Anniversary publication marks long-term SME support for diversified development

MACAO, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sands China celebrated the 10th anniversary of its Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme with a ceremony Tuesday at The Londoner Macao^®, together with the launch of a 10th anniversary booklet showcasing the programme’s success stories. The event also featured the 2025 Sands Supplier Excellence Awards to honour outstanding suppliers, appreciation certificates to recognise long-term suppliers, and a cocktail and business networking session to further connect local businesses and company representatives for future cooperation opportunities.

The Local SME Suppliers Support Programme: A Decade of SME Empowerment

As the largest integrated tourism and leisure enterprise in Macao, Sands China has long championed a development model that enables large and small businesses to thrive together, introducing a variety of effective measures to foster the steady growth of SMEs. The Local Small, Medium and Micro Suppliers Support Programme, co-launched in 2015 with the Macao Chamber of Commerce, is a landmark programme under this vision.

The programme launched as Macao’s first SME-focused initiative led by a tourism and leisure enterprise, and targets three types of local businesses: small and micro suppliers, “Made in Macao” companies and Macao young entrepreneurs. It aims to support the Macao SAR government’s SME policies while further strengthening Sands China’s commitment to local business development. Its key projects include the F.I.T. programme, introduced in 2017, which provides financial support, invitational matching, as well as training and development to help local SME suppliers upskill and expand their business opportunities.

Since its inception, the programme has successfully deepened collaboration with local SMEs, generating remarkable results: a total of MOP 119.4 billion in procurement, with local procurement accounting for 83 percent, involving 4,700 SMEs.

Tuesday’s event unveiled the programme’s 10th anniversary booklet – outlining a decade of development and success stories – intended to inspire the city’s SMEs to attain greater achievements.

“SMEs are a vital pillar of Macao’s economy, securing the foundation of the city’s diversified industries,” said Grant Chum, chief executive officer and executive director of Sands China Ltd. “For more than 20 years, Sands China has remained committed to supporting the growth of local SMEs by leading the industry in prioritising local procurement, building promotional platforms for local businesses, and sharing our business expertise and experience to help them achieve independent development.

“In addition to recognising outstanding suppliers, we would also like to take this opportunity to honour and extend our heartfelt gratitude to our 40 long-term business partners. We sincerely thank the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, the Macao SAR Government, and all sectors of society for their longstanding guidance and support. We are likewise grateful for the enduring collaboration of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, whose dedication has helped numerous local SMEs grow from seedlings into flourishing enterprises. We look forward to continuing our partnership and achieving even greater shared successes in the years to come.”

Ma Chi Ngai, president of the board of directors of the Macao Chamber of Commerce, said: “Ten years ago, the Macao Chamber of Commerce partnered with Sands China to launch the local SME support programme, applying the philosophy of supporting the development of local SME suppliers and prioritising local procurement, opening a new chapter of symbiotic growth between integrated tourism and leisure enterprise and local SMEs. Through a series of innovative support measures, including large-scale exhibition platforms, professional training, and technical guidance, we have built a comprehensive support system to help SMEs enhance their capabilities. Together, we have faced market changes and challenges side by side, forming a cooperative ecosystem of complementary strengths and mutual benefit. Looking ahead, we will continue to support Macao SAR government in helping local SMEs explore new pathways in digital transformation, brand upgrading, and international expansion, contributing our efforts toward Macao’s economic diversification.”

At the event, Sands China executives presented certificates of appreciation to 40 SME partners – many of whom have worked with the company for over two decades. The certificates were presented by Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd.; Grant Chum; Dave Sun, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Sands China Ltd. and managing director of Venetian Macau Limited; and Norbert Riezler, senior vice president and chief procurement officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp.

2025 Sands Supplier Excellence Awards

The Sands Supplier Excellence Awards are an annual initiative of Las Vegas Sands Corp., acknowledging the cooperation and services of some of Sands’ most noteworthy suppliers worldwide. A judging committee composed of Sands China executive management selects Macao’s award recipients each year. At Tuesday’s ceremony, Sands China awarded seven winners:

• Corporate Culture & Sustainability:
  China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd

• Innovation:
  Tech (Macau) Limited

• Cost Management:
  Companhia de Obras de Decoracoes Wai Yun Lda.

