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HKSTP Deepens Southeast Asia I&T Ties at MTX 2026, Signs Inaugural MoU with Singapore’s TechX

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Advertorial Desk
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Having led 100+ Hong Kong tech firms to SE Asia over the past year, accelerating global expansion through strategic collaboration


HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation continues to deepen its innovation and technology (I&T) collaboration with Southeast Asia, actively playing an orchestrating role in supporting Hong Kong’s tech firms go global. HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Under the theme “Supercharging Innovation for Our Safer Tomorrow”, MTX 2026 is a strategic platform to advance business opportunities through government-backed collaboration. HKSTP showcased 10 park companies presenting breakthrough public safety solutions and signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore’s TechX Ventures (TechX, a private subsidiary by the HTX – Home Team Science and Technology Agency of Singapore) — HKSTP’s first MoU signed with an organization in Southeast Asia — establishing a structured framework to advance cross-border innovation partnerships focused on practical applications in public safety.

HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Gladys Oon, Director of Partnerships and Account Management of HKSTP, officiated the opening of HKSTP Pavilion.
HKSTP debuted as an official exhibitor at Southeast Asia’s largest public safety conference, Milipol TechX Summit 2026 (MTX 2026). Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer and Gladys Oon, Director of Partnerships and Account Management of HKSTP, officiated the opening of HKSTP Pavilion.

Singapore and Hong Kong share a substantive relationship, grounded in regular high-level engagement. These include the Prime Minister of Singapore’s official visit to Hong Kong last month, during which he met with the Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and visited the Hong Kong Park of the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Co-operation Zone (the Hong Kong Park in the Loop). The I&T connection also features HKSTP-led delegations to Singapore platforms such as Singapore Week of Innovation and Technology (SWITCH) and SLINGSHOT 2025, etc. Over the past year, more than 100 HKSTP park companies explored Southeast Asian opportunities, securing over HK$25 million in confirmed business deals with additional potential contracts exceeding HK$20 million directly supported by HKSTP.

Eric Or, Chief Ecosystem Development Officer, HKSTP, said, “At HKSTP, we enable innovators to solve real public safety challenges where trust and demonstrated results matter most. Collaborating with TechX and Singapore’s Public Safety ecosystem gives ventures faster access to decision-makers, enables solution testing in operational environments, and supports scaling validated technologies across Asia.”

Eric Chua, Chief Executive Officer, TechX Ventures said: “SPINN District was designed to be more than a startup village — it is a proving ground where bold founders showcase innovations that matter. Seeing HKSTP’s park companies engage meaningfully with the global public safety ecosystem at MTX 2026 reflects exactly the kind of cross-border momentum we built this platform for. This MoU marks the beginning of something lasting: a structured pipeline that turns innovation into operational impact, as we work together to build a safer world.”

The collaboration between HKSTP and TechX is aimed to establish a comprehensive framework to identify, co-create, and validate operational public safety solutions. Under the partnership, HKSTP and its counterparts will move from identified needs to real deployment through annual solution scouting visits to Hong Kong Science Park, funding of around HK$600,000 (S$100,000) per company for proof-of-concept trials with Singapore Public Safety experts, and an ongoing exchange of challenges and insights. This demand-led model accelerates problem-solution fit and reinforces HKSTP’s leadership in regional safety technology collaboration.

The HKSTP Pavilion, themed “Hong Kong’s Technology for Public Safety and Security — Global Application and Global Impact,” featured 10 park companies showcasing solutions proven in deployments across Hong Kong enforcement departments, the Greater Bay Area, and Singapore-related projects. Cutting-edge public safety technologies were showcased across AI-Driven & Robotics, Network & Communications Infrastructure, and Drones, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) & Low-altitude Economy (LAE). MTX is the largest public safety conference in Southeast Asia, the HKSTP pavilion is strategically positioned within the startup-centric SPINN District, effectively facilitated targeted engagements, secured curated matching opportunities with Singapore government agencies for each participating company, and advanced pilot projects and partnerships.

