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Eq8 Unveils World’s First Waqf ETF To Drive Socio-Economic Impact Investing

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 December 2024 – Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd (“Eq8“), a member of Kenanga Investors Group (“Kenanga Investors”), has announced the listing of the world’s first Waqf-featured exchange-traded fund (“ETF“), the Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf ETF (“Waqf ETF” or “EQ8WAQF“), on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities Berhad (“Bursa Malaysia” or “Exchange“). The Waqf ETF aims to distribute income annually with half of the income distribution to be allocated as Waqf assets with the remaining half payable to unitholders. The launch is the result of a strategic collaboration between Eq8 and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia (“YWM“) which was announced in June this year with YWM as the appointed Waqf administrator of the Waqf assets generated by the Waqf ETF.

Sixth from left to right: Tan Sri Abdul Wahid Omar, Chairman of Bursa Malaysia; Yang Berhormat Senator Dato’ Setia Dr. Haji Mohd Na’im bin Haji Mokhtar, Minister of Religious Affairs, Prime Minister’s Office and Chairman of Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia; Datuk Chay Wai Leong, Group Managing Director of Kenanga Investment Bank Berhad; Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia; Mr. Steven Choy Khai Choon, Chairman/ Non-Independent Non-Executive Director of Kenanga Investors Berhad; and first from right: Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis, Executive Director/ Chief Executive Officer of Kenanga Investors Berhad at the launch of the world’s first Waqf-featured Exchange-Traded Fund, the Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf

“We are proud to announce the launch of the world’s first Waqf-featured ETF together with YWM, marking a significant milestone after months of dedicated effort. The Waqf ETF underscores Kenanga Investors unwavering commitment to advance impact investing, especially in today’s climate. Waqf is now widely recognised as a critical pillar of support for Malaysia’s socio-economic development and contributes to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. We perceive the launch to be in alignment with the government’s call for increased collaborations between religious bodies, the public and the private sectors in order to maximise potential for Waqf assets to fund projects such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment and environment. This reflects the spirit of Waqf in creating long-term, sustainable benefits for communities, fostering social equity, and addressing pressing societal needs”, said Kenanga Investors’ Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Wira Ismitz Matthew De Alwis.

The Waqf ETF represents a continuous commitment by Kenanga Investors and its group of companies to participate in the Securities Commission Malaysia’s Islamic Fund and Wealth Management Blueprint, Waqf-Featured Fund Framework alongside the enhancements to Bursa Malaysia’s Main Market Listing Requirements. The Waqf ETF is the third Waqf-featured product by the group that has been issued since the launch of the Kenanga Waqf Al-Ihsan Fund in 2021.

Umar Alhadad, Executive Director of Eq8, shared, “EQ8WAQF exemplifies how an Islamic capital market product can be innovatively developed to integrate investment returns while fostering inclusivity, sustainability, and shared prosperity. Through democratised access on the Exchange, investors will have the opportunity to access and achieve dual impact investing goals from the Waqf ETF. EQ8WAQF features an index lead scheme to generate dividends from the thoughtfully designed index which combines an income-focused strategy with a momentum-based approach. This innovative strategy aims to deliver higher dividend yields while providing investors with potential capital growth, positioning it as an advantageous alternative to traditional dividend-focused funds”.

“We are glad to continue our partnership with Kenanga Investors with the introduction of the Eq8 FTSE Malaysia Enhanced Dividend Waqf ETF. This Waqf ETF serves as an additional instrument in accommodating Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia’s efforts to grow Waqf assets and the wellbeing of the community with the distribution of the Waqf assets for the EQWAQF to be channelled towards economic empowerment, education, healthcare, and environmental causes. With the formation of innovative products like this, investors of all faiths may now take part in contributing towards the betterment of society. We look forward to working closely with more stakeholders across Malaysia to drive the growth and development of Waqf”, YWM’s Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Ridzwan Bakar explained.

