GUIYANG, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2025 – Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025, China’s only national-level international forum dedicated to ecological civilization, kicked off on Saturday in Guiyang, the capital of southwest China’s Guizhou Province.
This photo taken on July 5, 2025 shows a sign of the Eco Forum Global Guiyang 2025 in Guiyang, southwest China’s Guizhou Province.
This year’s event, themed “Harmonious coexistence between humans and nature — global collaborative development for green transformation,” has attracted some 800 participants. Twenty sub-forums will be held, covering key topics on sustainable development, climate change, biodiversity conservation and environmental governance.
The Opening Ceremony of 2025 Eco Forum Global Guyang, Photographed on July 5th 2025.
During the two-day event, the latest eco-friendly technologies and products in fields like new energy and solid waste treatment will be unveiled and promoted.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Morris Toiraena, deputy speaker of the National Parliament of Solomon Islands, praised the forum’s role in promoting international green cooperation.
“The forum’s enduring commitment to ecological civilization, aligned with China’s forward-thinking concepts, policies and actions, serves as an inspiring example for all of us,” he said.
Since its inception in 2009, the forum has successfully convened 12 sessions. It now serves as both a key platform to showcase China’s progress in ecological civilization and a cultural bridge for fostering international exchanges and cooperation.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2025 – This Wednesday, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will announce its policy rate decision. While most analysts expect Malaysia’s central bank to keep the rate unchanged, Octa Broker suggests a surprise rate cut is possible due to subdued inflation, strong ringgit, and a high probability for Federal Reserve(Fed) rate cuts later this year.
Malaysia inflation and interest rate vs USDMYR exchange rate
Source: LSEG
On Wednesday, 9 July, Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the nation’s central bank, will reveal its policy rate decision. Like most other central banks around the world, BNM strives to maintain a balance between low inflation and sustainable economic growth. Its key monetary policy instrument is the Overnight Policy Rate (OPR). By adjusting the OPR, BNM influences interest rates throughout the Malaysian economy, impacting borrowing costs for businesses and consumers and ultimately influencing economic activity and inflation.
The BNM has kept its base rate unchanged for almost two years, a policy that sets it apart from many of its regional counterparts, such as Bank Indonesia, the Bank of Thailand, the Philippine central bank, and the Bank of Korea. They all have opted to lower interest rates in an effort to stimulate their respective economies. The last time the BNM adjusted its monetary policy was in May 2023, when it unexpectedly increased its OPR to 3.00% to combat persistently high inflation, which was being fueled by robust household spending and tight labour market conditions. Since that time, the Malaysian economy has demonstrated remarkable resilience, showing only an insignificant slowdown; however, some of the most recent data prints have begun to suggest a potential shift in underlying economic trends, prompting closer scrutiny and analysis of future policy directions.
Although Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded at a solid 4.4% annual rate in Q1 2025, it was slower than during the previous quarter and below the 4.5% expansion rate expected by the market. At his press conference in May, Abdul Rasheed, the BNM Governor, stressed that growth in major trading partners due to trade restrictions would affect spending and investment activities in Malaysia and said that ‘the balance of risk to the growth outlook is currently tilted to the downside’. Indeed, the most recent economic data has consistently underperformed expectations over the past several months, raising concerns regarding the future trajectory of the Malaysian economy.
In April, Malaysia’s industrial production saw only a 2.7% increase year-over-year (y-o-y), substantially below the 3.9% expansion rate expected by the market. In May, the country experienced an unexpected 1.1% annual decline in exports, primarily due to reduced shipments of petroleum products, chemicals, iron, and steel. This contrasted sharply with economists’ predictions of a 7.5% export growth. Consequently, Malaysia’s trade surplus for May was significantly lower than anticipated, reaching only 0.8 billion ringgit (MYR). Most importantly, Malaysia’s consumer price index (CPI) rose just 1.2% y-o-y in May, less than the 1.4% increase forecast by the market.
‘BNM’s upcoming policy rate decision arrives on the back of rather disappointing data prints’, says Kar Yong Ang, a financial market analyst at Octa Broker. ‘With inflation at four-year low and exports slowing sharply to the point of almost pushing the trade balance into the negative territory, I do not think BNM can afford to keep the rates at 3.00% for much longer. BNM is actually well-positioned to act now. Slowing inflation provides room for a rate cut, while slowing exports and external growth uncertainties provide a good reason for it’.
