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SINGAPORE & LONDON: watchTowr, the cybersecurity company redefining External Attack Surface Management, today announced the promotion of Elvina Liow to Vice President (VP) of APAC. Having served as VP of Commercial since February 2024, Elvina will now lead watchTowr’s business across the Asia-Pacific region, driving all aspects of business strategy, execution, and growth. Her leadership will be critical to continuing the company’s hyper-growth and strengthening its presence in the region. “Elvina has been pivotal to watchTowr’s continued success and a key driver of our success in the region. Her leadership has been instrumental in expanding watchTowr’s commercial footprint and deepening both customer and partner relationships,” said Benjamin Harris, CEO and founder, watchTowr. “Her deep understanding of both the cybersecurity landscape and our customers’ evolving needs makes her the ideal person to lead our APAC business as we continue our rapid growth and global expansion.” Elvina joined watchTowr in 2022 as an Account Director, following over a decade of experience in senior sales, product management, and business development roles at industry leaders such as NTT and F-Secure. She quickly grew her career at watchTowr, earning a promotion to Head of Commercial within a year and assuming the role of VP of Commercial in February 2024, becoming part of watchTowr’s extended leadership team. “I’m truly honored to enter this role at such an exciting time for watchTowr. The APAC region has been a core foundation of the business, paving the success of our global expansion. The team has delivered impressive results, building a great client network and strong partnerships in the region,” said Liow. “Our mission to help organizations continuously validate and strengthen their security postures is more important than ever, and I look forward to deepening our presence and driving significant growth across the region.” Elvina’s promotion follows watchTowr’s recent $19 million Series A funding round, which will further accelerate its growth plans by expanding its go-to-market, research, and engineering teams. In her new role, Elvina will assume full responsibility for watchTowr’s business in the APAC region, scaling operations and driving the company’s mission to redefine and lead the external attack surface management market globally.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 18 October 2024 – NextGen.AI (NGAI), an Singapore-based AI startup founded by Frank HO and his team of former advertising, software development executives & AI researchers, has secured a strategic investment of S$450,000 from Picasso FANG, on behalf of Asiawide Print. Picasso will also serve as a strategic partner and business mentor, guiding the company in scaling AI innovation across Singapore and Southeast Asia (SEA), with a particular focus on advancing AI’s role in business transformation and regional growth. Pioneering AI Solutions for Businesses NextGen.AI has positioned itself as a game-changer in the AI landscape with its innovative products, ConverseAI and StratAI. These tools offer personalized AI-powered solutions designed to address critical business needs: ConverseAI is a generative AI chatbot that integrates seamlessly with business documents, websites, and internal systems to create customized responses for lead nurturing and customer engagement across various industries. “ConverseAI is personalized to business needs and trainable via a no-code environment,” said one of the co-founders, highlighting the ease with which businesses can tailor the tool to their specific processes. StratAI functions as a 24/7 AI strategy mentor, providing businesses with agile consultation on business transformation, growth strategies, and market expansion. “StratAI is personalized to business pain points and opportunities, helping solopreneurs, startups, and small-medium enterprises access agile strategy consultation viewpoints that would otherwise be unaffordable to this underserved segment,” the team explained. Investment to Accelerate Research, Product Development, and SEA Expansion With this new capital fund injection, NextGen.AI aims to advance its research in knowledge-based personalization models to provide and also register our own IP in our research work. The company plans to continue enhancing ConverseAI and StratAI, as well as newer innovative products to evolve with AI advancements to remain adaptable to business needs. The funding will also fuel the startup’s ambitions to expand its footprint in SEA, focusing on key markets such as Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Indonesia. “SEA presents vast opportunities for AI-driven business solutions. We will leverage an ecosystem of government grants, learning and development opportunities, and partnerships with in-market channel distribution partners to position NextGen.AI for success in the region.” said a company spokesperson. NextGen.AI’s ambitions align closely with Singapore’s National AI Strategy 2.0 (NAIS 2.0), which prioritizes broad AI adoption and seeks to enhance public confidence in the use and deployment of AI. This positions the startup as a key player in the national drive towards AI-driven transformation, as it aims to contribute significantly to this strategic vision. Partnerships and Ecosystem Development NextGen.AI is also actively collaborating with FizzDragon, tapping into a network of over 100 AIGC (AI-generated content) creators. This partnership supports the creation of a new generation of prompt