CCI France Malaysia Celebrates 35 Years of Strengthening Malaysia–France Business Ties at its 2026 Gala Night

Over 400 business leaders and distinguished guests gathered in Kuala Lumpur to celebrate the Chamber’s 35th Anniversary, honour business excellence and reaffirm the strength of Malaysia–France economic relations

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 2 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI France Malaysia - CCIFM) celebrated its 35th Anniversary during the Malaysia–France Gala Night 2026, held on 30 October at the Four Seasons Hotel Kuala Lumpur.

The landmark celebration brought together over 400 business leaders, senior executives, government representatives and members of the Malaysian–French business community, reflecting 35 years of the Chamber’s commitment to fostering bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation.

The evening was hosted by Datuk Zainal Amanshah, Honorary Chairman of CCIFM, and Mr Richard Fostier, President of CCIFM, alongside H.E. Marc Abensour, Ambassador of France to Malaysia. The celebration was further honoured by the presence of YB Tuan Sim Tze Tzin, Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), representing YB Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry.

35 Years of Connecting French and Malaysian Businesses

Established in 1991, CCI France Malaysia has evolved into a key business platform connecting French and Malaysian companies, supporting market entry, facilitating investment and strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries.

Today, more than 600 French companies operate in Malaysia, supporting over 30,000 jobs and contributing to the country's industrial, technological and economic development.

From aerospace, energy and advanced manufacturing to digital technologies, healthcare and professional services, French companies continue to play an important role in Malaysia's economic transformation.

As Malaysia strengthens its position as a regional business and investment hub, CCIFM remains committed to helping French companies establish and expand their operations in the country while leveraging Malaysia as a strategic gateway to Southeast Asia.

The Gala Night provided an opportunity to celebrate these achievements, recognise the contributions of French businesses to Malaysia's development and reaffirm the Chamber's role in supporting the next chapter of bilateral economic cooperation.

Celebrating Business Excellence: CCIFM Excellence Awards 2026

A major highlight of the evening was the CCIFM Excellence Awards 2026, recognising outstanding achievements, innovation, entrepreneurship and contributions to Malaysia–France business relations.

Five awards were presented to companies and entrepreneurs demonstrating excellence in their respective fields:

· Outstanding Achievements – Large Company: Technip Energies
· Outstanding Achievements – SME: Iraya Energies
· Corporate Social Responsibility: TotalEnergies
· France–Malaysia Smart Partnership: Schneider Electric & Air Selangor
· Image of France: Chanel

These awards celebrated the diversity and dynamism of the French business community in Malaysia, from multinational corporations and innovative SMEs to entrepreneurs and strategic partnerships contributing to the development of both economies.

An Exceptional Evening Celebrating the Malaysia–France Business Community

The anniversary celebration featured a memorable programme of entertainment and networking, hosted by Malaysian comedian and entertainer Gajen Nad. Guests enjoyed a special musical performance by legendary Malaysian singer Dato’ Sheila Majid, alongside energetic entertainment by Zeppo Youngsterz.

The evening was complemented by an exciting lucky draw featuring prizes generously sponsored by Air France–KLM, Club Med and Ayvens. Highlights included an Economy Class return ticket and a Business Class return ticket to Paris, courtesy of Air France–KLM.

The Gala Night was made possible through the support of the Chamber's corporate partners:

Platinum Partner: BNP Paribas

Gold and other Corporate Partners: Airbus, Arkema, Ayvens, Chanel, JLL, L’Oréal, Michelin, Rotortrade, Safran, Schneider Electric, STMicroelectronics, Technip Energies, TotalEnergies, Air Liquide, Cegos, CMA CGM, Iraya Energies and Stellantis.

Their support reflects the strong engagement of the French business community and its commitment to strengthening economic ties between France and Malaysia.

A Lasting Commitment to Sustainability: 600 Trees Planted in Sabah

Beyond business development, CCIFM continues to advance its environmental and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Launched in 2024, the Chamber's reforestation programme in Sabah's Lower Kinabatangan Wildlife Sanctuary has reached 600 trees planted in 2026, progressing towards its target of 1,000 trees by 2029.

Supported by the Malaysian–French business community, the initiative contributes to habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation, with the planted trees estimated to offset approximately 15 tonnes of CO₂ emissions annually.

This long-term commitment reflects the Chamber's ambition to generate positive environmental and social impact alongside its mission of supporting sustainable business growth.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Malaysia–France Economic Cooperation

The continued growth of Malaysia–France business relations is supported by close collaboration between public institutions, investment promotion agencies and the private sector.

