HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 July 2025 – MicroPort Scientific Corporation (Stock Code: 00853.HK, “MicroPort”) announced that Shanghai Healthcare M&A Fund (“SHMAF”), a fund managed by SIIC Capital, a subsidiary of SIIC Group, has entered into a share purchase agreement to acquire 135,335,204 shares in MicroPort held by Otsuka Medical Devices Co., Ltd. Through this transaction, SHMAF will become a strategic shareholder in MicroPort, underscoring its role as a state-backed, professionally operated platform that is creating value and empowering, stabilizing, developing, and reshaping leading biopharmaceutical companies in China.
As a homegrown Chinese innovator that has grown into a global leader in high-end medical devices, MicroPort serves as an anchor company for the industry. Its stable development is critical to both China’s and the global high-end medical device supply chain. This investment reflects SHMAF’s capital-driven approach to providing crucial support to domestic anchor companies, ensuring their stability and support growth of their core assets. SHMAF will support MicroPort’s growth momentum and high-quality sustainable development with its expansive resources.
Introducing a strategic shareholder to drive growth momentum. The transaction brings in a significant strategic shareholder for MicroPort. Leveraging its state-backed resources and industrial expertise, SHMAF will support MicroPort’s development needs, core business expansion, and potential strategic mergers and acquisitions to create synergies that bolster the company’s ongoing innovation and scale-up its operations.
Optimizing resource allocation to unlock synergistic value. MicroPort has successfully incubated and nurtured multiple listed companies and specialized, highly influential small companies, in the process establishing a unique MicroPort ecosystem. SHMAF will leverage its capital and operational integration expertise to support MicroPort in refining its development strategy, optimizing resource allocation, and unlocking synergistic value—while fully respecting market dynamics and corporate autonomy—to further strengthen its ecosystem and competitive advantages.
Enhancing ecosystem to enhance anchor company value. MicroPort’s product portfolio spans across ten major verticals, including cardiovascular intervention, rhythm management, orthopaedics, neurovascular intervention, and surgical robotics, making it a core player in the high-end medical device industrial chain. SHMAF’s support will not only drive MicroPort’s growth, it will also accelerate its consolidation of upstream and downstream companies in Shanghai, attract highly-skilled talent, and facilitate breakthroughs in critical technologies and core components—ultimately enhancing the global competitiveness of China’s high-end medical device industry.
This transaction marks another significant step in SHMAF’s commitment to serving biopharmaceutical anchor companies. Upholding its value investment principles, SHMAF will collaborate with MicroPort’s shareholders and management team to leverage the strategic support and industrial synergies its state-backed platform offers. Together, they will reinforce MicroPort’s position as China’s innovation engine in high-end medical devices and contribute to the advancement of the biopharmaceutical industry.
Hashtag: #SIICCapital #MicroPort #SHMAF
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About MicroPort Scientific Corporation
Founded in 1998 and headquartered in Shanghai’s Zhangjiang, MicroPort Scientific Corporation is a leading domestic innovative high-end medical device group. It began by breaking the import monopoly in the cardiovascular stent field, and after 26 years of innovative development, its business has expanded to areas including rhythm management, orthopaedics, cardiovascular intervention, aortic and peripheral vascular intervention, neurovascular intervention, heart valves, surgical robots, and surgical medical devices. By the end of 2024, MicroPort operated in over 20,000 hospitals across 100 countries and regions worldwide, providing more than 600 solutions for patients covering over 200 diseases. MicroPort has incubated 6 A-share and Hong Kong-listed companies, owns 9 specialized and sophisticated SMEs, 4 technology giant enterprises, and 16 national high-tech enterprises, making it an outstanding representative of Shanghai’s technological innovation and industrial transformation.
About SIIC Capital
As the active fund management platform under SIIC Group, since its establishment, SIIC Capital has been based in Shanghai, connected with Hong Kong, and oriented towards the world, actively exploring investment opportunities in strategic emerging industries such as biomedicine and green environmental protection. Through a multi-currency, full-stage fund matrix layout, it deeply serves national strategies and the construction of biomedicine highlands.
TAIPEI, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — For Taiwanese startups with advanced technology but struggling to find a pathway into the US market, the “LA Landing Taiwan” event offered a clear roadmap. Held today at the Taiwan Tech Arena, the event was organized by the international venture capital accelerator Mosaic Venture Lab. It was co-organized by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, A team Hub and PwC. The event brought together US and local venture capitalists, industry leaders, and government representatives to decode entry into the American market, share billion-dollar market strategies, and master key non-dilutive funding channels.