engineers, content creators, and business marketers, with the ambitious target of nurturing 1% of the total number of AIGC creators in Singapore. This initiative underscores NextGen.AI’s commitment to generating job opportunities and fostering the local AI talent pool. Moreover, NextGen.AI’s commitment to training and ecosystem development aligns with the broader initiatives of the AWS AI Spring Singapore programme. Announced at the 10th AWS ASEAN Summit in May 2024, the program aims to accelerate AI adoption across public and private sectors, while training 15,000 individuals in AI skills by 2026. By positioning itself at the forefront of AI skills development, NextGen.AI is well-placed to capitalize on these large-scale efforts to grow AI expertise in Singapore. Opportunities for Investors & Industry Collaboration NextGen.AI’s blend of cutting-edge technology, strategic partnerships, and alignment with national & regional AI goals presents a compelling opportunity for investors. Investors looking to participate in the next phase of AI innovation and business transformation in Southeast Asia should closely follow NextGen.AI, as it propels AI-driven solutions for future businesses to be AI enabled. The startup’s focus on personalized and scalable AI solutions in SMEs consulting, as well as regional growth, makes it a standout player, poised to scale rapidly with the right strategic partnerships and investment support. About NextGen.AI NextGen.AI (NGAI), an Singapore-based AI startup founded by Frank HO and his team of former advertising, currently offers two tools mainly: personalized AI-powered solutions designed to address critical business needs: AI Chatbot & AI Strategy Mentor, and continues to expand its AI Solution Offerings. NGAI stands at the forefront as the go-to ecosystem for cutting-edge AI technology and agile manpower solutions. Specializing in a dynamic range of creative, sales, and marketing services, NGAI is poised to meet the rising demand for AI-driven innovation, analytics, and immersive creative content.

The message from the Budget 2025 is clear, that change, especially in our focus and reinventing or equipping our people with the relevant skillsets and supportive infrastructure is critical for Malaysia to be competitive and to increase the income levels of the people and businesses. The stakes for corporate Malaysia are higher than ever. Now is the time for boards and directors to step up, fulfilling their fiduciary duty to companies and businesses with bold and visionary stewardship. As the pinnacle of corporate governance, our boards and directors must set new precedents to raise the ceiling, lead by example and chart the way forward. There is no room for boardroom leaders to rest on their laurels with cautious, risk-averse approaches that result in missed opportunities and stifle their potential for innovation and growth. The MADANI government has introduced policies, frameworks and incentives to help companies focus and prioritise. The allocation of over RM10 billion across different areas related incentives for talent, development, innovation, and for large companies to support the talent building for the nation underscores the urgency to focus on the key pillars aimed at revitalising industries and catalysing innovation. It also highlights the push for the greater participation of all communities, especially women, from their return to work, in entrepreneurship (RM650 million, for women and youth), to achieving the 30% goal of women on boards of Malaysia’s top 100 public listed companies before the end of 2027. Also, the significant focus and bold steps taken to raise the competencies of the government and nurturing talent to drive the nation’s digital transformation, in areas of artificial intelligence, cyber security, STEM, TVET to innovation, sets the tone for companies to step up to. New policies undoubtedly pose new challenges for corporations, but boards and senior management must be proactive in putting place a clear plan forward, from addressing future risks and seizing opportunities to offer true value to investors and customers, in light of the policy changes or updates. Only then can companies secure and grow income and propel Malaysia and its people into the highincome bracket. The onus is on board directors to take advantage of the resources, networks and professional development opportunities to capitalise on the knowledge and experiences at their disposal. The Institute of Corporate Directors Malaysia (ICDM) offers the platform for Boards and Management to have these candid, hard-hitting conversations on the direction of companies especially if they have the right competencies at all levels, especially at the board. The right competencies and composition are needed to challenge and provide the critical oversight to Senior Management. For this purpose, we also have the network and platforms to access the community of like-minded leaders, tools, insights and timely research reports on the latest trends and best practices. In conclusion, Malaysia’s Budget 2025 puts forth a clear call-to-action for board directors: Pro-actively step up, lead with purpose, exercise risk leadership, embrace diversity and innovation and, prioritise people and talent to champion the national agenda. The future of Malaysia’s economic and social prosperity hinges on the willingness and commitment of boards to seize this moment and embolden corporate Malaysia. There’s no better time to chart the course forward, raising the bar domestically and internationally for the greater good of our nation and our people.

