Expansion of tenure, commencement of sole-funded exploration and next-generation "quantum" gravity partnership at wholly owned Cowal East project within the highly prospective Cowal Igneous Complex of the Macquarie ArcHighlights40% expansion of tenure through consolidation of the southern extension of the Jemalong licence with the enlarged landholding now referred to as the Cowal East projectConsolidated licence portfolio was last held by Gold Fields with no fieldwork undertaken for over a decadeCommencement of a "traditional" ground gravity surveyNew partnership with Atomionics Pte Ltd (Atomionics) for follow up deployment of next generation "quantum" ground gravity technology and AI interpretationMELBOURNE, Mar 10, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - Gold-copper explorer and hybrid project generator Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) (TSXV: KCC) (Kincora or the Company) is pleased to announce a series of initiatives advancing its 100%-owned Cowal East project, located within the highly endowed and tightly held Cowal Igneous Complex (CIC) of the Macquarie Arc in Central West NSW.The CIC is a world-class geological terrane hosting an estimated endowment of more than 20Moz gold and 5Mt copper 1, including Evolution Mining's flagship Cowal gold mine, which generated approximately A$3 million a day in cash flow during the December 2025 quarter 2.The expanded Cowal East project now covers approximately 100km2, following the strategic pegging of a southern extension directly from the NSW Government. A comprehensive ground gravity survey has commenced to provide more consistent coverage across the project, including the full Jemalong license, with infill coverage over the main existing known prospect areas.President & CEO Sam Spring, commented: "The Cowal Igneous Complex hosts Evolution Mining's flagship Cowal mine and the large Marsden porphyry system. It is tightly owned and has historically attracted significant exploration investment from major mining companies. "Despite its highly prospective setting and presence of a confirmed intrusive-related gold system, Cowal East has seen relatively limited drilling. "Consistent with our focused strategy for sole funded exploration projects, we are pleased to have expanded our land position by 40%, commenced the first on-ground exploration activities at Cowal East in over a decade and formed an innovative partnership with Atomionics to deploy next-generation gravity technology. "Ground gravity surveys are a proven exploration tool in the Macquarie Arc, extensively used by Kincora and our earn-in partner AngloGold Ashanti, as well as other explorers in the district."We are excited to gain access to Atomionics' proprietary quantum gravity technology and AI-powered modelling platform, initially at Cowal East but with a pathway for other projects. This technology has the potential to significantly enhance subsurface imaging — faster, more cost effectively, and potentially with materially improved resolution — providing the scope for meaningful advantages in undercover exploration." Mikhail Zeldovich, Chief Commercial Officer of Atomionics, stated: "Kincora's large and prospective Cowal East project, with limited drilling confirming an already known Macquarie Arc intrusive system under shallow to moderate post mineral cover, provides an ideal testbed for comparative deployment of our proprietary quantum-based Gravio system survey and a high-quality traditional gravimetry. "We look forward working with the highly experienced Kincora technical team and systematically advancing the Cowal East project. "Our ambition is to partner with Kincora, and other explorers, to save time and drilling budgets in accelerating the targeting, discovery and drill out phases. "In addition to partnering with Kincora, our 2026 roadmap is scheduling several other deployments of our system with several of the world's largest metal miners, as well as explorers in multiple fields, including metals, hydrocarbons, geothermal and geologic hydrogens. Gravio, combined with our proprietary geologic AI system, ORE-O, is on its way to develop the world's first Large Planet Model to enable mapping of critical resources of the Earth's crust for the benefit of humanity's future."COWAL IGNEOUS COMPLEX The Cowal Igneous Complex (CIC) is a world-class geological terrain hosting an estimated greater than 20Moz gold and 5Mt copper metal endowment 1 within a 40 by 15km fault bounded block of the Junee-Narromine Belt of the Macquarie Arc.The CIC is prospective for both low sulfidation epithermal mineralisation, such as the various deposits within the Gold Corridor that make up the Cowal mine, and, calc-alkalic copper gold porphyry systems such as the Marsden deposit.The Cowal mine was acquired by Evolution Mining (Evolution, (ASX: EVN) and A$30 billion market capitalization 3) in 2015 from Barrick hosting a 3.4Moz gold resource with a current endowment of 14Moz. Cowal is Evolution's flagship mine which in the December 2025 quarter generated $3 million a day of cashflow at an average gold price of A$6206/oz (spot A$7285/oz) 2.The Marsden deposit is located ~16km to the southeast of the Endeavour 42 (E42) open pit on the eastern margin the CIC, ~50km southwest of the Northparkes group of porphyry deposits and ~20km northeast of the northern end of the Temora porphyry cluster held by LinQ Minerals. Kincora's technical director, John Holliday, was involved in the discovery ofMarsden, with Evolution estimating its potential endowment pre being dismembered as 5Mt copper and 8-10Moz gold.Tenure of the CIC is highly consolidated, primarily by Evolution with Kincora owning 100% of the Cowal East and Fairholme projects, and noting Newmont is earning into Koonenberry Gold's Fairholme project (immediately adjacent and north to Kincora's Fairholme project) – see Figure 1.COWAL EAST PROJECTThe ground included in the current Cowal East project has been the focus of many major explorers, including Geopeko, CRA Exploration, BHP, Newcrest, most recently Gold Fields (until 2015) and FMG (until 2025). Despite being widely recognized as a very prospective setting for porphyry copper-gold mineralisation and intrusion-associated gold mineralisation, and hosting a known intrusion related gold system, the Cowal East project has had relatively limited prior drilling.The project is located as close as 9km east of the Cowal mine, immediately the other side of Lake Cowal, and as close as 4km north of the Marsden deposit. The terrain is very flat to undulating in isolated parts and is used for extensive cropping and some grazing. The Newell Highway passes through the southern section of the project and access is readily available via numerous unsealed farm roads and tracks.GROUND GRAVITY SURVEYKincora has contracted Daishsat Geodetic Surveyors (Daishsat) to undertake a ground gravity survey to provide more consistent spaced coverage across the Cowal East project, including the full Jemalong license, with infill coverage over the main existing prospect areas, including Jemalong Channel which is host to a confirmed intrusive gold system under shallow to moderate post mineral cover – see Figure 2.This approach follows Kincora's ongoing exploration template in the northern undercover section of the Junee-Narromine Belt, being advanced in partnership with AngloGold Ashanti, where "traditional" ground gravity surveys have been conducted across three licenses in the last 18 months.The survey is anticipated to support improved structural interpretation of the wider project, including definition of basement architecture, intrusive geometries, major structural corridors and potentially the refinement of subtle intrusive system targets for drill testing. Ground gravity is being used by multiple other porphyry explorers in the district.PARNTERSHIP WITH ATOMIONICSThe Company has entered a binding Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with Atomionics initially focused on the Cowal East project but with scope to be expanded to other Kincora projects.For the Cowal East project, Atomionics will analyze the results of the "traditional" Daishsat ground gravity survey. A second phase will see Atomionics, at largely its own cost, complete a subsequent survey utilising its proprietary new generation "quantum" sensors with results of the two surveys', coupled with the existing other geological and geophysical data for the project, integrated within its ORE-O AI-powered modeling platform.Kincora and Atomionic will then look to advance discussions for commercial testing of anticipated high priority drill targets.ABOUT ATOMIONICS PTE LTDAtomionics Pte Ltd (Atomionics) is a Singapore-based startup building quantum sensors for subsurface exploration and universal navigation.Atomionics sensors generate 3D models of the Earth's subsurface to pinpoint critical underground resources or infrastructure and enable GPS-free positioning. Atomionics does this by using cold atom interferometry — cooling atoms to near absolute zero with lasers to measure tiny gravitational changes.It is a hands-on, high-energy team operate at the intersection of quantum physics, electronic and mechanical hardware, and AI. Engineers work across mechanical, electronic, and software systems, with an ultimate goal to create the world's first Large Planet Model, mapping the world's critical buried resources.Atomionics' proprietary Gravio quantum gravity sensors are the world's most advanced portable gravimeter built on cold atom interferometry. Gravio currently acquires high-resolution data from ground-based platforms and is developing its airborne solutions. This seeks to enable faster (potentially 10x) and much higher resolution than traditional surveys of the Earth's subsurface.ORE-O is Atomionics' AI-powered modeling platform. ORE-O seeks to transform data gathered by gravity and other geophysics methods into 3D geological maps with deterministic results — refining not just where deposits might be but also how much resource is likely to be there with greater confidence. Atomionics estimates being able to potentially save up to 80% of exploration drilling costs for the metals exploration industry.Atomionics has undertaken a survey with Rio Tinto and is scheduling one with BHP within Tier-1 copper belts, while in 3Q'2025 Atomionics completed a Pre-Series A round financing to accelerate deployment