MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Melbourne-founded CFD broker Mitrade has enlisted Christopher Brankin as Global Markets Advisor. A veteran markets voice featured on CNBC, Bloomberg and Reuters, Brankin ran TD Ameritrade Singapore for more than a decade and later headed regional expansion for a CFD brokerage.

The need for that global perspective is growing, as the forces moving Australian markets are increasingly being set overseas. When the Reserve Bank of Australia lifted the cash rate to 4.60% in late September, it cited higher global energy prices. Yet the Australian dollar still slipped below 70 US cents that day, with oil above US$105 a barrel and rates at their highest since November 2011, as ABC News noted in its market coverage.

Spanning Chicago floor trading pits to leading major Asian brokerages, Brankin brings over two decades of battle-tested leadership in market structure and retail trading dynamics. He is a frequent speaker on Asia-Pacific fintech stages and an established media commentator.

“There’s no such thing as an isolated local market anymore. Every trading screen responds to the same macro forces. Whether it’s geopolitical friction, energy supply shocks, or central bank pivots, those decisions hit local order books immediately. Mitrade understands that retail traders need raw context, not diluted noise, and I’m looking forward to giving them an unfiltered, global perspective,” said Christopher Brankin, Global Markets Advisor, Mitrade Group.

In this role, Brankin will regularly unpack macroeconomic trends, rate dynamics, and market volatility through actionable analysis, and executive commentaries.

About Mitrade
Mitrade is an award-winning CFD trading platform founded in Melbourne, trusted by 7M+ traders worldwide. It operates under top-tier financial regulators—Australia’s ASIC (AFSL398528), Cyprus’ CySEC (CIF438/23), UAE’s CMA (License No. 20200000397), Cayman Islands’ CIMA (SIB1612446), South Africa’s FSCA (54842), and Mauritius’s FSC (GB20025791)—delivering a secure, seamless, and intuitive trading experience.

The platform provides 1,000+ CFDs on indices, forex, commodities, ETFs, and shares. Mitrade redefines trading with millisecond execution, razor-thin spreads, robust risk management, and multi-device compatibility.

Trading involves risks. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, an offer, or a solicitation.

Visit https://www.mitrade.com for more information. 

MELBOURNE, Australia, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Air Liquide announces a new investment to build and operate a new Air Separation Unit (ASU) and its related infrastructure at its existing Fairfield Facility located in Yennora, New South Wales – Australia. This will enhance local supply chain reliability for industrial and medical gases across Australia.

The new ASU will produce nitrogen and oxygen, critical gases to support the daily operations and long-term growth of key Australian sectors, including food and beverage processing, healthcare and medical facilities, mining and advanced manufacturing.

The ASU is expected to start-up in 2028.

Tim Kehoe, Managing Director of Air Liquide Pacific said: “Expanding our air gas capacity demonstrates Air Liquide’s long-term commitment to fueling the growth of Australian industries with essential gases they depend on every day. With the new ASU in New South Wales, we are reinforcing our commitment to serving our customers and enhancing our supply chain resilience.”

Air Liquide Australia

Air Liquide Australia started its operations in 1957 and currently employs 400+ employees across Pacific. In Australia, Air Liquide operates air separation plants, CO₂ plants and gas filling facilities. Air Liquide provides innovative and customer-focused solutions and services and supports the Australian economy through a unique blend of advanced equipment, processes & systems, supported by a highly engaged and competent workforce.

• 240,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate to be supplied from operational Canadian mine over four years
• Local supply supports growing North American ESS demand and strengthens regional value chains
• Securing spodumene concentrate enhances raw material flexibility across EV and ESS markets

SEOUL, South Korea, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) today announced it has signed a multi-year binding offtake agreement with Elevra Lithium for spodumene concentrate.

Elevra Lithium is a North American lithium producer with projects in Quebec, Canada, United States, and a joint venture in Western Australia.

Starting later this year, Elevra Lithium will supply LG Energy Solution with 240,000 dry metric tonnes of spodumene concentrate over a four-year period. The spodumene concentrate will be produced at Elevra’s North American Lithium (NAL) project in Quebec, Canada, which is already operational.

With spodumene concentrate set to be sourced from an operational North American mine and supply expected to commence later this year, LG Energy Solution is well positioned to strengthen its responsiveness to local customer needs while supporting the rapid growth of the regional ESS market.

