EFICYENT at money2020

EFICYENT, a cross-border payments and fintech platform, recently participated in the Money20/20 Asia in Bangkok and is now attending Money20/20 Europe in Amsterdam as part of its ongoing global expansion efforts.

The company’s participation at Money20/20 Asia earlier in 2026 created opportunities to engage with financial institutions, payment providers, and technology partners across the Asia-Pacific region. Discussions during the event focused on the growing demand for faster, scalable, and more reliable cross-border payment solutions for businesses operating internationally.

Following its participation in Bangkok, EFICYENT is continuing its engagement with the global fintech ecosystem at Money20/20 Europe. The event allows the team to connect with European financial institutions, fintech operators, and strategic partners while exploring collaboration opportunities across multiple international markets.

"Being present at both Money20/20 Asia and Money20/20 Europe reflects our continued focus on global fintech engagement," said K Balasubramanyam, CEO & Director, EFICYENT. "We are focused on building the right partnerships and supporting businesses that require scalable and dependable cross-border payment solutions."

EFICYENT is focused on improving cross-border payments by reducing dependency on traditional SWIFT systems through local payment rails, stablecoin payment networks, and faster global payment capabilities.

"Our platform is designed to solve challenges businesses face with slow cross-border transactions and SWIFT dependencies by leveraging local payment rails, stablecoin payment networks and remittance capabilities," said Aravinth Ramesh,CTO & Director, EFICYENT.

Its offerings include multi-currency wallets, payouts, local collection capabilities, Smart FX, and white-label fintech solutions. The platform supports local payment rails across more than 100 countries, helping SMEs, financial institutions, and banks simplify global payments and adopt modern fintech capabilities for international operations.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue strengthening regional partnerships and expanding its global payment capabilities while supporting businesses with efficient international payment solutions.

About EFICYENT

EFICYENT is a cross-border payments and fintech platform serving businesses across more than 100 countries. Its offerings include multi-currency wallets, payouts, local accounts for collections, Smart FX, and white-label solutions designed to support businesses with international payment requirements.

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Huaxi đã hoạt động trong lĩnh vực thiết bị gas suốt 20 năm và là nhà cung cấp thiết bị kiểm tra cốt lõi hỗ trợ việc soạn thảo tiêu chuẩn quốc gia của Trung Quốc về thiết bị gas. Công ty tập trung cung cấp các giải pháp sản xuất cho các nhà sản xuất thiết bị gas, bao gồm kiểm tra chất lượng đầu ra toàn bộ quy trình nhà máy, kiểm tra sản xuất theo dây chuyền và lắp ráp tự động, sử dụng các thiết bị chuyên dụng giúp đảm bảo chất lượng sản phẩm ổn định, nâng cao hiệu suất và hỗ trợ sản xuất tuân thủ tiêu chuẩn.

Công ty cung cấp đầy đủ các thiết bị kiểm tra chuyên dụng cho máy nước nóng gas, bếp gas, nồi hơi treo tường, van điều nhiệt và van tỷ lệ. Thiết bị có khả năng thực hiện các bài kiểm tra hiệu suất và an toàn quan trọng, bao gồm: kiểm tra độ kín khí và phát hiện rò rỉ, kiểm tra tải nhiệt, phân tích khí thải, kiểm tra tuổi thọ đánh lửa, kiểm tra chịu áp và thử nghiệm nổ, cũng như kiểm tra bảo vệ khi ngọn lửa tắt. Thiết bị hỗ trợ cả kiểm tra trong phòng thí nghiệm lẫn kiểm tra toàn bộ sản lượng trên dây chuyền. Công ty cũng cung cấp các dây chuyền sản xuất lắp ráp thông minh tích hợp và kiểm tra theo dây chuyền cho toàn bộ thiết bị gas, cho phép lắp ráp tự động, kiểm tra độ kín khí và kiểm tra hiệu suất đốt cháy, thay thế thao tác thủ công, giảm thiểu bỏ sót kiểm tra và phán đoán sai, phù hợp cho sản xuất hiệu quả quy mô lớn.

Huaxi đã xây dựng hệ thống dịch vụ xuất khẩu nước ngoài hoàn thiện, am hiểu các tiêu chuẩn kỹ thuật và yêu cầu tiếp cận thị trường tại nhiều quốc gia, với năng lực giao hàng xuyên biên giới và hỗ trợ ở nước ngoài mạnh mẽ. Nhờ chất lượng sản phẩm ổn định và hỗ trợ kỹ thuật, công ty phục vụ các thị trường quốc tế bao gồm Nga và Ấn Độ, và trước đây đã cung cấp bộ thiết bị kiểm tra đầy đủ cho Royal Boiler (Nga) và Atomberg Technologies (Ấn Độ), hỗ trợ sự tuân thủ sản phẩm cho việc mở rộng thị trường quốc tế, được các đối tác nước ngoài ghi nhận.

