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DXC Advances AI Innovation in Automotive and Manufacturing through Startup Collaboration

Startups Acumino, CAMB.AI, and GreenMatterAI, bring AI innovation to market

Collaborations stem from DXC’s partnership with STARTUP AUTOBAHN

ASHBURN, Va., Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC), a leading Fortune 500 global technology services provider, today announced cutting-edge collaborations with Acumino, CAMB.AI, and GreenMatterAI, to develop AI solutions for the automotive and manufacturing industries. The initiatives are part of DXC’s long-standing partnership with STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, a global innovation platform that facilitates collaboration between promising early-stage innovators and large enterprises in the field of mobility.

“We strive to transform breakthrough innovation to deliver real-world impact at global scale,” said Karim Jeribi, Vice President Global Industries at DXC Technology. “Through our collaboration with STARTUP AUTOBAHN and the incredible startups in their ecosystem, we’re not just experimenting with AI, we’re pushing industries forward by solving some of our customers’ most pressing challenges.”

Through its collaboration with STARTUP AUTOBAHN, DXC has so far selected over 100 emerging technology companies and launched over 25 pilots and customer projects, transforming innovation into real-world impact.

“At STARTUP AUTOBAHN powered by Plug and Play, our mission is to connect the best startups in the world with industry leaders to drive real-world impact,” Sascha Karimpour, Partner at Plug and Play. “As industries accelerate their push to integrate AI into mission-critical systems, DXC is an immensely valuable partner to bridge the gap between early innovation and enterprise deployment – co-developing, testing, and scaling emerging technologies to help companies reduce cost, speed time-to-market, and unlock competitive advantage.”

AI-Powered Robotics for Smart Factories

Seattle-based AI and robotics startup Acumino is partnering with DXC to explore how general robotic intelligence can enable faster, more dynamic deployment of robotic tasks for scalable automation – particularly in complex production environments with high product variety and small batch sizes, where traditional robot solutions are often too rigid or complex to be economically viable.

At Expo 2025 in June, STARTUP AUTOBAHN’s yearly flagship event, Acumino showcased early results from a proof-of-concept study they are performing successfully together with Schaeffler, a globally leading motion technology company, headquartered in Germany. Leveraging its extensive experience in advanced production technology, Schaeffler identified for Acumino’s technical possibilities highly relevant industrial use-cases in the area of packaging automation. Using Acumino’s AI-powered human-in-the-loop training system and DXC’s expertise in large-scale IIoT deployments, outcomes can now be transferred to further industrial partners – enabling robots to quickly learn new tasks with human-like dexterity and accelerating the adoption of intelligent, safe robotics.

This cross-company collaboration earned the 2025 Global Plug and Play Innovation Award, which recognizes impactful partnerships between startups and industry leaders that deliver tangible digital innovations.

Breaking Language Barriers in Global Automotive Mobility

Dubai-based AI localization company CAMB.AI is working with DXC to develop an intelligent AI-powered real-time speech translation solution that aims to improve traffic interpretation in vehicles worldwide.

The solution supports safer and more confident driving experiences for international users, turning complex, multilingual environments into effortlessly navigable journeys through live conversation translation, multilingual street sign recognition, and traffic rule explanations – all embedded within the vehicle’s digital cockpit.

Synthetic Data Driving Manufacturing Efficiency

Berlin-based startup GreenMatterAI is partnering with DXC to advance automatic weld inspection. The solution uses a proprietary data generation engine to create precise synthetic training datasets and pre-trained computer vision models, eliminating manual data labeling and solving bottlenecks with real-world data.

Seamlessly integrated into production environments, the solution enables smarter and faster iterations of Vision AI applications, improving defect detection accuracy and driving overall process optimization. By reducing rework costs by 25%, the solution allows manufacturers to fully realize the advantages of automated quality control and has the potential to deliver millions in annual savings.

Scaling Innovation Through Ecosystem Collaboration

These initiatives reflect DXC’s open innovation strategy, which leverages partnerships with emerging companies to accelerate AI adoption and deliver real-world results.

With over 50 years of experience and trusted by more than 240 Fortune 500 companies, DXC delivers manufacturing and automotive solutions that modernize operations, integrate IT and OT, enable smart factories, and support connected, sustainable mobility.

