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CPA Australia outlines recommendations for Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan and 2026 Policy Address

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HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2026 – CPA Australia has suggested the HKSAR Government to use Hong Kong’s First Five-Year Plan (2026–2030) and the 2026 Policy Address to strengthen the city’s long-term competitiveness, accelerate innovation, deepen capital formation and support the transition to a more sustainable and resilient economy.

Infographic - CPA Australia 2026 Policy Address and Five Year Plan (EN)

As one of the world’s largest professional accounting bodies, CPA Australia has today submitted to the government a comprehensive series of policy recommendations under the following themes:

  1. Strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a leading international financial centre
  2. Developing the Northern Metropolis as a key engine of economic growth and innovation
  3. Reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as an international trade hub
  4. Establishing leadership in sustainable finance and transition finance
  5. Building a future-ready workforce and innovation-driven economy

Macro vision and strategic positioning

Mr Cyrus Cheung, President of CPA Australia Greater China Division, emphasised the importance of long-term planning to support Hong Kong’s future competitiveness; “Hong Kong is entering an important period of economic development. The formulation of Hong Kong’s first Five-Year Plan alongside China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and the 2026 Policy Address provides an opportunity to leverage the city’s unique strengths, support innovation and sustainable investment, and strengthen its long-term competitiveness.”

Mr Cheung said Hong Kong should build on its role as a “super-connector” and “super-value-adder” by broadening its strategic focus beyond traditional trade and financial flows. “We recommend positioning Hong Kong as a comprehensive capital markets hub encompassing commodities, precious metals, carbon products, digital assets and RMB-denominated products. Given its strong financial, regulatory and legal foundations, Hong Kong should set a long-term ambition to become Asia’s leading centre for gold trading, clearing, settlement, financing and risk management.”

He added that Hong Kong is well placed to play a larger role in supporting the international expansion of Chinese enterprises.

CPA Australia’s recent research on Chinese enterprises going global found that over 3,000 A-share listed companies generated RMB 4.90 trillion in overseas revenue in the first half of 2025 alone. As Chinese enterprises continue to expand into ASEAN, the Middle East, Africa and other international markets, Hong Kong should position itself as the leading provider of professional services to support their global growth.

Enhancing Hong Kong’s capital market ecosystem

Mr Kelvin Leung, Deputy President of CPA Australia’s Greater China Division, highlighted key priorities for enhancing Hong Kong’s capital market ecosystem; “Hong Kong’s long-term success will depend on its ability to evolve beyond a traditional IPO fundraising centre into a comprehensive capital formation centre, positioning the city’s financial sector at the heart of international capital flows between entrepreneurs, investors, institutions and global markets.”

Mr Leung said this evolution should be supported by the continued development of areas such as digital finance, asset tokenisation, offshore RMB business, wealth management and family offices. “To support Hong Kong’s long-term development, the government should leverage the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) to catalyse private sector investment in strategic industries. To further strengthen the economy, we encourage the government to develop a Capital Formation Strategy in close collaboration with Mainland regulators.”

Mr Leung added that maintaining Hong Kong’s tax competitiveness will be critical to preserving its status as a leading international financial centre. “We suggest a comprehensive review of Hong Kong’s tax system, potentially structured as a series of interconnected reviews covering key sectors including family offices, funds, corporate treasury centres, insurance, and private credit. Led by the Advisory Committee on Tax Policy, these reviews should focus on reducing administrative burdens, assessing substance requirements and safeguarding the city’s international investment appeal.”

Accelerating Northern Metropolis growth and technology commercialisation

Dr Albert Wong, a divisional councillor on CPA Australia’s Greater China Division, outlined a potential roadmap to support Hong Kong’s technological transformation: “The Northern Metropolis should be positioned as an internationally connected engine of growth and innovation, serving as a strategic platform bringing together world-class universities, research institutions, multinational corporations, investors and technology enterprises to accelerate the development and commercialisation of new technologies.”