• Quality Management:
  Anglo-East Trading Co. (HK) Limited

• Project Management:
  Vodatel Holdings Ltd

• Service Excellence:
  Express Marine Electronics Company Limited

• Small/Medium Enterprise (SME):
  Hight Tea International Development Company Limited

Guests at the event included: Sun Yaohua, director of the Economic Affairs Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR; Yau Yun Wah, director of the Economic and Technological Development Bureau of the Macao SAR government; Ma Chi Ngai; Victoria Kuan, director-general of the Macau Productivity and Technology Centre; Sam Lei, acting president of the Commerce and Investment Promotion Institute of the Macao Special Administrative Region; Paulo Coutinho, director and editor-in-chief of Macau Daily Times; and Lam Io Meng, deputy general manager of Macao Daily News.

Following the ceremony, a group of local enterprises joined a cocktail and business networking session to connect with representatives from various Sands China departments, including procurement and supply chain. Sessions like these over the years have enabled Sands China and local suppliers to explore and develop new mutually beneficial partnerships.

Sands China remains committed to prioritising local procurement and supporting the long-term growth of Macao’s SMEs, as an integral part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

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About Sands China Ltd.

Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian^® Macao, The Plaza^® Macao, The Parisian^® Macao and The Londoner Macao^®. The Company also owns and operates Sands^® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, the Londoner Theatre and the Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: mabel.wu@sands.com.mo 

Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054
Email: jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo

PARIS, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Clarins, the iconic family-owned global cosmetics group has launched its mobile app in partnership with long-standing digital partner Merkle, marking a new step forward in its direct-to-consumer acceleration.

Courtesy of Clarins

Following a highly successful pilot in the UK, the app is now available in the United States, Canada and Australia, with additional markets, including France, to follow shortly. Designed to deepen engagement with its loyal customers, the app introduces a seamless and intuitive shopping experience that supports Clarins’ growing subscription business and enhances its direct-to-consumer strategy – a first in the prestige beauty industry.

Unlocking a more advanced shopping journey for loyal customers

For 70 years, Clarins has built its growth on listening, advising, and staying close to its customers, both in institutes and points of sale. The Clarins app extends this relationship thanks to native features that better address customers’ expectations:

• Fast access to the full product offering;
• A simple and intuitive shopping journey;
• Persistent login and 1-click payment;
• Access to all Clarins digital services, including the AI Skin Observer and the generative-AI powered chatbot;
• Exclusive in-app offers;
• Push notifications to stay informed in real time about new products and exclusive offers.

During the pilot in the UK, nearly 30% of Clarins’ loyal customers adopted the app, which received a 4.7-star rating on the Apple App Store. A majority opted-in to receive push notifications about product news and exclusive offers, confirming the app as a preferred communication channel with the brand.

Built on Clarins’ existing e-commerce infrastructure, the app – available on iOS and Android – combines the flexibility of web technology with the performance of native features such as permanent login, one-click payment, and a product barcode scanner. This hybrid app development approach optimizes investments while delivering a premium user experience.

Clarins CEO, Jonathan Zrihen: “Direct relationships with our customers have been at the heart of Clarins’ story for 70 years. With this new mobile app, we are strengthening our ability to support them every day, wherever they are. This innovation demonstrates our commitment to exceptional customer satisfaction, both online and in-store, and our pioneering role within the beauty industry.”

Clarins Chief Digital, IT & Business Support Officer, Laurent Malaveille: “Launching this app in the US, UK, Canada and Australia — and soon in other markets — is a key milestone in our Direct to Consumer (DTC) strategy. Designed for our loyal customers, it offers a simple, smooth and enjoyable experience, while integrating seamlessly with Clarins’ other digital services. Our partnership with Merkle has been instrumental in bringing this vision to life and deploying a scalable international solution.”

Merkle Global President, Peter Stein: “Clarins is an iconic beauty brand, and we’re proud to help them lead the way in redefining digital beauty experiences. While many retailers have embraced mobile apps, few beauty brands have fully tapped into this space – especially in the U.S., where the beauty and personal care market is projected to exceed $130 billion in 2025 (1). This app positions Clarins to capture that opportunity with a customer-first approach.”

Merkle UK CEO, Chris Freeland: “This app represents a new, high-impact channel for Clarins. It’s a testament to our strong partnership and shared focus on customer-centric, scalable solutions.”

The Clarins app is available for download on iOS and Android.