LA Landing Taiwan Bridges US-Taiwan Startup Ecosystems with Billion-Dollar Market Playbook
The event kicked off with “Crossing the Chasm: The Evolving Role of Cross-Border VC ,” a presentation by Dr. Min-Yi Shih, Partner at TCA Venture Group, Southern California’s largest angel investor network. Drawing on his extensive practical experience, he shared the “Smart Money” philosophy of modern venture capital, emphasizing that a good VC is not just a source of capital but a growth partner providing networks, expertise, and operational support—a critical bridge connecting Taiwan’s advanced manufacturing capabilities with US market capital.
Next, Rohit Shukla, Founder & CEO of the renowned US accelerator Larta Institute, shared his experience from having guided over 6,500 tech startups to secure over $23.7 billion in non-dilutive funding. His talk, titled “The Commercialization Engine: Engaging Your US Accelerator,” effectively delivered the “access code” to this vast pool of capital, illuminating a clear path for Taiwanese teams into the US market and its funding ecosystem.
Representing the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA), Dr. Chien-Cheng Tai, Senior Specialist at the Department of Industrial Technology, outlined the government’s role as an “invisible angel” for startups. He detailed a comprehensive government subsidy blueprint spanning from basic research to startup expansion. To attract international technology and investment, he highlighted the “Global R&D Innovation Partner Program,” which offers foreign firms introducing cutting-edge technology a subsidy of up to 50% of total R&D expenses, complemented by incentives like an up to 25% R&D tax credit for biomedical companies. These measures showcase Taiwan’s determination to establish itself as an Asia-Pacific R&D hub.
The event’s highlight was a panel discussion moderated by Volker Heistermann, Co-founder & Head of Partnerships at Mosaic Venture Lab. He was joined by panelists including Dave Whelan, the Venture Consultant at Wavemaker Three-Sixty Health who was instrumental in the $115M fundraising for the New York Genome Center. The session aimed to demonstrate how policy, acceleration, and capital can work in concert to pave the final mile for Taiwanese startups entering the US.
The event also featured pitches from teams planning their U.S. expansion, including EndoSemio, Flat Medical, Fluidiconic Biotechnology, and BioPro Scientific, showcasing Taiwan’s innovative strength. In closing, Johnny Yu, Managing Director of Mosaic Venture Lab, summarized the event’s mission: “Our goal is to move from showcasing potential to realizing impact, providing a clear and executable growth map for startups in both Taiwan and the US.”
Acquisition Expands OSI’s Oracle NetSuite Capabilities and Strengthens its Position in Mid-Market ERP Space
CALABASAS, Calif., July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — OSI Digital, a leading global digital transformation provider, is pleased to announce the acquisition of ERP Buddies, a trusted Oracle NetSuite solutions provider with deep expertise in delivering agile, high-quality ERP solutions to mid-market and high-growth companies.
OSI Digital + ERP Buddies: Joining Forces to Drive Innovation Across the ERP Landscape The combination of OSI Digital and ERP Buddies makes strategic and operational sense because this acquisition brings together two like-minded organizations with aligned culture & values, complementary technical strengths, and a mutual commitment to delivering innovative, client-centric ERP solutions to the global market. The ERP Buddies team brings significant value to OSI Digital through their deep specialization in Oracle NetSuite, with a solid track record of delivering agile, high-quality ERP solutions to mid-market and high-growth companies. Together, OSI Digital is uniquely positioned to expand their global ERP footprint, accelerate growth, and deliver even greater value to clients at every stage of their digital transformation journey.
“The acquisition of ERP Buddies marks a significant milestone in OSI Digital’s strategic growth journey,” said Glenn Gesell, President of OSI Digital. “ERP Buddies’ deep expertise in Oracle NetSuite, strong industry knowledge, and unwavering commitment to client success aligns seamlessly with OSI Digital’s mission. ERP Buddies enhances our technical capabilities and strengthens our ability to deliver high-impact ERP solutions to our customers around the world.”
Anil Yamani, President of OSI Digital International adds, “As one united team under the OSI Digital brand, we will further strengthen and enhance our geographic footprint and international presence in the ERP space. We’re excited to welcome the ERP Buddies team—whose deep NetSuite expertise and client-centric approach perfectly complement our vision. Together, we will accelerate the delivery of world-class ERP solutions, drive greater operational efficiency for our customers, and create measurable impact through innovation, agility and scale.”