About DXC Technology

DXC Technology (NYSE: DXC) is a leading global provider of information technology services. We’re a trusted operating partner to many of the world’s most innovative organizations, building solutions that move industries and companies forward. Our engineering, consulting and technology experts help clients simplify, optimize and modernize their systems and processes, manage their most critical workloads, integrate AI-powered intelligence into their operations, and put security and trust at the forefront. Learn more on dxc.com.

Media Contact: Aleksandra Andreasik-Binkowska, External Communications, Europe, DXC Technology, a.andreasikbinkowska@dxc.com

Trusted by Millions: FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 FBS, a leading global broker, announces its latest recognition as the Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025. The BRM awards highlight FBS’s ongoing commitment to creating trading conditions that respect clients’ values while ensuring the highest standards of safety, fairness, and responsibility.

FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025
FBS Wins Best Islamic Forex Broker Asia 2025

FBS offers a range of services aligned with the principles of Islamic finance, including:

  • Swap-free accounts — trade without overnight interest.
  • Negative balance protection — the account balance will never fall below zero.
  • Segregated accounts — client funds are securely held in top-tier banks, separate from company assets.

Beyond trading, FBS has established itself as a socially responsible broker. The company runs regular CSR initiatives across the globe, including projects during Ramadan that provide food aid, support education, and assist vulnerable communities.

“This award is not only recognition of our strong trading conditions but also of our mission,” an FBS spokesperson commented. “We believe in responsible trading, protecting our clients, and giving back to society. Together with our traders, we’re building a future where financial growth and positive change go hand in hand.”

FBS thanks its global community of traders and partners for their trust and loyalty. With every milestone, the company strengthens its vision of providing secure, ethical, and client-first trading opportunities across the world.

To learn more about FBS and its services, visit FBS.com.

Disclaimer: This material does not constitute a call to trade, trading advice, or recommendation and is intended for informational purposes only.
Hashtag: #FBS #trading #forex #Asia #Broker



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

About FBS

is a global brand that unites several independent brokerage companies under the licenses of FSC (Belize), CySEC (Cyprus), and ASIC (Australia). With 16 years of experience and over 100 international awards, FBS is steadily developing as one of the market’s most trusted brokers. Today, FBS serves over 27 000 000 traders and more than 700 000 partners around the globe.

Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship Supercharges NSS in Global Chip Race


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions are moving in step with its role as ASEAN chair, with investment momentum signalling a larger regional shift in the global chip supply chain. In the first half of 2025, the country secured RM190.3 billion (USD45.2 billion) in approved investments, an 18.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Singapore was the largest foreign investor with RM43.4 billion (USD10.3 billion), reflecting strong cross-border confidence in Malaysia’s trajectory.

Over 89,000 new jobs to be created through projects spanning manufacturing, services and the primary sector. The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry stood out with RM13.1 billion in new commitments, highlighting Malaysia’s push to evolve beyond its traditional role in assembly and testing. The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), launched in 2024, has already attracted RM54.2 billion in its first year, marking a strong start towards the government’s RM500 billion target by 2030.

“What investors are responding to is Malaysia’s ability to deliver. In semiconductors, that means proven ecosystems in Penang and Johor, strong links with Singapore, and a pipeline of trained engineers ready to take on higher-value roles. The NSS gives us a clear direction, but credibility comes from how quickly projects move from approval to operation. On that front, Malaysia is building real trust,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

Moving Upstream

In March 2025, Malaysia signed an agreement with Arm Holdings Plc to gain access to the UK-based firm’s design library – aiming to produce its own chips within the next decade.

Malaysia currently controls seven per cent of the global semiconductor market, with six out of the 12 largest semiconductor companies globally operating in the country.

This share is expected to increase as semiconductor players worldwide turn to Southeast Asia for a stable microchip supply chain, as the US-China trade war escalates.

A Turning Point for Local SMEs

At home, small-medium enterprises (SMEs) such as CG Global Profastex hail the NSS as “a turning point” in moving beyond traditional manufacturing into higher-value activities like advanced test development, product design enablement, and process automation.

Operating out of Penang for almost a decade now, CG Global serves both front-end and back-end semiconductor-related customers – particularly in equipment, test, and automation subsystems – in Malaysia and selected ASEAN markets.

