THE POWER GRID IS GETTING A BRAIN INVESTORS DITCH STOCKS FOR UNCONVENTIONAL LUXURY
WHAT TODAY’S TOP CEOS REALLY LOOK LIKE
JAYA WAHONO President-Director, CPI page 14
PERMIT NO. MDDI (P) 037/07/2025
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FROM THE EDITOR
Branded residences are no longer being priced or marketed as lifestyle assets. In this issue, we examine how they are being used as defensive holdings, valued for brandbacked management, legal structure, and cross-border portability rather than yield (page 7).
That logic extends to corporate finance. On page 6, we report on what treasurers now expect from banks, as real-time cash visibility, consolidated reporting, and forward-looking insight replace delayed statements and manual processes. The page also examines Singapore’s use of artificial intelligence in its Small Claims Tribunals and the implications of embedding the technology in judicial workflows.
Infrastructure is being planned under the same constraints. Page 8 looks at how Singapore is coordinating distributed energy resources through virtual power plants to manage grid capacity and reliability.
In Indonesia, page 14 examines the move to scale bamboo biomass beyond pilot projects and the economic limits of replacing diesel at the community level.
Corporate control remains concentrated. On page 22, we analyse leadership at Singapore’s largest listed companies, using data to show why internal succession continues to dominate and turnover remains limited.
We close with comprehensive coverage of Asia’s leading awards programmes, including the Malaysia Management Excellence Awards, Asian Technology Excellence Awards, Middle East Technology Excellence Awards, Middle East National Business Awards, Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards, Asian Innovation Excellence Awards, Asian Experience Awards, and Middle East Management Excellence Awards, recognising organisations delivering measurable business impact across the region. See page 24.
Read on and enjoy!
Tim Charlton
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MOST READ
Great Eastern bets on AI, specialised products in strategy revamp
SaladStop! unveils Lulu, a generative artificial intelligence assistant to help customers personalise and order meals through chat. Lulu will be integrated into the app of the Singaporebased fast-casual restaurant chain as a chatbot that can process meal preferences based on calorie targets, flavour profiles, and dietary needs.
lululemon opened its flagship store in Seoul, marking the launch of the brand’s first store with its design concept in Asia. Located in the Gangnam district, the store spans 9,000 sq ft, three storeys, a men’s floor, and a personalisation station, the retailer said. It is also the brand’s fourth street-front store in Seoul.
Claim losses from Hong Kong’s recent fire at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po will add pressure to the underwriting results of the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector, according to S&P Global Ratings. The sector is already dealing with higher claims this year following Super Typhoon Ragasa and severe black rainstorms.
Hong Kong’s salary increase falls in 2025, but will recover in 2026
Hong Kong’s actual salary increase is at 3.7% in 2025, lower than in 2024, according to a report by advisory firm WTW. This is lower than the 4% in 2024, and the 2025 APAC average of 5.1%. Salary increases in the city are projected to rise back to 4% in 2026, according to the Salary Budget Planning Report by WTW.
Great Eastern Life Assurance Co. Ltd. is stepping up digital investments and refining its product lineup as it repositions for growth in Southeast Asia’s competitive insurance market, Group Chief Executive Officer Greg Hingston said. It plans to expand its products for high-net-worth people and SME owners.
Coliwoo forms joint venture to convert REHAU Building
Coliwoo Holdings has entered a 50:50 joint venture with Macritchie Developments to acquire the freehold REHAU Building. The partners will convert the property into a co-living asset. This extends Coliwoo’s programme of redeveloping commercial buildings into higheryielding co-living properties.
What to know about SaladStop!’s new AI assistant, Lulu
lululemon opens Seoul flagship store
Storm and fire losses deepen pressure on Hong Kong P&C earnings
FIRST
WHAT DO TREASURERS NEED FROM BANKS TODAY?
Treasurers desire real-time dashboards and instant information access from their treasury service providers, according to a report published by HSBC.
"For some firms, the end goal may be instant payments, whilst others chase more efficient cash pooling or predictive insights into interest rate changes, FX rate movements, funding opportunities and cash flow needs at different branches of stores or subsidiaries,"HSBC said in the report, "Redefining Treasury Asia Pacific."
The majority want simplified, realtime dashboards for instant access to information that is critical to decision making, with as little manual data collection and processing as possible, the study continued.
Hurdles
Across APAC, the top hurdle named for real-time treasury was limited skilled resources to implement new technologies, according to 247 responses permitting multiple selections. Only China and Indonesia had another top reason.
For China, securing budget approval for system costs is the biggest challenge; in Indonesia, it's convincing stakeholders of the benefits of change, the report revealed.
More companies want to be able to manage their cash in real time in the face of a global trade war that could snarl financial planning, disrupt supply chains, and raise costs, HSBC had told Asian Business Review in an interview earlier in 2025.
“The faster you can act in response, the more you can mitigate evolving external policy changes,” Patrick Zhu, managing director and regional head of corporate sales for the Asia-Pacific region at HSBC Holdings Plc’s Global Payments Solutions, said at the time.
To meet real-time treasury needs and global cash visibility, banks are turning to tokenisation and automation.
Robojudge: AI enters the courtroom
Singapore is introducing an artificial intelligence (AI)powered tool for its Small Claims Tribunals (SCT) to summarise case documents for magistrates and improve access for self-represented litigants, a move aimed at easing caseload pressures and raising efficiency in lower courts.
Whilst the system promises faster case handling, analysts cited the need for careful oversight as judicial processes adopt automation.
Rakesh Kirpalani, chief technology officer at Drew & Napier LLC, said the technology should be deployed with safeguards because generative AI could produce inaccuracies.
“As with any AI tool, the output of the SCT tool may contain hallucinations that may create false summaries, or cause facts to be falsely created, altered or omitted,” he told Asian Business Review
Built on Harvey AI, the system is designed to process evidence from informal communication channels such as WhatsApp, Telegram, and Slack—materials magistrates would otherwise review manually.
The rollout was phased, with tribunal magistrates receiving access first, followed by self-represented litigants who began using the tool in November 2025. According to authorities, the tool has been thoroughly tested and includes safeguards to keep sensitive case information confidential.
The system could help judges “focus their efforts on addressing more complex aspects of a dispute that require legal reasoning and decisionmaking,” Kirpalani said.
The tool also helps people and businesses spot key facts and arguments that they might otherwise overlook because they may not fully understand legal nuances, their rights, or the evidence in a dispute.
He added that users will get clear warnings that the tool may produce errors and that they are still responsible for any summary they use.
Leong Si Ngah, engineering, AI, and data partner at Deloitte Singapore, told the magazine that responsible deployment is critical as judicial and legal systems adopt automation.
“Responsible and trustworthy AI, delivered through strong safety and security guardrails, will be fundamental to scaling it with confidence,” she said in a separate interview. Such measures, she added, support innovation whilst preserving credibility and trust.
Integrating emerging tech
Singapore is also rolling out LawNet 4.0, an upgrade that integrates a GPTbased legal Q&A model to support legal research. Trained on Singapore judgements, legislation, and legal texts, the system lets lawyers and in-house counsel run text-based queries on contract-law issues.
Kirpalani said the model could cut the time spent comparing legal resources and let users check citations themselves. However, he warned that relying on AI without reviewing its output could put practitioners at professional or contractual risk.
Users should still verify citations and explanations, he told the magazine, because lawyers are responsible for the work they submit.
Responsible and trustworthy AI will be fundamental to scaling it with confidence
The introduction of the SCT tool and LawNet 4.0, according to Kirpalani, demonstrates how Singapore aims to integrate emerging technologies “in a safe and meaningful manner, whilst putting in place safeguards to prevent misuse or over-reliance.”
LawNet 4.0 integrates a GPT-based legal Q&A model (Photo from LawNet Technology Services)
Rakesh Kirpalani
Leong Si Ngah
PROFESSIONAL SERVICES/LEGAL
Investors
ditch
stocks for $26.6b branded residence safe haven
Investors are eyeing branded residences, now a distinct safe-haven asset, as global stock market swings push investment towards tangible assets, analysts said.
“One of the market’s biggest drivers is the increasing number of high-net-worth individuals across the region who see these properties as both a lifestyle choice and a solid investment,” Otto Twist, Southeast Asia director for international residential sales at Savills Singapore, told Asian Business Review
Promising market
Asia’s branded residence sector had a record supply value of $26.6b, comprising 68,001 units in 2024, according to C9 Hotelworks, a Thailand-based hospitality consulting group specialising in hotels, branded residences, real estate, and mixed-used developments.
Thailand led the market with a 23.3% share, followed by the Philippines with 17.3% and South Korea with 11.6%. Malaysia, Vietnam, and India collectively accounted for 24.5% of the total, it said.
Twist said some of the most active markets
for branded residences in the region are Thailand, which continues to attract local and international buyers, and Japan and Vietnam.
Ultra-luxury
Beyond their axiomatic purpose as a place to live, Savills noted in a report that ultraluxury residences in Tokyo are also viewed as an investment opportunity.
Japan’s economic stability, high levels of public safety, and unique cultural appeal serve as attractive points to ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs).
For UHNWIs in Japan, ultra-luxury residences present a wealth of advantages in estate planning, especially due to the inheritance tax benefits that they provide.
The prime locations that these residences are in, on top of the high demand for such residences in the market relative to the scarce
supply, also make them an inflation hedge.
For instance, according to data from REINS, it can be observed that the number of residential transactions over $3.4m (JPY 500m) in 2024 alone was equivalent to that of the past decade combined.
With 4,771 branded residence units across 26 developments, Phuket has the highest concentration amongst key destinations, followed by Manila in the Philippines and Bangkok.
“Whilst luxury hotel brands still dominate, we are now seeing non-hotel brands such as fashion houses, car companies, and lifestyle brands enter the space,” he said.
According to Bill Barnett, managing director at C9 Hotelworks, Thai property developer Ananda is working with Porsche to build the Porsche Design Tower, with units priced at $15m to $40m.
“Beyond automotive, we are also seeing the growing presence of fashion and culinary brands such as Fendi, Armani, and Nobu entering the residential market,” he said an exclusive interview.
Whilst accounting for only 5% of the market, branded residences are very lucrative, the managing director told Asian Business Review
“Licensing their brand for residential projects allows them to tap into new sectors and leverage their existing brand equity,” the hospitality and real estate expert added.
Right local expertise
Barnett noted that with multimillion-dollar properties, the associated licence fees typically range from 5% to 10% of the sales, offering a significant revenue stream for the brand.
To maximise market growth, nonhospitality brands should partner with experienced real estate developers and property management firms that understand the industry, Barnett said.
“Having the right local expertise is crucial, ensuring that the brand’s values and aesthetics are consistently reflected throughout the project,” the managing director told the magazine.
The supply of branded residences in Asia is expected to almost double starting 2025, as 43,100 units across 180 projects are completed. Twist said he expects the branded residence sector to grow in the secondary and resort markets, characterised by factors like personalised products, high-end concierge services, digital integration, and a focus on sustainability and smart living.
Whilst luxury hotel brands still dominate, we are now seeing non-hotel brands such as fashion houses, car companies, and lifestyle brands enter the space
Porsche Design Tower units are priced at $15m to $40m (Photo from Porsche)
Singapore rewires grid with virtual plant tech
The Singaporean government is developing new energy technologies, including linking small power sources and managing them to act like a single, larger power plant, to hit its goal of 40% renewable power generation by 2035.
Instead of relying on a single, physical structure, a virtual power plant utilises a network of devices such as solar panels, batteries, as well as smart appliances to provide power and grid services.
These virtual power plants “could better make use of the different distributed energy resources in the system and help consumers earn a viable return on their investment,” Violet Chen, director of the energy capabilities development department at the Energy Market Authority (EMA), told Asian Business Review.
The city-state wants to better manage distributed energy resources—small-scale, modular energy generation and storage tech near the point of electricity consumption—to ensure secure supply and more efficient distribution, she said in an exclusive interview.
The government uses regulatory sandboxes—a controlled environment where energy players can test new products, services, or business models under regulatory supervision with reduced requirements. The regulator can decide on the appropriate regulatory treatment later.
The EMA on 31 March 2025 closed the submission of sandbox proposals for virtual power plants.
“Through regulatory sandboxes, they can work with us to share our policies, to change our market rules to
be more business-friendly, and they can work better for their business models,” Chen said.
The Energy Market Authority has partnered with companies like Singapore Power Group to develop the country's virtual power plant capacity. It is also working with the private sector for an energy infrastructure that is ready for emerging technologies such as hydrogen-ready power plants.
“We have set in place a policy to enable new power plants to be hydrogen-ready… so when the infrastructure is ready, when it becomes more cost effective, we'll be able to capitalise on this opportunity quickly,” Chen told the magazine.
As part of the country's 2050 net-zero emission target, the state requires new and repowered natural gas power plants to be at least 30% hydrogen-compatible by volume.
When the infrastructure is ready and more cost effective, we'll be able to capitalise on this opportunity quickly
Chen said some power plants coming online in 2027 would be hydrogen-ready, including the 600-megawatt (MW) Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) plant of YTL PowerSeraya Pte. Ltd, a unit of Malaysia’s YTL Power International Bhd. Another hydrogen-ready plant set to operate in Singapore is PacificLight Power Pte. Ltd.’s 600-MW CCGT facility, which will begin its operations in January 2029.
According to the director of energy, the city-state would continue to push domestic solar capacity. Singapore hit its 2025 target of deploying 1.5 gigawatt-peak (GWp) solar energy and aims to hit 2 GWp by 2030.
CHARTIST: APAC RETAIL CRUSHES WEST WITH 5% REAL SPENDING SURGE
The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region leads global retail expansion with real retail spending growth averaging 5% yearon-year, according to a Colliers report.
The region is expected to maintain this momentum through 2026, bolstered by robust domestic demand, tourism recovery, and rising middle-class consumption.
Whilst the pace of growth dipped by 0.7 percentage points between 2023 and 2024, the report noted that APAC remains the fastest-growing retail market globally, ahead of the Americas and Europe.
Notably, stimulus in mainland China, along with tourism-led spending in Japan and Singapore, and population growth in Australia, are offsetting weakness from China’s broader economic slowdown.
Colliers flagged geopolitical uncertainty and
US tariff risks as key challenges for the region’s outlook in 2025–26. However, bilateral deals in Japan and South Korea, along with expected rebounds in discretionary spending, are likely to mitigate some of these pressures.
In terms of retail channels, APAC is the most balanced omnichannel region globally, with store-based retail sales projected to grow 20.4% from 2024 to 2028, alongside 43.4% growth in online and digital sales.
The shift to digital is seen as complementary, not cannibalistic, to physical retail. Asia’s e-commerce market, valued at $1.97t, boasts the fastest five-year growth rate globally (9.8%).
The report highlighted the region’s digitally native consumers, particularly in markets such as China, Thailand, India, and Indonesia, where social commerce platforms like TikTok Shop are driving rapid growth.
The virtual power plant uses a network of solar panels, batteries, and smart appliances
ENERGY & OFFSHORE
Violet Chen
Maritime-inspired hotel debuts in Kowloon
Each room offers sea views of both eastern and western stretches of Victoria Harbour.
Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui Hong Kong, a hotel inspired by the city’s maritime history has opened, offering guests a blend of heritage and modern luxury.
The V-shaped hotel—the biggest in the Kimpton portfolio—rises above the historic Mariner’s Club, established in 1967, integrating a reconstructed sailors’ lounge with contemporary rooms spanning floors nine to 42.
Every room of the hotel, which is owned by Hong Kongbased Empire Group Holdings Ltd. and operated by UKbased InterContinental Hotels Group Plc, offers sea views of both eastern and western stretches of Victoria Harbour, making it the city’s first property with this feature.
About the hotel
“Our hotel is a one-of-a-kind reflection of Hong Kong itself, combining the city’s maritime history with modern energy,” Mike Robinson, general manager at Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui, told Asian Business Review in an exclusive interview.
Artworks throughout the hotel, including “Whatever Floats Your Boat” by Swiss-born, Hong Kong-raised artist Julie Progin, and wave-patterned ceilings in elevator lobbies reinforce the maritime theme.
