Kia’s Plan S 2030 business strategy updated with growth strategies for new products, focus on electrification commitment
Kia aims for global sales of 4.19 mln units, market share of 4.5%, by 2030
EV: Target of 1.26 mln EV sales by 2030 … Global EV market share of 4.3%; expansion of volume EV lineup
PBV: To sell 250,000 PBVs by 2030 … Launches of PV5 in 2025, PV7 in 2027 and PV9 in 2029
Pickup Truck: To add an EV pickup model for North America, building on Tasman pickup’s success … Targeting global Tasman sales of 80,000 units per year
Aim to achieve KRW 170 tln in revenue, over 10% operating profit margin by 2030
Kia to invest KRW 42 tln from 2025-2029, including KRW 19 tln for future business
2025 business guidance …Targeting more than KRW 112 tln in revenue, market share of 3.7% … Operating profit margin of 11% on global sales of more than 3.2 mln units
SEOUL, South Korea, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Kia Corporation today shared its mid-to-long-term business strategies and financial targets at its CEO Investor Day.
Kia 2025 CEO Investor Day
As part of Kia’s updated Plan S strategy – the brand’s mid-to-long-term business plan – the company outlined its bold strategy to achieve global sales of 4.19 million units by 2030, including 2.33 million hybrid and fully electric vehicles (EVs).
Leveraging its agility and flexibility in response to the market environment, Kia will diversify its growth engines by introducing new models – such as PBVs and pickup trucks – and other key future businesses.
“Since launching the Kia Transformation strategy in 2021, Kia has continuously progressed to become a provider of sustainable mobility solutions that innovate space and enable customers to make better use of their time beyond conventional means of transportation,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO of Kia. “We will continue to develop the brand by implementing mid-to-long-term strategies to strengthen our internal stability and respond effectively to changes in the auto industry.”
Kia is accelerating its transformation by expanding its hybrid and EV offerings, aiming to sell 1.26 million EVs and nearly one million hybrids by 2030. The company will strengthen its EV leadership through the launch of volume models, including the EV3, EV4, EV5, and the upcoming EV2, while enhancing cost efficiency, customer service, and production strategies.
Kia is also expanding its PBV business, targeting annual sales of 250,000 units by 2030. Its PBV lineup will include PV5 in 2025, PV7 in 2027, and PV9 in 2029. Furthermore, Kia has launched its Tasman for global markets, with an annual sales target of 80,000 units, and will develop an EV pickup model for North America.
By 2030, Kia aims to achieve KRW 170 trillion in revenue and an operating profit margin of over 10 percent. The company plans to invest a total of KRW 42 trillion from 2025 to 2029, with KRW 19 trillion allocated to future business.
CUBE’s new product combines the best of CUBE into a simple solution for a growing market
LONDON, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CUBE, a global leader in Automated Regulatory Intelligence (ARI) and Regulatory Change Management (RCM), has announced the launch of RegPlatform™ Intel, its latest purpose-built product to help financial services firms in the mid-market sector remain compliant in today’s ever-changing global regulatory landscape. CUBE now has an 800-strong customer community in the mid-market sector and has developed this solution to bring a powerful mix of regulatory technology, content and intelligence to compliance and risk teams across the globe.
CUBE launches new solution for the financial services mid-market sector
CUBE’s next generation solution combines its innovative, market-proven AI-based technology with unmatched regulatory summaries and insightful analysis curated by CUBE’s team of over 250 highly qualified regulatory subject matter experts, legal and compliance professionals. Built on the very latest technology and AI, CUBE’s RegPlatform™ Intel offers the highest levels of reliability and performance which have become synonymous with CUBE’s industry proven enterprise capability.
Commenting on the launch of CUBE’s RegPlatform™ Intel, CUBE’s Founder & CEOBen Richmond, said: “RegPlatform™ Intel is a simple, secure and highly effective solution for the thousands of businesses that operate in the mid-market sector. With the significant investment we have made and our proven track record in regulatory intelligence we believe this will be transformative for mid-market compliance and risk professionals across financial services. It’s been purpose built for them and will be the most modern and intuitive solution on the market.”