To proactively respond to the rising market demand for energy storage systems (ESS) in North America, LG Energy Solution has five standalone and joint venture facilities in the region that are meeting customers’ growing demand for reliable and scalable ESS solutions powered by LFP batteries.

NextStar Energy, the standalone facility in Windsor, Canada, has been serving as a cornerstone of Canada’s growing battery ecosystem since commencing production last year.

Backed by more than CAD 5 billion in investment and expected to create up to 2,500 direct jobs at full-scale production, the facility, combined with local supply of spodumene concentrate, will reinforce the local value chain in Canada.

Securing a stable supply of spodumene concentrate not only diversifies the company’s raw material sourcing portfolio beyond lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide but also provides greater flexibility to optimize production based on evolving electric vehicle (EV) and ESS market demand and market conditions. As a key intermediate feedstock that can be processed into either lithium carbonate or lithium hydroxide, spodumene concentrate enables greater production scalability, while enhancing supply chain resilience and supporting a stable supply of critical battery materials.

“This agreement with LG Energy Solution represents an important step in implementing the commercial strategy we outlined with our FY26 annual results. It provides Elevra with a committed customer for a meaningful portion of NAL’s production while retaining exposure to spodumene concentrate market pricing,” said Lucas Dow, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Elevra Lithium. “Securing a leading global battery manufacturer as a customer further strengthens the commercial position of NAL and supports our strategy of building a diversified portfolio of high-quality customers as we increase production and progress the NAL expansion.”

“This agreement marks another important step in strengthening our raw material supply chain in North America and supporting the region’s rapidly growing ESS market,” said Kang Yeol Lee, Procurement Center Leader of LG Energy Solution. “By securing a stable supply of spodumene concentrate from an operational North American source, we are enhancing both the flexibility and resilience of our supply chain while reinforcing our ability to meet evolving customer demand with greater speed and scale.”

About LG Energy Solution

LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) is a leading global manufacturer of lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, mobility, IT, and energy storage systems. With more than 30 years of experience in revolutionary battery technology and extensive research and development (R&D), the company is the top battery-related patent holder in the world with over 100,000 patents. Its robust global network, which spans North America, Europe, and Asia, includes battery manufacturing facilities established through joint ventures with major automakers. Committed to building sustainable battery ecosystem, LG Energy Solution aims to achieve carbon neutrality across its value chain by 2050, while embodying the value of shared growth and promoting diverse and inclusive corporate culture. To learn more about LG Energy Solution’s ideas and innovations, visit https://news.lgensol.com.

TOKYO, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Hospitality Asia Event Series has successfully concluded the 5th Hospitality Japan Conference (#HJC2026), held on October 6–7, 2026, at The Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo. As a premier two-day leadership assembly, the conference brought together Japan’s foremost asset owners, operators, developers, investors, and technology visionaries under the country theme: “Redefining Hospitality: Strategic Insights Beyond Borders in Japan.”

Aligned with the regional mandate, “Leading Hospitality Forward: Investing in Design, Driving Results,” HJC2026 moved beyond broad macro-generalities to deliver grounded execution strategies and calculated risk frameworks designed to unlock new performance benchmarks across the Japanese market.

High-Impact Global and Local Industry Participation

The landmark event demonstrated strong institutional interest, drawing 292 actual unique attendees representing 193 leading companies from across the region. Across the two-day assembly, 92 expert speakers led dynamic discussions across three co-located summits, supported by 35 event sponsors and partners showcasing cutting-edge solutions. Daily participation remained strong, with 222 attendees on Day 1 and 132 attendees on Day 2.

While Japanese delegates formed the majority of the delegation at 87.29%, international attendance spanned Singapore (4.47%), the Americas (2.75%), Thailand (2.41%), Europe (1.03%), India (1.03%), as well as delegates from Indonesia, Malaysia, and other global markets. The audience comprised a balanced, high-caliber cross-section of the ecosystem, led by Hotel Management and Operations (27.74%), Design, Build, and Project Delivery (18.84%), Technology Vendors (13.01%), Asset Ownership (12.33%), Investors and Private Equity Funds (9.25%), and Advisory Services (8.90%).

