• Singapore set to host BLAST’s third event as multi-year partnership with Singapore Tourism Board continues to grow

SINGAPORE, April 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — BLAST has today announced that the first BLAST Premier Open of 2027 will take place in Singapore from 15-28 March 2027, marking the next major milestone in its multi-year partnership with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB).

The event will be BLAST’s third tournament hosted in Singapore, following the hugely successful BLAST Premier World Final 2024 and BLAST Dota Slam Singapore 2025, and represents the latest step in a long-term commitment to bring world-class esports and entertainment experiences to the region.

Singapore has already proven to be a standout destination on the global BLAST calendar. The sold-out BLAST Premier World Final 2024 marked BLAST’s debut in Southeast Asia and welcomed passionate fans from across the region and beyond, while BLAST Dota Slam Singapore 2025 further demonstrated the city’s ability to host premium esports arena events at scale.

Running from 15-28 March 2027, BLAST Premier Open Singapore 2027 – BLAST’s first arena CS event of 2027 – will bring elite Counter-Strike competition back to Singapore, featuring some of the best teams in the world and another high-energy live event experience for local and international fans alike. The tournament will once again place Singapore at the centre of the global esports conversation and further strengthen its growing reputation as one of Asia’s leading hubs for gaming, entertainment and major live events.

James Woollard, VP of Destinations and Market Development at BLAST, said: “Singapore has already played host to two hugely important BLAST events and each one has shown why the city is such a natural home for top competitive entertainment and esports. From the incredible atmosphere at the BLAST Premier World Final in 2024 to the success of Dota Slam Singapore in 2025, the passion of the fans, the strength of the local ecosystem and the support of the Singapore Tourism Board have made this partnership incredibly special.

“We’re thrilled to announce BLAST Premier Open Season 1 2027 in Singapore as the next chapter in that journey. This will be our third event in the city and a major moment for Counter-Strike in Asia. Singapore continues to establish itself as one of the most exciting esports and entertainment destinations in the world, and we’re proud to keep building our long-term future here together with STB.”

Lilian Chee, Director of Sports at Singapore Tourism Board, said: “BLAST has been a valued partner in establishing Singapore as the premier destination for global esports and live entertainment. The success of the BLAST Premier World Final in 2024 demonstrated how world-class events can attract international visitors and captivate local audiences with electrifying competition. We look forward to hosting BLAST Premier Open 2027 as the third milestone in our growing partnership, and we are committed to building on this momentum in the years ahead while strengthening Singapore’s position as a leading destination for live entertainment events.”

BLAST’s multi-year partnership with STB is designed to deliver a long-term pipeline of major esports events to Singapore, driving international exposure, tourism impact and new opportunities for local businesses and the wider gaming ecosystem. With four more events to come, including next year’s Counter-Strike tournament, Singapore’s position on the international esports calendar is set to become even stronger.

Fans can sign up at BLAST.tv to be the first to receive ticketing updates, exclusive news and announcements on future BLAST events in Singapore.

About BLAST

BLAST is a global competitive entertainment company with a mission to bring mega entertainment to the world, taking esports, gaming and other new competitive formats to the next level.

BLAST is famous for pioneering the esports category through stunning high production quality, big creative ideas and game changing fan-first moments. Bringing together the biggest teams and brightest superstars to fight it out for glory and big-money-multi-million-dollar prize pools in the world’s biggest arenas from London and Singapore to Austin and Rio.

BLAST has offices in Copenhagen (HQ), London, Berlin, Mumbai, Malta and New York City. The company is currently working with world-leading game publishers Epic Games, Valve, Supercell and Ubisoft to produce, market and deliver esports for popular titles Rocket League, Fortnite, Rainbow Six, Brawl Stars, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike 2.

BEIJING, April 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Along China’s eastern seaboard, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in Zhejiang Province is barely ever quiet. Ships come and go around the clock, and inland, factory floors maintain a similar rhythm.

This combination helps explain Ningbo’s prominent role in China’s industrial landscape. It is not just a major port, but also one of the country’s most important manufacturing hubs.

Here, traditional industries still make up about 55 percent of its industrial base, roughly in line with the national structure. Its industrial reach is strikingly wide, spanning 36 of China’s 41 major industrial categories. More than 90 percent of its manufacturers are privately owned, though large state-backed firms also remain part of the picture.

All these features make Ningbo a revealing microcosm of China’s manufacturing sector in transition.

