XIONG’AN NEW AREA JOINS GLOBAL DIGITAL ECONOMY CITIES ALLIANCE

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- The 2026 Global Digital Economy Conference Xiongan Future Digital Intelligence Forum was recently held in Xiong'an New Area, attracting more than 600 guests, including academicians and experts, government representatives, research institutions, university delegates, enterprises and social organisations.

At the forum, Xiong'an New Area officially joined the Global Digital Economy Cities Alliance, successfully becoming part of the global digital economy collaborative development partnership network.

This move provides an international exchange platform for the New Area to participate in global digital governance, expand digital cooperation and enhance the international profile of the "Future City", according to a statement.

Two major regional collaborative development initiatives were officially launched at the forum. One aims to establish a Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei collaborative innovation demonstration zone for "AI + Manufacturing", jointly proposed by authorities from the three regions.

The second initiative seeks to integrate education, science, technology and talent development in digital intelligence between Xiong'an New Area and relocated Beijing universities, including Beijing Jiaotong University, the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing Forestry University and China University of Geosciences (Beijing).

In addition, nine platform carriers under the Xiong'an New Area Digital Economy Innovation and Development Pilot Zone were awarded licences, covering satellite industrial parks, training bases and Zhongguancun Science Parks.

Concurrently, Xiong'an New Area also unveiled six major digital intelligence platforms and seven categories of independently developed digital intelligence products, showcasing the development of its digital economy.

The forum also featured Digital Intelligence Frontier sessions, keynote speeches and high-level dialogues. Domestic and international experts and scholars presented the latest developments in digital intelligence.

Going forward, Xiong'an New Area will use the forum to strengthen cooperation through the alliance platform, promote innovation and further develop its digital economy pilot zone.

-- BERNAMA

AV ACCESS LAUNCHES ALL-IN-ONE 4K CONFERENCE VIDEO BAR

KUALA LUMPUR, July 14 (Bernama) -- AV Access, a professional audio-visual (Pro AV) provider, has launched the AnyCo V100, an all-in-one 4K conference video bar designed for small meeting rooms and huddle spaces to support hybrid collaboration.

The company said the AnyCo V100 combines video conferencing, presentation functions, a 4K artificial intelligence (AI) camera, speakerphones, laptop charging and network connectivity into a single device.

AV Access chief technology officer, Bill Liao said the AnyCo V100 enables businesses to simplify meeting room deployment by integrating multiple conferencing functions into a single device.

“By consolidating video conferencing, seamless presentations, and essential room hardware into a reliable, one-cable solution, businesses can drastically optimise their workplace AV technology budget and get any meeting space ready in minutes,” he said in a statement.

According to AV Access, users only need to connect a single USB-C cable to their laptop to access video conferencing, screen sharing, internet connectivity and up to 100 watts of charging without requiring additional software or drivers.

The company said the device also features an ultra-wide 4K AI camera with automatic framing, speaker tracking and presenter tracking, as well as XMOS digital signal processing technology for echo cancellation, noise reduction and voice capture.

The product will be showcased at the InfoComm Asia 2026 exhibition in Bangkok from July 15 to 17.

-- BERNAMA

HONG KONG SECURES LEAP EAST AS EXCLUSIVE ASIAN HOST UNTIL 2029

KUALA LUMPUR, July 13 (Bernama) -- The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has partnered with LEAP East’s organiser to secure Hong Kong as the exclusive Asian host city for LEAP East from 2027 to 2029.

LEAP East, the Middle East’s flagship technology exhibition, recently made its Asian debut in Hong Kong over three days ending July 10, attracting more than 25,000 participants, 55 per cent of whom were non-local and 45 per cent local.

“This significant partnership not only demonstrates the global industry’s confidence in Hong Kong but also affirms Hong Kong’s status as the World’s Meeting Place and a hub for innovation and technology, as well as its role as a ‘super-connector’ and ‘super value-adder’.

“By bringing together tech and innovation enterprises, investors, research institutions and innovative talent from around the world, Hong Kong is fostering cross-regional and cross-industry collaboration,” said HKTB Chairman, Dr Peter Lam in a statement.

