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Visa offers seamless tap-to-ride experiences for Visa cardholders on Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1


HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, has continued its role as an Official Co-sponsor of the Inauguration Ceremony for Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien). As part of this initiative, Visa has launched a “tap-to-ride” solution at ticket gates, supporting contactless payments via globally issued cards, mobile devices, and wearables. Additionally, contactless payments are now available at ticket counters, and commuters can use the HCMC Metro HURC app for in-app payments. These enhancements will streamline the commuting experience, making it faster and easier for everyone, including tourists exploring the vibrant Ho Chi Minh City.

image-1.jpeg

The open-loop EMV tap-to-ride system is rapidly gaining popularity worldwide. Within just eleven months, Visa’s network processed two billion tap-to-ride transactions globally, reflecting a 25% year-on-year increase[1]. This growth underscores the strong consumer preference for this convenient payment method, now available to commuters on HCMC Metro Line 1. With over 830 “Tap to Ride” projects globally[2], Visa is demonstrating its dedication to transforming urban mobility with simple, convenient, and secure digital payment solutions.

“Visa is committed to being an essential partner in enhancing Vietnam’s transit experience,” said Ms. Dung Dang, Visa Country Manager for Vietnam and Laos. “By introducing tap-to-ride technology on HCMC Metro Line 1, we are simplifying daily commutes, supporting Vietnam’s digital transformation, and improving passenger experiences. This initiative is in line with the government’s long-term plans to modernize urban mobility.”

Visa x HCMC Metro - Launch Announcement - Social KV - Mobile&Card

Globally, over 80% of Visa’s face-to-face transactions are conducted via tap-to-pay[3]. By the end of February 2025, over 76% of face-to-face transactions on Visa cards in Vietnam were contactless[4]. This shift to contactless payments will enhance travel efficiency, offering significant benefits for both operations and commuters.

With its extensive global experience in seamless and secure digital payments for urban transit systems, Visa is launching the “One Tap to Every Station. Go Metro – Tap Visa” initiative. This aims to revolutionize the commuting experience and promote sustainable mobility in Vietnam, aligning with the nation’s digital transformation and urban mobility modernization goals. Visa’s commitment to providing the best way to be paid is set to transform the way people travel, making daily commutes more convenient, seamless, and secure for everyone.


[1] VisaNet data from Oct 2022 – Sep 2023.

[2] Visa Central Project Reporting (CPR).

[3] VisaNet Oct 2022 – Sep 2023. The figure on contactless penetration excludes U.S. market.

[4] VisaNet data at the end of Feb 2025.

Hashtag: #Visa #HCMCMetroLine1



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

About Visa

Visa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories. Our mission is to connect the world through the most innovative, convenient, reliable and secure payments network, enabling individuals, businesses and economies to thrive. We believe that economies that include everyone everywhere, uplift everyone everywhere and see access as foundational to the future of money movement. Learn more at .

Lao Woman Shot Dead in Thailand Over Love Quarrel

Lao Woman Shot Dead in Thailand Over Love Quarrel
The karaoke bar where the incident took place (photo credit: Khaosod)

A 42-year-old Lao woman was shot and killed at a karaoke bar in Thailand’s Phatthalung Province, on 11 March at around 9:00 pm.

USPACE Partners with AICO to Launch 6,000-Satellite Constellation Plan

— Hybrid Constellation Focused on Direct Mobile-Satellite Connectivity to Empower “Belt and Road” Digital Future


HONG KONG SAR – EQS Newswire – 13 March 2025 – At the “100 Satellites” exhibition held in Hong Kong over March 10-12, USPACE announced the official signing of a strategic cooperation agreement with the Arab Information and Communication Organization (AICO) to jointly build a 6,000-satellite low Earth orbit (LEO) constellation. The constellation will serve the Middle East and Africa, with its core architecture focusing on “communication + remote sensing + navigation enhancement.” This groundbreaking initiative will be the first large-scale commercial service to enable direct mobile-satellite connectivity. The goal is to bridge the digital divide in Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) countries and build an integrated space-air-ground information network. This partnership marks a new chapter in the global competition for LEO satellite internet and is a critical milestone for USPACE’s deepening involvement in the international aerospace value chain, driving technological autonomy, artificial intelligence integration, and global expansion.

