No-frills tech news

ISA drives efficiency with a technological bet

ISA drives efficiency with a technological bet The group ISA projects benefits of US$87 million (mn) from its innovation initiatives, in an effort to improve operational efficiency. The company is working on 30 new technology projects, including artificial intelligence, 3D printing, geoprocessing, spatial analytics (GIS) and IoT, and made investments of US$10.8mn in corporate venture capital and US$4.89mn related to innovation in its businesses according to its 2025 report. During the past year, Grupo ISA invested in Prisma Photonics, a company specializing in advanced and predictive monitoring of critical infrastructure, and in Future Energy Ventures, a firm that expands its access to global innovation. Grupo ISA begins deploying solutions in Colombia and will then expand them to Brazil, Peru and Chile. The company projects benefits in the reliability of the electrical infrastructure and in applications such as Dynamic Line Rating (DLR), it reported in its filing. DLR is a technology that determines in real time the maximum electric transmission capacity of overhead lines using environmental information. Last year, the company completed the migration of its operational processes to the cloud, including the ERP software and analytics solutions from SAP across all its operations. By migrating to the cloud with SAP, ISA reduced the size of its database by 70% through an archiving strategy to manage this information in the long term. It also improved performance and reliability in loading information with business intelligence tools. The migration was carried out with Ayesa as a strategic partner. Main projects by country The transformation in Colombia, which required investments of around US$1mn in innovation, included data-focused programs, with integration of internal and external information for decision-making, implementation of systems to anticipate risks, and digitalization of field data capture to ensure traceability, quality, and immediate availability. The company also optimizes the bid selection process

The <b>city</b> of tomorrow

Editor's note: China Daily reporters leverage local expertise to devise diverse itineraries that showcase a blend of historical landmarks and natural wonders in highly recommended cities and sites, offering practical guidance to experience the country. Half futuristic tech hub, half ecological and traditional retreat — that's Xiong'an New Area — a smart city rising from North China's Hebei province since 2017. Built to ease Beijing's non-capital functions, it is also meant to model how cities of the future might work. Nestled on the North China Plain, Xiong'an carries a cultural heritage that spans thousands of years. Once known as Xiongzhou, it was a vital border town during the Song Dynasty (960-1279), witnessing centuries of history. In 2017, about 100 kilometers south of Beijing, the Xiong'an New Area was established — a city planned from scratch and powered by digital twin technology. Still under construction, with completion slated for 2035, it is already drawing a growing number of tourists who come to explore this city of the future. Here, service robots greet visitors in hotels, cafes, shopping malls and libraries. Driverless taxis glide smoothly through the streets. Smart traffic systems ensure seamless travel, and drones clean high-rise buildings with precision. It is a place where you can immerse yourself in China's cutting-edge technology and feel the speed of innovation firsthand. But the city is not all steel and code. Green space runs through its core. Yuerong Park, with nine classical Chinese gardens, connects to a wider network of parks designed for leisure and outdoor sports, giving the city an unexpectedly relaxed pace. Surrounding the smart city is Baiyangdian Lake, known as the "Pearl of North China". More than 140 interconnected lakes shimmer across the landscape. Crystal-clear waters support 296 species of wild birds while in summer, vast fields of lotus bloom