RegPlatform™ Intel has been created for CUBE’s global base of financial services firms, across the mid-market sector, including regional and community banks, wealth managers and asset managers. It is a highly effective solution which enables customers to quickly realise value, often in minutes, demonstrating how user-friendly the solution is for compliance and risk professionals in need of a fast and reliable way to address their regulatory needs.
Discussing the mid-market opportunity, Richmond added: “We’re often recognised for our work with customers in the enterprise sector; where we provide end-to-end regulatory intelligence and change management for some of the world’s largest financial institutions, but we also see a significant demand for our capability with customers in the mid-market sector.”
The solution is the latest in the RegPlatform™ family, building on the success of RegPlatform™ Enterprise. It brings together the powerful combination of CUBE’s enhanced capabilities following the acquisition of two US-based regulatory businesses in 2024 (Reg-Room and the Thomson Reuters Regulatory Intelligence and Oden products and businesses).
There are additional solutions expected to join the RegPlatform™ family during 2025.
Harneys Fiduciary Joins Forces with Ascentium in Expanding Global Presence and Service Offerings
SINGAPORE, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Ascentium, a leading global business services platform headquartered in Singapore, is pleased to announce it has joined forces with Harneys Fiduciary, a global provider of corporate, funds and trust services. This collaboration brings together our complementary strengths and shared commitment to delivering exceptional service and innovative solutions to our clients worldwide.
From left to right: Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium; Maria Pia Buchi, Chief Commercial Officer of Harneys Fiduciary; Wendy Wang, Founding Management and Group President of Ascentium; Ross Munro, Chief Executive Officer of Harneys Fiduciary.
The Harneys Fiduciary and Ascentium partnership represents a significant milestone in its commitment to delivering comprehensive business solutions on a global scale. It brings an expansion of the firm’s offshore service offerings, focusing on corporate administration, trust, and fiduciary services in key jurisdictions such as the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore worldwide.
Lennard Yong, Founding Management and Group CEO of Ascentium, stated, “We are delighted to welcome Ross and the Harneys Fiduciary team. Their offshore expertise aligns perfectly with our mission to provide comprehensive business solutions globally. It strengthens our ability to serve clients across multiple jurisdictions, further reinforcing Ascentium’s position as a leader in the industry.”
Ross Munro, CEO of Harneys Fiduciary, commented, “Joining forces with Ascentium amplifies our vision and reaffirms our commitment to delivering market-leading client services. This presents an incredible opportunity to take our offering to the next level in our 50th year of operations. We have gotten to know the Ascentium team well and are confident that this development will enhance our capabilities, enabling us to provide tailored solutions to our clients worldwide.”
This strategic initiative underscores our dedication to excellence in serving our clients and partners effectively. With a strengthened service platform catering to over 30,000 active clients in various industries, and a team of 2,000 professionals operating from 44 cities across 22 markets, Ascentium is well-equipped to drive impactful growth and success for our clients globally.
About Ascentium
Ascentium is a leading global business services platform dedicated to helping businesses scale greater heights. Headquartered in Singapore, we empower extraordinary growth through specialised expertise across corporate, HR, accounting, tax, private client/family offices, advisory, cross-border/FDI, risk assurance, and audit services. Our team of 1,800 professionals spans 37 cities across 14 markets in the Asia-Pacific region and the Middle East, serving over 30,000 active clients across diverse industries. Through innovative, technology-enabled solutions and a collaborative approach, Ascentium drives transformative growth, helping clients navigate complex global environments.
Established in 1974, Harneys Fiduciary is a global offshore business services provider to corporate, fund, and private clients, specialising in the provision of corporate administration, trust, and fiduciary services in the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Cyprus, Hong Kong, and Singapore, among other key jurisdictions.
