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Celebrating a Month of Cultural Expressions: Featuring 24 Cinematic Gems at the ASEAN Film Festival 2025

Presented in collaboration with the Consulates-General of 14 countries and over 40 partners, the Festival offers more than 3,500 free tickets to culture enthusiasts

HONG KONG, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The ASEAN Film Festival (AFF) 2025, organised by the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation (HKAF), opened last week, marking the beginning of a series of free film screenings and sharing sessions that will run through to 31 August in Hong Kong. During the month, the Festival will showcase 24 films from all ten ASEAN countries and four Belt and Road countries for the first time, with 11 special sharing sessions hosted by filmmakers and directors from overseas. The response from both students and the public to the over 3,500 free tickets on offer has been highly enthusiastic and positive.

The Festival’s opening ceremony featured a special screening of the acclaimed Malaysian film ‘Gold’, preceded by an engaging and insightful discussion.
The Festival’s opening ceremony featured a special screening of the acclaimed Malaysian film ‘Gold’, preceded by an engaging and insightful discussion.

The opening ceremony of the Festival held last week was attended by esteemed guests, including Mr Liu Guangyuan, Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Pan Yundong, Deputy Commissioner of the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China in the HKSAR, Miss Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Mr Ong Siew Gay, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General and Consul-General of Singapore in Hong Kong, alongside the Consuls-General or representatives of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Egypt, Hungary, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam, Ms Wan Ning, Deputy Director-General of the Youth Department of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the HKSAR, Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, Mr Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, along with representatives from co-presenters, venue partners, and supporting organisations.

Miss Rosanna Law, JP, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the HKSAR, stated in her speech that the Festival served as a unique platform for dialogues and collaborations. She was pleased to see filmmakers, directors, and actors from some 10 featured films participating in special sharing sessions and engaging with local youth and ASEAN students in Hong Kong, including two collaborative talks between ASEAN and Hong Kong filmmakers, bringing in insightful cross-cultural discussions and paving the way for new ideas and partnerships. She added that such cultural exchange activities aligned perfectly with the HKSAR Government’s strategic vision to establish Hong Kong as a leading East-meets-West centre for international cultural exchange, underscored Hong Kong’s steadfast dedication to strengthening connections with countries along the Belt and Road region, solidifying its role as the “super-connector” between the Mainland of China and the global community.

Mr Ong Siew Gay, Dean of the ASEAN Consuls-General and Consul-General of Singapore in Hong Kong, said, ‘We need more exchanges of ideas and more international and regional collaboration to foster understanding and trust. These stakeholders would certainly include Hong Kong, as well as all members of ASEAN.’ He shared, ‘Many Hong Kong movies, and TV series are popular in Southeast Asia. The Festival is instrumental in fostering a better appreciation of ASEAN societies and culture within Hong Kong, and this will position Hong Kong well in facilitating the development of China’s relationship with ASEAN.’

Mr Nicholas Ho Lik-chi, Commissioner for Belt and Road of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of the HKSAR Government, remarked, ‘This Festival embodies the spirit of communication and connection, reminding us that culture and creativity are living among us, knowing no borders, we are much more alike than we are different. At the core of the Belt and Road Initiative lies a commitment to people-to-people bonds. We often talk about connectivity in terms of trade and investment, but let’s not forget the most important aspect is friendship, the heart-to-heart connection. The ASEAN Film Festival exemplifies this beautifully, showcasing films that resonate deeply with audiences and serve as bridges across cultures, and ultimately touch our souls.’

Mr Daryl Ng, SBS, JP, Chairman of the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, noted that Hong Kong continues to serve as an important bridge between ASEAN and Mainland China in trade, commerce, and cultural exchange. He expressed gratitude for the invaluable support from the Consuls-General from 14 countries and over 40 partners for the third edition of the ASEAN Film Festival. He emphasised that through the universal language of film, the Festival aims to transcend borders, spark dialogue, and deepen mutual understanding. These stories celebrate shared values and strengthen connections among diverse communities. Mr Ng looks forward to welcoming the audience, especially younger generations, to embark on a cross-cultural journey this summer while appreciating the creativity of filmmakers worldwide.

