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Eastroc Beverage Ranked Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Chinese Brands for Four Consecutive Years, Brand Value Soars 73% to 44th

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Advertorial Desk
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SHANGHAI, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The 2025 Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Chinese Brands Report was recently released. Eastroc Beverage ranked 44th on this authoritative global rank with a brand value of $4.218 bn. This represents a significant jump of 25 positions YOY, accompanied by a remarkable 73% surge in brand value — the third-highest growth rate on the entire list.


Food and Beverage is a highly competitive industry, yet Eastroc Beverage has achieved double-digit growth in both revenue and profit for six consecutive years from cutthroat competitions. Its full-year operating revenue for 2024 reached ¥15.839 billion, an increase of 40.63% YOY. Meanwhile, the brand is rapidly expanding its global footprints, introducing its products to 31 countries and regions and actively exploring potentials in Southeast Asia, Northern America, Europe and Middle East etc.

In this new era, brand competitiveness hinges on multi-dimensional, long-term success. Guided by the “long-termism” principle, Eastroc Beverage has built a brand that combines strategic resilience with tactical agility, thus sustaining resilient growth against different business cycles.

To navigate market dynamics, the company employs a multi-category strategy. Its core product, “Eastroc Energy Drink”, continues to act as a steady cornerstone, maintaining its position as China’s best-selling energy drink for four consecutive years. The 500ml bottled Eastroc Energy Drink has secured a steady position among the top three China’s beverages in Nielsen report, making the product a genuine “classic” in the Chinese market. On the other hand, a matrix of newer products, such as “Eastroc Water Boost” (its electrolyte beverage), has become pivotal for growth. This “1+6” product portfolio spans energy drinks, electrolyte water, sugar-free tea, ready-to-drink coffee, pre-mixed cocktails, plant-based protein drinks, and fruit tea. In the first half of 2025, “Water Boost” achieved revenue of ¥1.5 billion, a year-on-year surge of 214%, demonstrating strong growth momentum. The “1+6” strategy derives from keen insights into shifting demands and precise brand asset leveraging.

Eastroc Beverage employs a flexible marketing mix continues to amplify brand visibility. In an age featuring media fragmentation, Eastroc Beverage partners with premium content and major traffic-driving IPs like the FIFA World Cup, Asian Games, and KPL esports, complemented by strategic placements in popular film and TV for efficient exposure. Offline, the brand leverages touchpoints like elevator, subway, and bus advertisements for steady reach, while using scenario-based and emotional marketing to integrate its products into consumers’ daily lives and even make closer friends with them.

The food and beverage industry has fully entered a stage of refined operations and market segmentation. Leveraging a clear product strategy, efficient resource allocation, and continuous accumulation of brand value, Eastroc Beverage is embarking on a phase of high-quality growth. Looking ahead, Chinese domestic brands represented by Eastroc Beverage are poised to showcase “China’s vitality”, expanding their global influence with sustainable growth.

CellPoint Digital Launches One Source Orchestration, the First Payment Optimization Platform to Meet the Demand of OOSD Retailing Models

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Advertorial Desk
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Built for the new generation of airline and travel retail, OSO turns payments into a commercial advantage 

DALLAS, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Airlines and travel merchants are overhauling their sales and distribution processes, moving toward modern “Offer-Order-Settle-Deliver” (OOSD) models that promise more personalized retailing and greater revenue potential. Yet payments remain the missing piece – fragmented, expensive, and unfit for modern retail. 

Today, CellPoint Digital, the leader in travel payments, announced the launch of One Source Orchestration (OSO), the only platform built exclusively for the airline and travel industry’s transition to Offer-Order-Settle-Deliver (OOSD) retailing.

From coordinating dynamic offers and inventory fulfillment to managing ancillary sales and multi-payer transactions, OSO provides the advanced and configurable payment capabilities travel merchants need to seize the revenue opportunity presented by OOSD models and enter new markets with fewer barriers. With OSO implemented, airlines and travel merchants can expect improvements ranging from 2% to 13% in payment flow-through, depending on operational complexity and market coverage.

