Chery Auto Expands Global LEPAS NEV Lineup

KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (Bernama) -- Chery Auto, a global automotive manufacturer, has announced that its mid-to-premium new energy vehicle (NEV) brand, LEPAS, is advancing its global market expansion with a comprehensive NEV lineup comprising the LEPAS L4 EV, LEPAS L6 EV and LEPAS L8 PHEV.

The lineup showcases LEPAS’ focus on elegant mobility through a combination of design, intelligent technologies and spacious interiors, addressing a range of mobility needs across global markets.

Chery Auto in a statement said the three models have entered the global launch phase and will be rolled out gradually across international markets as LEPAS continues to expand its presence worldwide.

The LEPAS L4 EV is designed for urban drivers seeking a more intelligent and effortless NEV experience, combining extended range capability, efficient performance and convenient charging solutions for both daily commuting and longer journeys.

Powered by a highly integrated 12-in-1 electric drive system, the L4 EV delivers smooth, quiet and efficient performance. It supports fast charging of more than 120 kilowatts (kW) and can charge from 30 per cent to 80 per cent in about 20 minutes when connected to a 200kW charging station.

Meanwhile, the LEPAS L6 EV, described as an Intelligent & Exquisite Life sport utility vehicle (SUV), features LEPAS’ signature "Leopard Aesthetics" design language and targets consumers seeking a more refined and sophisticated mobility experience.

The L6 EV combines an elegant and dynamic exterior with a minimalist interior design suited to a variety of lifestyles, including daily commuting, family travel, leisure outings and social occasions.

LEPAS said the L8 PHEV balances spacious comfort, intelligent technology, safety features and long driving range capability, delivering a refined mobility experience for global consumers.

Built on a 2,800-millimetre wheelbase, the LEPAS L8 PHEV offers a spacious cabin equipped with an AQS air quality monitoring system, active fragrance system, ultraviolet (UV)-blocking and heat-insulating glass, and smartphone remote-control functions.

-- BERNAMA

Air Selangor Pioneers Sustainable Water Financing with the issuance of the World’s First Blue Sukuk and Malaysia’s First Blue Bond/Sukuk Issuance

KUALA LUMPUR, July 30 (Bernama) -- Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (“Air Selangor”) has successfully priced the world’s first Blue Sukuk and Malaysia’s first Blue Bond/Sukuk issuance (“Blue SRI Sukuk Kelestarian” or “Blue Sukuk”) of RM200.0 million in nominal value to be issued pursuant to its RM20.0 billion Islamic Medium Term Notes Programme.

The landmark issuance, which has a 15-year tenor, represents a significant milestone in the evolution of sustainable water financing in the Malaysian capital market and reflects Air Selangor’s commitment to mobilising sustainable financing to support projects that deliver measurable environmental impact. CIMB Investment Bank Berhad (“CIMB”) acted as Sole Sustainability Structuring Adviser and Sole Lead Manager for the transaction, supporting Air Selangor in enhancing its Framework and facilitating the successful execution of the issuance.

Accordingly, the issuance supports blue finance — an emerging segment of sustainable finance that channels investment towards sustainable management, protection, restoration and efficient utilisation of water resources and water-related ecosystems, while supporting long-term water security, climate resilience, pollution prevention and environmental sustainability outcomes. This is also aligned with Air Selangor's commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, through initiatives that promote sustainable water resource management and strengthen water security for the communities it serves.

Adam Saffian Ghazali, Chief Executive Officer of Air Selangor said “We recognise that building resilient water infrastructure requires long-term investment supported by sustainable financing. This world’s first Blue Sukuk reflects our commitment to advancing innovative financing solutions that strengthen water security, protect natural resources and create long-term value for the communities we serve.”

As both the world’s first Blue Sukuk issuance and Malaysia’s first Blue Bond/Sukuk issuance, it establishes an important precedent for blue labelled financing instruments in Malaysia’s debt capital market and demonstrates how sustainable financing can strengthen essential water infrastructure.

