HONG KONG, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In active response to the policies on supporting the small and medium enterprises (SMEs), the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is partnering with the Trade and Industry Department (TID) to host the annual signature event, “SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025“, on 16 and 17 October 2025 at the HKPC Building. Featuring “FUND Tech Go”, this year’s Expo aims to provide a one-stop resource matching platform for the city’s nearly 360,000 SMEs. The event will feature over 80 exhibition booths from funding organisations, technology service providers, and industry organisations, assisting businesses in capitalising on opportunities in areas such as “go global,” artificial intelligence (AI), digital transformation, cross-border e-commerce, and intellectual property (IP).

The “2025 Policy Address” further strengthens support for SMEs, including an injection of $1.43 billion into the BUD Fund and expand its geographical scope to cover eight more economies, including the Belt and Road countries. The Expo actively supports the initiatives outlined in the Policy Address, from helping SMEs embrace digitalisation and green to boost competitiveness amid economic transition, to empowering them in exploring new markets and pursuing new growth areas. The significant demand for Government funding and technology upgrading services is clearly reflected by the attendance of over 66,000 participants across the previous four Expos.

5 Thematic Zones & 3 New Main Elements, Combining with Immersive Digital Experiences

This year’s expo will feature five thematic zones—Grab Fund, Go Global, Go Green, Go AI & Digital, and eCommerce LIVE & RetailTech. It will also focus on three emerging areas: AI, new retail technology, and IP Branding. In addition, the event will include immersive digital experiences for the first time, such as live demonstration by KOLs, interactive eCommerce displays, and the demonstrations of “AI virtual human”, enabling attendees to interactively learn about the latest tech applications and helping SMEs grasp the latest marketing trends and transformation solutions. To cater to the needs of chambers of commerce and corporate groups, the event will offer exclusive guided tours. These tours, led by dedicated guides through the five thematic zones, will provide support for sustainable digital transformation and market opening-up of the SMEs.

10+ Sharing Sessions to Offer Comprehensive Support for SMEs

The event will feature over 10 sharing sessions, with experts from various fields to share their insights, including leaders from different chambers of commerce, bankers, and industry representatives. Attendees can also consult directly with these experts for immediate advice to have a comprehensive understanding of the market dynamics. Please refer to Annex 1 for details on the sharing sessions.

The sessions will cover key topics of concern to SMEs, including:

• AI and Digital Transformation: analysing actual case studies and exploring practical strategies for upgrading and transformation
• “Go Global” Strategy: Dissecting the policy landscape of emerging markets to support precise business planning
• ESG and Sustainable Development: Responding to EU standards and building green competitiveness
• IP Branding Development: Planning IP management to build brand value
• Government Funding Application: Detailed explanation of the latest Government funding details and application tips
• Advanced Technology Applications: Insights into trends in robotics, smart manufacturing, and green technology

As a staunch supporter of SMEs, HKPC provides six key services to precisely meet industry needs. These services— “Biz Expands Easy”, “SME ReachOut”, Digital DIY, HKPC Academy, Hong Kong Computer Emergency Response Team Coordination Centre (HKCERT), and “ESG One”—comprehensively assist SMEs with digital transformation and overseas market expansion, enabling them to seize new market opportunities.

HKPC cordially invites all SMEs to participate in this Expo, which provides a vital opportunity to discover feasible solutions for enhancing business resilience and competitiveness. Through a wealth of Government funding information, one-on-one expert consultations, and practical case study sharing, attendees can gain strategic insights and confidently embrace the challenges and opportunities in the current economic climate. SMEs are welcome to register and participate in the event with free admission.

[“SME ReachOut” FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025]Date: 16-17 October 2025 (Thursday to Friday)
Time: 10:00 – 18:00
Address: HKPC Building, 78 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon
Admission Fee: Free (Pre-registration required)
Registration Link: http://u.hkpc.org/en-p-FF2025
Enquires: SME ReachOut Hotline: (852) 2788 6868; Email: sme_reachout@hkpc.org

About Hong Kong Productivity Council 

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D), specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart city. The Council offers comprehensive innovative solutions for Hong Kong industries and enterprises to enhance competitiveness. To further support businesses in expanding into global markets, HKPC has established “The Cradle – Go Global Service Centre”, providing essential services to address businesses’ needs in product development, technology, manufacturing, and management, empowering enterprises to successfully go global. The Council partners and collaborates with local industries and enterprises and world-class R&D institutes to promote technology transfer, product innovation, and commercialisation through product innovation, technology transfer, creating value for industries. HKPC’s world-class R&D achievements have been widely recognised over the years, winning an array of local and overseas accolades.