Dr Wong said stronger support is needed to help innovative ideas move more efficiently from research laboratories to commercial markets. “To strengthen Hong Kong’s innovation ecosystem, we recommend establishing a ‘Government-as-First-Customer’ procurement program to support local tech firms. We also recommend leveraging the HKIC as an anchor investor, where appropriate, to help attract private capital into locally developed technologies, alongside the creation of a University Commercialisation Acceleration Fund, to expedite the translation of research into commercial outcomes.”

He added that Hong Kong should further strengthen support for business adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies. “To align with the national ‘AI+’ initiative and enhance business competitiveness, Hong Kong should expand support for AI adoption through measures such as an AI Adoption Support Scheme for SMEs and a Cross-Border Data Exchange Sandbox with the GBA.

Dr Wong emphasised that realising the full benefits of AI requires significant investment in education, workforce development and talent attraction. “Capturing the opportunities presented by AI requires a fundamental transformation in education and workforce skills. Hong Kong should aim for higher levels of digital literacy, critical thinking, communication and human-AI collaboration across all levels of education and training,”

Leadership in sustainable and transition finance

Highlighting long-term economic resilience and sustainable growth, Mr Cyrus Cheung added that said Hong Kong is well positioned to play a leading role in financing Asia’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. “Building on its strengths as a leading centre of finance and professional services, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to become Asia’s leading centre for financing the transition to low emissions technologies and serve as a bridge between the Chinese Mainland’s carbon markets and international investors. The Five-Year Plan should include a clear ambition to develop a comprehensive ecosystem for sustainable finance, transition finance, carbon trading, climate-related reporting, assurance and advisory services.”

Mr Cheung said Hong Kong has a unique opportunity to leverage its access to both Mainland and international capital to support the region’s decarbonisation efforts. “By adopting international sustainability standards and leveraging its access to Mainland and global capital, Hong Kong can play a leading role in mobilising investment for Asia’s decarbonisation transition. The Northern Metropolis should also be positioned as a demonstration zone for sustainable urban development and green infrastructure.”

CPA Australia believes that aligning near-term policy initiatives with a clear five-year strategic framework will help Hong Kong strengthen its competitiveness and accelerate its development into a more diversified, innovative and resilient economy.

Hashtag: #CPAAustralia

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About CPA Australia

CPA Australia is Australia’s leading professional accounting body and one of the largest in the world. We have more than 176,000 members in over 100 countries and regions. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on local, national and international issues affecting the accounting profession and public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. A CPA is a Certified Practising Accountant. More at

MoES and Australia release a new video to empower educators to better support students with disabilities

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Public Diplomacy
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A picture of Teachers can observe for signs of students’ learning difficulties in the classroom using the CFM-TV form in TPS 14. (Photo by The Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR)

Many students with disabilities or other learning support needs are not identified early in the classroom. As a result, they may struggle to participate fully in learning and can fall behind their peers. Teachers often need practical tools and guidance to recognise these needs and make simple adjustments that help all students learn effectively. 

The Ministry of Education and Sports of Lao PDR (MoES), with support from the Australian Government through the BEQUAL program, released Teacher Development Video 29 (TDV 29), which complements Teacher Support Pack 14 (TSP 14), “Supporting Students with Disabilities in the Classroom”. The video gives teachers practical guidance on how to recognize signs that a student may have difficulties with vision, hearing, mobility, attention, communication, or memory, and how to utilize the Child Functioning Module – Teacher Version correctly.

Vongphet Oudomlith, Director General of the Research Institute for Educational Sciences said “Visual materials are essential for teachers because they make key teaching strategies easier to understand, remember, and apply in practice. TDV 29 is a useful resource for promoting inclusive teaching practices and strengthening support for every learner in the classroom.”

The video is intended for primary teachers and other education staff who support classroom teaching and learning. By helping teachers identify learning support needs and respond with simple, inclusive classroom strategies, the video supports better participation and learning for all children, including children with disabilities. This makes inclusion stronger in everyday classroom practice as early identification of learner’s needs and the simple classroom adjustments suggested in the TSP 14 can make a real difference for students with disabilities and benefit the whole class.