“Traditionally, EMS SMEs operated in transactional roles—limited to basic assembly or support functions. Today, under the NSS framework, we have been actively encouraged to move up the value chain.

“It pushes us to upgrade our infrastructure, adopt advanced technologies, and build the capabilities needed to support complex, precision-driven industries,” said CG Global managing director Siti Padillah Binti Abdul Wahab.

Siti Padillah said the company plans to apply for NSS-aligned funding to scale up production capacities and adopt digital tools in order to strengthen Malaysia’s position within ASEAN semiconductor landscape.

“With the NSS as our guide, we are investing in the future—so Malaysia can lead not only in volume, but in value,” she added.

If anything, CG Global reflects the confidence boost that hundreds of homegrown enterprises have received from the NSS to pursue larger ambitions and greater appetite for growth.

Going Global as a Region

In 2024, the ASEAN semiconductor market was valued at US$95.91 billion, making up 15 per cent of the global semiconductor market that reached a record high of US$627.6 billion.

The region’s market share is set to soar in the coming months, thanks to the newly-launched Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which combines Singapore’s upstream excellence and Malaysia’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) strength.

Johor emerged as Malaysia’s top state for approved investments in the first half of 2025, recording RM56 billion (USD13.3 billion). Among the early movers was Japan’s Ferrotec Group, a leading supplier of materials, components and equipment for the global chip industry. The company commenced operations at its new facility in Johor in April 2025, supporting both regional and international customers.

“The JS-SEZ offers efficient cross-border logistics and connectivity with Singapore, which is critical for our operations,” said Soo Kim Fatt, director of Ferrotec Power Semiconductor Malaysia. “Its proximity to Singapore provides excellent transport accessibility, making it easier for international customers, partners, and overseas colleagues to visit Johor Bahru for meetings, technical support, and collaboration.”

“The JS-SEZ is more than just proximity. It gives investors access to Singapore’s design and R&D right next to Malaysia’s manufacturing and assembly,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim. “Together with the NSS, it strengthens ASEAN’s position as a credible alternative in the global semiconductor supply chain.”

Johor’s role is also expected to strengthen further by significant technological advancements from a partnership between YTL Power International and Nvidia, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Located at the YTL Green Data Centre in Kulai, this landmark project adds a critical digital infrastructure layer to the state’s technology ecosystem, positioning Malaysia as a leading AI hub in the region.

Tapping the Talent Pool

Beyond infrastructure and investments, Malaysia is also actively positioning itself as a regional talent magnet and a training hub for semiconductor expertise.

As of mid-2025, Malaysia has trained over 13,000 high-skilled semiconductor talents – more than one-fifth of the 60,000 target outlined in the NSS.

The government sees this as part of a regional effort. During the one-year anniversary of the NSS, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s training and upskilling initiatives are part of a “broader, regional, ASEAN-wide push”, pointing to deep STEM pipelines in Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, initiatives such as the ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chains (AFISS) are promoting cross-border training and collaboration.

MIDA is working with investors to align training and academic programmes with industry needs. “Talent is the decisive factor for the next phase of growth. Our priority is to make Malaysia both talent-rich and talent-ready, while attracting the best from around the region,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim.

The Test Ahead

The NSS has given Malaysia a running start, drawing global names, lifting SMEs and tying national ambition to ASEAN’s broader potential. Its early success lies not only in billions invested but in the alignment, it has fostered between government, industry and regional partners.

Hashtag: #MIDA

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

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 “Re_Crafting Tomorrow” 60 Days of Grandeur Begin on September 4

CHEONGJU, South Korea, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will embark on a 60-day journey beginning with the opening ceremony September 4.

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster
Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster

Featuring works by 1,300 artists from 72 countries and totaling more than 2,500 pieces. This Biennale proclaims itself unprecedented in scale. True to its theme, “Re_Crafting Tomorrow” the Biennale builds on craft, which is rooted in the fundamental acts of cooking, clothing, and shelter that have shaped human life, as its cornerstone. It integrates art, design, and architecture; connects human beings, nature, and objects; and raises questions about the earth’s future in collaboration with communities, stacking these concerns into a structural and lucid narrative of craft’s new identity and potential.

