The appointment marks a significant milestone to strengthen leadership and accelerate strategic initiatives

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Labuan IBFC Incorporated Sdn Bhd (Labuan IBFC Inc.) has appointed Ben Quah as its new Chief Executive Officer. He brings to the role over two decades of experience in fintech, digital marketing, and regional business development, with a strong record of building sustainable growth across Asian markets.

Ben has held senior roles in both established financial institutions and high-growth technology ventures in Malaysia, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, and Singapore. His career reflects deep expertise in market expansion, ecosystem development, and cross-border business development. He has launched multi-jurisdictional platforms, led scalable growth programmes, and forged key partnerships with regulators, financial institutions, and technology providers.

Recognised for his business clarity and strategic acumen, Ben has demonstrated the ability to translate vision into actionable strategies that enhance organisational capabilities and unlock new opportunities. His leadership enables organisations to scale sustainably and adapt effectively to shifting market conditions while maintaining a long-term value focus.

As Chief Executive Officer of Labuan IBFC Inc., Ben will lead efforts to enhance Labuan IBFC’s position as a premier international business and financial centre. His priorities include strengthening engagement with regulatory and industry stakeholders, deepening collaboration across key markets, and sharpening the jurisdiction’s value proposition amid evolving global standards. He will also drive growth in areas such as wealth management, captive insurance, fintech and Islamic finance to position Labuan IBFC at the forefront of emerging opportunities in the region.

“Collaboration is fundamental to Labuan IBFC’s future. By aligning closely with partners in our key markets, we can further enhance our role as Asia’s leading cross-border financial hub. I am committed to cultivating the relationships that will unlock long-term, sustainable growth for the region.”

Since assuming the role, Ben has engaged actively with partners across the region. His leadership philosophy, grounded in the concept of “inside-out living,” emphasises clarity of purpose, authenticity, and values-driven decision-making — principles that guide his long-term approach to ecosystem building and growth.

For more information on Asia’s premier international financial hub, visit www.labuanibfc.com.

Highlights

• First Graphene enters exclusive agreement to develop, produce, market and sell graphene-based carbon paste products with Halocell Australia
• Carbon paste is a conductive coating used to improve performance across a range of flexible printed electronics, energy generation and storage devices
• Market-ready product already used in perovskite solar cells manufactured by Halocell and has a wide array of common applications

SYDNEY, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — First Graphene Limited (ASX:FGR; “First Graphene” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce it has entered an exclusive Licence Agreement (“Agreement”) with Halocell Australia (“Halocell”) to manufacture, market and sell graphene enhanced carbon paste.

The 12-month Agreement gives First Graphene global exclusivity over development and sale of the PureGRAPH^® containing product, with Halocell receiving a 10% royalty on sales as well as using the product in manufacturing its commercially available perovskite solar cells (“PSC”).

This is an addition to the existing Joint Development Agreement and Cooperative Research Centre Project (CRC-P) Partners Agreement reached in June 2022 and August 2023 respectively.

Market-ready product with multiple sector applications

Under the pre-existing CRC-P Partners Agreement, FGR and Halocell have successfully investigated and introduced graphene to carbon paste with a focus on fine tuning formulation, concentrations, components and syntheses.

The paste is already used in the manufacture of Halocell’s PSCs, which has doubled PSC efficiency to more than 30% and dramatically reduced production costs via roll-to-roll (“R2R”) deposition technology producing thin-film perovskites.

It is preferred over traditional conductors such as gold because of significant material and production cost reductions while maintaining high performance output and enhancing robustness.

Halocell’s indoor PSCs are already sold in the global market for use in small electronic devices due to their ability to achieve high power conversion efficiency in low light conditions.

There are 44 additional devices identified across the satellite, aerospace, IoT, electronics and renewable energy sectors that could benefit from PSC technology (refer ASX announcement 27 August 2025).

Halocell, in partnership with V-Tol Aerospace and Li-S (ASX:LIS), is already developing a lightweight power solution including next generation solar and batteries to significantly increase the flight duration of electric powered drones.

The graphene-based carbon paste can also be applied to a range of conductive applications such as heating systems and sensors, ceramic coatings, electrodes and electrochemical mixes.

Manufacturing sample graphene enhanced carbon paste material at First Graphene’s Henderson facility is planned to commence within the next month.