Intensifying Global Race for LEO Satellite Internet: Opportunities and Challenges Under Starlink’s Dominance
The global landscape for LEO satellite internet has evolved into a highly competitive “one leader, many strong challengers” model. SpaceX’s Starlink, with its ambitious plan of 42,000 satellites, its ability to launch frequently, and its existing 8,000-plus satellites in orbit, controls about 80% of the world’s LEO frequency and orbital resources. It now serves more than 4.6 million users, covering North America, Europe, Australia, and parts of the developing world. Its core advantages lie in low-cost manufacturing and reusable rocket technology, further reinforced by its military applications, notably in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

However, Starlink’s global expansion has also exposed several significant challenges:

  • Intensified resource monopoly: Under the International Telecommunication Union(ITO) ‘s “first-come, first-served” principle, LEO Ku/Ka frequency bands have largely been monopolized by Starlink and other Western companies such as OneWeb, leaving emerging countries struggling to access available frequencies.
  • Higher service cost: The cost of Starlink’s terminals exceeds $500, with a monthly fee of $99—far beyond the financial reach of developing regions like Africa and the Middle East.
  • Geopolitical risks: The military use of Starlink in the Russia-Ukraine conflict has sparked controversy, raising concerns about data sovereignty and network security in many countries.

Against this backdrop, the 6,000-satellite constellation built by USPACE and AICO seeks to differentiate itself by targeting specific market needs:

  • Filling coverage gaps: Within the Belt and Road framework, the trade scale of Africa and the Middle East continues to expand, increasing the demand for satellite communication and navigation services for aviation and maritime industries. USPACE is focusing on these regions, where Starlink’s penetration is low, digital infrastructure is weak, and populations are densely concentrated.
  • Integrated functional innovation: The constellation combines communication, real-time remote sensing, and navigation enhancement to address a diverse set of needs, including weather monitoring, AI-driven agricultural management, disaster early warning, marine resource exploration, and “mobile-satellite” 6G communications.
  • Cost advantage: By designing and manufacturing its own satellites, and employing advanced assembly and testing techniques, USPACE can lower the cost of “mobile-satellite” terminals and services, targeting fees that are less than one-third of Starlink’s costs.

Urgency and Strategic Value of Lunching Middle East and Africa Constellation
Africa and the Middle East represent some of the world’s most digitally underserved regions. According to the ITO, Africa’s internet penetration is under 40%, while parts of the Middle East struggle with geographical challenges like deserts and mountains, making ground-based networks difficult to deploy. At the same time, frequency resource competition is intensifying: national projects like the UAE’s Mars Mission “Hope Probe” and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 are accelerating, but local satellite networks still rely heavily on Western companies, raising concerns about technological independence and data security.

Thus, the partnership between USPACE and AICO is a critical step toward overcoming these challenges:

  • Securing scarce frequency resources: USPACE’s constellation plans prioritize the Q/V frequency bands (30-50 GHz), leveraging China’s technological expertise and international coordination advantages to avoid the congested Ku/Ka bands.
  • Meeting regional development needs: Countries in Africa and the Middle East are pushing for economic diversification, such as Saudi Arabia’s NEOM smart city initiative, while Africa urgently requires digitalization in agriculture and disaster management. The hybrid constellation will provide real-time remote sensing data (with 1-meter resolution) and high-precision navigation services (with errors less than 0.5 meters), enabling smart cities, precision agriculture, and emergency response systems.
  • Strengthening BRI cooperation: Through joint operations, technology transfer, and local manufacturing (e.g., USPACE’s satellite centers in Thailand and Spain), this initiative will promote the export of aerospace standards and technologies, creating a shared space economy ecosystem.