  • Main Exhibition – Re_Crafting Tomorrow

In this digital age of image saturation and speed, in a time of impoverished abundance where expensive luxury goods coexist with disposables, in an era where development and growth themselves trigger disaster, and where consumption only multiplies waste and intensifies human guilt—what can craft do? The main exhibition of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 embodies precisely this question. Artistic Director Kang Jae-young stated, “This exhibition shows how universal craft, which began as indispensable items for human survival, evolves through aestheticism to become craft for all beings and ultimately craft with communities. This Biennale is a site where craft generates a new civilization through the act of ‘making together and sharing together.'” 

  • Invited Country Exhibition Thailand

Another reason not to miss this Biennale is the Invited Country Exhibition. For the first time in Biennale history, a single Asian country has been invited as a solo guest nation: Thailand. The exhibition is curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong, Artistic Director and recipient of the 2025 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence from Bard College, an honor awarded to the most pioneering and innovative curators in the global art world. Entitled “Living in an Elastic Time”, the exhibition highlights Thailand’s crafts, which have preserved their unique culture and spirit despite the pressures of speed and commercialization. It is composed of 3 sections of ‘Creating without Time limits’, ‘Techno-Craft’, and ‘Time is the True Home of the Mind’. And the ‘Thai Culture Week’ held September 9–14, are additional highlights not to be missed.

The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will run for 60 days, from September 4, to November 2, at the Culture Factory and across Cheongju.

www.okcj.org

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 60 Days of Grandeur Begin on September 4

Works by 1,300 artists from 72 countries, comprising over 2,500 pieces complete the “Re_Crafting Tomorrow”

CHEONGJU, South Korea, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will embark on a 60-day journey beginning with the opening ceremony at 10:00 a.m. on September 4.

Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster
Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 Re_Crafting Tomorrow Poster

Featuring works by 1,300 artists from 72 countries and totaling more than 2,500 pieces. This Biennale proclaims itself unprecedented in scale. True to its theme, <Re_Crafting Tomorrow> the Biennale builds on craft, which is rooted in the fundamental acts of cooking, clothing, and shelter that have shaped human life, as its cornerstone. It integrates art, design, and architecture; connects human beings, nature, and objects; and raises questions about the earth’s future in collaboration with communities, stacking these concerns into a structural and lucid narrative of craft’s new identity and potential.

At the pre-press tour held on Wednesday, September 3, domestic and international media remarked that “from the main exhibition to every exhibition space, from the arrangement of works to the movement paths, everything was meticulously designed and executed with utmost sincerity, like a magnificent architectural structure that is both sensorial and overwhelming,” adding that “the 2025 Cheongju Craft Biennale will serve as proof of why Cheongju is recognized as a World Craft City.” 

Main Exhibition

How does universal civilization evolve through aestheticism to become craft that coexists with communities?

In this digital age of image saturation and speed, in a time of impoverished abundance where expensive luxury goods coexist with disposables, in an era where development and growth themselves trigger disaster, and where consumption only multiplies waste and intensifies human guilt—what can craft do? The main exhibition of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 embodies precisely this question. Artistic Director Kang Jae-young stated, “This exhibition shows how universal craft, which began as indispensable items for human survival, evolves through aestheticism to become craft for all beings and ultimately craft with communities. This Biennale is a site where craft generates a new civilization through the act of ‘making together and sharing together.'” The main exhibition, composed of 4 subthemes, features 148 artists from 55 teams across 16 countries.

#1. Crafts as Metaculture
#2. Crafts for Aestheticians
#3. Crafts for All Beings
#4. Craft with Communities

Special and Extraordinary Special Exhibitions

No less a highlight than the main exhibition of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 are its special exhibitions.

Among them, “Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven” is the inaugural exhibition of the Hyundai Translocal Series, a new initiative by Hyundai Motor Company that aims to support cross-regional artistic collaborations and exchanges between art institutions in Korea and across the globe. The exhibition is co-organized by the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester, in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy. It examines historic and current exchanges in textile art between the three cities under the theme of ‘craft and community.’

Eight artists and collectives from Korea and India present new works, alongside a selection of historic Indian textiles from the Whitworth’s collection. While being rooted in distinct cultural and aesthetic traditions, their works reflect and resonate across boundaries. Each work conveys a unique voice, catalyzing a dialogue that foregrounds textiles not only as aesthetic and utilitarian objects but also as carriers of knowledge, memory, power and resistance.