Coquitlam sets stage for six-tower Burquitlam development

Coquitlam sets stage for six-tower Burquitlam development A transformative development consisting of six towers ranging from 29 to 53 storeys at Burquitlam is moving forward following a unanimous vote from Coquitlam council on Monday. While council was uniformly supportive of the approximately 2,212 rental units, the complete lack of office space was a sticking point. Given the importance of building a complete community, the city needs to “draw a line in the sand here,” according to Coun. Matt Djonlic. Local news that matters to you No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable. “It’s not an ideal situation to be handling it this way, but this is such an important piece of land to building out the Burquitlam community. We need more of the job employment space,” he said. Owned by Morguard real estate company, the anvil-shaped, 7.7-acre site at Clarke Road and Emerson Street is surrounded by towers, the SkyTrain, and the Safeway. Djonlic put forward a motion that would add office space to the second phase of the project. In opposing Djonlic’s motion, Coun. Dennis Marsden emphasized Coquitlam’s reputation for clear rules and no surprises around development. “Tonight’s a surprise, and that goes against so much of what we’ve talked about doing right in our city,” Marsden said. “To arbitrarily, with the stroke of a pen on decision night say, ‘Yeah, no, you know what? We want to double that number but we’ll figure it out later.’ That’s not the way to do business.” While he was sympathetic to Djonlic’s intent, Marsden maintained the city’s top priority should be rejuvenating what is now a “tired old mall” by supplying what the market needs. Noting the density involved, Coun. Trish Mandewo backed Djonlic’s motion. “It behooves us to

Providence, Rhode Island, updates recycling, organics with $3.6M in grants | Waste Dive

Providence, Rhode Island, is starting to see tangible results from multiple organics and recycling programs funded by federal grants. This work was spurred by $3.34 million from the U.S. EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling grant program awarded in 2023, as well as $255,850 from a U.S. Department of Agriculture grant awarded in 2024. Now, multiple years in, the city has funded new vehicles, carts and other infrastructure. Back in November 2023, Mayor Brett Smiley described the EPA funding as a big opportunity to advance sustainability efforts. “By helping divert food waste, in particular, from the waste stream we can extend the life of our Central Landfill, but also help meet our climate justice goals,” he said at a November 2023 Northeast Recycling Council event. Smiley noted this would also help address recycling issues. “We know that we've got a major education gap to fill with residents and business owners. The recycling rates in the city of Providence are quite low [and] there's a very clear equity gap in terms of which neighborhoods recycle and how.” Commercial recycling One unique aspect of Providence’s grant-funded programs is free commercial recycling service, which is still coming to fruition. In his NERC speech, Mayor Smiley noted this idea was driven in part by “a problem with overflowing dumpsters” that “degrades the quality of life” in certain commercial areas with a lot of restaurants. The SWIFR grant, which has funding until January 2027, helped fund the purchase of a rearload recycling collection truck for approximately $200,000. This truck is run by the city’s Department of Public Works and initially focused on offering free service in two neighborhoods. Federal Hill and the West End were chosen for their high density and proliferation of restaurants. Participants can receive two to three carts, which will be collected

Msheireb Properties, MEEZA Partner to Launch AI Digital Companion at Msheireb Downtown Doha

Msheireb Properties, MEEZA Partner to Launch AI Digital Companion at Msheireb Downtown Doha Doha, April 29 (QNA) - Msheireb Properties has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with MEEZA to introduce an AI Digital Companion across Msheireb Downtown Doha, marking a first-of-its-kind milestone for the city and a significant advancement in its smart city capabilities. In a statement, Msheireb Properties said that the AI Digital Companion's pilot phase will commence on April 30, 2026, with full interactive capabilities scheduled for launch on May 24, 2026. Developed by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, the AI Digital Companion will be deployed across 15 interactive smart kiosks throughout Msheireb Downtown Doha, serving as a 24/7 intelligent digital concierge. The solution will transform how residents, visitors, and tenants interact with city services by integrating artificial intelligence, smart city systems, and user-centric design into one unified digital interface. Whether a visitor is looking for the nearest restaurant, a resident needs to settle a parking fee, or a family is searching for upcoming events and activities, the AI Digital Companion will serve as a single, intuitive point of contact. Users will be able to access wayfinding services, receive real-time information, book event tickets, make dining reservations, and complete transactions, all through one seamless interaction. A companion mobile application will also be available for an extended suite of services on the go. Eng. Ali Al Kuwari, CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: "This partnership marks an important milestone in our smart city journey. By working with MEEZA, we are reinforcing the digital foundations of Msheireb Downtown Doha, ensuring that our services remain efficient, integrated, and responsive to the evolving needs of our community." MEEZA's CEO, Mr Mohamed Ali Al-Ghaithani, said: "The AI Digital Companion illustrates how AI and digital infrastructure can enhance services and everyday experiences in smart cities. Through

Analysing European <b>cities</b>' climate mission development priorities through their monitoring ...