Trong thời gian triển lãm, công ty đã mời các nhà sản xuất và nhà cung cấp thiết bị gas tại Việt Nam và Đông Nam Á đến thăm gian hàng A221 để thảo luận về hợp tác và cùng nhau thúc đẩy quá trình nâng cấp sản xuất thiết bị gas thông minh và chuẩn hóa.

Để biết thêm thông tin, vui lòng truy cập trang web chính thức của Huaxi Technology:

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Source: CNBC

KIRKLAND, Wash., May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Toll Brothers, Inc. (NYSE:TOL), the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes, today announced the grand opening of its amenities at Cross Kirkland Towns, a luxury new townhome community by Toll Brothers in Kirkland, Washington. A Community Showcase event will be held on Saturday, May 30, from noon to 3 p.m. and is open to the public. Guests are invited to enjoy freshly crafted coffee drinks, Italian sodas, and sweet bites while exploring the community’s onsite amenities. Two beautifully appointed model homes, as well as quick move-in homes, will be open for tours at 10829 120^th Lane NE in Kirkland.

Cross Kirkland Towns is a thoughtfully designed community of luxury four-bedroom townhomes featuring northwest contemporary architecture and sleek interior finishes. Homes range from 1,904 to 2,416+ square feet and include 3.5 baths, a 2-car garage, and a private first-floor bedroom with a full bathroom. Each home offers covered outdoor living off the open great room, with select floor plans including a flex space ideal for a home office. Homes are priced from $1.19 million.

The community’s amenities include a pickleball court, children’s playground, dog park, and open spaces, all connected by walking paths. Residents also enjoy direct access to the adjacent 5.75-mile Cross Kirkland Corridor trail, which is part of the developing 42-mile Eastrail trail system connecting surrounding neighborhoods such as Bellevue, Renton, and Redmond.

“Cross Kirkland Towns showcases the best of luxury living and outdoor recreation in a stunning, central location,” said Todd Callahan, Regional President of Toll Brothers for the Pacific region. “We are thrilled to unveil these exceptional community amenities and invite prospective home shoppers and neighbors to join us on May 30 to experience the incredible lifestyle residents enjoy at this community.”

Located in the highly sought-after Lake Washington School District, Cross Kirkland Towns offers an exceptional location near downtown Kirkland, Juanita Beach, and The Village at Totem Lake, with abundant shopping, dining, and recreation opportunities. The community also provides easy access to major employers such as Microsoft, Meta, and Amazon, as well as Interstate 405 for seamless commuting.

Toll Brothers customers will experience one-stop shopping at the Toll Brothers Design Studio. The state-of-the-art Design Studio allows home shoppers to choose from a wide array of selections to personalize their dream home with the assistance of Toll Brothers professional Design Consultants.

For more information on Cross Kirkland Towns and other Toll Brothers communities in Washington, call 844-845-5263 or visit TollBrothers.com/WA.

About Toll Brothers

Toll Brothers, Inc., a Fortune 500 Company, is the nation’s leading builder of luxury homes. The Company was founded in 1967 and became a public company in 1986 with common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “TOL.” Toll Brothers builds new homes and communities in over 60 markets across the United States, serving first-time, move-up, active-adult, and second-home buyers. The Company also operates its own architectural, engineering, mortgage, title, land development, smart home technology, landscape, and building components manufacturing businesses.

Toll Brothers was named the #1 Most Admired Home Builder in Fortune magazine’s 2026 list of the World’s Most Admired Companies^®, the ninth year the Company has achieved this honor. Toll Brothers has also been named Builder of the Year by Builder magazine and is the first two-time recipient of Builder of the Year from Professional Builder magazine. For more information visit TollBrothers.com.

From Fortune, ©2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All rights reserved. Used under license.

Contact: Andrea Meck | Toll Brothers, Senior Director, Public Relations & Social Media | 215-938-8169 | ameck@tollbrothers.com

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Beijing, CHINA, May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — On the evening of May 14, the ceremony for the 14th China Dance Lotus Awards, China’s highest national professional award for dance, was held in Xi’an, Northwest China’s Shaanxi Province. Rock Talk, an original dance production created and performed by a group of students from the Yinchuan High School in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, won the Chinese Contemporary Dance award.

Standing on the stage, their teacher Kang Lili felt a surge of emotion. Two images crystallized in her mind: her students drenched in sweat in the rehearsal hall, and the raw, enigmatic rock carvings etched into the Helan Mountains millennia ago.

Those carvings, scattered across more than 20 sites along Ningxia’s Helan Mountains, number over 27,000 individual images, covering hunting scenes, battles, rituals, and dances. Left by prehistoric communities along the Yellow River, they were designated a major national cultural heritage site in 1996.

The dynamism of life

Kang encountered the carvings on a field trip in 2023 and was instantly spellbound.

“The stones were speaking,” she recalled. “These age-old markings are like love letters written by ancient people to heaven and earth. ‘What a miracle it would be if we could bring them to life through dance,’ I thought.”

At the entrance to the rock art site stands a greeting stone carved with the line, “Time loses its voice; only the stones can speak.” Inspired, Kang named the piece Rock Talk.