Artist Yeonsoon CHANG (Korea) draws on the concept of WorinCheongang to weave insight into the meditative quality and performative nature of textile labor. Youngin HONG (Korea), working with a women’s craft community in India’s Kutch region, transforms traditional appliqué and embroidery techniques into sensorial contemporary works. Somi KO (Korea) uses khadi cotton, which is a material symbolizing both the industrialization of India’s weaving industry during the British colonial period and its struggle for independence, as well as her own “somisa” method to craft textile sculptures and garments that trace the arc of human life. Jounghye YOO (Korea) creates veil works that respond to the movement and breath of viewers, forming a space where rich cultural heritages and symbolic systems of India and Korea resonate with one another. The works of these four Korean artists possess a power that is deeply moving.

Also featured are Boito (India), who presents new woven panels inspired by structural parallels between Korean Buddhist art and Indian traditions; Kaimurai (India), who transforms the impression of the Korean bell (jong) encountered during the research trip into philosophical textile paintings; and PÉRO (India), an alternative collective of practitioners resisting the homogenized global fashion industry through slowness and collaborative practice; Sumakshi SINGH (India), who explores the symbolism of a “bridge” connecting two places through a large-scale textile installation. The Whitworth’s selection of Indian textiles from its collection, that reveal the technical brilliance and layered histories of South Asian fabric traditions, forms a dialogue with the new works in “Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven”—one of the Biennale’s must-see highlights.

Adding another layer of distinction is the “Seongpa Seonye Exhibition”. Since becoming a monk in 1960, Venerable Seongpa, who is a Supreme Patriarch of the Jogye Order, has pursued both spiritual practice and art-making, producing original works across calligraphy, Korean painting, ceramics, sculpture, and dyeing. The title of this exhibition, ‘Myeongmyeong Baekbaek’, reflects the essence of his life’s artistic journey. True to its title, the exhibition debuts for the first time a single monumental hanji work stretching 100 meters in length. Surpassing the limits of traditional papermaking techniques, this vast piece, dazzling and pure like dawn’s first snowfall, invites viewers to walk and gaze in silence, shedding worldly concerns and opening a path into contemplation.

Invited Country Exhibition Thailand  Living in an Elastic Time

Another reason not to miss this Biennale is the Invited Country Exhibition. For the first time in Biennale history, a single Asian country has been invited as a solo guest nation: Thailand. The exhibition is curated by Gridthiya Gaweewong, Artistic Director and recipient of the 2025 Audrey Irmas Award for Curatorial Excellence from Bard College, an honor awarded to the most pioneering and innovative curators in the global art world. Entitled “Living in an Elastic Time”, the exhibition highlights Thailand’s crafts, which have preserved their unique culture and spirit despite the pressures of speed and commercialization. It is composed of 3 sections of ‘Creating without Time limits’, ‘Techno-Craft’, and ‘Time is the True Home of the Mind’. And the ‘Thai Culture Week’ held September 9–14, are additional highlights not to be missed.

Mayor Lee Beom-seok stated, “On September 4, Cheongju, the World Craft City, will become the historic site where the values of craft and the world are connected to build a new world through craft. We invite you to the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025, which is a 60-day celebration of craft that considers the environment, serves communities, and heals the wounds of social conflict and civilization. With unprecedented scale and world-class works, it will demonstrate the greater power of culture.” 

The Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 will run for 60 days, from September 4, to November 2, at the Culture Factory and across Cheongju. Exhibition hours are 10:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m., closed on Mondays.

Meanwhile, Cheongju is home to Jikji, the world’s oldest metal movable type. Since 1999, it has hosted the world’s first specialized biennial for crafts and is the only ‘World Crafts City’ in South Korea designated by the World Crafts Council (WCC).

Contact : Cheongju Craft Biennale Organizing Committee (www.okcj.org)

Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship Supercharges NSS in Global Chip Race


KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 Malaysia’s semiconductor ambitions are moving in step with its role as ASEAN chair, with investment momentum signalling a larger regional shift in the global chip supply chain. In the first half of 2025, the country secured RM190.3 billion (USD45.2 billion) in approved investments, an 18.7 per cent increase over the same period last year.