CCIFM works alongside the Embassy of France in Malaysia and its Economic Department, Business France, the French Foreign Trade Advisors (CCE), La French Tech, MIDA, MATRADE, state investment promotion agencies, TalentCorp and MDEC, among other stakeholders.

As the Chamber enters its 36th year, it remains focused on expanding business opportunities, facilitating market access and supporting French and Malaysian companies in developing long-term partnerships.

With more than three decades of experience and a network of over 320 member companies, CCIFM will continue to serve as a catalyst for bilateral trade and investment, reinforcing Malaysia's position as a strategic regional hub for French businesses in Southeast Asia.

View the Gala Night 2026 Photo Album

ABOUT CCI FRANCE MALAYSIA

Established in 1991, the Malaysian French Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CCI France Malaysia – CCIFM) is an independent, non-profit and self-funded organisation dedicated to strengthening bilateral trade and investment between France and Malaysia.

With over 320 member companies and a French business community of more than 660 companies in Malaysia, CCIFM is part of the global CCI France International network spanning 95 countries.

The Chamber provides comprehensive business support services, including market research, partner identification, company incorporation, immigration, accounting, payroll, recruitment and HRDC-certified training. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, CCIFM also operates fully equipped business centres supporting companies establishing or expanding their presence in Malaysia and Southeast Asia.

SOURCE: CCI France Malaysia – CCIFM

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Name: Alban Simonte
Head of Bilateral Trade & Business Support (France Desk)
CCI France Malaysia
Tel: +603 2714 6151
Email: alban@mfcci.com
Website: www.mfcci.com

--BERNAMA

EIG and Acwa Announce Plenum Power, a Strategic Partnership to Invest in U.S. Power Infrastructure

 

 

^{Dr. Samir J. Serhan, Chief Executive Officer of Acwa (left), and R. Blair Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of EIG (right)} 


Partnership combines EIG’s platform-building, investment and financing expertise with Acwa’s large-scale power development and operating capabilities and is targeting a launch with approximately $4 billion of initial equity commitment


WASHINGTON & RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- EIG, a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors, and Saudi-listed Acwa, one of the world's largest independent power producers, today announced that they have entered into definitive agreements to establish Plenum Power, a strategic partnership focused on investment opportunities in the United States.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028377569/en/ 

Building on an established relationship that includes prior collaboration on projects in the Middle East, EIG and Acwa are now partnering to pursue opportunities in the U.S. power sector through Plenum Power. The parties intend for Plenum Power to target a launch with an initial equity commitment of approximately $4 billion. The partnership combines Acwa's global capabilities in developing, financing, constructing, and operating large-scale infrastructure across conventional and renewable power generation and energy storage, with a track record of delivering projects at scale, driving competitive energy costs and maintaining strong operational performance, alongside EIG's experience in sourcing, establishing, financing and scaling energy infrastructure platforms.

Plenum Power is being launched at a time when rising electricity demand, driven by electrification and the rapid expansion of AI data centers, is expected to create significant investment opportunities across the U.S. power sector. EIG and Acwa believe that meeting this demand affordably and reliably will require new generation capacity, energy storage and investment in existing infrastructure, and that these conditions create opportunities to jointly pursue acquisitions, develop new capacity and support the next phase of growth in U.S. power infrastructure.

R. Blair Thomas, Chief Executive Officer of EIG, said: “The U.S. power industry is at an inflection point, with demand accelerating as AI, data centers and electrification reshape the market. At the same time, recent dislocation in renewable energy development caused by regulatory changes, supply chain inflation and interest rates in the U.S. creates an attractive entry point for a new entrant at scale in our view. We believe those dynamics will drive consolidation across the industry and that Acwa's global operating capabilities, combined with EIG's investment, financing and platform-building experience, position Plenum Power well in this evolving market environment. We’re also fortunate to have a deep relationship with Acwa and KSA to build upon as we pursue this new initiative.”

Dr. Samir J. Serhan, Chief Executive Officer of Acwa, said: “The United States represents a significant opportunity for Acwa to bring its global expertise in developing, financing, and operating large-scale power infrastructure to one of the world’s most dynamic energy markets. As electricity demand accelerates, meeting that growth is expected to require substantial investment, reliable generation capacity, and the ability to deliver projects efficiently and at scale. Our partnership with EIG combines complementary strengths in infrastructure investment, development, and operations, creating a strong foundation to pursue opportunities across conventional and renewable power generation and energy storage. This marks an important step in expanding Acwa’s international footprint and supporting the development of resilient, competitive energy infrastructure in the United States.”

