CIMB and Ant International form strategic partnership to enhance cross-border payments and liquidity management solutions for businesses in Malaysia

From left to right: Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International; Kelvin Li, General Manager of Platform Tech at Ant International; Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International; Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIMB; Sylvia Wong, Regional Head, Financial Institutions and Tokenisation, Group Wholesale Banking, CIMB; Chu Kok Wei, Chief Executive Officer, Group Wholesale Banking, CIMB.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 26 (Bernama) -- CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB” or “the Group”) and Ant International today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) to jointly explore innovations in cross-border payments and treasury and liquidity management solutions.
The comprehensive partnership will see CIMB collaborating with Ant International’s key businesses including Alipay+, Antom and Bettr Treasury, across the Group’s integrated capabilities in cash management, treasury and markets solutions, credit and financing facilities, capital markets activities and sustainability-related initiatives.

Under the MOU, CIMB and Ant International will also jointly develop a digital framework to enhance the treasury and liquidity operations of both parties, by leveraging Ant International’s next-generation blockchain-based treasury management solution, subject to regulatory frameworks and approvals.

The framework aims to strengthen capital efficiency, transparency and cross-border liquidity optimisation, reinforcing the resilience and competitiveness of both sides’ regional financial ecosystems to better serve its customers in Malaysia.

Novan Amirudin, Group Chief Executive Officer, CIMB said, “The partnership marks a milestone in our Forward30 strategy, where innovation is embedded into the core of how we operate and compete. Our collaboration with Ant International enables us to accelerate the institutional adoption of distributed ledger technology within the treasury ecosystem. This positions CIMB at the forefront of building scalable, future ready digital financial infrastructure innovation across ASEAN, while strengthening our ability to deliver greater efficiency, transparency and cross-border connectivity for our clients.”

Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International said, “We are pleased to partner with CIMB, who shares our goal of leveraging technology for seamless and inclusive crossborder payments. By combining our strengths, we will scale the institutional adoption of tokenisation—a key pillar of next-generation financial infrastructure—to create a more efficient and inclusive financial ecosystem for businesses in Malaysia.”

The MOU reflects both parties’ shared ambition to advance responsible digital innovation while maintaining strong governance. CIMB and Ant International will advance the development of the framework with a focus on scalable and practical implementation that supports evolving institutional treasury needs across the region.

This initiative further reinforces CIMB’s commitment to advancing customers and society by strengthening digital financial infrastructure through tokenisation, building on its recently announced participation in Bank Negara Malaysia’s Digital Assets Innovation Hub and its broader Forward30 digital transformation agenda.

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM89.0 billion as at 31 December 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 552 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 December 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its awardwinning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

SOURCE: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Anis Azharuddin / Kelvin Jude Muthu
Group Corporate Communications
CIMB Group Holdings Berhad
Email: anis.azharuddin@cimb.com / kelvinjude.muthu@cimb.com

--BERNAMA

MBSB BANK FUNDS RM95.8M FOR JEMALUANG DAIRY VALLEY TO DELIVER 14 MILLION LITRES OF MILK ANNUALLY BY 2027

Rafe Haneef, Group Chief Executive Officer of MBSB Berhad

PETALING JAYA, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- MBSB Bank Berhad (“MBSB Bank”) has provided a RM95.8 million structured facility to Jemaluang Dairy Valley Sdn Bhd (JDVSB), a strategic joint venture between Kulim (Malaysia) Berhad and A2 Fresh Holdings. This landmark commitment catalyzes Johor Corporation’s (JCorp) mandate to industrialize Malaysia’s agritech sector, positioning the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) as a high-yield regional food hub.

The capital will fund the deployment of Tier-1 dairy infrastructure, including the acquisition of high-yield A2 Jersey Friesian cattle and a world-class processing facility capable of producing 14 million litres of milk annually by 2027.

This initiative directly address critical gap in the high reliance on imported dairy and supports the national agenda for food resilience, transforming a fragmented landscape into a high-output, tech-driven industry.

Group Chief Executive Officer En Rafe Haneef commented: “We view food security as a critical asset class that demands large-scale capital, as reflected in our RM1 billion AgroESG mandate. This RM95.8 million facility serves as a commitment to anchor Johor’s first fully integrated dairy ecosystem, creating a tech-enabled, ESG-compliant infrastructure that is vital to strengthening Malaysia’s domestic self-sufficiency.”

Mr. Qasem Alhasan, Chief Executive Officer of Jemaluang Dairy Valley Sdn Bhd said: "JDVSB is designed as an end-to-end dairy ecosystem - combining world-class farming technology, sustainable practices and local talent development – to deliver high-quality, locally produced milk at scale while supporting Malaysia’s long-term food security goals.”

The Blueprint for Industrialized Agriculture

The Jemaluang Dairy Valley project serves as a definitive proof of concept for Precision Agriculture 4.0. Beyond the financing, the project’s significance lies in its circular economy integration, where advanced waste management systems convert bovine byproduct into organic fertilizers, effectively stripping synthetic inputs out of the supply chain. This is paired with a genetic optimization strategy, utilizing 1,000 imported A2 cattle with projected yields that nearly triple local production averages.