SHENZHEN, China, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 17th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2025) is set to take place at Shenzhen World Exhibition & Convention Center from May 15 to 17,2025. This prestigious event will broadly showcase the innovative breakthroughs in battery technology and state-of-the-art energy storage solutions. Hosted by the China Industrial Association of Power Sources (CIAPS), the fair brings together manufacturers, researchers, and industry experts to shape the future of energy innovation.
CIBF persists in spearheading value creation within the new energy industry through its innovative “Four-Dimensional Drive and Six-in-One Integration” framework. Specifically, through the construction of four key platforms, namely the “global highland for the debut of cutting-edge technologies,” “Full-Chain Ecological Aggregation Platform,” “Cross-Domain Innovation Collaboration Core,” and “Pivotal Center for Empowering Digital and Intelligent Experiences“, CIBF has forged a comprehensive six-in-one ecosystem. This ecosystem encompasses technology transformation, Industrial Empowerment, international collaboration, digital Interaction, zero-carbon practices, and smart energy solutions. As a result, it offers the new energy industry complete life-cycle solutions, spanning from the emergence of technological concepts to the ultimate realization of value.
Themed “Linking the World • Energizing Green Development • Driving the Future,” CIBF2025 is anticipated to draw over 3,000 domestic and international companies within the battery industry chain to participate in the exhibition. Spanning an exhibition area of 300,000 square meters, it is estimated that more than 400,000 professional visitors will visit the event.
New Focus on Cutting-edge Technologies
As one of the world’s most significant battery exhibitions, CIBF2025 will serve as a premier platform for showcasing Innovative Technologies in the global renewable energy field.
It is reported that the world’s top 10 battery enterprises, such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Limited (CATL), BYD Company Limited, and EVE Energy Co., Ltd., will showcase their pioneering technological achievements. Since the beginning of this year, CATL has launched power batteries with extreme performance and green carbon reduction solutions. BYD has unveiled its second-generation Blade Battery technology, while EVE Energy has innovated the technology of large cylindrical batteries with full tab structures. All these remarkable advancements will be on display at CIBF 2025, highlighting the significant progress within the industry.
Leading companies in the energy storage, materials, and equipment segment, including Shenzhen Center Power, Do-Fluoride New Materials, Wuxi LEAD Intelligent, KATOP, and Han’s SLE, are set to exhibit their latest products and technologies:
Shenzhen Center Power will show its REVO 3.0 TPX600, a backup power solution designed for AI Smart Computing Centers;
Do-Fluoride New Materials will display its novel high energy density materials and the fluorine core battery series based on an innovative new structure;
Wuxi LEAD Intelligent will present its new intelligent manufacturing concept “Full Value Chain + Full Life Cycle” and top-notch technologies;
KATOP plans to host a technical exchange meeting focused on solid-state batteries;
Han’s SLE will introduce its intelligent manufacturing solutions for new energy power and energy storage, including technologies for semi-solid and solid-state batteries.
CIBF2025 is dedicated to fostering the exchange of technologies by facilitating the export of new Chinese concepts and designs, alongside the import of international advancements. In International Exchange Hall 10, global industry leaders Siemens, Carl Zeiss, Schneider, Hitachi, and TAOGENT/MIXACO will present their cutting -edge in the intelligent manufacturing, zero-carbon production, and laser technology segments.
New Highlights of Industry Technologies
Addressing the industry’s most pressing issues, CIBF2025 will concurrently host the CIBF2025 Conference on the Frontier Technology of Advanced Batteries.
Centered around the theme “Green Energy Driving the Future,” the main forum will feature seven sessions covering advanced lithium-ion power battery technologies, battery safety and evaluation, solid-state and new system batteries, high-power fast charging technologies, sodium-ion batteries, key material technologies, and intelligent equipment and simulation.
During the event, academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, along with authoritative industry experts and business decision-makers, will share the stage to explore the potential for technological breakthroughs and their industrial applications.
Moreover, a variety of high-end summits will be conducted simultaneously. These encompass the “Technical Exchange Conference on Batteries for Electric Aviation and Aircraft”, the “China International Battery Industry Cooperation summit (CIBICS) “, and the “Seminar on the Current Status and Future Development of Isotope Nuclear Batteries”, and other similar events.