Park companies eSIX and Weitu AI participated in the signature global innovation challenge Dimension X Cohort 6 and the inaugural cohort of the In-Beta tech verification capability programme organized by Hatch, the innovation centre of Singapore’s HTX, achieving significant success. These companies were the only Hong Kong representatives selected for the programmes, underscoring the global competitiveness and real-world impact of Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem. eSIX, which delivers patented high-speed networking for Industrial IoT and 5G-enabled remote machine control, was awarded a place at Dimension X. The company received S$100,000 in prize money to complete a four-month proof-of-concept and was invited to showcase its solutions. Weitu AI, which provides world-leading multimodal video understanding for fast, accurate analysis across industries was awarded a place at In-Beta, received S$30,000 in prize money with opportunities to verify their promising tech through rapid experimentation and onsite demo.

Building on existing engagement across the region, HKSTP will continue to strengthen collaboration with regional partners, expand support for park companies, and promote technology‑driven solutions that enhance safety and resilience. The initiative reflects HKSTP’s ongoing commitment to fostering sustained innovation and regional cooperation.

Hashtag: #HKSTP

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

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), established in 2001, has built a thriving innovation and technology (I&T) ecosystem in Hong Kong, supporting 12 unicorns, nurturing over 17,000 research talents, and hosting more than 2,500 technology companies from 26 countries and regions specializing in biomedicine, AI and robotics, fintech, and smart city development. HKSTP is dedicated to positioning Hong Kong as an international I&T hub.

To align with Hong Kong’s future development, HKSTP is committed to attracting and cultivating I&T talent, accelerating the commercialization of innovative outcomes, and providing comprehensive support for technology companies and professionals on their innovation journey. Its vibrant I&T ecosystem continues to grow, encompassing Hong Kong Science Park in Pak Shek Kok, InnoCentre in Kowloon Tong, and three InnoParks in Tai Po, Yuen Long, and Tseung Kwan O. These facilities drive advancements in applied technology, focusing on industries such as advanced manufacturing, micro- electronics, and biotechnology, steering Hong Kong toward new industrialization.

Hong Kong Science Park Shenzhen Branch, located in Futian, Shenzhen, leverages the strategic advantage of “support of the Motherland, connecting to the world.” It serves as a bridge for “bringing in and going global,” actively fostering cross-border I&T collaboration. The Shenzhen Branch supports global technology companies and professionals by providing research and collaboration spaces, with a focus on enterprises in seven key sectors: Medtech, big data and AI, robotics, new materials, microelectronics, fintech, and sustainable development.

HKSTP is dedicated to advancing Hong Kong’s I&T development by providing research infrastructure, startup and enterprise support services, professional investment and business expertise, fostering partnership networks, and attracting top talent. These efforts drive innovation as a new engine for economic growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at .

About TechX Ventures

TechX Ventures is a wholly owned subsidiary of Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) that operates at the intersection of government mandate and entrepreneurial drive. TechX serves as the engine behind a thriving innovation ecosystem where cutting-edge science and technology are put to work protecting people.

At the heart of it, TechX is established to connect global innovators and partners in advancing public safety innovation. Guided by our Safer World philosophy — the belief that progress means nothing if it doesn’t safeguard public safety — TechX approaches safety not as a sector, but as a shared mission. This conviction shapes every partnership forged, every programme designed, and every measure of success. Safety, at TechX, is our purpose.

TechX delivers its mission through two core areas of expertise: to build and to connect. TechX designs and develops innovation initiatives and programmes alongside partners from across the globe, including flagship platforms such as HTX’s Innovation Centre, Hatch — a structured innovation centre that gives frontier deep-tech a clear pathway to validate and deploy solutions for real public safety challenges. TechX also bridges industry, startups, and government agencies into a global network, producing landmark events such as Millipol TechX, and bringing international communities like DEF CON® to Singapore for the first time.

With active partnerships spanning over 30 ecosystems globally — from Hong Kong to South Korea, and the United States, TechX sits at the heart of a growing worldwide alliance united by one ambition: Bringing Together a Safer World.

Laos, Thailand Step Up Fight Against Cross-Border Haze

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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A picture of hazed environment in Chieng Mai, Thailand on 4 April, 2026 (on the left, photo by Chiang Mai News), a picuture of air pollution at Patuxay, Vientiane Laos on 6 April 2023 (On the right, picture by Laopost)

Laos and Thailand are stepping up efforts to tackle cross-border haze pollution, with new focus on forest fires, agricultural burning, and rising PM2.5 levels that continue to affect air quality across the region.