Technological Autonomy and Cost Advantage: USPACE’s Core Competence
In the face of Starlink’s cost pressures, USPACE has made a disruptive breakthrough through “vertical integration + mass manufacturing”:

  • Designing 80% of satellite components in-house: By adopting modular platforms and 3D printing technology, USPACE has reduced the cost of core components such as phased array antennas and on-board processing units by 80%, cutting the cost of manufacturing each satellite by 80%, bringing the overall cost close to Starlink’s V2 Mini.
  • Innovative mobile-satellite direct connectivity technology: USPACE’s self-developed software-defined radio (SDR) payload supports 4G/5G protocol compatibility, allowing users to connect to satellite networks via ordinary smartphones without the need for specialized terminals. This significantly improves terminal compatibility compared to Starlink.
  • Smart manufacturing and reusable launch vehicles: With self-developed satellite design, assembly, integration, and testing capabilities, coupled with reusable rocket technology from the 8th Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (e.g. Upgraded Long March Series), USPACE aims to reduce launch costs by 50% compared to existing domestic costs.

Additionally, the constellation design highlights “Chinese wisdom”:

  • Hybrid orbit layering: Satellites in 550 km orbits will provide high-bandwidth communications, while those in 340 km very-low orbits will enable sub-second remote sensing responses.
  • Inter-satellite laser links: Using proprietary high-speed optical communication modules, each link can achieve data rates exceeding 10 Gbps, reducing reliance on ground-based communication stations.
  • AI-driven on-board processing: By utilizing edge computing to filter remote sensing data in real-time, the data transmission efficiency improves from 30% to 90%, optimizing bandwidth usage.

A 100-Billion-Dollar Market Vision: From Basic Connectivity to Ecosystem Empowerment
The 6,000-satellite constellation is projected to generate an annual market value of over $30 billion, with specific applications including:

  • Universal connectivity: Providing affordable broadband services for nearly 1 billion low-income individuals in Africa and the Middle East, with pricing as low as $3 per month. The initiative will also collaborate with local governments and public institutions to deliver digital public services such as education and healthcare.
  • Industry Digitalization:

Energy: Real-time monitoring of oil and gas pipelines in the Middle East, exploration of oil and gas reserves in the region, mineral resource surveying across Africa, and cutting existing pipeline operation and maintenance costs by 30%.

Agriculture: Using AI and remote sensing satellites to offer small-scale farmers in Africa smart crop management and pest prediction, boosting yields by 20%.

  • Emergency and Security: Developing a “12-minute response” disaster monitoring network, with centimeter-level positioning for maritime rescue.

In the future, USPACE plans to open its constellation APIs and make its satellite AI big data analysis models open-source, attracting developers globally to co-create satellite AI applications. By deeply integrating with 5G/6G networks, USPACE aims to achieve seamless space-air-ground integration and lead the LEO satellite communications revolution.
Hashtag: #USPACE

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

HL Assurance Becomes First in Singapore to Launch Core Travel Insurance Coverage Add-Ons

HL Assurance addresses key concerns for the modern traveller in their new combination of essential travel insurance add-ons.


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – Singaporeans can now travel with greater assurance. HL Assurance announces the launch of three essential travel insurance add-ons, enhancing its comprehensive travel protection suite.

HL Assurance Becomes First in Singapore to Launch Core Travel Insurance Coverage Add-Ons
HL Assurance Becomes First in Singapore to Launch Core Travel Insurance Coverage Add-Ons

Consisting of pre-existing medical conditions coverage, reduced flight delay payout time, and protection for loss of frequent flyer miles, HL Assurance strengthens its role as a leading voice in travel insurance, becoming the first insurance provider in Singapore to offer this essential combination of travel add-ons.

Addressing the Demand for Adaptive Travel Protection in a Post-Pandemic World

Changi Airport closed 2024 with 67.7 million passenger movements, nearing a full recovery from 2019 records. With travel resuming to pre-pandemic levels, unexpected flight delays, medical issues, and trip disruptions remain a concern. Notably, flight delays impacted 37 per cent of flights worldwide.

Moving away from a one-size-fits-all model, travellers now seek faster claims processing, flexible coverage, and relevant protection. Rising concerns include coverage for pre-existing medical conditions and protection for travel rewards.

“We believe that insurance should evolve with the needs of today’s travellers,” said HL Assurance CEO Kelvin Lim. “Our new travel add-ons are designed to address real concerns—whether it’s ensuring pre-existing medical conditions are covered, allowing earlier claims for flight delays, or protecting valuable travel rewards.”

Only Insurer in Singapore With All 3 Essential Add-Ons
Only Insurer in Singapore With All 3 Essential Add-Ons

How the New Add-Ons Work

The “Pre-existing medical conditions” add-on provides expanded protection for travellers with ongoing health issues, while the “Reduced flight delay payout time” add-on allows claims after just three hours of delay, down from the standard six.