In June 2024, Kang and her students began translating stone into motion. They pored over the static images, including the stark straight lines, hard angles and crude forms of human and animal figures, and reimagined them as straight arms, stiff wrists, right-angle joints and abrupt, percussive movements that evoked the texture of rock and the sharpness of carved grooves.

Drawing a bow, chasing prey, bending to herd animals -ancient gestures were turned into tableau-like poses linked by slow, flowing transitions.

Through staccato joints and heavy, measured breathing, the dancers summoned the roughness and weight of stone. At one point, their bodies pile together to form a “human rock mountain,” echoing the layered cliff faces.

Almost none of the students had stage experience. To help them internalize the spirit of the carvings, Kang repeatedly took them to the cliffs.

Standing before crude outlines of animals and hunters, student Ma Yuanyuan felt a jolt of recognition. “In that moment, I felt a profound empathy with the Yellow River ancestors who tenaciously survived in such a harsh natural world.”

Gazing up at petroglyphs thousands of years old, she sensed the resilience of life, the very essence Rock Talk sought to capture.

The troupe rehearsed three hours a day, endlessly refining each movement. In late 2024, at a regional showcase in Ningxia, Rock Talk stunned the audience. Experts from arts academies praised its raw power and life force. Encouraged by the professional acclaim, Kang and her colleagues submitted a video of their performance for the national award evaluation.

Of the hundreds of entries nationwide, only 16 made it into the contemporary dance finals, a field packed with elite academies and professional companies. Rock Talk stood out as the only entry performed entirely by high school students.

With just two months until the finals, Kang launched a grueling boot camp. The dancers pushed through relentless drills; no one quit.

“The Lotus Award is a coveted national honor for every dancer. We gave it our all and refused to back down easily,” said student Shen Linru. Another student, Wu Jingyi, added, “I saw a bird in the rock carvings. During rehearsal, I’d imagine I was that bird, breaking free and flying into the sky.”

As the weeks passed, the dance shed its rawness and gained control and emotional depth. “The teens developed their own understanding of the piece over time,” Kang said. “When the music played, their eyes lit up. They used their bodies to narrate the ancient ancestors’ longing for survival, their tenacity and unyielding spirit.”

Reaching a broader audience

At the final competition, Rock Talk was the 11th performance. Kang sat in the audience, anxious, but as the music swelled and her students glided onto the stage, she relaxed.

With no hired choreographer and a shoestring budget, the teenagers filled the space with a polish that rivaled their competitors. “Their skill was entirely comparable to other professional troupes. The weight on my heart lifted,” said Kang.

When the last light faded, applause erupted. Audience members rushed backstage to take photos and chat with the young dancers. “Are you really high school students? Your performance was incredible!” “Where are these rock paintings located? We can’t wait to visit!”

“Even if we hadn’t won, the trip was worth it,” Kang reflected emotionally.

Kang recalled that she was on tour with the students performing Rock Talk when a notification lit up her phone, a post from the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles’ official WeChat account. She opened it to find the Lotus Award winners. In the Contemporary Dance category, only three works had been honored. One of them was Rock Talk. “We did it!” they screamed, some laughing, some in tears. Every drop of sweat suddenly felt worth it.

Beyond the trophy, the experience transformed the young dancers. Parents wrote to Kang, saying their daughters had become confident, no longer complaining or retreating from challenges.

“We learned what it means to challenge ourselves and to persevere. We pulled together as one, chasing a dream,” student Gao Wenjing said.

The troupe has since received invitations to perform across China. Through the universal language of dance, the grand, profound charm of Helan Mountain Rock Art has been introduced to a broader audience.

This was compiled and translated by the Global Times based on an article originally published in the People’s Daily on May 25, 2026.

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Contact Person: Anna Li
Email: editor@globaltimes.com.cn
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City: Beijing

Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements.

Code4Mzansi highlights the growing strength of South Africa’s developer ecosystem and the role of youth-led innovation in shaping the country’s digital future

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 May 2026 – South Africa’s emerging developers are building close to the ground, with many of the strongest solutions at the inaugural Huawei Code4Mzansi finals focused on systems people use every day: township retail, healthcare, energy, agriculture, payments and the creative economy.

The competition was held in partnership with the Department of Small Business Development. “The Code4Mzansi competition is not just a celebration of achievement, it is a launchpad for the future,” said Minister Stella Ndabeni, whose department co-hosted the event and delivered the closing address.

The finals revealed a clear shift from building abstract digital products to practical tools that help small businesses trade better, communities access services more easily, and local industries solve problems faster.

Four finalist teams focused directly on the township economy, with solutions covering food safety verification for spaza shops, offline point-of-sale systems built for load-shedding, WhatsApp-native marketplaces for informal retailers, and community credit systems for SASSA grant recipients.

Others addressed AI-driven healthcare access, electricity theft detection, smart agriculture, financial infrastructure for the creator economy, and AI-generated African music.

Held at Huawei Office Park in Woodmead, the finals brought together more than 100 attendees, including government representatives, academic partners, industry leaders and media.