In addition, HKPC offers SMEs and startups immediate and timely assistance in coping with the ever-changing business environment and strengthens talent nurturing and Hong Kong’s competitiveness with FutureSkills training for enterprises and academia to enhance digital capabilities and STEM competencies.

For more details, please visit HKPC website: www.hkpc.org.

Media Inquiry:
Corporate Communications Unit
Corporate Development Division
Hong Kong Productivity Council
Tel: +852 2788 5833
Email: mediacentre@hkpc.org

Chance Communications
Mandy Chan / Tommy Yuen
E: mandy@chancecomm.com / tommy@chancecomm.com
T: +852 2509 3123

Annex 1: Sharing Sessions of SME ReachOut: FUND Fair plus Tech Sourcing 2025

HEIDELBERG, Germany, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mediso completes the installation of an AnyScan^® TRIO-TheraMAX SPECT/CT at the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Heidelberg University Hospital.

AnyScan® TRIO-TheraMAX SPECT/CT has been installed at Heidelberg University Hospital

The system is specifically designed for the clinical needs of theranostic imaging. Its detectors and collimators are developed for Targeted Radionuclide Therapies carried out with radioisotopes emitting alpha and beta particles and have co-emission of high and ultra-high energy gamma photons that are more challenging to image than diagnostic ^99mTc. This requires maximized performance for quantitative imaging and dosimetry with theranostic isotopes (i.e. ¹⁷⁷Lu, ²²⁵Ac, ²¹²Pb, ¹³¹I) that is not available with current SPECT/CT systems.

“The TheraMAX expands the imaging capabilities of our department for radioligand therapy. We treat patients with a wide range of novel radiopharmaceuticals labelled with ¹⁷⁷Lu or ²²⁵Ac, some of them as part of clinical trials for developing improved and more individualized patient care. In addition, the TheraMAX supports our department by increasing the capacity of our department for ^99mTc-PSMA scans for radioligand therapy inclusion” said Professor Dr. Clemens Kratochwil, lead physician at Department of Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg. “First scans of patients treated with ²²⁵Ac suggest that the duration of whole-body quantitative SPECT/CT may be reduced allowing image-based dosimetry.”

The TheraMAX is equipped with three, large surface detectors (up to 5x larger than 12-detector CZT systems) surrounding patients with complete angular coverage in 360°. The 15.9 mm thick NaI crystals ensure improved sensitivity for high energy photons, while the high-density sensor arrangement (123 PMT per detector head) allows high spatial resolution leading to PET-like image quality.

Whole-body SPECT/CT imaging in ²²⁵Ac-PSMA therapy is challenging due to the ultra-low count rate from the injected activity in the patient (4-8 MBq). By offering 300% sensitivity gain compared to dual-detector systems, TheraMAX acquires whole-body scans below 30 minutes with minimum 80 cm long Axial FOV.

Beside its outstanding performance in radioligand therapy, TheraMAX excels in all other nuclear medicine procedures. The extreme sensitivity allows ultra-fast quantitative total-body SPECT/CT imaging with 2 meters scan length in 10 minutes for ¹⁷⁷Lu therapy and ^99mTc bone scans.

