BHUBANESWAR, India, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Government of Odisha, in collaboration with the Singapore-headquartered Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN), has unveiled the BharatNetra Initiative, anchored by the launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub (I-GFTCH) in Bhubaneswar. This marks a historic first for Odisha, a financial technology capability initiative of unprecedented scale and global integration. The I-GFTCH positions Odisha as a rising nerve centre in India’s evolving innovation ecosystem, aligning seamlessly with the nation’s development priorities and its ambition to be a leader in fostering entrepreneurship, industry ready skills, generating employment, inclusive finance, and next-generation innovation.

Building Blocks of Odisha’s FinTech Future 

The BharatNetra Initiative will be executed through a globally integrated four-pillar strategy designed to build world-class fintech capabilities and global connectivity:

From Odisha to the World: Training the Next Generation of Digital Finance Leaders

Global Learning As part of the I-GFTCH initiative, Odisha is partnering with NUS-AIDF and GFTN to launch the Certificate in FinTech & InsurTech (CFI), a five-month hybrid programme combining coursework, in-person sessions in Bhubaneswar, projects, and internships. The programme will train 7,000 students over five years in technology, regulation, and business, building a future-ready workforce for FinTech and InsurTech. Supported by the Skill Development Institute, with a view to national accreditation, it has already drawn more than 2,000 applicants from over 50 colleges for the inaugural 375-seat cohort starting September.

Odisha Joins Global Black Swan Network to Unlock Jobs, Investment, and Innovation

Global Mindshare Bhubaneswar will host the Black Swan Summit (BSS) India in early 2026, joining a global network of frontier technology forums across Asia, Europe and Africa. Convened by GFTN, BSS India will be Odisha’s flagship global business event, connecting talent and startups to international job pipelines, venture capital, and digital economy networks. The Summit will unite business leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators, positioning Odisha as an emerging hub for financial inclusion, digital transformation, innovation, and technology-led growth, as well as a destination for strategic investments in technology-led industries.

Innovation Hub to Scale Odisha’s FinTech and InsurTech Entrepreneurs

Global Innovation Odisha will establish a Centre of Excellence as part of its Integrated Innovation Hub, serving as a launchpad for high-potential FinTech and InsurTech startups. Backed by GFTN’s global network, the Innovation Acceleration: Incubation, Venture & Market Competitiveness programme will provide incubation, mentorship, venture development, and market access to help founders achieve scale and global competitiveness. By equipping entrepreneurs with tools, networks, and capital, the Hub will foster a thriving ecosystem positioning Odisha as a rising player in the global digital finance landscape.

Global Capability Hub to Power FinTech Collaboration

Financial Technology Global Capability Hub Odisha will host a nearshore hub serving national and global financial institutions, powered by the skilled talent pipeline from the Global Learning pillar. Backed by GFTN’s global network of industry leaders, regulators, investors, and innovators, the Hub will connect Odisha to the world’s top fintech ecosystems, offering a collaboration space for startups, corporates, and innovators to co-create market-ready solutions, accelerate product development, and forge cross-border partnerships cementing Odisha’s position as a rising destination for innovation-led financial growth.

Shri Mohan Charan Majhi, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Odisha:

“The launch of the Integrated Global Financial Technology Capability Hub is a transformative initiative that will shape the future of finance in Odisha. It will help strengthen India’s global leadership in the digital economy. This hub is the outcome of a landmark partnership between the Government of Odisha and the Global Finance and Technology Network (GFTN), Singapore. It was forged during the historic visit of the Hon’ble President of Singapore, Mr. Tharman Shanmugaratnam to Odisha in January this year. It reflects our commitment to bring the best of the world to Odisha, and to take Odisha to the world. Our goal is to rank among the top five Indian states in per capita income. And, as we contribute to the Viksit Bharat 2047 mission, Odisha will play a central role in making India a global economic leader.”

Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Hon’ble Union Minister of Education, Government of India:

“BharatNetra is a nation-building mission. By skilling and educating our youth and creating a globally connected FinTech and InsurTech hub here in Odisha, we are laying the foundation for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Vision Viksit Bharat by 2047. This initiative will ensure that Odisha students, from our villages to our cities, can not only open pathways for employment and entrepreneurship but also strengthen India’s leadership in financial inclusion and innovation. For India’s youth, employability is no longer just about degrees, it is about readiness to thrive in fast-changing industries. BharatNetra bridges this gap by embedding real-world industry needs into our students learning journey. These efforts align with our mission to make Odisha USD 500 billion economy by 2036 and to build India into USD 300 trillion economy by 2047.”