SINGAPORE; Yuno, the world’s leading payment orchestration platform, today announced the appointment of SheueChee Beh as its new Head of Partnerships for APAC. This move doubles down on the company’s commitment to scaling its presence in Asia-Pacific. SheueChee has over two decades of payments experience and a proven track record working within Asia’s tech and financial services sector, including at JP Morgan, NTT Data, and CIMB, a leading ASEAN universal bank. Before joining Yuno, SheueChee was Director of Payments for APAC at Uber, where she helped to improve payment systems for customers, drivers, and merchants, as well as expanded the company’s financial services offering across the region. While at Uber, she also served as an advisory board member for the Merchant Advisory Group (MAG) APAC, where she played a key role in driving positive change and innovation in the payments industry, supporting merchants’ interests. With its young and digitally savvy population, APAC has emerged as the world’s leading digital payment market, accounting for over 50% of the global market share. This growth has fueled a diverse and rapidly evolving payments ecosystem, where alternative payment methods like e-wallets and QR codes are increasingly popular. Yuno, which launched in key Asian markets, including Hong Kong, Singapore, and Thailand earlier this year, helps local and global merchants navigate the complexities of this fragmented payments landscape and optimize their transactions across the region. Its platform streamlines access to over 300 different global payment methods, alongside cutting-edge features like one-click checkout and robust anti-fraud tools through a single, user-friendly interface. Juan Pablo Ortega, Co-founder and CEO at Yuno, commented: “We are thrilled to welcome SheueChee to the Yuno team at such an exciting time in our expansion across Asia-Pacific. Her extensive experience and deep knowledge of the region’s dynamic payments landscape make her the perfect fit to expand our partnerships and drive growth in this key market. With SheueChee at the helm, we are confident that Yuno will continue to deliver innovative solutions that empower businesses to solve their cross-border payments complexities, scale seamlessly, and thrive in this fast-evolving payments ecosystem.” SheueChee Beh, Head of Partnerships APAC at Yuno, added: “I am excited to join Yuno and contribute to its mission of transforming the payments landscape in APAC. This region is a hotbed of innovation, and by forging strong partnerships with local players, we will be able to offer truly tailored solutions that meet the unique needs of businesses here. Together with Yuno, I look forward to driving forward-thinking strategies that not only enhance payment experiences but also empower merchants to seize new opportunities in this rapidly evolving digital economy.” Yuno earlier this year raised a $25 million Series A round from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Tiger Global, DST Global Partners, Kaszek Ventures, and Monashees, to fuel its ambitious expansion plans across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

JAKARTA: Director of Financial Services and SOEs of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Rosy Widyawati stated that the consumption of halal products at the global level in 2027 is projected to reach US$3.1 trillion. “Muslim spending on sharia products, such as food and beverages, halal fashion, halal cosmetics, and others, is very promising, with an estimated value of US$3.1 trillion in 2027,” Widyawati remarked on Wednesday (October 2). In a live broadcast on YouTube titled “Acceleration Towards Golden Indonesia 2024 with MEKSI,” she stated that the government is optimizing the potential of the sharia economy through the preparation of the Indonesian Sharia Economic Masterplan (MEKSI) 2025-2029. According to Widyawati, the development of the sharia economy is important as a new economic engine to realize an average national economic growth of six to seven percent to become a developed country. To achieve the target, she underscored the need for Indonesia, as the world’s largest Muslim country, to become a producer and not just a consumer. She remarked that the largest exporters of halal products currently are countries with no Muslim majority such as Brazil, China, and India. “In the future, we must become producers and be able to export,” Widyawati stressed. In addition to preparing for the 2025-2029 MEKSI, she highlighted that the government is developing the sharia economy as stipulated in Law Number 59 of 2024 on the National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN) for 2025-2045 on September 13. In the RPJPN document, the development of the sharia economy is a separate priority program to accelerate the progress of the sector, including through downstreaming of the halal industry and strengthening MSMEs to boost export value, she stated. Widyawati noted that program development to boost Muslim tourist numbers by improving Muslim-friendly tourism facilities and infrastructure is also considered important. “We also have a fashion sector. This line must be supported because we believe fashion can contribute a lot,” she remarked.