Shared Purpose & Commitment to Customer Success This strategic acquisition strengthens OSI Digital’s commitment to delivering innovative, client-centric ERP solutions while expanding its global ERP footprint while accelerating growth across key markets. The integration of ERP Buddies into OSI Digital brings together two like-minded organizations with aligned cultures and values, complementary technical strengths, and a mutual focus on customer excellence. ERP Buddies’ entrepreneurial energy and specialization in Oracle NetSuite will further elevate OSI Digital’s ERP service offerings.
“Joining forces with OSI Digital marks an exciting new chapter for ERP Buddies,” said Divyesh Soni, CEO of ERP Buddies. “This partnership aligns seamlessly with our mission to deliver agile, high-quality ERP solutions while expanding our ability to serve clients on a global scale. We’re proud to become part of a well-established and highly respected organization that shares our values, entrepreneurial mindset, and commitment to innovation. Together, we’ll drive greater impact, deepen collaboration, and unlock new opportunities for our customers, partners, and team members.”
Financial & Legal Representation Barnes & Thornberg served as legal advisor to OSI Digital. Telegraph Hill Advisors served as exclusive financial advisor to ERP Buddies, and Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP served as legal advisor to ERP Buddies.
About OSI Digital Headquartered in Calabasas, California, OSI Digital is a leading global business and technology solutions provider that specializes in accelerating digital transformation for over 30 years and counting. Established in 1993, OSI Digital has grown into a global business & technology solutions provider, delivering a comprehensive suite of expert services—including Enterprise Applications, Customer Experience, Analytics, Cloud & IT Infrastructure, Application Development & Modernization, Enterprise Automation & Orchestration, Advisory Services, and Managed Services. OSI collaborates with top-tier partners including AWS, Microsoft Azure, Boomi, Celigo, Databricks, Oracle Cloud Infrastructure, Oracle Cloud Integration, Oracle NetSuite, Power BI, Salesforce, Snowflake, Tableau, Workato to drive business growth for our joint customers. With operations spanning eight countries, OSI Digital continues to expand our global footprint, strengthening our impact and presence in key markets around the world. To learn more about OSI Digital, visit: www.osidigital.com.
For more information, contact: Karen Dosanjh, Vice-President, Marketing, OSI Digital, Phone: (604) 328-5171, kdosanjh@osidigital.com
NDAChain, Vietnam’s National Blockchain Platform, has been launched to serve as the trusted, transparent, and secure verification layer for the country’s National Data Center, paving the way for a more reliable digital economy.
HANOI, Vietnam, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — In a significant step toward building a secure, transparent, and scalable national digital ecosystem, Vietnam has officially announced the deployment of NDAChain, its national blockchain platform. Developed by the National Data Association and operated by the Data Innovation and Exploitation Center (under the National Data Center, Ministry of Public Security), NDAChain is positioned as the foundational layer of data verification for government and private sector systems.
NDAChain addresses long-standing challenges of centralized data models such as vulnerability to cyberattacks, poor scalability, and limited global integration by offering a decentralized layer of trust for critical national systems, including e-government, finance, healthcare, logistics, and education.
“Vietnam has chosen a hybrid data architecture that blends centralized and decentralized components. NDAChain acts as a protective layer for the nation’s live data, critical to our digital society and economy,” said Mr. Nguyen Huy, Head of Technology at the National Data Association.
Why a National Blockchain?
With a population of over 100 million and a rapidly accelerating digital transformation, Vietnam is generating data at exponential rates. The National Data Center is designed to be the central repository for citizen and national data. However, protecting this data from forgery, leakage, and misuse demands a next-generation layer of verification.
Blockchain, known for its immutability, transparency, and decentralized nature, provides an ideal mechanism for authenticating and tracing data origin especially in high-stakes, cross-sectoral interactions.
How NDAChain Works
NDAChain is a Layer 1 permissioned blockchain featuring a consortium of 49 public-private validator nodes, operated by state agencies and major enterprises such as the National Data Center, Ministry of Public Security, SunGroup, Zalo, Masan, MISA, Sovico, and VNVC.
Each validator node includes: A distributed ledger for transparent transaction records; Smart contracts for automating processes; Identity verification modules integrated with Vietnam’s VNeID and other national identity systems.
The entire platform runs on a Proof-of-Authority (PoA) consensus protocol, enhanced with Zero-Knowledge Proof (ZKP) for security and capable of processing up to 3,600 transactions per second, with low latency and high scalability.