“The quality of the finalist solutions demonstrated the potential of local innovation to respond to real market needs,” said Steven Chen, Cloud CEO of Huawei Technologies South Africa.

Academic partners included the University of Pretoria, the University of Johannesburg, the University of the Witwatersrand and the University of Cape Town.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and technology is their greatest accelerator. The participants here today are future entrepreneurs who will drive South Africa’s digital economy forward,” said Professor Thokozani Shongwe, Vice Dean of Postgraduate Studies, Research and Internationalisation at the University of Johannesburg’s Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

Industry partner rain also attended. Leon Nortje, Principal and Senior Architect at rain, said the competition offered a strong view of the country’s emerging technology pipeline.

“It is always good to see new projects and new teams working on solutions that are valuable and industry-related. We will be looking out for potential new employees,” said Nortje.

The winners

The finalists competed for a prize pool of R800,000. MAAT by SIMVAK was named the overall grand winner and received the Business Value Award, taking home R300,000. The platform addresses food safety and regulatory compliance in South Africa’s informal retail sector through AI agents, real-time product recall alerts, and counterfeit detection for the spaza shop ecosystem.

“The spaza network is the supply chain for most South African households,” said SIMVAK founder Shingirayi Mandebvu.

HealthHive by FTCK received second prize in the Business Value Award category, taking home R200,000, for its AI telemedicine platform that matches patients with the right medical practitioners based on their symptoms.

Auraa received the Grand Innovation Award for its AI music engine built to generate authentic African sound. The platform has been associated with an album that has crossed one million streams.

The Future Star Award went to e-Khadi, a community credit and stokvel platform giving SASSA grant recipients access to essentials at their local spaza shops, supported by AI-assisted credit scoring and fraud detection.

The People’s Choice Award, voted by the public on Huawei’s social media channels, went to DevRift, a semi-finalist in the competition, who took home R100,000.

Minister Ndabeni delivered the closing address, positioning Code4Mzansi within the government’s agenda for youth entrepreneurship, small business development and digital inclusion.

“Our task is to ensure that innovation does not remain a moment of applause, but becomes a pathway to enterprise creation, digital inclusion, and sustainable growth,” she said.

“Thank you to Huawei for being a perfect partner on the journey that we are travelling, and of course, those that matter most, the developers who dared to compete,” she said.

Code4Mzansi forms part of the global Huawei Cloud Developer Competition. In its inaugural edition, South Africa attracted more participants than any other country: 1,041 across 353 teams, including 176 enterprise teams, resulting in the highest enterprise participation rate among all competing markets. Twenty semi-finalists were selected before the top nine advanced to the final.

For the finalists, the work is just beginning. As Minister Ndabeni said, “Go home today proud. But tomorrow, wake up, build again.”

Hashtag: #Huawei #Code4Mzansi #SouthAfrica

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About Huawei

Founded in 1987, Huawei is a leading global provider of information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and smart devices. With 213,000 employees operating in over 170 countries, we serve more than three billion people worldwide.

Huawei is committed to bringing digital to every person, home, and organisation for a fully connected, intelligent world. In 2025, Huawei generated CNY880.9 billion in revenue, reinvesting 21.8% (CNY192.3 billion) into R&D, with about 53.7% of its employees working in R&D. As a private company fully owned by its employees, Huawei focuses on customer-centric innovation and open collaboration to create lasting value and drive technological breakthroughs globally.

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]]> https://asiainsiders.net/hong-kongs-first-astronaut-participates-in-shenzhou-23-manned-spaceflight-mission/ Tue, 26 May 2026 10:50:00 +0000 https://asiainsiders.net/hong-kongs-first-astronaut-participates-in-shenzhou-23-manned-spaceflight-mission HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 May 2026 – At 11.08pm on May 24, Dr Lai Ka-ying made history by becoming the first Hong Kong astronaut to blast off into space aboard the Shenzhou-23 manned spaceship. This momentous occasion also launched a new era for Hong Kong’s development of innovation and technology (I&T) as well as the city’s participation in national development under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan.

Congratulating Dr Lai on her achievement, John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), said that the HKSAR can “transform from a ‘supporter’ of the country’s great aerospace endeavours into an ‘executor’ “.

“This not only demonstrates the HKSAR’s capability in contributing to the country’s development into an aerospace power, but also showcases how Hong Kong could better integrate into and serve the overall national development,” Mr Lee said.

“This mission is of great significance, as it is not only the first manned spaceflight mission during the 15th Five-Year Plan period, but also the first time for a payload expert from the HKSAR to participate in it.”

The Shenzhou-23 crew will conduct on-orbit rotation with the Shenzhou-21 crew. The crew, including Dr Lai, will stay in the space station and conduct multiple experiments and applications in various fields such as scientific applications.

The Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the HKSAR Government, Professor Sun Dong, led a delegation to the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center to witness this historic moment. Members of the delegation included other government representatives, I&T experts, youths and students.

“I truly believe this is a great demonstration of Hong Kong integrating into and serving the overall national development through concrete actions, while contributing our strength in I&T,” Professor Sun said.