First Graphene Managing Director and CEO Michael Bell said:

“First Graphene and Halocell’s partnership is going from strength to strength, introducing PureGRAPH^® to accelerate solar technology improvements and bringing enhanced PSCs to market.

Through this Agreement, we can leverage carbon paste intellectual property already developed and take this product to global markets, which is mutually beneficial to Halocell in meeting their own ambitious manufacturing targets to help meet growing product demand for PSCs.

While the carbon paste market is set to more than double to circa US$2.8 billion by 2032, the real opportunity comes from the multitude of applications and products that can benefit from better performance, longevity and efficiency our PureGRAPH^® offers.”

Halocell Australia CEO Paul Moonie said:

“Working with FGR to introduce functionalised graphene into our perovskites has produced groundbreaking module efficiency and R2R production results.

We see this additional agreement as an excellent opportunity to market graphene-enhanced carbon paste to technology developers around the world and demonstrate how Australian manufacturing is at the forefront of this new age material revolution.”

BANGKOK, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Fiscal year 2025 marks another significant milestone for TCEB, reaffirming Thailand’s status as a premier and preferred MICE and mega-event destination. During the year, the country successfully secured 30 major international events spanning all MICE sectors and mega-events. With conferences scheduled through 2029, these achievements reflect long-term confidence from international partners and the strength of Thailand’s collaborative MICE ecosystem.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, said, “FY2025 demonstrated Thailand’s strategic vision and strong appeal as a host for a series of future international MICE and mega-events. Securing hosting rights in the financial year 2025 illustrates global confidence in our MICE ecosystem and underscores TCEB’s commitment to leveraging MICE as a catalyst for professional, business and economic growth, enhancing Thailand’s reputation and influence on the global stage for years to come.”

According to Mrs. Supawan, during FY2025 (October 2024 – September 2025), Thailand won the rights to host a total of 30 international events with a combined 109,000 pax and an estimated economic impact valued at 9,845 million baht. The wins span all MICE sectors – meetings, incentives, conventions, exhibitions – and mega events. In the Meetings & Incentives (MI) sector, the Amway Leadership Seminar in Bangkok, scheduled for March–April 2026, will welcome over 10,000 delegates from China. In the Conventions (C) sector, the International Dragon Award Annual Conference 2027 in Bangkok is expected to draw 7,500 overseas delegates. In the Exhibitions (E) sector, Gastech 2026 in Bangkok will host around 50,000 participants. Thailand has also secured two mega-events, with Chiang Rai confirmed as the venue for the Spartan SUPER World Championship, to be held from 2026 to 2028. This event is expected to draw approximately 60,000 athletes and delegates in combination from 50 countries worldwide during the three consecutive years. The other is Tough Mudder, scheduled in Pattaya, which is expected to attract 16,000 pax.

In addition to these headline events, other notable conventions expected to draw over 1,000 overseas delegates include the 63rd World Boxing Council Annual Convention 2025 and the 1st World Boxing Council MuayThai Convention 2025, with 2,000 expected participants; the 31st Congress of the Federation of Asian Pharmaceutical Associations (FAPA 2026), attracting 2,000 delegates; the Asian Pacific Orthodontic Congress (APOC 2028), with 1,200 expected attendees; and the Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery 2029 (WSRM 2029), expecting 1,500 participants.

“Winning the rights to host conferences over the next four years, such as WSRM 2029, demonstrates strong international confidence in the country as a premier and preferred MICE destination. These successes reflect a collaborative MICE ecosystem that ensures events meet evolving business needs. From Gastech, involving the Ministry of Energy, to the Amway Leadership Seminar with the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s tailored ‘Slow Living of Bangkok‘ program, the Kingdom showcases trusted capability, professionalism, and world-class standards. Meanwhile, the northern city of Chiang Rai hosting the Spartan SUPER World Championship from 2026 to 2028 underscores the nation’s capability to deliver major events beyond the capital,” added Mrs. Supawan.

For more information, contact TCEB at: pr@tceb.or.th

About TCEB

A LEADING AGENCY AT THE FOREFRONT OF THAILAND’S MICE INDUSTRY

Established in 2004, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB – the government agency under the supervision of the Prime Minister – has been assigned a role to promote, support and develop business events industry – corporate meetings, incentive trips, conventions, exhibitions, mega events and world festivals. Serving as a strategic partner, TCEB helps deliver creative ideas and solutions to bring success and fulfill the requirements of business events. The overarching goal is to drive Thailand to become a global MICE and mega events destination that can drive the country’s strategic industries and national economy.