From Digital Identity to Product Traceability
Beyond its use in digital government, NDAChain also powers NDA DID, a decentralized identity solution that enables citizens to verify the identity of counterparties during transactions, service access, or digital contract signing. Through the NDAKey application, users can verify identities in seconds – helping prevent scams and impersonation.
In addition, NDAChain is integrated with NDATrace, Vietnam’s national platform for product identification, authentication, and traceability. Each product is issued a unique identifier (UID), compliant with GS1 standards and compatible with the EU’s EBSI system. This enables Vietnamese businesses to join global supply chains and build consumer trust with verified product origin.
Vision to 2026: A National Data Ecosystem
By the end of 2025, NDAChain will be fully integrated into the National Data Center and gradually expanded to local governments and universities by 2026. The next phase will focus on workforce development, international collaboration, and building Layer 2 applications tailored for various sectors.
Thanks to its open architecture and pro-integration policies, NDAChain is not only a national technology infrastructure but also a launchpad for startups, tech firms, and private organizations to develop digital services. These may include identity wallets, anti-counterfeit solutions, traceability platforms, or digital notarization services across verticals.
NDAChain In The National Ecosystem
From Vietnam to the World
More than 50 countries have launched national blockchain platforms, including BSN (China), EBSI (EU), and Klaytn (South Korea). Vietnam’s approach stands out by combining public-private collaboration, adherence to international standards (W3C DID, GDPR), and deep integration with national data systems, reflecting a long-term vision for data infrastructure and digital economic development.
“NDAChain is more than a technological platform – it represents Vietnam’s aspiration for digitization, integration, and sustainable growth,” a representative from the Data Innovation and Exploitation Center emphasized.
One-Stop Platform in Taiwan for Equipment Validation and Talent Training to Accelerate AI-based Manufacturing Worldwide
TAIPEI, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Delta, a global leader in power management and smart green solutions, today inaugurated in Taiwan its Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center, a strategic hub for equipment validation and talent training programs to support customers implementing geographically-distributed production and smart centralized management. At this one-stop platform site featuring hands-on training as well as production verification and trial runs, Delta also further strengthens its partnership with NVIDIA by jointly establishing the Delta & NVIDIA Cyber-Physical Integration Classroom to accelerate the worldwide adoption of digital twin and AI model applications, offering integrated cyber-physical training programs of individual machines, production lines, to factory-wide system integration for end-users and system integrators, and incorporating training resources for developing on the NVIDIA Omniverse digital twin platform. Nearly a hundred representatives from industry, government, and academia attended the grand opening, bringing fresh transformation momentum for the electronics and semiconductor industries.
Simon Chang, Delta’s President and COO, remarked, “Delta has long been dedicated to the research and development of smart manufacturing solutions, with AI offering us the opportunity to expand our capabilities in the field. This center represents a significant milestone thereof, and we are honored to deepen our partnership with NVIDIA, working together to implement digital twin applications through NVIDIA Omniverse training resources. In today’s rapidly evolving environment, we aim to leverage our unique experience and expertise to assist partners in the electronics and semiconductor industries in developing high-performance and scalable smart machinery and production line planning solutions that can be quickly replicated in new factories, ultimately shortening product development cycles and speeding up global manufacturing footprints.”
Andy Liu, General Manager of Delta’s Industrial Automation Business Group, stated, “As our customers adopt smart manufacturing, it is critical to solve key challenges, such as repeated testing when integrating new machines into existing production lines, as well as the time and resources required to learn new software applications. Our new Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center simulates real-world production environments using live equipment to validate the performance and applicability of new technologies, and collaborates with the industrial chain through training programs, to jointly solve these obstacles.”
Delta’s Smart Manufacturing Innovation Center, located at its own Zhongli Plant 6 in Taiwan, spans approximately 500 m2－ offering solutions from individual machines to full production lines. It boasts a 3D dashboard for real-time equipment monitoring, hands-on validation zones, and equipment testing for trial production and acceptance — all designed to accelerate line deployment. The center also showcases application scenarios of Delta’s Line Manager platform and DIATwin digital twin technology. These solutions demonstrate cyber-physical integration across individual machines, complete production lines, and entire factories. Based on modular and replicable line setups combined with digital management, the center supports rapid global manufacturing expansion.
The center also features the Delta & NVIDIA Cyber-Physical Integration Classroom, which simulates real-world manufacturing scenarios. Through structured and tiered courses and workshops, participants learn to tackle pain points from design to mass production. The curriculum includes digital simulation and AI model applications for new line setup, process recipe optimization, and production management. Looking ahead, it also plans to introduce training courses for NVIDIA Omniverse and Isaac Sim, which focus on digital twin technologies and robotic equipment simulation, leading participants to explore the latest trends and practical applications of AI. Delta is positioned to become a key partner for a myriad of industries, helping them develop highly replicable smart manufacturing solutions to accelerate digital transformation and industrial upgrades.