in Australia and North America. The round was led by Paspalis VC (NT) and included BHP Ventures, IQT, Wavemaker, and Singapore's CapVista among others.To learn more, please visit: www.atomionics.comFor further information, please contact: Mikhail S Zeldovich, Chief Commercial Officer mikhail@atomionics.com +65 8064 2150 or +44 779858 1094 (Whatsapp)Figure 1: Kincora has a strategic portfolio in the world-class and tightly held Cowal Igneous Complex of the Macquarie ArcThe Company has seven major project groups located in Central West NSW, six porphyry and one Cobar style system all with clear exploration and/or corporate strategiesTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/287846_kincora%20figure%201.jpg Figure 2: Kincora has increased the size of the portfolio, commencement a sole funded "traditional' ground gravity survey and formed an innovative new technology partnership for a follow up third party funded "quantum" ground gravity surveyRegional geology is masked by 20-120m deep post mineral cover with relatively limited and shallow historic drilling at the Cowal East project and has confirmed a mineralized gold intrusive system at Jemalong Channel following up previous broad gravity and magnetic anomalies/featuresTo view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2305/287846_kincora%20figure%202.jpgABOUT KINCORA Kincora Copper Limited (ASX: KCC) (TSXV: KCC) is an emerging Australia-focused copper-gold explorer with a hybrid prospect generator strategy. The Company is now successfully proving up the prospectivity of its extensive project portfolio, which includes multiple district-scale landholdings and scalable drill ready targets. These assets are located in Australia's Macquarie Arc and Mongolia's Southern Gobi, two of the globe's leading porphyry belts, and the historical Condobolin mining field within the Cobar Basin in NSW.Kincora is using an asset level partner model to develop and implement exploration strategies for its wholly-owned large-scale exploration stage porphyry projects. The Company has already unlocked over $100 million of potential partner funding for multiple earlier stage and/or non-core porphyry projects 4. These initial deals have supported over 16,000 metres of drilling and over A$7m of partner funded exploration since late 2024 until September 30, 2025, with management fees and exploration ramping up, and, as Kincora increases sole funded exploration across its project portfolio 4.Concurrent with focused value add sole funded exploration activities, partner discussions are ongoing for its remaining 100% owned flagship projects that are all situated within existing porphyry camps containing over 20-million-ounce gold equivalent resource inventory.The Company has assembled an industry leading technical team who have made multiple world-class copper and gold discoveries, who have "skin in the game" equity ownership, and, backed by a consolidated and sophisticated shareholder register.To learn more, please visit: www.kincoracopper.com.References: District, regional and adjacent property information disclosed is provided for general awareness and educational purposes and is not necessarily indicative to the mineralisation on the property that is the subject of the disclosure for the Company.The Jemalong license (EL8502) has recently been proposed for a 100%, 4-year renewal term by NSW Resources, of the NSW State Government. The Jemalong South license (EL9708) was granted on November 11, 2025 with a 5-year term. 1 The estimated greater than 20Moz gold and 5Mt copper original metal endowment of the Cowal Igneous Complex (CIC) includes the following deposits:The Cowal Gold Corridor: endowment of 13.8Moz gold comprising total gold production to 30 June 2025 and gold Mineral Resource as at 31 December 2024 - reported by Evolution Mining on 23 February 2026 "BMO Global Metals & Mining Conference Presentation".The Marsden deposit: Estimation by Evolution Mining of the potential endowment pre being dismembered of 5Mt copper and 8-10Moz gold - The Mines & Wines September 2024 conference "New insights from the Cowal gold deposit" presentation.2 Cowal December 2025 quarter cash flow of $3 million a day at an average gold price of A$6206/oz sourced from Kristie Batten on X (@kristiebatten) January 21, 2026. Spot Australian gold price sourced from ABC Bullion (https://www.abcbullion.com.au) and as at March 9, 2026.3 Evolution Mining market capitalization as at March 9, 2026.4 Over $100 million of potential partner funding for seven earlier stage and/or non-core projects via 5 deals and four partners, with over 16000 metres of drilling and over A$7m of partner funded exploration since late 2024 until Sep 30, 2025 includes:(a) The original up to A$50m earn-in & JV agreement with AngloGold Ashanti for the Nyngan & Nevertire projects and the amended agreement to include the Nyngan South, Nevertire South and Mulla projects including another up to A$50m earn-in & JV: refer May 28, 2024 release "AngloGold Ashanti to earn-in to the NJNB Project" and Apr 14, 2025, "Second Major Earn-in Secured with AngloGold Ashanti" (estimated budget approximately $4.5m, incl. 27 holes for 10,780.6m of drilling, Kincora currently the project manager receiving a 10% fee of expenditure). For more information on AngloGold Ashanti please visit their website at www.anglogoldashanti.com (b) Fleet Space Technologies (which in December 2024 raised $150m in a Series D financing) partnership under R&D Grant for geophysical surveys at Nyngan: refer Jul 25, 2024 release "ANT and Gravity Geophysical Surveys at the Nyngan Project" (estimated budget approximately $500k). For more information on Fleet Space please visit their website at https://www.fleetspace.com(c) Fleet Space partnership for the Wongarbon project: refer Oct 16, 2024 release "Kincora announces Strategic Investment & Expanded Partnership with Fleet Space" (Fleet Space is to conduct ANT & gravity surveys with the right to fund >2000m of drilling for an earn-in/JV. Estimated budget for ANT & gravity surveys $600k, follow up drilling >$0.5m). On October 22, 2025, Kincora was awarded a cooperative funding grant from the NSW Government for up to A$143,483 supporting a first ever drilling campaign to basement at the Wongarbon project. On November 18, 2025 Kincora announced a maiden hole funded with the NSW grant had commenced "Kincora commences drilling at the Wongarbon porphyry project" (results pending).(d) Exploration Alliance partner Earth AI (which in January 2025 raised US$20m in a Series B financing) drilling commenced at the Cundumbul project: refer May 20, 2024 release "Artificial Intelligence Partner Drilling New Copper Targets at the Cundumbul Project" (Earth AI has the right to right to spend up to $4.5m at Cundumbul and earn an NSR upon a "qualifying interval". Estimated budget to date >$850k, incl. 5 completed holes for >2500m with a VTEM geophysical survey recently completed and analysis ongoing). For more information on Earth AI please visit their website at https://earth-ai.com/ See Kincora's September 30, 2025 quarterly accounts released November 13, 2025 for further background and information.This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Kincora Copper Limited (ARBN 645 457 763)For further information, please contact: Sam Spring, President and Chief Executive Officer sam.spring@kincoracopper.com or +61431 329 345Laurie Thomas, Strategic Advisorlaurie.thomas@kincoracopper.com or +1306 341 3826 Media contact Julia Maguire, Managing Director, The Capital Networkjulia@thecapitalnetwork.com.au or +61 2 7257 7338 Executive officeSubsidiary office Australia 400 - 837 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6C 3N6, Canada Tel: 1.604.283.1722 C/- JM Corporate ServicesLevel 6, 350 Collins StreetMelbourne, VIC, Australia 3000 Qualified Person The scientific and technical information in this announcement was prepared in accordance with the standards of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum and National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and was reviewed, verified and compiled by Kincora's staff under the supervision of Peter Leaman (M.Sc. Mineral Exploration, FAusIMM), Senior Vice-President of Exploration of Kincora, and John Holliday (BSc Hons, BEc, member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists), Non-Executive Director and Chairman of Kincora's Technical Committee, who are Qualified Persons for the purpose of NI 43-101JORC Competent Person StatementInformation in this announcement that relates to Exploration Results, Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves are those that have been previously reported (with the original release referred to in this announcement), in the case of Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves the material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates have not materially changed, and have been reviewed and approved by John Holliday and Peter Leaman, who are Competent Persons under the definition established by JORC and has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves'. John Holliday and Peter Leaman consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears. The review and verification process for the information disclosed herein for the Nyngan Projects have included the receipt of all material exploration data, results and sampling procedures of previous operators and review of such information by Kincora's geological staff using standard verification procedures.Forward-Looking StatementsCertain information regarding Kincora contained herein may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements may include estimates, plans, expectations, opinions, forecasts, projections, guidance or other statements that are not statements of fact. Although Kincora believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct. Kincora cautions that actual performance will be affected by a number of factors, most of which are beyond its control, and that future events and results may vary substantially from what Kincora currently foresees. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration results, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The information contained herein is stated as of the current date and is subject to change after that date. Kincora does not assume the obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) or the Australian Securities Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/287846 Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Mar 10, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Impro Precision Industries Limited ("Impro" or the "Group”) (Stock Code: 1286), a world-leading manufacturer of high-precision, high-complexity, and mission-critical components, today announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2025 (the “Year”).In 2025, the revenue of the Group amounted to HK$5,095.5 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 8.7%. Profit attributable to shareholders of the Company amounted to HK$726.2 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 12.7%, while adjusted profit attributable to Shareholders amounted to HK$689.9 million, representing a year-on-year increase of 12.1%. Both set new records. Taking into account the sound cash flow position and business prospects of the Group, the Board resolved to declare a second interim dividend of 8.0 HK cents per share for 2025. Together with the first interim dividend of 8.0 HK cents per share for 2025 already distributed, dividend per share for the Year amounted to 16.0 HK cents. The Group’s robust financial performance, coupled with its forward-looking global footprint and diversified end-markets advantages, successfully attracted capital from Hong Kong, overseas, and the Chinese Mainland to purchase the Group’s shares during the Year. In 2025, the Group’s share price increased significantly by approximately 1.5 times compared to the end of 2024.During the Year, the artificial intelligence boom, significant fluctuations in U.S. tariff policies and ongoing geopolitical conflicts continued to intertwine, profoundly affecting the global market landscape and trends. By virtue of its solid business foundation and its enduringly effective strategies of “Global Footprint”, “Region for Region Manufacturing” and “Dual Source Production”, the Group successfully mitigated market risks and achieved growth in its results. In 2025, the development momentum of artificial intelligence remained strong, driving continued growth in demand for related data centers. As a key component of distributed power generators, the demand for high horsepower engines rose significantly, leading to a substantial year-on-year increase of 43.3% in the Group’s sales in the high horsepower engine end-market. This market became the Group’s largest sub-sector end-market in terms of sales during the Year, accounting for 22.1% of total revenue. Meanwhile, the growth in demand for liquid cooling systems related to artificial intelligence data centers was also very strong, driving a substantial year-on-year increase of 38.4% in revenue from the diversified industrials others end-market. In addition, as new products commenced mass production, revenue from the medical end-market recorded a significant year-on-year increase of 55.2%.Furthermore, as the Group’s Mexico SLP campus is still in the ramp-up stage, with high employee turnover leading to rising scrap rates, it continued to record a relatively large net loss during the Year. Although overall operations still face numerous uncertainties, the strategic value and commercial potential of the Mexico SLP Campus within the Group’s “Global Footprint” will gradually become apparent, with its long-term development potential and contribution worth expecting. In terms of internal management, as more employee dormitories in Mexico are successively put into use, it is expected that the issue of employee turnover will be effectively alleviated. Moreover, to seize the opportunities from the rapid growth of the global investment casting market and to meet strong customer demand, the Group will moderately increase the capital expenditure of the aerospace plant in the Mexico SLP Campus. Subject to prudent assessment, the Group will continue to seek opportunities to expand production capacity and process categories, aiming to share in the dividends of market growth. The Group expects capital expenditure for 2026 to be approximately HK$850 million, of which more than three-quarters will be allocated to the Mexico SLP Campus, with the remainder to be primarily invested in our plants in China.In addition, most of the plants in China have maintained stable operations and continued to achieve stellar financial performance and significant profit growth. With the successful relocation of Foshan Ameriforge (Plant 12) to Nantong and the gradual stabilization of its operations, the plant has demonstrated a steady growth trend in its performance. Plant 8 for surface treatment in Nantong is expected to achieve a turnaround to profitability in 2026.Looking ahead to 2026, in view of the expected continued strong growth of artificial intelligence data centers related products, coupled with a large number of new orders at the Mexico SLP Campus and the recovery of demand in certain end-markets, the Group’s sales revenue growth rate is expected to accelerate over the next two to three years. Based on the Group’s outstanding orders on hand and the progress of future new project development, the Group forecasts that the year-on-year sales growth rate in 2026 will be approximately mid-double digits.The Group expects the diversified industrials sector to continue to demonstrate robust growth momentum. In the high horsepower engine sector, as products are upgraded from castings and rough machining to a higher proportion of deep processing and partial full-finishing, combined with the successive mass production for new projects involving both existing and new customers, and with the large-scale sand casting workshop in Phase II of the Mexico SLP Campus commencing mass production in the middle of this year to provide more capacity, it is expected that high horsepower engine-related components will embark on a new growth curve starting from 2026.The aerospace, energy and medical sector will become one of the Group’s primary growth engines in the future. In the aerospace end-market, the Mexican plants obtained the initial phase of AS9100 quality system certification in January 2026. As aerospace products involve various specialized processes, it is expected that the relevant certifications will be completed successively in the second half of 2026, and mass production will gradually commence. In the medical end-market, the Group will continue to develop surgical robots and related products, which are expected to demonstrate certain growth potential in the coming years.According to industry forecasts, the global investment casting market is set to grow from approximately US$17.5 billion in 2025 to more than US$23.8 billion in 2031, of which approximately US$4 billion will be coming from the aerospace, energy and medical sector. To capture this market opportunity and gain a share of the market growth, the Group is continuously evaluating a potential spin-off and separate listing of the aerospace, energy and medical sector, as well as various other feasible financing options to support the expansion of future production capacity and process categories and make forward-looking preparations for the long-term sustainable development of the aerospace end-sector.To actively explore and lay out the medium-to-long-term growth momentum, the Group has formally established the “Future Business Unit”, which focuses on identifying and evaluating emerging market opportunities that align with the Group’s strategic direction, with the aim of cultivating potential growth projects for the Group and continuing to explore new opportunities amid future industry trends. The “Future Business Unit” will serve as a key innovation engine, assisting the Group’s existing “Aerotek Business Unit”, “Fluidtek Business Unit” and “Mechatek Business Unit” in enhancing market share and global industry status amidst dynamic competition and laying the foundation for the next stage of advancement.Mr. Lu Ruibo, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Impro, said, “Looking ahead, the Group will focus on the three core strategies of ‘Global Footprint’, ‘Diversified End-market’ and ‘Twin Growth Engine’, while simultaneously promoting the expansion of the diversified industrials, aerospace, energy, medical and automotive end-markets, and precisely seizing the strategic opportunities brought by the artificial intelligence. Meanwhile, the Group will continue to optimize its global production capacity allocation, give full play to the advantages of its global footprint, and actively promote end-market diversification and regional production synergy. In addition, the Group will continue to seek merger and acquisition opportunities with synergistic effects, strengthen its research and development and technical capabilities, drive continuous improvement of the Group’s results by providing diversified, high-quality products and services, and strive to create stable and growing returns for shareholders.” Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Mar 10, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – The well-known dual-listed beauty and skincare group in Asia, Natural Beauty Bio-Technology Limited ("Natural Beauty"), together with its subsidiaries (the "Group"; Hong Kong stock code: 00157), today announced its annual results for the year ended 31 December 2025 ("Review Period"). The Group's revenue increased by 52.4%, exceeding HK$538 million. And profit surged by 110.2% to HK$10.58 million, marking a fundamental turnaround from a net loss of HK$103.6 million in FY2024.Natural Beauty Fengxian Smart FactoryCore Figures Reflects Remarkable Transformation SuccessMainland China remained the Group's key growth engine. In 2025, revenue in the PRC market increased by 74.7% from HK$255 million to HK$446 million, accounting for 82.7% of the Group's total revenue. Specifically, product sales in the PRC market grew by 73.4% to HK$438.3 million, while the self-owned stores income soared by 208.9% to HK$7.5 million, reflecting balanced and high-quality expansion across both segments.High-Quality Expansion of Store NetworkThe Group has achieved high-quality expansion of its store network. As at December 31, 2025, the number of franchisees and points of sale reached 2,070, representing a significant increase from 1,768 in 2024. Among them, 425 new franchisees were opened, and the number of directly operated stores also increased to 23. During the Review Period, the total number of new stores opened by the Group rose by 116 year-on-year, further improving the store network and unlocking the brand's growth potential.Strategic Drivers Deliver Leapfrog GrowthDr. Lei Chien, Chairperson of Natural Beauty, stated: "2025 marks a pivotal founding year for Natural Beauty to achieve structural breakthroughs. The Group has steadily expanded its diversified business portfolio and entered a new phase of high-quality growth. The full implementation of our core strategy of 'Al Beauty Technology, Holistic Health’ strategy has driven the Group's performance to achieve leapfrog growth. Fully embracing large AI model technology, the Group has integrated it across the entire value chain—from production and supply chain forecasting to customer after-sales service. We are committed to building an authoritative AI-driven skin health testing platform, which, through training on millions of samples, provides consumers with precise skincare solutions and offers franchisees more effective operational strategies."Mr. Cheng Chi-chung, Chief Executive Officer of the Group, stated: "Over the past year, centering on the Group's core strategy of ' Al Beauty Technology, Holistic Health', we have continuously promoted the comprehensive upgrade of the enterprise's operational system, transforming Natural Beauty from a traditional beauty brand into a technology-driven beauty ecosystem platform. The AI data system is gradually becoming a crucial support for the Group's operational decision-making. From consumer demand insights and product R&D directions to in-store service design and membership management, we are progressively forming a data-driven operational system."Fengxian Smart Factory New Exhibition CenterClear Future Development BlueprintLooking ahead, the Group will continue to implement the " Al Technology, Beauty Industry, Holistic Health" strategy. Relying on strategic cooperation with Baidu and Fudan University International Finance School, we will deeply explore the core empowering role of AI technology in product R&D, digital store construction, smart marketing, and automated management system upgrades. The Group plans to achieve high-speed revenue growth this year and become a leading enterprise in the beauty and wellness industry across Mainland China and the Taiwan region.About Natural Beauty Bio-Technology Limited (Hong Kong stock code:00157)A China’s leading listed beauty and skincare brand established in 1972, has championed its core philosophy of "Natural Beauty Is True Beauty" for 55 years. Driven by its "AI Technology, Beauty Industry, Holistic Health" integrated strategy, the brand operates a global network of over 2,093 outlets. As a Chinese-origin transnational biotech pioneer, Natural Beauty continues to propel innovation in the cosmetics and skincare sector.Media enquiriesStrategic Financial Relations LimitedMandy GoTel: +852 2864 4812Email: mandy.go@sprg.com.hkMaggie ZhangTel: +852 2114 4903Email: maggie.zhang@sprg.com.hkWebsite:http://www.sprg.com.hk Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – Entertainment Expo Hong Kong 2026 will take place from 15 March to 19 April. Over the years, the Expo has served as a vital platform connecting innovators and industry leaders across the global film and entertainment industries, fostering exchanges among local, Asian and international practitioners, and presenting a wide spectrum of outstanding works. This year, it continues to span four major fields—film, television, music and digital entertainment—bringing together eight flagship events. International stars, renowned directors and leading industry figures will gather at the Expo, further strengthening cross-regional exchange in film and entertainment culture. The Expo has invited Leon Lai as Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador to help promote Hong Kong as a leading hub for film and entertainment in Asia.Entertainment Expo Hong Kong is spearheaded by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), with sponsorship from the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA), the Film Development Fund, and the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. This year’s Expo features eight major events: the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART); Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF); Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA); Asian Film Awards; Digital Entertainment Summit; EntertainmentPulse; Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF); and the Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music). The Expo’s kick-off ceremony will be held on 17 March at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre. The occasion will also mark the 30th edition of the Hong Kong International Film and TV Market and the 50th edition of the Hong Kong International Film Festival, reinforcing the significance of this milestone year.Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART)Organised by the HKTDC, the 30th edition of FILMART will be held at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from 17 to 20 March. This year’s event brings together more than 790 exhibitors from over 30 countries and regions, further enhancing its global appeal. More than 30 regional pavilions will represent Chinese Mainland and international markets, including mature film markets such as France, Italy, Korea, the United Kingdom, the United States, and ASEAN members such as Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam. FILMART also welcomes first-time exhibitors from various emerging markets. This diverse participation demonstrates FILMART’s role as Asia’s leading entertainment content marketplace and also as a vital catalyst for global cultural exchange and collaboration in the screen industry.This year’s FILMART events will feature comprehensive upgrades. The second edition of Producers Connect, jointly organised by the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau, CCIDA, the Hong Kong Film Development Council, and HKTDC, will showcase an impressive lineup. In collaboration with 10 international film institutions, the event will gather over 100 global and Hong Kong producers to introduce regional film production and funding initiatives, fostering cross-regional collaborations and co-productions. Highlights include a keynote forum featuring renowned local director Peter Chan and Golden Globe-winning producer Janet Yang, who will share cutting-edge insights on international co-production strategies.Furthermore, the AI Hub, organised by the HKTDC and co-organised by the Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals, will expand its scale, bringing together leading artificial intelligence and technology companies—including Alibaba Cloud, Kling AI, MiniMax, Vidu, and more, alongside local academic institutions such as the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, and Lingnan University. Additionally, the newly launched AI Academy, funded by CCIDA and the Film Development Fund, will host over 15 thematic workshops. Expert instructors will demonstrate how to leverage AI tools to efficiently produce high quality film and animation content, streamline production workflows, and empower the industry to capitalise on AI-driven opportunities.Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF)Entering its 50th edition, HKIFF will take place from 1 to 12 April, reaffirming its status as one of Asia's most enduring and respected film festivals. This milestone year adopts the theme "50 and Beyond: Framing the Future", celebrating both the festival's rich heritage and its commitment to innovation. To commemorate the anniversary, HKIFF has commissioned local illustrator, comic artist, and lyricist Siu Hak to develop the annual thematic design. His vibrant artwork captures the festival's imaginative spirit and its forward-looking vision. Actors Angela Yuen and Tony Wu will serve as this year's ambassadors, symbolising the bridge between HKIFF's legacy and the creative energy of a new generation. In addition, acclaimed actress Gingle Wang, winner of the Best Lead Actress award at the 22nd Taipei Film Festival, and Thailand's Metawin Opas-iamkajorn, recipient of the Asian Film Awards Academy's Asian Rising Star Award in 2025, have been appointed Asian Visionary Ambassadors. Both will make special appearances during the festival, fostering artistic and cross-cultural exchange. A special exhibition, "50 and Beyond: The Hong Kong International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Exhibition", will be held at Hong Kong City Hall, showcasing HKIFF's half-century contribution to film art and cultural dialogue. To further mark the occasion, HKIFF will collaborate with the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra to present the Asian premiere of "In the Mood for Love in Concert", a unique programme that rekindles the iconic film's nostalgic charm through a live orchestral reinterpretation.Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA)The 44th Hong Kong Film Awards will be held on 19 April at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre. The Awards has invited Michelle Wai, recipient of the Best Actress at last year’s HKFA, together with Edan Lui, who was previously nominated for Best New Performer at the HKFA, to serve as special guests and announce the nominations across 18 award categories. This year’s entries demonstrate the diverse creative strength of Hong Kong cinema. Sons of the Neon Night leads with 12 nominations, followed closely by Back to the Past with 11 nominations.Asian Film AwardsThe 19th Asian Film Awards proudly presents three masterclasses, Hong Kong premieres of selected Asian titles, and creator-to-creator “In Conversation” sessions—showcasing the boundless possibilities of Asian cinema. Esteemed guests include acclaimed actress Zhang Ziyi, internationally celebrated director Jia Zhangke, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, Oscar-shortlisted director Tsou Shih-Ching, Korean actor Jung Kyung-ho, Jo Woo-jin, and Ky Nam Inn director Leon Le with actress 9m88, among others. Gathering in Hong Kong, they will explore the creative depth and cultural vitality of Asian filmmaking.Digital Entertainment SummitOrganised by the HKTDC with co-organisation from the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association and MarketingPulse & eTailingPulse, the 15th Entertainment Summit will take place on 19 March as a FILMART flagship event. Under the theme “Animation Without Borders: Creating, Financing and Expanding Animation IP Worldwide”, the Summit will feature two panel discussions, and take a deep dive into how the animation industry can expand its global footprint through intellectual property (IP) innovation, strategic investment, and cross-border collaboration.Featured speakers include Sai Abishek, Head of Factual Entertainment, Lifestyle & Kids, South Asia, Warner Bros. Discovery, and Aurélien Dirler, Head of the International Cooperation and Partnerships Department at France’s Centre National du Cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC), who will share insights into IP development strategies and monetisation pathways. The Summit will also present a case study of the local animated film “Another World”, inviting Polly Yeung, Producer & Scriptwriter; Drew Lai, Commissioner for Cultural and Creative Industries, CCIDA; and members of the overseas production partners to discuss how cross-regional investment and production collaboration can deliver internationally recognised animation projects.EntertainmentPulseOrganised by the HKTDC, EntertainmentPulse will be held concurrently with FILMART, gathering global film and television industry leaders to provide insights into trending topics including artificial intelligence, video streaming, financing and investment, micro-short dramas, co-productions, and animation, providing attendees the latest market insights. For the financing session, experts such as Bennett Pozil, Head of Corporate Banking at East West Bank, Justin Deimen, Managing Partner of Goldfinch International, and Catherine Ying, President of CMC Pictures and Pearl Studio (China), will analyse banking considerations, private financing strategies, and film project capitalisation approaches from multiple perspectives. Additionally, industry leaders including James Gibbons, President of APAC at Warner Bros. Discovery, and Omar Giri Valliappan, COO of Vision+, will unveil development roadmaps for leading international streaming platforms. Addressing the recent surge in micro-short dramas, Chinese Mainland companies including DataEye, Xiaowu Bros, and Mansen (Shenzhen) Culture Media will share insights on globalisation opportunities and collaborative prospects within the Greater Bay Area's Micro-Short Drama industry ecosystem.Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)The 24th Hong Kong - Asia Film Financing Forum will take place from 17 to 19 March. This year’s lineup features 42 shortlisted projects from 22 countries and regions, spanning different stages of development. Notably, 13 projects are animation and genre entries, reflecting a rich spectrum of storytelling, from family-driven narratives and comedies to thrillers, fantasy, action and science fiction, highlighting the dynamism and diversity of Asian filmmaking. All shortlisted projects will be presented alongside FILMART during HAF, enabling project teams to engage directly with industry professionals, exchange views on creative direction and share their latest progress, with a view to advancing both regional and international partnerships. This year’s key visual is created by artist and director Qiu Jiongjiong. Staying true to the distinctive visual language of his paintings and films, the artwork is set against the backdrop of Wan Chai and reimagines Hong Kong’s iconic project landscape, encapsulating the imagery of “Cinema is everywhere.”Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music)The 13th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) will hold its Awards Ceremony cum Selected Works Screening on March 20 at Theatre 2, HKCEC. The Scheme aims to nurture local advertising and film production talents, providing HK$130,000 to HK$240,000 in production funding for 21 projects under the Tier "Advertising Production Start-ups" and 10 projects in the Tier "Small Advertising Production Enterprises." Supported by professional mentorship, training, and promotional resources, the Scheme assists creative teams in producing original microfilms. This edition also features collaborations with local musicians who will participate in performances, fostering dynamic interplay between music and visual storytelling. The ceremony will announce the award winners and screen their works, highlighting the creativity and talent of Hong Kong's creative community.Entertainment Expo website: https://eexpohk.hktdc.com/en/Photo Download: https://bit.ly/4bfhgesThe Expo has invited Leon Lai as the Hong Kong Entertainment Ambassador to promote Hong Kong as a leading hub for film and entertainment in Asia The AI Hub at the 30th Hong Kong International Film & TV Market (FILMART) makes its grand return, gathering leading artificial intelligence and technology innovators. This year's edition debuts the AI Academy, hosting over 15 specialised workshops led by industry experts to empower professionals in capitalising on AI-driven opportunitiesMedia Enquiries:The 30th HKTDC Hong Kong International Film and TV Market (FILMART) https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/17 – 20 MarchRaconteur PR:Betsy TseTel: (852) 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hkHKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:Serena CheungTel:(852) 2584 4272Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgThe 5th EntertainmentPulsehttps://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/conference/hkfilmart/en/programme?category=EntertainmentPulse17 – 20 MarchRaconteur PR:Betsy TseTel: (852) 9742 7338Email: betsytse@raconteur.hkHKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:Serena CheungTel:(852) 2584 4272Email: serena.hm.cheung@hktdc.orgThe 50th Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF50)http://www.hkiff.org.hk1 – 12 AprilTel: (852) 2970 3300Email: pr@hkiff.org.hkThe 44th The Hong Kong Film Awards (HKFA) https://www.hkfaa.com19 AprilTel: (852) 2367 7892Email: hkfaa@hkfaa.comThe 19th Asian Film Awardshttps://www.afa-academy.com/15 MarchTel: (852) 3195 0607Email: info@afa-academy.comThe 15th Digital Entertainment Summit https://hkfilmart.hktdc.com/19 MarchTel: (852) 1830 668Email:filmart@hktdc.orgThe 24th Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF)https://industry.hkiff.org.hk/17 – 19 MarchTel: (852) 2970 3300Email: haf@hkiff.org.hkThe 13th Microfilm Production Support Scheme (Music) https://www.hkmfa.hk/microfilm/20 MarchTel: (852) 3594 6723Email: maychin@nhms.com.hkHKTDC Newsroom: http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Escape the hustle and bustle of city-life to enjoy nature at its best amidst the Hari Raya décor and festivitiesPhoto 1: A vibrant nature-inspired Raya backdrop at Spritzer EcoPark welcomes Malaysians to slow down, reconnect and make meaningful festive memories.TAIPING, Malaysia, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - This Hari Raya Aidilfitri, amidst the hustle, bustle and heat of life-in-the-city, Spritzer EcoPark invites all Malaysians to slow-down, cool-down and refresh and recharge in the lush, natural surroundings of Malaysia’s rainiest town. Once again, celebration of the Raya season has been brought to life among nature. Nestled within Taiping’s verdant greenery, the EcoPark is once again transformed into a vibrant Raya destination that instantly evokes the joy of balik kampung in a space where tradition meets the tranquillity of the outdoors.In anticipation of the joyous month of Syawal approaches, visitors can immerse themselves in the timeless charm of traditional Malaysian Raya décor beginning 10 March 2026, such as ketupat, glowing pelita oil lamps, crescent moon motifs, decorative arches, and vibrant wau installations. These hallmark festive elements beautifully transform the Spritzer EcoPark, embodying the spirit of togetherness and reunion that make Hari Raya a meaningful time for all.Set against the EcoPark’s natural surroundings, the festive displays offer visitors a refreshing alternative to celebrate the spirit of Raya beyond the bustling city, inviting visitors to enjoy leisurely walks, picturesque moments, and quality time with family and friends. Admission to Spritzer EcoPark remains free for all visitors. Photo 2 and 3: Familiar Raya motifs like the ketupat, glowing pelita lamps, and colourful waus brighten the paths of Spritzer EcoPark, evoking the joy of balik kampung at every corner.“Raya is a time when many people travel back to their hometowns or visit family and friends to celebrate with meaningful moments together. With the increasing urbanisation or distance, not everyone has the option to balik kampung all the time. With the Spritzer EcoPark, we hope to provide an alternative destination by re-creating that feeling of belonging and connection in a space where visitors can slow down, reconnect with loved ones, and enjoy the holiday period in a refreshing natural setting,” said Winnie Chin, Head of Public Relations at Spritzer.From 19 March to 29 March 2026, visitors can also look forward to a range of special activities taking place as Spritzer EcoPark into a hub of light-hearted fun for all ages. They roll up their sleeves at Raya-themed DIY and crafting workshops, where families experience the shared joy of making something by hand and creating festive keepsakes.Nearby, the Paddle Cart rides wind through scenic routes, turning the park’s natural beauty into a mini adventure for families to explore the park grounds. The EcoPark’s popular 18-hole Mini Golf Course, which welcomes visitors all year-round, also provides guests the added highlight of playing the game with a limited-edition LED Golf Ball as a glowing keepsake to light up the Raya season.Before heading home to prepare for their Raya open houses, visitors can stop by the Water Shop to stock up on Spritzer products to ensure guests stay refreshed and hydrated throughout the celebrations. The Souvenir Shop also offers exclusive merchandise and keepsakes that make perfect gifts or mementos of a memorable visit to the park.Beneath the glowing lights and beautiful decorations, Spritzer EcoPark continues its commitment to creating meaningful, nature-inspired experiences that bring communities together while encouraging creativity, sustainability, and