Summit Highlights & Strategic Insights

DAY 1: Hotel Investment Summit & Hotel Design Summit

Day 1 ran two concurrent summits focusing on capital strategy and spatial value creation. The Hotel Investment Summit Japan (HISJ2026) addressed critical debt engineering, valuation models, operational yield optimization, and risk management strategies.

“I found the agenda particularly engaging, especially the market update sessions which are vital to our strategic planning. The program selection this year was impeccably curated, delivering immense value to attendees. For me, participating in this investment conference is essential to staying ahead on market trends, operating models, and capital allocation strategies in hospitality.”

— Yutaka Maruyama, Representative Director, Chief Operating Officer World Brands Collection Hotels & Resorts

Simultaneously, the Hotel Design Summit Japan 2026 explored spatial performance, master planning, and the commercial viability of modern architectural concepts within Japan’s heritage and luxury segments.

“The business-focused perspective provided at this event was exceptional. As a designer, attending HJC2026 offered invaluable insight into the client’s mindset, understanding their priorities, financial metrics, and expectations. Being able to cross over between the Design and Investment summits on Day 1 provided a seamless, connected understanding of design’s true commercial impact.”

— Austin Ede, Senior Designers Gensler Associates International Ltd

DAY 2: Hotel Revenue Summit

Day 2 focused on commercial strategy at the Hotel Revenue Summit, addressing total revenue management, margin protection in high-cost environments, dynamic distribution tactics, and reducing friction in guest acquisition channels.

“As we look to penetrate Japan’s specialized niche markets, direct engagement with local operators and stakeholders is paramount. This conference has done an outstanding job of bridging international solutions with local market dynamics, fostering seamless connectivity with key industry players.”

— Malte Blistein, Senior Director of Sales & Account Management – UK, US, and Japan Trivago

Exhibition, B2B Business Match and Meet, and High-Value Networking

Across both days, the conference featured a dedicated exhibition zone where sponsors and partners showcased next-generation operational tools, technologies, and guest experience platforms. Structured business matching and curated networking sessions enabled attendees to engage in high-intent commercial dialogues, laying the foundation for future joint ventures, developments, and operational partnerships across Japan.

“When we learned that HJC was hosting its 5th edition in Japan, we knew we had to be on board. The event was exceptionally well-curated, enabling us to engage in highly intentional, high-value commercial conversations with decision-makers.”

— Camille Venturina, Director APAC Sojern x Rategain

Looking Ahead

The 5th Hospitality Japan Conference reinforced the country’s position as one of the most attractive, resilient, and dynamic hospitality markets globally. Hospitality Asia Media thanks all sponsors, partners, speakers, and delegates for contributing to a landmark gathering in Tokyo.

For post-event media assets, detailed summit coverage, and upcoming event dates, please visit Hospitality Japan Conference.

PR Newswire is the Official Media Partner of 5th Hospitality Japan Conference (HJC2026).

About Hospitality Asia Event Series

The Hospitality Asia Event Series is a leading platform for senior leaders across the region’s hospitality and tourism sectors. It is known for bringing together key decision-makers and industry innovators while creating strong opportunities for networking, knowledge exchange, and strategic collaboration.

The series features seven flagship events across Asia, including the Hospitality Indonesia Conference (HIC), the Hospitality Vietnam Conference (HVC), the Hospitality Thailand Conference (HTC), the Hospitality South Korea Conference (HSKC), the Hospitality Malaysia Conference (HMC), the Hospitality Philippines Conference (HPC) and the Hospitality Japan Conference (HJC). These events attract a high-level and diverse audience from across the region.

Hospitality Asia is distinguished by its balanced engagement of both C-level executives and senior professionals such as Vice Presidents, General Managers and Directors who manage contracts, negotiations and daily operations. Supported by regional advisors who provide real-time market insights, the content focuses on practical strategies that enable participants to drive business growth.

The series is guided by four summits that represent the main drivers of industry success. These include the Hotel Investment Summit Asia #HISA, the Hotel Design Summit Asia #HDSA, the Hotel Revenue Summit Asia #HRSA and the Travel Byte Summit Asia #TBSA. Each summit is delivered with a localized approach to ensure relevance and meaningful engagement with the region’s most important opportunities.

To learn more about Hospitality Asia, please visit our website at www.hospitality-asia.com.