Sopnendu Mohanty, Group CEO, GFTN:

“Bharatnetra is a shining example of how a strategic vision between two countries can translate into transformative action. It is yet another step forward in advancing Singapore–India bilateral ties. By connecting Odisha’s talent with world-class training by National University of Singapore-Asian Institute of Digital Finance, opening access for talent to global markets, building a robust startup ecosystem, the Government of Odisha and GFTN are building the state as a vital gateway in the global digital finance landscape.”

Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD and CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance; Chairman, General Insurance Council:

For India’s youth, employability today is not defined by degrees alone. It is about the ability to adapt and succeed in fast evolving industries. BharatNetra is playing a pivotal role in bridging this gap by embedding real world industry requirements into the learning journey. At Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, we are proud to partner in this effort to nurture a new generation of fintech and InsurTech professionals who will help shape the future of our industry and the nation.

About GFTN 

The Global Finance & Technology Network (GFTN) is a Singapore-headquartered organisation that leverages technology and innovation to create more efficient, resilient, and inclusive financial systems through global collaboration. GFTN hosts a worldwide network of forums (including its flagship event, the Singapore FinTech Festival); advises governments and companies on policies and the development of digital ecosystems and innovation within the financial sector; offers digital infrastructure solutions; and plans to invest in financial technology startups through its upcoming venture fund, with a focus on inclusion and sustainability. GFTN is a not-for-profit organisation established by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) in 2024.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Cambrex, a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), today announced that Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, has expanded its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) facility in Waltham, Massachusetts to further support the development and manufacturing of peptide therapies.

The new GMP manufacturing suite increases the overall facility footprint by 20% and includes an ISO-7 cleanroom for preparative HPLC chromatography and lyophilization, cold storage for raw materials and a product storage suite. With the completion of this investment, Snapdragon can now support peptide projects from development to GMP manufacturing using solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS), liquid-phase peptide synthesis (LPPS), or hybrid approaches.

“We designed this facility with a three-step strategy in mind for the development of peptide drug candidates,” said Dr. Eric Fang, General Manager at Snapdragon Chemistry. “We start with automated SPPS technology for proof-of-concept. In parallel, we optimize the process using LPPS technology to accelerate development and reduce manufacturing cost. We can then transfer the process to our large manufacturing facilities, such as Charles City, Iowa, to produce materials in traditional large batch reactors, significantly reducing the cost of those drugs.”

Snapdragon’s LPPS technology utilizes traditional API batch reactors and continuous flow, obviating the dependency on specialized, solid-phase reactors. This new LPPS technology materially reduces solvent demand and the need for excess reagents compared to standard solid-state peptide synthesis processes.

“SPPS certainly has its place. We use it in early development to get to the clinic and to proof-of-concept quickly, but it’s not a scalable solution if you want to supply a huge patient population,” said Dr. Matt Bio, Chief Scientific Officer, Cambrex. “We designed the LPPS process so that we can leverage all 1.4 million Liters of capacity within Cambrex to deliver peptide therapies.”

Cambrex continues to invest in R&D across complex synthetic modalities, including further innovation for peptide manufacturing, as well as new research on the application of artificial intelligence for the optimization of oligonucleotide processes.

About Snapdragon Chemistry

Snapdragon Chemistry, a Cambrex company, specializes in active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) batch and continuous flow process development, utilizing state-of-the-art automation technology and proprietary equipment to solve complex process and analytical development challenges. With R&D and manufacturing headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Snapdragon’s 70+ employees come with strong ties to the local scientific community, with 31 PhD scientists on staff.

About Cambrex
Cambrex is a leading global contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) that provides drug substance development and manufacturing across the entire drug lifecycle, as well as comprehensive analytical and IND enabling services.

With over 40 years of experience and a team of 2,000 experts servicing global clients from North America and Europe, Cambrex offers a range of specialized drug substance technologies and capabilities, including continuous flow, controlled substances, solid-state science, material characterization, and highly potent APIs. 