Lastly, the “Loss of frequent flyer miles” add-on safeguards valuable travel rewards, ensuring that frequent flyers don’t lose accumulated miles due to cancellations.

Special Launch Benefits for Travelers

As part of the launch of these enhanced travel protection options, HL Assurance is offering travellers a series of exclusive benefits to provide added security on their journeys.

For a limited period, single-trip plans will be available at a reduced rate (up to 55 per cent), and returning customers can enjoy reduced premiums on future plans through their No Claim Discount (NCD) benefit.

Furthermore, travellers who purchase their Travel Protect360 plans from now until June 2025 may stand a chance to win complimentary flight tickets to a dream vacation of their choice.

Kelvin Lim believes that a customer-first approach has allowed them to address long-standing customer concerns. “This is part of our commitment to transforming the travel insurance experience—making it more flexible, relevant, and seamless for every journey,” said Lim.

HL Assurance’s new travel insurance add-ons will be available from 13 March 2025, as part of their Travel Protect360 plans. Visit the HL Assurance website or contact your authorised agent for a consultation.
Hashtag: #HLAssurance



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

HL Assurance

HL Assurance Singapore is a trusted provider of comprehensive general insurance solutions, offering reliable protection for individuals and businesses. As part of the Hong Leong Group, the company provides innovative, customer-first insurance with flexible coverage and seamless digital experiences. Its portfolio includes travel, home, maid, motor, and business insurance, offering simple, accessible, and hassle-free protection for every need.

Learn more at

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres Accelerates AI Ambitions, Achieves Certification under NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center Program


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), one of the world’s fastest-growing data centre colocation service providers headquartered in Singapore, today announced it is now an NVIDIA colocation partner. Two of its data centre facilities in Southeast Asia (SEA) – STT Singapore 6, and STT Bangkok 1 – have achieved certification in the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center programme. These are the first facilities in STT GDC’s portfolio to achieve this certification.

The NVIDIA DGX platform is purpose-built for enterprise AI, powering AI workloads spanning analytics, training, and inference. It offers advanced compute density, performance and scale with a single, unified system that can power the complete enterprise AI lifecycle. The NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center certification enables STT GDC to offer our customers access to world-class, state-of-the-art data centre facilities to run their most important AI workloads.

STT GDC is among the first Singapore-headquartered companies to achieve this certification, recognising its continued focus on supporting the global growth ambitions of businesses as they transition from the digital era to the intelligent era. This is driven by accelerated computing, a key driver of AI innovation, and by STT GDC’s ability to support advanced AI capabilities and next-generation infrastructure, such as NVIDIA DGX GB200 systems. STT GDC’s AI-ready data centres are designed to accommodate the thermal demands of such cutting-edge technology, with support for both immersion cooling and direct-to-chip cooling technologies.

“The DGX-Ready Data Center certification helps ensure that our customers have access to the robust infrastructure and expertise required to deploy and scale high-performance AI workloads. Achieving this certification underscores our commitment to supporting the rapid growth of AI adoption across industries, helping our customers focus on innovation, accelerate their AI initiatives with confidence and achieve a quicker time-to-value for their AI investments,” said Daniel Pointon, Group Chief Technology Officer, ST Telemedia Global Data Centres.

“As organizations embrace AI to enhance customer experiences and drive better business outcomes, robust environments that are optimized for AI infrastructure become critical,” said Tony Paikeday, senior director of AI systems at NVIDIA. “STT GDC’s achievement of the NVIDIA DGX-Ready Data Center certification empowers enterprises in Southeast Asia to simplify their AI initiatives with optimized, high-performance infrastructure and facilities that enable the delivery of data-fueled insights sooner.”

AI continues to transform industries globally, driving innovation in everything from predictive analytics to autonomous systems. Worldwide spending on AI is expected to more than double by 2028, reaching US$632 billion[1]. AI has the potential to fundamentally disrupt global markets by innovating new business models and offerings. Strategic investments in AI will be necessary to enable businesses to both unlock competitive advantage and maximise the full potential of AI.