Singapore was the largest foreign investor with RM43.4 billion (USD10.3 billion), reflecting strong cross-border confidence in Malaysia’s trajectory.

Over 89,000 new jobs to be created through projects spanning manufacturing, services and the primary sector. The electrical and electronics (E&E) industry stood out with RM13.1 billion in new commitments, highlighting Malaysia’s push to evolve beyond its traditional role in assembly and testing. The National Semiconductor Strategy (NSS), launched in 2024, has already attracted RM54.2 billion in its first year, marking a strong start towards the government’s RM500 billion target by 2030.

“What investors are responding to is Malaysia’s ability to deliver. In semiconductors, that means proven ecosystems in Penang and Johor, strong links with Singapore, and a pipeline of trained engineers ready to take on higher-value roles. The NSS gives us a clear direction, but credibility comes from how quickly projects move from approval to operation. On that front, Malaysia is building real trust,” said Datuk Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim Sikh Abdul Majid, Chief Executive Officer of the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA).

Moving Upstream

In March 2025, Malaysia signed an agreement with Arm Holdings Plc to gain access to the UK-based firm’s design library – aiming to produce its own chips within the next decade.

Malaysia currently controls seven per cent of the global semiconductor market, with six out of the 12 largest semiconductor companies globally operating in the country.

This share is expected to increase as semiconductor players worldwide turn to Southeast Asia for a stable microchip supply chain, as the US-China trade war escalates.

A Turning Point for Local SMEs

At home, small-medium enterprises (SMEs) such as CG Global Profastex hail the NSS as “a turning point” in moving beyond traditional manufacturing into higher-value activities like advanced test development, product design enablement, and process automation.

Operating out of Penang for almost a decade now, CG Global serves both front-end and back-end semiconductor-related customers – particularly in equipment, test, and automation subsystems – in Malaysia and selected ASEAN markets.

“Traditionally, EMS SMEs operated in transactional roles—limited to basic assembly or support functions. Today, under the NSS framework, we have been actively encouraged to move up the value chain.

“It pushes us to upgrade our infrastructure, adopt advanced technologies, and build the capabilities needed to support complex, precision-driven industries,” said CG Global managing director Siti Padillah Binti Abdul Wahab.

Siti Padillah said the company plans to apply for NSS-aligned funding to scale up production capacities and adopt digital tools in order to strengthen Malaysia’s position within ASEAN semiconductor landscape.

“With the NSS as our guide, we are investing in the future—so Malaysia can lead not only in volume, but in value,” she added.

If anything, CG Global reflects the confidence boost that hundreds of homegrown enterprises have received from the NSS to pursue larger ambitions and greater appetite for growth.

Going Global as a Region

In 2024, the ASEAN semiconductor market was valued at US$95.91 billion, making up 15 per cent of the global semiconductor market that reached a record high of US$627.6 billion.

The region’s market share is set to soar in the coming months, thanks to the newly-launched Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), which combines Singapore’s upstream excellence and Malaysia’s Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test (OSAT) strength.

Johor emerged as Malaysia’s top state for approved investments in the first half of 2025, recording RM56 billion (USD13.3 billion). Among the early movers was Japan’s Ferrotec Group, a leading supplier of materials, components and equipment for the global chip industry. The company commenced operations at its new facility in Johor in April 2025, supporting both regional and international customers.

“The JS-SEZ offers efficient cross-border logistics and connectivity with Singapore, which is critical for our operations,” said Soo Kim Fatt, director of Ferrotec Power Semiconductor Malaysia. “Its proximity to Singapore provides excellent transport accessibility, making it easier for international customers, partners, and overseas colleagues to visit Johor Bahru for meetings, technical support, and collaboration.”

“The JS-SEZ is more than just proximity. It gives investors access to Singapore’s design and R&D right next to Malaysia’s manufacturing and assembly,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim. “Together with the NSS, it strengthens ASEAN’s position as a credible alternative in the global semiconductor supply chain.”

Johor’s role is also expected to strengthen further by significant technological advancements from a partnership between YTL Power International and Nvidia, focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI). Located at the YTL Green Data Centre in Kulai, this landmark project adds a critical digital infrastructure layer to the state’s technology ecosystem, positioning Malaysia as a leading AI hub in the region.