Introduction The property market is a dynamic sector that continuously evolves in response to economic, social, and political changes. For investors, understanding the nuances of different markets is crucial in making informed decisions. This article explores the current property market trends and opportunities in Malaysia compared to the United Kingdom (UK), focusing on rental yields, capital appreciation, foreign ownership regulations, and investment strategies. Overview of the Malaysian Property Market Resilience and Growth Malaysia’s real estate sector has shown remarkable resilience in recent years, rebounding from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Property values have steadily increased, driven by factors such as a growing population, urbanization, and a robust demand for housing. The limited supply of properties has contributed to rising prices, creating a favorable environment for property investment. In recent years, Malaysian cities have become increasingly attractive to both local and foreign investors. Cities like Kuala Lumpur and Penang have witnessed substantial development, with new infrastructure projects and urban regeneration initiatives enhancing their appeal. Additionally, Malaysia’s strategic location in Southeast Asia positions it as a gateway for businesses and expatriates, further driving demand for residential and commercial properties. Rental Yields and Capital Appreciation In terms of rental yields, Malaysia offers competitive opportunities compared to many international markets. For instance, rental yields in metropolitan areas like Kuala Lumpur range between 4% and 6%, with certain properties in desirable locations yielding even higher returns. This presents an attractive proposition for investors looking to generate passive income. Capital appreciation in Malaysia has also been noteworthy, particularly in urban centers. Over the past decade, property values in Malaysia have appreciated significantly, with certain areas experiencing double-digit growth. The ongoing development of infrastructure and public transport systems contributes to this upward trend, making investment in Malaysian real estate an appealing option. The UK Property Market: Challenges and Opportunities Current Market Landscape In contrast, the UK property market faces a different set of challenges and opportunities. The impact of Brexit has created uncertainty, leading to fluctuations in property values and rental yields. In London, for instance, rental yields have dropped to approximately 2% to 4%, making it less attractive for investors seeking high returns. This decline can be attributed to factors such as oversupply and increasing living costs, which have affected demand in some areas. However, there are still opportunities within the UK market. Cities like Manchester, Birmingham, and Liverpool have emerged as hotspots for investment, offering higher rental yields ranging from 6% to 8%. These cities have benefited from significant regeneration projects, attracting young professionals and families seeking affordable housing options. Capital Appreciation in the UK The capital appreciation landscape in the UK has been mixed. While London has seen minimal growth in recent years, other regions have experienced robust increases in property values. For instance, the North West of England, particularly Manchester, has reported significant capital growth due to increased investment in infrastructure and a growing population. The UK’s real estate market also offers a diverse range of investment opportunities, from residential buy-to-let properties to commercial real estate. Investors can leverage various financing options, such as buy-to-let mortgages, to enhance their investment portfolios. Foreign Ownership Regulations Malaysia’s Open Approach One of the key differentiators between the property markets in Malaysia and the UK is the approach to foreign ownership. Malaysia has a relatively open policy towards foreign investors, allowing them to purchase properties without stringent restrictions. The government has implemented the “Malaysia My Second Home” (MM2H) program, which facilitates long-term residency for foreigners investing in Malaysian real estate. This program has attracted a significant influx of foreign buyers, further stimulating the market. Foreign ownership regulations in Malaysia typically require a minimum purchase price—RM1 million in Kuala Lumpur and RM2 million in Selangor—making it accessible for international investors. This framework balances the interests of local buyers with the need to attract foreign capital, promoting sustainable growth in the property sector. The UK’s Restrictions In contrast, the UK has seen increased scrutiny regarding foreign ownership, particularly in London. Local authorities have implemented measures to control property prices and ensure affordability for residents. This has included stricter regulations on foreign buyers and additional taxes for non-resident investors. While these measures