KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 30 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has assigned a financial strength rating of B++ (Good) and a long-term issuer credit rating of “bbb+” (Good) to Beibu Gulf Property & Casualty Insurance Company Ltd (Beibu Gulf Insurance).
The outlook assigned to these credit ratings (ratings) is stable, reflecting the company’s balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, neutral business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management.
Headquartered in Guangxi province, China, Beibu Gulf Insurance was established in 2013 through a joint partnership comprising 10 state-owned enterprise shareholders and three private sector investors, according to AM Best in a statement.
Its ultimate controlling shareholder, Guangxi Investment Group Co Ltd, a provincial-level state-owned capital investment company in Guangxi, holds a 29.73 per cent equity stake through its subsidiaries.
Despite being a small-to-medium-sized non-life insurer in China, Beibu Gulf Insurance holds a prominent position in Guangxi province, capturing nine per cent of the local market share by premium income in 2025. It maintains a diversified product mix, with motor insurance making up nearly half of its gross written premiums.
Leveraging strong relationships between its shareholders and local governments, Beibu Gulf Insurance gains access to business opportunities in policy-driven agricultural insurance and has continued to expand its liability lines in recent years.
Beibu Gulf Insurance’s strong balance sheet strength assessment is underpinned by its strongest level of risk-adjusted capitalisation as at year-end 2025, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, supported by organic capital accumulation and controlled expansion in underwriting and investment risks.
After posting two years of net losses, Beibu Gulf Insurance returned to profitability in 2023 and sustained momentum to deliver mid-single-digit return on equity in both 2024 and 2025.
AM Best said the company maintains a well-diversified and liquid investment book, dominated by bonds, fixed-income wealth management instruments and cash. The investment portfolio generated a low single-digit investment return, which was above the average level of the domestic non-life industry in 2025.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 30 September 2026
Tuesday, 29 September 2026
Alpaca Secures MAS In-Principle Approval to Launch Brokerage Services in Singapore
NEW YORK & SINGAPORE, Sept 29 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Alpaca, a global leader in agent-first brokerage and clearing infrastructure, today announced that its Southeast Asian headquarters, Alpaca Securities Pte. Ltd. (“Alpaca Singapore”), has received in-principle approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for a Capital Markets Services (CMS) license, marking another milestone in Alpaca’s global expansion.
The IPA advances Alpaca’s strategy to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia and support financial institutions across the region through a locally regulated Singapore entity. Once licensed, Alpaca Singapore plans to provide brokerage and custodial services and serve as a local counterparty to prospective partners.
“As financial institutions across Southeast Asia look to meet growing customer demand for international investing, Singapore is a natural hub for connecting the region’s investors to global markets,” said Rohit Mulani, President of Alpaca Southeast Asia. “This milestone strengthens our ability to support institutions locally with global brokerage infrastructure, regional expertise, and a strong regulatory foundation. We’re excited to help our partners expand the markets and investment products available to their customers and shape the next era of investing across Southeast Asia.”
Singapore is a strategic hub for Alpaca’s operations and continued growth across Southeast Asia, supported by an established local team led by industry veteran, David Grant, CEO of Alpaca Singapore.
Alpaca’s expansion in Singapore is grounded in the same commitment to regulatory compliance that underpins its infrastructure globally and builds on its broad regulatory footprint, which spans the U.S., U.K., 30 countries across the European Economic Area (EEA), Japan, India, and The Bahamas. Across these markets, Alpaca supports fintechs and financial institutions with locally regulated access to its brokerage infrastructure. Today, Alpaca serves partners in more than 50 countries worldwide.
About Alpaca
Alpaca is a global agent-first brokerage and clearing infrastructure that powers access to traditional and on-chain asset classes. Today, Alpaca supports over 10 million brokerage accounts across hundreds of fintechs and institutions in more than 50 countries, backed by $400 million in funding.
An in-principle approval (IPA) reflects MAS' view that a licence may be issued to the applicant upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. An IPA does not constitute a licence for Alpaca Securities Pte. Ltd. to provide brokerage and custodial services at this juncture. MAS reserves the right to rescind the IPA in circumstances where it considers appropriate.
This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca is not registered or licensed, as applicable.
All investments involve risk; for more information, please see our Disclosure Library.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928293053/en/
Contact
Media Contact
Lavinia Chirico
press@alpaca.markets
Source : Alpaca
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.
