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Standard Chartered GBA Business Confidence Indices rise to multi-year high levels

– Reflecting a broad-based recovery in business sentiment from tariff shock in Q3

Standard Chartered and the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) jointly released the latest Standard Chartered Greater Bay Area Business Confidence Index (GBAI). The latest quarterly survey showed a broad-based recovery in business confidence in the third quarter towards current business performance and business outlook, likely supported by reduced external uncertainty following the extension of the US-China trade truce.

The Q3 GBAI indices rose to multi-year high levels. The “current performance” index for business activities edged up to 54.7 from 53.1 in Q2, while the “expectations” index rose to 55.7 from 52 in Q2, marking a four-year and two-year high respectively.

During the survey period of early August to early September, though the US’ reciprocal tariffs came into effect, the US extended the trade truce with China by another 90 days to November and reached multiple trade agreements with major trading partners.

Amid the constructive dialogue between China and the US, the tariff uncertainty diminished and the overall external environment became relatively stable, supporting a quarter-on-quarter recovery in business sentiment.

Almost all the “current performance” and “expectations” sub-indices rebounded. For “current performance”, six of the eight index components saw quarter-on-quarter improvement, led by a sharp 8pts increase in “new orders” (57.5 in Q3 from 49.5 in Q2) and 4.1pts increase in “prices of finished goods/services” (58.8 in Q3 from 54.7 in Q2).

The positivism in business outlook was more noticeable with all “expectations” sub-indices staying well above the neutral mark. “Production/sales” saw the strongest rebound (+5.3pts) among the eight main sub-indices, followed by “financing scale” (+4.8pts), “fixed asset investment” (+4.2pts) and “profit” (+3.9pts).

Irina Fan, Director of Research, HKTDC, said: “Across GBA cities, nearly all ‘current performance’ and ‘expectations’ rose quarter-on-quarter. In particular, Hong Kong saw the strongest rise in confidence among all cities, with the ‘current performance’ and ‘expectations’ sub-indices edging up a respective 8.3 pts and 7.3 pts to 52.2 and 53.6 in the quarter, underpinned by the continued trade frontloading and robust financial activities.”

Hunter Chan, Economist, Greater China, Standard Chartered, said: “The survey findings are in line with the positivism we have seen across the markets in the third quarter following the extension of US-China trade truce and expectation of continued dialogue between the two countries during the survey period. However, the persisted trade uncertainty may hold back the business sentiment again. With increasing external uncertainties and the competition challenges in the Chinese Mainland, we believe the trend of diversification will continue. It is consistent with the findings that exploring overseas markets (24.5%) remains one of the strategies that GBA corporates are adopting to mitigate the potential risks.”

On the other hand, there has been increasing discussion and concern on “anti-involution”. The survey also examined the impact of excessive competition among businesses and how GBA companies tackle those challenges.

Most of the respondents (63.5%) indicated that they had not been affected by excessive domestic competition, while 3.1% of respondents said they benefited from it. About 29% reported a moderate impact and the remaining 5% indicated a significant impact.

Among those businesses affected by involution, over 70% saw a negative impact on profit and sales, while only around 40% indicated disruptions to hiring and investment.

The companies appear to be adopting multiple strategies to address the challenges from involution, including brand building and marketing (36.3%), cost control / inventory management (35.6%) and providing value-added services (29.7%).

About the GBAI
The GBAI is the first forward-looking quarterly survey in the market that looks at the business sentiment and synergistic effects in cities and industries across the GBA. It is compiled based on a survey of more than 1,000 companies in the GBA covering the manufacturing and trading, retail and wholesale, financial services, professional services and innovation and technology sectors. The index enables investors and businesses to better understand the current business climate, gauge future performance prospects and formulate their market strategies for the GBA.

Related materials
HKTDC Research: https://research.hktdc.com/en/article/MjE0MTkwOTU3MA

Report and photos download: http://bit.ly/4oiGQDU

Media enquiries

Corporate Affairs Department Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
Flora Chiu
Tel: (852) 3843 2285
Email: flora.chiu@sc.com

Communications & Public Affairs DepartmentHKTDC
Katy Wong	Clayton Lauw
Tel: (852) 2584 4524	Tel: (852) 2584 4472
Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org	Email: clayton.y.lauw@hktdc.org

About Standard Chartered
We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 54 of the world’s most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good.

Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges.

The history of Standard Chartered in Hong Kong dates back to 1859. It is currently one of the Hong Kong SAR’s three note-issuing banks. Standard Chartered incorporated its Hong Kong business on 1 July 2004, and now operates as a licensed bank in Hong Kong under the name of Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Chartered PLC.

For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit:www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Follow us on @hktdc and LinkedIn

Hong Kong Tech Pavilions at GITEX Global 2025 tap into opportunities in the Middle East

– 22 exhibitors highlight Hong Kong’s I&T strengths

– The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) and Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) teamed up to stage two tech pavilions at GITEX Global 2025 in Dubai, helping Hong Kong exhibitors break into the Middle East market.
– Multiple pitching sessions were held along with a networking dinner to help Hong Kong’s I&T enterprises establish local business connections.
– Hong Kong exhibitors achieved fruitful results, with one exhibitor set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the authorities from Oman after the event.

GITEX Global 2025 concluded successfully last Friday. The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) joined hands with the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) to stage two pavilions featuring 22 exhibitors showcasing the latest applications and solutions in AI and robotics, IoT and greentech. The HKTDC also helped organise pitching sessions and a networking dinner to help Hong Kong’s I&T enterprises establish local business connections.

