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Vietnam’s Vingroup Eyes Multi-Million Dollar High-Speed Rail Project

Indonesia's fastest train departs from Tegalluar station. (Photo credit: usiswantoro)

AFP – Vietnam’s biggest conglomerate, Vingroup, said Friday it had submitted a proposal to build the country’s multi-billion-dollar high-speed railway from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, with state media reporting the government had welcomed the plan.

The project, which was slated to cost USD 67 billion when it was approved in November, is a much-needed boost to infrastructure that is expected to drive growth and enhance Vietnam’s reputation among foreign investors.

The line will stretch more than 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from the capital in the north to the country’s business hub in the south, and reduce the current journey time by rail from 30 hours to around five.

Vingroup confirmed to AFP Friday that they had submitted a proposal to the government to build the line.

In a press statement, Vinspeed, a newly established company as part of the Vingroup empire, said the project would cost USD 61 billion, and would start in December and be finished by 2030, five years ahead of the schedule set out last year.

The company said it would commit to mobilising 20 percent of the total capital, equivalent to USD 12.27 billion.

It proposed a zero-interest loan from the state for the remaining 80 percent, excluding costs related to compensation and resettlement for land clearance.

“We will exert our best efforts… to develop the project… (and) pay the loans in due time,” Dao Thuy Van, deputy director of Vinspeed, said in the statement.

The statement added that Vinspeed’s proposal “will significantly help reduce pressure for the state budget”.

Vietnam’s rubber-stamp National Assembly had in 2010 scrapped the high-speed project, then estimated at USD 56 billion, over fears it was too costly.

Following a meeting on 12 May, various ministries and agencies largely welcomed and supported Vingroup’s proposal, according to state-controlled newspaper Tuoi Tre.

The government said it wanted to reach a decision before 22 May, which would then be submitted to the National Assembly, which is currently in session.

Vingroup, parent group of Nasdaq-listed electric vehicle maker VinFast, is hugely powerful in Vietnam, and its business interests span everything from healthcare to real estate and education to tech.

The conglomerate is owned by Vietnam’s richest man, Pham Nhat Vuong.

Last month, Vingroup broke ground on a USD 9 billion real estate project in a southern coastal area home to a UNESCO-listed mangrove forest.

Communist-run Vietnam has one of the lowest expressway densities in the region, although the country is pushing to expand it, and road transport costs are among the highest.

The country has been an increasingly favoured destination for foreign businesses looking for an alternative to China, but low-quality infrastructure is seen as holding back surging investment.


© Agence France-Presse

Singapore Building Owners Save $1.2 Million in Energy Costs Through Academic-Industry Partnership between ACwise and Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s CfES


WOODLANDS, SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – Buildings in Singapore account for over 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions, making energy efficiency a top priority under the Singapore Green Plan 2030. To drive reductions and meet net-zero targets, the carbon tax jumped from S$5/tCO2e to S$25/tCO2e in 2024 and will hit S$45/tCO2e by 2026, adding an estimated S$52,000 in monthly costs for the average commercial building.

A pioneering collaboration between ACwise and Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s Centre for Environmental Sustainability (CfES) is demonstrating how certified energy-saving technologies can cut costs while reducing scope 2 and 3 emissions, offering a practical path toward sustainable operations.

Through this partnership, building owners have collectively saved $1.2 million in energy costs in the last 6 months by integrating ACwise’s NanoRefrigerant into HVAC systems. This innovative solution improves efficiency, reduces emissions, and extends equipment lifespan, offering a practical, cost-effective path to greener buildings

Real-world results highlight the impact of this collaboration.

  • Seo Eng Joo Food Hub, which manages several large cold storage facilities across Southeast Asia, was able to reduce its HVAC-R energy consumption by 19%.
  • Song Fish, a leading frozen seafood and poultry supplier, achieved a 12.3% reduction in HVAC energy consumption through a recent trial.


At the core of this success is a unique academic-industry collaboration.

By combining CfES’s rigorous research with ACwise’s industry expertise, the initiative accelerates the adoption of proven, high-performance solutions. The Singapore Green Building Council (SGBC) certification further reinforces the credibility of these technologies, ensuring they meet stringent sustainability standards.

“Our collaboration goes beyond technology,” explains Tommy Chan, Founder and CEO of ACwise. “We’re creating a replicable framework that demonstrates how academic insights can drive meaningful industry transformation. Each percentage point of energy saved represents not just financial benefit, but a step towards Singapore’s net zero target by 2050.”

