Connect with us

Media OutReach

Arup experts share trends shaping the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail

Published

on

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 29 May 2025 – Rail leaders of global sustainable development consultancy Arup from across the Asia Pacific region shared their insights into the future of rail at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, ranging from the role of transit-oriented development in funding rail infrastructure, the use of the latest green and smart technology in transit systems, station transformation, and customer journey planning.

Arup experts gathered at Asia Pacific Rail 2025, exploring how to transform rail across the region.

Held in Bangkok on 28-29 May 2025, the major rail event in the region was attended by 4,000 people and brought together more than 160 speakers and 200 exhibitors.

As moderator of the keynote panel, TC Chew, Managing Director of APAC at Arup, discussed with leaders of key rail organisations in the region the crucial role of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in making public-private partnerships (PPPs) financially viable and sustainable, the challenges in implementing TOD as well as opportunities for future regional collaboration.

“Governments are under increasing pressure to look for innovative ways to fund rail projects. TOD could be part of the answer. If planned and designed carefully, TOD can help address challenges such as a growing population and demand for housing and employment, while promoting efficient transport options needed for a long-term sustainable future,” said TC.

James Musgrave, APAC Rail Business Leader at Arup, said, “From the Kowloon Station development in Hong Kong to the Sydney Metro Martin Place integrated station development in Australia, Arup provided strategic planning, design and engineering expertise to maximise the value of investment in transit infrastructure and the positive impact on the community it serves. When we create an impactful TOD, we don’t just change how a city moves, we redefine how people live.”

Three leaders from Arup also spoke at Asia Pacific 2025 on major topics in railway development:

  • Alberto Battois, Malaysia Rail Business Leader, on ‘Integrated mobility – what next?’;
  • Carol Lau, Associate Director, on ‘New forms of smart and green mass transit systems for medium capacity network – planning and design’; and
  • Aden Chua, Associate, on ‘Digitalising station transformation’.

In addition, Arup sponsored the British Embassy Reception, where Arup’s clients and partners connected with rail leaders to exchange ideas and share insights. With over 6,400 people in 28 offices across Asia Pacific and direct access to a larger global network, Arup is committed to supporting clients to deliver transformative railways that enhance lives and connectivity across cities and nations.
Hashtag: #Rail #TransitOrientedDevelopment #Arup





Wechat: Arup奥雅纳

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

Arup

Arup is a global built environment consultancy with advisory and technical expertise across more than 150 disciplines. We create safe, resilient, and regenerative places, bringing a Total Design approach to our work for our clients.

Advertisement

Media OutReach

Middle East Coffee Shops Earn Spots in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 List

Published

on

This year’s edition sees six coffee shops from the region secure placements in the Top 100 List

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet announced its global ranking at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026 on 16 February 2026. This year marks a breakthrough moment for the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates secured two placements in the global Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-growing specialty coffee hub. In addition, Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, and Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list, underscoring the region’s growing presence on the world coffee stage.

2026 Top 100 Winners

The list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse and innovative international coffee community that includes The United States, which leads the ranking with nine selected coffee shops, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Middle East coffee shops that made the Top 100 Ranking:
  • Benchmark Coffee, UAE
  • Harvest Coffee, Qatar
  • Meet Lab Coffee, Turkey
  • Azura – The Coffee Company, Oman
  • Cypher Urban Roastery, UAE
  • Flat White Specialty Coffee, Qatar

“Congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and as a leading beverage solutions brand, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title partner,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

The ranking combines the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

A benchmark for the industry and professionals, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is the first global ranking recognising excellence in coffee and aims to highlight coffee shops that not only serve exceptional coffee but also create unique coffee experiences.

As Global and Title Partner of the 2026 edition, and together with initiatives like the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet remains committed to championing global beverage artistry and café culture.

Hashtag: #TheWorlds100BestCoffeeShop #DaVinciGourmet

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

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Middle East Coffee Shops Earn Spots in The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 List

Published

on

This year’s edition sees six coffee shops from the region secure placements in the Top 100 List

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – The second edition of THE WORLD’S 100 BEST COFFEE SHOPS 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet announced its global ranking at CoffeeFest Madrid 2026 on 16 February 2026. This year marks a breakthrough moment for the Middle East. The United Arab Emirates secured two placements in the global Top 100, reinforcing its position as a fast-growing specialty coffee hub. In addition, Qatar and Oman achieved their first-ever entries in the global ranking, and Turkey’s Meet Lab Coffee returned to the list, underscoring the region’s growing presence on the world coffee stage.

2026 Top 100 Winners

The list confirms the emergence of new global capitals of quality coffee, as well as the consolidation of an increasingly diverse and innovative international coffee community that includes The United States, which leads the ranking with nine selected coffee shops, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and Middle East.
Middle East coffee shops that made the Top 100 Ranking:
  • Benchmark Coffee, UAE
  • Harvest Coffee, Qatar
  • Meet Lab Coffee, Turkey
  • Azura – The Coffee Company, Oman
  • Cypher Urban Roastery, UAE
  • Flat White Specialty Coffee, Qatar

“Congratulations to all 100 ranked coffee shops. The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 with DaVinci Gourmet is the global benchmark celebrating the cafés shaping the future of coffee, and as a leading beverage solutions brand, DaVinci Gourmet is proud to stand alongside it as the global title partner,” said Eloise Dubuisson, General Manager, Food Service Brands, Kerry Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa.