Meanwhile, Tahaluf Chief Executive Officer, Mike Champion said Hong Kong, as the host of LEAP’s first flagship edition outside the Middle East, is the perfect platform to connect Middle Eastern technology enterprises with Asian businesses while creating opportunities for Asian companies to engage with partners across the Gulf.

“I look forward to partnering with HKTB over the next three years to build LEAP East into a premier international platform that brings together global innovation and fosters cross-regional collaboration,” added Champion.

According to Dr Lam, more than 100 major International Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) events were held in Hong Kong in the first half of this year, following HKTB's efforts to secure, facilitate and support the events.

“Looking ahead, even more world-renowned international MICE events across diverse sectors such as medical science, food science and technology, lifestyle, innovation and technology, aviation and transport will be hosted in Hong Kong,” said Dr Lam.

The HKTB will continue working with the MICE industry and partners to attract more large-scale international MICE events to Hong Kong, enriching the city's year-round events calendar, attracting more high value-added visitors and enhancing their overall business travel experience.

-- BERNAMA

EARTHDAILY CONSTELLATION REACHES SATELLITE MILESTONE FOR COMMERCIAL OPERATIONS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- EarthDaily, a global Earth observation company, has successfully established initial contact with EDC-08 following its launch aboard SpaceX's Transporter-17 mission on July 7.

The milestone marks Launch III for the EarthDaily Constellation and brings the system to the satellite count required for commercial operations, expected later this year, according to a statement.

“EDC-08 reaching orbit and establishing initial contact is another important step in the disciplined deployment of the EarthDaily Constellation.

“With eight satellites now in orbit, seven progressing through commissioning, and initial imagery returning from the May launch, the system is performing as expected,” said EarthDaily Chief Executive Officer, Don Osborne.

Like each spacecraft in the EarthDaily Constellation, EDC-08 carries 16 imagers collecting data across 22 spectral bands, providing the system with the spectral depth and imaging capacity needed to support consistent and comparable measurements across regions, seasons and time.

The latest launch follows the deployment of EDC-02 to EDC-07 in May, with the satellites now progressing through commissioning and returning initial imagery that provides an early indication of system performance.

Purpose-built for broad-area change detection, the EarthDaily Constellation is designed to deliver globally consistent, calibrated daily measurement of the planet. Its imagery is designed to work with EarthDaily's automated change detection analytics to identify meaningful changes across wide areas.

As additional satellites prepare for launch, the constellation is advancing towards daily global land coverage, providing a continuous measurement layer to monitor changes across sectors, including defence and security, agriculture, natural resources, climate resilience and infrastructure.

-- BERNAMA

DEWA LAUNCHES INTERNATIONAL ARM TO EXPAND GLOBAL ENERGY AND WATER PROJECTS

DEWA International launched as a wholly owned independent subsidiary of DEWA to develop global energy and water projects (Photo: AETOSWire)

KUALA LUMPUR, July 10 (Bernama) -- Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has announced the establishment of DEWA International, its wholly owned independent subsidiary, to develop conventional and clean energy projects worldwide and export Dubai’s successful energy and water infrastructure model to global markets.

Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said Dubai has firmly established itself as a leading international benchmark through world-class infrastructure, particularly in the energy and water sectors.

In a statement, Sheikh Ahmed said the launch of DEWA International marks a strategic step towards extending this successful model to global markets and strengthening Dubai’s position as a source of knowledge and expertise in energy, water, sustainability and digital transformation.

Meanwhile, DEWA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer said DEWA has powered Dubai’s growth for decades through high performance and efficiency.

“Now, we rank first globally in 13 key utility performance indicators and two regional benchmarks across generation, transmission, distribution and customer service. Our financial strength provides real strategic freedom through sustained revenue growth, strong margins and significant investing capacity,” said Saeed Mohammed.

He added that DEWA International will develop power and water projects using advanced technologies in partnership with leading organisations worldwide, with work already underway to identify opportunities, build a project pipeline and establish strategic partnerships.