” ‘Science and technology is primary productive force, talent is primary resource, and innovation is primary driver of growth.’ The HKSAR Government will continue to drive the development of I&T, accelerate the establishment of an international I&T centre, and make greater contributions to building our nation into a strong power in science, technology, and aerospace.”

Commissioner for Innovation and Technology of the HKSAR Government, Mr Ivan Lee, said that the Government had been providing funding support for universities and research institutions in conducting aerospace technology-related projects through the Innovation and Technology Fund.

“In 2024, we launched a special call for funding applications, inviting universities to submit project proposals related to aerospace technology. Following a selection process, we supported six projects. Among them was the Multi‑Spectral Imaging Carbon Observatory (MUSICO) developed by a team from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology,” he said.

On the Tiangong Space Station, Dr Lai will conduct experiments including operating the MUSICO — the world’s first lightweight, high-resolution synergistic observatory for carbon dioxide and methane emission point sources.

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Dr Lai is a Superintendent of the Hong Kong Police Force. In the recruitment exercise of China’s fourth batch of preparatory astronauts launched in 2022, she was successfully selected as a payload expert and was deployed to the China Astronaut Research and Training Center for training.

Before embarking on the historic spaceflight, Dr Lai expressed hope that it would inspire more Hong Kong youths to devote themselves to the field of I&T, thereby contributing to the country’s scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.

Hashtag: #HongKong #BrandHongKong #I&T #aerospace #technology

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]]> https://asiainsiders.net/cimbs-insurexpo-2026-reveals-new-financial-independence-benchmark-more-singapore-residents-target-s1m-and-retirement-in-their-40s/ Tue, 26 May 2026 09:04:00 +0000 https://asiainsiders.net/cimbs-insurexpo-2026-reveals-new-financial-independence-benchmark-more-singapore-residents-target-s1m-and-retirement-in-their-40s

• The third run of InsureXpo^® 2026 convened the entire insurance ecosystem to empower individuals to become financially fit and future-ready.
• Latest joint study by CIMB Singapore and Nanyang Technological University unveils Singapore residents’ shifting definition of financial independence.

SINGAPORE, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — InsureXpo^® by CIMB 2026 successfully concluded its third edition on 23 May at Suntec Convention Centre. Anchored on a "Money Gym" concept, the event united Singapore’s insurance ecosystem – including leading insurers such as Singlife, AIA, FWD, and Income – alongside policymakers, academics, and industry experts. Together, they empowered Singapore residents to strengthen their financial fitness through interactive stations designed to build financial stamina and resilience.

Study Findings: Rising Wealth Ambition, Earlier Retirement Timelines

At the event, CIMB Singapore released a report revealing that financial independence is taking on a new meaning as Singapore residents raise both their wealth ambitions and their timelines.

Jointly conducted by CIMB Singapore and Nanyang Technological University, the second edition of the "Attitudes and Beliefs towards Financial Independence Report" surveyed over 1,000 Singapore residents aged 18 to 60 on their views about financial independence in 2026.

The research found a shift in how Singapore residents define and pursue financial independence. Once centered on the qualitative notion of "freedom from financial concerns", independence is now increasingly quantified, with 56.3% aspiring to accumulate over S$1 million, up from 52.3% in 2025, with 35.8% identifying S$1-2.5 million as the "sweet spot" for financial independence.

This rising wealth ambition is matched by an accelerated timeline: where retirement in the 50s was the norm just a year ago, today’s benchmark has moved into the 40s. Gen Z is pushing boundaries even further, envisioning financial freedom in their 30s, or in some cases, their 20s.

Financial Independence: Aspirational Yet Challenging 

While many Singapore residents believe financial independence is achievable, confidence remains mixed and anxiety persists. While 78.0% believe that financial independence is achievable, most (36.0%) describe themselves as only "moderately confident", and 34.6% report frequent or constant anxiety about their financial future.

Generational differences stand out: Gen Z reports the highest anxiety at 41.2%, Millennial emerges as the most confident with 51.8% expressing strong confidence, and Gen X falls in between, with 38.3% experiencing frequent anxiety and 30.5% feeling strongly confident.

The Gap between Ambition and Action

The drive for financial independence remains strong, but many struggle to translate intent into action. Key barriers include high living costs (70.7%), low income (54.0%), and family responsibilities (53.4%), with growing concerns around market volatility (32.8%), limited financial education (28.2%), and lifestyle pressures such as shopping temptations (22.8%).

Yet, fewer than half (46.4%) have begun retirement planning, often delayed by competing priorities (42.2%), uncertainty about how to start (34.4%), and the belief that it is too early (31.9%).

These findings highlight a clear disconnect – while independence is widely seen as achievable, confidence is tempered by anxiety, and retirement planning remains deferred, underscoring the persistent gap between ambition and action.

"Our study shows that financial independence in Singapore is no longer defined by a single dollar figure, but by freedom from financial stress. While respondents expressed moderate confidence in achieving this goal, many Singaporeans still face gaps in retirement preparedness," said Professor Sharon Ng, Deputy Dean at Nanyang Business School and Founding Director of the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology.

