural feast steeped in Liaoning’s history and brimming with its innovative spirit is unfolding. Under the banner “Poetic landscapes,Boundless vitality”, Liaoning Week employs intangible heritage showcases, live performances and exhibitions to reveal the province’s distinctive cultural charm.
Among them, on-the-spot showings of traditional skills steal the limelight: Xiuyan Paper-cutting, Tieling Errenzhuan, Liaoxi Puppetry and Jinzhou Shaobei Boxing all shine beneath the Expo spotlights, evoking a cross-border cultural resonance.
At the intangible-heritage showcase, the booth of Wang Xinli—master of Xiuyan Paper-Cutting—was surrounded by an international crowd. Scissors in hand, she moved lightly across a sheet of crimson paper; in mere moments, a vivid “cloth tiger” sprang to life. The exhibition also featured a special piece that re-imagined the celadon flying-fish water pot from Liaoning Museum through the folk aesthetic of Xiuyan paper-cutting, delighting visitors on site.
In the southern square of the China Pavilion, the lively strains of Tieling Errenzhuan draw another crowd. Performers brandish folding fans, tap rhythmic steps and trade verses in perfect sync, transplanting the essence of Northeast China onto the Expo stage. “Speaking, singing, acting, dancing and stunts” are Errenzhuan’s trademarks; soaring vocals, lacing with the flavor of Northeastern Chinese Drum Singing and Pingju Opera, and driven by suona and banhu, instantly igniting the square.
Sharing the spotlight is Jinzhou Shaobei martial arts from Jinzhou city of western Liaoning. Widely practiced across the Northeast China, the Jinzhou Shaobei martial arts emphasize explosive power tempered by softness, pursuing the union of hard and tender. “Dual training” (stances, chops, swings and stake-hitting) integrates hand, eye, body, leg, footwork and breath; “Four arts” encompass boxing, weapon using and Qigong altogether. During Liaoning Week, visitors are all enjoying this marriage of might and grace.
The intangible-heritage puppetry of Liaoning is equally captivating. Masters animate delicate marionettes in classic episodes. Silk sleeves flutter, pupils flash; every subtle gesture prompts a flurry of mobile-phone recordings.
Beyond heritage demonstrations, Liaoning presents an original art form: the Chinese Knife+Carved Painting. Departing from the usual adding color technique using in traditional painting, the technique is like revealing color by subtraction. The artist wields a knife instead of a brush, carving specially coated paper to expose underlying hues and preserve every blade mark. The meticulous precision of Gongbi painting merges with the decisiveness of incision; minute variations in pressure, angle, direction and sequence trigger chromatic metamorphoses—dense or sparse, near or far—so that robustness and delicacy, realism and impression intertwine on a single sheet. Tourists lingered at the showing, unwilling to leave.
The cultural heritage skills displayed at Liaoning Week this time is touchable and being able to take-home. Souvenirs made by Liaoning, like the soft-clay tiger key rings, paper-cut dragon key rings, agate Go-stone pendants, auspicious-beast bookmarks and gourd-shaped fridge magnets decorated in the style of Liaoning china—each a miniature ambassador—are snapped up by visitors, eager to carry a piece of Liaoning home.
Government of Odisha and GFTN Launch BharatNetra Initiative to Establish Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub in Bhubaneswar
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BHUBANESWAR, India, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), has unveiled the BharatNetra Initiative, anchored by the launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar. This marks a historic first for Odisha, a financial technology capability initiative of unprecedented scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH positions Odisha as a rising nerve centre in India’s evolving innovation ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s development priorities and its ambition to be a leader in fostering entrepreneurship, industry ready skills, generating employment, inclusive finance, and next-generation innovation.
Building Blocks of Odisha’s FinTech Future
The BharatNetra Initiative will be executed through a globally integrated four-pillar strategy designed to build world-class fintech capabilities and global connectivity:
From Odisha to the World: Training the Next Generation of Digital Finance Leaders
Global Learning As part of the I-GFTCH initiative, Odisha is partnering with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), a five-month hybrid programme combining coursework, in-person sessions in Bhubaneswar, projects, and internships. The programme will train 7,000 students over five years in technology, regulation, and business, building a future-ready workforce for FinTech and InsurTech. Supported by the Skill Development Institute, with a view to national accreditation, it has already drawn more than 2,000 applicants from over 50 colleges for the inaugural 375-seat cohort starting September.
Odisha Joins Global Black Swan Network to Unlock Jobs, Investment, and Innovation
Global Mindshare Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in early 2026, joining a global network of frontier technology forums across Asia, Europe and Africa. Convened by GFTN, BSS India will be Odisha’s flagship global business event, connecting talent and startups to international job pipelines, venture capital, and digital economy networks. The Summit will unite business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for financial inclusion, digital transformation, innovation, and technology-led growth, as well as a destination for strategic investments in technology-led industries.