On 29 April, Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Suchart Chomklin, met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane. Both sides reviewed existing cooperation and agreed on new measures to tackle seasonal haze caused by forest fires, agricultural burning, and drifting smoke across their shared border.

On the same day, Suchart and Lao Minister of Agriculture and Environment Linkham Douangsavanh held a separate ministerial consultation. Together, they reviewed progress under the CLEAR Sky Strategy 2030, a joint plan involving Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar covering five priority areas: wildfire control, pollution forecasting, sustainable agriculture, law enforcement coordination, and implementation.

Regional Framework

The April talks build on January 2026 trilateral agreement between Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar to jointly combat PM2.5 pollution using satellite technology and shared real-time monitoring. 

Under the 2026-2027 plan, the three countries committed to exchange hotspot data, track forest fires in border areas, and improve early warning systems during the dry season, when haze pollution usually peaks.

The agreement also included support for alternatives to slash-and-burn farming and greater community involvement to reduce open burning, reflecting a wider regional push to address pollution at its source.

Laos Air Quality Improves, But Risks Continue

After weeks of severe haze, Laos has seen a notable improvement in air quality, aided by rainfall during the peak dry season. 

Government data released in late April showed most provinces returning to “good” levels, with AQI readings between 26 and 37, a sharp drop from earlier in the month when some locations recorded nearly 300, classified as “very unhealthy”.

However, some areas remain in the moderate range.

While the rainfall has brought short-term relief, the speed at which haze returned this season underscores the need for sustained regional action. Cross-border smoke from fires remains a recurring annual challenge across mainland Southeast Asia, and meaningful progress will depend on consistent cooperation in fire prevention, real-time monitoring, and reducing agricultural burning across borders.

SKF commits to a sovereign AI future through strategic partnership with Sferical AI

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Advertorial Desk
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GOTHENBURG, Sweden, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SKF commits to joining Sferical AI – a company co-founded by AstraZeneca, Ericsson, Saab, SEB and Wallenberg Investments – as a strategic compute partner. By securing dedicated capacity on one of Sweden’s most powerful sovereign AI supercomputers, SKF accelerates the deployment of industrial AI at scale while ensuring that sensitive data such as engineering information, proprietary design models and advanced simulation workloads remains protected within the European industrial ecosystem.

“AI is reshaping what industrial leadership means. For us, being part of Sweden’s sovereign AI backbone is not just a technology decision. It is about redefining our future with a focus on security, sustainability and long-term industrial competitiveness,” says Rickard Gustafson, President and CEO, SKF.

The partnership complements SKF’s existing cloud strategy and is focused on R&D and capability developments. As a buyer-participant, SKF will enable high-performance and innovation-critical AI workloads in areas such as predictive maintenance, quality control, tribology-informed machine learning, R&D, engineering optimisation and next-generation digital products.

“SKF has a long tradition of engineering expertise and innovation, and we look forward to supporting their continued journey in AI-driven industry. For us, the collaboration is not only about computing capacity, but about working together, sharing knowledge, and ultimately accelerating the application of AI,” says Jenny Nordlöw, CEO, Sferical AI.

“AI is essential for industrial innovation, and it must be built on the right foundation. By joining Sferical AI, we secure sovereign, high-performance compute in Sweden, supporting faster progress and protecting our intellectual property built over our 125-year history. This partnership reinforces our technology strategy, ensuring AI development reflects SKF’s values of security, responsibility and competitiveness,” says Annika Ölme, Chief Technology Officer, SKF.

SKF’s participation in Sferical AI reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to collaboration, innovation and competitiveness within Sweden’s industrial ecosystem. Together with its partners, SKF aims to advance capabilities needed to accelerate R&D, strengthen operational performance and deliver enhanced value to customers.