How One Source Orchestration Handles the Complexities of Travel Payments 

OSO is built to optimize the multi-party flows and challenges unique to travel, whether splitting transactions across multiple merchants or multiple shoppers, processing points-plus-cash bookings, or settling ancillary sales in different currencies. Its modular architecture supports these complex processes without adding operational overhead, giving travel merchants the speed and flexibility they need to adapt to new retail models while reducing friction at checkout, accelerating settlements, enhancing customer experiences, and improving profitability. 

The OSO platform builds on CellPoint Digital’s proven expertise in travel payments, processing 10,000 transactions per second, reinforcing its position as a trusted global partner for travel merchants. The cloud-native platform supports hundreds of payment methods, acquirers and fraud solutions, and features 99.999% uptime, providing maximum flexibility and reliability from booking to post-purchase. 

“We’re entering a once-in-a-generation transformation of the travel industry, and that demands a purpose-built payment solution for modern retailing,” said Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital. “OSO was built from the ground up to support convenient, localized payment experiences for travelers, and to drive profitability, efficiency, and revenue for the merchants who serve them.” 

OSO arrives as more airlines and travel merchants adopt modern retailing, placing CellPoint Digital in a unique position as the only travel-focused provider with a single, scalable orchestration platform spanning the entire payment supply chain. It delivers unmatched speed, intelligence, and control while supporting global expansion strategies and diverse payment ecosystems. 

Positioning Payments for the Next Phase of Airline and Travel Retail 

According to McKinsey, advanced retailing will add $45 billion in airline value by 2030. OSO is the infrastructure that makes that value tangible, powering dynamic pricing, personalized bundles, and next-generation revenue models while also eliminating operational bottlenecks. These capabilities enable travel merchants to capture more revenue from their retailing strategies. 

Eliminating Revenue Loss through Payment Optimization

Airlines and travel merchants leave hundreds of millions of dollars on the table due to sub-optimal payment processes—foregone revenue that will only grow with the higher order values created by OOSD. OSO, which is designed for payment optimization in the OOSD framework, pays both front-end and back-end dividends for airlines and travel merchants, positioning them to capitalize on the industry’s transition to more dynamic packaging and bundling.

OSO also helps travel merchants increase revenue by addressing one of the most significant leaks in the payment process: failed or declined transactions that often result in abandoned bookings. Using AI and machine learning, the platform continually optimizes transaction routing to improve approval rates by up to 25%. Automated retries and real-time fraud optimization further reduce declines. 

Orchestration that Supports Global Growth 

For travel merchants entering new markets, OSO removes common barriers such as integrating local payment methods, supporting multi-currency transactions, and addressing regional fraud risks. Its alternative payment method (APM) hub, configurable form-of-payment (FOP) rules engine, dynamic currency conversion, and localized fraud protection all work together to create consistent, trusted payment experiences in every geography and channel. The result is much higher customer satisfaction and greater capacity to scale. 

An Integrated Platform Built for Travel Retail 

OSO goes beyond solving travel payment pain points—it sets the standard for how payments power the future of airline and travel retail. It provides a unified control layer for all payment providers and methods, with tools to manage ticket changes, refunds, and itinerary modifications. Real-time order processing and payment-driven offer creation support OOSD retail strategies, while multi-region support, complete with FX optimization, simplifies cross-border transactions. 

AI-driven routing improves acceptance rates and reduces fees, while continuous fraud monitoring helps maintain high conversion rates without adding friction. OSO also integrates with the core systems that run the travel industry, including Global Distribution Systems (GDS), Central Reservation Systems (CRS), Property Management Systems (PMS), Offer Management Systems, and features pre-built connectors to airline Passenger Service Systems (PSS). It can be deployed in single-tenancy environments with local data storage to meet the data privacy requirements of all global regions. 

“OSO puts the customer at the center while delivering clear business results,” said Gjerding. “Higher approval rates, lower costs, broader payment choice, and stronger fraud protection benefit travelers and the brands that serve them. This is the future of travel retail and OSO is the platform that makes it possible.” 

For more information about CellPoint Digital’s One Source Orchestration Platform or to schedule an interview with Kristian Gjerding, CEO of CellPoint Digital, please contact Steven Osei at steven.osei@cellpointdigital.com.  