During the exhibition, exhibitor Robocore Technology Limited was in discussion with a multinational outdoor advertising company that was actively considering purchasing Robocore’s advertising robots for global use. Roy Lam, CEO of Robocore Technology, said: “GITEX marks our fourth overseas exhibition this year with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, following CES in Las Vegas, USA, the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, Spain, and Viva Technology (VivaTech) in Paris, France. We established connections with more than 250 Middle Eastern companies over the five-day exhibition in GITEX. Many buyers expressed interest in purchasing our robots or becoming local distributors. We are also delighted to have met with the authorities from Oman again at GITEX and confirmed that we are signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Hong Kong this Thursday, aimed at co-establishing an AI and Robotics Center in Oman, advancing localised talent training and certification, and implementing cross-departmental pilot projects.” He is very pleased to see the strong demand for Hong Kong’s I&T products and services in the Middle East market and will continue to actively expand into the region.

To help Hong Kong exhibitors establish a stronger network with the Middle East and international markets, the HKTDC hosted a networking dinner on 14 October together with the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (ETO) in Dubai. Around 100 industry representatives attended from Hong Kong, the local region and beyond. Hong Kong exhibitors were able to connect with local counterparts to explore business opportunities.

Winnie Leung, founder of exhibitor WYNI Technology, shared after the dinner: “The HKTDC has bridged the gap between Hong Kong’s I&T enterprises and the Middle East market by helping us to establish contacts locally to understand the diverse opportunities and challenges in the Middle East market, and by connecting us with local banks and companies to advance business expansion efforts in the region.” Moving forward, WYNI Technology will follow up further to solidify potential partnerships and continue expanding in the Middle East market.

Another exhibitor, Canpanion Group Limited, engaged with a local education company during the networking dinner. Both parties are exploring ways to integrate Canpanion’s technology into inclusive education. They also established contact with relevant local authorities and will further explore collaboration opportunities through the help of the ETO in Dubai. Additionally, another local educational institution expressed interest in partnering with them and the government to establish an AI school, thereby fostering an ecosystem for smart education.

Start-up and investor event Expand North Star took place from 12 to 15 October at Dubai Harbour, where HKSTP set up a Pavilion showcasing innovative solutions from its 10 park companies. The Hong Kong Polytechnic University also participated in the exhibition.

The HKTDC continues to lead Hong Kong businesses in participating in major international tech exhibitions, helping local start-ups expand overseas and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as a global innovation and technology hub. Following GITEX Global 2025, the HKTDC will once again organise the Hong Kong Tech Pavilion next year at CES in Las Vegas, USA in January, the MWC 2026 in Barcelona, Spain in March and VivaTech in Paris, France, providing an effective platform for I&T companies to showcase their cutting-edge technologies.

Photo download: https://bit.ly/3WQ6eVW

Websites:https://exhibitors.gitex.com/gitex-global-2025/Exhibitor/ExbDetails/hong-kong-trade-development-council

Media enquiries
For enquiries, please contact HKTDC’s Communications & Public Affairs Department:

Katy Wong

Tel: (852) 2584 4524

Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.org

Media Room: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com

About HKTDC
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the Chinese Mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus.

Intellifusion Submits an Application to List on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange: A National Breakthrough in AI Inference Chips

Currently, advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) technology are driving the evolution of AI from iterative improvements in algorithms to significant breakthroughs in computational infrastructure. During this round of technological evolution, a massive demand for AI inference computing is emerging, setting new benchmarks for the architecture and cost-efficiency of computing power.

Compared with general-purpose GPU architectures, NPU chips designed specifically for AI inference scenarios have become the foundation supporting the large-scale commercialization of AI industries due to the advantages such as high cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency and customization. These chips are gradually becoming one of the mainstream development directions for AI chips, accelerating the industry’s transition from an era centered on GPUs for large model training to an era focused on NPUs for AI inference computing. In this race, the innovation capabilities at the foundational architecture level and extensive experience in large-scale application deployment are progressively contributing to a company’s overall competitiveness and sustainability.

Among these players, Shenzhen Intellifusion Technologies Co., Ltd. (“Intellifusion”) is the first company to commercialize domestic high computing power AI inference chips in China. As a pioneer in NPU research and design, Intellifusion integrates multiple generations of architectural technical knowledge with mature commercialization experience to create high-performance, cost-effective and highly versatile inference chips. Intellifusion has achieved large-scale deployments across enterprise, consumer and industry-grade scenarios, establishing a leading position in China’s AI inference chip-related products and services market in terms of revenue in 2024. On July 30, Intellifusion submitted its listing application to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

Led by a “Hardcore” management team: providing strong traction for strategic implementation
In the deep tech sector of AI chips where technology, capital and talent concerntration converge, the management team serves not only as decision-maker for corporate strategy but also as “navigators” guiding Intellifusion through technological and industrial cycles. Intellifusion’s ability to gain a firm foothold in the highly complex and fiercely competitive AI inference chip market is inseparable from its core team, which boasts strategic foresight, technical prowess and hands-on industry experience.

Dr. Chen Ning, founder, executive director and general manager of Intellifusion, is a worldwide rare expert with deep experience in semiconductor and possesses both overseas and domestic industry experience. Standing at the forefront of technology, Dr. Chen deeply understands the path from theoretical breakthroughs to product transformation, and not only possesses visionary technical foresight, but also demonstrates strong execution capability in industrialization and commercialization, which enable him to grasp Intellifusion’s long-term strategic trajectory from the cutting edge of technological development with commercialization capability, and drive deep innovation along the “algorithm + chip” integration path, providing long-term traction for Intellifusion’s sustained growth.