Media Contact:

Ifnur Hikmah
ifnur@hospitality-asia.com

• A convenient, digital way to mail letters within Singapore, marking World Post Day 2026
• Complements SingPost@MyBlock network which has been rolled out across more than 20,000 residential blocks 
• Introductory trial rates start from $1 for a set of five stamps, valid until 6 April 2027

SINGAPORE, Oct. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Singapore Post Limited (SingPost) today commenced the public trial phase for Asia’s first Digital Stamp, marking a regional milestone in a postage system for everyday domestic mail, in conjunction with World Post Day 2026. The service allows senders to buy postage instantly via the SingPost mobile app and post a letter or postcard without physical stamps or labels.

From now till 6 April 2027, SingPost is seeking public feedback in this pilot trial phase through a survey within the mobile app. This initial phase enables SingPost to refine user experience, optimise optical character recognition (OCR) scanning accuracy, and fine-tune operational workflows under real-world posting volumes.

Hyper-Convenient Postage for Everyday Use 
Buying a physical stamp traditionally meant visiting a post office, a SingPost vending machine, or a Self-Service Kiosk. Digital Stamps allow postage to be purchased anywhere, at any time, through the SingPost mobile app and used immediately.

“When we looked at the mailing experience, the friction point was always the same — you have written your card, addressed your envelope, and then realised you have no stamp. Digital Stamps remove that barrier entirely. As Asia’s first app-integrated postage code, it is as simple as buying a code on your phone, writing it on the envelope, and posting it at your block. Coupled with SingPost@MyBlock, we are making posting a letter as seamless as sending a message.”

“The trial phase is important to us — we want to hear from customers and get the experience right before we build further. The designs will evolve with the seasons and with Singapore’s occasions. We are just getting started,” said Gan Heng, Head of Customer Experience, SingPost.

Complementary Solution to SingPost@MyBlock
The introduction of digital stamps builds on SingPost’s ongoing modernisation of its postal and logistics services, directly complementing the rollout of SingPost@MyBlock. Completed by September 2026 across over 20,000 buildings, residents across Singapore can use the “Return Mail” slot in existing letterbox nests where available, to post letters and small parcels.

Preserving Heritage in Digital Stamps 
The mobile app retains traditional philatelic aesthetics, featuring the 61st National Day design for Standard Regular mail (S$0.62) and a World Post Day Otter design for Standard Large mail (S$0.90). Digital stamp artwork will be refreshed periodically for festive and national occasions. Every 15th purchase unlocks a special design. Presently this special design features the Fullerton Building – home of Singapore’s first General Post Office as the surprise stamp design.

How it works

• Buy: Purchase Digital Stamps on the SingPost app and get the unique codes instantly.
• Write: Write a code clearly in dark blue or black ink, in the top-right corner of the envelope, where a stamp would normally go.
• Post: Drop the letter into any posting box, post office, or the “Return Mail” slot at residential letterbox nests following the rollout of SingPost@MyBlock.

The stamps cover basic mail (letters, postcards, and printed paper items in a paper envelope) for domestic delivery within Singapore.

Pilot Trial Phase and Introductory Promotional Rates
To encourage public adoption, registered users on the SingPost mobile app can purchase introductory trial sets – a set of five Standard Regular Digital Stamps for S$1.00 (usual price S$3.10) and a set of five Standard Large Digital Stamps for S$1.50 (usual price S$4.50). One promotional set of each denomination may be purchased per customer. Digital Stamps purchased at the promotional rate are valid for posting through 6 April 2027. All other digital stamps purchased through the app are valid for 24 months from the date of purchase.

From 8-11 October 2026, SingPost is hosting a free public roadshow at the atrium of SingPost Centre to provide the public with the opportunity to better understand various operational aspects of Digital Stamps and the latest developments in the postal service.

Pricing and availability
Digital Stamps are  available from today on the SingPost app, with a minimum purchase of five stamps per denomination:

• Standard Regular – $0.62 each
• Standard Large – $0.90 each
• Validity: 24 months from the date of purchase

Introductory Trial Promotion:

• Standard Regular Set of 5: S$1.00 (usual price S$3.10)
• Standard Large Set of 5: S$1.50 (usual price S$4.50)
• Promotional price valid for only 1 set each per account, promotional priced stamps are valid through 6 April 2027.