Although it is relatively uncommon for central banks to make surprise policy rate decisions so as not to unnerve the markets, BNM is facing substantial external pressure to act preemptively. Starting from July 9, Malaysian exports to the U.S. will be subject to a 24% tariff, unless a successful negotiation for a lower rate can be achieved. There has been little progress on that front lately. Moreover, USDMYR has dropped by almost 13% since April last year and risks falling further as investors’ monetary policy expectations regarding the U.S. central bank remain decidedly dovish. Indeed, traders are currently pricing in a 72% chance of a rate cut by the Fed in September. Meanwhile, the latest interest rates swaps market data factors in a roughly 33% probability that the Fed’s rate will decline by 75 basis points (bps) to 3.50-3.75% by the end of the year, substantially reducing the interest rate differential between the U.S. and Malaysia. This will likely exert an additional bearish pressure on USDMYR, potentially hurting Malaysian exports even further.
Kar Yong Ang concludes: ‘While global investors might be overly optimistic regarding the Fed’s propensity for rate cuts, Malaysia still faces significant external growth challenges regardless of relative monetary policy stances. The global economy will almost certainly slow down due to U.S. tariffs, and given Malaysia’s openness as an export-oriented economy, it is highly vulnerable to the resulting downturn in global trade and weaker demand from major trading partners, alongside the direct impact of the tariffs on its own exports’.
On balance, as the BNM will be announcing its policy rate decision amidst growing external pressures and a string of disappointing economic reports, the chances for a surprise rate cut have increased considerably. Octa broker analysts believe that subdued inflation allows for a rate cut, while slowing exports and external growth uncertainties provide a good reason for it. Indeed, the looming 24% U.S. tariff on Malaysian exports and ostensibly dovish Fed further complicates the outlook and underscores the need for preemptive action to mitigate downside risks.
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Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences.
Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.
In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2025 – DFI Retail Group Holdings Limited will announce its 2025 half-year Results after market close on 22 July 2025, followed by an analyst presentation live webcast on 23 July 2025.
Date: Wednesday, 23 July 2025
Time: 09:30 – 10:30 am (Hong Kong Time)
Presented by: Mr. Scott Price, Group Chief Executive and Mr. Tom van der Lee, Group Chief Financial Officer
Kindly RSVP by completing the form on or before Tuesday, 18 July 2025.
To avoid delays, we encourage participants to log in ten minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. A replay of the presentation will be available via webcast on DFI Retail Group’s website.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DFI Retail Group
DFI Retail Group (the ‘Group’) is a leading Asian retailer, driven by its purpose to “Sustainably Serve Asia for Generations with Everyday Moments”. The Group is dedicated to delivering quality, value and exceptional service to Asian consumers through a compelling retail experience, supported by an extensive store network and highly efficient supply chains. The Group, including associates and joint ventures, operates a portfolio of well-known brands across five key divisions: health and beauty, convenience, food, home furnishings, and restaurants.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses during the way travelling from China by Chinese manufacturer Chery Wanda to Vientiane Capital, Laos. 5 November 2024. (Photo credit: Laos - China Railway Company Limited)
Vientiane’s BRT service is scheduled to begin trial operations free of charge for three months by the end of August, Mayor of Vientiane Capital Athsphangthong Siphandone announced during the 9th Ordinary Session of the Vientiane People’s Council’s second legislature on 7 July.
The BRT project has made substantial progress, with construction of lanes and stations currently at 71.64 percent completion, according to Athsphangthong. Officials expect construction to reach 90 percent completion by the end of July, positioning the system to become fully operational by the end of 2025.
The BRT system will feature 12-meter electric air-conditioned express buses with 40 seats each, operating on dedicated routes for faster and safer service. Twenty-eight of the total 55 electric BRT buses arrived in Laos on 5 November 2024, with the remaining 27 buses expected to arrive in the future.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses during the way travelling from China by Chinese manufacturer Chery Wanda to Vientiane Capital, Laos. 5 November 2024. (Photo credit: Laos – China Railway Company Limited)
The system will operate daily from 6 am to 10 pm and will integrate seamlessly with the city’s existing bus network.
The BRT route includes six main stations located throughout the capital: Chao Fa Ngum Park, Inpeng Temple, Morning Market (Vientiane Bus Station), Patuxay, Phonekheng, and National University of Laos. These buses will run on exclusive BRT lanes, providing faster and safer service for commuters while reducing traffic congestion in the city center.
The project extends beyond the initial phase, with construction plans including expanding the BRT route to connect Wattay International Airport and the Laos-China Railway Station. This expansion is targeted for completion by the end of 2026, creating crucial transportation links between the capital’s key transit hubs and establishing seamless connectivity for both domestic and international travelers.