Abstract The Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission is a new initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development across European cities. Supported by the Climate Mission, these cities are tackling climate change by developing and adopting sustainable strategies that also benefit residents. Using data from 112 cities participating in the EU-funded NetZeroCities Mission project, this analysis examines indicators chosen by cities to track urban progress and impacts beyond greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly focusing on Sustainable Development Goal 11 (SDG11). Additionally, this study provides a scientific perspective by introducing a hybrid AI-assisted method for clustering both standard NetZeroCities framework indicators and unique indicators introduced by cities. This approach reflects established impact assessment practices and incorporates cities’ extensive experience with climate monitoring. By grouping these different types of indicators, the research evaluates whether local monitoring efforts align with or diverge from NetZeroCities Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) framework priorities and explores what these differences might reveal about how cities put climate measures into practice locally. Similar content being viewed by others Acknowledgements This research is done in the SGA-NZC project that was funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation program under Grant Agreements No101121530. The authors are thankful to project partners for their effort in Mission Cities Action Plans digitalization. Author information Authors and Affiliations Corresponding author Ethics declarations Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests. Additional information Publisher’s note Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Rights and permissions Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate

Video: Viet Nam opens an additional nearly 220 km of expressways from April 29

Video: Viet Nam opens an additional nearly 220 km of expressways from April 29 Three expressway sections totalling nearly 220 km, running through Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and Dak Lak, will officially open to traffic from April 29, strengthening connectivity between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands. Three expressway sections totalling nearly 220 km, running through Quang Ngai, Gia Lai and Dak Lak, will officially open to traffic from April 29, strengthening connectivity between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands.

Wednesday's Headlines

Wednesday’s Headlines More High-Speed Hijinks in the press, transit ridership is up, and the feds. don't seem as clueless as usual... 10:00 AM PDT on April 29, 2026 Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org. More from Streetsblog California Media Fact Check: No, the Budget for California High-Speed Rail Didn’t Just Grow by $100 Billion If you're wondering where they get these crazy numbers, we figured it out. April 29, 2026 The End of Gas Pain? Oregon Launches Nation’s First Road-User Charge The Beaver State is moving from pilot to adoption, but the degree of public acceptance remains unclear. April 28, 2026 Metrolink Cut Service; Budget Pressure Could Mean More Cuts, Fare Increases Faced with a ~$30M budget shortfall, Metrolink has extended temporary service cuts indefinitely and is "evaluating more significant service reductions and a potential fare increase that could take effect as early as October" April 28, 2026 Bay Bridge Group Ride – A Celebration and a Reminder The Western Span needs a bike path. This project needs to get done April 28, 2026 Fresnoland: How a Fresno judge shut down landmark environmental suit against Caltrans’ Highway 99 expansion Seasoned environmental attorneys tell Fresnoland an appeal is likely. April 28, 2026

Boston's climate plan focuses on local execution, accountability as federal support shrinks