Furthermore, the project acts as a catalyst for human capital transformation within the ECER. Through a structured technical "up-skilling" program, local labor is being transitioned into high-value roles within the modern agritech sector, ensuring that the economic benefits of this facility extend deep into the community.

About MBSB Berhad

MBSB Berhad (MBSB) is a dynamic financial services group with a longstanding role in supporting the nation’s financial system and economic development. MBSB is the holding company of MBSB Bank Berhad, MBSB Investment Bank Berhad (formerly MIDF Amanah Investment Bank), and Malaysian Industrial Development Finance Berhad (MIDF). MBSB Bank Berhad is a progressive Islamic bank offering comprehensive Shariah-compliant banking solutions to retail, SME, and corporate customers, with a strong emphasis on innovation and sustainable financing. MBSB Investment Bank Berhad serves as the Group’s investment banking and capital markets arm, providing advisory, research, equity brokerage, and capital markets services. MIDF plays a pivotal role in supporting business and industrial development through development finance, nurturing a resilient and thriving SME ecosystem, complemented by its asset management capabilities.

SOURCE: MBSB Berhad (MBSB)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Norsiah Juriani Johari
Group Head
Group Communications & Marketing Department
Group Corporate Strategy
Tel: +6012 900 1907
Email: norsiah.johari@mbsb.com

Name: Arna Farisa Binti Mohamad Isa
Senior Manager
Group Communications & Marketing Department
Group Corporate Strategy
Tel: +6013 394 2590
Email: arna.farisa@mbsb.com

--BERNAMA

TOSHIBA LAUNCHES HIGH-TEMPERATURE VOLTAGE-DRIVEN PHOTORELAYS

Toshiba: small photorelays with 135°C rating for high-temperature equipment operation

.

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Toshiba Electronic Devices & Storage Corporation (Toshiba) has launched four voltage-driven photorelays, “TLP3407SRB”, “TLP3412SRB“, ”TLP3412SRHB“, and “TLP3412SRLB”, housed in the small S-VSON4T package.

According to Toshiba in a statement, volume shipments start today.

The new photorelays deliver a maximum operating temperature of 135 degrees Celsius (°C), up from 125°C in previous models, targeting automotive semiconductor testers, probe cards, and burn-in equipment that operate under high-temperature conditions.

Advances in electrification and autonomous driving have increased demand for high-density electronic component packaging in automotive equipment, requiring semiconductors and supporting devices to function reliably at elevated temperatures.

Toshiba said the temperature increase was achieved by optimising the design of built-in elements. The photorelays are voltage-driven with integrated resistors on the input side, eliminating the need for external resistors and reducing board space requirements.

The S-VSON4T package measures 1.45 × 2.0 millimetres (mm), enabling multiple photorelays to be mounted on a limited board area while maintaining reliable operation under high-temperature conditions.

Toshiba said the combination of compact size, high-temperature tolerance, and built-in resistor design makes these photorelays well-suited for automotive semiconductor testing and burn-in applications.

The company added that it will continue expanding its lineup of products capable of supporting high-temperature operation for automotive and industrial equipment.

-- BERNAMA

HANGZHOU RENAMES METRO STATIONS TO BOOST YUHANG SMART MANUFACTURING HUB

Aerial view of Yuhang Economic Development Zone

 
KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- The Hangzhou Municipal Government has recently approved the official names for five stations along Metro Line 10 and the Hangzhou-Deqing Intercity Railway (Yuhang Section), including two stations within the core area of the Yuhang Economic Development Zone.

Renhe South Station has been renamed "Dongshanyang Station", while Renhe North Station is now "Qihang Road Station", which will serve as the northern terminus of the Metro Line 10 extension and a key interchange for the intercity railway, supporting industrial projects such as BYD Hangzhou and Huaguang Advanced Materials.

According to a statement, the upgraded rail network will directly connect Hangzhou’s main urban area, the Yuhang Economic Development Zone and Deqing County, strengthening regional transport capacity and accelerating the movement of industrial resources and skilled talent.

The Yuhang Economic Development Zone is positioned as Hangzhou’s nearest large-scale smart manufacturing cluster to the city’s administrative centre, focusing on new equipment, new materials and new energy, while nurturing emerging sectors such as integrated circuits, robotics and digital energy.

In addition, the zone benefits from a strategic location at the heart of the Yangtze River Delta, serving as Hangzhou’s key gateway linking Shanghai, Jiangsu and Anhui.

Bordering the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and within easy reach of the Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, the area also enjoys fast connections to major rail hubs and expressways, underlining its role as one of the best-connected smart manufacturing clusters in the city.

Through cooperation with Zhejiang University, Yuhang has established the Advanced Electrical Equipment Innovation Center, led by a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician, supporting national- and provincial-level research in areas such as new-energy vehicle drive systems and intelligent robotics.

Backed by more than 570,000 square metres of incubation space and targeted incentives for sectors including integrated circuits, robotics and the "low-altitude economy", the zone is building a full life-cycle development environment for companies such as Nanfang Pump and other high-end manufacturing players.