Since its mid-2024 launch, the project has made strong progress, aiming to improve public transport with efficient, eco-friendly service for Vientiane’s residents and visitors.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) buses during the way travelling from China by Chinese manufacturer Chery Wanda to Vientiane Capital, Laos. 5 November 2024. (Photo credit: Laos – China Railway Company Limited)
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2025 – Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“Kenanga Group” or “The Group“), Malaysia’s no. 1 issuer of structured warrants, proudly announces the launch of its first-ever Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (“HSCEI“) structured warrants – HSCEI-CAA and HSCEI-HBA – and Hang Seng TECH Index (“HSTECH“) structured warrants – HSTECH-C30 and HSTECH-H27 – under its flagship brand, NagaWarrants by Kenanga (“NagaWarrants“).
From left to right: Kenneth Teoh, Deputy Head, Equity Derivatives, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“KIBB”); Luk Wai Hong, William, Non-Independent Non-Executive Director, KIBB; Angeline-Ong Su Ming, Independent Non-Executive Director, KIBB; Philip Lim, Head, Equity Markets & Group Head, Equity Derivatives, KIBB; Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director, KIBB; Datuk Lee Kok Khee, Executive Director, Head of Group Equity Business, KIBB; Jeremy Nasrulhaq, Senior Independent Non-Executive Director, KIBB; Anita Mo, Chief Executive Officer, Hang Seng Indexes Company; Isabelle Zhen, Head, Group Equity Marketing, KIBB
This launch marks a strategic expansion of the Group’s East Asia footprint, following the successful introduction of Hang Seng Index (“HSI”) structured warrants – HSI-CIW and HSI-HMO – in 2021. With HSCEI and HSTECH now listed on Bursa Malaysia, Malaysian investors will gain diversified access to two of Hong Kong’s most influential indices, offering new opportunities to tap into China’s financial and technology sectors.
The HSCEI tracks heavyweight mainland enterprises listed in Hong Kong, including financial and infrastructure giants such as ICBC, China Construction Bank, PetroChina, and Ping An Insurance. It serves as a key benchmark for tracking the performance of China’s largest state-owned enterprises.
The HSTECH, on the other hand, captures the growth of China’s leading tech innovators such as Tencent, Meituan, Xiaomi, and JD.com. With its focus on fast-evolving technology and innovation, HSTECH is ideal for traders with higher risk appetites looking for volatility and growth potential.
Kenanga Group’s presence in the structured warrants market is underscored by its 64% market share in HSI warrants. In 2024, the structured warrants segment on Bursa Malaysia recorded a turnover of RM30.3 billion, contributing approximately 4% to the exchange’s total market turnover of RM848.7 billion.
The launch of HSCEI and HSTECH structured warrants is expected to broaden market participation, diversify product offerings, and boost overall liquidity – particularly among retail traders already familiar with Hang Seng Index warrants.
“The launch of HSCEI and HSTECH structured warrants marks a pivotal step in our mission to democratise access to global markets. As Malaysia’s leading issuer, Kenanga Group remains committed to driving innovation, expanding investor opportunities, and shaping the future of structured warrants. This initiative reflects our long-term vision to empower a new generation of traders while reinforcing our leadership in the region’s capital markets,” said Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.
“In 2024, NagaWarrants achieved a record-breaking market share of 52%, with a total turnover of RM15.7 billion. This milestone also marks our 300th Hang Seng-listed structured warrant on Bursa Malaysia – a testament to our relentless drive to innovate and serve the evolving needs of Malaysian traders,” added Datuk Lee Kok Khee, Executive Director, Head of Group Equity Business of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad.
Beyond product innovation, NagaWarrants continues to empower investors through a blend of educational outreach and advanced analytics. In 2024, it hosted over 50 webinars and events, earning the SRP Asia Pacific Award for Best Educational Initiative in 2022, 2023 and 2025. At the same time, its adoption of machine learning models – which analyse interest rate movements, market trends, and regional dynamics to anticipate demand fluctuations – has enhanced precision in warrant issuance.
In recognition of its leadership and innovation, Kenanga Group has received several prestigious accolades, including:
Bursa Excellence Awards: Best Structured Warrants Issuer (2021 and 2024) (Equity and Index)
Global Banking & Finance Awards (UK): Best Warrants Issuer & Best Market Maker (2024 and 2025)
FinanceAsia (HK): Most Innovative Use of Technology (2024 and 2025)
Looking ahead, Kenanga Group remains committed to supporting investors through innovation, education and access to global markets. To explore trading opportunities and stay informed, visit www.nagawarrants.com or join our Telegram community (@NagaWarrants).
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (197301002193 (15678-H))
Established for over 50 years, Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad (“The Group“) is a leading financial group in Malaysia, offering a wide range of services, including equity broking, investment banking, treasury, Islamic banking, listed derivatives, investment management, wealth management, structured lending, and trade financing. The Group’s digital innovations include the launch of KDi GO, a wealth-centric app, along with game- changing products such as Rakuten Trade, Malaysia’s first fully digital stockbroking platform, and Kenanga Digital Investing, an A.I. robo-advisor.
