Laos appoints Saleumxay Kommasith prime minister and moves Sonexay Siphandone to National Assembly president following Xaysomphone’s death.
Today, Laos has made a major change to its top leadership, appointing former Deputy Prime Minister Saleumxay Kommasith as prime minister and moving outgoing Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone to the presidency of the National Assembly.
The reshuffle follows the death of National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane in August at age 69.
Xaysomphone passed on 8 August, according to an official announcement from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee. He had been re-elected as National Assembly president just months earlier, in March, when Laos opened its 10th legislative term.
Sounthone Xayachack, a National Assembly vice president, stepped in as acting president on 18 August after Xaysomphone’s death. The position remained open until lawmakers met on today, 5 October, for the second ordinary session of the 10th Legislature.
Shortly after 8 AM on Monday, Laos’ top leaders apppointed Sonexay to lead the National Assembly and approved Saleumxay as Prime Minister. All 158 lawmakers present voted in favor of Saleumxay.
Ongoing Reshuffles
The changes are the latest in a series of major leadership reshuffles in recent years.
In March 2021, then-Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith became state president, replacing Bounnhang Vorachit. Phankham Viphavanh, then vice president, became prime minister, while Xaysomphone was elected National Assembly president, replacing Pany Yathotou, who became a vice president.
In December 2022, Phankham stepped down as prime minister and Sonexay, then deputy prime minister, was elected to replace him.
Laos also reshuffled nine senior government officials in June 2025, including changes at the ministries overseeing finance, education, health, labor, agriculture, and industry and commerce.
After the March 2026 National Assembly elections, the country initially kept the same top leadership. Thongloun was re-elected as president, Sonexay remained prime minister, and Xaysomphone was re-elected as National Assembly president.
The New Leadership
Sonexay, born in 1966, has a background in the military and government administration. He served in the Lao People’s Army’s armored forces before holding senior government positions, including governor of Champasak Province and minister of planning and investment. He became deputy prime minister in 2022 and prime minister later that year.
Saleumxay, born in 1968, built his career in diplomacy and foreign relations. He held several positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including serving as Laos’ representative to the United Nations. He became foreign minister in 2016 and deputy prime minister in 2022.
The leadership reshuffle is expected to continue over the next few days.
ABU DHABI, UAE and HONG KONG, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — ICAC Commissioner Mr Woo Ying-ming, leading his delegation, concluded his visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), during which the ICAC co-launched the “Integrity Behind Bars: A Guide on Corruption Risk Management in Prison Systems” (“Prison Guide”) with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in the 15th United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice in Abu Dhabi.
ICAC and UNODC jointly debut the pioneering Prison Guide, ICAC Commissioner: charting the way for enhancing global prison integrity
In his capacity as ICAC Commissioner and President of the International Association of Anti-Corruption Authorities (IAACA), Mr Woo co-launched the “Prison Guide” with Ms Monica Juma, Executive Director of the UNODC on October 1 in Abu Dhabi. Recalling the journey began over a year ago, Mr Woo noted that “Having served as Commissioner of Correctional Services of Hong Kong, my three-decade experience in prison management enlightened me that prisons are the final line of defence of the justice system. A corrupt prison environment not only endangers the safety of law enforcement officers and inmates but also undermines the rehabilitation of prisoners, thus weakening social stability. Therefore, when the UNODC invited the ICAC to lead this project, I relentlessly accepted the challenge, hoping to enhance prison governance worldwide.”
“With full support from the UNODC and the IAACA, various international experts gathered in Hong Kong last November to exchange experiences, bringing forth this guidebook which is grounded in international standards with flexible framework. I hope the “Prison Guide”, which offers comprehensive guidelines covering prison staff recruitment and training, procurement and financial controls, reporting mechanisms, oversights and inspections, prison intelligence and use of technology, will shed light of integrity on every corner behind the bars, enabling prisoners to turn a new page in life,” Mr Woo added.
Mr Woo remarked that the “Prison Guide” also embarked on the maiden voyage of ICAC’s another international mission. Looking forward, the ICAC planned to co-organise training programmes with the UNODC starting next year for prison administrators, anti-corruption agencies and law enforcement bodies worldwide to share the prolonged partnership and robust achievements between the ICAC and the Correctional Services Department.