Andrew Ellenbogen, President of EIG, said: “Our strategic investments business is built around high-conviction theses in sectors undergoing structural change. Plenum Power builds on a platform-creation playbook EIG has applied across prior strategic initiatives in oil & gas, LNG and battery storage, combining EIG’s investment origination, capital formation and M&A capabilities with Acwa’s global development and operating expertise. Together, we seek to create a scaled U.S. power platform that can grow through acquisitions and the development of new capacity.”

Dr. Samir J. Serhan, Chief Executive Officer of Acwa, added: “Our ambition is to identify investment opportunities that have the potential to become high-performing infrastructure assets and create long-term value. Acwa brings decades of experience in managing complex projects across their entire lifecycle, from development and financing through to operations and optimization. Together with EIG, we intend to apply that discipline to building a competitive and resilient power infrastructure platform that supports the United States’ evolving energy needs.”

For EIG, the partnership represents an extension of its strategy in U.S. power generation. EIG has committed more than $14.2 billion across power generation, renewable energy, energy storage and related energy-transition infrastructure globally, experience that informs the firm’s approach to building and scaling energy businesses.

For Acwa, the world’s largest private water desalination company, a leader in the energy transition, and a first mover into green hydrogen at scale, the partnership represents a strategic opportunity to expand its presence in a major global power market, building on its experience delivering large-scale infrastructure across the Middle East, Asia and other international markets. With a global portfolio of 111 assets across 16 countries, representing USD 127 billion in assets under management, Acwa brings extensive capabilities spanning development, investment, financing, construction, operations, and asset optimization. The partnership will draw on these capabilities as it evaluates acquisition and development opportunities in the United States.

This press release is for informational purposes only. This does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase securities. Any offering will be made only in accordance with applicable securities laws to eligible investors pursuant to confidential offering materials.

About EIG

EIG is a leading institutional investor in the global energy and infrastructure sectors with $27.1 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2026. EIG specializes in private investments in energy and energy-related infrastructure on a global basis. During its 44-year history, EIG has committed over $55 billion to the energy sector through 429 projects or companies in 44 countries on six continents. EIG’s clients include many of the leading pension plans, insurance companies, endowments, foundations and sovereign wealth funds in the U.S., Asia and Europe. EIG is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with offices in Houston, London, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Hong Kong and Seoul. For additional information, please visit EIG’s website at www.eigpartners.com.

About Acwa

Acwa (TADAWUL: 2082) is a Saudi-listed company and the world's largest private water desalination company, the first mover into green hydrogen, and a leader in the global energy transition. Registered and established in 2004 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Acwa employs over 4,000 people and is currently present in 16 countries in the Middle East, Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia. As of July 2026, Acwa's portfolio comprises 111 assets in operation, advanced development, or under construction, representing SAR 475 billion / USD 127 billion of assets under management and the capacity to generate 98.2 GW of power (of which 52.3 GW is renewables) and manage 9.7 million m³/day of desalinated water. The energy and water capacity generated by Acwa's assets is delivered on a bulk basis to address the needs of state utilities and industries on long-term, off-taker contracts under utility services outsourcing and public-private partnership models. For more information, please visit www.acwapower.com.

View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20261028377569/en/

Contact

Media Contacts
EIG
FGS Global
Kelly Kimberly / Brandon Messina
+1 212-687-8080
EIG@fgsglobal.com

Acwa
Halah Mohsen
Director - Media Affairs & External Comms
hmohsen@acwapower.com
media.inquiries@acwapower.com

Source : EIG and Acwa

BitAuto Deepens Its Commitment to Malaysia Through Automotive Cultural Exchange

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, Oct 26 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recently, BitAuto has successfully concluded its China-Malaysia Automotive Cultural Exchange Tour, strengthening its connection with Malaysian consumers and advancing its commitment to the local market. Held under the theme “Heading South - Setting Off Again After 100,000 Kilometres”, the programme brought together a cross-border drive, automotive cultural visits, community gatherings, and a public showcase. Led locally by BitAuto’s Malaysian team, it united BitAuto’s original content team, Tiandi Studio and creators from Tengyi Technology’s new media organisation with Malaysian media, content creators and car enthusiast communities.