Hashtag: #STTelemedia

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

About ST Telemedia Global Data Centres

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) is one of the fastest-growing data centre providers with a global platform serving as a cornerstone of the digital ecosystem that helps the world to connect. Powering a sustainable digital future, STT GDC operates across Singapore, the UK, Germany, Italy, India, Thailand, South Korea, Indonesia, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, providing businesses an exceptional foundation that is built for their growth anywhere. For more information, visit.

Backbase and Synpulse partner to accelerate banking transformation across APAC

Combining Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform with Synpulse’s regional expertise to deliver customer-centric solutions


SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2025 – Backbase, the leader in engagement banking, today announced a strategic partnership with Synpulse, a premier financial services consulting firm, to accelerate digital transformation for banks across Asia-Pacific.

A unified approach to digital transformation

The partnership provides banks with a comprehensive transformation approach that includes strategy consulting, tailored platform solutions, and localized implementation services. By combining Backbase’s Engagement Banking Platform with Synpulse’s deep regional expertise, financial institutions can confidently pivot toward customer-centricity while addressing specific market needs.

“This partnership strengthens our ecosystem and ensures banks have both the architecture and specialized expertise needed to accelerate their digital transformation,” said Riddhi Dutta, Vice President, ASEAN & South Asia at Backbase. “Synpulse’s proven financial services expertise and understanding of regional markets make them an ideal partner to help banks deliver exceptional customer experiences across all touchpoints.”

“Our combined strengths will enable banks to unlock new growth opportunities and achieve digital transformation goals more effectively,” said Yash Shah, Partner at Synpulse. “Together, we provide financial institutions with the guidance and implementation capabilities needed to execute large-scale transformations with confidence.”

A partnership for banking growth in Asia

The partnership aims to deliver three key advantages for financial institutions in APAC:

  • Enhanced business outcomes: Comprehensive consulting and platform integration services to improve customer acquisition, increase share of wallet, and reduce operational costs
  • Localized expertise: On-ground teams delivering market-specific insights, cultural fluency and technical implementation
  • Full-spectrum banking: Addressing a wide range of banking needs spanning retail, SME, and wealth management

Backbase’s platform, already powering over 150 financial institutions globally, including APAC leaders such as BDO Unibank (Philippines), HDFC Bank (India), and Techcombank (Vietnam), enables banks to unify business lines and modernize around customer needs without vendor lock-in. The company plans to expand its regional footprint to Hong Kong this year.

Hashtag: #Backbase #digitalbanking #engagementbanking #retailbanking #omnichannelbanking #businessbanking #smebanking #corporatebanking


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

Backbase

Backbase is on a mission to re-architect banking around the customer. We are the creators of the Engagement Banking Platform – a composable platform that empowers banks to accelerate their digital transformation through progressively modernizing their main customer journeys. From onboarding, to servicing, lending and investing, our platform streamlines every aspect of the customer and employee journey. Pre-integrated with leading core systems and cutting-edge fintechs, it enables institutions to unlock innovation at scale, driving instant value creation.

Industry analysts Forrester, Gartner, Celent, Omdia and IDC continuously recognize Backbase’s category leadership. Over 150 financials around the world have embraced the Backbase Engagement Banking Platform — including AIB, Banorte, Barclays, BIAT, Bank of the Philippine Islands, BDO, BNP Paribas, Banque Saudi Fransi, BRD, Citibank, Discovery Bank, First National Bank, HDFC, Ila Bank, KeyBank, Lloyds Banking Group, NatWest, Navy Federal Credit Union, OTP Group, PostFinance, Raiffeisen, Standard Bank, Saudi National Bank, Société Générale, and TPBank.

Backbase is a private fintech company, founded in 2003 in Amsterdam (Global HQ), with regional offices in Atlanta (Americas HQ), Cardiff, Dubai, Hyderabad, Kraków, London, Mexico City, Singapore (Asia HQ), Sydney, and Toronto. Visit for more.

Synpulse

Synpulse is a global professional services company and a valued partner of leading players in the financial services and related industries. We leverage the proximity to our clients and deep domain expertise to create sustainable value using technology as a business driver. Leveraging our strong network of over 100 ecosystem partners, we accompany our clients throughout their transformation journey – from strategy and development to implementation and management.

