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Citi Hosts Flagship AI Forum to Drive Hong Kong’s Financial Future In Partnership with Mastercard & FinTech Association of Hong Kong
Leading Financial Institutions, Regulators, and Tech Innovators Converge to Accelerate Hong Kong’s AI Readiness and Global Leadership
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 September 2025 – Citi Hong Kong, in collaboration with Mastercard and the FinTech Association of Hong Kong (FTAHK), successfully co-hosted the “Creating an AI Ready Economy” forum yesterday. Riding on the success of last year, this flagship event, now in its second edition, brought together over 100 participants. This exclusive event brought regulators, finance industry experts, and FinTech innovators together to delve into the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in propelling Hong Kong’s economic future, firmly cementing Hong Kong’s unparalleled position as a global AI-enabled financial hub. This forum reaffirmed Citi’s unwavering commitment to fostering innovation and preparing the financial ecosystem for an era of unprecedented growth and technological leadership.
The event featured a distinguished lineup of speakers from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and leading organizations including Accenture, Fano, Google Hong Kong and Mastercard. This diverse representation underscored the broad industry commitment to advancing AI capabilities responsibly and collaboratively. During the forum, discussions spanned critical areas such as the future impact of AI on Hong Kong’s economy and banking industry, the value of AI for wealth management, and the potential of Agentic AI in transforming the banking, investments and financial services.
The forum also emphasized responsible AI adoption, balancing innovation with strong regulatory oversight and consumer protection, and fostering international collaboration to ensure a secure, transparent, and well-regulated environment, drawing insights from initiatives like the GenAI Sandbox and evolving regulatory policies.
Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth, Asia North & Australia at Citi, said, “At Citi Wealth, AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to not only personalize client experiences but also to deliver enhanced value. Citi is at the forefront of leveraging AI to optimize our operations, empowering our teams to focus on providing our clients with timely, sophisticated and hyper-personalized wealth management solutions that anticipate and meet their evolving needs. This is how we are actively building the future of wealth.”
Delving into advanced AI applications, Joe Bonanno, Head of Data Analytics & Innovation at Citi Wealth, commented, “We are relentlessly modernizing our technology platforms to deliver state-of-the-art capabilities – bringing advanced functionality, innovation, and personalization to both clients and colleagues. This commitment also optimizes our operations and provides truly tailored client experiences. At Citi Wealth, we have already seen the significant impact of AI with the launch of AskWealth and Advisor Insights for the Wealth business in North America, enhancing operational efficiency and tailoring client experiences. We are incredibly excited to scale these proven AI innovations globally, bringing significant added value to our clients across the Hong Kong market and beyond.”
Dipendra Malhotra, Head of Wealth Technology at Citi, added, “The rapid evolution of our industry demands a bold vision for technological transformation. At Citi Wealth, we are architecting an industry-leading technological backbone, powered by strategic partnerships with innovators. This empowers our colleagues to deliver deeply personalized client experiences, establishing Citi as a pioneer in human-AI collaboration that fundamentally enhances value for both our colleagues and clients.”
Matthew Driver, Executive Vice President, Services, Asia Pacific at Mastercard, said, “AI is transforming wealth management – from streamlining operations and risk management to delivering deep personalization and actionable insights. Market leaders like Citi are leading this shift by not just upgrading technology, but driving a full-scale transformation across culture, processes, systems and capabilities. Responsible data use, executive commitment, and retraining are all critical to unlocking AI’s full potential, but perhaps the most important is keeping the human in the loop from governance all the way through to relationship management, because trust is the currency of the digital economy.”
Lareina Wang, Chair, FinTech Association of Hong Kong, said “This forum was a powerful demonstration of the collaborative spirit driving Hong Kong’s fintech ecosystem. Bringing together regulators, financial institutions, and technology innovators is essential to responsibly harness the transformative power of AI. The FTAHK is proud to partner with industry leaders like Citi Hong Kong and Mastercard to foster these critical dialogs, especially by the participation of members from our AI Strategic Advisory Council. By uniting diverse perspectives, we can accelerate Hong Kong’s journey to becoming a leading AI-ready economy, ensuring the city remains at the forefront of financial innovation.”
The forum marked a significant step in Hong Kong’s journey towards an AI-enabled financial hub. By facilitating the responsible adoption of AI, Hong Kong is ready to become a future-ready leader in the rapidly evolving global landscape, with Citi actively contributing to this transformative vision.
