• 18 Local Training Providers selected for Phase Two of the Fund
• AVPN developed an AI Skilling Policy Toolkit aimed at governments and policymakers
• AVPN is also launching an AI training content hub, AI Learning for the Future of Work, for workers to access the Fund’s Local Training Providers and their AI skilling programmes

SINGAPORE, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AVPN, the largest network of social investors in Asia, today announced three initiatives that further expand the impact of the AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific, supported by Google.org and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which started as a USD 15 million Fund. Last year, the Fund expanded with an additional USD 10 million for Phase Two, which has selected 18 local training providers across Asia-Pacific.

The 18 organisations were selected based on their skills and experience in AI skilling training. AVPN will work with the local training providers to develop and deliver the most effective programme, while ensuring the autonomy and flexibility of the organisations to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Building on the strong outcomes of Phase One, AVPN aims to have curriculums that ensure workers are prepared for an AI-ready workforce and continuing to overcome systemic barriers in the region.

Beneficiaries include farmers, healthcare workers, vocational school and university students, those seeking employment, domestic workers or caregivers, and Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians.

The full list of the organisations is available here. Amongst the organisations receiving funding are:

• Centre for Social and Behaviour Change (India) seeks to strengthen the capabilities of self-help group women. Workers with no prior exposure to AI will acquire practical, role-specific skills they can apply immediately. Crucially, the programme aims to build lasting institutional capacity by integrating AI modules into the government’s cascade training systems based on the collaboration with the AI Mission of Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• Manabiya Mom Inc. (Japan)  creates long-term impact by building digital confidence and employability among vulnerable groups in Japan’s service economy. By equipping workers in tourism, retail, and caregiving with foundational AI skills, we help them enhance productivity, improve communication, and adapt to the changing labor market. MSME employees will gain tools for business competitiveness and digital transformation, while caregivers will benefit from time-saving AI applications.
• Ruang Kolaborasi Perempuan (Indonesia) strives to generate a significant impact for workers across various sectors by equipping them with the ability to utilise AI as a tool that enhances their daily tasks. For those seeking employment, this translates to crafting more persuasive CVs, preparing effectively for interviews, and identifying job opportunities with greater precision. For agricultural workers and fishers, AI will facilitate weather predictions, yield assessments, and more accurate production planning. For workers in micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), AI will create avenues to boost sales, comprehend customer behaviour, and manage businesses in a digital environment.

In addition, AVPN is also building an AI training ecosystem through the AI Opportunity Fund. This includes a publicly-available AI training content hub, AI Learning for the Future of Work, which provides open access to Local Training Providers and their programmes for the general public to discover and enrol in relevant courses, thus increasing the number of workers able to benefit from localised AI upskilling.

On a policy infrastructure level, AVPN has also developed an AI Skilling Policy Toolkit for governments and policymakers. Built on insights from the AI For All report and engagements with policymakers across Asia-Pacific, the Toolkit defines and translates design principles for more effective AI skilling initiatives into actionable policy considerations and implementation pathways that can be undertaken through the skill development cycle.

AVPN hopes to use the AI Skilling Policy Toolkit to support ongoing and deeper policy engagements in 2026, helping to strengthen ecosystem alignment and provide a common reference point for unified approaches to AI skilling across the region.

Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, said: “Workers in Asia Pacific have an urgent need for contextually relevant, localised, digital skills and relevant upskilling that will position them well for employability, entrepreneurship and job retention. Continuing on the strong momentum and results of Phase One of the AI Opportunity Fund, Phase Two of the AI Opportunity Fund initiative expands the good work that has been and continues to be done by the selected organisations in empowering workers across the region, partnering policymakers, reaching out to workers seeking resources, forging more equitable outcomes for all.”