On May 15, 2025, at the Shenzhen International Convention & Exhibition Center, this grand event will offer a cutting-edge exploration of the future of energy technologies.
For more information about the 17th China International Battery Fair (CIBF2025), please visit https://cibf.org.cn/en-US
Watch the full interview on Visionaries, airing on CNN International on Saturday 12th April
HONG KONG, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — CNN’s Visionaries continues to spotlight extraordinary individuals and influential leaders in the fields of art, business, technology, and sport. The series will tap into CNN’s high-profile roster of correspondents and anchors who will personally guide viewers on an enlightening and inspirational journey. Visionaries will provide a platform for these remarkable people who have pioneered change and continue to shape a better world and elevate the quality of life.
Following fascinating conversations with fellow Visionaries such as Olympic medalists Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles, former Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi, Google DeepMind COO Lila Ibrahim, and former Patagonia CEO Kristine Tompkins, the series returns with its third episode, offering fresh insights from Emma Hayes, one of the world’s most successful soccer coaches, and Ilona Maher, the face of rugby.
CNN’s Sports Anchor, Amanda Davies sits down with Emma Hayes, the head coach of the US Women’s National Team, to discuss her career journey in soccer.
Born and raised in Camden, England, Hayes reflects on her early love for the sport and how her father, deeply involved in the local soccer community, inspired her to make a name for herself. She credits her success to the realities of her profession, where the constant risk of being fired helped her develop the resilience necessary for the role.
CNN Anchor and Correspondent, Christina Macfarlane, also sits down with Ilona Maher, the world’s most-followed rugby player, to discuss her extraordinary journey as a rugby icon.
Maher credits her father, a former rugby player, for laying the foundation of her rugby career after he took her to a rugby clinic. Growing up in a small city also instilled in her a strong sense of community, which inspired her to foster a virtual community and use her platform to promote body positivity.
Join CNN to hear how their compelling stories have shaped their lives and laid the foundation for their future success as Visionaries.
Jointly expanding convenient and diverse online financial management options
HONG KONG, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AXA Hong Kong and Macau (“AXA”) announces a strategic partnership with Ant Bank (Hong Kong) (“Ant Bank”) and AlipayHK to provide a suite of insurance products and services to millions of active AlipayHK users through Ant Bank and its Mini App in the AlipayHK App. This offering includes solutions for savings, health protection, and wealth accumulation. The partnership aims to address the diverse needs of customers in wealth management and protection, supporting them in achieving their financial goals.
This partnership will utilise AXA’s expertise and extensive insurance portfolio, along with Ant Bank and AlipayHK’s “E-wallet X Digital Bank” model, to deliver embedded insurance products and services powered by advanced technology. It aims to provide a broader range of customers with all-round wealth management products and services, while ensuring a simpler, smoother, and more secure insurance application experience. In the first phase, AXA’s flagship life and savings products, including the popular “FortuneXtra Savings Plan”, “Wealth Ultra Savings Plan”, “Max Wealth Insurance Plan”, and “Max Goal Insurance Plan”, will be introduced on Ant Bank and its Mini App in the AlipayHK App, offering all-round wealth management and protection plans to a wide range of users. AXA will gradually integrate additional insurance product categories, further deepening the collaboration among the three parties as well as providing more comprehensive products and services for individuals and businesses within the year, fully addressing their protection needs.
Ant Bank is a subsidiary of Ant International that provides financial products and services, including funds and wealth management, insurance products and services. AlipayHK is a Super App that serves over 4.2 million residents in Hong Kong. Supported by Ant International’s Alipay+ Wallet Tech, AlipayHK has partnered with Ant Bank to develop Open Banking, and has taken the lead to launch innovative services and products such as Ant Bank PayLater and “eM+” — a high-interest savings account and low-threshold fund purchasing, offering users a new financial services experience.