Click HERE to download the photos
Photo 1: Leading industry experts, regulators, and innovators gather at the “Creating AI Ready Economy” forum in Hong Kong, fostering dialogs to shaping the future of AI-driven financial innovation (From left to right):
- Dr. Miles Wen, Co-founder & CEO of Fano
- Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citibank Hong Kong
- Tancho Fingarov, SVP, Head of Business & Market Insights for Asia Pacific, Mastercard
- Aveline San, Chief Executive Officer and Banking Head of Citi Hong Kong
- Carmen Chu, Executive Director, Banking Supervision of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority
- Joe Bonanno, Head of Data Analytics & Innovation at Citi Wealth
- Dipendra Malhotra, Head of Wealth Technology at Citi
- Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth, Asia North & Australia at Citi
- Nailesh Shah, Head of Digital Platform & Content Commercialization, Citibank Hong Kong
- Nicole Bodack, Managing Director, Banking & Capital Markets, APAC at Accenture
Photo 2: Marc Luet, Head of Japan, Asia North & Australia, and Banking at Citi delivers opening remarks at the “Creating AI Ready Economy” forum.
Photo 3: Howard Lee, Deputy Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (left), discusses the regulatory vision for AI, underscoring Hong Kong’s commitment to fostering a secure and well-regulated environment for AI-driven advancements during a Fireside Chat moderated by Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth, Asia North & Australia at Citi (right).
Photo 4: (2nd from the left to right) Joe Bonanno, Head of Data Analytics & Innovation at Citi Wealth, Carmen Chu, Executive Director (Banking Supervision) of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority, and Michael Yue, Managing Director and General Manager at Google Hong Kong, discuss how AI is revolutionizing the banking and wealth management landscape during the panel discussion moderated by Aveline San, Chief Executive Officer and Banking Head of Citi Hong Kong (first from the left).
Photo 5: (2nd from the left to right) Dipendra Malhotra, Head of Wealth Technology at Citi, Tancho Fingarov, SVP, Head of Business & Market Insights for Asia Pacific at Mastercard, and Nicole Bodack, Managing Director, Banking & Capital Markets APAC at Accenture discuss how Agentic AI is transforming financial services, during the panel discussion moderated by Dr. Miles Wen, Co-founder & CEO of Fano (first from the left).
Hashtag: #Citi
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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FikaGO Debuts in SoHo, Blending Pet Stroller with Modern Lifestyle Design
The Taiwan-born pet mobility brand opens its first SoHo pop-up inside Flying Solo, bringing its Nordic-designed pet stroller collection to the heart of New York City.
NEW YORK, USA – Media OutReach Newswire – 02 April 2026 – FikaGO, the design-led pet mobility brand recognized across Asia and Europe, has opened its first New York City pop-up store inside Flying Solo in SoHo. The opening marks a deliberate move for a pet brand into one of the world’s most competitive retail districts.
Since entering the online American market in 2025, FikaGO has built a growing community of pet parents who see their animals as a central part of everyday life. Positioned as lifestyle essentials rather than conventional pet gear, FikaGO’s range of products is designed for people who want the best for their fur babies.
“We’ve always believed that pet products should not only be functional, but also beautifully integrated into everyday life.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
SoHo was a considered choice: Flying Solo, with locations in New York and Paris, is known for championing independent design with a distinctly global sensibility.
The pop-up showcases FikaGO’s auto-folding Free To Go 2 in Sandy Beige, the brand’s bestselling product. All FikaGO’s products are manufactured using eco-friendly fabrics made from recycled materials, reflecting a commitment to sustainability. This includes their large-capacity Agile 2 pet strollers to their airline-approved Truffle carriers and the heavy-duty Kross pet wagon.
“Launching in SoHo is a meaningful milestone for us; it allows customers to truly experience the quality, design, and intention behind every FikaGO product.” — Eric Guu, Co-founder, FikaGO
As pet ownership rises globally, particularly among urban millennials and Gen Zs, demand for products that combine functionality, design, and lifestyle integration continues to grow. FikaGO was built for precisely this moment, and SoHo is precisely where that moment lives.
Visit the FikaGO pop-up at Flying Solo, 419 Broome Street, New York, or explore the full collection at https://us.fikago.com/.