“The maximum imaging performance is ensured by the newly developed RoboCart™ allowing effortless switching between applications with low and ultra-high energy isotopes. This motorized cart automates collimator exchange on all three detector heads simultaneously within 5 minutes,” said István Bagaméry, Managing Director of Mediso Ltd.

https://mediso.com

Photo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mediso_theramax.jpg
Logo: https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/mediso_logo.jpg

SINGAPORE, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Sandbox, in collaboration with Animoca Brands, drew close to 2,000 participants to SANDHouse, a penthouse-inspired retreat hosted during TOKEN2049 Singapore. Powered by The Sandbox DAO, the event was attended by Yat Siu, Chairman and Co-founder of Animoca Brands, and Sebastien Borget, Co-founder and Global Ambassador of The Sandbox, alongside a lineup of leading partners including Anichess, SANDchain, W3GG, Eduverse, Talus Network, High As Unicorn, A11yverse, Blyz, Verrefin, Rapidz, and Emerge.

“SANDHouse at TOKEN2049 Singapore represents our commitment to supporting creators and building community in Southeast Asia, made possible through The Sandbox DAO and the collective spirit of our community,” said Belinda Lim, Regional GM-SEA, The Sandbox.

A key highlight of the event was the presentation of the SANDchain, a newly launched Ethereum Layer-2 network dedicated to creators, by Sebastien BORGET, its Ambassador. Positioned as the foundation of a “Creator Nation”, SANDchain leverages ZK-rollup technology to deliver fast, low-cost, and scalable blockchain infrastructure while using $SAND for both gas fees and ecosystem utility. Its creator-centric model—introducing SANDpoints, Creator Points, and Creator Tokens—aims to redefine how creators build, monetize, and grow their communities.

The strong response to SANDHouse underscores the growing excitement and confidence in The Sandbox ecosystem. By combining partnerships, community, and forging meaningful connections, the event reinforced The Sandbox SEA’s mission to co-create the future of Web3 with its community, while spotlighting the role of SANDchain as the next step in empowering creators worldwide.

About The Sandbox

The Sandbox, a subsidiary of Animoca Brands, is an immersive platform in which users play, create, and monetize unique experiences alongside their favorite brands, IPs, and celebrities across gaming, entertainment, music, art, and more. The Sandbox leverages web3 technologies to fully enable end-user creation and creator economies, disrupting existing platforms by providing both players and creators with true ownership of their assets, creations, and rewards as non-fungible tokens (NFTs). Over 400 partners have joined The Sandbox, including Warner Music Group, Gucci, Ubisoft, Paris Hilton, Jurassic World, The Walking Dead, Snoop Dogg, Attack on Titan, Lacoste, Steve Aoki, The Smurfs, and many more. The Sandbox has been named a TIME100 Most Influential Company by TIME Magazine.

For more information, please visit www.sandbox.game and follow regular updates on X, Medium, and Discord.

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bitget, the world’s leading Universal Exchange (UEX), is formally supporting the first-ever global UNICEF Game Jam, a virtual hackathon for young people across eight countries to create original video games over 40 days. The initiative is part of Bitget’s partnership with UNICEF’s Game Changers Coalition and reflects CEO Gracy Chen’s ongoing commitment to using blockchain as a force for education, empowerment, and opportunity.

For Gracy, who has become one of the most visible female leaders in the crypto industry, recently being nominated as one of the Top 50 Women in Web3 & AI, the hackathon is not just a platform for creativity but also a gateway for young people, especially girls in emerging economies, to gain access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) skills. In her view, blockchain and Web3 can become tools to break cycles of poverty by equipping youth with pathways into entrepreneurship, innovation, and financial independence.

“Introducing children to digital skills at an early age is important to accelerate the growth of emerging tech and finance. Too often, access to tech education starts too late and excludes those with the most potential. Emerging technologies such as blockchain offer the tools needed for youth to become entrepreneurs, builders, and innovators on a global scale. We plan to tap into this potential and make the digital space more inclusive and empowering for the next generation of women leaders,” said Gracy Chen, CEO at Bitget.

As a strategic partner of the UNICEF Game Changers Coalition led by UNICEF Office of Innovation, Bitget Academy, the educational arm of Bitget, will help develop UNICEF’s first interactive, online and in-person blockchain training module based on video game creation skills development. Support from Bitget will help reach 300,000 people – including adolescent girls, parents, mentors, and teachers with blockchain skills across eight countries.

This new chapter extends beyond education. Bitget has debuted its Lady Forward campaign, expanding into university partnerships, new internship programs, and the launch of a Female Leaders Program to connect women across the blockchain ecosystem, from developers and investors to entrepreneurs and policymakers.