With our tech powerhouse, Synpulse8, we collaborate with our clients to co-create digital experiences with innovative technologies and proprietary methods. Synpulse is powered by the passion and commitment of its more than 1000 employees from 21 offices who come from over 30 countries.

Global Edge Pledges $100M to ONE AMAZON, Advancing a Tech-Driven Conservation Model with Support from Gorilla Technology


New York, New York – Newsfile Corp. – March 12, 2025 – ONE AMAZON, a groundbreaking initiative that transforms rainforest conservation into a market-driven investment opportunity, has secured a landmark $100 million commitment from Global Edge Worldwide Fund. This funding milestone provides the financial backing needed to bring the initiative’s vision to life—deploying cutting-edge technology, blockchain-backed securities, and sustainable finance to protect the Amazon Rainforest while generating long-term economic value. Gorilla Technology Group Inc. (NASDAQ: GRRR) is also participating as a minority investor, reinforcing its role as a key technology partner in the project.

The Amazon Rainforest is one of the most critical ecosystems on the planet, producing 20% of the world’s oxygen, storing vast amounts of carbon, and regulating global climate patterns. Yet, it is being lost at an alarming rate, driven by deforestation and unsustainable economic pressures. ONE AMAZON introduces a new solution—leveraging the Internet of Forests™ (IoF™), a large-scale environmental intelligence network that enables real-time monitoring and monetization of the rainforest’s ecological value. With major institutional partners, including PSG Digital, ONE AMAZON is now positioned to move from vision to execution, ensuring that the Amazon’s protection is not only an environmental necessity but a long-term economic opportunity that benefits both investors and the planet.

Gorilla Technology Powers the Internet of Forests™
As a key technology partner, Gorilla is deploying AI-driven data intelligence, IoT solutions, and advanced analytics to create the world’s largest environmental monitoring network. By integrating biodegradable sensors, satellite imagery, and AI-powered environmental insights, Gorilla is transforming the Amazon into a fully quantified and investable natural ecosystem. In addition to its technological contributions, Gorilla is also participating as a minority investor in ONE AMAZON.

Jay Chandan, Chairman & CEO of Gorilla, emphasized the initiative’s potential, “The ONE AMAZON initiative is not just a vision; it is a financial and technological revolution that will redefine how we value, protect and monetize natural capital, at a global scale. Gorilla Technology is part of the core team behind this transformation, serving as one of the architects of the Internet of Forests™, deploying the world’s largest-scale environmental intelligence infrastructure to transform the Amazon into the most data-rich, investable natural asset on the planet. With our AI-powered analytics, real-time biodiversity tracking and blockchain-backed verification models, we are building the foundation of a new conservation economy, one that will generate billions in economic value while ensuring the Amazon thrives for generations to come. This is where finance, technology, and sustainability converge to create real, scalable impact and Gorilla is at the very heart of it.”

Rodrigo Veloso, CEO of ONE AMAZON, highlighted the transformative potential of the initiative, “The Amazon is not just a rainforest—it is the lifeblood of our planet. With the Internet of Forests™, we are creating a new paradigm where environmental protection and economic growth go hand in hand. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and innovative finance, we are turning the Amazon into a global asset that benefits both nature and humanity. This is more than a project; it is a movement to redefine how we value and protect our planet’s most precious resources.”

Global Edge Worldwide Fund Commits $100 Million to ONE AMAZON

Global Edge Worldwide Fund has pledged $100 million to support the expansion of ONE AMAZON’s ecosystem, reinforcing its mission to protect the rainforest while generating sustainable economic opportunities.

Renato Costa, CEO of Global Edge Worldwide Fund, expressed his enthusiasm, “ONE AMAZON represents the future of environmental finance-a bold, scalable model that turns nature into a tangible, investable asset. Our $100 million commitment is not just an investment but a statement that the world’s natural capital must be protected and valued. Rodrigo Veloso and the ONE AMAZON team are pioneering a new asset class that will redefine the intersection of sustainability and finance for decades to come.”


