Author name: admin

Signing Multiple MoUs to Drive Regional FinTech Collaboration and Innovation HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – Cyberport led a delegation of its FinTech start-ups to participate in MyFintech Week 2025 (MyFW 2025), held in Kuala Lumpur from 4 to 7 August. During the event, Cyberport witnessed its community start-ups signing multiple Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with international and local FinTech partners, promoting cross-border innovation and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the ASEAN region in FinTech and innovative technology applications. Cyberport led a delegation of its FinTech start-ups to participate in MyFintech Week 2025, held in Kuala Lumpur from 4 to 7 August. During the event, Cyberport witnessed its community start-ups signing multiple Memoranda of Understanding with international and local FinTech partners, promoting cross-border innovation and strengthening ties between Hong Kong and the ASEAN region in FinTech and innovative technology applications. Themed “Ideate, Innovate, Co-create: Shaping the Future of Finance,” MyFW 2025 focused on regional collaboration and reshaping the financial landscape to drive a more innovative and inclusive future. Cyberport organised a series of exclusive side events throughout the week, including: a start-up pitch session showcasing innovative solutions to Malaysian and regional investors; panel discussions fostering in-depth exchanges between Hong Kong and local FinTech ecosystems; and MoU signing ceremonies for five cross-border partnership agreements. Among these partnerships was the launch of a groundbreaking digital insurance programme with the potential to benefit over 100 million users, underscoring Hong Kong’s pivotal role as a “super connector” and “super value-adder” in advancing regional FinTech collaboration. Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, “As a key economy in ASEAN, Malaysia is experiencing rapid growth in FinTech, offering significant opportunities for Hong Kong’s technology enterprises to expand into the ASEAN market. Cyberport, as Hong Kong’s digital technology hub and key incubator, is committed to connecting local start-ups with regional opportunities, helping them showcase their innovative capabilities and explore international markets. By leading our start-ups to MyFW 2025, we aim to deepen I&T exchange between Hong Kong and ASEAN, further strengthening Hong Kong’s position as a regional digital economy and FinTech hub.” Cyberport Start-ups Sign Multiple MoUs in Malaysia Cyberport start-up Coded Solution, a blockchain project consulting and Blockchain as-a-Service (BaaS) technology service provider, has parented with Malaysia’s leading FinTech company VSure Tech to officially launch the “Flexi Benefits” pilot programme. This initiative marks a significant integration of the traditional insurance industry with Web3.0 blockchain technology. The programme will be trialled with SMEs on the VSure.life platform and is expected to expand across Southeast Asia. It adopts an on-demand, embedded insurance model that offers flexible coverage tailored to business needs. Leveraging VSure’s extensive regional partner network in Southeast Asia, the programme has the potential to reach over 100 million users, demonstrating substantial scalability. In the area of green and sustainable finance, Coded Solution signed an MoU with Malaysian e-payment provider AsiaPay Malaysia to introduce the Green Assets Reward Program (GARP) — a tokenised carbon credit reward solution—to the Malaysian market. The GARP programme will officially launch in Hong Kong during “Hong Kong Green Week” on 11 September, followed by its promotion in Malaysia and other regional markets. The initiative aims to showcase Hong Kong’s successful green finance innovation model to Malaysia and the broader ASEAN region. In addition, the two parties plan to sponsor a recent Green and Sustainable Fintech Proof-of-Concept Funding Support Scheme with Bizteg Solutions Limited, under the Carbon Trading Analytics and Technology category. At the same time, Coded Solution signed an MoU with Sinegy DAX Sdn Bhd, Malaysia’s first homegrown and regulated digital asset exchange, to jointly develop a secure and user-friendly platform for secondary market trading of tokenised financial products. This collaboration will introduce new investment opportunities in innovative financial products, injecting vitality into capital markets and expanding investor access to asset tokenisation in the region. Cyberport incubatee BRDGX, a cross-border payment solutions provider, has signed an MoU with global payment service provider Visa Direct. The collaboration aims to blends Visa’s global network with BRDGX’s expertise in local currency enablement for Southeast Asia, regulatory compliance, and payment orchestration—empowering businesses to make faster, more secure cross-border transactions. Supported by the Cyberport Incubation Programme (CIP), BRDGX has successfully expanded into multiple Southeast Asian markets, with Malaysia as a key growth market, showcasing Cyberport’s commitment and strategic support for its community start-ups and FinTech innovation. Another Cyberport start-up, BlueOnion, a FinTech and RegTech solution provider, signed an MoU with ESG Malaysia. The agreement covers multiple areas, including ESG capacity building and training, policy advocacy and engagement, and pilot programme development aimed at advancing corporate’s ESG awareness and sustainable business practices. BlueOnion is recognised for its unified FinTech and RegTech platform, excelling in sustainability data collection, greenwashing detection, and compliance workflow automation. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to advancing sustainable business practices in Southeast Asia and supporting the establishment of regional ESG standards. Cyberport Hosts Exclusive Side Events to Support Start-ups Expanding into the Southeast Asian market Cyberport hosted the “MyFintech Week 2025 – Cyberport Side Event” on 4 August, with support from the Fintech Association of Malaysia (FAOM), Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and the Securities Commission Malaysia. The programme featured start-up pitches, pilot programme launches, MoU signing ceremonies, and two panel discussions on “Bridging Traditional & Digital Finance” and “Financial Resilience and Tech Inclusion for an Aging Society. These panels included contributions from senior representatives of Vsure, CoKeeps, KAMI, Sunway Sanctuary, Care Concierge, and ＭHub. Cyberport representatives also attended MoU signing ceremonies on 5 August and facilitated investor meetings on 6 August with GoBi Partners, The Hive, HeliCap, Artem Ventures Sdn Bhd, and Vynn Capital. These meetings introduced innovative solutions from Hong Kong FinTech start-ups to Malaysian investment institutions. Through these activities, Cyberport aims to lay a strong foundation for its start-ups’ growth in Malaysia, further enhancing Hong Kong’s FinTech influence in Southeast Asia. Cyberport is Committed to Fostering the FinTech Ecosystem, Strengthening its Role as “Super Connector” Cyberport is actively expanding its

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – Sponsored by Octa broker, the second instalment of the STATUS 200 coding bootcamp is held on-site in Kuala Lumpur. Stage 1 is already over—28 students out of 34 successfully completed their test assignments and proceeded to Stage 2. This second part of the bootcamp will be challenging and exciting for the participants as they dive deeper into coding across 240 hours of intense learning. Octa’s coding bootcamp 2025 This summer, for the second year in a row, Octa broker teamed up with Ideas International to carry out a free coding bootcamp in Malaysia. Back in 2024, the STATUS 200 bootcamp received great feedback from both teachers and participants, so the continuation was really due. This year, the STATUS 200 2.0 bootcamp is held exclusively on-site in Kuala Lumpur, in two stages. While the first stage offered an introductory HTML & CSS basics course, the second one is much longer and much more intense. Stretching throughout July and August, it consists of a whopping 240 study hours over six weeks, with sessions running eight hours per day, five days a week. The Stage 2 agenda focuses on JavaScript, Node.js, and AI-powered development tools. Out of 34 initial participants, 28 were selected for Stage 2 based on their attendance and test assignment results. Given that the bootcamp doesn’t require a coding background, the agenda looks very ambitious: students who complete Stage 2 will acquire the coding skills sufficient for a junior developer-level position. As in 2024, Octa’s partner for this charity project is Ideas International. It’s a Kuala Lumpur-based inclusive secondary school that focuses on promoting affordable education among underprivileged, UNHCR (The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), foreign, and Malaysian students. Bootcamp’s goals In accordance with its long-term charity mission, Octa broker believes in creating educational and personal development opportunities in various regions. Octa chose coding as the focus area of its bootcamp because it is a merit-based field where background is much less important than hard work. In this respect, coding creates new career and life opportunities—as does trading in the financial markets. Some students even see coding and trading as complementary disciplines. In the words of one of this year’s bootcamp participants, ‘I’m serious about using code to improve my trading and ready to put in the time and effort to make it happen. For me, every challenge is a chance to learn and grow. That is exactly what makes coding so exciting’. As the sponsor and driving force behind the bootcamp, Octa broker looks forward to students successfully completing the second stage. Octa believes the 2025 graduates will receive a career and motivation boost through their newly acquired coding skills and networking experience. Disclaimer: This press release does not contain or constitute investment advice or recommendations and does not consider your investment objectives, financial situation, or needs. Any actions taken based on this content are at your sole discretion and risk—Octa does not accept any liability for any resulting losses or consequences. Hashtag: #Octa The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Octa Broker Octa is an international CFD broker that has been providing online trading services worldwide since 2011. It offers commission-free access to financial markets and various services used by clients from 180 countries who have opened more than 52 million trading accounts. To help its clients reach their investment goals, Octa offers free educational webinars, articles, and analytical tools. The company is involved in a comprehensive network of charitable and humanitarian initiatives, including improving educational infrastructure and funding short-notice relief projects to support local communities. In Southeast Asia, Octa received the ‘Best Trading Platform Malaysia 2024’ and the ‘Most Reliable Broker Asia 2023’ awards from Brands and Business Magazine and International Global Forex Awards, respectively.