The rooftop features a 20-metre infinity pool in nautical style, overlooking Victoria Harbour. The hotel is the first Kimpton property in Hong Kong and the 82nd globally. It has 495 rooms and suites, ranging from 28-squaremetre Essential Rooms with East Sea or Sunrise views,
34-square-metre Premium Rooms overlooking Victoria or Central Harbour, to 68-square-metre Kimpton Harbour Suites, some with private balconies.
Average nightly rates start at about $307 (HK$2,400) for Essential Rooms, $346 (HK$2,700) for Premium Rooms, whilst Harbour Suites nightly rates start at $705 (HK$5,500).
Guests can access Hong Kong’s first 24-hour, 200-squaremetre fitness centre offering HYROX training, which combines running and functional workouts.
A hiking programme allows guests to explore curated trails and green spaces across the city.
Combining luxury and heritage
The hotel has five dining and bar options. Hillside offers all-day Cantonese cuisine inspired by traditional open-air food stalls, whilst JĪJĀ will provide high-end dining led by two-Michelin-starred chef Vicky Lau.
Bars Swim Club and High Dive serve cocktails infused with local flavours. Birdsong café hosts a nightly social hour with free snacks and drinks and views of the harbour.
“We position ourselves as an urban resort, serving both tourists and local residents,” Robinson said.
“Our hotel is not only a destination for visitors, but also a place where Hong Kongers can feel at home," he continued.
Kimpton Tsim Sha Tsui aims to combine luxury accommodation, heritage-inspired design, and curated experiences to offer guests a unique living experience.
Mike Robinson
HONG KONG
The hotel is the first Kimpton property in Hong Kong and the 82nd globally It has 495 rooms and suites
The hotel has five dining and bar options
The rooftop features a 20-metre infinity pool (Photos from Kimpton)
Zoom scraps cubicles for 'heritage' hub
It features Peranakan tiles and local fabrics inspired by Singapore's history.
Zoom Communications has opened an office in Singapore that blends technology with heritage, sustainability, and hospitality in its design.
Izabella Lorenz, head of global real estate and workplace strategy at Zoom, said the workspace reflects both the company’s technological focus and local culture.
“We wove in identity through Peranakan tiles, locally inspired fabrics, and colour palettes drawn from Singapore’s culture and history,” she told Asian Business Review
The Engagement Hub features a Hybrid Collaboration Zone, a cluster of meeting rooms that let teams connect more effectively with colleagues across the region and globally.
Sustainability was a key consideration, she added,
noting that finishes were selected to balance durability with environmental responsibility.
A focal point is a large tapestry created in partnership with Art for Impact, woven from recycled plastic bags recovered from the ocean. According to Lorenz, the artwork reflects the intersection of art, community involvement, and environmental responsibility.
The Singapore office is divided into two sections. The Engagement Hub serves as the main workspace, designed to adapt to different workstyles.
The Focus Zone is a quieter area for individual work. It is fitted with desks, phone rooms, and booths to provide privacy and support concentration.
1 From the moment visitors arrive, they can see firsthand new Zoom features and products.
2 The Experience Hub has a 150-inch interactive touchscreen for dynamic demonstrations of Zoom Workplace and AI Companion.
3 The Hybrid Collaboration Zone is a set of meeting rooms equipped with the latest Zoomenabled technology.
4 The Engagement Hub brings together different workstyles under one roof, creating an environment where people have the flexibility to choose how they work best.
5 Every meeting room is equipped with the latest Zoom Rooms technology, designed to make hybrid meetings seamless and inclusive.
6 At the heart of the office is the Community Zone where teams can gather for events or informal conversations.
Isabella Lorenz
CEO INTERVIEW
CPI scales bamboo biomass to bigger projects
The company will apply its biochar innovation to hybrid power systems in Atambua and Nusa Penida.
Clean Power Indonesia (CPI), which pioneered bamboo-fuelled power plants in the Mentawai Islands in West Sumatra, is scaling up its renewable energy initiatives with a 30-megawatt (MW) hybrid project in Atambua, Timor and a plan to achieve 100% renewable energy in Nusa Penida before Bali’s 2045 net-zero target.
The company’s earlier project in Mentawai delivered 700 kilowatts (kW) of power to 1,233 households across three villages—Saliguma, Madobag, and Matotonan.
Operated by PT Carta Putra Indonesia and funded by the US Millennium Challenge Corp., the $14m initiative replaced costly diesel generation with bamboo biomass whilst generating income streams for local communities.
“Small islands in Indonesia can’t rely on the same energy models as India or China—we need solutions that work with our local realities,” CPI President-Director Jaya Wahono told Asian Business Review.
The Mentawai facilities, later handed over to the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and then the local government, became a model for community-led energy. Locals set up cooperatives and their own enterprises to cultivate bamboo, supply fuel, and buy power from PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (Persero) Tbk (PLN), creating both supply and demand locally.
The programme generated about $122,000 (IDR 2b) annually from bamboo sales and was projected to save as much as $857,000 (IDR 14b) yearly by displacing diesel.
“By making the community both the supplier of biomass and the user of electricity, you ensure sustainability— people have a direct stake in the system’s success,” Wahono said in an exclusive interview.
Long-term power plan
One innovation was biochar, a by-product of bamboo gasification. Initially applied to restore degraded soils, it is now being developed as a potential substitute for coking coal in steelmaking.
“With biochar, you get three wins at once—reduced emissions, healthier soils, and potential carbon credit revenues,” Wahono told the magazine.
The tech is central to CPI’s projects. In Atambua, East Nusa Tenggara in Timor, the company is preparing raw materials and finalising feasibility studies for a hybrid plant integrating biomass, solar, and wind.
Bamboo offers both economic and environmental advantages, making it a practical energy source for the 100 million Indonesians who still rely on biomass for daily needs. Unlike conventional timber, bamboo grows rapidly, reaching up to a metre per day, and can be harvested in just three to six years. It emits fewer pollutants than wood or petroleum and helps ease pressure on forests, a critical priority in a country that lost more than 840,000 hectares to deforestation in 2012.
Listed in PLN’s long-term power plan, the project is designed to reach 30 MW and replace stalled coal developments in the region. CPI seeks to replicate the participatory model used in Mentawai to ensure reliable feedstock supply and community benefits.
In Bali’s Nusa Penida, CPI is pursuing an even more
ambitious target: achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. The plan has been adopted into the Bali provincial government’s strategic programme.
The system will use gamal wood for biomass—its leaves feed livestock whilst stems supply fuel—alongside solar and battery storage. Electricity will be sold to PLN under long-term contracts.
“The people here understand this isn’t just about power—it’s about jobs, income, and a healthier environment,” Wahono said.
Uneven energy access
Nusa Penida has attracted investment from a major Indonesian company and is expected to become a learning hub for small islands nationwide.
Indonesia’s uneven energy access underscores the significance of such projects.
The Mentawai project was the proof of concept; now, Nusa Penida will be the proof of scale
Whilst Jakarta’s per capita electricity use is around 6,000 kWh, the national average is just 1,000 kWh. In remote areas such as Mentawai and Nusa Tenggara Timur, consumption falls to 200 kWh, similar to Sub-Saharan Africa.
By combining biomass, solar, wind, energy storage, and advanced biochar applications, CPI aims to show that small islands can leapfrog fossil fuels entirely.
“The Mentawai project was the proof of concept,” Wahono said. “Now, Nusa Penida will be the proof of scale.”
Jaya Wahono, president-director at CPI
INDONESIA
CEO INTERVIEW
HK to host Asia’s first shore power network for ships
Grid-linked infrastructure will let ships draw power from shore whilst docked.
Hong Kong will anchor Asia’s first regional network of ship-charging ports under a joint venture between UK-based NatPower Marine and Hong Kong’s Wah Kwong Maritime Transport Ltd., marking a major step in efforts to cut maritime carbon emissions.
The venture, Wah Kwong NatPower Holdings, will build grid-connected infrastructure across Hong Kong to let vessels switch off fossil-fuel auxiliary engines and draw electricity from the shore whilst at berth.
The system will also enable battery charging for near-shore propulsion using low-emission power.
“Our objective is to build and operate a network of charging points for ships… [covering] container ships, cruiser ships, ferries, railroad and service ships,” NatPower Marine CEO Stefano Sommadossi said in an exclusive interview with Asian Business Review.
“We are electrifying the route, creating a green corridor, and that requires a technical solution that obviously is the same. So there is a lot of standardisation to be made,” he noted.
Wah Kwong NatPower Director Greg McMillan said Hong Kong is an ideal starting point given its dense marine activity. About 18,000 ocean-going ships, 70,000 regional vessels, and 21,000 locally registered boats call at the port each year, he said.
Decarbonisation
initiatives
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates the city’s maritime sector had emitted 620,693 tonnes of carbon dioxide as of December 2024.
The maritime industry is under mounting pressure to decarbonise, and Hong Kong’s 2050 net-zero goal creates a strong case for investment, McMillan said.
“It's about how we build in a certain location the right sort of grid infrastructure, the right sort of grid connection that allows you to deliver power sustainably over a long period of time,” he noted.
“From an electricity perspective, we consider this as fuel. We're going to charge the ships, and the technology on board is basically batteries,” Sommadossi said.
He noted there is a need to put some buffers in the middle in the form of Energy Storage Systems, which currently is mainly battery storage.
“In Hong Kong, specifically, there's no infrastructure, so we have to start a building and operating, and we are in the process,” Sommadossi said.
The Hong Kong initiative is part of NatPower Marine’s broader plan to develop 120 charging locations worldwide and link them with similar networks in Europe.
Sommadossi said that in Mainland China, there is existing infrastructure, such as plug at berth in many ports, but the utilisation is very low.
“In the case of Hong Kong, we're going to put directly
our own investment because the infrastructure is not there. In some other instances, like in Mainland China, we create agreements in order to operate the existing infrastructure in partnership with the port,” he explained.
In the UK and Ireland, the company is investing about $134m (£100m) in partnership with Peel Ports Group to electrify terminals along the Irish Sea, supporting more than 3,000 vessel calls a year.
McMillan said Hong Kong’s market alone could require “hundreds of millions of US dollars in investment.” The first projects are slated to start operations in 2026, focusing on ferry terminals, container ports, and cruise berths.
Expansion plans
By 2030, the venture aims to install shore-power systems in more than 30 ports, forming the backbone of Asia’s first international clean-energy corridor for ships.
Sommadossi said expansion plans include Mainland China and North Asia, whilst McMillan cited South Korea, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Singapore as priority growth markets.
Our objective is to build and operate a network of charging points for ships
“We've already had interest from Japan. We think there are really high potential areas in Southeast Asia, really strong case to be made for some of the large Southeast Asian ports. So, it kind of remains to be seen how it will work. But basically, if anyone's looking for this, we can provide it,” McMillan said.
Stefano Sommadossi, CEO at NatPower Marine
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan honoured at Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025
The company strengthened energy resilience through fast cut-back and house load systems that prevented blackouts during grid disturbances.
SKS Listrik Kalimantan received an accolade in the Automation - Energy category at the Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for its automation project designed to prevent blackouts and major grid disturbances. The initiative integrated Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) with a Distributed Control System (DCS) to automatically trigger house load mode and fast cut-back. This automation capability was proven
during multiple severe grid disturbances caused by lightning strikes and vegetation, where the power plant survived without tripping. Between 2022 and 2023, the system endured eight major events, maintaining operations throughout, with the longest house load duration reaching 74 minutes. The approach reduced the risk of forced outages, safeguarded the electricity supply, and cut fuel oil consumption that would otherwise have been required during lengthy restarts.
The house load and fast cut-back mechanisms kept power plants operational whilst transmission lines recovered. Without this automation, recovery could have taken up to four days due to steam drum temperature differences requiring
complex restart procedures. Instead, the company’s automated system maintained normal parameters during the disruption, allowing the facility to synchronise with the grid once it stabilised.
The project also gained attention beyond Indonesia. The system’s success was presented at international conferences and published in IEEE papers, adding to discussions on grid stability and automation.
The Kalimantan grid, which relies heavily on radial transmission lines, is vulnerable to disturbances. Automation has become a safeguard for communities and industries that rely on electricity. The company operated through repeated events and showed that its strategy can serve as a benchmark for other plants in the region.
The system endured eight major events, maintaining operations throughout
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan
Baiduri SG office to back Bruneian firms
It seeks to facilitate foreign direct investments into Brunei.
SINGAPORE
Baiduri Bank has opened a representative office in Singapore to support Bruneian businesses seeking to expand across the region and to attract foreign investment into the country.
The office, launched in May, is a “critical liaison point” for foreign direct investment (FDI) and for promoting awareness of Brunei’s evolving business environment, Ti Eng Hui, chief executive officer at Baiduri Bank, told Asian Business Review in an exclusive interview.
Ti described the move as a strategic first step, potentially paving the way for a full branch presence in Singapore in the future. “We see this as more than a physical presence,” Ti said. “It’s a platform for sustained engagement, collaboration, and value creation across borders.”
In recent years, the Brunei lender has increased its participation in syndicated loans and strengthened treasury partnerships with Singapore-based companies.
The currency interchangeability between Brunei and Singapore provides a seamless environment for cross-border financial activities, Ti added.
The bank has also invested in digital infrastructure, introducing innovations such as Baiduri Tap2Pay, the country’s first solution allowing businesses to accept contactless payments via smartphones.
The bank is also experimenting with generative artificial intelligence (AI) through its Emmi chatbot, which can handle complex queries, provide tailored responses, and learn from user interactions to deliver smarter support.
Ti said these developments give the bank a stronger foundation to take an outward-looking approach and diversify beyond its domestic market.
Broader regional ambitions
Whilst the representative office does not conduct banking transactions, it aims to facilitate dialogue on foreign direct investments (FDIs) in Brunei in collaboration with partners, including the Brunei Economic Development Board.
Ti cited growing discussions between Brunei and Singapore, particularly in Brunei’s five priority sectors: downstream oil and gas, food, services, information and communications technology, and tourism.
Baiduri Bank also has broader regional ambitions, although Brunei remains its core market. “The establishment of our representative office in Singapore marks a carefully considered first step towards building stronger regional linkages,” Ti said.
He added that the bank plans to explore markets with strong intra-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) trade and investment activity, as well as growing demand for Bruneian products, services, and capital.
“Ultimately, our goal is to help Bruneian firms gain a foothold in competitive regional markets like Singapore, whilst also serving as a gateway for ASEAN and international investors to explore Brunei’s emerging opportunities,” Ti told the magazine.
With the Singapore office, Baiduri Bank seeks to strengthen cross-border partnerships, support regional expansion for domestic companies, and enhance Brunei’s
Ultimately, our goal is to help Bruneian firms gain a foothold in competitive regional markets like Singapore
presence in the ASEAN financial landscape.
“Over the long term, we see value in gradually expanding our international footprint—particularly within the ASEAN region, which continues to show strong economic momentum and offers synergies with Brunei’s trade and investment priorities,” he added.
'Strategic entry point' Brunei presents opportunities for Singaporean and international investors, Ti said. Key areas of interest include renewable energy and green technologies, food security and agri-tech, and digital services and fintech.
As of 2023, the majority of Brunei’s total energy supply comes from natural gas, oil, and coal, according to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA).
The country is aiming to increase its total share of renewable energy to at least 30% of total capacity in the power generation mix by 2035, according to an April 2025 presentation by Brunei’s Department of Energy.
Brunei also has a target of having a 200MW capacity of renewable energy in 2025. “Brunei offers a strategic entry point for long-term investment in high-potential, underpenetrated sectors,” Ti said.
In May 2025, Brunei and Singapore inked a memorandum of understanding to establish a reciprocal cross-border collateral arrangement.
This arrangement allows both authorities to accept a wider range of collateral in their liquidity provisioning facilities, providing financial institutions across jurisdictions greater flexibility in their liquidity management, according to a joint release by the central banks of both countries.
Ti Eng Hui, CEO at Baiduri Bank
“Cambodia
Customer Experience of the Year - Life Insurance award FWD Cambodia
FWD Cambodia has been recognized as the Cambodia Customer Experience of the Year - Life Insurance at The Asian Experience Awards Ceremony held in Singapore.
This prestigious award highlights FWD Cambodia’s outstanding contributions and commitment to helping more Cambodian families celebrate living through its professional teams, innovative o erings, and digitally enabled services.
