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The British Council announces new support for Southeast Asian artisan communities with a 48,000 GBP in funding across the region

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KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – The British Council has announced a new phase of support for craft artisans and creative entrepreneurs across Southeast Asia, launching a train-the-trainer programme to support the strengthening local creative economies in Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Participants take part in a British Council Craft Toolkit training session, designed to equip local trainers with practical business skills to support artisan communities and strengthen sustainable creative livelihoods across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia.

The series of online ‘Craft Toolkit’ trainer programmes were held in early 2026, focused on delivering practical business and skills training to artisan communities. This training was held online and in person with the aim to enhance the sustainability of their practice by teaching business skills.

In new funding support announced, 48,000 GBP will be provided to the Southeast Asian artisan communities to deliver Craft Toolkit training to more artisans across the region. This funding is looking to create lasting local impact in the region to build skills.

Craft Toolkit in Action

Originally developed by the British Council in collaboration with Applied Arts Scotland, the Craft Toolkit is a digital learning platform designed to help craft artisans and entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses. The Toolkit includes five modules covering business planning, product development, sales and marketing, financial management, and sustainability, alongside downloadable resources and train-the-trainer materials.

Between 2019 and 2022, Craft Toolkit training reached artisans in 22 countries worldwide and is available in 12 languages. Ninety-three per cent of participants said the programme helped them find new inspiration, while more than a third reported direct changes in how they design and develop craft products—leading to improved incomes, stronger leadership, and more resilient craft businesses.

Manami Yuasa, Regional Arts Director, East Asia, British Council, said:
“Across Southeast Asia, craft is both a vital source of livelihood and a powerful expression of cultural identity. By investing in local trainers and providing access to practical, digital learning through the Craft Toolkit, we are supporting artisan communities to strengthen their businesses, preserve their cultural heritage, and build more sustainable futures. This programme is about long-term impact—ensuring skills and knowledge remain rooted in the communities that need them most.”

Training in Southeast Asia

In January and February, the British Council delivered a five-week online train-the-trainer programme. The trainers were selected through British Council partner organisations and craft networks. The trainees who are part of the local craft communities, are committed to delivering Craft Toolkit training within their networks over the following 12 months.

Training was conducted in English, with simultaneous interpretation available in Thai, Vietnamese, Burmese, and Bahasa Indonesia.

The Craft Toolkit modules are currently available in English, Thai, Indonesian, and Malaysian.

By investing in local trainers and digital learning, the British Council aims to support skills development, preserve cultural heritage, empower under-represented communities, and strengthen the creative industries across Southeast Asia.
Hashtag: #BritishCouncil #Malaysia #CraftToolkit #CreativeEconomy #CulturalHeritage #SoutheastAsia




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About the British Council

The British Council is the UK’s international culture and education organisation. We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide. We do this through our work in arts and culture, education and the English language. We work with people in over 200 countries and territories. In 2024–25 we reached 600 million people.

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i-Sprint Corporation Announces Successful Completion of Management Buy-Out in Partnership with KV Asia Capital

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SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 March 2026 – i-Sprint Corporation today announced the successful completion of a management buy-out (MBO) of all its operating companies, and marks a pivotal milestone as the company celebrated its 25th anniversary last year. The transaction was led by the company’s existing management team in strategic partnership with KV Asia Capital.

This landmark transaction ranks among the significant Identity and Access Management acquisitions in Asia. It underscores i-Sprint’s strategic importance in the region’s cybersecurity landscape as AI-driven threats, machine identity proliferation, and tightening regulatory requirements reshape cybersecurity across the region. The deal positions i-Sprint for its next phase of innovation and global expansion, as it continues to invest in next-generation capabilities, while expanding its footprint across the region.

This milestone firmly establishes i‑Sprint as one of the region’s largest independent IAM, Quantum Safe and Mobile cybersecurity provider.

Dutch Ng, Chief Executive Officer of i-Sprint, commented:
“This Management Buy-Out is a defining moment for i-Sprint and a testament to the strength of the business we have built and our deep belief in its future. Partnering with KV Asia Capital provides us with the strategic tools and capital to accelerate growth while preserving the entrepreneurial spirit and customer focus that define i-Sprint. We are grateful for the trust and support of our clients, partners, and team—and excited about the future we’re building together.”

KV Asia Capital has a proven track record of scaling growth-stage companies across Asia. Their expertise and financial backing will enable i-Sprint to enhance product offerings, invest in cutting-edge R&D, and pursue new market opportunities with greater agility.

Lee Gan Ping, Managing Director, at KV Asia Capital, said:
“We are thrilled to partner with i-Sprint’s founders and management team, whose deep domain expertise and track record has earned the trust of Asia’s leading financial and government institutions. As identity and authentication become increasingly complex and relevant, we look forward to supporting the team in their next chapter of growth. Together, we will scale i-Sprint’s global footprint through accelerated R&D investments and strategic M&A.”

The existing management team will continue to lead the company, ensuring seamless operations and a continued focus on delivering innovative and superior products and services.
Hashtag: #iSprint

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

About i-Sprint Innovations

is a global leader in Digital Identity, Mobile Security, PQC App Migration, and Brand Protection solutions. For 25 years, i-Sprint has provided award-winning security solutions to financial institutions, multinational corporations, and government agencies worldwide.