Bursa Malaysia’s Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Muhamad Umar Swift, said, “We extend our congratulations to Eq8 and Yayasan Waqaf Malaysia on the launch of the world’s first waqf-featured ETF. the Exchange has observed a growing trend of investors opting for Shariah or ethical investing, given its close alignment with ESG investing. As such, the introduction of the EQ8WAQF is therefore timely and is expected to be well-received by investors, particularly those seeking financial returns while making a positive impact on society. Importantly, the EQ8WAQF supports our effort to broaden investment opportunities and foster inclusivity for investors, offering more products to encourage their participation in the capital market”. The Waqf ETF is the fifth addition to Eq8’s ETF product suite making it the largest ETF issuer in Malaysia. EQ8WAQF is suitable for investors seeking medium to long-term investment opportunities in liquid financial instruments with index-tracking features that focus on high-yield, dividend-paying Shariah-compliant equities.

For more information about Eq8, please visit www.eq8.com.my.

Hashtag: #Kenanga

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

Eq8 Capital Sdn Bhd (Formerly known as i-VCAP Management Sdn Bhd) 200701034939 (792968-D)

Eq8 is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kenanga Investors Berhad and was incorporated on 25 October 2007. Eq8 holds a Capital Markets Services Licence (CMSL) for fund management in relation to portfolio management which was issued by the Securities Commission Malaysia under the Capital Markets and Services Act 2007. Its principal business activity is the provision of Shariah-compliant investment management services.

Eq8 manages five equity ETFs that are listed on Bursa Malaysia. As at 30 November 2024, the asset under management is RM348 million.

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MarsLab Introduces Singapore-Based AI Inference Infrastructure Roadmap for Enterprise and Edge Deployment

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MarsLab outlines a system-first approach to AI inference infrastructure for enterprise and edge deployment scenarios.

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – MarsLab Pte Ltd today introduced its Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure roadmap, focused on deployment-oriented systems for enterprise and edge AI workloads.
MarsLab takes a system-first approach to AI infrastructure, bringing together hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics. The company is focused on practical scenarios where AI inference needs to operate reliably across real-world environments, including enterprise applications, edge deployment, and industry-specific systems.
MarsLab’s near-term M100 platform is designed for commercial and system-level validation. The platform is intended to help the company evaluate real workloads, software behavior, integration requirements, operational constraints, and customer deployment needs. These learnings will support MarsLab’s longer-term M200 roadmap, which is planned as a future self-designed silicon direction informed by practical deployment data.
“We believe future AI infrastructure should be developed with a system-first mindset,” said Zhongwei Liao, CEO of MarsLab. “Before moving toward deeper technology roadmaps, it is important to understand real workloads, system integration requirements, and deployment economics in practical environments.”
MarsLab is building its presence in Singapore and engaging with partners across Southeast Asia’s semiconductor and AI infrastructure ecosystem. The company aims to support enterprises and technology partners seeking practical, efficient, and deployable AI inference infrastructure.

Hashtag: #AIInfrastructure #AIInference #EdgeAI #EnterpriseAI #Singapore


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

About MarsLab Pte Ltd

MarsLab Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based AI inference infrastructure company focused on enterprise and edge AI deployment scenarios. The company works across hardware systems, software stack integration, workload validation, and deployment economics, with a system-first approach to practical AI infrastructure.

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CP AXTRA Partners with Ayala to Strengthen Mall Development and Asset Management

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BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, the operator of ASEAN’s leading wholesaler – retailer Makro and Lotus’s, will strengthen mall development and asset management at Makro in Thailand under a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) signed with Ayala Corporation, one of the Philippines’ largest conglomerates. Through its consumer retail and mall arms, ACx Holdings Corporation (“ACx”) and AyalaLand Malls, Inc (“ALMI”), the partnership will also unlock greater shared value from CP AXTRA’s mall assets nationwide.

Under the agreement, ACx and ALMI will share methodologies and best practices in mall asset operations, leasing strategy and project development to improve operational efficiency, enhance customer experience and maximize the long-term value of CP AXTRA’s land and assets, initially focusing on seven key stores of Makro. The parties will also explore future investment opportunities related to mall and asset development in Thailand, alongside collaborative initiatives for the development of new sites and the redevelopment of existing CP AXTRA sites across the country. This is the third agreement signed between CP AXTRA and Ayala, underscoring the strong partnership and continued collaboration between the two groups, following their previous agreements to operate Makro in the Philippines and expand regional business opportunities.