As one of the key pioneers in China’s domestically-developed AI inference chips, Dr. Chen Ning has spearheaded the design and development of homegrown AI inference chips, achieving end-to-end innovation from algorithmic breakthroughs to chip-based implementation. He can rightly be considered one of the founding figures in the industrialization of China’s AI inference chips. His recognition as the prominent individuals in innovation and entrepreneurship and outstanding role models at the 40th Anniversary of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, and in July of this year, he was selected alongside entrepreneurs such as Xingxing Wang, founder of Unitree Robotics, Weiliang Chen, founder of MetaX, and Peng Zhang, CEO of Zhipu AI, as one of CCTV’s ‘AI Leaders of the Year’,.further solidifies his strategic leadership position in China’s AI industry.

Under the leadership of Dr. Chen Ning, Intellifusion has assembled a elite Research & Development (“R&D”) team with core members averaging over 25 years of experience in the AI industry. These veterans have long served at leading domestic technology companies, covering the entire critical technology chain from chip architecture design to algorithm development and optimization. As of the Latest Practicable Date, Intellifusion boasts 489 R&D personnel, including more than 50 engineers with over a decade of chip design experience and multiple national-level leading technical experts. This composition has established a synergistic system for chip design and algorithm development guided by seasoned industry specialists, providing robust support for rapid product innovations and continuous technological breakthroughs.

“Algorithm + chip” integrated strategy builds high technological barriers
Unlike traditional “algorithm companies” or “chip companies” that focus on singular breakthroughs, Intellifusion has consistently adhered to the advanced concept of co-designing algorithms and chips since its inception. This approach has forged an integrated software-hardware technical capability that creates a self-reinforcing virtuous cycle, where insights from real-world deployment continuously refine algorithms, algorithmic innovations drive chip architecture upgrades, and enhanced chip performance unlocks new application scenarios. This creates a compounding flywheel effect, progressively elevating R&D efficiency and commercial scalability.

At the foundational technology level, Intellifusion has established its proprietary “IFIC” platform through its algorithm-to-silicon integration capability. This end-to-end system encompasses the entire AI inference chip R&D process: algorithm analysis – instruction set definition – chip architecture design – toolchain optimization. This enables Intellifusion to develop successive generations of NPUs and AI inference chips, ensuring optimal efficiency and scenario-specific adaptability.

For architectural design, Intellifusion launched “AI Computing Blocks” by employing fully home-grown advanced domestic manufacturing processes, secure supply chain with advanced semiconductor processes, featuring standardized compute units that can be stacked like building blocks to flexibly configure chips with variable computing power and enable multi-chip interconnect for scalable systems, realizing single tape-out enables multiple packaging variants, efficiently producing chips of diverse specifications while balancing flexibility and cost. To address the data transmission bottleneck of traditional computer chips, Intellifusion has pioneered an innovative Near-memory Hyper-converged Architecture, which realizes vertical integration by seamlessly combining memory and computing units in a stacked configuration, enabling direct data flow through the 3D structure, eliminating bandwidth limitations of traditional packaging interconnections, achieving on-chip bandwidth and sub-nanosecond latency, dramatically lowering the energy consumption of data transportation, and perfectly adapting to the needs of real-time loading of large-model parameters.

In the chip domain, Intellifusion has developed its DeepEdge Series of inference chips based on the “IFIC” Infrastructure, utilizing the innovative ” AI Computing Blocks” Architecture. Currently, DeepEdge10 Series covers a wide range from 8T to 128T of computing power per chip and supports Transformer-based models for efficient AI inference, which can realize balanced performance & efficiency, low power consumption, and flexible deployment.

In terms of technology update, Intellifusion has completed development of its 4th-generation NPU and is now advancing R&D for the next-generation high-performance NPU, Nova 500.

This integrated R&D system centered on “algorithms + chips” enables Intellifusion to not only ensure leading-edge performance and rapid iteration in chip design but also continuously strengthen its technological moat through product adaptability, deployment scalability, and ecosystem expansion. Notably, Intellifusion has been awarded the highest award for intelligent science and technology in China. – the “Wu Wenjun AI Science & Technology Award ” – three times, making it the only company in China to have won top prizes in all three categories: algorithms, chips, and applications. This recognition underscores its end-to-end innovation capability, from core technology development to industrial implementation.

Riding the Global Inference Wave: Securing Long-Term Value in AI Chips
As the proportion of inference computing in the total lifecycle cost of large models continues to rise, surging application demand will dramatically expand the scale of inference computing needs, creating a historic opportunity for the AI industry. According to the CIC Report, the market size of AI inference chip-related products and services industry in China is expected to reach RMB1,383.0 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 53.4% from 2024 to 2029. In particular, the NPU-powered market size is projected to climb to RMB395.4 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 72.3% from 2024 to 2029, significantly outpacing the overall market.

Under the guideline of the advanced algorithm-to-silicon chip design methodology, Intellifusion, a pioneer in the high-potential market, has established an integrated software-hardware technical capability that creates a self-reinforcing virtuous cycle. Its products and services have been validated across multiple critical application scenarios, positioning Intellifusion as an industry frontrunner. According to the CIC Report, Intellifusion is a global top-three leader in full-scenario AI inference chip-related products and services in China, based on the relevant revenue in 2024. Intellifusion is also a top-two provider of NPU-powered AI inference chip-related products and services in China, based on the relevant revenue in 2024.

Leveraging its IFIC Infrastructure, R&D capabilities in AI inference chips, and deep market insight, Intellifusion can respond quickly to changes in industrial demands and grasp the opportunity in the upcoming boom in AI inference chip-related products and services industry. Supported by policy tailwinds, growing application maturity, and semiconductor supply chain localization trends, Intellifusion is strategically positioned to capitalize on China’s golden window for domestic AI chips, emerging as both a key beneficiary and driver in the global recomposition of AI compute power.