Digital stamps are non-refundable, non-cancellable, and valid strictly for postage within Singapore.

About Singapore Post Limited
Singapore Post (SingPost) is the country’s leading postal and eCommerce logistics provider. The portfolio of businesses spans international postal services, warehousing, fulfilment and last mile delivery, serving customers in more than 220 global destinations. Headquartered in Singapore, SingPost has approximately 3,000 employees. Since its inception in 1858, the Group has evolved and innovated to bring about best-in-class integrated logistics solutions and services, making every delivery count for people and planet. www.singpost.com

NBA legend Ray Allen and Ding Yanyuhang engage with the community on opening day

Bringing together youth from and the Greater Bay Area to foster exchange and inclusion

MACAO, Oct. 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With The NBA China Games 2026 set to take place in Macao, Sands China has once again partnered with NBA Cares to present the five-day “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” from Oct. 7 to 11. Bringing together NBA legends and current players to engage with the community through a series of inclusive sports activities and interactive experiences, the initiative extends the impact of the world-class basketball event into the Macao community, while promoting social inclusion, inspiring positive youth development, and demonstrating care for the local community through meaningful action.

Youth Day, which marked the first event of the Impact Week, took place today (Oct. 7) at the Macao East Asian Games Dome. This year, the initiative expanded its reach to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), bringing together 150 young basketball players aged 11 to 14 from eight Macao schools, namely Yuet Wah College, Instituto Salesiano, Lou Hau High School, Keang Peng School, Pui Ching Middle School, Sacred Heart Canossian College (English Section), Pui Va Middle School, and Escola da Sagrada Familia, as well as 50 young players from Hong Kong and mainland GBA cities.

The participating GBA youth took part in professional training sessions led by NBA legend Ray Allen –– a two-time NBA champion, 10-time NBA All-Star, two-time All-NBA Team, member of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team, and 2018 Basketball Hall of Fame Inductee –– together with NBA coaches, renowned Chinese basketball player Ding Yanyuhang, and China women’s basketball national team player Zhang Ziyu.

The event aimed to give young people from across the GBA the opportunity to engage closely with world-class basketball talent and enhance their basketball skills, while fostering interaction and exchange among youth from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao. Through building friendships and sharing experiences, Youth Day encouraged participants to develop self-confidence and teamwork, while further strengthening connections among young people across the GBA. Together with Sands China executives and Sands Cares Ambassadors, the event attracted a total of 300 participants.

Friendly matches brought together young players from Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macao, who first underwent professional fitness assessments and took part in a basketball clinic led by NBA coaches, receiving training in footwork, ball-handling, and offensive and defensive techniques. They were then selected to form mixed teams comprising players from across the three regions to compete in separate boys’ and girls’ matches. NBA legend Ray Allen and NBA coaches served as mentors throughout, offering hands-on guidance and sharing valuable on-court experience. The young athletes honed their basketball skills and forged friendships in a spirited and enthusiastic environment, demonstrating the power of sport to transcend geographical boundaries and bring young people together.

Dr. Wilfred Wong, executive vice chairman of Sands China Ltd., said: “Our heartfelt thanks go to the Macao SAR government and all sectors of the community for their tremendous support, which has enabled us to leverage The NBA China Games, a world-class sporting event, for a second consecutive year to bring positivity and care into the community. We not only present this top-notch basketball competition to residents and visitors, but also draw on this platform to connect with the local community and create valuable opportunities for people from various sectors of society to engage and learn from NBA legends, fully embodying the commitment of Sands Cares and NBA Cares to giving back to the community. This year, we expanded participation in Youth Day to the Greater Bay Area, giving more young people the opportunity to receive firsthand guidance and inspiration from world-class players, while strengthening connections among youth across the region. We also organised the Her Time To Play seminar, inviting accomplished women to share their personal growth stories with young people, encouraging the youth to build confidence and pursue their dreams. Looking ahead, Sands China will continue to fully support the Macao SAR government’s direction of promoting economic diversification, while deepening the synergy of sports and tourism, further enhancing Macao’s status as a City of Sports, and injecting sustained vitality into its position as a World Centre of Tourism and Leisure.”