A celebration of strengthening cultural ties and cross-border collaboration

During the Festival’s opening ceremony, a special screening of an acclaimed Malaysian film, ‘Gold’, took place, featuring a pre-screening sharing with Mr Cheah Liek Hou, the Malaysian Paralympic badminton gold medalist whose story inspired the film, and Ms Guinevere Loh, the film’s line producer, who brought a meaningful highlight to stories of determination and resilience, underscoring the power of cinema to inspire across different communities. The director of ‘Zero to Hero’, Mr Jimmy Wan, was also invited to engage in fruitful dialogues about the creative development process, exploring authentic storytelling and cultural connections behind the filmmaker’s work. 

Throughout August, the Festival will bring a summer hit to the city with 24 specially curated films. Film enthusiasts will be able to enjoy an immersive journey into cultural diversity with special pre- and post-screening sharing sessions with filmmakers such as Singapore’s Jack Neo, the award-winning director behind films like ‘Long Long Time Ago’ and the ‘Ah Boys to Men’, Indonesian director Yandy Laurens, producer Suryana Paramita, and actor and actress, Ringgo Agus Rahman and Nirina Zubir, from ‘Falling in Love Like in Movies’, as well as director of ‘Samsara’, Garin Nugroho, whose films have been featured at prestigious international film festivals including Cannes, Venice and Berlin, and Thailand’s Pom Bunsermvicha whose unique storytelling style has resulted in their films being shown at festivals across Southeast Asia and abroad. In collaboration with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency of the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, local Hong Kong film industry professionals will also participate in some sharing sessions, including filmmaker Jill Leung Lai-yin, winner of the ‘Best New Director’ award at the Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild Annual Awards.

AFF 2025 is a collaborative endeavour involving the Hong Kong-ASEAN Foundation, the Consulates-General of the 14 countries in Hong Kong, and various partners across multiple sectors. Co-presenters include the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, M+ and Asia Society Hong Kong Center. Supporting organisations comprise the Belt and Road Office of the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau, the Financial Services Development Council, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, InvestHK, Our Hong Kong Foundation, and various chambers and associations. The Festival exemplifies a collaborative effort to showcase ASEAN cinema and encourage cultural exchange. 

For more information about the Festival, please visit the AFF 2025 website: https://aseanfilmfest.org/.

Vinpearl signs MOU with three leading South Korean tourism companies


SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2025 – Vinpearl Joint Stock Company has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with three of South Korea’s premier travel enterprises: Hanatour, Marketing Highlands, and HKG Co., Ltd. (formerly Hank Golf). This landmark agreement marks a significant step in Vinpearl’s strategy to penetrate the key South Korean market, boosting both the company’s profile and Vietnam’s reputation as a preferred global destination for South Korean travelers.

General Secretary To Lam, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min Seok, and other high-ranking officials from both nations at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between Vinpearl and South Korean enterprises.
General Secretary To Lam, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min Seok, and other high-ranking officials from both nations at the signing ceremony of the memorandum of understanding between Vinpearl and South Korean enterprises.

The signing ceremony took place at the Vietnam – South Korea Business Forum, attended by General Secretary To Lam, South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min Seok, and other high-ranking officials from both nations.

During the event, Vinpearl and its partners, South Korean travel leaders Hanatour, Marketing Highlands, and HKG Co., Ltd., signed a strategic MoU to intensify their promotional activities for both Vinpearl’s offerings and Vietnamese tourism.

The companies will collaborate closely to achieve their shared goal of attracting five million South Korean visitors by 2025, introducing Vietnam as a prime destination and elevating Vinpearl’s appeal as the preferred choice for South Korean tourists.

Simultaneously, Vinpearl and its partners will ramp up their marketing efforts and broaden their distribution networks in South Korea. This will ensure a steady and reliable flow of customers, while also strengthening the long-term relationship between the companies.

The partnership will also extend Vinpearl’s premium product ecosystem and introduce new destinations to over 7,500 retail travel agencies in South Korea, giving more than 46,000 golf members the chance to play and compete at Vinpearl’s international-standard courses throughout Vietnam.