-- BERNAMA

LEARNING TREE INTERNATIONAL WINS NATO NCIA TRAINING CONTRACT

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 25 (Bernama) -- Learning Tree International, a global leader in workforce transformation and mission-critical technology training, has secured a multi-year sole-award contract from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) to serve as its education and training industry partner.

“Being selected for a multi-year agreement reflects the strength of our partnership and the trust placed in our secure workforce transformation solutions,” said Learning Tree International Chief Executive Officer, David Brown in a statement.

The Commercial Training Services Contract covers the delivery of training solutions and consultancy support to more than 3,000 students a year across NATO entities in Europe and North America, supporting operational readiness throughout the contract term.

The award builds on an existing strategic partnership and reflects confidence in Learning Tree’s ability to deliver scalable, secure and mission-aligned training in complex multinational defence environments, the company said.

Under the agreement, Learning Tree will provide commercial and tailored instructor-led training and consultancy services to strengthen digital, cyber and technical capabilities across the Alliance, delivered through private team courses and open schedules.

Training will span information technology (IT) technical and hard skills, cybersecurity, project management, service management and consultancy support.

With more than 50 years of experience supporting enterprise, public-sector and defence organisations in over 65 countries, Learning Tree said it brings established expertise in secure delivery requirements and operational readiness standards.

The company said the contract further reinforces its position as a global provider of secure workforce transformation services for defence and government organisations, as NATO continues to modernise its technology infrastructure and cyber resilience.

-- BERNAMA

LYONDELLBASELL UPDATES 2030 CLIMATE AND CIRCULARITY GOALS

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 24 (Bernama) -- LyondellBasell (LYB), a leader in the global chemical industry, has announced updates to its 2030 climate and circularity goals, citing the need for disciplined capital allocation amid evolving market conditions and regulatory developments.

Reflecting current operating realities, the company now targets a 32 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, compared with a 2020 baseline, and aims to produce and market 800,000 metric tonnes of recycled and renewable-based polymers annually by the same year.

The company said its three-pillared strategy remains unchanged, focusing on growing and upgrading its core business, building a profitable circular and low-carbon business, and strengthening performance and culture.

LYB chief executive officer, Peter Vanacker said the company has made measurable progress and gained a deeper understanding of the factors that support value creation from circular and low-carbon solutions, while maintaining capital discipline in the current economic environment.

“These updates to our goals ensure we remain focused on advancing sustainability as a key value driver of our business at a pace aligned with market conditions and the regulatory environment,” he said in a statement.

Among recent milestones, the company has advanced construction of its first commercial-scale catalytic chemical recycling plant using proprietary MoReTec technology in Wesseling, Germany, supporting future growth in circular and low-carbon solutions.

LYB has also progressed in emissions reduction, including improvements at its Houston Refinery site and energy-efficiency initiatives across its manufacturing operations under its Value Enhancement Program.

In addition, the company has secured sufficient projects to reach its target of procuring at least 50 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, based on 2020 procured levels.

Further details on LYB’s refreshed sustainability approach and the enablers supporting its targets will be released in its annual Sustainability Report in April 2026.

-- BERNAMA

MAVENIR ENABLES TUNE TALK AS INDEPENDENT CLOUD-NATIVE MNO

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 23 (Bernama) -- Mavenir, the network software provider building artificial intelligence (AI)‑driven mobile infrastructure, announced that Tune Talk has completed its evolution into a fully independent, cloud-native mobile network operator (MNO).

Through a strategic partnership with Mavenir, the deployment enables Tune Talk to operate its own network systems end‑to‑end, unlocking new speed, agility, and innovation capabilities ahead of its next phase of growth.

By adopting Mavenir’s cloud-native Operations Support Systems (OSS) and Business Support Systems (BSS) solutions, Tune Talk gains full control of its network operations and digital service platforms, providing a software-driven foundation for future growth.

According to a statement, Tune Talk now operates an independent, software‑defined network, an upgrade that enables faster service deployment, more personalised AI-driven customer experiences, and improved network reliability.

The new architecture has already accelerated the rollout of digital services, including MyDigital ID integration, Mastercard ID Theft Protection, free Personal Accident Insurance, foodpanda benefits, and in‑app streaming content such as drama and game subscriptions.

In addition, Tune Talk’s cloud-native operational environment features zero-touch processes and self-healing automation, improving network stability while reducing operational overheads.

Phase two will deepen Tune Talk’s AI-driven transformation, introducing advanced orchestration and next-generation BSS to further enhance network performance, accelerate service delivery, and unlock new revenue streams through contextual, personalised offers.

With this deployment, Tune Talk becomes a reference model for cloud-native MNO operations not just in Malaysia but also across the ASEAN region, demonstrating how modern OSS/BSS architectures can accelerate operator independence, agility, and long-term digital transformation.

In collaboration with Mobile World Live, Mavenir will host a panel discussion at MWC26 on March 2. The session will feature Tune Talk Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Gurtaj Singh Padda, a senior executive from TextNow, and Mavenir President and CEO, Sandeep Singh, highlighting how AI, cloud-native architectures, and flexible monetisation enable mobile networks to differentiate on experience rather than price.

-- BERNAMA