EVENT NEWS: ASIAN POWER SUMMIT 2025
Energy titans demand $700b for ASEAN grid
The grid vision dates back decades but missed its original 2020 completion date.
SOUTHEAST ASIA
Energy leaders have debated the long-delayed ASEAN Power Grid (APG), highlighting both the potential and the persistent obstacles of regional power integration.
During the Asian Power Summit 2025 in Singapore, Tony Segadelli, chief engineer and managing director of Owl Energy Consultants, noted that the vision dates back decades.
“It was supposed to be finished by 2020. It’s now 2025, and the current plan is for it to be completed by 2045,” he said in a panel.
Segadelli stressed that progress will depend on institutional alignment: “The power grid would need to have an ASEAN-wide power grid authority that promotes integration… Singapore will have to financially lead it.”
Edgare Kerkwijk, board member of the Asia Wind Energy Association, meanwhile, said, “The world is going to double its energy consumption… so who’s going to sell energy to their neighbour if they need it themselves?”
“In the EU, it works because they have a lot more regulation in common.
It's going to be an awful lot of bilaterals, and by the end, it's going to have sewn a beautiful quilt
In Asia, there’s so much diversity… it’s going to be very tough to make a regional power grid,” he continued
Imran Chowdhury, Deputy Director (PIM) of Ibvogt APAC, pointed to South Asia as a model. Bangladesh started importing power from India in 2013, it began small—200 megawatts—because there was lack of trust.
This later on gained support from the government, which helped increase the scale.
Chowdhury suggested forming “an Asian Power Grid Council” to improve coordination, similar to how regional councils aided South Asia’s energy trade.
Leader Energy director of Business Development Tawfique Roseli took a balanced view, noting the success with the LTMS project—hydropower wheeled from Laos through Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore.
But the challenge is the energy trilemma: supply-demand and regulatory imbalance. He added that technical instability from renewables must be addressed, saying, “Battery technology has to
be put into the picture.”
Quantum Power Asia Pte Ltd
CTO Andre Susanto proposed a new approach by looking at the APG not as a fully integrated grid, but as a backbone transmission system.
“Countries that want it can tap in and buy. It’s an IPP business model.”
Despite the differences, Segadelli concluded that gradual progress is likely. “It’s going to be an awful lot of bilaterals, and by the end, it’s going to have sewn a beautiful quilt,” he said.
Regional moves
Dato’ Ir. Ts. Abdul Razib Dawood, executive director of the ASEAN Centre for Energy (ACE), has said that the 10 members of the ASEAN should cut political risk by adopting coherent policies that will attract almost $700b in investments needed to build a regional power grid.
To boost the development of the regional grid, Agence française de développement, ACE, and Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership of the United Nations Office for Project Services have inked financing deals.
According to a joint statement, one of the grants signed was between AFD and ACE, which will facilitate support for the feasibility studies of a cross-border interconnection line to advance the development of the APG. ACE will implement the cooperation by working closely with the ASEAN Member States and the APG-Related Bodies. The feasibility study will continue the development of the APG as mandated through the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) and the ASEAN Interconnection Masterplan Study (AIMS).
AFD also signed the grant financing agreement with ETP-UNOPS, which serves as additional support to AFD’s existing contribution to ETP’s pooled funds. This will enable technical assistance to establish the ASEAN School of Regulation, a joint initiative between ETP, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific.
Rao, Segadelli, Susanto, Roseli, Kerkwijk, and Chowdhury at the Asian Power Summit 2025
Empowering People. Driving a Future-Ready Nation. MC:MC:
At Malaysian Communications and Mul timedia Commission (MCMC), innovation begins with people. Through transformative initiatives in learning, leadership, and digital inclusion, we are shaping a workforce that is agile, future-ready, and driven by purpose.
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Traffic Incident Management Service (TIMS): How Dubai Keeps Roads Safe and Traffic Moving
As a global leader in smart mobility, Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) delivers safer, more reliable roads through the Traffic Incident Management Service (TIMS), a proactive operational service designed to prevent incidents from escalating into serious safety risks. TIMS transforms traditional reactive traffic response into a real-time, prevention-focused model that protects road users and maintains network stability across the emirate’s busiest corridors.
The service is built around rapid field response to vehicle breakdowns, minor collisions, roadway debris, and stalled heavy vehicles — the most common causes of secondary crashes and sudden traffic slowdowns.
Specially equipped patrol teams secure incident scenes, deploy safety warnings, manage temporary lane control, and remove obstructions from live traffic within minutes.
This fast, structured intervention significantly reduces the risk of secondary accidents and protects both motorists and response teams.
TIMS also plays a critical role in congestion prevention by restoring normal traffic conditions before disruption spreads across the network. Through real-time coordination with traffic control centers and emergency partners, the service stabilizes traffic flow, reduces shockwave congestion, and improves journey time reliability, especially during peak periods and major events. The result is safer driving behavior, fewer traffic conflicts, and a more predictable travel experience.
Powered by trained specialist teams and intelligent operational planning, TIMS represents a modern model of urban road safety. By combining real-time monitoring, predictive positioning, and coordinated field operations, Dubai continues to deliver safer roads, smoother journeys, and a more resilient transport ecosystem.
First on the scene, focused on prevention before congestion and secondary risks emerge.
2025 Statistics (Q1-Q3)
ABR EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH
What does a top Singapore CEO look like?
Most lead the same firms they joined decades ago, rising from finance, engineering, or operations into the top job.
Singapore’s corporate elite is defined by continuity, loyalty, and steady succession from within, with eight of 10 CEOs on the 30-company bellwether Straits Times Index (STI) being internal appointees who spent years building their careers within the same company before reaching the top, according to data compiled by Asian Business Review.
Most of these leaders are in their 50s or 60s and have held their posts for an average of seven years, combining experience with longevity. Many rose through the ranks from finance, engineering, or operational backgrounds, reflecting the city-state’s preference for steady leadership and technical competence.
Leadership ascension
Singapore Telecommunications CEO Yuen Kuan Moon, for instance, joined the company in 1993 as a fresh engineering graduate and climbed through several management positions before becoming head of the company’s consumer business in 2012.
In 2021, he was appointed group chief executive. In a LinkedIn post that year, Yuen said he stayed because he believed in the company’s mission to make a “real difference in the lives of our customers and the communities we serve.”
At Singapore Airlines Ltd., CEO Goh Choon Phong followed a similar path. He joined the carrier in 1990 after graduating from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and served in roles ranging from marketing to finance and cargo. His predecessor, Chew Choon Seng, described him as a leader with “versatility and deep experience” when Goh took the helm in 2010 at age 47.
There is no fixed age for leadership ascension in Singapore’s corporate landscape. Loh Hwee Long, who became CEO at Keppel DC REIT in 2023 at 46, had spent more than a decade at the company, most recently as its chief investment officer (CIO)
overseeing data centre assets. At the other end of the spectrum, Venture Corp. Ltd. CEO Wong Chee Kheong was 62 when appointed in 2024 after two decades in the company.
The outlier is Kuok Khoon Hong, the 76-year-old co-founder and CEO at Wilmar International Ltd., who helped build the palm oil giant from scratch in 1991. The Wilmar International chief executive is the only founder still leading a firm among STI constituents and the oldest CEO on the list.
At least 10 CEOs have held their roles for two years or less, including DBS Group Holdings Ltd. CEO Tan Su Shan, who took over in March 2025 after serving as deputy CEO and head of institutional banking. CapitaLand Integrated Commercial Trust CEO Tan Choon Siang also joined in 2025 after a stint leading CapitaLand’s Malaysian REIT arm.
Ren Letian, 43, is the youngest CEO on the STI list. He joined Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings Ltd. in 2006 as a site project manager, rose to general manager of the main shipyard, and became the chief executive in 2015. He is the son of honorary chairman Ren Yuanlin. Even external hires come with solid credentials and senior-level experience. Anthea Lee, CEO at Frasers Logistics & Commercial Trust, headed Keppel DC REIT Management, where she served as CEO from 2021 to 2023.
Education
Educational backgrounds amongst these leaders reveal consistent patterns. Most have degrees in business or engineering, with almost equal numbers holding postgraduate qualifications. Only a handful pursued Master of Business Administration (MBA), though many attended executive programmes at top institutions. Vincent Chong, CEO at Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd., earned a mechanical engineering degree from the National University of Singapore (NUS) and later attended leadership programmes at Columbia Business School and the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, US.
Kerry Mok, chief executive at Eight in 10
Family succession still plays a quiet but enduring role in corporate Singapore. Five STI companies are now led by descendants of founders or their chairmen. Wee Ee Cheong, CEO of United Overseas Bank Ltd. (UOB) since 2007, represents the third generation of the founding family. He joined the bank in 1979, became deputy chairman in 2000, and succeeded his father, the late Wee Cho Yaw, in leading one of Southeast Asia’s biggest banks.
At least 10 CEOs have held their roles for two years or less
CEO age compared with tenure
Source: Asian Business Review
SATS Ltd., holds a business degree in accounting from Monash University. Scott Price, CEO at DFI Retail Group Holdings Ltd., has an MBA and a master’s in Asian Studies from the University of Virginia.
Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. Ltd. (OCBC) CEO Helen Wong, who started as a management trainee at the bank, earned her social science degree from the University of Hong Kong and became OCBC’s first female CEO in 2021. She has retired in December 2025 after more than four decades in banking.
About a third of Singapore’s top executives are alumni of local universities such as NUS and Nanyang Technological University. Many others studied overseas, with alumni networks stretching across American universities including Stanford, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Boston University,
and European schools such as Oxford and Imperial College London.
One prominent overseaseducated CEO is Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, who heads Thai Beverage Public Co. Ltd. (ThaiBev) He holds both undergraduate and master’s degrees in finance from Boston University and became CEO of the Thai group’s beverage arm in 2008 at age 33. ThaiBev, listed on the Singapore Exchange since 2006, is part of his father’s TCC Group empire.
Glass ceiling
Despite Singapore’s reputation for business diversity, women remain underrepresented at the top. Women lead only 20% of STI-listed firms, and half of them are from the Mapletree Investments Pte. Ltd. group.
Sharon Lim, CEO at Mapletree Pan Asia Commercial Trust since
ABR EXCLUSIVE RESEARCH
CEOs' ages as of November 2025
Source: Asian Business Review
2015, held senior roles at CapitaMalls Malaysia REIT. Jean Kam, CEO at Mapletree Logistics Trust, took the helm in 2024 after heading its investment division. Ler Lily, who became the chief executive at Mapletree Industrial Trust the same year, was the company’s chief financial officer (CFO).
Climbing the corporate ladder
Career progression towards CEO in Singapore usually involves leading a unit or moving through key executive positions such as CFO, CIO, or executive vice president.
At least half of the top chief executives once headed subsidiary companies before assuming the top post, a reflection of Singapore’s structured succession planning culture.
Female CEOs of the STI Top 30
EVENT: MIDDLE EAST MANAGEMENT
Top leaders celebrated at Middle East Management Excellence Awards
The Middle East stands as a hub of innovation, resilience, and business growth, driven by visionary leaders and transformative organisations that shape the region’s industry and community progress.
In recognition of these achievements, the Middle East Management Excellence Awards 2025 honoured the region’s most outstanding leaders, innovators, and teams. The prestigious programme highlighted contributions to business excellence, employee well-being, and forward-thinking initiatives, shining a spotlight on the finest in the Middle Eastern business landscape.
Hosted by Asian Business Review, the event gathered distinguished industry leaders for a night of celebration at the Awards Dinner held on 11 September 2025 at Conrad Dubai, UAE. Honours were presented across categories, including Executive
MIDDLE EAST MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025WINNERS
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Oman
• Building Services & Facilities - Mr Jasim Al Jabri, Middle East Artificial Lift Forum (MEALF)
Qatar
• Hospitality & Leisure - Gille Nicolas, Crowne Plaza Doha - The Business Park
• Printing and Signages - Fadel Tony Akl, Ali Bin Ali Printing Press WLL
• Energy - REDSEA Utilities Assets and Infrastructure Project, SHANDONG
of the Year, Innovator of the Year, and Team of the Year, along with recognition for excellence in employee engagement, health and wellness, and diversity and inclusion initiatives.
The panel of judges, who shared their expertise in evaluating the nominees for this year’s awards programme, consisted of:
• Nimish Makvana, Senior Partner and Management Team Member, Crowe UAE
• Joanna Matthews-Taylor, Partner, Baker McKenzie
• Dr. Surya Narayanan Krishna Moorthy, Senior Partner & Chief Executive Officer (Northern Emirates of UAE), Moore JFC Group
• Shivendra Jha, Partner - Head of Advisory Services and International Liaison Partner (ILP), BDO UAE
Congratulations to all the winners for their achievements!
TIEJUN Electric Power Engineering Company Ltd
• Technology - TCC HR Team, Technology Control Company TCC
United Arab Emirates
• Marine Services - DDW Sustainability Team, Drydocks World FZC
• Media & Entertainment - Digital Editorial & Social Media Department, Dubai Media Incorporated
• Media & Entertainment - Dubai Post
EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT OF THE YEAR
Saudi Arabia
• Oil & Gas - Saudi Aramco | Community Services Technical Support Dept.
• Safety & Security - The National Security Services Company (NSSC)
• Venture Capital - Savvy Games Group
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION INITIATIVE OF THE YEAR
United Arab Emirates
• Tourism - Dubai Holding Entertainment
Dubai Media Incorporated
Drydocks World FZC
Dubai Holding Entertainment
Middle East Artificial Lift Forum (MEALF)
Petromin Corporation
SHANDONG TIEJUN Electric Power Engineering Company Ltd Technology Control Company TCC
Transitioning to a Sustainable Organization - Drydocks World
Drydocks World’s Pathway to Decarbonization
Drydocks World (DDW) recognizes its vital role in leading the region’s transition towards low-carbon industrial operations.
DDW’s Decarbonization Strategy
DDW’s Decarbonization strategy is aligned with UAE Net Zero 2050 Vision, COP Vision & the United Nation’s Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs)
DDW has been certified for its outstanding commitment to SDGs by UNGP.
DDW’s decarbonization efforts are aligned with the below SDGs.
DDW’s Achievements on Decarbonization
As represented in the graph (Fig.2), DDW has reduced 67.7 Kt of Carbon Emission (62.73%) compared to the year 2020.
DDW is procuring 100% renewable Electricity from DEWA for the operations.
To reduce the diesel consumption, DDW has installed two 132kV electrical substation during the year 2024 & 2025. This has led to a reduction of approximately 9,240 tons of CO2 annually.
Accelerating Global Decarbonization Journey
DDW has completed the fabrication and installation of 4 Wind Energy Offshore Platforms which produce enough renewable electricity to cover the annual needs of over four million households.
Baseline emission in year 2020
Fig2: Graph- Absolute
Fig1: Norfolk Wind Energy Platforms (Ongoing Project)
EVENT: MIDDLE EAST
Exemplary companies lauded at 2025 Middle East Awards
The Middle East stands as one of the most vibrant and rapidly evolving business hubs, where local enterprises, multinational corporations, and trailblazing tech innovators continue to drive economic growth and shape global markets.
In recognition of these remarkable contributions, the 2025 Middle East National Business Awards, Middle East International Business Awards, and Middle East Technology Excellence Awards have once again honoured the region's most outstanding homegrown and international companies and technological achievements.
Presented by Asian Business Review, this year’s awards were celebrated at a prestigious Awards Dinner on 11 September 2025 at Conrad Dubai, UAE.
These distinguished awards programmes have recognised an exceptional range of achievements across multiple sectors, celebrating the visionaries whose efforts are transforming the Middle East’s dynamic industries.