Marija Ralic, Head of Google.org APAC, said: “At Google.org, we believe that for AI to truly be a force for good, its benefits must be accessible to everyone. We are incredibly proud to see the impact and continued momentum of the Google.org AI Opportunity Fund: Asia-Pacific as it moves into this next critical chapter, focused on scaling impact. By supporting an additional 18 local providers and launching the AI Content Hub, AVPN is making localized upskilling available to the public at an unprecedented scale. This hub serves as a central gateway where anyone can search and filter for localized training by market or language, allowing workers to seamlessly discover the training they need. From upskilling self-help group workers with AI tools through the Centre for Social and Behaviour Change in India to training caregivers via Manabiya Mom Inc. in Japan, this program is a vital step toward a future-ready workforce and Google.org’s vision of unlocking opportunity for everyone, everywhere.”

Antonio Zaballos, Director, Digital Sector Office, ADB, said: “AI skills are essential but they are not sufficient on their own. For AI to drive inclusive and sustainable growth across Asia and the Pacific, skills development must be built on strong digital and data infrastructure, robust data governance, and the protection of critical information and systems. Through the AI Opportunity Fund, ADB is supporting a holistic, AI-ready ecosystem that links workforce skilling with policy readiness and scalable investment opportunities. This approach helps countries move beyond isolated pilots toward bankable, region-wide solutions that boost productivity, strengthen MSMEs, and improve public service delivery.”

Phase One of the Fund has trained over 300,000 workers through its 48 selected organisations or local training providers, across Asia Pacific as of December 2025. In Phase Two, AVPN continues to build a regional infrastructure for AI training and policy development through the addition of new Local Training Providers, the launch of the AI Content Hub and the AI Skilling Policy Toolkit. Together with the AIM ASEAN programme, a dedicated track focused on supporting MSMEs in Southeast Asia and launched in collaboration with ASEAN Foundation, AVPN’s initiative aims to support training for 720,000 workers across Asia Pacific and 100,000 MSMEs across the Southeast Asia region in total by 2027.

About AVPN

AVPN is the largest network of social investors in Asia, comprising over 700 diverse members across 43 markets. Our mission is to increase the flow and effectiveness of financial, human, and intellectual capital in Asia by enabling members to channel resources towards impact. As an ecosystem builder, AVPN enables its members to connect, learn, act, and lead social impact efforts across key pillars while improving the effectiveness of deployed capital, bringing local field needs, regional expertise, and policy insights to the forefront.

About Google.org

Google.org applies Google’s innovation, research, and resources to promote progress and expand opportunity for everyone.

SUBANG JAYA, Malaysia, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ViewSonic Corp., a leading global provider of visual solutions, has introduced the XG2738-2K-OLED, a new 27-inch monitor in the ViewSonic Gaming lineup. Designed for both competitive and immersive gameplay, it combines a 2K QD-OLED panel with high-speed performance and the ViewSonic OLED Care anti-burn-in solution to deliver long-term panel reliability.

The XG2738-2K-OLED features a 240Hz refresh rate and an ultra-fast 0.03ms GTG (Gray to Gray) response time, ensuring smooth motion and precise clarity during fast-paced action. A dedicated 24.5-inch esports mode further optimizes visibility and contrast for competitive gaming environments.

ViewSonic OLED Care for Enhanced Long-Term Protection

To support long-term panel performance, the XG2738-2K-OLED includes the ViewSonic OLED Care suite, a set of anti-burn-in solutions that help minimize image retention over time. Core protections such as OLED Screen Movement, OLED APL (Average Picture Level), and Static Icon Detection operate automatically during everyday use, while OLED Image Cleaning can be activated by the user for on-demand maintenance.

Together, these features help protect the panel throughout prolonged gaming sessions while maintaining consistent brightness, color accuracy, and overall visual quality.

QD-OLED for Vivid and Consistent Visuals

Powered by QD-OLED (Quantum Dot OLED) technology, the display delivers deep contrast, vibrant color reproduction, and uniform image quality across wide viewing angles. This enables clean, detailed visuals in both high-speed competitive titles and visually rich AAA games.

