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The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) signs its largest Syndicated Murabaha Trade Financing Agreement

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ITFC

US$ 189 million Trade Financing to Support Procurement of Petroleum Products, Food, and Medical Supplies and Signing of MoU to Support Trade Related Technical Assistance in the Fishing Industry

MALÉ, Maldives, September 26, 2022/APO Group/ — 

The International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC) (www.ITFC-idb.org), a member of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IsDB), signed two landmark agreements to support the essential commodities sector in the Republic of Maldives witnessed by H.E. Ibrahim Ameer, Minister of Finance and IsDB Governor, Maldives, during an official visit of Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, ITFC.

A US$ 189 million financing was signed by Mr. Husen Amru Mohamed Rashad, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, State Trading Organization plc (STO), Republic of Maldives and Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, Chief Executive Officer, ITFC. This financing which is a renewal and increase of an existing Murabaha trade facility will provide support for the procurement of petroleum products, staple food, medicine, and medical equipment to aid in the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Capacity building and technical assistance initiatives offered to MIFCO is expected to boost the fisheries sector’s competitiveness

The second agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and signed by Mr. Husen Amru Mohamed Rashad, Chairman of Maldives Industrial Fisheries Company Ltd. (MIFCO) and Eng. Hani Salem Sonbol, CEO ITFC, to support MIFCO with the relevant Trade-Related Technical Assistance. This MOU is aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of MIFCO and it access to global markets. The fishing industry in the Maldives is the nation’s second-biggest industry after tourism, employing half of the country’s workforce and providing a livelihood for the population.

Speaking during the ceremony, ITFC CEO, Eng. Sonbol commented: “ITFC is extremely pleased to sign its largest syndicated trade finance agreement with STO to finance the import of strategic commodities to support the recovery of the economy from the pandemic. Apart from the support extended on the trade financing front, the MoU with MIFCO is also a major milestone given the fishing sector’s strategic importance to the economy.  Capacity building and technical assistance initiatives offered to MIFCO is expected to boost the fisheries sector’s competitiveness.  We therefore look forward to continuing our trade finance and development support of the Maldives.” 

Mr. Husen Amru Mohamed Rashad, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, State Trading Organization plc, Republic of Maldives also reiterated that the successful long-standing partnership and cooperation between Maldives and ITFC, considering the support it provides to procurement of essential commodities. He also stressed that the MOU signed to support capacity development of MIFCO was an important step, which will directly benefit growth of fisheries sector.

STO CEO, thanked ITFC for its continued support, highlighting that the renewal of enhanced facility comes at a critical time as global commodity prices at highest due to ongoing war in Russia-Ukraine and country face the economic recovery from pandemic. The facility will enable to ensure energy, food and medicine security in the country, while supporting economic stability and growth in key sectors.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).

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Plast Eurasia invites Middle East buyers for its 35th edition

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Plast Eurasia

Tüyap will stage the 35th edition of Plast Eurasia in Istanbul on December 2–5, bringing plastics machinery, raw materials and chemicals together as organisers target 80,000 visitors, including business audiences from the Middle East and North Africa

ISTANBUL, Türkiye, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ –Plast Eurasia (www.PlastEurasia.com), the 35th International Istanbul Plastics Industry Fair, will take place at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center in Istanbul from December 2–5, 2026, bringing manufacturers, technology providers, raw material suppliers, distributors, buyers and other industry professionals together around cross-border trade and new production technologies.

“Plast Eurasia is designated among the prestigious trade fairs by the Ministry of Trade. For 35 years, it has supported the sector’s development and growth by helping companies build commercial connections,” said İlhan Ersözlü, General Manager at Tüyap Fairs Production Inc. “We are carrying that experience into this edition with a focus on trade, technology and the continued development of the industry.”

 




  

MENA buyers among international visitor targets

 

Interest in the 2026 fair is already reflected in stand sales. Around 3 months before the opening, 90% of exhibition space had been sold, while organizers expect 80,000 domestic and international visitors.

 

Visitor outreach is focused on Germany, Belgium, Greece, Romania, France, Italy and Poland, alongside the United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. The four MENA markets are part of the fair’s wider effort to attract professional buyers from different regions to Istanbul. The country mix gives the event a regional dimension spanning Europe and MENA.

 

For exhibitors, the international visitor mix is intended to support new commercial contacts and the development of existing trading relationships. For buyers, the fair brings machinery suppliers, materials companies and other plastics industry participants together in one location.