Sally Wan, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Greater China, said, “AXA has consistently been proactive in developing diverse distribution channels and expanding our customer base, striving to provide comprehensive and diversified wealth management and protection solutions to a broader range of customers. We are honoured to become a strategic partner of Ant Bank and AlipayHK, leveraging synergies to create new opportunities and achieve multiple benefits for all parties. We look forward to further deepening the integration of our services with Ant Bank and AlipayHK, strengthening the insurance ecosystem, and jointly expanding our long-term business and customer network.”
Yvonne Leung, Chief Executive, Ant Bank (Hong Kong), said, “As a leading digital bank in Hong Kong, we are committed to driving innovation in financial services through technology. This collaboration builds on our successful partnership with AlipayHK in areas such as payments, interest-earning balances, Buy Now Pay Later, and funds, among others, while further integrating AXA’s insurance services into the digital ecosystem.”
Venetia Lee, Chief Executive Officer, AlipayHK, said, “AlipayHK serves every aspect of Hong Kong people’s lives, and it has become a trend for Hong Kong people to access financial services through the Super App. Financial institutions can leverage the platform technology provided by AlipayHK to deliver new experiences to users, making wealth management and insurance services more user-friendly and simpler. We focus on ‘Tech’ to empower financial institutions in excelling at ‘Fin’. AlipayHK and Ant International look forward to continuing our collaboration with AXA and banking partners to explore the new ecosystem of embedded insurance, driving the inclusive progress of financial services in Hong Kong and Asia.”
AXA is one of the most diversified insurers in Hong Kong which offers integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance and is the largest General Insurance provider and a major Health and Employee Benefits provider. Through this collaboration, we believe that the three parties, leveraging an advanced financial technology platform, will integrate insurance products into the digital ecosystem, marking a milestone in exploring new avenues for growth.
(From left to right) Yvonne Leung, Chief Executive, Ant Bank (Hong Kong), Venetia Lee, Chief Executive Officer, AlipayHK, Sally Wan, Chief Executive Officer, AXA Greater China, and Janet Lee, Chief Life and Health Insurance Officer, AXA Hong Kong and Macau.
About AXA Hong Kong and Macau
AXA Hong Kong and Macau is a member of the AXA Group, a leading global insurer with presence in 50 markets and serving 95 million customers worldwide. Our purpose is to act for human progress by protecting what matters.
As one of the most diversified insurers in Hong Kong, we offer integrated solutions across Life, Health and General Insurance. We are the largest General Insurance provider and a major Health and Employee Benefits provider. Our aim is to not only be the insurer to provide comprehensive protection to our customers, but also a holistic partner to the individuals, businesses and community we serve. At the core of our service commitment is continuous product & service innovation and customer experience enrichment, which is achieved through actively listening to our customers’ needs and leveraging and investing in technology and digital transformation.
We embrace our responsibility to be a driving force against climate change and a force for good to create shared value for our community. We are proud to be the first to address the importance of mental health through different products and services and thought leading iconic research. Our overall Sustainability Strategy, with emphasis on climate strategy and biodiversity commitment, is developed based on TCFD recommendations. We are committed to integrating environmental, social and governance factors across our business and strive to contribute to a sustainable future through 3 distinct roles – as an investor, an insurer and an exemplary company.
About Ant Bank (Hong Kong)
Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ant International. On 9 May 2019, Ant Bank (Hong Kong) received a banking licence from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and it officially opened on 28 September 2020. It aims to provide local individuals and SMEs with reliable, trustworthy, transparent and inclusive banking services through fin-tech innovation. For more information, please visit https://www.antbank.hk.
Ant Bank (Hong Kong) Limited is a licensed insurance agency authorized by the Insurance Authority of Hong Kong, with the licensed insurance agency number GA1061.
About AlipayHK
The AlipayHK electronic wallet is operated by Alipay Financial Services (HK) Limited (Stored Value Facility Licence number: SVF0004) and regulated by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. Currently, over 150,000 local retail outlets support AlipayHK electronic wallet for payments, covering large chain stores, shops, convenience stores, supermarkets, markets, and restaurants. Additionally, AlipayHK electronic wallet payment service also supports multiple overseas countries, including Chinese Mainland, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. For more details, please visit: http://www.alipayhk.com.