“This agreement with Ayala allows us to combine CP AXTRA’s deep understanding of the Thai retail market with Ayala’s decades of experience in developing and leasing shopping mall spaces. By applying proven methodologies to our Makro mall, we aim to elevate the standards of the retail environment we offer, not only improving the experience for our shoppers and tenants, but also fostering sustainable growth and creating long-term value for our asset and the surrounding community,” said Tanit Chearavanont, Group Chief Wholesale Business Officer, CP AXTRA Public Company Limited.

“This is another milestone in our growing relationship and collaboration with the CP Group. Through this partnership, we intend to leverage the complementary strengths of two leading conglomerates to create world-class retail and real estate developments across markets. This also marks Ayala’s entry into the Thailand market, giving us a strong opportunity not only to share our expertise, but also to gain valuable insights from one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and developed retail markets. More broadly, this partnership aligns with Ayala’s strategy of bringing the best of the world to the Philippines while showcasing the best of the Philippines to the world,” said Mark Uy, Managing Director and Group Head of Strategy and Business Development, Ayala Corporation.

“Makro’s nationwide footprint gives it a meaningful role in the everyday lives of Thai consumers. Our opportunity is to help turn that everyday relevance into places people choose to stay, explore, and return to. By combining CP AXTRA’s market knowledge with Ayala Malls’ experience in curating retail partners, improving customer journeys, and building community-oriented retail destinations, we believe these sites can become stronger platforms for shoppers, merchant partners, and long-term asset growth,” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Managing Director and Group Head of Leasing and Hospitality of Ayala Land.

The collaboration brings two complementary strengths together. CP AXTRA is one of ASEAN’s leading wholesale and retail operators, with more than 2,700 Makro and Lotus’s stores. The company is a regional leader in multi-format, omnichannel retail platforms across Southeast Asia and is advancing toward retail-tech company. ALMI, is one of the Philippines’ leading mall operators, managing 34 shopping centers recognized for their strong retail planning, curated tenant mix, and enhanced customer experience across Southeast Asia. With extensive expertise in leasing, mall operations, facility management, and mixed-use development, ALMI is well positioned to support CP AXTRA in maximizing the value and potential of its Makro mall assets in Thailand. Ayala Corporation also brings a broader consumer and enterprise ecosystem that can complement CP AXTRA’s regional retail expansion, while ACx, its consumer retail unit, adds perspective on evolving customer behavior, format innovation, and retail partnerships.

The MoC builds on the two groups’ existing strategic partnership, which began in 2025 with the formation of CP AXTRA AC CORPORATION to operate Makro stores in the Philippines and was expanded to include a wider range of collaborative opportunities. This new agreement deepens that partnership further, marking the first time Ayala will bring its mall development and leasing expertise directly to CP AXTRA’s operations in Thailand.

Hashtag: #CPAXTRA

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

About CP AXTRA

CP AXTRA Public Company Limited, is an operator of Asia’s leading wholesaler and retailer, Makro and Lotus’s. The Company is based in Thailand, with operation across 10 countries. CP AXTRA is committed to fulfilling people’s lives with good health, love, joy, and well-being, by providing solutions and meeting customers’ daily needs with technology, innovation, and operational excellence. With over 30 years of retail experience, CP AXTRA is a trusted partner for both B2B and B2C customers, offering a comprehensive range of products and services. Today, it manages over 2,700 offline stores in Thailand and Asia, with strong online presence.

About Ayala Corporation

For more than 190 years, Ayala Corporation has been building businesses that enable people to thrive.
Ayala, currently one of the largest conglomerates in the Philippines, has meaningful presence in real estate, banking, digital services and telecommunications, and renewable energy. It likewise has a growing presence in healthcare, mobility, and logistics as well as investments in industrial technologies, education, and other ventures. Ayala manages its corporate social responsibility initiatives through Ayala Foundation.