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – Neo Smiles Dental Studio marks its 10th anniversary, reflecting on a decade of growth from a one-chair practice in the heartlands to a multi-branch provider of specialist orthodontic care. With clinics operating in Bedok, Serangoon, and Bishan, the practice group continues to serve students, working adults, and families through flexible appointment hours and structured treatment options designed for community accessibility. Neo Smiles 10 year celebration From Start-Up to Multi-Branch Practice Neo Smiles began as a solo practice focused on delivering affordable orthodontic care to residents in the heartlands. Over time, the clinic expanded its team and facilities to meet growing demand. Today, the clinic operates as a specialist orthodontic clinic chain in Singapore with three locations, offering a full suite of orthodontic care. The team includes three orthodontists, one oral surgeon, and several general dentists. Services range from traditional metal and ceramic braces to Damon self-ligating systems and aligner treatments such as Invisalign, as well as oral surgery procedures, including wisdom tooth removal with sedation, and routine dental care. Neo Smiles has also been awarded the Invisalign Diamond Tier Practice, supported by in-clinic technology, dedicated orthodontic staff, and the use of iTero Lumina 3D intraoral scanners. Clinics are designed with patient comfort in mind, featuring amenities such as piped-in music, aromatherapy, and overhead televisions to create a more relaxed treatment environment. “When we started Neo Smiles, our goal was to provide accessible specialist care without requiring patients to travel into the city,” said Dr Neo Bijuan, Clinical Director at Neo Smiles Dental Studio. “Ten years on, we remain focused on bringing structured, reliable care to neighbourhoods where it’s needed most.” Adapting to Challenges and Expanding Access The clinic’s 10-year journey has included significant challenges, such as staffing disruptions especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, Neo Smiles relocated its Kovan branch to Serangoon Central due to an unexpected site closure. The move enabled the team to continue operations in a more centrally located space, allowing for greater accessibility for patients in the area. Dental technology has progressed significantly, and Neo Smiles has incorporated digital tools into its clinical workflow. Intraoral scanners are used to generate precise 3D digital models of a patient’s teeth and gums, replacing traditional physical impressions. The clinic also employs CBCT (Cone Beam Computed Tomography) imaging, which supports detailed diagnostics and treatment planning while using lower radiation levels compared to conventional CT scans. Patient-Centred Milestones Over the past decade, the clinic’s photo wall has become a familiar feature, displaying Polaroid snapshots of patients who have completed their braces or Invisalign dental treatments. This visual record reflects the number of individuals who have completed their treatment plans and has become a long-standing tradition at Neo Smiles, capturing meaningful moments in their orthodontic care journeys. The clinic continues to serve families, with parents bringing in children for early consultations and routine follow-ups. In addition to services such as braces for kids, Neo Smiles now offers a broader range of pre- and post-treatment options, including teeth whitening, stain removal, and black triangle management. The clinic also provides procedural support such as CBCT 3D X-ray imaging and sedation options for wisdom tooth surgeries, enabling continuity of care across different treatment stages. Looking Ahead to the Next Decade Neo Smiles continues to focus on improving access to specialist orthodontic care, especially for patients in the heartlands. To support affordability, the clinic provides student braces packages, flexible instalment options and dental financial assistance for eligible patients. The clinic is also Medisave-accredited and accepts Pioneer Generation, Merdeka Generation, and CHAS subsidies. In addition, the clinic participates in the Baby Bonus Scheme and accepts CDC, LifeSG, and SG60 vouchers. As the clinic enters its 11th year, Neo Smiles remains focused on its founding purpose: providing accessible, structured treatment while prioritising the patient experience. Although its services and technology have expanded over the years, the team’s focus on attentive service and fostering a welcoming environment continues to shape its daily practice. For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit www.neosmiles.com.sg or contact the clinic directly. Hashtag: #NeoSmiles https://neosmiles.com.sg/https://sg.linkedin.com/company/neo-smiles-dental-studiohttps://www.facebook.com/neosmiles/https://www.instagram.com/neosmiles/ The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Neo Smiles Dental Studio Neo Smiles Dental Studio is a Singapore-based practice specialising in orthodontic and general dental services. Since opening its first clinic in Bedok in 2014, Neo Smiles has expanded to three locations, providing treatments such as braces, Invisalign, oral surgery, and general dental care. The clinic is committed to making specialist orthodontic care accessible through evening and weekend appointments, heartland locations, and structured payment plans.