(1) Mordor Intelligence (https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/united-states-cosmetics-products-market-industry)

About Clarins

Founded in Paris in 1954 by Jacques Courtin, Clarins is a family-owned global beauty group that has been innovating for more than 70 years to advance responsible beauty. As a result of continuous research, its plant-based products — formulated and manufactured in France — are sold in over 150 countries through 20,000 points of sale. With nearly 95% of sales generated internationally, Clarins is the No. 1* premium skincare brand in Europe and a leading global player in beauty (skincare and make-up), spa, and wellness. The Group has also developed the brand myBlend, built on the concept of holistic beauty, combining targeted skincare, nutri-cosmetics, and beauty tech. Clarins counts more than 8,000 employees across its Paris headquarters, 28 subsidiaries worldwide, two R&D laboratories, and two industrial sites in France. The Group is jointly led by Jonathan Zrihen, President & CEO, together with Dr. Olivier Courtin and his niece Virginie Courtin, representing the second and third generations of the founding family. Guided by its raison d’être — “Making life more beautiful, passing on a more beautiful planet” — Clarins is committed to sustainable innovation, with over 80% of ingredients of natural origin and a wide range of initiatives to protect nature and care for people.

https://www.groupeclarins.com/ 

*Source: NPD BeautyTrends^®, Europe 5 (France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain), luxury Skin Care market (products sold in perfumeries and department stores), value sales (€), for the period 3rd January 2022 to 1st January 2023.

Press contacts

Corporate communication

Image Sept – Marie Artzner, Anne Auchatraire, Caroline Simon – clarins@image7.fr – +33 1 53 70 74 70

USA

Melissa Reidhead – melissa.reidhead@clarins.com / Lucas Petry – lucas.petry@clarins.com

UK

Shoshana Gillis – Shoshana.Gillis@clarins.com – +44 207 307 6792

Canada

Isabelle Rochefort – Isabelle.Rochefort@clarins.com / Martine Lauzon – Martine.Lauzon@clarins.com

Australia

Ava Lenton – Ava.Lenton@clarins.com­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­

Over 20 million of Allegiant’s Allways Rewards members gain access to a new worldwide hotel platform where they can earn points on stays or redeem their points to book  

SINGAPORE, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Allegiant, ranked as 2025’s Best Low-Cost Airline in North America in the Skytrax World Airline Awards, has partnered with Rocket Travel by Agoda, the strategic partnerships arm of Agoda. The agreement will introduce the airline’s customers to a new hotel booking platform. The platform, Allegiant Hotels, will enable Allegiant Allways Rewards members and customers to book hotels worldwide whilst earning or redeeming Allegiant points.

With this collaboration, Allegiant is expanding the reach of its Allways Rewards program, making it possible for customers to both earn and redeem points on hotel bookings worldwide. This new platform will extend hotel options to all Allegiant destinations and beyond, including popular leisure destinations such as Orlando, Tampa, Phoenix, Fort Myers, and Nashville.

“Travel loyalty is evolving beyond just points. It’s about delivering flexible, rewarding experiences. By partnering with Allegiant Airlines, we’re unlocking new value for millions of travelers, wherever they go,” shared Damien Pfirsch, Chief Commercial Officer and Head of Rocket Travel by Agoda.

The new platform, operated and powered by Rocket Travel by Agoda, delivers a seamless end-to-end hotel booking experience. Customers can search, book, and manage their hotel stays while earning or redeeming Allegiant Allways Rewards points – unlocking greater value and flexibility for over 20 million of Allegiant’s loyalty members. Rocket Travel by Agoda will source all hotel inventory and oversee the entire customer journey, including customer service, ensuring a best-in-class experience that matches the high standards of Allegiant’s own platform.

“This partnership with Rocket Travel by Agoda marks an exciting new chapter for Allegiant and our 20 million+ Allways Rewards Members,” said Drew Wells, Allegiant’s Chief Commercial Officer. “By working with a partner we trust to deliver exceptional technology and service, we’re able to offer our customers greater value and even more ways to earn and redeem points.”

Allegiant will actively promote the new platform to its Allways Rewards members, including exclusive offers for co-branded credit cardholders and special launch promotions, further strengthening its loyalty program and enhancing the travel experience.

With tailored promotions for co-brand credit cardholders and a focus on delivering greater value to travelers, this partnership highlights both organizations’ shared commitment to enhancing the travel experience and rewarding customer loyalty at every step of the journey.

• Hyundai Mobis to participate in CES 2026 next month… hosting an invitation-only private booth to focus on new business opportunities
• To be showcased: M.VICS 7.0 cockpit integrated solution, X-by-Wire chassis integrated solution, next-generation displays, and more
• “Holographic Windshield Display” wins CES Innovation Award, highlighting Mobis’s display engineering prowess

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On the 9th, Hyundai Mobis announced that it will present more than 30 mobility convergence technologies at CES 2026, taking place in Las Vegas from January 6 to 9.

For CES 2026, the company will run its booth as a private exhibit exclusively for pre-invited customers. While engaging general visitors is still valuable, Mobis decided to make CES a more focused venue for securing meaningful business opportunities by inviting key clients from across North America.