Kenanga has garnered multiple awards, including top honours at the Bursa Excellence Awards 2024 and The Edge Malaysia Centurion Club 2023. The Group also secured the Top 20 Overall Excellence and the Niche Cap Excellence Award at the National Corporate Governance and Sustainability Awards 2024. As one of the highest- scoring constituents of the FTSE4Good Bursa Malaysia Index and a Participant of the United Nations Global Compact, Kenanga continues to drive collaboration, innovation, and sustainability in the financial industry.
Thai police arrested a 20-year-old Lao national on 6 July at a resort in Muang District, Surin Province, for allegedly producing and distributing child sexual abuse material through paid online groups.
US President Donald Trump (C) holds a gavel after signing the "Big Beautiful Bill Act" at the White House in Washington, DC, on July 4, 2025. (photo credit: Brendan SMIALOWSKI / POOL / AFP)
AFP – US tariffs will kick in on 1 August if trading partners from Taiwan to the European Union do not strike deals with Washington, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on 6 July.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 July 2025 – For many traders, one of the main concerns when choosing a financial broker is the risk of falling victim to various shady tricks. The experts at Octa, a globally regulated and trusted broker since 2011, explain some of the questionable practices that traders must look out for when planning their journey in the markets.
Trading CFDs, or contracts for difference, is a well-established industry with mature regulatory frameworks and security protocols. Yet, alongside legitimate brokers, there exists a shadowy area in this field built on malpractices, manipulation, and dishonesty. The arsenal of questionable brokers includes a range of sophisticated tricks to defraud or disadvantage their clients. Among the most exposed to risks are retail traders who lack the experience or technical awareness to detect shady practices.
To provide fair trading for clients, Octa broker always offers full transparency, reflecting all its fees and charges in the terms and conditions. The broker also aims to maintain a fast and efficient withdrawal procedure and keep segregated client accounts to ensure traders’ deposits are secure and easily accessible. Octa’s trustworthiness is evidenced by its long and successful track record and thousands of positive online reviews.
Some less experienced traders may think that brokers are all alike, and the only differentiating factors are spreads, bonuses, and promotions. However, not all industry players play by the same rules.
Price manipulation One of the most ubiquitous tactics used by shady brokers is price manipulation. Instead of providing genuine market prices in real time, such brokers offer clients distorted or delayed quotes. This trick allows them to trigger stop-loss orders, delay take-profit orders, and execute trades at price levels that never existed in the broader market.
When these situations arise, traders may be completely unaware of the manipulations. On the contrary, they may be certain their positions were closed due to market volatility or initiated at unfavourable prices due to a lack of liquidity. In fact, the price movements could have been artificially manufactured by the broker.
This type of malpractice occurs particularly often when a broker acts as the counterparty to their clients’ trades and profits when traders lose—a fundamental conflict of interest that incentivises this kind of manipulation.
Slippage abuse Another widespread type of manipulation on the broker’s part is the abuse of slippage. Price slippage in trading refers to the difference between the expected price of a trade and the actual price at which the trade is executed. It occurs due to rapid market fluctuations or low liquidity, causing the instrument price to change between the placement and the filling of the order.
In highly dynamic markets, slippage is inevitable, but some brokers abuse this phenomenon to their advantage by executing trades at worse prices when it benefits them. At the same time, they ignore favorable slippage when the market moves in the client’s favor. With time, this unscrupulous approach on the part of the broker can cause significant profit erosion for traders, especially if their strategy relies on tight execution margins.
Execution delays When a trader tries to enter or exit a trade, particularly in volatile markets, the broker may intentionally delay the execution. Instead of confirming the order, the platform responds with a requote—offering a less favourable price. These delays are especially damaging for scalpers, killing their profits and making their strategies useless. In more extreme cases, brokers refuse to execute profitable trades altogether or mysteriously disable the trading platform at the ‘right’ moment.
Many shady brokers’ tactics are rooted in a fundamental lack of transparency and accountability. In a regulated trading environment, brokers are required to segregate client funds, follow best industry practices, and provide full transparency of their conditions and fees. On the other hand, brokers that use shady tactics thrive in obscurity—they muddle the waters by offering vague wordings and unrealistic promises while avoiding straightforward communication with clients. To find a trustworthy broker, traders must scrutinise their terms and conditions, look into their regulatory status, and peruse online reviews.
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Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences. Hashtag: #Octa
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Octa
Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools.
The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities.
In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.