HONG KONG, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Manulife Hong Kong and Macau are pleased to announce three senior leadership appointments that underscore its commitment to executing strategic priorities and accelerating business growth. Danny Lee has been named Chief Health Officer, KC Cheung as Chief Product Officer, and Louisa Li as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Macau Branch. These appointments reflect the company’s sharpened focus on advancing its health proposition, driving product innovation, strengthening strategic planning, and accelerating expansion in the Macau market.

Danny Lee Appointed Chief Health Officer

To bolster its health capabilities and reinforce its ambition to be the health partner of choice, Manulife has appointed Danny Lee as Chief Health Officer for Hong Kong and Macau.

In this newly created role, Mr Lee will lead the development of differentiated health propositions and elevate the end-to-end healthcare experience for customers. He will oversee the entire Health business, encompassing health propositions, portfolio optimization, provider and medical management, and health transformation—all aimed at delivering enhanced customer experience and value.

A Chartered Financial Analyst and Fellow of the Society of Actuaries, Mr Lee has built a long and distinguished career at Manulife Hong Kong, having been with the company for over 20 years. His extensive experience spans business strategy, pricing, product design, distribution compensation, and valuation across various product types and distribution channels.

KC Cheung Joins as Chief Product Officer

KC Cheung has been appointed Chief Product Officer for Hong Kong and Macau, further enhancing the company’s leadership strength. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance and banking sectors, Mr Cheung brings deep expertise in managing large-scale product portfolios and driving business success.

In his new role, Mr Cheung will lead product innovation, transformation, and in-force management to meet evolving customer needs and ensure sustainable value across the product portfolio.

Prior to joining Manulife, Mr Cheung served as CEO of Hang Seng Insurance, where he oversaw a multi-billion Hong Kong Dollar life insurance portfolio. He also previously held the role of Head of Products at HSBC Life, managing significant policyholder liabilities and supporting the protection and retirement needs of over half a million customers.

Both Mr Lee and Mr Cheung will assume their new roles effective October 14, 2025, and will be key members of the company’s Senior Management Team for Hong Kong and Macau.

Louisa Li Takes on Expanded Role as Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Macau Branch

To further accelerate growth strategy and initiatives in Hong Kong and Macau, effective September 1, 2025, Louisa Li, currently Head of Strategy and Transformation at Manulife Asia, will also take on the role of Chief Strategy Officer for Hong Kong and Macau, as well as Head of Macau Branch.

In this expanded capacity, Ms Li will lead the Hong Kong and Macau Strategy team, the Strategic Project Management Office, and the Macau Branch, while continuing to drive strategy and transformation across the Asia Segment. She will be responsible for setting the overall strategic direction for Manulife’s operations in Hong Kong and Macau, and driving growth strategies across both markets. In addition, she will assume overall accountability for Macau operations and lead strategic project management efforts to unlock value-driven synergies across the company’s portfolio of projects.

Ms Li will remain a member of the Global Leadership Team and the Asia Segment Executive Leadership Team, and will join the Senior Management Team for Hong Kong and Macau.

Commenting on the appointments, Patrick Graham, CEO of Manulife Hong Kong and Macau, said: “These appointments reflect our ongoing commitment to building a high-performing leadership team that drives our growth ambitions and strategic priorities in Hong Kong and Macau. With deep expertise across health, product, and strategy, Danny, KC, and Louisa bring complementary strengths that will enable us to innovate, execute with agility, and deliver greater value to our customers. Their appointments also underscore our focus on attracting and developing top talent through a robust and ongoing leadership pipeline. I am confident that they will play a pivotal role in strengthening our market leadership and driving long-term success.”

About Manulife Hong Kong

Manulife Hong Kong has been a trusted name for more than 125 years. Since our operations started in Asia in 1897, we have grown to become one of the top-tier providers of financial services, offering a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to over 2.6 million customers in Hong Kong and Macau. We are committed to helping make decisions easier and lives better for our customers.