Michael Currie, First Secretary, Australian Embassy said “Education gives children the skills they need to build their future, and this must include children with disabilities. When teachers adapt their teaching to meet different learning needs, every child has a better chance to participate, succeed, and grow in a supportive classroom. This video will also help parents identify signs of additional learning needs early and better support their children’s development and learning at home. Australia is proud to partner with MoES in advancing practical solutions that make schools and communities more inclusive for all learners.”

The video was produced by the Information Media Center of MoES, with close collaboration with lecturers from the three target Teacher Training Colleges of Luang Namtha, Khang Khay and Savannakhet, Department of Teacher and Education Administration Development, Department of General Education and their Inclusive Education Promotion Center, public and specialized schools as well as communications and inclusion experts under the BEQUAL program. TDV 29 is also part of the Research and Learning on Disability Inclusion pilot being implemented during the full 2026–2027 academic year and will help test how the TSP 14 strategies work in practice, as well as identify any further support needed for teachers.

The video can now be viewed on Lao ESTV – Education and Sports TV Channel on Lao Satellite 8, Khang Panya Lao, ວິດີໂອສໍາລັບການພັດທະນາຄູ Teacher Development Videos YouTube channel and on tablets used by pedagogical support staff working with teachers in the 30 target districts supported by Australia.

Watch the video from this link: https://youtu.be/-57NdPzq-QQ?si=JWXgqsnCAHxA3TQx 

Laos Authorities Arrest Four in Alleged Marriage Trafficking Network

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Phoudasack Vongsay
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Authorities arrest four suspected brokers in trafficking network
A picture of four suspected brokers arrested in a rented house in Nalom village, Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital in trafficking case on 22 July 2026. (Photo by Lao Security News)

On 23 July, Lao authorities arrested four people suspected of operating a human trafficking network that allegedly recruited Lao women for irregular marriages with foreign nationals, officials reported.

Authorities said police traced the brokers to Kham district in Xieng Khouang Province and Nongkeng village in Xaythany district, Vientiane Capital, with arrangements allegedly costing between LAK 170 million and LAK 210 million (USD 7,533 to USD 9,308).

The investigation led police to a rented house in Nalom village, Xaythany district, which the group allegedly used to arrange meetings between Lao women and foreign men. Officers raided the property and arrested four suspects, including one foreign national whose nationality remains undisclosed. 

Authorities have referred the suspects for legal proceedings and continue searching for other network members.

The case echoes concerns in the US State Department’s 2025 Trafficking in Persons Report, which downgraded Laos to Tier 3, its lowest ranking. 

The report noted that traffickers increasingly recruit Lao women with false promises of marriage through brokers, then subject them to sex trafficking, forced labor, or forced surrogacy abroad. It also cited endemic corruption enabling trafficking across Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar.

Agoda Launches AI-Powered Room Grid Bot to Help Travelers Decide Which Room to Book

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Advertorial Desk
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SINGAPORE, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Digital travel platform Agoda has introduced the Room Grid Bot, an AI-powered chat assistant designed to help travelers decide which room to book. Available in the Agoda mobile app, the new tool recommends rooms suited to their needs. 


Agoda offers travelers a diverse breadth of room options when booking a hotel, with room types and offers varying by occupancy, cancellation terms, meal inclusions, and price. The Room Grid Bot addresses this by using travelers’ current search details and the preferences they share in the conversation to recommend the most relevant options. These recommendations appear directly within the chat, helping travelers narrow down their choices without needing to compare every listing manually.

Travelers can access the Bot from the room-selection page after tapping “Select room” on a hotel’s property page in the Agoda app. They can start a conversation by tapping the “Need help choosing a room? Let AI help you” banner without leaving the room-selection page.

Travelers can ask the Bot to find options with specific inclusions, such as free breakfast, or to answer relevant property questions, such as check-in times. The Bot also highlights a “Best pick,” helping travelers identify a suitable room based on their preferences more easily.