The IPA advances Alpaca’s strategy to deepen its presence in Southeast Asia and support financial institutions across the region through a locally regulated Singapore entity. Once licensed, Alpaca Singapore plans to provide brokerage and custodial services and serve as a local counterparty to prospective partners.
“As financial institutions across Southeast Asia look to meet growing customer demand for international investing, Singapore is a natural hub for connecting the region’s investors to global markets,” said Rohit Mulani, President of Alpaca Southeast Asia. “This milestone strengthens our ability to support institutions locally with global brokerage infrastructure, regional expertise, and a strong regulatory foundation. We’re excited to help our partners expand the markets and investment products available to their customers and shape the next era of investing across Southeast Asia.”
Singapore is a strategic hub for Alpaca’s operations and continued growth across Southeast Asia, supported by an established local team led by industry veteran, David Grant, CEO of Alpaca Singapore.
Alpaca’s expansion in Singapore is grounded in the same commitment to regulatory compliance that underpins its infrastructure globally and builds on its broad regulatory footprint, which spans the U.S., U.K., 30 countries across the European Economic Area (EEA), Japan, India, and The Bahamas. Across these markets, Alpaca supports fintechs and financial institutions with locally regulated access to its brokerage infrastructure. Today, Alpaca serves partners in more than 50 countries worldwide.
About Alpaca
Alpaca is a global agent-first brokerage and clearing infrastructure that powers access to traditional and on-chain asset classes. Today, Alpaca supports over 10 million brokerage accounts across hundreds of fintechs and institutions in more than 50 countries, backed by $400 million in funding.
An in-principle approval (IPA) reflects MAS' view that a licence may be issued to the applicant upon the fulfilment of specified conditions and provided there are no material adverse developments affecting the applicant. An IPA does not constitute a licence for Alpaca Securities Pte. Ltd. to provide brokerage and custodial services at this juncture. MAS reserves the right to rescind the IPA in circumstances where it considers appropriate.
This is not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities or open a brokerage account in any jurisdiction where Alpaca is not registered or licensed, as applicable.
All investments involve risk; for more information, please see our Disclosure Library.
View source version on businesswire.com:
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260928293053/en/
Contact
Media Contact
Lavinia Chirico
press@alpaca.markets
Source : Alpaca
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.
Monday, 28 September 2026
VOCALBEATS.AI REINFORCES COMMITMENT TO AI INNOVATION AT FCGF 2026
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Vocalbeats.AI, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence (AI) innovation company, continued its support for the FutureChina Global Forum 2026 (FCGF 2026), reinforcing its commitment to practical AI innovation and Singapore’s AI ecosystem.
Organised by Business China, the two-day FCGF 2026 was held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore from Sept 24 to 25 under the theme “Strengthening Resilience, Rebuilding Trust”. The forum’s guests of honour included the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health Tan Kiat How.
“We are pleased to support the FutureChina Global Forum and contribute to the wider discussion on how AI can be applied responsibly and translated into real-world value,” said Vocalbeats.AI Chief Executive Officer, Marco Lai Jinnan in a statement.
The forum featured a dedicated AI Track for the first time, highlighting the growing importance of AI in business and society, with discussions exploring AI deployment to improve productivity and deliver tangible business and societal value, drawing on applications ranging from enterprise software to robotics.
As AI systems become more capable and widely adopted, speakers also highlighted the importance of workforce skills, workflow redesign and viable business models, alongside safety, accountability and trust.
Vocalbeats.AI said these discussions reflect its belief that the next stage of AI development will be defined by its ability to address real-world needs and deliver tangible value to users.
The company develops AI-powered applications for productivity and communication, including Owll, an AI note-taking and productivity app, and Owll Translator, an AI-powered real-time translation app.
Vocalbeats.AI’s support for the forum forms part of its broader engagement with Singapore’s AI and technology ecosystem. Over the past year, the company has expanded its collaborations with universities, public-sector organisations and AI communities.
Its initiatives include the Vocalbeats.AI Scholarship at the National University of Singapore, the Vocalbeats.AI–Turing AI Scholarship at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; internship opportunities for students; and AI learning workshops for children and youth in local communities.
-- BERNAMA
Organised by Business China, the two-day FCGF 2026 was held at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre in Singapore from Sept 24 to 25 under the theme “Strengthening Resilience, Rebuilding Trust”. The forum’s guests of honour included the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong and Senior Minister of State for Digital Development and Information and Health Tan Kiat How.