Nor Masliza Sulaiman, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Investment Bank said, “CIMB is pleased to have played a key role in the successful issuance and to have advised Air Selangor on the enhancement of its Sustainable Development Sukuk Kelestarian Framework. This milestone demonstrates CIMB’s strength not only as a capital markets arranger, but as a trusted sustainability partner capable of delivering end-to-end advisory in innovative sustainable finance solutions. We hope this landmark issuance will accelerate the adoption of blue finance across Malaysia and the region, supporting greater mobilisation of capital towards water security, environmental resilience and sustainable development.”

The Blue Sukuk is structured under Air Selangor’s revised Sustainable Development Sukuk Kelestarian Framework Version 2.0 (“Framework”), reinforcing the company's long-term commitment to integrating sustainability into its financing strategy. The Framework aligns with the International Capital Market Association’s (ICMA) Green Bond Principles 2025, Social Bond Principles 2025 and Sustainability Bond Guidelines 2021, and integrates IFC’s Guidelines for Blue Finance Version 2.0. The Framework also includes expanded eligibility to support blue, green, social and sustainability Sukuk issuances under a single platform.

Key enhancements made to the Framework include the introduction of Blue Sukuk to finance sustainable water and wastewater management, resource protection and long-term water security. The Framework also expands the number of eligible project categories from four to eight, covering climate adaptation, energy efficiency, clean transportation and social initiatives.

To reinforce the credibility of the Framework, Air Selangor has secured a Preliminary Assessment letter from RAM Sustainability Sdn Bhd (“RAM Sustainability”), which outlines RAM Sustainability’s view that the Framework’s Eligible Blue Projects are eligible blue projects under IFC’s Guidelines for Blue Finance Version 2.0.

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM81.6 billion as at 31 March 2026. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in China, Hong Kong and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 545 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 March 2026. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its award-winning treasury & markets and corporate banking units comprise the Group’s leading wholesale banking franchise. CIMB is also the 91.45% shareholder of Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia, and 94.83% shareholder of CIMB Thai in Thailand.

About Air Selangor

Pengurusan Air Selangor Sdn Bhd (Air Selangor) is the largest water services provider in Malaysia, providing clean and safe treated water to 9.62 million consumers in Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya. To date, Air Selangor operates 34 water treatment plants located in 10 regions and has over 5,000 employees with a breadth of experience in various fields in the industry. Staying true to its mission and vision, Air Selangor aspires to deliver the best experience to customers as well as become the leading water services provider in Asia by 2030. Air Selangor is the first water services provider in Malaysia to be inducted into the Leading Utilities of the World (LUOW) global network.

SOURCE: CIMB Group Holdings Berhad

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

--BERNAMA

INTERSYSTEMS LAUNCHES AI ASSISTANT FOR ENTERPRISE DATA ACCESS

KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 (Bernama) -- InterSystems, a creative data technology provider, has announced the general availability of InterSystems Data Studio AI Assistant, a new generative artificial intelligence (AI)-powered extension for InterSystems Data Studio.

InterSystems Senior Vice President, Data Platforms, Scott Gnau in a statement said organisations are increasingly looking for ways to turn their data into actionable intelligence without adding complexity.

“InterSystems Data Studio AI Assistant brings generative AI directly to a trusted data foundation, enabling users to interact with information more naturally while maintaining the governance, security, and controls enterprises require,” he added.

As organisations move from AI experimentation to production deployments, many are discovering that the greatest challenge is not the AI model itself, but providing AI systems with access to trusted, current, and business-ready information.

Enterprise data is often fragmented across applications, databases, cloud services, files, data warehouses, and departmental silos, making it difficult for users and AI systems to generate reliable insights.

InterSystems Data Studio AI Assistant is embedded within the broader InterSystems Data Studio platform, enabling organisations to combine AI capabilities with a common, integrated data layer that supports consistent access to trusted information across users, applications, analytics platforms, and AI systems.

Built as an optional extension for InterSystems Data Studio and available as a fully managed service, the AI Assistant provides interactive assistants and agents that help users explore both structured and unstructured data, discover available information assets, generate visualisations, and accelerate data analysis.