Idan Zalzberg, Chief Technology Officer at Agoda, said, “Choosing a hotel is only part of the booking decision. Travelers also need to find the right room for their trip, which can be challenging when many options are available. The Room Grid Bot helps narrow down those choices based on what travelers want and need, making it easier to identify and book the room that best suits their trip.”

The launch builds on Agoda’s growing suite of AI-powered tools across the hotel booking journey. The Property AMA (Ask Me Anything) Bot answers accommodation-specific questions as travelers explore a property, while the Booking Form Bot addresses common questions during checkout. Together, the tools provide relevant support as travelers explore hotels, select rooms, and complete their bookings.

Agoda continues to invest in technology that makes travel planning simpler, faster, and more intuitive. Agoda’s offerings include over 6 million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities, all available on Agoda.com and through the Agoda mobile app.

Taiwan Invites Singapore Travellers to “Find Your Taiwan Way” at NATAS Holidays 2026

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Advertorial Desk
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Returning from August 21 to 23, the Taiwan Pavilion will spotlight personalised travel inspiration across food, culture, nature, wellness, adventure and family-friendly experiences

SINGAPORE, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — As Singapore travellers increasingly plan holidays around personal interests, family time and meaningful experiences, Taiwan Tourism Administration (TTA) will return to NATAS Holidays 2026 with an experience-led Taiwan Pavilion designed to help visitors “Find Your Taiwan Way”.

Danjiang Bridge
Danjiang Bridge

Taking place from August 21 to 23 at Singapore EXPO, the Taiwan Pavilion will serve as a live travel discovery space, bringing together curated holiday ideas, cultural experiences and practical travel inspiration for different traveller profiles. From food lovers and culture seekers to nature explorers, wellness travellers, families and repeat visitors, the Taiwan Pavilion will show how Taiwan can be experienced in many ways, depending on each traveller’s interests, pace and travel style.

Why Taiwan Fits Today’s Singapore Traveller

The August edition comes as travel planning becomes more personalised and purposeful. Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 describes the year ahead as the era of “made-for-me travel”, with travellers curating trips around their passions, priorities and personal sense of value. Its Singapore traveller snapshot found that 38% of Singapore travellers surveyed plan to travel with family, including multigenerational journeys, while 42% plan to explore local supermarkets or grocery stores abroad, 33% plan to visit a famous bookstore or library, and 31% plan to embark on summer mountain activities.

This shift plays to Taiwan’s strengths as a short-haul destination where multiple interests can be combined within one trip. A Taiwan itinerary can move easily from street food, local markets and bookstores to family-friendly attractions, mountain landscapes, hot springs, and slower regional discovery, giving both first-time and repeat visitors more ways to shape a trip around their own interests.

“For Singapore travellers, Taiwan is both familiar and constantly evolving,” said Paul Shih, Director of the Taiwan Tourism Administration Singapore Office. “Our aim is not only to introduce what is new, but to help travellers shape a Taiwan holiday around their own interests, whether that means food, culture, nature, wellness, rail journeys or regional discovery. Through the Taiwan Pavilion at NATAS Holidays, we want to make travel planning more personal and practical for families, repeat visitors and interest-led travellers.”

Find Your Taiwan Way: From Familiar Favourites to New Discoveries

The August edition builds on TTA’s earlier NATAS Holidays participation in March 2026, which highlighted the breadth of Taiwan’s destination appeal through “Taiwan 100 Ways”. This August, the focus turns to personalised and experience-led travel inspiration, encouraging Singapore travellers to discover the version of Taiwan that best reflects how they want to travel.

This approach complements TTA’s slogan, “Taiwan – Waves of Wonder”, which positions Taiwan around purposeful travel, seasonal experiences and year-round discovery. It also aligns with Taiwan’s Sustainable Tourism Destination Highlights Flagship Program 2.0 (2026–2029), which supports thematic and specialty travel products across green, cultural, Hakka, Indigenous, agricultural, and accessible tourism, as well as senior travel markets.