Combining automotive storytelling with first-hand vehicle experiences, the tour introduced BitAuto to a wider Malaysian audience. Coverage of the journey, strong participation from local enthusiasts and sustained interest at the public showcase helped deepen the brand’s understanding of the market and inform its ongoing localisation efforts.

Connecting Automotive Cultures Across Borders

At the heart of the journey were a Xiaomi SU7 Max and a Yangwang U8, each with over 100,000 kilometres already behind it. Creators affiliated with Tengyi Technology departed from Chengdu, travelling through Yunnan, Laos and Thailand before arriving in Malaysia. Their video series captured first-hand experiences on the road, exploring the automotive cultures and everyday lives of the communities along the route.

In Malaysia, the programme was shaped around local interests, with rainforest off-road experiences, car enthusiast gatherings, test drives for creators, drives along Genting’s mountain roads and city convoys. Creators from China joined Malaysian editors and enthusiasts to experience the vehicles in different settings, exchange perspectives and develop content for audiences in China and overseas.

A Mid-Autumn Festival gathering at Jam PJ welcomed more than 100 guests. Interest from local media and creators prompted the team to arrange additional opportunities to experience the vehicles and produce content. These sessions opened the way for further collaboration, extending the programme beyond its original filming schedule and strengthening its engagement with the local automotive community.

The Malaysian team guided every stage of the local programme, from selecting venues and engaging partners to refining activities in response to participant feedback. This local insight ensured that the tour connected directly with Malaysia’s motoring culture and the interests of its communities.

Bringing the BitAuto Experience Closer to Consumers

The tour culminated in a five-day showcase at MyTOWN Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur. Visitors were invited to explore the vehicles up close, step inside their cabins and speak with the team. The display attracted a steady flow of interest throughout its run, with participation increasing further over the weekend.

During the programme, Google Trends search interest in “BitAuto” in Malaysia increased by more than 5,000%. Together with participation on the ground and coverage across social channels, this rise reflected heightened local interest in the brand.

Building Lasting Connections in Malaysia

“In Malaysia, for Malaysia” continues to guide BitAuto’s approach to the market. The tour brought this commitment to life through a programme conceived and delivered with local insight. Its Malaysian team identified audience interests, coordinated activities and brought local partners together, drawing on automotive expertise and content capabilities developed in China to create experiences that invited participation and conversation.

The programme also established practical foundations for future local events and content partnerships. Collaboration between creators across borders, participation by Malaysian communities and continued engagement through BitAuto’s platform provided experience that can be carried into future initiatives.

Building on the relationships formed during the tour, BitAuto will continue to place the needs of Malaysian car buyers and owners at the centre of its local operations. Through specialist automotive information, locally relevant content and ongoing collaboration with Malaysian media, creators and car enthusiast communities, the brand will continue to develop lasting connections with the people it serves.

Company: BitAuto
Contact Person: Han Ying
Email: news@bitauto.com
Website: Bitauto.my
Telephone: 010 – 68616666 
City: Beijing

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/985f9881-25f0-4553-acb6-337e531583e0 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/600a1d48-4d74-4d5e-bfff-cc013f5f5b5b 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/45ea7c19-dc7c-46fb-bf69-5b613f9ea24f 

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec13a589-a4c5-4de2-83fc-0865e0428d7c 

SOURCE: BitAuto

--BERNAMA 

Bitget Upgrades Stock Dual Investment with VETA Finance for Tokenized U.S. Equities

VICTORIA, Seychelles, Oct 27 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitget, the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), has upgraded Stock Dual Investment, expanding its structured investment offerings to tokenized U.S. Equities through a partnership with VETA Finance. The launch introduces new stock-linked underlying assets and maturity options, allowing users to earn fixed-term yields while executing predefined strategies based on market conditions.

Stock Dual Investment lets users earn yield on USDT or eligible tokenized U.S. Equities over a fixed investment period, with settlement determined by a predefined target price and the assets's market performance at maturity. Current underlying assets include rNVDA, rGOOGL and rAMD, providing exposure to tokenized equities linked to NVIDIA, Alphabet, and AMD.

Buy Low allows users to subscribe with USDT and pick a target price for an eligible rToken. If the settlement price at maturity is at or below the target price, the investment is converted into the corresponding rToken at the predetermined price. Otherwise, users receive their principal and accrued yield in USDT. This strategy is designed for users looking to accumulate tokenized equities at a chosen price while earning yield during the investment period.