Aktiebolaget SKF
      (publ)

For further information, please contact:
Technology communications: Aparna Srivastava, +46 707 576 468; aparna.srivastava@skf.com
Press Relations: Carl Bjernstam, +46 31-337 2517; +46 722 201 893; carl.bjernstam@skf.com
Investor Relations: Sophie Arnius, +46 31-337 8072; +46 705 908 072; sophie.arnius@skf.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skf/r/skf-commits-to-a-sovereign-ai-future-through-strategic-partnership-with-sferical-ai,c4342629

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20260430 SKF commits to a sovereign AI future through strategic partnership with Sferical AI

https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skf-and-sferical-ai-partnership,c3533658

SKF and Sferical AI partnership

https://news.cision.com/skf/i/rickard-gustafson-1×1-digital,c3533659

Rickard Gustafson 1×1 digital

https://news.cision.com/skf/i/skf-annika-olme-1-16×9,c3533657

SKF Annika Ölme 1 16×9

 

A Mekong Body Partners with Singapore on Climate, Water Security

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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Mekong River Commission partners with Singapore to enhance water security, climate resilience, early warning systems, and sustainable resource management cooperation. Vientiane Capital, Laos. 29 April 2026. (Photo supplies)

One of Southeast Asia’s most vital river systems now has a new ally: Singapore, whose water technology and innovation could help the Mekong region weather an increasingly volatile climate.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC), a body uniting Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, signed an agreement with Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Laos’ Vientiane on 29 April, opening a five-year framework for joint work on water resource management, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

The agreement focuses on three main areas: deploying satellite and geospatial tools to sharpen early warning systems for floods and droughts; researching drought-resistant crops and agricultural knowledge exchange; and sharing Singapore’s expertise in wastewater treatment, water recycling, and urban water governance.

Singapore’s Ambassador to Laos, Ong Siew Gay, acknowledged that Singapore is not a riparian state, but said the basin’s challenges,  from extreme weather and crop failures to transnational crime, carry consequences far beyond the region, making deeper international cooperation not just valuable, but necessary.

His remarks come as unregulated rare earth mining in Myanmar sends toxic runoff, including arsenic, mercury, lead, and cadmium, into the river’s tributaries, threatening fisheries and food security for millions downstream. The MRC has been coordinating a regional response since arsenic was first detected in March 2025 near the confluences of the Kok and Ruak Rivers in northern Thailand, with levels at times exceeding WHO safety limits.

MRC CEO Busadee Santipitaks framed the deal as recognition that the Mekong’s future would not be shaped by riparian countries alone. She said Singapore’s technical strengths would bring fresh perspectives to tackling shared water challenges, and that the region’s problems were inherently transboundary, requiring multi-faceted solutions.

The partnership builds on existing ties. 

Singapore has already trained more than 57,000 officials from Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam under its cooperation program, and a preliminary agreement on flood monitoring using earth observation technology was signed with the Commission in February 2025.

The new agreement aligns with the MRC’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which prioritizes building resilience against climate-driven extremes.

2026 ESMO GC | Mabwell to Present Latest Clinical Data on 9MW2821 for Cervical Cancer in Oral and Poster Presentations

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Advertorial Desk
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SHANGHAI, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK), an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with a fully integrated industry chain, today announced that two latest clinical study results of its novel Nectin‑4 targeting ADC (R&D code: 9MW2821) in cervical cancer will be presented respectively as an oral presentation and a poster presentation, at the 2026 European Society for Medical Oncology Gynaecological Cancers (ESMO GC) Annual Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, June 17–19, 2026.

Oral Presentation

Title:
Bulumtatug Fuvedotin (BFv, 9MW2821), a nectin-4 antibody-drug conjugate, in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: Updated results from a phase I/II study.
Abstract No.: 28RO
Presenter: Prof. Yang Huijuan, Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center
Session Date and Time: 6/17/2026 2:45PM-4:10PM (local time)

Poster Presentation

Title:
Preliminary results of Bulumtatug Fuvedotin (BFv, 9MW2821) in combined with Toripalimab in patients with recurrent or metastatic cervical cancer: A cohort from a Phase Ib/II Clinical Study.

Abstract No.: 36P
Principal Investigator: 
Prof. Lou Hanmei, Zhejiang Cancer Hospital
Prof. Wang Yudong, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute
Session Date and Time:  6/18/2026 12:45PM-1:30PM (local time)

About Mabwell

Mabwell (688062.SH, 02493.HK) is an innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company with capabilities spanning the entire pharmaceutical value chain. The company is committed to providing more effective and accessible therapies to meet global medical needs, with a focus on oncology and aging-related diseases. Mabwell’s mission is “Explore Life, Benefit Health” and its vision is “Innovation, from Ideas to Reality.” For more information, please visit www.mabwell.com/en.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, the potential safety, efficacy, regulatory review or approval and commercial success of our product candidates and those relating to the Company’s product development, clinical studies, clinical and regulatory milestones and timelines, market opportunity, competitive position, possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, potential growth opportunities and other statements that are predictive in nature. “Forward-looking statements” are statements that are not historical facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking expressions, including, but not limited to, “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “estimate,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” and similar expressions and the negatives of those terms.

Forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current expectations and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, including, but not limited to: environment; politic; economy; society; legislation; our dependence on our product candidates, most of which are still in preclinical or various stages of clinical development; our reliance on third-party vendors, such as contract research organizations and contract manufacturing organizations; the uncertainties inherent in clinical testing; our ability to complete required clinical trials for our product candidates and obtain approval from regulatory authorities for our product candidates; our ability to protect our intellectual property; the loss of any executive officers or key personnel. In case one or more of these risks or uncertainties deteriorate, or any assumptions are incorrect, the actual results may be seriously inconsistent with the stated results.

The Company cautions all the persons not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation, except as specifically required by law and the rules of the applicable Stock authority to publicly update or revise any such statements to reflect any change in expectations or in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements may be based, or that may affect the likelihood that actual results will differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking descriptions, figures and assumptions in this press release are applicable to this statement.

Expanding infrastructure for the age of AI commerce: Ant International connects over 150 million merchants with more than 2 billion consumers

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Advertorial Desk
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  • New strategy highlights synergy among Global Payment, Global Account and Inclusive and Embedded Finance services built on progress in AI and interoperability.
  • As a foundation to the business, Ant International’s global payment services support over 300 payment methods, including more than 10 national QR systems and 50 digital wallets and bank apps, and exceed 20 million daily transactions on average.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 30 April 2026 – Ant International now connects over 150 million global merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts globally, the company disclosed at its flagship MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company's global strategy for the era of AI commerce
Ant International CEO Peng Yang shares the company’s global strategy for the era of AI commerce

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. The company now supports 300+ payment methods in over 220 markets, including all card schemes, 50 mobile payment partners and more than 10 national QR systems, including Singapore’s SGQR, Malaysia’s DuitNow, South Korea’s ZeroPay, Thailand’s PromptPay, Indonesia’s QRIS, Sri Lanka’s LankaPay, and more. It recently onboarded more leading global e-wallets and bank apps such as iFAST Global Bank from the UK, KBank and SCB from Thailand, barq from Saudi Arabia and ShopeePay from Southeast Asia.

With an average of over 20 million transactions daily, Ant International is building broader market reach through new licenses and partnerships in Asia, Latin America and EMEA. In Vietnam, it partners with NAPAS and Vietcombank to roll out cross-border QR payment service, and is also working with the Ho Chi Minh City government on the development of an international financial centre. In Latin America, it formed a strategic partnership with Mexican fintech company R2 in late 2025, supporting the expansion of SME lending across the region. In the Middle East, Ant International collaborates with the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) and national payment network mada, with plans to introduce Alipay+ cross-border QR payments in 2026. Its recent initiatives also include plans to roll out Islamic finance programs in Southeast Asia and other emerging markets.

While serving businesses in their global expansion, Ant International also ranks in first place in terms of the number of global accounts it has been managing for businesses, particularly SMEs, engaged in cross-border commerce.

“New models of financial interoperability and AI commerce give us powerful tools to help global giants as well as mom-and-pop shops to increase resilience and expand revenue streams,” said Peng Yang, CEO, Ant International. “A broader and deeper network means we can work with more partners on more levels to deliver more innovative, trusted, and high ROI fintech solutions in the world’s fastest growing markets.”

Layered solutions for enterprises, SMEs and emerging markets to achieve inclusive growth

Yang underlined a strategy to combine the forces of its four main businesses – Alipay+, Antom, Bettr and WorldFirst – to offer more connected growth solutions for businesses of all sizes.

  • Global payment: Making payments a growth engine for businesses of all sizes to thrive in the global digital economy.
  • Global account: Enabling AI-powered borderless global accounts for businesses of all sizes, and serving as the ticket to digital trade and commerce. This makes ‘born global’ a reality for all businesses from day one.
  • Strategic value boosters: Leveraging innovation and technology to deliver embedded financing, credit and treasury solutions that power inclusive growth.
  • Innovation and technology leadership: Grounded in extensive expertise in supporting global payments and businesses of all sizes, Ant International’s leading AI and blockchain solutions are co-developed with customers, partners and regulators to deliver real impact while ensuring security and compliance.