Executive Director of UNODC Ms Juma also expressed her gratitude to the ICAC and the IAACA for co-producing the “Prison Guide” with the UNODC, which aimed to nip graft in the bud by offering systematic anti-corruption advice. She called upon the UN member states to adopt the recommendations in the guidebook and encouraged greater international cooperation between prison administrations and anti-corruption bodies. The UNODC stood ready to support member states to apply integrity in their judicial systems.
Meanwhile, Dr Kalwan Kwan Ming-tak, Adjunct Associate Professor of the Department of Sociology of the University of Hong Kong, also joined the delegation to share Hong Kong’s successful prison system. ICAC’s Principal Investigator Ms Bonnie Wong Kar-man also expounded on law enforcement experiences against prison corruption.
The meeting drew participation from experts and representatives of international organisations. Apart from commending the guidebook for offering valuable references, participants were also of the view that social development would be benefited from enhanced prison integrity.
During the visit, Mr Woo also held a bilateral meeting with the UAE Accountability Authority to exchange graft fighting insights and explore future collaborations. The delegation took the opportunity to call on Mr Zhao Liang, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the UAE to learn local anti-corruption work. Accompanying Mr Woo to attend the UN Crime Congress are Principal Investigators Ms Bonnie Wong Kar-man and Mr Gary Wong Hon-kit, as well as Chief Corruption Prevention Officer Mr Tony Lau Yip-fung and Chief Academy Officer Mr Karson Li Tsz-hin. The delegation returned to Hong Kong on October 3.
The only known investigational therapy for SBMA in Phase 3 development worldwide
AJ201 (rosolutamide) is an investigational oral small molecule designed to address multiple disease mechanisms of spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA, or Kennedy’s disease)
Following submission of the Phase 3 protocol to the U.S. FDA under AnnJi’s active Investigational New Drug (IND) application, AnnJi will proceed with U.S. site activation for the global Phase 3 ROMA-KD trial
AJ201 has received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA and Orphan Drug Designation in both the U.S. and the European Union
TAIPEI, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — AnnJi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (AnnJi, TPEx: 7754), a clinical-stage drug development company focused on innovative small molecules, today announced that it is proceeding with the U.S. portion of its pivotal Phase 3 ROMA-KD trial of AJ201 (rosolutamide) in patients with spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA, or Kennedy’s disease), a progressive, inherited neuromuscular disease with no FDA-approved treatment.
“For people living with SBMA, the disease is felt in everyday moments: a staircase that becomes harder to climb, a meal that becomes harder to swallow, a voice that becomes harder to use,” said Dr. Wendy Huang, Chairperson and CEO of AnnJi. “It affects whole families, often across generations, and there is still no FDA-approved treatment. Advancing AJ201 into Phase 3 brings us one step closer to potentially changing that. We are now focused on activating U.S. trial sites, enrolling patients and completing this study as efficiently and responsibly as possible, with patients and families at our side.”
AJ201 is an investigational oral small molecule that promotes clearance of the pathogenic mutant androgen receptor (mAR) protein and activates cellular stress-response pathways, including Nrf1, Nrf2 and HSF1. A potential first-in-class treatment for SBMA, AJ201 has received Orphan Drug Designation and Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA, as well as Orphan Drug Designation in the European Union.
The Phase 3 program builds on encouraging results from the completed Phase 2 study of AJ201, announced in May 2025, and was informed by subsequent interactions with regulatory authorities.
The ROMA-KD trial is a global, multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of AJ201 in ambulatory individuals with symptomatic SBMA. Approximately 200 patients are expected to enroll globally, with the United States as a key region. The trial is intended to support potential global regulatory submissions for AJ201. AnnJi will coordinate site activation across regions in line with its global development and partnering strategy.
Patient and Care Partner Advisory Council
AnnJi has established its SBMA Patient and Care Partner Advisory Council, first announced in collaboration with the Kennedy’s Disease Association (KDA) at the 2026 KDA International Patient and Scientific Conference. The Council brings together people living with SBMA and their care partners, whose lived experience offers insights that clinical data alone cannot capture.
Serving in an advisory capacity, the Council provides a structured forum for ongoing, two-way dialogue between AnnJi and the SBMA community. Members share perspectives that may help inform AnnJi’s patient-centered research and clinical development, including considerations for study design and the development of clear, accessible patient-facing materials. The Council operates independently of AnnJi’s clinical trials, and participation has no bearing on trial eligibility or enrollment.