From left to right: Anthony Fiore (Chief Strategic Advisor of Global Edge Worldwide Fund), Robert Lavia (Board Member ONE AMAZON), Paul SALAMA-CARO (CIO PSG), Rodrigo Veloso (CEO ONE AMAZON), Renato Costa (CEO Global Edge Worldwide Fund), Jay Chandan (CEO Gorilla Technology), Raj Natarajan (CTO Gorilla), John Martini (Polsinelli Legal Counsel), Robert Penza (Polsinelli Legal Counsel)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10783/244371_1bb526a234909bf0_001full.jpg

PSG Digital Drives Digital Innovation and Tokenization
PSG Digital, an asset manager and a leader in tokenization and Web 3 solutions operating in London, New York, Abu Dhabi and shortly in Hong Kong, has been appointed as the digital and Web 3 advisor to ONE AMAZON. The firm will spearhead the development of blockchain-based systems, tokenized ecological securities, and decentralized platforms that underpin the initiative’s financial and operational ecosystem.

Paul Salama-Caro, Co-Founder and CIO of PSG Digital, commented, “ONE AMAZON is a transformational initiative that redefines the Real World Asset and tokenization space. We are bringing capital, blockchain, and datafication to nature-based assets in a truly groundbreaking way. This is a historic moment for Web 3 and sustainable finance, and PSG Digital is proud to lead the charge in building this future.”

A Paradigm Shift in Environmental Finance
The combined commitments from Global Edge Worldwide Fund, PSG Digital and Gorilla Technology represent a transformative moment in sustainable investment. With the Internet of Forests™, ONE AMAZON is demonstrating that nature-backed finance is no longer a futuristic concept—it is a reality unfolding today.

For more information on ONE AMAZON and the Internet of Forests™, visit www.oneamazon.com.

About Gorilla Technology Group Inc.
Headquartered in London U.K., Gorilla is a global solution provider in Security Intelligence, Network Intelligence, Business Intelligence and IoT technology. We provide a wide range of solutions, including Smart City, Network, Video, Security Convergence and IoT, across select verticals of Government & Public Services, Manufacturing, Telecom, Retail, Transportation & Logistics, Healthcare and Education, by using AI and Deep Learning Technologies.

Our expertise lies in revolutionizing urban operations, bolstering security and enhancing resilience. We deliver pioneering products that harness the power of AI in intelligent video surveillance, facial recognition, license plate recognition, edge computing, post-event analytics and advanced cybersecurity technologies. By integrating these AI-driven technologies, we empower Smart Cities to enhance efficiency, safety and cybersecurity measures, ultimately improving the quality of life for residents.

For more information, please visit our website: Gorilla-Technology.com

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Gorilla’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates and projections and consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Words such as “expect,” “estimate,” “project,” “budget,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “believes,” “predicts,” “potential,” “might” and “continues,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding our ability to identify and agree to specific project scope, deployment strategies and operational frameworks with the Electricity Authority, along with those other risks described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Form 20-F Gorilla filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on May 15, 2024 and those that are included in any of Gorilla’s future filings with the SEC. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results. Most of these factors are outside of the control of Gorilla and are difficult to predict. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Gorilla undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made except as required by law or applicable regulation.

Investor Relations Contact:
Dave Gentry
RedChip Companies, Inc.
1-407-644-4256
GRRR@redchip.com

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

International Test Pilots School, Honeywell Launch New Program to More Efficiently Train Flight Test Teams

Honeywell Aerospace Flight Test team is first customer for innovative new program

London, Ontario – Newsfile Corp. – March 12, 2025 – The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) and Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) have teamed to launch a new flight test training program designed to improve the way flight test professionals are trained. ITPS has developed the unique Hybrid Industry Training Solutions for Flight Test Teams program, and the Honeywell Aerospace Flight Test team will be the launch customer for this groundbreaking training solution.


Bill Lee, Sr Director of Flight Test Operations at Honeywell and Dave Lohse, Chief Executive Officer at ITPS (Canada) Ltd.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9198/244276_hwb07270.jpg

ITPS and Honeywell both recognize that effective flight test training increases productivity, mitigates flight test safety risk, and assists in the retention of highly skilled flight test professionals. By drastically reducing time away from the student’s workplace, the hybrid flight test training model offers a flexible, affordable and highly effective solution for professional test pilot and flight test engineer development.