Manulife Hong Kong, through Manulife International Holdings Limited, owns Manulife (International) Limited, Manulife Investment Management (Hong Kong) Limited, and Manulife Provident Funds Trust Company Limited. These entities are all subsidiaries of Manulife Financial Corporation.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as ‘MFC’ on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under ‘945’ in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

HEFEI, China, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In active response to the Philippines’ energy transition strategy, Black & Veatch, a global leader in energy and infrastructure, has successfully completed the country’s first megawatt-scale floating solar power plant at the Malubog Reservoir in Cebu City. The project, fully equipped with Sungrow FPV’s floating solar system solutions, supplies clean and stable power to the Carmen Copper mining site, contributing to the Philippines’ national target of achieving a 35% renewable energy share by 2030.

With a total capacity of 4.99 MW, the plant’s electricity is entirely for self-consumption, meeting around 10% of the mine’s energy demand.

Highlights of Sungrow FPV’s floating solar system:

• Robust Wind Resistance: Located in an area prone to strong winds and extreme weather, the project was engineered with a special anti-wind and wave design based on an ultimate wind speed of 75 m/s, enhancing the system’s impact resistance by 50%. It passed fatigue tests of over one million cycles, far exceeding the industry benchmark of 100,000 cycles. An elastic mooring system effectively absorbs and dissipates wave energy, ensuring long-term stability.
• Superior Anti-Corrosion Performance: An innovative composite coating scheme was applied for anti-corrosion protection. The system withstood 4,200 hours of the harshest CX-class environmental testing and showed no changes after over 18,000 hours of real-world marine exposure, effectively addressing the project’s corrosion challenges.

Floating solar plants save valuable land resources and offer high generation efficiency, making this project a key step in the Philippines’ mining sector’s green transition. From solution design and installation to grid connection and commissioning, the Sungrow FPV service team provided end-to-end technical support and rapid response, ensuring smooth project completion.

Sungrow FPV will continue to drive innovation and deepen collaboration with global partners to deliver more benchmark projects and accelerate the path toward a greener, more efficient renewable energy future.

About Sungrow FPV

Sungrow Floating PV is a key high-tech enterprise dedicated to providing floating PV system solutions, focusing on providing ecologically friendly, reliable, and efficient Floating PV system solutions. With the vision of “to be the global navigator of FPV”, its persistent pursuit is to provide high-yield one-stop services and lead the environmentally friendly development of floating PV.

Learn more at http://en.sungrowfpv.com/ 

SINGAPORE, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Golfin proudly announces the launch of the “MEXC Ventures Global Golf Masters supported by GOLFIN,” the world’s first real-world golf tournament uniting top Crypto and AI projects. Global cryptocurrency exchange MEXC joins as Title Sponsor. The tournament will take place on September 30, 2025, at the prestigious Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, as a side event of TOKEN2049, Asia’s largest Web3 conference.

Event Highlights

Teams from leading Web3 and AI projects including founders, developers, and marketing leaders will compete in a high-stakes golf showdown. Fans worldwide can join the excitement by posting predictions on X, transforming passive viewers into active participants.

Over $200,000 in Rewards

A total prize pool of $200,000 in USDC will be distributed through community-driven prediction campaigns.

How to participate:

• Follow participating project accounts
• Post predictions (winners, longest drive, closest to pin)
• Bonus: A hole-in-one unlocks a 1 BTC prize, shared among eligible fans

With a simple “follow, post, and win” format, the campaign is designed to boost engagement and visibility, with a projected reach of up to 1 million users and 50M+ impressions.

With MEXC as Title Sponsor, Golfin aims to bring Web3 communities together through the power of sports, competition, and global connection.

About Golfin

Golfin is the world’s first Golf2Earn platform, merging real-world golf with Web3. Players earn digital assets by playing golf, collecting NFTs, and leveling up avatars through GPS-based gameplay. Golfin connects players across tournaments, PvP, and social campaigns bringing Web3 to the fairway.

Golfin’s native token, GON, is officially listed on both MEXC and BICONOMY, expanding its utility and accessibility across global markets.

Event Details | Official Website | iOS App | Android App

About MEXC

Founded in 2018, MEXC is a global cryptocurrency exchange serving over 40 million users in 170+ countries. Known for trending tokens, low fees, and daily airdrops, MEXC makes crypto trading easy, secure, and accessible for all.