For Singapore travellers, this translates into more ways to build a Taiwan itinerary around specific interests and seasons. Those looking to relax can plan hot spring escapes in Beitou, Jiaoxi and Zhiben, while nature lovers can enjoy sweeping views at Hehuan Mountain and Alishan, or catch the silver grass season along the Caoling Historic Trail. Food lovers can look forward to winter comfort dishes such as ginger duck hot pot, while those travelling during the festive season can plan around Taipei 101’s New Year’s Eve fireworks and island-wide countdown parties. Railway journeys and scenic mountain-and-coast getaways also offer travellers more ways to experience Taiwan at a slower pace.

Additional inspiration comes from the 2026–2027 Taiwan Tourism 100 Spotlights, which highlights destinations across Taiwan’s 22 counties and cities, encouraging travellers to discover more of the island’s local landscapes, culture and communities. Travel ideas are also supported by Taiwan’s 2026–2027 Tourism Biennial Calendar, which features 109 activities across the island, including 36 international-level and 73 national-level events. Highlights include recurring festivals and seasonal experiences such as the Taiwan International Balloon Festival, Taiwan Cycling Festival, Hot Springs Season, Autumn Foliage Themed Train Tours, Romantic Provincial Highway 3 Hakka Art Trails, Taoyuan Longgang Rice Noodle Festival, Nantou Chocolate and Coffee Festival, and Sun Moon Lake Firefly Festival, giving travellers more ways to explore Taiwan throughout the year.

Planning a trip to Taiwan has also become more convenient. Travellers required to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card can now submit it online up to seven days before arrival, giving them more flexibility to prepare ahead of departure.

Taiwan Pavilion: From Inspiration to Itinerary Planning

At the Taiwan Pavilion, visitors can experience the island’s 24-hour energy through performances, and cultural activities inspired by the comforting daily rituals of Taiwanese life – from aromatic local coffee tastings to hands-on crafts inspired by iconic Taiwanese breakfast classics. Visitors can also connect with tourism partners to turn these inspirations into ideas for their next Taiwan holiday.

Highlights include:

  • Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe
    As Taiwan’s only official professional acrobatic troupe, the Taiwan Acrobatic Troupe blends traditional folk arts with modern innovation. Its latest performance fuses contemporary acrobatics with futuristic styling to capture Taiwan’s 24-hour energy, from bustling daytime streets to neon-lit nightscapes.
  • A Taste of Taiwan: Immersive Coffee Experience
    This interactive 20- to 25-minute sensory workshop spotlights Taiwan’s farm-to-table coffee culture. Participants will explore the diverse flavour profiles of Taiwanese coffee, from floral and citrus notes to honey and black tea, before hand-blending their own signature coffee to seal and take home.
  • Crafting Taiwan’s Breakfast: Wool Felt DIY
    This hands-on workshop introduces the warmth of Taiwanese daily life through wool felt craft, as participants create realistic replicas of iconic Taiwanese breakfast classics such as danbing, or Taiwanese egg crepes, and luobogao, or radish cakes. The activity reflects Taiwan’s wider cultural-creative spirit and tradition of hands-on craft and design experiences.
  • Sewing Farm-themed Scent Sachet DIY
    Designed for families and children, this activity invites visitors to create scent sachets inspired by Taiwan’s farm animals and crops. Using child-safe needles, the activity helps children develop fine motor skills and patience while introducing them to Taiwan’s agricultural culture in a fun and accessible way.

The Taiwan Pavilion at NATAS Holidays 2026 will be held from August 21 to 23 at Singapore EXPO, Hall 3, Booth 3H07.