“We are pleased to support the FutureChina Global Forum and contribute to the wider discussion on how AI can be applied responsibly and translated into real-world value,” said Vocalbeats.AI Chief Executive Officer, Marco Lai Jinnan in a statement.
The forum featured a dedicated AI Track for the first time, highlighting the growing importance of AI in business and society, with discussions exploring AI deployment to improve productivity and deliver tangible business and societal value, drawing on applications ranging from enterprise software to robotics.
As AI systems become more capable and widely adopted, speakers also highlighted the importance of workforce skills, workflow redesign and viable business models, alongside safety, accountability and trust.
Vocalbeats.AI said these discussions reflect its belief that the next stage of AI development will be defined by its ability to address real-world needs and deliver tangible value to users.
The company develops AI-powered applications for productivity and communication, including Owll, an AI note-taking and productivity app, and Owll Translator, an AI-powered real-time translation app.
Vocalbeats.AI’s support for the forum forms part of its broader engagement with Singapore’s AI and technology ecosystem. Over the past year, the company has expanded its collaborations with universities, public-sector organisations and AI communities.
Its initiatives include the Vocalbeats.AI Scholarship at the National University of Singapore, the Vocalbeats.AI–Turing AI Scholarship at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore; internship opportunities for students; and AI learning workshops for children and youth in local communities.
-- BERNAMA
GTCFX Marks a Successful Presence at Forex Expo Dubai 2026
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Sept 28 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GTCFX successfully concluded its participation in Forex Expo Dubai 2026, held on September 22 and 23 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
Throughout the two-day event, visitors met the GTCFX team at Hall 2, Booth 54 to learn more about the company’s multi-regulated trading solutions, mobile trading capabilities and commitment to client education.
Alt: GTCFX at Forex Expo Dubai 2026
A highlight of the event was GTCFX receiving the Best Forex Mobile Application award. The achievement complemented the company’s presentation of the GTC Go App at the exhibition and reflected its continued focus on providing traders with convenient access to global financial markets.
GTCFX also contributed to the expo’s educational programme through public presentations delivered by Jameel Ahmed, Chief Analyst at GTCFX. During the session titled “Trading Themes to Watch Out for: Q4 2026,” Ahmed examined several developments influencing global markets. The presentation covered geopolitical risk, inflation expectations and the changing interest-rate outlook, together with their potential implications for oil, the US dollar, gold and USD/JPY.
A further presentation introduced the GTC brand and highlighted the importance of investor education in a market environment increasingly shaped by political developments and fast-moving news. It also presented GTCFX’s growing presence in Dubai, including the development of GTC Tower as the company’s global headquarters.
Forex Expo Dubai 2026 gave GTCFX an opportunity to connect face-to-face with traders, partners and industry professionals while sharing its latest market perspectives and digital trading solutions.
Following a successful two days in Dubai, GTCFX looks forward to building on the relationships established at the expo and continuing to support its global community through market education, technology and accessible trading solutions.
About GTCFX:
GTCFX is a global financial services provider offering access to a wide range of financial markets through advanced trading technology and client-focused solutions. Since 2012, GTCFX has served clients across more than 100 countries and regions, with a continued focus on transparency, innovation, and responsible trading.
Media Contact
Email: marketing@gtcfx.com
Website: https://www.gtcfx.com/
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0227dad-9245-4a1b-9aa8-252e9c4d1c34
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a7985ff7-eba5-43f8-99b8-ef478d8e5e2d
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1301a426-6841-4364-8c92-1bcd29d500c0
SOURCE: GTC Global Trade Capital Co. 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
Friday, 25 September 2026
TEMPO SOFTWARE CPO HIGHLIGHTS AI SPENDING ACCOUNTABILITY AT REUTERS CONFERENCE
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Tempo Software Chief Product Officer (CPO), Kevin Nanney highlighted the growing need for enterprises to connect artificial intelligence (AI) spending with measurable business outcomes at the Reuters Momentum AI Conference in Austin, Texas.
Nanney discussed how enterprises can manage AI adoption while tracking its costs, outcomes and alignment with strategic priorities. He also shared examples from his experience at Tempo, including how competing initiatives can reveal underlying efficiency issues and how changes in measurement can help guide resource-allocation decisions.