Mrs. Ngo Thi Huong, Deputy CEO of Sales and Marketing at Vinpearl, stated: “Our collaboration with three of South Korea’s premier tourism enterprises represents a significant move in our strategy to become a leading international destination. We are confident that by leveraging Vinpearl’s exceptional infrastructure and services alongside our partners’ widespread distribution capabilities, we will develop compelling tourism products and reinforce Vietnam’s status as the preferred destination for travelers from South Korea.”

With a comprehensive ecosystem of products, from entertainment and resorts to shopping, in key coastal destinations such as Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City, Vinpearl has consistently been a top choice for South Korean tourists for years, and remains a pioneer in attracting key international markets.

The agreement between Vinpearl and its three South Korean partners not only opens a new chapter in their strategic cooperation but also marks a significant milestone in Vinpearl’s journey toward deeper international integration. This move further positions Vietnam as a premier resort hub in the Asia-Pacific region and cultivates a strong, cooperative relationship between Vietnam and South Korea in a new era of development.Hashtag: #Vinpearl

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

About the Companies:

Vinpearl: Founded in 2001, Vinpearl is Vietnam’s leading tourism, resort, and entertainment brand. It currently owns, manages, and operates 57 properties across 19 provinces, including 34 five-star hotels and resorts with nearly 18,800 rooms, 15 VinWonders amusement parks, two semi-wildlife animal care and conservation parks, one horse academy, six golf courses, and three world-class convention centers and theaters.

Hanatour: Established in 1993, Hanatour is one of South Korea’s largest travel companies. It operates 33 branches and a network of over 7,500 retail agencies, holding the leading market share in the country. In 2024, Hanatour served more than 3.5 million customers.

Marketing Highlands: Founded in 2016, Marketing Highlands is a comprehensive service provider specializing in GSA contracts, sales, marketing, trade promotion, and management for resorts and hotels. The company has a retail network of over 1,200 travel agencies in four countries.

HKG Co., Ltd.: Founded in 2005, HKG is a leading South Korean enterprise that has partnered with prestigious golf courses in several major Asian countries. Through 15 golf courses in six countries, it has developed a membership network of over 46,000 people.

Daqo New Energy to Announce Unaudited Results for the Second Quarter of 2025 on August 26, 2025

SHANGHAI, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) (“Daqo New Energy” or the “Company”), a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry, today announced it plans to release its unaudited financial results for second quarter of 2025 ended June 30, 2025 before U.S. markets open on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.

The Company has scheduled a conference call to discuss the results at 8:00 AM U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 (8:00 PM Beijing / Hong Kong time on the same day).

The dial-in details for the earnings conference call are as follows:

Participant dial in (U.S. toll free): +1-888-346-8982

Participant international dial in: +1-412-902-4272

China mainland toll free: 4001-201203

Hong Kong toll free: 800-905945

Hong Kong local toll: +852-301-84992

Please dial in 10 minutes before the call is scheduled to begin and ask to join the Daqo New Energy Corp. call.

Webcast link:

https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=tvDRIdY6

A replay of the call will be available 1 hour after the conclusion of the conference call through September 2, 2025. The dial in details for the conference call replay are as follows:

U.S. toll free: +1-877-344-7529

International toll: +1-412-317-0088

Canada toll free: 855-669-9658

Replay access code: 5248601

To access the replay through an international dial-in number, please select the link below.

https://services.choruscall.com/ccforms/replay.html

Participants will be asked to provide their name and company name upon entering the call.

About Daqo New Energy Corp.

Daqo New Energy Corp. (NYSE: DQ) (“Daqo” or the “Company”) is a leading manufacturer of high-purity polysilicon for the global solar PV industry. Founded in 2007, the Company manufactures and sells high-purity polysilicon to photovoltaic product manufacturers, who further process the polysilicon into ingots, wafers, cells and modules for solar power solutions. The Company has a total polysilicon nameplate capacity of 305,000 metric tons and is one of the world’s lowest cost producers of high-purity polysilicon.

For more information, please visit www.dqsolar.com

oneZero makes the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for fourth consecutive year

NEW YORK, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Inc., the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future, today announced that oneZero Financial Systems (oneZero) has reached the 2025 Inc. 5000 list of the fastest-growing private companies in America. This is the fourth consecutive year that oneZero has made the prestigious ranking.

Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies
Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies

The Inc. 5000 list provides a data-driven snapshot of the most successful companies within the economy’s most dynamic segment – its independent, entrepreneurial businesses. Past honorees include companies such as Microsoft, Meta, Chobani, Under Armour, Timberland, Oracle, and Patagonia.

Andrew Ralich, CEO and Co-Founder of oneZero commented: “Jesse and I are deeply honored and excited that the firm we launched 15 years ago has earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for the fourth year in a row. This continued recognition reflects the relentless commitment of our incredible team to building resilient, client-driven, and scalable capital markets technology. We’re grateful to our clients and partners for their trust and collaboration, and we remain focused on evolving with their needs through ongoing innovation. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey.”

This year’s Inc. 5000 honorees have demonstrated exceptional growth while navigating economic uncertainty, inflationary pressure, and a fluctuating labor market. Among the top 500 companies on the list, the median three-year revenue growth rate reached 1,552 percent, and those companies have collectively added more than 48,678 jobs to the U.S. economy over the past three years. For the full list, company profiles, and a searchable database by industry and location, visit: www.inc.com/inc5000.

“Making the Inc. 5000 is always a remarkable achievement, but earning a spot this year speaks volumes about a company’s tenacity and clarity of vision,” says Mike Hofman, editor-in-chief of Inc. “These businesses have thrived amid rising costs, shifting global dynamics, and constant change. They didn’t just weather the storm – they grew through it, and their stories are a powerful reminder that the entrepreneurial spirit is the engine of the U.S. economy.”

oneZero was founded in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 2009 to serve the multi-asset trading community. Starting with foreign exchange, the founders of oneZero brought their technological background to the business, developing and executing technology that could scale with the growth of the FX market. Today, oneZero works with hundreds of brokers, banks and buy-side market participants globally, including some of the largest financial institutions in the world. They rely on oneZero to provide multi-asset class enterprise trading technology that allows them to provide better services to their customers.

Earlier this year, oneZero announced its acquisition of Autochartist, a leading provider of client engagement automation via market data-driven content. This follows Golden Gate Capital’s investment in the company in late 2024 which is driving further organic growth and M&A.

Methodology

Companies on the 2025 Inc. 5000 are ranked according to percentage revenue growth from 2021 to 2024. To qualify, companies must have been founded and generating revenue by March 31, 2021. They must be U.S.-based, privately held, for-profit, and independent—not subsidiaries or divisions of other companies – as of December 31, 2024. (Since then, some on the list may have gone public or been acquired.) The minimum revenue required for 2021 is $100,000; the minimum for 2024 is $2 million. As always, Inc. reserves the right to decline applicants for subjective reasons.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for the entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. aims to inform, educate, and elevate the profile of its community: the risk-takers, the innovators, and the ultra-driven go-getters who are creating the future of business. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow leading business publication Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com.

About oneZero

oneZero Financial Systems has been a leading innovator in multi-asset class enterprise trading technology since 2009. Its powerful software encompasses the Hub, EcoSystem and Data Source – three components that together provide a complete solution for execution, distribution and analytics. Through reliable connectivity, technology, infrastructure and market access, oneZero empowers financial institutions and brokers to compete effectively in the global financial markets. oneZero is certified to the standards of ISO 27001 information security management systems, and has development and operations centers in Asia, Australia, Europe and North America.

For more information, please contact:

Talia Geberovich
Head of Marketing and Communications
tgeberovich@onezero.com

 

KLN Facilitates Global Customers’ Supply Chain Diversification with China-Hong Kong Hybrid Logistics Solutions

HONG KONG, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KLN Logistics Group Limited (‘KLN’; Stock Code 0636.HK) is facilitating international corporations in the diversification of their supply chains through innovative China-Hong Kong hybrid logistics solutions that deliver flexibility, resilience and cost efficiency. As part of this strategy, KLN has supported the strategic relocation of operations for several major global customers into the Greater Bay Area, including a world-class theme park destination, a Japanese fast fashion retailer, a French beauty conglomerate and a British multinational consumer health company.