-- BERNAMA

SIBS@ASEAN 2026 BANDUNG EDITION STRENGTHENS SELANGOR–WEST JAVA REGIONAL ECONOMIC COLLABORATION

From left to right: Yth. Bapak H. Muhammad Farhan, Mayor of Bandung, Yth. Bapak H. Erwan Setiawan, Vice Governor of West Java, YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin bin Shari, Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor (Chief Minister of Selangor) and YB Tuan Ng Sze Han, Selangor State Executive Council for Investment, Trade & Mobility.

The official launch SIBS@ASEAN in Bandung Indonesia

BANDUNG, July 10 (Bernama) -- The State Government of Selangor (Malaysia) and the Provincial Government of West Java (Indonesia) have officially launched the inaugural SIBS@ASEAN 2026 Bandung Edition on 9 July 2026. Hosted at the Pullman Grand Central Bandung, this milestone event marks a significant leap forward in expanding Selangor’s flagship business platform into the ASEAN region whilst cementing a robust cross-border economic alliance between Selangor and West Java.

Invest Selangor Berhad (ISB) as the organiser of the program, with the assistance from the Department of Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services (DPMPSTP) of West Java Province, and other key partners such as Invest Bandung, Malaysia Chambers of Commerce & Industry (MCCI), KADIN Jawa Barat, HIPMI Jaya, coordinated the two-day regional summit from 9 to 10 July 2026, which aims to unlock opportunities in bilateral trade and investment relations, drive industrial investments, and foster long-term partnerships between the two dynamic economic powerhouses.

Reflecting a powerful and steadily growing bilateral commitment to regional economic growth, the event successfully drew an expanding turnout of more than 400 delegates, comprising 225 delegates from Malaysia and 200 delegates from Indonesia.

Running parallel with SIBS@ASEAN 2026 Bandung Edition is the Selangor Medical Tourism and Education Expo, organised in partnership with Tourism Selangor and Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS). The expo features a specialised two-day exhibition showcasing 30 booths dedicated to positioning both regions as premier destinations for advanced healthcare, wellness, and higher education.

Exhibiting Organisations
Sector:Medical Tourism

Featured Exhibitors / Institutions:
Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC), Sunway Medical Centre Sunway City Kuala Lumpur, Cardiac Vascular Sentral Kuala Lumpur & PICASO Hospital, Le Meridien Petaling Jaya, Ampang Puteri Specialist Hospital, MSU Medical Centre, Selgate Specialist Hospital Rawang, Beacon Hospital, Kajang Plaza Medical Centre, KPJ Rawang Specialist Hospital, Monkeys Canopy Resort, Association of Malaysian Spas (AMSPA), Tourism Selangor and Wanita Berdaya Selangor (WBS)

Sector: Education
Featured Exhibitors / Institutions:

Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL), East West International College, Universiti Selangor (UNISEL), Universiti Tenaga Nasional (UNITEN), Taylor’s University, Universiti MAIWP, Universiti Poly--Tech MARA (UPTM), Kolej Uniti, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), MDIS Malaysia International College, Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP), Universiti Islam Selangor, UCSI University, Selangor Technical Skills Development Centre (STDC), Universiti Utara Malaysia and
Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS)

SIBS@ASEAN 2026 Bandung Edition commenced with Welcome Addresses from Yth. Bapak H. Muhammad Farhan (Wali Kota Bandung) and YB Mr. Ng Sze Han (Selangor State Executive Council Member for Investment, Trade, and Mobility), followed by Special Keynote Addresses by the leadership heads of both states;; Yth. Bapak H. Erwan Setiawan (Vice Governor of West Java) and YAB Dato’ Seri Amirudin bin Shari (Dato’ Menteri Besar Selangor) both underscoring the necessity of collaboration and strategic partnership between the two prime growth areas in the ASEAN region.