Boston has moved past awareness-building and broad planning on climate and resilience. Its 2030 Climate Action Plan, released Monday, focuses on implementation, execution and measurable progress. “We’re having to create a new model for what it looks like to be a city that is really clear on what it wants to do and is accomplishing what needs to be done on climate change,” Oliver Sellers-Garcia, Boston’s Green New Deal director and environment commissioner, told Smart Cities Dive. Driven by mitigation — rapidly reducing emissions from buildings, transportation and energy — and resilience strategies designed to protect people and infrastructure from the impacts of climate change, the plan released Monday is a road map to making Boston carbon neutral by 2050. It sets goals for optimizing coastline resilience, curbing the effects of extreme heat by expanding the city’s tree canopy, aiming to deliver healthier living and working environments, addressing historic inequities and reducing emissions while protecting the communities most exposed to climate risk. To do so, it includes targets around small building decarbonization, reductions in passenger travel and electrification of the city’s heavy-duty vehicles, collectively aimed at cutting emissions in half by 2030. Sellers-Garcia identified five principles Boston leaned on to create its plan. Frame climate action around quality of life and affordability Data and science — which Sellers-Garcia called the “north star” in a city that’s home to world-class research institutions — are the plan’s foundation, he said. But numbers alone can’t capture the affordability, health and environmental justice goals that drive it, he added. The plan emphasizes healthier buildings, sustainable transportation, clean energy, waste reduction, green space and workforce development — issues that touch Bostonians every day — showing that climate policy can advance multiple goals at once. “We have [done] so much work in analysis on this plan,”

Housing energy efficiency requirements rescinded by HUD, USDA

Dive Brief: - The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Agriculture announced a rollback of energy efficiency standards for certain single-family and multifamily housing construction projects. - Energy mandates under the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code added an estimated $20,000 to the cost of a new home and blocked projects that did not meet the standard from federal loans, according to HUD and USDA. - The National Association of Home Builders lauded the decision to rescind IECC. “By repealing this onerous mandate, the Trump administration is making it easier for builders to construct more housing supply at an attainable price for Americans,” NAHB Chair Bill Owens said in a statement. Dive Insight: The U.S. is short millions of homes, according to the Trump administration, which has pledged to cut regulatory red tape surrounding housing construction. National median home prices reached record highs in 2025, and the number of first-time homebuyers plunged to new lows. Many local governments are exploring regulatory solutions in an effort to boost housing supply, including zoning and building code reforms. Federal IECC standards added between $9,600 and $21,400 to the price tag of a new home, depending on the climate zone it was located in, according to Owens. Trump had delayed enforcement of the measure since taking office. “Compliance with the rule would have placed significant new cost pressures on home builders and multifamily developers, making it harder to deliver the affordable, attainable communities that are urgently needed,” Owens said. The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas in March blocked the federal standard following a lawsuit filed by NAHB and 15 states.

Global <b>city</b> leaders and mayors to attend World <b>Cities</b> Summit 2026 in Singapore

Global city leaders and mayors to attend World Cities Summit 2026 in Singapore Oleh GovInsider The 10th edition of the biennial summit from June 14-16 will emphasise on implementable outcomes and stronger city-to-city collaboration across the world. The World Cities Summit (WCS) is happening from June 14 to 16, 2026, at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre. Image: WCS What’s happening? The World Cities Summit (WCS) is a biennial event that is jointly organised by Singapore’s Centre for Liveable Cities (CLC) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). Themed ‘Liveable and Sustainable Cities: ACT Now!,’ the event will be a six-track programme that convenes global public and private sector leaders who will address issues and opportunities related to urban development. This year marks the 10th edition of the event, and will focus on the role of cities in tackling pressing challenges such as climate change, housing and sustainable infrastructure. The six tracks are: - Cities for People: Focus on people-centred transformation - Resilient & Regenerative Cities: Focus on climate change and rapid urbanisation - Smart Cities: Focus on AI and emerging tech - Financing for Cities: Focus on green and climate financing - Future Cities: Focus on urban foresight and scenario planning - WRLDCTY Connections Stage: Focus on unconventional approaches for urban innovation Delegates can expect high-level leadership plenaries, panel discussions and roundtables, practitioner-led masterclasses, as well as site visits. The sessions have been co-curated with other Singapore government agencies and global partners, including the World Bank Group, C40 Cities, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and more. Why it matters? WCS is the Singapore government-led event that has been serving as a global platform for government leaders, industry experts and academia to come together further knowledge sharing and collaboration between cities. The discussions are centred around addressing urban liveability and