Sell High allows users to subscribe with an eligible rToken and pick a target price to sell. If the settlement price at maturity is at or above the target price, the investment is converted into USDT at a predetermined price. Otherwise, users retain their rToken principal and receive the applicable yield. This strategy is designed for holders waiting to sell at a selected price while earning yield on their existing positions.

"Investors often have a price in mind at which they would buy more or take profits. Stock Dual Investment, lets them earn yield while working toward those targets.That is our UEX vision of bringing crypto and traditional assets together with more ways to put them to work," said Gracy Chen, CEO of Bitget.

This product is offered in partnership with VETA Finance, a structured-product infrastructure provider focused on digital assets and tokenized markets. Since 2022, VETA Finance has provided end-to-end solutions for trading platforms, asset managers, and wealth-management providers, spanning product structuring, pricing, hedging, execution, and settlement.

Daniel Yu, Founder of VETA Finance, said: "Tokenization solved how equities get on-chain. Structured products solve how those assets are retained and how they generate yield. We are delighted to join Bitget's rToken ecosystem as a first-batch quoting vendor and bring the pricing, hedging and lifecycle management capabilities we have built in crypto structured products to tokenized US stocks in full. Dual Investment is only the first step. Together with Bitget, we intend to turn every tokenized US stock into a complete product line."

By extending Dual Investment to tokenized U.S equities, Bitget is bringing structured investment strategies traditionally associated with financial markets into its unified digital ecosystem. Users can deploy stablecoins or eligible rTokens through a single platform, creating additional opportunities to manage their exposure to tokenized equities without navigating separate trading environments. The launch further advances Bitget's Universal Exchange vision by expanding how users can access and utilize both crypto and tokenized traditional financial assets.

For more information, visit: https://www.bitget.com/support/articles/12560603898683

About VETA Finance

VETA Finance is an infrastructure provider for digital asset structured products. Since 2022 it has delivered end-to-end structured products services, from quoting and structuring to pricing, hedging and settlement, to leading trading platforms, asset managers and wealth channels. Its product range spans the full crypto structured products spectrum, including Dual Investment, Sharkfin, Snowball, Fixed Coupon Notes, Accumulators and Decumulators, Collars and zero-coupon lending, and the same product matrix is now being extended to tokenized US equities. VETA's proprietary structured products management system provides channels with one-stop RFQ, booking, settlement and lifecycle management, complemented by algorithmic execution services. The team combines investment banking, asset management and top-tier fund derivatives experience with years of live crypto trading.

About Bitget

Bitget is the world's largest Universal Exchange (UEX), serving over 125 million users and offering access to over 2M crypto tokens, 500+ tokenized stocks, ETFs, commodities, FX, and precious metals such as gold. The ecosystem is committed to helping users trade smarter with its AI agent, which co-pilots trade execution. Bitget is driving crypto adoption through strategic partnerships such as MotoGP™. Aligned with its global impact strategy, Bitget has joined hands with UNICEF to support blockchain education for 1.1 million people by 2027. Bitget currently leads in the tokenized TradFi market, providing the industry's lowest fees and highest liquidity across 150 regions worldwide.

For more information, visit: Website | X | Telegram | LinkedIn | Discord

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bitget.com

Risk Warning: Digital asset prices are subject to fluctuation and may experience significant volatility. Investors are advised to only allocate funds they can afford to lose. The value of any investment may be impacted, and there is a possibility that financial objectives may not be met, nor the principal investment recovered. Independent financial advice should always be sought, and personal financial experience and standing carefully considered. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. Bitget accepts no liability for any potential losses incurred. Nothing contained herein should be construed as financial advice. For further information, please refer to our Terms of Use.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d711fee-6a0a-4325-a1a2-a229bf9e545c

SOURCE: Bitget Limited

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

FOREIGN DIPLOMATS TOUR HANGZHOU’S ANCIENT RUINS, TECH HUBS AND UNIVERSITY

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Diplomats from Chile, Colombia, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan and Iraq toured Hangzhou in east China from Oct 17 to 19, visiting an ancient archaeological site, technology exhibitions and a university.

According to a statement, the delegation was invited by Haiwainet, part of People’s Daily, as part of the Zhejiang Tour for diplomatic envoys.

Chile’s Ambassador to China, Alfonso Silva said he was impressed by the Liangzhu civilisation and described the site as “a great heritage of which the Chinese people must be proud”.