Under the theme “Layer of Progress,” Hyundai Mobis plans to underscore how its technologies connect and evolve together. The company will highlight select innovations across its core areas, including electronics, electrification, and chassis safety, tailored specifically for global customers. Senior executives from multiple major global automakers, including heads of purchasing and technology, have already confirmed their visits, signaling strong interest in the new lineup.

To facilitate deeper discussions, Hyundai Mobis has chosen a dedicated meeting room on the third floor of the West Hall at the Las Vegas Convention Center as its exhibition space. The setup allows visiting executives to stay longer, explore the technologies in detail, and discuss potential collaborations in a focused setting.

The highlights are the updated M.VICS 7.0 cockpit integrated solution and the X-by-Wire electronic control technology. 

M.VICS, Mobis’s integrated cockpit platform, brings together its advanced infotainment technologies, now refreshed with the 7.0 upgrade. Key features include a holographic windshield display that projects driving information directly onto the glass, a vertically expandable 18.1-inch large display, and a redesigned center-console interface that balances aesthetics with intuitive controls.

The X-by-Wire integrated solution is also expected to draw significant attention. X-by-Wire enables electronic steering and braking control without mechanical connections. By integrating both functions into a single controller, it delivers optimized driving dynamics. The system also includes built-in dual safety: even if a steering issue occurs, the braking system can safely manage the vehicle.

In addition, Hyundai Mobis will feature a range of next-generation technologies across electronics, electrification, and chassis systems, including an augmented-reality head-up display (AR-HUD), low-power display solutions, and cost-efficient, high-performance EV drive systems, offering customers a comprehensive look at its mobility innovations.

• “Holographic Windshield Display” Earns CES 2026 Innovation Award, Showcasing Hyundai Mobis’s Technical Leadership

The Holographic Windshield Display (HWD) featured in M.VICS 7.0 was named a CES 2026 Innovation Award winner last month by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), reinforcing Hyundai Mobis’s global competitiveness in display technology. Each year, ahead of the exhibition, CTA recognizes standout technologies across various sectors, and Mobis received the award in the advanced mobility category for its excellence in engineering.

HWD is a next-generation display technology that Hyundai Mobis is developing in collaboration with German optics specialist Zeiss. It is the world’s first system to utilize holographic film to transform the entire front windshield into an ultra-large display surface. 

With this technology, drivers no longer need to glance down at the instrument cluster or other controls. Key driving information appears directly on the windshield, improving both safety and convenience. The passenger side can display separate content, such as videos or games, without being visible to the driver. This allows passengers to enjoy their own infotainment experience while keeping the driver free from distraction.

Hyundai Mobis is currently co-developing the HWD technology with major global customers to further refine and advance the system. The company aims to begin mass production in 2029 and position HWD as one of its core strategic offerings.

Looking ahead, Hyundai Mobis plans to continue expanding its global order pipeline. Through CES, international exhibitions, and roadshows, the company will ramp up promotional efforts in key markets across North America and Europe. These activities align with its goal of increasing the share of global OEM sales in its core component business to 40% by 2033.

About Hyundai Mobis

Hyundai Mobis is the global no. 6 automotive supplier, headquartered in Seoul, Korea. Hyundai Mobis has outstanding expertise in sensors, sensor fusion in ECUs and software development for safety control. The company’s products also include various components for electrification, brakes, chassis and suspension, steering, airbags, lighting, and automotive electronics. Hyundai Mobis operates its R&D headquarters in Korea, with four technology centers in the United States, Germany, China, and India. For more information, please visit the website at http://www.mobis.com.

Media Contact 
Choon Kee Hwang : ckhwang@mobis.com
Jihyun Han : jihyun.han@mobis.com

Recently recognized with a CES 2026 Innovation Award, the solution combines video decoding, AI inference, and encoding on a single chip, offering 80% hardware cost savings compared to GPU architectures.

LAS VEGAS and SEOUL, South Korea, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ahead of CES 2026, DEEPX, a pioneer in ultra-low-power on-device AI semiconductors, today announced the official launch of the DX-H1 vision neural processing unit (V-NPU), a dedicated video intelligence chipset capable of processing hundreds of AI video channels at just 30W.

Redefining Video AI Infrastructure

The DX-H1 V-NPU is an all-in-one video intelligence solution combining a multi-channel engine capable of decoding, encoding and transcoding with dedicated NPU architecture. Unlike traditional setups that require parallel configurations of GPU servers and hardware codecs, the DX-H1 V-NPU handles the entire pipeline on a single chip — from stream input to preprocessing, AI inference, and re-encoding.