Kigali: A Case Study Among Africa's Tech Hubs

Kigali: A Case Study Among Africa’s Tech Hubs Dubbed the "Silicon Valley of Africa,” Kigali, Rwanda, is a growing leader in technology and innovation on the continent. Setting it apart from other technology hubs in Africa, support from the Rwandan government has been instrumental in transforming the city, which once witnessed the devasation of the Rwandan genocide, into a center of technological growth. Kigali’s position as a regional innovator demonstrates the effectiveness state subsidization provides in delivering transformative progress, and highlights how cities like Nairobi and Lagos have achieved similar results through different developmental methods. Kigali Innovation City, a flagship project aimed at creating a smart city, lies at the heart of Kigali’s technological advancement. Backed by the government and various third parties, the plan falls under the broader Smart Rwanda Master Plan, a framework designed to further economic growth with the end goal of a principally information and knowledge-based economy. Under Kigali Innovation City, information and communications technology infrastructure such as university campuses, business hotels, and research centers have been built. Several startups have also seen success, most notably the drone company Zipline, which demonstrates how state-backed infrastructure can directly improve service delivery and access to healthcare. Zipline delivers medical supplies to rural areas where residents otherwise do not have access to healthcare. Upon completion, Kigali Innovation City is expected to produce $2 billion in economic value and attract $300 million in foreign direct investment, positioning the city among emerging technological leaders in Africa. As the main driver behind Kigali’s transition into a digital center, the government has partnered with stakeholders and third parties to fund and conduct construction projects and infrastructure changes. Among others, academic and non-governmental organizations such as Carnegie Mellon University and World Economic Forum initiatives have helped by promoting emerging technology and attracting technical talent.

Make in India: Strengthening Manufacturing Growth

The ‘Make in India’ campaign was launched by Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi on September 25, 2014, as part of a wider set of nation-building initiatives. It aims to enhance India's position as a manufacturing hub for the world. The push came when the economy was slowing and the country needed fresh engines of growth. The campaign’s main goals are to support investment, enhance innovation and build top-of-the-line infrastructure. Bold reforms and the ‘Make in India’ initiative over the past decade have started to make India an industrial powerhouse. The nation is now the world’s second-largest mobile phone maker and its local electronics’ production has boomed. ‘Make in India’ is built on four pillars aimed at improving competitiveness. These are: These reforms have yielded early wins. FDI inflow into manufacturing increased: during FY14-FY25, India received Rs. 16,62,036 crore (US$ 184.2 billion) of manufacturing FDI. Electronic hubs in Pune (Maharashtra) and Bengaluru (Karnataka) and smartphone factories in Chennai (Tamil Nadu) and Noida (Uttar Pradesh) were among the new factories that sprung up across states. Complementary policies have also been introduced by the government: the National Logistics Policy (2022) to reduce the cost of logistics and improve global rankings and Startup India (2016) to establish the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world, which has generated more than 17.69 lakh jobs by January 2025. By the 10th anniversary, the Make in India campaign had established the manufacturing potential of India in the world map. In 2021, the programme was expanded into Make in India 2.0, which includes 27 sectors and introduces a new focus on advanced technologies, further developing the initial agenda and becoming a new impulse towards self-reliance. Make in India 2.0 and frontier technologies Building on the first phase, ‘Make in India 2.0’ emphasises advanced, high-tech manufacturing and integration of frontier