MIDDLE EAST NATIONAL BUSINESSAWARDS 2025WINNERS
Bahrain
Anar Interiors
• Interior Design
Beyon
• Renewable Energy
GFH Financial Group
• Banking
Lebanon
credit Libanais bank
• Banking
Qatar
QInvest
• Investment Banking
Saudi Arabia
ALTANFEETHI COMPANY
• Hospitality & Leisure
channels by stc
• Logistics
Savvy Games Group
• Media & Entertainment
SMC Group
• Marketing
The Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones
• Real Estate
United Arab Emirates
AARK Marketing Services LLC
• Marketing
The rigorous judging process was guided by an esteemed panel of industry experts:
Middle East National Business Awards & International Business Awards 2025
• Surya Narayanan Krishna Moorthy, Senior Partner, Moore JFC Group
• Nimish Makvana, Senior Partner, Crowe UAE
• Hassan Malik, Partner, Deloitte Middle East
• Shivendra Jha, Partner - Head of Advisory Services and International Liaison Partner (ILP), BDO UAE
Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025
• Hadi Kobeissi, Partner - Consulting, Digital & Technology, PwC Middle East
• Dr. Madan Mohan, Director, Technology Advisory Services, BDO UAE
• Marine Technology - Marine and Offshore Engineering
Systems Limited
• Software - Banking
Qatar
Hayya
• Travel Technology - Business Services
Ooredoo Fintech
• Fintech - Financial Technology
• Mobile - Financial Technology
Qatar Insurance Company (QIC)
• Mobile - Financial Services
Saudi Arabia
Advanced Construction Technology Services (ACTS)
• AI - Materials & Construction
Alrajhi Bank
• Digital - Banking
channels by stc
• AI - Telecommunications
Eastern Province Municipality (Amana)
• Smart City - Government
General Directorate of Public Security
• Analytics - Government
king abdullah city for atomic and renewable energy
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Government
King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre – Madinah
• Virtualisation - Health Products & Services
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
• AI - Government
Ministry of Transport and Logistics Services
• Big Data - Transportation
• Emerging Technology - Transportation
• IoT - Logistics
National Maritime Academy
• Marine Technology - Marine Services
National Transportation Solutions Company (Powered by Petromin)
• Startup - Automotive & Transport Equipment
Qassim Municipality
• Infrastructure Tech - Government
Riyadh Municipality
• IoT - Government
SapidBlue technologies
• Cybersecurity - IT Services
Saudi Aramco | Community Services Technical Support Dept.
• Quality Management Technology - Oil & Gas
Saudi Energy Efficiency Center (SEEC)
• Emerging Technology - Government
Saudi Telecome Company
• Cloud - Technology
Squadio
• Software - Technology
Tanmiah Food Company
• Agritech - Agriculture
The Saudi General Directorate of Civil Defense
• Security Technology - Government
THIQAH
• Fintech - IT Services
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
• Banking Technology - Banking
Apptunix
• Mobile - Technology
Azentio
• RegTech - Financial Services
Canon Middle East & Turkey
• Digital - Consumer Products (Durables)
Deloitte & Touche (M.E.)
• Legal Tech - Legal
Diversey - A Solenis Company
• Robotics - Chemicals
DP World
• Digital - Logistics
Dubai Police
• Gaming - Government
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA)
• Smart City - Government
e& enterprise
• Enterprise Software - IT Services
EVENT: MIDDLE EAST AWARDS
e& UAE
• Security Technology - Security & Safety
• Smart Technology - Telecommunications
Emcode Technology
• Smart City - Security & Safety
Emirates District Cooling (EMICOOL) LLC
• ESG Tech - Utilities
Emirates Health Services
• AI - Government
FrieslandCampina
• E-Commerce - Consumer Products (Non-Durables)
IntelliSoft Services DMCC
• Software - Automotive Services
KamelPay
• Fintech - Financial Services
Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions
• AI - Manufacturing
Mashreq
• API - Banking
Mercer
• Learning and Development Technology - Human Resources Consulting
Ministry of Health and Prevention (MOHAP)
• AI - Healthcare Technology
• Online Services - Government
NMDC GROUP
• AI - Oil & Gas
Option 1 Design Studio
• Smart Technology - Media & Entertainment
Sharjah Coop
• Big Data - Retail
• Personalisation - Retail
Space42
• AI - Satellite
• Smart City - Transportation
The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi
• Blockchain - Government
• Cybersecurity - Government
UXE Security Solutions LLC
• IoT - Hospitality & Leisure
Yalla Group Limited
• AudioTech - Media & Entertainment
Yas Island
• E-Commerce - Hospitality & Leisure
Bank Muscat channels by stc
e& UAE
Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) e& enterprise
Emirates District Cooling
Friesland Campina Hayya
Khimji Ramdas LLC
Lenovo Manufacturing Solutions
Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources
National Maritime Academy Saudi Telecome Company
Ooredoo Fintech
Sharjah Coop
Space42
stc Bahrain Tanmiah Food Company
The General Administration of Customs - Abu Dhabi
UXE Security Solutions LLC and Emcode Technology
Vodafone Egypt
Zain Jordan ALTANFEETHI COMPANY
channels by stc credit Libanais bank
Emirates Global Aluminium SMC Group
Emcode Technology: Architecting the GCC’s sovereign telematics ecosystem
As the GCC accelerates its digital transformation, the infrastructure powering mobility and logistics must be both intelligent and resilient.
MrJean-Luc Rouinvy, CEO of Emcode (a UXE Group company), discusses how the Dubai-based technology leader is building the sovereign telematics backbone for the region’s Smart Cities.
Q: How is Emcode evolving beyond traditional telematics to shape the future of Smart Cities and secure logistics in the GCC?
A: Emcode was founded in 2018 with a clear mandate: to develop sovereign capabilities in smart mobility within the UAE. We have rapidly evolved beyond basic GPS tracking; today, we are the architects of secure, intelligent ecosystems for national-scale infrastructure. We don't merely connect devices; we integrate the physical and digital worlds to ensure security, compliance, and efficiency. Our impact is demonstrated through platforms like SecurePath, the definitive telematics backbone for national mobility, and Shahin, which revolutionised cross-border logistics in partnership with Dubai Customs, ensuring 100% traceability of hazardous cargo.
A recent highlight is our Tawash platform, which received the Smart City Security & Safety Award at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025. Tawash is a nextgeneration location intelligence system securing the transfer of high-value goods. It has already enhanced the protection of Dubai’s AED275b jewellery and money exchange trade, demonstrating how technology, compliance, and trust converge to safeguard critical economic sectors.
Q: In an era of complex digital threats, why is “sovereign technology” critical for national infrastructure, and how does Emcode guarantee it?
A: In today's geopolitical environment, data control and operational continuity are paramount. Relying on external
infrastructure for mission-critical operations such as emergency response, customs control, or defence logistics creates unacceptable vulnerabilities. Sovereign technology means the data, the infrastructure, and the intellectual property reside securely within the nation. Emcode guarantees this through secure, in-country hosting across the GCC, complying with the highest national security and regulatory standards, including SIRA and DESC.
We provide the resilience essential for critical operations. Our platforms, engineered entirely in the UAE. This combination of local control, cybersecurity, and reliability is why Emcode is the trusted partner for over 8,100 government and enterprise clients, managing over 198,000 connected devices globally.
Q: How is Emcode leveraging artificial intelligence and strategic partnerships to revolutionise mobility and security?
A: We are moving our clients beyond mere data visibility to AI-optimised operations. Telematics generates billions of data points – 142 billions annually for our current SecurePath platform. The true value lies in transforming this data into predictive and prescriptive intelligence.
We have developed Artificial Location Intelligence (ALI), an advanced geospatial analytics engine. ALI integrates machine learning directly into the operational workflow. It doesn’t just show where an asset is; it predicts route anomalies, identifies security threats in real-time, and optimises logistics.
Strategic partnerships are crucial to this revolution. At GITEX Global 2025, we formalised collaborations with leaders like Transguard Group to advance Tejouri our AI-enabled valuables solution and reinforced our commitment with Dubai Customs to drive AI in global trade. These alliances amplify our capability to deliver transformative solutions.
Q: Following your recent achievements and announcements at GITEX 2025, what is Emcode’s vision for the next five years?
A: Our vision is to be the definitive leader in integrated security and intelligent telematics across the GCC and beyond. The key to this future is unifying fragmented mobility data ecosystems.
We are pioneering the “Keystone” initiative, which will establish a unified data fabric, creating a single, cohesive operational picture for the Smart City.
To catalyse this vision, we launched the Emcode AI Innovation Lab, formalised through an MoU with Dell Technologies at GITEX 2025. This centre of excellence, forged with global leaders like Dell and NVIDIA, is dedicated to solving the complex challenges of modern urbanism. This unified data fabric, powered by the AI Lab, will ensure the UAE remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation and intelligent urban development.
We integrate the physical and digital worlds to ensure security, compliance, and efficiency
Emcode Technology at the Middle East Technology Excellence Awards 2025
Emcode Technology at the GITEX Global 2025
UXE Security Solutions: Shaping the future of smart and sustainable ecosystems
Under the leadership of Group CEO Abdulla Al Suwaidi, the company is shaping a seamless, trusted, and profoundly connected world through innovation that feels intuitive, effortless, and secure.
Asthe world enters a new era of connected intelligence, UXE Security Solutions stands at the forefront of transformation — driven by innovation grounded in AI, smart design, and uncompromising security. Group CEO Mr Abdulla Al Suwaidi shares how the company is building a trusted, AI-driven ecosystem that unites intelligent design, data protection, and forward-thinking innovation to empower the connected world. With a focus on creating seamless, humancentred experiences, UXE continues to lead the evolution of intelligent living — shaping a future where technology feels effortless, secure, and profoundly connected.
Q: UXE has quickly become a name that stands for intelligent innovation. How did it all begin, and what’s the vision behind it?
A: UXE began with a bold vision — to establish a world where technology feels human, and intelligence feels effortless. From day one, we set out to create a secure ecosystem where AI and design come together to simplify how people live, work, and connect. Every solution we develop reflects our belief that innovation should be intuitive, not intrusive. Over time, UXE has evolved into a brand that’s shaping the future of smart living — where security, simplicity, and intelligence coexist in perfect balance. Our purpose is clear: to redefine everyday experiences through trust, design, and connected intelligence.
Q: How does UXE differentiate itself from other players in the smart technology space?
A: At UXE, we redefine innovation by delivering Smart Solutions for Smart Cities — sustainable, intelligent ecosystems that align with Dubai’s DDA vision and empower the UAE’s digital transformation. Recognised by the Minister of Foreign Trade and the Minister of Artificial Intelligence for our commitment and capability to support the nation’s future vision, UXE stands as a trusted partner to government entities like SIRA, helping implement vital security regulations that strengthen the region’s safety framework. Through our Audix division (Audit, Advisory, and Certification), we enhance compliance, reduce risk, and build public trust. As a premier smart technology provider trusted by both government leaders and the private sector, UXE is shaping a smarter, safer, and more sustainable future for all.
Q: Keyless has just earned the IoT in Hospitality Award for 2025. What makes this innovation so transformative for the hospitality sector?
A: Winning the IoT in Hospitality Award is more than an achievement — it’s a validation of our purpose. Keyless represents UXE’s philosophy in action: intelligent, contactless, and secure technology that adapts to people, not the other way around. It’s powered by an
AI-based architecture that learns, optimises, and protects in real time — creating a new benchmark for seamless access and smart interaction. The recognition reinforces our belief that innovation should always deliver freedom, security, and trust in equal measure. For UXE, this award is not a finish line but a signal that we’re building the future of connected living.
Q: UXE has been making strategic moves in innovation and partnerships recently. Can you share what’s next for the company and where it’s headed?
A: Our journey forward is all about strategic innovation and meaningful partnerships. At GITEX Global 2025, we proudly announced our collaboration with the Dubai Digital Authority (DDA) — a partnership aimed at shaping the region’s digital future through secure, intelligent ecosystems. Alongside that, our Future Lab with Dell Technologies is driving the next wave of product development, blending advanced AI, IoT, and design thinking to test and scale real-world solutions. These collaborations mark an important step in strengthening our commitment to building trusted, data-secure environments that redefine how people interact with technology. As UXE expands globally, our focus remains on establishing a futureready ecosystem — one where intelligence, security, and design come together to power a smarter, more connected world.
UXE has evolved into a brand that’s shaping the future of smart living
Group CEO Mr Abdulla Al Suwaidi
UXE Security Solutions LLC
ALTANFEETHI manages and operates 27 premium terminals across Saudi airports, offering an exceptional travel and hospitality experience defined by excellence, privacy, and sophistication embodying the essence of Saudi generosity in every detail.
Zain’s TIER III Regional Center for Data and Information Storage and Disaster Recovery (The Bunker), located ١٢ meters underground at the King Hussein Business Park in Amman, Jordan, is a ٤,٣٠٠ sqm state-of-the-art facility that was transformed from an army command and control center into a highly modernized, secure, and resilient infrastructure.
Trailblazing tech leaders honoured at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025
The Asia-Pacific region remains at the forefront of global technology, with companies driving digital transformation and accelerating progress across industries by leveraging AI, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies.
The Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025, presented by Asian Business Review on 18 September at Conrad Bangkok, Thailand, celebrated outstanding projects and innovative solutions across diverse industries, highlighting the companies and leaders driving the region’s digital future.
ASIANTECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCEAWARDS
2025WINNERS
Gentrack
• Enterprise Software - Energy
• Enterprise Software - Utilities
• ESG Tech - Utilities
Australia
HYDAC
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Manufacturing
Bangladesh Grameenphone
• Digital - Telecommunications
Walton Hi-Tech Industries PLC.
• AI - Electronic Manufacturing
• Digital - Manufacturing
Cambodia
BPC
• Mobile - Banking
Vattanac Bank
• Fintech - Banking
China
Angel Drinking Water Industrial Group
• Machine - Residential Product Manufacturing
Ant Group
• Digital - Payments
Autoliv
• Mobility - Automotive & Transport Equipment
India
Bahwan CyberTek
• API - Banking
KGiSL Technologies Private Limited
• AI - IT Services
Tata Communications Limited
• Cloud - Financial Services
• Cybersecurity - Financial Services
An esteemed panel of experts served as this year's judges, including Steve Lo, Chief Innovation Officer, EY Asia-Pacific; Anshuman Sengar, Partner, APAC Digital & Analytics Practice lead, Global Data & AI lead, Kearney; Wilson Chow, Global Technology, Media and Telecommunications Industry Leader, PwC China; Damien Dujacquier, Senior Partner, Managing Partner Southeast Asia, Roland Berger Southeast Asia; and Jason Yau, Partner, Technology & Management Consulting, RSM Hong Kong.
Congratulations to all the winners!
WOCKHARDT PHARMA
• Digital - Healthcare
Laos
Lao Mobile Money M moneyX
• Fintech - Financial Technology
TPLUS DIGITAL COMPANY LIMITED
• Digital - Telecommunications
Myanmar
AYA Pay
• E-Wallet - Financial Services
Frontiir Company Limited
• Network and Broadband - Broadband Telecommunication
Pakistan
Allied Bank Limited
• Digital - Banking
• Virtualisation - Banking
Faysal Bank Limited
• AI - Banking
• Mobile - Banking
JS Bank
• Online Services - Banking
Pak-Arab Refinery - PARCO
• AI - Oil & Gas
Philippines
AGAPAI Technologies Corp.
• AI - Healthcare Technology
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
• Enterprise Software - Healthcare
BPI
• Digital - Banking
GCash
• AI - Financial Technology
Global Dominion Financing Inc.
• Fintech - Financial Services
inDrive Philippines
• AI - Transportation
m360 Inc
• Connectivity - Communications
Megaworld Corporation
• Smart City - Real Estate
Security Bank Corporation
• API - Banking
Singlife Philippines
• Digital - Life Insurance
• Mobile - Financial Services
STT GDC Philippines
• Infrastructure Technology - Data Centre
TP in the Philippines
• AI - Business Services
• Analytics - Retail
Universal Robina Corporation
• AI - Food & Beverage
VXI Global Solutions, LLC
• Information Management - IT Services
Wipro Philippines, Inc.
• AI - IT Services
• Automation - Outsourcing
Sri Lanka
Amana Takaful Insurance
• Mobile - General Insurance
National Savings Bank
• Fintech - Banking
Softlogic Life Insurance Company PLC
• AI - Financial Services
Sri Lanka Telecom PLC
• AI - IT Services
• Automation - Industrial Services
• IoT - Electronics
Taiwan
GMI Cloud
• AI - IT Services
Standard Chartered Bank (Taiwan) Ltd.