The chip’s launch represents a paradigm shift in data center architecture. By integrating video input, compression, and AI inference — processes typically requiring multiple GPU servers and separate codec hardware — onto a single card, the DX-H1 V-NPU is transforming video AI infrastructure’s fundamental unit from the GPU into the V-NPU.

Unmatched Efficiency and Sustainability

According to DEEPX testing data, integrating these processes achieves approximately 80% savings in hardware costs and 85% savings in power consumption compared to GPU-based solutions for the same channel density, all while maintaining 24/7 real-time inference performance.

This efficiency offers a critical structural alternative for smart cities and industrial surveillance, addressing growing challenges such as data center power constraints, stringent ESG requirements, and GPU supply chain uncertainties.

“Large-scale video AI can no longer be a secondary task borrowing spare resources from general-purpose GPUs; it must evolve into a dedicated industry running on specialized chipsets,” said Lokwon Kim, CEO of DEEPX. “The DX-H1 V-NPU is not merely a low-cost alternative but a fundamental redesign of video intelligence infrastructure, optimizing memory hierarchy and computation scheduling for environments where video streams pour in by the second.”

From Add-on to Foundation

As the DX-H1 series has added AI capabilities to existing legacy systems such as CCTV and NVR, the new V-NPU variant builds on the series’ success and is designed as a foundational platform. It targets new deployments in smart cities, traffic control centers, and large industrial complexes, centering the server architecture around the V-NPU rather than the GPU.

Global Recognition at CES 2026

The DX-H1 V-NPU has been honored with a CES 2026 Innovation Award, reinforcing the value of DEEPX’s vision of “Edge AI as the new sustainable infrastructure” on the global stage. DEEPX will officially unveil the DX-H1 V-NPU at CES 2026 in Las Vegas (January 6-9, Booth #8745, North Hall).

The company will also host the CTA’s newly established ‘CES Foundry’ session to present its roadmap for the Physical AI era. At the event, DEEPX plans to reveal its expanded partner ecosystem strategy, spanning video intelligence, smart cities, mobility, and robotics.

“Our ultimate goal is for DEEPX to become the default option at the Edge, where intelligence is most needed,” added Kim. “The launch of the DX-H1 V-NPU marks the starting point for our full-scale expansion into the global market.”

RMJDT Introduced as Part of National Digital Asset Sandbox Initiative

JOHOR BAHRU, Malaysia, Dec. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bullish Aim Sdn. Bhd., chaired and owned by His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, today announced the official launch of RMJDT, a Ringgit-backed stablecoin issued on Zetrix, the core Layer-1 blockchain underpinning Malaysia’s national Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure (MBI).

Launched under a regulated sandbox framework, RMJDT is designed to strengthen the international use of the Malaysian Ringgit in cross-border trade settlements and to act as a catalyst for attracting increased foreign direct investment (FDI) into Malaysia. The initiative aligns with global tokenisation trends and directly supports Malaysia’s Digital Asset National Policy.

In conjunction with the RMJDT rollout, Bullish Aim will also establish a Digital Asset Treasury Company (DATCO) with an initial treasury allocation of RM500 million in Zetrix tokens, with plans to increase to RM1 billion. Modelled after global precedents such as MicroStrategy and Bitmine Immersion, this treasury will play a pivotal role in ensuring stable network gas fees for RMJDT transactions.

DATCO will additionally stake Zetrix tokens to support up to 10% of the validator nodes within the Malaysia Blockchain Infrastructure, reinforcing long-term national Web3 resilience while enhancing the security and efficiency of the blockchain ecosystem.

“As the issuer of RMJDT, we view the establishment of a Zetrix-token treasury as a strategic necessity – both to support operational stability and to deepen alignment with the national blockchain,” said His Royal Highness the Regent of Johor.

These dual initiatives reflect Johor’s commitment to advancing digital innovation at the intersection of blockchain technology, trade infrastructure, and national economic development, while operating within Malaysia’s approved sandbox environment to ensure compliance, transparency, and national oversight.

About Zetrix

Zetrix is a layer-1 public blockchain that facilitates smart contracts and delivers privacy, security and scalability. Zetrix’s cryptographic infrastructure can be introduced to multiple industries to connect governments, businesses and their citizens to a global blockchain-based economy. Developed by Zetrix AI Berhad, formerly known as MY E.G. Services Bhd, the cross-border and cross-chain integration with China enables Zetrix to serve as a blockchain gateway that facilitates global trade by deploying critical building blocks for Web3 services such as Blockchain-based Identifiers (BID) and Verifiable Credentials (VC).