In summary, Intellifusion has not only achieved full autonomy from self-developed architectures to ecosystem development but also made breakthroughs across market expansion, technological innovation, and product commercialization, establishing a difficult-to-replicate end-to-end advantage. Should its Hong Kong IPO proceed smoothly, at the time of listing, Intellifusion could potentially become China’s first and only artificial intelligence company with a dual A+H listing (Shanghai + Hong Kong). This milestone would fully unlock cross-border M&A opportunities, allowing Intellifusion to aggregate global resources, attract top-tier AI talent worldwide, and further solidify its leadership in China’s AI industry, particularly in the inference chip segment.

Latest Firewall Vulnerability Reinforces Need for Post-Breach Privileged Access Controls – TACACS.net Offers a Critical Layer

Following a major firewall exploit that exposed the limits of perimeter defenses, security leaders are shifting focus to post-breach containment and internal access control – precisely where TACACS.net excels with command-level enforcement, audit visibility, and seamless SIEM/IDS integration as the silent enforcer behind your frontline security.

A recently disclosed exploit targeting perimeter firewalls from a leading cybersecurity vendor has once again underscored a critical reality: even the strongest perimeter defenses are not impenetrable. As cyberattacks grow more sophisticated, organizations must shift their focus beyond breach prevention – toward containment, internal access control, and real-time response.

TACACS.net, the most advanced enterprise implementation of TACACS+, empowers organizations with precision control over administrative access. With over a decade of proven performance in mission-critical environments, TACACS.net enforces granular, role-based command policies and provides deep session auditing to contain threats post-breach. Whether deployed on-premises, in virtualized environments, or in the cloud,TACACS.net offers unmatched deployment flexibility and industry-leading logging capabilities.

To further strengthen post-compromise resilience,TACACS.net sends detailed logs of every privileged action to SIEM and IDS platforms, enabling centralized visibility, anomaly detection, and automated response workflows.

This recent firewall exploit serves as a wake-up call for organizations operating in compliance-sensitive environments, including healthcare, defense, finance, and government. By aligning with NIST Zero Trust Architecture, DoD CIO directives, HIPAA HITECH, and PCI DSS requirements, TACACS.net enables enterprises to minimize breach impact, enforce access accountability, and improve audit readiness.

About TACACS.net
TACACS.net is a global leader in TACACS+ authentication software for Windows-based environments. Trusted by federal agencies, global enterprises, and mission-critical infrastructure providers, TACACS.net enables robust internal access controls that prevent privilege abuse, accelerate investigations, and simplify compliance – without adding friction to operations.

To learn more information, visit?www.tacacs.net?or contact?www.tacacs.net/lp?for a customized quote.

Contact Information
Name:Joe Fernandez
Phone:(408) 763-0345
Email: joe@tacacs.net

SOURCE:TACACS.net

Eastern River to Introduce Bond ETFs and Launch a New Fixed-Income Fund to Broaden Investment Offering

New offerings aim to enhance access to diversified fixed-income strategies for private and wholesale investors.

Eastern River, a leading Australian bond brokerage, is set to expand its investment platform with the introduction of Bond Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) and the upcoming launch of a new fixed-income fund. These developments represent a significant step forward in improving access to institutional-grade bond strategies for both private and wholesale investors.

The addition of Bond ETFs will provide clients with an efficient and liquid route to diversified fixed-income exposure, encompassing government, corporate, and ESG-focused debt instruments. This move reflects Eastern River’s continued commitment to delivering cost-effective, transparent solutions in a dynamic yield environment.

“We are introducing Bond ETFs to offer clients a more flexible and streamlined means of accessing the fixed-income market,” said Mrs Sally Peters, Public Relations Officer at Eastern River. “The new fixed-income fund will further support this initiative by offering a stable, actively managed option focused on capital preservation and consistent yield.”

Scheduled to launch in Q4, the fund is designed to meet growing demand for reliable income amid ongoing interest rate uncertainty. It will leverage Eastern River’s proven expertise in credit research, yield targeting, and risk management.

Both the Bond ETFs and the new fund will be managed within Eastern River’s active oversight framework, which prioritises downside protection and disciplined portfolio construction. Clients will benefit from improved market access, enhanced liquidity, and tailored strategies to suit evolving market conditions.

These initiatives reinforce Eastern River’s position as a forward-thinking bond specialist, dedicated to helping investors navigate today’s market with clarity and confidence.

For more information on Eastern River’s forthcoming Bond ETF range and fixed-income fund, visit https://easternriver.com or contact media@easternriver.com.

SOURCE: Eastern River Pty Ltd

ComfortDelGro Unveils Refreshed Corporate Brand — Drives Ahead With a Common Purpose and New Look

ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited (SGX:C52) (“ComfortDelGro” or, “The Group”) today, unveiled its refreshed corporate brand, comprising a new purpose statement and modern visual identity that signifies a step forward in the company’s evolution into a global multi-modal transport leader.

The Group has made significant strides in growing its international business, winning bus and rail tenders in Europe and Australia, as well as building leading positions for its point-to-point mobility businesses in key markets. With a presence in 13 countries, 24,500 employees, an operating fleet of over 54,000 vehicles and a rail network of 343 kilometres in operation and under mobilisation, ComfortDelGro is one of the largest land transport companies in the world.