As international corporations continue to strengthen their supply chains in response to geopolitical shifts, cost pressures and sustainability goals, KLN offers flexible, resilient and scalable solutions that span Hong Kong and the Mainland of China. The hybrid logistics model leverages Hong Kong’s strategic proximity and connectivity with the Mainland of China, enabling seamless transitions for customers relocating part or all of their supply chain operations. The services comprise bonded warehousing, customs clearance, cross-border transport and digital tools, backed by a dedicated team of logistics experts and a track record of guiding businesses through disruption.

KLN’s Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) status is a critical success factor in its hybrid logistics model, which grants the company priority customs clearance and minimal inspection requirements, enabling it to offer same-day and next-day cross-border delivery for various verticals. Before the actual relocation of operations, KLN worked in close partnership with its customers to engage with customs authorities in both cities, allowing all parties to align on regulatory requirements, streamline clearance procedures and validate logistics workflows.

Samuel Lau, Managing Director – Integrated Logistics Asia of KLN, said, “We are committed to supporting our customers’ transformation journeys with agile and future-ready logistics solutions. The ChinaHong Kong hybrid model is a cornerstone of our strategy to help global brands navigate complexity and build resilient supply chains. Whether it is fast-moving merchandise or highly regulated healthcare products, we deliver precision, speed and reliability.”

In 2025, KLN handled double the cargo volume compared to levels during the COVID period, underscoring the robustness and scalability of the hybrid logistics solutions. From pandemic shocks to shifting trade flows, KLN helps global brands stay agile and resilient.

About KLN Logistics Group Limited (Stock Code 0636.HK)

KLN (formerly known as Kerry Logistics Network Limited) is an Asia-based, global 3PL with a highly diversified business portfolio and extensive coverage in Asia. It offers a broad range of supply chain solutions from integrated logistics, international freight forwarding (air, ocean, road, rail and multimodal) and e-commerce to industrial project logistics and infrastructure investment.

With a global presence across 59 countries and territories, KLN has established a solid foothold in half of the world’s emerging markets. Its diverse infrastructure, extensive coverage in international gateways and local expertise span across the Mainland of China, India, Southeast Asia, the CIS, Middle East, LATAM and other locations.

KLN generated a revenue* of close to HK$60 billion in 2024. It is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and is a constituent of the Hang Seng Corporate Sustainability Benchmark Index.

* For continuing operations only

 

Huawei Named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Container Management


SHENZHEN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 August 2025On August 6, Gartner released the Magic Quadrant for Container Management 2025, positioning Huawei in the Leaders quadrant. This recognition is attributed to Huawei Cloud’s deep expertise and strategic investments in Cloud Native 2.0. Huawei Cloud has been at the forefront, launching several innovative container products like CCE Turbo, CCE Autopilot, Cloud Container Instance (CCI), and the distributed cloud-native service UCS. These products provide the optimal cloud-native infrastructure for managing large-scale, scalable containerized workloads across public clouds, distributed clouds, hybrid clouds, and edge environments.

Huawei Named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant for Container Management

Huawei Cloud is competitive in all studied use cases, including new cloud-native applications, containerization of existing applications, AI containers, edge applications, and hybrid cloud applications, especially in the AI container domain.

Huawei Cloud is an active open-source contributor and a leader in the cloud-native technology ecosystem. As a long-standing contributor to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF), Huawei Cloud has participated in 82 CNCF projects, holds over 20 project maintainer seats, and is the only Chinese cloud provider holding a vice-chair position on the CNCF Technical Oversight Committee (TOC). Huawei Cloud has donated several projects to CNCF, including KubeEdge, Karmada, Volcano, and Kuasar, and contributed benchmark projects such as Kmesh, openGemini, and Sermant in 2024.

Huawei Cloud offers the most comprehensive container product matrix in the industry, covering public cloud, distributed cloud, hybrid cloud, and edge scenarios. It has been extensively adopted in sectors like Internet, finance, manufacturing, transportation, electricity, and automotive, delivering pervasive cloud-native value. Furthermore, Huawei Cloud container services are actively deployed worldwide. The rapid growth of cloud-native compute power is widely acknowledged by global users and continually supports customers in achieving business success.

Starzplay, an OTT platform in the Middle East and Central Asia, leveraged Huawei Cloud CCI to transition to a serverless architecture. This move enabled the platform to handle millions of access requests during the 2024 Cricket World Cup, while also reducing resource costs by 20%.

