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Empowering Businesses Expand Globally and Foster New Productivity Forces HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2025 – The Formnext Asia Shenzhen 2025 (exhibition) was held from 26 to 28 August at the Shenzhen World Exhibition and Convention Center. This year’s exhibition, themed “Shaping a new era of manufacturing in China,” brought together 265 renowned technology companies and industry leaders, becoming a bellwether for Asia’s additive manufacturing industry. As a key driver of 3D printing technology development in Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) participated in the exhibition for the first time as a technical partner, showcasing innovative achievements across the entire industry value chain, including materials, equipment and application solutions. The participation aims to enable businesses in seizing regional economic growth opportunities and promoting technological innovation and industrial upgrades. The future manufacturing market offers immense potential, particularly in smart manufacturing, green technology, and emerging industries such as biotechnology and robotics. As a key enabler for accelerating future manufacturing, 3D printing technology facilitates highly customised and flexible manufacturing, for small-batch production of diverse products that can rapidly meet personalised market demands. The mold-free nature of 3D printing significantly reduces upfront costs of small-batch production, empowering companies to shorten lead times, stand out in the global marketplace, and improve pricing competitiveness. Future manufacturing models will integrate technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things, creating smart production systems that boost efficiency and reduce costs while driving the application of lightweight and intelligent materials —ultimately accelerating innovation and market development. From Innovation to Application: Demonstrating Cutting-Edge Technology As a leading international research institute, HKPC brings nearly 30 years of extensive expertise in 3D printing technology and industrial application. Dedicated in technology application research and providing comprehensive professional services, HKPC empowers various industries to meet specific market needs and manufacture high-value, customised products. This approach facilitates businesses diversification and fosters the development of high-value strategic industry chains. At the exhibition, HKPC featured research and development (R&D) breakthroughs from the “HKPC-HP 3D Printing Technology Centre”, the first in Asia equipped with both HP’s research version of “Metal Jet” and “Multi Jet Fusion” industrial 3D printers. The showcases highlighted the diverse applications of 3D printing technology and advanced manufacturing processes across sectors, from industrial components to fashion accessories. Furthermore, HKPC displays a series of advanced materials technology applications, designed to empowering emerging industries such as the low-altitude economy, healthcare, and humanoid robotics. Combining AI and 3D Printing to Drive Innovation and Promote New Productivity Forces Mr Edmond LAI, Chief Digital Officer, and Chief Executive Officer of Mainland Business of the Hong Kong Productivity Council, attended the opening ceremony on the first day of the exhibition and participated in the “China Additive Manufacturing Globalisation Seminar”. He delivered a speech titled “Powering Innovation: Going Global with Emerging 3D Printing Technologies to Advance New Productive Forces”, discussing the future development blueprint of the innovative 3D printing industry with industry leaders. Mr Edmond LAI said, “Leveraging our extensive industry experience, HKPC has established comprehensive support and implementation capabilities, from technology R&D to industrial application. We are delighted to participate in this exhibition and showcase Hong Kong’s leading achievements and strengths in 3D printing, as a pivotal engine for driving new productivity forces and shaping the future of manufacturing. The integration with AI will unlock more efficient and flexible production models to meet market demands for lightweighting, customisation, and smart manufacturing. HKPC will continue to strengthen collaborative innovation partnerships. Through ‘The Cradle – Going Global Service Centre’, we will faciliate more manufacturing companies in Hong Kong and the mainland to go global and building a more competitive and resilient industrial system.” HKPC is actively pursuing 3D printing solutions integrated with AI, including: Collaborating with Nanjing ZhongKe ShenGuang Science&Technology Co., ltd, a R&D arm of National Innovation Center par Excellence (NICE), to develop an AI-assisted high-entropy alloy 3D printing system. The collaboration aims to efficiently design complex high-entropy alloy materials and optimize printing parameters, effectively eliminating the current time-consuming and tedious experimental processes and enhancing work efficiency. The HKPC is also in discussions with the Aachen Center for Additive Manufacturing in Germany to develop an AI model to optimize the design of metal bonded parts. By inputting material natures and process parameters, the model accelerates sintering predictions for 3D printed models, shortening product development cycles and design time, and reducing R&D costs. Furthermore, HKPC is actively empowering businesses to adopt 3D printing technology and establish microfactories overseas, maximising production efficiency within limited spaces. By integrating advanced intelligent technologies, companies can respond with agility to