Gates Park soccer plans scaled back; pickleball courts added

Gates Park soccer plans scaled back; pickleball courts added Plans have been modified for Port Coquitlam’s Gates Park upgrade after part of the funding fell through. Originally, the project included a new fieldhouse, FIFA-standard pitch, practice fields, and a grandstand with space for 1,200 spectators. With an outdoor sound system and enough power for a line of food trucks, councillors discussed the possibility of Gates Park hosting a variety festivals and shows. City staff were also planning to bring an event to Port Coquitlam during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Local news that matters to you No one covers the Tri-Cities like we do. But we need your help to keep our community journalism sustainable. “At the time, Port Coquitlam was relying on funding to be provided by BC and PoCo Soccer,” explained Port Coquitlam’s director of engineering and public works Joshua Frederick in an email to the Dispatch. After that money failed to materialize, the project went through a review, with efforts made to retain as much of the original $15-million plan as possible while also bringing down costs. The project budget is now $11.9 million, including a $6.7-million provincial grant. The province was previously set to contribute $9 million. The centrepiece of the project is now a multi-purpose synthetic turf field, new field lighting, bleacher, scoreboard, changerooms, and a grandstand with space for 500 spectators. Port Coquitlam is also set to add four pickleball courts to the park, due to “rapidly growing interest in the community,” Frederick explained. The courts should be a good fit, “as Gates Park is a hub for numerous other sport fields/courts,” Frederick added. Initially, the Gates Park upgrade was set to be complete in late-2025. However, as the staff reviewed the design to reduce cost, the project fell behind schedule. There were getting

2 more offshore wind projects scrapped under Trump administration pressure | Utility Dive

Dive Brief - Two U.S. offshore wind projects totaling up to 4.4 GW of planned capacity will not move forward after the developers entered into an agreement with the U.S. Interior Department in which the government said it will cancel the leases and “reimburse” the companies — but not until after they have made equal investments in American liquified natural gas, oil and energy infrastructure. - DOI issued a statement on Monday saying Bluepoint Wind offshore New York and Golden State Wind offshore California “each separately agreed to voluntarily end their offshore wind leases” and not to pursue any new offshore wind projects in the United States. DOI put the value of the lease agreements and potential reimbursements at $765 million for Bluepoint and $120 million for Golden State. - EDP, a Portuguese company with stakes in both projects, said it had “agreed to settle imminent claims.” The reimbursement of the amounts previously paid for the leases’ acquisition are contingent upon reinvestment in other U.S. energy projects “aligned with the current Administration of USA’s priorities,” EDP said. “The proceeds are expected to be received after fulfilment of conditions precedent which is anticipated to happen during 2026.” Dive Insight Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said in a statement that the companies that bid for the offshore wind leases “were basically sold a product in 2022 that was only viable when propped up by massive taxpayer subsidies.” “Now that hardworking Americans are no longer footing the bill for expensive, unreliable, intermittent energy projects, companies are once again investing in affordable, reliable, secure energy infrastructure,” he said. “In addition, the agreements resolve the unaddressed national security concerns at both projects.” Ocean Winds, a 50% owner of Bluepoint Wind and Golden State Wind, is a joint venture owned by ENGIE and EDP Renewables.

Heavy Construction Equipment Market to Reach $329.25 bn by 2032

Dubai, UAE – April 16, 2026 — Kings Research today announced its new report, “Global Heavy Construction Equipment Market: Size, Share, Trends & Forecast 2025–2032.” The report provides an in-depth analysis of construction machinery, including excavators, loaders, cranes, and earthmoving equipment, along with segmentation by machinery type, propulsion, and end user. It also highlights regional dynamics and competitive strategies adopted by leading manufacturers, catering to construction firms, infrastructure developers, and government agencies. The global heavy construction equipment market was anticipated by Kings Research to be around USD 239.19 billion in 2024 and is projected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.12% from USD 248.13 billion in 2025 to USD 329.25 billion by 2032. Heavy construction equipment refers to a broad range of machinery used for large-scale construction activities such as excavation, material handling, demolition, and infrastructure development. These machines include excavators, bulldozers, loaders, graders, and cranes, powered by diesel, electric, or hybrid propulsion systems. With rapid urbanization and increasing infrastructure modernization projects worldwide, demand for advanced, fuel-efficient, and automated construction equipment is steadily rising. Kings Research underscored some of the major trends influencing the heavy construction equipment market. These include: ● Rising Global Infrastructure Investments Governments worldwide are significantly increasing infrastructure spending to support economic growth. According to the World Bank, global infrastructure investment needs are estimated to reach USD 94 trillion by 2040. This surge in infrastructure projects, including roads, bridges, and smart cities, is driving demand for heavy construction equipment. ● Urbanization Driving Construction Demand Rapid urban population growth is fueling the need for residential and commercial construction. The United Nations reports that nearly 55% of the global population lived in urban areas in 2022, a figure expected to rise to 68% by 2050. This trend is increasing demand for efficient and high-capacity construction

Cyberport and NSTDA's Thailand Science Park Sign MoU to Accelerate I&amp;T Collaborations ...