About CellPoint Digital 

CellPoint Digital is a fintech leader in payment orchestration and optimization for the global airline, travel and hospitality industries. CellPoint Digital’s industry leading solution, the One Source Orchestration Platform, is designed for modern retailing and distribution processes, including “Offer-Order-Settle-Deliver” (OOSD) models. CellPoint Digital optimizes digital payment transactions from cards and alternative payment methods and accelerates the deployment of new payment options, allowing merchants to easily scale their payment ecosystem worldwide, unify their customer payment experiences across channels, intelligently route each transaction, increase conversion rates, and minimize payment costs. CellPoint Digital has offices in Copenhagen, Dallas, Dubai, London, Miami, Pune and Singapore. Visit www.cellpointdigital.com to learn more. 

Workato Launches AI Institute Alliance to Accelerate Talent Development and Innovation

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Advertorial Desk
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The AI Institute Alliance aims to spearhead the future of work through skills development and industry collaboration.

SINGAPORE, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Workato®, the leader in agentic orchestration, today announced the launch of the AI Institute Alliance. This launch represents a significant milestone in Singapore’s AI workforce development landscape to boost the thriving local ecosystem of AI talents. In conjunction with education partners – Nanyang Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and National University of Singapore – the AI Institute Alliance aims to equip the next-generation workforce with cutting-edge AI and automation skills that directly translate to workplace readiness and economic impact.

Launch of AI Institute Alliance at World of Workato 2025 Singapore
Launch of AI Institute Alliance at World of Workato 2025 Singapore

In a welcome address, Simon Chesterman, Senior Director of AI Governance at AI Singapore and Vice Provost at the National University of Singapore, spoke about “The University Disrupted: Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”. He highlighted the opportunities and challenges facing universities and their students, and the changing role of education in an economic landscape being reshaped by AI.

“As AI disrupts the traditional model of higher education, universities can benefit from collaboration with industry to ensure that our graduates have the skills both to survive and to thrive in this brave new world,” said Chesterman. “That means understanding the potential and the limitations of the latest technology, as well as having the adaptability and resilience to identify and seize the next big thing. It also means accepting that you will never truly finish your education, we all need to be lifelong learners.”

The launch programme also featured a panel discussion titled “Bridging Education and Enterprise: Preparing the Next Generation of AI Leaders,” exploring industry perspectives on AI skills gaps and workforce readiness. The panel was moderated by Carter Busse, CIO of Workato, with industry leaders Colin Yip, Regional Head of IT, SEA at PSA, and Miguel Ho, Head of Process Automation at FairPrice Group.

Building on Proven Success

This partnership builds on Workato’s previous contributions in Singapore’s education sector. Having already equipped more than 3,000 tertiary students with essential automation and integration skills through comprehensive partnerships, Workato is now expanding its training to offer students and educators advanced, enterprise-level automation skills, helping them achieve greater professional impact. By facilitating direct industry connections, the collaboration will tackle changing global hiring needs and bridge the skills gap in AI and automation technologies.

Workato has connected numerous industry partners and customers with emerging tech talent through its training programs over the past three years. This includes the Port of Singapore Authority (PSA Singapore), which has brought on six Workato-certified students and a lecturer from Nanyang Polytechnic to enhance their intern onboarding and offboarding processes and build mission-critical IT automations. Encouraged by PSA Singapore’s success, NTUC FairPrice Group is also engaging certified students to support its Digital HR project. The project uses Fairprice’s in-house employee application, MyApp, as the central platform for staff to apply for Flexible Work Arrangements (FWA). Behind the scenes, Workato manages records, API integrations, and related processes–streamlining compliance with Ministry of Manpower (MOM) guidelines while improving employee convenience.

Combined with the company’s recent initiatives, including the Workato x IMDA National Developer Challenge, which attracted Singapore’s brightest developers, students, and citizen technologists, Workato is working to directly connect educators with leading companies and facilitate knowledge transfer through guest lectures and learning journeys.

“This alliance marks our latest effort in helping Singapore become a global AI hub,” said June Lee, Senior Vice President and General Manager APAC at Workato. “By bringing together leading educational institutions with industry expertise, we are creating pathways for the next generation of AI talents to drive meaningful transformation across enterprises. We’re not just teaching technology, we’re shaping the future of work by creating good jobs and better lives for all Singaporeans.”