market demands. Emphasizing “hyperlocalisation,” microfactories leverages local resources and talent to build resilient manufacturing ecosystems, enhance operational flexibility, and strengthen international competitiveness. Bringing Together Industry Experts to Explore the Future of Smart Manufacturing During the exhibition, HKPC hosted a series of forward-thinking “Tech Talk” seminars. Technical experts covered the application of green materials in smart manufacturing and the cross-sector potential of industrial 3D printing for customised production. They also explored how machine vision and smart manufacturing enhance production quality control and boost productivity across various industries. These seminars fostered interaction between HKPC and members of the Hong Kong 3D Printing Association, strengthening industry collaboration and advancing an innovative ecosystem. For a brief introduction to the highlight exhibits, please click here to see the appendix. Hashtag: #HKPC The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Hong Kong Productivity Council The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) is a multi-disciplinary organisation established by statute in 1967, to promote productivity excellence through relentless drive of world-class advanced technologies and innovative service offerings to support Hong Kong enterprises. As a nationwide leader in innovative, market-driven research and development (R&D) internationally, specialising in leading technologies and all-rounded manufacturing services, HKPC promotes new industrialisation in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area and facilitates the development of new productive forces, leveraging innovation and technology (I&T), as well as bolstering Hong Kong to be an international innovation and technology centre and a smart

Baby Boomers wish they started planning 12 years earlier SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2025 – As Singapore celebrates 60 years of independence, Gen Zs (aged 16-28) are optimistic about their financial future in the next 60 years ahead. Half (51 per cent) of them are confident they will be able to retire well and pay for their daily necessities, healthcare and other expenses. This young cohort displays slightly more optimism than Millennials (45 per cent) and Gen Xs (38 per cent). However, 72 per cent of Gen Zs say that they do not have a retirement plan. As they are mostly students and new entrants to the workforce, they are focused on growing their earning power and prefer to begin saving for retirement when they have more disposable income later in life. Gen Zs have unique work/life preferences that need to be considered in developing their retirement plans. They are focused on earning multiple income streams (41 per cent). In addition, 60 per cent do not value work-life balance over career advancement, more so than older generations. About 32 per cent hope to find remote work opportunities so they can balance work and travel, and 22 per cent are keen on having multiple “micro-retirements”. Half (54 per cent) expect to retire by the age of 60, and 20 per cent aim to do so by 50. These insights are from the SG60 Financial Future Poll[1] commissioned by Prudential Singapore (“Prudential”), which surveyed 1,000 Singapore residents aged 17 to 76 in July 2025. It explores how ready Singaporeans are for retirement over the next 60 years and asks Baby Boomers (aged 55 and above) about the financial decisions that they might have made differently. Mr Jeff Ang, CEO of Prudential Financial Advisers Singapore, said: “Gen Zs are confident about the next 60 years because they have grown up in a nation that has flourished and provided them with the opportunities to thrive. They are go-getters who are willing to work hard while they are young to cultivate multiple income streams, but they want to do so on their own terms, with frequent travel and breaks. “While it is easy to delay retirement planning when you are focused on earning, it is important to boost your financial power by seeking financial advice early. You don’t need a large sum to begin—starting small and staying consistent can go a long way, especially with the power of compounding. Optimism and hustle are great, and when paired with financial planning, they will set you up for long-term success.” Baby Boomers wish they had started financial planning 12 years earlier Gen Zs could do well from listening to the advice of Baby Boomers who have decades of experience in managing their money. Almost all Baby Boomers (94 per cent) said they would have changed their approach to financial planning. They wish they had started financial planning 12 years earlier – at age[2] 28, rather than 40. On average, Singaporeans across all ages said they should have started five years earlier. Reflecting on their life journey, Baby Boomers’ top regrets for delaying retirement planning include: 61 per cent wish they built stronger financial habits sooner 49 per cent think they could have retired much earlier with timely financial planning 45 per cent feel they would have experienced less stress about retirement savings 35 per cent wish they had begun investing earlier 28 per cent regret unnecessary spending Said Mdm Sherafina Tan, 62: “In hindsight, I wish I had started planning for retirement much earlier. Now that I’m retired, I’m more aware of how quickly expenses can add up, especially as the cost of living continues to rise and healthcare becomes more expensive. Although I have supportive children, I don’t want to be a financial burden to them. I was thinking I’ll spend 10-20 years in retirement, but it may be 30 years or more since we are living longer. I should