About KV Asia Capital

is a private equity firm dedicated to partnering management teams and companies across Southeast Asia. The firm has a multi-year track record of successfully investing behind management teams to drive strategic transformation and growth of mid-market businesses into regional success stories.

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Vietnam Airlines Steps Up Market Promotion Efforts in Europe

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AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Vietnam Airlines officially marked its entry into the Dutch market today with a high-profile promotion event at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, announcing the much-anticipated launch of nonstop flights between Hanoi and Amsterdam.

Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft.

The event, joined by the Ambassador of Vietnam to the Netherlands, Mr. Ngo Huong Nam, served as a strategic platform to introduce the new route to key European travel partners. The gathering highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal as a top-tier destination and reinforced the airline’s mission to bridge Vietnam with Europe’s most vital economic hubs.

Beginning June 16, 2026, Vietnam Airlines will operate three weekly round-trip flights using the state-of-the-art Airbus A350 wide-body aircraft. As the first-ever direct link between the two nations, this service will drastically reduce travel time and position Amsterdam as a primary gateway for passengers traveling from Europe to Southeast Asia.

The flight schedule is optimized for maximum convenience, offering seamless onward connections from Hanoi to Vietnam’s most iconic destinations, including Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Nha Trang, and Phu Quoc, as well as broader regional networks across Northeast Asia and Australia.

“Europe remains a cornerstone of our international growth strategy,” stated Nguyen Quang Trung, Executive Vice President of Vietnam Airlines. “The launch of the Hanoi–Amsterdam route is a testament to our dedication to the European market. By strengthening our ties with regional travel and tourism partners, we are creating a vital corridor for trade, cultural exchange, and tourism between Vietnam and the Netherlands.”

With the addition of Amsterdam, Vietnam Airlines now operates 12 nonstop services to eight major European cities, including Paris, Frankfurt, London, Munich, Milan, Copenhagen, and Moscow. This expansion solidifies the national flag carrier’s role in connecting Vietnam with global economic centers while showcasing the nation’s culture and hospitality to the world.

Hashtag: #VietnamAirlines

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VinFast and the Rise of a New Gulf Lifestyle

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As Gulf cities hardwire sustainability into daily life, VinFast is shaping an electric lifestyle that feels like a smart, seamless routine, with its climate-ready design, long-term warranty confidence and software-driven convenience woven into everyday driving.

DUBAI, UAE – Media OutReach Newswire – 12 March 2026 – Over the past five years, GCC countries have made EV adoption a clear priority. Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, the UAE’s Net Zero 2050 strategy and Qatar’s National Vision 2030 have moved from policy language to pavement. Master-planned districts in Riyadh are wired for electric charging from day one. Residential towers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi market EV-ready parking as a premium amenity. In Doha and Manama, public chargers now stand in mall basements and along waterfront boulevards, quietly normalizing a different way to refuel.

With that, a new lifestyle is taking shape. The clearest sign is how refueling is moving into the home, often happening quietly overnight. In the not-so-distant future, some drivers may struggle to recall the last time they stood beside a pump in the heat, watching the numbers climb under fluorescent lights.

Into this transition steps VinFast, a young global brand intent on making those new habits stick. Its focus is to make the interactions around them feel at least as convenient as traditional ownership, if not more so. In other words, to make EV living workable at scale, for everyone.

The VF 8 sits at the center of that effort. Fine-tuned for Gulf conditions, it pairs vegan leather seating with ventilation and heating functions suited to dramatic seasonal swings. Dual-zone climate control integrates air-quality management and ionization, a practical feature in cities where dust storms are not rare events. The cabin is anchored by a large 15.6-inch infotainment display, sized generously enough that drivers are not left squinting at navigation prompts or climate settings mid-traffic.

More subtly, the VF 8 encourages new expectations around what a car should do. Over-the-air update capability allows the vehicle’s software to improve over time. Driver profiles synchronize settings and climate preferences, useful in households where one vehicle rotates between work commutes, school runs and weekend trips. Smart modes such as pet mode and camp mode extend the car’s role beyond transport, accommodating both urban density and the region’s fondness for desert getaways.

VinFast has also worked to address the psychological side of the green transition. An expectation-surpassing element of the VinFast ownership experience is its warranty package: a 10-year or 200,000-kilometer vehicle warranty, a 10-year unlimited battery warranty and five years of free maintenance up to 100,000 kilometers, all structured to make durability and cost predictability part of the standard equation rather than an added extra. A recently signed Memorandum of Understanding with PlusX Electric in the UAE focuses on portable charging pods, on-demand mobile charging and emergency roadside support.

Taken together, these elements frame sustainability as simply another way of moving through the world, rather than an act of sacrifice, and arguably a more efficient one at that. Fewer service visits. Predictable maintenance costs. Charging woven into the domestic routine.

Across the Gulf, greener living is unfolding in just that manner. The progress can be gradual, almost mundane, yet it is unmistakably forward. VinFast’s role is to ensure that when a driver chooses electric mobility, the surrounding experience feels stable, supported and suited to regional realities.

Hashtag: #Vinfast

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

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