With advanced panel performance, competitive-grade speed, and reinforced durability, the XG2738-2K-OLED sets a new benchmark for mid-sized QD-OLED gaming monitors, providing an uncompromising experience for both competitive players and graphics enthusiasts alike.

The XG2738-2K-OLED gaming monitor is now available in Asia. Product availability and pricing may vary by country.

For more information, please see the XG2738-2K-OLED.

ViewSonic XG2738-2K-OLED Gaming Monitor

• Get immersed in vibrant visuals with the 2K QHD resolution QD-OLED panel
• Experience smooth gameplay with the 240Hz refresh rate and rapid up to 0.03 (GTG) response time
• Scale down from 27-inch to a laser-focused 24.5-inch esports setting built for competitive precision
• Enjoy tear-free gaming with NVIDIA G-Sync compatibility and AMD FreeSync Premium
• Marathon your sessions in comfort with the ergonomic design and Eye ProTech software

JAKARTA, Indonesia, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On January 19, LEPAS, the all-new NEV brand under Chery Group, officially opened its World’s First Showroom in Jakarta, Indonesia. More than a hundred attendees, including Indonesian government representatives, media, KOLs, and dealership partners, gathered to witness this milestone in the brand’s expansion journey.

At the event, representatives from the Indonesian government, several executives from LEPAS Indonesia and the winner of the Miss Universe Indonesia 2025 attended the showroom and jointly cut the ribbon to open the World’s First LEPAS Showroom. Inside the showroom, the flagship model, LEPAS L8, combining innovation and elegant design, attracted significant attention. AiMOGA, the showroom host robot, provided intelligent consultation and guided visitors throughout the showroom, offering a fresh and immersive experience. Lifestyle KOLs commented: “From the intelligent robot reception to the futuristic cabin experience, the showroom perfectly integrates technology with elegant aesthetics.” At the conclusion of the event, the LEPAS Time Capsule Moment symbolized LEPAS’s long-term commitment to innovation, quality, and sustainability.

For LEPAS, this represents not only the opening of its first showroom, but also the successful implementation of a complete brand operation system in the global market. Zeng Shuo, President Director of LEPAS Indonesia, said: “The presence of the MAS Kelapa Gading showroom reinforces LEPAS’s commitment to building the brand sustainably through a consistent network, service quality, and brand experience.”

Over the past year, since its debut as an independent brand in April 2025, LEPAS has made appearances worldwide: an overseas debut at the Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), a European premiere at the Salone dell’Auto di Torino in Italy, signing agreements with distributors in the UAE and Kuwait, and hosting Brand Launch and Dealer Signing Ceremony in South Africa.

With the opening of the World’s First Showroom, LEPAS’s positioning and objectives on the international stage have become even clearer. This milestone is not only an important symbol of the brand philosophy of an elegant lifestyle coming to life, but also a key moment in establishing LEPAS as a benchmark in the global NEV market.

Looking ahead, LEPAS will continue to drive the deep integration of technological innovation, design aesthetics, and elegant driving, providing users worldwide with an unprecedented NEV mobility experience and elegant lifestyle travel.

TAIPEI, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Vietnam’s banking sector enters a new regulatory phase following the issuance of Circular No. 14/2025/TT-NHNN, KPMG and Alpaca Vietnam, part of TPIsoftware Corporation, form a strategic alliance to deliver market-ready Basel III solutions, enabling banks to meet regulatory requirements, strengthen risk governance, and stay on track with their transformation roadmap.

Circular No. 14/2025/TT-NHNN formally establishes Basel III as a regulatory compliance requirement for Vietnam’s banking system, introducing a unified supervisory framework alongside enhanced standards for capital adequacy, risk measurement, and regulatory reporting.

In response to these regulatory demands, KPMG and Alpaca jointly provide a comprehensive Basel III solution that is fully developed and proven in practice, supporting banks in adopting Basel III in a structured, efficient, and sustainable manner.