Commitment to the SBMA Community
AnnJi remains committed to advancing AJ201 for people living with SBMA and their families, and to working in transparent partnership with patients, care partners, clinicians and advocacy organizations worldwide.
About SBMA and AJ201
SBMA, or Kennedy’s disease, is a rare, X-linked inherited neuromuscular disorder caused by a CAG repeat expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) gene. The resulting mutant AR protein contributes to motor neuron and muscle degeneration through mechanisms involving cellular toxicity, oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. SBMA is believed to be substantially underdiagnosed, in part because its symptoms are often mistaken for other neuromuscular conditions, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and because the absence of an approved treatment has offered little incentive for genetic testing. There is currently no FDA-approved treatment for SBMA.
AJ201 (rosolutamide; also known as JM17) is an investigational oral small molecule designed to address multiple disease mechanisms implicated in SBMA. AJ201 promotes clearance of the pathogenic mutant AR protein and activates cellular pathways involved in antioxidant defense, protein quality control and stress response, including Nrf1, Nrf2 and HSF1.1 Through these complementary mechanisms, AJ201 is being developed as a potential disease-modifying therapy for SBMA.
1 Bott LC, et al. Hum Mol Genet. 2016.
About AnnJi Pharmaceutical
AnnJi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (TPEx: 7754) is a clinical-stage drug development company focused on innovative new chemical entities (NCEs) for diseases with high unmet medical need in neurology, dermatology and immune-inflammatory conditions. Its pipeline includes AJ201 for Kennedy’s disease (SBMA), a rare neuromuscular disease, as well as HDAC6-targeted programs in neuropathy, including chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, and fibrotic diseases.
AnnJi is committed to developing differentiated therapies that improve the quality of life of patients with neglected chronic diseases. The company advances high-quality drug candidates through clinical proof of concept and collaborates with global pharmaceutical partners on further development and commercialization, with the goal of bringing its therapies to patients worldwide and driving sustainable growth.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the timing, conduct and potential outcomes of the Phase 3 ROMA-KD trial, site activation and enrollment, the regulatory pathway for AJ201, and AnnJi’s development and partnering plans. Words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “will” and similar expressions are intended to identify such statements. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including clinical, regulatory, manufacturing, partnering, financing and operational risks, that could cause actual results to differ materially. Additional information about these risks is available in AnnJi’s disclosures filed with the Taipei Exchange and published on the Market Observation Post System (MOPS). AJ201 is an investigational product and has not been approved by any regulatory authority for any indication. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and, except as required by applicable law, AnnJi undertakes no obligation to update them.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 October 2026 – NAMAA has announced the launch of Future Foods and Picnic, two new ventures that support restaurants, businesses and consumers across the Middle East. Together, they strengthen NAMAA’s portfolio of digital food solutions, helping restaurant operators grow their delivery business while making workplace dining simpler.
Future Foods Opens New Revenue Opportunities for Restaurant Operators
Born out of the Kitchens business, Future Foods was created to help restaurant operators generate additional revenue through virtual delivery brands. Today, it is the largest virtual brand company in the restaurant space, with more than 1,500 live locations.
The Future Foods model allows restaurants to launch established delivery brands from their existing kitchens without investing in another location or major infrastructure. With their existing kitchens, operators can optimise food costs, reach more customers and increase delivery sales.
Future Foods also provides support with storefront setup, delivery platform integration, marketing and operations, allowing restaurant teams to focus on preparing great food while strengthening their delivery business.
Restaurant partners can choose from a portfolio of nationally recognised brands across a range of cuisines, including Pasta Glory, Brooklyn Calzones, Sunny & Fine’s, Poke Picnic and Brekkie Bagels, fulfilling customer demand in the market.
Picnic Brings a Simpler Workplace Dining Experience
Alongside Future Foods, NAMAA has introduced Picnic, a workplace dining platform built around the idea of “food at work, simplified.” By combining CloudKitchens with local brick-and-mortar restaurants, Picnic gives employees a wide variety of lunch options through a digital food court experience.
Orders are delivered to a designated Picnic shelf on each office floor within a 20 to 30-minute delivery window, making lunchtime easier while reducing the need to manage individual food deliveries.
Picnic also offers a more cost-effective approach to workplace dining. With no delivery fees, tips, administrative charges, nor minimum order requirements, both employers and employees benefit from greater convenience at no extra cost.