aim to protect local housing markets, they can also deter foreign investment. Investors should be aware of these dynamics when considering opportunities in the UK, as regulatory changes can significantly impact their investment strategies. Investment Strategies and Education Emphasizing Education in Malaysia As investors navigate the complexities of the property market, education plays a vital role in their success. In Malaysia, there is a growing emphasis on educating potential investors about market trends, property selection, and investment strategies. Initiatives that provide free educational resources and community support are becoming increasingly important, helping investors make informed decisions. Organizations and programs dedicated to financial literacy and investment education empower individuals to build wealth through property investment. These initiatives foster a culture of informed decision-making, enabling investors to confidently navigate the market. Diversified Investment Strategies in the UK In the UK, investors are encouraged to adopt diversified investment strategies to mitigate risks. This may involve exploring opportunities in emerging cities, investing in commercial properties, or considering joint ventures. Understanding the nuances of the UK market and its regional variations is essential for successful investment. Moreover, leveraging technology and data analytics can provide valuable insights into market trends and property values. Investors can utilize various platforms to access real-time data, enabling them to make more informed decisions. In conclusion, the property markets in Malaysia and the UK present unique opportunities and challenges for investors. Malaysia’s open approach to foreign ownership, coupled with competitive rental yields and capital appreciation, positions it as an attractive destination for property investment. Meanwhile, the UK offers a diverse landscape with both challenges and opportunities, particularly in regions outside London. As investors consider their options, understanding the nuances of each market, including regulatory frameworks and investment strategies, is crucial. Education and knowledge-sharing initiatives play a pivotal role in empowering investors to make informed decisions and navigate

HONG KONG: International Genius Company (“IGC“; stock code: 0033.HK) announced its annual results for the year ended 30 June 2024 (the “Reporting Period”). During the Reporting Period, the Group’s tech-driven investment management business has achieved rapid growth, driving IGC’s transformation into a global company with financial transaction innovation driven by artificial intelligence(AI). The total revenue for the Reporting Period was approximately HK$227 million. Among which, the newly acquired Deep Neural Computing Company Limited (“DNCC”) has contributed around HK$9.22 million revenue to the tech-driven investment management segment in merely 3 months. Its income has significantly increased IGC’s profit margins. Gross profit of the year has increased 4 folds during the Reporting Period. On 22 March 2024, the Group completed the acquisition of DNCC, a leading R&D and application company specializing in artificial intelligence, deep neural networks, distributed computing, and quantitative trading algorithms. DNCC boasts a team of experts with years of experience in AI research development. The acquisition has further enhanced IGC’s capability in R&D and technology, enabling a breakthrough in AI trading algorithms in order to provide a more specialized and efficient solutions for clients’ trading strategies and technology needs. With the completion of the acquisition of DNCC, IGC has successfully expanded its tech-driven investment management business. The segment has quickly generated income with a high profit margin, and has enhanced the Group’s income structure and quality, laying a solid foundation for IGC’s transformation. IGC has now established an advanced and mature trading technology system, with deep neural network, distributed computing and quantitative trading algorithm at its core. IGC will continue to develop trading algorithm based on machine learning and deep learning, in order to form our core product “IGC Prophet”. The technology conglomerate will provide clients with customized one-stop AI trading technology solution that can be commercialized and applied to multiple international financial trading sectors, giving our clients an unparallel competitive edge in the global market. Looking forward, IGC will continue on the path of technology and model innovation. By increasing the Group’s investment in AI and related technology, and focusing on R&D and scalable application of AI trading algorithms in global financial trading, we strive to drive the innovation in financial trading around the world through AI-driven trading tools. This will in turn expand our client network and increase the Group’s income and profit, further enhancing IGC’s competitiveness in the global market.