Nobel Heroes Day 2026 – AI For Science Summit (AFSS) Launches in Singapore This October

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Advertorial Desk
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Focusing on AI for Science: Nobel Laureates and Global Capital Explore the Frontiers of Scientific Innovation

SINGAPORE, Aug. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Nobel Heroes Day – AI For Science Summit (AFSS), co-hosted by Laureates City Holdings Limited and Symbiosis Science, will take place from 5 to 11 October 2026, bringing together Nobel laureates, leading scientists, AI pioneers, government leaders, universities and long-term investors for a week of dialogue on the future of science, artificial intelligence and innovation.

Centered around the theme “Science • Intelligence • Capital,” this summit focuses on the transformative wave of “AI for Science.” It aims to build a global platform seamlessly connecting breakthrough research, frontier AI technologies, and patient capital to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world productivity.

The programme will feature a two-day flagship forum, an invitation-only Gala Dinner, closed-door leadership roundtables, and a week-long public exhibition of Nobel laureate portraits at Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay.

As artificial intelligence rapidly transforms scientific research — from drug discovery and advanced materials to life sciences and climate technologies — the organisers believe that the next generation of breakthroughs will increasingly emerge through collaboration across science, technology, policy and investments.

“Scientific discovery no longer happens in isolation,” the organisers said. “Today’s most important innovations require scientists, entrepreneurs, governments and long-term capital to work together from the earliest stages of research through to global implementation.”

Singapore has been selected as the host city for its internationally connected research ecosystem, neutral global position and strong innovation environment, making it a natural meeting point for international collaboration.

Confirmed Nobel Laureates

Confirmed Nobel laureates include:

  • Sir Christopher Pissarides, Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (2010), internationally recognised for his work on labour markets, technological transformation and the future of work.
  • Professor Benjamin List, Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2021), pioneer of asymmetric organocatalysis and one of the world’s leading scientists in sustainable chemistry.
  • Professor Omar M. Yaghi, Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2025), founder of reticular chemistry and a leading advocate of AI for Science.
  • Sir Konstantin Novoselov, Nobel Prize in Physics (2010), co-discoverer of graphene and a pioneer in functional intelligent materials and AI-driven scientific discovery.
  • Fred Ramsdell, Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine (2025), pioneer in peripheral immune tolerance and discovery of the FOXP3 gene key to regulatory T cells.

Additional international speakers from academia, industry and government will be announced in the coming months.

Representatives from Singapore’s research community, international organisations, universities, sovereign wealth funds, family offices and global technology companies are also expected to participate.

Focusing on Five Core Global Topics Driven by AI

Discussions throughout the summit will focus on five strategic themes shaping the future of innovation:

  • AI for Science
  • Open Science and Global Research Collaboration
  • Sovereign AI and National Innovation
  • AI, Human Longevity and the Future of Civilization
  • Future Economic Growth Driven by Frontier Science

Together, these themes explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping scientific research, industrial transformation and global competitiveness.

Two-Day International Forum

The flagship forum will be held across Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU) and is expected to welcome approximately 500 invited participants from around the world.

The programme will include keynote addresses, Nobel laureate conversations, leadership panels, fireside discussions and invitation-only roundtables designed to encourage meaningful dialogue between scientific, industrial and investment communities.

Nobel Laureates Portrait Exhibition

Running from 5 to 11 October at Gardens by the Bay, the Nobel Laureates Portrait Exhibition will present the internationally acclaimed work of Peter Badge, official photographer of Nobel laureates.

The outdoor exhibition will combine large-scale portrait installations with digital storytelling and interactive experiences, introducing visitors to the people and discoveries behind some of the world’s most influential scientific achievements.

Designed as a public science and culture initiative, the exhibition aims to make scientific excellence more accessible while inspiring broader engagement with research and innovation.

Building a Global Platform for Science, AI and Long-Term Capital

Nobel Heroes Day Singapore 2026 is co-hosted by Laureates City Holdings Limited and Symbiosis Science, with academic support from the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings.

Building on previous editions in Hong Kong and Guangzhou, the Singapore edition marks the next step in expanding Nobel Heroes Day as an international platform connecting scientific excellence, technological innovation and long-term capital.

By bringing together leaders from research, industry, government and investment, the event seeks to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate the translation of frontier science into real-world impact.