 

Machinery and materials share the trade agenda

 

Plast Eurasia will bring together two core parts of the plastics industry, plastic production machinery and raw materials and chemicals. The exhibition will also cover next-generation production technologies, machinery solutions and developments around efficiency, innovation and value-added production.

 

We are carrying that experience into this edition with a focus on trade, technology and the continued development of the industry

This structure allows industry professionals to review equipment, materials and production approaches during the same visit. New products and technologies will sit alongside meetings aimed at helping companies assess business opportunities across international markets.

 

35th-year program looks back and ahead

 

The anniversary program will include a Milestones Map tracing key stages in the fair’s 35-year history and changes in the plastics industry. A chronological presentation will show how the fair and the sector have developed over that period.

 

An exhibition of historic plastics production machinery will show how production technologies have changed over time. Companies that have contributed to Plast Eurasia’s development during its 35-year history will also be recognized with plaques at the opening ceremony.

 

The Stage is Yours! program will give exhibitors 30-minute presentation slots in the foyer to share value-added products, technologies, success stories and industry solutions with visitors.

 

“Hosted Buyer Guided Tour” focuses on relevant meetings

 

Guided tours will be organized for international purchasing delegations. The program will include guided routes, visits to demo and event areas, access to the Hosted Buyer Lounge and dedicated support services.

 

It is designed to help buyers reach relevant product groups and exhibitors more efficiently, while giving participating companies more focused contact with international purchasing teams.

 

Plast Eurasia is organized by Tüyap Fairs and Exhibitions Organization Inc. in cooperation with PAGEV (Turkish Plastics Industry Research, Development and Education Foundation) and with the support of the Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Trade. Visitor hours are 10.00–18.00 on December 2–4 and 10.00–17.00 on December 5.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of TÜYAP.

 

 




 

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RS South Africa Supports Next-Generation Edge Artificial Intelligence (AI) With NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2

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NVIDIA

New compact robotics computer opens new possibilities for intelligent machines, robotics and vision AI

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, September 21, 2026/APO Group/ –RS (https://apo-opa.co/4doxsf6) is supporting the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 robotics computer, a new entry-level edge AI platform designed to deliver next-generation AI performance in a compact, power-efficient format. The platform is expected to become available in the first half of 2027.

The NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 delivers twice the inference performance of the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano Super while maintaining the same compact form factor and 40 W power envelope. It also consumes 40% less power at equivalent performance, making it well suited to applications where computing capability, energy efficiency and physical footprint are important considerations.

 




  

These capabilities have the potential to support the development of smarter, more autonomous equipment and systems for South African industrial and engineering organisations, particularly where real-time processing and decision-making are required at the edge.

 

More performance for intelligent machines

The NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 features improved Tensor Cores and higher memory bandwidth, delivering 78 TOPS of AI compute, 8 GB of memory and an eight-core Arm CPU. This combination enables a new generation of applications including delivery and inspection drones, robots and vision AI systems, with enhanced AI and video-processing capabilities. The platform is powered by NVIDIA’s open AI software stack, Jetson agent skills and a broad AI ecosystem, helping developers build and deploy AI-enabled applications more quickly.

 

Supporting South Africa’s AI and automation ambitions

This exciting product launch is a testament to the strong and successful partnership RS and NVIDIA have built since the introduction of the first Orin Nano™ in 2023

RS’s support for the NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 builds on its established relationship with NVIDIA and its role as a strategic global distribution partner. “As South African businesses increasingly explore how AI, robotics and automation can improve the way industrial systems operate, access to capable edge computing platforms will become increasingly important,” comments Erick Wessels, Sales Director, RS South Africa.

 

The NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 brings substantial AI performance into a compact and energy-efficient platform, giving local developers and engineering teams new opportunities to explore intelligent machines, robotics and vision-based applications. “We look forward to supporting customers in South Africa as they investigate the possibilities this technology can unlock,” adds Wessels.

 

This exciting product launch is a testament to the strong and successful partnership RS and NVIDIA have built since the introduction of the first Orin Nano™ in 2023,” explains Richard Curtin, SVP, Global AIoT Suppliers and Design Solutions, RS.

 

As a strategic global distribution partner, we are well positioned to help customers worldwide access and scale this latest AI innovation, and we encourage them to stay close to RS and RS DesignSpark for further announcements and early ordering opportunities,” says Curtin.