In his keynote, titled “Spend Is Tracked. Outcomes Are Not. The AI Accountability Distance Nobody Has Closed”, Nanney outlined three areas for enterprise leaders: tracking the cost and contribution of AI agents, establishing a governed operating model for human and AI work, and adopting more adaptive planning to identify and address strategic drift.
Tempo’s 2026 State of AI in Portfolio Management report found that 91 per cent of surveyed organisations are piloting or actively using AI in project delivery, while 26 per cent use AI to prioritise or reprioritise work.
In a statement, Tempo said the findings highlight a gap between AI adoption and AI-informed decision-making, reinforcing the need to align strategy, investment and execution across human and AI workforces.
Nanney’s presentation followed Tempo’s launch of Loop, an AI-native Intelligent Portfolio Orchestration platform designed to provide enterprises with a continuously updated view of time, capacity, cost and execution across existing work systems.
The company also recently launched Workforce Intelligence, which attributes AI activity to Jira work items, epics and initiatives.
Tempo said these capabilities are designed to help enterprises coordinate human and AI work while improving visibility into portfolio execution and resource allocation.
The 2026 Reuters Momentum AI Conference, held in Austin from Sept 24 to 26, brought together enterprise leaders focused on AI implementation, business value and investment returns. More than 500 senior executives were expected to attend.
-- BERNAMA
Nanney discussed how enterprises can manage AI adoption while tracking its costs, outcomes and alignment with strategic priorities. He also shared examples from his experience at Tempo, including how competing initiatives can reveal underlying efficiency issues and how changes in measurement can help guide resource-allocation decisions.
In his keynote, titled “Spend Is Tracked. Outcomes Are Not. The AI Accountability Distance Nobody Has Closed”, Nanney outlined three areas for enterprise leaders: tracking the cost and contribution of AI agents, establishing a governed operating model for human and AI work, and adopting more adaptive planning to identify and address strategic drift.
Tempo’s 2026 State of AI in Portfolio Management report found that 91 per cent of surveyed organisations are piloting or actively using AI in project delivery, while 26 per cent use AI to prioritise or reprioritise work.
In a statement, Tempo said the findings highlight a gap between AI adoption and AI-informed decision-making, reinforcing the need to align strategy, investment and execution across human and AI workforces.
Nanney’s presentation followed Tempo’s launch of Loop, an AI-native Intelligent Portfolio Orchestration platform designed to provide enterprises with a continuously updated view of time, capacity, cost and execution across existing work systems.
The company also recently launched Workforce Intelligence, which attributes AI activity to Jira work items, epics and initiatives.
Tempo said these capabilities are designed to help enterprises coordinate human and AI work while improving visibility into portfolio execution and resource allocation.
The 2026 Reuters Momentum AI Conference, held in Austin from Sept 24 to 26, brought together enterprise leaders focused on AI implementation, business value and investment returns. More than 500 senior executives were expected to attend.
-- BERNAMA
Sharjah Deputy Ruler Announces US$1.6 Mln Humanitarian Innovation Centre In Indonesia
 |
Sultan bin Ahmed announces establishment of Jawaher Al Qasimi Humanitarian Innovation Centre in Indonesia with $1.6m funding (Photo: AETOSWire) |
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Sharjah Deputy Ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi has announced the establishment of the Jawaher Al Qasimi Humanitarian Innovation Centre at Universitas Gadjah Mada in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
The centre has received total funding of US$1.6 million and will connect academic research and innovation with humanitarian field expertise to develop, test and implement practical responses to humanitarian challenges. (US$1=RM4.06)
It is being established through a partnership between The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF), NAMA Women Advancement Establishment (NAMA) and Universitas Gadjah Mada. TBHF will contribute US$1 million, NAMA US$500,000 and the university US$100,000.
According to a statement, the announcement was made during a visit to Indonesia by a TBHF delegation led by Sheikh Sultan, who is also the humanitarian envoy of TBHF, as part of the foundation’s efforts to expand its humanitarian and development partnerships.
The centre will use research to address challenges ranging from food security and climate change to livelihoods, economic opportunities, disaster risk reduction, and maternal and child wellbeing, particularly in communities with limited access to services and opportunities.
The agreement includes an investment endowment fund to provide long-term financing for the centre’s programmes, which will focus on multidisciplinary research, policy studies and researcher residencies, innovation challenges and humanitarian project incubators, field testing and impact assessment, as well as public engagement and community empowerment.