have done more with my spare cash by investing the money.” The high cost of living (75 per cent), healthcare costs (56 per cent), and insufficient income growth (50 per cent), were cited as key concerns among the respondents of the different age groups. Added Mr Ang: “Older Singaporeans are now focusing on how to live well beyond 60 and into their golden years. They need lasting wealth streams to manage the inevitably increasing costs of living due to inflation and other factors. Your CPF and bank savings are a good start to achieving financial security. This should be complemented by a diversified wealth portfolio with the right investments to bring in passive income and adequate life and health insurance coverage to support your lifestyle over time.” When asked how they would fund their retirement, the majority of respondents cited CPF savings (67 per cent) and bank savings (62 per cent) as their top sources of funding for retirement. They also intend to draw on other wealth generation options including stocks, index mutual funds/Exchange Trade Funds (“ETFs”) tracking indices such as S&P 500, bonds, insurance policies and investment-linked plans (ILPs). Concludes Mr Ang: “Our survey shows that Gen Zs and Millennials are more likely to invest in index mutual funds and ETFs, while relying less on insurance for retirement compared to the older generations. They should also consider protection as part of their long-term financial strategy. Health insurance is best bought early while you are still in good health. Other types of insurance such as savings and wealth accumulation solutions can offer the growth and stability that Singaporeans look for as they manage rising costs and plan for life beyond 60.” [1] Gen Zs (aged 16-28); Millennials (aged 29-44); Gen X (aged 45-55); Baby Boomers (aged 55+). There was equal representation across the four generational segments, with 250 respondents per group. [2] Median age. Hashtag: #Prudential #Prudential #FinancialFuturePoll #PrudentialFinancialFuturePoll https://www.prudential.com.sg/https://www.linkedin.com/company/prudential-assurance-company-singapore The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Prudential Assurance Company Singapore (Pte) Ltd (Prudential Singapore)  Prudential

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 August 2025 – The National Innovation Agency (Public Organization), or NIA, under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), reaffirms its role as the “Focal Conductor of Innovation” in steering Thailand towards its ambition of becoming an “Innovation Nation” under the vision ‘NIA… Leading Thailand to Innovation Nation.’ Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (NIA) The agency has announced significant achievements in driving Thai innovation businesses towards global competitiveness through its ‘4G’ strategy: Groom, Grant, Growth, and Global. NIA now moves forward with new objectives: to foster innovations that deliver tangible positive impacts on the economy and society, supported by a strong innovation ecosystem. This includes financial support, the development of entrepreneurial capabilities, access to innovation infrastructure, and adaptation to the ongoing volatility of the global economic and social landscape. The goal is to strengthen Thai entrepreneurs and create opportunities for them to expand their investments both domestically and internationally. Dr. Krithpaka Boonfueng, Executive Director of the National Innovation Agency (Public Organization) (NIA), stated that Thailand’s innovation businesses hold several inherent strengths: from the readiness of national policies and infrastructure to the ability to blend culture and technology into creative products and services, leveraging diverse natural resources and the growing regional market that continues to attract foreign investors. These factors have given Thai start-ups and SMEs the opportunity for exponential growth. As Thailand’s Focal Conductor of Innovation, NIA stands ready to link with partners both in Thailand and overseas to promote and support innovation-driven businesses across all dimensions, guided by the 4G framework: Groom: nurturing and developing innovation capability; Grant: providing financial support; Growth: creating opportunities to expand markets and access funding; and Global: propelling Thai innovations onto the international stage. Over the past year, under the ‘Groom’ dimension, NIA has accelerated capability building through 16 innovation training programs delivered by NIA Academy, engaging more than 40,000 participants across youth, entrepreneurs, organizations, and emerging leaders. The agency has also promoted start-up development through the Thailand League Start-up Program, engaging over 250 teams from 50 universities nationwide, equipping students with entrepreneurial skills and perspectives to prepare them for the real-world start-up journey. For start-ups, SMEs, and social enterprises looking to further develop and commercialize their innovations, NIA provides financial support under the ‘Grant’ dimension. This is structured into national development innovation funding and area-based innovation funding, supported by nine mechanisms designed to meet target group needs: Open innovation; Mission-driven innovation programs; Development of standards for innovation businesses; Partial interest support to enhance liquidity; Scaling regional innovation to wider markets; Innovation advisory services; Business expansion support; the ‘Good Innovation, No Interest’ initiative; and Co-funding and investment support, connecting entrepreneurs with public and private capital sources. As of August, NIA has already supported 254 innovation