About Delta
Delta, founded in 1971, and listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (code:2308), is a global leader in switching power supplies and thermal management products with a thriving portfolio of IoT-based smart energy-saving systems and solutions in the fields of industrial automation, building automation, telecom power, data center infrastructure, EV charging, renewable energy, energy storage and display, to nurture the development of smart manufacturing and sustainable cities. As a world-class corporate citizen guided by its mission statement, “To provide innovative, clean and energy-efficient solutions for a better tomorrow,” Delta leverages its core competence in high-efficiency power electronics and its ESG-embedded business model to address key environmental issues, such as climate change. Delta serves customers through its sales offices, R&D centers and manufacturing facilities spread over close to 200 locations across 5 continents.
Throughout its history, Delta has received various global awards and recognition for its business achievements, innovative technologies and dedication to ESG. Since 2011, Delta has been listed on the Dow Jones Best-in-Class World Index (formerly the DJSI World Index of Dow Jones Sustainability™ Indices) for 14 consecutive years. Delta has also won CDP with double A List for 4 times for its substantial contribution to climate change and water security issues and has been named Supplier Engagement Leader for its continuous development of a sustainable value chain for 8 consecutive years.
For detailed information about Delta, please visit: www.deltaww.com
DUBAI, UAE, July 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, is reporting significant progress in its strategic partnership with EthicHub, a project supported by Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA), focused on improving financial inclusion and market access for small holder coffee farmers.
During ETHCC week in Paris, Ben Zhou, Co-founder and CEO of Bybit met with EthicHub co-founders Jori Armbruster and Gabriela Chang Valdovinos to review the impact of Bybit’s $1 million liquidity investment, announced earlier this year. The collaboration aims to empower rural communities through decentralized finance and sustainable trade opportunities.
Driving Growth Through Blockchain Solutions
Bybit’s $1 million liquidity investment is already fueling measurable results. To date, EthicHub has facilitated more than $5 million in loans across its network, maintaining a default rate below 3 percent, fully covered to protect lenders. The platform has also enabled the sale of over 300 tons of coffee, generating more than $2 million in revenue, and directly supporting more than 10.000 coffee farmers in LATAM.
So far, 40 percent of Bybit’s investment has been deployed in two high-impact projects:
Cosechando Riqueza (Chiapas, Mexico): supported 25 families cultivating 70 hectares of high-quality coffee, promoting agroforestry in regions historically affected by violence.
Costal Campesino (Cauca and Nariño, Colombia): helped 22 families producing “Café de Paz,” or Peace Coffee — a sustainable alternative for former guerrilla fighters transitioning from coca cultivation to coffee farming.
Coffees from these projects are expected to reach European markets starting in August, with a projected increase in sales beginning in September. Shipments of these coffees to Europe are scheduled to begin in August, with sales projected to reach approximately $1.3 million in the months ahead.
“EthicHub’s model is a powerful example of how blockchain technology can create real economic opportunities and resilience for farming communities that have long been underserved,” said Freya Chen, Executive Director at the Blockchain for Good Alliance (BGA). “The results we’re seeing — millions in loans, strong repayment rates, and growing coffee sales — prove that decentralized finance can deliver measurable benefits on the ground.”
From left: Gabriela Chang Valdovinos and Jori Armbruster, co-founders of EthicHub, spoke with Ben Zhou, CEO and co-founder of Bybit.
#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk / #BGA
About Bybit
Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.
EthicHub is a decentralized crowdfunding platform designed to connect smallholder farmers in emerging economies with ethical lenders and conscious roasters worldwide. Using blockchain technology, EthicHub offers fair credit and market opportunities to communities underserved by traditional financial systems.
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 July 2025 – In a rapidly evolving world marked by unprecedented technological advancements, shifting consumer behaviors, and unpredictable global economic changes, relying on outdated thinking is no longer viable. Adaptability and creativity have become essential attributes for every country seeking to thrive in the modern era.
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA)
Today, ‘innovation’ is more than a buzzword, it is embedded in our daily lives and plays an increasingly prominent role in national development. Countries that have succeeded in the modern economy share a common foundation: strategic investment in ‘Impactful Innovation’ that improves lives, enriches society, and drives tangible economic growth.