Comprehensive Talent Development

In alignment with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0, this partnership combines AI excellence with the reskilling and upskilling of individuals, businesses and communities. Through Workato’s agentic orchestration platform, participants gain hands-on experience and acquire skills to utilise AI confidently and responsibly. Participants will also receive mentorship from experts, and secure internships with leading companies across Workato’s ecosystem.

Further, Workato will partner with AI Singapore to sponsor a track at the National AI Student Challenge 2026. Participants will have the opportunity to develop practical, future-ready solutions for an AI-driven economy. This includes learning to build AI agents that serve as digital twins to augment workplace productivity, as well as applying Generative AI tools to transform core business operations.

About Workato

Workato transforms technology complexity into business opportunity. As the leading agentic orchestration company, Workato empowers enterprises to connect and unify data, processes, applications, and experiences. Its AI-driven platform enables teams to navigate complex workflows in real-time, driving efficiency and agility. Trusted by more than 12,000 global customers, Workato empowers organizations of every size to unlock new value and lead in today’s fast-changing world. Learn how Workato helps businesses of all sizes achieve more at workato.com.

VT Markets launches brand film to showcase shared values with NUFC to mark the beginning of the partnership’s second year

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Advertorial Desk
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SYDNEY, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — VT Markets, a leading multi-asset broker, is celebrating the success of its ongoing partnership with Newcastle United, and marking the start of the new football season with the release of its latest brand film.

 

Together, Into Tomorrow – VT Markets x Newcastle United

The film highlights the evolution of VT Markets’ partnership with Newcastle United as it enters its second year, showcasing the shared values that are essential qualities for success both on the pitch and in the world of trading.

Titled ‘Together, Into Tomorrow‘, the brand film reinforces the strength of the VT Markets and Newcastle United partnership, showcasing how these core values fuel success in both football and financial markets. This collaboration has already expanded both brands’ reach, increased engagement, and connected with new audiences, making a lasting impact.

Dandelyn Koh, Global Brand & PR Lead at VT Markets, expressed, “As we celebrate entering the second year of our partnership with Newcastle United, this new brand film perfectly encapsulates the core values that drive both our brands: speed, precision, and strategy. At VT Markets, we focus on empowering our clients with resources and knowledge to make confident, well-informed decisions in the fast-moving world of trading – much like NUFC players do on the field. This milestone is just the beginning, and we look forward to what the future holds for this powerful partnership.”

The film’s narrative draws parallels between football and trading, illustrating how speed strategic thinking are essential in both realms. VT Markets’ insights and resources, much like a player’s intuition, empower traders to stay ahead in the fast-paced, ever-changing market environment.

As the partnership moves into its second year, VT Markets remains committed to empowering its clients with the tools, knowledge, and insights necessary for success in the dynamic world of trading.

The full brand film – ‘Together, Into Tomorrow‘ can be accessed here.

First-in-Class Potential! FDA Clears IND Application for LBL-047, an Anti-BDCA2/TACI Bispecific Fusion Protein Developed by Leads Biolabs

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Advertorial Desk
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NANJING, China, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Nanjing Leads Biolabs Co., Ltd. (“Leads Biolabs” or the “Company”, Stock Code: 9887.HK) announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved its first-in-human Investigational New Drug (IND) application for LBL-047 on September 19, 2025. LBL-047 is a bispecific fusion protein composed of a humanized anti-blood dendritic cell antigen 2 (BDCA2) antibody and an engineered transmembrane activator and CAML interactor (TACI) ectodomain independently developed by Leads Biolabs. There are currently no approved clinical trials of drugs targeting both BDCA2 and TACI worldwide. With this unique mechanism of action, LBL-047 holds strong first-in-class potential.

Dr. Charles Cai, Chief Medical Officer of Leads Biolabs, stated: “Autoimmune diseases often require lifelong management and represent the third most common chronic illness after cardiovascular diseases and cancer, underscoring the urgent need for safe and effective long-term therapies. LBL-047, our first autoimmune therapeutic candidate to enter the clinic, represents a major milestone in translating foundational immunology research into clinical development. This achievement also marks the expansion of our pipeline beyond oncology into autoimmune diseases.”