This marks a significant milestone for both sides since their first collaboration in 2024. The partnership aims to build a collaborative framework between Cyberport and NSTDA acting through TSP, create a reciprocal market-access gateway to facilitate start-ups' entry into both the Thai and Hong Kong markets through ecosystem support, soft landing initiatives, and cross market collaboration, as well as promote knowledge exchange, industry engagement, and joint initiatives in emerging technology sectors, including artificial intelligence, smart city solutions, and other digital technologies. Witnessed by Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport and Dr Chularat Tanprasert, Executive Vice President of NSTDA and Director of Thailand Science Park, the MoU was signed by Ir Eric Chan, Chief Public Mission Officer of Cyberport and Professor Dr Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA. Simon Chan, Chairman of Cyberport, said, "Cyberport, as Hong Kong's digital tech hub, AI accelerator and key incubator, supported companies to have expanded to Thailand, the broader ASEAN region along the Belt and Road, and over 35 markets worldwide. NSTDA and Thailand Science Park on our side will add strength to Cyberport's ever-growing ASEAN alliances, paving the way to Hong Kong and Chinese Mainland companies to take a stronghold in ASEAN markets. We look forward to supporting high-potential companies from Thailand to capitalise on the vast markets in the Greater Bay Area and the wider Chinese Mainland, and global markets. This partnership significantly expands our bilateral collaborations in company soft-landing, ecosystem connection and proof-of-concept initiatives. Together we will continue to serve as a gateway to empower Asian innovators and attract worldwide entrepreneurs, to capitalise on new opportunities for digital economy and smart cities under the AI+ era." Professor Dr. Sukit Limpijumnong, President of NSTDA, said, "The collaboration is designed to establish practical mechanisms to support start-ups in expanding internationally, including market entry, industry partnerships, and

Interview: From &quot;Made in China&quot; to &quot;Innovated in China,&quot; Saudi strategist eyes deeper ...

RIYADH, April 28 (Xinhua) -- As Saudi Arabia advances its Saudi Vision 2030 and deepens its economic and technological ties with China, Saudi companies are increasingly turning to China for long-term partnership, a Saudi strategist told Xinhua in a recent interview. "China brings not only products, but also technology, experience, and the future," said Rayan Al Amoudi, strategy and business development executive manager of Nesma Infrastructure & Technology (NIT) and the chairman of the China-Saudi Arabia Technology Innovation Center. In his view, bilateral cooperation has evolved beyond trade and engineering contracts to encompass technology transfer, localization, joint investment, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI). NIT's cooperation with Chinese companies focuses on digital transformation, smart cities, infrastructure, and energy, according to Al Amoudi. "What we are looking for now is no longer simply bringing finished products into Saudi Arabia. We want the technology to come with them," he said, adding that Saudi Arabia seeks to introduce technologies and build local capability instead of focusing solely on consumption. Cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia is increasingly aligning with this trend, according to the strategist. The pace of bilateral corporate cooperation has accelerated notably, and Chinese tech enterprises such as Huawei have left a deep impression through their expansion in the Saudi market, he noted. Meanwhile, local perceptions of Chinese technology have improved. "Now, more and more government entities and companies realize that Chinese technology is value for money, affordable quality, and fully capable of meeting project needs," he added. Al Amoudi, who has visited China many times, described his first trip in 2013 as "a cultural shock," saying he was stunned by the country's mature infrastructure. Each subsequent visit, he noted, revealed further changes in airports, transportation, and digital life. He also expressed keen interest in China's intelligent warehouses, where robots handle