“Transition” is certainly the right word. In recent years, the city has steadily upgraded its manufacturing base, using digital tools, industrial internet platforms and AI to make production smarter, more efficient and more precise.

The pace has quickened this year. In the first two months of 2026, the value-added industrial output of enterprises above designated size in Ningbo rose 9.3 percent year on year, 4 percentage points faster than the full-year rate for 2025. Of the city’s 36 major industries, 27 expanded. Output in carmaking, computers and communications equipment, as well as general equipment manufacturing, all posted strong growth during this period.

Yet the more revealing story lies not in the headline numbers, but in the changes unfolding on the factory floor.

At an interactive display area run by Ningbo Puzhi Future Robotics Co., Ltd., humanoid robots sway to music while wheeled machines stack goods on supermarket shelves. Streams of data from touch sensors, robotic-arm movements and video feeds are then fed back into model training.

For Zhou Xingyou, chairman of the embodied intelligence business and vice president of Joyson Holding Co., Ltd., a globally oriented smart-manufacturing company with operations ranging from automotive systems to embodied intelligence robotics, Ningbo’s edge lies in its abundance of real-world industrial scenarios.

Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/350168.html

First Close of $520 Million Anchored by China Investment Corporation, Indonesia Investment Authority, and State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan 

BEIJING, April 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — China Investment Corporation (“CIC”), Indonesia Investment Authority (“INA”), and the State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (“SOFAZ”) have jointly established the Galaxy Orientis China–ASEAN Investment Platform (“CAIP” or “the Program”), a sovereign-led private equity platform dedicated to capturing long-term investment opportunities across the China–ASEAN corridor. The Program has reached a first close of approximately US$520 million, with a target size of US$1 billion.

The Program brings together the three sovereign wealth funds in a jointly governed investment platform, designed to facilitate long-term capital flows and industrial collaboration between China and the ASEAN region. Against a backdrop of deepening China–ASEAN trade integration and accelerating supply-chain realignment across Southeast Asia, CAIP aims to capture high-quality investment opportunities in industrial, healthcare, consumer, business services, technology and other sectors that drive this structural shift.

CGS International Securities Pte. Ltd. (“CGS International”), the overseas arm of China Galaxy Securities (“CGS”), serves as General Partner^[1], providing regional expertise, operational infrastructure, and on-the-ground networks across Southeast Asia.

Zhang Qingsong, Chairman and CEO of CIC said, “CIC, together with our partners INA and SOFAZ, is launching the Galaxy Orientis China-ASEAN Investment Program based on our firm optimism about ASEAN’s economic growth prospects and deep recognition of the immense potential of China-ASEAN cooperation. We hope, through investing in high-quality companies targeting the ASEAN market, the Fund will not only deliver a sound financial return, but also promote regional economic prosperity, achieving win-win outcomes on social and economic fronts. It is also part of CIC’s continuous effort to leverage our unique advantage as the Chinese sovereign wealth fund and collaborate with partners to capture global opportunities.

Eddy Porwanto, Acting Chief Executive Officer of INA, said, “This Program represents a strategic step in establishing a dedicated investment platform across the China–Southeast Asia corridor. As INA’s first investment into a fund-of-funds under this thematic program, it reflects our role as a strategic partner in helping unlock high-quality investment opportunities. Through this platform, INA aims to facilitate the flow of long-term capital, alongside global expertise and networks, in partnership with leading global institutional investors, into sectors that foster sustainable growth and long-term economic value creation in Indonesia.”

Israfil Mammadov, Chief Executive Officer of SOFAZ, said, “SOFAZ is delighted to partner with CIC and INA on the China–ASEAN Investment Program. This platform represents a key milestone in our strategy to build deep, sovereign-to-sovereign partnerships that access the world’s most dynamic economic corridors. By pooling our collective expertise and long-term capital, we are better positioned to capitalize on the accelerating trade and supply-chain integration between China and Southeast Asia, while contributing to the further diversification of SOFAZ’s investment portfolio.”

Wu Peng, Chairman of CGS International, said, “CGS International will bring to the Program our extensive knowledge, deep presence and wide networks in Southeast Asia, capitalising its high growth sectors and renewed investor interest. We are grateful to CIC, INA and SOFAZ for trusting us to help them navigate the region’s complexities and growth opportunities.”