Generational Priorities and The Sandwich Generation Effect

A clear difference in financial priorities emerges across generations. While all aspire to achieve freedom from financial concerns, each group is driven by distinct motivations: Gen Z places the highest value on autonomy and control over income and spending (25.7%), Millennial focuses on building wealth (27.0%), and Gen X emphasizes living debt-free (20.1%).

The sandwich generation, balancing the dual responsibilities of caring for both parents and children, demonstrates notably higher financial ambitions. Nearly two-thirds (64.4%) aim to accumulate at least S$1 million, compared with 51.7% of non-sandwich respondents, reflecting the capital needed to sustain multiple generations. This group also stands out for its proactive approach: 91.2% already have a financial independence plan, 60.9% are open to professional advice, and 62.8% view insurance as an investment tool.

Advice and Action as Game‑Changers

Access to financial advice and decisive action are pivotal in improving financial well-being. Those open to professional guidance report far lower anxiety and higher confidence – only 25.4% experience frequent financial anxiety, compared with 42.2% among those who do not seek advice. Confidence more than doubles for individuals who engage a financial planner, rising to 65.8% versus 28.2% for those who do not.

Taking action further amplifies these benefits. Only 30.8% of those with a financial plan report frequent anxiety, compared with 51.9% without one. Confidence in achieving independence stands at 52.3% among planners, four times higher than the 13.0% recorded among non‑planners.

Perceptions of insurance are also shifting. Increasingly, it is seen not only as protection but as an enabler of independence, with 52.6% of residents sharing this view, up from 45.0% last year.

"Financial confidence doesn’t come from chance; it comes from choice. Seeking advice, taking action, and rethinking insurance as empowerment are the drivers that can transform anxiety into financial independence," said Raymond Tan, Head of Wealth Management and Deposits at CIMB Singapore.

Bridging the Gap between Ambition and Action

The report underscores that financial independence is not a single milestone, but an ongoing journey of resilience across life stages. Financial institutions have a unique opportunity to provide integrated support by reframing savings, insurance, retirement, and wealth advisory services as interconnected elements of one holistic financial journey.

"Even amid global uncertainty, Singapore residents remain anchored in their financial values. Their measured confidence reflects a pragmatic mindset and continued trust in Singapore’s stability and institutions. Guided by our belief in providing one advisory with access to seven insurers, CIMB Singapore offers customers with balanced, needs-based guidance through a single touchpoint, helping them make more informed choices with greater confidence," said Merlyn Tsai, Regional Head of Group Consumer Banking Digital Strategy & Head of Consumer Banking and Digital Singapore.

"InsureXpo^® reflects CIMB’s purpose of advancing customers and society by empowering individuals with clarity, confidence, and choice in their financial planning journey. Now in its third year, the event underscores our continued commitment to helping customers safeguard their financial futures, while reinforcing our role as a trusted partner in building long-term financial resilience for the community," she added.

View the infographics and concise deck, or explore the full report for deeper insights.

Note to editors: 

About CIMB

CIMB is one of ASEAN’s leading banking groups and Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider, by assets. Listed on Bursa Malaysia via CIMB Group Holdings Berhad, it had a market capitalisation of approximately RM89.0 billion as at 31 December 2025. It offers consumer banking, commercial banking, wholesale banking, transaction banking, Islamic banking and asset management products and services. Headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, the Group is present across ASEAN in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Philippines. Singapore is one of its key markets with approximately 1,000 employees serving clients across consumer, commercial, wholesale and transaction banking products and services.

Beyond ASEAN, the Group has market presence in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR and UK. CIMB has one of the most extensive retail branch networks in ASEAN with 576 branches and over 33,000 employees as at 31 December 2025. CIMB’s investment banking arm is one of the largest Asia Pacific-based investment banks, which together with its 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.

Sustainability is a core pillar of CIMB’s Forward30 strategy and 2030 roadmap. The Group is guided by its Green, Social, Sustainable Impact Products and Services ("GSSIPS") framework, an internal taxonomy designed to deliver impactful sustainable finance. Since launching its sustainable finance framework in 2021, CIMB has progressively raised its ambitions, increasing its initial RM30 billion target to RM100 billion for 2021–2024. The Group now targets RM300 billion in sustainable finance by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to enabling a lower-carbon and more inclusive economy across the region.

Through The Secret Garden to Good Poop, Friso aims to help families better understand how everyday habits and nutrition can nurture a healthy digestive system in young children. Over the years, the national campaign has emphasised the important roles a well-balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep play in helping young children achieve good poop – and this year’s edition spotlights what happens inside the gut, empowering parents with practical ways to support good digestion from within.

Breaking Down the Science of Gut Health

While many parents recognise the importance of good gut health, concepts such as gut microbiota, prebiotics, and probiotics can often feel complex and difficult to grasp.