About Ayala Malls

Ayala Malls is the premier lifestyle mall network in the Philippines, known for creating vibrant, well-curated destinations that bring together shopping, dining, culture, and community experiences. With 34 malls nationwide, Ayala Malls continues to lead in elevating the Filipino retail experience by offering a diverse mix of global and local brands, innovative spaces, and enriching events that celebrate local creativity and inclusivity. As part of Ayala Land, the country’s leading real estate developer, Ayala Malls is committed to building dynamic, sustainable spaces where people can connect, thrive, and enjoy life’s everyday moments.

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Aon Brings Leadership Forum to Manila to Help Organisations Navigate Risks and Drive Growth

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 28 May 2026 – Aon plc (NYSE: AON), a leading global professional services firm, is today hosting its Better Decisions Leadership Forum in Manila, bringing together senior business leaders to discuss how organisations can navigate from risk to resilience and growth in an increasingly complex environment. The invitation-only forum is taking place at the Fairmont Hotel in Makati.

The event is expected to convene more than 70 C-suite and senior business leaders from top organisations across the Philippines for a closed-door exchange on managing economic, workforce, climate and operational pressures. By bringing together diverse perspectives, the forum aims to foster practical insights and strategies that help organisations navigate uncertainty, protect their businesses and drive sustainable growth.

The program will be officially opened by Karl Hamann, CEO of Philippines for Aon, followed by a keynote from Andrew Jeffries, country director for the Asian Development Bank on the macroeconomic and geopolitical trends shaping the business environment.

Notable speakers include Terence Williams, head of Commercial Risk in Asia Pacific for Aon, and other firm executives alongside external regional leaders, including Annacel Natividad, chief risk officer and sustainability head for Aboitiz Foods Group, and Raymond Martin Aguilar, vice president and head of risk and property management for Globe Telecom, Inc.

“This forum reflects a fundamental shift in how organisations are evolving their approach to risk,” said Williams. “Across Asia Pacific, we are seeing a growing focus on using data and analytics to understand trade-offs, test scenarios and act with greater confidence. Bringing leaders together to share practical experience is critical to strengthening resilience while continuing to drive growth.”

A central feature of the forum will be a C-suite panel on adaptive leadership in a digital world, where senior leaders will share how they are balancing risk, resilience and growth, and the decisions shaping their organisations today. The session will be moderated by Irma Gaviola, head of Commercial Risk, Philippines for Aon.

The program will include risk masterclasses focused on key enterprise exposures, including cyber and climate risks, exploring how organisations can quantify risk, strengthen resilience and design more effective risk transfer strategies.

Participants will also be introduced to Aon’s Risk Analyzers, an interactive environment where clients can experience a suite of analytics-led tools that support scenario testing and supports better risk capital decisions. The tools are designed to help organisations assess exposures and evaluate strategic choices in real time.

“The Philippines sits at the intersection of strong economic growth and increasing risk complexity, said Hamann. “This forum creates a space for candid dialogue and practical insights to help organisations navigate risk with greater clarity and confidence.”

The Better Decisions Leadership Forum is part of Aon’s ongoing commitment to helping organisations turn insight into action – enabling more informed decision-making to protect and grow their business.

Hashtag: #Aon

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

About Aon

(NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues provide clients in over 120 countries with the clarity and confidence to make better risk and people decisions that help protect and grow their businesses.

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Disclaimer
The information contained in this document is solely for information purposes, for general guidance only and is not intended to address the circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Although Aon endeavours to provide accurate and timely information and uses sources that it considers reliable, the firm does not warrant, represent or guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, completeness or fitness for any purpose of any content of this document and can accept no liability for any loss incurred in any way by any person who may rely on it. There can be no guarantee that the information contained in this document will remain accurate as on the date it is received or that it will continue to be accurate in the future. No individual or entity should make decisions or act based solely on the information contained herein without appropriate professional advice and targeted research.

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