InterSystems added that the solution includes out-of-the-box agents as well as a flexible multi-agent framework that enables organisations to create custom assistants tailored to specific business requirements.

-- BERNAMA

The Indian Legends of '83 Touring Singapore to Set Stage for Historic First-Ever 1983 World-Cup Reunion in Asia

^{The Indian Legends of '83 Touring Singapore to Set Stage for Historic First-Ever 1983 World-Cup Reunion in Asia}



Mariners Cricket Club Singapore organizes the landmark three-day event, bringing together legendary cricket icons and global maritime executives from 7 to 9 August 2026.


SINGAPORE, July 27 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Mariners Cricket Club (MCC) Singapore will host The ’83 Legends Tour of Singapore, marking the first time the heroes of India's historic 1983 World-Cup-winning squad reunite for an epoch-making tour in South-East-Asia since their triumph. Running from 7th - 9th August 2026, the three-day event offers a platform for sports enthusiasts, corporate leaders, and industry executives to engage with iconic sporting figures while promoting leadership, resilience, and teamwork.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260724603007/en/

As a premier sports and professional networking club in Singapore, MCC brings together executives from the global maritime sector through a shared passion for cricket. The ’83 Legends Tour will feature a gracious lineup of cricket royalty, including inspirational captain Kapil Dev, batting maestro Sunil Gavaskar, and crucial all-rounder Mohinder Amarnath. The event is structured to blend high-value corporate networking with sports nostalgia, driving strong regional visibility and serving as a game-changer to popularize cricket across the region.

The tour opens with the Grand Gala Dinner on Friday, 7th August, welcoming over 600 premium guests from sectors involved in promoting the sport. The evening features an interactive live talk session hosted by a celebrity sports anchor, allowing attendees to gather firsthand reflections from the players who transformed cricket across the Indian subcontinent. Alongside the gala, the tour introduces corporate leadership sessions on 7th & 8th August. These specialized 90-minute interactive techno-commercial workshops are designed to translate insights from the elite sports fraternity into actionable business strategies for goal-setting, handling challenges, and team motivation—fabricating a structured model to build cricket as a sustainable commodity in this part of the globe.

The sporting centerpiece takes place on Saturday, 8 August, with the highly anticipated Legends vs Mariners Match. This showpiece match will integrate with the annual Mariners Premier League (MPL) cricket tournament, which features 61 participating teams competing across corporate, open, women’s, and junior divisions. Highlighting Singapore's digital connectivity and pivotal role as a global maritime capital, the match will be live-streamed directly to more than 2,000 commercial ships at sea, instantly instilling a stream of cricket euphoria across the global hemisphere.

"The 1983 World Cup victory remains a definitive masterclass in overcoming impossible odds through collective unity and visionary leadership," said Avijit Dutta, President of Mariners’ Cricket Club Singapore. "This landmark tour brings that historic legacy directly into Singapore's vibrant corporate and sports ecosystem. By combining elite sports psychology with premium networking, we aim to inspire our local business community and the next generation of athletes. Furthermore, broadcasting our showcase match live to thousands of mariners working out at sea reinforces Singapore’s unmatched global connectivity, celebrates the deep camaraderie that defines our maritime industry, and allows us to serve as a tireless torch-bearer to promote cricket in South-East Asia."

About The ’83 Legends Tour: The ’83 Legends Tour of Singapore is organized by the Mariners Cricket Club Singapore. The tour serves as a premier international platform bringing together legendary sporting figures, corporate executives, and fans for insightful discussions on leadership, legacy, team building, and premium networking opportunities.

About Mariners Cricket Club Singapore: Established in 2005, the Mariners Cricket Club is a premier cricket organization in Singapore that brings together professionals from the maritime and related corporate industries. Guided by the motto "Bringing the Maritime Industry Together Through Sport, Camaraderie & Community," MCC is committed to fostering long-term professional relationships, teamwork, and sportsmanship both on and off the field.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260724603007/en/

Contact

maithili@bloomingdalepr.com 

Source : Mariners Cricket Club (MCC) Singapore

APO Hands Over Cambodia Institutional Capability Development Plan

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Asian Productivity Organization (APO) handed over the Institutional Capability Development Plan for the National Productivity Centre of Cambodia to the Royal Government of Cambodia in an official ceremony in Phnom Penh on July 22.