Nobel Heroes Day Singapore 2026 will take place from 5–11 October 2026.

A New Category Is Emerging in the Premium Residential Market — the “Presidence”

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Advertorial Desk
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Experts say a self-contained, service-led residential format built for multigenerational ownership is emerging at the very top of the market — and that demand for it is rising worldwide.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 August 2026 – Experts in premium residential real estate note that a distinct new category is forming at the top of the market, and that demand for it is rising around the world. Property market specialists describe the emerging tier as the presidence: a self-contained community of private residences bound together by shared infrastructure and anchored by a five-star hotel under an international brand — a format designed to be lived in and passed down across generations, rather than simply owned.

The trend reflects a structural shift in global wealth. According to Knight Frank’s Wealth Report 2026, the number of individuals worth more than US$30 million climbed from 551,435 to 713,626 between 2021 and 2026 — a gain of more than 160,000, equivalent to 89 people crossing that threshold every day. Forbes, meanwhile, records 3,428 billionaires worth a combined US$20.1 trillion.

This wealth is also increasingly mobile. Henley & Partners projects that 165,000 high-net-worth individuals will relocate internationally in 2026 — a 16 per cent rise on the record 142,000 of 2025 — as affluent families build cross-border portfolios of homes and residence rights rather than tying themselves to a single jurisdiction. The appetite for professionally serviced, brand-anchored homes is visible in the development pipeline: Savills reports that the number of branded residential schemes worldwide grew 19 per cent in 2025, to around 910, and is on course to reach 1,747 by 2032, with the Middle East and North Africa the fastest-growing region over the past five years, at 187 per cent.

As the apex of the wealth pyramid rises, specialists say, demand at the very top is moving away from headline price-per-square-foot toward space, privacy, wellbeing, autonomy and a home that can be held and handed down across generations. The case for treating this as a distinct category was set out in a recent column by real estate adviser Ku Swee Yong, CEO of International Property Advisor Pte Ltd and an adjunct faculty member at Singapore Management University, where he teaches Real Estate Investments & Finance.”Luxury residence has a new crown, and it has a name: presidence,” he writes.

According to the expert, a property of this kind should meet several defining criteria: it should occupy an exceptional location among peer residences, be built to the highest standards of quality, provide space, a healthy natural environment, security and self-sufficiency, and create a place where owners and their families can live out every stage of life — building careers, raising children, enjoying leisure, prioritising health and wellbeing, welcoming family and friends, and ultimately passing the home down through generations. Privacy in this case does not mean isolation: rather than retreating behind their own gates, members of the presidence become part of a carefully formed community of peers, surrounded by people with comparable values, interests and ways of life.

These principles are, in practice, being formalised into a fuller set of criteria that distinguish a presidence from a conventional luxury development. At its most complete, the format is defined by:

  • A five-star hotel operated by an international brand present in at least three countries, located within the development;
  • A single estate of 200 hectares (around 500 acres) or more;
  • Full-spectrum infrastructure within one perimeter — indoor and outdoor sport, a central clubhouse, wellness, dining, parks and natural areas, a medical centre, recreation and security, plus a lifestyle anchor such as a golf, equestrian or yacht club;
  • A clear separation of public and private zones, with residences kept behind their own multi-layered security perimeter and isolated from guest-facing spaces such as the hotel, restaurants and spa;
  • A 24/7 premium service model featuring a dedicated resident care team, concierge services, standardised service-level agreements (SLAs), and a digital platform for managing every household and lifestyle need;
  • A unified architectural code governing the style and coherence of every building on the estate;
  • An equal-neighbour principle, under which a community of like-minded owners who can enjoy privacy while remaining part of an engaging social environment is formed.

Fully integrated examples remain rare worldwide, and demand, specialists say, is running ahead of supply as the number of ultra-wealthy households continues to grow.