Apart from payment services, AlipayHK also serves as a comprehensive digital lifestyle platform, offering Hong Kong users a wide range of lifestyle, leisure, and convenience services. Features include transportation, financial management, cross-border payments, P2P transfers, blockchain remittances, bill payments, purchasing insurance products offered by third parties, and receiving electronic vouchers. This allows Hong Kong citizens to enjoy the convenience brought by this revolutionary multifunctional electronic wallet.
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA’S WEBSITE: AXA.COM.HK
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause AXA’s actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Part 4 – “Risk factors and risk management” of AXA’s Universal Registration Document for the year ended December 31, 2019, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect AXA’s business, and/or results of operations. AXA undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as part of applicable regulatory or legal obligations.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – The highly anticipated Food & Hotel Asia – Food & Beverage (FHA-F&B) event officially opens today, reaffirming its position as Asia’s premier international food and beverage platform. With an expected 65,000 attendees from both local and international markets, FHA-F&B is set to once again unite industry professionals, culinary innovators, and industry leaders under one roof.
The opening ceremony welcomes minister, ambassadors, and global key industry leaders.
Held as a four-day event from 8-11 April 2025, the event was inaugurated with a distinguished guest lineup, including Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State, Ministry of Trade and Industry; H.E. Allaster Cox, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore; Chef Andy Cuthbert, President of WorldChefs; Ian Roberts, Vice President Asia, Informa Markets; and over 300 esteemed guests.
“I’m proud to share that over 70 Singapore companies are showcasing at the Singapore Pavilion at FHA F&B 2025. Our companies carry with them the strength of the Singapore brand— a mark of quality, innovation, and excellence. In a more uncertain, fragmented, turbulent world, our food manufacturing sector must continue to stay global, stay creative and stay green.” said Mr. Alvin Tan, Minister of State for Trade and Industry.
More than 1,600 exhibitors from 50 countries are showcasing their innovations and solutions, marking this as the largest gathering of its kind in the region. The event’s 12 dynamic segments offer attendees a rich and diverse experience, covering everything from cutting-edge gastronomy to sustainable industry practices. These segments are designed to meet the evolving needs of culinary professionals and food enthusiasts alike.
Australia as the Partner Country
In 2025, FHA-F&B proudly presents Australia as thePartner Country, in collaboration with The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade). “As Partner Country of Honour at FHA F&B 2025, Australia is proud to showcase the strength of our food and beverage industry on this global stage. Our longstanding partnership with Singapore — built on quality, sustainability, and shared ambition — continues to create new opportunities through strong trade ties and the Australia-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership,” said H.E. Allaster Cox, Australian High Commissioner to Singapore.
The Australia Pavilion, located in Hall 8, is home to over 120 exhibitors, showcasing the country’s rich culinary heritage, innovative food trends, and vibrant brewing culture. From premium meats and dairy to pioneering food technologies, attendees can explore a wide range of products and innovations. Highlights include live cooking demonstrations, a Meat & Livestock Showcase, cocktail-making sessions, and CSIRO’s Venture Exchange Program: Future Food 2.0, where Australian agri-food startups pitch their groundbreaking solutions.
SG60: Building a Stronger Singapore
The event shines a spotlight on over 80 local suppliers and farmers, underscoring Singapore’s commitment to fostering a resilient food ecosystem. Aligned with the national Green Plan 2030, the exhibition showcases the contributions of homegrown brands like Toh Thye San Farm, Chee Seng Oil Factory, Lim Joo Huat Enterprise, and more, as part of the nation’s drive for sustainable, local entrepreneurship.
Seminars and Thought Leadership
The seminar series kicked off with resounding success, featuring nearly 40 sessions hosted by over 65 thought leaders from prominent institutions including Bioprocessing Technology Institute, A*STAR, B Lab Singapore, Society for Cellular Agriculture, and top universities like Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore. These sessions offer invaluable insights into the latest F&B trends, innovations, and sustainability efforts shaping the future of the industry.