The event also featured an individual skills challenge for young players, testing their speed, basketball skills and concentration through a series of challenges, including cone dribbling, precision passing and sprint layups. Following the spirited competition, an awards ceremony was held to recognise the outstanding young players for their exceptional performances.

A Her Time To Play seminar was also held, with NBA’s associate vice president and head of international basketball relations Dawn Smyth; Dallas Mavericks’ chief communications officer Gina Miller; Houston Rockets’ president Gretchen Sheirr; and Sands China’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer of resort marketing DeVonne Iao joining as guest speakers to share their experiences of personal and career development. From striving for excellence in sport to navigating career choices, they shared insights with the young participants and encouraged them to build confidence and pursue their goals with courage.

The “NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” is taking place over five consecutive days, Oct. 7-11, featuring a diverse programme of activities focused on youth development, healthy living and community inclusion. Current NBA players and legends will engage with communities across Macao, with the initiative seeking to extend the impact of the NBA sporting event into the community and enable more Macao residents to experience the positive energy and excitement generated by the world-class basketball event.

Tomorrow (Oct. 8), a Tip-off event for the Impact Week will take place at The Venetian Arena. Players from the Dallas Mavericks and the Houston Rockets will make a special appearance, leading Macao secondary school students in a basketball clinic and bringing the excitement and positive spirit of The NBA China Games further into the Macao community.

“NBA Cares x Sands Cares Community Impact Week 2026” is part of Sands Cares, the global corporate citizenship programme of Sands China’s parent company. As an important stakeholder in the Macao community, Sands China has actively fulfilled its corporate social responsibility for more than two decades. Through the programme, the company strives to connect with and serve the community, give back to society, and work alongside different sectors to build a more vibrant and inclusive Macao community.

For high resolution photos, please visit: https://it-ezshare.sands.com.mo/exweb/share/357cfd2d-54c6-4fc7-8197-4a3c63c7968d

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About Sands China Ltd.

Sands China Ltd. (Sands China or the Company) is incorporated in the Cayman Islands with limited liability and is listed on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (HKEx: 1928). Sands China is the largest operator of integrated resorts in Macao. The Company’s integrated resorts on the Cotai Strip comprise The Venetian^® Macao, The Plaza^® Macao, The Parisian^® Macao and The Londoner^® Macao. The Company also owns and operates Sands^® Macao on the Macao peninsula. The Company’s portfolio features a diversified mix of leisure and business attractions and transportation operations, including large meeting and convention facilities; a wide range of restaurants; shopping malls; world-class entertainment at The Venetian Arena, The Londoner Arena, The Venetian Theatre, The Parisian Theatre, The Londoner Theatre and Sands Theatre; and a high-speed Cotai Water Jet ferry service between Hong Kong and Macao. The Company’s Cotai Strip portfolio has the goal of contributing to Macao’s transformation into a world centre of tourism and leisure. Sands China is a subsidiary of global resort developer Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE: LVS).

For more information, please visit www.sandschina.com.

Sands Cares

A firm believer in the importance of corporate social responsibility, Sands China Ltd. engages with the local Macao community as a part of Sands Cares – the charitable giving programme of parent company Las Vegas Sands Corp. Sands Cares integrates the company’s philanthropic work worldwide in four key areas: financial giving, community problem solving and collaboration, in-kind donations, and team member volunteerism.

Key areas of Sands Cares in Macao include the Sands Cares Ambassador programme for volunteering in the local community; charitable contributions to NGOs and community organisations; and sponsorship of community events.

For more information, please visit www.sands.com/sands-cares/ 

About NBA Social Impact & Inclusion and NBA Cares

NBA Social Impact & Inclusion drives change on issues facing fans and communities by advancing needed resources and proven partners. We create data-driven strategies and programming to empower colleagues to bring their best self. NBA Cares works with NBA players and teams to highlight important issues through the NBA’s digital, social and broadcast channels, live events and partnerships.

Media contacts:
Corporate Communications, Sands China Ltd.
Mabel Wu
Tel: +853 8118 2268
Email: mabel.wu@sands.com.mo

Jesse Chiang
Tel: +853 8118 2054
Email: jesse.chiang@sands.com.mo

UOB acts as sole arranger and dealer for the EMTN Programme, providingaplatformforBaiduriBanktostrengthenfundingresilience and expand its international investor base.