At the heart of 21st-century development lies innovation that is not just “usable” but must also “have an impact.” Today, Thailand stands at a crucial crossroads between being merely a consumer of foreign technology and becoming a country capable of producing, creating, and exporting its own “Impactful Innovations.”
Redefining “Impactful Innovation” Through the Lens of Thailand’s Innovation Leaders
Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA), explains that genuine innovation is not simply about introducing new ideas or trendy products. In the business context, innovation means adaptation, identifying new opportunities, responding to evolving consumer needs, and securing competitive advantages. It must be actionable, value-driven, and capable of generating widespread positive impact.
What matters is not merely whether a product sells, but whether it can be scaled to create economic and social value across a broad spectrum. In today’s consumer-centric world, people are dictating the direction of product and service development. Personalization and niche segmentation have overtaken mass production, with increasing demand for specialized products from health-focused functional foods to nutrition tailored for the elderly and patients with specific medical needs.
‘Impactful Innovation’ therefore refers to innovation that creates meaningful transformation in quality of life, economy, society, or environment, and can spark profound structural change.
To navigate this transformation, NIA plays a critical role in positioning Thailand as an ‘Innovation Nation,’ acting as a Focal Conductor across both policy and practice. The agency supports innovative entrepreneurs from startups and SMEs to social and community enterprises in developing innovations that yield positive and sustainable outcomes for the economy and society.
NIA’s ‘4G Strategy’ offers a comprehensive framework:
Groom: Cultivating and nurturing innovation capacity
Grant: Providing funding to bring ideas to life
Growth: Unlocking market access and investment channels
Global: Scaling into the international arena
This pathway is designed to take innovations from conceptualization through to problem-solving, expansion, and long-term growth. The agency places strong emphasis on national strategic industries from EV and green technologies to health tourism, functional foods, and the creative economy, all of which hold immense potential to generate positive and far-reaching impacts.
Ultimately, the goal is not merely to increase the number of innovators, but to foster innovation of real quality that delivers measurable social, economic, and environmental impact from local communities to the global stage.
The Power of Innovation: Driving Thailand’s Economy and Society Forward
Thailand has seen several outstanding examples of impactful innovation. One such achievement is the globally recognized ‘Klaeng Din’ (Artificial Soil Acidity) innovation, developed under the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s Royal Initiative. Designed to rehabilitate acid sulphate soils through a carefully managed water and lime treatment process, this method transformed unproductive land into fertile farmland, a breakthrough technology with no precedent in tropical regions worldwide.
Another nationally transformative innovation is PromptPay, Thailand’s digital payment infrastructure. By enabling fast and secure transfers using a national ID number, phone number, or bank account, PromptPay has not only simplified daily transactions but also improved the government’s delivery of welfare payments and financial support. It is now a key pillar of Thailand’s transition to a cashless society.
NIA’s efforts to cultivate impactful innovation have yielded promising results in recent years. For instance, MuvMi, a Thai electric Tuk-Tuk startup, was developed to reduce environmental pollution and has since evolved into a public mobility platform with private-sector investment.
Another example is ‘Pinto Roi Sai’ from the community of Tamot, Phatthalung, a grassroots innovation blending local food culture and tourism. This initiative invites visitors to experience authentic Southern Thai cuisine prepared by locals using seasonal, pesticide-free ingredients, creating value through culture, sustainability, and community income generation.
The Future of Thai Innovation
It is now beyond doubt that innovation is a driving force behind Thailand’s future. Promoting innovation with a measurable, positive impact is both a compelling challenge and a critical national mission. In this volatile and uncertain global landscape, building the country’s capacity to compete and adapt is vital.
NIA’s ultimate vision is to steer Thailand toward becoming an ‘Innovation Nation.’ Through integrated mechanisms and collaborative ecosystems, the agency connects relevant stakeholders and empowers innovators seamlessly. It is working to strengthen partnerships across the private sector, universities, science parks, and regional agencies ensuring that innovation infrastructure is accessible to all, and that innovation outputs are effectively scaled to achieve lasting societal benefits.
As Thailand moves forward, impactful innovation will not only shape our economy but redefine our place in the world.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 25 July 2025 – Cheras LeisureMall marks its latest milestone with its 30 th Anniversary celebrations, highlighting its rich legacy of cherished moments in serving the local community of Cheras. In conjunction with its 30th Anniversary, the mall rewarded 30 shoppers with prizes worth more than RM200,000 during The Grand 30 Giveaway live draw and prize presentation on 27 April 2025.