 

A platform for the next generation of edge AI

The NVIDIA Jetson Orin Nano 2 represents the next step in making high-performance AI computing accessible in a compact form factor. By combining increased inference performance with improved energy efficiency and an extensive AI software ecosystem, it is designed to help developers accelerate the transition from AI experimentation to practical deployment.

 

RS will support customers as they explore the opportunities presented by the platform, with further announcements and information on early ordering opportunities to follow ahead of its planned availability in the first half of 2027.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of RS South Africa.

 

 




 

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Hong Kong sets out strategies to enhance the appeal and add value to the city’s tourism industry

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Hong Kong

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 21 September 2026 – Enhancing the city’s appeal as a destination for tourism and major sports and cultural events was a strong focus of the First Five-Year Plan for Economic and Social Development of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) (2026-2030) and the 2026 Policy Address, announced by Hong Kong’s Chief Executive John Lee last week (September 16).

Mr Lee unveiled measures to support the integrated development of culture, sports and tourism which will help develop Hong Kong as an East-meets-West Centre for International Cultural Exchange. These included enriching the supply of high-quality tourism products, while bolstering infrastructure and ancillary facilities as well as deepening engagement with markets in the Chinese Mainland and around the world.

 




 
 

“Hong Kong is blessed with a unique cultural vision, shaped by both Chinese and foreign influences,” Mr Lee said. “We will continue to engage and collaborate with Mainland and overseas culture, arts and creative sectors to consolidate Hong Kong’s role as a hub for the exchange, collaboration and promotion of culture, arts and creativity. We will also host international cultural and arts exhibitions and performances to attract visitors to Hong Kong.”

 

To support Hong Kong’s film industry and promote “Film + Tourism”, the Support Unit for Non‑local Film Productions will be set up to provide one‑stop services for Mainland and overseas film crews filming in Hong Kong, attracting the production of more quality films to promote Hong Kong.

Mr Lee noted that the Kai Tak Sports Park has substantially expanded Hong Kong’s capacity to host international mega events, with more than 170 sessions of international and local sports and cultural entertainment mega events having been held there so far, attracting over 2.6 million spectators.

Meanwhile, the HKSAR Government will explore the redevelopment of Victoria Park Centre Court and other ancillary facilities into an iconic all‑weather, multi‑purpose venue for holding larger‑scale and higher‑level sports events, as well as performance activities.

Hong Kong’s Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism, Rosanna Law, highlighted the growing trend of multi-destination tourism. Ms Law said that Hong Kong welcomed around 36.67 million visitor arrivals in the first eight months of 2026, representing a year-on-year increase of about 11 per cent.

“The proportion of overseas visitors travelling onwards to the Chinese Mainland via Hong Kong has continued to rise, exceeding 20% in the first half of 2026,” Ms Law said.

The HKSAR Government will continue to capitalise on measures introduced by the Central Government to facilitate visits by foreign travellers to the Chinese Mainland, deepen collaboration with Mainland provinces and municipalities, and explore with the country additional immigration facilitation arrangements for international visitors. The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) will promote multi destination travel itineraries to overseas visitors, partner with airlines to roll out relevant tourism products and promotional offers, and intensify publicity overseas.

It will take forward “+ Tourism” joint initiatives, integrating various events with tourism to raise their appeal, aiming to extend visitor stays in Hong Kong and generate value‑adding momentum. Such joint initiatives would integrate tourism with mega events, ecology, heritage, finance and industrial brands.

On developing the yacht economy, Mr Lee said that a variety of new yacht berth projects are now moving ahead, including the tender for the composite development project in Aberdeen comprising a marina, recreational facilities and residential development scheduled for the first half of 2027, and the yacht bay project under the Airport City “SKYTOPIA”.

“In addition, starting from May, Hong Kong and Macao yachts may navigate in nine Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area cities, with the requirement for guarantee exempted and under temporary ship nationality registration,” Mr Lee said. “The first northbound travel of yachts from Hong Kong set sail in June. The Marine Department will soon sign a memorandum of understanding with the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration for the implementation of southbound travel for yachts from Guangdong, adding impetus to cross‑boundary leisure consumption.”

To further enhance the city’s appeal as a Muslim‑friendly destination, the HKTB will extend the Hong Kong Restaurants Halal Certification Funding Scheme to the end of 2027, encouraging the industry to provide more Muslim‑friendly food options.
 




 

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