Ninja Van, a leading logistics and express service provider in Singapore, has fully containerized its services using Huawei Cloud CCE. This cloud-native AI service architecture is both agile and efficient, ensuring zero service interruptions during peak hours and improving order processing efficiency by 40%.

Chilquinta Energía, one of the three major power companies in Chile, has upgraded its big data platform to a cloud-native architecture using Huawei Cloud CCE Turbo. The new platform boasts a 90% improvement in average performance, propelling Chilquinta toward more intelligent and automated operations.

Konga, Nigeria’s leading comprehensive e-commerce platform, has fully transitioned to a cloud-native architecture based on CCE Turbo. This agile and flexible approach effectively ensured a smooth shopping experience for its millions of monthly active users.

Meitu, a leading visual creation platform in China, leverages CCE and Ascend cloud services to efficiently manage AI computing resources. This supports the deployment and inference of various models and algorithms, ensuring rapid iteration of large-scale training and enabling 200 million monthly active users to share their life moments in real time.

In the age of AI, Cloud Native 2.0 has been fully upgraded to incorporate intelligence. Huawei Cloud is building a next-generation AI-native cloud infrastructure powered by advanced AI technologies.

1) In Cloud for AI, CCE AI clusters form the cloud-native infrastructure for CloudMatrix384 supernodes. These clusters offer large-scale supernode topology-aware scheduling, PD separation scaling, AI workload characteristic-aware auto-scaling, and ultra-fast container startups. These features significantly accelerate AI training and inference, enhancing the overall efficiency of AI tasks.

2) AI is also revolutionizing the cloud service experience. Huawei Cloud is committed to integrating AI into its cloud offerings and has introduced CCE Doer. CCE Doer integrates AI agents throughout the container usage process, providing intelligent Q&A, recommendations, and diagnostics. It can diagnose over 200 critical exception scenarios with a root cause accuracy rate exceeding 80%, enabling automated and intelligent container cluster management.

3) Cloud native is rapidly evolving toward serverless. Huawei Cloud offers two serverless container products: serverless Kubernetes cluster CCE Autopilot and serverless container instance CCI, which enable users to focus on application development and accelerate service innovation. The recently launched general-computing-lite and Kunpeng general-computing serverless containers enhance computing cost-effectiveness by up to 40%, making them the ideal scaling solution for businesses dealing with tenfold increases in traffic.

Huawei Cloud will continue to partner with global operators to advance cloud-native technology innovations and share its successes. This collaboration will drive unprecedented industry transformation, opening up new opportunities for a more inclusive, accessible, and resilient digital society.

——————————————————————————————-

Source: Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Container Management 2025, 6 August 2025

Disclaimer: Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications, and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications contain the opinions of Gartner research and advisory organizations, and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

GARTNER, MAGIC QUADRANT, and PEER INSIGHTS are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Hashtag: #Huawei

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

Plantec and ID Architects Sign MOU on strategic partnership

Providing management issue-solving architectural solutions to countries across APAC

TOKYO, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Plantec, Inc (Headquarter: Chiyoda-Ku, Tokyo, Chief Executive Officer Naoyuki Koyama) announces that on June 9, 2025, it signed a memorandum of understanding for a strategic partnership with ID Architects Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based architectural design firm that shares the common vision of “solving management issues through architecture,” with a view to expanding into the Asia-Pacific region.

Left: Plantec, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Naoyuki Koyama  Right: ID Architects Pte Ltd Executive Director – Management Jin Sung
Left: Plantec, Inc. Chief Executive Officer Naoyuki Koyama  Right: ID Architects Pte Ltd Executive Director – Management Jin Sung

Plantec’s progress in leading globalization

As part of our global strategy, we launched overseas operations in Vietnam in 2011 and established a local subsidiary in Thailand in 2012. Since then, we have realized numerous innovative architectural design projects mainly in ASEAN countries, as well as in the United States and Mexico. In February 2025, we completed the registration of our local subsidiary in Mexico, and with the establishment of our office in 2026, we aim to expand our business not only in Mexico but also in North and South America and Europe.