The centre will operate through two facilities at Universitas Gadjah Mada. The first will serve as its main base for research, collaboration and community events, while the second, known as the “Living Humanitarian Lab”, will occupy about two hectares allocated by the university for agricultural innovation, field trials and community participation, supporting food security, sustainable agriculture and community empowerment.
The visit is part of TBHF’s efforts to expand partnerships across South and Southeast Asia and draw on local expertise to develop initiatives that respond to community needs.
Sheikh Sultan also reviewed several humanitarian and community programmes during the visit, including services for people with disabilities, education and family empowerment initiatives, and family care and child protection programmes in Bali. In Central Java, he visited a coffee farm supported by NAMA under a programme aimed at equipping about 2,800 women with the skills and knowledge needed to participate in coffee farming.
The visit concluded in Gunung Kidul, where Sheikh Sultan reviewed the “Home for a Home” initiative, which plans to build 250 homes, adapt 50 others for people with disabilities and provide clean-water infrastructure, benefiting more than 3,700 people. He also visited Universitas Gadjah Mada and the site of the centre in Yogyakarta.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 23 September 2026
ITRON LAUNCHES GRID EDGE METERS FOR APAC UTILITIES
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 23 (Bernama) -- Itron Inc, an intelligent infrastructure provider for modern energy and water management, has announced the availability of its grid edge portfolio, including Itron Riva S and Itron Riva T IEC electricity meters, for utilities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region.
As the first Itron Gen6 network platform devices available in APAC, the launch marks a significant milestone in its expansion of Grid Edge Intelligence in the region, according to the company in a statement.
Itron senior vice president of Networked Solutions, John Marcolini said the launch was an important step in helping utilities translate awareness into action, with an interoperable and modular architecture designed to preserve technology choice and expand value over time.
The Itron Riva meters provide utilities with a practical starting point to improve visibility across the low-voltage network and respond to the growing impact of distributed energy resources (DERs) with advanced intelligence over time.
Serving as both grid sensors and DER control points, the meters provide utilities with real-time visibility into grid conditions, enabling earlier identification of emerging network faults and constraints, proactive management of growing DERs across the low-voltage network, and optimisation of operational and capital budget allocation.
By extending sensing and intelligence to the grid edge, the Itron Riva meters allow utilities to begin with advanced metering and localised grid awareness and seamlessly expand to distributed intelligence (DI) applications as operational needs evolve, improving grid reliability, resilience and efficiency.
The meters also extend visibility beyond energy consumption data, helping utilities detect voltage fluctuations, transformer loading issues, emerging faults and other network conditions through high-frequency sensing and edge computing capabilities.
Built on open DLMS/COSEM standards and designed to meet International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) requirements, the meters help utilities modernise their infrastructure while maintaining flexibility to integrate with existing and future technologies.
The Itron Riva IEC electricity meter is initially available in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and is expected to expand to additional APAC countries, helping utilities modernise grid operations and respond to growing network complexity across the region.
-- BERNAMA
As the first Itron Gen6 network platform devices available in APAC, the launch marks a significant milestone in its expansion of Grid Edge Intelligence in the region, according to the company in a statement.
Itron senior vice president of Networked Solutions, John Marcolini said the launch was an important step in helping utilities translate awareness into action, with an interoperable and modular architecture designed to preserve technology choice and expand value over time.
The Itron Riva meters provide utilities with a practical starting point to improve visibility across the low-voltage network and respond to the growing impact of distributed energy resources (DERs) with advanced intelligence over time.
Serving as both grid sensors and DER control points, the meters provide utilities with real-time visibility into grid conditions, enabling earlier identification of emerging network faults and constraints, proactive management of growing DERs across the low-voltage network, and optimisation of operational and capital budget allocation.
By extending sensing and intelligence to the grid edge, the Itron Riva meters allow utilities to begin with advanced metering and localised grid awareness and seamlessly expand to distributed intelligence (DI) applications as operational needs evolve, improving grid reliability, resilience and efficiency.
The meters also extend visibility beyond energy consumption data, helping utilities detect voltage fluctuations, transformer loading issues, emerging faults and other network conditions through high-frequency sensing and edge computing capabilities.
Built on open DLMS/COSEM standards and designed to meet International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) requirements, the meters help utilities modernise their infrastructure while maintaining flexibility to integrate with existing and future technologies.
The Itron Riva IEC electricity meter is initially available in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore and is expected to expand to additional APAC countries, helping utilities modernise grid operations and respond to growing network complexity across the region.
-- BERNAMA
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