On 6 January 2026, KPMG Tax and Advisory Limited and Alpaca Vietnam Company Limited officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a long-term strategic partnership focused on the deployment and commercialization of Basel III-compliant technology platforms for Vietnam’s banking sector.

Regulatory Context and Implementation Roadmap

Circular No. 14/2025/TT-NHNN, effective from 15 September 2025, establishes the legal framework for Basel III implementation in Vietnam under a phased transition approach. During the transition period until 31 December 2029, banks may continue complying with the existing regulatory regime or proactively register to apply the Standardised Approach (SA) under Circular 14, while preparing the necessary conditions to implement the Internal Ratings-Based (IRB) approach subject to approval by the State Bank of Vietnam.

From 1 January 2030, Circular 14 becomes the unified regulatory basis for capital adequacy calculation, marking a full transition to Basel III standards. Beyond regulatory compliance, Basel III under Circular 14 delivers clear financial benefits by enabling banks to more accurately reflect asset risk profiles, thereby optimising risk-weighted assets (RWA), improving the capital adequacy ratio (CAR), and enhancing overall capital efficiency.

This controlled yet time-bound transition requires banks to accelerate upgrades across data capabilities, risk models, and technology infrastructure – precisely where the Basel III solution delivered through the KPMG – Alpaca collaboration provides tangible value for effective and timely transformation.

Combining Financial Regulatory Expertise with Banking Technology Platforms

The alliance between KPMG and Alpaca Vietnam brings together global-level regulatory advisory expertise and specialised Basel III technology platforms for the banking and financial services sector.

KPMG plays a central role in shaping the compliance framework, translating regulatory requirements and Basel III standards into risk governance models aligned with supervisory expectations. Alpaca, in turn, operationalises these requirements through technology solutions already deployed in practice, supporting capital adequacy calculation, RWA management, stress testing, and regulatory reporting.

Through an integrated delivery approach, the two parties jointly provide end-to-end solutions from regulatory advisory and solution design to system implementation and ongoing operation helping banks shorten transformation timelines, reduce implementation risk, and strengthen supervisory confidence.

Towards Sustainable Compliance and Long-Term Growth

Beyond software delivery, the KPMG – Alpaca partnership builds a Basel III compliance ecosystem, accompanying banks throughout their transformation and operational journey. While KPMG brings deep expertise in risk management standards and a vast client network, Alpaca delivers tech-driven solutions to ensure modernized operations with efficiency and compliance, enabling successful digital transformation.

With deep technology expertise in the banking, financial services and insurance sector, Alpaca has developed and deployed products supporting regulatory compliance, risk management and management reporting, with Basel III as a key focus. The solutions are designed to be standardised, stable and aligned with banking IT environments, meeting requirements for auditability, security and system integration. Leveraging practical implementation experience and a product-driven approach, Alpaca enables banks to accelerate Basel III adoption, reduce transition risks and ensure sustainable operations in line with the roadmap set out under Circular No. 14/2025/TT-NHNN and upcoming regulatory standards.

About the Partners

KPMG
KPMG is one of the world’s leading professional services firms, supporting Vietnamese banks in Basel III implementation that meets the requirements in SBV’s Circular 14/2025/TT-NHNN as well as upcoming regulations. With extensive international experience and deep local regulatory knowledge, KPMG helps financial institutions optimise capital strength, enhance transparency, and maintain sustainable operations under evolving supervisory standards.

Alpaca Vietnam
Alpaca Vietnam is a strategic technology partner specialising in IT architecture and Basel III compliance systems for the financial sector. Alpaca has delivered digital transformation projects for leading insurance companies in Vietnam, including Bao Long, BSH, ABIC, GIC, and others. In January 2025, Alpaca became part of TPIsoftware Corporation, a Taiwan-based enterprise software technology provider, significantly strengthening its delivery capability and integrating advanced AI technologies. This synergy enables Alpaca to translate complex regulatory requirements into scalable, enterprise-grade banking solutions, helping banks build long-term competitive advantage in the digital era.