ComfortDelGro Managing Director/Group CEO Cheng Siak Kian said, “Our purpose statement – Mobility for a better future, drives us to reimagine mobility as a catalyst for positive impact as we accelerate our growth and navigate new horizons. It reflects our commitment to addressing the changing needs of our stakeholders as a global multi-modal transport leader. At the same time, it aligns the Group’s diverse operations and workforce under the common goal of building a purpose-driven and values-led organisation.”

ComfortDelGro Chairman Mark Greaves added, “The transport landscape is evolving, and so is ComfortDelGro. We are committed to sustainable mobility, powered by innovation and driven by collaboration. This brand refresh underpins our journey forward as a global, progressive, and collaborative mobility company while building on the strong foundation of our businesses and our rich heritage. Our purpose ‘Mobility for a better future’ will guide us as we continue to create long-term value for our stakeholders, shape the future of transportation, and contribute to a more sustainable and connected world.”

Driven by our new purpose: Mobility for a better future

A modern identity

Complementing our purpose statement is an updated ComfortDelGro logo that symbolises the company’s journey forward and its commitment to delivering innovative, world-class mobility solutions.

Key elements include:

A refined blue hue, representing reliability, trust, and customer confidence.
A streamlined lowercase font, conveying approachability and collaboration.
An enhanced arrow motif, reinforcing the company’s forward-thinking and dynamic approach.

The updated brand and corporate identity will be gradually implemented in stages across the Group’s global operations.

Media Assets:
High-resolution images can be downloaded here: https://fromsmash.com/cdgbrandrefresh

About ComfortDelGro Corporation

ComfortDelGro is a leading multi-modal transport operator offering a comprehensive suite of transportation solutions. Our extensive network spans public transport including buses and rail, point-to-point transport with taxis and private hire cars as well as business-to-business mobility solutions. Every day, millions rely on our services across 13 countries including; Singapore, Australia, the United Kingdom, New Zealand, China, Ireland, Sweden, France, Malaysia, Spain, Portugal, Greece, and the Netherlands.

As a global operator, we play an important role in steering the transition towards a low-carbon economy. With about 60% of our owned fleet consisting of cleaner energy vehicles, we support governments and cities in enabling inclusive and sustainable transport systems. For our efforts, ComfortDelGro has been included in the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Indices since 2019, the only Singaporean transport company in the index.

Media Contact Information:
Group Corporate Communications
ComfortDelGro Corporation Limited
groupcorpcomms@comfortdelgro.com

Exceptional Presence of 24 Hong Kong Innovators Mesmerised Mobile World Congress Audience

– Hong Kong tech companies looking to supply Europe markets with innovative solutions and
– inspirational exchanges in terms of tech and talent

Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) joined the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) in highlighting achievements of 24 tech companies and corporations at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, marking it the largest delegation to date joining the world’s biggest mobile industry event.

The Hong Kong Tech Pavilion continues its journey overseas from recent appearance at Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and engages the premises of Europe, covering the latest solutions in key sectors including Advanced Electronics & Robotics; AI & Data; and Digital Transformation. Ranging from AI-integrated products to automation services, these technological excellence brewed optimism in extending to new frontiers, and gain traction from industry leaders, potential partners, and inspired investors. (Please refer to Appendix 1 for the full list of participants.)

A partnership agreement signed between HKSTP and 22@Network Barcelona, and a Memorandum of Understanding signed between HKTDC and Barcelona City Council, both witnessed by Prof Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau (ITIB) of HKSAR Government, will be urging conversations in promoting collective efforts between the cities for a sustainable I&T future.

Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP, commented: “The world’s premier mobile event makes an unrivalledopportunity to forge impactful connections – an important stage for each local tech company to play a role in the European and global markets and accelerate the adoption of transformative solutions. We look forward with excitement to witnessing new opportunities for innovation on both sides emerge at this year’s conference.”

Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC added: “The HKTDC is committed to showcasing Hong Kong’s dynamic technological prowess on the global stage. We are proud to present 24 outstanding Hong Kong start-ups and tech ventures at the Mobile World Congress, an important global arena showcasing the latest mobile communications advances. Moreover, we are happy to renew our partnership with Barcelona City Council and continuously strengthen cooperation in promoting trade and investment between the two cities. The HKTDC also continues to work closely with the city council to help Hong Kong tech start-ups gain exposure in the Spanish market”

As one of the top emerging startup ecosystems, Hong Kong ranks third global after Madrid and Barcelona, and companies from the EU make up the largest foreign business community in Hong Kong, totalling 1,640 according to government data in 2024, and Technology is highly active contributing to this figure, suggesting spotlight in I&T collaborations between the regions is encouraged. Sharing the notion, HKSTP will be joining Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, London (London ETO), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) to co-organise a seminar in London, following further on the traction for potential investors, partners, and high-calibre talents to thrive in Hong Kong.

Photo download: https://tinyurl.com/2v93bpcr

Photo 1: Hong Kong Tech Pavilion saw the presence of (from left) Paula Kant, Head of Investment Promotion of InvestHK; Chris Lo, Regional Director, Europe, Central Asia & Israel of HKTDC; Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP; Susana Prado, President of 22@Network Barcelona; Shirley Yung, Special Represenattive for HK Economic & Trade Affairs to the European Union, Brussels ETO; Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government; Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council; Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC; Rocky Cheng, CEO of Cyberport; and Whitney Chan, Senior Systems Manager of Digital Policy Office of HKSAR Government.

Photo 2: MoU signed between the HKTDC and Barcelona City Council was represented by Iris Wong, Director of Merchandise Trade and Innovation & External Relations of HKTDC (left) and Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council (right), and witnessed by Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government (middle).