Tapping the Talent Pool

Beyond infrastructure and investments, Malaysia is also actively positioning itself as a regional talent magnet and a training hub for semiconductor expertise.

As of mid-2025, Malaysia has trained over 13,000 high-skilled semiconductor talents – more than one-fifth of the 60,000 target outlined in the NSS.

The government sees this as part of a regional effort. During the one-year anniversary of the NSS, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia’s training and upskilling initiatives are part of a “broader, regional, ASEAN-wide push”, pointing to deep STEM pipelines in Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, initiatives such as the ASEAN Framework for Integrated Semiconductor Supply Chains (AFISS) are promoting cross-border training and collaboration.

MIDA is working with investors to align training and academic programmes with industry needs. “Talent is the decisive factor for the next phase of growth. Our priority is to make Malaysia both talent-rich and talent-ready, while attracting the best from around the region,” said Sikh Shamsul Ibrahim.

The Test Ahead

The NSS has given Malaysia a running start, drawing global names, lifting SMEs and tying national ambition to ASEAN’s broader potential. Its early success lies not only in billions invested but in the alignment, it has fostered between government, industry and regional partners.

Hashtag: #MIDA

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

Franklin Templeton celebrates 35th anniversary in Singapore


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 September 2025 Franklin Templeton, one of the world’s largest global asset managers, is celebrating 35 years of serving clients in Singapore, highlighting its long-standing commitment to delivering world class investment solutions in the country.

[From left to right] Manraj Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments; Tiffany Hong, Chief of Staff to the CEO, Franklin Templeton; and Tariq Ahmad, Head of APAC, Franklin Templeton; pictured together at Franklin Templeton Singapore’s 35th Anniversary Event.
[From left to right] Manraj Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments; Tiffany Hong, Chief of Staff to the CEO, Franklin Templeton; and Tariq Ahmad, Head of APAC, Franklin Templeton; pictured together at Franklin Templeton Singapore’s 35th Anniversary Event.

Since establishing its presence in Singapore in 1990 with a dedicated emerging markets research office, Franklin Templeton — through its Singapore entity, Templeton Asset Management Ltd — has grown to become a trusted partner for retail and institutional investors in the Lion City over the years. Franklin Templeton was among the first few foreign fund managers to offer overseas funds to the investing public in Singapore in 1996 with the establishment of Singapore’s first umbrella and feeder fund into the Franklin Templeton Luxembourg funds, along with Singapore’s first emerging markets fund that year. The following year, Franklin Templeton continued to break new ground with the launch of Singapore’s first global equity fund. Franklin Templeton has also played a key role in advancing financial literacy and investor education in Singapore and the broader region through its education platform – the Franklin Templeton Academy.

Singapore today serves as one of the key regional offices for Asia Pacific, anchoring the firm’s investment leadership across public and private markets, while also housing strategic regional functions including distribution, operations, marketing, human resources, compliance, and legal.

Manraj Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments and Co-CEO of Templeton Asset Management Ltd said: “Franklin Templeton is proud to celebrate 35 years in Singapore – a journey that has mirrored the remarkable evolution of the nation’s financial landscape. We have had the privilege of contributing to the growth of one of Asia’s most sophisticated capital markets, providing local investors with access to global opportunities and delivering deep, differentiated investment expertise across markets. Today, Singapore is not only the headquarters for Templeton Global Investments, one of our Specialist Investment Managers, but also a strategic hub as part of our firm’s broader global footprint.”

Tariq Ahmad, Head of APAC at Franklin Templeton and Co-CEO of Templeton Asset Management Ltd said, “As Franklin Templeton celebrates 35 years in Singapore – alongside the nation’s 60th year of independence – we reflect on a shared journey of growth and transformation. We are honored to have been a trusted partner to our clients through different market cycles and are proud of the relationships we have built here over the past decades. This year, we have been working on a number of pioneering initiatives from launching the country’s first retail tokenized fund, to expanding access to high-quality secondary private equity for investors. Looking ahead, we remain committed to driving innovation and delivering future-ready investment solutions that meet the evolving needs of our clients in Asia Pacific.”