appreciation for the environment.Spritzer EcoPark warmly wishes everyone Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri, Maaf Zahir dan Batin. May this Syawal bring continued blessings and a year illuminated with peace and gratitude for all. Come and celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri at Spritzer EcoPark, bring your loved ones, your camera and your festive spirit for a joyful celebration with us!Follow Spritzer EcoPark on social media for the latest updates:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/SpritzerEcoparkInstagram – https://www.instagram.com/spritzerecoparkThreads – https://www.threads.com/@spritzerecoparkTikTok – https://www.tiktok.com/@spritzer.ecoparkFor more high-resolution photos, please download them here. About SpritzerEstablished in 1989, Spritzer is a leading Malaysian bottled water brand, sourcing natural mineral water from a protected 430-acre rainforest in Taiping. Naturally filtered through underground rock layers for over 15 years, our water is enriched with essential minerals like Silica, known to support skin, bones, hair, and nails.Combining smart manufacturing with sustainable practices, Spritzer ensures every bottle meets the highest quality and safety standards. Our packaging is 100% recyclable and made from recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to environmental stewardship and a circular economy.Tested annually by SIRIM to be free from microplastics, Spritzer offers consumers trusted, natural hydration. Our diverse product range includes Natural Mineral Water, Original and Flavoured Sparkling Water, Distilled Water, and Fruit-Flavoured Beverages—crafted to suit every lifestyle and occasion.With a clear vision to become a fully circular brand by 2030, Spritzer leads the industry in innovation, quality, and sustainability.Spritzer — where nature, innovation, and sustainability come together in every bottle.For more information, visit www.spritzer.com.myFor media inquiries please contact:Imelia KyraAssociate Consultant, Narro CommunicationsE: imelia@narrocomms.comWinnie ChinHead of Public Relations, Spritzer BhdE: winniecgl@spritzer.com.my Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

Shanghai, Mar 9, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – In early March 2026, Huatai Securities held its 2026 Spring Investment Summit in Shanghai. Convened under the banner of seizing opportunity, embracing innovation and planning for the long term, the summit brought together investors, corporates and policy experts to examine market dynamics amid a period of profound structural change and to identify forward-looking investment opportunities.The two-day event featured a flagship plenary session alongside 11 sector-focused forums, addressing a broad range of market-defining topics, including the outlook for US politics, defense technology, policy interpretation following China’s “Two Sessions”, and the macroeconomic and market outlook for 2026.In her opening remarks, Dr. LIANG Hong, Chair of the Institutional Business Committee at Huatai Securities, observed that China is at a critical revival moment and delivering a strong start to the 15th Five-Year Plan will be the policy priority in 2026. A convergence of structural forces is reshaping upstream pricing dynamics and industry fundamentals: with PPI turning positive; building a unified national market; deepening supply-side rationalization reforms; the approaching 2030 carbon-peak milestone; elevated resource-security priorities; and a new direction for AI-capex. She noted that the upward re-rating of Chinese assets began in 2025 will broaden and deepen this year, with continued conviction in investment themes spanning technology, power, chemicals and rare metals amid the interplay of geopolitical realignment and the AI supercycle.Huatai Research’s macro team led in-depth discussions on the current economic backdrop, asset-allocation themes and market strategy.Focusing on key macro variables, Eva YI, Chief Economist at Huatai Securities, elaborated on what she described as a “more commodity-intensive global capex cycle” — one driven by the infrastructure build-out of AI-related capital expenditure, a renewed upcycle in global defense spending, a trough in China’s real estate construction costs, and a recovery in the global manufacturing cycle. A sustained rebound in PPI, in her view, will serve as the leading indicator of this round of asset re-rating in China.Against this backdrop, Huatai’s economics research team has recently revised up its forecasts for China’s PPI and the RMB exchange rate. Eva noted that pro-cyclical appreciation of the RMB reflects improving returns on investment and declining risk premia, potentially enabling USD-denominated earnings growth of Chinese corporates to outpace that of major developed markets for the first time since 2021 — which could structurally change global asset allocation landscape.On the core asset-allocation themes for the year, ZHANG Jiqiang, Head of Huatai Research and Chief Analyst for Fixed Income, highlighted the search for “pricing power” as a defining market narrative. The evolution of the geopolitical order and the AI revolution remain key perspectives in identifying structural opportunities. While global liquidity conditions may soften this year, RMB appreciation and the safe characteristics of Chinese markets are expected to attract capital inflows, with maturing domestic deposits providing additional liquidity support. While near-term uncertainty surrounding Iran remains a key risk, investors are shifting from pure risk-off trading sentiment to pricing in stagflation concerns, as the duration of the conflict remains the critical factor to consider.Across asset classes, ZHANG expects equities and commodities to outperform bonds. Structurally, upstream resource sectors are favored over downstream consumption, hardware over software, and export-oriented industries are likely to retain competitive momentum.Turning to China’s A-share market, HE Kang, Chief Strategist and Co-Chief for Quantitative Research at Huatai Research, pointed to two pivotal shifts — changes in the AI narrative and expectations for a return to positive PPI — that may validate the annual style call of “rebalancing between the old and new economies”. From late March into April, as macro data and corporate earnings are released, markets are likely to refocus on fundamentals. High-growth segments could cluster in cyclical sectors, manufacturing and TMT, within a backdrop of a structurally differentiated, modest recovery. Overseas expansion will remain a critical variable for earnings improvement. Should first-quarter macro data surprise to the upside, large-cap value stocks that are more sensitive to fundamental recovery could see scope for style rotation.He also highlighted that quantitative models suggest equities and commodities tend to benefit in an environment of ample liquidity and moderately rising inflation. In particular, commodities may see the resonance of short- and medium-term cycles in the second half of the year, offering stronger potential gains — a view consistent with Huatai economics research team’s broader thesis of a global commodity-intensive supercycle.On Hong Kong equities, LI Yujie, Strategist at Huatai Research, argued that the market’s primary driver in 2026 has shifted from valuation and liquidity to earnings. Expectations for profit recovery center on three themes: sectors linked to a marginal stabilization in property, such as building materials; pricing opportunities arising from tight supply-demand balances, including lithium mining, livestock and dairy, and transportation; and technological bottlenecks, with a focus on domestically developed semiconductors in the Hong Kong market.LI underscored that technology remains a clear overarching theme, with debate focused on which segments will ultimately capture value in this wave of innovation. For China’s AI ecosystem, she advised against concentrating exposure solely on upstream chips or downstream applications, advocating instead a bottom-up approach to identifying high-quality companies with competitive potential across the value chain.The plenary session also welcomed a distinguished lineup of external voices. GUO Kai, Executive President of CF40 Institute, offered his assessment of the macroeconomic outlook. ZHAO Hai, Director of the Department of International Politics at the National Institute for Global Strategy under CASS, addressed the shifting global order. XIE Suming, Member of the Strategic Advisory Committee and Chief Analyst at Yuanwang Think Tank, shared perspectives on defense technology innovation. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

HONG KONG, March 8, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) – The 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and the 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show wrapped up successfully today. Organised by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) under the “Two Shows, Two Venues” format, the twin shows together drew some 80,000 buyers from 150 countries and regions, with the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show welcoming over 28,000 buyers from 125 countries and regions and the Jewellery Show attracting over 51,000 buyers from 140 countries and regions.Jenny Koo, Deputy Executive Director of the HKTDC, said: “The twin jewellery shows hosted about 4,000 exhibitors from more than 40 countries and regions. Buyer attendance from the Philippines, Korea, Australia and Switzerland all recorded significant growth, a testament to the strong international standing of the twin shows. Over 30 industry seminars and events were held during the shows, keeping industry professionals informed of the latest market and industry trends. We were pleased to welcome three pavilions making their debut at the show, namely the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, the Zhushan Turquoise Pavilion and the Hong Kong Watch Manufacturers Association Pavilion, each showcasing their jewellery craftsmanship to international buyers.”Industry optimistic about Korea and ASEAN marketsTo gain deeper insights into jewellery industry trends, the HKTDC conducted an on-site survey of 1,509 exhibitors and buyers. Results indicate that both buyers and exhibitors are cautiously optimistic about the