Reshaping the Beverage Consumption
The Southeast Asian beverage market is undergoing a dramatic transformation, fueled by the rising popularity of the “sober curious” movement. As demand for low- and non-alcoholic options soars, FHA-F&B introduces the Zero-Alcohol Beverage Space at Hall 8, showcasing the latest innovations in this rapidly expanding sector. A standout highlight is the inaugural Zero Mixology Challenge, which invites mixologists to craft creative, non-alcoholic drinks. This competition serves as the Asia Selection round for the international finals in Shanghai.
In addition, FHA-F&B celebrates the art of mixology with its National Cocktail Challenge, further cementing Singapore’s reputation as Asia’s cocktail capital. Top bartenders will battle it out for the prestigious opportunity to represent Singapore at the renowned World Cocktail Championship in Colombia.
FHA Culinary Competitions
New additions to the FHA Culinary competitions include the rolling out of the first individual segments of the competitions, divided into Individual Challenge Culinary of Practical Hot Cooking with Poultry, Seafood, Vegetarian, etc, and Individual Challenge Patisserie with competition segments such as Restaurant Dessert Challenge, Practical Cake Decoration, Petits Fours, Pastry Showcase, Artistic Sculpture, and more.
“FHA F&B 2025 continues to be a vital stage for culinary excellence and global collaboration. It’s inspiring to see chefs, producers, and innovators coming together to shape the future of food,” said Chef Andy Cuthbert, President of Worldchefs.
The challenges will this year be judged by teams of esteemed panels led by Chief Judge Otto Weibel (SG). He will be supported by other chef judges like Rudolf Muller (SG/CH), Frank Wedmann (DE), Sven Erik Renaa (NO), Clinton Zhu (CN), Chern Chee Hoong (MY), and Anderson Ho (SG).
At the National Team Challenges, trade visitors get to tune in to a two-part competition in which top chefs from various countries will participate over two days. Participating countries are Australia, Azerbaijan, China, Indonesia, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Chefs are required to partake in:
Restaurant of Nations Hot Kitchen Challenge, where each team is required to prepare 55 portions of a three-course menu,
Chef’s Table Challenge, featuring teams dishing out a menu composition that best represents them, and
Battle for the Lion is a live cooking challenge where the top three national teams battle it out with a 3-course meal with mystery ingredients.
FHA-F&B continues to be the definitive platform for the food and beverage industry in Asia. Whether it’s exploring the latest trends in food innovation, experiencing live culinary competitions, or engaging with global experts, attendees are guaranteed an enriching, inspiring experience.
“Looking ahead to 2026, we are excited to announce the co-location of our Food & Beverage and HoReCa events. This combined show will span all 10 halls, showcasing the future of food and hospitality and putting FHA at the heart of Asia’s F and B scene, creating relationships that last and delivering knowledge that’s valuable”, said Ian Roberts, Vice President Asia, Informa Markets.
FHA-Food & Beverage 2025 runs through 11 April 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the largest gathering of F&B professionals in Asia. On-site ticket fee of SGD90 applies.
For images and more information, refer to the press kit link: https://bit.ly/FHAfnbOC. Hashtag: #FHAFnB2025 #FHA2025
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Hospitality, Food & Beverage at Informa Markets
Informa Markets’ Hospitality, Food & Beverage portfolio includes a series of global in-person trade events and an online content platform Saladplate – aimed at fostering business relationships, enabling learning, and enhancing trade opportunities for the industry.
With several established events within the portfolio such as Hotelex Shanghai, Food&HotelAsia, HOFEX, Fispal Food Service, and Abastur, the portfolio together offers an unparalleled audience reach across the world. Staging 35 live and digital events in major cities including Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Seoul, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Bangkok, Sao Paulo, and Mexico City.
Working alongside established industry partners, government bodies, and recognised professionals, the portfolio aims at bringing companies, individuals, and the industry to the forefront of global business innovation by offering solutions and opportunities that meet today’s business needs.
