• The FPT Corporation, the Viet Thai Group, and G42 sign Framework Agreement to advance Vietnam’s digital transformation
• Partnership backed by $1 billion commitment to deploy AI and cloud infrastructure with full data sovereignty

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — G42, the Abu Dhabi-based technology holding group, and a consortium comprising the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group, have signed a Framework Cooperation Agreement to develop sovereign AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure across Vietnam. The initiative aims to support Vietnam’s ambition to become an AI-native society and a leading AI hub in Southeast Asia, while ensuring national data sovereignty and digital resilience.

Names (Left to Right) 1. David Thai, Founder and CEO, Viet Thai Group 2. His Excellency Badr Al Matrooshi, Ambassador of the UAE to Vietnam 3. Ali Al Amine, Chief Commercial Officer, G42 International 4. Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman, FPT Corporation 5. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee 6. His Excellency Mansoor Al Mansoori, CEO, G42 International 7. Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vice Chairman, Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee 8. Tu Vu Anh, CTO, FPT Corporation

The agreement, signed in Ho Chi Minh City, formalizes a comprehensive partnership and establishes the legal, financial, and regulatory framework required to advance deployment across the country. The partners commend the Government of Vietnam for its forward-thinking approach in advancing regulatory frameworks that enable hyperscale data center deployment and public cloud adoption, positioning Vietnam as a regional leader in AI infrastructure development. Backed by consumption commitments of up to $1 billion, the partnership represents a significant milestone in Vietnam’s and the region’s digital transformation journey.

The consortium and G42 bring together complementary strengths essential for national-scale deployment. The FPT Corporation, Vietnam’s largest information technology services company with operations across 30+ countries, provides deep technical expertise and local market knowledge. The Viet Thai Group, a leading consumer-focused group with portfolio companies spanning coffee, foodservice, retail, and logistics, contributes strategic capabilities and cross-sector insights. G42, the Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence holding group, brings advanced AI infrastructure capabilities.

Under the agreement, the consortium and G42 will deploy significant cloud capacity across three data center locations in Vietnam, delivering high-performance AI and cloud services to support public and private sector workloads.

The initiative aligns with G42’s broader mission to build a global and inclusive Intelligence Grid, interconnecting advanced AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, and governance frameworks to enable AI capabilities on demand, while respecting national sovereignty. Through this infrastructure, Vietnam will gain the technical foundation to develop national AI initiatives across both public and private sectors, digitizing services and deploying AI-powered solutions tailored to national priorities.

“This Framework Agreement represents a new model for national AI transformation – one built on sovereignty, partnership, and purpose,” said Ali Al Amine, Chief Commercial Officer, G42 International. “We are grateful to the Government of Vietnam for their visionary leadership and to our partners, the FPT Corporation and the Viet Thai Group for their commitment to building infrastructure that enables Vietnam to harness AI’s full potential while maintaining data sovereignty and digital independence.”

“Vietnam clearly understands that it cannot move forward alone. In areas such as semiconductors, AI, cloud computing, big data, and cybersecurity, we need strategic alliances with partners we can rely on and trust. The leaders have shown strong commitment, built mutual trust, and now it is time to turn those commitments into real implementation,” said Dr. Truong Gia Binh, Chairman, FPT Corporation.

“This initiative positions Vietnam at the forefront of AI-driven economic development in Asia, supporting economic development and the growth of the middle class in Vietnam. Our partnership with G42 and FPT creates the infrastructure foundation for long-term growth and innovation across multiple sectors,” said David Thai, Chairman & CEO, Viet Thai Group.

Beyond infrastructure development, the partnership includes plans for national AI skilling and workforce development programs designed to support AI adoption across government, industry, and academia.

Following the signing of the Framework Agreement, the consortium and G42 will advance to the next phase of execution, including finalizing workload distribution between public and private sectors, securing regulatory approvals for public cloud adoption, and commencing site development for data center infrastructure. The initiative is expected to generate significant economic impact through direct infrastructure investment, job creation, and positioning Vietnam as a strategic technology hub for the region.