economic outlook. Key findings are:Market and industry outlook44.3% of respondents expect overall sales to increase in the next one to two years; 49% expect sales to remain stable.Respondents view the following markets as having good or very good growth potential for jewellery products over the next two years: Korea (73.2%), ASEAN (71.8%), Chinese Mainland (68.5%), Taiwan (65.3%), Australia (64.1%).For those markets with the greatest development potential, most respondents plan to explore: Europe (20.8%), ASEAN (16.8%), Chinese Mainland (15.3%), Japan (15.3%), Taiwan (10.8%).In the next three years, technological advancements in artificial intelligence (66.1%), social media (43.7%), and big data (41.5%) are expected to have the greatest impact on the jewellery industry.Product trendsProducts with the strongest growth potential this year include trendy fashion jewellery (57.3%), precious jewellery (35.1%), and designer jewellery (21.1%).The most popular precious metal products in 2026 are karat yellow gold (40.1%), karat white gold (31.7%) and pure gold (28%).The most popular gemstones this year are diamonds (28.8%), followed by rubies (24.7%) and pearls (19.7%).Riding the gold wave: Chinese Mainland hard pure gold makers go globalThe government’s latest Budget Speech highlighted plans to strengthen Hong Kong’s status as an international gold trading market which is expected to bring new momentum to gold demand in the jewellery market. Adding to the excitement, the World Gold Council led 10 exhibitors from the Chinese Mainland for the first time to launch the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion at this year’s show, which proved to be one of the show's major highlights.Regional CEO Roland Wang said: “The Hong Kong International Jewellery Show has been instrumental in helping Chinese gold manufacturers connect with international buyers and expand their market reach. We have already received a considerable number of orders in just the first three days. Our current focus is on developing markets in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and India, where interest in hard pure gold products is steadily growing. More affordable, lighter-weight hard pure gold pieces are proving particularly attractive to younger middle-class consumers.”Sharon Weng, Deputy General Manager of YueHao Jewellery, a Shenzhen-based exhibitor at the Hard Pure Gold Pavilion, said: “Expanding our overseas client base is a key business priority for us this year, and the show has provided the ideal platform to pursue that goal. We have also established connections with Southeast Asian markets, including Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand." Another Chinese Mainland exhibitor specialising in hard pure gold jewellery expressed plans to set up an office in Hong Kong in the near future, to better leverage the city as a springboard for global expansion.Sales surpass expectations as diamonds captivate buyersSales at the shows this year exceeded expectations for many exhibitors. Youngeun Kim, founder of Soyou, a Korean exhibitor, said: "Through the world's largest jewellery trade platform, we have successfully connected with potential buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Africa and the United Kingdom, and expect our sales to grow by 30% compared with last year."Hong Kong exhibitor SimStar Asia Limited, which specialises in high-value, investment-grade diamonds, secured several orders from buyers in Europe and the United States during the show, with total transactions running into the millions of US dollars. The company also projected a 10% increase in annual sales and noted that demand for high-clarity, top-colour white diamonds in the 5 to 10-carat range remains robust, while rare red and blue diamonds are also drawing keen interest from buyers.This year, the Hall of Fame grew by more than 40%. Emre Can, Export Sales Manager of Zen Diamond, a Turkish exhibitor, shared that while the company initially came with the aim of expanding into Asian markets, buyers from the United Kingdom and the United States had already expressed interest on Day One. Existing clients from Europe and South America also travelled to meet face to face, which is a testament to the global appeal of branded jewellery.Designer jewellery on the rise as new generation embraces personalisationThe shows welcomed over 50 designer exhibitors, including 10 Korean designers making their debut at the fair. They were pleased with their results and are already considering expanding their presence at next year's edition. A Korean designer exhibitor also shared that new enquiries from potential buyers had been received, particularly from Europe, and was pleasantly surprised to receive one from Poland. A seminar featuring Paola De Luca, Founder and Creative Director of Trendvision Jewellery + Forecasting, gave attendees an in-depth look at emerging jewellery design trends, exploring how personalisation can respond to the younger consumer market.The shows also hosted three design competitions: the 27th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition, the Hong Kong International Fashion Chuk Kam Jewellery Design Competition, and the inaugural International Fei Cui Jewellery Design Competition. Award ceremonies were held on-site, with winning pieces on display across the venue, offering buyers a first look at the latest creative works while fostering closer ties between designers and jewellery manufacturers.Global exhibitors tap into new opportunitiesThe twin shows brought together exhibitors from around the world, with Uzbekistan making its debut appearance. Fonon Jewelry House, an Uzbek exhibitor, showcased gold pieces with distinctive Central Asian cultural influences, drawing strong interest from international buyers. Alisher Romanov, the Head of Foreign Economic Affairs of this exhibitor, said: "We are looking to use Hong Kong as a springboard for expansion into other Asian markets. We have already connected with potential buyers from the Chinese Mainland, Malaysia and the Philippines, and expect sales to reach approximately USD 50 million." Another Uzbek exhibitor also shared that it had received a jewellery order worth as much as USD 35 million from a Hong Kong buyer. The Uzbekistan delegation also seized the occasion to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association, with the aim of further promoting Uzbekistan's jewellery to global markets through Hong Kong's platform and strengthening bilateral trade ties.Buyers seek diverse offeringsTurkish buyer, Kasapoglu Jewellery came to the show with the specific goal of sourcing new loose diamond suppliers, setting aside a procurement budget of over USD 900,000. US-based diamond wholesaler David Abraham & Co found the show to be a true one-stop destination, discovering services ranging from certification to repolishing, as well as sourcing gemological equipment and tools. The company met with 35 exhibitors from Hong Kong, India, Israel, the Middle East, Europe and the United States in a single day. China National Gold Group Gold Jewellery Co., Ltd. from Beijing made the most of both shows, sourcing turquoise samples at the Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show and explored fine jewellery offerings at the Jewellery Show. The company noted that demand for both high-end gemstones and mass-market jewellery is growing in tandem, with younger consumers increasingly drawn to delicate and refined designs. Its total procurement budget across both shows is USD 200,000.Golden Silver Z.L S.A., a major 925 sterling silver jewellery supplier in Latin America and a loyal visitor to the shows for over 20 years, returned again this year and confirmed silver jewellery orders with three exhibitors, with combined transactions exceeding USD 1.9 million.Online-offline integration expands horizonsDue to the impact of geopolitical situation, some buyers from certain regions were unable to attend in person. The HKTDC responded promptly with a range of support measures. These included on-site support for exhibitors with promotional material placement, as well as helping affected buyers rearrange flights and accommodation to defer their arrivals by one to two days.Meanwhile, the shows continue to adopt the EXHIBITION+ online and offline hybrid format, enabling enterprises to extend their physical exhibition negotiations to online matching platforms. Exhibitors and buyers can engage in AI-powered business matching through the HKTDC Marketplace App's "Click2Match" and hktdc.com Sourcing, while buyers can also use Scan2Match to scan exhibitors’ QR codes and continue discussions with exhibitors online after the show.For buyers from affected regions who were unable to travel to Hong Kong for sourcing, the show facilitated over 100 online business matching sessions, helping the industry sustain momentum and seize opportunities during a challenging period.The HKTDC continues to help exhibitors tap into the Chinese Mainland market through e-commerce channels. This year, two major platforms, Taobao Tmall and, for the first time, Douyin partnered with the shows, involving 10 exhibitors and more than 30 influencers and KOLs. The campaign generated over 35 million online impressions and achieved sales exceeding USD 20 million. The shows also invited Korean influencer to attend, who successfully sourced from a number of exhibitors, with combined purchases totalling close to USD 700,000.Photo download: https://bit.ly/4aXXZ24Organised by the HKTDC, the 42nd Hong Kong International Jewellery Show and 12th Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl Show have concluded successfullyThe world’s one-stop jewellery marketplace is highly regarded by industry professionals worldwide, with buyers demonstrating strong purchasing intentThe Uzbekistan delegation made its debut at the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show this year. It also signed an MOU with the HKTDC and the Hong Kong Jewellery Manufacturers' Association to further promote Uzbekistan's jewellery to global markets through Hong Kong's platformDouyin participated in the Hong Kong International Jewellery Show for the first time, enabling exhibitors to tap into the Chinese Mainland marketThe twin jewellery shows covered the entire industry supply chain, from raw materials and design to finished pieces, setting, packaging and gemological