Go-to-market FinAI solutions for real-world problem solving

Working with top LLMs, card schemes and other fintechs, Ant International builds out FinAI capacities and solutions for merchants and financial institutions to tackle real-world growth and security challenges. Key examples include:

Agentic Mobile Protocol (AMP)

At MoMents 2026, Ant International has introduced the open-sourced AMP – the world’s first agentic payment framework designed for mobile interfaces – to help drive AI commerce. The protocol enables secure, AIOps-native agentic payment connection to mobile services including digital wallets, banking apps, super apps, and mobile portals from phones to wearable devices.

AI-as-a-Service Platform

Ant International’s AI-as-a-Service platform GenAI Cockpit equips fintech partners with tools to build a wide range of agentic solutions, from customer-service assistants to sales copilots. Malaysia’s leading e-wallet TNG eWallet, and easypaisa, Pakistan’s first digital bank, are using the platform to deliver better customer experiences with AI.

AI SHIELD

Ant International’s 3-in-1 risk management transformer maintains trust in the ecosystem by providing a robust security layer underpinning all transactions processed by the company. The model is supported by over 7 billion parameters, and combines graph, sequential and tabular data to identify high-risk transactions with over 95% precision, while improving payment success rates by up to 13.5%.

Falcon TST AI FX model

The industry-first MoE-based AI FX model makes long-term forecasts with prediction accuracy of up to 93%, leveraging over 8.5 billion parameters. Deployed internally at Ant International to manage cashflow and FX exposure on an hourly, daily and weekly basis, Falcon TST has helped to cut the company’s FX costs by up to 60%. The model was open-sourced in 2025 to expand access to its capabilities and invite collaboration to advance time-series learning.

EPOS360

A pioneering AI-powered SME app, EPOS360 integrates practical AI tools with POS system, payments, banking, financing and growth operations for small businesses. The suite of AI-powered tools and payment capabilities was launched in Singapore, and is also available to merchants in Malaysia as a mini-programme via TNG eWallet.

Antom Copilot

Antom Copilot provides automation and assistance for merchants based on learnings from real-world cases, improving efficiency of services such as chargeback dispute handling by up to 46%. Within a year of its launch, 72% of Antom-onboarded merchants completed self-service payment integration with the copilot.

At the MoMents 2026 fintech executive forum held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, executives from global payment networks, banks, fintechs, tech companies, and governors came together to discuss the future of financial services in the era of AI commerce. Conversations focused on new forms of payment transformation, multi-layer global interoperability, super app evolution with AI-native tech, innovation of Islamic financing and initiatives around trust and security.

Ant International launched its Digital Business Center in Kuala Lumpur in 2024.
Hashtag: #AntInternational

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

About Ant International

Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit

Traveloka Data: Southeast Asia Travelers Book 25% More on Double-Digit Dates, Even Without Sales

By
Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Traveloka data across five markets reveals that double-digit dates have become a self-organizing travel calendar, with organic booking lifts recorded even when no campaign was running. The platform’s biggest sale of the year is a direct response.

A date to remember

From March 2025 to December 2025, Traveloka tracked booking behavior across Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. Traffic rose more than 20% and transactions climbed close to 25% on double-digit dates such as 1.1, 2.2, 3.3, 11.11, and 12.12, compared to surrounding days.

The more telling finding is what happened when no sale was running. Indonesia and Malaysia each recorded organic spikes of close to 10% in traffic and transactions on non-promotional double-digit dates. Singapore saw a more modest but consistent 5% lift. The takeaway is clear: sale or not, travelers see these dates as ideal days to plan their travel.

This is testament to the fact that travelers are increasingly attributing value to these dates, stemming from China’s “Singles’ Day”, which has since been popularized by e-commerce giants.

Maximizing value

Armed with these insights, Traveloka’s 2026 marketing calendar was shaped to keep up its end of the unspoken appointment, introducing a greater amount of “smaller” numbered sales (e.g. 1.1, 2.2) in Q1 2026. Traveloka customers responded in force, with Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam customer bases showing large growth of up to 70% in overall transaction value. March 2026 also saw Vietnam hitting a historical high in transactions during its 3.3 sale.