Photo 3: A Partnership agreement signed by Albert Wong, CEO of HKSTP (left in front) and Susana Prado, President of 22@Network Barcelona (right in front) was witnessed by Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of HKSAR Government (left in the back) and Jordi Valls Riera, Deputy Mayor of Barcelona City Council (right in the back) in forming an alliance to foster growth of both the I&T communities.

Photo 4-5: Derek Chim, Head of Startups Ecosystem and Development of HKSTP (first on the left of Photo 4) joined in sharing Hong Kong’s I&T ecosystem at the 4YFN25, an occasion that connects international innovators, and celebrates achievement and aim to “Create Better.”

Photo 6: 24 Hong Kong tech companies and corporations at Mobile World Congress 2025 Barcelona, Spain.

Photo 7-10: Showcases of Hong Kong tech companies engaging the local audience.

Note:
– Non-HKSTP park companies marked with (*).

About Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation
Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP) was established in 2001 as a thriving I&T ecosystem grooming 14 unicorns, more than 15,000 research professionals and over 2,200 technology companies from 26 countries and regions focused on developing healthtech, AI and robotics, fintech and smart city technologies, etc.

The growing ecosystem serves at an international I&T hub in Asia, offers comprehensive support including R&D infrastructure, investment expertise, partnership networks, talent traction and more, in accelerating ideation, and commercialising innovation for technology ventures, all with the I&T journey built around key locations across Hong Kong and branched towards the GBA and further to continuously contribute to the development of I&T making a pillar of growth for Hong Kong.

More information about HKSTP is available at www.hkstp.org.

About Hong Kong Trade Development Council
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong’s trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Mainland China, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels.

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TAC Security Becomes ioXt Authorized Lab, Expands into IoT Security Assessments

TAC InfoSec Limited (NSE Emerge: INE0SOY01013) (referred to hereafter as TAC Security), a global cybersecurity company specialising in vulnerability management and India’s first publicly listed cybersecurity company, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming an ioXt Authorized Lab.

TAC Security is now empowered to conduct IoT Security Assessments under the esteemed ioXt Certification Program, guaranteeing that connected devices meet the highest global security, transparency, and upgradability standards. With this distinction, TAC Security joins an exclusive league of only eight companies worldwide, further cementing its leadership in driving advanced evaluations for a safer digital future.

Empowered with this certification, TAC Security will foray into the dynamic IoT (Internet of Things) securitymarket – offering IoT security assessments through its ESOF platforms. The company intends to roll out the services from February 2025 onwards. This will solidify TAC Security’s positioning as the world’s largest integrated vulnerability management company, with certifications and capabilities to serve the holistic digitalecosystem across key markets – globally.

Commenting on the development, Saransh Rawat, Chief Technology Officer, TAC Security, said, “IoT devices are a cornerstone of our digital future, yet they remain highly vulnerable to cyber threats. Beingapproved as an ioXt Authorized Lab empowers us to ensure manufacturers and enterprises meet global security benchmarks. This milestone is a significant leap in our mission to become the world’s largest vulnerability management company.”

TAC Security will incorporate IoT Security Assessments into its ESOF Vulnerability Management Portfolio, offering organisations a comprehensive platform to manage IT seamlessly (Information Technology), OT (Operation Technology), and IoT risks. As demand

for trusted and secure IoT solutions grows, TAC Security remains committed to achieving 10,000 global customers by March 2026.

TAC Security is also among the few companies globally that have more than seven certifications – including ISO 17025, Google CASA Assessor, Google MASA Assessor, AppDecence Alliance Security Assessor, CERT-IN Emplaned (Govt of India), CREST Certified Penetration Testing Company and now, an IoXT Alliance Security Assessor – all under one entity.

Trishneet Arora, Founder and CEO, TAC Security, said, “Becoming an ioXt Authorized Lab is a testament to TAC Security’s unmatched expertise, cutting-edge infrastructure, and commitment to global security benchmarks. This distinction involved mastering advanced techniques like firmware analysis and chip-level security, leveraging tools like FPGAs for precision testing, and aligning with the ioXt Alliance’s rigorous standards. Through collaboration with global cybersecurity leaders, TAC Security drives innovation to secure the connected ecosystem.”

With an estimated 25.4 billion IoT devices expected by 2030, IoT security is critical for safeguarding smart cities, healthcare systems, industrial automation, and smart homes. The market, projected to grow to $59 billion by 2030, underscores the urgent need for stringent IoT security assessments.

TAC Security recently achieved a significant milestone by adding 331 new clients in November across 42countries. This achievement marks steady progress towards the company’s goal of onboarding 3,000 clients by March 2025.

About TAC Security (TAC InfoSec Limited) – Symbol – NSE: TAC

TAC Security, a global cybersecurity company specialising in vulnerability management, is a publicly listed cybersecurity company that made headlines with its IPO, drawing subscription bids worth more than $1 billion. TAC Security’s flagship product, ESOF (EnterpriseSecurity in One Framework), excels in cyber scoring, cyber risk quantification, and leveraging advanced AI for vulnerability assessment and penetration testing.

TAC Security holds prestigious certifications like CREST, PCI ASV, and ISO 27001 and partners with tech giants such as Google,Microsoft, and Meta for ADA’s CASA (Cloud Application Security Assessment). Serving a diverse global clientele, TAC Security is committed to innovation and excellence in cyber security for Fortune 500 companies, start-ups, and Governments Globally.