Gracy’s advocacy is reinforced through her role as a guest professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). There, she teaches a blockchain course designed for finance and mathematics students, blending academic rigor with case studies, real-world applications, and guest insights from top industry leaders. The classroom, blending the case method from Harvard Business School, pitching sessions, and guests’ discussions, becomes a platform for equipping the next generation with the skills to lead in a digital-first economy.

As Blockchain4Her enters its “Lady Forward” era, Bitget is putting inclusion into practice through its collaboration with UNICEF. The collaboration with UNICEF builds on Bitget’s broader commitment to connect blockchain and Web3 technologies with initiatives that drive meaningful change that expands digital access, encourages creative learning, and equips young people in developing regions with the tools to thrive in the future global economy.

Learn more about Bitget for UNICEF here.

About Bitget

Established in 2018, Bitget is the world’s largest Universal Exchange (UEX). Serving over 120 million users in 150+ countries and regions, the Bitget exchange is committed to helping users trade smarter with its pioneering copy trading feature and other trading solutions, while offering real-time access to Bitcoin price, Ethereum price, and other cryptocurrency prices. Bitget Wallet is a leading non-custodial crypto wallet supporting 130+ blockchains and millions of tokens. It offers multi-chain trading, staking, payments, and direct access to 20,000+ DApps, with advanced swaps and market insights built into a single platform.

Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships, such as its role as the Official Crypto Partner of the World’s Top Football League, LALIGA, in EASTERN, SEA and LATAM markets. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. In the world of motorsports, Bitget is the exclusive cryptocurrency exchange partner of MotoGP™, one of the world’s most thrilling championships.

For more information, visit: Website | Twitter | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord | Bitget Wallet

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

Simultaneous Raids Conducted Across Six Locations in Operation “DEV Shutdown”

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Thailand Ministry of Justice’s Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has shut down INWIPTV, one of the country’s most notorious illegal IPTV services, with support from the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE)–the world’s leading antipiracy coalition, and Thailand-based ACE member True Visions.

Operating since 2012, INWIPTV (formerly FWIPTV) charged users a subscription price of 300 Thai baht (approximately US $10) per month for access to a broad range of content, including from the U.S., international, and Thai markets as well as live sports and adult content.

The DSI obtained search warrants and conducted coordinated search operations across six locations in Nonthaburi and Bangkok on September 21. Twelve employees were brought in for questioning as part of the search operations.

Additionally, over 150 pieces of evidence were seized, including large-scale unauthorized signal transmission equipment, 46 servers, electronic storage devices, financial documents and records, and multiple IPTV devices.

“We commend the DSI for their decisive action in Operation DEV Shutdown against a key IPTV target in Thailand,” said Larissa Knapp, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Protection Officer for the MPA. “The case is testament to the power of our strategic partnerships with local law enforcement and our local ACE member True Visions.” 

“We would like to extend our gratitude to the Department of Special Investigation and ACE for their partnership in the fight against content piracy,” said Sompan Charumilinda, Executive Vice Chairman of True Visions. “By shutting down piracy services, we not only protect Thai youth and communities from harm but also support the country’s creative economy. These results are possible thanks to the strong cooperation we have received from both Thai authorities and global organizations like ACE. We remain committed to fighting piracy in all its forms, and the progress achieved here is proof that enforcement works.”

About the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment

The Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) is the world’s leading coalition dedicated to protecting the legal creative market and reducing digital piracy. Driven by a comprehensive approach to addressing piracy through criminal referrals, civil litigation, and cease-and-desist operations, ACE has achieved many successful global enforcement actions against illegal streaming services and unauthorized content sources and their operators. Drawing upon the collective expertise and resources of more than 50 media and entertainment companies around the world—including sports channels and associations—and reinforced by the Motion Picture Association’s content protection operations, ACE protects the creativity and innovation that drives the global growth of core copyright and entertainment industries. The current governing board members for ACE are Amazon, Apple TV+, Netflix, Paramount Pictures, Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, The Walt Disney Studios, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Charles Rivkin is Chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association and Chairman of ACE.