About Informa Markets
FHA-Food & Beverage is organised by Informa Markets, a division of Informa plc. Informa Markets creates platforms for industries and specialist markets to trade, innovate and grow. We provide marketplace participants around the globe with opportunities to engage, experience and do business through face-to-face exhibitions, targeted digital services, and actionable data solutions. We connect buyers and sellers across more than a dozen global verticals, including Pharmaceuticals, Food, Medical Technology, and Infrastructure. As the world’s leading market-making company, we bring a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days a year.
YONGIN, South Korea, April 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — GC Biopharma announced 09. Apr. 2025 that the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) has approved its anthrax vaccine, BARYTHRAX, jointly developed by GC Biopharma and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA).
With the approval by MFDS, BARYTHRAX has become Korea’s 39th novel drug. Following the application on 31 Oct. 2023, GC Biopharma and KDCA successfully received the product approval from MFDS on 8th this month.
Anthrax, caused by Bacillus anthracis, is class-1 infectious disease capable of surviving extreme conditions and spreading easily through airborne transmission. If untreated, its fatality rate can reach up to 97%, making it a significant threat as a potential biological weapon.
BARYTHRAX utilizes protective antigen (PA) proteins produced through genetic recombination techniques. In anthrax infections, PA acts as a gateway for 2 Bacillus anthracis toxins, lethal factor (LF) and edema factor (EF), to enter host cells. By utilizing PA proteins, the vaccination can train and stimulate an immune response to neutralize anthrax.
Traditional vaccines are made by attenuating Bacillus anthracis or culturing non-pathogenic Bacillus anthracis, which may contain residual toxin components. BARYTHRAX, being the world’s first recombinant protein anthrax vaccine, removed this risk and improved vaccine safety.
BARYTHRAX has also improved vaccine stability by overcoming a key limitation of recombinant protein vaccines, which is “the reduction in immunogenicity within the shelf life”. In the Phase II clinical trial, healthy adult subjects, who received the vaccination generated sufficient antibodies to neutralize anthrax toxins, while reporting no acute or severe adverse events.
Bacillus anthracis is highly lethal, making it unethical to carry out phase 3 human clinical trials. In such cases, under the “Animal Rule” of The Special Act for Promotion of the Development and Emergency Supply of Medical Products in Response to Public Health Crisis of Korea, animal trials can be conducted as a substitute for phase 3 clinical studies. In the animal efficacy study, the vaccinated subjects maintained high levels of neutralizing antibodies even after 6 months following the 4th dose of the vaccine, with a high survival rate against the Bacillus anthracis spore challenge.
The MFDS’s approval, supported by GC Biopharma’s production capacity, will pave the way for the company to supply Korea’s essential anthrax vaccine reserve.
Eun-chul Huh, President and CEO of GC Biopharma, said, “This achievement underscores our commitment to localizing critical medicines for public health and national security. GC Biopharma will continue leading efforts to ensure stable supplies of essential medical products, as we have been doing with other vaccines and blood products since our founding.“
About GC Biopharma
GC Biopharma (formerly known as Green Cross Corporation) is a biopharmaceutical company headquartered in Yong-in, South Korea. The company has over half a century of experience in the development and manufacturing of plasma derivatives and vaccines, and is expanding its global presence with successful US market entry of Alyglo™(intravenous immunoglobulin G) in 2024. In line with its mission to meet the demands of future healthcare, GC Biopharma continues to drive innovation by leveraging its core R&D capabilities in engineering of proteins, mRNAs, and lipid nanoparticle (LNP) drug delivery platform to develop therapeutics for the field of rare disease as well as I&I (Immunology & Inflammation). To learn more about the company, visithttps://www.gcbiopharma.com/eng/
This press release may contain biopharmaceuticals in forward-looking statements, which express the current beliefs and expectations of GC Biopharma’s management. Such statements do not represent any guarantee by GC Biopharma or its management of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors. GC Biopharma undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained in this press release or any other forward-looking statements it may make, except as required by law or stock exchange rule.