Dr. Xiaoqiang Kang, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Leads Biolabs, added, “In addition to our leading focus on oncology, we are committed to leveraging our immunology expertise to address chronic, underserved diseases such as autoimmune disorders. Our approach to antibody-based therapeutics is guided by a deep understanding of disease pathogenesis and powered by our advanced engineering platforms. LBL-047, along with our other autoimmune candidate LBL-051, reflects our strategy of developing bi- and tri-specific antibody modalities to rapidly deliver meaningful clinical benefit to patients worldwide.”.

About LBL-047

B cells and plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) are both central drivers of autoimmune disease pathogenesis. BAFF (B-cell activating factor) and APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) are key cytokines that promote the differentiation, maturation, and function of B cells and plasma cells. An engineered TACI domain can be used to trap BAFF and APRIL, thereby inhibiting their signaling. pDCs can produce large amounts of type I interferons (IFN-I, including IFN-α/β), activate T and B cells, and participate in autoimmune pathogenesis. BDCA2, a receptor uniquely expressed on pDCs, effectively inhibits IFN-I release and downstream effects upon activation.‌‌

By targeting both BDCA2 and BAFF/APRIL, LBL-047 is designed to simultaneously inhibit pDC activity and B-cell maturation, providing a synergistic approach to treating autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus, dermatomyositis, IgA nephropathy and Sjögren’s syndrome. LBL-047 is further optimized with glycosylation modifications to enhance antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and Fc engineering for an extended half-life.

About Leads Biolabs

Founded in 2012, Leads Biolabs is a clinical-stage biotechnology company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of innovative therapies to address underserved medical needs in oncology, autoimmune, and other severe diseases both in China and globally.

We are a front-runner in next-generation immuno-oncology treatments with a differentiated pipeline of 14 innovative drug candidates, including six clinical-stage drug candidates, of which four lead products are among the top-tier clinically advanced candidates globally.

We adopt a science-driven R&D approach and have successfully established comprehensive R&D capabilities spanning antibody discovery and engineering, in vivo and in vitro efficacy evaluation, as well as druggability assessment. We have also developed multiple proprietary technology platforms, including LeadsBody™ platform (a CD3 T-cell engager platform), X-body™ platform (a 4-1BB engager platform), TOPiKinectics™ (ADC platform), which serve as the cornerstone for our continued innovation and have been validated by the clinical outcomes of our bispecific antibody portfolios.

We have established integrated capabilities across early discovery, translational medicine, clinical development, CMC and business development. The innovative nature and competitive strengths of our drug candidates, coupled with our global perspectives, proactive strategy, and efficient clinical validation, have made us an attractive partner for leading industry players and venture capitals. For more information, please visit https://en.leadsbiolabs.com/

Anhui: Where Innovation Meets Cultural Heritage

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Advertorial Desk
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HEFEI, China, Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Anhui, strategically positioned to connect east and west, north and south, embodies both the misty elegance of Jiangnan’s ink-washed water towns and the vast openness of northern plains. On September 20, the 2025 World Manufacturing Convention grandly opened in Hefei, Anhui, launching a global manufacturing celebration under the theme “Intelligent Manufacturing for a Better Future.”

Tourists watch the sunrise at the Guest-Greeting Pine at Huangshan Mountain (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)
Tourists watch the sunrise at the Guest-Greeting Pine at Huangshan Mountain (Xinhua/Huang Bohan)

Innovation has long been an integral part of Anhui’s development trajectory. From Tiandu-1 and Tiandu-2 satellites pioneering lunar communication and navigation technology verification, to the “artificial sun” setting new records of “100 million degrees Celsius for 1,000 seconds”; from deep-sea mass spectrometers filling domestic gaps, to “Zuchongzhi 3.0” breaking global quantum computing records—Anhui has 13 major scientific facilities completed, ongoing or planned, along with three national-level manufacturing innovation centers, and has remained in China’s top tier for innovation capability for 13 straight years.