For more information, visit https://tacsecurity.com/

For further media queries contact:
Ganesh Somwanshi
ganesh@mettai.world

Innovation Takes Center Stage at the 2024 EE Awards Asia Ceremony

Celebrating Excellence of all “EE Professionals”! The 2024 EE Awards Asia Honors Innovation and Talent

The premier annual event for Taiwan and Asia’s electronics industry, EE Awards Asia 2024, took center stage on December 5 at the GRAND HILAI TAIPEI. Organized by ASPENCORE’s Taiwan/Asia team, representing the globally influential EE Times and EDN brands, this fourth edition of the EE Awards Asia continues to advance its mission: “Shaping the Future with the Electronics Industry; Transforming the World with Engineers!” The event gathered professionals from industry, academia, and research across the region to celebrate outstanding achievements and honor the innovators behind the electronics sector—the engineers, or “EE Professionals.”

From left: EE Times/EDN Asia Editor Stephen Las Marias, Himax Optoelectronics Co-founder and CEO Wu Bingchang, Power Semiconductor Chairman Huang Chongren, EE Times/EDN Taiwan General Manager Wu Chongyi, National Development Commission Deputy Chairman Zhan Fangguan, Dr. Chenming Hu, Qiu Zhenxiang, former CEO of Nangang IC Design Incubation Center, Jiang Xuzheng, special consultant of the Institute of Green Energy and Environment of ITRI, Liao Ronghuang, leader of ITRI’s Industrial Service Center

This year’s EE Awards Asia attracted over 400 submissions from nearly 170 companies worldwide, competing across 36 categories, including Company Awards, Product Awards, Technology Platform Awards, Innovation Awards, and Analyst Awards. Since online voting opened in early August, the event has engaged nearly 10,000 readers from Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region, reflecting a strong and enthusiastic response.

Grace Wu, General Manager of EE Times/EDN Taiwan for the Asia-Pacific region, stated: “Through this event, we aim to connect the local industry with global technology communities, inspire the next generation of engineers and attract talent to the electronics sector, while fostering a platform for technical exchange and knowledge transfer. Just as Chinese Taipei national baseball team showcased resilience to win the WBSC Premier12 championship and making the world see Taiwan, ASPENCORE will continue to elevate Taiwan & Asia electronics industry on the global stage through EE Awards Asia.”

Honoring Excellence: Celebrated Leaders and Innovators

The Executive of the Year and Outstanding EE Professional awards, selected by ASPENCORE’s global editorial team, remain the most prestigious highlights each year. These accolades recognize leaders and engineers who have driven industry progress and technological innovation.

This year’s Executive of the Year was presented to Frank Huang, Chairman of PSMC, and Jordan Wu, CEO of Himax Technologies. Under Huang’s visionary leadership, PSMC was successfully transformed into a foundry, restoring the company to glory. He also pioneered PSMC’s entry into the challenging Indian market, expanding Taiwan’s semiconductor presence. Meanwhile, Wu’s keen market insights have positioned Himax as a global leader in automotive displays and AIoT, earning a spot among the top 10 IC design companies worldwide in 2021. Both leaders exemplify excellence in guiding teams to achieve technological breakthroughs and market success.

The Outstanding EE Professional award was conferred on two renowned innovators in the field of R&D. Dr. Chenming Hu, an Academician of Academia Sinica and Honorary Professor at UC Berkeley, is celebrated as the “Foreseer of Microelectronics” for his pioneering contributions to 3D FinFET technology, pushing the boundaries of semiconductor innovation. Similarly, Dr. Kai-Sheng Chou, CEO of MEET International, leveraged his deep expertise in wireless communication, fiber optics, and networking protocols to build a successful electronic testing equipment manufacturing company. Their groundbreaking contributions set a high standard for engineering excellence and industry development.

Announcing the Winners of EE Awards Asia 2024

The Corporate Awards recognized outstanding companies in automotive electronics, AIoT, and electronic components distribution, while the Product Awards spotlighted the most favored ICs, products, and solutions across categories such as RF/Wireless, MCU/Driver IC, Power Management IC/Semiconductors, EDA, IP/Processors, Memory, Security, Test & Measurement (T&M), Sensors, AI, Passive Components, and Development Kits.

The Innovation Awards highlighted the most promising startups and innovation/R&D teams. This year also introduced new categories, including Analyst Awards and Technology Platforms Awards for Smart Manufacturing, Cybersecurity, AI, Cloud Computing, and Networking. These new additions provided an opportunity to recognize the year’s best tools and platforms as chosen by engineering professionals.

The award-winning entries across Corporate, Product, Innovation, and Technology Platform categories reflect the hottest industry trends and company strengths. This year’s surveys revealed AI as a dominant force across industries, with RISC-V and 3D IC technology garnering significant attention. Additionally, AI PCs, Edge AI, and Generative AI emerged as the most discussed and impactful innovations in the electronics sector.

Fostering Innovation and Celebrating Achievements

The 2024 EE Awards Asia series has concluded successfully, thanks to the enthusiastic participation of engineers from Taiwan and the Asia-Pacific region. Special appreciation goes to the industry partners for their strong support, including Cadence, GigaDevice, MEET International, MetaAge, Mouser Electronics, MSquare Technology, Nuvoton Technology, NXP, Texas Instruments (TI), TÜV NORD Taiwan, and Vicinity Technologies.

We eagerly look forward to the 2025 edition, where we will continue to celebrate technological innovation and collaborative achievements. For the complete list of winners and technical highlights, please refer to the attachment at the end of this article and join us in recognizing the brilliance of the 2024 EE Awards Asia!

EE Awards Asia official website: https://site.eettaiwan.com/events/eeaward2024/index.html

EE Master Forum: https://site.eettaiwan.com/events/eeaward2024/summit.html

Complete list of winners: https://site.eettaiwan.com/events/eeaward2024/index.html

News information area (photos): https://aspencore.pse.is/3rggj7

For more information, visit https://aspencore.com

About AspenCore

AspenCore is a unique collection of brands and products that have set the standard in meeting the demands of today’s engineers.