The Fund was launched at the signing ceremony held on 13 April, in Beijing, China. CIC Executive Vice President and Deputy Chief Investment Officer, Zhang Shaoqing, INA Chief Investment Officer, Christopher Ganis, SOFAZ Chief Investment Officer, Farhad Zeynalov, and CGS International by Member of the Executive Committee and Business Director of CGS and Chairman of CGS International, Wu Peng, represented the respective parties for the signing.

– END –

About China Investment Corporation

Founded in 2007, Beijing-headquartered China Investment Corporation (CIC) was established to diversify China’s foreign exchange holdings and is one of the largest sovereign wealth funds in the world. By the end of 2024, CIC’s total assets stood at USD 1.57 trillion.

CIC operates on an international, market-driven, and professional basis and remains dedicated to prudent, professional and responsible investment. CIC’s overseas investment activities include public equity and bond investments; hedge fund and multi-asset investments; industry-wide private equity and private credit investments; direct investments and fund investments in sectors such as real estate, infrastructure, resources and commodities, and agriculture; and managing bilateral and multilateral funds.

About Indonesia Investment Authority (INA)

Indonesia Investment Authority is Indonesia’s sovereign wealth fund mandated to increase investment to support the country’s sustainable development and build wealth for its future generations. INA conducts investment activities and collaborates with leading global and domestic investment institutions in sectors that strengthen Indonesia’s advantages and provide risk-adjusted optimal returns. For more information, visit: www.ina.go.id.

About State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ)

The State Oil Fund of the Republic of Azerbaijan (SOFAZ), established in 1999, is a sovereign wealth fund dedicated to managing the nation’s oil and gas revenues, with a commitment to safeguarding and enhancing wealth for future generations. As a long-term investor with over USD 70 billion in assets under management, SOFAZ pursues a diversified investment strategy that encompasses global opportunities across various sectors, including fixed income, equities, gold, real estate, and infrastructure.  

For more information: www.oilfund.az 

About China Galaxy Securities / CGS International Securities

China Galaxy Securities (“CGS”) is a leading Chinese investment bank, serving over 20 million clients worldwide with assets under custody exceeding RMB 6 trillion. CGS operates one of the largest branch networks in China and has an extensive presence across Asia.

CGS International Securities Pte. Ltd. (“CGS International”) is the overseas arm of CGS, responsible for its international business and regional expansion. Leveraging CGS’s strong foundation, together with deep global and ASEAN insights, CGS International offers a comprehensive suite of services, including equities trading, leveraged products, wealth management, investment banking, equities research, Shariah-compliant financing, fixed income, currencies and commodities, structured products, and prime brokerage, across more than 10 countries and regions.

BANGKOK, April 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A lecturer in the Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, has developed an instant version of Khao Lam (Glutinous Rice in Bamboo Cylinders), preserving the sweet, creamy flavor of the renowned Nong Mon Khao Lam. Making Khao Lam at home is now simply “a piece of cake”, taking only 25 minutes from start to finish! This move elevates the community’s product to reach international markets. 

When talking about Nong Mon Market in Chonburi Province, many people immediately think of “Khao Lam,” a famous local souvenir that everyone who passes by must stop and buy two or three at the very least. Whether it’s white sticky rice or black sticky rice, it’s topped with black beans, ginkgo nuts, and oozing coconut milk. The sweet, salty, and creamy flavors are enough to make your mouth water just at the thought of it.

Unfortunately, Khao Lam has a short shelf life of only 1-2 days. Those looking to buy it for someone far away and keep it for a long time, or even foreigners who have tried it and loved it, wanting to bring it back home as a souvenir, are therefore faced with a challenge. 

The idea of “instant sticky rice” was what sparked Mr. Gorngris Kositsakul, a young man with ties to the community in Chonburi Province who is currently studying at the upper secondary level in England. 

Associate Professor Dr. Inthawoot Suppavorasatit, from the Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, shared with us the origins of the development of the “921 Instant Khao Lam” innovation. “Gorngris contacted the Department of Food Technology through his father, a Chulalongkorn University alumnus who runs a business in Chonburi. He loves cooking and wishes to create a project that could help the community in the province. Khao Lam was one of the products he was interested in, since it has a short shelf life.” 

“Initially, we thought about and experimented with easy-to-eat products, such as a toffee that retained the flavor of khao lam. Eventually, however, we decided that khao lam would be better eaten as it is, in its original form. So, we sought a way to create khao lam that wouldn’t spoil and would still be enjoyable for consumers to make. It could also be stored for a long time and enjoyed on many occasions. That’s how we came up with the 921 instant khao lam,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot added that, actually, the number 921 isn’t the name of a rice variety, but rather a number related to the birthday of Gorngris, the person who sparked this wonderful idea. 