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – Octa Broker is providing an in-depth overview of the week’s key events and actionable insights to help traders navigate this high-stakes environment with confidence. July was a relatively quiet month for gold, at least by the recent standards. XAUUSD, the primary financial instrument for trading bullion, fluctuated in a very narrow 30-dollar range between roughly 3,270 and 3,300 per ounce (oz). This sideways trend, which has been in place since May, reflects a state of continuing market uncertainty. While gold did not set a new high after a strong performance in April, it remained comfortably above the $3,000 mark and managed to stay above the critical 100-day moving average despite coming close to breaching it. The previous month was notably calm, with no single day’s price change exceeding 1.6%, a rare occurrence for the typically volatile precious metal. Overall, investors and traders drove gold into a period of consolidation as they continued navigating a landscape of persistent geopolitical tensions, ongoing trade disputes, and shifting U.S. monetary policy expectations. Still, XAUUSD experienced its first monthly decline since December 2024, albeit a modest one of just 0.4%. Although the general trading environment in the financial markets was anything but calm, XAUUSD offered a rather smooth ride for traders, as it was free from any significant market-moving events. We have singled out only a few significant ones: Major market-moving events: 1 – 2 July. Gold surged over 1.6% in two days, as investors sought a safe haven following the U.S. Senate’s passage of a major tax-cut and spending bill. This new legislation, which is expected to create a $3 trillion deficit over the next decade, is widely believed to be highly inflationary. In addition, gold prices firmed after a weaker-than-expected ADP employment report fueled hopes of the U.S. Federal Reserve (Fed) cutting rates sooner than anticipated. 11 July. XAUUSD gained more than 1% in a single trading day after U.S. President Donald Trump said that he would impose a 35% tariff on Canadian imports and announced plans to impose blanket tariffs of 15% or 20% on most other trading partners. 21 – 22 July. Over the course of two trading sessions, gold prices surged to a five-week high, gaining more than 2%. This climb was largely driven by rising market uncertainty ahead of an 1 August deadline, at which point the U.S. was scheduled to impose new tariffs on a number of countries. 23 – 30 July. Over a week-long period, gold prices declined steadily, primarily due to positive developments in international trade and a lack of anticipated interest rate cuts. Initially, the price of gold started to fall as progress was made on a trade deal between the U.S. and the European Union (EU), which followed a similar agreement with Japan. This easing of global trade tensions bolstered riskier assets like stocks and strengthened the U.S. dollar, making gold less attractive to investors. The decline was further exacerbated when the Fed, despite political pressure, held interest rates steady and offered no clear timeline for future cuts, which would have typically supported gold prices. Silver and other precious metals like platinum and palladium also experienced significant price drops throughout the week. Fundamentals Although gold entered a period of consolidation, the broader, long-term trend is still decidedly bullish, as gold’s price remains comfortably above key trendlines and MAs. Overall, chaotic U.S. trade policy, rising fears about the sustainability of the U.S. twin deficits (fiscal and trade), endless geopolitical tensions and political instability, and solid structural demand on the part of central banks helped keep the bullion’s price near all-time highs. Still, traders that continue to bet on future price increases should be cautious as record-high prices seem to have already started to dent physical demand for bullion. China As the world’s leading gold consumer, China’s purchasing activities can influence global gold markets significantly. The latest statistic on physical demand has been somewhat bearish. According to Reuters[1], net gold imports by China through Hong Kong dropped by nearly 60% in June compared to May, totaling 19.37 metric tons (mt). The import data aligns with a reported 3.5% decrease in China’s overall gold consumption during the first half of 2025. India India, the world’s second largest gold consumer, has also been under stress lately, as record-high prices are significantly reducing demand for gold jewelry. The World Gold Council (WGC) forecasts[2] Indian consumption will fall to a five-year low in 2025 and reach between 600 and 700 mt, a notable drop from the 802.8 mt consumed in 2024. Despite the overall decline, investment demand for gold is seeing a boost, with inflows into Indian gold Exchange-Traded Funds (ETFs) surging tenfold in June. Switzerland Switzerland’s crucial role in the global gold market is in refining and trading. The country is home to some of the world’s largest gold refineries, which process a significant portion of the world’s newly mined and recycled gold. Therefore, its customs data on gold exports may shed light on the overall demand situation. Last month, Swiss Customs reported[3] that gold exports from the country surged 44% in June, reaching their highest level since March. This increase was primarily driven by a significant flow of gold from the U.S. to the UK, with the bullion passing through Swiss refineries. According to Swiss customs data, exports to the UK alone jumped to 83.8 mt in June from just 16.0 mt in May. This trend of gold returning to London vaults comes after billions of dollars worth of the metal were sent to the U.S. earlier in the year to hedge against potential tariffs that were ultimately not imposed. The London Bullion Market Association also reported a 2.1% month-on-month increase in gold held in London vaults in June, reaching the highest level since August 2023. Central Banks Central banks have been purchasing gold to diversify their reserves, lessen reliance on the U.S. dollar while also protecting against inflation and economic instability. Currently, there are