The platform offers flexible corporate solutions, including subsidised lunch programmes, non-subsidised daily deliveries, group ordering and fee-free catering for larger corporate events, allowing businesses to tailor to their employees’ needs.
Together, Future Foods and Picnic reflect NAMAA’s commitment to supporting restaurant growth while making workplace dining easier. As food delivery continues to evolve across the Middle East, both platforms give restaurants, businesses and consumers more flexibility and choice.
Hashtag: #NAMAA
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About NAMAA
NAMAA is a leader in driving the growth of digital food solutions, quick commerce, and the underlying real estate foundations. The founding members have been laying the groundwork since 2019, guided by a philosophy centred on developing infrastructures that give consumers fast and dependable access to meals, groceries, and essentials. Part of the wider ATOMS Group, the company has since grown into a multi-sector network with operations spanning the Middle East.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 October 2026 – Amid rising operating costs and accelerating digital transformation, many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Hong Kong are facing increasing pressure from equipment investment, limited manpower resources, and the growing complexity of print management across multiple departments. For organizations with multiple teams, office locations, or hybrid work arrangements, maintaining a reliable and efficient printing environment at a reasonable cost has become an important operational challenge.
Most businesses primarily print A4 documents such as contracts, invoices, reports, and administrative paperwork. When A4 printing is sufficient to meet the majority of daily business requirements, investing in larger and more expensive printing equipment may not be necessary. Brother’s Managed Print Service (MPS) allows businesses to flexibly deploy printing resources according to actual operational needs without incurring substantial upfront capital expenditure. The service also provides comprehensive consumables management, maintenance, and professional technical support, making print management simpler and more efficient.
Comprehensive Print Management That Reduces Administrative and IT Workloads
Traditional printer ownership often involves purchasing equipment, replenishing consumables, arranging repairs, and managing technical support, all of which can increase administrative efforts and hidden operating costs, particularly for SMEs without dedicated IT or administrative teams.
Brother’s Managed Print Service includes printer usage, consumables supply, maintenance services, and technical support. This enables businesses to enjoy a reliable printing experience without spending additional time managing day-to-day printing operations, allowing resources to be redirected toward core business development.
Eliminate Large Capital Expenditure and Improve Cash Flow Management
For growing businesses and startups, major investments in office equipment can significantly impact cash flow planning.
Under the monthly subscription model, businesses pay a fixed monthly fee to access professional-grade Brother printing equipment without making a substantial upfront investment. The service also does not impose a fixed monthly print volume limit, enabling organizations to adjust printing usage and device deployment according to operational needs. This flexibility helps businesses control costs more effectively while minimizing resource underutilization and wastage. Flexible Multi-Device Deployment for Greater Departmental Productivity
For organizations with multiple departments or work teams, relying on a single shared printer can often result in wait times and reduced document processing efficiency.
Brother’s Managed Print Service solution enables businesses to deploy multiple printers according to actual operational requirements. For example, administrative, human resources, finance, and sales departments can each be equipped with printers tailored to their specific needs. This helps minimize waiting time, reduce cross-department disruptions, improve workflow efficiency, and enhance document confidentiality.
The solution is also well-suited for organizations with multiple offices, retail outlets, or distributed business teams, providing centralized management of multiple devices while ensuring consistent technical support and after-sales service.
Proactive Consumables Replenishment Minimizes Business Disruptions
Many businesses have experienced workflow interruptions caused by depleted toner or consumables, potentially delaying important document production, customer service, and internal operations.
Brother’s Managed Print Service automatically monitors printer performance and consumables usage, proactively arranging replenishment before supplies run low. For industries with high printing demands, such as insurance, financial services, logistics, professional services, and education, this not only reduces administrative workload but also minimizes inventory management and procurement-related tasks.
Designed for Hong Kong Offices and Hybrid Work Environments
As hybrid working becomes increasingly common, businesses require more flexible approaches to printer deployment.
Brother offers a range of compact yet feature-rich printers that are particularly suitable for Hong Kong’s space-constrained office environments, departmental workspaces, and shared offices. With a smaller footprint while still meeting everyday business printing requirements, these devices help organizations make better use of valuable office space.
In addition, Brother provides remote technical support services to assist with device setup, network connectivity, and other technical issues, reducing the day-to-day support burden on IT teams.