• Digital - Banking
YungChing Realty Group
• PropTech - Real Estate
Thailand
Ascend Money
• Fintech - Financial Services
Asset World Corporation
• AI - Hospitality & Leisure
• Digital - Hospitality & Leisure
Canon Marketing (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
• Information Management - Retail
NocNoc
• E-Commerce - Furniture & Fixture
PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP)
• AI - Oil & Gas
PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited
• Digital - Chemicals
SCB 10X
• AI - Investment Banking
SCB TechX
• Facial Recognition - Financial Technology
• Fintech - Banking
Siam Commercial Bank
• AI - Banking
• AI - Financial Services
The Mall Group
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Retail
• Mobile - Retail
UOB Thailand
• Analytics - Banking
Vietnam
akaVerse, FPT
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Training and Development
GEM Corporation
• AI - IT Services
Tingee by Heno
• API - Financial Technology
Hyra Network
• AI - Computer Services
NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam
• E-Commerce - Banking
SSI SECURITIES CORPORATION
• Fintech - Brokerage
Swire Coca-Cola Beverages Vietnam
• Digital - Food & Beverage
Techcombank
• Enterprise Software - Banking
• Enterprise Software - Payments
Techcom Securities
• Digital - Financial Technology
Vietnam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VietBank)
• Digital - Banking
Viettel AI
• Big Data - Computer Software
• Emerging Technology - Computer Software
Viettel Construction
• Enterprise Software - Materials & Construction
Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation
• Robotics - Logistics
• Software - Logistics
Viettel Solutions
• Software - Transportation
Vinamilk
• Digital - Food Manufacturing
EVENT: ASIAN TECHNOLOGY EXELLENCE AWARDS
VNSC
Angel Drinking Water Industrial Group
Asset World Corporation
BPI
Asian Hospital and Medical Center
Autoliv
Frontiir Company Limited
Asset World Corporation
BPC
Gentrack
Grameenphone
inDrive Philippines
PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited
The Mall Group
UOB Thailand
Siam Commercial Bank
HYDAC
NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam
SCB TechX
Tingee by HENO
Vietnam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VietBank)
Singlife Philippines
Hyra Network
PTT Exploration and Production Public Company Limited (PTTEP) Security Bank Corporation
TPLUS DIGITAL COMPANY LIMITED VUS - The English Center
Vinamilk recognised at Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for digital dairy innovation
The company advances high-protein milk and smart quality testing technologies.
Vinamilk, Vietnam’s largest dairy company with a 50-year legacy, was honoured with the Vietnam Technology Excellence Award for DigitalFood Manufacturing at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025, recognising its breakthrough in digital dairy innovation.
Founded in the aftermath of war with the mission that “every Vietnamese child has the right to access high-quality nutrition”, Vinamilk has grown into a global dairy powerhouse. In 2025, it was named amongst the Top 10 most valuable dairy brands worldwide by Brand Finance UK, and remains the only Southeast Asian representative on the list.
The award highlights Vinamilk’s dual innovation initiative that enhances both product quality and supply chain assurance. By integrating ultrafiltration processing technology with precision-based milk quality testing, Vinamilk became the first in Southeast Asia to digitally optimise both production and upstream sourcing.
HiPRO launch and smart quality initiative
The first initiative involved the successful commercialisation of ultrafiltration
technology, a method previously adopted by global dairy leaders but not scaled regionally. In 2024, Vinamilk launched HiPRO, a highprotein milk product delivering 12.5g of natural protein per 240ml serving. Unlike conventional fortified dairy, HiPRO is made entirely from fresh milk without added protein, aligning with global demand for natural, clean-label nutrition.
Vinamilk became the first in Southeast Asia to digitally optimise both production and upstream sourcing
Complementing this, Vinamilk introduced a smart diagnostic system developed in collaboration with an agri-tech startup. The system performs targeted quality checks throughout the supply chain - from farm collection to factory intake - resolving issues at specific points to improve overall efficiency and ensure premium-quality raw milk input, which is essential for advanced processes like ultrafiltration.
These innovations carry particular weight given Vinamilk’s scale and global reach. As Southeast Asia’s largest dairy producer, Vinamilk operates 15 modern farms, manages over 130,000 dairy cows, and processes more than 408,000 tons of fresh milk annually, sourced from both its own farms and smallholder suppliers. The smart testing system not only ensures premiumquality input for advanced processes like ultrafiltration but also helps uplift lowergrade milk to higher standards - enabling fairer pricing for farmers and supporting rural communities.
Global reach and commitment to sustainable innovation
Vinamilk’s global footprint reflects nearly 30 years of export experience, with products available in 65 countries. It is one of the few Vietnamese companies to own international manufacturing facilities (in the US and Cambodia) and overseas dairy farms (in Laos). With a diverse portfolio of over 300 SKUs, Vinamilk’s products have earned prestigious safety and purity awards in both the US and Europe, reinforcing its reputation for quality and innovation on a global scale. Beyond innovation, Vinamilk is also a pioneer in sustainable development, actively participating in the global dairy industry’s Net Zero 2050 initiative, reinforcing its commitment to environmental responsibility and long-term impact.
The Asian Technology Excellence Awards celebrates the most outstanding technological innovations and achievements across Asia, recognising organisations that leverage emerging technologies to drive business value, strengthen customer experiences, and transform industries.
Vinamilk’s trophy at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025
Vinamilk’s modern dairy farms ensure high-quality, traceable milk production while supporting local farmers
Vinamilk’s Green Farm HiPRO embodies the brand’s commitment to natural, high-protein dairy
A new powerhouse in protection: The rise of Singlife Philippines under Lester Cruz
With digital innovation and purpose-driven products like SinglifeNextGen, the company is setting a new standard of trust, accessibility, and financial independence for all.
Singlife Philippines is reshaping how Filipinos see insurance— transforming it from a complicated obligation into something simple, empowering, and built for everyday life. At the centre of this shift is Lester Cruz, Chief Executive Officer, who is steering Singlife into a new era of relevance and trust.
Since taking the helm in 2024, Cruz—who brings over two decades of experience from Citibank, CIMB Bank, and UNO Digital Bank—has led Singlife through transformative milestones. The most recent is the launch of SinglifeNextGen, a new life insurance plan that combines comprehensive protection with a built-in cash benefit for families. Offering coverage of up to PHP6m per person, SinglifeNextGen reflects the company’s mission to make financial independence achievable for Filipinos.
Digital-first, human-centric approach To bring this mission to life, Singlife’s
fully digital model, yet human-centric philosophy, allows customers to buy, manage, and claim insurance entirely through their mobile phones. The Singlife Plan & Protect App simplifies what used to be complex—no paperwork, no long waiting times, just instant access and transparency. It has become a changing force in an industry that has long relied on traditional channels, giving customers full control over their policies anytime, anywhere. But for Cruz, innovation is only valuable when it serves a real purpose. Under his helm, Singlife has focused on products that address financial needs. Protect from Funeral Costs, for example, helps families prepare for life’s inevitable moments with affordable coverage and straightforward benefits. The Income Multiplier plan allows Filipinos to grow their money and generate income whilst staying protected, bridging the gap between saving, investing, and insuring—all within reach for first-time insurance buyers.
‘We want every Filipino to take control of their financial future’
“At Singlife Philippines, we believe insurance is not just a product—it’s a tool for empowerment. We want every Filipino to take control of their financial future, plan for what matters, and protect their loved ones. By combining innovation, simplicity, and empathy, we are building a company that makes
financial independence attainable for everyone,” says Cruz.
Building trust through results
The results speak for themselves. In just five years, Singlife PH has issued over one million policies and paid out more than PHP100m in claims, whilst reaping multiple honours at the 2025 Asian Technology Excellence Awards for product innovation and digital adoption.
These milestones reflect Cruz’s commitment to building a company that people can truly rely on—one that is both progressive and personal.
Beyond technology and performance, Cruz is guiding Singlife to place a stronger emphasis on health and wellness, reflecting his belief that financial independence goes hand in hand with overall well-being. Under his leadership, the company is aligning with initiatives like the 2026 Philippine Marathon Majors, encouraging Filipinos to take charge of both their financial and physical health. Strategic partnerships with leading platforms like GCash, Maya, UNO, and AUB continue to expand Singlife’s reach, helping millions access protection where it matters most— supporting not just their finances, but their overall wellness journey.
As Singlife PH moves forward, Cruz’s vision remains clear: to create a future where insurance is not just a privilege for a few but a trusted tool for all. Singlife continues to prove that innovation and empathy can go hand in hand—redefining what it means to protect, plan, and live with confidence.
About the awards
The Asian Technology Excellence Awards celebrates the most outstanding technological innovations and achievements across Asia, recognising organisations that leverage emerging technologies to drive business value, strengthen customer experiences, and transform industries.
Autoliv wins at Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for occupant safety innovation
Its new approach strengthens protection for passengers in reclined seating positions.
Autolivwas awarded the China Technology Excellence Award for Mobility - Automotive & Transport Equipment in the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for its Omni Safety system.
Omni Safety addresses a growing safety challenge in modern and autonomous vehicles: protecting passengers in reclined seating positions during collisions.
Traditional restraint systems often fail in these scenarios, with the lap belt shifting upward and causing a dangerous condition known as submarining, where passengers slide downwards and risk severe injuries to the head, neck, pelvis, and lumbar spine.
Adaptive seatbelt and airbag system
Autoliv’s solution combines advanced seatbelt and airbag technologies with complementary functions to reduce downward sliding and improve posture control. The system adapts to a wide range of occupant sizes and weights, providing effective protection whilst maintaining comfort and discretion.
The system has undergone rigorous development and validation since 2022, involving more than 100 engineers worldwide. Over 2,000 simulation tests and more than 60 physical crash tests confirmed the technology’s ability to
prevent submarining and keep injury values within safe limits. To strengthen real-world readiness, Autoliv also evaluated the system across different occupant postures, varied impact angles, and multiple crash intensities beyond conventional testing requirements.
Tests included scenarios beyond regulatory requirements, such as a 56 km/h full frontal rigid barrier crash, where the system continued to perform effectively.
Safety and comfort for passengers
Designed to meet the latest proposed requirement from the China Insurance Automotive Safety Index (CIASI 2026), Omni Safety demonstrates Autoliv’s commitment to practical safety solutions in real-world conditions. The technology ensures that protection is delivered only when needed, supporting both safety and comfort for occupants.
The Asian Technology Excellence Awards celebrates the most outstanding technological innovations and achievements across Asia, recognising organisations that leverage emerging technologies to drive business value, strengthen customer experiences, and transform industries.
Omni Safety demonstrates Autoliv’s commitment to practical safety solutions in real-world conditions
Autoliv-Omni Safety Team Pic
NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam wins at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025
The company empowers businesses and customers with real-time, secure payment transactions.
NABInnovation Centre Vietnam has been recognised for its role in helping transform payments by delivering faster, safer, and customer-centric experiences through its Pay by Bank solution with the Asian Technology Excellence Award. The Pay by Bank platform allows users to authorise payments directly from their online bank accounts, eliminating the need to input card or account details with its automated features.
Powering global banking innovation
In 2019, National Australia Bank (NAB) chose
Vietnam to establish its first innovation centre outside Australia. What began as a pilot project with just 10 engineers has grown into a thriving global capability centre with over 2,200 employees across Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
What sets the Pay by Bank solution apart is how it was built, through close collaboration between NAB’s Australian product teams and the technologists at NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam. From ideation to implementation, both teams worked hand-in-hand to ensure the solution was not only technically robust but also deeply aligned with customer needs. Vietnamese engineers contributed significantly to the architecture, user experience, and integration layers.
Transforming online payments
Notably, Amazon has already integrated Pay by
Bank into its Australian checkout platform, enabling customers to make transactions by paying directly from their bank accounts without disclosing card details.
Pay by Bank was developed as part of NAB’s broader strategy to modernise financial services through digital innovation and customer-centric design. The goal was to provide business customers with smarter, safer, and simpler payment tools, whilst also enhancing the experience for individual users.
NAB Innovation Centre Vietnam was honoured with the Vietnam Technology Excellence Award in the E-CommerceBanking category, underscoring its pivotal role in NAB’s ambition to be the most customer-centric company across Australia and New Zealand.
The goal was to provide business customers with smarter, safer, and simpler payment tools
Hanh Tran, General Director, at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards
Vietbank takes home accolades at Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025
The bank strengthened internal operations and customer experience with IMS.
VietnamThuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (Vietbank) was awarded the Vietnam Technology Excellence Award for Digital - Banking in the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2025 for its Intelligent Management System (IMS), an internally developed digital transformation platform designed to streamline operations and improve efficiency.
The IMS was created by the bank’s IT Division to address longstanding challenges such as fragmented knowledge transfer, disjointed communication channels, and inconsistent documentation. Unlike standard vendor solutions, the system was tailored to the bank’s
unique culture and workflows, enabling task management, document control, and approval processes to be centralised in one platform.
The IMS integrates smoothly with the bank’s enterprise systems using API Gateway, IBM ESB, and Kafka. Its functions include real-time task tracking and KPI monitoring, enterprise content management powered by Alfresco, in-house automated approval workflows, and secure digital signature integration.
Since its implementation, IMS has delivered measurable results. These include faster onboarding for new staff, higher documentation completeness across project phases, and shorter approval cycle times that allow quicker business responses. The improvements strengthen the bank’s IT service delivery and enable faster rollouts of strategic initiatives, such as its OmniChannel Platform for SME banking, upgraded credit scoring systems, and an enhanced digital
platform for retail customers.
Vietbank designed IMS as a platform that evolves with the bank’s needs. Current developments involve robotic process automation and upcoming features such as process orchestration, optical character recognition, and AI-driven workflows.
With over 18 years of establishment and development, Vietbank. Currently serves millions of individual and corporate customers nationwide, with a widespread network of branches in major economic hubs, and a strategic vision to become one of the top 15 private joint stock commercial banks in Vietnam. In recent years, Vietbank has continuously made strong investments in digital transformation, modernising its technology infrastructure, and enhancing customer experience, affirming its pioneering position in the digital banking landscape.
The IMS integrates smoothly with the bank’s enterprise systems using API Gateway, IBM ESB, and Kafka
Vietnam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank
Exceptional brand experiences lauded at Asian Experience Awards 2025
Across Asia, companies are elevating their role beyond delivering products and services to shaping experiences that leave a lasting impact. By placing people at the centre, they are redefining how value is created.
Recognising the most ingenious initiatives, the Asian Experience Awards 2025 took centre stage, honouring companies across Asia that are redefining how meaningful brand experiences are created and delivered.
Hosted by Asian Business Review, the Awards Ceremony gathered esteemed innovators and trailblazers for a showcase of excellence on 25 September 2025 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore.
ASIAN EXPERIENCEAWARDS 2025WINNERS
AETOS Holdings Pte Ltd
• Singapore Employee Experience of the Year - Safety & Security
AIA Investment Management (Thailand)
• Thailand Product Experience of the Year - Financial Services
Amana Takaful Insurance
• Sri Lanka Customer Experience of the Year - General Insurance
Antom
• Singapore Digital Experience of the Year - Payments
• Singapore Service Experience of the Year - Payments
Asuransi Astra
• Indonesia Customer Experience of the Year - General Insurance
B'yond Platforms
• Singapore User Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
BRI Life
• Indonesia Customer Experience of the Year - Life Insurance
• Indonesia Digital Experience of the Year - Life Insurance
CelcomDigi Berhad
• Malaysia Customer Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
• Malaysia Digital Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
Citibank Singapore Limited
• Singapore Customer Experience of the Year - Banking
• Singapore Digital Experience of the Year - Banking
• Singapore Service Experience of the Year - Banking
ConnectOS Regional Headquarters
• Philippines Employee Experience of the Year - Outsourcing
Converge ICT Solutions. Inc
• Philippines Product Experience of the Year - Technology
CRC Sports Co., Ltd.
• Thailand Brand Experience of the Year - Retail
• Thailand Customer Experience of the Year - Retail
e&
• United Arab Emirates Service Experience of the YearTelecommunications
• United Arab Emirates User Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
The awards programme celebrates organisations that have transformed their clients, customers, and employees’ experiences through unique, standout, and innovative efforts.