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 August 2025 – Last week, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government published a comprehensive report on the city’s business environment, coinciding with the announcement of the city’s advance estimates on economic performance in the second quarter of 2025. The report’s analysis together with positive economic data accurately reflect Hong Kong’s resilient business-friendly environment with strong appeal for companies and talent from around the world. In the April-to-June period, Hong Kong recorded solid 3.1% year-on-year GDP growth. This 10th consecutive quarter of economic expansion was supported by strong exports performance and improved domestic demand: total exports of goods recorded an increase of 11.5% over a year earlier, while private consumption expenditure increased by 1.9%. This solid broad-based performance could be vividly seen in the high number of visitors to the city, including tourists and business visitors drawn by an array of events across town ranging from trade fairs to cultural festivals to mega sports events. One such event was the first Hong Kong Football Festival at the new Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) which saw close to 100,000 football fans packing the Kai Tak Stadium over two match days featuring games between Liverpool and AC Milan followed by Arsenal against Tottenham Hotspur. The crowd included the one-millionth spectator at the Kai Tak Stadium since it opened just five months ago. A near capacity crowd watches Arsenal take on Tottenham Hotspur at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium (July 31) Hong Kong welcomed about 24 million visitors in the first half of 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 12%. Visitor arrivals from the Mainland saw a year-on-year increase of 10% while those from the rest of the world increased 17% over the same period last year. Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’ The economic statistics fully endorse the analysis in the Government’s 102-page “Report on Hong Kong’s Business Environment: Unique Strengths under ‘One Country, Two Systems’”. Under “One Country, Two Systems”, Hong Kong is known for its robust legal and financial systems, simple and low tax regime, strategic location at the heart of Asia, advanced infrastructure, pool of top-notch talent, and high-quality professional services. With its close connectivity to leading global business centres, Hong Kong offers a dynamic, free and open, convenient and safe place for doing business, making it a preferred destination for corporate investment. Beyond tourism services, developments in other sectors have been picking up in recent years, further boosting confidence in the local economy. Despite continued global uncertainties, the sentiment about Hong Kong’s stock market has steadily improved. In the first half of 2025, the Hang Seng Index has risen by more than 4,000 points, registering an increase of about 20%. The amount of IPO fundraising reached over US$13.6 billion in the first six months of the year, placing Hong Kong in a leading position among major global exchanges. Vibrant IPO activities continued in July with nine IPOs raising more than US$2.3 billion. Meanwhile, overall investment expenditure increased further alongside the economic expansion. The HKSAR Government’s Office for Attracting Strategic Enterprises (OASES) has successfully attracted 84 strategic enterprises to set up or expand their operations in Hong Kong. It is expected that they will invest a total of around US$6.4 billion and create more than 20,000 jobs in Hong Kong in the coming few years. Also, since January 2023, Invest Hong Kong has assisted more than 1,300 overseas and Mainland China companies to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong, bringing in foreign direct investment of more than US$20.3 billion. Initiatives to attract top talents and professionals from around the world are also paying dividends. Various talent attraction schemes have received nearly 500,000 applications with nearly 330,000 of them approved and almost 220,000 talents already arrived in Hong Kong. Amid lingering uncertainties in the external environment, the HKSAR Government will continue striving to promote economic growth on different fronts and make the most of the city’s longstanding and unique “One Country, Two Systems” advantages to maintain the city’s reputation as a resilient, open, free and competitive economy. Hashtag: #hongkong #brandhongkong #asiasworldcity #economicgrowth #business https://www.brandhk.gov.hk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/brand-hong-kong/https://x.com/Brand_HK/https://www.facebook.com/brandhk.isdhttps://www.instagram.com/brandhongkong The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.