“CfES is committed to bridging innovative research with real-world applications, and our collaboration with ACwise exemplifies this approach”, says Jason Tang, Chief Sustainability Officer, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Director, CfES. “By rigorously assessing the performance of NanoRefrigerant in a VRF air-conditioning system, the results have demonstrated measurable efficiency gains, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based solutions in advancing sustainability within the built environment.”

The centre has played a key role in translating and developing technologies and solutions into practical innovations for the industry. Currently, CfES has successfully completed over 500 consultancy and R&D projects, filed more than 30 patents and know-hows, and licensed 1 in 3 of their intellectual properties.

The initiative’s impact extends beyond immediate savings.

Building owners are not just cutting costs; they are channelling savings into sustainability upgrades like solar panels and smart energy systems. These investments go beyond individual buildings, strengthening Singapore’s green ecosystem and driving continuous improvements in energy efficiency.

As the nation accelerates its Green Plan 2030 efforts, this partnership serves as a blueprint for integrating certified solutions into existing infrastructure. With clear financial and environmental gains, building owners have a unique opportunity to lead Singapore’s transition toward a more sustainable, energy-efficient future.

Join us on May 23rd to explore how collaborative innovation is transforming Singapore’s green building ecosystem and shaping the future of sustainable urban development.
Hashtag: #ACwise #CfES #HVAC


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

About ACwise

We are an Energy Savings Company. Our mission is to bring awareness and actionable change to those who want to make a difference. Energy savings not only benefit the environment but also positively impact your bottom line. Sustainability can be simple and accessible, with easy-to-adapt and easy-to-implement solutions.

Cecilia Chang, CEO of Generali Hong Kong, Named ‘Best Woman CEO – Insurance’ at Women’s Tabloid Awards


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – Cecilia Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Hong Kong, has been named the ‘Best Woman CEO – Insurance’ at the Women’s Tabloid Awards, a global honor recognizing exceptional female leadership. This accolade highlights Cecilia’s vision for driving sustainable business growth and advancing the insurance industry.

Cecilia Chang, CEO of Generali Hong Kong, named ‘Best Woman CEO – Insurance’ at Women’s Tabloid Awards.
Cecilia Chang, CEO of Generali Hong Kong, named ‘Best Woman CEO – Insurance’ at Women’s Tabloid Awards.

Cecilia’s dedication to creating an inclusive and empowering environment drives the success of the Generali Hong Kong team, underpinned by Generali’s Lifetime Partner commitment to always delivering excellence for our customers.

Cecilia Chang, Chief Executive Officer of Generali Hong Kong, said, “I am honored to be recognized as the ‘Best Woman CEO – Insurance’ by the Women’s Tabloid Awards. This recognition is not just a personal milestone, it reflects the shared success of the incredible team at Generali Hong Kong. Together, we have accelerated innovation, deepened our customer focus, and expanded our market presence, all while staying true to our Lifetime Partner commitment. Leadership, to me, is about more than performance. It’s about purpose – driving sustainable growth, creating impact, and empowering the next generation of leaders. Thank you to Women’s Tabloid for this meaningful recognition. It inspires me to continue leading boldly, with inclusion and excellence at the core.

The Women’s Tabloid Awards recognize exceptional female leaders who are redefining the standards of excellence across industries. Organized by Women’s Tabloid, a global publication dedicated to showcasing the achievements, challenges, and contributions of women in business and leadership, the awards honor executives who are shaping the future of their industries through innovation, leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

Hashtag: #Generali


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

Generali Hong Kong

In 1981, Assicurazioni Generali S.p.A. was first registered as an authorised insurer in Hong Kong, with the business extending into the life insurance sector in 2016 with Generali Life (Hong Kong) Limited. With a combination of local knowledge and Generali Group’s global expertise, we develop unique and innovative life insurance, general insurance, specialty insurance, and employee benefits solutions to meet the needs of our customers.

The Generali Group
Generali is one of the largest integrated insurance and asset management groups worldwide. Established in 1831, it is present in over 50 countries in the world, with a total premium income of € 95.2 billion and € 863 billion AUM in 2024. With around 87,000 employees serving 71 million customers, the Group has a leading position in Europe and a growing presence in Asia and Latin America. At the heart of Generali’s strategy is its Lifetime Partner commitment to customers, achieved through innovative and personalised solutions, best-in-class customer experience and its digitalised global distribution capabilities. The Group has fully embedded sustainability into all strategic choices, with the aim to create value for all stakeholders while building a fairer and more resilient society.

Russia’s SIBUR to Participate in Major Polymer Conference in Indonesia


MOSCOW, RUSSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – SIBUR, Russia’s largest producer of polymers and synthetic rubber, will take part in the Meet@Commoplast industry conference in Solo, Indonesia, on 22 May 2025.