“We listened to the aerospace industry and designed a syllabus that directly addresses the need for effective and efficient flight test team training,” said Dave Lohse, chief executive officer at ITPS. “As a world-class provider of flight test education, ITPS is committed to delivering innovative training solutions that balance industry demands with professional development. The Hybrid Industry Training Solutions program delivers high-quality training while minimizing disruptions to our customers’ critical flight test operations. By embracing this program, Honeywell is demonstrating its strong commitment to excellence and is equipping its teams with the knowledge, skills and hands-on experience needed to drive innovation and maintain a competitive edge in the aerospace industry.”

Honeywell’s Flight Test team will enroll the first two candidates in the inaugural course this fall. The Hybrid Flight Test course will take approximately 18 months to complete.

“Our collaboration with ITPS marks a significant step forward in advancing an industry-first flight test training program,” said Bill Lee, senior director of Flight Test Operations at Honeywell Aerospace. “The new training program will ensure Honeywell’s Flight Test professionals remain at the forefront of flight-testing standards and innovation so we can continue to bring cutting-edge aerospace products to the market for our customers.”

The new ITPS program is designed to strengthen flight test planning, conduct and reporting skills through a combination of instructor-led online theory courses and hands-on exercises using the school’s diverse aircraft and simulator fleet. The program will culminate in a capstone project for the course participants at the customer’s flight test center.

About the International Test Pilots School
The International Test Pilots School (ITPS) is an EASA Approved Training Organization recognized by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots (SETP) and the Society of Flight Test Engineers (SFTE). With over 37 years of experience, ITPS Canada has trained students from the world’s leading civil aerospace manufacturers and more than 25 NATO, Five Eyes and Allied Air Arms around the world. Our modern facilities are located on the grounds of the International Airport in London, Ontario, with additional on-site student and classroom facilities planned to open in Summer 2025. ITPS boasts a diverse fleet, owning and operating over 30 fixed and rotary wing aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), including Variable Stability in-flight simulator aircraft. Airborne flight test technique instruction is supplemented and supported by our Telemetry Room and state-of-the-art Advanced Aircraft Simulation Centre featuring F-16C, F/A-18E, F-35 and L-39 simulators as well as Boeing 787, AW139, eVTOL, AH-64D/E and Variable Stability Systems simulators.

ITPS is a Transport Canada Approved Maintenance Organization, maintaining and modifying its own aircraft fleet, with a modern Safety Management System and full time Safety Manager. Our instructor cadre includes over 30 world-class experts with extensive civil and military flight test experience in modern aircraft, including 5th-generation fighters. ITPS is the world’s largest independent school of experimental flight test training. In addition to our Hybrid Industry Training Solutions program we offer Masters (48-week), EASA Category-1 and Category-2 Test Pilot and Lead Flight Test Engineer courses, Military and Civil Graduate courses, Master of Science degrees, UAS and Aerosystems courses and a full short course catalogue. For more information, visit www.itpscanada.com or follow the International Test Pilots School on LinkedIn.

About Honeywell
Products and services from Honeywell Aerospace Technologies are found on virtually every commercial, defense and space aircraft, and in many terrestrial systems. The Aerospace Technologies business unit builds aircraft engines, cockpit and cabin electronics, wireless connectivity systems, mechanical components, power systems, and more. Its hardware and software solutions create more fuel-efficient aircraft, more direct and on-time flights and safer skies and airports. For more information, visit aerospace.honeywell.com or follow Honeywell Aerospace Technologies on LinkedIn.

Honeywell is an integrated operating company serving a broad range of industries and geographies around the world. Our business is aligned with three powerful megatrends – automation, the future of aviation and energy transition – underpinned by our Honeywell Accelerator operating system and Honeywell Forge IoT platform. As a trusted partner, we help organizations solve the world’s toughest, most complex challenges, providing actionable solutions and innovations through our Aerospace Technologies, Industrial Automation, Building Automation and Energy and Sustainability Solutions business segments that help make the world smarter and safer, as well as more secure and sustainable. For more news and information on Honeywell, please visit www.honeywell.com/newsroom.

Media contacts:
Adam Kress
602-760-6252
Adam.Kress@honeywell.com

Sheila Hodgson
519-457-3625 x 217 (desk)
519-615-1773 (WhatsApp)
sheila.hodgson@itpscanada.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/244263

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