Cooperation between both companies based on shared management philosophy

Both companies share the same management philosophy of “analyzing various management issues faced by clients and proposing solutions through architecture.” They are also both expanding their businesses globally, and this agreement will enable them to engage in joint ventures in the countries where they operate.

Accelerating expansion in APAC, starting from Singapore

Furthermore, Singapore, where ID Architects is based, is an important geopolitical location as well as a business hub in Asia. Therefore, by forming a strategic partnership with ID Architects, Plantec expects to accelerate its business not only in ASEAN but also in the APAC region.

Toward future-oriented collaboration that leverages technology and networks

Going forward, both companies will leverage their respective technological capabilities and market access to actively explore and pursue opportunities for joint ventures and projects in Asia and other regions or countries mutually identified.

About ID Architects

A group of professionals with over 37 years of experience and awards, renowned for their comprehensive design solutions.

ID Architects is a passionate and dedicated Singapore-based architectural practice with a comprehensive portfolio of works spanning more than 3 decades since its inception in 1988 Over the past 37 years. Through its 37 years, ID Architects has always sought to retain its competitive edge by providing contemporary and adaptive solutions to meet the client’s needs and aspirations.

Central to that outlook is our commitment to delivering holistic design solutions for every project. We ensure that all the needs of the project such as sustainability, functionality, aesthetics, regulations, etc., are well balanced in relation to the scale and nature of the project.

About Plantec

Plantec provides our clients with solutions that cover not only architecture, but also other content and operations related to facilities in general. After understanding our clients’ issues and needs, we provide comprehensive support from strategy planning and branding to operation, with architectural design as our core focus.

Additionally, as a member of the global community, we are committed to contributing to the creation of a better society. We have obtained the “ZEB Planner Certification” as experts supporting the realization of ZEB (Net Zero Energy Buildings), and have achieved the highest five-star rating in the evaluation system for large-scale projects (2,000㎡ or more). 

OVERVIEW

[Company Name] Plantec, Inc.
[Chief Executive Officer] Naoyuki Koyama
[Locations] Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Sendai, Fukuoka, Vietnam, Thailand, Mexico
[business] Consulting for urban planning, Architectural design, supervisory work and construction, Project management, Construction management, Facility management, Interior design, Consulting for facility planning, Import, export and sales of architecture material, interior furnishing, lighting fixture and kitchen equipment, Sales transaction, leasing, intermediary and management of real estate, Planning, development, design, production and management of digital contents, Planning and management of events and exhibitions, Other ancillary business related to the foregoing items
[HP] https://plantec.co.jp
[Instagram] https://www.instagram.com/plantec_inc/
[note] https://note.com/plantec

ICG Posts S$21.2 Million Net Profit for 1H2025, Driven by 51% Revenue Growth

SINGAPORE, Aug. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Mainboard-listed International Cement Group Ltd. (“ICG” or the “Company”, and together with its subsidiaries, the “Group”), a leading cement producer and distributor in Central Asia, today announced its financial results for the half year ended 30 June 2025 (“1H2025”).

S$’000

1H2025

   1H2024

 Change 

(%) 

Revenue

165,119

109,603

51

Gross Profit

59,300

34,037

74

EBITDA*

45,860

23,410

96

Profit Before Tax

31,625

10,128

212

Profit After Tax

21,242

3,992

432

Net Profit Attributable to Shareholders

14,875

933

1,494

Earnings per share (cents)

0.26

0.02

1,200

Net Asset Value per share (cents)

4.30

4.14

4


* EBITDA is defined as profit before tax, net foreign exchange gains/losses, net fair value gains/losses, 
interest income/expense,impairment losses, depreciation and amortisation expenses

 

Mr Zhang Zengtao, Chief Executive Officer of ICG, said: “Our strong first-half results reflect the continued success of our expansion strategy and the resilience of our operations across Central Asia. With the Korcem plant now fully operational, we are well-positioned to meet rising infrastructure demand in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, while maintaining our focus on cost efficiency and long-term value creation for shareholders.”

