SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 November 2025 – XTransfer, World’s Leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Thailand’s first indigenous bank,announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Singapore FinTech Festival 2025. The collaboration will focus on delivering efficient, secure, and cost-effective foreign exchange (FX) services in Thailand for enterprises engaging in international trade.
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer (Left) and Rungsi Vongkitbuncha, Executive Vice President, Head of Large Corporates and International Business Function of SCB (Right), signed a MoU at Singapore FinTech Festival 2025.
Under the MoU, XTransfer and SCB will work together to evaluate and develop tailored FX solutions in Thailand for enterprises engaged in international trade. The partnership will prioritise competitive FX conversion and improved rate transparency. By leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs) and digital platform connectivity, the parties aim to enable automated, real-time FX conversion and efficient transaction processing to help enterprises reduce costs and improve cash flow management. The parties will continue to explore the expansion of their collaboration beyond FX in Thailand to encompass domestic and cross-border payment solutions across key ASEAN markets, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, said, “We are delighted to partner with Siam Commercial Bank to bring best‑in‑class cross-border financial services to enterprises in Thailand. SCB’s market leadership and digital capabilities, combined with XTransfer’s foreign trade enterprises’ focused infrastructure, will help our clients achieve better rates, faster settlement, and enhanced transparency. This collaboration not only strengthens service delivery for Thai enterprises, but also enables XTransfer to deepen our development across ASEAN. Together, we will continue to strengthen compliance and risk management to build a trusted financial backbone for cross-border trade.”
Rungsi Vongkitbuncha, Executive Vice President, Head of Large Corporates and International Business Function of SCB, said, “It is an honour to represent SCB at today’s Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, establishing our role as XTransfer’s key financial partner in ASEAN. As Thailand’s longest-established local bank, SCB supports XTransfer’s cross-border business development by providing advanced technological systems and efficient financial solutions, thereby offering more convenient business models for international traders.” Hashtag: #XTransfer #SCB #SiamCommercialBank #SFF #Singapore #Thailand #MOU #CrossborderPayment
Integrated hub redefines patient care, sustainability and future-ready design
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 17 November 2025 – The National University Hospital (NUH) has launched the new Orthopaedic Surgery and Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Centres, integrating key specialist services – from consultations and surgery to diagnostics, physical therapy and pharmacy stops – into one cohesive space for a seamless patient journey.
At the official opening of NUH’s Orthopaedic Surgery Centre and the Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Centre, officiated by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Manpower (fifth from right).
The launch of the Orthopaedic Surgery and Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Centres, officiated by Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Manpower, brings together orthopaedic surgery, hand and reconstructive microsurgery, diagnostic imaging, rehabilitation and pharmacy for greater patient care and convenience by:
Capitalising on proximity to facilitate expedited consultation, diagnostics and treatment
Minimising intra-facility patient transfer and reducing patients’ walking distance across services by nearly half
Enabling closer and synchronous collaboration between clinicians and allied health services
Streamlining prescription and medication collection for greater accessibility and convenience
Originally situated at the NUH Main Building, the strategic relocation of the Centres to Levels 18 and 19 of the Medical Centre marks an important milestone in the first stage of the NUH redevelopment plan, a major transformative endeavour to meet growing healthcare needs in the Western region.
Orthopaedic Surgery Centre: Strengthening care with innovation
The opening of the new Orthopaedic Surgery Centre strengthens care for sports injuries in an increasingly active population, and for degenerative joint diseases, such as osteoarthritis, which affects about 10 per cent of the general population and 20 per cent of older individuals, aged 60 years and above[1].
It also serves as a launchpad for innovative treatments, including Singapore’s first stem cell treatment for cartilage repair, performed by Professor James Hui, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NUH, in 2005. The expanded infrastructure – featuring new procedure rooms and enhanced treatment capabilities – will further enable the Centre to widen its reach and expand its innovation and advanced treatment footprints.
These improvements aim to help patients recover faster, with fewer hospital stays, and better support their return to an active lifestyle.
“Our population is staying active for longer, and that means more complex bone and joint needs across all ages. The new Orthopaedic Surgery Centre is designed to more closely integrate our clinical teams, imaging and treatment facilities into one streamlined environment,” Prof Hui said.
“With expanded capabilities also means richer data for research and innovation, which can accelerate the development of new therapies tailored to the evolving orthopaedic needs of our community.”
Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Centre: Handing hope for complex injuries
The new Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery Centre (HRMC) features a dedicated day surgery suite equipped with fluoroscopic and ultrasound capabilities, as well as an adjacent recovery facility to support efficient and post-operative care. The suite enables patients to undergo procedures earlier and facilitates a seamless recovery journey.
HRMC provides comprehensive care for trauma and diseases affecting the hand, wrist, and upper limb, and offers round-the-clock microsurgical service. It serves as a regional referral centre for digital, hand and major limb replantation, achieving success rates comparable to international standards.
“The multidisciplinary approach adopted by our care teams at HRMC is our greatest strength,” said Dr Sandeep Jacob Sebastin Muttath, Head & Senior Consultant, Department of Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery, NUH.
He added, “Many patients come to us with the concern that they will have to undergo major surgery to regain the function of their limbs. However, with our integrated teams – which include our colleagues from neurology and rehabilitation medicine – we can deliver a full continuum of care, from diagnosis and surgery to rehabilitation and prosthetic support, all within a single site.”
Rehabilitation Centre: Restoring normalcy to everyday life
Rounding up the patient journey, the Rehabilitation Centre brings physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and podiatry services into one space, providing a seamless transition from the Orthopaedic Surgery Centre and HRMC.
This allows patients to easily set up appointments with both their doctors and their allied health professionals (AHPs) on the same day and traverse between the two centres. Its design encourages collaboration between clinicians and AHPs, improving care coordination and innovation.
The Rehabilitation Centre features a dynamic indoor running and mobility track for one-stop functional assessments and a dual plinth setup that increases capacity by over 40 per cent to reduce patient wait times.
“Our vision was to create a seamless and collaborative environment for rehabilitation,” said Associate Professor Isaac Sia, Head, Department of Rehabilitation, NUH, “Beyond caring for today’s patients, our dedicated clinical education and observation spaces support the training of the next generation of allied health professionals, ensuring continued excellence in care for the future.”
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About the National University Hospital
The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore’s leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school.
Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for.
We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country.
The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore. For more information, visit www.nuh.com.sg
This photo taken and released by Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on November 17, 2025 shows vehicles stuck on a damaged road following landslides triggered by heavy rain, near the location where a passenger bus was submerged by falling soil and rock on Khanh Le Pass in Khanh Hoa province.
Landslides triggered by heavy rain in Vietnam have killed at least six people and injured more than a dozen, disaster agency officials said on November 17, as the country's flood-hit central belt endured relentless precipitation.
(photo credit: VŨ XUAN TRIỆU / VIETNAM NEWS AGENCY (VNA) / AFP)
AFP – Landslides triggered by heavy rain in Vietnam have killed at least six people and injured more than a dozen, disaster agency officials said Monday, as the country’s flood-hit central belt endured relentless precipitation
Ambulance cars stand by to provide medical care (Photo: Lao National TV)
The Ministry of Health has deployed over 290 technical staff to safeguard athletes, officials, and spectators at the 12th National Games in Vientiane, ensuring public health standards are maintained throughout the event.
SINGAPORE, Nov. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2025 SMARTIES™ APAC Awards, honoring the most effective, creative and culturally insightful marketing and technology work across the Asia-Pacific region. This year’s winners span multiple markets, industries and disciplines collectively illustrating how the region’s marketing ecosystem is evolving with purpose, innovation and business impact.
“From data-driven breakthroughs to creative renaissance, from digital sophistication to marketing innovations, this year’s winners represent the full spectrum of what makes Asia Pacific the world’s most dynamic marketing region,” said Rohit Dadwal, CEO, APAC & Global Head of SMARTIES™ Worldwide, Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA). “What unites these diverse markets is a shared commitment to marketing that matters: work that honors local culture while embracing global standards, that leverages cutting-edge technology without losing human connection, and that delivers business growth through genuine consumer understanding. Spanning industries from bold local disruptors to global brands, these campaigns prove that the future of marketing excellence is being written across Asia Pacific.”
SMARTIES™ APAC 2025 Winners Announced!
2025 SMARTIES™ APAC – Industry Leader Awards
Best in Show was presented to “Oral Health Movement.”
Grab earned dual recognition as both Brand of the Year and Publisher of the Year. Unilever was recognized as Advertiser of the Year.
The Juror’s Choice Award went to “Moisture Coat: Cetaphil Cross-Digital Breakthrough.”
WPP was recognized as Holding Agency Company of the Year, while Mindshare earned Agency Network of the Year.
Wavemaker India won Media Agency of the Year, Dentsu Creative Vietnam secured Creative Agency of the Year, AnyMind Group was named Specialist Agency of the Year, and Ethinos Digital took home Independent Agency of the Year, while Performics Taiwan claimed Digital Agency of the Year.
OREO earned recognition as Most Resilient Brand of the Year.
Amazon was recognized as Enabling Technology Company of the Year.
Across a wide range of categories and markets, this year’s SMARTIES™ APAC edition recognized 107 winning entries spanning 25 Gold, 36 Silver, 32 Bronze and 14 Industry Awards representing work from regional network and global holding companies delivering end-to-end solutions.
The winning campaigns showcased:
Local campaigns rooted in singular markets alongside regional rollouts across multiple countries
Global brands adapting to distinct Asia Pacific dynamics with cultural precision
Agencies, brands and technology firms leveraging culture-driven insights and multi-market strategies to generate measurable business growth
In a region as diverse as Asia Pacific, marketing strategies must recognize local languages, cultural nuances, digital behaviors, regulatory environments, and ecosystem partners. This year’s winners demonstrated that technology platforms enable relevance and personalization at scale; creative agencies embed cultural intelligence into every execution; brands build sustainable engagement ecosystems; media agencies and publishers activate immersive cross-market experiences; and holding companies drive regional capabilities while aligning global ambition with local imperatives.
For the complete list of winners and more information about the 2025 SMARTIES™ Awards APAC, please visit here.
About the Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA)
The Marketing + Media Alliance (MMA) is the global, non-profit community of Chief Marketing Officers and senior marketing leaders advancing marketers’ ability to create value. Led by CMOs and supported by the entire ecosystem at the governance level — including brands, media, agencies, consultancies, AdTech, and MarTech — MMA develops evidence-based models, frameworks, and tools validated through multi-year, multi-million-dollar Think Tanks and Labs.
Headquartered in New York City, with operations in 16 countries across APAC, Europe, MEA, LATAM, and North America, MMA has more than 825 corporate members who gather at 62+ MMA conferences worldwide, and flagship gatherings in the APAC, including MMA Innovate, CEO&CMO Summit, MMA Executive Dialogues, SMARTIES Unplugged, MMA IMPACT and MMA SMARTIES. Learn more at https://mmaglobal.com/
The Marketing + Media includes the world’s most influential marketers and partners, including Unilever, P&G, Grab, McDonalds, Coca Coala, Google, TikTok, Facebook, Diageo, Mondelez, Heineken, Pepsi, Perfetti, Affle, Emtek Group Indonesia, GoTo Gojek Tokopedia, Mayora, Godrej, Reliance – and many more.
About SMARTIES™
SMARTIES™ is the prestigious marketing awards program hosted by MMA Global, recognizing excellence in marketing effectiveness and innovation. The SMARTIES Awards celebrate campaigns that push creative boundaries while delivering measurable business impact. With programs spanning local, regional, and global markets, SMARTIES has become the industry’s most respected benchmark for marketing that drives real growth.
SINGAPORE, Nov. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — XTransfer, World’s Leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB), Thailand’s first indigenous bank, announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) at Singapore FinTech Festival 2025. The collaboration will focus on delivering efficient, secure, and cost-effective foreign exchange (FX) services in Thailand for enterprises engaging in international trade.
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer (Left) and Rungsi Vongkitbuncha, Executive Vice President, Head of Large Corporates and International Business Function of SCB (Right), signed a MoU at Singapore FinTech Festival 2025.
Under the MoU, XTransfer and SCB will work together to evaluate and develop tailored FX solutions in Thailand for enterprises engaged in international trade. The partnership will prioritise competitive FX conversion and improved rate transparency. By leveraging application programming interfaces (APIs) and digital platform connectivity, the parties aim to enable automated, real-time FX conversion and efficient transaction processing to help enterprises reduce costs and improve cash flow management. The parties will continue to explore the expansion of their collaboration beyond FX in Thailand to encompass domestic and cross-border payment solutions across key ASEAN markets, including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, said, “We are delighted to partner with Siam Commercial Bank to bring best‑in‑class cross-border financial services to enterprises in Thailand. SCB’s market leadership and digital capabilities, combined with XTransfer’s foreign trade enterprises’ focused infrastructure, will help our clients achieve better rates, faster settlement, and enhanced transparency. This collaboration not only strengthens service delivery for Thai enterprises, but also enables XTransfer to deepen our development across ASEAN. Together, we will continue to strengthen compliance and risk management to build a trusted financial backbone for cross-border trade.”
Rungsi Vongkitbuncha, Executive Vice President, Head of Large Corporates and International Business Function of SCB, said, “It is an honour to represent SCB at today’s Memorandum of Understanding signing ceremony, establishing our role as XTransfer’s key financial partner in ASEAN. As Thailand’s longest-established local bank, SCB supports XTransfer’s cross-border business development by providing advanced technological systems and efficient financial solutions, thereby offering more convenient business models for international traders.”
About XTransfer
XTransfer, world-leading B2B Cross-Border Trade Payment Platform, is dedicated to providing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with secure, compliant, fast, convenient and low-cost foreign trade payment and fund collection solutions, significantly reducing the cost of global expansion and enhancing global competitiveness. Founded in 2017, the company is headquartered in Shanghai and has branches in Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, the UAE, and Nigeria. XTransfer has obtained local payment licences in the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, Singapore, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Australia. To date, XTransfer serves over 700,000 enterprise clients worldwide.
By cooperating with well-known multinational banks and financial institutions, XTransfer has built a unified global multi-currency clearing network and a data-based, automated, internet-based and intelligent anti-money laundering risk control infrastructure centred on SMEs. XTransfer uses technology as a bridge to link large financial institutions and SMEs around the world, allowing SMEs to enjoy the same level of cross-border financial services as large multinational corporations.
XTransfer completed its Series D financing in September 2021 and achieved unicorn status. The company has a diverse composition of international investors, including D1 Capital Partners LP, Telstra Ventures, China Merchants Venture, eWTP Capital, Yunqi Capital, Gaorong Capital, 01VC, MindWorks and Lavender Hill Capital Partners.
The Siam Commercial Bank PCL was Thailand’s first indigenous bank, established in 1906 under Royal Charter, with a rich history spanning 119 years. As of the end of 2024, the SCB Group’s total market capitalisation stood at THB 424.3 billion. With total assets of THB 3,305.4 billion, the bank ranks among Thailand’s largest commercial banks, boasting a nationwide branch and service network.
Backed by the SCBX Group’s comprehensive business matrix, it spans commercial banking, investment banking, securities brokerage, fund management, insurance brokerage, fintech, and numerous other sectors. It has been consecutively honoured with multiple awards, including “Thailand’s Best Bank”, “Bank of the Year”, and “Thailand’s Best Investment and Foreign Exchange Bank”.
SCB is committed to becoming Thailand’s “Most Admired Bank” by balancing value propositions for all stakeholders – customers, employees, shareholders, regulators, and society – and becoming a leader in shaping the future of Thailand’s banking industry. For more information, please visit https://www.scb.co.th.
BEIJING, Nov. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — As reported by chinatrucks.org, FORLAND Global Partners Conference 2026 was held in Qingdao on November 12, 2025. Ahead of the event, FORLAND organized an immersive experience for partners from across the world, including a tour of its intelligent factory and test drives of its latest models, allowing them to witness the power of China’s smart manufacturing firsthand.
Extraordinary Journey FORLAND Factory Tour & Ultimate Test Drives
Smart Factory Tour: Technology Drives Quality
At FORLAND’s Global Manufacturing Center in Zhucheng, China, intelligent and precise production is everywhere. Every step of the process demonstrates how “Made in China” is evolving into “Created in China.”
In the welding workshop, 29 robots work together with an automation rate of 92.3%. From body assembly to welding and gluing, everything is precisely controlled. The four high-precision robots in the assembly station can position parts with an error of less than 0.1 mm, ensuring top-level accuracy and efficiency. A fully automatic gluing machine finishes each vehicle body in just 90 seconds, improving sealing quality. The dual-head welding machine can even stably weld 3.5 mm special nuts — a breakthrough in the industry.
In the assembly shop, digital systems also shine. Intelligent conveyors with KBK assist devices deliver complete tire unit precisely. A five-in-one filling machine automatically retrieves parameters and performs precise filling by scanning the VIN code. The key feature management system monitors every step of production in real time, ensuring quality and full traceability.
From parts to final assembly, every process reflects FORLAND’s commitment to top quality. These innovations have improved efficiency and reliability, giving partners a real sense of the solid progress of China’s smart manufacturing.
Test Drives: Full Lineup, Proven Performance
If the smart factory demonstrates quality in production, the test drive experience brings it to life. A total of 62 vehicles were on display, including traditional, new energy, special-purpose, and autonomous models. Among them, 10 key models were open for test drives — including the FORLANDT5, FORLANDQ, FORLANDV5, FORLANDG5, FORLANDG6, and FORLANDU7.Partners could directly experience the upgrades in product design and intelligent technologies.
The T5 mini truck impressed drivers with its 140° foldable seat. “You can lie down and rest, and the optional rear-view camera is a thoughtful detail.” said one attendee. The FORLANDQ double-row version fits small business owners who need to carry both people and cargo. The FORLANDV5 fuel model uses a double wishbone suspension for smoother rides. The FORLANDG5 comes with ABS+ASR and air brake for higher safety. The FORLANDG6 automatic features a ZF AMT gearbox for easier driving.
New energy models also caught great attention. The FORLANDQ EV has a durable anti-slip cargo bed. The FORLANDV5 EV supports 1-hour fast charging for high-frequency delivery.TheFORLANDG6 EV offers up to 300 km range. The U7 passenger model features a semi-solid battery for enhanced safety.
Through hands-on driving, from fuel to electric and from mini trucks to light trucks, partners got a firsthand look at FORLAND’s product strength and innovation. These real experiences gave them more confidence in FORLAND’s competitiveness and strengthened their commitment to explore global markets together.
Smart Manufacturing and Quality Lead to a Shared Future
From the factory to the test track, FORLAND proved its strength in technology, quality, and global vision. Every visitor witnessed that FORLAND not only has a clear international strategy but also solid technical foundations and manufacturing capabilities.
Looking ahead, FORLAND will continue to work with global partners, offering more competitive products, stronger service systems, and localized operations. Together, they aim to build a greener, smarter, and more successful future for the global commercial vehicle industry, a journey closely followed and reported by chinatrucks.org.
A female teaching teach the Lao language to primary students (photo credit: European Comission)
Laos is preparing to reform its national education system by shifting to a 6+3+3 grade structure, extending primary schooling and reorganizing secondary education. The transition, expected to begin in the 2028–2029 academic year, aims to improve learning outcomes and align the country with regional and international standards.
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