APO in a statement said the report was formally handed over by its Secretary-General, Dr Indra Pradana Singawinata, to the Cambodian Minister of Industry, Science, Technology and Innovation, Hem Vanndy.

Developed with APO support, the Institutional Capability Development Plan (ICDP) provides a structured pathway for strengthening the institutional capability of the National Productivity Centre of Cambodia (NPCC), Cambodia's national productivity institution, building on the APO-supported National Productivity Master Plan introduced in 2018.

The handover comes at an important moment for Cambodia as the country prepares to graduate from least developed country status in 2029 and seeks to sustain competitiveness via productivity, innovation, digital transformation, green growth, industrial upgrading, and economic resilience.

In this context, a stronger NPCC will be essential to translate national productivity priorities into practical services, measurable results, and sustained improvements for enterprises, public institutions, and other stakeholders.

The development plan sets out three mutually reinforcing reform categories–strengthening institutional and governance foundations; strengthening organisational systems and human capabilities; and enhancing service effectiveness, stakeholder engagement and results-based management.

These categories are supported by 10 reform actions and a three-year capability pathway designed to support the NPCC’s evolution into a more capable, trusted, evidence-driven, and future-ready national productivity institution.

The report said productivity improvement cannot be achieved through activity expansion alone, calling for clearer institutional purpose, stronger governance and management systems, a more demand-responsive service model, deeper technical capabilities, stronger strategic partnerships and a shift from measuring activities to demonstrating productivity results.

Through the ICDP, the NPCC is expected to strengthen its ability to support firms and public institutions in identifying productivity constraints, adopting practical solutions, improving service quality, and using evidence to guide continuous improvement. 

-- BERNAMA

MPC CONNECTS BUSINESSES WITH DIGITAL SOLUTIONS TO BOOST PRODUCTIVITY

 

BIZMATCH – GET2GATHER 2026 Series 3 is a strategic initiative organized by Bean Search Expert Sdn. Bhd. (Beanst) in collaboration with the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC). The program is specifically designed to drive the growth and enhance the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Retail and Food & Beverage (F&B) sectors. 

KUALA LUMPUR, July 23 (Bernama) -- The Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), through its Digital Productivity Nexus (DPN) and Retail and Food & Beverages Productivity Nexus (RFBPN), is intensifying efforts to accelerate business productivity by enabling enterprises to adopt technology-driven solutions.
 
Through strong public-private partnerships, MPC is expanding the BIZmatch ecosystems as strategic technology- and business-matching platforms that connect enterprises with suitable digital solution providers, industry partners and market opportunities. By matching businesses with solutions tailored to their operational needs, BIZmatch supports improvements in efficiency, cost management, digital adoption and overall competitiveness.
 
To date, a total of 779 companies has registered, and 53 digital solution providers have been onboarded in BIZmatch to offer businesses access to a growing range of technology and productivity solutions.
 
The latest Get2Gather 2026 Series 3: Retail and Food & Beverages Industry, themed “Strengthening the BIZmatch Ecosystem to Accelerate Productivity,” held in Kuala Lumpur focuses on empowering businesses in the retail and food and beverages sectors through networking, business matching, knowledge sharing, strategic partnerships and exposure to AI-enabled productivity solutions.
 
The initiative is expected to benefit more than 50,000 businesses nationwide by connecting them with productivity-enhancing solutions, including artificial intelligence (AI), enterprise software and business management systems, digital marketing and e-commerce solutions, digital payment and fintech services, and cybersecurity solutions.
 
MPC Deputy Director General, Dr. Mazrina Mohamed Ibramsah, said:
 
“Businesses that embrace digital solutions stand to gain the most. However, digital transformation is not merely about adopting technology; it is about adopting the right solutions for the right business needs. Through technology matching, we help enterprises work smarter, reduce costs and uncover new opportunities to enhance productivity and growth.”
 