RECOGNISING EXCELLENCE IN COFFEE

The ranking combines the evaluation of more than 800 professional judges from all continents with public voting, which exceeded 350,000 votes in this edition. In total, more than 15,000 coffee shops worldwide were analysed.

A benchmark for the industry and professionals, The World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops is the first global ranking recognising excellence in coffee and aims to highlight coffee shops that not only serve exceptional coffee but also create unique coffee experiences.

As Global and Title Partner of the 2026 edition, and together with initiatives like the DaVinci Gourmet Barista Craft Championship, DaVinci Gourmet remains committed to championing global beverage artistry and café culture.

Hashtag: #TheWorlds100BestCoffeeShop #DaVinciGourmet

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

Continue Reading

Media OutReach

Vinfast Middle East Signs MoU with PlusX Electric to Strengthen EV Ownership Experience in the UAE

Published

on

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 23 February 2026 – VinFast today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with PlusX Electric, a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions provider in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The collaboration aims to enhance charging accessibility and strengthen customer support services, reinforcing the overall EV ownership experience for VinFast customers in the UAE.

Ms. Đỗ Hoài Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East (right), and Mr. Chintan Sareen, Founder and CEO of PlusX Electric, at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties.

The partnership is designed to provide greater confidence throughout the EV ownership journey—ensuring that premium electric vehicles are supported by reliable charging solutions, responsive roadside assistance, and integrated digital services. By combining VinFast’s expanding EV presence in the UAE with PlusX Electric’s on-demand charging capabilities and infrastructure expertise, the two parties will work together to deliver a seamless, convenience-led, and assurance-driven experience for VinFast drivers.

Under the MoU, VinFast and PlusX Electric will collaborate across a structured set of initiatives focused on charging availability, ownership support, and infrastructure enablement across key use cases, including home, workplace, fleet, and on-road assistance.

Specifically, the two parties aim to deploy Portable EV Charging Pods to meet customers’ flexible charging needs during vehicle usage, while enabling access to On-Demand Mobile Charging services designed to assist in time-sensitive situations. The partnership will also explore EV Roadside Assistance (RSA) – Emergency Charging services, helping reduce range anxiety and vehicle downtime while strengthening customer assurance through clearly defined service workflows and operational readiness.

In addition, PlusX Electric may become a preferred partner for the supply, installation, and aftersales support of Home & Office Chargers for VinFast customers in the UAE, in alignment with applicable UAE compliance requirements. For commercial and fleet segments, the two parties will explore scalable solutions such as DC Fast Charger Leasing and dedicated mobile charging support, ensuring operational continuity and efficiency for B2B and fleet customers.

As part of the collaboration, VinFast and PlusX Electric will further explore digital integration initiatives to streamline how customers access charging services, manage bookings, and receive service updates through partner platforms. The two parties will also assess potential integration of EV insurance offerings via the PlusX App and explore co-branding opportunities, including VinFast branding on PlusX Power Pods, with the objective of delivering a cohesive and fully integrated EV ecosystem experience.

VinFast VF 8 model in UAE
VinFast VF 8 model in UAE

Ms. Do Hoai Linh, CEO of VinFast Middle East, shared: “VinFast is committed to building a long-term and comprehensive EV ecosystem in the UAEone that gives customers confidence not only in the quality and performance of our electric vehicles, but also in the reliability and accessibility of the supporting infrastructure. Through this MoU with PlusX Electric, we are strengthening the support layer around EV adoption by expanding access to flexible charging solutions, emergency assistance services, and integrated digital touchpoints. By working with a DEWA-approved partner that understands local regulatory requirements and operational realities, we aim to make EV ownership simpler, more dependable, and better aligned with the expectations of customers in the Middle East.”

Chintan Sareen – Founder and CEO of PlusX Electric added: “EV adoption accelerates when customers trust that charging and support are always within reach. Our collaboration with VinFast reflects a shared commitment to strengthening the EV ownership ecosystem in the UAE through dependable infrastructure, responsive roadside services, and customer-centric digital solutions. As a DEWA-approved provider, PlusX Electric brings localized expertise in charger supply and installation, mobile charging operations, and fleet enablement. Together with VinFast, we look forward to delivering practical, scalable solutions that enhance service reliability, reduce range anxiety, and support the continued growth of sustainable mobility in the region.”

Across the Middle East, VinFast continues to expand its presence through strategic partnerships, strengthened aftersales capabilities, and the development of EV-supporting infrastructure. The collaboration with PlusX Electric underscores VinFast’s long-term commitment to supporting customers throughout their ownership journey and contributing to the UAE’s transition toward sustainable and future-ready mobility solutions.

Hashtag: #Vinfast

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

About VinFast

VinFast (NASDAQ: VFS), a subsidiary of Vingroup JSC — one of Vietnam’s largest private conglomerates — is a pure electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer with a mission to make EVs more accessible to all. Its current product lineup includes a range of electric SUVs, e-scooters, e-bikes, and electric buses.

VinFast is entering its next phase of global growth by rapidly expanding its distribution and dealership network, strengthening manufacturing capabilities, and focusing on key markets in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Learn more about VinFast:

About PlusX Electric

PlusX Electric is a DEWA-approved EV charging and electric mobility solutions company in the UAE, offering end-to-end charging services including charger supply and installation, mobile charging solutions, EV roadside assistance, and fleet charging partnerships. PlusX Electric is committed to making EV charging more accessible, reliable, and convenient for both individual and commercial customers across the UAE.

Continue Reading

Trending