Franklin Templeton’s commitment to Singapore and the Asia Pacific region is reflected in its strong partnerships with leading institutional clients and financial institutions – both global and local – delivering customized investment solutions to meet the evolving needs of the market. Looking ahead, the firm remains focused on deepening its presence in Asia Pacific by continuing to add to its diversified suite of investment capabilities designed to serve a broad spectrum of investor segments across the region.

DISCLAIMER: This press release is for information only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation and was prepared without regard to the specific objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person who may receive it. This document may not be reproduced, distributed or published without prior written permission from Franklin Templeton.

Any research and analysis contained in this document has been procured by Franklin Templeton for its own purposes and may be acted upon in that connection and, as such, is provided to you incidentally. Although information has been obtained from sources that Franklin Templeton believes to be reliable, no guarantee can be given as to its accuracy and such information may be incomplete or condensed and may be subject to change at any time without notice. Any views expressed are the views of the fund manager as of the date of this document and do not constitute investment advice. The underlying assumptions and these views are subject to change based on market and other conditions and may differ from other portfolio managers or of the firm as a whole.

There is no assurance that any prediction, projection or forecast on the economy, stock market, bond market or the economic trends of the markets will be realized. Franklin Templeton accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or indirect consequential loss arising from the use of any information, opinion or estimate herein.

The value of investments and the income from them can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount that you invested. Past performance is not necessarily indicative nor a guarantee of future performance.

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JuanScore Showcases AI-Driven Credit Solutions at 2025 Manila Tech Summit

MANILA, Philippines, Sept. 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — JuanScore, a Philippine credit bureau and fintech innovator, demonstrated its leading AI-driven credit scoring and risk management solutions at the 5th Manila Tech Summit on August 26-27.

The summit, hosted by FinTech Alliance Philippines, attracted more than 3,000 fintech leaders, investors, and government officials from 42 countries. The event featured keynote addresses by H.E. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., President of the Philippines, and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Eli Remolona, with discussions focusing on digital transformation, financial inclusion, cybersecurity, and open finance initiatives across the region.

JuanScore Chief Technology Officer Lei Chen participates in summit panel discussion
JuanScore Chief Technology Officer Lei Chen participates in summit panel discussion

JuanScore CTO Lei Chen participated in the panel discussion “The Rise of AI-Powered Finance in Asia: Use Cases from Lending to Risk Scoring,” where he shared insights on how AI is transforming financial services throughout the region. Chen explored applications spanning real-time lending and precision risk scoring to automated fraud detection, emphasizing AI’s critical role in accelerating financial inclusion, enhancing credit intelligence, and rebuilding trust in the digital economy.

“Limited access to traditional credit records has long been a barrier to financial inclusion in Southeast Asia,” Chen explained. “At JuanScore, we deploy advanced algorithms—including deep learning, graph neural networks, and sequential models—to analyze complex credit data and identify previously hidden risk patterns. This enables financial institutions to make more accurate credit decisions while safely expanding access to financial services for underserved communities. Through cutting-edge AI innovation, we are strengthening and broadening the Philippine financial ecosystem.”

Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits JuanScore's booth and meets with company representatives
Philippine President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. visits JuanScore’s booth and meets with company representatives

As a featured exhibitor, JuanScore presented its intelligent scoring system and comprehensive AI-powered risk management platform. JuanScore is a credit technology company under the global fintech company, FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV). Since its establishment in 2024, the company has operated under regulation by the Credit Information Corporation (CIC) and has rapidly emerged as the innovation benchmark in the Philippine credit sector.

JuanScore’s solutions enable real-time credit decisions, automate fraud detection, and enhance financial inclusion across the Philippines. By integrating data covering 77% of the country’s underserved population and deploying more than 50 proprietary local risk models, JuanScore effectively addresses critical gaps in traditional credit reporting while driving financial inclusion. These innovations empower financial institutions to make smarter, faster, and more secure decisions while expanding access to previously underserved communities.

About JuanScore

JuanScore is a Philippine credit bureau operating under the global fintech group FinVolution (NYSE: FINV). Licensed as a Special Accessing Entity by the Philippines Credit Information Corporation (CIC), JuanScore leverages AI-driven solutions and digital transformation to support clients across the Philippines and Southeast Asia in enhancing risk management, improving decision-making, and advancing financial inclusion throughout the region.

To learn more about JuanScore, please visit its website at  juanscore.com.ph