A landmark celebration of fashion, sports and urban culture

HONG KONG, Nov. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) proudly presented “HONG KONG FASYNATES 2025: Fashion x Sports” – a large-scale fashion-sports extravaganza jointly organised by its School of Fashion and Textiles (SFT), Department of Biomedical Engineering (BME), and Research Institute for Sports Science and Technology (RISports) – at the Central Square of Kai Tak Sports Park from 22 to 23 November. The two-day event transformed the City into a stage where fashion and creativity blend with the spirit of sports, showcasing Hong Kong’s dynamic landscape and leadership in two vital industries: fashion and sports.

HONG KONG FASYNATES represents a fusion of fashion, synergy with the suffix “-NATES”, emphasising how fashion creates synergy with other industries. Themed “Fashion x Sports”, the event has fostered collaboration among fashion and sportswear industry leaders, key brands and creative talents, building a dynamic ecosystem across different industries while energising the City with vibrant activities.

On the opening day (22 November), the “Move to Light” digital illumination show—created by world-renowned lighting designer and winner of the Outstanding PolyU Alumni Award 2021, Mr Tino KWAN—wowed the audience. The illumination ceremony was officiated by Miss Rosanna LAW, Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China; Prof. Wing-tak WONG, Deputy President and Provost of PolyU; Prof. Christopher CHAO, Senior Vice President (Research and Innovation) of PolyU; Miss Drew LAI, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries of the Government of the HKSAR; Ms WANG Xin, former Olympic diving gold medalist and Sports Advisor of RISports; Dr Daniel LEE, Associate Director, Elite Training Science & Technology of the Hong Kong Sport Institute; Prof. Erin CHO, Dean of SFT; Prof. Ming ZHANG, Director of RISports; Tyson Yoshi, Founder of Triplet; Mr Joe WONG, Director of Open Dialogue, as well as sports brand representatives and a group of young local designers. Together, they activated the digital illumination installation, the glowing lights symbolising Hong Kong’s growing prominence in fashion-tech integration and urban lifestyle design.

Following the illumination ceremony, five talented bachelor’s degree alumni from SFT—all finalists in the Hong Kong Young Fashion Designers’ Contest—presented a fashion show that merged sports aesthetics with high-end fashion. They are Wilson Yip (2015 graduate), Catherine Hui (2024 graduate), Einar Lai (2024 graduate), Murfi Lau (2015 graduate) and Yoyo Chan (2022 graduate). Their five collections, themed around car racing, running, fitness and gym, street dance, and road running and hiking respectively, reflected the synergy of movement and design, while also showcasing the versatility required to thrive at the intersection of casual-wear, streetwear and performance gear.

The evening concluded with the “Skate to Style” performance by the All Hong Kong Skateboarders Association (AHKSA), where talented skateboarders, performing in designs curated by Prof. HUANG Tsai-Chun, Assistant Professor of SFT, combined athletic skill and artistry to rousing applause.

On 23 November, the “HONG KONG FASYNATES Bazaar” transformed Central Square into a vibrant playground for fashion and sports enthusiasts. It featured 16 lifestyle and fashion brands across 11 booths hosted by various lifestyle and fashion brand and independent local labels, all contributing to a lively and inspiring marketplace atmosphere. Visitors also enjoyed the “PROFASHION Live Interviews”, featuring brand founders and company directors who discussed how design innovation and sustainability influence latest fashion and lifestyle trends. AHKSA also hosted skateboarding competitions and lessons, while a professional hair and makeup agency, a fashion brand and the online platform FASHIONALLY jointly led interactive Fashion Experience Workshops, offering hands-on opportunities to explore urban sports, creative styling and beauty techniques. The event concluded with dynamic performances by the Hong Kong Rope Skipping Club and dancers from ROSEMAESE and YouniverS, whose energetic rhythms and youthful vitality brought the event to a perfect close.

Through an engaging mix of runway showcases, live performances and interactive experiences, HONG KONG FASYNATES embodied the vitality, creativity and collaborative spirit of local fashion and sports industries. It also offered a new stage for designers, athletes and brands to explore how fashion captures movement and urban identity, reflecting Hong Kong’s spirit of innovation and energy, and redefining Hong Kong’s position as Asia’s creative capital.