To bridge this gap, Friso brings these ideas to life with The Secret Garden to Good Poop. Much like a garden, a child’s gut needs the right balance of nutrients to thrive. Through this “gut garden” concept, Friso aims to help families better understand everyday habits and the role nutrition plays in nurturing a healthy digestive system, empowering parents with practical knowledge and simple steps to support their child’s digestion and overall wellbeing.

“At Friso, we believe good gut health plays a foundational role in a child’s growth and development. Through The Secret Garden to Good Poop, we aim to simplify complex concepts like gut microbiota into something parents can easily understand,” said Carmen Lim, Brand and Digital Manager, Friso Singapore. “Through an immersive garden experience, we bring Good Poop Matters, Baby! to life, educating families on gut health and showing how daily care and nutrition nurture good digestion, helping build trust from the inside out.”

Bringing The Secret Garden to Good Poop to Life

To celebrate WDHD, Friso will host The Secret Garden to Good Poop, an invite-only experiential event held in partnership with The Sundowner, a nature experience centre located at Bukit Timah Fire Station. Invitees will be guided through a curated programme focused on foundational gut health education, including a farm-to-table pizza making workshop that encourages children to “eat the rainbow”, bringing the ‘gut garden’ concept to life.

“At The Sundowner, we’ve always believed in creating meaningful, nature-led experiences that reconnect families with where their food comes from,” said Clarence Chua, Founder, The Sundowner. “Partnering with Friso for The Secret Garden to Good Poop allows us to bring this philosophy to life in a way that is both fun and educational, helping our participants understand the connection between nature, nutrition, and gut health through hands-on activities.”

As part of the experience, parents will also gain insights from registered dietitian, Sherllie Kartika, on how to support their child’s gut health through everyday nutrition and habits.

Said Sherllie, “Many parents recognise the importance of gut health but may feel overwhelmed by terms like microbiota or pre/probiotics. Using a ‘gut garden’ analogy can make the concept more approachable, helping parents visualise how everyday habits, such as offering a variety of foods, help nourish beneficial bacteria in the gut. When children’s digestive systems are supported in this way, they are better able to digest and absorb the nutrients needed for healthy growth and development.”

Friso‘s Commitment to Care Takes Flight to the Netherlands

As part of its broader commitment to children’s gut health, Friso also highlights the role careful milk processing can play in supporting digestion. It was found that high heat treatment can change the structure of milk protein, potentially affecting how easily they are digested. In contrast, gentler processing (or mild heat treatment) approaches may help preserve milk protein closer to its natural state, so it is easy to digest.

This philosophy came to life during a recent trip to the Netherlands, where local singer-songwriter Derrick Hoh and content creator Jeanette Ong visited Friso’s farms, R&D facilities, and production sites to better understand how the brand approaches milk production and nutritional care from source to formula.

A Continued Commitment to Gut Health

Since its launch in 2020, Friso’s Good Poop Matters, Baby! has been leading advocate for children’s gut health in Singapore. Through education, partnerships, and engaging experiences over the years, the campaign has helped parents better understand the role of digestion in their child’s overall wellbeing.

For more information on Friso’s Good Poop Matters, Baby! campaign, please visit friso.com.sg/good-poop-matters-baby.

Hashtag: #Friso

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Friso and FrieslandCampina

Produced and packed in The Netherlands, Friso is present in over 25 countries and ranked as one of the Top 52 formula milk brands in Asia. FRISO is a brand under one of the world’s largest dairy companies, FrieslandCampina, which is also a cooperative jointly owned by over 18,000 dairy farmer members from over 12,000 dairy farms in the Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. Founded in 1871, FrieslandCampina has over 150 years of expertise in milk and its application, allowing it to produce a wide range of quality, nutrient-rich foods including dairy-based beverages, toddler nutrition, cheese, functional dairy-based ingredients and more for consumers, businesses, and industries worldwide.

]]> https://asiainsiders.net/the-royal-government-of-bhutan-and-etonhouse-international-education-group-forge-landmark-partnership-to-establish-the-nations-first-international-school/ Tue, 26 May 2026 08:00:00 +0000 https://asiainsiders.net/the-royal-government-of-bhutan-and-etonhouse-international-education-group-forge-landmark-partnership-to-establish-the-nations-first-international-school THIMPHU, BHUTAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 26 May 2026 – In a landmark collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) of Bhutan and the EtonHouse International Education Group, EtonHouse Bhutan International School will open its doors as the nation’s first international K–12 school in Academic Year 26/27, marking a milestone that underscores Bhutan’s commitment to building human capital for a rapidly evolving global economy.

Founded in Singapore over 30 years ago, EtonHouse today operates over 100 schools across eight countries, and is widely recognised for its inquiry-led approach to international education.

The partnership positions EtonHouse as a long-term education partner to Bhutan, focused on listening, learning, and co-creating a school experience that honours Bhutanese culture and strengthens capability within the region. Professional development and education conferences will support collaboration among educators across Bhutan, enabling professional exchange and high-quality practice, contributing to a strong, future-ready pedagogical landscape.