The distinguished panel of judges for this year’s event included: Roger Loo, Executive Director, Head of Management Consulting Services, BDO; Loretta Fong, Sustainability Assurance Leader, PwC Hong Kong; Andrew Tan, Partner, Consulting, Ernst & Young Advisory Pte. Ltd.; Dorothy Peng, Partner, Customer Strategy & Design, Deloitte Singapore; Guillaume Sachet, Partner, Corporate Transformation, KPMG in Singapore; and Chow Khen Seng, Partner, RSM.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Eastern Communications
• Philippines Brand Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
• Philippines Customer Experience of the Year - Telecommunications
Expereo International B.V. (Expereo Singapore Pte Ltd)
• Singapore Employee Experience of the Year - IT Services
Fluor Daniel, Inc. - Philippines
• Philippines Brand Experience of the Year - Engineering
FWD Life Insurance (Cambodia) PLC.
• Cambodia Customer Experience of the Year - Life Insurance
GERMAN-MALAYSIAN INSTITUTE
• Malaysia Brand Experience of the Year - Education
Fluor is building a better world by applying world-class expertise to solve its clients’ greatest challenges.
Fluor’s nearly 27,000 employees provide professional and technical solutions that deliver safe, well-executed, capital-efficient projects to clients around the world. With headquarters in Irving, Texas, Fluor has provided engineering, procurement and construction services for more than 110 years. Since 1987, Fluor’s Philippines office has served various industries, completing over 280 workshare projects with 34 other offices and leading 37 regional and local projects.
Philippine Office Engineers
LNG Canada Project
Semiconductor Facility
JG Summit OSBL PMC Shell Malampaya Phase 3
Petronas Rapid UIO
Vantive dialysis solution bag recycling project wins Asian Experience Awards 2025
The Jom Recycle project is set out to reduce plastic waste leakage from homecare into the environment.
Vantiveclinched the prestigious Asian Experience Awards 2025 in the Malaysia Partner Experience of the Year - Healthcare category for its Jom Recycle project, which provided a sustainable solution and built project awareness in the medical community for the disposal and recycling of dialysis solution bags in home dialysis settings.
Jom Recycle
Jom Recycle is Malaysia’s first pilot to apply Extended Producer Responsibility principles to post-consumer medical plastics from home-based peritoneal dialysis treatments, directly addressing the mounting issue of plastic waste in the healthcare system.
It has introduced several key innovations, including a reverse logistics system by the logistic partner Zuellig Pharma, bilingual standard operating procedure, and starter kits for patients, including a 12-gallon bin, biodegradable liners, bandage scissors, educational materials, and an upcycled bag made
from recovered materials, all designed to encourage proper segregation and behavioural change.
The project is a testament to the power of multi-stakeholder collaboration that brings together a diverse group of partners, including healthcare professionals and peritoneal dialysis patients. Stakeholder consultations and feedback have been crucial in shaping the project, especially in addressing the lack of clear segregation protocols and the logistical challenges unique to home-based care settings.
We are committed to building a more sustainable healthcare system
As of June 2025, Jom Recycle has engaged 12 hospitals across Federal Territory, Selangor, and Perak. It has also enrolled 315 peritoneal dialysis patients in the programme, diverted 3,877 kg of clean dialysate plastic bags from landfills, and
prevented an estimated 6 tonnes of CO2equivalent emissions.
Looking forward
The project is designed for expansion across additional hospital networks and patient groups. Its standardised procedures ensure safety, traceability, and environmental compliance, making it suitable for national replication.
“At Vantive, we are committed to building a more sustainable healthcare system. Through our Jom Recycle initiative, we are setting a benchmark for circular healthcare in Malaysia, proving that collaboration is key to creating scalable, impactful solutions. Guided by our mission to extend lives and expand possibilities, we continue to deliver innovative products and services that support both economic and environmental sustainability,” the company said.
The Asian Experience Awards recognises the ingenious initiatives of creative companies in delivering meaningful brand experiences to their stakeholders.
Vantive at Asian Experience Awards 2025
Protect the planet
We strive to reduce or eliminate adverse impacts that may be associated with our manufacturing, distribution, logistics, products and services; and we collaborate with our supply chain partners and customers to do the same. We advance key global frameworks as we do our part to combat global climate change, aligning our efforts with a science-based target, and we support communities with projects that uphold the human right to water and sanitation.
THE NEXT EVOLUTION OF A KIDNEY CARE LEGACY
Vantive is a newly independent healthcare company committed to advancing vital organ therapies. We exist to empower patients, their families and the clinicians who care for them.
70-YEAR LEGACY as Baxter Kidney Care
1 MILLION+ DAILY INTERACTIONS with patients across 100+ countries1,2
TRANSFORMING VITAL ORGAN THERAPIES
PRESERVING PATIENT FREEDOM WITH HOME DIALYSIS
~23,000 EMPLOYEES dedicated to advancing vital organs therapies
Our automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) products, such as our user-friendly Homechoice Claria APD System, are strengthened by the Sharesource Connectivity Platform, which enables remote patient monitoring.
EXTENDING OUR IMPACT IN CRRT AND MULTI-ORGAN SUPPORT
We have advanced lifesaving critical care therapy with systems capable of delivering continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) as well as multi-organ support, such as our PrisMax System. Beyond this, we continue to pursue novel diagnostic and therapeutic options for organ failure, including new approaches to sepsis management and to lung and liver function support.
OPTIMIZING CARE QUALITY AND EFFICIENCY WITH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS
Our landmark Sharesource Connectivity Platform helps empower care teams and patients alike in successful PD therapy, while our TrueVue technology uses timely data to support CRRT management in the acute setting.
PRIORITIZING THE PATIENT AND CLINICIAN EXPERIENCE THROUGH ADVANCED SERVICES
We provide a wealth of advanced services to help improve the therapy experience for both patients and clinicians – educational offerings, technical assistance, proactive patient support and online supply ordering.
portal is intended for use by healthcare professionals to remotely communicate with compatible dialysis instruments and transfer data to a central database to aid in the review, analysis, and evaluation of patients’ historical treatment results. This system is not intended to be a substitute for good clinical management practices nor does its operation create decisions or treatment pathways.
Q1 2024.
Guidedby the purpose of Advancing and Inspiring Society, CelcomDigi has been on a continuous journey to reimagine what a truly connected experience feels like. This commitment to customer-first innovation recently earned the company double recognition at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, winning Malaysia Customer Experience of the Year - Telecommunications for Express Support and Malaysia Digital Experience of the Year - Telecommunications for Seamless Digital CARE.
These awards reflect CelcomDigi’s belief that technology and empathy go hand in hand — creating experiences that are efficient, relevant, and meaningful for every customer, everywhere.
The power of express support
Pavilion, and The Gardens. The initiative transformed the in-store experience with faster resolutions, shorter wait times, and more satisfied customers. For staff, it brought renewed focus on sales and service excellence, improving morale and productivity.
Beyond its operational impact, Express Support reflects CelcomDigi’s thoughtful approach to transformation — where digital solutions enhance human connection rather than replace it. It’s a model for how technology can make everyday experiences simpler and more human.
‘At the heart of every innovation is a simple goal — to make life easier and better for our customers’
Bridging the physical and digital
As CelcomDigi looks ahead, these recognitions serve as both a celebration and a reminder — that true innovation begins and ends with the customer. By combining human understanding with digital excellence, CelcomDigi continues to redefine what customer experience means in a connected world. CelcomDigi
reloads, and promotions. The response was overwhelmingly positive, showing that customers valued convenience and familiarity.
Phase 2 introduced automation and Generative AI, enabling agents to deliver faster, more empathetic responses. Tools such as Write-Better AI and Sentiment AI ensured every conversation was accurate, considerate, and effective.
Phase 3 personalised the experience even further with customised menus for Postpaid, Prepaid, Fibre, and Business customers. Backed by real-time authentication and account verification, it provided an intuitive, secure, and relevant journey for every user.
Through this transformation, CelcomDigi turned a familiar chat platform into a fullservice digital ecosystem — fast, intelligent, and deeply human. It stands as a new industry benchmark in digital engagement, proving that meaningful customer care can thrive even in automated spaces.
Driven by purpose, inspired by people
Both Express Support and Seamless Digital CARE embody CelcomDigi’s mission to deliver simple, reliable, and humancentric experiences. Each was co-created with customers and internal teams, built on data insights, and refined through real-time feedback. Together, these initiatives illustrate CelcomDigi’s ability to blend innovation with empathy — using technology to listen, respond, and build trust. They also represent how the company continues to push boundaries whilst staying grounded in what matters most: people.
In today’s fast-paced world, customers expect service that is immediate and effortless. CelcomDigi’s Express Support initiative was born from observing a common retail challenge: customers faced long waits and had to repeat issues, whilst store staff juggled between sales and troubleshooting.
The solution was elegantly simple — a digital bridge between physical and online support. By scanning a QR code at participating CelcomDigi Stores, customers are instantly connected to dedicated Contact Centre experts via call or WhatsApp. This provides direct, specialised assistance whilst freeing retail teams to focus on delivering great service and advice.
Piloted at CelcomDigi Tower Store in May 2025, Express Support expanded rapidly to six flagship locations, including Suria KLCC,
Whilst Express Support reshaped in-store interactions, CelcomDigi’s Seamless Digital CARE revolutionised the digital support journey. Recognising Malaysians’ strong preference for WhatsApp, the company turned the app into a comprehensive, AIpowered care channel.
Launched in three phases, Seamless Digital CARE began by expanding WhatsApp capabilities to cover essential services such as roaming, billing, prepaid
CD Life Store Launch
CelcomDigi Berhad
Malaysia Airlines wins two accolades at Asian Experience Awards 2025
MAB was recognised for redefining brand experience through strategic commercial transformation.
Malaysia
Airlines Berhad (MAB) has been recognised with two prestigious wins – Malaysia Brand Experience of the Year - Airline and Malaysia Brand Experience of the Year - Aviation at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, celebrating its remarkable transformation under the Commercial Elevation programme that has redefined how the airline markets, sells, and engages with customers.
Reimagining the commercial core
At the heart of Malaysia Airlines’ win is its multi-year Commercial Elevation roadmap, a transformation that integrated strategy, marketing and sales execution to rebuild confidence and experiences and elevate Malaysia Airlines on the global stage.
Through this transformation, Malaysia Airlines has repositioned itself as a premium carrier driven by data, creativity, and purpose, reshaping how teams across Marketing, Sales, and Revenue work, unifying them under one vision: to make every journey a reflection of Malaysia’s warmth, innovation, and hospitality.
The airline’s signature “Time For” campaign, which encouraged travellers to rediscover over 70 destinations across its network, went beyond advertising. It reignited aspiration, restoring Malaysia Airlines’ image as more than an airline, as an experience that places Malaysia back in the eyes of the world whilst enriching every passenger’s journey.
A marketing engine reinvented
Under the Commercial Elevation project, Malaysia Airlines rebuilt its marketing
engine from the ground up, uniting creative, digital, and performance marketing to drive precision and impact.
The “Time For” campaign became the cornerstone of this reinvention, driving a 57% increase in flight selections and a 22% rise in digital bookings.
A highlight of this renewed brand momentum was MATTA Fair 2025, where Malaysia Airlines captivated visitors with a 16,000 sq. ft. experiential showcase featuring a full-scale cabin theatre, AI-driven destination experiences, and appearances by Manchester United Legends. The MAG Arena fused innovation, entertainment, and travel inspiration, bringing together the brands of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly, AMAL, and MASwings under one immersive roof.
A standout milestone in this journey was the introduction of MAYA, Asia-Pacific’s first AIpowered cabin crew. Created using generative AI, MAYA embodies Malaysia Airlines’ spirit of grace, intuitive, and future-ready. Her debut at MATTA Fair 2025 marked a turning point, where she became the face of the airline’s “Future of Travel” showcase, alongside real crew and Manchester United Legends, drawing recordbreaking attention both on-ground and online.
The marketing activations and initiatives have resulted in record-breaking engagement across platforms, with YouTube views hitting an all-time high and campaign recall at its strongest in five years, reinforcing Malaysia Airlines’ position as a global premium brand that connects authenticity with innovation.
A bold turnaround in numbers and experience
Beyond marketing, the Commercial Elevation initiative has been instrumental in strengthening business and driving performance. Over the past two years, the airline has accelerated its growth trajectory and launched 22 new routes and expanded frequencies by ~30% across key markets. This has strengthened Malaysia’s role as a regional connector bridging ASEAN, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, China, and India.
The airline’s dynamic, data-led pricing strategy and sales strategy have fuelled
YoY revenue increase, marking its strongest financial performance in five years. Complementing this growth are strengthened trade partnerships, best exemplified by the Trade Elevation Summit 2025, the largest airline trade event in Malaysia, which gathered over 300 delegates from 68 cities and resulted in new strategic agreements, cementing Malaysia Airlines’ reputation as a trusted partner.
These achievements are the outcome of a deliberate and disciplined strategy championed by the Commercial team and driven by the vision of the Group’s leadership.
Chief Commercial Officer, Dersenish Aresandiran, credits the win to the people behind the transformation.
“Captain Izham had this strong vision to transform commercial into a powerhouse and position Malaysia Airlines as a fully premium carrier to compete with the world’s top airlines. That vision united the team and shaped the way we built the commercial function together,” said Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer of Malaysia Aviation Group, Airlines Business.
Powered by people, purpose, and pride
At the core of this transformation is the passion of 13,000 MAG employees, who continue to carry the torch of Malaysian hospitality across every touchpoint. Looking ahead, Malaysia Airlines remains focused on network expansion, fleet modernisation, renewed in-flight offerings, and marketing, all in pursuit of its ambition to rank amongst the Top 10 Global Airlines by 2030, as envisioned by Group Managing Director Captain Izham Ismail.
This achievement is more than a win; it is a statement proving that Malaysia Airlines is not just flying higher but flying smarter, stronger, and prouder, reaffirming its position as the nation’s flag bearer and a brand that continues to inspire connection amongst global travellers.
‘Captain Izham had this strong vision to transform commercial into a powerhouse and position Malaysia Airlines as a fully premium carrier to compete with the world’s top airlines’
Time For campaign
Malaysia Airlines at MATTA Fair 2025
Dersenish Aresandiran, Chief Commercial Officer
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Crafting experiences that matter: Megaworld Lifestyle Malls wins at Asian Experience Awards
The mall operator was recognised for its dining and retail excellence.
Megaworld
Lifestyle Malls, one of the Philippines’ premier mall operators, has earned two prestigious distinctions at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, an international recognition programme honouring organisations that set new standards in customer experience and brand innovation. The company was awarded the Brand Experience of the Year - Dining & Entertainment for its “Taste a World of Flavors” campaign and Customer Experience of the Year - Retail for its groundbreaking pet-friendly initiatives, anchored by the “Paw Club Access.”
Redefining dining as a cultural experience
The Taste a World of Flavors campaign was recognised for positioning restaurants across Megaworld Lifestyle Malls as destinations for culture, creativity, and connection—curating themed festivals, chef spotlights, and narratives that celebrated both global flavours and homegrown culinary talent.
Through immersive storytelling and innovative engagement, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls elevated dining into a powerful brand and customer experience, reinforcing its position as the country’s premier hub for culinary journeys that unite food, entertainment, and community. Across its properties, the campaign transformed traditional dining spaces into multisensory environments where taste met story—blending gastronomy with
music, design, and digital content to create memorable moments that resonated with a new generation of diners.
Anchored by large-scale campaigns Taste the World and World of Flavors, the initiative encouraged exploration and discovery, inspiring guests to experience food as both cultural expression and shared celebration. From global pop-ups and interactive food crawls to chef-led showcases and influencer collaborations, each activation was designed to turn curiosity into connection.
By turning dining into a narrative experience—one that connects people not only to cuisine but to creativity itself— Megaworld Lifestyle Malls demonstrated how effective storytelling can shape the future of experiential dining in the Philippines.
‘These recognitions affirm our mission to make meaningful connections and turn experiences into a lifestyle’
Pioneering pet-friendly retail in the Philippines
Long before pet-friendly spaces became a hallmark of modern retail, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls had already opened its doors to its guests’ furry friends. What began in 2004 at Eastwood City as the Philippines’ first pet-friendly mall has since evolved into a nationwide model for inclusive, family-centred spaces.