From manufacturing to smart manufacturing, Anhui’s technological revolution and industrial transformation continue sparking new breakthroughs. In H1 2025, Anhui produced over 1.49 million vehicles and more than 730,000 new energy vehicles, ranking first nationwide in both categories. Nearly 10% of global display panels, approximately 8% of industrial robots, 15% of home appliances, and 20% of photovoltaic modules bear the “Made in Anhui” mark. Companies like iFLYTEK have developed the Antelope Industrial Large Model and Spark Auto Agent Development Platform, exemplifying deep AI-manufacturing integration.

Rich cultural heritage infuses Anhui’s manufacturing with distinctive character. The 7,000-year-old Shuangdun site and 5,000-year-old Lingjiatan culture represent profound historical depth. Huangmei Opera, originating in Anhui as one of China’s five major traditional opera forms, features beloved classics like “The Fairy Couple” and “The Female Consort Prince.” The Three Carving Arts of Huizhou showcase exquisite craftsmanship embodying local cultural spirit.

Anhui cuisine offers distinctive flavors that reflect its cultural heritage. Signature dishes including stinky mandarin fish, hairy tofu, and Huainan beef soup gain widespread recognition through unique preparation and bold flavors, crystallizing folk wisdom while reflecting deep cultural foundation and simple, honest local character.

Today, Anhui embraces the world with open arms, soaring on innovation’s wings while rooted in culture, racing toward an even more wonderful tomorrow. Join us in Hefei, Anhui, to celebrate this manufacturing celebration and co-create an intelligent future.

SEMI Issues Statement on U.S. H1-B Visa Policy Announcement

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Advertorial Desk
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MILPITAS, Calif., Sept. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — SEMI, the industry association serving the global electronics design and manufacturing supply chain, today released the following statement from SEMI Americas President Joe Stockunas on the United States H1-B policy proclamation issued by President Trump on September 19, 2025.

“With the announcement of a new policy on high-skilled H-1B visa worker, SEMI supports the Administration’s strategic and economic security objectives. SEMI members also recognize the Administration’s commitment to securing U.S. leadership in the semiconductor manufacturing value chain and look forward to working together to ensure policies meet both national security needs and strengthening the talent base necessary to support companies. SEMI is concerned about added strain at a time when the industry faces significant workforce shortages and looks forward to bringing together our member companies and the Administration to achieve the Administration’s objectives.”

Visit SEMI Global Advocacy to learn more about public policy efforts and developments.

About SEMI

SEMI® is the global industry association connecting over 3,000 member companies and 1.5 million professionals worldwide across the semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing supply chain. We accelerate member collaboration on solutions to top industry challenges through Advocacy, Workforce Development, Sustainability, Supply Chain Management and other programs. Our SEMICON® expositions and events, technology communities, standards and market intelligence help advance our members’ business growth and innovations in design, devices, equipment, materials, services and software, enabling smarter, faster, more secure electronics. Visit www.semi.org, contact a regional office, and connect with SEMI on LinkedIn and X to learn more.  

Association Contacts

Samer Bahou/SEMI US
Phone: 1-408-943-7870
Email: sbahou@semi.org

Stephanie Quinn/Kiterocket (Media Inquiries)
Phone: 1-480-316-8370
Email: squinn@kiterocket.com  

Laos, Timor-Leste Implement 30-Day Visa-Free Travel

By
Thongsavanh Souvannasane
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Laos and Timor-Leste have launched 30-day visa-free travel for citizens holding ordinary passports.

Laos and Timor-Leste have implemented a 30-day visa waiver for citizens holding ordinary passports, effective 15 August. The agreement allows people of both countries to travel visa-free for up to 30 days.

The two countries first signed a visa exemption agreement covering official and diplomatic passports on 8 October 2024. They expanded the agreement in May this year to include ordinary passport holders. 

On the same day in 2024, both governments also signed a long-term deal on the exchange of land and property to establish embassies in each other’s capitals, further strengthening bilateral ties.

Timor-Leste has been an observer of ASEAN since November 2022 and is set to become the bloc’s 11th member at the 47th ASEAN Summit this October in Kuala Lumpur. 

The announcement was made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who currently holds ASEAN’s 2025 Chairmanship. 

In July, Laos and Belarus signed an agreement allowing citizens with national passports to travel between the two countries visa-free.

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