A shared vision for Bhutan’s future education landscape

EtonHouse Bhutan aligns with the Royal Government’s vision to nurture world-class talent through greater access to high-quality international education. The school is designed to develop globally competent learners rooted in Bhutan’s cultural heritage and the principles of Gross National Happiness. This partnership reflects Singapore’s enduring contribution to international education, sharing a model that harmonises academic rigour with Asian values, creativity and innovation, advancing Bhutan’s long-term educational aspirations.

The school will offer a seamless K–12 pathway for over 500 students. In the Early Years, children will experience the EtonHouse Inquire. Think. Learn curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach. Primary students will engage in the International Primary Curriculum alongside Singapore Mathematics and UK-aligned core subjects, progressing to the Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE and International A Level qualifications from Cambridge. Bhutanese History and Dzongkha remain integral, complemented by a multilingual language programme offering English, Dzongkha and Mandarin, alongside a strong emphasis on STEM, sustainability and holistic wellbeing.

“The Ministry of Education and Skills Development has entered into a landmark partnership with EtonHouse International Education Group to establish an international school in Bhutan, a significant milestone in the nation’s ongoing education reform, guided by His Majesty’s vision for a future-ready and globally competitive education landscape.

The initiative will provide Bhutanese students with access to internationally benchmarked learning opportunities while ensuring the deep integration of local knowledge, culture, and values into the curriculum. It seeks to create a dynamic platform for young Bhutanese to experience world-class education within the country, reducing the need to pursue such opportunities abroad and thereby strengthening Bhutan’s human capital for the future.

Beyond enhancing access to quality education, the partnership aims to strengthen national education capacity and bolster Bhutan’s attractiveness to skilled professionals and international institutions, positioning the Kingdom as an emerging hub for world-class learning,” said Mr Tshewang C. Dorji, Secretary of the Ministry of Education & Skills Development.

“Establishing Bhutan’s first international school marks a defining moment for education in the Kingdom. As a global education group, we bring internationally recognised standards and access to a worldwide learning network that connects students and educators across countries. Through the EtonHouse Global Classroom, students engage with peers across our international network, gaining global perspectives through shared learning and cultural understanding. Our ambition is to build a globally engaged school in Bhutan that expands opportunities and contributes to long-term national development.” said Mr Ng Yi-Xian, Group CEO of the EtonHouse International Education Group.

Creating Opportunities for Students and Advancing Educator Excellence

A dedicated scholarship scheme will provide full tuition sponsorship to up to ten outstanding Bhutanese students, reinforcing the school’s commitment to accessibility and national talent development.

EtonHouse will leverage its membership in the Reggio Children International Network to provide preschool educators in Bhutan with access to internationally recognised Reggio Children expertise, professional learning and regional educator exchange, strengthening teaching practice across the region.

A campus that celebrates Bhutanese identity and global perspective

“The design and curriculum of EtonHouse Bhutan pay homage to Bhutan’s cultural roots while opening doors to the world. Every space has been conceived to inspire curiosity, reflection, and innovation, echoing the nation’s aspiration to educate its youth for both local contribution and global engagement.” said Evelyn Tay, CEO of EtonHouse International Education Group, Singapore and EtonHouse Bhutan International School.

The purpose-built campus reflects a thoughtful fusion of traditional Bhutanese craftsmanship and contemporary collegiate design. Learning environments are designed in calm, neutral tones, reflecting the EtonHouse approach to inquiry-led, child-centered learning.

Students will have access to facilities including:

• Research and Innovation Centre, integrating the Library, STEAM and ICT to support inquiry, experimentation and interdisciplinary learning
• Dedicated Science Laboratories, designed for hands-on learning across Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Cultural Learning Spaces, honouring Bhutanese History and Dzongkha as integral parts of the curriculum
• Multipurpose Sports Hall, supporting physical development, teamwork and wellbeing
• Dedicated Performing Arts Studio, enabling expression through music, drama and movement
• Reggio-inspired Ateliers, where children explore ideas through the hundred languages of expression, including light, sound, clay, mark-making and natural materials

Next steps

With enrolments opening for Nursery 1 to Year 5 (from 3 to 10 years) and plans to expand progressively to serve students aged up to 18 years, families interested in discovering more about EtonHouse Bhutan International School are warmly invited to attend our Experience Day on 30 May. This special event offers an opportunity to find out more and experience what defines the EtonHouse approach.

For more information, please visit etonhouse.edu.sg/bhutan.

https://www.etonhouse.edu.sg/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/etonhouse-international-education-group/
https://twitter.com/EtonHouseGroup
https://web.facebook.com/EtonHouseInternational/
https://www.instagram.com/etonhouseinternational/
https://www.youtube.com/user/EtonHouseEducation

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About EtonHouse International Education Group

Founded in 1995 in Singapore, EtonHouse has grown into a global education group with more than 100 schools across eight countries. The Group offers a highly recognised international education pathway from infant care to high school, including the International Baccalaureate, Cambridge, and the Reggio Emilia-inspired approach, all designed to nurture inquiry, creativity, and intercultural understanding. Beyond schools, EtonHouse is deeply committed to community impact through teacher training, philanthropy, and purpose-driven educational initiatives.

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