MEXC Official Website｜ X ｜ Telegram ｜How to Sign Up on MEXC

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Aug. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Just ahead of Merdeka, Malaysia has made history with the launch of Ryt Bank, The World’s First AI-Powered Bank created by Malaysians, for Malaysians. Led by YTL Group in partnership with Sea Limited, Ryt Bank marks a bold leap into the nation’s digital future – combining world-class AI innovation with the values, languages, and lifestyles that define Malaysia.

“Ryt Bank demonstrates that groundbreaking innovation can be imagined, built, and led right here in Malaysia. By combining homegrown AI with the values and diversity of our people, we’ve created a bank that Malaysians can proudly call their own – one that speaks our languages, understands our culture, and sets a new standard for how banking should feel.” – Dato’ Seri Yeoh Seok Hong, Managing Director, YTL Power International.

Banking Designed Around Malaysians

With in-app access in Bahasa Malaysia and English, with Mandarin available by September 2025, Ryt Bank makes banking truly inclusive, ensuring every Malaysian can bank with ease in the language they know best. This multilingual approach bridges cultures and communities, making money management accessible, personal, and intuitive, so every feature feels familiar, human, and secure.

Meet Ryt AI – Your Intelligent, Secure Banking Assistant

At the heart of Ryt Bank is Ryt AI, an always-on banking assistant powered by ILMU, Malaysia’s first homegrown large language model. Ryt AI understands natural conversation – whether Bahasa Malaysia, English, or even Manglish – and can act instantly on everyday banking needs. From reading and paying bills to tracking spending and explaining financial basics in simple terms, Ryt AI brings together convenience, cultural fluency, and enterprise-grade security.

Built to solve real needs in one seamless app

Ryt Bank brings every part of your financial life together, from saving and earning daily interest, to getting instant credit – It speaks your language, understands your needs, and gives you the tools to manage, grow, and access your money:

1.Smarter, Personal Banking with Ryt AI
Ryt AI puts personalisation at its core, adapting to your habits, preferences, and language to make every interaction intuitive, familiar, and effortless.

• Pay your way – Chat naturally via text to send money or transfer funds via DuitNow and pay bills instantly.
• Snap, upload & pay – Works with utility bills, receipts, and over 20,000 billers via JomPAY.
• Learn as you bank – From savings guides to finance basics, explained simply in the way Malaysians speak, making financial literacy accessible to everyone.
• Secure & seamless – Every action is verified and encrypted before it’s done.
• Special launch reward – Try Ryt AI and get up to RM5.

2. Grow Your Money, Effortlessly
Savings that support both your everyday needs and future plans.

• Earn interest up to 4% p.a., paid daily into your account.
• No lock-in. Just daily growth.

3. *Ryt PayLater – credit for your everyday 

• Instant credit up to RM1,499 to start.
• No documents. No late fees.
• 0% interest when paid within the first month.
• Earn 1.2% cashback on DuitNow QR payments.
• 2X cashback with participating ecosystem partners such as Yes stores.
  *Eligibility check applies

4. Spend Anywhere with the All-in-One Ryt Card      
Switch between debit and credit instantly in the app & and enjoy global acceptance powered by Visa.
For a limited time, customers can enjoy a special edition Ryt Card design and get their card for free. 

• Unlimited 1.2% cashback overseas.
• Zero foreign transaction fees.
• Zero ATM withdrawal fees nationwide.
• Exclusive partner rewards — enjoy an RM8 Shopee voucher when you pay with your Ryt Card and savor 20% off dining at YTL Hotels restaurants. More to come.

Safe, Licensed, and Trusted

Ryt Bank is licensed by Bank Negara Malaysia, with your money protected by PIDM (up to RM250,000 per depositor). Our advanced security features include biometric login, multi-layered encryption, and real-time fraud alerts.

A Proud Malaysian Innovation

Ryt Bank is more than a financial product. It’s a symbol of Malaysia’s capability to innovate for its own people. Download Ryt Bank today from the App Store or Google Play and experience smarter banking, your way.

Instagram: @rytbankmy
HYPERLINK https://instagram.com/rytbankmy Facebook: Ryt Bank
Website: www.rytbank.my

About Ryt Bank

Ryt Bank is The World’s First AI-powered bank, led by YTL Group in partnership with Sea Limited. Committed to inclusive innovation, Ryt Bank blends technology with cultural intelligence – making banking simpler, smarter, and more secure for every Malaysian.