Today, all Megaworld malls feature integrated amenities such as pet parks, hydration stations, and curated retail zones, redefining malls as shared environments for both people and their animal companions. A major breakthrough came with the Digital Pet Pass, the first of its kind in the country: a QR-enabled system that simplifies
registration and access for pets.
Beyond infrastructure, Megaworld turned advocacy into action through adoption drives, veterinary consultations, and its communities’ beloved tradition, the annual Pet Blessing. In 2024, the company deepened engagement further with Paw Club Access, the Philippines’ first digital rewards platform for pet owners. In just three months, the programme registered thousands of pets and generated significant online interactions, proving the growing strength of the pet community it continues to nurture.
“These recognitions affirm our mission to make meaningful connections and turn experiences into a lifestyle by creating spaces for our patrons to gather, to discover, and to create memories. We are honoured to be recognised alongside Asia’s most forward-thinking organisations and inspired to continue building destinations that celebrate creativity, inclusivity, and shared joy,” said Graham Coates, First Vice President and Head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is the retail and leisure arm of Megaworld Corporation, the Philippines’ leading developer of integrated urban townships. With over 20 destinations nationwide, it continues to pioneer retail concepts that blend entertainment, dining, culture, and community. Guided by its vision to create lifestyle destinations that inspire connection and discovery, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls continues to set the benchmark for retail in the region.
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ trophies from the Asian Experience Awards 2025
Taste a World of Flavors
Eastwood City as the Philippines’ first pet-friendly mall
The 20th Annual Pet Blessing at Eastwood City by Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
Taste a World of Flavors campaign
expereo.com
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan brings home win at Asian Experience Awards 2025
Its project aims to ensure optimal plant performance, real-time system stability, and continuous availability of electricity supply to the Kalimantan interconnection.
SKS Listrik Kalimantan was honoured at the Asian Experience Awards 2025 as the winner of the Indonesia Customer Experience of the Year - Energy for its success in implementing a series of advanced operational support systems.
Free-Gov and AGC
Amongst the systems and functions the plant has implemented are Free Governor Mode (Free-Gov), which allows generation units to respond automatically to frequency fluctuations in the grid without requiring manual commands, and the Automatic
Generation Control (AGC) that ensures realtime adjustment of power output based on dispatch instructions.
Other implementations include House Load Operation that enables the plant to sustain its own auxiliary load independently during system disturbances; Power System Stabiliser (PSS), which helps suppress power oscillations and maintain dynamic system stability, and Island Mode Operation that maintains the safe operation in the case of grid interconnection.
Since the project’s implementation, the Equivalent Availability Factor has remained consistently above 90% from 2022 to 2024, demonstrating exceptional plant availability and system readiness.
AGC and FreeGov systems have also been successfully tested and validated by PT
Kalimantan, proving their functionality in supporting automatic load regulation. Meanwhile, the PSS system has shown measurable effectiveness in maintaining voltage and frequency stability, reducing risks of major system disturbances and blackouts.
Role mode for reliability
The successful implementation of these systems has positioned SKS Listrik Kalimantan as a role model for operational reliability and regulatory compliance, reflecting strong stakeholder trust and reinforcing the company’s reputation as a modern, reliable, and compliant electricity provider in Indonesia’s national grid
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan at the Asian Experience Awards 2025
17 Years of Commitment to Bringing Peace of Mind to Millions through Integrated Health Protection Services
For 17 years, Garda Medika, a corporate health insurance product from Asuransi Astra, has been providing trusted healthcare services to hundreds of corporations in Indonesia.
Continuously delivering innovations that meet customers’ needs and expectations for health protection services, Garda Medika most recently introduced Express Discharge in 2025, a continuation of the Express Appointment feature in the Medcare application.
Now, customers can not only book a doctor’s appointment through the Medcare application, but also go straight home after their examination is completed. With just one click, they no longer need to queue at the cashier, and their medicines can be delivered directly to their homes.
As the first technology of its kind in Indonesia, Express Discharge pioneers seamless healthcare services nationwide.
Garda Medika Express Discharge: Redefining Seamless, Queue-free Health Services.
We help organisations to navigate their sustainability journey through | Sustainability Discovery Day & Workshops | Curated Retail Pop-Up Experiences | Sustainability Innovation Scouting
Pierre Png Mediacorp Artiste
Outstanding tech leaders recognised at Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards
Indonesia continues to strengthen its position as a global technology leader, with companies driving transformation across industries and redefining how services are delivered and value is created. Innovations in artificial intelligence (AI), automation, cybersecurity, and other emerging technologies are accelerating digital adoption, enhancing operational efficiency, and creating new opportunities for growth across the nation.
The Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025, hosted by Asian Business Review on 9 October at Shangri-La Jakarta, celebrated the outstanding achievements of industry leaders driving
INDONESIATECHNOLOGY EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025WINNERS
AIA Indonesia
• AI - Health Insurance
Bank Sinarmas
• Automation - Banking
bolttech Indonesia
• Fintech - Business Services
• Fintech - Financial Technology
BPJS Kesehatan
• Automation - Health Insurance
• Information Management - Health Insurance
Concentrix Indonesia
• AI - Business Services
Kuncie
• Startup - Education
LINTASARTA
• API - IT Services
MyRepublic Indonesia
• Internet - Broadband Telecommunication
National Hospital
• AI - Healthcare Technology
• Software - Healthcare Technology
OneXGen Technology
• AI - IT Services
Pertamina Patra Niaga
• AI - Oil & Gas
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
• Analytics - Banking
• Digital - Banking
PT Cakra Radha Mustika
• Digital - Health Products & Services
PT Global Digital Niaga Tbk
• AI - E-Commerce
technological excellence. The event highlighted exceptional projects and innovative solutions, showcasing the companies and individuals shaping Indonesia’s digital future.
The distinguished panel of experts who served as this year's judges consisted of Alex Cheung, Management Consulting Director - Cyber Risk, Deloitte Indonesia; Angela Simatupang, Head of Governance, Risk Control and Technology Consulting, RSM Indonesia; and Shirley Santoso, Senior Partner and Transformation Expert, Kearney Indonesia.
Congratulations to all the winners!
PT IDSTAR CIPTA TEKNOLOGI
• Automation - IT Services
PT InfomediaNusantara
• Emerging Technology - Business Services
PT Petrosea Tbk
• AI - Metals & Mining
• Analytics - Metals & Mining
PT PLN INDONESIA POWER - UBP PRIOK
• Machine - Engineering
• Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality - Energy
PT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya
• Enterprise Software - Energy
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan
• Automation - Energy
PT Telkomsel
• AI - Telecommunications
• Automation - Telecommunications
PT. Huawei Tech Investment
• Cybersecurity - Telecommunications
PT. Xapiens Teknologi Indonesia
• Emerging Technology - Agriculture
• Emerging Technology - Automotive & Transport Equipment
Rumah Sakit Pondok Indah Group
• Automation - Healthcare
• Online Services - Healthcare
Sentia by PT. Karya Solusi Pintar (Borwita Group)
• AI - FMCG
Sinarmas Sekuritas - Siminvest
• Fintech - Financial Services
Telkomsat
• Connectivity - Telecommunications
Zurich Indonesia
• Automation - General Insurance
Concentrix Indonesia
PT Bank Mandiri (Persero) Tbk
PT SKS Listrik Kalimantan bolttech Indonesia
National Hospital
PT InfomediaNusantara
PT Telkomsel
BPJS Kesehatan
Pertamina Patra Niaga
PT PLN Indonesia Power – UBP Priok
PT. Huawei Tech Investment
PT. Bank Sinarmas Tbk
Sinarmas Sekuritas - Siminvest
Rumah Sakit Pondok Indah Group
Telkomsat
bolttech Indonesia wins 2 awards at Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025
Winning accolades in Fintech - Financial Technology and Fintech - Business Services, bolttech has demonstrated its commitment to delivering innovative, customer-centric solutions.
Withtwo groundbreaking initiatives that are revolutionising smartphone protection and consumer choice, bolttech Indonesia has earned recognition at the Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025.
Cyber-Integrated Device Protection
In partnership with Erajaya Digital, bolttech launched the Cyber-Integrated Device Protection Programme, Indonesia’s first service to combine physical repair coverage with real-time cybersecurity protection. This service addresses common issues like screen cracks and liquid breakage, whilst also providing cyber alerts for suspicious activity on personal data—such as emails, phone numbers, and credit card details. Launched in May 2025, the programme is available in 1,200+ Erafone outlets and has already enrolled over 55,000 customers. This innovative solution is a game-changer for consumers who rely on their smartphones for banking, shopping, and identity verification.
Erafone Bebas Tukar programme
Launched in March 2025, the Erafone Bebas Tukar programme offers
customers the flexibility to exchange newly purchased smartphones for different models within 30 days. This programme has been widely embraced, with more than 1,100,000 customers having access to the exchange option, making it easier for Indonesians to keep up with rapid technology upgrades. By offering greater flexibility and consumer trust, Bebas Tukar has become a key driver of repeat business for Erafone retail outlets.
‘By integrating real-time cyber protection with traditional device protection, we created a holistic solution that addresses both physical and digital vulnerabilities’
Strengthening fintech leadership
These two award-winning projects highlight bolttech’s leadership in innovative fintech solutions. By seamlessly combining device protection with digital security and providing unparalleled flexibility in smartphone purchases, bolttech is setting new standards in the Indonesian market.
bolttech Indonesia is proud to continue driving digital transformation and delivering products that meet the evolving needs of our customers.
“By integrating real-time cyber protection with traditional device protection, we created a holistic solution that addresses both physical and digital vulnerabilities. Customers not only get fast, reliable repair services for incidents like screen cracks or liquid breakage, but they also receive immediate alerts if their personal data is compromised. This all-inone approach delivers peace of mind and makes device protection highly relevant and seamless during the purchase journey,” said Andrew Cons, General Manager.
Looking Forward
With these groundbreaking products and more in the pipeline, bolttech Indonesia remains dedicated to offering cutting-edge solutions that empower consumers and redefine the future of digital protection in Indonesia.
bolttech Indonesia at the Indonesia Technology Excellence Awards 2025
Andrew Cons, General Manager
Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2025 celebrates exceptional leadership
Malaysia’s business landscape continues to evolve, with companies driving innovation, growth and positive change whilst fostering inclusive and resilient workplaces.
Recognising these remarkable efforts, the Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2025 honoured outstanding achievements in management and leadership, highlighting visionary leaders, forwardthinking innovators, and high-performing teams whose strategic initiatives have driven business success and contributed significantly to organisational growth.
Beyond business performance, the awards programme shines a spotlight on outstanding achievements in employee engagement, health and wellness, and diversity and inclusion, showcasing
MALAYSIA MANAGEMENT EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2025WINNERS
Executive of the Year
• Aerospace - Mahesh Kumar, Asia Digital Engineering
trailblazers who make a meaningful impact in workplaces and communities across Malaysia.
Presented by Asian Business Review, the Awards Dinner gathered the finest industry leaders for a night of recognition on 2 December 2025 at the Intercontinental Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The distinguished panel of judges for this year's event included Prakash Arikrishnan, Director | Risk Advisory – Global Treasury Advisory Services, Deloitte Malaysia; Farah Rosley, Malaysia Tax Leader, Partner, Ernst & Young Tax Consultants Sdn. Bhd.; and Hoe Yin Lou, Partner, Audit & Corporate Advisory, Crowe Malaysia PLT.
Congratulations to all the winners!
Diversity & Inclusion Initiative of the Year
• Pharmaceuticals - Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Employee Engagement of the Year
• Advertising - Omnicom Media Group Malaysia
• Financial Technology - FINEXUS GROUP
• Government Organisation - Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
Novo Nordisk Pharma (M) Sdn. Bhd.
Omnicom Media Group Malaysia
Sanofi-Aventis (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
MCMC wins at Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2025
Advancing digital ambitions depends on an engaged, resilient, and future-ready workforce.
The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) was honoured with Employee Engagement of the Year - Government Organisation at the Malaysia Management Excellence Awards 2025 for reigniting employee engagement in the past year by anchoring it in its shared culture of Customer Orientation, Operational Efficiency, Linkages, and Teaming.
Transforming employee experiences
As part of this mission, MCMC has launched several transformative initiatives that redefine how employees experience work, growth, and belonging. Amongst these initiatives is the
digitalisation of its HR platforms to enable employees to drive their careers.
These platforms include MetaHRise, Malaysia’s first multiplayer metaverse onboarding programme, which immerses new joiners into MCMC’s purpose-driven culture, as well as its digital learning hub, MCMC LeaP, that integrates personalised development and structured leadership pathways. Its cloudbased HRIS, myHR, also empowers employees through seamless self-service, such as leave applications, claims, and personnel records directly from their devices.
Strategic benchmarking
MCMC has also undertaken a comprehensive Total Rewards Review guided by three approaches: aligning with market standards, comparing against peer organisations, and ensuring compliance and alignment with
government-mandated benefits.
Results from the 2024 benchmarking affirm MCMC’s strong market position, with 39 benefits exceeding market standards. These include standout initiatives like childcare support, specialised healthcare for critical illnesses and special needs, and financial tools such as housing and vehicle loan subsidies.
Other well-being initiatives include the MCMC Kasih Careline Counselling Centre, Health and Wellness Week, and the Wellness Wave, combining health screenings, fitness, creative therapies, and social impact activities and providing confidential support for mental health, legal, and financial matters.
Complementing these, the commission integrates global professional certifications, experiential and immersive learning, including coaching to strengthen behavioural, functional, and strategic leadership capabilities.
Results from the 2024 benchmarking affirm MCMC’s strong market position
We chase the miracles of science to improve people’s
Exceptional innovations lauded at Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025
Innovation took centre stage at the Asian Innovation Excellence Awards 2025, as the region’s most visionary leaders and trailblazers gathered to celebrate standout achievements that are shaping a smarter, more sustainable, and inclusive future.
This is the inaugural year of the awards programme, recognising Asia’s leading innovators and their transformative contributions that drive meaningful progress, deliver measurable results, and set new benchmarks for innovation across industries.
Presented by Asian Business Review, the Awards Dinner was held on 5 November 2025 in Singapore, bringing together industry pioneers and innovators for an evening that honoured excellence, creativity, and transformative impact across Asia.
Amongst the esteemed winners was HSBC, which took home Hong Kong Learning & Development Innovation of the Year - Financial Services and Hong Kong Risk Management Innovation of the Year - Financial Services for integrating AI innovation and learning to enhance efficiency, data quality, and excellence in risk management.
"AI is for everyone. Whether you are an AI enthusiast, an AI expert,
ASIAN INNOVATION EXCELLENCEAWARDS 2025WINNERS
ABA Bank
• Cambodia Financial Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority
• United Arab Emirates Community Engagement Innovation of the YearNon-Profit Organisation
• United Arab Emirates Technology Innovation of the YearNon-Profit Organisation
Ahamove
• Vietnam Technology Innovation of the Year - Technology
akaVerse, FPT
• Vietnam Customer Experience Innovation of the YearBusiness Services
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
• Malaysia Green Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
• Malaysia Strategic Partnership Innovation of the YearFinancial Services
AlUla Club
• Saudi Arabia Brand Innovation of the Year - Sports
Asticom Holding Co. Inc.
• Philippines People Innovation of the Year - Business Services
Bahrain Airport Company
• Bahrain Operational Innovation of the Year - Transportation
Banglalink Digital Communications Ltd.
• Bangladesh Business Model Innovation of the Year - Telecommunications
• Bangladesh Next-Gen Consumer Experience Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
Bank of the Philippine Islands
• Philippines Customer-Centric Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
or an AI sceptic, everyone deserves an opportunity to learn about this important topic. We need to understand its risks, its ethics, and responsible development of these capabilities. We hope to empower our colleagues with learning tools to confidently integrate AI into our organisation, and we hope this brings them the confidence to lead, the confidence to act, and the clarity to envision a brilliant future with AI for everyone and our customers," said Mehrnoush Salehpour, Innovation and GenAI Enablement Lead at HSBC.
The distinguished panel of judges who shared their expertise in evaluating the nominees consisted of Ms. Effie Xin, Greater China Chief Operating Officer and APAC FinTech & Innovation Leader, EY; Lyon Poh, Partner and Head of Corporate Transformation, KPMG in Singapore; Chris Hewison, Partner, Insurance Sector, PwC Hong Kong; Dong-Hyun (Alex) Lee, EY Asia East Technology, Media & Telecommunications Leader, EY Korea Digital Innovation Consulting Leader, EY; and Henry Tan, Group CEO & Chief Innovation Officer, CLA Global TS.