The Group reported a significant revenue increase of S$55.5 million, bringing total revenue to S$165.1 million in 1H2025, up from S$109.6 million in 1H2024. This growth was mainly driven by higher sales from the Kazakhstan operations, supported by contributions from the new Korcem cement plant, which has been in operation for six months, and sustained demand for Alacem cement plant. In Tajikistan, sales volume from the Mohir cement plant rose by 36% period-on-period due to improved weather conditions.

Gross profit margin improved to 36%, up from 31% in 1H2024. This was driven by increased selling prices and strong demand for both Alacem and Korcem cement plants in Kazakhstan. The robust market appetite was underpinned by rising Chinese infrastructure investment and close collaboration between cement producers and the government of Kazakhstan on national development projects.

Administrative expenses rose by S$3.1 million, reflecting higher staff costs, overheads, and depreciation following the commencement of operations at the Korcem cement plant. Selling and distribution expenses increased modestly by S$0.2 million following higher sales volumes.

Other expenses declined by S$4.3 million, mainly due to the absence of net foreign exchange losses recorded in the prior period. Conversely, other income rose sharply from S$1.0 million to S$5.2 million, primarily reflecting net foreign exchange gains. The Group recorded a net positive foreign exchange movement of S$10.5 million, driven by the slight appreciation of the Kazakhstani Tenge against the US Dollar and Chinese Yuan.

The Group’s adjusted EBITDA rose to S$45.9 million in 1H2025 from S$23.4 million in 1H2024. The Group’s net profit attributable to shareholders surged to S$14.9 million in 1H2025, up from S$0.9 million in 1H2024, driven by stronger operational performance and improved foreign exchange conditions.

Basic and diluted earnings per share rose to 0.26 Singapore cents, compared to 0.02 cents in the previous period.

Net cash generated from operating activities amounted to S$40.1 million in 1H2025 compared to S$20.9 million in 1H2024, reflecting the improved financial performance. Cash and cash equivalents increased from S$5.7 million as of 31 December 2024 to S$9.9 million as of 30 June 2025, mainly due to operating cash flows and an additional S$2.5 million secured revolving credit facility.

As of 30 June 2025, the Group’s net asset value (NAV) per ordinary share stood at 4.30 Singapore cents, up from 4.14 cents as of 31 December 2024.

Outlook

ICG is well-positioned to benefit from sustained infrastructure-driven demand in Central Asia, underpinned by positive economic outlooks in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. The Korcem cement plant, which commenced operations in late 2024, delivered strong sales in 1H2025 and its momentum, barring any unforeseen circumstances, is expected to continue for the rest of the year, with exports to Kyrgyzstan already underway.

In Tajikistan, while increased competition has impacted cement volumes, ICG is actively defending its market position through targeted distributor incentives and sales promotions. Meanwhile, the Group is progressively scaling down its non-core aluminium operations to focus resources on its core cement business, in line with its long-term growth strategy.

– End –

This press release is to be read in conjunction with the Company’s announcement posted on the SGX website on 12 August 2025.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Roger Ng, roger.ng@edelmansmithfield.com
Jass Lim, jass.lim@edelmansmithfield.com

 

About International Cement Group (www.internationalcementgroup.com)

International Cement Group Ltd. and its subsidiaries (the “Group”) is primarily involved in the production, sale and/or distribution of cement, gypsum plasterboards, and related products in the Central Asia region.

The Group owns and operates the largest cement plant in the Khatlon region of Tajikistan, with an annual production capacity of 1.2 million metric tonnes. Additionally, the Group owns and operates a grinding station in Kolkhozabad with an annual production capacity of 0.6 million metric tonnes, and a gypsum plasterboard plant in the Yovon district with an annual production capacity of 30 million square meters, which commenced commercial production in December 2023.

Beyond its operations in Tajikistan, the Group has a strong presence in Kazakhstan, where it owns and operates three cement plants. The plants in Almaty and East Kazakhstan regions have annual production capacities of 1.2 million and 1.0 million metric tonnes, respectively. In November 2024, the Group officially opened the Korcem cement plant in the Korday district, Jambyl region, adding 1.5 million metric tonnes of annual capacity. With this latest addition, ICG has strengthened its position as the largest dry-process cement producer in Kazakhstan.

The Group also has an established presence in the manufacturing and marketing of aluminum extrusions for the construction industry in Singapore.