Cheras LeisureMall celebrates over 30 years of cherished moments as an iconic neighbourhood mall in Cheras.
A Legacy of Connection and Community For three decades, it has stood as an enduring landmark in Klang Valley, a pioneer among shopping malls that has grown alongside generations of Malaysians. As it marks its 30th Anniversary this year, the mall celebrates its rich legacy and looks ahead to a vibrant, revitalised future.
Since its grand opening in 1995, Cheras LeisureMall has been more than just a shopping destination—it has been a cherished part of the community. As one of the first malls in the region, Cheras LeisureMall introduced a new era of retail and entertainment, providing a space where families, friends, and businesses could gather.
Over the years, it has evolved into a beloved neighbourhood hub, fostering relationships and shared experiences that transcend generations. The mall’s unique charm, nostalgia and character ensure its lasting relevance to the surrounding communities.
Despite its smaller size compared to the newer mega-malls, with approximately 280,000 square feet of net lettable area (NLA), Cheras LeisureMall has consistently remained one of the most popular malls in Cheras. Its wide variety of shops, F&B outlets, and leisure activities make it a favourite destination for the entire family.
Part of its lasting appeal is the mall’s ability to adapt to meet changing market trends and customer expectations amidst a rapidly evolving retail landscape and economic fluctuations.
Another feature that makes Cheras LeisureMall unique is its lasting bond with tenants, consistently maintaining a 90% occupancy rate over the decades. Several long-standing tenants that have been a part of the mall since its inception include Eu Yan Sang, Poh Kong, Popular, McDonald’s, Guardian, Baskin-Robbins, Cheinhoong Florist, Minit Cobbler, Sox World and AsterSpring. Other long-standing tenants such as Watsons, Wah Chan, Ogawa, Bata, Dalun and many more remain among the community’s favourites.
This long-standing relationship with tenants has drawn its own set of loyal customers, many of whom grew up with and continue to frequent the same outlets with their children and grandchildren. In many ways, the tenants have helped create many lasting memories for shoppers that transcends generations.
While the occupancy rate was affected during the COVID19 pandemic, the occupancy rate quickly rose to pre-pandemic levels of 96% occupancy within less than two years. This rapid growth in occupancy stands as a testament to Cheras LeisureMall’s key presence as a central neighbourhood hub in the community of Taman Segar, Cheras.
F&B outlets saw a spike in demand post-pandemic, with shoppers more willing to spend on dining out and enjoying new experience. This surge saw the rapid opening of several F&B tenants such as a food court – Food City, Old Nanyang Café, one of the largest ZUS Coffee outlets in Malaysia and many more.
The mall also saw continuous demand for technology and digital products, which led to several new tech brands opening at Cheras LeisureMall, such as Huawei, HONOR, Realme and many more.
As the mall progresses with time, it evolves and attract changes in providing new shopping and dining experiences.
Cheras Plaza, an ever-evolving commercial building
The adjacent building, Cheras Plaza, has also enjoyed a storied history since its opening in 1987, growing and complementing Cheras LeisureMall’s offerings.
Cheras Plaza housed the first Japanese department store, Chujitsu, outside of Japan, which strongly attracted many surrounding residents. The building became a centre of education when Sedaya College took over the entire premises. Eventually in 2002, the building was converted into an office tower, thus renamed as Cheras Plaza.
In 2023, the entire building saw a major facelift, with a modern new aluminium façade and a transformed lobby. Air conditioning, new lifts and an upgraded cashless parking system provide all the conveniences of modern design with its charming past.
Presently, the building has two main tenants on its ground and mezzanine floors: Hua Yuan Seafood and Sing V Karaoke, while offices occupy the upper floors.
These two new establishments position Cheras Plaza as not just a premier office location but a dining and entertainment hub in the bustling Taman Segar neighbourhood.
Growing with the times
For many, Cheras LeisureMall was one of the very first malls in the Klang Valley that offered an indoor amusement park, bowling alley or cinema, making it a must-visit destination for visitors.
It has undergone several rounds of refurbishments over the years to continue staying relevant to the evolving needs of consumers. The indoor theme park and bowling alley made way in the early 2000s to a plethora of dining options and expanded net lettable area, offering cuisines from different parts of the world.
Both blocks have seen continuous upgrades and improvements, both in its building renovations and diverse tenancy mix, ensuring it stays up to date with the needs of its shoppers and tenants. The introduction of key tenants such as Fitness First in 2005, Village Grocer and Grand senQ in 2022, which was one of the first exclusive concept senQ outlets in Malaysia, continue shaping its unique offerings to its customers.