Five Key Benefits of Choosing Brother “Managed Print Service”
Reduce large upfront procurement costs and adapt flexibly to changing business needs
Proactive consumables replenishment to minimize inventory management and purchasing efforts
Maintenance and professional technical support to reduce equipment downtime risks
Automated usage monitoring to lower administrative and management workload
Compact printer design ideal for Hong Kong’s limited office space
Focus on Growing Your Core Business
Through its monthly subscription model, flexible device deployment, automated consumables management, and professional technical support, Brother’s Managed Print Service helps businesses simplify print management, reduce overall operating costs, and improve productivity across departments and locations.
When most printing requirements consist primarily of A4 documents, businesses can select the most suitable device configuration based on their actual operational needs without allocating additional resources to infrequent printing demands. By adopting a more flexible and streamlined print management approach, organizations can focus on growing their business, serving customers, and driving innovation, ultimately strengthening their competitive advantage.
Information contained in this release is accurate at the time of publication and is subject to change without prior notice. Hashtag: #BrotherHK #BrotherMPS #BusinessSolutions #OfficeSolutions #PrintManagement #PrinterRental #OfficeSolutions #Sustainability
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Brother International (HK) Limited
Founded in Japan in 1908, Brother has over 110 years of history. It has developed into an international brand with 16 production facilities and 51 sales points worldwide, spanning 44 countries. Brother produces high-quality and innovative products for the printing and imaging, labelling, and sewing markets, maintaining a leading position in the industry. Its main products include a variety of inkjet and laser printers, multifunction printers, fax machines, scanners, label printers, and a range of home sewing machines and commercial embroidery machines.
As a trusted brand, Brother adheres to a “customer-first” philosophy in all aspects of its business, continually meeting diverse customer needs and market challenges with comprehensive and high-quality solutions.
Brother International (Hong Kong) is one of the leading suppliers of home, office, and industrial products in Hong Kong. Established in 1994, it has been serving customers in Hong Kong and Macau for over 30 years. According to IDC’s Global Hardware Peripheral Tracker report, Brother’s A3 multifunction colour inkjet printer has been the number one in shipment volume in the world for 18 consecutive years from 2008 to 2025, reaffirming Brother’s business success in the region.
For more information about Brother Hong Kong, contact our WhatsApp at (852) 3187 0505 or visit the website www.brother.com.hk。
NOTE: All brand and products names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Laos and Thailand advance an 820-meter Luang Prabang bridge project after completing key studies, approving designs, and preparing the loan agreement.
Laos and Thailand have moved a planned 820-meter bridge in Luang Prabang Province into the next stage of development, with the project’s environmental and social impact assessment and detailed design now complete and construction expected to begin in 2027.
The two sides exchanged project documents and inspected the planned bridge site on 2 October during the 23rd Lao-Thai Cooperation Committee meeting in Luang Prabang.
Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane and his Thai counterpart Sihasak Phuangketkeow attended the meeting and witnessed the document exchange for the Xiengman-Luang Prabang bridge project.
The project had previously been awaiting financing. Thailand approved THB 1.78 billion (USD 55.4 million) in financial assistance for the bridge in September through the Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency.
Laos and Thailand have now negotiated the concessional loan, with Laos preparing to sign the formal loan agreement.
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport said the environmental and social impact assessment has since been completed and the detailed design approved.
Bridge Details
The bridge will connect Chomphet District with Luang Prabang Town, crossing the Mekong River.
It will be 820 meters long and 21.6 meters wide, with five box-girder spans. The central section will be 120 meters long and 15 meters above the river to allow boats to pass underneath.
A 14-kilometer connecting road will link the two ends of the bridge.
Construction is expected to take four years, followed by seven years of operation and maintenance under an Output and Performance-Based Contract.
The bridge is now targeted to open in 2031.
Linking Luang Prabang to Thailand
The bridge is expected to strengthen road connections between Luang Prabang and the Xayabouly-Thailand border corridor.
Chomphet is the only district in Luang Prabang Province located on the opposite bank of the Mekong from Luang Prabang town. It borders Xayabouly, which connects onward to Thailand’s Nan Province.
The bridge is expected to reduce travel time between Nan and Luang Prabang by around 30 to 45 minutes from the current journey of roughly nine hours.
The project is part of a broader Lao-Thai infrastructure cooperation plan that includes connecting the Laos-China railway with Thailand’s rail network and developing Lao-Thai friendship bridges.
Five-day event set for Miami (11–15 December 2026) alongside the G20 Leaders’ Summit at Trump National Doral.