Innovation Hub to Scale Odisha’s FinTech and InsurTech Entrepreneurs
Global Innovation Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence as part of its Integrated Innovation Hub, serving as a launchpad for high-potential FinTech and InsurTech startups. Backed by GFTN’s global network, the Innovation Acceleration: Incubation, Venture & Market Competitiveness programme will provide incubation, mentorship, venture development, and market access to help founders achieve scale and global competitiveness. By equipping entrepreneurs with tools, networks, and capital, the Hub will foster a thriving ecosystem positioning Odisha as a rising player in the global digital finance landscape.
Global Capability Hub to Power FinTech Collaboration
Financial Technology Global Capability Hub Odisha will host a nearshore hub serving national and global financial institutions, powered by the skilled talent pipeline from the Global Learning pillar. Backed by GFTN’s global network of industry leaders, regulators, investors, and innovators, the Hub will connect Odisha to the world’s top fintech ecosystems, offering a collaboration space for startups, corporates, and innovators to co-create market-ready solutions, accelerate product development, and forge cross-border partnerships cementing Odisha’s position as a rising destination for innovation-led financial growth.
Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha:
“The launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub is a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha. It will help strengthen India’s global leadership in the digital economy. This hub is the outcome of a landmark partnership between the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore. It was forged during the historic visit of the Hon’ble President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year. It reflects our commitment to bring the best of the world to Odisha, and to take Odisha to the world. Our goal is to rank among the top five Indian states in per capita income. And, as we contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader.”
Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India:
“BharatNetra is a nation-building mission. By skilling and educating our youth and creating a globally connected FinTech and InsurTech hub here in Odisha, we are laying the foundation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative will ensure that Odisha students, from our villages to our cities, can not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India’s leadership in financial inclusion and innovation. For India’s youth, employability is no longer just about degrees, it is about readiness to thrive in fast-changing industries. BharatNetra bridges this gap by embedding real-world industry needs into our students learning journey. These efforts align with our mission to make Odisha USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and to build India into USD 300 trillion economy by 2047.”
Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN:
“Bharatnetra is a shining example of how a strategic vision between two countries can translate into transformative action. It is yet another step forward in advancing Singapore–India bilateral ties. By connecting Odisha’s talent with world-class training by National University of Singapore-Asian Institute of Digital Finance, opening access for talent to global markets, building a robust startup ecosystem, the Government of Odisha and GFTN are building the state as a vital gateway in the global digital finance landscape.”
Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD and CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance; Chairman, General Insurance Council:
For India’s youth, employability today is not defined by degrees alone. It is about the ability to adapt and succeed in fast evolving industries. BharatNetra is playing a pivotal role in bridging this gap by embedding real world industry requirements into the learning journey. At Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, we are proud to partner in this effort to nurture a new generation of fintech and InsurTech professionals who will help shape the future of our industry and the nation.
About GFTN
The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024.
Cambrex Expands Peptide Manufacturing Capabilities in Waltham, Massachusetts
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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced that Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, has expanded its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility in Waltham, Massachusetts to further support the development and manufacturing of peptide therapies.
The new GMP manufacturing suite increases the overall facility footprint by 20% and includes an ISO-7 cleanroom for preparative HPLC chromatography and lyophilization, cold storage for raw materials and a product storage suite. With the completion of this investment, Snapdragon can now support peptide projects from development to GMP manufacturing using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), or hybrid approaches.
“We designed this facility with a three-step strategy in mind for the development of peptide drug candidates,” said Dr. Eric Fang, General Manager at Snapdragon Chemistry. “We start with automated SPPS technology for proof-of-concept. In parallel, we optimize the process using LPPS technology to accelerate development and reduce manufacturing cost. We can then transfer the process to our large manufacturing facilities, such as Charles City, Iowa, to produce materials in traditional large batch reactors, significantly reducing the cost of those drugs.”
Snapdragon’s LPPS technology utilizes traditional API batch reactors and continuous flow, obviating the dependency on specialized, solid-phase reactors. This new LPPS technology materially reduces solvent demand and the need for excess reagents compared to standard solid-state peptide synthesis processes.
“SPPS certainly has its place. We use it in early development to get to the clinic and to proof-of-concept quickly, but it’s not a scalable solution if you want to supply a huge patient population,” said Dr. Matt Bio, Chief Scientific Officer, Cambrex. “We designed the LPPS process so that we can leverage all 1.4 million Liters of capacity within Cambrex to deliver peptide therapies.”
Cambrex continues to invest in R&D across complex synthetic modalities, including further innovation for peptide manufacturing, as well as new research on the application of artificial intelligence for the optimization of oligonucleotide processes.
About Snapdragon Chemistry
Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) batch and continuous flow process development, utilizing state-of-the-art automation technology and proprietary equipment to solve complex process and analytical development challenges. With R&D and manufacturing headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Snapdragon’s 70+ employees come with strong ties to the local scientific community, with 31 PhD scientists on staff.
About Cambrex
Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services.
With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs.