Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Laos face ongoing challenges, including limited access to finance, complex administrative procedures, and poor business documentation, according to Vice President Pany Yathotou.
Lao MSMEs Struggle with Financing, Bureaucracy Despite Economic Growth
Xinhua Silk Road: Unleashing digital potential to unlock new vitality of liquor industry
BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Amid the wave of the digital economy, new-generation digital technologies such as cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things, and artificial intelligence are rapidly developing and deeply integrating into the entire liquor industry chain, injecting new vitality into the development of this traditional sector.
Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/348121.html
LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 Honours Malaysia’s Champions of Inclusive and Sustainable Workplaces
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Marking a decade of progress in Malaysia’s future of work movement, the LIFE AT WORK Awards (LAWA) 2025 celebrated outstanding employers who are redefining how the nation works, with flexibility, inclusivity, and sustainability at the core.
YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of Human Resources (KESUMA) together with all LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 Winners
Hosted by Talent Corporation Malaysia Berhad (TalentCorp), the strategic think tank under the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA), this year’s Awards carried the theme “Driving Inclusivity, Powering Sustainability.”
A Decade of Impact: From Policy to Purpose
Speaking at the gala, YB Steven Sim Chee Keong, Minister of KESUMA, said the Awards reflect Malaysia’s MADANI vision, where progress is defined not only by profit, but by purpose.
“The real measure of progress is not how high our GDP climbs, but how far our humanity reaches,” he said.
He noted that inclusivity and flexibility have become the hallmarks of a modern, competitive economy, and Malaysia is moving decisively in that direction.
Under KESUMA’s leadership, the Government has legally recognised the right to request Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA), expanded tax incentives for family-friendly and returnship practices, and strengthened protections for working parents through the Employment (Amendment) Act.
These reforms have contributed to a more equitable labour market: Malaysia’s gender pay gap narrowed from RM211 in 2023 to RM18 in 2025, while the World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2025 ranked Malaysia 108th out of 146 countries, up six places from 2024.
Malaysia also continues to perform strongly in global competitiveness indicators, ranking 23rd in the World Competitiveness Index and 25th in the IMD World Talent Ranking, reflecting the country’s growing reputation for an agile, inclusive, and forward-looking workforce.
“Inclusivity and flexibility are no longer optional — they are the new competitive advantage,” YB Steven Sim added.
Recognising Malaysia’s Best Workplaces
YB Wong Shu Qi, Chairperson of TalentCorp, said that over the past decade, the Awards have evolved into a national movement recognising organisations that “make work more human.”
“Behind every submission lies a story of innovation, inclusion, and leadership — of mothers returning to work, of managers learning to lead differently, and of teams proving that compassion and performance can coexist,” she said.
She added that through TalentCorp’s advocacy, over 900,000 Malaysians have benefited from more inclusive and flexible work arrangements, proving that “doing good for people is good for business.”
This year, 266 organisations submitted 719 entries across 13 award categories, a 33% increase from 2024. New categories — Future-Ready University & College, Future-Ready School, and Changemakers reflect Malaysia’s whole-of-nation approach to inclusivity and lifelong learning.
Top Honours 2025
Among this year’s 33 winners, key champions include:
Best Organisation Awards
- International Organisation – Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd
- Public Listed Company – Sunway Group
- Private Limited Company – Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas
- Public Sector – Bank Negara Malaysia
- Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) – Q3 Management Solutions Sdn Bhd
CEO Champions
- Ng Wei Wei (United Overseas Bank Malaysia)
- Dato’ Chu Jenn Weng (ViTrox Corporation)
- Datuk Wira (Dr) Ameer Ali Mydin (MYDIN Mohamed Holdings)
- Dato’ Mohammad Faiz Mohammad Azmi (Securities Commission Malaysia)
- Dr Thomas Ong (NanoTextile Sdn Bhd)
CHRO Champions
- Rethinalingam Rubakantan (Mercedes-Benz Malaysia)
- Andrew Chan Geh Hui (Press Metal Aluminium Holdings)
- Rozalawati Ngah (Emerson Process Management)
- Dr Vanitha Thurairasu (Kinta District Health Office, Ministry of Health)
- Wong Ye San (PLC Tax Consultants)
Category Highlights
- Allianz Malaysia – Women at Work & Leadership (International / Public Listed Company)
- Tea Garden – Women at Work & Leadership (Private Limited Company / Public Sector)
- Central Force International– Women at Work & Leadership (SME)
- Western Digital – Young Graduates (International / Public Listed Company)
- Verdant Solar – Talent Sustainability (SME)
- CelcomDigi – Corporate Social Responsibility (International / Public Listed Company)
- Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi Mara Balik Pulau – Future-Ready University & College (Public Sector)
- Asia Pacific University (APU) – Future-Ready University & College (Private Sector)
- SM Teknik Alor Setar – Future-Ready School (Public Sector)
- SOLS Foundation – Changemakers (NGO/ NPO, MSME)
Malaysia’s Inclusive Future of Work
The LIFE AT WORK Awards 2025 reaffirm Malaysia’s commitment to building a workforce and workplace ecosystem that balances economic progress with human dignity in line with the MADANI Economy Framework.
The Awards continue to serve as a platform to showcase employers leading the way in DEI, sustainability, and future skills readiness, supporting the national goal of increasing female labour force participation to 60% by 2030.
By celebrating organisations that combine compassion with competitiveness, LAWA 2025 reflects Malaysia’s broader mission to ensure that growth is shared, inclusive, and sustainable across all sectors of society.
“These organisations prove that compassion is not the opposite of performance, but the foundation of it,” said YB Steven Sim. “By giving dignity, we gain excellence.”
The ceremony drew 750 guests, including Datuk Azman bin Mohd Yusof, Secretary General of KESUMA, senior government officials, industry leaders, and awards participants.
For more information, visit www.lifeatwork.my
Singapore-Licensed DigiFT and Quantum Solutions Signs MOU for Development of Real World Asset Tokenization Platform
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―”Frontier Finance” Initiative: Tokenizing Corporate Cash Flows as Institutional-Grade Real World Assets at the Intersection of AI and Blockchain―
TOKYO, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DigiFT Tech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. (“DigiFT“) and Quantum Solutions Co., Ltd. (headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and CEO: Francis B. Zhou; hereinafter referred to as “Quantum Solutions“) announced today that they have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with for the joint development of a Real World Asset (RWA) Tokenization platform.
Under project name “Frontier Finance,” the two companies will build a fully integrated institutional-grade solution for the tokenization, issuance, distribution, custody, and trading of corporate cash flows as RWAs on the Ethereum Network and in full compliance with governing regulations, leveraging the existing expertise of DigiFT as the first on-chain RWA platform licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) and Capital Markets Services (CMS) provider.
Capturing the RWA Revolution
The global market is entering the era of Real World Asset tokenization. According to research published by Standard Chartered in October 2025, the size of the tokenized RWA market has reached USD 34 billion and is projected to grow to USD 300 billion within the next 12 months.
Quantum Solutions has been advancing a long-term strategy centered on the development of AI infrastructure, mobile gaming, and IP monetization. These sectors offer cash flow generating opportunities at attractive profit margins, but remain largely inaccessible to most investors due to high barriers to entry. Quantum Solutions’ positioning within these competitive industries enables the Company to democratize access and create a more efficient market by tokenizing asset-backed cash flows as RWAs.
In this context, Frontier Finance seeks to secure market leadership as the first mover to enable qualified investors worldwide to participate in financing these otherwise inaccessible opportunities through compliant, institutional-grade RWAs. The platform will tokenize corporate cash flows, such as AI compute leasing fees, virtual in-game item transaction fees, and film financing fees, and enable qualified investors around the world to participate through regulated DeFi channels.
Scope of Collaboration
- Quantum Solutions
- Provides cash flow generating opportunities in AI infrastructure (AIDC), mobile gaming, and IP monetization that can be tokenized as RWAs
- Oversee market strategy and investor engagement.
- DigiFT
- Leverages deep understanding of regulations and compliance as the first on-chain trading platform licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) as a Recognized Market Operator (RMO) and Capital Markets Services (CMS) provider; and its Hong Kong entity licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) for Type 1 and Type 4 regulated activities.
- Provides technical infrastructure for tokenization and trading of RWAs.
- Supports the integration of RWA products with existing distribution networks as the partner of global institutions including UBS Asset Management, Invesco, Wellington Management, DBS Bank, and CMBI Asset Management.
Through this partnership, Frontier Finance is expected to tokenize and host approximately USD 500 million worth of RWAs by the end of 2026, positioning it as a global leader and the most significant tokenization platform in the APAC region.
Frontier Finance is not merely a platform project but a major milestone in Quantum Solution’s evolution toward becoming a next-generation enterprise, leveraging digital assets to democratize finance and generate greater returns in existing business lines.
Comments from the CEOs
Francis Bing Rong Zhou, Representative Director and CEO of Quantum Solutions, stated:
“As a key stakeholder in the core infrastructure that enables the compliant tokenization of RWAs, Quantum Solutions will be positioned to capture significant value as RWAs proliferate into all aspects of institutional finance, and also actively contribute to driving ETH adoption. We will democratize access to high growth, high barrier of entry opportunities by utilizing our infrastructure to tokenize robust corporate cashflows across our core business competencies in AIDC, mobile gaming, and IP monetization, all on the decentralized technology developed by the Ethereum Network and in full compliance with all governing regulations.”
Henry Zhang, Founder & Group CEO of DigiFT, commented:
“We are honored to partner with Quantum Solutions. Together, we aim to pioneer compliant on-chain frameworks that bring real-world assets to DeFi, delivering new levels of transparency, liquidity, and trust for institutional investors.”
About DigiFT Tech (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
DigiFT is a Singapore-based, institutional-grade RWA tokenization and on-chain trading platform, and the world’s first on-chain marketplace licensed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). DigiFT provides comprehensive issuance, custody, and trading services for tokenized RWAs, providing tokenization and distribution service for major global institutions such as UBS Asset Management, Invesco, Wellington Management, and CMBI Asset Management.
About Quantum Solutions Co., Ltd.
Quantum Solutions Co., Ltd. is a Japan-listed technology company specializing in the fusion of AI technology, next-generation data center infrastructure (AIDC), Web3 applications, and content technologies. The company’s mission is to serve as an innovative bridge connecting capital and technology across Asia, anchored in the principle of “Physical Asset Preparation + Technological Integration.”
CONTACT: media@digift.io
DFA Design for Asia Awards 2025 Unveiled Gathering Design Intelligence for Asia with Revolutionary Global Vision
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 31 October 2025 – Hong Kong Design Centre (HKDC) is proud to announce the winners of the DFA Design for Asia Awards 2025. Organised by the HKDC and with Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor, this prestigious international award honours and celebrates outstanding projects that embody exceptional design with distinctive Asian perspective, while recognising the significant contributions and achievements of exemplary designs.
Since its establishment in 2003, the DFA Design for Asia Awards has recognised over 3,000 remarkable design works from more than 40 economies, serving as a vital platform for design talents to showcase their outstanding contributions to the world, while emphasising the impact of design in Asian societies and businesses. The Awards highlights leading and influential design achievements for Asia, especially projects dedicated to the region. Encompassing six design disciplines including Communication Design, Digital & Motion Design, Fashion & Accessory Design, Product & Industrial Design, Service & Experience Design, and Spatial Design, the Awards fully represents the broad vision and rich cultural depth of various designs, whilst closely aligning with the global design landscape to reveal innovative ideas and forward-looking design styles.
Entries from over 20 economies including Hong Kong, Chinese Mainland, Japan, Korea, U.S., Singapore, Germany were assessed by a professional judging panel comprising nearly 30 design leaders from around the world to ensure a fair, transparent, and authoritative awarding process. In 2025, a total of 254 awards are conferred, recognising excellence across diverse design fields with imaginative and creative works. The accolades include 10 Grand Awards, 20 Gold Awards, 46 Silver Awards, 72 Bronze Awards, and 106 Merit Awards.
“The winners of the DFA Design for Asia Awards 2025 fully reflect Asia’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and unique charm, showcasing the impressive potential of innovation and creativity. The award-winning designs not only highlight the designers’ exceptional talents but also provide valuable insights and guidance to the global design community. As the pioneer nurturing Asian design and promoting its development, we hope the Awards can further encourage winners to pursue breakthroughs and create value, while inspiring more designers to jointly lead and shape the future of Asian design,” said Mr. Joseph Lo, Chairman of the Hong Kong Design Centre.
Hashtag: #HongKongDesignCentre #HKDC #DFA #DFAAwards #DFAA #DFADesignforAsiaAwards #DFAA2025
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About DFA Awards (www.dfaawards.com)
Since 2003, the Hong Kong Design Centre has launched the DFA Awards to underpin the role of designers in society, to celebrate design leadership and exemplary designs and projects with commercial success or impact in Asia, as well as to recognise the rising force of emerging designers in Hong Kong. The DFA Awards, through its seven major award programmes, has grown in its international influence in Asia. The seven award programmes include DFA Lifetime Achievement Award, DFA Design Leadership Award, DFA World’s Outstanding Chinese Designer, DFA Designer of the Year, DFA Asian Design Vanguard, DFA Design for Asia Awards and DFA Hong Kong Young Design Talent Award.
About DFA Design for Asia Awards (www.dfaa.dfaawards.com)
Since 2003, the “DFA Design for Asia Awards” honours design excellence and acknowledges user centric design projects which embrace the unique Asian perspectives to enhance and improve the quality of life for people in the region. Organised by Hong Kong Design Centre, with Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as the Lead Sponsor, as one of the seven DFA Awards programmes, the “DFA Design for Asia Awards” has been a platform for design talent and corporates to showcase their design projects internationally.
About Hong Kong Design Centre (www.hkdesigncentre.org)
Hong Kong Design Centre is a strategic partner of the HKSAR Government, harnessing the city’s distinctive East-meets-West position to create value through design.
To achieve our goals we:
- Cultivate a culture of design
- Bridge stakeholders to opportunities that unleash the power of design
- Promote excellence in various design disciplines
About Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (www.ccidahk.gov.hk)
The Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) established in June 2024, formerly known as Create Hong Kong (CreateHK), is a dedicated office set up by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau to provide one-stop services and support to the cultural and creative industries with a mission to foster a conducive environment in Hong Kong to facilitate the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries. Its strategic foci are nurturing talent and facilitating start-ups, exploring markets, promoting cross-sectoral and cross-genre collaboration, promoting the development of arts, culture and creative sectors as industries under the industry-oriented principle, and promoting Hong Kong as Asia’s creative capital and fostering a creative atmosphere in the community to implement Hong Kong’s positioning as the East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange under the National 14th Five-Year Plan.
Disclaimer: The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region provides funding support to some of HKDC’s activities/projects only, and does not otherwise take part in such funded activities/projects. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication and relevant materials/events (or by members of the project teams) are those of HKDC only and do not reflect the views of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the CreateSmart Initiative Secretariat or the CreateSmart Initiative Vetting Committee.
JA Solar and 5B Sign Strategic Module Supply Agreement for 100MW+ Project in Western Australia
BEIJING, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JA Solar, a trusted global partner in green energy, and Australian solar innovator 5B have signed a landmark module supply agreement during the All Energy Australia 2025 exhibition. The agreement covers more than 100 MW of JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules for a large-scale solar project in Western Australia, marking the largest collaboration to date between the two companies.
JA Solar and 5B Sign Strategic Module Supply Agreement for 100MW+ Project in Western Australia
Built on years of close technical cooperation, this agreement combines the complementary strengths of JA Solar and 5B to deliver greater value for PV developers. JA Solar’s high-efficiency modules, renowned for their reliability, have been rigorously tested and optimized for seamless integration with 5B’s Maverick system. The Maverick is a prefabricated, re-deployable solar array designed so that solar farms can be built faster, safer, and at lower cost.
Certified to withstand wind speeds of up to 93 meters per second, the Maverick system provides exceptional durability in extreme weather, a timely advantage as Australia enters its peak storm season. When paired with JA Solar’s DeepBlue 4.0 Pro modules, the combined solution enables fast-track installation, reduced balance-of-system costs, and consistent energy output. This synergy results in shorter project timelines, lower operational risks, and stronger returns for customers operating in challenging environments.
The signing ceremony brought together senior leaders from both companies, including Daniel Li (VP, East Asia & South Pacific, JA Solar) and David Griffin (CEO of 5B), alongside key regional and technical heads. Their presence highlighted the strategic depth of the partnership and the alignment across commercial, engineering, and market development teams.
“This agreement is more than a supply contract, it is a blueprint for how global technology and local ingenuity can come together to deliver real-world impact,” said Daniel Li. “By combining JA Solar’s proven module performance with 5B’s advanced deployment technology, we are empowering customers with solutions that are bankable, scalable, and built for Australia’s unique conditions.”
The partnership between JA Solar and 5B reflects a shared vision of accelerating the transition to renewable energy through technical excellence, operational synergy, and deep local collaboration, delivering greater value for the customers who are building the future.
Get Ready to Unbox the Vibrant World of Hong Kong Art Toys in Kuala Lumpur! “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2025@Kuala Lumpur” Bringing the Creativity and Artistry of Hong Kong to Malaysia
#HKArtToyStory #HKArtToy #InnovativeEntrepreneurAssociation #CCIDAHK #CSTB
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Brace yourselves, art toy enthusiasts! Innovative Entrepreneur Association (IEA) is thrilled to present the “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2025@Kuala Lumpur”, under the sponsorship of the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, from November 7-16, 2025, at The Exchange TRX, G/F Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak Exchange, 55188 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Being one of the largest Hong Kong’s original art toy exhibitions in Malaysia, “Hong Kong Art Toy Story” will unveil the unparalleled creativity and craftsmanship of 12 of Hong Kong’s most innovative original art toy designers. The “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2025@Kuala Lumpur” divides the public area of TRX The Exchange in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia into five zones, namely “Amazing Art Toy Zone”, “Brilliant Art Toy Zone”, “Classic Art Toy Zone”, “Discovery Zone”, with astonishingly fun and fascinating installations including larger than life-size toy boxes, giant size toy capsule machine and photo-perfect human size figurines, and the last zone, the time-limited collaborative zone “Art Toy X HK Intangible Cultural Heritages”. The exhibition stands as proof of the talent and innovation of Hong Kong’s original art toy designers, who are eager to share their genuine creativity with art toy fans in Kuala Lumpur.
Renowned Hong Kong original art toy designers will also attend in person during the exhibition period to lead various interactive activities, such as talks and workshops, etc. to bring more memorable moments to the participants and toy lovers from Asia.
Mark your calendars and get ready to celebrate the new chapter of Hong Kong’s original art toy history at the “Hong Kong Art Toy Story 2025@Kuala Lumpur”. Entry is free of charge—don’t let this opportunity slip by to lose yourself in the colorful, creative realm of Hong Kong’s original art toy collections.
For more information, please visit the project website at www.hkarttoystory.com or follow us on Instagram and Facebook @hkarttoystory.
The First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month Kicks Off in Shanghai, Accelerating Its Rise as a Global Jewelry and Fashion Hub
HONG KONG, Oct. 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On October 30, 2025, the First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month and the 2025 Shanghai Haute Couture Week officially kicked off in the Grand Yuyuan Cultural Area. As the first major event following the establishment of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District, this inaugural theme month not only brings a series of exciting activities but also marks a new chapter in the development of the functional district.
Unveiling Official Logo, Introducing 6 Expert Members, Signing 2 Collaboration Agreements and Inviting 15 Major Brands
At the opening ceremony, the official logo of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District was unveiled. Six inaugural members of the “Expert Panel”, Yang Mingxing, Sun Jie, Dietmar, Cui Lei, Qiu Qijing and Xu Jin, representing academia, art, fashion, and media received certificates of appointment. The participation of these experts, along with the introduction of the official logo, signals a new phase of development for the functional district with a global perspective.
During the Brand Key Acceptance Ceremony, representatives from 15 key brands—spanning fine gold, precious gems, international labels, and emerging designer brands—took the stage to receive the Golden Key of the functional district, symbolizing friendship and cooperation. Cooperation agreements were signed between Zijin Mining Group Gold & Jewelry Co., Ltd., the Gem & Jewelry Trade Association of China, and the functional district’s operator, marking a new chapter of joint development. These recognized brands and partnerships will enhance integration across the jewelry industry’s upstream and downstream sectors, establishing a platform that combines exhibition, communication, and collaboration, injecting new momentum into the district’s growth.
Xu Xiaoliang, President of the Shanghai International Fashion Federation and Co-CEO of Fosun International, remarked that the First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month is a crucial step toward fully realizing the “clustering effect” of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District. Using the event as a medium, it integrates gold and jewelry, haute couture, and consumer experiences. The Grand Yuyuan area is gathering the world’s leading design talents, commercial resources, and consumer attention—transforming the historic “Jewelry Street” and “Trading Hub” into a future-oriented fashion landmark and vibrant consumption destination.
The 2025 Shanghai Haute Couture Week, launched simultaneously, vividly showcased cross-domain fusion between jewelry, haute couture fashion, and art design. The opening show, “Ceremony of Life: Trilogy of Rituals,” co-created by C-Jewelry, the leading oriental jewelry brand, and Pan Hong (PAN’S), one of Shanghai’s first haute couture designers, combined intangible cultural heritage techniques with modern craftsmanship. The performance fused jewelry artistry with couture aesthetics, highlighting oriental beauty and China’s cultural confidence.
“Grand Yuyuan” — The Core of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District
On May 16, 2025, the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District was officially inaugurated to support Shanghai’s ambition of becoming an international consumption hub and a global jewelry industry powerhouse. As a flagship of Fosun’s fashion industry and a key player based in Huangpu District, Yuyuan Inc. plays a pivotal role in developing the Grand Yuyuan Cultural Area into the core of the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District.
The Grand Yuyuan Area, known as the birthplace of China’s modern jewelry industry, receives over 40 million visitors annually, driving huge demand and reflecting massive market potential for gold, jewelry, and diamonds. In terms of spatial layout, Yuyuan Tourist Mart and BFC (Bund Finance Center) form a “dual-core engine”, effectively promoting cross-sector integration between gold and jewelry consumption and diverse market elements. The former integrates jewelry fashion, cultural commerce, dining, entertainment, and smart retail, while the latter features fine jewelry and international luxury brands, creating a dynamic ecosystem of domestic and global labels. The area also houses leading testing and certification bodies, vocational training institutions, and industry associations, forming a comprehensive professional service system that supports industrial upgrading.
According to Wang Lixin, CEO of the World Gold Council China, the gold market is currently experiencing strong dual momentum in investment and consumption, making the development of the functional district and the Grand Yuyuan Area timely. He noted that “Grand Yuyuan” is not only a cultural symbol of Shanghai but also carries the historical legacy of the gold and jewelry industry. Here, gold trading and consumption are naturally intertwined with culture, tourism, and art. Leveraging Yuyuan’s vast visitor flow, diverse business forms, and the Shanghai Gold Exchange’s market mechanisms, a complete cycle from cultural experience to consumer realization is being established.
It is worth noting that the jewelry industry is a core strength of Yuyuan Inc., which owns time-honored brands such as Lao Miao and First Asia, as well as internationally recognized names like DJULA. With ongoing policy support for the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District, Yuyuan Inc. is poised to gain further momentum in brand upgrading, resource integration, and international collaboration—creating favorable conditions for product innovation, channel expansion, and global outreach. Meanwhile, the functional district will rely on Yuyuan Inc.’s deep expertise to accelerate the formation of a high-end ecosystem integrating design R&D, brand incubation, innovation, and professional services, strengthening Shanghai’s competitiveness and influence in the global jewelry fashion landscape.
A Theme Month of Activities to Spark New Jewelry Fashion Vitality
During the First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month, waves of new store openings, fashion shows, and exclusive shopping experiences will continue. Lao Miao and CIGALONG’s new BFC stores will open successively, blending traditional Chinese gold aesthetics with the creativity of independent designers—further promoting synergy within the Grand Yuyuan consumer ecosystem. In addition, BFC will collaborate with luxury brands to host a series of brand salons, igniting Shanghai’s fall-winter haute jewelry trends.
With the launch of the First International Jewelry Fashion Theme Month, the Shanghai International Jewelry & Style District will carry out six key initiatives such as exhibition and festival promotion, investment and business attraction, infrastructure development, functional capacity enhancement, brand design incubation, and innovation empowerment. Together, these actions aim to build the district into a gathering hub for gold and jewelry trade and exhibition, a design, customization and brand consumption center, an innovation integration hub, and a professional service base—establishing Shanghai as a new global benchmark for the international jewelry fashion industry, leading China, influencing the Asia-Pacific, and connecting the world.