Representatives of SIBUR will join panel discussions alongside industry peers to address the state of international polymer markets, including the latest trends in demand and supply, rising protectionism, and logistics challenges.

SIBUR has an installed capacity of 5.2 million tonnes of polypropylene and polyethylene, part of which is exported to China and Southeast Asia.

The company is currently building the Amur Gas Chemical Complex in Russia’s Far East, which is now 76% complete and scheduled to launch production in 2026. With a design capacity of 2.7 million tonnes of polymers, the new plant’s strategic location and low production costs will enable SIBUR to increase shipments — particularly HDPE, LDPE, and LLDPE — to Asia, including Indonesia.

Hashtag: #SIBUR

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

Southco Showcases Innovative Hardware Solutions at Computex 2025

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – Southco Asia Ltd., a subsidiary of Southco Inc., a leading global provider of engineered access solutions such as locks, latches, captive fasteners, connected access, and positioning technology, is excited to announce its participation in Computex 2025, taking place from May 20 to 23 at Taipei. This leading technology event will give attendees the opportunity to experience the latest innovations from Southco, meet directly with their team, and foster connections within the broader tech community.

Join Us at Computex on May 20-23 at Booth I0802

As a company committed to delivering quality and innovation, Southco will present a range of products designed to enhance physical security for the digital world. Attendees can visit us at booth I0802 to explore cutting-edge solutions, including optimized ejectors, and a self-aligning liquid cooling adapter that provides faster storage access while enhancing energy efficiency.
“Our participation in Computex highlights our commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and meeting the evolving needs of our customers,” said Jason Cheng, Business Development Director at Southco. “The right combination of advanced hardware ensures that users experience superior performance while reducing business operational costs, making our solutions ideal for modern applications.”
Southco’s team will be available for discussions on industry trends and customer-focused strategies. Join them at Computex 2025 to discover how Southco is driving innovation in the tech industry!

Hashtag: #Southco #Enterprisecomputing #AIserver #Computex2025

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

About Southco

Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 70 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.

Magniflex Celebrates 63rd Anniversary with New Flagship Store in HomeSquare, Shatin


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – On May 22, 2025, to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the legendary Italian mattress brand Magniflex, the group is opening its 2nd store in HomeSquare, the largest one-stop home living mall in Hong Kong! This addition to Magniflex’s global network of over 4,000 sales points will allow the brand to effectively provide the best sleep experience to customers throughout Hong Kong.

Expanding Brand Service Network into the New Territories
Magniflex’s flagship store in Hong Kong relocated to Windsor House in Causeway Bay last year and has served over 6,800 customers in Hong Kong in the past three years. The group looks forward to further enhancing its sales network after entering the New Territories, providing more convenient services and experiences for customers in different regions.

Comprehensive Product Upgrades and Certification from Authoritative Institutions
With over 60 years of artisanal Italian craftsmanship in manufacturing bedding products, Magniflex Hong Kong has introduced the group’s proud Stretch Mattress this year, bringing the first American Chiropractors Association (ACA) certified spinal mattress to Hong Kong, offering residents the ultimate Italian sleep experience.

Promoting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Magniflex is a participating company in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) initiative, committed to establishing transparent and measurable environmental improvement policies. For instance, we use solar panels to reduce carbon emissions and actively promote environmental protection. Our commitment to sustainability has earned us two important certifications: OEKO-TEX® CLASS I, guaranteeing that our products are free from harmful substances for humans and the environment; and GOTS, confirming that our Tuscany series fabrics are made from 100% organic materials.

Multinational Company Originating from Florence, Italy
Maintaining the highest production standards, all products are 100% made in Italy and comply with regulations and requirements in over 100 countries and regions worldwide. Products sold globally meet international standards, including the U.S. flammability safety standard CFR 1633, globally recognized non-toxic textile certification, and AJA EUROPE certification, ensuring the highest manufacturing level.

Introducing Latest Technology and Highest Sanitary Standards
The group continually strives for innovation by introducing the highest technological production equipment and instruments. Magniflex® mattresses are disinfected with a special UV-C sterilization machine before leaving the factory and are then vacuum-packed using patented technology, ensuring complete prevention of bacterial and viral contact (including COVID-19) after packaging, thus maintaining the highest sanitary standards. The management system in our Italian factories complies with UNI EN ISO 9001:2015 standards, ensuring the highest manufacturing levels.