The visit began on Oct 17 at the Archaeological Ruins of Liangzhu City, which marks the 90th anniversary of its discovery this year. At the Liangzhu Museum and the Liangzhu Archaeological Site Park, the diplomats viewed jade cong, stone yue axes, earthen embankments and rice fields from the 5,000-year-old civilisation.

On Oct 18, the delegation visited exhibitions in Hangzhou’s new urban centre featuring local technology companies, including those known as the “Six Little Dragons” and the “New Eight Steeds”. The diplomats tried augmented reality glasses and played Gomoku, a traditional five-in-a-row board game, against artificial intelligence.

On Oct 19, at Zhejiang International Studies University, the diplomats viewed folk-art exhibits, tried Chinese calligraphy and made Chongyang cakes, a traditional snack for the Double Ninth Festival. They also met students to exchange views on cultural understanding.

The tour was guided by the Information Office of the Zhejiang Provincial People’s Government and the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism.

It was organised by the Zhejiang International Communication Center, with support from People’s Daily Haiwainet, the Hangzhou bureau of Zhejiang Daily Press Group and the university.

-- BERNAMA

NANNING EXPANDS ASEAN GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT WITH TRADE, AI INNOVATION

A robot performs music at the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, Guangxi.

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 27 (Bernama) -- Nearly 100 preliminary artificial intelligence (AI) cooperation agreements worth around two billion Chinese yuan were reached in Nanning during the recently concluded 23rd China-ASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), including more than one billion Chinese yuan in planned cooperation with ASEAN countries.

The expo’s new AI marketplace featured more than 70 companies displaying over 500 products, from large AI models and AI chips to AI glasses and intelligent robots, generating transactions worth over 28 million Chinese yuan (around US$3.9 million). (US$1 = RM4.08).

Nanning, the capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and permanent host of CAEXPO, is home to 1,552 AI-related companies, accounting for 57.3 per cent of Guangxi’s total, according to a statement.

ArcherMind Technology has set up its ASEAN headquarters in the city, with its robots used in schools in ASEAN countries including Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, while iFLYTEK has signed a strategic agreement with Nanning to develop AI applications for ASEAN markets in education, healthcare and urban governance.

In the first eight months of 2026, Nanning’s foreign trade rose 2.4 per cent year-on-year to 65.171 billion Chinese yuan. Trade with ASEAN reached 18.246 billion Chinese yuan, or 28 per cent of the total, while trade with Vietnam grew 18.6 per cent.

The Pinglu Canal, which opened on Sept 16, allows vessels of up to 5,000 tonnes to sail directly from Nanning to the Beibu Gulf. For cargo from southwest China, it shortens the inland waterway route to the sea by more than 560 kilometres compared with the route via Guangzhou Port.

Nanning is planning industrial development along the canal, including port upgrades at Liujing and a dedicated railway line to improve rail-water transport, while non-ferrous metals, green chemicals and equipment manufacturing industries are increasingly clustering along the route.

-- BERNAMA

YYForce Unveils NVIDIA-Powered Robotics Software For Hotels

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 22 (Bernama) -- YYForce Inc (YYForce), a workforce solutions provider, has announced its strategic plans to develop Workforce OS, a robotics operating system built on NVIDIA computing and robotics technology, starting with deployments in hotels.

YYForce in a statement said it is designed to let human workers operate alongside artificial intelligence (AI)-powered robots, including Unitree humanoid robots and other service robots.

“Our strategic objective is to own the software intelligence layer that makes diverse commercial robots truly useful in live business environments.

“By combining NVIDIA’s industry-defining physical AI computing stack with versatile hardware like Unitree humanoid platforms, we aim to bridge the gap between simulation and real-world execution,” said YYForce Chief Executive Officer, Mike Fu.

YYForce plans a phased roll-out in hotel settings. Over the first two months, it aims to set up robot navigation and guest-facing concierge services, followed by robotic arms for food and beverage service from months two to four.

By month six, it plans to run multi-robot operations, including pilot Unitree humanoid robots, at hotel banquets and events. In the longer term, it aims to extend the system to facility maintenance and industrial cleaning.

Workforce OS is designed to work across different robot hardware, covering computer vision, navigation, robotic arm control, conversational interaction and fleet management.

It will use NVIDIA Jetson edge AI modules on the robots for real-time perception and control and NVIDIA’s Isaac Sim and Project GR00T to train robots in simulation before real-world deployment.

YYForce is setting up a dedicated engineering team covering navigation, perception, motion control, AI models and systems architecture.

-- BERNAMA