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Brunei, Oct. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Baiduri Bank Sendirian Berhad (Baiduri Bank) has established its inaugural USD2 billion Euro Medium Term Note Programme (EMTN Programme) on 5 October 2026, pursuant to which Baiduri Bank may issue notes (Notes) from time to time. The establishment of the EMTN Programme marks a significant milestone in Baiduri Bank’s funding strategy and enhances Brunei’s connectivity with international capital markets.

The EMTN Programme provides a platform for Baiduri Bank to access international debt capital markets and, subject to compliance with all relevant laws, regulations and directives, Baiduri Bank may issue Notes from time to time. United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) has been appointed by Baiduri Bank to act as the sole arranger and dealer for the EMTN Programme.

The establishment of the EMTN Programme strengthens Baiduri Bank’s funding flexibility and diversifies its sources of funding as it advances its long-term growth ambitions. It also broadens the Bank’s engagement with international institutional investors, supporting a more resilient and diversified funding profile.

Ti Eng Hui, Chief Executive Officer of Baiduri Bank, said: “Our EMTN Programme reflects Baiduri Bank’s commitment to maintaining a resilient and diversified funding profile. As we advance our growth strategy, the EMTN Programme provides a strong foundation to support our future funding needs while enhancing our engagement with the global investment community.”

The Programme represents an important step in Baiduri Bank’s development as it strengthens its access to international capital markets and reinforces its position as one of Brunei’s leading financial institutions. It is also expected to contribute to the continued development of Brunei’s financial sector by increasing the visibility of the country’s homegrown institutions among global fixed-income investors.

Samuel Tan, Head of Group Investment Banking, UOB, said: “The establishment of Baiduri Bank’s inaugural EMTN Programme marks a significant milestone for both Baiduri Bank and the continued evolution of Brunei’s capital markets. As sole arranger and dealer, UOB will support Baiduri Bank in strengthening its funding flexibility and expanding its access to international investors. The EMTN Programme provides a strong platform to support Baiduri Bank’s long-term growth ambitions while reinforcing Brunei’s connectivity with global capital markets.”

Important notice

This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or form part of any invitation, offer, or solicitation to any person in any jurisdiction to acquire, purchase, or subscribe for any securities, nor should it form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract or commitment whatsoever. You should not consider any information in this press release legal, financial, business or tax advice.

The Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act“) or any U.S. state securities laws or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States. The Notes may not be offered or sold in or into the United States or delivered within the United States unless an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act is available and in accordance with all applicable securities laws of any state of the United States and any other jurisdiction.

About Baiduri Bank Group

Established in Brunei Darussalam in 1994, Baiduri Bank Group is one of the country’s largest providers of financial products and services and one of Brunei Darussalam’s two systemic financial institutions. The Group comprises Baiduri Bank and its two wholly owned subsidiaries, Baiduri Finance and Baiduri Capital, providing banking services to institutions and corporations, retail banking, consumer financing, securities trading and wealth management.

Combining a global outlook with extensive local knowledge and a strong commitment to the Brunei market, the Bank has a track record of financial innovation and pioneering initiatives. In 2025, the Bank established the Baiduri Bank Representative Office, Singapore, a Representative Office Registered in Singapore as part of its strategic initiative to grow its regional business. Baiduri Bank holds an ‘A-/A-2’ credit rating with a Stable Outlook from S&P Global Ratings.

Baiduri Bank was recognised in the inaugural Forbes World’s Top-Performing Banks 2026 ranking, placing 43rd among 149 banks globally in the USD3 billion to USD10 billion asset category. It was the only Brunei bank featured on the list. The Bank was also named Best Bank in Brunei 2026 by Euromoney for the fourth time and Best Retail Bank in Brunei 2026 at the TAB Global Excellence in Retail Finance Awards. In addition, Baiduri Bank was recognised as a 3-Star Lister on the ESG Select List 2025 by the United Nations Global Compact Network Malaysia & Brunei (UNGCMYB) and received the Brunei Employee Engagement of the Year – Banking award at the Asian Management Excellence Awards 2026 for the third consecutive year.

About UOB

UOB is a leading Asian bank with a global network in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, it has a global network of about 430 branches and offices in 19 markets.

Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world’s top banks: Aa1 by Moody’s Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For more than nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN – for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

UOB connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer’s unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress.

UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of education, children and art, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.