Celebrating 63rd Anniversary with Great Offers
To mark the milestone of entering the 63rd year, the Italian headquarters has prepared various offers and celebratory rewards for the opening of the Hong Kong HomeSquare store, including free delivery and old mattress recycling services for orders made within the first month of opening, free mattress storage service, and various exclusive gift offers, aiming to resolve all customers’ sleep-related concerns.

Staying Calm Amidst Chaos; Wishing Everyone Sweet Dreams
In the past few years, global turmoil and fluctuations in the Hong Kong economy have posed various challenges for our group. Despite these challenges, we remain committed to a customer-first philosophy. During wartime, we donated mattresses to conflict areas; during the pandemic, we developed antiviral mattresses to provide additional protection for customers. Through continuous technological research and innovation, we strive to bring the highest quality bedding products from Italy to the world, fulfilling our promise to offer the ultimate sleep experience for customers globally.

Hashtag: #Magniflex

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

About Magniflex

Founded in 1962, Magniflex is an Italian mattress manufacturer known for its high quality and comfort, making it the largest mattress manufacturer in Italy. The Italian factory produces 10,000 mattresses daily and sells them to 99 countries and regions around the world, with all products being 100% made in Italy. The brand focuses on innovation and provides ergonomically designed mattresses, collaborating with various professional organizations and academic institutions, becoming the first mattress brand globally to be certified by the American Chiropractors Association (ACA).

Magniflex Website:

Philips Evnia launches the 4th Gen QD-OLED Gaming Monitor, elevating the ultimate gaming experience, along with 4K 240Hz Refresh Rate and DP 2.1 Ports


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – Evnia, the premium gaming sub-brand of Philips Monitors, is proud to announce the groundbreaking launch of its flagship 27M2N8800 QD-OLED Gaming Monitor. Designed to redefine competitive and immersive gaming through industry-leading technology, this monitor combining a 4th Gen QD-OLED panel, 3840 x 2160 (4K) resolution, 240Hz refresh rate, HDMI2.1 and DP 2.1connectivity, along with AI-enhanced Ambiglow Lighting, setting a new benchmark for visual excellence and game play fluidity.

Philips Evnia launches the 4th Gen QD-OLED Gaming Monitor 27M2N8800
Philips Evnia launches the 4th Gen QD-OLED Gaming Monitor 27M2N8800

Cutting-Edge Performance

The 27M2N8800 features a 27-inch 4K (3840×2160) 4th Gen QD-OLED panel, delivering unparalleled contrast, infinite blacks, and vibrant colors. With an ultra-fast 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms (GTG) response time, it eliminates motion blur and input lag, ensuring razor-sharp precision in fast-paced titles such as VALORANT and Call of Duty. The monitor’s peak brightness of 1000 nits and VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification create lifelike visuals, providing a true 10-bit color display and an ultra-wide color gamut for a immersive experience that brings vitality to your game.

Made for gaming

Equipped with DisplayPort 2.1 (80Gbps bandwidth) and dual HDMI 2.1 ports, the monitor supports uncompressed 4K 240Hz output, ideal for next-gen GPUs. A 10-bit color depth and 145% sRGB coverage ensure cinematic color reproduction, making every frame a masterpiece. Certified with AMD FreeSync™ Premium Pro, the monitor provides a variable refresh rate (VRR) and the true HDR gaming experience. combining smooth gameplay at peak performance with exceptionally high dynamic range visuals while maintaining low latency.

The built-in Evnia Precision Center software empowers gamers to fine-tune their experience:

  • Stark Shadow Boost: the feature offers three selectable levels that enhance image texture with better color saturation and higher contrast, improving visibility in both light and dark environments.
  • Smart Crosshair: the feature enhances aiming accuracy, allowing players to spot enemies more easily.
  • Smart Sniper: Automatically zooms in on critical targets when scoping, perfect for landing clutch shots with agents like Jett.

A truly immersive visual experience

Philips Evnia exclusive Ai-enhanced Ambiglow feature is an innovative lighting technology that synchronizes RGB lights with audio and video content during gameplay. Located on the backside of the monitor, these lights interact with the game being played, changing color based on on-screen actions. This creates a more immersive experience, elevating gaming visuals to a new level.

Ergonomic Design and Unrivaled Warranty

In addition to its powerful visual and gaming features, the Philips Evnia 27M2N8800 prioritizes user comfort. The monitor’s Height Adjustable Stand (HAS) allows for tilt, swivel, and height adjustments to fit the most comfortable position. Additionally, the Low Blue Mode reduces blue light exposure to the eyes, minimizing potential adverse health effects.