Convenes global sovereign, pension, and institutional allocators representing every G20 and allied nation.
SWFI targets US$5 trillion in capital deployment into key American growth sectors.
NEW DELHI, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI) has officially announced G20 Investment Week and the inaugural I20 Summit, taking place in Miami from 11–15 December 2026. Held alongside the official G20 Leaders’ Summit at Trump National Doral, this invitation-only gathering aims to direct US$5 trillion in long-term institutional capital into the United States.
Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam, SWFI Chairman, Chip Rogers, Advisor and spokesperson to SWFI, and Michael Maduell, SWFI President and CEO announce G20 Investment Week at iBRICS 2026, The Oberoi, New Delhi. Photo: SWFI.
The five-day program opens with a welcome dinner on 11 December, followed by specialized investor days, and concludes on 15 December with Global Leaders Day and the GOOD Fellows Awards. Over three core days, SWFI will host parallel sector sessions bringing sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, central bank reserve managers, and state officials into direct alignment. American governors and economic development authorities will present shovel-ready projects across twelve key growth sectors, including energy & LNG, SI & data center infrastructure, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, real estate, private credit, and digital assets.
Announced at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi, the initiative engages allocators across the Global South and allied economies spanning G20 members, the European Union, the African Union, and invited guest nations such as Qatar, Singapore, the UAE, Norway, and Finland.
Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam, Chairman, SWFI said: “The G20 sets the direction of the world economy. The I20 is where capital decides whether to follow. We unveiled this project at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi because capital does not belong to a bloc. It looks for scale, rule of law and returns, and no market offers more of all three than the United States.”
Chip Rogers, Advisor and spokesperson to SWFI, said: “American states have projects that are permitted and ready for capital. What they rarely get is a week in the same city as the funds that can finance them. Miami gives them that week.”
About the I20 Summit
The I20 Summit is SWFI’s independent convening of long-term investors for the United States’ G20 host year. https://i20summit.com/
About the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute
Established in 2008 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, SWFI has convened sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices across 60 cities in 20 countries, at venues including the House of Commons, Guildhall and Mansion House. www.swfinstitute.org
KAOHSIUNG, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — E&R Engineering Corp., (TWSE: 8027) an international provider of semiconductor packaging equipment, announced today the upcoming grand opening of its new Malaysian subsidiary—E&R SEMICONDUCTOR (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.—at the Melaka Free Trade Zone on October 13.
E&R Engineering Opens New Malaysia Plant to Strengthen Semiconductor Packaging Support
To meet surging Southeast Asian demand, E&R Engineering is upgrading its global strategy for the packaging materials business unit. While its plant in China continues to experience steady business growth, E&R is strategically shifting a portion of its production focus to Malaysia while expanding overall capacity. The new facility is currently undergoing sample testing and qualification, with mass production scheduled to begin early next year. The plant is expected to create 50 local job opportunities and strengthen E&R’s supply capabilities for semiconductor and OSAT customers in Southeast Asia.
Deepening Roots in Southeast Asia’s Packaging Hub: Localized Mass Production of Advanced Carrier Tapes
Accounting for approximately 13% of the world’s backend packaging and testing capacity, Malaysia’s semiconductor market is projected to reach $16.51 billion by 2030, driven by robust policy support. Capitalizing on this momentum and increasing regional customer demand, E&R has established a footprint in Phase III of the Batu Berendam Free Trade Zone in Melaka. The facility brings its manufacturing expertise in high-end Embossed Carrier Tapes and Cover Tapes directly to local production.
Through “local manufacturing and fast response,” the new plant directly addresses the needs of OSAT and semiconductor customers—shortening lead times while providing high precision, excellent electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and robust packaging interfaces to support advanced packaging trends such as chip miniaturization and Chiplet integration.
Opening a New Chapter with “Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth”
E&R President KS Chen stated: “To address growing customer demand in Southeast Asia, we have shifted part of our production focus for packaging materials to Malaysia while expanding capacity. Furthermore, this facility serves as a local hub for E&R’s semiconductor equipment Field Service Engineers. We will focus on hiring local talent and building our specialized equipment engineering team, enabling us to provide immediate, localized technical support and after-sales services.”
AK Ong, General Manager of the Malaysia plant, added: “The completion of our new facility allows us to stay closer to our customers, offering real-time support. We remain committed to delivering top-quality products and strictly monitoring every quality checkpoint to create a win-win future for all.”
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