Congratulations to all the winners!
BankDhofar SAOG
• Oman Marketing Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
bolttech
• Thailand Technology Innovation of the Year - Insurtech
Borouge
• United Arab Emirates Business Product Innovation of the Year - Chemicals
• United Arab Emirates Technology Innovation of the Year - Chemicals
CapitaLand Investment
• Singapore Customer Experience Innovation of the Year - Retail
Catapult
• Singapore Learning & Development Innovation of the YearTraining and Development
Charles Sturt University
• Australia Learning & Development Innovation of the Year - Education
China Life Insurance (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
• Singapore Business Model Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
CIMB Bank Philippines
• Philippines People Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Citibank Singapore Limited
• Singapore Next-Gen Consumer Experience Innovation of the YearFinancial Services
• Singapore Operational Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
• Singapore Culture Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
City Bank PLC.
• Bangladesh Financial Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
• Philippines Community Engagement Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
Country Foods Pte Ltd
• Singapore Supply Chain Innovation of the Year - Food Manufacturing
CTBC Bank
• Taiwan Customer Experience Innovation of the Year - Business Services
• Taiwan Legal & Compliance Innovation of the Year - Business Services
Doha Oasis
• Qatar Brand Innovation of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure
Dubai Media Inc.
• United Arab Emirates Learning & Development Innovation of the YearMedia & Entertainment
• United Arab Emirates Marketing Innovation of the Year - Media & Entertainment
Dubai Roads & Transport Authority (RTA)
• United Arab Emirates Technology Innovation of the YearGovernment Organisation
El SEif Engineering & Contracting
• Saudi Arabia Operational Innovation of the YearCommercial Building Construction
FairPrice Group
• Singapore Customer-Centric Innovation of the Year - Retail
• Singapore Technology Innovation of the Year - Retail
Far East Organization
• Singapore Social Innovation of the Year - Retail
Finhay Vietnam
• Vietnam Technology Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
General Entertainment Authority
• Saudi Arabia Social Innovation of the Year - Government Organisation
• Saudi Arabia Marketing Innovation of the Year - Government Organisation
Great Eastern
• Singapore Consumer Product Innovation of the Year - Life Insurance
• Singapore Marketing Innovation of the Year - Life Insurance
Habib Metropolitan Bank
• Pakistan Supply Chain Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
HH Global
• Hong Kong Green Innovation of the Year - Manufacturing
• Hong Kong Supply Chain Innovation of the Year - Manufacturing
Hong Leong Bank Berhad
• Malaysia Operational Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
HSBC
• Hong Kong Learning & Development Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
• Hong Kong Risk Management Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.
• India Communication Innovation of the Year - General Insurance
• India Technology Innovation of the Year - General Insurance
Indus Hospital and Health Network
• Pakistan Health & Wellness Innovation of the Year - Health Products & Services
International Rice Research Institute
• Philippines Sustainability Innovation of the Year - Agriculture
• Vietnam Sustainability Innovation of the Year - Agriculture
InterSystems
• Indonesia Technology Innovation of the Year - Healthcare Technology
ISMAYA Group
• Indonesia Brand Innovation of the Year - Food & Beverage
JS Bank
• Pakistan Customer Experience Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Krungthai Bank PCL
• Thailand Customer-Centric Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
• Thailand Strategic Partnership Innovation of the YearFinancial Services
Kyanon Digital
• Vietnam Business Service Innovation of the Year - IT Services
Kyndryl Singapore PTE
• Singapore Operational Innovation of the Year - IT Services
LYNKID JOINT STOCK COMPANY
• Vietnam Financial Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
• Vietnam Customer-Centric Innovation of the Year - Technology
M-DAQ Global
• Singapore Financial Innovation of the Year - Financial Technology
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
• Malaysia Learning & Development Innovation of the YearGovernment Organisation
• Malaysia People Innovation of the Year - Government Organisation
Manulife Japan
• Japan Brand Innovation of the Year - Insurance Broker
• Japan Customer-Centric Innovation of the Year - Life Insurance
• Japan Distribution Innovation of the Year - Life Insurance
MASHREQ
• United Arab Emirates Customer-Centric Innovation of the YearFinancial Services
• United Arab Emirates Financial Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Megaworld Lifestyle Malls
• Philippines Green Innovation of the Year - Retail
MINDMAP TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.
• Singapore Technology Innovation of the Year - IT Services
MR.D.I.Y. Indonesia
• Indonesia Green Innovation of the Year - Retail
Nguyen Kim Trading Joint Stock Company
• Vietnam Brand Innovation of the Year - Electronic Retail
• Vietnam Business Model Innovation of the Year - Electronic Retail
PETRONAS
• Malaysia Operational Innovation of the Year - Oil & Gas
Pharmacity Pharmacy Joint Stock Company
• Vietnam Health & Wellness Innovation of the Year - Retail
PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk (GEMS)
• Indonesia Sustainability Innovation of the Year - Metals & Mining
PT PLN Indonesia Power – UBP Priok
• Indonesia Green Innovation of the Year - Energy
PT PLN Indonesia Power UBP Suralaya
• Indonesia Revenue Innovation of the Year - Energy
Saudi Ceramics Company
• Saudi Arabia Marketing Innovation of the Year - Manufacturing
Shangri-La Circle
• Hong Kong Customer Experience Innovation of the YearHospitality & Leisure
• Hong Kong Marketing Innovation of the Year - Hospitality & Leisure
Shell Lubricants APAC (company of Shell)
Singapore Sustainability Innovation of the Year - Energy
EVENT: ASIAN INNOVATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd
• Singapore Next-Gen Consumer Experience Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
Singlife Philippines
• Philippines Financial Innovation of the Year - Insurtech
Singtel
• Singapore Business Service Innovation of the Year - Telecommunications
• Singapore Customer-Centric Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
Thai Life Insurance Public Company Limited
• Thailand Learning & Development Innovation of the Year - Life Insurance
The General Administration of Customs – Abu Dhabi
• United Arab Emirates Supply Chain Innovation of the YearGovernment Organisation
THE MEDICAL CITY ILOILO
• Philippines Business Service Innovation of the Year - Healthcare
• Philippines Culture Innovation of the Year - Healthcare
True Corporation Public Company Limited
• Thailand Strategic Partnership Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
United Power Generation & Distribution Company Ltd.
• Bangladesh Operational Innovation of the Year - Energy
Vietnam Thuong Tin Commercial Joint Stock Bank (VietBank)
• Vietnam Communication Innovation of the Year - Financial Services
Viettel Post Joint Stock Corporation
• Vietnam Operational Innovation of the Year - Logistics
Vodafone Idea Limited
• India Learning & Development Innovation of the YearTelecommunications
VUS - The English Center
• Vietnam Customer Experience Innovation of the Year - Education
ABA Bank Bahrain Airport Company
Alliance Bank Malaysia Berhad
Bank of the Philippine Islands
Asticom Holding Co. Inc.
Borouge
CapitaLand Investment
Country Foods Pte Ltd
Far East Organization
Catapult
Doha Oasis
Great Eastern
Citibank Singapore Limited
Charles Sturt University
FairPrice Group
Converge ICT Solutions Inc.
EVENT: ASIAN INNOVATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS
ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd.
Manulife Japan
International Rice Research Institute
MASHREQ
Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC)
InterSystems
Manulife Japan
HH Global
Habib Metropolitan Bank
Pharmacity Pharmacy Joint Stock Company
PT Golden Energy Mines Tbk (GEMS)
Nguyen Kim Trading Joint Stock Company
MR.D.I.Y. Indonesia
PT PLN Indonesia Power – UBP Priok
PETRONAS
Singapore Telecommunications Ltd
THE MEDICAL CITY ILOILO
Singtel
United Power Generation & Distribution Company Ltd.
Building the AI-first telco of the future: How Singtel is reimagining intelligence at scale
The company is utilising artificial intelligence and data to transform operations, empower employees, and enhance customer experiences.
Asa leading communication technology company in Asia, Singtel has been investing in new technologies in anticipation of the needs of consumers, enterprises, the local economy and the region. This includes investing in and launching the world’s first nationwide 5G network as well as being the first to deploy 700MHz spectrum in Singapore with the goal of delivering faster, wider coverage both indoors and outdoors. Singtel has led numerous industry-first 5G innovations, including network slicing for devices, applications, and even specific users. These capabilities have been commercially deployed at high-traffic events like the National Day Parade, the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, and concerts of global acts. They have also supported missioncritical applications across healthcare, public safety, transportation, logistics, retail, and entertainment.
These achievements demonstrate Singtel’s commitment to forward-looking investments in technology and becoming the AI-First Telco of the Future. By harnessing AI at scale, Singtel is transforming how it creates value, serves customers, and empowers employees.
At the heart of this transformation is a centralised AI and data analytics team who are harnessing AI at scale to strengthen Singtel’s resilience and drive new growth across the businesses. This includes developing reusable AI components that business units can deploy across the organisation. The result is faster innovation, greater consistency, and intelligence at scale.
Transforming customer engagement
Every day, Singtel interacts daily with millions of customers across calls, chats, and digital channels. By analysing these interactions at scale, AI models now identify customer intents
and needs in real time, enabling the company to respond faster, smarter, and more empathetically.
Large language models and agentic AI power chatbots and voice bots that provide 24/7 support. These intelligent assistants instantly retrieve account information, troubleshoot issues, and guide customers through quick fixes. When a situation is complex or sensitive, the system seamlessly transfers the conversation to a live agent already equipped with full context, ensuring continuity and a human touch.
Driving business value through AI-driven decision-making
Beyond customer experience, Singtel is embedding AI deeply into its operational core to drive data-informed decisions and prevent issues before they arise. Predictive models process vast amounts of network data to forecast potential disruptions, enabling engineers to intervene early.
By analysing behavioural patterns, usage data, and previous interactions, the system can recommend personalised offers or interventions designed to meet each customer’s unique needs, enhancing satisfaction, strengthening loyalty, and ultimately improving long-term retention and lifetime value.
Singtel’s integrated AI ecosystem will stand as a blueprint for how telcos can evolve
Unified analytics and real-time dashboards give decision-makers a holistic view of performance across business units, enabling them to act swiftly and confidently in a dynamic market. AI also strengthens security, blocking millions of scam calls and messages every month whilst preventing access to malicious sites.
Singtel’s AI transformation doesn’t stop at customers and operations; it’s also redefining how its employees work. The launch of Singtel GPT, an internal AI assistant, equips teams with knowledge, insights and automation tools to enhance productivity and creativity. Acting as a digital colleague, Singtel GPT frees employees from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on innovation and strategic work.
Optimising networks for peak performance
The company also helps enterprise customers innovate by combining secure networks with AI-driven platforms. Platforms like Singtel Paragon and CUBE offer a unified means for enterprises to orchestrate 5G, edge and AI workloads whilst accessing secure, programmable network APIs—empowering them to innovate, optimise performance and transform digital experiences. This lowers the barriers to 5G adoption. It also has generative AI chatbots that provide enterprises with contextual, real-time support for both service managers and customers.
A standout innovation is Singtel’s use of digital twins — real-time virtual replicas of enterprise networks. Customers can visualise devices, routers, and services before deployment, predicting performance, spotting issues, and optimising configurations without impacting live operations. Digital twins accelerate decisionmaking, provide greater observability, and empower businesses to act with confidence.
A glimpse into the future
The AI-First Telco of the Future vision is not simply about deploying new technologies; it is about transforming the very DNA of the organisation to become more adaptive, data-driven, and human-centred. By scaling AI responsibly and strategically, Singtel is setting a new benchmark for the industry. It is building the capabilities to sense, think, and act.
This transformation positions Singtel Singapore as a lighthouse model for both the Singtel Group and the wider telecommunications ecosystem. It shows how advanced analytics, generative AI, and automation can converge to unlock new forms of value for customers, employees, and society.
In the coming years, as connectivity and intelligence become inseparable, Singtel’s integrated AI ecosystem will stand as a blueprint for how telcos can evolve. From providers of communication services to architects of intelligent, data-driven experiences, they shape the future of how we live, work, and connect.
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Thailand backs major conglomerates for digital banks but risks stifling innovation
FRANCES GAGUA Senior Journalist Charlton Media Group
Thailand's financial landscape is set for a dramatic shape-up in 2026 with the entrance of digital-only banks. In July, the Bank of Thailand (BOT) granted three digital banking licences, choosing consortiums that combine local conglomerate strength with established foreign expertise.
All the consortiums are expected to take advantage of their parent companies' strengths—but how much this will help them scale their businesses is the question.
The choice of three well-known consortiums is certainly a safe play for the BOT and will imbue these new digital banks with trust and stability, but it does raise the question of whether the BOT played it too safe and potentially stifled innovation.
Below is a look at each of the three consortia and what their strategies might look like.
E-wallet dominance and convenience store tie-ups
Perhaps the most exciting digital bank is the one backed by ACM Holding Co., which operates TrueMoney, the largest e-wallet in the country. With a 53% market share and 17 million active users, it holds a scale that surpasses even established local banks that have 50-100 years of history.
Added to that is its connection to the Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, Thailand's largest privately-owned business, whose subsidiary CP ALL holds the license to 7-Eleven in Thailand.
Thai people may just find that the over 15,430 7-Eleven stores across the country transform into banking hubs.
The digital bank may even offer services aimed at business owners and suppliers. CP Group owns a controlling stake in Charoen Pokphand Foods (CPF), one of the world's largest producers of feed, shrimp, poultry, pork, and other agricultural products, based on 2024 data from Market Research Reports.
Established brands
The digital bank being built by China's WeTechnology Limited, South Korea's Kakaobank Corp, and Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) brings together the history and proven expertise of two established digital bank brands and Thailand's oldest bank. WeTechnology Limited is owned by WeBank, the leading digital bank in China, whilst Kakaobank is the biggest digital bank in South Korea.
Both digital banks have been profitable for over five years. SCB, meanwhile, is the oldest bank in Thailand, backed by decades of data and a brand recognised by virtually every local.
But this digital bank won't have the same advantage as WeBank and Kakaobank. Both launched with direct integration into their countries' messaging apps: WeChat in China and KakaoTalk in South Korea. In Thailand, the biggest messaging app is LINE, used by over 80% of internet users.
One strength they may have is in cross-border banking services. The new digital bank might take advantage of WeBank and Kakaobank to set up a payment ecosystem enabling Thai visitors going to China and
South Korea to have an easier time paying there. What unique features and identity they will roll-out is something to look forward to.
Gas stations as bank branches?
The final consortium combines old-school touchpoints and has the advantage of being tied to Thailand's biggest state-owned conglomerate. Krungthai Bank (KTB) teamed up with PTT Oil and Retail Business Public Company Limited (PTT Oil) and Advanced Info Service to set-up Clicx Bank Public Company Limited (VBCo).
Clicx Bank may take advantage of PTT Oil's network of 2,200 gasoline stations across Thailand. They may offer rewards points and discounts when refilling tanks or may even transform gas stations into hybrid bank branches where people can deposit and withdraw money.
A question of innovation
Thailand's central bank did its research: it chose consortiums with companies that have a history of digital bank success overseas (WeBank, Kakaobank), are backed by its largest conglomerates (PTT Oil, CP Group), or come from established financial brands (Siam Commercial Bank, Krungthai Bank, TrueMoney).
Therein lies the problem: all three consortiums feature established financial brands and the country's largest conglomerates.
Compare this with Singapore, which has MariBank backed by e-commerce giant Shopee and GXS Bank backed by ride-hailing and delivery app Grab. Both companies emerged in the 2010s; the youngest company in Thailand's successful digital bank licensees is TrueMoney, established in 2003.
The leader of Singapore's digital banks did end up becoming Trust Bank, backed by Standard Chartered—but there was no doubt that its mix of players had led to new ways of saving. These include e-commerce-tied cashback cards and coins cashback for their phone bills, for example.
Thailand, meanwhile, may have played it too safe. Time will tell if the digital banks operate with just the same recycled rewards products that incumbents are already capable of offering, or if they will offer new ways of spending and money saving for the Thai population.