What’s Inside the Instant Khao Lam?

Usually, when eating khao lam, we use a knife to pry the bamboo apart to get at the sticky rice inside. For the 921 instant khao lam, the packaging isn’t bamboo, but rather a paper tube printed with a bamboo pattern. Inside, the following components are included:

1. Partially cooked and dried white and black glutinous rice, packed in moisture-proof bags. 
2. An appropriate amount of sugar, packed in moisture-proof bags. 
3. An appropriate amount of coconut milk powder, packed in moisture-proof bags. 
4. Foil cups and spoons for mixing all ingredients. 

Your Very Own DIY Khao Lam 

It takes only 25 minutes to prepare your own Khao Lam by following these easy steps:

1. Open the rice packet and place it in the foil cup. Pour hot water over the rice just to cover the rice. 
2. Add coconut milk powder and mix well. 
3. Add sugar to taste. You can add more if you like it sweeter. 
4. Once all ingredients are mixed, let it sit for about 8 minutes to allow the rice to absorb the water. 
5. Place the foil cup with all ingredients in the oven at 180 degrees Celsius for 15 minutes. 

The Journey of Instant Khao Lam 

The traditional method of grilling sticky rice in bamboo cylinders requires cooking the sticky rice inside the bamboo until it is cooked. This is a lengthy process that is quite time-consuming. For the instant product Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot explains, “We need to partially gelatinize the sticky rice and dry it. Once consumers are ready to cook it, they need to add water and continue cooking. This will allow the sticky rice to return to its original form and cook more quickly. 

“The difficulty is that Khao Lam contains both black and white sticky rice, which take different lengths of time to cook. Black sticky rice cooks more slowly, so we had to find the optimum conditions for both types of rice to partially cook and then finish cooking simultaneously in the oven. My initial idea was to microwave, but since they don’t cook at the same time, I had to use the oven instead.” 

It’s not just about the sticky rice; making instant coconut milk for khao lam is also a challenge. 

“We need to find the right amount and taste of coconut milk for khao lam, which is not only sweet but also salty. This requires the right amount of salt and sugar. Furthermore, we can’t use liquid coconut milk because it spoils easily. We need to use the powdered form of coconut milk instead.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot stated that the technique for making coconut milk powder is a basic technology already available in the food industry called spray drying. 

“It’s a drying machine that thickens the coconut milk, then exposes it to heat. This evaporates the water, leaving only the solids in the coconut milk. The solids are then collected and turned into powdered coconut milk. Water is then added to return it to its original milk form.” 

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot said that the key to the instant khao lam production process lies in finding the right conditions to ensure that all the ingredients in khao lam-sticky rice, coconut milk, and sugar-are cooked and deliciously balanced at the same time. 

“The ideal cooking time must be tested in the laboratory. Sticky rice and coconut milk, especially those containing sugar, do not finish cooking simultaneously. To find the right conditions, we must try each ingredient separately. If the mixture doesn’t cook properly, we need to determine which component doesn’t cook properly, adjust the conditions, add more water, or modify other ingredients,” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot added that Mr. Gorngris also participated in the experiments, along with students from the Department of Food Technology.

From the Lab to the Prototype Factory 

Once the experiments have yielded satisfactory khao lam, it’s time to produce it for our consumers. At this stage, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot explained, “When we want to expand production or increase production volume, we need to consider the question of packaging. For example, how to preserve dry products for a longer period of time? We need to find the right storage conditions, suitable packaging materials, and process time. When we increase production volume, production conditions may not be the same as when we produce small quantities in the lab. As we scale up, we may need to adjust certain conditions. The department has been working with the Food Processing Pilot Plant, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, located in Saraburi Province.” 

“We took the ideal conditions from the lab and scaling them up at the prototype factory. Students from the department conducted scale-up experiments, and once we have the data, Gorngris collaborated on the production and finalization of the finished product.” 

Currently, instant khao lam 921 is distributed by G.T. Innovation Co., Ltd. at 350 Baht per box (containing two servings of khao lam). It is also available at King Power Duty Free shop for purchase to take home or as gifts for those far from Khao Lam production areas. 