instruments — all under one roof.The jewellery parades highlighted the latest creative designs, fostering connections across the industryThe 27th Hong Kong Jewellery Design Competition, themed "Pure Elegance – Natural Beauty", showcased the talents of local professional jewellery designers and students, with multiple designers receiving awards for their exceptional entries.At the award ceremony of the International Fei Cui Jewellery Design Competition, themed "A New Legacy of Jade, Design Without Boundaries", outstanding designers who blend jadeite craftsmanship with international culture were honoured.Over 30 industry seminars and networking events were held during the twin jewellery showsWebsites Hong Kong International Diamond, Gem & Pearl ShowHong Kong International Jewellery ShowExhibition websitehttps://www.hktdc.com/event/hkdgp/enhttps://www.hktdc.com/event/hkjewellery/enHighlighted productshttps://tinyurl.com/2vtknn2r HKTDC Media Room: https://mediaroom.hktdc.com/enMedia enquiriesPlease contact HKTDC’s Communication & Public Affairs Department:Winnie KanTel: (852) 2584 4055Email: winnie.wy.kan@hktdc.orgKaty WongTel: (852) 2584 4524Email: katy.ky.wong@hktdc.orgJane CheungTel: (852) 2584 4137Email: jane.mh.cheung@hktdc.orgAbout HKTDCThe Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) is a statutory body established in 1966 to promote, assist and develop Hong Kong's trade. With over 50 offices globally, including 13 in Chinese Mainland, the HKTDC promotes Hong Kong as a two-way global investment and business hub. The HKTDC organises international exhibitions, conferences and business missions to create business opportunities for companies, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), in the mainland and international markets. The HKTDC also provides up-to-date market insights and product information via research reports and digital news channels. For more information, please visit: www.hktdc.com/aboutus. Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com

TOKYO, Mar 4, 2026 - (ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com) - JCB Co., Ltd. (JCB), together with Resona Holdings, Inc. (Resona; TSE: 8308), announced the start of a project to commercialize ultra-wideband (UWB) payments that realize a new purchasing experience using UWB communication.The two companies have agreed to launch the world's first full-scale project for the practical application and commercialization of UWB payments. In 2026, JCB will work with multiple technology partners and collaborating merchants to demonstrate payment technology and value-added solutions for merchants, as well as user experience building projects to create new purchasing experiences. On top of that, JCB aims to launch small-scale commercial operations in 2027 and full-scale commercialization in earnest in 2028.The two companies are participating in the FiRa® Consortium, which standardizes and contributes to the development of UWB communication technology, as well as builds new payment experiences and value-added solutions for stores using UWB technology.About the UWB Payment ProjectThrough the activities of the FiRa Consortium, JCB, and Resona will standardize technologies and experiences for payment applications, and with the support of FiRa Consortium’s participating vendors, conduct technology tests. From 2026, the two companies will demonstrate UWB payments and value-added solutions together with multiple partner merchants and provide feedback to FiRa on the necessary technology development.In parallel, JCB and Resona will conduct research on user experience and store payment operations to confirm user and merchant acceptability.Moreover, to reduce the introduction load for merchants as much as possible, the project aims to build a payment infrastructure that can widely accept payment solutions using UWB from competitors. The project is aimed to launch on a small scale in 2027 and commercialize on a full-scale in 2028.In addition, the two companies will aim to realize new UWB payments through collaboration with a wide range of partners in Japan and other countries.Image of UWB paymentThe Background of This ProjectUWB communication technology is a short-range wireless communication technology that has the characteristics of (1) accurate location of devices and (2) high-speed data communication and is being used in Japan and overseas for location verification of digital keys for cars and homes, indoor navigation, and tags.The technology is also used overseas in gateless public transportation systems. In the future, it is expected to be used for payments, as with NFC (Near Field Communication) and QR codes.Outside Japan, the spread of smartphones with UWB functions has been slow, but in Japan, smartphones that can use UWB communication are widely available, and can be utilized in advance of the rest of the world. Moreover, the diversification of cashless payments and the wide range of value-added solutions for users and stores are also characteristics of Japan's payment scene. The project believes that it is necessary to take advantage of this location and create new payment solutions to solve problems for users and stores and meet the needs of new solutions.Overview of “UWB Payments”UWB payments can greatly improve the purchasing experience. Until now, it has been necessary to physically touch a card or smartphone at a payment terminal in a merchant or to scan a QR code. UWB payments will leverage short-range communication characteristics to create a new purchasing experience, such as hands-free payments even with a smartphone in a pocket or bag, and to instantly convey user information, such as diet restrictions, to merchants.Also, by utilizing the accurate location information of smartphones, it is possible to realize value-added solutions for both users and merchants that have never been seen before, such as improving the efficiency of navigation and waiting in stores, distributing personalized advertisements and coupons using smart displays, and providing new customer service for VIP customers. It is expected to be used not only to improve the experience but also to be used as a labor-saving solution to address labor shortages.Comparison of NFC and UWB paymentsExamples of value-added solutions:Provide communication functions for both users and merchants. For example, it can be used to automate the communication of requests such as food allergy information, whether or not plastic bags are needed, whether receipts are present and addressed, loyalty program information, whether coupons are available and used, and requests such as handicap and assistance needs, and children's chair preparations.Provide special customer service experiences for VIP customers and support store operations. Customers can receive a special customer service experience without verbally communicating with the merchant’s staff, allowing stores to provide appropriate customer service based on specific customer needs.Enable 1-to-1 marketing capabilities for customers. Marketing utilization, such as displaying personalized information on smart displays near customers, distributing coupons to customers, and displaying personalized pricing.Past UWB Payments InitiativesIn January 2024, JCB and Resona entered into a strategic partnership for the "Hands-free Payment" project, an initiative to build a new payment experience that does not require smartphone operation using device-to-device communication technology. Using UWB communication technology by linking the smartphones held by customers who visit the store with payment terminals and various IoT devices installed in the store, it allows customers to complete the payment process from authentication to payment procedure without taking out a smartphone or activating the screen, and even keeping their smartphone in their bag or pocket. By utilizing this solution, customers can grasp information at the time of their visit to the store and receive customer service and new in-store experiences, such as providing services for VIPs, preferential treatment, and coupon distribution.JCB also announced the development of a UWB-enabled app for iPhones and Apple Watches to support the project, along with a reference model of store checkout equipment and the launch of user testing. Through these efforts, JCB and Resona have been discussing and collaborating with their collaborative partners on technologies and business models.Looking ahead, JCB and Resona will work with multiple technology partners and collaborating merchants to carry out proof-of-concept initiatives for payment and merchant value-added solutions in 2026, with a phased commercial rollout planned for 2027 and full-scale commercialization targeted for 2028.About FiRa ConsortiumThe FiRa Consortium is a member-driven organization dedicated to transforming the way we interact with our environment by enabling precise location awareness for people and devices using the secured fine-ranging and positioning capabilities of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) technology. FiRa does this by driving the development of technical specifications and certifications, advocating for effective regulations, and defining a broad set of UWB use cases. To learn more about UWB and the FiRa Consortium, visit www.firaconsortium.org.About Resona Holdings, Inc.With the Group's purpose of "Making the future positive with finance +," we continue to take on the challenge of transformation and creation in order to transform the future into a positive one with ideas that go beyond the framework of finance. Adhering to our basic stance of "customer joy is Resona's joy," we will work to "strengthen value creativity" and "next-generation management infrastructure" to respond to customers and local communities.About JCB Co., Ltd.JCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 71 million merchants worldwide. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 175 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solutions provider, JCB is committed to delivering responsive, high-quality products and services to all customers worldwide.For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ContactAnna TakedaJCB Corporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@info.jcb.co.jp Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire via SeaPRwire.com. All rights reserved. www.acnnewswire.com