About G42

G42 is a technology holding group and a global leader in creating visionary artificial intelligence for a better tomorrow. Born in Abu Dhabi and operating worldwide, G42 champions AI as a powerful force for good across industries. From molecular biology to space exploration and everything in between, G42 realizes exponential possibilities today. To know more, visit www.g42.ai.

About the FPT Corporation

FPT is a global technology conglomerate headquartered in Vietnam, providing services across information technology, telecommunications, and digital transformation. By the end of 2025, FPT recorded consolidated revenue of VND 70,113 billion and profit before tax of VND 13,039 billion, representing year-on-year increases of 11.6% and 17.8%, respectively, closely aligning with the profit targets set at the beginning of the year. The Technology sector—including domestic IT services and global IT services—continued to play a pivotal role, contributing 63% of total revenue and 45% of profit before tax for the Group. FPT’s two AI Factories, located in Japan and Vietnam, ranked 36th and 38th respectively in the Top 500 High Performance Computing systems announced in June 2025. This milestone represents a strategic advancement, reinforcing Vietnam’s technological capabilities and FPT’s position on the global AI landscape.

About the Viet Thai Group

Founded in 1998, Viet Thai International JSC (VTI) is one of Vietnam’s largest consumer and retail operators. The company operates a diverse portfolio of brands in coffee, F&B and FMCG.  Our Highlands Coffee Brand is a national champion in Vietnam and global leader in the Vietnamese Specialty Coffee category, and recognized as one of the strongest consumer brands in Vietnam and regionally.  Our business comprises over 2,000+ retail outlets operating in 30 countries.

VTI has been instrumental in the development of the modern retail industry in Vietnam and is a leading advocate and ‘Flag Carrier’ in bringing the best of Vietnamese culture, beverages, and cuisine to the world.

G42

MANILA, Philippines, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Globe Telecom, the Philippines’ leading mobile operator, has become the first in Southeast Asia, and the second in Asia, to offer Starlink’s groundbreaking Direct‑to‑Cell (DTC) satellite service. Joining a growing group of countries worldwide, Globe’s partnership with Starlink marks a historic milestone in global connectivity.

Using satellite technology, Filipinos using standard LTE mobile phones will be able to access data, voice, and messaging services directly via satellite, requiring nothing more than a clear view of the sky. This breakthrough eliminates the need for specialized devices and extends mobile reach to areas where terrestrial coverage is limited or impossible to deploy, critical in an archipelagic nation of more than 7,600 islands.

Leveraging Starlink’s constellation of over 650 low‑Earth orbit satellites, Globe is addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges, bridging connectivity gaps in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas. The service will also play a vital role in disaster resilience, ensuring uninterrupted communication for citizens and first responders during extreme weather events and natural disasters.

“This partnership with Starlink marks a historic step in our mission to build a digitally inclusive nation,” said Carl Cruz, President and CEO of Globe Telecom. “Today, connectivity is a lifeline, a modern‑day utility that fuels opportunity and economic progress. By extending mobile reach through satellite technology, we are ensuring that every Filipino, whether in bustling cities or remote barangays, has access to essential communication.”

Starlink’s Direct‑to‑Cell service, developed by SpaceX, acts as a “cell tower in space,” seamlessly integrating with terrestrial networks and enabling global roaming‑like connectivity. Already connecting hundreds of millions of customers, Starlink has proven indispensable in emergencies, delivering millions of SMS messages and wireless emergency alerts when ground networks fail.

With Globe as its partner in the Philippines, Starlink’s DTC service will empower households, businesses, and communities with reliable, consistent connectivity. This collaboration underscores Globe’s vision of a more connected, resilient, and inclusive digital future, not just for the Philippines, but as part of a broader global movement to make universal connectivity a reality.

–    In partnership with Taiwan’s leading e-commerce platform, Yahoo Shopping, Playio is launching a large-scale Lunar New Year campaign that brings gaming and shopping together

–    Take part in the mini-game “Treasure Match” to instantly receive NT$100 discount coupons and LINE POINTS

–    Prizes totaling up to NT$158,000 are available, along with limited daily NT$100 discount coupons in the Playio app

SEOUL, South Korea, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Playio, a mobile gaming rewards app, has partnered with Taiwan’s leading e-commerce platform, Yahoo Shopping, to roll out a large-scale Lunar New Year Rewards Festival. The campaign brings together interactive gameplay and practical shopping benefits, creating a new and engaging experience for users during the Lunar New Year.