Hashtag: #property #realestate #residentialproperty #hnwi

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Prosvet Communication Studio

Prosvet Communication Studio is a full-cycle communication studio working across PR and communications strategy, media relations and influence, personal branding, digital PR, events and production.

Hyundai Motor Group and KIRARA Release ‘Temper,’ a Musical Interpretation of Technological Refinement

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Advertorial Desk
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  • The Group’s collaborative composition with Korean musician KIRARA, titled ‘Temper,’ transforms manufacturing technology into sensory art
  • Electronic track reflects the process of raw materials becoming finished vehicles through meticulous refinement
  • By blending glitch and breakbeat elements, the composition creates a precise and mysterious soundscape inspired by cutting-edge manufacturing technologies
  • Song available across major streaming platforms with an accompanying manufacturing technology video to follow later this year
  • Partnership demonstrates the Group’s commitment to communicating innovation through creative storytelling

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has partnered with Korean electronic music artist KIRARA to debut ‘Temper,’ a musical composition that translates the Group’s technology development philosophy into an auditory experience. The track is available on the Group’s official YouTube channel (Link).


Hyundai Motor Group and KIRARA Release ‘Temper,’ a Musical Interpretation of Technological Refinement

‘Temper’ reimagines the journey of raw materials transforming into finished vehicles through advanced manufacturing processes, weaving complex beats and synthesized textures to capture the precision of innovation. The Korean title ‘Jeongryeon’ (정련, or Jīngliàn精鍊 in Mandarin) refers to the process of refining materials by removing impurities to reveal their purest and most valuable form. This collaboration expresses the Group’s technology development efforts through music, representing a new approach to connecting with customers on a sensory level.

“Working on Hyundai Motor Group’s new technology was a constant source of wonder, much like when I first learned synthesizing. I wanted to express the refined technology and the feeling I had when encountering it through equally refined music.” – KIRARA

How Does the Track Capture Manufacturing Innovation?

‘Temper’ opens with an ambient, mysterious introduction representing infinite possibility within raw materials. As the composition progresses, layered beats build gradually — mirroring the vehicle’s emerging form — before concluding with crystalline clarity reflecting the final form of a finished vehicle.

To authentically convey cutting-edge technology, the track blends ambient techno genre elements, specifically glitch and breakbeat components, creating a sophisticated yet mysterious soundscape that mirrors the technical complexity inherent in the Group’s technological advancements.

Who Is KIRARA?

KIRARA is one of Korea’s leading electronic musicians. Since launching her career in 2014, she has released five studio albums and performed extensively at prestigious events including Pentaport Rock Festival (Korea), Venice Biennale (Italy), SXSW (United States) and Primavera Pro (Spain).

Drawing deep inspiration from 1990s British dance music and 2000s Japanese electronic music, KIRARA’s music evokes a unique juxtaposition of sorrow and euphoria through a delicate blend of melodies. She currently performs live sets — composing directly through computer and MIDI controller — more than 30 times annually across domestic and international venues.

Her recognitions include:

  • 23rd Korean Music Awards (2026): Best Electronic Album for ‘KIRARA‘ (fifth studio album), marking her second Korean Music Award, nine years after first winning the category
  • Korean Music Awards (2017): Best Electronic Album for ‘Moves‘ (second studio album)

Where Can Listeners Access ‘Temper’?

The track is now available on:

  • Hyundai Motor Group’s official YouTube channel (Link)
  • Melon, Bugs, Spotify, Apple Music and YouTube Music

Later this year, the Group will release an accompanying manufacturing technology video featuring the ‘Temper’ composition.

– End –

About Hyundai Motor Group

Hyundai Motor Group is a global enterprise that has created a value chain based on mobility, steel, and construction, as well as logistics, finance, IT, and service. With about 250,000 employees worldwide, the Group’s mobility brands include Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis. Armed with creative thinking, cooperative communication, and the will to take on any challenges, we strive to create a better future for all.
 

More information about Hyundai Motor Group can be found at: http://www.hyundaimotorgroup.com or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai, Kia Global Newsroom, Genesis Newsroom

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