The event also witnessed the official exchange of memorandum of understanding documents that covers strategic partnerships, driving institutional collaboration across public and private sectors:

1. WBS and The Ministry of National Development Planning (BAPPENAS)
2. Wanita Berdaya Selangor, Caregivers Academy International Group, LPK Darmawan Lembaga Pelatihan Kerja and PT Rukun Sahabat Senior Living
3. ASEAN Future Workforce Council (AFWC) with Kadin Jawa Barat
4. Tourism Selangor with Batik Air Bandung
5. Tourism Selangor with Association of The Indonesian Tours and Travel Agencies (ASITA)
6. Universiti Selangor (UNISEL) with Institut Teknologi Bandung (ITB)
7. Malaysia Chamber of Commerce Indonesia (MCCI) with Bank BJB

Letter of Intent (LoI) Exchange Ceremony:
1. GreatAsic Technology with Indonesia Chip Design Collaborative Center (ICDeC)

Special Presentations and Industries Insights
· Investment Opportunities and Key Industries: Exclusive presentations highlighted high--potential investment corridors. Key frameworks were outlined by Bapak Dr. H. Dedi Taufik (Head of the Department of Investment and One-Stop Integrated Services of West Java Province) and Bapak Helmy Yahya (Executive Head of the Rebana Metropolitan Management Agency), both shared insights into West Java’s strategic infrastructure masterplans. Complementing this, YBhg. Mej (K) Dato’ Ts. Saipolyazan M Yusop (Group CEO of Menteri Besar Selangor Incorporated) presented Selangor's strategic blueprint as key industry enabler and premier regional partner.
· Panel Discussions (ASEAN Supply Chain Integration and Talent Landscapes): The first panel session highlighted the potential of complimentary supply chain ecosystem in the region, and how Malaysia and Indonesia could lead the way, whereas the second panel discussed on the ever-challenging talent cross border movement across the region. Key panellists include Ms Nurdiana Darus – Director Communication, Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, Unilever Indonesia, Dato’ J. Palaniappan (ASEAN Future Workforce Council), Dr Venkatachalam Anbumozhi – Director of Research Strategy and Innovations, Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA) and Mr. Christ Panogari (Innovation Factory) moderated by Dr. Ong Kian Ming (RGE Malaysia/Former Deputy Minister of MITI Malaysia and Ibu Hj. Masrura Ram Idjal, KADIN West Java.
· Financial Landscapes: CIMB Niaga and Bank BJB also took that stage in presenting the business and financial landscape in ASEAN in particularly in the context of Malaysia and Indonesia.

Day 2: Immersive Industry Site Visits
On 10 July, the Selangor delegation engaged in comprehensive site visits across West Java's industrial hubs to explore collaborative deployment across six key economic sectors:
· Aerospace, Rail & Mobility: Delegates engaged with leading strategic transportation operators, regional infrastructure networks, and urban rail projects to explore cross-border infrastructure connectivity.
· Creative Industry: Exploration of innovation-driven companies, highlighting growing regional strengths in digital content production, animation, and creative technology.
· Energy & Utilities: Focus on sustainable infrastructure and renewable energy initiatives, highlighting commitments to advancing clean energy and waste-to-energy solutions.
· Property Development: Engagements with key regional planning and development agencies, offering strategic insights into urban planning, township development, and future commercial investment ecosystems.
· Technology: Technical insights into high-growth digital ecosystems, showcasing regional innovation hubs, technology parks, and environments driving entrepreneurship and smart city development.

The successful execution of the SIBS@ASEAN 2026 Bandung Edition establishes a robust blueprint for future sub-regional collaboration. Building on this momentum, the State Government of Selangor and the Provincial Government of West Java invite international business leaders, investors, and stakeholders to further these partnerships at the main Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) 2026, scheduled from 14 to 17 October 2026 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre (KLCC), Malaysia.

About Invest Selangor

Invest Selangor Berhad is the Selangor State Government’s investment promotion agency, facilitating business growth and investment opportunities in Malaysia’s most developed and competitive state. As a one-stop centre, it provides advisory services, market insights, and facilitation for local and international investors looking to establish or expand in Selangor— the gateway to ASEAN.

With a strategic location, world-class infrastructure, and a thriving business ecosystem, Selangor continues to attract high-value investments across diverse industries, reinforcing its position as Malaysia’s economic powerhouse. Since 1999, Invest Selangor has successfully facilitated over 7,069 manufacturing projects, contributing to the creation of 508,316 jobs and securing more than RM256.6 billion in investments.