“Our users have shown that they want to plan their journeys around these numerically‑significant days, and we want to show up when they do. By aligning our marketing calendar with this behaviour, we not only meet consumer expectations but also create tangible value for them,” said Alex Jung, Head of Marketing, Traveloka.

Where is Southeast Asia heading to?

Travel interest in the early part of the year sees East Asia as the predominant destination for SEA travelers. For Singapore, 2.2 saw a lot of interest in trips to Japan, Taiwan, Mainland China and the broader Southeast‑Asian region – especially for Sakura‑season and Chinese‑New‑Year travel. During 3.3, Singapore’s outbound demand expanded internationally to include South Korea, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom, in addition to the core Mainland China ‑ Japan‑Taiwan corridor.

Malaysia’s 2.2 sale saw strong outbound flows to Indonesia, China, Japan and Thailand, alongside its own domestic market, with 3.3 seeing even stronger performances by the domestic market and Indonesia as destinations. Thailand’s 2.2 and 3.3 sales both centred on Japan, with Thailand itself remaining a key source. Similarly, Vietnam’s travel profile consistently highlights Mainland China, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and Vietnam as principal outbound destinations.

Travel windows

The data from Q1 2026 reflects a wider trend of SEA travelers prioritizing booking travel to East Asia in the March – June window, but destination preferences shift noticeably towards the end of the year. From October to December, Singapore’s outbound mix widens, with a clear uptick in European bookings alongside its usual Asian traffic. Malaysia also sees a broader spread extending to longer‑haul corridors such as Australia, India, Europe, and the Middle East. Thailand’s share of non‑Southeast‑Asian destinations rose, although domestic travel still remains the dominant component.

Traveloka 5.5 EPIC Sale: 4 to 8 May 2026

The 5.5 EPIC Sale is the largest Traveloka sale of the year and a direct response to the behavioral patterns above. Running 4 to 8 May 2026, the sale offers discounts of up to 80% on flights, accommodations, and attractions across the region.

Full details and market-specific offers are available at www.traveloka.com.

ILIFE A30 Pro: Smart Cleaning Power That Rivals Premium Models Without the Premium Price

By
Advertorial Desk
-

SHENZHEN, China, April 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ILIFE A30 Pro continues to stand out in 2026 as a highly competitive robot vacuum offering flagship-level features at an accessible price. At its current price, it combines laser navigation mapping with a self-emptying station typically found in higher-end models, making it more cost-effective than conventional vacuums with similar functions. It delivers strong performance and value for households seeking an affordable upgrade.

7 Weeks of Minimal Maintenance with Self-Emptying Station

Designed for convenience, the A30 Pro features a self-emptying station with a 2.5L dust bag that can store up to seven weeks of debris, significantly reducing the need for frequent maintenance. Compared to conventional robot vacuums that require regular dustbin emptying, this design saves time and helps lower long-term upkeep costs, making it a more practical and economical choice for everyday households. Paired with the ILIFE mobile app, users can schedule cleaning sessions, set customized zones, and control the device remotely for added flexibility.

Long Runtime for Fewer Interruptions

With up to 180 minutes of runtime, the A30 Pro supports extended cleaning sessions without the need for frequent recharging—ideal for busy households and warm-climate regions where daily cleaning is often needed. Covering up to 120㎡ per charge, it ensures consistent, uninterrupted performance across apartments and medium-sized homes.

Precision LDS Navigation for Smarter Home Coverage

A30 Pro uses advanced Laser Distance Sensor (LDS) navigation to map home layouts in real time, and follows structured cleaning paths for more efficient coverage and improved obstacle awareness, compared to basic random-navigation models.

Pet-Friendly Cleaning Performance

Its strong suction is particularly effective at lifting embedded hair, fine dust, and everyday debris from both hard floors and carpets, helping reduce buildup in hard-to-reach areas. This makes it especially well suited for pet-owning households, where consistent removal of fur, dander, and scattered mess is essential for maintaining a cleaner and more comfortable living environment.

Explore More

The ILIFE A30 Pro is available now for users ready to upgrade to smarter, hands-free cleaning.

Learn more & shop: https://s.shopee.com.my/10vzL7WQ0L

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