projects this year, with funding exceeding 397 million baht. In the ‘Growth’ dimension, NIA prioritizes expanding market access and funding opportunities both domestically and internationally, particularly in Thailand’s high-potential industries. To this end, the agency has developed acceleration programs for five priority sectors: agriculture, food, medical and healthcare, energy and environment, and tourism/soft power/society. In 2026, NIA aims to accelerate growth for 100 start-ups, targeting innovation-driven revenues of 1 billion baht and attracting an additional 2 billion baht in investment. The agency also continues to highlight and disseminate success stories through the Nil Mangkorn (Blue Dragon) Project, now in its third year. Cohorts 1 and 2 of the projects have enabled more than 40 Thai innovation brands to achieve average revenue growth of 3.4 times, equivalent to an economic impact of over 530 million baht. NIA also positions itself as a global start-up hub, providing services for both Thai start-ups aiming to expand overseas and foreign start-ups seeking to establish businesses in Thailand. Under the ‘Global’ dimension, support ranges from consultancy, market access, and investment facilitation to smart visas and tax measures. Thai start-ups with potential are guided into global markets through international market linkages, partnerships, and overseas business matching activities in countries such as the United States, Sweden, Finland, Qatar, China, Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong. To strengthen these efforts, NIA has also introduced programs to elevate innovation-based enterprises into international markets, including: Corporate Spark: fostering business matching with international start-ups possessing distinctive technologies or services; Global Market Link: creating opportunities to connect and expand markets overseas; and Global Investment Link: enhancing capabilities to attract investment from foreign investors. Dr. Krithpaka added, “Looking ahead to 2026, NIA identifies four global innovation trends that will shape opportunities and challenges for Thai start-ups and SMEs alike. These are: (1) Technology trends such as AI, IoT, and automation; (2) Environmental trends, including alternative energy, energy efficiency, and carbon reduction; (3) Geopolitical trends, covering resource allocation, conflict situations affecting global supply chains, and trade tariffs between Thailand and the United States, all of which demand adaptability from Thai industry and entrepreneurs; and (4) Demographic trends, particularly the shrinking proportion of the working-age population, which will affect economic structures, productivity, health welfare, and demand for goods and services. These present both challenges and opportunities for Thai SMEs and start-ups to adapt and tap into new business prospects arising from such shifts.” In response, NIA has outlined three flagship projects aligned with MHESI policy priorities: (1) the development of Thailand as a regional medical hub; (2) the application of agri-tech and agri-innovation by start-ups; and (3) the acceleration of deep-tech innovation enterprises. Additionally, NIA is advancing the NIA Innovation Journey & Dashboard 2026, a national database system consolidating information on innovation-based entrepreneurs, supported products and services, and growth trajectories. This platform will enable analysis of innovation dynamics to guide future policy direction and support mechanisms. Dr. Krithpaka concluded that “NIA remains firmly committed to promoting and supporting innovations that deliver positive impacts on both the economy and society – what we call Impactful Innovation. This will serve as a driving force to propel Thailand towards becoming a true ‘Innovation Nation’ recognized on the global stage.” Hashtag: #NIA

BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 August 2025 – Artist Bongkojthip Bhirombhakdi (Bua) invites audiences to step into a sanctuary of calm with her latest solo exhibition, Peace in Solitude, on view at Mini Xspace Gallery from August 2 – September 27, 2025. Following her previous series Journey to Tranquility, which explored a personal quest for inner peace through imagined natural landscapes from seas, skies and mountains to trees and various ecosystems, Bongkojthip now turns inward, focusing on the profound experience of arriving at a place of stillness – a state where the mind becomes quiet, calm and receptive. Through her new works, she captures the quiet clarity that emerges when solitude is embraced, and peace arises naturally from within. In this series, Bongkojthip continues her use of the wet-on-wet technique but shifts her approach by working directly with her own hands rather than brushes. This tactile method allows pigments and water to flow more organically, mirroring the spontaneity and unpredictability of nature while embodying an act of mindfulness. The result is a body of work that feels both intimate and expansive, inviting viewers into the artist’s meditative process. “For me, solitude is not emptiness. It is fullness. It is where the noise quiets down. You, then, begin to embrace the present moment and that’s when peace is no longer something to seek. It begins to gently surface. My hope is that viewers can feel this stillness through the work and carry a little of it with them,” says Bongkojthip Bhirombhakdi. Peace in Solitude – A Solo Exhibition by Bongkojthip Bhirombhakdi (Bua) Place: Mini Xspace Gallery, Fl. 1, Bangkok, Thailand Date: August 2 – September 27, 2025 Time: Mon–Sat, 10.00–17.00 More information: www.buabstudio.com The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.