Hashtag: #FikaGO #petmobilitybrand #petstroller #petcarrier #petwagon #petkennel #petbiketrailer
https://us.fikago.com/
https://www.facebook.com/FikaGO.US
https://www.instagram.com/fikago_us/
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@fikago5910
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About FikaGO
FikaGO is a pet mobility brand founded in Taiwan, dedicated to crafting products that blend functionality, comfort, and modern aesthetics. With a presence across Asia and growing reach in Europe and the U.S, FikaGO is redefining everyday experiences between pets and their humans.
Media OutReach
Lee Kum Kee Celebrates Culinary Excellence at the Historic Hong Kong Debut of Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2026
From 23-25 March, Lee Kum Kee brought together top chefs, diverse cultures and industry communities through a range of thoughtfully curated experiences, bringing authentic Asian flavours to the global stage. As well as reaffirming the brand’s Asian roots and international perspective, its involvement reflected an enduring commitment to preserving culinary heritage and driving gastronomic innovation.
“Asian Flavour Duet“: A Culinary Journey Through Heritage and Innovation
Helping to build momentums for this year’s awards, Lee Kum Kee collaborated with Vicky Cheng, the acclaimed Executive Chef and owner of WING, to co-create the “Asian Flavour Duet”, a Hong Kong-style late-night supper party on 24 March. Hosted at two Hong Kong culinary landmarks, the experience unfolded in two chapters – “Paying Tribute to Heritage” and “Innovative Fusion” – and invited guests to explore the limitless possibilities of Asian flavour.
The evening began at the century-old Lin Heung Lau teahouse, a space filled with nostalgia and memories for generations of Hong Kongers. Chef Vicky reinterpreted classic Hong Kong late-night dishes using signature Lee Kum Kee sauces, while guests were immersed in the warmth of the historic venue.

The celebration then moved to Medora, Chef Vicky’s Western dining space, where an “Innovative Fusion” was revealed. He showcased his modern culinary philosophy by incorporating Lee Kum Kee sauces with contemporary techniques to create bold, unexpected dishes. Guests also enjoyed specially crafted cocktails infused with Lee Kum Kee sauces, alongside a delightful yet refined sauce-inspired gelato, demonstrating a harmonious interweaving of savoury, umami, sweetness and spice.
The multisensory journey seamlessly blended tradition with innovation, exploring the future of cuisine while highlighting Lee Kum Kee’s role as a global gateway to Asian culinary culture.
At the event, Dodie Hung, Executive Vice President – Corporate Affairs at Lee Kum Kee, commented, “Tonight, we are honoured to celebrate Hong Kong’s late‑night food culture with Chef Vicky and the global culinary community. From the legacy of Lin Heung Lau to the forward‑looking spirit of Medora, we are proud to be part of the creative journey and help showcase the depth of Asian flavours on the world stage.”
Celebrating a Gastronomic Brilliance with the Highest Climber Award Sponsored by Lee Kum Kee
During the awards ceremony on 25 March, Lee Kum Kee’s booth showcased a range of the brand’s acclaimed classic sauces and innovative products. Guests sampled specially crafted bites featuring Lee Kum Kee sauces, engaging directly with the flavours and techniques that have made the brand a trusted partner in both home and professional kitchens worldwide.

As part of the evening’s celebration of the region’s most exceptional culinary talents, the Highest Climber Award sponsored by Lee Kum Kee was presented to Lamdre in Beijing by Chef Park from Atomix (No.1 in North America’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025). Lambre was applauded for its pioneering plant-based dining space that promotes healthy, sustainable living while honouring Chinese biodiversity in its menus.

In addition, WING, led by Chef Vicky, achieved an impressive second place in 2026 Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants list. The restaurant had also previously ranked No. 11 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2025, underscoring its continued international acclaim.
Building the Future Together: Deepening Global Partnerships
With the success of this prestigious awards ceremony in Hong Kong, China, Lee Kum Kee looks forward to deepening its collaboration with leading talents in the global culinary community. By continuing to champion Asian flavours and foster meaningful dialogue and exchange, the brand will continue to bring the spirit of Asian cuisine to kitchens and dining tables around the world.