We reach over 15 million technologists, designers, engineers, and managers. We connect this electronics community to reliable news, authoritative analysis, industry trends, and daily information on new technology.

Our brands include EE Times, Electronic Products, EPSNews, ESM China, IoT Times, Power Electronics News, EDN, EEWeb, Electro Schematics, Elektroda.pl, Embedded.com, Planet Analog, and more.

Contact Person
Celia Shih
Marketing Manager
Taiwan/ASEAN Marketing and Circulation Department
T: +886 227591366 Ext. 103/222E: celia.shih@aspencore.com

Homegrown Robobarista Ella Achieves Highest Daily Record of 400 Cups of Coffee Sold at Sengkang General Hospital, Paving Way for Additional Waves of Expansion in the Healthcare Sector

On-demand, AI-powered Robobarista further expand its footprint to Alexandra Hospital as testament to the rising demand for quality beverages coupled with high-tech automation in healthcare and service sectors.

Ella, Singapore’s AI-powered Robobarista, has integrated into the healthcare ecosystem with major healthcare facilities namely, Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Alexandra Hospital as its third location.
While it was originally developed for the retail industry, Ella’s success in the healthcare industry has proven its versatility in carving out a niche to serve specialised sectors in need of on-demand beverages 24/7.
In 2024, Ella is poised for expansion to more SingHealth hospitals and facilities locally, as it continues to serve barista-grade coffee at precision and speed.

Ella by Crown Digital, Singapore’s first fully-autonomous, AI-led robot barista, has garnered significant acclaim at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH) and Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Her remarkable success in serving healthcare professionals and visitors with precision and efficiency has propelled her expansion into additional healthcare facilities across the nation. Alexandra Hospital is the latest to benefit from Ella’s presence, marking a milestone in her service journey nationwide.

Following Ella’s resounding success in her deployment at SKH, where she not only met but exceeded expectations by achieving a record daily average of 400 cups of coffee, her adaptability and relevance in healthcare settings became undeniable. Seamlessly integrating into the hospital environment, Ella continues to bring convenience and comfort to all through her consistent, efficient and contactless approach to serve high volumes of coffee at precision and speed. Now, with her recent launch at Alexandra Hospital, Ella has elicited positive feedback from healthcare providers, patients, and visitors alike within her first week.

“We are excited to launch Ella in Alexandra Hospital, extending the comfort and convenience of a great cuppa she’s brought to Sengkang General Hospital since October last year. By delivering high-quality barista-grade coffee to our healthcare heroes, patients, and caregivers, Ella embodies our commitment to unparalleled efficiency and reliability. Occupying just four-square-metres, Ella can be easily deployed across various locations while seamlessly managing payments, orders, production, and pick-up through Crown Digital’s technology stack. As we forge ahead, embracing innovation and robotics solutions, our success at SKH drives our continued expansion, commitment and leadership in this space,” said Keith Tan, CEO and Founder of Crown Digital.

Ella’s success underscores the consistent demand in healthcare settings for her precision, speed, and contactless efficiency in serving best tasting coffee ensuring unparalleled convenience and satisfaction to all stakeholders. Originally designed for the retail sector, Ella’s success in healthcare has solidified her position and expanded her reach to serve more consumers. Since her inception in 2018, Ella has delighted coffee enthusiasts locally and globally with artisanal, barista-grade coffee crafted from specially-curated Italian Buscaglione beans, ensuring consistent quality and precision. Capable of serving over 200 cups in an hour, Ella offers a swift coffee fix, significantly reducing wait times during peak periods.

Charity Wai, Chief Operating Officer of Sengkang General Hospital added, “Ella has earned a popular following in Sengkang General Hospital as visitors and staff alike appreciate the barista-grade coffee served with consistency, precision and speed. Having the first fully-autonomous AI-led robot barista aligns well with SKH’s vision also in using robotics and digitalisation to ensure we deliver quality care consistently and efficiently! It’s great to see our visitors, patients and hospital staff able to access a good cup of coffee around the clock.”

“Ella was a lifesaver during my husband’s 6-week stay at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. On the many occasions that I stayed over with my husband, waking up to a nice fresh cup of coffee was essential. Subscribing to the pre-order service ensured I was able to have a quality cup of coffee anytime of the day which I appreciated the most. The commute between home, office and hospital became such a routine that Ella was the only comfort that kept my spirits up. It’s incredible how technology can bring such comfort, turning every stressful situation into a positive moment. Ella’s more than just a robot barista, but a beacon of cheer in a place where people are most vulnerable,” shared Crystal Bok, whose husband was warded at Mount Elizabeth Hospital.

Following Crown Digital’s success with three major healthcare providers in Singapore — SingHealth, National University Health System, and Parkway Health — Ella is poised for wider adoption in 2024.

About Crown Digital
Full-stack start-up Crown Digital began with the goal of delivering a contactless coffee experience gourmet experience to the world’s growing community of grab-and-go commuters. Its creation, ELLA, the one of world’s first successful robot barista, humanised technology and demonstrated the potential of robotics and AI to re-invent the commuter lifestyle experience and re-energize urban retail. As ELLA deploys across major Asian transit hubs and retail locations, and now into the European Market, Crown Digital brings its expertise and insights to find new ways to create social value through robotics. The company strives to re-imagine and re-invent consumer-facing robotics to become the leading inventor, operator, and distributor of future-ready solutions.

For media enquiries, please contact ella@preciouscomms.com.