With all these features in mind, the Philips Evnia 27M2N8800 is an excellent choice for gamers seeking a powerful monitor with a visually competitive edge. For more information about the 27M2N8800, please visit Philips Evnia Website.
Hashtag: #EVNIA #PhilipsMonitors #gamingmonitor #QDOLED #27M2N8800


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

About Philips Evnia

Philips Evnia is revolutionizing the gaming and entertainment experience with its cutting-edge monitor series. Combining sleek aesthetics with innovative technology such as QD OLED and Dynamic Lighting, Evnia delivers unmatched performance with ultra-fast refresh rates, exceptional color accuracy, and breathtaking visuals. Engineered for both professional gamers and creative professionals, Philips Evnia offers a visual experience like no other. Whether you’re seeking precision for competitive play or vivid clarity for content creation, the Evnia monitor series elevates your gaming journey to new heights.

SUNRATE Named Among Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies for 2025 by FXC Intelligence


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 May 2025 – SUNRATE, the global payment and treasury management platform, has once again been recognised by FXC Intelligence as one of the Top 100 Cross-Border Payment Companies worldwide. This marks the second consecutive year SUNRATE has received the accolade, underscoring its growing influence and leadership in the cross-border payments landscape.

Image 20250516

FXC Intelligence’s annual list celebrates the most innovative and impactful companies transforming the cross-border payments landscape — spanning fintechs, banks, infrastructure providers, and payment processors. SUNRATE’s continued inclusion highlights its rapid growth, strong performance, and commitment to driving forward-thinking solutions for global businesses.

Daniel Webber, CEO and founder of FXC Intelligence said, “SUNRATE’s rapid growth in the cross-border B2B Asia payments landscape is the direct result of its strategic vision and commitment to innovation. With a robust platform, recent geographic expansions and strategic partnerships, SUNRATE is not only broadening its global footprint but also showing operational excellence, underscoring its pivotal role in facilitating seamless international payments. Its inclusion in this year’s Cross-Border Payments 100 is well deserved and indicative of its growing influence in the sector.”

Paul Meng, co-founder and CEO at SUNRATE said, “Being recognised by FXC Intelligence for the second year in a row is a testament to our team’s unwavering vision to become the leading global cross-border B2B payment platform in emerging markets. As global commerce becomes increasingly interconnected, we remain focused on delivering cutting-edge, scalable solutions that power our clients’ international ambitions.”

Over the past year, SUNRATE has significantly expanded its global footprint across APAC, EMEA, and other key regions, while also broadening its offerings into new business verticals. Today, SUNRATE enables businesses to send payments to over 190 countries and regions, transact in more than 130 currencies, and settle commercial card spending in over 15 currencies. Its global collection services support 30+ currencies, allowing businesses to collect funds in over 10 major global currencies—as if they were local transactions. Earlier this year, SUNRATE introduced its “Trading and Hedging” solutions, designed to equip businesses with advanced FX trading tools, tailored hedging strategies, and a suite of financial instruments, such as OTC Derivatives.

As SUNRATE marks this important milestone, it remains focused on the road ahead. The global payments landscape is evolving rapidly, fuelled by technological innovation and the growing need for streamlined, secure cross-border transactions. The company is proud to be at the forefront of this transformation—harnessing its global network, cutting-edge technology and customer-centric approach to redefine the future of international payments.

Hashtag: #SUNRATE #FXCIntelligence

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

About SUNRATE

SUNRATE is a global payment and treasury management platform for businesses worldwide. Since its inception in 2016, SUNRATE has been recognised as a leading solution provider and has enabled companies to operate and scale both locally and globally in 190+ countries and regions with its cutting-edge proprietary platform, extensive global network, and robust APIs.

With its global business headquarters in Singapore and offices in Hong Kong, Jakarta, London, and Shanghai, SUNRATE partners with the top global financial institutions, such as Citibank, Standard Chartered, Barclays, J.P. Morgan and is the principal member of both Mastercard and Visa. To learn more about SUNRATE, visit

About FXC Intelligence

  • FXC Intelligence is the industry leader in cross-border payments data and intelligence.
  • The world’s biggest banks, payments and big tech companies use our critical data to make vital decisions that shape their day-to-day operations, product development and strategy.
  • Our data is also used by a number of international bodies, including the World Bank and the Financial Stability Board, to provide the most important indices in the sector.
  • We track pricing, market size and product changes as they happen and update our dataset at high frequency, giving our clients the competitive edge they need to stay on top in a rapidly changing market.
  • Our platform, which is built on top of our data, offers solutions such as a price engine and sales enablement tool to drive our clients’ growth and profit.
  • Our data gives us a unique understanding of cross-border payments and we share our analysis and insights every week with subscribers to our newsletter, the most widely read in the cross-border payments market globally.

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