Invest Selangor also drives the Selangor International Business Summit (SIBS) and the Selangor Aerospace Summit (SAS), key platforms connecting industry leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs across ASEAN and beyond. Through strategic initiatives, it remains committed to a resilient, sustainable, and innovative economy, reinforcing Selangor as the preferred destination for global investors.

For Selangor investment enquiries, please visit www.investselangor.my

SOURCE: Invest Selangor Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Nur Azyyana Abu Bakar
Email: azyyana@investselangor.my

Name: Maryani Binti Mat Saad
Email: maryani@investselangor.my

--BERNAMA

Liberty General Insurance Wins Digital Insurance Initiative of the Year – Malaysia at the Insurance Asia Awards 2026

From left to right:
Steven Goh (Head of Insurance, KPMG Singapore), Thinagaran Ramasamy (Vice President, Digital, Liberty General Insurance Berhad), Sabri Abd Rahman (Specialist, Digital, Liberty General Insurance Berhad), Nasri Abdul Hamid (Specialist, Digital & Enterprise Solutions, Liberty General Insurance Berhad)

Recognition underscores Liberty's successful digital transformation through the development of its proprietary in-house insurance platform

KUALA LUMPUR, July 9 (Bernama) -- Liberty General Insurance Berhad (Liberty) has been awarded Digital Insurance Initiative of the Year – Malaysia at the Insurance Asia Awards 2026, recognising the company's digital transformation through the successful development of its proprietary in-house insurance platform, designed to deliver a faster, more seamless and customer-centric insurance experience.

The recognition reflects Liberty's strategic investment in building and owning its digital ecosystem following the successful integration of its businesses in Malaysia. By transitioning from third-party platforms to an internally developed digital portal, Liberty has strengthened its ability to innovate, enhance customer experiences, and respond more effectively to evolving market needs.

Designed with a customer-first approach, the platform delivers a seamless, mobile-first experience that enables customers to obtain quotations, purchase and renew motor insurance within minutes. Integrated in real-time with Liberty’s core systems, it streamlines the insurance journey while improving speed, accessibility and overall customer convenience.

According to Liberty General Insurance Berhad Chief Distribution Officer, Grace Quah, the recognition reflects the company’s commitment to delivering meaningful innovation that improves how customers interact with insurance.

“Winning Digital Insurance Initiative of the Year – Malaysia is a proud milestone for Liberty and a testament to our transformation journey. By investing in our own digital capabilities, we have created a platform that delivers a simpler, faster and more intuitive experience for customers while giving us the agility to continuously enhance our digital offering as customer expectations continue to evolve,” said Grace Quah.

Ganesan Vaithilingam, Chief Information Officer at Liberty General Insurance Berhad, said that the success of the initiative is underpinned by the robust technology infrastructure developed to support the platform.

"Building our platform in-house gives us greater control over how we innovate and evolve our digital capabilities. With real-time integration across our core systems, we can introduce new features more efficiently, enhance platform performance and respond more quickly to changing customer and business needs. More importantly, it provides a strong technological foundation that supports Liberty's long-term digital growth," said Ganesan.

Since its launch, the platform has delivered measured business outcomes, including stronger digital engagement, higher conversion rates, growth in online Gross Written Premium (GWP) and improved customer satisfaction.

The Insurance Asia Awards is one of the region’s leading awards programmes, recognising insurers that demonstrate excellence, innovation and meaningful impact across the Asia-Pacific insurance industry.

The recognition reinforces Liberty's commitment to continuously enhancing its digital capabilities and delivering insurance solutions that are simpler, more relevant and more accessible for Malaysians. As the company continues its transformation journey, it remains focused on leveraging technology to create better customer experiences and drive long-term sustainable growth.

For more information about Liberty General Insurance Berhad and its services, please visit www.libertyinsurance.com.my.

SOURCE: Liberty General Insurance Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Haliza Hisham
Vice President
Brand & Marketing
Tel: +603 2619 9971
Email: halizah@libertyinsurance.com.my

Name: Nur Qistina
Specialist
Brand & Marketing
Tel: +603 2619 9873
Email: nurqistina@libertyinsurance.com.my



--BERNAMA