Malaysia's performance in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking (WCR) 2026 placed the country 9th globally for AI skills that meet business requirements. The indicator suggests that Malaysia has a relatively strong talent base in AI-related skills that are relevant to business needs, which may support ongoing digitalisation efforts.

MPC invites businesses and digital solution providers to register with the Digital Platform Network Plus (DPN+), powered by BIZmatch, at https://dpnplus.net and become part of Malaysia’s growing digital productivity ecosystem.

About Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)
MPC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI). It drives national productivity holistically at the national, sectoral, and enterprise levels through three main thrusts: developing future talent, driving digitization and innovation, and building a robust ecosystem. It collaborates strategically with the private and public sectors by emphasising productivity as a key agenda to boost productivity growth and national competitiveness, ultimately leading to shared well-being and prosperity.

SOURCE: Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC)

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Mohammad Danial Mohd Yusof
Tel: 017-699 0943 
Email: danial@mpc.gov.my

Name: Nur Izzati Zamri
Tel: 018-245 0630 
Email: nurizzati@mpc.gov.my 

--BERNAMA

MEXC and Yuma Bring Bittensor Staking to 40M+ Users

MEXC users across 170+ countries can now stake TAO through validator infrastructure run by Yuma

STAMFORD, Conn., July 22 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MEXC launched TAO staking today, running on Yuma’s validator infrastructure. The launch expands TAO staking access to MEXC’s 40M+ users.

MEXC integrated infrastructure from Yuma, an operator focused exclusively on Bittensor. Because Yuma evaluates network performance firsthand and submits its own weights—a form of performance grading to achieve network consensus—TAO staked via MEXC earns rewards by supporting the strongest Bittensor contributors and enhancing the network’s overall health.

Bittensor is a decentralized AI protocol coordinating open-source AI development. Companies are building and deploying services built on Bittensor across many disciplines, including cybersecurity, financial intelligence, and AI model training. The protocol has emerged as a leading open-source ecosystem where builders and operators collaborate to develop and monetize AI capabilities at scale.

“Introducing millions of users to Bittensor takes broad distribution and high-quality infrastructure,” said Evan Malanga, Chief Revenue Officer at Yuma. “Our proprietary research enables Yuma to commit stake to rewarding the most productive and valuable subnets, enhancing the health of the Bittensor ecosystem. Our infrastructure now backs every MEXC user’s staked TAO, expanding access to the Bittensor network and supporting the open-source production of artificial intelligence.”

MEXC will support the launch with limited-time promotions to encourage network participation.

Learn more about Yuma Staking at https://www.yumaai.com/staking and stake on MEXC at https://mexc.com/earn.

About Yuma

Yuma is a Bittensor-focused infrastructure and investment firm operating within the open-source artificial intelligence industry. The firm invests, validates, mines, researches, and builds across the Bittensor AI network through staking infrastructure, subnet acceleration, and institutional asset management. Combining deep financial and technical expertise, Yuma applies institutional discipline while engaging directly with the Bittensor protocol. Yuma is a subsidiary of Digital Currency Group (DCG). Learn more at yumaai.com.

About MEXC

MEXC is the world’s fastest-growing cryptocurrency exchange, trusted by more than 40 million users across 170+ markets. Built on a user-first philosophy, MEXC offers industry-leading 0-fee trading and access to over 3,000 digital assets. As the Gateway to Infinite Opportunities, MEXC provides a single platform where users can easily trade cryptocurrencies alongside tokenized assets, including stocks, ETFs, commodities, and precious metals.

Media Contacts

media@yumaai.com

media@mexc.com

SOURCE: Yuma

DISCLAIMER: BERNAMA MREM are not accountable for any causes of website defacement, misuse, or illegal activities connected to cryptocurrency, blockchain, tokenisation, or bitcoin. This material should not be considered as guidance or an opinion, as it does not constitute financial or investment advice. Use this information at your own risk; we are not liable for any losses or damages caused by the republication of this article.

--BERNAMA