Hashtag: #LeeKumKee #LKK
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Lee Kum Kee
Lee Kum Kee is the global gateway to Asian culinary culture, dedicated to promoting Chinese culinary culture worldwide. Since 1888, it has brought people together over joyful reunions, shared traditions and memorable meals. Beloved by consumers and chefs alike, Lee Kum Kee’s range of more than 300 sauces and condiments sparks creativity in kitchens everywhere, inspiring professional and home chefs to experiment, create and delight. Headquartered in Hong Kong, China and serving over 100 countries and regions, Lee Kum Kee’s rich heritage, unwavering commitment to quality, sustainable practices and “Constant Entrepreneurship” combine to enable superior experiences through Asian cuisine for people worldwide. For more information, please visit www.LKK.com.
About Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants
Launched in 2013, Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants aims to showcase the outstanding achievements and diverse culinary landscape of the region. The list is determined by the Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants Academy, a panel of over 350 culinary experts from across Asia who vote independently based on their specialised knowledge of the local dining scene. The Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants series includes the awards ceremony and list announcement, creating a premier networking platform for restaurateurs, media, seasoned travelers and culinary connoisseurs to celebrate the exceptional service, passion and talent in the dining industry.
Media OutReach
DHL Express appoints new commercial lead for Asia Pacific
- Herbert Vongpusanachai takes on the role of Senior Vice President for Commercial for the region, effective April 1, 2026
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 2 April 2026 – DHL Express, the world’s leading international express service provider, has appointed Herbert Vongpusanachai as Senior Vice President, Commercial for Asia Pacific, effective April 1, 2026. Herbert, who currently serves as Managing Director for DHL Express Thailand & Indochina, will be based in Singapore for his new role.
Herbert brings more than two decades of leadership experience within DHL Express, having successfully helmed multiple key markets across the region. He first joined the company in 2003 as Managing Director for Thailand & Indochina, later taking on leadership of Singapore in 2008, followed by Hong Kong & Macau in 2016. Since returning to lead Thailand & Indochina in 2020, he has driven sustained year‑on‑year profitable growth, transforming the cluster into one of the region’s key engines of expansion.
“Herbert has an exceptional track record of delivering strong business results while nurturing highly engaged teams across diverse markets. His deep understanding of our customers, collaborative leadership style, and ability to unearth opportunities in complex environments make him the ideal leader to drive our commercial agenda for Asia Pacific. I am confident that under his guidance, we will continue to accelerate sustainable growth across the region,” said Ken Lee, CEO for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
In his new regional role, Herbert will shape and accelerate the commercial strategy for DHL Express across Asia Pacific by working with other functions to assess new sectors, routes and trade lanes with high potential for growth. He will focus on deepening customer engagement and supporting their expansion, while driving sustainable volume growth and advancing the adoption of new technologies to enhance commercial execution across markets. With his extensive country expertise and people‑first leadership style, Herbert is well‑positioned to support both regional and country teams in raising commercial performance to new levels.
“Asia Pacific remains an important anchor in global trade as seen in the latest DHL Global Connectedness Report, and this indicates the unwavering role of logistics to facilitate the flow of goods. With the newly introduced Heavyweight Express solution, which enables customers to ship heavyweight shipments with speed, certainty and reliability, I look forward to working alongside our talented teams to contribute to shaping the next chapter of DHL Express’s commercial success,” said Herbert Vongpusanachai, Senior Vice President – Commercial for Asia Pacific, DHL Express.
The latest DHL Global Connectedness Report shows that the region remains a major anchor of global commerce, with multiple economies rising in global connectedness rankings and Southeast Asia firmly establishing itself as a fast‑growing trade corridor. This also mirrors one of DHL Group’s strategies to better support 20 markets globally to accelerate growth; eight of them rest in Asia Pacific – underscoring the region’s critical role in DHL’s global network. As trade flows diversify and intra‑Asia integration deepens, this leadership appointment further strengthens DHL Express’s position in Asia Pacific.
Hashtag: #DHL
https://group.dhl.com/en.html
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dhlexpress/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
DHL – The logistics company for the world
DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. Our DHL divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, e-commerce shipping and fulfillment solutions, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With approximately 389,000 employees in more than 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global sustainable trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including technology, life sciences and healthcare, engineering, manufacturing & energy, auto-mobility and retail, DHL is decisively positioned as “The logistics company for the world”.
DHL is part of DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of approximately 82.9 billion euros in 2025. With sustainable business practices and a commitment to society and the environment, the Group makes a positive contribution to the world. DHL Group aims to achieve net-zero emissions logistics by 2050.
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