Khao Lam Nong Mon Retains its Unique Characteristics

Khao lam Nong Mon is distinguished from other khao lams by its large, spherical shape and the richness of coconut milk. The Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science has preserved the distinctive flavor of khao lam Nong Mon, adding a flavor and aroma reminiscent of roasted khao lam. 

“Those who have tried the instant version of Khao Lam 921 say that the flavor, texture, and aroma are very similar to the original. Canned Khao Lam is already available in the market, but the 921 version does not undergo the heat sterilization process like the canned version, resulting in a more authentic aroma, flavor, and texture.” 

Previously, Chonburi Khao Lam could be stored for no more than two days without refrigeration, but the instant type can be stored without refrigeration for at least six months. After six months, it is still edible, but may not be as good as when freshly made. 

Returning Knowledge to the Community 

Before producing the 921 instant Khao Lam, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot and his team studied the production process in the Nong Mon community, including production times, ingredients, and production processes. They used the community’s product as a model to develop their own version. They adhered to principles comparable to local products. “After the finished product was produced, we shared this knowledge with the community, showing them that by integrating science and technology, we can take local products much further. Our community’s fame and reputation can expand to the global market if the people see the value.” 

“We shared this story with community entrepreneurs. At that time, there was a seminar organized by the Saensuk Subdistrict Municipality. We invited them to see what the instant Khao Lam product was like and invited them to taste it. They agreed that it was similar to locally produced products and could see that this didn’t mean it was competing with their local market.” 

Finally, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Inthawoot gave the advice to scientists who want to expand their knowledge to develop products: “If you want to develop products using scientific knowledge, you must understand what you are doing and do it with sincerity and scientific principles.” 

Instant Khao Lam 921 is an example of a product that continues the legacy of community products, combining local wisdom with modern food technology to develop into an international product. 

Those interested in food processing can contact the Department of Food Technology, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University http://foodtech.sc.chula.ac.th/en/

Continue reading a full article on the website: https://www.chula.ac.th/en/highlight/287329/

About Chulalongkorn University

Chulalongkorn University has made the world’s top 50 university list for employment outcomes, which reflects both the high employment rate and work ability of Chula graduates. The university is also listed as the best in Thailand for the 15th Consecutive Year (since 2009), according to the newly released QS World University Rankings 2024, putting Chula at 211th in the world, up from 244th last year.

Social Media:

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SHANGHAI, April 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — APES 2026 (Auto Parts Expo Shanghai) is poised to redefine the landscape of the automotive aftermarket, announcing its upcoming edition at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC Shanghai) from August 5–7, 2026. As the industry pivots toward a more resilient and integrated future, this premier event stands as a testament to the technological passion and ingenuity shaping modern mobility.

As a strategic hub for the global automotive community, APES 2026 will encompass 60,000 sqm of exhibition space dedicated to the technological passion driving modern mobility. With over 2,000 premier manufacturers under one roof, the expo cultivates a dynamic ecosystem where global distributors and wholesalers can engage directly with the architects of the automotive future. It is here, at the heart of the industry, that meaningful dialogue begins and strategic alliances are forged.

APES 2026 creates a direct connection between global buyers and the source of production, streamlining the supply chain to unlock cost advantages and enhance profitability. With comprehensive coverage spanning the full ICE and NEV ecosystem, the event showcases everything from traditional engine, suspension, and electrical systems to cutting-edge NEV “Three-Electric” systems—battery, motor, and electronic control—as well as smart connectivity solutions.

The expo will bring together two strategic sourcing pillars: a concentrated showcase of China’s premier industrial clusters—Taizhou for molds and plastics, Wenzhou for electronics, Qinghe for filters, Yuhuan for chassis and valves, Ruian for braking systems, Shiyan for commercial vehicles, and Changzhou for lighting and body parts, alongside a dedicated zone for maintenance and wear parts, featuring high-demand essentials such as filters, oils, brake pads, and tires.

Scheduled for August 2026, APES 2026 brings together global buyers and premier suppliers to strengthen supply chains and capture emerging opportunities ahead of the peak sales season. Pre-registered professional buyers are eligible for an exclusive host of hospitality benefits—including complimentary accommodation, factory tours, airport shuttle services, and special gifts for early registrants—designed to elevate the sourcing experience. Register now HERE and join thousands of industry leaders in Shanghai to optimize your supply chain for 2026 and beyond.

More details are available at Homepage.

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