The mall took a pioneering step towards sustainability by installing 360 solar panels on its rooftop back in 2009, with a peak capacity of 64.8 kWp.
In 2009, the initial food court was renovated into what stands as Cravings Lane on Level 1, offering a wide range of new F&B options available. This area saw another facelift with a dedicated pedestrian link to the adjacent Taman Mutiara MRT station was unveiled in 2018, further enhancing its connectivity and drawing a wider audience to Cheras LeisureMall, such as students, working adults and tourists.
Despite the changes, certain features such as the mall’s iconic linkbridge connecting both buildings and the Lower Ground Concourse which hosts all the mall’s large festivities has remained unchanged.
Beloved community traditions
In line with its identity as a neighbourhood mall, festive traditions have become an integral part of its DNA, whether its Chinese New Year, Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Deepavali, Mid-Autumn or Christmas.
The sound of cymbals during acrobatic lion dance performances for Chinese New Year remain an annual mainstay for surrounding residents till today. In the late 90s, it was a rare treat to witness performers leaping from pole to pole and attracting visitors from far and wide.
The mall’s Mid-Autumn Lantern Competition, which was introduced in 1996, remains an annual affair with a unique grassroots twist in 2024. The mall had set a new record recently in the Malaysia Book of Records for The Most Handpainted Lanterns by Children, with over 1,500 lanterns made by schoolchildren from 14 primary schools.
The annual Christmas Toy Bank initiative, which first started in 2002, continues to be a year-end tradition for Cheras folks, with hundreds of gifts donated yearly to children in various charity homes.
Today, the mall remains a popular venue for a wide variety of community activities, such as various safety awareness events, pet adoption drives, regular blood donation drives, wildlife conservation event, the division’s long-term sustainability initiative The REplace Project, kiosks for needy NGOs and charity homes and many more.
Rewarding shoppers with The Grand 30 Giveaway
Thirty lucky shoppers walked away with 30 prizes in honour of Cheras LeisureMall’s milestone anniversary, including a Haval H6 HEV, an Ogawa Vivre massage chair, Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra, 12g of 999 12 Zodiac Gold Beans, Travelog travel vouchers worth RM3,888 and many more.
The spend and win contest, The Grand 30 Giveaway ran from 15 February to 20 April 2025. Shoppers who spend a minimum of RM300 at any participating outlets were eligible to submit an entry and stand a chance to win one of the attractive prizes.
The atmosphere at the prize presentation ceremony was filled with anticipation, with over 2,000 submissions. The participants gathered to witness the live draw event held at the mall’s Lower Ground Concourse in the hopes to winning the grand prize.
The contest was held to reward its shoppers who have been an invaluable part of Cheras LeisureMall’s rich legacy in Taman Segar, Cheras since its grand opening on 24 April 1995.
Celebrating 30 Years and Beyond
As Cheras LeisureMall enters its fourth decade, numerous exciting developments are in progress. Asset enhancement works in key strategic areas of the mall will refresh its ambiance. The phased improvements include introducing new alfresco areas along the ground floor, enhancing mall entrances for better customer arrival experiences, modernising and upgrading facilities, and many other initiatives that are set for the near future.
The mall had expanded its green initiatives by adding over 1,440 new solar panels in 2024 with a peak system capacity of 900 kWp. These efforts aim to generate clean, renewable energy and reduce its carbon footprint.
The mall management is evaluating and enhancing the tenant mix to attract new and prominent brands that best serve the community’s evolving needs. This ongoing effort ensures that Cheras LeisureMall remains a vibrant and relevant hub for shopping, dining, and leisure activities.
The mall is also committed to long-term sustainability efforts, namely The REplace Project which installed designated recycling areas and a bag sharing corner to promote green living within the community.
Recently, the mall has embraced digitalisation, redefining customer engagement with the introduction of the PLAYCE app. This new loyalty app aims to make shopping and rewards more seamless and enjoyable for patrons while fostering close collaboration with tenants.
For further information about the latest happenings at Cheras LeisureMall, please visit its Facebook and Instagram pages. Hashtag: #PPB
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About Cheras LeisureMall
Cheras LeisureMall, a popular family-friendly destination in Cheras since 1994 celebrates its latest milestone with its 30th Anniversary. The neighbourhood landmark provides a host of integrated retail, F&B and leisure activities designed to cater to the needs of the Cheras community.
Cheras LeisureMall is owned and managed by PPB Properties – the property division of PPB Group Berhad, which is an investment holding and property investment company listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad.
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