The campaign centers around “Treasure Match,” an easy-to-play mini-game designed for users of all backgrounds. From the 2nd of this month through the 1st of next month, users who visit the Yahoo Shopping event page and take part in the game can receive a range of rewards available for immediate use, including an NT$100 Yahoo Shopping discount coupon, 600 Playio Coins for new users, and 3,000 Playio Gems for existing users.

Aimed at Taiwan’s MZ generation, the campaign taps into the growing adoption of app-based reward services. New Playio users who earn 600 Coins can immediately exchange them for 10 LINE POINTS, one of Taiwan’s most popular digital reward currencies, helping drive strong user interest and engagement.

The campaign will also feature a lucky draw event with total prizes worth up to NT$60,000. Participants will be selected to receive a variety of rewards, such as a 9,999 OPENPOINT voucher, a limited-edition 20th Anniversary Mahjong Set from Mahjong-Ming Xing San Que Yi, ATUNAS trekking poles, Cold Stone ice cream vouchers, and 100,000 Playio Coins.

Playio app users can also enjoy exclusive bonus benefits. From the 12th to the 21st of this month, NT$100 Yahoo Shopping discount coupons will be distributed through the Playio app each morning at 10:00 a.m., with 800 coupons available daily on a first-come, first-served basis.

A Playio representative commented,

“By partnering with Taiwan’s leading e-commerce platform Yahoo Shopping, we hope to offer users a Lunar New Year experience that blends enjoyable gameplay with practical rewards they can use in their daily lives. Going forward, Playio will continue to develop unique collaboration models that deliver greater value to our users.”

For more information about the campaign, please visit the Playio app or the official Yahoo Shopping website.

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka, Feb. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Dilhan C. Fernando, Chairman of Dilmah Tea explains the danger of 2026 being the toughest year is not only to growers; this sounds dramatic, but the danger is genuinely to humanity.

Discount culture fuels an accelerating emphasis on cheap produce, forcing growers to become unethical, unsustainable or give up. Discounts blind consumers to true value, the welfare of workers, shifting attention to price, manipulated perception of price, opaque value chains, normalisation of cheapness and ultimately a discount fuelled disconnect from ethics. Even at the cost of their own health. It’s a race to the bottom for growers but it continues, growing in pace as it delivers profit to those that drive it; at unimaginable cost, because that race threatens to compromise everything we value and need more now than ever, from biodiversity and fertile soils to food safety and security.

Climate change and inequality are amongst the most severe threats to human existence. Solutions to both have been evident for decades, but they come at a cost. They include agricultural innovation, strengthening rural economies, addressing the gender balance, health, welfare, reproductive health, education, nutrition, housing and the host of linked truths that feature in the routine vilification of producers. For growers, there is tragic irony in all this; the world needs good, nutritious and healthy food and beverage, yet we are trapped in a tightening vice of discount driven commodity pricing, making that dream more challenging year on year. More tragic is the knowledge that it’s not because the money we need to make agriculture sustainable isn’t there, it just goes to the wrong pockets.

As growers, our produce is our passion and a livelihood for millions; we cannot compromise either, yet daily we suffer demand for cheaper teas as an unavoidable part of the journey from harvest to consumers. The result is that poor to mediocre teas proliferate by design, finding favour among buyers motivated by profit in preference to quality. Their sales performance is often strong for a while – powered as they are by packaging worth more than their contents and marketing funded by compromise. In the long term though, it signals the disintegration of the tea category.

The dysfunction is systemic and consumers are unwitting participants. The dangerous reality is harming our precious produce and worse, stimulating some of the greatest risks to humanity – climate extremes, worsening inequality, compromised food security, water and air quality.

And what of tea producers who don’t have that ability at all because they cannot earn a fair price for produce? Neither tea industry nor Sri Lanka can genuinely afford the adaptation we need to make to continue to offer the world the healthy herb. This is the context of our Grower’s Story. It echoes in every agricultural sector sustaining an existential threat that begins with tea, but quickly expands to include humanity.

Video Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2L1wKyBLhc